The New York Comic-Con weekend brought with it a bunch of manga announcements, including a big new slate from Kodansha USA. The publisher revealed new print licenses for fall 2025, as well as some new digital titles and upcoming box sets. The big fall 2025 box sets include the first collection of Kamome Shirahama's Witch Hat Atelier and a new hardcover collection of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira . Let's see what else is on the way! Kodansha Fall 2025 Print Licenses Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: IruMafia Edition by Hiroja Original Series by Osamu Nishi Synopsis: Get ready to meet the lovable cast of Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun as you’ve never seen them before! In this brand-new spinoff of the runaway hit series, Iruma is a dirt-poor but unfailingly cheerful young boy who grows up in a ruthless city slum. One day, Iruma gives an injured old man his last loaf of...
- 10/21/2024
- by Joseph Luster
- Crunchyroll
This week on The Anime Effect: To celebrate 10 years of The Book of Life , filmmaker Jorge R. Gutierrez joins the show to talk about his love for anime, including how Spirited Away inspired his celebrated film and the surprising place he first watched Akira . Plus, the latest news on One Piece , SK8 the Infinity and much, much more, including recommendations from our resident anime experts! Episode 36 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 36 Summary In this week's episode, LeAlec, Nick, and returning guest host Josellie Rios chat about their Fall 2024 anime watchlist so far, a new Goku balloon gets ready to debut in New York City, and we chat about My Hero Academia announcing its final season.
- 10/18/2024
- by Carla Solórzano
- Crunchyroll
Be it fashion or music, the 80s was a true trendsetter. But when it comes to inspiring pop culture hits, Akira takes the cake. From the iconic bike slide to color-coded leather jackets, the film is a visual treat. What makes the movie impeccable is its animation and well-written characters. The trope of telekinesis paved the path for several iconic shows and movies.
Shotaro Kaneda and his infamous bike slide in a still from the film | Credit: Tms Entertainment
This includes the iconic and successful Netflix series Stranger Things. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the show follows a similar trope of a superhuman kid. While both stories differ in most ways, it’s time Katsuhiro gets his deserved and due recognition. This also extends to his pivotal role in revolutionizing the anime industry through his works.
Akira inspired this iconic and successful Netflix series.
Akira (1988) is one of the most...
Shotaro Kaneda and his infamous bike slide in a still from the film | Credit: Tms Entertainment
This includes the iconic and successful Netflix series Stranger Things. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the show follows a similar trope of a superhuman kid. While both stories differ in most ways, it’s time Katsuhiro gets his deserved and due recognition. This also extends to his pivotal role in revolutionizing the anime industry through his works.
Akira inspired this iconic and successful Netflix series.
Akira (1988) is one of the most...
- 10/12/2024
- by Himanshi Jeswani
- FandomWire
Back in the day when anime was not as mainstream as it is today, Naruto was among the few anime-manga series that made its way to the international audience. The commercial success and overall influence of Masashi Kishimoto’s celebrated series is extraordinary. A huge cast of characters, adrenaline-inducing fights, and a compelling storyline are some of the strongest suits of Naruto.
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.
These factors make Naruto enjoyable for all age groups irrespective of the differences. While the content definitely played a huge role in the series’ popularity, there are many creators that Kishimoto owes the success of Naruto to, as he shared during an interview. The mangaka also opened up about how the success of other manga paved the way for Naruto in the West.
Masashi Kishimoto Reveals the 5 Manga that Paved the Way for Naruto Son Goku in Dragon Ball...
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.
These factors make Naruto enjoyable for all age groups irrespective of the differences. While the content definitely played a huge role in the series’ popularity, there are many creators that Kishimoto owes the success of Naruto to, as he shared during an interview. The mangaka also opened up about how the success of other manga paved the way for Naruto in the West.
Masashi Kishimoto Reveals the 5 Manga that Paved the Way for Naruto Son Goku in Dragon Ball...
- 9/29/2024
- by Laveena Joshi
- FandomWire
The creator of the legendary cyberpunk manga and anime series Akira, Katsuhiro Otomo, is a renowned figure in both Japanese and International animation. Apart from Akira, Otomo’s career has been filled with notable achievements; ranging from short films to full-length features that pushed the boundaries of animation and storytelling. However, when it comes to the live-action adaptation of Akira, Otomo expressed his own unique perspective.
Akira (1988) | Credit: Tms Entertainment
Although he ruled himself out from directing the project, he left a key provision that allowed him considerable control over the adaptation. Despite being open to new formats, Otomo placed one important condition on the live-action adaptation since Akira remains a special project for him.
Akira‘s Live-Action Movie: Katsuhiro Otomo’s Condition
After countless trials and failures, in 2017, Taika Waititi was confirmed to be the director of Akira’s live-action adaptation project. However, later in 2019, due to Waititi’s commitment to Marvel Studio,...
Akira (1988) | Credit: Tms Entertainment
Although he ruled himself out from directing the project, he left a key provision that allowed him considerable control over the adaptation. Despite being open to new formats, Otomo placed one important condition on the live-action adaptation since Akira remains a special project for him.
Akira‘s Live-Action Movie: Katsuhiro Otomo’s Condition
After countless trials and failures, in 2017, Taika Waititi was confirmed to be the director of Akira’s live-action adaptation project. However, later in 2019, due to Waititi’s commitment to Marvel Studio,...
- 9/29/2024
- by Moumita Chakraborty
- FandomWire
Soulkeeper continually push the boundaries of what is heavy. With their 2023 release Holy Design , the band weaves in crushing riffs, smashing drums, and a special splash of anime love. Guitarist/songwriter Scott Gilmore and vocalist Eric Roberts sat down with me to discuss how their anime journeys began, how those building blocks led to their musical careers, and finding tasteful ways to work in elements from shows they love into the art they create. Where did your love of anime start? Scott Gilmore : So we're going all the way back to 1998. I would come home from preschool. And my older brother Mark is four years older than me, he's watching Dragon Ball Z . That became a thing we would do together like every day. It was weird because I never saw anything like it. Even I realized then that this wasn't a kid's cartoon, but it is definitely a cartoon.
- 9/28/2024
- by Alex Lebl
- Crunchyroll
Set at a strictly monitored Japanese high school at some point in the near future, Neo Sora’s “Happyend” might be a low-key drama about a group of friends as they steel themselves (and each other) against tomorrow in the weeks before they graduate and scatter to the winds. Yet this coming-of-age story — however pensive and hushed the rest of it might be — begins with an ominous blast of text that wouldn’t be out of place at the start of a violent sci-fi epic like Katsuhiro Otomo’s “Akira.” “Weather buildings creak louder,” read the words on the screen. “The systems that define people are crumbling in Tokyo. Something big is about to change.”
With an intro like that, I half-expected the film’s opening shot to show the biggest city on the planet engulfed in a silent black dome of pent-up psychic energy. Instead, “Happyend” lights up on...
With an intro like that, I half-expected the film’s opening shot to show the biggest city on the planet engulfed in a silent black dome of pent-up psychic energy. Instead, “Happyend” lights up on...
- 9/27/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Welcome to our weekly rundown of the best new music — featuring big singles, key tracks from our favorite albums, and more. This week, Stevie Nicks delivers a powerful women’s rights anthem, Lady Gaga drops a surprise jazz album, and Rauw Alejandro rolls through with some heart-tugging slickness. Plus, Mickey Guyton, Billy Strings, Sunflower Bean, and the return of the Cure.
Stevie Nicks, “The Lighthouse” (YouTube)
Sunflower Bean, “Serial Killer” (YouTube)
Mickey Guyton, “House On Fire” (YouTube)
The Cure, “Alone” (YouTube)
Lady Gaga, ‘Happy Mistake” (YouTube)
Saweetie, “Is It the Way” (YouTube)
Weeknd feat.
Stevie Nicks, “The Lighthouse” (YouTube)
Sunflower Bean, “Serial Killer” (YouTube)
Mickey Guyton, “House On Fire” (YouTube)
The Cure, “Alone” (YouTube)
Lady Gaga, ‘Happy Mistake” (YouTube)
Saweetie, “Is It the Way” (YouTube)
Weeknd feat.
- 9/27/2024
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
Last week was a crazy week over at Netflix. As part of the streamer's Geeked Week celebration, they trotted out tons of teasers, trailers, and announcements for all their biggest shows, including Wednesday, One Piece, and The Sandman. On the animated front, Arcane was undoubtedly the star of the show; the Emmy-winning series is debuting its second and final season this November, and now we know exactly when it'll be releasing.
But Arcane wasn't the only animated show to get some love at Geeked Week. We also got our first glimpse at Devil May Cry, a new Netflix animated series based on the long-running Capcom action video games. And I can't lie, this one's got me frothing with excitement. Check it out:
What is Devil May Cry about?
The first Devil May Cry video game was released for the PlayStation 2 all the way back in 2001, and it revolutionized action hack-and-slash gameplay,...
But Arcane wasn't the only animated show to get some love at Geeked Week. We also got our first glimpse at Devil May Cry, a new Netflix animated series based on the long-running Capcom action video games. And I can't lie, this one's got me frothing with excitement. Check it out:
What is Devil May Cry about?
The first Devil May Cry video game was released for the PlayStation 2 all the way back in 2001, and it revolutionized action hack-and-slash gameplay,...
- 9/24/2024
- by Daniel Roman
- Winter Is Coming
For depicting so many situations and emotions without colors or motion, manga as a medium of storytelling is exceptional. The way mangaka craft their compelling stories, a reader can’t help but turn the page to see what’s up next. Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto is no different.
The legacy of Naruto speaks volumes about how Kishimoto hooked millions to his creation with his exceptional skills as an artist and a storyteller. Every creator has their favorite works of fiction that they draw inspiration from. Besides manga like Dragon Ball and Akira, Kishimoto drew inspiration from movies.
Kishimoto Wanted to Incorporate this Quentin Tarantino Technique in Naruto A close-up shot of Kakashi and Zabuza which shows their expressions | Credits: Viz Media
The story in Naruto is emotionally gripping and evokes a series of emotions in fans. In contrast to that, the fight sequences in Naruto are some of the best.
The legacy of Naruto speaks volumes about how Kishimoto hooked millions to his creation with his exceptional skills as an artist and a storyteller. Every creator has their favorite works of fiction that they draw inspiration from. Besides manga like Dragon Ball and Akira, Kishimoto drew inspiration from movies.
Kishimoto Wanted to Incorporate this Quentin Tarantino Technique in Naruto A close-up shot of Kakashi and Zabuza which shows their expressions | Credits: Viz Media
The story in Naruto is emotionally gripping and evokes a series of emotions in fans. In contrast to that, the fight sequences in Naruto are some of the best.
- 9/23/2024
- by Laveena Joshi
- FandomWire
The current generation of anime and manga fans won’t know this, but Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira was one of the first series to establish the image of the industry all over the world. When Akira first came out, it marked a revolution in the manga industry and became one of the biggest names ever.
Akira | Credits: Tms Entertainment
The impact of Akira remained for so long that even today it is considered to be a gem, and there have been talks about recreating the Akira story into a live-action version. Famous director Taika Waititi, known for Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, has been wanting to create a live-action movie based on Akira for a long time.
While the influence of Akira is great, Otomo initially did not have any belief in the anime movie adaptation that came out in 1988. He once revealed that he had no faith...
Akira | Credits: Tms Entertainment
The impact of Akira remained for so long that even today it is considered to be a gem, and there have been talks about recreating the Akira story into a live-action version. Famous director Taika Waititi, known for Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, has been wanting to create a live-action movie based on Akira for a long time.
While the influence of Akira is great, Otomo initially did not have any belief in the anime movie adaptation that came out in 1988. He once revealed that he had no faith...
- 9/21/2024
- by Tarun Kohli
- FandomWire
The provocative new film “The Substance,” about an aging celebrity (Demi Moore) who takes an illicit drug to be young again, opened on September 20 following its May premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where writer-director Coralie Fargeat won Best Screenplay. So we know what the festival jury thought. But what do critics think?
SEEGold Derby Oscar predictions 2025: Nicole Kidman, Selena Gomez now expected to receive noms [Updated September 19]
As of this writing the film has a MetaCritic score of 77 based on 51 reviews counted. Of those, 43 are classified as positive, six are mixed reviews, and two are pans. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, where reviews are counted simply as positive or negative, the film is rated 88% fresh based on 176 reviews; out of all those, only 22 critics give the film a thumbs down. The Rt critics consensus says, “Audaciously gross, wickedly clever, and possibly Demi Moore’s finest hour, ‘The Substance’ is...
SEEGold Derby Oscar predictions 2025: Nicole Kidman, Selena Gomez now expected to receive noms [Updated September 19]
As of this writing the film has a MetaCritic score of 77 based on 51 reviews counted. Of those, 43 are classified as positive, six are mixed reviews, and two are pans. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, where reviews are counted simply as positive or negative, the film is rated 88% fresh based on 176 reviews; out of all those, only 22 critics give the film a thumbs down. The Rt critics consensus says, “Audaciously gross, wickedly clever, and possibly Demi Moore’s finest hour, ‘The Substance’ is...
- 9/20/2024
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The 1988 Akira anime film was released, and it soon became a cult classic and has been hailed as a pivotal film in the Japanese cyberpunk genre. The movie focuses on Kaneda, the leader of a bike gang who gets involved in a complex military matter due to his friend who can suddenly use telekinetic abilities.
The movie earned over $49 million despite being produced on a budget of $5.7 million. After garnering popularity from all over the world, it finally came under the watchful eyes of Warner Bros for a live-action remake; however, it has been more than two decades, and most fans have given up hope.
Warner Bros.’ Remake of Akira was Doomed from the Very Beginning Akira | Credits: Tms Entertainment
More than a decade after the release of Akira, Warner Bros. acquired the rights in order to create a live action remake of the movie. However, the project has been cursed from the very beginning.
The movie earned over $49 million despite being produced on a budget of $5.7 million. After garnering popularity from all over the world, it finally came under the watchful eyes of Warner Bros for a live-action remake; however, it has been more than two decades, and most fans have given up hope.
Warner Bros.’ Remake of Akira was Doomed from the Very Beginning Akira | Credits: Tms Entertainment
More than a decade after the release of Akira, Warner Bros. acquired the rights in order to create a live action remake of the movie. However, the project has been cursed from the very beginning.
- 9/19/2024
- by Aaheli Pradhan
- FandomWire
From winning an Academy Award for Jojo Rabbit to becoming the audience’s worst nightmare, Taika Waititi has had a rocky few years. With his first few films, namely Hunt for The Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows, and Thor: Ragnarok, Watiti became a fan-favorite for his uniquely witty and humorous vision. However, after the disastrous performance of Thor: Love and Thunder, fans have become overly critical and skeptical of Waititi’s talents.
Thor attempts to grab the Mjolnir in Thor: Love and Thunder | Credits: Marvel Studios
The skepticism has gotten to a point where fans are scared to see his name associated with their favorite projects. Although, there’s one project that Waititi has spoken about numerous times over the years. If done right, it has the power to turn the tides in the favor of the filmmaker.
This Project can Turn Taika Waititi’s Luck Around A...
Thor attempts to grab the Mjolnir in Thor: Love and Thunder | Credits: Marvel Studios
The skepticism has gotten to a point where fans are scared to see his name associated with their favorite projects. Although, there’s one project that Waititi has spoken about numerous times over the years. If done right, it has the power to turn the tides in the favor of the filmmaker.
This Project can Turn Taika Waititi’s Luck Around A...
- 9/18/2024
- by Laveena Joshi
- FandomWire
Some cliche somewhere said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ This has proven to be the case for me and especially when it comes to fan art. I have always sought out great fan art and have wanted to share it with as many people as possible. “Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net” is the outlet for that passion. In this column, I will showcase the kick-ass artwork of some great artists, with the hopes that these artists get the attention they deserve. That’s the aim. If you have any questions or comments, or even suggestions of art or other great artists, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.
Akira by Ruben Martinez
The Bride of Frankenstein by Loopydave
Harry Potter by Bijit Barat
Hellboy by Christopher Higginson
Hellraiser by Victor Shidlovskiy
Jurassic Park by Grievity
The Matrix by Sahin...
Akira by Ruben Martinez
The Bride of Frankenstein by Loopydave
Harry Potter by Bijit Barat
Hellboy by Christopher Higginson
Hellraiser by Victor Shidlovskiy
Jurassic Park by Grievity
The Matrix by Sahin...
- 9/14/2024
- by Theodore Bond
- JoBlo.com
The creator of the classic manga and anime series Akira, Otomo Katsuhiro, has stirred up a heated debate with his candid disapproval of modern anime’s repetitive art style. Akira has changed the industry with its truly groundbreaking and influential visuals, despite being released way back in 1988.
A still from the Akira movie | Credits: Tms Entertainment
Since he is the mastermind behind this work, his opinions do have a considerable amount of weight. The timeless quality of art in Akira, which has remained longer than many modern mecha anime series, makes his sentiments all the more relevant and worthy of exploration.
Otomo-sensei Does Not Like The Modern Art Style of Anime Kaneda from the Akira movie | Credits: Tms Entertainment
A resurfaced 2017 interview has shed some light on Katsuhiro Otomo’s artistic vision for anime, which offered several insightful viewpoints from this legendary creator himself. During the interview, he made some...
A still from the Akira movie | Credits: Tms Entertainment
Since he is the mastermind behind this work, his opinions do have a considerable amount of weight. The timeless quality of art in Akira, which has remained longer than many modern mecha anime series, makes his sentiments all the more relevant and worthy of exploration.
Otomo-sensei Does Not Like The Modern Art Style of Anime Kaneda from the Akira movie | Credits: Tms Entertainment
A resurfaced 2017 interview has shed some light on Katsuhiro Otomo’s artistic vision for anime, which offered several insightful viewpoints from this legendary creator himself. During the interview, he made some...
- 9/13/2024
- by Diganta Mondal
- FandomWire
Katsuhiro Otomo has revolutionized the cyberpunk genre through his iconic and cult-popular manga Akira. Be it dystopian, futuristic, or political elements, the manga is exceptional in every way. This holds for its excellent animation and storytelling. The 1988 film has also reshaped pop culture and the entertainment space.
Shotaro Kaneda’s bike slide in the 1988 movie | Credit: Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co.
Furthermore, it continues to influence artists including filmmakers and songwriters to this date. While the animated film achieved a breakthrough due to its animation, its first rush disappointed the mangaka.
Akira’s first rush disappointed Katsuhiro Otomo
Apart from being a manga artist, Katsuhiro Otomo is a seasoned animator, screenwriter, and film director. He is popular for his works such as Neo Tokyo, Steam Boy, and Short Piece. However, he pioneered the cyberpunk genre in manga through his work Akira (1982-1990). To say the least, the series garnered cult popularity...
Shotaro Kaneda’s bike slide in the 1988 movie | Credit: Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co.
Furthermore, it continues to influence artists including filmmakers and songwriters to this date. While the animated film achieved a breakthrough due to its animation, its first rush disappointed the mangaka.
Akira’s first rush disappointed Katsuhiro Otomo
Apart from being a manga artist, Katsuhiro Otomo is a seasoned animator, screenwriter, and film director. He is popular for his works such as Neo Tokyo, Steam Boy, and Short Piece. However, he pioneered the cyberpunk genre in manga through his work Akira (1982-1990). To say the least, the series garnered cult popularity...
- 9/7/2024
- by Himanshi Jeswani
- FandomWire
Alongside “Ghost in the Shell” and “Akira”, “Ninja Scroll” is considered one of the most influential anime movies of all time, particularly for highlighting that the category is not only addressed to children, as was the popular opinion before, especially outside of Japan.
Iconic Events Releasing’s 2024-2025 Ax Cinema Nights series will screen Ninja Scroll in over 500 U.S. theaters on September 11, 12 & 15 and be presented in both Japanese with English subtitles and English dub
A team of ninjas arrives at a village to investigate an epidemic that killed all of its inhabitants. However, they find themselves ambushed by a monster and end up dead except for a female kunoichi, Kagero, that the monster takes captive. Jubei, a masterless samurai, saves her but ends up in the middle of a larger case, which results in him having to fight the Eight Demons of Kimon, a team of ninjas with supernatural...
Iconic Events Releasing’s 2024-2025 Ax Cinema Nights series will screen Ninja Scroll in over 500 U.S. theaters on September 11, 12 & 15 and be presented in both Japanese with English subtitles and English dub
A team of ninjas arrives at a village to investigate an epidemic that killed all of its inhabitants. However, they find themselves ambushed by a monster and end up dead except for a female kunoichi, Kagero, that the monster takes captive. Jubei, a masterless samurai, saves her but ends up in the middle of a larger case, which results in him having to fight the Eight Demons of Kimon, a team of ninjas with supernatural...
- 9/6/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Tech moguls want us to believe that they’re ushering in the rosy AI-smoothed world of Spike Jonze’s Her. Alarmists, on the other hand, warn that they’re bringing on a Terminator-like dystopia. Silicon Valley may build the software, but when it comes to envisioning the future, it’s to Hollywood we turn. The interplay between technology and art is the central theme of Pst Art: Art & Science Collide, the third edition of the major arts event (formerly known as Pacific Standard Time) that launched in 2011. Kicking off Sept. 15 and supported by more than $20 million in grants from the Getty Foundation, Pst Art is a loose constellation of more than 70 exhibitions at museums and other cultural institutions around Los Angeles and the broader Southern California region, each offering a unique angle on the theme. The dozens of participating organizations, featuring about 800 artists, make this the largest arts programming event in the U.
- 9/5/2024
- by Evan Nicole Brown
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Japanese publisher Kodansha, known for publishing popular manga like Akira, Sailor Moon, Attack On Titan, Blue Lock, among others, is set to host its first-ever immersive pop-up event in New York City this October.
The event, titled Kodansha House: Where Manga Meets, will open on Oct 4, 2024, at 45 Grand Street in SoHo. The pop-up will run from Wednesdays to Sundays, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., throughout the entire month of October.
According to Kodansha, the pop-up will offer fans a unique space to celebrate manga through interactive exhibits, and other activities. Visitors can explore a gallery, café, lounge, and a manga library inside the pop-up.
Some of the attractions include the Akira Slide Photobooth, where fans can recreate the famous bike scene from the movie, and the Attack On Titan Photobooth, which allows visitors to interact with a scaled model of the walled village from the series.
Kodansha House will...
The event, titled Kodansha House: Where Manga Meets, will open on Oct 4, 2024, at 45 Grand Street in SoHo. The pop-up will run from Wednesdays to Sundays, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., throughout the entire month of October.
According to Kodansha, the pop-up will offer fans a unique space to celebrate manga through interactive exhibits, and other activities. Visitors can explore a gallery, café, lounge, and a manga library inside the pop-up.
Some of the attractions include the Akira Slide Photobooth, where fans can recreate the famous bike scene from the movie, and the Attack On Titan Photobooth, which allows visitors to interact with a scaled model of the walled village from the series.
Kodansha House will...
- 9/3/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
The current generation of anime weebs won’t know this, but Cowboy Bebop was one of the gateway series that led to the worldwide recognition of the anime industry. The eccentric story of Cowboy Bebop follows the adventures of Cowboy Spike Spiegel and his friends, who journey through space and work as bounty hunters in the year 2071.
Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise
It was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, who is famously known in the anime industry for his works like Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, etc. Watanabe is one of the best-known anime directors in history, and most of this fame comes from Cowboy Bebop. However, Cowboy Bebop was not his first project as a director.
Cowboy Bebop fans might not know this, but Watanabe also worked on the famous Japanese franchise Macross from the 80s. He was involved with the second production of the franchise called Macross Plus. But his...
Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise
It was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, who is famously known in the anime industry for his works like Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, etc. Watanabe is one of the best-known anime directors in history, and most of this fame comes from Cowboy Bebop. However, Cowboy Bebop was not his first project as a director.
Cowboy Bebop fans might not know this, but Watanabe also worked on the famous Japanese franchise Macross from the 80s. He was involved with the second production of the franchise called Macross Plus. But his...
- 9/1/2024
- by Tarun Kohli
- FandomWire
When it comes to powerful characters in the world of anime, Shanks from One Piece and Gildarts Clive from Fairy Tail are two characters often pitted against each other. Despite being hailed from different worlds, both are known for their charisma and immense power. However, this comparison didn’t arise purely because of their fighting abilities, but also due to their uncanny resemblance in appearances, particularly in the anime adaptation of Fairy Tail.
Shanks from One Piece: The Red | Credits: Toei Animation
Thus, Both One Piece and Fairy Tail fandom have recently been embroiled in a heated debate on who is stronger. While it’s difficult to determine it due to them being in completely different anime worlds with distinguished power structures, it’s interesting to analyze both fandoms’ perspectives in defense of their beloved characters.
Addressing the Issue Regarding Shanks and Gildarts’ Similar Physical Appearances
Since Gildarts’ first appearance in Fairy Tail,...
Shanks from One Piece: The Red | Credits: Toei Animation
Thus, Both One Piece and Fairy Tail fandom have recently been embroiled in a heated debate on who is stronger. While it’s difficult to determine it due to them being in completely different anime worlds with distinguished power structures, it’s interesting to analyze both fandoms’ perspectives in defense of their beloved characters.
Addressing the Issue Regarding Shanks and Gildarts’ Similar Physical Appearances
Since Gildarts’ first appearance in Fairy Tail,...
- 9/1/2024
- by Moumita Chakraborty
- FandomWire
All Sonic 3 Trailer Easter Eggs You Might’ve Missed - Main Image
Paramount Pictures recently released Sonic 3’s first trailer, featuring the black and red anti-hero hedgehog Shadow.
With Team Sonic now complete with Knuckles and Tails, Sonic will face a new threat. The trailer beautifully showcases how strong Shadow is and how he will direct the flow of the story.
Avid Sonic fans have noticed several easter eggs from the trailer, but if your vision is not as fast as the blue speedster, we’ve got you covered.
Here are all the Sonic 3 trailer easter eggs you might've missed.
Sonic Adventure 2 Reference
The trailer includes flashbacks showing Shadow’s backstory, particularly his bond with Maria, Dr. Gerald Robotnik’s granddaughter.
This closely mirrors the storyline from the game Sonic Adventure 2, where Shadow's memories of Maria play a central role. Interestingly, the movie seems to deviate slightly by keeping Gerald Robotnik alive in the present,...
Paramount Pictures recently released Sonic 3’s first trailer, featuring the black and red anti-hero hedgehog Shadow.
With Team Sonic now complete with Knuckles and Tails, Sonic will face a new threat. The trailer beautifully showcases how strong Shadow is and how he will direct the flow of the story.
Avid Sonic fans have noticed several easter eggs from the trailer, but if your vision is not as fast as the blue speedster, we’ve got you covered.
Here are all the Sonic 3 trailer easter eggs you might've missed.
Sonic Adventure 2 Reference
The trailer includes flashbacks showing Shadow’s backstory, particularly his bond with Maria, Dr. Gerald Robotnik’s granddaughter.
This closely mirrors the storyline from the game Sonic Adventure 2, where Shadow's memories of Maria play a central role. Interestingly, the movie seems to deviate slightly by keeping Gerald Robotnik alive in the present,...
- 8/29/2024
- EpicStream
The first full trailer for the much-anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is finally out, offering viewers the first look at Sonic’s return as he gears up to face Shadow, who’s finally revealed to be voiced by Keanu Reeves.
Shadow | Credits: Paramount Pictures
But what the trailer doesn’t tell you is that Shadow pays homage to one of anime’s biggest movies ever made! Yes, we are talking about the 1988 critically acclaimed cyberpunk action film, Akira.
Shadow pulls an “Akira” in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Akira bike sliding scene | Credits: Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.
While facing Sonic in what seems to be the biggest fight fans have been highly anticipating, Shadow takes his bike on the road and slides in the same way Mitsuru Kuwata does in Akira.
That scene took place when Mitsuru chases down answers and tries to get to the bottom of what happened with his friend Kaneda,...
Shadow | Credits: Paramount Pictures
But what the trailer doesn’t tell you is that Shadow pays homage to one of anime’s biggest movies ever made! Yes, we are talking about the 1988 critically acclaimed cyberpunk action film, Akira.
Shadow pulls an “Akira” in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Akira bike sliding scene | Credits: Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd.
While facing Sonic in what seems to be the biggest fight fans have been highly anticipating, Shadow takes his bike on the road and slides in the same way Mitsuru Kuwata does in Akira.
That scene took place when Mitsuru chases down answers and tries to get to the bottom of what happened with his friend Kaneda,...
- 8/28/2024
- by Anand Bhaskaran
- FandomWire
Kinobetreiber erhielten bereits auf den Filmtagen Köln einen ersten Eindruck von „The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim“. Jetzt hat Warner Bros. den ersten Trailer des Anime-Prequels veröffentlicht, das in die Zeit vor den Geschehnissen von „Der Herr der Ringe“ zurückgeht.
Kenji Kamiyama gilt als Legende unter den Anime-Regisseuren. Er war beteiligt an Klassikern wie „Akira“ und „Little Nemo“, führte Regie bei der „Ghost in the Shell“-Fernsehserie und „Eden of the East“. Er gibt dem „Der Herr der Ringe“ einen ganz neuen Spin mit „The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim“, einem Anime-Prequel, das 261 Jahre vor „Die Gefährten“ angesiedelt ist und das auf einer Geschichte von J.R.R. Tolkien basiert, die sich im Appendix von „Der Herr der Ringe“ findet. Jetzt hat Warner Bros. den ersten Trailer des 130-minütigen Filmevents veröffentlicht, das am 12. Dezember in die deutschen Kinos kommen wird.
Kenji Kamiyama gilt als Legende unter den Anime-Regisseuren. Er war beteiligt an Klassikern wie „Akira“ und „Little Nemo“, führte Regie bei der „Ghost in the Shell“-Fernsehserie und „Eden of the East“. Er gibt dem „Der Herr der Ringe“ einen ganz neuen Spin mit „The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim“, einem Anime-Prequel, das 261 Jahre vor „Die Gefährten“ angesiedelt ist und das auf einer Geschichte von J.R.R. Tolkien basiert, die sich im Appendix von „Der Herr der Ringe“ findet. Jetzt hat Warner Bros. den ersten Trailer des 130-minütigen Filmevents veröffentlicht, das am 12. Dezember in die deutschen Kinos kommen wird.
- 8/22/2024
- by Thomas Schultze
- Spot - Media & Film
J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic legendarium is back on the big screen this December, in a way that we’ve never seen Middle-Earth before — as an anime film. Finally, we’ve now got the first trailer for “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” Kenji Kamiyama’s bold new vision of that sword-and-sorcery universe, executive produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, and released by Warner Bros. Watch it above.
The 58-year-old Kamiyama worked his way up in anime, initially as a background artist on “Akira” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” before making his debut as a director with “MiniPato.” He directed several of the “Ghost in the Shell” sequels as well as serving as co-director alongside Shinji Aramaki on “Blade Runner: Black Lotus,” which was a co-production of Crunchyroll and Adult Swim.
Warner Bros. tapped him for “War of the Rohirrim,” a unique expansion of the...
The 58-year-old Kamiyama worked his way up in anime, initially as a background artist on “Akira” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” before making his debut as a director with “MiniPato.” He directed several of the “Ghost in the Shell” sequels as well as serving as co-director alongside Shinji Aramaki on “Blade Runner: Black Lotus,” which was a co-production of Crunchyroll and Adult Swim.
Warner Bros. tapped him for “War of the Rohirrim,” a unique expansion of the...
- 8/22/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
Return to Rohan in First Trailer for Animated The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim - Main Image
Every Middle-earth fan may have their eyes set on the premiere of The Rings of Power Season 2 later this month, but Warner Bros. has just dropped a look at another highly anticipated project—The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.
The film is set to release later this year during the Christmas season, and this first trailer gives us a look at the Land of the Horse Lords hundreds of years before the events of the Lotr trilogy.
Official Trailer for Lotr: The War of the Rohirrim
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is also attached as a producer for the movie, and at the helm is Kenji Kamiyama, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell, Eden of the East, and Akira. Here...
Every Middle-earth fan may have their eyes set on the premiere of The Rings of Power Season 2 later this month, but Warner Bros. has just dropped a look at another highly anticipated project—The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.
The film is set to release later this year during the Christmas season, and this first trailer gives us a look at the Land of the Horse Lords hundreds of years before the events of the Lotr trilogy.
Official Trailer for Lotr: The War of the Rohirrim
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is also attached as a producer for the movie, and at the helm is Kenji Kamiyama, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell, Eden of the East, and Akira. Here...
- 8/22/2024
- EpicStream
The hardcore 2D speedrunning platformer Eden Genesis gleefully puts its raison d’etre out there within minutes: “The laws of physics do not work the same way here as in the real world.” Your character, Leah Anderson, is told that by an AI named Cora while standing within a virtual representation of her own mind, which she has entered as part of an experimental procedure meant to help her literally fight the synthetic neurodegeneration (Snd) within her. The result is the most enjoyable (and gamified) medical evaluation you’re ever likely to receive, a gravity-defying romp that has you shooting a Debugger and swinging a Bifocal Pulse Sword instead of peeing into a cup and coughing for a stethoscope.
Eden Genesis takes its name from a game-within-a-game that Leah used to play, an instance of which has been used as the hub setting for your viral countermeasures. Now, alongside the...
Eden Genesis takes its name from a game-within-a-game that Leah used to play, an instance of which has been used as the hub setting for your viral countermeasures. Now, alongside the...
- 8/22/2024
- by Aaron Riccio
- Slant Magazine
‘Alien: Romulus’ is right around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to check out ‘Lily C.A.T.,’ an anime body horror classic that’s a gory tribute to ‘Alien’ and ‘The Thing’.
“Confine them? We’re on a ship. We’re practically confined ourselves.”
Ridley Scott’s Alien is an iconic horror/science fiction hybrid that’s had its ups and downs as a film franchise, but remains an essential genre film 45 years later. Alien is such a tried and true property with limitless potential that it’s kind of remarkable that there hasn’t been an Alien animated series or in-universe anime that’s in the vein of The Animatrix that translates this iconic sci-fi horror property into animated madness where it can really let loose and not be confined by live-action’s limitations. An unreleased Alien vs. Predator anime is the closest thing that audiences have gotten to this,...
“Confine them? We’re on a ship. We’re practically confined ourselves.”
Ridley Scott’s Alien is an iconic horror/science fiction hybrid that’s had its ups and downs as a film franchise, but remains an essential genre film 45 years later. Alien is such a tried and true property with limitless potential that it’s kind of remarkable that there hasn’t been an Alien animated series or in-universe anime that’s in the vein of The Animatrix that translates this iconic sci-fi horror property into animated madness where it can really let loose and not be confined by live-action’s limitations. An unreleased Alien vs. Predator anime is the closest thing that audiences have gotten to this,...
- 8/14/2024
- by Daniel Kurland
- bloody-disgusting.com
The uniqueness of the main character is always something that helps any project stand out but even Kohei Horikoshi finds one My Hero Academia character to be a delight more than his own protagonist. The complexity of Deku’s position as the main character has always been questioned by the fans, specifically when compared to the treatment Bakugo gets.
Deku | Credit: Studio Bones
Both in the manga and the anime, Bakugo is often seen taking the spotlight from Deku, so much so that fans wondered whether he was the protagonist or not. Deku was often seen as a character who was almost pitiful at first glance and the epilogue made it more than clear. This very direction had the audiences hating on the series ending, considering that the main character deserved better.
Kohei Horikoshi’s Favoritism Towards Bakugo
During an interview (via Tumblr) Kohei Horikoshi talked about how things can...
Deku | Credit: Studio Bones
Both in the manga and the anime, Bakugo is often seen taking the spotlight from Deku, so much so that fans wondered whether he was the protagonist or not. Deku was often seen as a character who was almost pitiful at first glance and the epilogue made it more than clear. This very direction had the audiences hating on the series ending, considering that the main character deserved better.
Kohei Horikoshi’s Favoritism Towards Bakugo
During an interview (via Tumblr) Kohei Horikoshi talked about how things can...
- 8/14/2024
- by Adya Godboley
- FandomWire
Set in the colorful and chaotic world of Night City, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has earned praise for its striking graphics, engaging plot, and diverse cast of characters. Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, the series has captured the attention of viewers all over the world. However, despite the success, the series’ limited runtime has prevented the director to explore and develop the plot for many characters. Among them, the most notable is none other than Rebecca, who is also one of the most underrated characters in the series.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners | Credit: Studio Trigger
Based on the video game Cyberpunk 2077 by Polish studio CD Projekt Red, the anime series was animated by Japanese animation studio Trigger under the supervision of CD Projekt and premiered on Netflix in September 2022. With the highly detailed universe of Cyberpunk 2077 serving as the setting, limiting the storyline to a small number of episodes led to certain characters and subplots being underexplored.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners | Credit: Studio Trigger
Based on the video game Cyberpunk 2077 by Polish studio CD Projekt Red, the anime series was animated by Japanese animation studio Trigger under the supervision of CD Projekt and premiered on Netflix in September 2022. With the highly detailed universe of Cyberpunk 2077 serving as the setting, limiting the storyline to a small number of episodes led to certain characters and subplots being underexplored.
- 7/30/2024
- by Moumita Chakraborty
- FandomWire
“Solar Opposites” is coming back for another season! At San Diego Comic-Con, Hulu dropped some major news: the animated comedy series is renewed for Season 6 ahead of Season 5’s Aug. 12 premiere.
The streamers also debuted a new trailer for Season 5.
Going into the upcoming fifth season, the series’ unconventional alien family still can’t decide if Earth is awesome or awful. But this latest installment will see Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Korvo (Dan Stevens) embark on a time-honored Earth tradition: marriage.
The Season 5 trailer starts with a sense of nostalgia as it flips through a series of family photos. “Feels like it was just yesterday when we landed on this cesspool of a planet,” Korvo says in a voiceover. “But through all the annoyances, we’ve really chilled out.”
The trailer then immediately cuts to Jesse (Mary Mack) yelling, Terry flipping over a table, Korvo donning a mech suit and...
The streamers also debuted a new trailer for Season 5.
Going into the upcoming fifth season, the series’ unconventional alien family still can’t decide if Earth is awesome or awful. But this latest installment will see Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Korvo (Dan Stevens) embark on a time-honored Earth tradition: marriage.
The Season 5 trailer starts with a sense of nostalgia as it flips through a series of family photos. “Feels like it was just yesterday when we landed on this cesspool of a planet,” Korvo says in a voiceover. “But through all the annoyances, we’ve really chilled out.”
The trailer then immediately cuts to Jesse (Mary Mack) yelling, Terry flipping over a table, Korvo donning a mech suit and...
- 7/26/2024
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Humble Beginnings and Steady Growth Japanese animation has been around since the very early days of film. The oldest known animated filmstrip from the country is believed to have been made around 1907, and the oldest theatrical piece of Japanese animation dates back to the year 1917. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that anime started to shape itself into what it is today. Around this time, shows like ‘Astro Boy’ and ‘Sally the Witch’ featured characters with big eyes, and cartoonish yet realistically-proportioned designs, which would become general hallmarks of anime. Japan would continue to produce animated series for decades to come, and the unique elements present in them would attract a worldwide fandom. However, in English-speaking countries, including the United States, it would be quite a long time until anime got the mainstream recognition it has now. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
- 7/24/2024
- by Austin Oguri
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Rotten Tomatoes does not measure the quality of a movie, no matter what your favorite YouTuber says. What it does measure is the percentage of critics who think a movie is at least decent. The higher the Rotten Tomatoes score, the firmer the consensus is that a movie is at least "good," rather than, say, an exact quality score of the title.
Still, even if it doesn't exactly measure quality, a Rotten Tomatoes score is quite useful to get an idea of whether a movie has a wide appeal or if it's polarizing (meaning different people have vastly different opinions on the title). When it comes to anime, even if the genre is becoming more and more accessible, more mainstream, and more accepted, there are only four anime movies with a 100% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
What's curious is how different, yet very similar, the titles are. That's because,...
Still, even if it doesn't exactly measure quality, a Rotten Tomatoes score is quite useful to get an idea of whether a movie has a wide appeal or if it's polarizing (meaning different people have vastly different opinions on the title). When it comes to anime, even if the genre is becoming more and more accessible, more mainstream, and more accepted, there are only four anime movies with a 100% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
What's curious is how different, yet very similar, the titles are. That's because,...
- 7/23/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
It’s the second and final day of Amazon’s annual Prime Day, with hundreds of products discounted — including prices slashed on horror movies!
Many of yesterday’s sales are still active, plus a bunch of new deals below…
4K Ultra HD Collections:
Scream / Scream 5 – $22.99 The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection Vol. 3 – $36.99 Jurassic World: 6-Film Ultimate Collection – $42.99 Resident Evil Collection [Steelbook] – $109.16
Individual 4K UHDs:
The Suicide Squad – $9.99 Parasite – $10.39 Batman – $10.99 300 – $10.99 Edge of Tomorrow – $10.99 V for Vendetta – $10.99 A Clockwork Orange – $10.99 M3GAN – $11.99 Pan’s Labyrinth – $11.99 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World -$11.99 Beetlejuice – $12.99 Battlestar Galactica – $12.99 Brightburn – $13.95 The Shallows – $13.95 Monster Hunter – $13.95 Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City – $13.95 Leon The Professional – $13.95 Blade – $14.99 The Nun II – $14.99 Evil Dead Rise – $14.99 Sleepy Hollow – $15.99 The Witch – $15.99 Event Horizon – $16.49 Crimes of the Future – $17.29 Scream 2 – $18.39 Scream 3 – $17.94 Enter the Dragon [Steelbook] – $19.99 Night of the Living Dead – $24.99
Blu-ray Collections:
Dirty Harry: 4-Film Collection – $11.99 Cloverfield: 3-Movie Collection – $12.99 Hammer Horror: 8-Film Collection – $16.99 Memento / Insomnia / Batman Begins / The Dark Knight...
Many of yesterday’s sales are still active, plus a bunch of new deals below…
4K Ultra HD Collections:
Scream / Scream 5 – $22.99 The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection Vol. 3 – $36.99 Jurassic World: 6-Film Ultimate Collection – $42.99 Resident Evil Collection [Steelbook] – $109.16
Individual 4K UHDs:
The Suicide Squad – $9.99 Parasite – $10.39 Batman – $10.99 300 – $10.99 Edge of Tomorrow – $10.99 V for Vendetta – $10.99 A Clockwork Orange – $10.99 M3GAN – $11.99 Pan’s Labyrinth – $11.99 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World -$11.99 Beetlejuice – $12.99 Battlestar Galactica – $12.99 Brightburn – $13.95 The Shallows – $13.95 Monster Hunter – $13.95 Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City – $13.95 Leon The Professional – $13.95 Blade – $14.99 The Nun II – $14.99 Evil Dead Rise – $14.99 Sleepy Hollow – $15.99 The Witch – $15.99 Event Horizon – $16.49 Crimes of the Future – $17.29 Scream 2 – $18.39 Scream 3 – $17.94 Enter the Dragon [Steelbook] – $19.99 Night of the Living Dead – $24.99
Blu-ray Collections:
Dirty Harry: 4-Film Collection – $11.99 Cloverfield: 3-Movie Collection – $12.99 Hammer Horror: 8-Film Collection – $16.99 Memento / Insomnia / Batman Begins / The Dark Knight...
- 7/17/2024
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Modern science fiction/fantasy films owe a lot to Star Wars, especially the CGI fest that were the Prequels. Without those films, it would have been impossible to have characters like the Na’vi in James Cameron’s Avatar or Thanos in the MCU.
Ahmed Best played Jar Jar Binks || Lucasfilm
Characters like Jar Jar Binks and Yoda are what made these other characters possible, showcasing how a CGI character can interact with the physical world. One of the best fights to show how this can be incorporated to make a great scene was the one between Yoda and Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones
As brilliant as the fight was, the credit for a lot of it goes to Ahmed Best, the actor responsible for playing one of the most reviled characters in the fandom. A character who is still used as an insult among fans, Best was...
Ahmed Best played Jar Jar Binks || Lucasfilm
Characters like Jar Jar Binks and Yoda are what made these other characters possible, showcasing how a CGI character can interact with the physical world. One of the best fights to show how this can be incorporated to make a great scene was the one between Yoda and Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones
As brilliant as the fight was, the credit for a lot of it goes to Ahmed Best, the actor responsible for playing one of the most reviled characters in the fandom. A character who is still used as an insult among fans, Best was...
- 7/7/2024
- by Anuraag Chatterjee
- FandomWire
Animator Toshiyuki Inoue recently shared insights into the unique production process and director Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s dedication behind Look Back anime film during a stage greeting held on July 5, 2024.
Inoue explained that Look Back‘s animation process was not done in the typical manner where rough sketches by key animators are cleaned up by in-between animators.
“Key animation involves drawing the main points of movement, and in-between animation fills in the gaps. Usually, the lines drawn by key animators are rough and cleaned up by in-between animators. Normally, key animator lines don’t appear on screen as is,” Inoue said.
However, Look Back preserved these rough sketches by directly coloring and reflecting them on the screen. This approach maintained the hand-drawn feel, contributing to the film’s distinctive visual experience.
Highlighting the dedication of director Oshiyama, Inoue noted that in the last week of May, Oshiyama drew 1,000 frames.
He noted...
Inoue explained that Look Back‘s animation process was not done in the typical manner where rough sketches by key animators are cleaned up by in-between animators.
“Key animation involves drawing the main points of movement, and in-between animation fills in the gaps. Usually, the lines drawn by key animators are rough and cleaned up by in-between animators. Normally, key animator lines don’t appear on screen as is,” Inoue said.
However, Look Back preserved these rough sketches by directly coloring and reflecting them on the screen. This approach maintained the hand-drawn feel, contributing to the film’s distinctive visual experience.
Highlighting the dedication of director Oshiyama, Inoue noted that in the last week of May, Oshiyama drew 1,000 frames.
He noted...
- 7/5/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
Visitors to last year's exhibition of cels from the legendary 1988 anime film Akira got a special treat: a soundtrack of remixed music from the film accompanied their browsing. There was just one problem: you could only hear these remixes at the exhibition, and the vast majority of us were not in attendance. Well, good news for the vast majority of us: those tracks will be available this summer. Akira Remix collects 19 tracks across two discs, remixing the film soundtrack by music collective Geinoh Yamashirogumi. Writer and director Katsuhiro Otomo produced the collection himself, selecting three musical artists to put their unique spins on the iconic soundtrack. Legendary J-folk performer Makoto Kubota (of Makoto Kubota & the Sunset Gang) remixes the 13 tracks on Disc 1. The six tracks on Disc 2 are split evenly between Pizzicato Five founding member Yasuharu Konishi and composer Kuniaki Haishima (whose soundtracks include Monster and Macross Zero ). Pre-orders are...
- 6/29/2024
- by Kara Dennison
- Crunchyroll
Filmmaker Taika Waititi assumed the directorial reins of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor film series with its third installment, Thor: Ragnarok. And while working on the movie, he surprised many by doing something unconventional for a director. Waititi, who has received immense criticism from the MCU fans for his treatment of the character, will not be returning for the next and potentially the final film in the series.
Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Ragnarok | Credit: Marvel
Before parting ways with the franchise, however, the filmmaker took the unexpected step of personally shaving the head of one of his movie stars, Karl Urban, for his role as the Executioner in the film.
Taika Waititi Personally Shaved Karl Urban’s Head For Thor: Ragnarok
The Boys star Karl Urban joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Skurge, who later takes on the role of Hela’s executioner, in the 2017 film Thor: Ragnarok. His role in...
Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Ragnarok | Credit: Marvel
Before parting ways with the franchise, however, the filmmaker took the unexpected step of personally shaving the head of one of his movie stars, Karl Urban, for his role as the Executioner in the film.
Taika Waititi Personally Shaved Karl Urban’s Head For Thor: Ragnarok
The Boys star Karl Urban joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Skurge, who later takes on the role of Hela’s executioner, in the 2017 film Thor: Ragnarok. His role in...
- 6/13/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
A 1992 theatrical compilation produced by Speed Racer Enterprises and Streamline Pictures—one of the pioneering American distributors of English dubbed anime, including “Akira” and early Miyazaki, “Speed Racer: The Movie” links together multiple episodes from the iconic Americanized version of the 1960s anime, namely The Car Hater and The Race Against the Mammoth Car, which is actually split in two parts in the series.
An Archival 35mm presentation of Speed Racer: The Movie will screen in Japan Society, Friday, June 21
In the first part, we are introduced to Janine Trotter, a young woman who is a fan of Speed, in the first instance in the series where we see the concept of jealousy, as presented by Trixie's attitude. Janine is punished by her wealthy father, who hates cars because his son was killed by one. Mr. Trotter sabotages the opening of a new speedway and also causes mammoth traffic jams in the nearby city.
An Archival 35mm presentation of Speed Racer: The Movie will screen in Japan Society, Friday, June 21
In the first part, we are introduced to Janine Trotter, a young woman who is a fan of Speed, in the first instance in the series where we see the concept of jealousy, as presented by Trixie's attitude. Janine is punished by her wealthy father, who hates cars because his son was killed by one. Mr. Trotter sabotages the opening of a new speedway and also causes mammoth traffic jams in the nearby city.
- 6/8/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Up until now, Jordan Peele has only worked on his own original projects, largely avoiding major franchises. However, he was attached to helm Warner Bros.' live-action Akira movie at one point, and while things didn't work out, the fact that he was in contention does suggest that he would be willing to board a big studio blockbuster under the right circumstances.
Could a particular Marvel Studios property have caught Peele's interest?
According to Jeff Sneider in the latest edition of his newsletter, Peele has met with the studio about potentially taking the helm of an upcoming MCU movie. Sneider doesn't name the project, but did indicate that he knew what it was with the following X post.
If I get 100 news subs by morning I’ll tell all of you what Marvel movie Peele met on tmrw night. I work for You, don’t you get that? I try...
Could a particular Marvel Studios property have caught Peele's interest?
According to Jeff Sneider in the latest edition of his newsletter, Peele has met with the studio about potentially taking the helm of an upcoming MCU movie. Sneider doesn't name the project, but did indicate that he knew what it was with the following X post.
If I get 100 news subs by morning I’ll tell all of you what Marvel movie Peele met on tmrw night. I work for You, don’t you get that? I try...
- 6/4/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Apple TV+ has acquired a second season of the Drops of God series, the multilingual French-Japanese drama from Legendary Entertainment. A Legendary Entertainment production, the series is produced by Les Productions Dynamic in association with 22H22 and Adline Entertainment.
Drops of God is adapted from the New York Times bestselling Japanese manga series of the same name, created and written by the award-winning Tadashi Agi, illustrated by Shu Okimoto, and published by Kodansha Ltd.
The Drops of God series stars Fleur Geffrier as Camille Léger and Tomohisa Yamashita as Issei Tomine. The complete first season is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Since its worldwide debut, the show has received broad acclaim from critics and fans alike, quickly achieving a perfect 100% critics’ score and Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In season two of Drops of God, Camille (Geffrier) and Issei (Yamashita) once again face a nearly impossible challenge: to uncover...
Drops of God is adapted from the New York Times bestselling Japanese manga series of the same name, created and written by the award-winning Tadashi Agi, illustrated by Shu Okimoto, and published by Kodansha Ltd.
The Drops of God series stars Fleur Geffrier as Camille Léger and Tomohisa Yamashita as Issei Tomine. The complete first season is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Since its worldwide debut, the show has received broad acclaim from critics and fans alike, quickly achieving a perfect 100% critics’ score and Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In season two of Drops of God, Camille (Geffrier) and Issei (Yamashita) once again face a nearly impossible challenge: to uncover...
- 5/21/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Editor’s Note: This review was originally published during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Mubi will release “The Substance” in theaters September 20.
An immensely, unstoppably, ecstatically demented fairy tale about female self-hatred, Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” will stop at nothing — and I mean nothing — to explode the ruthless beauty standards that society has inflicted upon women for thousands of years, a burden this camp-adjacent instant classic aspires to cast off with some of the most spectacularly disgusting body horror this side of “The Fly” or the final minutes of “Akira.”
If the “Revenge” director’s immaculately crafted debut tried to dismantle male toxicity with a shotgun blast square to the balls, Fargeat’s Cannes-approved follow-up turns that same attention inwards, allowing her to take aim at both the pointlessness she’s been conditioned to feel as a forty-something woman, and also at the resentment she’s been conditioned to feel toward her younger self.
An immensely, unstoppably, ecstatically demented fairy tale about female self-hatred, Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” will stop at nothing — and I mean nothing — to explode the ruthless beauty standards that society has inflicted upon women for thousands of years, a burden this camp-adjacent instant classic aspires to cast off with some of the most spectacularly disgusting body horror this side of “The Fly” or the final minutes of “Akira.”
If the “Revenge” director’s immaculately crafted debut tried to dismantle male toxicity with a shotgun blast square to the balls, Fargeat’s Cannes-approved follow-up turns that same attention inwards, allowing her to take aim at both the pointlessness she’s been conditioned to feel as a forty-something woman, and also at the resentment she’s been conditioned to feel toward her younger self.
- 5/19/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Anime is bigger than ever. With dedicated streaming services such as Crunchyroll enjoying a meteoric rise, rivals Netflix and Prime Video getting in on the action with their own dedicated selection, and even Disney – the arbiter of western animation – now boasting a growing number of exclusive anime series on Disney+, the availability and popularity of Japanese animation has never been greater.
Yet it's in film where anime has enjoyed the biggest boom, with the likes of Your Name and Miss Hokusai heralding a new era of excellence in animation, adding to a canon of definitive works such as Akira and My Neighbour Totoro. But with decades of brilliance to choose from, getting started on anime – or just choosing what to watch for movie night – can be daunting.
We've plucked out the best of the best to get you started, with a selection that highlights the medium's rich diversity of genres and styles,...
Yet it's in film where anime has enjoyed the biggest boom, with the likes of Your Name and Miss Hokusai heralding a new era of excellence in animation, adding to a canon of definitive works such as Akira and My Neighbour Totoro. But with decades of brilliance to choose from, getting started on anime – or just choosing what to watch for movie night – can be daunting.
We've plucked out the best of the best to get you started, with a selection that highlights the medium's rich diversity of genres and styles,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Matt Kamen
- Empire - Movies
Over the past decade, Black Mirror has revolutionized science fiction on the big and small screen. Modern sci-fi is down-to-earth and realistic – stories about the future warn the audience that humanity will pay a high price for the immense development of technology.
The best episodes of the series and a dozen of its clones scare us with the introduction of social ratings, strengthening the capabilities of VR, and even raising children in capsules. Science fiction, as it was interpreted by the writers in the mid-twentieth century, has simply disappeared.
The animated film Mars Express, which was shown for the first time in Cannes to great acclaim, is the classic science fiction that is not limited to a fantastic convention, but imagines an entire new and unusual world on the screen.
What is Mars Express About?
In the year 2200, human detective Aline and her robot partner Carlos investigate a series of strange incidents.
The best episodes of the series and a dozen of its clones scare us with the introduction of social ratings, strengthening the capabilities of VR, and even raising children in capsules. Science fiction, as it was interpreted by the writers in the mid-twentieth century, has simply disappeared.
The animated film Mars Express, which was shown for the first time in Cannes to great acclaim, is the classic science fiction that is not limited to a fantastic convention, but imagines an entire new and unusual world on the screen.
What is Mars Express About?
In the year 2200, human detective Aline and her robot partner Carlos investigate a series of strange incidents.
- 5/9/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
10. Akira (1988)
It’s quite telling that even after WWII and the invention of the atomic bomb, we’re still scared how there can be a Wwiii, isn’t it? In Akira, Japan is rebuilding after a disastrous conflict — and it’s turned into a technologically advanced tyranny with experiments on humans and total control. Meanwhile, the people await their savior…
You can watch Akira on Netflix.
9. Logan's Run (1976)
Here’s another post-wwiii dystopia masquerading as a utopia. In the 23rd century, the remains of humankind live in a peaceful picture-perfect society that worships youth and pleasure. The life cycle of its inhabitants is only 30 years, but it worries no one until one man uncovers the terrifying truth behind the promised “rebirth.”
You can watch Logan's Run on Apple TV and Prime Video.
8. The Omega Man (1971)
Guess what: a massive war wiped out most of humanity and left others mutated and...
It’s quite telling that even after WWII and the invention of the atomic bomb, we’re still scared how there can be a Wwiii, isn’t it? In Akira, Japan is rebuilding after a disastrous conflict — and it’s turned into a technologically advanced tyranny with experiments on humans and total control. Meanwhile, the people await their savior…
You can watch Akira on Netflix.
9. Logan's Run (1976)
Here’s another post-wwiii dystopia masquerading as a utopia. In the 23rd century, the remains of humankind live in a peaceful picture-perfect society that worships youth and pleasure. The life cycle of its inhabitants is only 30 years, but it worries no one until one man uncovers the terrifying truth behind the promised “rebirth.”
You can watch Logan's Run on Apple TV and Prime Video.
8. The Omega Man (1971)
Guess what: a massive war wiped out most of humanity and left others mutated and...
- 5/6/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
Note: This article was written by Jameel Raeburn. What’s the ideal starter anime? It’s the question for every anime enthusiast who is recommending a series, or an exploratory watcher curious to dive into the world of anime for the first time. However, there’s no clear answer. While anime is thankfully more accessible than it’s ever been, there are so many characters, plots, genres and themes that you might feel overwhelmed at first glance. You may turn to friends to hopefully nudge you in the right direction, but you can get thirty conflicting answers from thirty different people. The idea of what’s the perfect starter anime has been hotly debated online. In an interview with Michael B. Jordan , the actor revealed his five anime recommendations for those who haven’t watched it before. “ One Piece , Dragon Ball , Naruto , Bleach , and Hunter x Hunter ” were his responses.
- 4/26/2024
- by Guest Author
- Crunchyroll
It's been more than two decades since Naoki Urasawa started publishing a manga based on a story arc from Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy. Urasawa changed many details in his reinterpretation, but his new version of the story has been capturing the public imagination since its first issue in 2003.
Now the reinterpretation has been interpreted again – as an animated series. And it turns out, it's really, really good.
So What's The Story?
Pluto takes place in the aftermath of a massive war involving both humans and robots. Now the world is at peace, and thanks to new laws (and programming) it's been eight years since a robot has killed a human. Robots are also now granted equal rights.
When a powerful, famous, and beloved war hero robot is found destroyed, Europol robot detective Gesicht is sent to investigate. As the bodies start piling up, Gesicht realizes that he may be...
Now the reinterpretation has been interpreted again – as an animated series. And it turns out, it's really, really good.
So What's The Story?
Pluto takes place in the aftermath of a massive war involving both humans and robots. Now the world is at peace, and thanks to new laws (and programming) it's been eight years since a robot has killed a human. Robots are also now granted equal rights.
When a powerful, famous, and beloved war hero robot is found destroyed, Europol robot detective Gesicht is sent to investigate. As the bodies start piling up, Gesicht realizes that he may be...
- 4/19/2024
- by louise.everitt@startefacts.com (Louise Everitt)
- STartefacts.com
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has largely been a live-action affair, be it in theatres or with streaming. So far, only one entry into the franchise proper has been animated, that being What If…? X-Men ’97 has been the latest animated series that the studio has put out and could be on its way to becoming an MCU installment too if rumors are to be believed.
X-Men ’97
It seems like the superhero genre has entered a golden age of animation, with shows like X-Men ’97 and Invincible, and films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The genre is receiving the kind of boost it needs, with all the talks of superhero fatigue quickly fizzling out in the wake of these acclaimed shows and films. In light of its recent success, the directors of X-Men ’97 have a similar idea for the X-Men IP, one that Kevin Feige can’t possibly overlook...
X-Men ’97
It seems like the superhero genre has entered a golden age of animation, with shows like X-Men ’97 and Invincible, and films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The genre is receiving the kind of boost it needs, with all the talks of superhero fatigue quickly fizzling out in the wake of these acclaimed shows and films. In light of its recent success, the directors of X-Men ’97 have a similar idea for the X-Men IP, one that Kevin Feige can’t possibly overlook...
- 4/18/2024
- by Anuraag Chatterjee
- FandomWire
Many people may think that Anime and manga are for children as the animation style can be cute and doesn't hold the same weight as a live-action drama series.
This is where you may be wrong, as the success of Crunchyroll, an anime streaming service, proves how popular Anime is with audiences.
Crunchyroll is currently the most extensive anime-only streaming service out there while still being the most significant anime service for fans of the art style.
This doesn't mean everyone knows what Crunchyroll is and how it gained success.
I bet most Crunchyroll users don't know how this niche streaming service became relevant in today's streaming market sector.
View Slideshow: 17 Action Anime That Will Change Your Life
To find out how Crunchyroll became a success, read this article below.
How Did Anime Enter The Mainstream Market
One of the first significant anime films to gain success in the Western world was 1988's Akira.
This is where you may be wrong, as the success of Crunchyroll, an anime streaming service, proves how popular Anime is with audiences.
Crunchyroll is currently the most extensive anime-only streaming service out there while still being the most significant anime service for fans of the art style.
This doesn't mean everyone knows what Crunchyroll is and how it gained success.
I bet most Crunchyroll users don't know how this niche streaming service became relevant in today's streaming market sector.
View Slideshow: 17 Action Anime That Will Change Your Life
To find out how Crunchyroll became a success, read this article below.
How Did Anime Enter The Mainstream Market
One of the first significant anime films to gain success in the Western world was 1988's Akira.
- 4/17/2024
- by Jason Collins
- TVfanatic
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