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Otakon 2024 Hosts Director Hiroshi Nagahama, Voice Actress Uki Satake
Director of Mushishi, voice actress for QT in Space Dandy attend August 2-4 event in Washington, D.C.
― The staff of Otakon revealed on Friday that it will host director Hiroshi Nagahama and voice actress Uki Satake (pictured at right) at this year's event. Nagahama served as director on Mushishi, Detroit Metal City, The Flowers of Evil, and 2017's The Reflection, which he also co-created with Stan ...
Woman Charged for Posting Ensemble Stars!! Images With Cockroaches Edited Into Them
She allegedly didn't like how her favorite character was being treated
― With games like The IdolM@ster and Ensemble Stars!! allowing people to manage Japanese idols, they're bound to create schisms among fans — not about which game is better, but which character is the best. This can lead developers to leave some characters by the wayside to promote more popular ones. But what are fans to do if this...
Yuya Hirose Stars in Übel Blatt Anime; Hirose, Original Manga Creator Etorouji Shiono Attend Anime Expo
Hirose, Shiono, original manga's editor to host panel on July 5 at AX
― Pony Canyon announced on Thursday that Yuya Hirose will star as Köinzell in the television anime of Etorouji Shiono's Übel Blatt dark fantasy manga. Pony Canyon also announced that Hirose and Shiono will both attend Anime Expo and will be panelists along with the original manga's editor at the "A live drawing session with the ori...
Voice Actor Yūki Kaji Counters Unauthorized AI Cover Songs by Offering Official Voice Synthesis Software
Yuki Kaji wants his fans to use his voice ethically
― The rise in AI generated content has brought to light questions regarding the rights to celebrities' images, likenesses, and voices and how we produce original works. While the debate is far from settled, the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike helped bring the issue to the public. In Japan, the issue is looming in the background, but there's a feeling no one r...
Comix Wave Films Announces New President
Managing director Tomohiro Tokunaga promoted to president
―
CoMix Wave Films announced on Friday that Noritaka Kawaguchi, the company's current president, has been transferred to representative director and chairman, and managing director Tomohiro Tokunaga has been promoted to representative director and president. The change of officers is effective as of May 28. Aside from Kawaguchi and Tokunaga, ...
Voice Actor Takeo Otsuka Announces Marriage
Voice of Oshi no Ko's Aquamarine Hoshino offers short message to fans
― Takeo Otsuka, voice of Aquamarine Hoshino from the Oshi no Ko anime, announced his marriage on his X (formerly Twitter) account on May 31. In the post, Otsuka offered a short message to his fans: ご報告です。 pic.twitter.com/aF5nhSfA7d— 大塚剛央 (@TakeoooOtsuka) May 31, 2024 I have an announcement. To all of you,
I, Otsuka Tsuyoshi, have ...
Voice Actor Kappei Yamaguchi Hospitalized for Surgery After Exercise Injury
Yamaguchi hospitalized due to torn shoulder
― Voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi revealed in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday that he is hospitalized due to a torn shoulder, and was scheduled for a surgery on Friday. In a follow-up post, Yamaguchi explained that he overexerted himself in weight training and tore his shoulder, and since it's an area of the shoulder that doesn't heal na...
Lupin III's 1st Fujiko Voice Actress Eiko Masuyama Dies at 89
Masuyama also originated Cutie Honey role
― Aoni Production announced on Monday that voice actress Eiko Masuyama died on May 20 due to pneumonia. She was 89. Her close relatives held a private service. Masuyama was born in Tokyo on April 22, 1936. She began her career alongside the roots of Japanese animated television with the first Astroboy (Tetsuwan Atom) series. She then originated the role of Fu...
NTV Reveals Results of Investigation Into Sexy Tanaka-san Live-Action Series After Hinako Ashihara's Death
Investigation concludes Ashihara's conditions about adaptation were not properly conveyed to production staff
― Warning: this article contains statements about a suicide. If you or anyone you know is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a suicide prevention organization in your country. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling 988. I...
The Apothecary Diaries Manga Artist Nekokurage Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Author pleads guilty to evading about 47 million yen in taxes from 2019-2021
― Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda), the artist of one of the manga adaptations of The Apothecary Diaries light novels, pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges on Friday, during the case's first hearing at the Fukuoka District Court. During the hearing, Nekokurage admitted to the charges and stated they had "no intention of e...
NY Times Recounts How Twitter 'Threadnought' Spawned by Vic Mignogna's Lawsuit Led to Lawyer Team-Up
Legal team formed after Twitter dustup in 2019 defamation case is now taking Elon Musk to court
― Between the trolls, random arguments, and so many other negative aspects of the social media platform, X (formerly Twitter) can be an unwelcoming space. However, a person's experience on the platform depends the community. Apparently the law analysis side of Twitter was at one point a truly intriguing pl...
Voice Actor Yoshino Aoyama Appears as Bocchi The Rock's Bocchilla in Shimokitazawa
Aoyama disguised as monster Bocchilla got likes, handed out flyers
― One of the greatest anime monsters in the last decade is arguably Bocchilla from Bocchi the Rock! While the monster only appeared briefly in one episode of the series as a hallucination of main character Hitori Goto, it still left an impression on fans. That very monster was in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo on May 24 handing out flyers for t...
Actor Akira Nakao Dies at 81
Nakao had roles in Sega's Judgement games, live-action GTO, Godzilla films
― Actor Akira Nakao died of heart failure on May 16. He was 81. The actor's health was fluctuating in the last years of his life. A close funeral was held by his wife, actress Shino Ikenami, for close relatives. Nakao was born on August 11, 1942 in Chiba prefecture. Nakao played Ryuzo Genda in Sega's Judgement games, which ar...
Voice Actress Mai Fuchigami Announces Marriage on Her Birthday
Voice of Girls & Panzer's Miho Nishizumi makes announcement in heartfelt message
― Mai Fuchigami, voice of Miho Nishizumi from the Girls und Panzer franchise, announced her marriage on May 28 — which is also her birthday. In her post on X (formerly Twitter), Fuchigami gave a heartfelt message to her fans:
ご報告です。 pic.twitter.com/o02DZBOC9K— 渕上舞(声優) (@fuchigami_mai) May 28, 2024 I have an announcement...
6 Interesting Things I Learned About Anime From the Legendary Producer Maruyama Masao Documentary
The documentary was full of cool tidbits about the 82-year-old producer and the anime he's worked on—including Ninja Scroll, Pluto, and In This Corner of the World.
― Late last month, Japanese television network NHK put out a documentary on anime producer Masao Maruyama as part of their Anime Manga Explosion series. In it, the show delves into the now 82-year-old producer's life, philosophies, and so...
JoJo's Hirohiko Araki Paints His 1st Public Art Mural for Osaka
Don't worry, it doesn't involve Pillar-men
― There are very few manga creators whose art transcends the medium and becomes a form of art unto itself. One such creator is Hirohiko Araki of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. While the art in his series started off rather mundane, Araki has pushed the limits of what a manga creator can do over the course of 35 years of experimentation. And now Araki is taking hi...
Gundam Voice Actor Tōru Furuya Admits to 4-Year Affair With Fan
Furuya acknowledged threatening to hurt fan in argument, causing her to have abortion
― On his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, voice actor Tōru Furuya acknowledged a recent report by the Weekly Bunshun magazine regarding an affair he had with a fan. Weekly Bunshun interviewed him for the article. Furuya admitted that he had been in a relationship with a female fan for four and a half years...
Live-Action Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe Stars Issei Takahashi, Marie Iitoyo Get Married
Fictional manga author/editor pair tie the knot
― The actors for Rohan Kishibe and Kyoka Izumi from the live-action Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe series, Issei Takahashi and Marie Iitoyo, respectively, announced their marriage on May 16. Iitoyo posted their joint message on her Instagram page. In the announcement, the two actors gave a heartfelt message to their fans and those they work with. View this po...
Comic Girls, I'dol Be Back! Creator Kaori Hanzawa Takes 3-Month Hiatus for Maternity Leave
Hanzawa launched I'dol Be Back! in July 2023
― Manga creator Kaori Hanzawa announced on Thursday that she will take a three-month hiatus starting this month for maternity leave. Hanzawa added however that Houbunsha will still publish bonus manga shorts for I'dol Be Back! in June and July. The manga did not appear in the June issue of Manga Time Kirara Max, which shipped on Friday. Hanzawa launched th...
MMA Fighter Itsuki 'Android 18' Hirata Promotes Upcoming Fight
Hirata is set to fight on June 7, but she's not fighting Cell or Vegeta
― In the world of professional prize fighting, some of the top tier athletes get some rather interesting nicknames. Most of the time, this has to do with a trait the prize fighter is known for, but once in a blue moon you'll see one named after a character. One such prize fighter is female MMA fighter Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata. ...
GoFundMe Campaign Launched for Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis
Campaign to fund home care nurse as Lillis fights cancer
― A GoFundMe campaign launched on Monday for voice actress Rachael Lillis to help fund a home care nurse. The campaign revealed that Lillis has been diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to her spine, thus leaving her barely able to walk. The campaign noted that Lillis has been in a nursing home in Los Angeles since late January to recei...
NHK World Streams Documentary About Masao Maruyama in English
28-minute documentary streams on NHK World Japan until April 28, 2025
― NHK World Japan is streaming its documentary about producer Masao Maruyama as part of its Anime Manga Explosion program in English. The 28-minute documentary is free to watch and takes viewers inside Studio M2 and features several industry personalities. The documentary was broadcast on April 28 and will be available to watch unt...
1st Run of Shōhei Ohtani's Picture Book Jump in Price After His Disgraced Interpreter Is Airbrushed Out
And it wasn't the Ministry of Truth that spirited him away
― Shōhei Ohtani will undoubtedly go down as one of the most well-known, if not one of the greatest, baseball players due to his skills as a pitcher and batter. His current 10-year, 700-million-dollar contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers reflects this. Unfortunately, Ohtani was recently caught up in a scandal involving his (now former) interp...
Manga Creator Kia Asamiya States Eye Cataract Surgeries Were a Success
Manga creator will be able to attend Steam Detectives anime screening on Saturday with goggles
― Manga creator Kia Asamiya said on Twitter on Wednesday that his planned surgeries for his eye cataracts were successful, and that his visual acuity has been restored to 1.0 (equivalent to 20/20 vision in American distance acuity), but that he would let himself stabilize and observe the aftermath of the su...
Illustrator Acky Bright, Macross Creator Shōji Kawamori, More Attend Anime Expo
Voice actress Sayaka Ōhara, scenario writer Ryukishi07 also to attend
― The staff of Anime Expo started announcing more Japanese guests on May 1 for this year's convention. The convention will host manga creator and illustrator Acky Bright, and director and mechanical designer Shōji Kawamori. MangaGamer will bring voice actress Sayaka Ōhara and scenario writer Ryukishi07 (Higurashi: When They Cry, Um...
Baki Series' Yūjirō Hanma Voice Actor Akio Ōtsuka Shows Off 'Kawaii' Side with Filtered Photo Booth Image
The man with a voice that can strike fear to many, and a (kawaii) face that can set 3.5 million views
― When you hear the name of Japanese voice actor Akio Ōtsuka, the first thing you'll probably think is how his voice can easily strike fear, especially when you remember his villainous All For One character in My Hero Academia or as Yūjirō Hanma in the Baki series. There's also his portrayal of the c...
Gold House Names Hayao Miyazaki, Eiichiro Oda, More as Part of 100 'Most Impactful Asians' List for 2024
Chan-wook Park, Takashi Yamazaki, Mackenyu, more make list
― Asia-Pacific non-profit organization Gold House named Studio Ghibli co-founder and The Boy and the Heron director Hayao Miyazaki part of its Most Impactful Asians A100 list for 2024. The list also includes One Piece manga creator Eiichiro Oda, live-action One Piece actor Mackenyu (Zoro), and the show's executive producer Steven Maeda. Godzi...
Singer, Voice Actress Suzuko Mimori Moves to the U.S.
Mimori intends to continue voice roles, singing career
― Voice actress and singer Suzuko Mimori announced on her Twitter account on Thursday that she is moving to the United States this summer. She acknowledges that the move will mean that her voice work will not necessarily stay the same as before, but that she will strive to continue performing her roles to the best off her ability. She also added ...
Manga Creator Kia Asamiya's Eye Cataract Surgeries Slated Over Next 2 Weeks
Asamiya may be able to attend events in May if surgeries go well
― Manga creator Kia Asamiya gave an update on Monday regarding his planned surgeries for his eye cataracts. He said that the surgery for his right eye will happen this week, followed by the surgery for his left eye next week. If the surgeries go well, he will likely be able to attend his planned events in mid-May. Asamiya also added tha...
Viz Media's VP of Publishing Sales Kevin Hamric Leaves Company After Viz Eliminates Position
Hamric joined Viz Media in 2011 as director of sales and marketing
― ICv2 reported on Tuesday that Viz Media's Vice President - Publishing Sales Kevin Hamric has left the company, after Viz eliminated the position. His last day at Viz Media was on Friday. Hamric joined Viz Media as the director of sales and marketing in 2011. He was later promoted to senior director of sales and marketing in 2013, an...
Voice Actor Takaaki Seki Dies at 54
Seki voiced Shutaro Kiba in Mōryō no Hako, Zhang Fei in Sōten Kōro
― Talent agency En-kikaku announced on Tuesday that voice actor Takaaki Seki died on April 15 due to esophageal cancer. He had been undergoing medical treatment. He was 54. There was a funeral held for close relatives. Seki was born in Osaka, Japan on November 5, 1969. He entered the En Theater Institute in 1995 and joined Engeki Shūd...
Man in 20s Indicted for Nintendo Threat Messages Incident from 2023
Civil servant from Ibaraki was arrested on April 3
― The Kyoto Prefectural Police have indicted the 27-year-old man from Ibaraki Prefecture, who was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of forcibly obstructing business operations, after allegedly sending several threatening messages to Nintendo last year. According to investigators, the man had sent 39 messages threatening to kill people in Nint...
Kiyosu City Uses Late Akira Toriyama's Design for 20th Anniversary Logo
See one of the final pieces of art by the legendary manga author
― The anime and manga world was stricken with sad news in early March with the passing of legendary manga author Akira Toriyama. His works influenced many anime and manga fans, illustrators, and authors around the world. While his legacy still lives on in Dragon Ball Daima, Sand Land, and the Dragon Ball Super manga, among a few other p...
Voice Actor Yasuo Muramatsu Dies at 91
Muramatsu voiced Tom in One Piece, Pisco in Detective Conan, Revil in Mobile Suit Gundam
― Office Kaoru revealed on Thursday that its founder and voice actor Yasuo Muramatsu (real name Tamehisa Muramatsu) died on April 11. He was 91. There was a wake and funeral for close relatives. Muramatsu was born on April 6, 1933. Muramatsu founded his own agency Office Kaoru in 1992. Muramatsu's roles include T...
Voice Actor Dave Underwood Dies at 57
Underwood voiced characters in You're Under Arrest, Crusher Joe, Kite
― Voice actor Dave Underwood (David Kent Underwood II) died on April 6. He was 57. His family will hold a wake for him on April 20. They have also set up at GoFundMe account for burial expenses. Underwood was born on December 28, 1966. He attended broadcasting school at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts in Southfield, MI, and h...
Mangamura Pirate Site Owner Ordered to Pay 1.7 Billion Yen to Shueisha, Shogakukan, Kadokawa
3 publishers had sued owner of Japanese-language pirate site in 2022
― The Tokyo District Court ordered on Thursday the former owner of the Japanese-language manga piracy site Mangamura must pay Japanese publishers Shogakukan, Shueisha, and Kadokawa 1.7 billion yen (about US$11.0 million). The publishers stated this is the largest amount of money a judge has ever ordered be paid regarding damages in ...
Voice Actress Akari Uehara Announces Surprise Marriage & More
Voice of Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time's Vegan Eldriel also announces pregnancy
― Akari Uehara, voice of Vegan Eldriel from Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time, announced her marriage on X (formerly Twitter) on April 15. In the announcement, Tamura posted a surprise and heartfelt message to her fans and those she works with. 🌸ご報告です🌸 pic.twitter.com/YDdRMmLJ5r— 上原あかり (@akariuehara13) April...
4 Men Charged With Copying, Selling Strike Witches Anime Design Materials
Material copies sold through online auctions, generated estimated 10 million yen in sales
― The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Wednesday that the Metropolitan Police Department sent documents to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office regarding suspicion towards four men of copyright law violation, for illegally copying production materials of the Strike Witches anime. The material copies have been...
Studio Ghibli Earns Cannes' Honorary Palme d'Or; Time Magazine Names Hayao Miyazaki in Top 100 Most Influential People List
Ghibli's Honorary Palme d'Or marks 1st time Cannes Festival has given honor to entire group
― The 77th Cannes International Film Festival announced on Wednesday that it is awarding Studio Ghibli with the Honorary Palme d'Or. The prize honors those who have achieved notable work but had never won a competitive Palme d'Or, the festival's highest award. According to the festival's staff, this marks the ...
Seven Days War Novelist Osamu Sōda Dies at 95
Sōda's 1985 novel inspired live-action film in 1988, anime film in 2019
― Novelist Osamu Sōda died on April 8 at a hospital in Nagoya due to pneumonia. He was 95. According to Sōda's family, his condition suddenly deteriorated after he was hospitalized due to a cold on April 4. Kadokawa, which published many of Sōda's works, also released a statement regarding his death on Tuesday. Kadokawa stated th...
Lycopene the Tomatoy Poodle Manga Creator Kōji Ōishi Gets Married
His wife? None other than the melon idol herself, Melon Yamaguchi
― Like any country, Japan loves its big-name weddings. From actors and musicians to idols, voice actors, and a myriad of other celebrities, Japanese people love celebrating these joyous occasions. But, what about when a manga creator gets married? The latest notable manga marriage is between the Lycopene the Tomatoy Poodle creator Koji...
Trapped in a Dating Sim Novelist Yomu Mishima Launches New Project in Fall
Final volume shipped on March 29
― The 13th and final volume of of Yomu Mishima's Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs (Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai Desu) light novel series revealed on March 29 the author will launch a new project in the fall. Mishima launched the novels on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō (Let's Be Novelists) website in 2017 and ended it there in ...
Former Nogizaka46 Idol Nanase Nishino, Actor Yuki Yamada Announce Marriage
Couple shared their news with joint message
― If there's one thing Japanese mass media loves, it's idols and actors. And they love it even more when an idol and actor get married. The media was hit with a big idol and actor marriage announcement on March 31. The idol and actor, none other than former Nogizaka46 member Nanase Nishino and actor Yuki Yamada. 【ご報告】 pic.twitter.com/sC9itziTC2— 西野七瀬&STAFF...
Sci-fi Novelist Hiroshi Yamamoto Dies at 68
Yamamoto's works include Project Piano, The Stories of Ibis, MM9 novels
― The official website of publisher Tokyo Sogensha announced on Thursday that sci-fi novelist Hiroshi Yamamoto died on March 29 due to aspiration pneumonia. He was 68. Yamamoto's daughter also posted an announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday. According to Yamamoto's daughter, a funeral was held with close re...
Voice Actor Yukihiro Nozuyama Announces Birth of 1st Child
Voice of Record of Ragnarok's Heimdall announced birth with beautiful photo
― Yukihiro Nozuyama, voice of Heimdall from Record of Ragnarok, announced on April 2 on X (formerly Twitter) that his wife gave birth to their first child. Nozuyama gave a message to his fans with a photo of his child holding his brother-in-law's hand.
【ご報告】私事で大変恐縮ですが…。先日、我が家に第一子が産まれした！命懸けで産んでくれた妻と産まれてきてくれた我が子に感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。今...
Voice Actress Mutsumi Tamura Announces Marriage
Voice of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean's Ermes Costello gives heartfelt message
― Mutsumi Tamura, voice of Ermes Costello from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, announced her marriage on April 1 on X (formerly Twitter). 皆様へ 私事ではありますが田村睦心、結婚いたしました。ずっと1人で生きていくものと思っておりましたが、ありがたいご縁があり一生を共にしてくれるパートナーができました。自分らしく過ごせそうで大変ありがたい気持ちです。 きっと色々な経験をするでしょう。…— 田村睦心 (@623tmr) April 1, 2024 In her heartfe...
Kyoto Police Arrests Man in 20s for Nintendo Threat Messages Incident from 2023
Suspect allegedly sent threat messages through Nintendo website's inquiry form
― The Kyoto Prefectural Police's First Investigative Division has arrested on Wednesday a man in his 20s, a civil servant from Ibaraki Prefecture, on suspicion of forcibly obstructing business operations, after allegedly sending several threatening messages to Nintendo last year. According to investigators, the man is susp...
Voice Actor Bon Ishihara Dies at 68
Ishihara voiced Gold-Toothed Doctor in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
― KeKKe Corporation announced in February that voice actor Bon Ishihara (real name Sumio Ishihara) died on February 8 at the age of 68. A funeral service was held for relatives. Ishihara voiced the Gold-Toothed Doctor in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Johnny the Matagi in Samurai Champloo, Sōichirō Shimogamo in The Eccentric F...
Apothecary Diaries Manga Creator Nekokurage Indicted for Alleged Tax Evasion
Nekokurage claims neglect of tax returns due to ignorance
― Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda), the creator of the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries light novels, was indicted by The Fukuoka Regional Taxation Bureau on February 29 on suspicion of not declaring approximately 260 million yen (about US$1.7 million) in income and evading about 47 million yen (about US$310,000) in taxes from 2019...
Voice Actor William Samples Dies
Actor played roles in Master Keaton, Inuyasha, others
― Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported on March 9 that voice actor William Samples died on January 2. Samples voiced Tahei Hiraga in the Master Keaton anime as well as the OVA. He also provided voices for Project ARMS: The 2nd Chapter and Inuyasha. According to IMDb, he also voiced roles in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sherlock ...
Apothecary Diaries Manga Creator Nekokurage Indicted on Suspicion of Tax Evasion
Nekokurage claims neglect of tax returns due to ignorance
― Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda), the creator of the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries light novels, was indicted by The Fukuoka Regional Taxation Bureau on February 29 on suspicion of not declaring approximately 260 million yen (about US$1.7 million) in income and evading about 47 million yen (about US$310,000) in taxes from 2019...
Hideaki Anno Leads Space Battleship Yamato Anime 50th Anniversary Project
Project to include book publications, screening event, exhibition
― Studio Khara announced on Saturday that Hideaki Anno will be planning and producing a 50th anniversary project for Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Leiji Matsumoto's Space Battleship Yamato space opera anime franchise. The project will include several book publications, as well as a screening event on October 6, which would mark 50 years exa...
Frieren's Cast Lists the Top 3 Moments for Their Characters
At AnimeJapan 2024's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End stage show, the voice actors for Frieren, Himmel, Fern, and Stark told an audience of hundreds their favorite scenes for the characters they portray.
― At Anime Japan 2024's Frieren: Beyond Journey's End stage show, Atsumi Tanezaki (Frieren), Nobuhiko Okamoto (Himmel), Kana Ichinose (Fern), and Chiaki Kobayashi (Stark) told an audience of hundreds th...
AnimeJapan's Thunderbolt Fantasy Panel Gives Behind-the-Scenes Look at Puppets in Action
Ever wondered what Thunderbolt Fantasy's puppeteering looks like without the clever camerawork & sets?
― At Anime Japan 2024 on Saturday, psychological horror extraordinaire Gen Urobuchi took to the stage to talk about the two newest additions to his long-running show, Thunderbolt Fantasy: a fourth season and a movie. But while that news was great for fans, what stood out at the panel were the three ...
Satsudou Manga Creator Chicchi Yukinaga Dies
Satsudou will end serialization
― Kodansha's Young Magazine staff announced on Monday that manga creator Chicchi Yukinaga has died. No cause of death was given. The magazine editors gave recognition to Yukinaga for debuting in the magazine over two years ago with works imbued with passion and talent. Yukinaga's ongoing series Satsudou will end serialization, and the magazine's staff will announce fu...
81 Produce Agency Ends Voice Actor Daiki Nakamura's Contract Over Reported Harassment at His School
Agency received complaints about power & sexual harassment, financial troubles in Nakamura's private school
― Voice talent company 81 Produce announced on Friday that it has canceled voice actor Daiki Nakamura's contract as of March 21, after the agency received complaints of power harassment, sexual harassment, and financial troubles at Yume Kōbō, a private training school that Nakamura personally f...
Laputa - Castle in the Sky Voice Actor Minori Terada Dies
Terada voiced Muska in Ghibli classic
― The Yomiuri Shimbun paper reported on Saturday that actor Minori Terada died on March 14. He was 81. Terada had been battling lung cancer. His agency expressed their condolences and gratitude to fans for their support, and noted the actor's courage while pursuing treatment. Terada was best known internationally for his role as Muska in the Studio Ghibli film La...
This Week in Anime - When Criticism Meets Anime Fandom
More often than not, critics take the hot seat when reviewing a work subject to the ire of its fandom when it does not align with their views. This week, our resident reviewers Chris and Lucas weigh in on what it means to approach anime works critically as reviewers.
― More often than not, critics take the hot seat when reviewing a work subject to the ire of its fandom when it does not align with th...
Voice Actor Yūto Uemura Announces Marriage
The voice of Bungo Stray Dogs' Atsushi Nakajima posts a handwritten message to his fans
― Yuto Uemura, the voice of Atsushi Nakajima from Bungo Stray Dogs, announced his marriage in a handwritten message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on March 16.
ご報告です。 pic.twitter.com/XSWgLRGNlr— 上村祐翔(うえむらゆうと) (@U_Yutopan) March 16, 2024 I have an announcement. In his message, Uemura writes (roughly translated): T...
Singer Sayuri Marries Misekai Musician Amaarashi
Singer of My Hero Academia's ending song announced her marriage to up-and-coming vocalist
― Sayuri — composer, lyricist, and singer of My Hero Academia's sixth ending theme song “Kokai no Uta” — announced her marriage with Amaarashi, the up-and-coming male vocalist of Misekai, on March 18 on X (formerly Twitter). In the announcement, Sayuri posted a photo of herself with Amaarashi along with a handw...
'Tales of' RPG Series Artist Mutsumi Inomata Dies
Artist also worked as animator, character designer for anime for Ashi Production, Kaname Production
― The official Twitter account for artist Mutsumi Inomata announced on Monday that Inomata died on March 10. Her family held a private funeral. The announcement added that Inomata's death was "sudden," and she still had the draft for a new illustration that she had only started drawing before she died....
Anime Boston 2024 Hosts Yuya Hirose, Yuki Watanabe as Guests of Honor
Event takes place on March 29-31
― The staff of Anime Boston announced on Friday that the 2024 event will host voice actor Yuya Hirose and Tsuburaya Productions' Yuki Watanabe as Guests of Honor in association with HIDIVE. Hirose portrays Yuki Wakura in Chained Soldier, Yuta Hibiki in SSSS.GRIDMAN, Alto Goldfield in Kinsō no Vermeil, and Isumi Haruka in IDOLiSH7. Watanabe has worked on the production...
Manga Creator Yū Asai Dies, Manga Creator Husband Motoyuki Asai Hospitalized After Traffic Accident
Motoyuki Asai is in serious condition
― The Twitter account for manga creator Motoyuki Asai stated on Thursday Motoyuki and his wife, fellow manga creator duo Yū Asai, were in a traffic accident on March 2. Yū died on March 6 while Motoyuki is currently hospitalized with bone fractures and is in serious condition. A close relative, who made the announcement on Twitter, stated in another Twitter post ...
Former Crunchyroll Executive Miles Atherton Joins Anime Trending Site's Board
― The anime news and statistics website Anime Trending announced on Thursday that Miles Atherton (formerly Miles Thomas) has joined the site's board of directors as an advisor. Atherton joined Crunchyroll in 2013 as a sales consultant. He eventually became a content analyst, brand manager, and then the senior manager of social media and editorial programming before becoming the director of audience ...
Kanako Takatsuki Announces Absence from Love Live! Koshien 2024 Due to Health
Voice actress returned from medical hiatus in November 2021
― Kanako Takatsuki, voice actress for Hanamaru Kunikida in the Love Live! idol franchise, revealed to fans on Instagram on Tuesday that she will not be participating in the Love Live! Series Presents Unit Koshien 2024 event due to her health. Takatsuki wrote that anxiety regarding her adjustment disorder flaring up again caused symptoms to ...
Actor Masaaki Maeda Dies at 91
Maeda voiced Carozzo "Iron Mask" Ronah in Mobile Suit Gundam F91
― The Sankei Shimbun reported last Friday that actor Masaaki Maeda died on February 27 due to ischemic heart failure. He was 91. There was a funeral held for immediate family. Maeda was known for the Ken-chan and Jiken Kisha television series. Maeda played Carozzo "Iron Mask" Ronah in Mobile Suit Gundam F91. His other roles include Shog...
The Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences After Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama's Death II
Nothing but love and respect from around the world for the late manga creator
― People from around the world have paid their respects to the legendary manga creator Akira Toriyama, who tragically died on March 1. Following Toriyama's death, fans around the world have posted their condolences, respects, and tributes on social media. Many are by established creatives, but if you dig a little deeper, yo...
The Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences After Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama's Death
Creators all around the anime/manga worlds pay their respects to the manga legend
― The world learned on Friday that legendary manga author and illustrator Akira Toriyama died on March 1. Almost akin to Osamu Tezuka in his status, Toriyama left an indelible mark on manga and anime around the world. Creators are paying their respects to the legendary manga author. Both the official website and Twitter...
Heavenly Delusion Wins 10th Anime Trending Awards
Oshi no Ko, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury season 2, more anime win awards
― The 10th annual Anime Trending Awards announced its winners on Saturday and Heavenly Delusion won Anime of the Year as well as four more awards. Other titles that dominated the awards this year were OSHI NO KO with seven awards as well as Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury season 2 with three awards, Juj...
Chibi Maruko-chan Anime's Lead Voice Actress TARAKO Dies at 63
TARAKO voiced Maruko in ongoing anime for 35 years
― The Sponichi Annex news website reported on Saturday that voice actress TARAKO (Maruko in Chibi Maruko-chan) died at the age of 63. The cause of death was not revealed. There will be a funeral for family. TARAKO is best known for her starring role as Maruko in the long-running and ongoing Chibi Maruko-chan. She played the character for 35 years, an...
Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama Dies at 68
Creator's long-running Dragon Ball franchise has inspired anime, sequels, spinoffs
― Famed manga creator Akira Toriyama died on March 1 due to acute subdural hematoma. He was 68. His family held a private funeral. Toriyama's family is not accepting gifts, visits, or offerings, and is also not accepting interviews. Bird Studio, Toriyama's design and production studio, are planning to hold a comemmorat...
Staff of 'Biggest' Pirated Anime Site Aimed at Japanese Viewers Found Guilty
"B9GOOD" piracy site's operator, 3 staff arrested in 2023
― Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), an organization that aims to reduce worldwide piracy and actively promote the international distribution of Japanese content, reported on Monday that the four people arrested in 2023 in suspicion of being associated with "B9GOOD," one of the "largest" anime piracy sites aimed at Japan...
Manga Creators Takehiko Inoue, Yumi Tamura, Animator Atsushi Wada Win Agency for Cultural Affairs' Media Arts Awards
Awards ceremony takes place on March 12 in Tokyo
― The Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs announced the winners of the 74th "Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Fine Arts Recommendation Awards" on Wednesday. Manga creators Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk) and Yumi Tamura (7SEEDS, Don't Call It Mystery) won in the Media Arts category, and animator Atsushi Wada (Ikim...
Anime Producer Kouichirou Itou Faces New Accusations of Obscene Acts With a Minor for Money
Itou was previously arrested for a separate charge for allegedly soliciting nude photos from a minor
― The below article contains references to child sexual assault. 52-year-old anime producer Kouichirou Itou, who was arrested in late February for allegedly soliciting a 15-year-old high school girl for nude photos, faces new accusations from Wakayama Prefectural Police. The authorities charged Itou o...
NHK Airs Gosho Aoyama Documentary on April 28
Professional Shigoto no Ryūgi Mangaka Gosho Aoyama SP
― Gosho Aoyama is the newest subject of NHK's Professional Shigoto no Ryūgi (style of professional work) documentary series. The episode will go behind-the-scenes with the manga artist and airs on NHK BS Premium 4K on April 28, as well as NHK General on May 2. The 72-minute episode follows Aoyama over the course of seven months from May 2023 and f...
Makoto Shinkai Comments on Anime Producer Kouichirou Itou's Arrest
Kouichirou Itou arrested on February 21
― Wakayama Prefectural Police arrested anime producer Kouichirou Itou for allegedly soliciting a minor for nude photos on February 21. While the story is developing, Itou's contemporary and oft collaborator, Makoto Shinkai (your name., Suzume), released a statement regarding his arrest on Twitter. 作品関係者逮捕の報道を目にし、とても大きなショックを受けています。まずなによりも被害者の方へ、心よりお見舞い申し上げます。また、...
Voice Actress Yui Ninomiya Goes on Hiatus Due to Health
Aikatsu Friends! voice actress, Classroom of the Elite performer to concentrate on resting
― The staff of voice actress Yui Ninomiya announced on her official X (formerly Twitter) account that her activities will be suspended as of Tuesday due to poor health, and she will concentrate on resting. The announcement did not state Ninomiya's illness or a possible date of her return. Ninomiya is best known...
2 Men Face New Accusations After Arrest for Posting Shonen Jump Images Early
Suspect Samir Musa allegedly admitted to also posting Weekly Shōnen Magazine images
― The two foreign nationals who were arrested earlier this month for allegedly posting images of manga from Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine faced new accusations on Sunday by the Kumamoto and Niigata prefectural police's joint investigation unit. This time, the suspects are also accused of posting images of man...
Afternoon Magazine Editors, Skip and Loafer Creator Donate 10 Million Yen After January 1 Quake
The author of Skip and Loafer, Misaki Takamatsu, with the Afternoon editorial team and the Skip and Loafer anime team send their support to the relief efforts of the New Year's quake in their own unique ways.
― On New Year's Day the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture was devastated by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. While it's been nearly two months since the quake, people all over Japan are still se...
Leiji Matsumoto, Yuki Hijiri Honored With Contribution Award at Japan Nihon SF Taishō
Both manga creators awarded posthumously
― The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ) on Friday posthumously awarded late science-fiction manga creators Leiji Matsumoto and Yuki Hijiri with the Contribution Award in its 44th Nihon SF Taishō Awards. Matsumoto died in February 2023, and Hijiri died in October 2022. Matsumoto's notable works include Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Galaxy Expres...
Voice Actress Reina Kondo Goes on Hiatus Due to Health
Kondo cancels events to prioritize treatment
― Voice actress Reina Kondo and her agency Hirata Office announced on Twitter on Friday that she is going on hiatus because she has not been feeling well. After consulting with her doctor, she has decided to prioritize treatment. She is taking a break and will then continue to work with restrictions. Kondo will not appear at the "Seiyū Grand Prix presents ...
C/FO Co-Founder Mark Merlino Dies
Co-founder of 1st anime club in North America was also one of the founders of Furry fandom
― The Prancing Skiltaire announced on Twitter on February 20 that Cartoon/Fantasy Organization co-founder Mark Merlino has died. Earlier this month, a GoFundMe campaign was launched for Merlino to help fund his hospice care. While the GoFundMe was originally launched to help pay for Merlino's medical bills afte...
Police Arrest your name. Producer Kouichirou Itou on Suspicion of Soliciting Minor for Nude Photos (Updated)
Itou allegedly solicited girl in 2021; police investigating for other victims
― Wakayama Prefectural Police arrested 52-year-old anime producer Kouichirou Itou for allegedly soliciting a 15-year-old high school girl living in Nagano for nude pictures of herself. Itou admitted to the charge, though according to authorities he claimed that he had "done it with other people, so [he couldn't] tell if it ...
Godzilla Minus One Live-Action Film, Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo Anime Film Producers Win Fujimoto Award
Godzilla Minus One producers win general award, Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo producer Keisuke Naitō wins rookie award
― Japan's Eiga Engeki Bunka Kyōkai (Film Theater Culture Association) announced the winners of its 43rd annual Fujimoto Awards on Monday. Godzilla Minus One live-action film producers Hisashi Usui, the late Shuji Abe, Kenji Yamada, Kazuaki Kishida, Gō Abe, and Keiichiro Moriya receive...
The Boy and the Heron Anime Film Wins 2 Awards at Annie Awards
Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 also wins 2 awards; Suzume shut out
― The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced the winners of its 51st Annual Annie Awards on Saturday, and Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film The Boy and the Heron (Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka) won two awards. Hayao Miyazaki won the award for Best Storyboarding for a feature film, and animation director Takeshi Ho...
Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival Honors Kazuki Higashiji, Takeshi Honda, Others
maboroshi art director, The Boy and the Heron animation director, Lonely Castle in the Mirror scriptwriter win Kōji Fukiya award
― The Niigata International Animation Film Festival announced on February 16 the winners of the Kōji Fukiya and Hiroshi Okawa awards, which include maboroshi (Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō, pictured at right) film art director Kazuki Higashiji and The Boy and the Her...
NTV Apologizes After Sexy Tanaka-san Creator Hinako Ashihara's Death
NTV conducts investigation into Ashihara's apparent suicide
― Warning: this article contains statements about a possible suicide. If you or anyone you know is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a suicide prevention organization in your country. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling 988. In Japan, the TELL LifeLine service is avai...
Voice Actress Naomi Ōzora Gives Birth
Voice of Hana Uzaki from Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out announces her child's birth with heartfelt message
― Naomi Ozora, voice of Hana Uzaki from Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out, announced on January 27 on Twitter that she had given birth to her child. In her tweet, Ozora posted a heartfelt message to her fans and those she works with: みなさまへ先月末に、無事赤ちゃんを出産いたしました。母子共に体調も落ち着いてまいりましたので、ご報告させていただきます🌼温かく応援してくだ...
GoFundMe Campaign Launched for C/FO Co-Founder Mark Merlino
Campaign is raising money to support Merlino's hospice care
― A GoFundMe campaign was launched on Wednesday for Cartoon/Fantasy Organization co-founder Mark Merlino to help fund his hospice care. While the GoFundMe was originally launched to help pay for Merlino's medical bills after he was hospitalized on December 23 after suffering three micro strokes, the campaign updated on Friday to announce tha...
Yoko Shimomura Honored With Game Developers Choice's Lifetime Achievement Award
Shimomura has composed for Kingdom Hearts, Street Fighter franchises, more
― The organizers of the 24th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) revealed on Friday that composer Yoko Shimomura will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Shimomura began her career at Capcom in 1988, and she is perhaps best known in the West for composing the score for the Kingdom Hearts series, and she has also cont...
Voice Actor Sean Letourneau Starts GoFundMe Campaign After Cancer Diagnosis
Dub voice actor revealed testicular cancer diagnosis on Wednesday
― Voice actor Sean Letourneau (24) started a GoFundMe campaign on Wednesday to help pay for medical bills. Letourneau was diagnosed earlier this year with testicular cancer. Letourneau wrote that the "ultrasounds, specialist visits, CT scans, surgery fees, and general toll of the entire event has left me financially devastated and over...
Man Sentenced to Year in Prison for Threatening Voice Actress Yui Ishikawa
Tokyo court: Fukuta Kishimoto had been punished for similar offense before
― The Tokyo District Court sentenced 25-year-old Fukuta Kishimoto to one year in prison for threatening to kill voice actress Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa in Attack on Titan, Kyururu in Kemono Friends 2). In its decision, the court noted that Kishimoto had already served time for a similar offense, but still made death threats again. ...
The World of Narue Manga Creator Tomohiro Marukawa Dies at 53
Manga creator had been planning new work
― Kadokawa's Monthly Shonen Ace magazine revealed on Friday that manga creator Tomohiro Marukawa died of ischemic heart disease on January 25. He was 53. Marukawa launched The World of Narue in Monthly Shonen Ace in 1999, and ended the series in December 2012 at 13 volumes. The manga won a Seiun Award in 2014. The manga inspired a 12-episode television anime s...
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