The Seven Deadly Sins “TV Anime”

This year's 20th issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine announced that Nakaba Suzuki's The Seven Deadly Sins (Nanatsu no Taizai) manga is being adapted into a TV Anime.  During the combined 36th/37th issue of the same magazine the cast and staff for the upcoming anime was revealed.  The cast includes: Yuuki Kaji (Attack on Titan), Sora Amamiya (Tokyo Ghoul), and Misaki Kuno (Oreimo). The anime will be created by A-1 Pictures (Fairy Tail, Magi, Sword Art Online) and will be directed by Tensai Okamura (Darker than Black, Blue Exorcist), will be written by Shōtarō Suga (Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne), with Keigo Sasaki (Blue Exorcist) providing character designs and Hiroyuki Sawano composing the music.

The television anime will premiere on MBS and TBS on October 5, 2014.

Kodansha Comics, the publisher of the manga in North America, describes how the story begins:

When they were accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy, the feared warriors the Seven Deadly Sins were sent into exile. Princess Elizabeth discovers the truth - the Sins were framed by the king's guard, the Holy Knights - too late to prevent them from assassinating her father and seizing the throne!

Now the princess is on the run, seeking the Sins to help her reclaim the kingdom. But the first Sin she meets, Meliodas, is a little innkeeper with a talking pig. He doesn't even have a real sword! Have the legends of the Sins' strength been exaggerated?

The manga already has a crossover chapter with Fairy Tail, another Weekly Shōnen Magazine fantasy adventure manga that inspired an anime. Nakaba Suzuki launched the manga in Weekly Shōnen Magazine in 2012, and Kodansha Comics published the third English volume this month.  Crunchyroll is posting the new chapters as they appear in Japan.

Check out the Promotional Video for the TV Anime below.

Kill la Kill’s Ryuko “Figma Figure”

"Life Fiber Synchronize! Kamui Senketsu!"  From the anime series 'Kill la Kill' comes a figma figure of the main character looking to avenge her father, Ryuko Matoi!

Using the smooth yet posable joints of figma, you can act out a variety of different scenes. A flexible plastic is used for important areas, allowing proportions to be kept without compromising posability. She comes with a smiling expression, a shouting expression and an expression with clenched teeth for combat scenes. Her Scissor Blade is included in both standard form and Decapitation Mode. An articulated figma stand is included.

Pre-order, now available from the following sites: CDJAPAN, HOBBYSEARCH, YESASIA, PLAY-ASIA, J-LIST, and PLAMOYA.

Scroll down to see the gallery. Click on them for bigger and better views.

MAX FACTORY Kill la Kill figma Matoi Ryuko 

Release Date: August 2014

World Trigger “TV Anime”

On July 8 of last month Toei Animation officially announced that it’s working on the upcoming TV Anime adaptation of Daisuke Ashihara’s sci-fi action manga World Trigger. Yuki Kaji, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Rie Kugimiya, Jun Fukuyama, Hideyuki Tanaka, Nao Tamura and Tomo Muranaka have been listed as cast of the TV anime adaptation to debut this October 2014.

The upcoming anime adaptation is going to be working off the manga that debuted in last year's 11th issue of Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. VIZ Media added the series to its digital anthology version of Weekly Shonen Jump, and it will publish the first print volume on October 7.

Plot Summary:

Destroy thy Neighbor! A gate to another dimension has burst open, and invincible monsters called Neighbors invade Earth. Osamu Mikumo may not be the best among the elite warriors who co-opt other-dimensional technology to fight back, but along with his Neighbor friend Yuma, he’ll do whatever it takes to defend life on Earth as we know it.

The World Trigger television anime will premiere on the TV Asahi station and its affiliates in October 2014.  Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine's Jump Special Anime Festa will screen a World Trigger anime at its tour this November 2014. In the meantime you can check the World Trigger Manga Promotional Video below.

Yowamushi Pedal “Compilation Anime Film”

This year's combined 36th/37th issue of Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine formally confirmed that the recently concluded 38-episodeYowamushi Pedal anime television series will get a recap movie next month. The “Yowamushi Pedal: Re:RIDE” feature film will summarize the first half of the TV series  with some cuts of new footage added. The movie based on Wataru Watanabe’s cycle racing manga will get limited Japanese theatrical release from September 19 to October 2. While supplies last, each moviegoer will receive one of 15 randomly distributed metal character badges.

Weekly Shōnen Champion is also announcing that the upcoming second television anime season will have the title Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road. The staff and cast of the first TV series will return for the upcoming season.

The anime is created by TMS Entertainment and directed by Osamu Nabeshima with character design by Takahiko Yoshida.

The manga follows Sakamichi Onoda, an otaku at Sōhoku High School. He loves anime and games so much, that he would ride his commuter bicycle to and from Tokyo's Akihabara shopping district in a 90-kilometer (about 60-mile) round trip over steep slopes after school. Onoda's life changes when he encounters his school's cycling team, and he ends up joining the competitive sport of bicycle racing.

The television anime premiered last October, and Crunchyroll streamed the anime outside of Japan as it aired. The second season will premiere in October. Japanese theater chain TOHO Cinemas had already listed a Yowamushi Pedal film opening on September 19.

Wataru Watanabe launched the original manga in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine in 2008, andAkita Shoten has printed 10 million copies of the manga's volumes. Besides the anime, the original manga also inspired stage plays and spinoff manga.

For those not familiar with the anime check out the preview trailer of the first season.

Kill la Kill “Real Action Heroes Figure”

From the hugely popular, action-packed anime Kill laKill, comes two striking figures as part of Medicom Toy’s high-end Real Action Heroes figure line.  Both figures come with very revealing Kamui Senketsu, and every detail of it has been meticulously sculpted for supreme accuracy.

Ryuko in her sexy battle outfit with her special weapon! 

Note:
The first production run on the figure will feature a Katatachi Basami mode of the scissor blade (the actual scissor shape) in addition to the standard Tachikiri Basami ("rending scissor") part.

 Size: Approx. 27cm tall, selling for the premium price of 21,500yen.

The set includes

-Main figure
-Expression parts
-Eye expression parts
-Katatachi basami
-Articulated figure stand
[Initial Production Limited]
-Katatachi basami buttagiri mode

Satsuki in her battle mode, ready to show who is in charge!

Note:
First production run comes with shouting face part.

Size: Approx. 27cm tall, selling for  the premium price of  23,760yen.

The set includes

-Main figure
-Expression parts
-Eye parts
-Weapon part "Bakuzan"
-Articulated figure stand
[Initial Production Limited Bonus]
-Shouting face part

Pre-order, now available from the following sites: CDJAPAN, HOBBYSEARCH, YESASIA, J-LIST, and PLAMOYA.

Scroll down to see pictures of each of the available characters: Matoi Ryuko and Kiryuin Satsuki. Click on them for bigger and better views.

MedicomToy REAL ACTION HEROES No.664 Kill la Kill Matoi Ryuko Kamui Senketsu Ver.

Release Date: November 2014

MedicomToy REAL ACTION HEROES No.683 Kill la Kill Kiryuin Satsuki Kamui Junketsu Ver. 

Release Date: May 2015

Attack on Titan Live-Action Film Confirmed

A couple of months ago the official Attack on Titan website announced that there will be two live-action film adaptation based on Hajime Isayama's popular manga to be release for 2015 premier.  Storyboard artist and Tokusatsu effects movie guru  Shinji Higuchi (Neon Genesis Evangelion) will direct the adaptation which will begin filming this year. Last week the director confirmed that the project will span two films. Both are slated to open next summer. The original manga author Hajime Isayama is supervising the new characters, story and the film’s formidable enemy.

Back in April, Haruma Miura (Shota Kazehaya in Kimi No Todoke) was named the lead of the live-action film. This time, a list of the other cast members was finally revealed: Hiroki Hasegawa (Shu Koibuchi in Princess Jellyfish),Kiko Mizuhara (The shaman in Trick The Movie: Last Stage),Kanata Hongō (Jōichiro Nishi in Gantz),Takahiro Miura (Hansuke Doi in Ninja Kids!!!),Nanami Sakuraba (Asumi Kamogawa in Twin Spica),Satoru Matsuo (Noboru Itami in Thermae Romae),Satomi Ishihara (Akane Ayukawa in Sadako 3D),Pierre Taki (Pierre in Linda Linda Linda),Jun Kunimura (Boss Tanaka in Kill Bill: Vol. 1),Shu Watanabe (Eiji Hino / Kamen Rider OOO in Kamen Rider OOO),Ayame Misaki (Escape in Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters), and Rina Takeda (Kei Tsuchiya in High Kick Girl!).

For those not familiar with the franchise:

The story of Attack on Titan takes place in a world where the remnants of humanity live inside a series of connected cities, isolated by enormous walls. These walls exist to keep the Titans out, gigantic humanoid creatures who devour humans seemingly without reason. These Titans have reduced the world's population to staggeringly low numbers. The 3 main protagonists of Isayama's manga are Eren Jaeger, his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their friend Armin Arlert. Their lives are changed forever when a "Colossal Titan" breaches the wall protecting their town, leading to the death of Eren's mother. Vowing revenge and to reclaim the world from the Titans, Eren, Mikasa and Armin join the  Survey Corps, an elite group of soldiers who fight Titans outside the walls.

Both Funimation and Crunchyroll streamed the anime version of the manga as it aired in Japan, and Funimation released the first part of the series on home video this year.

In December 2013, along with the announcement that  Shinji Higuchi would be helming the live-action Attack on Titan movie, came news that an early look at his take on the hit series would be coming from an Attack on Titan collaboration ad for the Subaru Forester. Check the ad spot below

Yowamushi Pedal's Onoda “Figma Figure”

Based from the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Wataru Watanabe “Yowamushi Pedal”, comes everyone's favorite anime-loving, hill-climbing cyclist getting his own Figma figure. Sakamichi has not only pedaled his way into the hearts of many, but he'll be forever immortalized atop a bike thanks to Max Factory.

The figure measures in at roughly 135 mm (about 5.3 in) and includes enough articulation points to allow Onoda to chug from his water bottle, raise his arms in victory, and even stand alongside his bike. The set includes a removable helmet, water bottle, detachable bicycle, three expressions, and an articulated figure stand.  The figure is price around  5,370 yen (about US$52.73), with an estimated ship date of January 2015. Those who order through the Good Smile Online shop will also receive a "singlet number sticker" for Onoda's jersey.

Pre-order, now available from the following sites: CDJAPAN, HOBBYSEARCH, YESASIA, PLAY-ASIA, J-LIST, and GOODSMILE. Scroll down to see the gallery. Click on them for bigger and better views.

MAX FACTORY Yowamushi Pedal figma Onoda Sakamichi 

Release Date: January 2015

Rurouni Kenshin "Live-Action Sequel"

The sequel for the 2012 Japanese film adaptation of the manga of the same name originally written by Nobuhiro Watsuki is coming up this summer. The two new films will cover the the fan-favorite Kyoto arc from the original historical action manga.

Kenshin Himura goes up against pure evil Makoto Shishio, who is attempting to overthrow the Meiji government. The fate of the country hangs in the balance as Kenshin Himura takes up the sword that he vowed to never draw again.

 Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Taika-hen (Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno) will open in Japan on August 1, and Rurouni Kenshin: Densetsu no Saigo-hen (Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends) will open on September 13.

The sequel will feature the return of the following cast:  Takeru Satoh (Kenshin Himura), Emi Takei (Kaoru Kamiya), Munetaka Aoki (Sanosuke Sagara), Yuu Aoi (Megumi Takani) and Yosuke Eguchi (Hajime Saitō).

Check out the full trailer below with subs

First look At Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot)

San Diego Comic Con 2014, released the first official photo of Gal Gadot dressed in Wonder Woman costume this past Saturday. Gal Gadot will be appearing in the upcoming movie “BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE” along with Henry Cavill (Superman) and Ben Affleck (Batman).

Kite “Live-Action Film”

Based from the Japanese anime film written and directed by Yasuomi Umetsu come’s the live-action adaptation film KITE .The original anime was known for its extreme violence, nudity, and sexuality, including controversial scenes of rape that got Umetsu’s KITE banned in some countries.

The film is about a schoolgirl assassin hunting down the human traffickers she believes are responsible for her parents’ death. India Eisley (Underworld: Awakening) stars as the young and lethal Sawa opposite Samuel L.Jackson (Marvel's The Avengers )as Inspector Karl Aker, a renegade cop and the ex-partner of Sawa’s father, who firmly believes to succeed he has to take the law into his own hands. CallanMcAuliffe (Underworld, I am Number Four) co-stars as Oburi. South African director Ralph Ziman (Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema) took over the helm from the late David R. Ellis last year and scripted the picture himself.

The live-action film adaptation will premiere exclusively on DirecTV on August 28, followed by a limited theater run and iTunes release on October 10. The International premiere for the film took place on 18 July at the Fantasia Film Festival, which runs from 17 July until 6 August.

Check the full trailer below

Yowamushi Pedal “PVC Figures”

Union Creative brings two PVC figures, based from the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Wataru Watanabe “Yowamushi Pedal”. The manga follows Sakamichi Onoda, an otaku at Sōhoku High School. He loves anime and games so much, that he would ride his commuter bicycle to and from Tokyo's Akihabara shopping district in a 90-kilometer (about 60-mile) round trip over steep slopes after school. Onoda's life changes when he encounters his school's cycling team, and he ends up joining the competitive sport of bicycle racing.

The PVC figures height is approximately 250mm and has been reproduced in fine details to the characters likeness including muscle structure. The figure has sewn costume made from jersey materials in accordance with the body line, it will be non-removable.

Pre-order, now available from the following sites: CDJAPAN, HOBBYSEARCH, PLAY-ASIA, J-LIST, and PLAMOYA.

Scroll down to see pictures of each of the available characters: Makishima Yusuke and Arakita Yasutomo. Click on them for bigger and better views.

MENSHDGE TECHNICAL STATUE NO.4 YOWAMUSHI PEDAL: MAKISHIMA YUSUKE

Release Date: September 2014

MENSHDGE TECHNICAL STATUE NO.5 YOWAMUSHI PEDAL: ARAKITA YASUTOMO

Release Date: September 2014

Hayate the Combat Butler "Live-Action Series"

Streaming service DramaFever added the first six episodes of the 2011 Taiwanese live-action series adaptation of Kenjirou Hata's “Hayate the Combat Butler” manga.

Due to his parents' gambling habits, Xiao Sa (George Hu) has been forced to be the breadwinner since childhood. When he gets fired from both his jobs, he discovers his parents ran off with his last paycheck, leaving behind a massive debt to the mafia. Convinced that good guys never win, he concocts a plan to hold the heiress Xiao Zhi (Park Shin Hye) ransom, but when Xiao Sa mistakenly saves her, he's offered a rags-to-riches position as her butler. Based on the hit manga, true love and comedic drama blossom in this reverse Cinderella tale.

DramaFever is video streaming website that offers on-demand streaming video of documentaries, movies, and TV shows with subtitles. DramaFever's content offering is both ad-supported for regular users and available in high definition for premium subscribers.

You can Click Here to check the series now.  See the trailer below.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (KAIYODO Revoltech Figures)

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES has been around for ages. However, over the course of the last two years, the TMNT  franchise has risen from the ashes to once again become one of the most popular brands in the world. With the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES movie  from Michael Bay (TRANSFORMERS) coming out later this year, everyone wants to get in on the action with the TMNT– including Japanese companies. The Kaiyodo TMNT Revoltech figures based on the Nickelodeon cartoon are scheduled to be released in September/October 2014, with an expected size of 5″-6″ tall and a price-point of $40-$50 each.

The Kaiyodo Revoltech Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures articulation looks to be pretty impressive, with ankle rockers, a ball-jointed head and neck, ball-hinge wrists and even ball-jointed fingers. Each of the Revoltech Ninja Turtles action figures will also come with a very cool stylized head.

Pre-order, now available from the following sites: CDJAPAN, HOBBYSEARCH, PLAY-ASIA, and J-LIST.

Scroll down to see pictures of each of the Ninja Turtles - Leonardo (Leo), Raphael (Raph), Donatello (Don or Donnie) and Michelangelo (Mike or Mikey). Click on them for bigger and better views.

KAIYODO Revoltech Leonardo 

Release Date: September 2014

KAIYODO Revoltech Raphael

Release Date: September 2014

KAIYODO Revoltech Donatello

Release Date: October 2014

KAIYODO Revoltech Michelangelo

Release Date: October 2014

Darth Vader "Limited Edition: Life-Size Figure”

One of the greatest villains in film history, the imposing Dark Lord of the Sith needs no introduction.

Captured in 1:1 scale, and towering over 7 feet tall, the ruler of the Galactic Empire strikes a commanding pose on a cinematic light-up display base, and interchangeable hands allow collectors to recreate all of Darth Vader's most memorable dramatic gestures. From his iconic helmet to his sweeping black cape, every detail of Vader's menacing costume has been painstakingly recreated as seen in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, with a hand-tailored quilted suit, screen-accurate armor and sequencing electronics in the chest box and belt.

Give yourself to the Dark Side of the Force with the Star Wars Darth Vader Life-Size figure from Sideshow Collectible. The Limited Edition Figure is expected to ship JUNE 2015 and Pre-Order is available now.

Video Games: The Movie

From executive producer Zach Braff (SCRUBS) and game designer Cliff Bleszinski (GEARS OF WAR) comes a feature-length documentary entitled VIDEO GAMES: THE MOVIE. 

The documentary chronicles the meteoric rise of video games from nerd niche to multi-billion dollar industry.  It features in-depth interviews with luminaries like Hideo Kojima (METAL GEAR), Warren Spector (DEUS EX), and Nolan Bushnell (ATARI). Narrated by Sean Astin (LORD OF THE RINGS), it’s a celebration of gaming from Atari to Xbox, and an eye-opening look at what lies ahead.

The movie will hit selected theaters and only on July 15th.  It can be pre-ordered on iTunes or the Official Website. Check the trailer below

"ALL YOU NEED IS KILL" Now Available

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL the manga, the same story that inspired the recent movie “EDGE OF TOMORROW” is available now. This is Takeshi Obata's (DEATH NOTE, BAKUMAN) manga adaptation of Japanese military science fiction breakthrough light novel of the same name by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his fifth iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally – the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death?

 ALL YOU NEED IS KILL volumes 1 and 2 are now available through the VIZ Manga platform (iOS and Android, VIZManga.com), as well as through the storefronts for iBooks, Kindle, Nook, GooglePlay and Kobo.  There's also a All YOU NEED IS KILL Vol. 1 Free Preview available.

As for  the “EDGE OF TOMORROW”, the film adaptation directed by Doug Liman, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt that hit theaters last month. See the trailer below

New Live-Action Lupin III Film

One of Japan’s most popular manga and anime franchises, LUPIN III is getting a new live action adaptation helmed by Director Kitamura Ryuhei (VERSUS). Oguri Shun (CROWS ZERO) plays the lead role as the gentlemen thief with an ensemble supporting cast the likes of Asano Tadanobu, Tamayama Tetsuji, Ayano Go and Kuroki Meisa.

The story follows Lupin and his partners in crime before they became a gang. They infiltrate the high security of the Ark of Navarone, a gigantic fortress-like safe, to lay claim to the Crimson Heart of Cleopatra within. It is said that whoever possesses this treasure shall "unite the world."

The first live-action adaptation of LUPIN III in four decades will open on August 30. The movie began filming on October 3 and finished principal photography on December 26. The production shot in Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Check the full trailer below featuring the new instrumental theme song by Tomoyasu Hotei.