Category: Japanese

Kazuya Minekura’s “Saiyuki Reload Blast” Manga to Get Anime Adaption!

SaiyukiReloadBlastBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

On Monday Ichijinsha launched a website that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Saiyuki manga series. The site hosts a YouTube video that announces an anime series, adapted from the Saiyuki Reload Blast manga, is being planned for the 20th anniversary year of 2017. The cast of past Saiyuki animated series, Toshihiko Seki, Soichiro Hoshi, Hiroaki Hirata, and Akira Ishida will return to voice characters in Reload Blast.

And in 2017 a special event will celebrate all things Saiyuki. Saiyuki Festa 2017 will be held January 7 & 8, 2017 at the Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex in the Mihama-ku ward of Chiba city, Chiba Prefecture. The cast of Saiyuki Reload Blast and other guests to be announced will take to the stage during this two-day event. The last Saiyuki Festa in 2009 saw over 20,000 people in attendance.

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Teaser Trailer for Cyborg 009 Film Trilogy Revealed by Toho Animation

Cyborg009By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

It’s proven you can’t keep a good cyborg down. And the point will be made with not one but three 3D CG films based on the classic manga Cyborg 009 by Shotaro Ishinomori. Toho Animation unveiled a website Tuesday for Cyborg 009: Call of Justice. Each film from the trilogy will receive a two week limited run in Japan, Part 1 will start November 25, 2016.

The story will follow Joe Shimamura and the members of the Cyborg team after the establishment of the UN Guardian troops. Although living peaceful lives they are called out of retirement after being met by reporter Lucy Davenport. Davenport is aware of a race of highly intelligent beings with superhuman powers called the “Blessed.” Besides Davenport and a handful of people, the human population has no idea that the “Blessed” exist nor that they have been manipulating human history since ancient times. And now with the return of the “Blessed”, their goals remain unknown as their long dark shadows are cast over the earth.

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Macross Delta CD Takes Second Highest Ranking on Oricon Music Chart

WalkureAttackCoverBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

The soundtrack to the animated television series Macross Delta has taken the second highest ranking on Japan’s Oricon music chart since debuting July 6th. Within it’s first week the album Walküre Attack! performed by Macross’ voice actors under the group name Walküre, sold 78,000 copies. Walküre’s first album single, “ICHI DO DAKE NO KOI NARA” (一度だけの恋なら)/”RUN GA PIKATTO HIKATTARA” (ルンがピカッと光ったら), has sold 36,000 copies since it’s release on May 11th. The single climbed to #18 this week on the Anime CD Singles chart. It recorded a previous best of 3rd spot in late May.

Walküre Attack! was denied the top spot by pop group Dreams Come True and their greatest hits album Dreams Come True The Best! 私のドリカム

Source(s): Gwyn Campbell, Vintage Anime Fans Facebook group, and マイナビニュース.

“High School Fleet” Voice Cast, Theme Performers To Appear at Special Event

HighSchoolFleetBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

The Yokosuka Arts Theatre in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture will be the venue for a special event to promote the animated television series High School Fleet (“ハイスクール・フリート”) on Spetember 24, 2016.

High School Fleet (also abbreviated in Japan as Haifuri) tells the story of high school girls who patrol the seas at a time where much of Japan’s land mass has submerged due to tectonic plate shifting. Forms released in High School Fleets limited edition pressings of the Volume 2 and Volume 3 video releases give purchasers the opportunity for advance tickets for the event. The shows for Yokosuka Arts Theatre will be divided into afternoon and evening.

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Sanrio’s Hello Kitty to Help Educate the Prevention of Heat Stroke

HelloKittySummerBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

The Japan Weather Association (JWA) has appointed Hello Kitty as this year’s ambassador in the JWA’s fight to combat heat stroke. According to the Ministry of Environment that oversees the JWA, more than 5,000 people have required ambulance services this year due to the effects of heat stroke. As a result, the Ministry has named July “heat stroke prevention awareness month” and are organizing four awareness events to be held in densely populated cities. The cities that will be hosting these events are Tokyo, Sendai, Kobe, and Fukuoka.

As part of the event original Hello Kitty summer greeting cards and heat stroke meters will be handed out, instruction classes in the use of parasols will be held, heat stroke seminars will be given, and products to prevent against heat stroke will be made available. Other activities are:

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Leo Ieiri’s 4th Album “We” Hits Retail Shelves Today!

LeoIeiriPetsBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

The 4th full-length album of J-pop artist Leo Ieiri, “We,” hits retail shelves in Japan today and it has the song “Brand New Tomorrow” — the Japanese theme to Illumination Entertainment’s upcomng animated movie The Secret Life of Pets. The movie will open August 11th in Japan.

The film is about a terrier named Max who enjoys his freedom while his owner is away from home. But this dog’s life is turned upside down when said owner takes in Duke, a stray mutt who manages to stir up Max’s cozy lifestyle.

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