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Pokemon recreated as 12th century Japanese demons, priceless!

Via: Reddit!

Super powered TMNT in Japan seems slightly inappropriate and super campy!

The anime-themed aircraft is the result of a joint effort between JAL and the creators of the Doraemon movies to promote this year’s annual Doraemon film, Doraemon The Movie: Nobita’s Great Battle of the Mermaid King (a.k.a. Doraemon The Legend), which will hit theaters on March 6. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Doraemon movie franchise.

Via: The Daily Contributor

The anime studio WHITE FOX posted a notice on Thursday on its website regarding the leak of production materials from the Katanagatari anime series. According to studio head Gaku Iwasa, the studio’s FTP (file transfer protocol) server was hacked by a third party, and the production materials were leaked early on Monday morning — three weeks before the anime’s January 25 premiere.

The matter is pending investigation, Read more at: ANN

Summary:

On the live talk show Astraea no Tenbin, the topic of the day is the existence of vampires after a series of attacks that have left distinctive bite marks on the victims. The panel set to discuss the matter includes – among others – a professor, a vampire mangaka, and an actor who plays a vampire, and most of them don’t believe that vampires exist. However, the producers of the show then reveal a report in which they found those supposedly responsible for stopping one of the attacks, and the report shows them meeting the supposed queen of the vampires, Vera. In fact, they’ve even brought her onto the set of the show along with the arm of the vampire whose attack her subordinates stopped. Despite all of this though, the panel still isn’t convinced, particularly not the professor.

It all comes to a head after Vera explains vampire society and badmouths the culprit by suggesting that he’s a lower-class vampire. She singles out the actor on the panel, and as it turns out, that actor is none other than the vampire in question. He quickly takes back his arm, attacks one of the girls on the panel, and then changes into his true form. After failing in his attack against Vera, he escapes to the rooftop, and the TV cameras follow. A young blonde girl who had been in the audience goes as well, and the other vampires refer to her as the princess. She personally faces the rogue vampire, and his ugly appearance causes her to comment on how a vampire’s true form reflects his heart. When he tries to strike at her, he’s stopped in his tracks, and the girl reveals that she’s Mina Tepes, the true ruler of all vampires. She’s able to order him to die, and he stabs himself and falls to his death. In the aftermath, Mina addresses the camera directly and points to a piece of land in the distance where she’s establishing the Vampire Bund. Read more at Random Curiosity

Watch streaming ending theme below

Anime News Network reported in October about the a two film adaptation of  Hiroya Oku’s ultra-violent Gantz manga/anime series. The series will star Kazunari Ninomiya and award winning actor Kazunari Ninomiya, Shinsuke Sato is directing both films.

checkout the 15 second teaser

The story follows a young Tokyo college student who is reanimated after a deadly subway accident. Kei Kurono (Ninomiya) and his friend Masaru Kato (Matsuyama) go on violent, seemingly endless missions at the behest of an unseen host.

The project is budgeted at 4 billion yen (about US$45 million).When asked about the extremely violent nature of the movie, Ninomiya said,

“I’m happy with just appearing in a work that I love so much! I’ll try my very best to make everyone love it too!” Matsuyama said, “This work has so many original and bold points. I’m going to try to tackle the challenge of this new kind of movie.”

Via: Splash Page

There’s a huge display of humping USB people at Tokyu Hands. Apparently they like to lake chances.

Via: Tokyomango

Finished watching all the anime from ‘09? Well, get ready because the winter schedule is already upon us.

Ookami Kakushi

Studio: AIC

Release Date: 7th Jan 2010

Summary: Ookami Kakushi is based on a PSP novel game by Ryukishi07, the creator of Umineko and Higurashi series. So if you are thinking that you are gonna suffer from some Umineko withdrawl after the series ends, think again. The story follows Hiroshi Kuzumi, a student who settles in the remote village of Jogamachi, separated between the new and old cities by a bridge. The serenity of the surroundings has its own roots in ancient traditions which Hiroshi will uncover and perhaps, too, the horror that lies within.

Seikon no Qwaser

Studio: Taki

Release Date: Jan 2010

Summary: In St. Mikhailov Academy, Oribe Mafuyu meets a silver haired boy – Alexander. He is a Qwaser, a being who can manipulate iron and draws his power from breast milk (sigh).

Given the amount of fan service in this one, I am sure it will be popular with the hardcore crowd.

Sora no Woto

Studio: A-1 Pictures

Release Date: 4th Jan 2010

Summary: Sora no Woto takes place in the future where a long war between two cities brings a gradual decline of the world. Five girls guard a fortress and play brass over towns without people or seas without fish.

Hanamaru Kindergarten

Studio: Gainax

Release Date: 10th Jan 2010

Summary: The story follows Anzu who joins pre-school kindergarten and makes new friends – Hiiragi and Koume. Needless to say, the three girls try to get attention from the caretaker Tsuchida, who is attracted to the teacher Yamamoto sensei.

Hidamari Sketch x ☆☆☆

Studio: Shaft

Release Date: 7th Jan 2010

Summary: Hidamari Sketch X Hoshi Mitsu is the 3rd season of the series that’s based on a 4-koma manga. The story revolves around Yuno’s home and school lives.

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu

Studio: Silver Link

Release Date: 6th Jan 2010

Summary: Based on a light novel series, Akihisa Yoshii is the “Baka” of the show who attends an academy that divides students based on their test results. The classes of the A grade students are filled with luxury such as air-con, which is the complete opposite of the F-grade students. The academy is also a “magical academy” where students are able to summon beasts into battle. Of course, the quality of the beasts also reflect based on their master’s grades. This is where the story gets exciting. A very smart girl – Mizuki Himeji (who got a F grade as she wasn’t able to attend the test due to fever) and Akihisa Yoshii plan on how to conquer the higher grade classes and earn the luxurious items for themselves.

Chu-Bra

Studio: ZEXCS

Release Date: 4th Jan 2010

Summary: Nayu is a middle school student who shocks her fellow students by wearing black lace panties to school. She then starts the “Underwear Club” to convince others of underwear’s merits.

Dance in the Vampire Bund

Studio: Shaft

Release Date: 7th Jan 2010

Summary: Mina Tepes is the ruler of the ancient covenant of vampires and, using the wealth of her clan, she cleared the debt of Japan and secured a special authority that allows her to create a district off the coast. I assume you already know what happens next. Indeed, this district is the haven for all vampires. Mina reveals to the world the existence of vampires and her desire for both races to live together. Naturally, factions on the good and evil side like the fearful humans and extremist vampire factions begin to interfere with Mina’s wish for peace.

Nodame Cantabile Finale

Studio: J C Staff

Release Date: 14th Jan 2010

Summary: The finale season of Nodame Cantabile series, where the story continues in Paris as Chiaki pursues his career. How will Nodame and Chiaki end up together?

Durarara

Studio: Brains Base

Release Date: Jan 2010

Summary: Ryuugamine Mikado is a boy who longs for the exciting life of the big city. At the invitation of his childhood friend Masaomi, he transfers to a school in Ikebukuro. Masaomi has warned him about people he doesn’t want to cross in the city: a champion fighter, an informant, and a mysterious gang called “Darazu.” Nervous from Masaomi’s stories, Mikado witnesses an urban legend on his first day in the city, the Headless Rider, astride a black motorcycle. From then on, the existence of supernatural cases and a gang called the Yellow Turbans will rise to the surface, and Ikebukuro will pushed to the breaking point – ANN

Ladies vs Butlers

Studio: XEBEC

Release Date: 5th Jan 2010

Summary: A school romantic comedy that focus on Akiharu Hino, an ordinary high school student who looks like a delinquent. He enrolls into an academy that was once a school for upper-class ladies, and he is placed in the school’s newly established servant training department. The students there are raised to be either maids or butlers, and Hino gets thrown into the mix.

Do yourself a favor and pass on this series!
—Dexton RS—

Katanagatari (OVA)

Studio: White Fox

Release Date: Jan 2010 – Dec 2010 (1 episode per month). First episode – 25th Jan 2010

Summary: Based on a novel, Katanagatari is an OVA series that relates a swordfighting story during the Edo era. Yasuri Shichika is the 7th head of a martial sword arts school who lives with his sister, Nanami. Under the order of a samurai general, Togame, Yasuri sets out for a trip to collect 12 treasured swords.

Harukanaru Toki ni Naka de 3

Studio: Yumeta Company

Release Date: Jan 2010

Summary: Akane Motomiya, a girl who was pulled into another world, was told by its people that she is the one who could save the world from demons. Akane has the powers of the Hachiyou, eight men with powers of their own who are sworn to protect the priestess.

Omamori Himari

Studio: ZEXCS

Release Date: 6th Jan 2010

Summary: Amakawa Yuuto loses his relatives and goes to live with his childhood friend, Rinko. He has a minor problem though – an allergy to cats. It became a major issue when a girl appears on his 16th birthday. She holds a sword and tells him that he is a descendant of demon slayers. The only thing about this girl though is that she is a cat spirit and she is excited to get close to Yuuto.

For more previews visit- The Banzai Effect

2010 starts off with some excellent news. The popular anime series K-On just got a green light for a second season. The announcement was made at the K-On “Lets Go” open air concert in Yokohama on December 30th. The official website confirms the concert announcement, and features an image of Yui looking over her shoulder

Even with the series’ immense popularity, I did not assume that there would be an announcement so soon. This one is definitely on my 2010 watch list!

Check out this trailer for the live action remake of the space epic Battleship Yamato — coming to Japanese theaters in 2010.