Legendary Acquires Live-Action Pokémon Film Rights With Production Starting in 2017
Film will be based on Detective Pikachu character; TOHO, Universal Pictures to distribute film
Legendary Entertainment and The Pokémon Company announced on Thursday that Legendary Entertainment's film division Legendary Pictures has acquired the live-action film rights for the Pokémon franchise. The film will start production in 2017, and will feature the Detective Pikachu character, which debuted in the Meitantei Pikachu Nintendo 3DS game earlier this year in February.
TOHO will distribute the film in Japan, while Universal Pictures will distribute the film outside of Japan.
Deadline reported last week that Legendary had been "moving towards a deal" to acquire the rights. The Hollywood Reporter reported in April that Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Sony were engaged in an auction for the rights. Warner already released several of the animated Pokémon films, starting with Pokemon: The First Movie in North American theaters in 1999. Warner then released Pokemon 2000 - The Movie and 2001's Pokemon 3 - The Movie.
Chinese company Dalian Wanda Group recently acquired a majority stake in Legendary Entertainment in January.
The Pokémon Go app launched on July 6 in select countries, and was followed by a rise in Nintendo stock.
Digimon Adventure tri. Films' English Dub Announces More Returning Cast, Robbie Daymond as Joe
R. Martin Klein, Philece Sampler, Anna Garduno, Mari Devon return; Doug Erholtz voices Nishijima
Film distribution company Eleven Arts announced a second round of voice actors for for the English dub of the Digimon Adventure tri. – Chapter 1: Reunion anime film on Wednesday. The cast members are:
Robbie Daymond as Joe
R. Martin Klein as Gomamon
Philece Sampler as Mimi
Anna Garduno as Palmon
Mari Devon as Togemon
Doug Erholtz as Nishijima
Previously announced cast members include:
Mona Marshall as Izzy
Jeff Nimoy as Tentomon, Kabuterimon
Cristina Vee as Meiko Mochizuki
Kate Higgins as Meicoomon
In addition, voice actress Colleen O'Shaughnessy hinted earlier this month that she is also working on the English dub. O'Shaughnessy previously voiced the character Sora Takenouchi in the original Digimon Adventure anime, as well as other Digimon anime.
Garduno, Sampler, Klein, Devon, Marshall and Nimoy are all reprising their roles from the English dub of Digimon Adventure. Daymond is replacing Michael Lindsay as Joe.
Eleven Arts and Toei Animation will release the English language version of Digimon Adventure tri. – Chapter 1: Reunion in theaters in the United States as a one-night Fathom Events screening in more than 300 theaters on September 15. It will be followed by a national theatrical release in major cities.
The Digimon Adventure tri. project, which celebrates the 15th anniversary of Digimon Adventure (the first entry in the series), will have a total of six films. While the anime's human characters have a completely different Japanese voice cast from the original Digimon Adventure, the Digimon partners feature the same Japanese cast.
The first film, Digimon Adventure tri. Saikai (Reunion), opened in Japanese theaters last November, and Crunchyroll began streaming the film on the same day as four episodes. The second film, Digimon Adventure tri. Ketsui (Determination), opened in Japan on March 12 for a three-week run in theaters in Japan. Crunchyroll began streaming the film as four episodes on March 11.
The third film, Digimon Adventure tri. Kokuhaku, will open in Japan for three weeks on September 24, and will be available for paid streaming in Japan on the same day. The Blu-ray Disc of the film will be on sale at theaters on the same day, and the general release on Blu-ray Disc and DVD will be on November 2.
One Piece Film Gold Earns 1.1 Billion Yen in Opening Weekend
Film's opening-day earnings beats Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare film
Toei revealed on Monday that the One Piece Film Gold movie earned 1,155,771,000 yen (about US$10.87 million) in its opening weekend, and sold 820,830 tickets over 743 screens, topping the Japanese box office ranking. The film earned 675,176,000 yen (about US$6.35 million) and sold 478,528 tickets on its opening day last Saturday, earning it the record for tickets sold on an opening day for 2016 so far.
The film grossed more on its opening day than April's Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare, but the latter movie earned more for the whole two-day weekend with a total of 1.209 billion yen (about US$11.1 million).
Toei is projecting that One Piece Film Gold will earn more than 6 billion yen (about US$56.46 million), possibly surpassing the 6.87 billion yen (about US$64.64 million) gross of the previous film, One Piece Film Z. While One Piece Film Z screened during a three-week winter break when it opened in 2012, One Piece Film Gold is screening during the four-week summer break and also has 3D, 4DX, and MX4D screenings.
One Piece Film Gold opened in Japan on 743 screens, which is the largest for any Japanese film. The film is also screening with English and Chinese subtitles in five cities in Japan from July 23 to August 5. The film will open in 33 other countries over the rest of the year.
Finding Dory ranked at #2 during the July 23-24 weekend, after having debuted last weekend at #1. Pokémon the Movie XY & Z: Volcanion to Karakuri no Magearna ranked at #3 in its second weekend after debuting at #3 the previous weekend. The Accel World: Infinite Burst film debuted at #9. The film screened in 24 theaters.
miércoles, 20 de julio de 2016
Pokémon GO Linked to Trespassing, Crashing Car, Falling Off Ocean Cliff
Non-life-threatening injuries in all cases on Wednesday & Thursday
Niantic Labs and Nintendo's Pokémon GO smartphone game was at the center of a number of incidents and accidents on Wednesday and Thursday. Two individuals were charged with criminal trespass of Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio on Thursday.
Police arrested 25-year old Robin Bartholomy and 26-year old Adrian Crawford after trespassing on the zoo and staying inside for an hour. Crawford explained that the zoo "had so many stops in there, and so many Pokémon." Police booked the pair in Lucas County jail, and were released on their own recognizance. Arraignment is set for Friday.
The pair have been banned from the zoo.
In San Diego County, California, two men in their early 20s were playing the game on Wednesday when they fell off a coastal bluff, after crossing a fenced area to get to the bluff. One man fell about 75 to 100 feet off the edge of the bluff, while firefighters of the Encinitas Fire Department found the other unconscious 50 feet down the bluff. The fire department said that the pair suffered moderate injuries.
In Anaheim, a man in his late 20s playing Pokémon GO in a park in early Wednesday morning became the victim of an attack. Anaheim police said the man was stabbed multiple times by a group of around five to six men. Police have not yet determined a motive for the attack.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital. He did not suffer life-threatening injuries, and is in fair condition.
In Auburn, New York, a 28-year old man crashed into a tree while playing the game. Auburn Police Chief Shawn Butler revealed that the man received cuts to both legs, but survived.
The Auburn Police Department and the New York Department of Motor Vehicles issued a list of reminders that urge people not to play the game while operating a vehicle, and not to trespass when trying to catch Pokémon.
The game itself contains a reminder to players to be mindful of their surroundings while playing the game.
Police in O'Fallon, Missouri arrested four teenagers suspected of using a beacon in the game to lure players into armed robbery last Sunday.
The Pokémon Go app launched last week in select countries, and was followed by a rise in Nintendo stock. The game has an estimated 21 million daily users in the United States, and is the game with most active users in the United States thus far. It is on track to surpass the number of users of Snapchat.
Fairy Tail Manga to Have 'Important News' on July 27
This year's 34th issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine will announce on Wednesday that Fairy Tail will have "important news" in the 35th issue on July 27. Mashima launched the series in 2006's 35th issue of Weekly Shōnen Magazine, and the upcoming 35th issue will celebrate the series' 10th anniversary.
The manga follows the adventures of world's most notorious mage guild, Fairy Tail. The manga already inspired two television anime, several original video anime (OVA) projects, and spinoff manga. Two more OVAs are slated to bundle with the manga's 58th and 59th volumes in November and December after a delay. The franchise's first anime film, Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess, opened in Japan on August 18, 2012, and Mashima announced a second film in May 2015. The television anime series also revealed in March that a new project is in the works.
Del Rey published the first 12 volumes of the original manga in North America, and Kodansha resumed publishing the manga in English with the 13th volume in 2011. Crunchyroll and Funimation streamed the second television anime as it aired in Japan, and Funimation has been releasing DVD/Blu-ray Disc sets.
No Game, No Life Fantasy Light Novels Get Anime Film
Yuu Kamiya's alternate-world fantasy already inspired Spring 2014 TV anime
Production on an anime film editon of Yuu Kamiya's No Game, No Life light novel series has been green-lit. The staff made the announcement during the streamed MF Bunko J Summer School Festival 2016 event on Sunday, and Kamiya drew the following piece of art to celebrate the news:
The story of No Game, No Life centers around Sora and Shiro, a brother and sister whose reputations as brilliant NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) hikikomori (shut-in) gamers have spawned urban legends all over the Internet. These two gamers even consider the real world as just another "crappy game." One day, they are summoned by a boy named "God" to an alternate world. There, God has prohibited war and declared this to be a world where "everything is decided by games" — even national borders. Humanity has been driven back into one remaining city by the other races. Will Sora and Shiro, the good-for-nothing brother and sister, become the "Saviors of Humanity" on this alternate world? "Well, let's start playing."
Kamiya launched the light novel series in 2012 with his own art after illustrating another light novel series that spawned an anime, A Dark Rabbit Has Seven Lives (Itsuka Tenma no Kuro-Usagi). Media Factory will publish the ninth volume in August. Yen Press is publishing the light novel series in North America, while Seven Seas Entertainment is publishing Mashiro Hiiragi's manga adaptation.
The light novel series already inspired a television anime series that premiered in April 2014. Crunchyroll streamed the television anime as it aired, and Sentai Filmworks released it on home video in North America.
Pokémon Sun & Moon Games Introduce Newly Discovered Pokémon in Video
A new video introduces the "newly discovered" Pokémon — specifcically Wimpod, Bounsweet, Comfey, Mudsdale, Mimikyu, and Bewear — from the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games on Tuesday. The video also notes that the games let players host their own competition using the Pokémon Global Link and strengthen their Pokémon with Hyper Training.
The website describes the new Pokémon:
Wimpod
CATEGORYTurn Tail Pokémon
TYPEBug/Water
HEIGHT1′08″
WEIGHT26.5 lbs.
ABILITYWimp Out
Wimpod have a cowardly nature and are wary of noises and sudden movements. If you approach them in a group, they'll immediately run off. When Wimpod feel threatened, they spit out a poisonous liquid. The stench of this toxic fluid signals others that danger is near. Despite their extreme cowardice, their curiosity leads Wimpod to approach people or Pokémon that are standing still.
Wimpod eat and store anything that they find fallen on the ground. They also scavenge any garbage that's been dropped in the sea, so they're highly valued as cleaners. They sometimes carry pearls or other valuable items, so humans or Pokémon like Murkrow may target them.
Wimpod has the new Wimp Out Ability, an Ability that no other Pokémon has had before. With the Wimp Out Ability, if this Pokémon's HP drops below half in battle, it will run away or swap out for another Pokémon.
Bounsweet
CATEGORYFruit Pokémon
TYPEGrass
HEIGHT1′00″
WEIGHT7.1 lbs.
ABILITYLeaf Guard / Oblivious
Because it exudes a delicious smell from its entire body, Bounsweet is popular with Pokémon and people of the Alola region. Bounsweet's scent has a calming effect on humans, so many people let them live inside their homes as a sort of air freshener. Unfortunately, it's sometimes swallowed whole by Pokémon drawn to its aroma.
When running away from other Pokémon, Bounsweet flees danger by skipping along the ground. Since its bouncy movements don't convey to others that it's actually in desperate flight, no one ever comes to its aid.
When attacked by enemies, it drives them off by rotating the calyx on its head. The downside is how dizzy it gets afterward!
Comfey
CATEGORYPosy Picker Pokémon
TYPEFairy
HEIGHT0′4″
WEIGHT0.7 lbs.
ABILITYFlower Veil / Triage
Comfey picks flowers and always carries them around. It makes a ring of blossoms and spreads oil from its body on it, which changes the flowers so they emit a soothing fragrance. It has a habit of giving these flower rings to those it's fond of. The aroma can soothe both itself and its allies. Comfey also helps with the treatment of people and Pokémon at Pokémon Centers and hospitals, thanks to its aroma.
When attacked by other Pokémon, it throws its flowers at them to create an opening, and then it either flees or strikes back.
Comfey can have the new Triage Ability, an Ability that no other Pokémon has had before. With the Triage Ability, this Pokémon's restorative moves gain the highest priority in battle.
Mudsdale
CATEGORYDraft Horse Pokémon
TYPEGround
HEIGHT8′02″
WEIGHT2028.3 lbs.
ABILITYOwn Tempo / Stamina
Mudsdale is known for its powerful body as well as its emotional fortitude, which keeps it from being agitated by anything. It never cries out, no matter what kind of trouble it's in, and it defeats its opponents with a single powerful blow. Its legs are coated in protective mud, and the weight of this coating increases the force of its kicks. One kick, and a car is a pile of scrap!
Mudsdale's running speed is not too swift, but it has excellent power and stamina. It can carry on for three days and three nights despite dragging loads of over 10 tons!
When Mudsdale gallops in earnest, the power of each hoof-clop can dig out huge holes, even in asphalt. Mudsdale is forbidden to run on some of Alola's public roads.
Mudsdale can have the new Stamina Ability, an Ability that no other Pokémon has had before. With the Stamina Ability, this Pokémon's Defense goes up by 1 when it's hit by an attack.
Mimikyu
CATEGORYDisguise Pokémon
TYPEGhost/Fairy
HEIGHT0'08”
WEIGHT1.5 lbs.
ABILITYDisguise
Mimikyu lives its life completely covered by its cloth and is always hidden. People believe that anybody who sees its true form beneath the cloth will be stricken with a mysterious illness. People in the Alola region are convinced that you must never try to peek beneath its covering. Mimikyu's health fails when it's bathed in the rays of the sun, so it prefers to stick to dark places. It's rumored that the reason it covers itself with a cloth is to avoid sunlight.
The rising popularity of Pikachu-styled merchandise around 20 years ago is the reason that Mimikyu makes itself look like Pikachu. In fact, this Pokémon is dreadfully lonely, and it thought it would be able to make friends with humans if only it looked like Pikachu.
Mimikyu has the Disguise Ability, a new Ability that no Pokémon has ever before possessed. The Disguise Ability allows it to escape damage from an enemy's attack just one time, and then its appearance changes.
Bewear
CATEGORYStrong Arm Pokémon
TYPENormal/Fighting
HEIGHT6'11”
WEIGHT297.6 lbs.
ABILITYFluffy/Klutz
When Bewear is acting in a friendly fashion, just swinging its arms around, you must never dare to approach it carelessly. It is acknowledged to be a dangerous Pokémon, even within the Alola region. You may see warning signs posted near places it resides.
When Bewear grows fond of its Trainer, it may show that feeling in a fond embrace—but the force of that hug is tremendous! Trainers must teach these Pokémon how to restrain their strength when showing affection.
Bewear may have the Fluffy Ability, a new Ability that no Pokémon has ever possessed before. The Fluffy Ability halves the damage taken from attacks that make direct contact, but in return it also doubles the damage taken from Fire-type moves.
The games will debut in Japan and North America on November 18, followed by Europe on November 23. The three Starter Pokémon (pictured below) are: the Grass-type Rowlet (Mokuroh in Japan), the Fire-type Litten (Nyabby), and the Water-type Popplio (Ashimari).
The games' new Legendary Pokémon include Solgaleo and Lunala (pictured below):
The games will be available on the Nintendo 3DS worldwide in Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, and — unlike in the previous generation — Chinese (Traditional and Simplified). Players can choose their preferred language when they launch each game.
2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the Pokémon game franchise.
One Piece Manga Creator Eiichiro Oda: Story Is About 65% Finished
Manga debuted in 1997 & was 60% finished in 2012
The second issue of the "Dai One Piece Shimbun" promotional publication printed an interview with One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda on Wednesday. In the interview, Oda states that he has finished around 65% of the manga. He adds that he cannot do any more long stories besides One Piece.
Oda previously mentioned in a previous issue of the One Piece Shimbun in 2012 that he had finished around 60% of the story.
Oda launched his One Piece manga in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1997. Shueisha published the manga's 82nd volume on July 2. The series spawned a long-running television by Toei Animation in 1999. It will air its 751st episode on Fuji TV later this month. The franchise has also spawned anime films, video games, novels, and other media.
sábado, 9 de julio de 2016
Pokémon GO Game App Launches in Select Countries
Users in U.S., Japan advised to "wait a while" for formal launch in those countries
Game developer Niantic Labs released its Pokémon GO augmented reality smartphone game for iOS and Android devices on Tuesday in select countries. The app is available in Australia and New Zealand, while according to the Wall Street Journal, The Pokémon Company International is advising users in the United States and Japan to "please wait for a while" for the game's formal launch in their respective countries.
A closed beta test launched in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand in May, and ended on June 30. Field testing also began in Japan in March.
Players will use the app to be able to find Pokémon in the real world using location-based technology. Certain Pokémon are available only in certain areas: for example, water types will be found in lakes or oceans.
The smartphone can be set to vibrate when a Pokémon is nearby. Players can also find "PokéStops" and Pokémon Gyms at "interesting places, such as public art installations, historical markers, and monuments." At PokéStops players can acquire Poké Balls and other items. After the player explores enough, these PokéStops will offer Pokémon Eggs that will hatch after the player walks a certain number of steps.
Pokémon Gyms will be empty until players assign Pokémon to them. Each player can only assign one Pokémon to the Gym, and so must work with a team to defend the Gym. At a certain point in the game, players will be asked to join one of three teams.
Players can gain levels as a trainer to catch more powerful Pokémon and receive better items. Catching enough of one kind of Pokémon will allow the player to evolve that Pokémon. The game will also offer achievement medals.
Nintendo also hopes to let players pay attention to their surroundings instead of just looking at their screens by offering the "Pokémon Go Plus" wristband device. The device can also be used as a clip to be clipped onto suit jackets, etc. The "Pokémon Go Plus" device will have LED and vibration functions that will alert players to something happening in the game. The device uses Bluetooth technology to connect to players' smartphones. Players can still play the game without the device.
Niantic Labs and The Pokémon Company revealed the augmented reality smartphone app last September. Niantic has raised US$20 million from The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, and Google for the game, and the three investors will give Niantic another US$10 million upon meeting unspecified performance goals.
domingo, 3 de julio de 2016
Bleach Manga to End in 74th Volume
Tite Kubo launched long-running series in 2001
The 73rd volume of Tite Kubo's long-running Bleach manga revealed on Monday that the 74th volume will be the last. The final volume will ship this fall. This year's 31st issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine also announced on Monday that the manga is approaching its ending.
The manga entered its final story arc in February 2012.
Kubo launched the manga in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2001, and Shueisha published the manga's 72nd volume on May 2. Viz Media is publishing the manga in North America digitally in English as new chapters are published in Japan. The company is also publishing the manga in print, and it published the 66th volume on March 1.
The manga inspired a television anime adaptation that ran for 366 episodes from 2004 to 2012. Viz Media obtained the television and home video rights to the anime in 2006. The series premiered with an English dub in Cartoon Network's Adult Swim that same year, and eventually aired all the episodes by 2014. Viz Media announced last month that it will release the television anime series on Blu-ray Disc starting on July 19.
The manga has also inspired four anime films, a series of novels, and several video games. A series of stage musical adaptations launched in 2005, with the latest entry debuting in July.
Hunter × Hunter Manga Goes On Indefinite Hiatus
Manga had resumed in April after 2-year hiatus
This year's 31st issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is announcing on Monday that Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter × Hunter manga is going on an indefinite hiatus. The magazine will announce a resumption date for the manga when it has been decided.
The manga had resumed in April after a two-year hiatus since 2014's combined 37th/38th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump in August 2014. What was initially a two-week hiatus for the author's serious lower back pain extended until April 2016.
Shueisha shipped the manga's 33rd volume (seen right) – the first compiled book volume for the series since December 2012 – on June 6. Viz Media released the 32nd compiled book volume in North America in April 2014. The manga inspired two television anime series; the latest one ran from 2011 until 2014. The manga also inspired two anime films and several original video anime titles.
Funimation Licenses D.Gray-Man Episodes 52-103
2nd half of anime previously unavailable from Funimation
FUNimation Entertainment announced on Thursday that it has licensed the second half of the original D.Gray-man television anime, episodes #52-103. The company will announce release details at a later date.
Funimation dubbed the first 51 episodes and released them on DVD in 2009 and 2010. The episodes are available streaming.
Funimation will stream the new television anime, D.Gray-man Hallow, as it airs in Japan.
Crunchyroll to Dub, Release Anime on BD/DVD
Titles include: Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Berserk, Twin Star Exorcists, Gintama, more
Anime News Network's Anime Expo 2016 news coverage sponsored by Yen Press.
Crunchyroll co-founder and general manager Kun Gao announced at the Crunchyroll panel at Anime Expo on Friday that the company will start dubbing and releasing some of its anime series on Blu-ray Disc and DVD. The titles Crunchyroll announced that it will release on both Blu-ray Disc and DVD include: Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Berserk (new series), Twin Star Exorcists, Free!, Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches, Big Order, Myriad Colors Phantom World, and Gintama.
Crunchyroll confirmed on its site that it will be dubbing all of these series into English. The company also confirmed on its site that it also has the merchandising rights to Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, and plans to work with various patners and in-house to create merchandise.
Crunchyroll previously licensed the North American DVD rights in 2010 to Makoto Shinkai's 5 Centimeters Per Second film. That release marked the first DVD release licensed by Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll also mentioned at its panel that VRV, Ellation's subscription-based content bundle of streaming services, including Ellation's own anime-focused Crunchyroll, will launch this fall. Those interested can go to VRV.co and sign up for a beta.
sábado, 2 de julio de 2016
Viz Media to Release JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 1 on Blu-ray Disc
Company to release Hirohiko Araki's How to Create Manga book
Anime News Network's Anime Expo 2016 news coverage sponsored by Yen Press.
Viz Media announced at a JoJo's Bizarre Adventure panel at Anime Expo on Friday that it will release Part 1 (Phantom Blood) of the new JoJo's Bizarre Adventure television anime series on Blu-ray Disc. The company confirmed that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, who released Parts 1 and 2 in a DVD set, still holds the DVD rights to the series.
Viz Media also confirmed that the Blu-ray Disc release will include an English dub featuring Patrick Seitz as Dio, but didn't confirm if the company is redubbing the series or if it is using Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's dub (Seitz voiced Dio in the Warner dub).
Viz Media had announced in March that it would stream JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Parts 1, 2, and 3, as well as the the ongoing Part 4 anime series. The company had also announced in February 2015 that it was the North American master merchandise licensee for the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime series, but clarified at the time that the license agreement covered the merchandise based on the anime, not the anime itself.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released Parts 1 and 2 of the series on DVD with an English dub on September 22.
Viz Media also revealed at the panel that it will release JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga creator Hirohiko Araki's How to Create Manga (Araki Hirohiko no Manga Jutsu) book in English for US$19.99. The company did not reveal a date.
The book features Araki's techniques for drawing manga and his trade secrets. Araki has said before that manga is the "strongest work of art," and the book provides concrete explanations on his methodology while also giving advice such as to study the story creation process of Ernest Hemingway.
The book contains seven chapters starting with "How to Draw an Introduction," and continues with chapters about creating a story, creating characters, what a "worldview" is in manga, and a final chapter titled "Tying Together the Theme of All the Parts." The book also contains two practice chapters titled "Until You Can Do Manga" and "How to Draw a Short Story." The book shipped in Japan in April 2015.
One-Punch Man to Premiere on Adult Swim's Toonami on July 16
English dub stars Max Mittleman, Zach Aguilar, Robbie Daymond, Erik Kimerer
Anime News Network's Anime Expo 2016 news coverage sponsored by Yen Press.
Adult Swim announced at its Anime Expo panel on Friday that One-Punch Man will debut on its Toonami block on July 16.
Viz Media announced the main English dub cast at its panel earlier on Friday:
Max Mittleman as Saitama
Zach Aguilar as Genos
Robbie Daymond as Mumen Rider
Erik Kimerer as Speed 'o' Sound Sonic
Madhouse and director Shingo Natsume's anime adaptation of ONE and Yuusuke Murata's manga premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo and Niconico Live in October, and it ended in December. Viz Media and Daisuki both streamed the series outside of Japan as it aired.
The anime's Japanese Blu-ray Disc and DVD volumes include original video anime episodes.
Sword Art Online Movie's New Trailer Reveals Spring 2017 Opening
Anime News Network's Anime Expo 2016 news coverage sponsored by Yen Press.
Aniplex of America presented a new English-subtitled trailer and a new visual for Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale at Anime Expo on Saturday. The trailer reveals that the film will open in Japan next spring, and Aniplex confirmed that the movie will be released overseas.
Aniplex describes the movie's story:
In 2026, two years since the SAO incident, a new game called "Oridinal Scale," an Augmented-Reality MMO, is becoming popular among the players. But…strange things are happening in the game and Kirito and the gang are facing a new danger. A brand new story created by the original author, Reki Kawahara and directed by Tomohiko Ito, "Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale-" is coming to theaters in Spring 2017.
Character designer Shingo Adachi drew the new visual:
Haruka Tomatsu and Ayahi Takagaki, the voices of Asuna and Lisbeth in the anime, appeared at Aniplex's event at Anime Expo as surprise guests.
The film's returning cast includes:
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kirito
Haruka Tomatsu as Asuna
Rina Hidaka as Silica
Ayahi Takagaki as Lisbeth
Miyuki Sawashiro as Sinon
Hiroaki Hirata as Klein
The film's all-new original story will take place after the Mother's Rosario arc, which was the final arc depicted in the TV anime's second season. Original light novel author Reki Kawahara is writing a new story for the film. Tomohiko Ito is returning from the two TV anime series and the anime special to direct the film at A-1 Pictures. Shingo Adachi is also returning from the TV anime to design the characters based on abec's original character designs, and Yuki Kajiura is returning to score the music.
