Live-Action Kite Film to Open in Japan in April

posted on 2015-02-08 04:05 EST

The live-action film based on Yasuomi Umetsu's 1998 action anime Kite will open in Japanese theaters on April 11. The film stars India Eisley (Underworld: Awakening, The Secret Life of the American Teenager),Callan McAuliffe (The Great Gatsby), and Samuel L. Jackson (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Django Unchained). Ralph Ziman directed the film off a screenplay by Brian Cox, with Anant Singh and Moisés Cosío producing.

The film's official website gives the synopsis of the film:

Based on the groundbreaking, cult classic anime,KITE tells the story of Sawa (India Eisley,"The Secret Life of the American Teenager,"Underworld: Awakening), a young woman living in a corrupt society where crime and gangs terrorize the streets. When Sawa's mother and policeman father are found victims of a grisly double homicide, she begins a ruthless pursuit for the man who murdered them. With the help of her father's ex-partner, Karl Aker (Samuel L. Jackson, Captain America: The WinterSoldier, The Avengers, Django Unchained), and a mysterious friend from her past (Callan McAuliffe, The Great Gatsby, I Am Number Four), she becomes a merciless teen assassin, blasting her way through the dark world of human trafficking only to uncover a devastating truth.

Hulu is also streaming Media Blasters' HD transfer of the original anime:

The live-action film screened at Otakon on August 8, and then it premiered on DirecTV on August 28. The film opened in North American cinemas last October. In addition to opening in theaters, it is available via video on demand. In the UnitedKingdom, Anchor Bay has been distributi

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Legend of Koizumi's Ohwada Launches Lacrosse Shōjo Kataoka Ririn-san wa Totemo Moteru

Creator's comedy series include Great Magical Gap, Tonari no Zarathustra-san

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Manga creator Hideki Ohwada (The Legend of Koizumi,Great Magical Gap, Naruhodo Kotowaza Gundam-san) launched the Lacrosse Shōjo Kataoka Ririn-san wa Totemo Moteru (Lacross Girl Ririn Kataoka is Very Popular) in this year's 10th issue of Takeshobo's Manga Life Storia magazine last week. The first page says, "What Ririn does with the school boys' confessions... full swing♥."

Ohwada is known for earlier unconventional comedy manga such as the no-holds-barred mahjong diplomacy manga Mudazumo Naki Kaikaku (The Legend of Koizumi), the dark magical-girl comedyGreat Magical Gap (Dai Mahō Tōge), and the parody title Kidō Senshi Gundam-san. Both Mudazumo Naki Kaikaku and Great Magical Gap inspired anime adaptations, and Media Blasters released the Great Magical Gap anime under the name Magical Witch Punie-chan in North America.

Ohwada's manga adaptation of the Okinawan live-action tokusatsu (special effects) hero television show Ryujin Mabuyer debuted in Kadokawa's Newtype Ace magazine launched in 2012. The creator's other recent works include Fūhyō Hakai Tenshi Lovely Curie, the comedy manga series Tonari no Zarathustra-san (My Neighbor Zarathustra), which focuses on the world of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and the gag comedy manga Sengoku Yankee.

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2nd Naruto Epilogue Novel's Title, Synopsis Unveiled

Novel penned by Takashi Yano releases in Japan on February 4

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Jump J-Books revealed last week that the second of six plannedNaruto epilogue novels will be titled Naruto - Shikamaru Hiden: Yami no Shijima ni Ukabu Kumo (Naruto - Shikamaru Hiden:The Cloud That Floats in the Silence of the Darkness). The website also revealed a more detailed synopsis of the novel, which is penned by Takashi Yano: [Warning: These summariescontain spoilers for the Naruto manga and anime.]

Spoiler (highlight the following white text to read):

[ After the war, shinobi worldwide, including the Leaf Village's own Sai, are disappearing in large quantities and heading towards the newly emerged Village of Silence. The story of Shikamaru Hiden follows Shikamaru Nara on his mission to assassinate the Village of Silence's chief– his toughest fight yet."]

[Akatsuki Hiden is listed to reveal the "truth of the Akatsuki," and features images of Deidara, Kisame, Kakuzu, and Hidan. Gaara Hiden is hinted to be a story of love, something the Kazekage does not know very well, the preview for Sakura Hiden hints that the result of Sakura's feelings will be revealed, and finally, Konohagakure Hiden will look at the other ninja in Konoha and what happened to them "after the original manga." The preview image shows Shino, Kiba, and Rock Lee.]

Beginning in February, one volume of the Hiden novel series has been released per month. The first novel by Akira Higashiyama, Naruto - Kakashi Hiden: Hyōten no Ikazuchi (Naruto - Kakashi Hidden Legend: Lightning of the Frozen Sky), was shipped in Japan on February 4.

The full list of novels and release dates is as follows:

• Kakashi Hiden ('hiden' means 'secret legend') - February 4
• Shikamaru Hiden - March 4
• Akatsuki Hiden - April
• Gaara Hiden - June
• Sakura Hiden - July
• Konohagakure Hiden - August

Kishimoto had said in an interview in November that he will still have other work left to do in the Naruto franchise until summer, so he will not begin preparing his next non-Naruto title in earnest until after that. A new film following [Highlight white text to read spoilers] Naruto and Hinata's son Bolt and Sasuke and Sakura's daughter Sarada will open in August.

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Satol Yuiga's Ku - Neuntöte Vampire Manga Will End in April

E's creator began the series in 2013

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This year's March issue of Akita Shoten's Mystery Bonita magazine announced on Friday that the next chapter of Satol Yuiga's Ku - Neuntöte manga will be the last. The chapter will run in the magazine's May issue on April 6.

Yuiga began the series in March 2013 and Akita Shoten shipped the first compiled volume in December 2013. The story takes place in Norway in the 19th century, where rumors of vampires are spreading. A silver-eyed girl named named Novem appears with a mysterious purpose.

Yuiga's earlier manga E'S was adapted into a television anime in 2003. ADV Films released the anime andBroccoli Books published part of the original manga in English.

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Netflix Launches in Japan by Fall

The media and streaming rental service Netflixannounced on Wednesday that it will launch itsstreaming-video subscription service in Japan in Fall 2015.

At launch, the service will offer a number of Japanese films and television series, as well as the Netflixoriginal series Marco Polo and their upcoming Daredevil.

Reed Hastings, CEO at Netflix, said in a statement, "With its rich culture and celebrated creative traditions, Japan is a critical component of our plan to connect people around the world to stories they love. As we expand into Asia, we're excitedNetflix members increasingly will have access to some of their favorite movies and TV shows no matter where they are.”

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos stated last October that the service was considering expansion in Asia, particularly toward Japan. He said "An interesting thing about Japan is the fact that the largest markets in the world for Japanese animation is Japan, France and America, all the places where we have very big footprints, or we

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Square Enix Files 'Alice Order' Trademark in Japan

Square Enix filed for a trademark on "Alice Order" on January 13. The trademark was filed with the Japan Patent Office on console video games and made public this week.

Sqaure Enix unveiled a website for an unannounced new title last month, and the website teases an announcement at JAEPO on February 14. However, JAEPO or the Japan Amusement Expo is an annual event that focuses on arcade games, prize games, print-club sticker machines, and similar games in amusement centers, as opposed to console video games.

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Upcoming anime

	Name & Description	Premiere date
	Labyrinth of Grisaia (TV)	2015-03
	Eden of Grisaia (TV)	2015-03
	Kyōkai no Rinne (TV) High school student Sakura Mamiya began to see ghosts and ghouls after she was tricked into taking a trip to the otherworld as a child. However, cool and collected, she is not extremely phased when she finds out that her always-absent classmate Rinne Rokudō is actually working as a shinigami (god of death) on the side, helping lost spirits reach the wheel of reincarnation. Although he is a talented young man with shinigami blood in his veins, he is extremely poor, and is forced to rely on Sakura's assistance- monetary or otherwise- to solve many of his cases.	2015-04-04
	Heroic Legend of Arslan (TV)	2015-04-05
	Baby Steps (TV 2)	2015-04-05
	Mysterious Joker (TV 2)	2015-04-06
	Takamiya Nasuno Desu! (TV)	2015-04
	Hōkago no Pleiades (TV)	2015-04
	Gintama (TV 4)	2015-04
	Nisekoi: (TV)	2015-04

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2015 Soreike! Anpanman Film's Title, July 4 Premiere Date Unveiled

Soreike! Anpanman: Mija to Mahou no Lamp is 27th film in franchise, 2nd since creator's passing

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The next film in the Anpanman anime franchise will be titled Soreike! Anpanman: Mija to Mahou no Lamp (Do It! Anpanman: Mija and the Magic Lamp). The film willpremiere in theaters in Japan on July 4.

The guest character this time is a female magic-user named Mija, and the theme of the film will be "If weshow consideration, we'll be closer to our friends," as well as "If we always combine our efforts and join hands, our feelings will connect." The film is currently in production, and the other anime part that will screen during the film will be titled Rhythm de Utao! Anpanman Natsu Matsuri (Let's Sing With Rhythm! Anpanman Summer Festival), which is being produced as a work that fans at the cinema can sing along to. Guest voice actors also scheduled to star.

The Soreike! Anpanman television anime series began in 1988, and new Anpanmanfilms have opened each summer since 1989. Last year's Soreike! Anpanman: Ringo Bōya to Minna no Negai (Let's Go! Anpanman: The Apple Boy and Everyone's Wishes) was the first film since Anpanman creator Takashi Yanase's passing.

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Media Blasters Lists Yosuga no Sora Anime on N. American DVD

2010 TV anime In Solitude Where We Are Least Alone slated for May 26

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North American anime distributor Media Blasters issoliciting the Yosuga no Sora: In Solitude Where We Are Least Alone television anime, and plans to release the complete series on DVD on May 26 for the suggested retail price of $29.98.

The television anime adapts the adult bishōjocomputer game of the same name, originally released in 2008 by Sphere. The anime was first announced in May 2010, and began airing in October of the same year.

The story of the game is set in the distant mountain village of Okukozome-chō. Haruka Kazugano and his twin sister Sora have fond childhood memories of going to the village to visit their grandfather during their summer vacations. However, after losing their parents in an accident, the two must move in with theirgrandfather.

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Crunchyroll Adds Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth - Side:P3 Manga

Crossover RPG's manga about Persona 3's protagonist to debut on Sunday

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Media service Crunchyroll announced on Friday that it will begin releasing the Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth - Side:P3 manga by Sō Tobita on Sunday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

The manga is one of two that the Nintendo 3DS crossover role-playing game Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth from Atlus is inspiring early this year.Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth - Side:P3 mangacenters on the protagonist from the Persona 3 RPG, and it will launch in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine in Japan on Monday, February 9.

Mizunomoto's Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth - Side:P4 manga centers on the protagonist from thePersona 4 RPG, and it launched in Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius magazine in Japan on January 26. Crunchyroll is releasing this manga as well.

The story of the original game takes place on the last day of the Yasogami High culture festival. During the event, the heroes of Persona 4 see a strange bell tower appear on the school grounds. The heroes of Persona 3 also hear the bell, and are dragged into the future where the Persona 4 cast awaits. The two groups are locked inthe school covered in Shadows, but meet two mysterious individuals named Zen and Rei, who have lost their memories. The cast soon learns that Zen and Rei's lost memories may be the key to solving the mystery of the bell tower's sudden appearance.

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth shipped for Nintendo 3DS in Japan on June 5, and in North America on November 25.

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New York Times Manga Best Seller List, January 25-31

Akame ga KILL!, Soul Eater, Black Butler, Fairy Tail, Sword Art Online: Progressive,Noragami: Stray God, Hatsune Miku: Unofficial Hatsune Mix, Assassination Classroom,Deadman Wonderland, The Seven Deadly Sins

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The New York Times newspaper listed the manga bestsellers in the United States for the week ending on January 31.

Rank	Prev. Rank	Title	Author	Publisher	Weeks on List	Cover
1	1	Akame ga KILL! #1	Story: Takahiro / Art:Tetsuya Tashiro	Yen Press	2
2	-	Soul Eater #24	Atsushi Ohkubo	Yen Press	1
3	2	Black Butler#19	Hajime Isayama	Yen Press	2
4	-	Fairy Tail #46	Hiro Mashima	Kodansha Comics	1
5	5	Sword Art Online: Progressive	Original creator:Reki Kawahara / Original Character Design:abec / Art:Kiseki Himura	Yen Press	2
6	-	Noragami: Stray God #3	Adachitoka	Kodansha Comics	1
7	10	Hatsune Miku: Unofficial Hatsune Mix	KEI	Dark Horse Comics	8
8	9	Assassination Classroom #1	Yusei Matsui	Viz Media	7
9	-	Deadman Wonderland#2	Story: Jinsei Kataoka / Art:Kazuma Kondou	Viz Media	3
10	-	The Seven Deadly Sins#6	Nakaba Suzuki	Kodansha Comics	2

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D.Backup Inspires A-1 Pictures's Vitreous Flower Destroys the World Anime

From the New World's Ishihama helms 2015 film with designs by The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat.'s Kantoku

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The teaser site for a "new anime project" opened on Friday at 6:00 p.m. in Japan (4:00 a.m. EST) to reveal the Vitreous Flower Destroy[s] the World (Glass no Hana to Kowasu Sekai) film. The tagline on the website reads, "The beautiful world I discovered."

The brand-new anime film is based on D.Backup, the scenario and illustration project by the relatively new creative unit "Physics Point." D.Backup won the grand prize in Pony Canyon's first ever Anime-ka Taishō (Anime Adaptation Prize) in 2013. According to the prize's website, the premise is "'software' characters fight bugs that have spread inside the box of knowledge."

Masashi Ishihama (From the New World, Kamichu!) is directing the film at A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, The IDOLM@STER), and Fumihiko Shimo (Air, Kannon, Clannad, Amagi Brilliant Park,Golden Time, Infinite Stratos) wrote the screenplay. Kantoku (The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat., Magical Suite Prism Nana) created the original character designs.

Physics Point, which consists of the creative duo Otono Shimura and Suyuri Hiraume, won one million yen (about US$10,000) and the opportunity to have their D.Backup concept adapted into anime in Pony Canyon's contest.

The film will open this year.

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