Check out what's upcoming in Spring! A new season of the majhong anime Saki, the second part to Fate/zero, and a sequel to mecha anime Eureka Seven titled Eureka Seven Astral Ocean. For those interested in a bit of the supernatural mixed in with a bit of ecchi, the zombie themed Sankarea and ghost story Tasogare Otome x Amnesia are great choices.
At a press conference held earlier yesterday, new details about upcoming Code Geass projected were announced.
Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito (Akito the Exiled)
Currently it is unclear if this will be a full season show; however, it has been announced the first episode will be screen this summer in Japanese theaters. The story takes place during the events of the original series and follows Akito, voiced by Miyu Irino and Layla, voiced by Maaya Sakamoto in Europe.
http://geass.jp/akito/index.html
Code Geass Gaiden: Nunnally in Wonderland
A new OVA release that retells the fairy tail of Alice in Wonderland with Code Geass characters that's set to release with a picture book.
Code Geass will also be getting the stage treatment in a full blown musical (http://www.geass-musical.net/) and apparently a film adaptation of the original series is also in the works.
Another blow to the anime industry, we have received official word today Bandai Entertainment will "stop releasing new titles on DVD, Blu-ray and Manga formats starting in February of 2012."
Although Bandai has stated in their press release that they "will continue to sell catalog titles and shift its operation to licensing which will include digital distribution, broadcast and merchandising," they have also noted they will be shutting down their official twitter and facebook page.
You can read the full press release inside.
Figure maker Good Smile Company opened a branching cafe in Taiwan earlier this month and a couple of our staffers happened to be in the neighborhood. While we wait for their report which will appear here later, why not check out some of the photos?
The popularity of ONA (Original Net Animation) has been picking up recently, and last week NamcoBandai published Kyousogiga, an episode-length video to its NicoNico and YouTube pages. Kyousogiga was created by Izumi Todo, who also made the Ojamojo Doremi and Futari wa Pretty Cure series, and animated by Banpresto and Toei Animation.
The animation style is fairly stylized, and it reminds me of the stuff Madhouse makes. The video description mentions a new work coming out in March 2012, but it doesn't say if it's related to this ONA or not. Also, the video will only be available until January 15, 2012, so watch it while you can! It's embedded after the break.
Kyousogiga homepage: http://www.kyousogiga.com/
Alter unveiled a full colored prototype of the voluptuous Selvaria Bles from the hit video game and anime series, Valkyria Chronicles earlier last week at the Autumn MegaHobby Expo. The figure was originally unveiled earlier this year at the Winter Wonder Festival as an unpainted prototype. Fans will be please to know Raita Honjou (the original character designer for the series) designed the figure, while Toshiyuki Yagyu did an excellent job in adhering to Raita's voluptuous style with the sculpt.
Long term readers will be aware my past rants on Alter's plain display bases, but this one is simply amazing! I am a little concerned how her hair will look in the final product as it appears her hair may be semitranslucent.
You can take Selvaria home later next year in April for roughly 8,800 yen. For now, check out all the gorgeous photos we've gathered online.
Fans of the popular Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt anime will be thrilled to learn that one of the top figure makers, Alter, has unveiled a stunning colored PVC sample of Panty Anarchy at the recent Autumn MegaHobby Expo 2011. Panty is in her signature pose after transforming into her angel outfit. Little else is known about the figure, but it will be released later next year in 2012. This is probably the best looking Panty figure shown so far based on resemblance and sculpt, and only time will tell if Good Smile Company/ Max Factory decides to top them.
Alter has also revealed an unpainted prototype of Kneesocks from the same series and I would expect a Stocking and Scanty figure to be announced sometime in the near future. Any takers?
For those of you who haven't checked our gallery in a couple weeks, just click on the image above for some awesome cosplay photos from Yaoi-Con that was held late ast month at The San Francisco Airport Marriott hotel. Just because it's a convention that celebrates "male beauty & passion in anime & manga," doesn't mean there's any shortage of awesome cosplays!