This week on Anime Update: The co-founder of X Japan and Stan Lee have teamed up for a new project, and Durarara is coming to Adult Swim this June.
First up in this week’s anime update:
Pow Entertainment has confirmed that Stan Lee recently collaborated with X Japan founder Yoshiki on a new “music super hero comic book and motion comic series.” Issue zero is set to launch at Comic-Con International in San Diego this July. The series, which was first announced last October, is not the first work shared by the two icons. Lee also appeared in one of X Japan’s music videos last year – “Born to Be Free.” Yoshiki told eager fans earlier this month at FanimeCon that he and Lee would be holding a press conference together at Comic Con.
“When I met Yoshiki, I was so impressed with his musical talents and unique creative eye that I knew immediately I wanted to work with him on something special where we could combine both our strengths. Creating a music Super Hero character was the natural evolution of our efforts,” said Stan Lee, Founder, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of POW! Entertainment.
The comic will portray Yoshiki as a “Gothic-styled superhero / vigilante” (Perfect for a Visual Kei artist of Yoshiki’s caliber!). His influences in the writing of the project included his interest in dragons and music. Lee has said that Yoshiki’s powers will activate “when certain musical notes are played on (his) drumsticks.” Yoshiki will also be composing music that will be heard during the motion comic, making it a truly unique collaboration for this type of media.
“Just like the rest of the world, I have admired Stan Lee and his creations my entire life. Just meeting him was so great and now working with him is one of the most fun and creative experiences I have ever had. To watch his mind at work is amazing and inspiring,” said Yoshiki.
Stay tuned for more announcements about this project in July when the press conference is held at San Diego Comic-Con.
Next up on this week’s update:
Aniplex of America announced today that its breakout anime Durarara!! will make its U.S. network television debut on Adult Swim this June. The 26-episode series is slated to air during the network’s Saturday evening programming block. Subsequent episodes will also be available on adultswim.com. The series will air in English dub format.
A pitch-black headless motorcyclist who roams the city?! High-tension suspense and action are taking over Ikebukuro, Tokyo! “Durarara!!” the animated TV series is based on the hit self-titled novel by Ryohgo Narita.
I’ve seen up to about the first half of Durarara and can say that so far it’s pretty good. The story revolves around a headless motorcycle rider who works as an underground courier in Ikebukuro, the Dollars gang, and the general mayhem that ensues. Check out Durarara when it comes to Adult Swim, and support more awesome anime series making their way onto major networks!
For more anime, manga and geek news from Japan and around the world, keep reading Big Shiny Robot!