Marvel is no longer a stranger to the Japanese market with their Anime adaptations of Iron Man, Wolverine, The X-Men, Blade and lets not forget Stan Lee’s Heroman, their doing pretty well in the of land of the rising coin I’d say.

So with Avengers 2 coming up naturally it’s a great time to make a brand new Avengers Anime but not so fast fanboys, the press release we have tells us that this show is targeted mostly towards Japanese boys ages 6-12 and the characters all look they’ve had some heavy re-designs. Is it just me or do Cap and Thor look like Mega Man X and Zero? I can’t be the only who sees this.

One more observation I have is look at the kids in the back ground, notice how there’s one for each of our heros? If I had to hazard a guess with my trained Anime eye (stop laughing) I’d say each one of our heros will have a partner. We may be looking at the first ever Avengers show that works just like digimon… Maybe I do want to see this?

Meguro-ku, Tokyo, October 23, 2013 — The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. announced today that it will produce the first Japanese Marvel animated television series targeted at boys. Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers is based on Marvel’s most popular team of Super Heroes, The Avengers and will premiere nationwide on terrestrial television in spring 2014.

 

      Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers will be produced by Nerima-ku, Tokyo-based Toei Animation Co., Ltd., which has produced multiple successful animated series for kids in Japan. Taito-ku, Tokyo-based Bandai Co., Ltd., which has a highly successful track record with major titles, will be responsible for character merchandising. The three companies will collaborate in creating a fully localized Japanese series as well as providing a lineup of attractive products and merchandise targeting the boys market.

 

      The story will revolve around how The Avengers – Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Hulk together with the help of Spider-Man and a group of teens, will harness their respective fighting skills and superhuman powers to foil Loki’s scheme to take over the world. Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers will target boys in the 6-12 age group.

 

      Walt Disney Japan, through its local content strategy—delivering content tailored to meet the needs of local consumers—is actively localizing content to fit the tastes and sensibilities of Japanese audiences. Though the company has produced and broadcast several localized programs, from the animated short-form series Fireball in 2008, Disney’s first animated series produced entirely in Japan, to Stitch!, which stars the popular Disney character with a change of setting from Hawaii to Okinawa. Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers will be its first animated television series specifically targeted at boys and will delight Japanese viewers with an entirely new action-packed storyline that unfolds before their eyes in a high quality 2D animated format. Most recently, this Super Hero team was seen in the 2012 live-action movie, Marvel’s The Avengers, with a world-wide box office revenue that exceeded $1.5 billion and was the third-top grossing film of all time.

 

      Through this collaboration, Marvel, Walt Disney Japan, Japan’s top animation studio Toei Animation, and character merchandising leader Bandai will together leverage their respective strengths to deliver a television series for nationwide broadcast and a range of merchandise that is sure to breathe new life into the boys market in Japan.

Most of the attendee’s had gone home but the passionate minority still roamed the halls of the Davis Convention center. The panels that were left had less attendance but that was most likely due to the Sunday crowd. Once the Exhibit hall closed at 2PM, the crowds started to wonder home. The dancing in outside the building was over, replaced by relaxing in the sun with friends. Not yet ready to say goodbye, but knowing the fun of the convention is over until next year, these were the Cosplayers of day 3.

For more Anime Banzai 2013 Cosplay, please visit the coverage of Day 1 and Day 2. Let us know if you or your friends show up by posting in the comments. We’ll see you next year!

Although final attendance numbers weren’t yet counted, the estimate for attendance at day two of the Anime Banzai convention was 4300. People were excited to get into the exhibition hall and artist alley but the main attraction seemed to be the AMV contest. The entries in the contest were well made pieces of Anime Music Video fan art. Some were funny, and others were moving, but they all made the audience cheer enthusiastically. Utah’s own Geekshow Podcast recorded for 2 hours in the security room; crowds in full Cosplay danced outside to Gangnam Style and a Ride That Pony!; and, between other popular panels, the anime screening rooms were packed.

One of the most popular panels was the Cosplay contest. Cosplay was the word of the day. With entire families dressed up, the percentage of those in some sort of costume seemed to be 50%. Not everyone was made up, but nearly everyone attended the after party in the ballroom or in the hotel bar. Both events had everyone dancing into the early hours of the next day at the con. It was an amazing site to see Iron Man, The Batman, Deadpool, Harley Quinn and Maleficent take to the dance floor all at one time.

Big Shiny Robot snagged some Cosplay photos outside of the dark club and dance hall. From comic book and manga characters, to popular anime and video game characters, you’ll be amazed at the variety of costumes.

The first day of Anime Banzai 2013 was a great success. Adam Bates, the Design Coordinator reported a safe estimation on day 1 attendance at 2100 including staff, guests and vendors. That means that Friday numbers were up about 10% over last year. The Anime Banzai staff expects a large turnout on Saturday with possibly two and half times the attendance of the first day.

Attendees had a wonderful first day at the con. The hallways were packed, the crowds were exuberant and the panels were incredibly popular. The fun didn’t stop at night fall though, as the party extended into the night. There were hundreds dancing outside and even more in Cosplay for the Formal Ball: Britannia and 18+ Cosplay Café Singles Mingle. I was there for Big Shiny Robot and I brought my camera. Here are the Cosplayer’s who were kind enough to let me take their photo. Thankfully for my back, none of them asked to Glomp, though I can’t say I’m totally opposed to it.

Anime Banzai continues to be a convention that pleases fans of Japanese anime, manga and culture. This year’s convention is again held at the Davis Convention Center in Layton Utah. This local gathering of pop culture fans and Japanese pop culture fans isn’t the juggernaut that the first annual Salt Lake City Comic Convention was, but contains many of the same components that made the Salt Lake City convention a success. The crowd is enthusiastic. The common Banzai attendee has a range of interests from comic books, cosplay, gaming, art, writing, anime, movies, manga, to Japanese cuisine.

The venue is perfect for a relaxed and laid back event. The Davis Convention Center is connected to a Hilton Garden Inn. For many that consider the 30 minute drive North of Salt Lake City an inconvenience, a hotel convention center is the perfect combination for a fun and relaxing weekend.

The Anime Banzai convention has events scheduled from Friday 18^th – Sunday 20^th with convention events taking place on Friday and Saturday between 9:30AM and Midnight. The convention has a mix of family friendly events like; Japanese story time; Warky; and “Make and take your own kitty ears”, and adult events like; 18+ Cosplay; Café Dating game; and Anime after dark. The variety of the events is so much larger than there is space to type in this article. Examples include instructional and entertainment panels, video gaming, card gaming, Karaoke, art show, charity events, artist alley and a vendor exhibition hall.

The event is 100% volunteer staffed; but, that only means their crew is made up of incredibly dedicated people. They began handing out pre-registration badges Thursday night from 6PM until 10PM. The lines started out very long and the staff continued to see a nice level of traffic through the end of the night. The images below are were taken at 9PM Thursday night and the line was still going strong.

Those that pre-registered received a great looking schwag (gift) with convention programs, coupons a poster and a pen. They also received a laminated convention bad and Anime Banzai lanyard.

All attendees receive a badge, but those that preregistered will have their names on printed on their badge. Pre-Registration is closed because the con started today, however full weekend and single day passes are still available as of Friday morning. Prices peak at $40 for a full weekend and single day pricing is less but varies based on the day you wish to attend. All paying adults can bring along 1 child, under the age of 10, for no additional cost and the child will receive special badge for children. The Anime Banzai site has comprehensive information on registration and purchasing passes here.

Big Shiny Robot will be covering events throughout the weekend. If you’re unable to make it out to the con, please check back often for a chance to live vicariously through the power of the Internet. I’ll also be tweeting so I check my feed regularly. If you’re at the con, give me a tweet @MarkAvo and challenge me to a game of Cosplay Chess.

Viz Media, (Who are killing this week by the way) Are releasing the “My Neighbor Totoro: 25th Anniversary Novel” October 1st along with a new version of the My Neighbor Totoro Picture Book.

So if the movie didn’t make you feel all warm and bubbly inside, then I’m willing to bet the children’s picture book will push you over the edge! If not then I’m starting to doubt you’re human…

San Francisco, CA, September 25, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, marks the 25^th Anniversary of famed director Hayao Miyazaki’s whimsical animated family fantasy, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, with the release on October 1^st of MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO: THE NOVEL and a brand new edition of the MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO Picture Book.

 

Published under VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library imprint, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO: THE NOVEL carries an MSRP of $17.99 U.S. / $21.00 CAN, and the MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO Picture Book features an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN.

 

In Hayao Miyazaki’s charming animated classic, eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. While their father is working, the girls explore their sprawling old house and the forest and fields that surround it. Soon, Satsuki and Mei discover Totoro, a magical forest spirit who takes them on fantastic adventures through the trees and the clouds – and teaches them a lesson about trusting one another.

 

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO: THE NOVEL

MSRP: $17.99 U.S. / $21.00 CAN · Available October 1^st

The superbly animated classic by legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is now retold in a novel written by Tsugiko Kubo. This prestigious hardcover edition also features original watercolor illustrations by Miyazaki himself, accompanying a story written by veteran children’s book author Tsugiko Kubo. Sure to delight both existing fans and new readers! 

 

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO picture Book New Edition · Rated “A” for All Ages· MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN · Available October 1^st

This companion, full-color book to MY NEIGHBOR TOTOROfeatures artwork taken directly from the movie. The updated edition also features new cover design and allows parents and children to relive Totoro’s magical adventures with scene-by-scene illustrations and character dialogue.

 

“MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO is Hayao Miyazki’s timeless fairy tale for all ages and one of the most internationally acclaimed films to ever come out of Japan,” says Masumi Washington, Sr. Editorial Director. “MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO: THE NOVEL and the new edition of the MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO picture Book capture the poignancy and emotion of the story of Satsuki, Mei and their loveable fuzzy forest friends and will be wonderful additions to any Miyazaki fan’s personal library.”

 

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO was released in 1988 by Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli, which also produced Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle and Ponyo. TOTORO is an internationally popular property that has spawned a colorful array of adorable plush characters, toys, collectables and other memorabilia. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainmentreleased the DVD/Blu-ray Edition of MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO earlier this year.

 

Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan’s most celebrated anime directors. His newest film, The Wind Rises (2013), recounts the early days of aviation and the formative years of Japan’s famed World War II Zero fighter plane designer, Jiro Horikoshi. In 2005 Hayao Miyazaki was awarded the Venice International Film Festival’s Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement. Miyazaki’s other notable films include Spirited Away, which won the 2002 Academy Award^® for Best Animated Feature Film, as well as Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo, all of which have received great international acclaim. Miyazaki’s other achievements include creating the highly regarded manga series Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Starting Point: 1979-1996, a collection of essays, interviews, and memoirs that chronicle his early career and the development of his theories of animation. Both are published in English by VIZ Media.

 

More information on VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli titles is available at www.VIZ.com.

The first of the Tiger & Bunny movies along with the Manga versions will be hitting store shelves this October 1st!

I’m more then a little happy to hear this, not only did I love the Tiger & Bunny Anime, Viz Media, has seen fit to send me a reiview copy of the movie! Thats right Your old pal Gax is moving up the Anime review totem pole, one notch from the bottom… I’m just going to shut up and post the press release…

San Francisco, CA, September 24, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced new anime and manga (graphic novel) releases for TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING, the rollicking, fast-paced feature film that that delivers a new spin on the classic superhero story.

 

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING debuts on DVD and Blu-ray on October 1^st, with a rating of TV-14, and a DVD MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $24.98 CAN; Blu-ray MSRP of $24.98 U.S. / $27.50 CAN. The DVD and Blu-ray editions feature special plot trailers and previews as well as a Weekly Hero Countdown segment. DVD Bonus Features include Production Art and footage from the TIGER & BUNNY U.S. World Premiere Event Special. The Blu-ray edition also contains over 3 hours of Bonus Features, including Production Art and footage from the TIGER & BUNNY U.S. World Premiere Event Special, as well as an Anime Expo 2012 TIGER & BUNNY Highlight Reel and interviews with the U.S. and Japanese voice actor cast and production staff.  

 

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING SIDE A & SIDE B is the 2-volume manga adaptation of the feature film, debuting on October 8^th (print-only) with a rating ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN for each volume.

 

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE BEGINNING is an exciting movie that takes audiences on a wild journey to the metropolis of Stern Bild, where there are heroes that wear the logos of sponsors and protect the city from danger. Their exploits are broadcast on the popular HERO TV. Wild Tiger (Kotetsu T. Kaburagi) is a veteran superhero who is past his peak and is ordered by his company to team up with the rookie hero, Barnaby Brooks Jr. after his ratings begin to slip. Can these two mismatched superheroes overcome their differences to protect the city?

 

“We’re very excited to give fans of this smash hit property the opportunity to add the thrilling feature film and its manga counterpart to their collections,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manager, Animation. “Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr. each have vastly differing points of view and thoughts on how a superhero should act but they will have to learn to accommodate each other as they try to crack the mystery of the murder of Barnaby’s parents and the appearance of a very dangerous vigilante named Lunatic!”

 

Episodes of the TIGER & BUNNY anime series are also available on Neon Alley, VIZ Media’s innovative 24/7 digital anime channel featuring the world’s best anime (dubbed and uncut).

The full Lupin the Third VS. Detective Conan, trailer just came out yesterday!

The first thing that jumps out to me other then holy crap Lupin and Conan will be fighting, is the colors! The color palette for this movie is fantastic, everthing just pops! What I wouldn’t give to see this one on the big screen.

The PokemonCoJp Youtube page lunched a new “Pokémon the Origin” trailer late last night.

Looks like we’ll definitely see the full story of the original two Pokémon games play out in this TV special.

Mewtwo will also be making a cameo! I gots me a Master Ball saved up for that albino Clone Cat punk, you just try and hide in that cave!

The screen shots for the Attack on Titan 3DS Game by the development company “Spike Chunsoft” just hit the internet yesterday and well… Alright let’s talk.

Like a lot of people I’ve jumped on the Attack on Titan bandwagon, why? Because the show is fantastic! It’s easily the most original thing to hit Anime in years and in an industry that is criticized for being stagnant and constantly self-duplicating, it’s a welcome sight in comparison to things like Sword Art Online Season 2, good lord did that suck!

So not only am I happy to be on the wagon, I’ll pull that damn thing with my teeth! Alright enough of my rambling, let’s take a look at the game.

Maybe this is just an early build?

“Spike Chunsoft will ship the game in Japan on December 5 for 6,090 yen (about US$61)” – AnimeNewsNetwork.com

Damn it…

This has Shovelware written all over it. Despite the Colossal Titan looking ok-ish.. the texture quality of the other Titans and environments look horrendous!

Let’s make a little comparison shall we? On the right we have a screen shot from the Attack on Titan 3DS, and on the left we have Spawn: in the Demons Hand, for the Dreamcast…

Why in holy hell does a 12 year old game for the Dreamcast of all things look better than this game? Why?! I’m not even being unfair for Spawn, is a middle of the road 3D boss rush game with a four player support just like this game advertises to be. But it doesn’t even have the grace to at least look on par with something this out of date?

I can only imagine what the controls feel like. Probably like a hook-shot flying through ruff cut soggy bacon…

I know I’m harping on the visuals but the real question is why wasn’t this cel-shaded? The Anime has a unique style with thick lines and blended colors that resembles the manga. So why wasn’t this style duplicated with cel-shading? Graphics better than the Dreamcast is something the 3DS is more than capable of delivering, or perhaps they’re plaing to port this game to the bloody Ouya!

Spike Chunsoft is also developing the browser based game Attack on Titan: Wings of Counterattack. This also looks to be a quality waste of my time. It seems AOT is in great hands, we get two shoddy games from this company this year, not just one!

This is an automatic pass… and this is coming from the guy who pre-ordered the Chibi Titan play set off of Crunchyroll. Why do I have more faith in the fan made Attack on Titan game? Why is my foreshadowing for my next post so clumsy? Only time will tell.

This has been Gax and if you want to see me bitch like a fan boy about more Anime Shovelware games that nobody will play, you can follow me on twitter: @Gax-bot