News Commentary

Otakon 2014 News Round-Up


Whew! The first two days of Otakon have come and gone, and with it we’ve seen a ton of news coming through the pipeline!

Since the news has been so plentiful, we’ve decided that a simple, straight-forward run-down of the major reveals at the event would be greatly appreciated.

This year, we’ve broken down the news by source and news item. Sources will be linked in the headers. And, as always, if we’ve missed something, feel free to let us know!

FUNimation

Funko to Release Attack on Titan Pop! Vinyl Figures

FUNimation announced that they’ve partnered with Funko to produce a series of Attack on Titan figures in the company’s popular Pop! Vinyl figures line. The currently announced figures include Eren Jaeger (Survey Corps), Eren Jaeger (Titan), Mikasa Ackerman, and a special 6″ tall Colossal Titan. The figures will be sold exclusively at Hot Topic in-store, and via the company’s website starting in October. The figures will be sold through December 2015.

FUNimation Adds Seven Titles, Rescues Haruhi & Lucky Star

FUNimation announced that they acquired the domestic rights to several new titles. The company revealed that they added the following to their lineup:

  • D-Frag!
  • BlazBlue: Alter Memory
  • Riddle Story Of The Devil
  • Freezing Vibration
  • Unbreakable Machine Doll
  • Black Butler – Book of Murder
  • Strike Witches Movie
  • Steins;Gate Movie

In addition, the company revealed that they rescued the licenses for Haruhi and Lucky Star. The company acquired the following titles:

  • The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Seasons 1 & 2 (Oh, dreaded Endless Eight!)
  • The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya-chan
  • Nyoron Churuya-san
  • Lucky Star TV
  • Lucky Star OVA

Trailer: D-Frag!

Trailer: Riddle Story of the Devil

Trailer: Unbreakable Machine Doll

Trailer: Black Butler

FUNimation Announces English Dub Casts For Three Titles

FUNimation announced the English dub casts for a trio of upcoming titles. The breakdown is as follows:

A Certain Magical Index II, Part Two:

  • Acqua: Andrew T. Chandler
  • Amata Kihara: Andrew T. Chandler
  • Biagio Busoni: Barry Yandell
  • Pope Matthai Reese: Bob Magruder
  • Ritoku Komaba: Patrick Seitz
  • Shiage Hamazura: Clifford Chapin
  • Terra: George Manley
  • Vasilisa: Leah Clark
  • Vento: Kara Edwards

Fairy Tail, Part 13

  • Sting: Michael Jones
  • Rogue: Garrett Storms
  • Lector: Marti Etheridge
  • Frosch: Dawn M. Bennett

Ghost in the Shell: Arise – borders 1 & 2

  • Motoko: Elizabeth Maxwell
  • Aramaki: John Swasey
  • Kurutsu: Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
  • Batou: Christopher R. Sabat
  • Tsumugi: Eric Vale
  • Togusa: Alex Organ
  • Paz: Jason Douglas
  • Sadamoto: Bill Jenkins
  • Raizo: David Wald
  • Logicoma: Jād Saxton
  • Mamuro: Brian Mathis
  • Ibachi: Chris Rager
  • ADR Director: Zach Bolton

Cowboy Bebop Gets A Release Date
After what seems like an eternity of waiting, FUNimation announced the release date for their Cowboy Bebop collection. The series will hit stores in four editions:

  • Standard DVD
  • Standard Blu-Ray
  • Amazon Exclusive Blu-Ray/DVD Premium Edition
  • FUNimation.com Exclusive Blu-Ray/DVD Premium Edition

As of right now, pricing and technical details are still under wraps. All we know is that the two premium editions will include different packaging and premium items. The sets themselves will hit stores in December.

3, 2, 1, Let’s jam!

Vertical

Vertical Adds The Art of Makoto Shinkai Book
Vertical announced that they will release A Sky Longing for Memories: The Art of Makoto Shinkai. Though no release date was announced, the book will have a suggested price of $34.95.

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll To Stream Cardcaptor Sakura

On August 12, Crunchyroll will begin streaming all 70 episodes of Cardcaptor Sakura on their service. Both the dubbed and subtitled versions will be offered.

Crunchyroll Adds Murder Incarnation, Girl May Kill, Others

Crunchyroll announced that they will release several new manga titles through their service. The company will add the following:

  • Murder Incarnation, by Keita Sugawara and Shinji Inamitsu
  • Girl May Kill by Azusa Itakura
  • Joshi Kausei, by Ken Wakai
  • Cronos Haze, by Masayuki Takano

In addition, the company will release more of Akira Saso’s Shindo online.

Girl May Kill’s entire back catalog will be released on August 12. Future chapters will be released simultaneously with the Japanese publication.

In addition, GTO: Paradise Lost will début globally today, excluding Algeria, Lebanon, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Morocco, Switzerland and Japan.

Aniplex

Aniplex to Release Nisekoi On Blu-Ray

Nisekoi Volume 1 Packshot - 20140808

Aniplex of America announced that they will release Nisekoi on Blu-Ray. The first volume, which hits on November 25, will retail for $64.98. The release will include the show’s first five episodes, a chipboard box, and a poster. Extra features will include the Textless Opening, Textless Endings (Chitoge & Kosaki versions), and Collectible Ending Card Pin-Ups.

Anime Sols

Anime Sols began streaming Star Magician Magical Emi on their site earlier today. The first three episodes were added to the service, though no funding goals were announced yet.

In addition, Anime Sols opened pre-orders for a limited edition Magical Emi PVC figure. The piece costs $185, and will stand at 220mm in height. Pre-orders will close in September 8, 2014.

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

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