Happy Sunday everyone, and welcome to AniWeekly! Tomorrow, the United States celebrates Labor Day: a holiday which honors the American labor movement, and the many contributions that workers have made to the overall well-being of the nation. So, because that, we salute you, who gave us the 40-hour work week.
This week, though, was packed with surprises, both good and bad. We saw Aniplex unleash their first details for AkibaFest, and new details arise for Show By Rock!! season 2. On the flip side, two major players in the industry were struck by illness. It’s been a crazy time, for sure.
Before we begin, though, I’d like to offer a shameless plug. At Anime Expo, Seth was able to talk with Aniplex of America President Henry Goto. It’s a fascinating read, and one that has generated a bit of attention on social media, and in our comments sections!
In The News
Get well soon, Risa Taneda and Izumi Matsumoto! Voice actress Risa Taneda and Kimagure Orange Road creator Izumi Matsumoto both put their careers on hiatus. Taneda took a leave of absence due to an unspecified illness. Matsumoto, though, was bedridden due to cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia (depleted cerebrospinal fluid) at the end of April. We’d like to with both Taneda and Matsumoto a speedy recovery.
Return of the Reclaimers. Funimation announced that their license for Birdy the Mighty: Decode will expire in October. The series will officially be delisted from Funimation’s site, and DVDs will cease production on October 14.
It’s been a heck of a ride, Kankichi Ryotsu. After an astounding 40 year run, comedy manga KochiKame will finally end. The 200th and final collected volume of the series will hit retailers on September 17, the same day that its final Weekly Shonen Jump chapter hits newsstands.
No, this isn’t about a lamia, a harpy, and a centaur. Aniplex announced that an anime adaptation of Petosu’s Interviews with Monster Girls (Demi-chan wa Kataritai) is in the works! The series will be helmed by Ryo Ando at A-1 Pictures, and is on track for a January 2017 première.
It’s melted hearts and made us cry. Now Glass Mask will make us… laugh? You read that right, readers! Glass Mask is getting a comedic anime series, which hits Japanese TV on October 3.
For those who thought Little Tokyo needed more Akiba flair, say hello to AkibaFest. The official AkibaFest website opened its doors, revealing the first guests and events. Notable guests include Fate/Zero director Ei Aoki, and Blue Exorcist character designer Keigo Sasaki. Monogatari fans will also be able to check out the US premiere of Kizumonogatari Part 2.
It’s time to get the band back together! The first promo video for Show By Rock!!# hit the web! The minute-long trailer teases the show’s plot, and confirms an October 2 premiere date.
Atelier Toei, anybody? Koei Tecmo and Toei Animation are banding together to produce an original project. Details on the project will be announced at a stage event on September 16.
From The AniBlogging Community
This citrus won’t prevent scurvy! Evan Minto at Ani-Gamers had a chance to talk with Kinema Citrus head Muneki Ogasawara. It’s a fantastic read, with particularly insightful commentary on the overall anime industry, working conditions for animators, and growing initiatives to groom in-house talent from studios like Kyoto Animation.
Weekly Fun Stuff!
To be honest, this week, we’re taking a trip to the past, when Flash was the norm, and when emails were answered by a dude with a mask and Boxing Gloves. It’s not anime related, but this classic Homestar Runner ‘toon captures that Labor Dabor spirit. Plus cookouts.
