Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Gaia Online to judge the Masquerade at New York Comic Con/Anime Festival

Halloween comes early this year! New York Comic Con’s annual Masquerade — a costume showcase that is part fashion show and part talent show — is happening Saturday, October 9th. Considered one of the top cosplay events of the year, entrants are sure to dazzle guests and judges alike. This will present an excellent opportunity to capture the top costumes and flair on exhibit at this year’s Con.

In a unique twist this year, virtual community Gaia Online will be a featured guest judge in the style of American Idol. For the first time ever at Comic Con the Gaia user base will be polled live via a web cast, and the results will have the weight of one judge on the panel. The entire Masquerade will be webcast live around the world on Gaiaonline.com with the option for members to vote for their favorites. Gaia staff members are also available at the event to explain costumes and characters if you are interested.

Gaia will be hosting a panel at Comic Con where fans will gather to learn about upcoming features, meet their Gaia mentors, dance and play games. The panel will be held Saturday, October 9th, 5:15pm — 6:15 pm in Panel Room 3 (1E13). Gaia Variety Hour will be held on Sunday, October 10th, 2:30pm — 3:30 pm in Panel Room 4 (1E14), where fans will enjoy fun, games, contests and random awesomeness. Please let me know if you’d like to attend Gaia’s panel so we can make sure to save space for you. We can also get you in touch with a Gaia user and costumed fans that would make for a great photo or video opp.

Gaia Online was created to satisfy a growing online anime fan community in 2003 – today it’s one of the most active social gaming communities, with more than 8 million unique visitors every month between the ages of 13 and 24. The site is consistently ranked in the top 5 for most time spent on any social media site (according to Hitwise). Gaia brings together the best of social media in an anime-based online community featuring comics, MMOG, social games and forums. Its users are artistic, often cosplay enthusiasts, and avid contributors to the site’s roleplaying, poetry and manga forums.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

FUNimation Entertainment makes a deal with Shocker Toys.

Flower Mound, TX – February 10, 2010 - FUNimation Entertainment today announced the signing of multi-year, national licensing agreements with toy manufacturer Shocker Toys LLP, now a toy licensee for several high-profile action-adventure anime properties including Soul Eater, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Dragon Ball Z and One Piece.

Shocker Toys has the rights to develop, manufacture, market and sell designer figures called “Mallows” based on characters from the four series. Mallows is a new toy line created by Shocker Toys and comprised of 5” marshmallow themed figures. The figures feature up to 10 points of movement and up to 7 interchangeable parts. Mallows are available themed or in blank, black or white, do-it-yourself versions.

Attendees of American International Toy Fair in New York City at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, February 14-17, can see like figures on display at the Shocker Toys booth (#4924) located in the new Action Figure aisle in the lower level of the Javits Center.

The company expects to begin production on the figures this year.

“We look forward to Shocker Toys bringing these series into the homes of fans and collectors in a fun, new way,” said Adam Zehner, Director of Licensing and Acquisitions at FUNimation Entertainment. “We can’t wait to see how our characters will be translated into the unique Mallow style.”

"We are very pleased to be working with Funimation to bring their great titles into a new Funimation series Mallow toy line for their dedicated fans,” said Geoff Beckett, CEO. "Our new Mallow collectibles will have great options for playing, trading or displaying and some new features that your other toys don’t have."



About Shocker Toys, LLP.
New Jersey based Shocker Toys, LLP current roster includes Indie Spotlight 6" scale independent comic book action figures, Who Wants to be a Superhero figures and 5" Mallows

For more product and licensing information visit the Company’s website: http://www.shockertoys.com

Monday, February 8, 2010

Anime Boston announces second round of guests

BOSTON, Feb 1, 2010 – Anime Boston is pleased to announce its second round of guests. Voice actors Josh Grelle, Clarine Harp, Christopher Smith and J. Michael Tatum as well as artists Bob and Emily DeJesus will attend Anime Boston 2010, April 2-4th at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass.

A native Texan, Josh Grelle was raised on stage and in the art studios of Central Texas. He performed on stage at the Tin Building Theatre for over 15 years prior to starting work for ADV Films at the start of 2004. Since then he has worked for ADV Films (Seraphim) and FUNimation Entertainment on numerous projects.

Grelle is known for playing the outrageous Taishi in Comic Party: Revolution; Kyohei Takano in The Wallflower; Kenichi Shirahama in Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple; Ren Kannagi in Kaze No Stigma and Kyoushiro in Shattered Angels. He can also be seen as Chaos in Tsubasa Chronicles; Ox Ford in Soul Eater; G-6 and various villains in Gatchaman; Viscount Wolkins in Pumpkin Scissors; and Hammer in Xenosaga: The Animation. Josh was also recently involved in the much anticipated Halo: Legends project, playing the role of “Haka” in Production I.G.’s “The Duel”. Aside from theatre and the Anime Industry, Josh has also worked at Marvel Comics and other studios around the world.


Clarine Harp was first cast by FUNimation Entertainment in 2003 to give life to the character of Tweedledee in Kiddy Grade. Since then, Harp has been featured in a broad range of roles: Sei in Burst Angel, Sanae in Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7, Ginza in Speed Grapher, Kaede in Negima, Miss Katz in Shin chan, Asagi in Witchblade and Laura in RIN ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~ .

Harp can also be heard in El Cazador de la Bruja, Claymore, Jyu-Oh-Sei, Trinity Blood, Beck, Romeo x Juliet, Kaze no Stigma, Yu Yu Hakusho, Spiral, Fullmetal Alchemist, Case Closed, Evangelion 1.0, Hell Girl, Bamboo Blade, Aquarion, Desert Punk, Origin - Spirits of the Past, Mushi-Shi, Suzuka, Ouran High School Host Club, Ghost Hunt, Peach Girl, Sgt. Frog, One Piece, Save Me! Lollipop, Baki the Grappler and The Galaxy Railways.

Out of the booth, Harp spends her time producing DVDs for FUNimation, tending to her horde of rabbits and proudly spreading the gospel of sock knitting. She is also the inspiration behind the character Aubrey, a regular cast member on the popular web comic, Something Positive.


Chris Smith indulges his inner child every time he goes to work. Since the age of six, mesmerized by Kimba the White Lion and Speed Racer, he’s dreamed of being the voice of cartoon characters. Starting as background characters in Robotech and Captain Harlock, Smith now voices Ishidate and Shuura in Naruto; Rose and Wonderwiess in Bleach; Kittan in Gurren Lagann; Puppetmaster in Solid State Society; Hanamoto in Honey and Clover; Beloqui in Flag and many more.

His voice has also appeared in video games such as Street Fighter 4, World of Warcraft, Command & Conquer, Mortal Kombat, Samurai Warriors, Final Fantasy: Dissidia, Tales of Symphonia 2, Starcraft 2, Vandal Hearts 2, Lunia and many more.


J. Michael Tatum was nurtured on anime classics from the tender age of Star Blazers to become a voice actor/writer/ADR Director for FUNimation. Cast by sheer fluke as the warmhearted yet tormented Rikichi in 2005’s Samurai 7, Tatum’s inexplicable luck held long enough to see his flag hoisted on a slew of dream roles, most notably Kyoya Otori in the hit English language dub of Ouran High School Host Club. Other characters Tatum has voiced include: Doumeki in XXXHolic, Jiro Mochizuki in Black Blood Brothers, Isaac Dian in Baccano! God Eneru in the One Piece, Komui Lee in D-Gray Man, Dororo in Sgt. Frog, the titular loveable savage of Heroic Age, Lawrence in Spice & Wolf, and Scar in Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Reaching beyond voice acting, Tatum branched out to voice director and adaptive screenwriting in 2007. His directing credits to date include Aquarion, Jyu-oh-Sei, Romeo X Juliet, Big Windup, and Rin, while his writing credits include substantial work on both Ouran High School Host Club, Heroic Age and Blassreiter.


Emily DeJesus is a writer, editor, story creator and manager of Studio Capsule. Robert and Emily met at a convention called Anime Central and haven't been apart since that day. Emily has always enjoyed manga and anime, but never thought it could be her job. Emily has worked with Robert for over 7 years now. She helps write the web comic "How to Loathe Drawing in the Manga Style" and has just finished writing her first children's book. She enjoys the business side of working for Studio Capsule very much and is grateful that she has an opportunity to work in the manga/comics business.


Robert DeJesus is a writer, story creator, illustrator, storyboard artist and character designer for Studio Capsule. Robert is no stranger to the anime and manga community. An Indiana born, self-taught artist, who got his first art career break when he sent an eight page short story to comic publisher, Antarctic Press in February of 1990. He has drawn manga inspired art for well over 19 years and has been published nearly all over the world. He has worked for many companies like Playstation Magazine, Marvel, Hasbro, and recently with Harper Collins Publishing.

Previous guest announcements included voice actors Christopher Ayres, Greg Ayres and indstury guest Tom Wayland.

Friday, February 5, 2010

FUNimation Entertainment Announces U.S. Broadcast Debut of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Flower Mound, TX – February 5, 2010 – The Elric brothers are back! FUNimation® Entertainment announced today that the mega-hit “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”, a fantasy action-adventure series, will debut on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on Saturday, February 13. The series will air at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT each Saturday.

The blockbuster anime series “Fullmetal Alchemist” by the acclaimed Japanese studio Bones introduced Alphonse and Edward Elric and the followup film “Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa” ended the series but many fans wished to see the story continue.

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” faithfully recreates the story first told in the classic manga by Hiromu Arakawa and featured in Square Enix’s Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine. Set in a fictional world where alchemy – the transmutation of raw materials into objects – is science and the way of life, the series follows the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse, on their perilous journey in search of the legendary Philosopher's Stone. They set forth in the hope that the magical artifact can restore their bodies after a failed attempt to revive their dead mother cost Edward's left leg and right arm, as well as Alphonse's entire body, leaving his soul affixed to a suit of armor. In “Brotherhood” the brothers will risk what remains to restore what was lost.

Acquired from Japanese producer and distributor Aniplex, the English-dubbed series is produced by Mike McFarland and directed by McFarland and Caitlin Glass. McFarland also directed “Fullmetal Alchemist.”

Reprising their roles from the first series are Vic Mignogna as Edward Elric, Caitlin Glass as Winry Rockbell, Travis Willingham as Roy Mustang, Laura Bailey as Lust, Sony Strait as Maes Hughes, and Mike McFarland as Jean Havoc.

Actor Maxey Whitehead is taking on the role of Alphonse Elric.

Originally Al in “Fullmetal Alchemist,” Aaron Dismuke will be featured in another role later in the series.

Episodic Descriptions for February airdates:

Episode 01 – Fullmetal Alchemist, premieres February 13

The Elric brothers adjust to military life and take part in a manhunt for the dangerous Isaac the Freezer, a former State Alchemist bent on bringing Fuhrer Bradley down.



Episode 02 – The First Day, premieres February 20

A glimpse into the past reveals the pain and desperation that drove the Elric boys to break alchemy’s greatest taboo – human transmutation – and their reasons for becoming dogs of the military.



Episode 03 – City of Heresy, premieres February 27

Science and faith collide when the Elrics confront Father Cornello. He claims to work miracles, but the brothers suspect he is abusing a Philosopher’s Stone to manipulate his flock.


Funimation Entertainment will release “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” Part One on DVD and Blu-ray on May 25. For more information about Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, please visit www.fullmetalalchemist.com

Saturday, January 9, 2010

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Axis Powers Hetalia

Flower Mound, Texas (January 08, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 52 episode comedy anime series “Axis Powers Hetalia” from Media Factory, Inc.

Based on the popular web comic and manga series created by Hidekaz Himayura, the anime is directed by Bob Shirohata (“Gravitation” among others).

About Axis Powers Hetalia
The world is on the cusp of war and Italy, a pasta-loving energetic young soldier, is stuck in the middle of it! Join Italy and all of your favorite countries as they re-live the past. Cute, crass, colorful and funny, this series is world history like you’ve never seen it before!

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/hetalia.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the series on DVD in two parts starting in late 2010.

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires The Sacred Blacksmith

Flower Mound, Texas (January 08, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 12 episode action anime series “The Sacred Blacksmith” from Media Factory.

Based on the popular Japanese light novel series by Isao Miura, the anime is directed by super star director Masamitsu Hidaka (“Pokemon” series and movies, “Linebarrels of Iron”).

About The Sacred Blacksmith
Cecily Campbell is making her family proud. She is taking up the family business by becoming the newest Knight Guard of the Independent Trade City of Housman. The only problem is that she is not very good at her new job. Fortunately for her, Luke, the sacred blacksmith, is on her side. Luke has the power to forge powerful swords capable of defeating the demons that plague the land.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/sacredblacksmith .

FUNimation Entertainment will release the entire series on DVD in one set in Fall 2010.

Friday, January 8, 2010

ANIPLEX'S SO-RA-NO-WO-TO COMING TO CRUNCHYROLL

San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan (January 8, 2009) ‹ Crunchyroll and Aniplex announced today the addition of SO-RA-NO-WO-TO to Crunchyroll's Winter 2010 Anime Lineup. Developed and animated in-house by Aniplex's subsidiary studio, A-1 Pictures, SO-RA-NO-WO-TO is directed by rising star Mamoru Kanbe and features voice-acting newcomer Juri Aikawa in the lead role of Kanata Sorami. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/soranowoto.

For many years, Aniplex has had one of the keenest senses of what will be successful in the entire Japanese animation business, states Crunchyroll Vice President of Licensing, Rob Pereyda, with SO-RA-NO-WO-TO, we first congratulate them on their achievement and then look forward to its highly anticipated release on Crunchyroll.

With the commencement of Aniplex, A-1 Pictures, and TV Tokyo's ANIME-NO-CHIKARA (The Power of Anime) project aimed at cultivating original animation, we are pleased to present SO-RA-NO-WO-TO as its inaugural series, states Hideki Goto, Executive Vice President at Aniplex. We are excited that Crunchyroll can be a part of this historic event.

SO-RA-NO-WO-TO will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, in standard definition free of charge to all visitors of Crunchyroll's website and across the Crunchyroll network one week after airing in Japan. Crunchyroll's Anime Members and All-Access Members will receive early access to the program in 480P within one hour after its Japanese airing.

SO-RA-NO-WO-TO joins hundreds of other Japanese anime and Chinese and Korean live-action drama series in one of the largest English-subtitled streaming collections of officially-licensed East Asian content in the world.

All fans can enjoy all content on the site for free, but Crunchyroll Anime Members benefits include higher quality streams of all shows (in some cases at 720p High Definition Video) with no advertisement and early access to all simulcast shows as early as one (1) hour after its Japan Broadcast. Crunchyroll Anime Membership costs as little as $5 a month and goes directly towards supporting Japan Animation companies. More information, including a two week free trial membership can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/freetrial

Thursday, January 7, 2010

STARCHILD AND CRUNCHYROLL ANNOUNCE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HANAMARU KINDERGARTEN

Seiji Mizushima's Adaptation of Yuto's Manga Series Coming to Crunchyroll starting January 10th

San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan (January 7, 2009) ‹ Crunchyroll and StarChild announces today the addition of HANAMARU KINDERGARTEN to Crunchyroll's Winter 2010 Anime Lineup. Adapted from the hit manga series created by Yuto and published by Square Enix's YOUNG GANGAN, HANAMARU KINDERGARTEN comes to life via the legendary anime studio GAINAX and critically acclaimed anime director Seiji Mizushima. Voice talent includes a lead cast of of fan favorites Ayahi Takagi, Kei Shindou, and Mako in the roles of Hiiragi, Anzu and Koume. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/hanamaru.

This title is a dream for Crunchyroll to have, states Crunchyroll Vice President of Licensing, Rob Pereyda, with one of the foremost anime studios in all of Japan in GAINAX and the hottest anime director in Seiji Mizushima, anime fans around the world are in for a real treat.

HANAMARU KINDERGARTEN will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in standard definition free of charge to all visitors of Crunchyroll's website and across the Crunchyroll network one week after airing in Japan. Crunchyroll's Anime Members and All-Access Members will receive early access to the program in 480P within one hour after its Japanese airing.

HANAMARU KINDERGARTEN joins hundreds of other Japanese anime and Chinese and Korean live-action drama series in one of the largest English-subtitled streaming collections of officially-licensed East Asian content in the world.

All fans can enjoy all content on the site for free, but Crunchyroll Anime Members benefits include higher quality streams of all shows (in some cases at 720p High Definition Video) with no advertisement and early access to all simulcast shows as early as one (1) hour after its Japan Broadcast. Crunchyroll Anime Membership costs as little as $5 a month and goes directly towards supporting Japan Animation companies. More information, including a two week free trial membership can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/freetrial.

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Master of Martial Hearts

Flower Mound, Texas (January 7, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, merchandise, and digital rights to the five episode action anime series “Master of Martial Hearts” from Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Known as “Zettai Shougeki ~Platonic Heart~” in its native Japan, “Master of Martial Hearts” is based on the video game of the same name. The anime is directed by Yoshitaka Fujimoto (“Girl’s High”).

About Master of Martial Hearts

Schoolgirl Aya Iseshima is in over her head. Because of unfortunate circumstances, she finds herself as a registered fighter in a royal tournament. It is not all bad news though. The tournament’s grand prize is the sacred Platonic Heart, a jewel that grants one wish for the girl who possesses it. Now Aya must fight her way to the top to win her special wish.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/martialhearts .

FUNimation Entertainment will release the entire series in one DVD set in Spring 2011.

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.

FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES “JYUSHIN ENBU HERO TALES” FROM MEDIA FACTORY

Flower Mound, Texas (January 07, 2009) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 26 episode action anime series “Jyushin Enbu Hero Tales” Media Factory, Inc.

“Jyushin Enbu Hero Tales” is directed by Osamu Sekita (“Mobile Suit Gundam”). The anime was originally released as a manga written and drawn by Hiromu Arakawa (“Fullmetal Alchemist” TV series) in 2007.

About Jyushin Enbu Hero Tales

Prophesied as the reincarnation of a powerful star, Taitou is unaware of the immense power he welds. After a mysterious man steals a legendary sword, the young man sets out on a journey to recover the weapon. Joined by his two friends, Taitou searches not only for the missing relic, but also for his true destiny.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/herotales .

FUNimation Entertainment will release the series on DVD in half season sets in Fall 2010.

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

CRUNCHYROLL AND ANIPLEX BRING SOME DURARARA!! ACTION

Baccano! Creator Ryohgo Narita's Next Big Hit Coming to Crunchyroll Starting January 8th

San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan (January 6, 2009) ‹ Crunchyroll and Aniplex announced today the addition of DURARARA!! to Crunchyroll's Winter 2010 Anime Lineup. Based on characters created by Ryohgo Narita (Baccano!) and featuring original character designs by Suzuhito Yasuda (Kamisama Kazoku, Yozakura Quartet), DURARARA!! is animated by the perrenial hit-maker Brains Base. Series features the voice of Toshiyuki Toyonaga in the lead role of Mikado Ryugamine. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/durarara.

DURARARA!! is the most anticipated new anime title of the winter season, states Crunchyroll Vice President of Licensing, Rob Pereyda, we are extremely honored that Aniplex is working with Crunchyroll to bring this superb series to anime fans.

DURARARA!! will be available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, in standard definition free of charge to all visitors of Crunchyroll's website and across the Crunchyroll network one week after airing in Japan. Crunchyroll's Anime Members and All-Access Members will receive early access to the program in 480P within one hour after its Japanese airing every Saturday JST.

DURARARA!! joins hundreds of other Japanese anime and Chinese and Korean live-action drama series in one of the largest English-subtitled streaming collections of officially-licensed East Asian content in the world.

The 2010 Roll-Out Riot, Day 3 - FUNimation Entertainment Acquires FLCL

Flower Mound, Texas (January 6, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment and digital rights to the six OVA sci-fi comedy anime series “FLCL” from Production I.G.

“FLCL” is the hugely popular OVA series from powerhouse partners Production I.G. (“The Ghosts in the Shell,” “Tsubasa”), Gainax (“Evangelion” series), and Starchild (“The Slayers” movies). It is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki.

ABOUT FLCL

Bored with his mundane middle school life, Naota longed for a change from his daily grind. However his life completely changes after a pink haired stranger on a Vespa runs him over. Weird things happen when he is around the mysterious girl known as Haruko. Now not only must Naota deal with regular teenage troubles, but also with this new enigmatic woman.

FUNimation Entertainment will release all six OVA’S on one DVD set and on Blu-ray disc in late 2010.

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES “ROBOGEISHA” FROM T.O. ENTERTAINMENT

Flower Mound, Texas (January 5, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home video, broadcast and digital rights to the live-action splatter comedy “RoboGeisha ” from T.O. Entertainment.

Produced by RoboGeisha Film Partners (T.O Entertainment, Inc., Pony Canyon, Inc., Movie Gate Co., Ltd., Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.), “RoboGeisha” was released in Japanese theatres in October 2009. Written and directed by Noboru Iguchi (“Machine Girl”), “RoboGeisha” stars Aya Kiguchi, Hitomi Hasegawa, Takumi Saito, Naoto Takenaka, Matsuo Suzuki, Etsuko Ikuta and Asami Kumakiri.

About RoboGeisha

Yoshie is the younger sister and attendant of a geisha . One day, the sisters are invited to a dinner party by a customer, the son of the president of Kageno Iron Corporation. They are kidnapped and then trained to be assassins by the company president. Yoshie, who shows promise as an assassin, then begins to doubt the motives of the group.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/robogeisha

ABOUT T.O. ENTERTAINMENT
Since its inception in 2003, T.O. Entertainment has maintained a very internationally oriented focus, with branch offices located in South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. The company has introduced multiple anime series (“Straight Jacket”, “Polyphonica”, etc) and full-length films (“King Of Tokyo”, “EggMan”, “RoboGeisha”, etc) with the goal of introducing Japanese entertainment to the rest of the world.

FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES “KAMUI GAIDEN” FROM SHOCHIKU

Flower Mound, Texas (January 5, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home video, broadcast and theatrical rights to the live-action dramatic epic “Kamui ” from Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Produced by Shochiku Co. Ltd., Japan’s leading studio, “Kamui“ was released as “Kamui Gaiden” in September 2009 in Japan. An adaptation of Sanpei Shirato’s 1965 manga series of the same name, the movie is directed by Japanese Academy Award winner Yoichi Sai (“Chi to Hone”), written by Kankuro Kudo (“Ping Pong”) and stars Kenichi Matsuyama (“Detroit Metal City”, “Death Note”).

About Kamui Gaiden

It is 17th century Japan and Kamui is a Fugitive Ninja on the run. He despises the lethal laws of the Ninja where he must use his skills to kill others, and is in search for true freedom. However, he is now hunted by his fellow ninjas as they must eliminate him for his betrayal. In order to live, he must constantly fight for his life and distrust others. An incident brings him to a fisherman's family, where he finally starts to open up to other people. Meanwhile, those hunting him are setting their trap.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/kamui.

About Shochiku
Founded in 1895, Shochiku has established itself as a leading entertainment firm. Shochiku produces, distributes, and exhibits motion pictures as well as TV programs and has also become a symbol of enduring tradition as the exclusive promoter of kabuki theater in Japan. Recent movie productions include "Departures", which was awarded for 81st Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film. Shochiku's animation lineup includes "VEXILLE", "Summer Days with Coo", "Sketchbook", "Le Chevalier D'Eon", "Sengoku Basara" and more.

Monday, January 4, 2010

FUNimation Entertainment To Distribute Select Titles From Famed Shaw Brothers Film Library

Flower Mound, TX – January 4, 2010 – FUNimation® Entertainment announced today that it now has U.S. home video distribution rights to 15 live action films from Celestial Filmed Entertainment, Inc.®’s expansive film collection featuring films by those known as “the Kung Fu masters”: the Shaw Brothers

Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has the world’s largest Chinese-language film collection including 760 films produced from the 1950s to the 1990s by the Shaw Brothers Studio founded by Sir Run Run Shaw and Runme Shaw in 1958.

Until Celestial Pictures began digitally restoring the films from their original negatives in 2002, few titles from the Shaw Brothers film archive had previously appeared since their original cinema release.

The Shaw films represent all genres, including kung fu, action, social satire, situation comedies, historical epics, horror and suspense, among others.

FUNimation will release “Sword of Swords”, “The Duel”, “The Lady Hermit” , “The 14 Amazons”, “Shaolin Hand Lock”, “Invincible Shaolin”, “Soul of the Sword”, “Life Gamble”, “Shaolin Rescuers”, “Shaolin Prince”, “Bastard Swordsman”, “Opium and The Kung Fu Master”, “The Supreme Swordsman”, “Return of Bastard Swordsman” and “Hong Kong Godfather”.

Watch the trailer to "The Hong Kong Connection" right here:




FUNimation Entertainment is bringing these films to DVD in 2010 and 2011.


About Celestial Pictures

In the year 2000, Celestial Pictures was established to acquire the Shaw Brothers film library. At present, Celestial Pictures is involved in the production of new movies and television programming (primarily in the Chinese, Korean, Indian and Bahasa languages). With its unique film library, distribution capability, and new productions, Celestial Pictures is already one of Asia's leading motion pictures studios. Celestial Pictures also manages the first global Chinese movie channel aimed at Chinese audiences and Chinese movie lovers across the globe. Other TV channels are also being developed.

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.

APPLIYA ANNOUNCES A PARTNERSHIP WITH FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING ANIME APPS TO THE iPHONE AND iPOD TOUCH

Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 2009 ­- Appliya Inc., a leading Japanese iPhone app publisher, is proud to announce a partnership with FUNimation Entertainment to create iPhone and iPod Touch apps for anime fans across North America. The first app in the series is Fullmetal Alchemist: State Alchemy Exam, which is now available exclusively on the iTunes App Store.

The State Alchemy Exam app features 130 questions that quiz your knowledge of physics, chemistry, and the events and characters of the original Fullmetal Alchemist TV series—one of the world’s most popular anime. Being an anime expert won't be enough to master this challenge; you'll need good knowledge of the fundamentals of science to earn the prestigious title of Alchemy Sage.

Fullmetal Alchemist: State Alchemy Exam
Application for: iPhone, iPod Touch
Price: $1.99

App Features:

· Beautiful art taken directly from the series, including rarely seen concept art
· Each exam question has a time limit, so players will have to think fast
· 12 reward wallpapers specially designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch
· Unlock certificates to mark your progress, and earn the title of “State Alchemist”
· Social networking features that let you post your best scores and achievements to compete with other players for bragging rights, or share your progress with friends on Facebook or Twitter
· More questions will be added via updates to give players new challenges

FUNimation and Appliya are planning many more exciting app releases for anime fans, including a Fullmetal Alchemist action game, apps based on the hilarious antics of comedy anime Shin chan, and apps featuring the highly popular Afro Samurai anime series, which aired exclusively on North American cable network Spike TV, featured the voice of Samuel L. Jackson, and was ranked as the best-selling North American anime DVD of 2007.

CHU-BRA COMING TO CRUNCHYROLL COURTESY OF STARCHILD

Adaptation of Yumi Nakata's Manga Series Coming to Crunchyroll Starting January 4th

San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan (January 4, 2009) ‹ Crunchyroll and StarChild announced today the addition of CHU-BRA!! to Crunchyroll's Winter 2010 Anime Lineup. Adapted from the oft-talked about manga series created by Yumi Nakata and published in Futabasha's COMIC HIGH! and animated by ZEXCS, CHU-BRA!! features Minako Kotobuki, Minori Chihara, and Sayuri Yahagi in the lead roles of Yako, Nayu, and Haruka. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/chubra.

CHU-BRA!! continues our long-lasting relationship with StarChild and looks to fit well into one of Crunchyroll's audience segments, the moe fan, said Rob Pereyda, Crunchyroll's Vice President of Licensing. We anticipate its success.

CHU-BRA!! will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in standard definition free of charge to all visitors of Crunchyroll's website and across the Crunchyroll network one week after airing in Japan. Crunchyroll's Anime Members and All-Access Members will receive early access to the program in 480P within one hour after its Japanese airing.

CHU-BRA!! joins hundreds of other Japanese anime and Chinese and Korean live-action drama series in one of the largest English-subtitled streaming collections of officially-licensed East Asian content in the world.