FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aniplex of America Acquires WWW.WAGNARIA!! for their Fall Lineup

Popular Slice-of-Life Comedy to Receive Simulcast Schedule This Fall

SANTA MONICA, CA (September 29, 2016) – Aniplex of America Inc. announced today that they have acquired WWW.WAGNARIA!! for their upcoming fall season lineup. WWW.WAGNARIA!! will be simulcast on Crunchyroll (www.Crunchyroll.com) starting on October 1, 2016 at 9:00AM PDT – one hour after the broadcast in Japan. It will also be streamed on DAISUKI (www.Daisuki.net) one week after the original broadcast.

Published on Sep 29, 2016
Whether you're a newbie or a regular, we welcome you to WAGNARIA!!

Karino Takatsu's (WAGNARIA!!, ServantxService) uber-popular gag-strip currently running on her official homepage is now coming to an anime series this fall! Looks like at this sister store, the workers have even quirkier personalities! Don't miss the simulcast premiere on 10/1 on Crunchyroll!

Get details at: www.Wagnaria-www.com

Segua or Ninteldo? We're excited to be dubbing & distributing the OVA series World War Blue! #anime #dub #comingsoon #videogames

SANTA MONICA, CA (October 1, 2016) – Aniplex of America Inc. announced today at their industry panel at Anime Weekend Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) that they have acquired two new anime titles to join their upcoming fall season lineup – Occultic;Nine and March comes in like a lion. Both titles will premiere on Crunchyroll on October 8, 2016 - Occultic;Nine at 9:30AM PDT and March comes in like a lion at 10:00AM PDT– within hours of the original broadcasts in Japan. Additional broadcast platforms for both titles will be announced at a later date. Occultic;Nine and March comes in like a lion join WWW.WAGNARIA!! to round out Aniplex of America’s fall simulcast lineup.

HOUSTON, OCTOBER 4, 2016 – Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce its acquisition of the Squid Girl franchise for North America. Sentai’s acquisition will extend availability of the series, including seasons one, two, and the OVA’s to home video, television, and select digital outlets.

The cutest little tentacle-haired invader from the sea, Squid Girl, has come to subdue humanity! Unfortunately, she’s in hot water with the Aizawa siblings after a demonstration of her squid powers destroys their restaurant, the Lemon Beach House. Now, she’s forced to work as a waitress for them until she pays off her damages. Between her aquatic puns, bickering with the Aizawa sisters, tiffs with customers, and the many misadventures that come with seaside life, Squid Girl has her hands, and her tentacles, full!

The original manga series by Masahiro Anbe was serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion for nearly a decade from 2007 to 2016. Tsutomu Mizushima (Girls und Panzer, SHIROBAKO) directed the animated series, with series composition by Michiko Yokote (RIN-NE, SHIROBAKO). Animation production was handled by diomedéa (Gingitsune).

Languages
Presented in English Dub.

FLOWER MOUND, TX – October 5, 2016. Anime and “One Piece” fans across North America were thrilled today upon hearing the news that Funimation® Films has acquired the highly-anticipated, Japanese animated film “One Piece Film: Gold” from Toei Animation. The film, from Eiichiro Oda, original creator and executive producer of the “One Piece” anime series, is the 13th film in the franchise and the first since 2012. “One Piece Film: Gold” has been a smash hit in Japan and has grossed more than $47.8 million at the box office – making it the biggest ‘One Piece’ movie ever and the 6th highest grossing film of the year. Funimation Films will distribute the movie in both the U.S. and Canada as a limited theatrical event from January 10 – 17, 2017. Ticket sales will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Fans have been clamoring for news on ‘One Piece Film: Gold’ and we’re excited to announce that we’ll be bringing this blockbuster movie to U.S. and Canadian audiences,“ said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of Funimation. “We’re confident that this film will create a new generation of fans for the franchise as well as grow the audience for its animated series.”

“One Piece Film: Gold” premiered this past summer in Japan on July 23, 2016, and grossed $10.9 million during its opening weekend with 821,100 tickets sold. The film has been well received by both fans and the media. Otaku USA Magazine praised it saying, “Gold manages to accomplish the goals of any good summer popcorn flick, filling its two-hour runtime with laughs and large-scale action set pieces.”

“’One Piece Film: Gold’ is a new milestone for the world-wide phenomena that is ‘One Piece,’” said Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation. “We’re pleased to add this film to our long history with the ‘One Piece’ franchise. Fans will not be disappointed when they see it in theaters.”

Synopsis

The Straw Hat pirates are hitting the big screen once again in an all-new high-flying adventure! The popular series that has captivated fans all over the world unfolds a new saga in the highly anticipated movie, “One Piece Film: Gold.”

The glittering Gran Tesoro, a city of entertainment beyond the laws of the government, is a sanctuary for the world’s most infamous pirates, Marines, and filthy rich millionaires. Drawn by dreams of hitting the jackpot, Captain Luffy and his crew sail straight for the gold. But behind the gilded curtains lies a powerful king whose deep pockets and deeper ambitions spell disaster for the Straw Hats and the New World alike.

For future news and information on “One Piece Film: Gold,” please register for email updates at funimationfilms.com.

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/funimation and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/funimation and on Instagram at instagram.com/funimation.

HOUSTON, OCTOBER 7, 2016 – It’s time to return to Karasuno High in the exciting third season of Haikyu!! Join Hinata, Kageyama, and the rest of the team in one of the most anticipated shows of the Fall 2016 season, Haikyu!! 3rd Season: Karasuno High VS. Shiratoizawa High School.

Picking up where the second season ended, the boys prepare to finally face off for the right to represent the prefecture in the volleyball national championship. Despite being known as “The Fallen Champions,” Karasuno is determined to take down the powerhouse that is the Shiratorizawa High volleyball team. As Hinata comes closer to fulfilling his promise to defeat Ushijima’s team, will the “Flightless Crows” finally find their wings and soar above the best school in the prefecture?

Original director Susumu Mitsunaka returns to direct the third season, with Taku Kishimoto (91 Days, ERASED) once again in charge of series composition. Production I.G, the same studio responsible for Kuroko’s Basketball, Psycho-Pass, and the first two seasons of Haikyu!!, returns to produce the series.

Haikyu!! 3rd Season will be available on select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

Sentai Filmworks presents a first look at the English Dub of Girls und Panzer der Film. Panzer Vor! #gupderfilm Coming to theaters this November!

SANTA MONICA, CA (October 15, 2016) – Aniplex of America Inc. announced today that they have acquired Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga for their upcoming winter season lineup. Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga has been adapted from the Kyoto Arc of the widely popular Blue Exorcist manga series by original author Kazue Kato. The series is scheduled to run weekly in Japan starting in January 2017.

HOUSTON, October 25, 2016 – Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce the newest addition to its Fall 2016 lineup: Long Riders!

For first-year college student Ami Kurata, it was love at first sight when she laid her eyes on a folding bike. She saves up money to buy one of her own, then pedals right into the exciting world of long-distance bicycling. After forming a cycling team on campus, Ami and her four new bike mates prepare for the ride of their lives in an upcoming long-distance race.

The series was directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara (Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls), with series composition by Natsuko Takahashi (My Love Story!!, Divine Gate). Animation production was handled by Actas, the same studio responsible for the Girls und Panzer franchise.

Long Riders! will be available on select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sentai Filmworks Licenses “Magic of Stella”

HOUSTON, October 26, 2016 – Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce the addition of the slice-of-life comedy Magic of Stella to its Fall 2016 lineup.

Based on the four-panel manga serialized in Manga Time Kirara Max, the series follows first-year high school student Tamaki Honda and her SNS club as they work together to create a self-published game. With Tamaki as the project’s illustrator, she works alongside the club’s other (rather peculiar) members, including Shiina (the club president and game programmer), Ayame (the scenario writer), Kayo (their music composer), and Yumine (the club’s boys’ love expert).

The series was directed by Shinya Kawatsura (Tanaka-kun is Always Listless, Non Non Biyori) with series composition by Fumihiko Shimo (Myriad Colors Phantom World, Infinite Stratos, New Game!). Animation production was helmed by SILVER LINK, the same studio responsible for favorites like Chivalry of a Failed Knight, WATAMOTE, and Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya.

Magic of Stella will be available on select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

Happy Halloween! No tricks here, just a treat.
#LupinPart4 coming to home video in 2017, both subtitled and English-dubbed!

"Happy Halloween! No tricks here, just a treat.
#LupinPart4 coming to home video in 2017, both subtitled and English-dubbed!"

#LupinPart4 will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Specifics about timing and formats will be announced in the coming months.

We will be releasing all 26 episodes of #LupinPart4

Further specifications and release details will be revealed at a later time.

The new "blue jacket" dub was dir'd by @RichardEpcar & @ellynstern and stars classic PART II voices @TonyOliverVA,@LexLang,@MichelleRuffvo1!

For those wondering who is voicing Zenigata in #LupinPart4, it's the talented Doug Erholtz, following in Jake Martin's PART II footsteps.

Y'all have no clue how long we've wanted to talk about this. (Yes, it's a extra) #LupinPart4 @RichardEpcar @ellynstern @discotekmedia

MAKOTO SHINKAI’S “YOUR NAME.” MAKES OFFICIAL CONSIDERATION LIST FOR 89TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS
Posted by Funimation on 11/07/2016 at 11:30am

Japanese Film Pursuing Oscar Nomination for Best Animated Feature
FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS – November 7, 2016. Funimation® Films confirmed today that the Japanese film “Your Name.” has made the official Oscar consideration list in the Best Animated Feature category. The film will be vying for one of five nomination spots in its category that will be voted on for the 89th annual Academy Awards. Funimation Films acquired North American distributions rights to “Your Name.” earlier this year from Toho Co. Ltd. in Japan. “Your Name.” (“Kimi no Na wa.” in Japanese) is the latest film from the critically acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai and to date has earned in excess of $17.9 Billion Yen (~$170 Million USD) at the box office in Japan since opening on August 26, 2016 – making it the #1 highest grossing film of 2016. It has the singular distinction of being the first anime film to gross more than $10 Billion Yen (~$96 Million USD) at the Japanese box office that was not directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the world’s most prominent anime director. “Your Name.” has already surpassed Miyazaki’s last two films “Ponyo” (2008) and “The Wind Rises” (2013) and is currently ranked as the #7 highest grossing film of all time in Japan.

“We’re thrilled to have ‘Your Name.’ on the list of contenders for a Best Animated Feature nomination,” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. “It is a masterpiece of animation from director Makoto Shinkai and is definitely worthy of Oscar consideration. We look forward to releasing it in theaters in 2017.”

“’Your Name.’ offers stunning animation, rich characters and a storyline that will tear at your heart strings — so it is no surprise it has been so well received by audiences,” said Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation. “We’re incredibly excited to bring this Oscar-worthy film from Makoto Shinkai to audiences across the U.S. and Canada.”

“Your Name.” is a beautiful story about time, fate and the hearts of two young souls. The day the stars fell, two lives changed forever. High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers, living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly and the two must adjust their lives around each other. Yet somehow, it works. They build a connection and communicate by leaving notes, messages, and more importantly, an imprint. Tugging at the string of fate, they try to find a way to each other. But distance isn’t the only thing keeping them apart. Is their bond strong enough to face the cruel irony of time? Or is their meeting nothing more than a wish upon the stars?

The film’s qualifying run will take place in Los Angeles on December 2 – 8 at the Laemmle Music Hall. Look for “Your Name.” in select theaters nationwide in early 2017.

For more information about “Your Name.” visit the official movie website here.

“DRAGON BALL SUPER” SUBTITLED EPISODES BEGIN STREAMING TODAY ON FUNIMATIONNOW WITH NEW SIMULCAST EPISODES STARTING NOVEMBER 5, 2016
Posted by Funimation on 11/04/2016 at 11:15am

Funimation to Produce English Dub of New Series

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 4, 2016. Building upon their more than 20-year association with the Dragon Ball franchise, Funimation® Entertainment and Toei Animation Inc. have expanded their partnership to include “Dragon Ball Super” – the first new storyline from original creator Akira Toriyama in more than 18 years. Encompassing streaming, digital download and home video distribution, their multi-year agreement will introduce “Dragon Ball Super” throughout the USA & Canada. In addition, the partnership also covers broadcast and merchandising opportunities for “Dragon Ball Super” as well. Fans can immediately begin watching current subtitled episodes of “Dragon Ball Super” (episodes 1 – 10 and 47 – 64) on FunimationNow followed by new simulcast episodes which will begin with episode 65 this Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 8:30 p.m. CT. Episodes 11 – 46 will be available on FunimationNow once subtitling has been completed. In conjunction with the agreement, production will begin on an English dub of the “Dragon Ball Super” series, with broadcast and casting details to follow.

“We are thrilled to continue our great partnership with Toei Animation’” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. “Like with the recent blockbuster Dragon Ball Z movies, having original creator Akira Toriyama passionately involved in ‘Dragon Ball Super’ is so wonderful to see and for fans to experience.”

““We are delighted to introduce ‘Dragon Ball Super’ to a fantastic audience together with Funimation” said Masayuki Endo, President of Toei Animation Inc. “’Dragon Ball Super’ encompasses everything fans love about Dragon Ball, while talking the mythology to a whole new level. Toei’s team of talented animators and creators have put their passion and imagination into this series.”

https://youtu.be/nZKs2Sbx4iM

Mobile Suit Gundam Igloo - we've had a lot of questions about this since the announcement this weekend and we can tell you're excited! So to answer everyone in on easy swoop: Why yes, we have we have it all: Hidden One Year War, Apocalypse 0079... AND GRAVITY FRONT! All in one set coming 2017!

Announced at Moonlight Party, Sailor Moon R THE MOVIE is coming to theaters this January featuring an all-new HD remaster!

SANTA MONICA, CA (November 11, 2016) – Aniplex of America Inc. announced today that they will be hosting the North American premiere of the highly anticipated feature film Sword Art Online the Movie -Ordinal Scale-. The premiere will take place at the historic Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 1, 2017. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase on the official website (www.sao-movie.net/us) starting next Tuesday, November 15, at 12PM (PST). Aniplex of America has also announced their plan to release Sword Art Online the Movie -Ordinal Scale- in theaters nationwide following the premiere event. Details on theater locations and tickets for the nationwide release will be announced at a later date. Sword Art Online the Movie -Ordinal Scale- will be distributed by ELEVEN ARTS in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles.

San Francisco, CA, November 14, 2016 – Toei Animation Inc. and VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, teams with Los Angeles-based film distribution company, ELEVEN ARTS, to present the U.S. premiere of SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE in a series of special limited engagements in late January at more than 300 theaters across the U.S.

The exclusive event also features the North American theatrical debut of the original SAILOR MOON short, MAKE UP! SAILOR GUARDIANS.

Screenings will be offered English dubbed, with select screenings in Japanese with English subtitles (please check theaters for info). A special SAILOR MOON bonus gift will be given to ticket holders at the screenings while supplies last. A comprehensive list of participating theater locations and advance ticket purchase will be listed soon at www.elevenarts.net and https://www.viz.com/blog/posts/sailor-moon- r-the- movie-coming- to-theaters.

November 17, 2016

Pokémon Moves to Disney XD with a Big Movie Debut

Watch an epic marathon featuring Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel on December 5, and get a sneak peek of the new Pokémon season.

Don't miss an awesome marathon of Pokémon animation on Monday, December 5, when Pokémon the Series begins its move to its new home on Disney XD. The marathon kicks off with the debut of Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel. In this stunning movie, Ash and the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion must join together for a mission to rescue Magearna from a foe who wants to use Magearna's mysterious power to take control of the kingdom!

The marathon continues with a sneak peek at Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, the next exciting season of Pokémon animation coming to Disney XD next year. Watch Ash and friends take their first steps into the Alola region in the first two episodes of the upcoming season.

On the same day, head to Pokemon.com for the first chance to get the Mythical Pokémon Magearna, one of the stars of the new movie. Players who have already finished their Alola adventure can scan a QR Code to unlock the Pokémon in their Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon game with the new QR Scanner feature.

Be sure to check your local TV listings to find the correct channel and time for all these exciting Pokémon animated adventures in your area. And keep checking Pokemon.com for more information on the move to Disney XD and Ash's next adventures.