Flame of Recca complete TV series collection episodes 1-42 coming in 2015! The English dub and the Japanese language with English subs will be included.

Ceres, Celestial Legend (Ayashi no Ceres) Complete series collection coming in 2015! It will include the English dub along with the Japanese language and English subtitles.

FUNimation Acquires Animated Feature BAYONETTA: Bloody Fate
Posted by Michelle on 06/18/2014 at 2:45pm

Flower Mound, Texas (June 18, 2014) – FUNimation® Entertainment announced today it has acquired U.S. & Canadian rights to the full-length feature film BAYONETTA: Bloody Fate. From the team that brought you the Emmy nominated AFRO SAMURAI RESURRECTION, studio GONZO and internationally acclaimed director Fuminori Kizaki have come together once again to create this feature-length animated film based on the hugely popular video game franchise “BAYONETTA.” The film faithfully captures the extreme action and sexiness of the original, crafting a storyline that expands and further establishes the world of the sexy, shape shifting witch, Bayonetta.

Director Fuminori Kizaki will be making an appearance as a guest of honor at this year’s Anime Expo in Los Angeles, July 3-6 where a “sneak peek” of the English dub of BAYONETTA: Bloody Fate will be shown for fans at the convention, along with a special Q&A with Director Kizaki following on Saturday, July 5th, at 8:15pm in Video 1.

Fuminori Kizaki started his career in the animation industry at Studio Giants and, soon after, joined Studio Hercules. After he moved to Gonzo, Kizaki directed “AFRO SAMURAI” which found success in the worldwide market. The sequel, “AFRO SAMURAI RESURRECTION”, was nominated for the Outstanding Animated Program (for programming one hour or more) at the 61st Emmy Awards. His latest work is X-MEN (animated TV series, director). FUNimation plans to release the film on Blu-ray and DVD later this year and Nintendo announced earlier this month at E3 that Platinum Games will be releasing the BAYONETTA 2 video game exclusively for the Nintendo Wii U this October.

Be sure to ‘Like’ FUNimation’s official BAYONETTA: Bloody Fate Facebook page for all the latest news and details regarding the film and cast: https://www.facebook.com/BayonettaMovie

It’s Gonna be a Hot, Hot Summer!
Posted by Michelle on 06/27/2014 at 3:00pm

FUNimation is proud to announce the acquisition of Free! -Eternal Summer-, the continuation of the hit swimming anime that made waves across the Internet! Not only will we be simulcasting the series as part of our summer season, we’ve also acquired home video rights! Yes, you read that right— Free! -Eternal Summer- will be coming to home video in North America.

Episode one will premiere this coming Wednesday, July 2, at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (that’s 10:30 CDT and 8:30 PDT), with new episodes every Wednesday following at the same time.

Never miss a moment of Free! -Eternal Summer-. Subscribe now at funimation.com/subscribe

Watch all your summer simulcast season shows now on your Xbox 360 with the new FUNimation Xbox app!

synopsis:

The boys of summer are back! Haru, Makoto, Nagisa, Rei, and Rin are reunited for a second season in Free! -Eternal Summer-. After the last swim meet, the bonds of friendship have only gotten stronger, and with each passing day these boys continue to grow. This summer brings new rivals and new challenges. So get ready, the competition is about to get fierce!

Free! –Eternal Summer- reunites the boys of the Iwatobi and Samezuka Swim Clubs, along with newcomer Sosuke Yamazaki, Rin’s childhood friend! The season features the voice talents of:

Character Voice Actor
Haruka Nanase Nobunaga Shimazaki (Kuroko’s Basketball, Say I Love You)
Makoto Tachibana Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Uta no Prince-sama, Beyond the Boundary, Say I Love You)
Nagisa Hazuki Tsubasa Yonaga (Big Windup, Yowamushi Pedal)
Rei Ryugazaki Daisuke Hirakawa (Brothers Conflict, Diabolik Lovers)
Rin Matsuoka Mamoru Miyano (Ouran High School Host Club, Uta no Prince-sama)
Sosuke Yamazaki Yoshimasa Hosoya (Brothers Conflict, Robotics;Notes, Haikyu!!)

We know plenty of you are just as excited as we are about this new series— and we want to hear about it! We’re hoping to compile a ton of comments about what you, the fans, are most excited about for Free! -Eternal Summer-, from all across the internet. Reply on our Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or blog with why YOU love Free! and what you’re looking forward to in this season. We’ll share your answers across our social media and spread the love!

FUNimation acquires rights for SHONEN HOLLYWOOD -HOLLY STAGE FOR 49-
Posted by Michelle on 07/03/2014 at 12:02pm

FUNimation is happy to announce that we’ve acquired simulcast and home video rights for SHONEN HOLLYWOOD –HOLLY STAGE FOR 49-, the new male idol anime from the studio that brought you Diabolik Lovers!

SHONEN HOLLYWOOD will premiere on Saturday, July 5, at 1:30 PM Eastern Time (12:30 PM Central, 10:30 AM Pacific), and new episodes will follow at the same time every Saturday! Catch them on funimation.com/shonen-hollywood.

Never miss a moment of SHONEN HOLLYWOOD –HOLLY STAGE FOR 49-! Subscribe now at funimation.com/subscribe Watch all your summer simulcast season shows now on your Xbox 360 with the new FUNimation Xbox app!

Synopsis:

These boys won’t stop till they make it to the top!

Fifteen years ago, the legendary idol group Shonen Hollywood stole the hearts of thousands adoring fans. Their performance at the famous Hollywood Tokyo Theater is the stuff of legend, and now a new group of boys is determined to become the next generation of this famed super group. Ikuma, Kakeru, Shun, Kira, and Daiki will train day and night as they chase their dreams on the road to superstardom!

#vizpanel Naruto The Movie Road To Ninja is coming to select theaters across the nation

#vizpanel Naruto Spin Off! Rock Lee and His Ninja Friends is getting a dub this fall

Robotech Academy, a new Robotech series based on Carl Macek's last project at Harmony Gold


Introduction

In 1985, the animated series known as Robotech hit the airwaves in the United States and became an overnight sensation. Combining fast-paced giant robot action with some genuinely mature drama, it was a breath of fresh air for many children who had gotten tired of the usual cartoons on TV at the time. For many fans, it was their first exposure to Japanese anime, and is often credited with starting the anime industry in the US. It spawned over twenty novels, hundreds of comics, video games and dozens of home video releases all over the world.

Carl Macek, the producer of Robotech, was recently working with Harmony Gold on Robotech: Academy. This new series set in the Robotech universe follows several new cadets in their adventures around the universe. We are reaching out to our fans to make this a reality!


The Goals

The Robotech Academy Kickstarter will allow us to gauge how much of a new Robotech series we could actually produce based on Carl's original premise. We are setting our initial goal at $500,000 which will allow us to create an entire 24 minute pilot episode. This will help us cover character design, mecha design, 3D modeling, 3D animation, 2D animation, screenwriting, sound engineering, music composition, casting, voice acting and recording. This will also afford us a foundation on which to build future episodes.


Rewards

Thanks to new technological advances, we're able to get our fans involved in ways Carl had only dreamed about before. Back in the 90's Carl Macek mused that the internet could be used to raise funds for new shows. Now with Kickstarter we're able to offer rewards such as attending a premiere of Robotech Academy, attending recording sessions with the actors, and even having your likeness animated and appear in the final footage! For anyone who wanted to be an anime character, now's your chance!

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/...jpg?1404472776

We're looking forward to working on Robotech Academy with contributions from you, our fans!

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/...jpg?1404496455

YAKITATE!! JAPAN

Nozomi Entertainment announced its license for the comedy Yakitate!! Japan. This 69-episode TV series is based on the manga of the same name created by Takashi Hashiguchi (Combat Teacher, Super Yo-Yo) and features animation by Sunrise (Gintama, Good Luck Girl!). It aired in Japan from 2004 to 2006. Yakitate!! Japan will be released beginning in 2015 with Japanese audio, English subtitles and onscreen translations.

For more information about this series, visit comingsoon.rightstuf.com.

FANTASTIC DETECTIVE LABYRINTH

Lucky Penny Entertainment also announced the acquisition of Fantastic Detective Labyrinth (Suteki Tantei Labyrinth), the 25-episode anime which first aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from October 2007 to March 2008. The anime series is based off of the first 6 volumes of the manga of the same name created by Meito Manjo.

Fantastic Detective Labyrinth will be released on DVD in Fall 2014 as a complete series DVD set containing Japanese audio, English subtitles and on-screen translations.

For more information about this series, visit comingsoon.rightstuf.com.

SPACE PIRATE MITO

Lucky Penny Entertainment announced its license for the 26-episode television series Space Pirate Mito
(Uchu Kaizoku Mito no Daiboken). The DVD release will include both Space Pirate Mito (Season 1) and
Space Pirate Mito: A Pair of Queens (Season 2). Space Pirate Mito originally aired in Japan on TV Tokyo.
The first season aired from January to March 1999 and the second season ran from July to October
1999. This new collection features animation by Triangle Staff (Macross Plus, Serial Experiments Lain),
as well as direction by Takashi Watanabe (Boogiepop Phantom, Lost Universe).

Featuring remastered video and updated translations, Space Pirate Mito will be released on DVD in Fall
2014 with English audio (Season 1), Japanese audio, English subtitles and on-screen translations.

For more information about this series, visit comingsoon.rightstuf.com.

YONDEMASU YO, AZAZEL-SAN

The third license acquisition for Lucky Penny Entertainment is Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san, a 26-episode anime series based on the manga by Yasuhisa Kubo. The DVD release will include Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san (Season 1) and Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san Z (Season 2). This title originally aired in Japan on AT-X, with the first season airing from April to July 2011 and the second season running from March to June 2013.

Featuring animation by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Psycho-Pass), as well as direction by Tsutomu Mizushima (Girls und Panzer, Another), this supernatural comedy will be released in 2015 as a complete series DVD set with Japanese audio, English subtitles and on-screen translations.

For more information about this series, visit comingsoon.rightstuf.com.

A Certain Magical Home Video Update
Posted by Michelle on 07/05/2014 at 8:40pm

We have a certain magical home video update for you Raildex fans.

As you know, A Certain Scientific Railgun S, Part One is available now. Click here to get your copy. We’re also pleased to announce that the A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun series are coming to Blu-ray! You can expect A Certain Magical Index (Season 1) on Blu-ray/DVD Combo in late fall, and A Certain Scientific Railgun (Season 1) in winter.

Not only that, but A Certain Magical Index II, Part One will be released on Blu-ray/DVD Combo this October. Part Two and the movie, The Miracle of Endymion, will be releasing in late fall/early winter respectively.

We know that this has been something that Raildex fans have asked for for a long time, and we’re thrilled that we can finally make this happen! So, are you excited to get the franchise in HD?

Additional Simulcasts Added to FUNimation Summer 2014 Schedule
Posted by Michelle on 07/05/2014 at 9:00pm

Fresh from the FUNimation Industry panel, we have some additional simulcasts and acquisitions for you! Check out more information below.

First up, we have picked up simulcast and home video rights for the PSYCHO-PASS Extended Edition, and it will be joining our summer 20014 season. First episode will launch on Thursday 7/10 at 12:40pm CT and will stream weekly at Thursdays at 12:20pm CT on funimation.com/psycho-pass.

synopsis:

The Extended Edition of this sci-fi thriller features all new footage that takes you deeper into a world where justice is dispensed from the barrel of a gun. In the future, Detectives work in teams made up of Enforcers and Inspectors. Enforcers take out the bad guys, and Inspectors make sure their partners don’t cross the line. The equalizer in the war on thugs is the Dominator, a weapon that can tell when citizens are about to turn criminal.

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But that’s not all! We’ve also picked up the simulcast and home video rights for PSYCHO-PASS 2. Season 2 will begin streaming this fall.

synopsis:

Don’t miss this mind-blowing continuation of the futuristic sci-fi series set in a world where the cops can read your mind – and justice is dispensed from the barrel of a gun!

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But there’s more! We’ve also picked up the home video rights to the PSYCHO-PASS MOVIE! Now you can be assured of owning the entire franchise on home video! Release date TBD.

synopsis:

Psycho-Pass, the fan-favorite, futuristic sci-fi anime is now a feature length film! Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming release of this epic motion picture!

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We’re bringing the action with our next addition. We’ve acquired the simulcast and home video rights for Sengoku Basara: Judge End! The series will stream on our site Saturdays at 12:05pm CT. You can find more information on http://funimation.com/sengoku-basara-samurai-kings

synopsis:

Get ready for the hacking, slashing battle of a lifetime in the third season of the legendarily violent Sengoku Basara franchise. Based on the best-selling video games, the third installment of this action-packed anime revolves around one massive battle featuring mechanized samurai, mystical ninja, gun-toting warriors, and a blinding array of deadly special moves!

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Next up, we’ve acquired the simulcast and home video rights for Barakamon! Streaming date to be announced.

synopsis:

An aspiring artist’s world is about to be turned upside down.

Seishu exiles himself to a small island to rediscover his passion as a calligrapher after violently attacking one of his most vocal critics. While the Goto Islands appear to be a tranquil paradise on the surface, this young mapmaker soon learns that wacky neighbors and hyperactive children just might provide him the sense of humor he needs on his journey towards self-discovery.

Based on the popular manga series comes a tale of finding inspiration in the most hilarious and unlikely of places.

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Now for one hell of a final announcement! We have acquired the simulcast and home video rights for Black Butler Book of Circus! The first episode will launch on Thursday, July 10th at 2:50pm CT and will then stream weekly on Thursdays at 2:20pm CT. Black Butler Book of Circus is from the director of Bleach and Yu Yu Hakusho, and from the studio that brought you Sword Art Online and Fairy Tail.

Fans will be excited as this season marks the return to plotlines which appear in Yana Tobosco’s manga, currently being released from Yen Press. Go to funimation.com/black-butler

synopsis:

In Victorian London, the breathtaking performances of the Noah’s Ark Circus have captured the attention of people all across the city. But the spell of magic and wonderment woven under the big top is not without consequences. Children have suddenly begun to vanish, and some suspect these mysterious performers are responsible. In an attempt to get to the bottom of these disturbing disappearances, the dashing duo of demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, and his young master, Ciel Phantomhive, will infiltrate the circus and uncover whatever darkness may lie at its core!

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Here’s our simulcast schedule so far for this Summer 2014 Season! Never miss a moment, click here to subscribe today! (Times listed below are all Central Time)

Wednesdays
Free! -Eternal Summer- First episode now available – Streaming every Wednesday at 10:30am

Thursdays
Tokyo Ghoul – First episode now available – Streaming every Thursday at 11:00am
Terror in Resonance – Launches 7/10 at 12:10pm – Streaming every Thursday at 11:50am
Psycho-Pass Extended Edition – Launches 7/10 at 12:40pm – Streaming every Thursday at 12:20pm
Black Butler Book of Circus – Launches 7/10 at 2:50pm – Streaming Every Thursday at 2:20pm

Fridays
Fairy Tail – Series continuing – Streaming every Friday at 9:00pm

Saturdays
Sengoku Basara: Judge End – Streaming every Saturday at 12:05pm
Shonen Hollywood – First episode now available – Streaming every Saturday at 12:30pm

Sundays
Space Dandy – Watch tonight on Toonami! – Subtitled episodes available Sundays at 9:30am

Star Blazers 2199
The theatrical compilation film of the hit 26-episode TV series!

Showtimes:

Friday, October 24th: 4PM, 6PM, 8PM
Saturday, October 25th: 1PM, 3PM, 5PM
Sunday, October 26th: 3PM, 5PM, 9PM
Monday, October 27th: 3PM, 7PM
Tuesday, October 28th: 3PM, 5PM
Wednesday, October 29th: 6PM, 8PM
Thursday, October 30th: 5PM, 7PM

Additional Times TBA!

New movie”A Voyager to Remember” premier screening

Helloヾ(*´∇｀*)

We’ve announced at AX, New movie “A Voyager to Remember”

premier screening will start from Oct.24!!

For Details, please click the banner from top page.

http://starblazers.com

HOUSTON, 7/10/2014 – A new band of heroes will pick, shred and light fire to the threads of history for love, peace and rock n’ roll in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock-. This otherworldly rock comedy series is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki (Listen to Me, Girls. I Am Your Father!, Arc the Lad) with series composition by Mitsutaka Hirota (The Prince of Tennis II, X-Men), art direction by Tsutomu Nishikura (Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino, Inazuma Eleven) and animation production by Studio DEEN (Sakura Trick, Fate/stay night).

There was once a period in history where military government established by Tokugawa Ieyasu with his assumption of the title of Shogun ruled over Japan and its people for hundreds of years. Right around the middle of the 19th century, the dark overlords of the Late Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan with an iron fist. Because of this, the top idols in Shinsengumi are ordered to sing only Heaven's Songs to brainwash and subjugate the masses, making writing or singing any songs besides Heaven's Songs a capital offense. Enter: Sakamoto Ryoma and his Masters of the martial art OF ROCK! They must take charge as they change the old ways of a grumpy old guard while singing for what is just. While these warriors may not carry swords, they do happen to shred with an axe of the amplified sort! Get ready for a blitz of glitz and guitars as blissful cool guys sing their way into the hearts of beloved fans. Because nothing can beat the power combo of beautiful boys and rock. Join in on the revolution as Sakamoto Ryoma and his samurai rock assassins assault the status quo by bringing rock-n-roll to the people in Bakumatsu Rock!

Samurai Jam –Bakumatsu Rock- will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

FUNimation acquires rights to Tokyo ESP
Posted by Michelle on 07/11/2014 at 10:39am

FUNimation announced today that it has acquired the simulcast and home video rights for Tokyo ESP. Episode 1 of the series will be available on 7/11 at 2:05pm ET and the series will stream weekly on Fridays at the same time.

synopsis:

The girl next door is about to become so much more.

Rinka is a high school student in Tokyo trying to make ends meet while supporting herself and her father. Her ordinary life takes a turn for the extraordinary when she witnesses a penguin and a school of fish flying through the air. After catching up to one of the fish, she passes out and wakes up to find herself suddenly granted supernatural powers. With her newfound ability to walk through solid objects, Rinka is about to learn just how transparent the world can be.

From the creator of Ga-Rei-Zero comes an adventure that shows how out-of-the-ordinary abilities of high school students can send a powerful message to evildoers the world over.

Never miss a moment of Tokyo ESP! Become a member today and get first access to new episodes weekly. Click here.

HOUSTON, 7/11/2014 – All the elements will come together to create the perfect storm for one lucky lecher as he finds himself magically surrounded by the fairer sex in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Bladedance of the Elementalers. This action fantasy series is directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa (Destiny of the Shrine Maidens, High School DxD) with series composition by Takao Yoshioka (Demon King Daimao, Elfen Lied), character design by Maki Fujii (Seraphim Call, Shattered Angels) and animation production by TNK (School Days, Cosplay Complex).

The prestigious Areishia Spirit Academy has trained generation after generation of pure maidens in the art of spirit contracting. At this esteemed school, young ladies of noble birth gather to receive an education reserved for the most elite of students, and fulfill their dreams of earning the coveted position of elementalist. But this society of young elite ladies is soon turned on its head by the arrival of Kamito Kazehaya, an unintentional pervert who stumbles upon academy student Claire in the middle of her own very sacred, very nude, spirit contracting ritual! Not only does Kamito get an eyeful, but an earful as well when he finds out that he’s unintentionally stolen the spirit Claire was trying to contract, leading to a very startling revelation: not only is Kamito an elementalist, but he’s the only male elementalist in the world! Now, forced to enroll in the all-girl Areishia Academy, Kamito’s about to learn more than he bargained for about magic and the opposite sex. And with this many ladies around, things are sure to get feisty!

Bladedance of the Elementalers will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

- Any chance you are dubbing and releasing Coppelion on home video soon?

- We haven't finalized a date yet, but it is coming. For now, you can expect it around the beginning of 2015.

HOUSTON, July 25, 2014 – Big things come in small packages, but no one expected anything quite like Momo in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Momokyun Sword. This comedy adventure series is directed by Shinsuke Yanagi (A Certain Scientific Railgun, Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS) with series composition by Tsuyoshi Tamai (Ladies Vs. Butlers!, Strike Witches), art direction by Chikako Shibata (Azumanga Daioh, KINMOZA!) and animation production by Project No. 9 (Ro-Kyu-Bu!) and Tri-Slash (Yowamushi Pedal).

It was written in the stars the day Momoko came down the river, floating inside a giant peach found by an old childless couple. Although her fate might not yet be known to her, she was brought to this village to defend it. Now that she is all grown up, Momoko is prepared to fight. And while she might not be the sharpest sword in the sheath… what she lacks in smarts, she makes up for with her unwavering determination! Evil lurks in the distance as an army of ogres are planning to invade. Along with her talking pet dog, monkey, and peasant – who just happen to also be gods – Momoko must protect and recover the Michimi Peach Fragments that are scattered all over Japan before its pieces fall into the wrong hands. Fragments of a holy peach of incredible powers, these powers could be harnessed and used for evil - - and exactly why the army of ogres are coming to invade. Luckily for our she-ro, Momoko has teamed up with a bevy of beauties that call themselves the Celestial Maiden Squad. Maron, Suika, Ringo, and Karin, too, have a bone to pick with the menacing monsters. Together, the girls join forces as loli-warriors in order to stop the pillaging. Will they have what it takes? And will Momoko get the “on the job” training she needs, or fail in the process? Either way… prepare for a battle like no other as beautiful babes must battle in a Feudal Japan fantasy world in MOMOKYUN SWORD!

Momokyun Sword will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

HOUSTON, July 25, 2014 – Tales of unrequited love are as old as time itself, but there’s never been a tale drawn out quite like this in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun. This romantic comedy series is directed by Mitsue Yamazaki (Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East, Kampfer) with series composition by Yoshiko Nakamura (Hiiro no Kakera – The Tamayori Princess Saga, Junjo Romantica), art direction by Jirou Kouno (AMNESIA, Sacred Seven) and animation production by Dogakobo (Majestic Prince, Natsuyuki Rendezvous).

Love is the spirit that motivates an artist’s journey. Or, rather, it can and should be. Of course, for mangaka artist Nozaki… he’s clueless when it comes to those special feelings of love coming from his own classmate. It’s the age-old tale: the girl’s into a guy that barely knows they exist. And it’s no different for Sakura. While all she can think about is him, all he cares about is the publication deadline looming over his head. Unfortunately, this all came about because Sakura didn’t share her true feelings with Nozaki. This all leads to a huge misunderstanding – and, as a result, Sakura becoming his assistant. Little did she know, but she now works for one of her favorite mangakas. Only she’s a he! And that’s the strange part; Nozaki is the creator of the popular shojo manga, Let's Have a Romance!,under the alias of Yumeno Sakiko. So, how could such a stubborn numbskull such as Nozaki be so in touch with a girl’s wants and needs to create such inspiring stories that Sakura loves? And will she spoil their working relationship to finally admit how she really feels about him? Time can only tell as this rom-com tale unfolds in MONTHLY GIRLS’ NOZAKI-KUN!

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

FUNimation Acquires Black Butler Book of Murder OVA Series
Posted by Michelle on 08/09/2014 at 3:00pm

Flower Mound, Texas (8/9) – FUNimation Entertainment® announced today it has acquired the home entertainment, digital and broadcast rights to the OVA series Black Butler – Book of Murder.

From Studio: A-1 Pictures, the studio that brought you Blue Exorcist, Sword Art Online, Fairy Tail, and Black Butler, the series was directed by Noriyuki Abe, known for Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Black Butler – Book of Circus.

synopsis:

At the Queen’s behest, young master Ciel Phantomhive hosts a lavish banquet to be attended by the crème-de-la-crème of London’s elite. What begins as a fabulous affair quickly takes a dark turn when guests begin turning up dead! Murder takes center stage in this chilling OVA collection where even a debonair demon butler isn’t safe from a killer on the prowl. Should Sebastian and Ciel wish to once more see the light of day, they must join forces with their guests, including the legendary author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to unravel the mystery – and apprehend the murderer before it’s too late!

Be sure to watch new episodes of Black Butler – Book of Circus every Thursday at 3:20pm ET. Click here to watch episodes now.

Release Date for Cowboy Bebop
Posted by Michelle on 08/09/2014 at 3:10pm

One of the most asked questions at our booth all year now has an answer. Cowboy Bebop will be releasing on home video in December!

Fans will have four options for purchase:

o DVD standard edition
o Blu-ray standard edition
o Amazon Exclusive BD/DVD Premium Edition
o FUNimation.com Exclusive BD/DVD Premium Edition

The two Premium Editions will each feature different packaging and premium items, but their precise details will be announced later.

synopsis:
Explore the far reaches of the galaxy in this undeniably hip series that inspired a generation – and redefined anime as an indisputable art form.

The Bebop crew is just trying to make a buck. This motely lot of intergalactic loners teams up to track down fugitives and turn them in for cold hard cash. Spike is a hero whose cool façade hides a dark and deadly past. The pilot Jet is a bruiser of a brute who can’t wait to collect the next bounty. Faye Valentine is a femme fatale prone to breaking hearts and separating fools from their money. Along for the ride are the brilliant, but weird, hacker Ed and a super-genius Welsh Corgi named Ein. On their own, any one of them is likely to get lost in the sprawl of space, but together, they’re they most entertaining gang of bounty hunters in the year 2071.

Please visit funimation.com/cowboy-bebop for more information.

Home Video Announcements from Otakon
Posted by Michelle on 08/09/2014 at 3:15pm

Just announced at the FUNimation Industry Panel at Otakon, see below for a list of the latest home video acquisitions.


FUNimation has acquired the home video distribution rights for D-Frag!

synopsis:

Based on the manga released by Seven Seas.

Kenji likes to think that he and his gang of friends are the bad boys of their school. That is, until he meets the four insane girls of a game making club whose personalities are all super weird (and a little on the violent side). When Kenji’s forced to join their little group, his life quickly takes a turn for the outrageous.

Click here to watch episodes of the series available for streaming on funimation.com/d-frag.

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Based on the hit fighting game series, FUNimation has picked up home video distribution rights for BlazBlue: Alter Memory!

synopsis:

Long ago, the world was saved from a monstrous creature known as the Black Beast by a group of heroes wielding a powerful combination of magic and science. Now, a rebel named Ragna the Bloodedge–who happens to be the most wanted man on the planet–finds himself in the middle of a mysterious plot that’s somehow connected to the Black Beast’s resurrection and the possible end of the world.

Episodes of BlazBlue: Alter Memory are available streaming on funimation.com/blazblue. Click here to watch now.

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Fresh off its simulcast run, FUNimation has acquired the home video distribution rights for Riddle Story of Devil.

synopsis:

From the creator of Loveless.

Tokaku Azuma is a heartless teenage assassin on a mission of death. She’s been sent to a prestigious boarding school to compete in an assassination game against eleven other beautiful killers. Their heinous mission: send the innocent and cheerful Haru Ichinose to an early grave. But when Tokaku finds herself strangely drawn to her intended target, she must utilize her lethal skills to keep her new friend alive–and Haru must place her life in the ruthless, cold-blooded hands of the very woman sent to kill her.

Watch episodes of the series streaming on funimation.com/riddle-story-of-devil.

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Fans of action-packed fan service will be pleased to know that FUNimation has secured the home video distribution rights for Freezing Vibration!

synopsis:

The sci-fi adventure continues as Satellizer, her battle partner Kazuya, and the rest of the West Genetics High team continue training to fight invading aliens known as Nova.

The series is set to release later in 2015.

Season 1 of Freezing is now available in the Anime Classics line. Click here to order now. Watch episodes of Freezing Vibration on funimation.com/freezing.

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FUNimation has also acquired the digital, home video, and broadcast rights for the series Unbreakable Machine Doll.

synopsis:

In the mechanized city of Liverpool, a Japanese student and his beautiful female companion enter the most prestigious magic academy in the world–the place all puppeteers dream of going. There, students use automatons and living dolls to fight against each other in the quest to become the world’s best puppeteer.From the director of Queen’s Blade: the Exiled Virgin, and Queen’s Blade 2: The Evil Eye.

The series is set to release later in 2015.

Click here to watch episodes of Unbreakable Machine Doll, available for streaming on funimation.com/unbreakable-machine-doll.

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Finally, FUNimation has acquired the rights to the following titles:

- Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 1
- Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 2
- Haruhi Chan and Churuya San
- Lucky Star series + OVA
- Strike Witches movie
- Steins;Gate movie

Strike Witches Season 1 & 2, and the Steins;Gate series are currently available for sale from FUNimation. Click here to visit our Shop!

- Any possibility of a Dog & Scissors Blu-ray?

- yes soon. #NotakonSentaipanel2014

- any news on an Outbreak Company release?

- Looking like a January release. :) HEY! Someone else ask me something, impromptu Q&A times! #Notakon2014

- ONE MORE, well 2 kinda, Kyoukai No Kanata, and an update on Chuunibyou (maybe Ren too :3)? KyoAni fanboy here

- No new news on BtB retweet, Chunibyo box set coming in December. :) #notakon2014

- estimated release date for Romcom Snafu & Tamako Blurays?

- Looking like first half 2015 #notakon2014

- Just cuz you love us so much, you're the first to know that No Game, No Life will 100% have an English dub. :)

- Any updates on Space Brothers?

- we still have it. #notakon2014

- Any word on any of the rescued Sunrise titles?

- Some Sunrise titles have been entered into the production schedule. :) #notakon2014

HOUSTON, August 14, 2014 – The ladies of the Queen's Blade mythos are back and ready to blaze their own paths toward eternal glory in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Queen’s Blade: Beautiful Warriors. This 6 part OVA action series is directed by Kinji Yoshimoto (Queen’s Blade: The Exiled Virgin, Unbreakable Machine-Doll) with music production by Atsushi Yamamori (UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie, Dragonar Academy), art direction by Junichi Higashi (SaiKano, Samurai Girls) and animation production by ARMS (MAOYU, Mezzo).

The tournament may be over, but the paths of your favorite characters of the Queen's Blade competition continue on in preparation for a new age! Leina's absence in Gainos sparks a war that reaches all the way to the steps of the castle, even as a new but familiar threat appears before her eyes. Alleyne and Nowa become travel buddies as they roam the land, but run into the many hands of a sea monster while they relax at the beach. The Swamp Witch Trio returns to cause havoc one last time, giving Airi and Melona the dubious task of retrieving Menace from her homeland. Nanael, tired of the heavenly life, decides to build a harem to call her own. And in the darkest reaches of Hinomoto, a group of women prepare themselves for the ultimate sacrifice in order to revive an ancient evil to the land of the living. The air is always still before the start of rebellion, but the battling beauties of the Queen's Blade competition you know and love still have their stories to tell in Queen's Blade: Beautiful Warriors!

Queen’s Blade: Beautiful Warriors will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

HOUSTON, August 15, 2014 – An ancient artifact holds the key to victory for the human race as an alien terror rains down from beyond the skies in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, REIDEEN. This mecha sci-fi action series is directed by Mitsuru Hongo (Outlaw Star, Pilot Candidate) with animation direction by Takuya Saito (Sakura Wars: The Movie, Bunny Drop), prop design by Shinji Suetomi (Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, Robotics;Notes) and animation production by Production I.G. (Haikyu!!, ANOTHER).

Mathematically gifted, Junki Saiga is a typical high school student, until his family hears that his father’s remains were discovered. His father was an archaeologist and researcher who had disappeared during an exploration years ago. Along with his remains were artifacts and notes near Japan’s pyramid, which is a place thought to be man-made. Soon after the shock of his father’s remains being discovered, a meteor comes crashing from the sky carrying a foreign robotic life-form that immediately begins to cause havoc. This sequence of strange events simultaneously triggers a bracelet left from his father’s research to activate and merge with an ancient robot that had been hidden inside Japan’s pyramid, this is REIDEEN. To save the world Junki and REIDEEN must fight this alien threat! Faced with multiple enemies, REIDEEN and Junki must overcome those that seek REIDEEN’s power and those that want to see REIDEEN and Junki destroyed. Without the help of the nation or even his friends, Junki must push himself to succeed in piloting REIDEEN.

REIDEEN will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

HOUSTON, August 18, 2014 – In an alternate past where the armies of Japan are led by female warlords, one woman’s dreams will shape a nation in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, The Ambition of Oda Nobuna. This historical action comedy series is directed by Yuuji Kumazawa (Sunday Without God, The Irregular at Magic High School [Assosicate Director]) with series composition by Masashi Suzuki (Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox, Koe De Oshigoto!), music by Yasuharu Takanashi (Fairy Tail, Smile Precure!) and animation production by Studio GOKUMI (A-Channel, Koe De Oshigoto!) x MADHOUSE (Death Note, High School of the Dead).

Thrust into the past, the young and ambitious Sagara Yoshiharu longs to fulfill an old man’s last wish. Yoshiharu is a curious high schooler who suddenly finds himself making an important promise to a wise elder, Kinoshita Tokichiro, who has just been hit by a stray bullet. Before Tokichiro dies on the battlefield, he describes the glorious world of his dreams to Yoshiharu. His fantasy was to be surrounded by women and living in a giant castle. Luckily, in this version of the notorious Sengoku period where Yoshiharu finds himself, all of the important Samurai lords are cute girls who can help this dream come to life and satisfy those desires. In this world he meets a stunning young girl, Oda Nobuna. Strong-willed and beautiful Nobuna gives him the nickname “Monkey,” while he learns the ropes. During battle, it’s every man for himself, but what if the most impressive warriors are girls?

The Ambition of Oda Nobuna will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.