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Madman’s SMASH! Sydney 2015 Announcement Recap

Madman Entertainment announced four license acquisitions at their panel at SMASH! Sydney 2015 last weekend.

First up is Amagi Brilliant Park. It is based on Shuji Gatou’s on-going light novel series of the same name. The 13-episode series was adapted by Kyoto Animation. An OVA was produced, but Madman has not revealed if their release will include this. Madman describes the series as follows: “A mysterious but pretty transfer student, Sento Isuzu, asks Kanie Seiya out on a date to an amusement park. That park was Amagi Brilliant Park, featuring worn-down attractions and lackluster service — the worst in Japan.”

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Next up is Yowamushi Pedal. It is based on Wataru Watanabe’s on-going manga series. TMS Entertainment has adapted the series into an OVA, two television anime seasons and three films. It is not clear how much of the anime Madman’s license covers. Madman provided a synopsis of the series:

Onoda Sakamichi is a rather timid, anime-loving first-year student at Sohoku High School. Upon entering high school, he tried to join the anime research club, but after meeting Imaizumi Shunsuke, a renowned cyclist since middle school, and Naruko Shoukichi, who swept the Kansai cycling championship, he ended up joining the competitive cycling club.

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The third title is Kuroko’s Basketball. It is based on Tadatoshi Fujimaki’s 30-volume manga series. Production I.G. has adapted the series into three television seasons so far. The series is described as follows:

An up-and-coming power player, Taiga Kagami, is just back from America. When he comes to Seirin High School, he meets the super-ordinary boy, Tetsuya Kuroko. Kagami is shocked to find that Kuroko isn’t good at basketball, in fact, he’s bad! And he’s so plain that he’s impossible to see. But Kuroko’s plainness lets him pass the ball around without the other team noticing him, and he’s none other than the sixth member of the Miracle Generation.

Finally, Madman now has the Australian distribution rights to To-Love-Ru. It is based on Saki Hasemi’s 18-volume manga series. Xebec has adapted the series into four television anime seasons and two OVAs. Madman stated in their announcement that they have acquired all seasons of the series. They provided a synopsis of it:

The story is about Yuuki Rito, a high-school boy who cannot confess to the girl of his dreams, Sairenji Haruna. One day when coming home and sulking in the bath-tub a mysterious, nude girl, appears out of nowhere. Her name is Lala and she comes from the planet Deviluke, where she is the heir to the throne. Her father wants her to return to her home planet so she can marry one of the husband candidates, but she decides that she wants to marry Rito in order to stay on Earth.

Precise release plans for these four titles have not yet been revealed.

Ponycan USA Announces ‘Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!’ Collector’s Edition 3

Ponycan USA recently announced the details of their final collectors’ edition release of Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!. It will be released on November 10, 2015 and will have a suggested retail price of $89.98 USD, although it can be pre-ordered here for $71.98 USD.

The set will feature episodes 9-12 on DVD and Blu-ray with Japanese audio and English and Spanish subtitles. On-disc extras will include six short animations (#13-#18) and the PONIMAGA and PONICUN television commercial collections. It will also feature special CD 3. Physical bonuses will include a photo-card and a booklet that will feature illustrations and song lyrics. Anyone who pre-orders this release by September 30 will receive a random super-deformed Battle Lovers character card, illustrated by Yumiko Hara, the chief animation director of the series.

Additionally, it has been confirmed that a second season of this series will be produced.

Siren Visual Reveals Part 1 DVD and L.E. Blu-ray Releases of ‘Nagi no Asukara’

Earlier this month, Siren Visual announced their plans to release the first part of Nagi no AsukaraA Lull in the Sea on DVD in Australia on September 22, 2015. It will feature episodes 1-14 across two discs with Japanese audio, English audio and English subtitles. The on-disc extras will include textless opening and ending animations and the original Japanese trailers. It is available for pre-order here for $44.95 AUD.

Siren Visual has just announced that a three-disc limited edition Blu-ray box-set of the series is now available for pre-order here ahead of its release on September 21, 2015. It will cost $220 AUD and must be pre-ordered within the next two weeks. On-disc extras will include the textless opening and ending animations and the original Japanese trailers. It will include a full-colour 76-page hardcover art book. This will feature detailed character information, episode guides, text commentary, prop designs and full-colour background art and art settings. This, the two soundtrack CDs and the three Blu-ray discs will be housed in a premium hardcover slipcase.

FUNimation Announces Theatrical Dates for the Live-Action ‘Attack on Titan’ Films

FUNimation Entertainment has just announced the North American theatrical dates for the two live-action Attack on Titan films. Part 1 will begin its theatrical run on September 30, 2015 with part 2 following shortly after on October 20, 2015. They will be shown in cinemas across North America and Canada.

The world premiere of part 1 happened just last month in Los Angeles. There was an “extremely positive” reaction by fans to the first film at its premiere, and the series in general has taken off around the world. The films are based on the original manga series and were produced in consultation with the series’ creator, Hajime Isayama. Four spin-offs of the series have been created, as has a 25-episode anime series.

The theatrical trailer can be viewed on the official website here. A limited number of tickets will be available for advance purchase later this month.

Right Stuf Reveals ‘Gundam’ Releases for November 2015

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Right Stuf revealed earlier this week the Gundam titles they have planned for release in November 2015. As with Nozomi Entertainment’s November 2015 releases, these Gundam releases will be released on November 3, 2015.

First up is the Turn A Gundam movie collection on DVD. It will contain both films, Earth Light and Moon Butterfly, with Japanese audio and English subtitles. It can be pre-ordered here.

Next up is Mobile Suit Gundam Part 1 on DVD and Blu-ray. It will feature episodes 1-21 of the original Mobile Suit Gundam television anime series with Japanese audio, English audio and English subtitles. The DVD set can be pre-ordered here. The Blu-ray set can be pre-ordered here.

Additionally, the special imported collector’s edition of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin volume 2 is available for pre-order until September 15. It can be pre-ordered here ahead of its November 7, 2015 release. It will feature multiple language options, including but not limited to Japanese audio, English audio and English subtitles.

Nozomi Entertainment Reveals Their November 2015 Release Schedule

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Nozomi Entertainment revealed their release plans for November 2015 this week. Both of the following releases are scheduled for release on November 3, 2015.

Following on from Nozomi’s announcement at Anime Expo 2015 early last month, Umi Monogatari will be released on DVD with Japanese audio and English subtitles. All 13 episodes will be included. On-disc extras will include: Marin’s “What Is This?” episodes 1-4, the textless opening and ending animation, web promos, a promotional video and commercials.

Blessing of the Campanella will be re-released on DVD under the ‘Anime Elements’ label. The collection will come with episodes 1-12 and the 30-minute OVA in Japanese with English subtitles. On-disc extras will include: the Bathtime Specials, the textless opening and ending animations, the US trailer, promotional videos, commercials and trailers.

Both of these titles and the previously announced release of Tamayura: Hitotose are available for pre-order here.

Meet Pikachu, Collect Pokémon Cards, and Enjoy Late-Summer Pokémon Fun at The Entertainer!

Meet Pikachu, Collect Pokémon Cards, and Enjoy Late-Summer Pokémon Fun at The Entertainer!

Pick up an exclusive Pokémon TCG: XY—Ancient Origins Collector’s Album at The Entertainer from August 20 whilst stocks last. Lucky customers might even discover Pikachu in the shop!

London, United Kingdom—August 14, 2015— What better way to spend the final days of the long summer holiday than collecting Pokémon cards? From August 20, Pokémon fans heading to The Entertainer can pick up an exclusive Collector’s Album free of charge in which they can showcase some of their cards from the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, XY — Ancient Origins.

Budding collectors can even get their albums started by looking for special sampling packs, which include three Pokémon cards, cover-mounted onto popular children’s publications including Toxic, Kick, Kraze, and National Geographic Kids, available at all good newsagents.

A very important guest will be discovered in selected Entertainer shops across the country, too, when Pikachu makes public appearances to meet kids and pose for photos!

For more information on Pikachu’s in-store appearances, please check here: [LINK]

As a precursor to the national campaign, and to celebrate the opening of the Pokémon Animation Studio at KidZania in Westfield London, Pokémon will be taking over that branch of The Entertainer! A series of special activities will run from August 14 until September 16: a bespoke shopfront takeover will be unveiled on August 14, lovingly designed to feature many fan-favourite Pokémon.

On August 15, the free Pokémon TCG: XY — Ancient Origins Collector’s Album will become available early at Westfield London’s The Entertainer. *

For the duration of the promotion, and also whilst stocks last, customers who present their Kidzania proof of purchase at The Entertainer’s London Westfield branch will receive a free Pokémon Trading Card Game sample pack.*

Finally, fans who come to the shop on August 22 may discover a friendly Pikachu to welcome them into the shop!

This project builds on the success of a similar collaboration between The Pokémon Company International and The Entertainer that took place late last year and saw fans coming into shops to claim a free Collector’s Album for the Pokémon TCG: XY — Phantom Forces expansion.

Stuart Grant, Buying Director at The Entertainer, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Pokémon Company International on a second very special promotion at our shops. This one is perfectly timed for the end of summer holiday and back-to-school period. We’re particularly proud of the special window display in Westfield London, too!”

Mathieu Galante, Senior Market Development Manager at The Pokémon Company International, said: “This is a key summer promotion for us and has been especially designed in tandem with The Entertainer and Esdevium. We hope to offer a great experience to Pokémon fans and that people will enjoy meeting Pikachu in person!”

*Items to be redeemed are limited to one per customer whilst stocks last between August 14 and September 16. Proof of purchase includes either a Kidzania e-ticket or a Kidzania boarding pass only.  Terms and conditions can be found herehttp://www.thetoyshop.com/pokemontc

About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit  www.pokemon.co.uk

Xbox Newsbeat: August 14, 2015

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It’s a quiet week in the industry after the excitement of gamescom 2015, but we still have updates from Crackdown 3 and Rise of the Tomb Raider.


Crackdown 3’s Use of Technology is Jaw-dropping

We’ve seen Microsoft Azure Cloud computing used in Titanfall to help direct the mass of AI NPCs that swarm the maps. Now Crackdown 3 is leveraging the power of Microsoft Cloud to help produce the destruction in game. The developers estimate that the cloud computing is doing the work of at least 20 Xbox Ones to simulate the destruction of buildings and its collapse.

Outside of the technical achievements, Crackdown 3 will be returning with a bigger and badder city than before. Players can expect more vertical maps and a seamless storytelling experience without cut scenes. The game is currently in development and is slated for a summer 2016 launch on Xbox One.


Watch Lara Croft take on the first of many awe inspiring tombs in Rise of the Tomb Raider

In case you missed out on gamescom 2015, Crystal Dynamics release a brand new video for Rise of the Tomb Raider. The 13 minute gameplay demo shows Lara’s adventures through a desert canyon where she encounters a tomb, escapes from some hair raising moments, and even trades a few shots with hostile forces. The movement system is looking smooth as ever, and I’m pretty sure I spotted Lara with her trademark HK USP pistols with silver slides.

Rise of the Tomb Raider will be a timed exclusive for Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The game will launch on November 10th, 2015. A Windows release will follow in Q1 2016, followed by a PlayStation 4 release in Q4 2016.

The Legend of Legacy U.S. Release Date Set for October 13

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While it seems that European gamers will have to wait until early 2016 to pick up The Legend of Legacy, Atlus USA has announced that the title will be released in North America on October 13th and that at launch there will be a number of bonuses included with the game.

The 3DS title will be priced at $39.99 and all launch copies will include a copy of the game, a soundtrack CD featuring 10 tracks from Masashi Hamauzu, and a premium 40 page hardcover art book featuring character artwork, sketches, background art, and monster pages accompanied by commentary from the game’s character artist Tomomi Kobayashi, all contained in a collector’s box.

For those who want to know a bit more about what The Legend of Legacy has to offer, Atlus USA has released some new story details as well as a feature list that you can check out below:

In The Legend of Legacy, Seven adventurers – Liber, Meurs, Owen, Bianca, Garnet, Eloise, Filmia – arrive on the mysterious island of Avalon to pursue their own agenda as explorers. They team up with two of the other adventurers to achieve their objectives – be it exploring the island for treasure, looking for the “god” on the island, or recovering lost memories. But things change when they discover a singing stone that causes the party to see phantasms of Avalon’s forgotten history.

  • Seven Unique Perspectives Each character in The Legend of Legacy has their own motivation for exploring Avalon, and their individual conclusion at the story’s resolution. Play through as each character to see them all!
  • Combat Gets Classless Managing formations to instruct specific combat roles instead of fixed classes adds a different level of challenge for battle enthusiasts.
  • Legendary Development Illustrator Tomomi Kobayashi (SaGa series), renowned composer Masashi Hamauzu (SaGa, Final Fantasy XIII), writer Masato Kato (Chrono Trigger), game designer Kyoji Koizumi (SaGa series), and Masataka Matsuura (999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors) all come together to create this brand new experience.
  • Adjusted for the West Based on user feedback following the Japanese release, several gameplay adjustments were made to enhance the gameplay. More details to come later!

Samurai Warriors 4-II’s Survival and Challenge Modes Detailed

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Today Koei Tecmo has released new details concerning Samurai Warriors 4-II‘s survival modes as well as Challenge Modes. These modes fall into the Endless Castle where Survival Mode finds the player entering a castle with endless levels and plenty of rewards that can be earned and then used in the game’s story mode, however that is only if you manage to escape before your health or time bar is depleted.

As for the Challenges, they fall into the Chamber of Trials which tasks players with defeating as many enemies as possible within a set time limit, the Chamber of Riches focusing on collecting as much gold as possible within the time limit, the Chamber of Agility that sees players defeating enemy standard bearers and reaching their target before running out of time, and finally the Chamber of Death where enemies capable of dealing one-hit KOs to low level players swarm the halls.

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The company also stated that Samurai Warriors 4-II will feature four persona stories that will unfold throughout the course of the game and the samurai who are being focused on happen to be Toyohisa Shimazu, Kojūrō Katakura, Kagekatsu Uesugi, and Takakage Kobayakawa.

Survival Mode Gameplay

Chamber of Agility

Chamber of Riches

Chamber of Trials