©2007 Takahiro Yamato•Hanamaru Nanto/ FUJIMI SHOBO•Stigma of the wind Partners

Another Funimation series has landed on the Crunchyroll streaming service as a piece of their partnership with Kaze No Stigma now available in full. The 2007 series is in its original Japanese language with English subtitles and availability is for members in the US and Canada due to it being licensed in the pre-streaming era.

Directed by Junichi Sakata based on the series composition by Mayori Sekijima, it’s adapted from the original work by Takahiro Yamato and Hanamaru Nanto. Yasunari Nitta handled the character designs and GONZO produced the animation.

The Japanese cast includes Ayumi Fujimura as Ayano Kannagi, Daisuke Ono as Kazuma Yagami, Eri Kitamura as Michael Harley, Rika Morinaga as Ren Kannagi, Sayaka Ohara as Kirika Tachibana, Shizuka Itou as Nanase Kudou, Yui Makino as Lapis / Tsuoi-rin, and Yuka Inokuchi as Yukari Shinomiya.

Plot Concept: Kazuma is a descendant of an ancient clan skilled in the magic of fire, but the gift seems to have skipped a generation. Defeated by his female cousin, Ayano, in a battle to become the clan’s successor, Kazuma is exiled with only the burn of failure to keep him company. But now he’s back, armed with a powerful new mojo that’s sure to fan the flames of the family rivalry.

One Piece 3D2Y

Originally released in Japan back in 2014, German distributor Kaze has now finally put online the German language trailer for their release of the One Piece 3D2Y: Ace no shi wo Koete! Luffy Nakama Tono Chikai special. The special came out in Germany back on November 24th, 2017 but they didn’t bring out any promotion for it with trailers or clips until now. The show is priced at 30 euro and has both the Japanese and German language tracks in DTS-HD MA stereo form with German subtitles.

Plot concept: The new TV special tells the two years of Luffy’s training with Silvers Rayleigh in Rusukaina Island after the Battle of Marineford and the death of his older brother Ace, which has never been told in the manga or TV anime. It also features a new villain named Burndy World who is known as “The Destroyer of the World” and has the power of the MoaMoa Fruit (its ability is still unknown). Luffy has to protect Boa Hancock from the new enemy who escaped from the level 6 of Impel Down. He is newly designed by the original creator of the manga, Eiichiro Oda.

© 2004 Masatoshi Usune, Enterbrain / Benriyakumiai

Funimation has brought another series to Crunchyroll through their streaming partnership with the Desert Punk series now streaming. The show is available in its original Japanese language with English subtitles while the dub remains on Funimation’s site. Availability is limited due to its older age as it’s only open to viewers in the US and Canada. That said, it’s totally worth the splurge!

Check out our Ten Years Later article about the series from 2014.

Originally airing in 2004, the series was directed by Takayuki Inagaki based on the series composition by Hiroshi Yamaguchi. Takahiro Yoshimatsu worked on the character designs and served as the chief animation director with the animation produced at Gonzo.

The Japanese cast includes Chihiro Suzuki as Sunabōzu, Chiwa Saito as Kosuna, Jiro Saito as Fuyuo Kawaguchi, Norio Wakamoto as Amagumo, Tomoko Kotani as Junko Asagiri, Wotoya Kawano as Haruo Kawaguchi and Yasuhiro Takato as Akio Kawaguchi.

The English cast includes Eric Vale as Kanta “Desert Punk” Mizuno, Luci Christian as Kosuna, Callie Young as Junko Asagiri, Cole Brown as Narrator, Jamie Marchi as Natsuko Kawaguchi, Jeremy Inman as Fuyo Kawaguchi, Justin Cook as Akio Kawaguchi, Kenny Green as Rain Spider, Mike McFarland as Haru Kawaguchi, Randy Tallman as Kaoru Kaizuka and Stephanie Young as Junko Asagiri.

Plot concept: The Great Kanto Desert is a place of extremes where a hero dies an anonymous death and a villain goes down in a blaze of glory. And then there’s this guy.

Meet Kanta Mizuno. He’s not your typical hero and his methods are not always honorable, but he’s the closest thing to a good guy the desert’s got. Self proclaimed as the Desert Punk, he’s out to make a name for himself as the best handyman for hire.

No job is too tough, no opponent too nefarious Once Desert Punk’s on the job, it’s as good as done!

Get the job done. Collect the money. Repeat

© SUNRISE / PROJECT L-GEASS Character Design © 2006-2017 CLAMP · ST

With the first film in the Code Geass compilation film trilogy out back on October 21st, 2017 in theaters in Japan with The Awakening Path, the home video side of it was detailed recently. As we’re just over a month away from it the folks at Bandai Visual have now dropped a new teaser for it to encourage fans to get their preorders in.

The film is set for a February 23rd, 2018 release from Bandai Visual, which won’t have English subtitle since that will cut into the already secured overseas deals. The DVD is a regular edition priced at 5,800 yen while the Blu-ray is a limited edition priced at 7,800 yen. Extras for the LE include a 52p booklet, a video commentary, the theater specials, trailers, promos, and commercials.

The original TV series is getting a rebroadcast on BS11 this fall as a weekly hour-long event, and we won’t be surprised by more Code Geass projects appearing if these do well enough.

Plot Concept: In 2017, parts of the world are under the control of the Holy Britannian Empire. Japan is now known as Area 11, the proud people treated as lower class citizens. Lelouch Lamperouge was once a Britannian prince but when his mother was assassinated, he was left in Japan and thought to be dead. After getting caught up in a terrorist attack, he encounters a strange girl known as C.C., who grants him the power of Geass and the ability to command others.

With his newfound powers, Lelouch becomes Zero, a rebel leader for justice, and forms his own anti-government group. His goals are simple: get answers about his mother’s murder and make a world that is worthy of his beloved little sister, Nunnally. Even with his Geass, Lelouch will encounter countless challenges. But nothing can prepare him to face his former best friend, Sazaku Kururugi, a Japanese citizen…and soldier of Britannia? The power of Geass: Is it a blessing…or a curse?

[Source: Code Geass]

YO-KAI WATCH © 2013 Noriyuki KONISHI / SHOGAKUKAN ©LEVEL-5 Inc.

TV Tokyo is continuing its promotion for the long-running ongoing series Youkai Watch. The 205th episode of the series is scheduled for a January 19th, 2017 debut and they’ve now brought out the first teaser preview of it.

Please note that TV Tokyo takes these previews down when the episode airs.

The series is directed by Shinji Ushiro based on the series composition by Yoichi Kato. Toshiya Yamada is handling the character designs and it’s animated by Oriental Light & Magic.

The Japanese cast includes Etsuko Kozakura as Jibanyan, Haruka Tomatsu as Kēta Amano, Tomokazu Seki as Whisper, Aya Endo as Fumika “Fumi” Kodama, Chie Satou as Kanchi Imada, Naoki Bandou as Jinmenken, Ryoko Nagata as Kēta’s mom and Tooru Nara as Gorōta “Kuma” Kumashima.

Plot Concept: When Keita frees Whisper, a ghost-like yōkai, from 190 years of imprisonment, Whisper pledges to protect Keita from supernatural dangers. Whisper also gives Keita a watch that allows Keita to see other yōkai. Together with the twin-tailed cat spirit Jibanyan, they encounter lots of yōkai-related problems and solve them.

With the overseas pickups for the theatrical release of Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka?, which is localized as Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?, the film is now set for its Japanese home video debut. Originally in theaters in August 2017, Aniplex Japan has now set an April 18th, 2018 release for the film. It’ll be released in three editions with a regular edition DVD priced at 3,800 yen, a regular edition Blu-ray at 4,800 yen, and a limited edition Blu-ray at 7,800 yen. The limited edition release comes with the bonus disc that has the event video, promos, and commercials. The release will also come with a booklet.

Akiyuki Shinbou is serving as the chief director with Nobuyuki Takeuchi serving as the hands-on director. The scripts from Satoru Mosaki with animation by Shaft.

The Japanese cast includes Suzu Hirose as Nazuna Oikawa, Masaki Suda as Norimichi Shimada, Mamoru Miyano as Yuusuke Azumi, Takako Matsu as Nazuna’s Mother, Kana Hanazawa as Miura-sensei, Junichi: Shintaro , Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Kazuhiro and Yuki Kaji as Minoru.

Plot Concept: One summer day in a sea side town, two students, Norimichi and Yusuke, meet their crush, Nazuna at the pool. The boys have a swimming race to impress Nazuna. Norimichi loses, but finds a mysterious ball in the water. Yusuke wins, and is asked by Nazuna to go watch the fireworks together. While the boys argue whether fireworks are round or flat when viewed sideways, Nazuna tells Norimichi she was going to ask out whoever won the match. However, her true aim was to run away and ‘elope’ with the winner, to get away from her mother’s remarriage.

Nazuna, in front of Norimichi’s eyes, resists her mother’s orders. Norimichi, powerlessly watches the situation, unable to help. “If only I’d won the race?” Irritated, Norimichi throws the ball he found in the water, and then? He finds himself back in the moment of the race.

With that day repeating over and over again, what answers will Nazuna and Norimuchi find? And, are fireworks round or flat when viewed sideways?

[Source: Fireworks]

Funimation had the two halves of The Disastrous Life of Saiki k. out on the same day with back on December 26th, 2017 and are doing some additional promotion for it. The latest comes in the form of a new two-minute clip that gives us a chance to get a handle on the lead character and his strange situation. The two DVD/BD combo sets have twelve episodes each and will be bilingual with both of them including the same extras as the clean opening and closings priced at $64.98 each as well as including a Digital Copy.

The show was directed by Hiroaki Sakurai based on the series composition from Michiko Yokote. Masayuki Onji served as the character designs while JC Staff and Egg Firm handled the animation production for it.

The Japanese cast includes Hiroshi Kamiya as Kusuo Saiki, Mitsuo Iwata as Kuniharu Saiki, Rikako Aikawa as Kurumi Saiki, Nobunaga Shimazaki as Shun Kaidou, Daisuke Ono as Riki Nendou, Yukari Tamura as Chiyo Yumehara, Ai Kayano as Kokomi Teruhashi, Satoshi Hino as Kenishi Hairo, Natsuki Hanae as Reita Toritsuka, Tomoaki Maeno as Makoyo Terukyo, Maaya Uchida as Chisato Meyro, Showtaro Morikubo as Uryoku Chouno and Yoshimasa Hosoya as Aren Kubayasu.

The manga comes from creator Shuichi Asou which began back in 2012 and has seventeen volumes published so far. It’s not been picked up for release outside of Japan (yet). A flash anime short-form series was produced in 2013 for it, which has a different cast than what this series will have. A light novel was also produced in 2013.

Plot concept: Saiki Kusuo has a wide array of superpowers at his command, including telepathy and telekinesis. This might sound awesome, but, in Kusuo’s experience, superpowers are not all they’re cracked up to be. He tries to live a normal life, despite his annoying abilities.

© CLAMP · ST · Kodansha / NHK · NEP

It’s the start of a new year and a new season and that means Crunchyroll’s calendars are sorta basically essentially useless for the first two weeks. New episodes won’t be listed until they go live for the first time and some shows are getting announced just before they actually air as well. So we’ll be listing what we do know which is what’s being unlocked for free today and that includes:

• 7:00am – TIME BOKAN THE VILLAINS’ STRIKE BACK
• 7:30am – CASE CLOSED
• 10:30am – SANRIO BOYS
• 11:00am – CITRUS
• 12:30pm – MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION
• 12:30pm – POP TEAM EPIC
• 1:00pm – SLOW START
• 1:30pm – THE ANCIENT MAGUS’ BRIDE
• 8:00pm – CARDCAPTOR SAKURA: CLEAR CARD
• 9:30pm – FOLKTALES FROM JAPAN SEASON 2
• 9:40pm – CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD G Z

Funimation has two simuldubs today and two simulcasts with:

• 4:00 pm EST – Anime-Gataris Episode 11
• 4:00 pm EST – King’s Game Episode 12
• 8:30 pm EST – Dragon Ball Super Episodes 123
• 9:00 pm EST – One Piece Episodes 821

HIDIVE has one show on tap today with:

• 6:00 am – Classicaloid 2 Episode 15
• 12:30 pm – Pop Team Epic Episode 2

Marvel Entertainment has teamed up once again with Conan Properties International to bring the Conan franchise back to the publisher. Marvel Comics handled the rights between 1970 and 2000 with over 650 issues produced that included Conan The Barbarian, Conan the Adventurer, Conan the Savage and Savage Sword of Conan among other titles. Marvel will be announcing plans later for what they’ll be doing in terms of new books with teams and titles while also getting things rolling with new collections and reprints.

“From Barry Windsor-Smith to John Buscema to Neal Adams, a legendary line-up of amazing artists brought Conan to life in the pages of Marvel comics,” said C.B. Cebulski, editor-in-chief of Marvel. “It’s a legacy we’re now going to live up to with the talent we have lined up for the Cimmerian barbarian’s homecoming in early 2019. We’re excited!”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Marvel and look forward to the new adventures in store for Conan,” said Fredrik Malmberg, President of Conan Properties International. “As the most well-known and creative publisher in the industry, we think Marvel is a great fit for our stories.”

Titan Comics continues to work through this series as we get a new release today with the third installment of Mandrake the Magician: The Dailies. They’re pricey releases but have almost 250 pages of material in such high-quality form that they’re a must-own piece for fans that are looking to see these the best they’ve ever been – and uncensored!

Property Concept: The creation of 19-year old comic legend Lee Falk, Mandrake debuted as a daily newspaper strip in June 1934, predating both Superman and Batman by several years, and his comic strip adventures would go on to run for an unbroken 79 years. During that time, he appeared in movies, radio series, books, a TV movie, a Columbia-produced cliffhanger serial, a stage play and the 1980s animated show, Defenders of the Earth.

Toji no Miko ED CD Cover

Kadokawa is doing some new promotion for the winter 2018 season series Katana Maidens – Toji no Miko as they’ve got a lengthy video out for the ending theme song CD. The item is scheduled for a January 24th, 2018 release priced at 1,296 yen and it’ll have two tracks that are duplicated as instrumental tracks as well. The clip runs over three minutes and gives you a good taste of both works..

Koudai Kakimoto is set to direct based on the series composition by Tatsuya Takahashi. Yoshinori Shizuma is on board as the original character designer with Yuuko Yahiro adapting them and serving as the chief animation director with Kenji Oota for studio Gokumi.

The Japanese cast includes Kaede Hondo as Kanami Etou, Saori Oonishi asHiyori Juujuu, Azumi Waki as Mai Yanase, Hina Kino as Sayaka Itomi, Risae Matsuda as Kaoru Mashiko, Eri Suzuki as Eren Kohagura, Asami Seto as Yukari Origami, Yumi Uchiyama as Maki Shidou, M.A.O as Suzuka Korehana, Mai Fuchigami as Yomi Satsuki, and Inori Minase as Yume Tsubakuro.

Plot Concept: Since the ancient times, the Kannagi priestesses have used their swords, or Okatana, to exorcise the creatures known as Aratama that brought chaos upon the world of man. These maidens were known as Tojis. They are a special task force within the police. They are allowed to have their Okatana on their person because they are government officials, but they mostly consist of middle school and high school girls who go to one of five training schools throughout the country. Though they mostly live normal school lives, if they are given a mission, they take their Okatana and unleash their powers, fighting to protect the people.

© Watanabe Takeshi (Weekly Shonen Champion) / Yowamushi Pedal 03 Production Committee

The fourth series for the Yowamushi Pedal franchise with Glory Road is out and running and TOHO is doing some new promotion for the project. They’ve brought out a new piece for that by streaming the ending sequence with its song “Carry the Hope” by High Candence Rock, which definitely is full of energy!

Crunchyroll is streaming the series for their members after previously streaming the earlier seasons of the property. Availability for it is strong as it’s open to viewers worldwide outside of Asia and MENA.

This season is directed by Osamu Nabeshima based on the series composition by Kurasumi Sunayama based on Wataru Watanabe’s original work. Yukiko Ban is handling the character designs and TMS Entertainment worked on the animation production.

Property Concept: Sakamichi Onoda is a cheerful otaku looking to join his new school’s anime club, eager to finally make some friends. Unfortunately, the club has been disbanded and he takes it upon himself to revive it by finding students who are willing to join. Without much luck, Onoda decides to make a round trip to Akihabara on his old, bulky city bicycle, a weekly 90-kilometer ride he has been completing since fourth grade.

This is when he meets fellow first-year student, Shunsuke Imaizumi, a determined cyclist who is using the school’s steep incline for practice. Surprised by Onoda’s ability to climb the hill with his specific type of bicycle, Imaizumi challenges him to a race, with the proposition of joining the anime club should Onoda win. And thus begins the young boy’s first foray into the world of high school bicycle racing!

Bandai Visual is handling the home video release for the summer 2017 anime series Hina Logi: From Luck & Logic and they’re putting together a tight ship for it. The twelve episode series is being released as two box sets on Blu-ray only that are priced at 8,800 yen each. The first came out on November 24th, 2017 and we now have a look at the packaging spread for the second box set that’s due out on January 26th, 2018.

The show is being directed by Hiroaki Akagi based on the series composition by Yuki Sugawara. Satomi Kurita and Manabu Nii are handling the character designs and it’s being animated at Doga Kobo.

The Japanese cast includes Madoka Asahina as Liones Yelistratova, Hibiku Yamamura as Nina Alexandrovna, Natsumi Takamori as Mahiro Kyobashi, Suzuko Mimori as Yayoi Tachibana, Kana Ueda as Yuko Morigaya, Yui Ogura as Karin Kiritani, Kaede Yuasa as Karen Kiritani, Rikiya Koyama as Liones’ Father, Maaya Uchida as Mizuki Higashi, Ayaka Ohashi as Aoi Iroha, Mikoi Sasaki as Ashley Bradbury, Mai Aizawa as Shizuha Kagura, Tomoyo Takayanagi as Rino Fujisaki, Akiko Yajima as the academy principal, Atsumi Tanezaki as the academy vice-principal, Eriko Matsui as Rosa, Rimi Nishimoto as Amol, Izumi Kitta as Shippō, Yuka Ozaki as Seren Researcher 013, Marie Miyake as Belle, and Eriko Matsui as Vesta.

The opening theme is set to be “BUTTERFLY EFFECTOR” by TRUE while the voice actress will be singing “Baby Bird!!: Gakuen Logic.” That has Madoka Asahina, Hibiku Yamamura, and Natsumi Takamori performing.

Plot Concept: On a spring day when the cherry blossoms have started to fall, the naïve princess of a small country, Lion begins her days at a school in Hokkaido. The school houses a special facility run by ALCA that trains Logicalists who protect the peace of the world. Lion has a lot of unique classmates in Class 1-S, including Nina, a Logicalist. This is the story of the energetic and adorable days the Logicalists-in-training spend together. It’s time to Trance!

Hina Logi Japanese Box Set 2 Cover

Hina Logi Japanese Box Set 2 Packaging

Hina Logi Japanese Box Set 1 Cover

Hina Logi Japanese Box Set 1 Packaging

[Source: Hina Logi]

The summer 2017 anime series Senki Zesshou Symphogear AXZ is having its home video release plans handled by King Records and they’ve set a fairly standard plan. With the fifth volume coming up on January 31st, 2018, we now have a look at that character cover for it and the series is definitely looking very appealing. The series is getting a six-volume release where the first five DVDs and Blu-ray’s are priced at 6,500 yen while the seventh with an extra episode is priced at 7,500 yen which began on September 27th, 2017.

The series was directed by Katsumo Ono, features character designs from Satoru Fujimoto and is animated by Satelight.

The Japanese cast includes Ai Kayano as Kirika Akatsuki, Aoi Yūki as Hibiki Tachibana, Ayahi Takagaki as Chris Yukine, Nana Mizuki as Tsubasa Kazanari, Yōko Hikasa as Maria Cadenzavna Eve and Yoshino Nanjō as Shirabe Tsukuyomi.

The franchise began back in 2012 with two more seasons coming in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Funimation originally streamed the first season of the series but passed on the others as they did not pursue a home video license. All three seasons also streamed on Crunchyroll.

Original concept: In a world where aliens known as “The Noise” threaten the earth, only one thing can protect the human race: the magical armor Symphogear. But in order to save their world, the Symphogear wearers will have to learn from the tragedies of the past.

Symphogear AXZ Japanese Volume 5 Cover

Symphogear AXZ Japanese Volume 4 Cover

Symphogear AXZ Japanese Volume 3 Cover

Symphogear AXZ Japanese Volume 2 Cover

Symphogear AXZ Japanese Volume 1 Cover

[Source: Symphogear]

TOHO has announced their plans for the fall 2017 anime series Himouto! Umaru-chan R and it’s a pretty familiar setup. We’ve still got a couple of days until the second volume arrives but now TOHO has dropped the cover artwork for the third volume that lands on February 14th, 2018. The series is getting a six-volume release on DVD and Blu-ray with the DVD releases priced at 5,800 yen and the Blu-ray releases at 6,800 yen. The series begins its release on December 13th, 2017. Check the chart below for the full schedule and known extras.

The anime adaptation of SankakuHead’s manga series will be directed by Masahiko Ohta based on the scripts by Takashi Aoshima along with character designs by Aya Takano and that it’ll be done at Dogakoba. Ohta, Aoshima and sound director Yasunori Ebina all worked together on Yuruyuri and a few of them on Kotoura-san.

The main cast is set to include Aimi Tanaka as Umaru Doma, Yurina Furukawa as Sylphynford Tachibana, Haruka Shiraishi as Kirie Motoba, Akari Kageyama as Nana Ebina, Kenji Nojima as Taihei Doma, Tetsuya Kakihara as Alex, Hiroki Yasumoto as Bonba and Ami Koshimizu as Kano.

The original manga series has nine volumes to its name so far. That property has been running since 2013 in Weekly Young Jump.

Plot concept: The sibling gag comedy manga centers around Umaru, Taihei’s little sister who boasts beautiful looks as well as prowess in both school and sports; however, “Himouto” (beautiful little sister) has a certain secret.

Himouto Umaru-chan R Japanese Volume 3 Cover

Himouto Umaru-chan R Japanese Volume 2 Packaging

Himouto Umaru-chan R Japanese Volume 2 Cover

Himouto Umaru-chan R Japanese Volume 1 Cover

Himouto Umaru-chan R Japanese Volume 1 Packaging

Himouto Umaru-chan Japanese Volume 6 Cover

Himouto Umaru-chan Japanese Volume 5 Cover

Happinet is digging into the past for a new release once again as they’ve scheduled the 1996 feature film Chocchan Monogatari. The work is getting a new DVD release that will arrive on April 3rd,2018 and will be priced at 3,800 yen. No extras have been listed with it at the moment.

The film was directed by Hiroko Tokita based on the screenplay he wrote with Chifude Asakura based on the original work by Cho Kuroyanagi. Tatsuo Yanagino handled the character designs and served as the animation director with it produced by Triangle Staff.

The Japanese cast includes Sakiko Tamagawa as Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Sumi Shimamoto as Cho “Chocchan” Kuroyanagi, Hideyuki Tanaka as Moritsuna Kuroyanagi, Mika Kanai as Noriaki Kuroyanagi, Minami Takayama as Akeru, Yūji Ueda as Yaoya, Hiroshi Itō as Shutsu Kadoyama, and Terumi Niki as Miyoshi Kadoyama.

Plot Concept: The story starts in pre-World War 2 Japan when Chocchan marries violinist despite the objection of both of their families. They live in poverty, have three children and are happy together. Any misfortune they face with a smile. But new obstacle for their happiness comes when the war breaks out and Chocchan’s husband must leave for the front…

[Source: Chocchan Monogatari]

This isn’t much of a surprise but confirmations are always welcome as we get closer to announcements as Sentai Filmworks has revealed that Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Sword Oratoria will definitely be getting a dub. A new teaser video was posted that showcased Kyle Jones working on it with Ricard Contreras, which means’ll be getting the home video solicitation for it anytime now.

The series was directed by Youhei Suzuki based on the series composition by Hideki Shirane. Shigeki Kimoto handled the character designs and it was animated at JC Staff.

The Japanese cast includes Saori Ōnishi as Aiz Wallenstein, Mutsumi Tamura as Finn Deimne, Juri Kimura as Lefiya Viridis, Nobuhiko Okamoto as Bete Loga, Rie Murakawa as Tiona Hiryute, Minami Takahashi as Tione Hiryute, Ayako Kawasumi as Riveria Ljos Alf (replacing Risa Taneda), Kenji Nomura as Gareth Landrock and Yurika Kubo as Loki.

The light novel series kicked off back in 2014 and has nine volumes out while a manga adaptation kicked off later that same year, seeding the overall marketing saturation for it beyond just the core series. Yen Press has licensed both of them.

By the way… #SwordOratoria pic.twitter.com/PqbH0ioHmB

— Sentai Filmworks (@SentaiFilmworks) January 18, 2018

Plot concept: Aiz Wallenstein, the Sword Princess, is known as one of the most powerful warriors from one of the most powerful groups in the city of Orario: Loki Familia.

With them, she ventures into the deepest parts of the labyrinthine Dungeon beneath the city, stalking the monstrous denizens that lurk there and vanquishing them with the blazing light of her sword. But when she meets a certain white-haired boy, the encounter will change both of them forever…

The BookScan numbers have landed from ICv2 with what made the biggest sales movements in December 2017, which is an area where there aren’t a lot of new books released as a lot of it is seeded into the market over the fall in preparation for the holiday shopping season. There are a lot of interesting books this month even as we get the familiar evergreen pieces from DC Comics like Watchmen or The Walking Dead from Image Comics.

What’s reminding publishers that they have to look harder for titles is Everyone’s A Aliebn When Ur A Aliebn Too as Jomny Sun feels like he came out of nowhere with it – even though he has half a million followers on Twitter and a whole lot of them are buying the book, giving him the top spot this month. It’s been in the top twenty for seven months now and is likely a potential evergreen title as well.

On the manga side, Viz Media has the second Dragon Ball Super ranking the highest and My Hero Academia makes the grade alongside a couple of Tokyo Ghoul:re installments.

New York, NY—January 19, 2018—Marvel Entertainment is excited to announce that writer Kelly Thompson will bring her creativity and captivating storytelling to Marvel in an exclusive agreement.

Thompson’s run of Hawkeye, which wraps up this March, has received critical acclaim thanks to the sharp characterization of its female-led protagonist Kate Bishop. Along with the series being spotlighted in several “Best Of” lists, including CBR’s “Best Comics of 2017,” Wired’s “6 Best Comics of 2017,” and IGN’s “Best of 2017 Nominees,” Thompson has been heralded by Vox as “one of the best new talents in comic books” and has a resume at Marvel that includes acclaimed books such as Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps and Journey To Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Captain Phasma.

Currently, Thompson is writing the mini-series Rogue & Gambit, which has drawn rave reviews and excitement from X-Men fans and new readers alike. With more fun surprises in store for the future, she will continue to bring her talents to both fan-favorite characters and well-known Marvel heroes going forward.

“Marvel was truly my first love. So to be here today, not only writing for Marvel but ‘going exclusive’ with them, is the definition of a dream come true,” said Thompson. “I remember visiting Disney World as a teen and being so consumed by an issue of X-Men that was due to come out that I was checking newsstands like a girl possessed until I located it. So yeah, this is everything I always wanted.”

In the coming months and at San Diego Comic Con this summer, Marvel will reveal more of Thompson’s exciting work.

“Marvel has been incredibly supportive of and nurturing of my work as a creator and I really cannot wait for everything that’s to come, but waiting to announce projects is sort of like living in a delicious hell,” shared Thompson. “It’s torture not to be able to share the things you know with the people you know are going to love them, but it’s also insanely cool not only to know those secrets but to be a CREATOR of said secrets. And right at this moment…all I can say is that there are a lot of cool secrets to come, and some of them are even secrets I got to help create.”

“From the moment she turned in her first script, Kelly has continually brought big ideas, incredible energy, and endless enthusiasm to the Marvel Universe and every comic she’s had a hand in creating for us,” said C.B. Cebulski, editor-in-chief of Marvel. “We’re honored to now have her as part of the family here and could not be more excited for the fans to read the amazing adventures she’ll be taking our characters on next year – and beyond!”

Warner Bros. Animation had its tenth anniversary of projects last year they recently revealed the voice cast for the Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay animated film. Scheduled for an April 10th, 2018 release, they’ve now brought out the first formal trailer for it and a look at the packaging for the home video release. A digital release will arrive on March 27th, 2018. The Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack is priced at $39.99 SRP) and the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack is priced at $24.98 SRP). The DVD is priced at $19.98 SRP while the Digital is at $19.99 for the HD and $14.99 for the SD.

Extras for the Blu-ray/UHD/Digital releases include:

• A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, The Death of Superman: “The Death of Superman” – The Death of Superman is widely considered one of the most popular stories in the Superman canon and the DCU. This sneak peek at the exciting new film discusses the story and its place in pop culture.
• Outback Rogue: Captain Boomerang (Featurette) – Audiences get a deeper look at this unconventional, yet entertaining villain from Down Under and how he’s evolved from The Flash universe to the Suicide Squad.
• Nice Shot, Floyd! The Greatest Marksman in the DCU (Featurette) – Floyd Lawton, AKA Deadshot, is one of the most popular antiheroes in the DC pantheon. An excellent marksman and assassin, he often brags that he never misses his shot. Take a closer look at this fascinating character.
• The Power of Plot Devices, MacGuffins and Red Herrings (Featurette) – An insightful examination of the power of a good plot device and the important influence it has over story.
• Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay Commentary – The creative filmmaking team of screenwriter/co-producer Alan Burnett and executive producer James Tucker share their thoughts and stories on the characters, themes and development of Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay.

The voice cast includes:

• Christian Slater (Deadshot)
• Tara Strong (Harley Quinn)
• Vanessa Williams (Amanda Waller)
• Liam McIntyre (Captain Boomerang)
• Kristin Bauer van Straten (Killer Frost)
• Gideon Emery (Copperhead)
• C. Thomas Howell (Zoom)
• Dania Ramirez (Scandal Savage)
• James Urbaniak (Professor Pyg)
• Julie Nathanson (Silver Banshee)
• Jim Pirri (Vandal Savage and Vertigo)
• Greg Grunberg (Maxum Steel)
• Dave Fennoy (Blockbuster and Tobias Whale)
• Cissy Jones (Knockout)
• Natalie Lander (Darma)
• Trevor Devall (Punch)
• Dave Boat (Harvey Dent/Two-Face)
• Matthew Mercer (Savage Gunman)

Plot Concept: Amanda Waller’s secret team Task Force X (consisting of Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, Killer Frost, Captain Boomerang, Harley Quinn and Copperhead) are sent to retrieve a powerful mystical object that they will risk their lives to steal. Unfortunately for the Suicide Squad, there are other villains who want the prize, and they must win a race to get it in order to stay alive.