Anime News Week 11: Exciting Sequels and Unveilings!

Get ready for a thrilling week in the anime world as we dive into long-awaited sequels and exciting unveilings. From the return of the Straw Hat Pirates in “One Piece” to the iconic “Gurren Lagann” hitting North American theaters, the anticipation is palpable. But that’s not all—new projects like “Mobile Suit Gundam: Seed Freedom” and “One Punch Man” live-action adaptation are set to reshape the anime landscape. Anime News Week 11 is your ticket to the latest and greatest in the world of Japanese animation.

“Suicide Squad ISEKAI” Will Have Reveal Stream on December 1

On July, the announcement of a thrilling new ISEKAI anime adaptation for Suicide Squad generated immense excitement among fans. Now, brace yourselves for a cascade of fresh revelations as Warner Bros. Japan Anime gears up for an exclusive stream on December 1, to be broadcasted on the Warner Bros. Japan Anime YouTube channel.

This innovative take on Suicide Squad ISEKAI draws inspiration from the renowned DC Comics anti-hero/supervillain ensemble, known for its recent live-action film adaptations and the highly anticipated Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League video game. Warner Bros. Japan introduces the anime as a captivating venture that plunges DC’s iconic characters – Harley Quinn, the Joker, and The Suicide Squad – into the immersive realm of ISEKAI.

Prepare for an epic and violent fantasy as the most unconventional worlds collide, featuring an unparalleled lineup of anime creators. Suicide Squad ISEKAI promises to be a gripping and audacious series, showcasing the potent synergy between Warner Bros. Japan and WIT Studio. Get ready for an adrenaline-packed journey through a realm where madness knows no bounds!

“Bartender: Glass of God” Mixes Up 1st “Character x Cocktail” Visual

The official website for the highly anticipated anime “Bartender: Glass of God” has unveiled its inaugural “character x cocktail” visual, highlighting the main character Ryuu Sasakura and the classic Gin Fizz. Accompanying this visual is a set of instructions on crafting the perfect Gin Fizz.

Scheduled for its premiere in April 2024, “Bartender: Glass of God” draws inspiration from the Bartender manga, a creation of Akira Jou (writer) and Kenji Nagatomo (illustrator), originally published by Shueisha. The narrative revolves around the prodigious bartender Ryuu. International viewers can catch the series on Crunchyroll.

The Bartender manga, serialized from 2004 to 2012 and compiled into 21 tankoubon volumes, has given rise to various spin-offs such as Bartender à Paris, Bartender à Tokyo, and Bartender 6stp, illustrated by Osamu Kajisa. Previously, the manga served as the source material for a 2006 anime series and a 2011 TV drama.

Here’s a glimpse of the creative minds and voices behind the anime:

Staff:

• Director: Ryouichi Kuraya (known for “Farming Life in Another World”)
• Series Composer: Mariko Kunisawa (renowned for “Orient Season 2”)
• Character Designer and Chief Animation Director: Youichi Ueda (noted for “High-Rise Invasion”)
• Animation Production: Liber

Cast:

• Ryuu Sasakura: Takuma Terashima
• Miwa Kurushima: Yoshino Nanjou
• Yukari Higuchi: Haruka Shiraishi
• Kyouko Kawakami: Eriko Matsui
• Yuri Kinjou: Ryouko Shiraishi
• Calvin Chen: Makoto Furukawa

“Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy Season 2” Adds 10 More Voice Cast Members

Scheduled for a January 2024 premiere with two consecutive cours, Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy season two welcomes ten new voice cast members to its supporting lineup:

• Yumiri Hanamori as Sif Rembrandt
• Nene Hieda as Yuno Rembrandt
• Kento Itou as Ilumgand Hopleys
• Shiori Izawa as Eva Aensland
• Yuuki Hirose as Luria Aensland
• Yuuki Shin as Jin Rohan
• Yurie Kozakai as Abelia Hopleys
• Shinsuke Sugawara as Mizra Cazper
• Tatsumaru Tachibana as Izumo Ikusabe
• Tomohiro Yamaguchi as Daena Severus

Joining the main cast, which includes Natsuki Hanae, Ayane Sakura, Akari Kitou, and Kenjirou Tsuda, these additions promise a dynamic season. J.C.Staff takes over animation production from C2C, maintaining key staff members such as director Shinji Ishikawa, series screenwriter Kenta Ihara, character designer Yukie Suzuki, and music composer Yasuharu Takanashi.

The original light novel series, penned by Kei Azumi and illustrated by Mitsuaki Matsumoto, boasts 19 volumes as of August 2022. Crunchyroll, the streaming platform, aired the first season worldwide outside Japan. The series follows Makoto Misumi, once a summoned hero abandoned by gods, navigating a new world filled with magical encounters, non-human races, and the quest for survival.

“Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” Opening Theme “Bloom” Now Out on Music Streaming Platforms

Milan Records has released “bloom,” the latest track by Japanese rock band Necry Talkie, serving as the opening theme for the Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. This marks Necry Talkie’s debut contribution to both a Netflix series and an international title.

Formed in 2017 in Sakai, Osaka, Japan, Necry Talkie comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Mossa, guitarist Asahi, bassist Fujita, drummer Kazuma Takei, and keyboardist Ayaka Nakamura.

Asahi, the lyricist and composer, shared insights into the creation of “bloom,” drawing inspiration from the diverse atmospheres of the original manga, live-action movie, and video game. The anime’s introspective lyrics, distorted bass sound, and cute synthesizer effects aim to captivate viewers from the first opening notes.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, which premiered on Netflix on November 17, 2023, unfolds over eight episodes with a voice cast featuring both returning actors from the 2010 live-action adaptation and new Japanese additions.

Netflix’s synopsis describes the series as Scott Pilgrim encountering Ramona Flowers, the girl of his dreams, but discovering the need to defeat her seven evil exes to win her heart, leading to increasingly complex twists. The show is an adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels.

Star Fruit Books Licenses “The Red Snake”, “Virginia Inferno” & 3 More Manga

During its Anime NYC 2023 industry panel, Star Fruit Books unveiled five new manga licenses:

“I’ll Quit Travelling……”

• Creator: Konoha Kizima
• Availability: Currently on Azuki
• Description: A 30-page slow fantasy manga on Azuki, telling the tale of a young girl born into a life of travel with a wish to end her journey.

“Virginia Inferno”

• Creator: Miyako Cojima
• Release: Summer 2024 under Blood Orange imprint
• Details: A one-volume manga with 10 short stories, offering a unique collection set to be digitally released next summer.

“The Red Snake”

• Creator: Hideshi Hino
• Release: Fall 2024 under Blood Orange imprint
• Details: This manga, featuring color pages, promises a captivating narrative from the acclaimed Hideshi Hino.

“His Ankle”

• Creator: Kuro Nohara
• Description: An 80-page boys-love manga, offering a compelling storyline within its pages.

“Clan Under the Moon”

• Creator: Tsukimori Misaki
• Release: Summer 2024 under Blood Orange imprint
• Details: Set to be released in two volumes, this manga explores the captivating world of “Clan Under the Moon.”

Star Fruit Books continues to expand its manga offerings, promising diverse and engaging narratives across genres for manga enthusiasts.

North American Comic Publisher Alien Books Licenses 5 New Manga Titles

Alien Books, a North American comics publisher, recently entered the manga scene, announcing the licensing of five titles for release throughout 2024. This marks the publisher’s inaugural venture into the manga marketplace, with plans to expand its library monthly and release a total of 20 volumes by the end of 2024.

Here’s a glimpse of the newly licensed manga series:

“Fake Rebellion”

• Release: March 2024
• Length: Two Volumes
• Synopsis: Set in a nightmarish future, it follows the princess of the former Einheit empire leading a group of low-rank war orphans in a dream of revolution against the Machine Empire.

“Endroll Back”

• Release: March 2024
• Length: Three Volumes
• Synopsis: After Yuuka’s suicide, her brother Asaharu faces a divine intervention that involves a deal with the Devil—kill Yuuka’s killer, and she’ll be brought back to life. A twisted game unfolds.

“Momo: Legendary Warrior”

• Release: April 2024
• Length: Three Volumes
• Synopsis: Taro, a mysterious astronaut, crashes on the planet Tierrara and discovers the legendary Warrior Goddess, Momo. A sci-fi epic ensues with a cosmic twist on the Japanese legend of Momotaro.

“Kerberos in the Silver Rain”

• Release: April 2024
• Length: Three Volumes
• Synopsis: The Kerberos organization Omega Team protects the mysterious “psi” element, but internal tension and hidden pasts threaten their mission and the world’s fate.

“Kinryo Rock”

• Release: July 2024
• Length: Three Volumes + Volume Zero Prequel
• Synopsis: In a world where vampires coexist with humans, special agents enforce the rules, some with the strength of the law and others with the power of rock.

Alien Books, known for its diverse catalog, has licensed works from creators worldwide, bringing a mix of stories from the U.S., Italy, Spain, France, Japan, and Latin American countries.

“Tower of God Season 2” Set for July 2024 Debut

After the initial reveal in August 2022, Crunchyroll has unveiled the premiere timing for Tower of God Season 2 during its Anime NYC industry panel. Fans can rejoice as the highly anticipated continuation is set for a July 2024 broadcast. Accompanying this announcement is a brand-new trailer that offers a sneak peek into the upcoming season.

The anime adaptation of SIU’s webtoon, produced by Telecom Animation Film and directed by Takashi Sano, captivated audiences with its first season in April 2020. Crunchyroll’s description of the series paints a compelling narrative: “Reach the top, and everything will be yours. This is the story of the beginning and the end of Rachel, the girl who climbed the tower to see the stars, and Bam, the boy who needed nothing but her.”

Fans can mark their calendars for July 2024 and brace themselves for another thrilling journey up the tower in Tower of God Season 2.

“Gurren Lagann” Films Hit American Theaters in January

The classic giant robot series, Gurren Lagann, originally created by the founders of Studio Trigger, has been reedited into two films in 2008 and 2009. Exciting news from the Gurren Lagann and Kill la Kill anniversary panel at Anime NYC reveals that these films are set to hit North American theaters in January. What makes this release even more special is that the films will be presented in 4K, with the option for 4D screenings. For the first time, English-speaking audiences will have the chance to experience the films in both sub and dub formats.

The screening schedule is as follows:

• Gurren Lagann the Movie –Childhood’s End–: January 16 and 17
• Gurren Lagann the Movie –The Lights in the Sky Are Stars–: January 23 and 24

Tickets for these screenings will be available for purchase starting December 8.

Aniplex describes the series as a story set in the distant future where humanity, confined underground due to earthquakes, experiences a transformative journey when two young men, Simon and Kamina, encounter a mysterious girl named Yoko and a colossal “Gunmen.” Together, they pilot the mecha “Lagann” to explore the surface world.

Fans can look forward to an immersive theatrical experience of Gurren Lagann in stunning 4K quality and the added dimension of 4D screenings, a treat for both longtime enthusiasts and those new to the series.

Get set for the next voyage: “One Piece Season 2” is on the horizon

Get ready to embark on a new voyage with the highly anticipated second season of the One Piece live-action series, set to bring more adventures with Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the One Piece manga, expressed his excitement for the show’s continuation during Netflix Tudum, thanking the global fanbase for their support.

While an official release date is yet to be announced, reports from September 2023 confirm that scripts for Season 2 are ready, hinting at a possible launch within the next 12-18 months. The familiar faces of the live-action cast, including Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D Luffy and Emily Rudd as Nami, will return, promising a lively and engaging continuation of the series.

Season 2 is expected to bring new challenges as the crew faces old foes, such as Captain Alvida, Buggy the Clown, Klahadore/Kuro, and the intriguing return of Arlong. The looming Marine threat, led by Vice Admiral Garp, Koby, and Helmeppo, adds an extra layer of excitement and danger for our beloved characters.

Director Mark Jobst emphasizes the meticulous casting process, ensuring actors capable of delivering emotionally charged scenes and dynamic action sequences. The storyline hints at an expansion of Luffy’s crew and the intricate dynamics of the One Piece world in Season 2.

“Mobile Suit Gundam: Seed Freedom” sequel to release after 20 years

Gundam fans, brace yourselves for the highly-anticipated sequel, “Mobile Suit Gundam: Seed Freedom,” unveiled after a two-decade wait. This sequel delves into the aftermath of the original Mobile Suit Gundam Seed series, offering a visual time capsule with a freshly released poster featuring familiar characters.

Accompanying the poster is the movie’s first trailer, showcasing a visually stunning Cosmic Era with Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne at the forefront. For those craving more Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, this sequel film appears to be a treat, delivering everything fans could desire.

For newcomers, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, the ninth installment in the franchise, explores a world divided into Naturals on Earth and Coordinators, genetically enhanced humans in space. The original anime, set in the Cosmic Era, is available on Crunchyroll and Funimation, offering a captivating storyline filled with twists and turns.

“Mobile Suit Gundam: Seed Freedom” promises an interstellar adventure, continuing the beloved Gundam saga and rekindling excitement that has grown over the past two decades. Don’t miss the chance to witness the next chapter in this epic tale!

Conclusion

As we wrap up Anime News Week 11, the anime community is buzzing with excitement. The prospect of “One Piece” Season 2 scripts being ready hints at a thrilling continuation, while the reediting of “Gurren Lagann” into films promises an immersive experience for North American fans. Additionally, the revelation of “Mobile Suit Gundam: Seed Freedom” after two decades adds another layer of anticipation to the mix. Stay tuned for more updates and let the anime adventures continue!