HOUSTON, TX — Dec. 30, 2011 — Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network and Comcast Cable are starting 2012 off with a bang, coming together to bring our fans a tale of war, magic, and ancient mecha: Broken Blade!

Throughout January and February, Anime Network is inviting Broken Blade viewers to enter to win ten  limited edition DVD/Blu-ray and English cast autographed poster sets. For more information, visit www.theanimenetwork.com/brokenbladecontest.

Broken Blade, published by Sentai Filmworks and distributed by Section 23 Films is the story of Rygart Arrow who defends Cruzon by piloting an ancient and powerful Golem.

Project Eden film, plus Affair of Nolandia & Flight 005 Conspiracy OVAs, scheduled for May 2012, with remastered video & three audio options. 

GRIMES, Iowa, January 25, 2012 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and its Nozomi Entertainment division are pleased to announce DIRTY PAIR: The Original Features DVD Collection will be available on May 1, 2012.

This value-priced Dirty Pair DVD collection will contain the PROJECT EDEN theatrical film, plus the direct-to-video (OVA) features AFFAIR OF NOLANDIA and FLIGHT 005 CONSPIRACY. In addition to remastered video from the Japanese DVD release, the set will offer two English audio options (the Streamline Pictures dub, directed by Carl Macek, and the ADV Films dub), Japanese audio, and English-language subtitles and on-screen translations.

HOUSTON, January 24th, 2012 – Section23 Films is pleased to announce the release of the devilishly fun anime THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS. Out today on both DVD & Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks

Title:                 THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS
Running Time:   300 min.
Age Rating:       TV 14 (D)
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
CAT:                 SF-WGK100
UPC:                814131018311
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Street Date:      1/24/2012
Format:             DVD
SRP:                $59.98

Title:                 THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS BLU-RAY EDITION
CAT:                 SFB-WGK100
UPC:                814131018410
Format:             BD
SRP:                $69.98

AnimeFest is proud to announce our first Japanese Guest of Honor for AnimeFest 2012.

Koji Morimoto (born on December 26, 1959) is a prominent film director and animator of many popular anime feature films. His works include: Akira, City Hunter, Dirty Pair: Project Eden, Fist of the North Star, .hack//Legend of the Twilight, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Lensman, Macross Plus, Robot Carnival, Roujin Z, Tekkonkinkreet, and so many more!

This will by Mr. Morimoto’s first time at AnimeFest!

New York Times Best Sellers List Manga thru January 14th

Here is the list of the New York Times top 10 bet selling Manga for the week of January 8th thru the 14th.

1 NEON GENESIS: EVANGELION, VOL. 10, by Osamu Takahashi. (Dark Horse Comics, $9.99.) From the publisher: “The campus culture festival is coming up for the students of Class 2-A.” That means starting an all-girl band, despite the keyboardist being a boy.

Santa Ana, Calif. (January 19, 2012) – NIS America announced today that Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 for the PlayStation®3 Computer Entertainment System will be shipped out on February 28, 2012 in the North American market, and February 24, 2012 in the European market. Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 is the sequel to the popular RPG Hyperdimension Neptunia, in which you control personifications (humanoids) of videogame consoles with the objective of protecting the world of Gamindustri. In Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2, the four heroines are the younger sisters of the CPUs (Console Patron Units) from Hyperdimension Neptunia. Once again, fans can indulge in the mysteries and adventures found within Gamindustri!

Latest Action-Packed Ninja Adventures Straight From Japan To Stream For Fans Beginning With Episode 245

VIZ Media has announced the simulcast of the latest episodes of the anime series NARUTO SHIPPUDEN on the Hulu Plus subscription service (www.hulu.com/plus). Beginning January 19^th, Hulu Plus subscribers will be able to simulcast the latest episode of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN in high-definition just an hour after broadcast debut in Japan. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Episode 245 (rated TV-14, subtitled) and new episodes will be broadcast weekly.

For A Limited Time Only, New Users Can Download VIZ Manga App And Receive Free Volume 1

VIZ Media gives manga (graphic novel) readers an added reason to explore the digital manga experience with a special promotion for new users of the VIZ Manga App for Apple iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod^® touch devices. From now until January 30^th, download the FREE VIZ Manga App to your iOS device, register for a new account, and get a free volume 1 of your choice.

HOUSTON, January 17, 2012— Sentai Filmworks has announced the licensing of  LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER!, the wild new anime series that takes the classic sit-com premise of ‘a bachelor being forced to adopt three young children and discovering a whole new outlook on life’ and turns it completely on its head!  Based on the series of novels by Tomohiro Matsu and the subsequent manga series illustrated by Yuka Nakajima, the 12 episode series is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki (LICENSED BY ROYALTY, RENTAL MAGICA, ARC THE LAD,) while series composition is handled by veteran Naruhisa Arakawa (STEEL ANGEL KURUMI, DNANGEL, BLUE SEED) while key animator Takashi Mamezuka (INFINITE STRATOS, EDEN OF THE EAST,) takes up the task of adapting Nakajima’s original designs.

HOUSTON, January 16, 2012— Sentai Filmworks is ghoulishly pleased to announce the acquisition of ANOTHER, the eagerly awaited new anime series that dares to ask the question:  What do you do when your classmate’s school locker is a locker in the morgue?  Based on the hit novel by Yukito Ayatsuji, the 12 episode series joins the manga, written by Ayatsuji and illustrated by MELANCHOLOY OF HARUHI SUZIMIYA’s Noizi Ito, and the forthcoming live action feature film (due Summer 2012) as part of the latest hit horror franchise to erupt from Japan.  Tsutomu Mizushima (BLOOD C, KOBATO, XXXHOLIC) directs from series composition by Ryo Higaki (MORIBITO-GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT) while Yuriko Ishii (Persona – Trinity Soul) adapts Ito’s original character designs for animation.

The top release this week is the cult hit Hetalia Axis Powers Season 3: World Series (Funimation, “17+,” 120 min., $34.98), the outrageous series in which the countries involved in World War II are represented by stereotyped anthropomorphic characters—not very politically correct, but loads of fun.  This 24-episode release includes the first half of season three, which contains 48 five-minute episodes.

news provided by ANN

Digital Manga Raises Funds to Translate Tezuka’s Barbara

The North American publisher Digital Manga is raising funds through the Kickstarter website to publish Osamu Tezuka’s Barbara manga in English. Digital Manga gave the following description of the story: