Sayonara

After about a year and half of maintaining this blog, as well as 4 years of helping Anime Network in various capacities with services, viewer relations, consulting and general assistance as a fan - in addition to the the last few weeks of not having the time that I would like to dedicate to this blog, which I once had - it is time for change. I've decided to retire my blog and coverage of Section23 Films, Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network and the various companies so that I can pursue new personal and professional opportunities.

When I first started this blog (previously ADV Nation), the various companies were in a certain phase of silence, and I thought that a lot of fans would like to know about developments and news that was taking place. There were some stories that I felt I could report on that would be of interest to the fans. Today, as the companies emerge and are now engaging the fans in various capacities, I feel more comfortable that this is the right time and place for me to change gears. In particular, Sentai Filmworks, Section23 Films are opening themselves up to the world of social networking and in the near future will have new methods of contact and engagement that should satisfy their fans. Stay tuned, 2010 will be a great year for Section23 Films, Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network and Seraphim Digital.

The chance to cover and exchange thoughts with many in the industry at various levels has been a fun and interesting experience. I never thought I would have had this opportunity as I still see myself intrinsically as just another anime fan. It's been an experience I won't forget.

Thanks to all the readers for reading, the words of encouragement, and your valuable communication here and on twitter since this blog's inception.

Anime Network to simulcast Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao

Full Press Release:

NEW SCHOOL COMEDY SERIES—ICHIBAN USHIRO NO DAIMAO—TO BEGIN SIMULCASTING THIS APRIL ON ANIME NETWORK ONLINE

HOUSTON, TX — 3-30-2010 — Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao, the latest series from famed director Takashi Watanabe (Boogiepop Phantom, New Fist of the North Star), will begin simulcasting this April on Anime Network Online.

WHAT: Worldwide Premiere of Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao on Anime Network Online
From Marvelous Entertainment (Mushi-shi, Air Gear) and Artland (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Legend of the Galactic Heroes) comes the story of young Akuto Sai, a new student at Constan Magical Academy. On the day of admittance, his aptitude test has predicted his future occupation as...Devil King. And so begins the trials and tribulations of school life as he is hounded by do-gooders, self appointed protectors, and overzealous followers. In this school, there's no rest for the Devil King.

WHEN: Episode 1 will be available on Friday, April 2, 2010.
Check www.theanimenetwork.com for North American Listings.

WHERE: Anime Network Official website's Online Player.

HOW: The Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao simulcast will be available to registered users. Registration is absolutely free and takes very little time.
www.theanimenetwork.com

Clannad English Voice Cast Announcement (Part 2 Complete List)

Sentai Filmworks recently announced that Clannad will be dubbed by partner-studio, Seraphim Digital (the studio formerly part of ADV Films' in-house studio, and recent studio in charge of English adaptation for Halo Legends and Appleseed). Sentai Filmworks has set a release date of June 15, 2010 for the Clannad DVD Collection which will include the English dub as well as fine-tuned subtitles. In addition, as part of the group announcement, Sentai Filmworks' other top titles: Ghost Hound, Legends of the Dark King, Blue Drop and Tears to Tiara will be getting the English Dub treatment along with Clannad. It was also announced that Steven Foster will be helming the dub as the series ADR Director of Clannad, along with co-director, Janice Williams.

Section23 Films reveals Clannad Upgrade Plans

RightStuf has announced that Section23 Films has revealed two options on the upgrade program for the new Clannad Complete Collection which will feature an English Dub and corrected subtitles.

PDF Upgrade Form: http://clannadupgrade.rightstuf.com/

Section23 has revealed the details of their CLANNAD upgrade program. There are two ways to participate and receive a discounted price on the CLANNAD Complete Collection, which includes episodes 1-24 and features a new English dub, in addition to the Japanese audio and subtitles.

Clannad English Voice Cast Announcement

Update - Complete Cast List now at: http://www.sxanimedia.com/2010/03/clannad-english-voice-cast-announcement_23.html

Sentai Filmworks recently announced that Clannad will be dubbed by partner-studio, Seraphim Digital (the studio formerly part of ADV Films' in-house studio, and recent studio in charge of English adaptation for Halo Legends and Appleseed). Sentai Filmworks has set a release date of June 15, 2010 for the Clannad DVD Collection which will include the English dub as well as fine-tuned subtitles. In addition, as part of the group announcement, Sentai Filmworks' other top titles: Ghost Hound, Legends of the Dark King, Blue Drop and Tears to Tiara will be getting the English Dub treatment along with Clannad. It was also announced that Steven Foster will be helming the dub as the series ADR Director of Clannad.

Section23 Films announces Clannad (Dubbed) Complete Collection, La Corda D'Oro, Papillon Rose, Brighter than the Dawning Blue in June

Section23 Films has announced distribution of several new titles in June 2010 for Sentai Filmworks: Brighter Than The Dawning Blue (Yoake Mae Yori Ruri Iro Na -Crescent Love-), Papillon Rose, La Corda D'oro ~ Primo Passo, as well as Gintama Collection 2 and the recently announced, English Dubbed Complete Collection for Clannad.

Clannad English Dub Premieres on Anime Network VOD, Online in March

A year after its initial North American premiere, Anime Network announces that the encore presentation of Clannad next week on March 25 will be the new English Dub version. Anime Network has also announced that episodes 1 and 2 will be available free as a sneak peak preview on Anime Network Online Player the next day on March 26 - the following episodes will be updated one episode a week and will be available for premium subscribers.

Anime Network also announced that on April 3 at 3:00pm, Clannad English dub will be available for screening at Anime Matsuri.

Sentai Filmworks recently announced that Clannad will be dubbed by partner-studio, Seraphim Digital (the studio formerly part of ADV Films' in-house studio, and recent studio in charge of English adaptation for Halo Legends and Appleseed). Sentai Filmworks has not specified a release date as of yet, but as part of the announcement, have also included Ghost Hound, Legends of the Dark King, Blue Drop and Tears to Tiara as their top titles that will be getting the English Dub treatment along with Clannad. It was also announced that Steven Foster will be helming the dub as the series ADR Director.

Sentai Filmworks Announces Clannad, Ghost Hound, Tears To Tiara and more English Dubs

Sentai Filmworks has announced that five of their most popular titles: Clannad, Ghost Hound, Legends of the Dark King ~ A Fist of the North Star Story, Tears to Tiara and Blue Drop will be dubbed by Seraphim Digital Studios (the studio that previously handled dubs and production for ADV Films, and recently for Microsoft and Warner Brothers for Halo Legends). As part of the announcement, Steven Foster has been named the helmer for the Clannad dub. Two months ago, SXAniMedia reported that Clannad and Legends of the Dark King dub was a possibility due to a voice actress resume which was available as part of the Halo Legends cast announcement.

In addition to the announcement, Sentai Filmworks has also announced that an Upgrade program will be available for existing owners to upgrade their release for the new version which will include the English dub.

Section23 Films releases Tayutama DVD Collection

Full Press Release:

TAYUTAMA: KISS ON MY DEITY ON SALE TODAY

HOUSTON, March 16th 2010 – Section23 Films, America’s fastest-growing anime distributor, is pleased to announce Tayutama: Kiss On My Deity goes on sale today on DVD across North America.

Tayutama: Kiss On My Deity Complete Collection contains all 12 episodes of the magical comedy series on 2 discs. Tayutama began life as a popular adult PC game, but it has since been adapted to many other media, including anime.

SYNOPSIS: Yuuri Mito is a typical, normal Japanese teenager. He goes to school, works on people's motorcycles and performs exorcisms. Okay, that last part's a bit little unusual, but his family lives in a shrine and they do that sort of thing. Still, you would think he'd know enough to be careful with an ancient relic he finds in the woods, especially when a mysterious goddess appears and tells him to leave it alone. Unfortunately, despite Mito's best efforts, the seal gets broken anyway and a number of dangerous "tayuti" that it held in stasis get loose. This is bad. Mito also ends up with a beautiful goddess girl who decides that she's going to marry him. This might not be so bad. If he wasn't already caught up in the middle of a war between the entities he's released. The flesh may be weak but the spirit's more than willing to compensate in TAYUTAMA: KISS ON MY DEITY THE COMPLETE COLLECTION!

Halo Legends DVD and English Dub Review

Halo Legends DVD and English Dub Review

Halo is a name that needs no introduction, even for myself - a non-FPS gamer, where the games are most-often just something at the distant periphery of my interests. However, even within the anime community, its reach and renown has been pervasive; the sci-fi video game juggernaut has sold tens of millions and has become a driving force for Microsoft’s Xbox platform. Hopping on the Animatrix and Batman Gotham Knight bandwagon last summer, Microsoft generated a great deal of buzz with the announcement of Halo Legends - an anthology of seven short films created by some of Japan’s most acclaimed studios and talents, which include industry legends Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) and Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell).