New anime
Aldnoah.Zero
Aldnoah.Zero (アルドノア・ゼロ Arudonoa Zero) is an anime series produced by Nitroplus and animated by A-1 Pictures and TROYCA. This mecha-sci-fi series is scheduled to air in July 2014.
Opening Theme:
1. “heavenly blue” by Kalafina
A princess from the Vers empire (human settlers on Mars) comes to earth on a peace mission, but is “killed.” Seems her countrymen want more than just remaining on Mars. Earth is in their sights!
Protagonist Inaho Kaizuka is definitely emotionless and a stoic character, even after seeing his friend killed in front of him. Pretty interesting plot line so far.
“Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.”
Akatsuki no Yona
Akatsuki no Yona (暁のヨナ, lit. Yona of the Dawn , also known as Akatsuki no Yona -The girl standing in the blush of dawn-) is a manga series by Mizuho Kusanagi, serialized in Hakusensha’s shōjo manga magazine Hana to Yume from August 2009. It has been collected in sixteen tankōbon volumes and is ongoing.
This action, fantasy series was animated and aired from October 2014 until March 24, 2015 with a total of 24 episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Akatsuki no Yona” (暁のヨナ, Yona of the Dawn) by Kunihiko Ryo
2. “Akatsuki no Hana”, by Cyntia
3. “Yoru” (夜, Night) by Vistlip
4. “Akatsuki”by Akiko Shikata
As the only princess of a grand kingdom of Kouka, Yona was raised with great care by her doting father and protected by her childhood friend/guard Hak and others. However, her fate changed on her 16th birthday, when her beloved cousin Soo-won murders her father to usurp the throne. She flees the castle with Hak’s and together they journey in search of the four dragons, said to be her guardians to save her kingdom.
Barakamon
Barakamon (ばらかもん) is a comedic, slice-of-life manga series written by Satsuki Yoshino since 2009 and is ongoing. An anime adaptation is scheduled to air in the summer of 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Rashisa” (らしさ) by SUPER BEAVER
2. “Innocence” by NoisyCell
As a punishment for punching a famous Calligrapher/exhibition curator, young handsome calligrapher Handa Seishuu is exiled to a small, remote island (Gotou Islands) off the western coast of Kyushuu. As someone who has never lived outside of a city, Handa has to adapt to his new wacky neighbors, like people traveling on a tractor, unwanted visitors who never use the front door, annoying kids using his home as a playground, and overly nosy neightbors. Can this city guy handle all the crazy hardships? Find out in this wacky island comedy full of innocence and laughter!!!
The little girl Naru sure has no boundaries when it comes to Seishuu. She waltzes in and out of his house like it’s her own. Too cute!
Donten ni Warau
Laughing Under the Clouds (曇天に笑う Donten ni Warau, also referred to as Cloudy Laugh) is a Japanese supernatural manga series by Karakara-Kemuri. A sequel entitled Donten ni Warau Gaiden was released in 2014. Another titled Laughing in Limbo (Rengoku ni Warau) was released in 2014 which is set 300 years before Donten ni Warau.
The supernatural series has been adapted into an anime television series with the license for streaming in North America given to Funimation. It aired in October 2014 with a total of 12 episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Biran no Kaze” (毘藍ノ風, Purifying Wind) by Ryūji Aoki
2. “Ruten no Hi” (流転ノ陽, Recurrent Sun) by Ryūji Aoki
3. “Attitude to Life” by Galneryus
In the eleventh year of the Meiji era (1878) carrying swords was forbidden by the government and those known as samurai were slowly fading away. However, there were plenty who didn’t like those changes taking place in Japan and inevitably the crime rates increased. The country’s only solution was an inescapable lake prison in the middle of Lake Biwa. Since the prison had no other way to access it except by water, the three boys of the Kumo family, led by Tenka, Soramaru and Chuutaro, were assigned to transport the criminals to their new “home”.
DRAMAtical Murder
DRAMAtical Murder (ドラマティカル マーダー Doramatikaru Mādā) is a BL (yaoi) visual novel developed and published by Nitro+chiral. It was released on March 23, 2012 for Windows PCs as a first press edition, with a regular edition released on April 27, 2012. This sci-fi anime adaption by studio NAZ will premiere in July 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “SLIP ON THE PUMPS” by GOATBED
2. “BOWIE KNIFE” by GOATBED
Midorijima is a plentiful island to the southwest of the Japanese islands where mankind and nature once coexisted. However, due to being purchased by Tōue Company, a powerful corporation in Japan, one-third of the island has been changed into an extravagant amusement facility called “Platinum Jail”. Equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology, Platinum Jail has garnered much attention. On the other side, the islanders who became victims of forceful development are forced into the “Former Residents’ District”, and have no choice but to carry out their lives in a run-down area.
The protagonist Aoba Seragaki spends his days working part-time at a junk shop named “Heibon,” inside the Former Residents District, living with his grandmother Tae.
Among the youth of the Former Residents District, a certain game has become popular. In “Ribstiez,” teams are created and days of human-bullet turf wars unfold. On the other hand, “Rhyme” is an electronic brain online game using a virtual world as its setting. Aoba shows no interest in either game, thinking that it would be nice to just live peacefully with his grandmother.
However, when rumors of people disappearing spread, Aoba finds himself needing to unravel the mysteries behind the island in order to protect his everyday life.
Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun (月刊少女野崎くん, Monthly Shōjo Nozaki-kun) is an ongoing Japanese four-panel web romantic comedy manga written and illustrated by Izumi Tsubaki since 2011. An anime television series adaptation by Dogakobo is scheduled to air from July 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Kimi Janakya Dame Mitai” (君じゃなきゃダメみたい “Seems It Can’t Be Anyone Other Than You”) by Masayoshi Ōishi
2. “Uraomote Fortune” (ウラオモテ・フォーチュン) by Ari Ozawa [under her character name Chiyo Sakura]
High school student Chiyo Sakura has a crush on schoolmate Umetarō Nozaki, but when she confesses her love to him, he mistakes her for a fan and gives her an autograph. When she says that she always wants to be with him, he invites her to his house, but has her help on some drawings. Chiyo discovers that Nozaki is actually a renowned shōjo manga artist named Sakiko Yumeno, and agrees to be his assistant. As they work on his manga “Let’s Love~”, they encounter other schoolmates who assist them or serve as inspirations for characters in the stories.
Quite an entertaining series. (in the same premise of Mangaka-to Assistant)
Gugure! Kokkuri-san
Gugure! Kokkuri-san (繰繰れ! コックリさん) is a supernatural, comedic manga series by Midori Endō, serialized in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker since 2011. It has been collected in seven tankōbon volumes as of October 2014.
The anime television series adaptation by TMS Entertainment aired in Japan between October and December 2014 with a total of 12 episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Welcome!! DISCO Kemokemoke” (Welcome!!DISCOけもけもけ) by the voice actors Daisuke Ono, Takahiro Sakurai and Jōji Nakata
2. “This Merry-Go-Round Song” by Suemitsu Atsushi
The original manga revolves around Kohina Ichimatsu, an expressionless elementary school girl who ends up summoning a Kokkuri-san, a fox spirit in Japanese folklore. The Kokkuri-san she calls ends up being a white-haired handsome, young man. Although he had intended to scare her at first, he becomes worried about her terrible eating habits of cup ramen for every meal, so he self-appoints himself as her guardian to protect her and raise her well.
Nobunaga Concerto
Nobunaga Concerto (信長協奏曲 Nobunaga Kyousoukyoku) is a historical romantic manga series written by Ayumi Ishii since 2009 and is ongoing. The anime adaptation is scheduled to air this July 2014. Popular seiyuu Mamoru Miyano (Light Yagami in Death Note, Rin Matsuoka in Free!) has the lead on this.
A live action drama and movie, starring Oguri Shun (also a known seiyuu) (who plays Arsène Lupin III in the upcoming live-action adaptation film of Lupin the Third to be released on August 30, also of Hana Yori Dango, HanaKimi, Detective Conan, Uchuu Kyodai fame), is scheduled for release this October!
Ending Theme:
1. “Fukagyaku Replace (不可逆リプレイス)” by MY FIRST STORY
Saburo is a high school student good in sports, but not very good with his studies. One day, Saburo travels back in time and arrives in the Sengoku period of 1549. There, Saburo meets Nobunaga Oda who looks and sounds just like Saburo. Nobunaga Oda is the son of a warlord and magistrate of the lower Owari Province. Nobunaga Oda though is physically weak and he asks Saburo to take his place. Saburo, as Nobunaga Oda, then attempts to unify the country of Japan.
Norn9 Norun + Nonetto
NORN9 (NORN9 ノルン＋ノネット NORN9 Norun+Nonetto) is an otome game for PlayStation Portable launched in May 30, 2013. An anime adaptation was announced along with a PlayStation Vita port. (release delayed to 2015?)
The story takes place a little in the future. Guided by one particular song, young elementary school student Suzuhara Sorata, from the Heisei Era, is warped through a time skip to an unfamiliar place that looks much like the towns from the Meiji or Taishou period from his textbooks. In this world, he meets three young ladies and nine young men and joins them on a journey aboard the mysterious Norn ship, a giant globe that floats in midair.
Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji
Wolf Girl and Black Prince (オオカミ少女と黒王子 Ōkami Shōjo to Kuro Ōji) is a shōjo manga series written by Ayuko Hatta and is ongoing. The romantic comedy was adapted into a drama CD in 2013. In 2014 the May issue of Shueisha’s Bessatsu Margaret magazine is announcing that a television anime has been green-lit. The anime ran from October 2, 2014 to December 21, 2014 lasting twelve episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “LOVE GOOD TIME” by SpecialThanks
2. “Wolf Heart” by Oresama
Erika Shinohara is a vain 16-year-old girl who tells her friends about her romantic exploits, but actually has no boyfriend. She claims that a handsome boy in a candid photo is her boyfriend, but it turns out that boy is a schoolmate named Kyouya Sata. She has no choice but to make him her fake boyfriend. Unfortunately, Sata may look like a sweet person, but he is actually an ultra-black-hearted sadist. Sata takes advantage of Erika’s weakness and treats her like his dog.
Sanzoku no Musume Ronja
Sanzoku no Musume Ronja (山賊の娘ローニャ Sanzoku no Musume Ronja) is taken from a Swedish children’s fantasy book “Ronia the Robber’s Daughter” (Ronja Rövardotter). The anime adaptation produced by Studio Ghibli and Polygon Pictures is scheduled for August 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Haru no Sakebi” (春のさけび Shout of Spring) by Aoi Teshima
2. “Player” by Mari Natsuki
The story is about a girl named Ronja who is the daughter of a chief of a tribe of bandits and lives in a huge castle in the forest with the bandits. The story follows Ronja as she encounters mystical creatures, makes friends with another young child like herself, and experiences life in the forest.
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (四月は君の嘘 April is Your Lie) is a manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa since 2011 and is ongoing. The manga won the Best Shonen Manga at the 37th Kodansha Manga Awards. An anime television series adaptation by A-1 Pictures is scheduled to air from October 2014 on Fuji TV’s noitamina block.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Hikaru Nara” (光るなら, If You Will Shine) by Goose
2. “Nanairo Symphony” (七色シンフォニー, Seven-colored Symphony) by Coalamode
3. “Kirameki” (キラメキ, Sparkle) by wacci.
4. “Orange” (オレンジ, Orange) by 7!! (Seven Oops)
Piano prodigy Arima Kosei dominated the piano competitions as a child. But after his mother, who was also his instructor, passed away, he had a mental breakdown at a recital. To that end, he insists he no longer hears the sound of his piano even though his hearing is perfectly fine.
Two years later, Kosei has yet to touch the piano and views the world monotonously, without any flair or color. He is content with living out his life with his good friends Tsubaki and Watari until, one day, a girl changed everything. Miyazono Kaori is a pretty, free spirited violinist whose playing style reflects her personality. Kaori helps Kosei return to the music world and show that it should be free and mold breaking unlike the structured and rigid style Kosei was used to.
Tokyo ESP
Tokyo ESP (東京ESP) is a manga by Hajime Segawa, which began serialization in the April 2010 issue of Kadokawa Shoten’s Shōnen Ace magazine. The anime adaptation is scheduled for Summer 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Tokyo Zero Hearts” (東京ゼロハーツ) by Faylan
2. “Kyuusei Argyros” (救世Άργυρóϛ) by Yousei Teikoku
It follows a high school girl named Rinka Urushiba, who lives with her father in poor conditions, leading her to work part-time as a waitress to secure rent and food.
One day after school, she sees a penguin and some glowing fish swimming through the sky. Rinka might have thought it was a hallucination if there had not been another witness with her, a boy from her school with a strangely scratched-up face. Contact with a fish causes her to pass out, and when she awakens, she has developed the power to move through inanimate objects such as the floor of her apartment. She meets a fellow high school student named Kyotaro Azuma, who has the ability to teleport. The two of them use their ESP powers to take on individuals who have decided to use them for evil. However, there is an organization that plans for a bigger scheme to secure utopia with their ranks consisting of strong ESP fighters and users.
Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul (東京喰種 Tōkyō Gūru) is a manga series by Sui Ishida, serialized since September 2011. The anime series adaptation by Pierrot is scheduled to air from July 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “unravel” by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure
2. “Saints” (聖者たち Seijatachi) by People In The Box
The suspense horror/dark fantasy story is set in Tokyo, which is haunted by mysterious “ghouls” who look human but need to eat human flesh in order to survive. Eighteen-year-old college freshman Ken Kaneki encounters Rize Kamishiro, a girl who professes to be an avid reader like him, at a café he frequents. His life changes after he is nearly killed (devoured) by Rize (a ghoul), and he receives organ “donations” from her. Kaneki soon realizes he is now half-human and half-ghoul.
World Trigger
World Trigger (ワールドトリガー), also known in short form as WāTori (ワートリ), is a manga series written and illustrated by Daisuke Ashihara, and serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since February 2013. An anime adaptation of the series produced by Toei Animation started airing on 5 October 2014 with an approximate 50 episodes planned.
Opening Theme:
1. “GIRIGIRI” (ギリギリ “Borderline”)
In Mikado City (三門市 Mikado-shi) (280 000 inhabitants), a “gate” to a different world opens suddenly one day. Invincible aliens called “Neighbors” (近界民（ネイバー） “Near-world people”?) start appearing from this gate. Earth’s only line of defense is a mysterious group called the “Border” who are armed with weapons called “Triggers”.
Four and a half years after the gate is opened for the first time, Yūma Kuga (空閑 遊真 Kuga Yūma), a humanoid Neighbor, comes to Mikado City, where he meets Osamu Mikumo (三雲 修 Mikumo Osamu), a Border agent.
Zankyou no Terror
Zankyō no Terror (残響のテロル Zankyō no Teroru, “Echo’s Terror”), also known as Terror in Tokyo, is a an anime series produced by MAPPA. The anime will be directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, with character designs by Kazuto Nakazawa and music by Yoko Kanno. The anime will air on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block in July 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Trigger” by Yuuki Ozaki (from Galileo Galilei)
2. “Dare ka, Umi wo. (誰か、海を。)” by Aimer
One summer day, a bomb explodes in the heart of Tokyo. The terrorists are two teenagers who call themselves “Sphinx.” Now they launch a huge game that involves the entire Japanese population.
Returning
Durarara!! 2
Durarara!! (デュラララ!! Durarara!!), often shortened to DRRR!!, is a light novel series written by Ryohgo Narita and illustrated by Suzuhito Yasuda. The series ran for thirteen volumes since April 2004 until January 2014. A sequel series titled Durarara!! SH (デュラララ!! SH Durarara!! SH?) was announced following the end of the first arc. A manga adaptation by Akiyo Satorigi started serialization in the shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy on April 18, 2009. An anime adaptation began airing in Japan in January 2010.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1.
2.
A second season of Durarara!! has been confirmed since March 2014. The story takes place a half year after the first series at Tokyo’s Ikebukuro neighborhood.
Durarara!! tells the story of a dullahan working as an underworld courier in Ikebukuro, an internet-based anonymous gang called The Dollars, and the chaos that unfolds around the most dangerous people in Ikebukuro.
Fate/stay night (2014)
Fate/stay night (フェイト/ステイナイト Feito/sutei naito) is a visual novel developed by Type-Moon, which was originally released as an adult game for Windows in 2004.
The manga series adaptation by Datto Nishiwaki was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten’s Shōnen Ace magazine between the February 2006 and December 2012 issues. A 24-episode anime series created by Studio Deen aired in Japan between January 6 and June 16, 2006. A Fate/stay night film was also created by Studio Deen and was released in Japanese theaters on January 23, 2010. Ufotable has announced a new Fate/stay night anime project, set to air in October 2014.
[PV] – Fate/stay night by Ufotable
Opening & ending themes
1.
2.
Fate/stay night chronicles a two-week period in the life of the protagonist Shirō Emiya, an amateur mechanic who attends a school named Homurahara Gakuen in Fuyuki City, Japan. The story primarily takes place at and around Shirō Emiya’s house, which acts as their base location in the Holy Grail War (where combatants fight with magic and Heroes throughout history for a chance to have their wishes granted).
Fuyuki City is the setting for a secret and violent war among competing magi. For the past two centuries, seven sorcerers have gathered and engage in a battle royale known as the Holy Grail War, each gambling his or her own life to obtain the Holy Grail, a legendary chalice capable of granting wishes. The past four Holy Grail Wars have typically occurred every sixty years or so. However, the fifth war has started prematurely, with the most recent concluding less than a decade ago.
The seven sorcerers, known as Masters, are aided by seven beings known as Servants, reincarnations of legendary heroes from all time. These resurrected souls possess superhuman characteristics and wield powerful artifacts or abilities called Noble Phantasms, symbols of their heroism during life. Only one Servant can be summoned in each war from one of seven classes: Saber (King Arthur), Archer (Gilgamesh), Lancer (First of the Knights of Fianna: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne), Berserker (Black Knight: Lancelot of the Lake), Rider (Iskander: Alexander the Great), Assassin (Hassan-i Sabbah), and Caster (Bluebeard aka Gilles de Rais), each representing their distinctive role in battle. The Servants are summoned by the power of the Grail itself and aid their Masters in doing battle, protecting them from harm and killing other Servants or Masters. In return for their aid, the Servants also seek their own wish from the Holy Grail, should their Master become victorious.
The main theme in Fate/stay night is “conquering oneself.” There are three story lines in Fate, each has a different theme. The first one, Fate, is the “oneself as an ideal.” The second one, Unlimited Blade Works, is “struggling with oneself as an ideal.” The third one, Heaven’s Feel, is “the friction with real and ideal.”
– wikipedia
Free! Eternal Summer
Free! (Iwatobi Swim Club), is an anime series directed by Hiroko Utsumi and produced by Kyoto Animation and Animation Do. It is based off of the light novel written by Kōji Ōji, High Speed! (ハイ☆スピード! Hai Supīdo!), which was published in July 2013. The anime aired in Japan between July 4 and September 26, 2013 with a second season currently scheduled for Summer 2014.
Opening & ending themes
1. “Dried Up Youthful Fame” by OLDCODEX
2. “Future Fish” by Style Five
Style Five performed the ending themes “Splash Free” and “Ever Blue” for the first anime season.
The story revolves around Haruka Nanase, a boy who has always loved to be immersed in water, and to swim in it. Before graduating from elementary school, he participated in a swimming tournament along with his fellow swim club members: Makoto, Nagisa and Rin.
Hotties alert! Get the drool bucket ready!
Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus
Black Butler (黒執事 Kuroshitsuji) is a manga written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. Since its debut on September 16, 2006, it has been serialized in Square Enix’s shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy.
The series has been licensed by Yen Press in North America and published in Yen Plus’ August 2009 issue for the magazine’s first anniversary. The anime adaption premiered in October 2008, and has since ended with 24 episodes. The second season aired in 2010 spanning 12 episodes with two new main characters, Alois Trancy and Claude Faustus. On January 16, 2014, it has been announced that Black Butler has been green-lit for another anime adaptation. Two days later, a live action film adaptation was released in Japan.
The Book of Circus will air July 2014 in the Animeism block. This arc picks up after the Curry Contest Arc in the manga, which ended at episode 15 in the first season of the anime. It will adapt the Noah’s Ark Circus Arc.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Enamel” by SID
SID’s major debut single “Monochrome no Kiss” was used as the opening theme for the anime’s first season.
2. “Aoki Tsuki Michite” (Blue Full Moon) by Akira
The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, the twelve-year-old (later thirteen-year-old) head of the Phantomhive noble family and the business-savvy owner of the Funtom company, a toy manufacturer. Ciel has formed a demonic contract with Sebastian Michaelis. In return, when Sebastian has helped Ciel finish all of his tasks, including avenging his parents’ deaths, Sebastian will be allowed to consume Ciel’s soul.
Log Horizon
Log Horizon (ログ・ホライズン Rogu Horaizun) is an adventure-fantasy novel series written by Mamare Touno. The novel has received four manga adaptations, with one based on the main story and the other three revolving around characters in the series. The series returns for a second season in Fall 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “database” by Man With A Mission ft. Takuma
2. “Wonderful Wonder World” by Yun*chi
The story begins when 30,000 Japanese gamers are trapped in the fantasy online game world Elder Tale after a game update. What was once a sword-and-sorcery world is now the real world. The protagonist and strategist Shiroe attempts to survive with his old friend Naotsugu and the beautiful assassin Akatsuki. The anime adaptation is scheduled to air Oct. 5, 2013 until March 22, 2014 with 25 episodes. A second season will begin airing in Fall 2014.
The story begins with the feel of Sword Art Online, but quickly differs and becomes mighty interesting: especially with the “evil” four-eyed strategist Shiroe.
Suisei no Gargantia Sequel
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet (翠星のガルガンティア Suisei no Garugantia) is a sci-fi/mecha manga written by Mitogawa Wataru was serialized in January 2013 and is ongoing. The anime adaptation aired on April 7, 2013 with a scheduled 13 episodes is also streamed on Crunchyroll.
Set in the distant future, mankind calls space home and forms the Galactic Alliance of Humankind, which protects their kind from a plant-like alien species called Hideauze. Protagonist 16-year-old Ledo is a lieutenant for the Alliance who pilots Chamber, an AI-automated, humanoid-shaped battle suit. After a failed attempt to destroy the enemy’s super weapon, the retreating Ledo is knocked into a wormhole and loses consciousness. Six months later, Ledo awakens from cryo-stasis to find himself on Gargantia, a massive ship floating on Earth: the birthplace of humans, a place the Alliance knows of only in stories and thought of as a myth.
Sengoku Basara Judge End
Sengoku Basara (戦国BASARA) is a series of video games developed and published by Capcom, and a bigger media franchise based on it, including two anime series and an animated film. Its story is very loosely based around the many real characters and events of the titular Sengoku era in the history of feudal Japan.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Thunderclap” by Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
2. “Hokkyokusei~Polaris~ (北極星～ポラリス～)” by Chiaki Ishikawa
Based on CAPCOM’s 2010 game Sengoku Basara 3 (Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes), and it will depict the epic Battle of Sekigahara. In the real history of Japan, it occured in 1600 as one of the most famous and fateful battles between the eastern and western armies to decide who would rule the whole country.
The widely popular franchise has already had two TV anime series in 2009 and 2010 with one feature film Sengoku Basara -The Last Party- in 2011. The latest PS3 game Sengoku Basara 4 was just released on January 23, 2014.
Judge End is animated by Telecom Animation (Muteki Kanban Musume, Z/X IGNITION) for the first time for the franchise. The previous three were produced by Production I.G. The voice actors for the game including Kazuya Nakai (Masamune Date), Souichiro Hoshi (Yukimura Sanada), Toru Okawa (Ieyasu Tokugawa), and Tomokazu Seki (Mitsunari Ishida), will reprise their roles in the anime. It is scheduled to be aired by Nihon TV sometime in this year. It is not mentioned yet whether it will be a series with several episodes or one-shot TV special. More details may be revealed at Nihon TV’s panel at Anime Japan 2014 on March 22.
Sword Art Online II: The Phantom Bullet
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン Sōdo Āto Onrain) is a Sci-Fantasy light novel series written by Kawahara Reki and illustrated by abec since 2009 and is ongoing. It has been adapted into three mangas, an RPG and a much acclaimed anime series with 25 episodes that ran from July 7, 2012 to December 22, 2012.
A year-end special, titled Sword Art Online Extra Edition, aired on December 31, 2013. It is a recap of the the previously aired anime series with some new footage. The sequel, “The Phantom” is scheduled for July 2014.
The anime series is also streamed and simulcasted on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
Opening & ending themes
1. “IGNITE” by Eir Aoi
2. “Startear” by Luna Haruna
It is 2022. A Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online (SAO) is released. The players log in simultaneously on November 6 and discover they are unable to log in. Soon they are told by the creator of SAO that if they want to be free, they have to fight their way up to the 100th floor and defeat the final boss. However, if their avatars die in the game, their true self in the real world perishes too.
Kirito, the protagonist and a beta tester of this game, meets many friends on the way and even falls in love with Asuna, another skilled player.
Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road
Yowamushi Pedal (弱虫ペダル) is a manga series written and illustrated by Wataru Watanabe. It began its serialization in 2008’s 12th issue of the Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine. As of May 2013, there are 28 compiled volumes published with the 29th scheduled for August 8, 2013. The 29th volume will be bundled with an OVA episode on DVD. A second season of the series began in October 2014.
Opening & ending themes
1. “Determination” by LASTGASP (eps 1-12)
2. “Remind (リマインド)” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D (eps 13-)
3. “Realize (リアライズ)” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D (eps 1-12)
4. “Eikou no Ichibyou (栄光への一秒)” by MAGIC OF LiFE (eps 13-)
Season 2 pick ups where season one left off and continue to follow Onoda, Naruko, Imaizumi, and the entire Sohoku team as they compete in Day 3 of the Inter-High. Joining the returning members is Eikichi Machimiya and the entire Hiroshima Kureminami Technical High School bicycle team. Their sole goal is to take down Hakone Academy. Season 2 lasts 24 episodes.
Spring 2014 Leftovers
Akuma no Riddle
Riddle Story of Devil (悪魔のリドル Akuma no Riddle) is a Yuri (love between women) and action manga series written by Yun Kōga and illustrated by Sunao Minakata. It started serialization in 2012 issue of Newtype. An anime adaptation directed by Keizō Kusakawa will be produced by Diomedea on April 4, 2014 with 13 episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Soushou Innocence (創傷イノセンス)” by Maaya Uchida
2. “Paradox (パラドクス)” by Ayaka Suwa as Tokaku Azuma (ep 1)
3. “Kinou, Kyou, Ashita (昨日、今日、明日)” by Hisako Kanemoto as Haru Ichinose (ep 2)
4. “Concentration” by Manami Numakura as Otoya Takechi (ep 3)
5. “Across The Fate” by Haruka Yoshimura as Kouko Kaminaga (ep 4)
The story is set at Myoujou Academy, a private girls’ boarding school. The 10th year’s Kurogumi (Black class) has 12 assassins, disguised as students, with their sights on one target: Haru Ichinose. Tokaku Azuma is a recent transfer student (and assassin) who is also targeting Ichinose, but she gradually develops feelings for Ichinose. Instead of fulfilling her duty, she decides to protect Ichinose instead.
Atelier Escha & Logy ~Tasogare no Sora no Renkinjutsushi~
Atelier Escha & Logy ~Tasogare no Sora no Renkinjutsushi~ (エスカ＆ロジーのアトリエ ～黄昏の空の錬金術士～) is a role-playing video game developed by Gust Co. Ltd. Given the project code “A15” (the 15th game in the official Atelier series).
An anime adaptation by Studio Gokumi has been announced and is planned to be aired in April 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Asuiro (アスイロ)” by Rie Murakawa
2. “Fuyumidori (ふゆみどり)” by Haruka Shimotsuki
This world has gone through many Dusks, and is slowly nearing its end. Within this world, in the western reaches of the “Land of Dusk,” there was a nation that prospered thanks to its use of alchemy.
There, in order to survive the eventual arrival of the “Dusk End,” the people devoted their efforts to rediscover and recreate lost alchemic technologies. Rediscovered technology from the past era was gathered in the alchemy research city known as “Central,” where research was conducted on how to halt the advance of the twilight.
One of the heroes is a young man, Logy, who researched alchemy in Central, the other a girl, Escha, living in a small town on the frontier. In the process of using her knowledge of ancient alchemy to help others, Escha’s assigned to the Development Department. Logy, on the other hand, having learned the newest alchemic techniques in Central, requested a transfer to Escha’s understaffed town and meets her. The two make a promise to use their alchemy together, and bring success to the Development Department.
Break Blade
Break Blade (ブレイク ブレイド) is a manga series written and illustrated by Yunosuke Yoshinaga. It was first published on April 10, 2007. The manga was adapted into six 50 minute animated movies from May 2010 – March 2011. The anime movies are also available online on Crunchyroll. The new anime series is scheduled to air April 6, 2014 with 12 episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Junction heart” by Sayaka Sasaki
2. “Itoshiki Aragaiyo, Michibike Hikari e (愛しき抗いよ、導け光へ)” by Aira Yuuki
The protagonist, Rygart Arrow, is a resident of a world where people can use “magic”. This magic is the ability to control and empower quartz, doing many things from creating light to operating machinery to riding giant mecha called ‘Golems’. Rygart, however, is unable to utilize quartz, thus making him an “un-sorcerer”, and in turn making many aspects of life difficult as well as being looked down upon by the rest of society. Despite this, in his youth he managed to befriend Hodr and Sigyn, the future King and Queen of the Krisna Kingdom; and Zess, the younger brother of the Secretary of War of the Athens Commonwealth.
Years later, Rygart is reunited with Hodr and Sigyn where he learns the Athens Commonwealth has begun an invasion of Krisna. Rygart is also shocked to learn that Zess is leading one of the strike forces. He later discovers that he has the ability to pilot a recently discovered ancient Golem which cannot be piloted by magic users. While hesitant at first, Rygart soon gets involved in the war between Krisna and Athens, in an attempt to save Hodr, Sigyn, and Zess.
Isshuukan Friends
One Week Friends (一週間フレンズ。 Isshūkan Furenzu.) is a manga series by Matcha Hazuki, serialized in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker from January 21, 2012. The anime television series adaptation by Brain’s Base is scheduled to air from April 6, 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Niji no Kakera (虹のかけら)” by Natsumi Kon
2. “Kanade (奏 (かなで))” by Kaori Fujimiya (CV: Sora Amamiya)
Kaori Fujimiya is always alone because all of her happy memories, including time spent with her friends, disappear every Monday. Deciding that he wants to be friends with her anyway, Yuuki Hase tries to get close to Kaori each week, wishing that she would one day call him “a friend.”
Kamigami no Asobi ~Ludere deorum~
Kamigami no Asobi: Ludere deorum (神々の悪戯 – Ludere deorum) is a visual novel by Nippon Ichi Software and Broccoli. It was released on October 24, 2013 for the PlayStation Portable. An anime television series adaptation by Brain’s Base is set to air from April 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “TILL THE END” by Apollon Agana Belea (CV: Miyu Irino), Hades Aidoneus (CV: Ono Daisuke), Tsukito Totsuka (CV: Yuuto Uemura), Takeru Totsuka (CV: Toshiyuki Toyonaga), Balder Hringhorni (CV: Kamiya Hiroshi), Loki Laevatein (CV: Yoshimasa Hosoya)
2. “REASON FOR…” by Apollon Agana Belea (CV: Miyu Irino), Hades Aidoneus (CV: Ono Daisuke), Tsukito Totsuka (CV: Yuuto Uemura), Takeru Totsuka (CV: Toshiyuki Toyonaga), Balder Hringhorni (CV: Kamiya Hiroshi), Loki Laevatein (CV: Yoshimasa Hosoya)
The story (an otome game) revolves around heroine Yui Kusanagi, the daughter of a Shinto shrine. After discovering a mysterious sword, she is transported to the world of Greek god Zeus. As the headmaster of a school he created, Zeus orders Yui to teach the meaning of love to young divine beings, in an attempt to reverse the weakening bond between humans and the gods.
M3 ~Sono Kuroki Tetsu~
M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane (M3〜ソノ黒キ鋼〜, “M3: That Black Steel”) is an action-mecha anime series produced by Satelight and is scheduled to air on April 22, 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Re:REMEMBER” by May’n
2. “ego-izm” by la la larks
There is distorted, deep blackness everywhere. That place, in which blackness swallowed everything and took away everything, has become known as the Avidya Zone. Strange beings assume the very form of the despair and chaos of humanity. They are known by this name: Imashime.
An expedition surveys the Avidya Zone which consumes human spirits. So, in the intricate intersection between the present in impending crisis and the destiny of the past … can eight boys and girls, assembled to confront the Imashime, find the bright future that lies before the Avidya Zone?
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
The Irregular at Magic High School (魔法科高校の劣等生 Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei, “The Poor Performing Student of a Magic High School”) is a light novel series written by Tsutomu Satō and illustrated by Kana Ishida since 2011 and is ongoing. There have been several manga adaptations, the first being serialized in Square Enix’s shōnen manga magazine GFantasy from December 17, 2011 to September 18, 2013. Two sequel manga adaptations began serialization in the same magazine from October 18, 2013, while an adaptation of the eight light novel volume began serialization in ASCII Media Works’s shōnen manga magazine Dengeki Daioh from December 2013. An anime television series adaptation by Madhouse is scheduled to air from April 5, 2014 with 26 episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Rising Hope” by LiSA
2. “Millenario (ミレナリオ)” by ELISA
In this world, magic is a product of neither legends nor fairy tales, but instead has become a technology of reality since a time unknown to people. Supernatural power became a technology systematized through magic, while magic became a technical skill. A “Supernatural Power User” became a “Magic Technician.” Magic Technicians (in short, Magicians) are nurtured through Magic High Schools and Universities.
In 2095, Tatsuya Shiba, an under-achieving defective elder brother to sister Miyuki Shiba, the perfect opposite of Tatsuya, are new students enrolling at the Private Magic University Affiliated High School (First High School). Students are ranked according to their test scores: students with the best grades are designated “Bloom” and enrolled in the Course 1 curriculum, while those with poor scores are designated “Weed” and enrolled in Course 2. Miyuki topped the entrance exams and is selected to be the first years’ representative, while Tatsuya is placed in Course 2 due to his low practical test score, despite scoring the highest in the written portion of the exams.
Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to
Mangaka-san to Assistant-san (マンガ家さんとアシスタントさんと The Comic Artist and His Assistant) to is an ecchi, comedic 4-panel manga series by Hiroyuki. The manga series was first published in 2008 and ended in 2012. The anime adaption by Zexcs is set to air on April 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Junsui na Fujunbutsu (純粋なフジュンブツ)” by StylipS
2. “Spica.” by StylipS
Panty-loving mangaka Aito Yuuki does not understand the feelings of the characters on his stories. So, he asks his assistant Ashisu Sahoto to help him. Ashisu would do everything for the work. She would even let him grope her breast so he will know how it feels like?!
The Habit?! The Pervert?! Can we understand them? That’s the comedy of a mangaka life.
Mushishi: Zoku-Shou & Zoku-Shou 2
Mushishi (蟲師) is a supernatural, occult manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Urushibara, published in Kodansha from 1999 to August 2008. The manga won an Excellence Prize at the 2003 Japan Media Arts Festival and the 2006 Kodansha Manga Award.
The manga was adapted into an anime television series in 2005 with 26 episodes. A live-action feature film adaptation, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, followed suit on March 24, 2007. A special titled Mushishi Tokubetsu-hen: Hihamukage was released on January 4, 2014, and the second season entitled Mushishi: Zoku-Shō is set to air on May 2014 and run through the end of the year (with 24 episodes).
Opening Theme:
1. “Shiver” by Lucy Rose
One such person is Ginko (ギンコ), the main character of the series. He employs himself as a Mushi master (蟲師 mushi-shi), traveling from place to place to research Mushi and aid people suffering from problems caused by them. The series is an episodic anthology in which the only common elements among episodes are Ginko and the various types of Mushi. There is no overarching plotline.
No Game No Life
No Game No Life (ノーゲーム・ノーライフ Nōgēmu Nōraifu) is a light novel series written and illustrated by Yū Kamiya since 2012 and is ongoing. As of December 2013, 5 volumes have been published by Media Factory under their MF Bunko J imprint. A manga adaptation by Yū Kamiya with art by Mashiro Hiiragi started serialization in Media Factory’s seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive on January 27, 2013. An anime television series adaptation by Madhouse premiered on April 9, 2014 with a scheduled 12 episodes.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “This Game” by Konomi Suzuki
2. “Oracion” by Shiro (CV: Ai Kayano)
Protagonists Sora and Shiro, a brother and sister combination whose reputations as brilliant NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) hikikomori (shut-in) gamers have spawned urban legends all over the Internet, calling them the “Blank.” These two gamers even consider the real world as just another “crappy game.” One day, they are summoned by a boy named “Tet” (who is supposedly God) to an alternate world. There, God has prohibited war and declared this to be a world where “everything is decided by games”— even national borders. Humanity has been driven back into one remaining city by the other races. Will Sora and Shiro, the good-for-nothing brother and sister, become the “Saviors of Humanity” on this alternate world?
Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin
Ryūgajō Nanana no Maizōkin (龍ヶ嬢七々々の埋蔵金, “Nanana’s Buried Treasure”) is an ongoing light novel series, written by Kazuma Ōtorino and illustrated by Akaringo. The manga adaptation by Hitoshi Okuda began serialization in Enterbrain’s Famitsu magazine since January 2012 and is ongoing. An anime series adapted by A-1 Pictures is scheduled to air on April 2014 on Fuji TV’s noitamina block.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Butterfly Effect” by Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku
2. “Kasukana Hisokana Tashikana MIRAI (微かな密かな確かなミライ;A Hazy, Secret, Certain Future)” by Sphere
The story centers around the treasure of Nanana, a ghost who was once a beautiful but NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) girl. Disowned by his father, Juugo Yama runs away from home to an artificial island called Nanae and transfers to a high school on the “Special Student Zone”. With only 40,000 yen (about US$500) a month to live on, Juugo moves into a low-rent apartment, haunted by the spirit of Nanana Ryugajo. She was murdered ten years ago, and her killer must be found before she can rest in peace. Before her death, Nanana collected things from all over the world and hid them throughout the island. Using the mysterious powers of these hidden items, they should be able to find the culprit. As Jugo begins his hunt for her collection, however, he discovers he’s not the only person searching.
Continuing
Fairy Tail (Season 5)
Fairy Tail is a manga created by Hiro Mashima serialized since Aug. 23. 2006 and is ongoing. Season 1 of the anime began airing on Oct. 12, 2009 and will end on September 27, 2010 with a total of 48 episodes. Even though it was initially meant for only one season, due to the popularity of the series, a second season was announced and began airing on October 2010. The anime is on its third season and going strong with 135 episodes and counting. This series is also being developed as a game for PS by Konami. They already have 3 OVAs “Welcome to Fairy Hills!” released April 15, 2011, “Fairy Academy – Yankee-kun and Yankee-chan” released June 17, 2011, and “Memory Days” released February 17, 2012. The movie, “Fairy Tail the Movie: The Phoenix Priestess” is set to be released August 18, 2012. The series’ fifth season will premiere on TV Tokyo on April 5, 2014.
Opening & Ending Themes:
1. “Masayume Chasing” by BoA
2. “Kimi to Kare to Boku to Kanojo to” (君と彼と僕と彼女と You, Me, He and She) by Breathe
It begins with Lucy Heartfilia meeting Natsu Dragnell and his best friend, Happy a flying cat, who is searching for a dragon, Igneel. Turns out, Igneel is Natsu’s foster father, the one who raised him and taught him the skills of a dragon slayer. Shortly after their meeting, Lucy is abducted by a person posing as Salamander of Fairy Tail, only to be sold as a slave. Natsu rescues her and reveals that he is the real Salamander. He then brings Lucy into the land of Fiore, and she is accepted as a Fairy Tale Guild member. Soon after, the three become teammates, together with two more Guild members, Gray Fullbuster and Erza Scarlet. Of the lot, Lucy brings forth a saner and calmer side to the rest of the team, albeit being exceptionally klutzy. This is a cute magician story about impatience while striving to better oneself and never giving up on one’s friends. As Happy says, “Aiii!”
Unfortunately for this anime series, this is the final season – much to the dismay of many fans at episode 175. However, it does suggest that a movie will ensue to answer much of the ending of the anime series. Who is Zeref? Who is this woman whom Gerard seems to know? What happens in the future to cause the destruction of Fiore/Fairy Tail? (Manga is still ongoing.)
On March 4, 2013, Mashima sensei announced on his Twitter account that the anime will not end yet… :O The return is planned for Spring 2014!
Naruto Shippuden (Season 15): The Fourth Great Ninja War – Sasuke and Itachi (忍界大戦・サスケとイタチ Ninkai Taisen – Sasuke to Itachi)
Naruto began as a manga series by Masashi Kishimoto, which was later adapted to an anime series that started airing in 2002 until present. The anime, much like the manga, is split into two parts: the time split in the manga is simply named Part I & II while the anime is named Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. The second part of the series takes place two and a half years after the first part ends. Since Jan. 2, 2009 Viz Media and Crunchyroll have been subtitling Naruto: Shippuden. The series is about a young and rash ninja from Konohagakure, the Leaf Village named Uzumaki Naruto. The story unfolds as Naruto searches for recognition and acknowledgment from his peers and elders as he aspires to become the Hokage – leader of the village. As a baby, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox (kyuubi) was sealed in him to protect Konohagakure (the Leaf Village). However, the villagers, who were very much afraid of kyuubi, transferred that fear to the infant and eventually the child. Naruto grew up hated and mistreated by Konoha’s residents throughout most of his childhood.
Naruto, together with Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura are placed in Team 7 lead by Hatake Kakashi. Even though the team seemed mismatched at first, the soon find that they complement each other. The noisy idiot, with the skilled genius and the quick-tempered thinker quickly become one. However, Sasuke has a one-track mind – he vows to avenge his family and clan by killing his beloved older brother. When the chance is presented upon him, he takes it and leaves the village forever. Naruto vows to bring Sasuke back to Sakura, but to do so, he have to become stronger. Unfortunately for Naruto, he is not the only one with a goal in mind. The Akatsuki is out to capture him, to drain him off the sealed Demon Fox.
At the start of Naruto Shippuden, Naruto returns home from his training with Jiraiya, having learned the Rasengan developed by the Fourth Hokage. Sakura is well-versed in the arts of medical jutsu thanks to Tsunade. Sasuke may just have surpassed the group in skills, training under Orochimaru. History, it seems, is about to repeat itself. The dreaded Akatsuki is on the move, and Gaara, an old friend, is the first of many targets. Soon Team Kakashi gets a new team member as a replacement for a departed Sasuke. Everyone is suspicious of him because he is recommended by Danzou, the person vying for the Hokage seat. Team Kakashi’s new mission is to seek out Sasuke while getting acquainted with a recluse newbie, Sai. While tracking the death of Asuma‘s old friend, Konoha ninjas go up against two immortal Akatsuki members – Kakuzu and Hidan. Naruto improves on the rasengan and creates a new jutsu under the careful tutelage of Kakashi and watchful eyes of Yamato, called the Rasenshuriken. Shikamura learns the horror of wars and finally lives up to his fullest potential to avenge a beloved mentor. Finally, Sasuke overpowers and absorbs Orochimaru. Unfortunately, Jiraiya sacrifices his life to learn the truth of Pain, the puppet leader of Akatsuki. Sasuke forms team Hebi to avenge his clan, while Naruto is forced to become stronger just to get a brother home and avenge a beloved teacher and god-father.
The fifteenth season began airing from July 18, 2013 to present. The second phase of the Fourth Great Ninja War begins! Naruto and the Alliance go up against Tobi and Madara, while Sasuke-Itachi stops Kabuto, while the earlier later revives Orochimaru to aid in the revival of the dead Hokages!!
The season has a few opening and ending themes.
1. “Niwaka Ame ni mo Makezu” (ニワカ雨ニモ負ケズ) by NICO Touches the Walls (ep. 321-332)
2. “Tsuki no Ōkisa” (月の大きさ, “The Size of the Moon”) by Nogizaka46 (ep. 333-356)
3. “Guren” by DOES (eps 357-ongoing)
4. “Yume o Idaite ~Hajimari no Crissroads~” (夢を抱いて～はじまりのクリスロード～, “Embrace Your Dreams ~Crissroads of the Beginning~”) by Rake (ep. 321-332)
5. “Black Night Town” (ブラックナイトタウン Burakku Naito Taun) by Akihisa Kondō (ep. 333-343)
6. “Niji (虹)” by Shunku Horou (真空ホロウ) (eps 344-356)
7. “FLAME” by DISH// (eps 362-366)
8. “Guren” (紅蓮, “Crimson”) by DOES (ep. 373-379)
9. “Never Change” by SHUN and Lyu:Lyu (ep. 373-379)
10. “Silhouette” (シルエット “Shiruetto”) by KANA-BOON (ep 380-405)
11. “Wind” (風 Kaze) by Yamazaru (ep. 406-present)
12. “Dame Dame da” (だめだめだ, It’s Absolutely No Good) by Shiori Tomita (ep 380-393)
13. “Spinning World” by Diana Garnett (ep 394-present)
This series gets better with each season. The storyline is so well-written and the characters very well-developed. It’s like peeling an onion – layers upon layers of tear-jerkers. Everyone’s rooting for you U-Zu-Ma-Ki Naruto! Ganbatte! Fight-O on!! Underdogs of the world unite. Perseverance, patience, friendship and loyalty are all good themes and moral to learn. You watch as all the characters grow from young tots to responsible and courageous teenagers, learning and flourishing with every new challenge thrown at them. Friends become foes, and enemies become allies. History is never learned but doomed to repeat itself. “Dattebayo!”
One Piece
One Piece (ワンピース) is a comedic action manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997. The chapters have been adapted into an original video animation (OVA) produced by Production I.G in 1998. The anime series produced by Toei Animation first began broadcasting in Japan in Oct. 20, 1999 with 626 episodes and counting. Additionally, Toei has developed eleven animated feature films, an OVA, and five television specials. Several companies have developed various types of merchandising such as a trading card game, and a large number of video games.
One Piece is currently ranked as the best-selling manga series. The anime series is on it’s 16th season.
Opening Themes:
1. “We Go!” (ウィーゴー! Wī Gō!) by Hiroshi Kitadani (ep. 517-590)
2. “Hands Up!” by Kōta Shinzato (新里 宏太) (ep. 591-628)
3. “Wake up!” by AAA (ep. 629 onwards)
Gol D. Roger was known as the Pirate King, the strongest and most infamous being to have sailed the Grand Line. The capture and death of Roger by the World Government brought a change throughout the world. His last words before his death revealed the location of the greatest treasure in the world, One Piece. It was this revelation that brought about the Grand Age of Pirates, men who dreamed of finding One Piece (which promises an unlimited amount of riches and fame), and quite possibly the most coveted of titles for the person who found it, the title of the Pirate King.
Enter Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy that defies your standard definition of a pirate. Rather than the popular persona of a wicked, hardened, toothless pirate who ransacks villages for fun, Luffy’s reason for being a pirate is one of pure wonder; the thought of an exciting adventure and meeting new and intriguing people, along with finding One Piece, are his reasons of becoming a pirate. Aside from his oxymoronic persona, he also has an odd physical trait: his body has the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit. Following in the footsteps of his childhood hero, Luffy and his crew, named the Straw Hat Pirates (麦わら海賊団篇 Mugiwara Kaizoku-dan) travel across the Grand Line, experiencing crazy adventures, unveiling dark mysteries and battling strong enemies, all in order to reach One Piece.
Luffy definitely has an eclectic crew: Zoro the pirate hunter, and skilled swordsman, Nami the ship’s navigator and cat buglar, Usopp the lying “Sniper King” (hence “uso-pp”), and chicken-hearted inventor, Sanji the womanizing cook, Chopper the reindeer doctor (who consumed the Human-devil fruit), Robin the archeologist (who ate the Flower-devil fruit), Franky the human-cyborg shipwright and Brook the live skeleton musician (who ate the Revive-devil fruit). Will the crew grow? Will Luffy become the Pirate King while finding One Piece?
OVA/Movies
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border: 3 [June 28, 2014]
Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border: 4 [2014]
Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha OVA [June 26, 2014]
Initial D Final Stage [Summer 2014]
Noragami [2014]
Stand By Me Doraemon [2014]
Uchuu Kyoudai #0 Movie [Aug. 9, 2014]
Fall 2014:
Kuroshitsuji: Book of Murder
Adapting the Phantomhive Manor Muder Case Arc (following the circus arc)
Naruto Shippuden: Movie 7 [2014]
Suisei no Gargantia ~Meguru Kouro, Haruka~ (2-episode OVA)
iBlos3om 