5 Anime BD Titles Sold 10,000+ Units in Same Week!

Five BluRay Disc volumes from different anime series each sold over 10,000 copies on Oricon's sales chart for the May 23-29 week! Puella Magi Madoka Magica's 2nd Limited Edition Volume topped the chart with 54,000 units sold.

Infinite Stratos Volume 2 debuted at number 2 with 23,000 units sold. Below the top two was the sixth volume of Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai with about 16,000 units sold, followed by Tiger & Bunny's first volume with about 15,000. Finally, the fourth volume of Toaru Majutsu no Index II sold about 11,000.

Source: Mantan Web via Anime News Network

Giant Ika Musume Plushie Invades Japan!

MOVIC is recently offering a doll based on Ika Musume! Called a "Super BIG Plush Ika Musume," the 75-centimeter (about 30-inch) doll will be sold on August 25. It seems that Ika is now conquering the world in a different way!

Reservations by mail-order are currently being accepted through the Animate Online Shop and Movic for 18,900 yen (about US$232 US). To those who are not familiar with the anime, it is about a Ika who swears vengeance on mankind because of them polluting the ocean, only to end up working for a beach house because she destroyed it.

A second season is also in the works titled, Shiryaku!? Ika Musume with the original staff coming back to make this new season.

Source: Comic Natalie via Anime News Network

Koji Kikkawa: Just Married

Koji Kikkawa (Kamen Rider W's Kamen Rider Skull/Sokichi Narumi) has just announced on his official website this June 1st that he got married with his non-showbiz girlfriend!

According to the announcement, even if her wife is not a celebrity, he asks his fans to watch the couple with a warm heart. From all of us here, congratulations Boss!

Source: Nikkan Sports via tokyohive

Kamen Rider OOO Summer Movie Update

Now that we know the title of the upcoming Kamen Rider OOO Summer Movie called, Kamen Rider OOO: WONDERFUL Shogun and 21 Core Medals, more info about the film and its exclusive OOO Combo, the Kamen Rider OOO Burakawani Combo was also released!

The film begins with Kosei Kougami and his secretary, Erika Satonaka heading to Germany. Gara (played Miki Sakai), the creator of Core Medals, is lying dormant deep in the forests of Germany. Legend goes that she has the "Lost Medals." Kougami revives the alchemist.

While doing so, a mysterious melody starts playing and a lid of a plate is blown away. From the plate a surge of medals flies away. Roughly 200-300 meters of the forest swaps with Shinjuku.

The buildings are slowly disappearing, being replaced by trees. Chaos is upon Shinjuku! The medals moving like snakes, slowly forming a tower. Knights are suddenly coming out of the tower. And then, Gara shows herself. Ankh and the other Greeeds are feeling something strange from the forest.

Gara claims that she'll take back all the Core Medals. Gara's goal is to bring the world to an end and create a new world to rule. Gara even takes Kamen Rider OOO's Taka Core Medal, which leaves Eiji unable to transform. Gara sends one of her familiars, Bell (played by Karin Agino). Bell goes around town and asks the people strange question, which seems to be Gara's plan.

When they see Shinjuku being replaced with the German forest, Eiji and his friends heads towards the forest. Only to find themselves in the streets of Edo. Gara creates the Nue Yummy out of Cell Medals to attack Eiji. How will he fight if he can't transform? Where's Ankh and Hina?! Where are the three (or four) Greeeds and Dr. Maki?! The countdown towards the end has already begun!

The film will feature the Kamen Rider OOO Burakawani Combo and its Cores, the Cobra, Kame and Wani Core Medals. Like the rest of the other Core Medals, they were created by Gara 800 years ago. However, they were sealed away and had never been found until now all thanks to Kougami.

Its powers are related to perpetual youth and longevity, it covers the body with the enhancing substance called, Soma Venom. When the user gets injured, it instantly heals. It's not only able to take hits. It's even resistant heat, electricity, poison and such.

• Height: 198 cm

• Weight: 90 kg

• Punch: 6t

• Kick: 15t

• Speed: 100 m in 5,8 s

• Special Attack: Crocodile Glide

Tokugawa Yoshimune takes out the Cobra, Kame and Wani Core Medals from an old box with foreign scriptures. Each Core Medals has the following abilities:

• Cobra Core Medal: Cobra's abilities grants Kamen Rider OOO the unique Cobra Head. His eyesight is doubled, he gains infra-red perception and it can even see in absolute darkness.

• Turtle Core Medal: Kamen Rider OOO's hands are equipped with two exoskeleton shields, called "Goura Guardner," that looks like turtle shells. When he puts them together, he can use the "Energy Shield." The scales strengthens his skin.

• Crocodylia Core Medal: The sides of his legs can be used as saws, but much sharper. The Line Drive can stream much more energy that other medals (that thing on the legs that tends to shine every now and then, usually on the grasshopper legs). When he holds his enemy between his legs, he'll cut through them.

The main highlight of this film according to the producers is the scene in which Kamen Rider OOO and Tokugawa Yoshimune rides side by side in their respective rides. But for some reason, Hina is standing there with a pink bag along with other modern day people.

There will be a scene where Ankh is just chilling on the rooftop, watching the cherry blossoms and reflecting on his feelings. Eiji wearing some old clothes and grilling cuttlefish. As expected from Eiji, taking it easy and adapting to any situation.

Kamen Rider OOO Movie: WONDERFUL Shogun & 21 Core Medals' scripts will be written by the show's head writer, Yasuko Kobayahi and directed by Takayuki Shibasaki (Chou Den-O Episode Yellow, Shinkenger Returns). It will premiere in Japanese theaters on August 6.

Source: DecaEnd of HJU (link 2) via JEFusion (link 2)

GokaiSilver Arrives & Black Cross Castle Appears!

After Basco's awesome debut in the previous episode, we now get close to the debut of the Gokaiger's sixth hero, Gai Ikari aka GokaiSilver! Along with it, more info about what our heroes will face in the upcoming Gokaiger - Goseiger - Super Sentai: 199 Great Hero Battle is also revealed!

Gai Ikari, a man who says that no one loves Super Sentai as much as he does. One day, Gai saved a child from a traffic accident, only to end up with a serious injury and on the verge of death. Gai arrives in a world that is not exactly a dream or reality, more likely he is on a limbo. There he meets Dragon Ranger, AbareKiller and TimeFire and gives him the GokaiCelluar and the Ranger Keys along with their great powers.

After the accident, he became GokaiSilver. He wants to join the Gokaigers, but Marvelous won't acknowledge him that easily. His personal weapon is the GokaiSpear. When he inserts a Ranger Key, he can execute his special move. Will the Super Sentai loving boy become a Super Sentai?!

When the 15 extra Ranger Keys are gathered, they merge into the miraculous Anchor Key. The Anchor Key allows Silver to enter GokaiSilver Gold Mode.

From the Timeranger's great powers, he received a time traveling vehicle. Zyuranger's great powers granted him the dinosaur form. By the great powers of Abaranger, he's able to combine them into the GoJyuJin. The drill has two modes, Shield Mode and Trident Mode.

Also, here are the summaries for the next three episodes!


Episode 16: Clash! Sentai VS Sentai
Basco demands Marvelous to hand over the Ranger Keys, GokaiGalleon and Navi as a ransom for the release of Joe and the others.

Episode 17: The Amazing Silver-Colored Man
Navi tells the crew to "search for an awesome man in silver." The group went out into the streets to search and sees a young man approaching. Although Marvelous becomes suspicious of the man's weird behavior, he ends up ignoring him. Zangyack appears, and the Gokaigers fight against Action Commander Armageddon.

Gokaiger will take a break on June 19, hence the next episode will premiere on June 26.

Episode 18: Rampaging with the Dinosaur Robot Drill
Rampage was written in katakana as abare (アバレ), just like how it was in Abaranger. Also, AbareKiller aka Dr. Mikoto Nakadai was credited in this episode in the issue of Hyper Hobby.

Lastly, here's the latest update for the upcoming movie in which Black Cross King's true identity is finally revealed! It is revealed that his true form is actually the Black Cross Castle! What's worse is that GoseiGreat and GokaiOh's respective attacks are futile against it!

In Himitsu Sentai Goranger in which the said castle first made its appearance, it was originally a gigantic flying battleship shaped like a black cross with its bridge tower at its center that orbits above the Earth. Also, the original Black Cross King was not even a humanoid but rather a sentient alien machine construct who was part of the Black Cross Castle. Makes perfect sense on why they gave him this giant form.

Also an all Super Sentai Villain unit composed of Burajira, Yogoshimacritein, Dagon, Suisei no Buredoran, Chupacabra no Buredoran, Cyborg no Buredo-RUN, Ifrit, Cyclops, Chirakasonne, and Kireizky also attacks the 35 Super Sentai teams in their giant form.

People who have the heart of justice began cheering for the Super Sentai teams. In order to cheer for the Goseigers, even the kindergarten children and businessmen began raising their voices and at that time, a miracle happens!! It is said that this miracle is that ALL 35 Super Sentai mechas will combine and form the ultimate Super Sentai mecha!

Source: zxomega via Gold Samurai of HJU (link 2), DecaEnd of HJU, JEFusion

Female Red Samurai Ranger Coming Soon?

After Antonio aka Gold Samurai Ranger's sparkling debut in Power Rangers Samurai, fans are now expecting that anytime soon will be the debut of the female Red Samurai Ranger and here are the first set of rumors.

Take these rumors as a grain of salt.

New Zealand actress, Kimberly Crossman is said to portray the role of female Red Samurai Ranger rumored to be named Lauren or Megan. The reason why she is suspected to play for the said role is because of her following tweets.

• Sore arms from Samurai fighting today - feel like I'm getting better, thanks to @LeeDonoghue for recommending watching Kill Bill!!

• GOOOOODMORNING !!! another early start today - Time to show off my Samurai skills.....

• So sore already... yikkeesss still all afternoon to go - need to work on my fitness and strength - this sword fighting is killing me!

Take note that Paul Schrier and Rick Medina's involvement with Power Rangers Samurai was first hinted via their respective Facebook status messages, in her case via Twitter. Also, Hector David, Jr. who plays the role of Mike aka Green Samurai Ranger also mentioned on Twitter that filming for the series is still on-going while stunt actor, Namihei Koshinge posted on his blog that he is filming for Power Rangers' last episode.

Because of this, fans believed that the second season will use the Goseiger footage or pull another Zyu2 in which they used the Dairanger mecha and weapons and retain the Zyuranger suits.

Source: Henshin Grid

Mirai Sentai Timeranger 02 - An Invisible Future

In this episode, Tetsuya finally gets the proper focus he deserves as we learn that he is not just any ordinary passerby but the heir of a large corporation! Also, more heavy time traveling concepts made understandable and discussions about fate and the future begins.

Tetsuya left quite a huge impression in this episode as we learn that he is a man who fights his own fate as an heir of a large corporation and wants to create his own future. This is were the concept of following your own path than following what is predestined for you to end up was introduced, one of the concepts that I am interested to see in this series. Another thing that I noticed is that Ayase/TimeBlue keeps on worrying about a future that you can't change, could it be that there is something in the future that he wants to change?

Speaking of future, the episode also points out balancing the timestream by having the cadet Timerangers to stay in the 20th Century and stop the Londarz Family in destroying the 20th Century. But having the Timerangers in the 20th Century and stay longer than expected can ruin the flow of time as well? Guess I better continue watching the series then.

The episode also introduces to us the seal placed on the monsters of the week that once you peel it off, the side effect of being frozen and reduced to a toy will take effect in which the opposite will happen to the criminal! This is when the Time Jets and the Time Robo formations were introduced. To begin with, I understand why they need the Time Jets to fly towards the present since it was mentioned earlier that they need to preserve the balance of the timestream, hence they must stop a giant monster rampaging in the 20th Century to keep the said balance. The only thing I don't understand is why do they need a giant robot to swing its arm for the jets to fly in the present! I don't see the logic in it unless they explained that extreme speed is equal to opening a time space towards the present.

As for the Time Robo formations, I love it. The fact that Beta and Alpha have different functions makes me love the Time Robo more. The Beta formation is for aerial combat and the fact that it looked like jet-like mecha and its blue gives this streamlined appearance. Also, the Matrix-esque fight sequence got me with this form. The Alpha formation is for land battles and is used for sealing the criminal back in its original state. I find the Alpha formation too colorful compared to the Beta one. But in terms of its abilities, I am impressed especially its finisher, the Blizzard Press in which time will stop (which also includes the awkward silence), and clock ticks as it happens. Really cool finisher in my opinion.

Overall, it is a really great second episode. Time Robo's debut is really impressive in my opinion. The episode also featured the very first team transformation sequence and still the weird CGI still bothers me until now. The episode also introduces to us the mysterious man who authorized the release of the Time Jets. I smell something fishy about this guy...

Battle Fever J 01 - Assault!! Run to the Ballpark

In the very first episode of Battle Fever J, we have a chick that wields a poisonous umbrella, creepy monster transformations, one foreigner dead and the team assembles and passed the test of courage which involves jumping on a katana. Huh.

To begin this review, this is the 1st SUPER Sentai series in the franchise before Toei decided to include Goranger and JAKQ in the franchise thus making this series the 3rd overall. After the rather dark opening that we have for JAKQ two years ago, the series opens in the same tone except it adds more "light" into it.

By light, the first episode is not as depressing compared to JAKQ in which a lot of people died as they introduce each possible Ranger. In Battle Fever's case, they introduce each member in a fun way and in case of Diane Martin aka Miss America, by mistaken identity. Still fun.

Compared to the previous two shows before it, the team actually wears powered suits and not use any changer which gives this realistic Western superhero vibe in it and I liked it. Because of it, makes me wonder how Gokaiger will do a Battle Fever Gokai Change. The episode also introduces the under-construction Battle Fever Robo, the very first Sentai giant robot.

As for the characters, only three stand out from the main team for me, namely, Kyosuke aka Battle France, Shirou aka Battle Kenya and Diane aka Miss America. France because of his introduction part in which he accidentally does a bad haircut on his customer and how his fighting style which is the Flamenco, a Spanish dance... and he represents France. Kenya, same case with France and lastly, Diane due to her focus in this episode.

Seriously, this episode is more like a Diane focus episode than a team introduction episode. Can't blame her though since her father died in this episode and that she cleared up the charges against her that she was the killer. Compared to the previous Pinks before her, her personality and back story is as close as to Karen Mizuki aka Heart Queen whose father died because of CRIME.

As for their fighting styles, I find it entertaining, especially that they had those cutscenes in which they depict the Rangers doing their respective dance moves as they fight their opponents. As for how they summon their respective individual weapons, it doesn't look cheesy compared to the ones before them and at the same time, looks realistic. As for their finishing move, I still can't stop laughing on their final team pose in which they jump in the air and form the letters, B & J before joining their respective rods and use the Penta Force finisher.

Lastly, as for the organization in this series, Egos the group felt not that menacing. Okay, so you killed a couple of military officials and that's it? No massive killings? But hey, at least the group had a good background in terms of what they did in the past!

Overall, it was a good opening episode. The episode had a good balance between the episode's dark and light themes but went overboard a bit with the Diane Martin focus instead of giving proper highlight to ever member. Seriously, Masao aka Battle Japan has this vibe of the classic leader that you will tend to forget after a few episodes.

Rurouni Kenshin OVA & Movie BluRay US Release Announced!

Aniplex's US equivalent, Aniplex of America announced at its FanimeCon panel that they will release the Ruruoni Kenshin OVA and film on BluRay Disc in North America the same days that they will ship it Japan.

Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal OVA costs US$64.98 and will ship from Right Stuf and Bandai Entertainment's online stores on August 24, and the Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection OVA will ship on September 21. Finally, Rurouni Kenshin The Movie will come out on October 26. Both BluRay Disc cost US$54.98.

The BluRay Discs for the anime titles are direct imports from the Japanese edition except that they will add an English-translated booklet. The BD releases will have new cover illustrations by animation director, Atsuko Nakajima (Trinity Blood, Ranma ½, You're Under Arrest!). It was also confirmed last month that the release includes Japanese and English subtitles and the ADV Films' English dub.

During its panel, Aniplex acknowledged that negotiations are ongoing for licensing both Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Bakemonogatari. Aniplex added, "Stay tuned."

Pre-orders for the new Blu-ray Discs releases will start on June 1.

Source: Anime News Network

Pre-order Rurouni Kenshin Tsuioku Hen [Blu-ray] / Animation on CDJapan
Pre-order Rurouni Kenshin Seiso Hen [Blu-ray] / Animation on CDJapan
Pre-order Rurouni Kenshin the Movie [Blu-ray] / Animation on CDJapan

Aya Hirano Confirms to Stop Performing For Now

Voice actress and singer Aya Hirano (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's Haruhi, Fairy Tail's Lucy) confirmed on her Twitter account on Sunday that her recently released best album, Aya Musuem will be her last musical release through the music label Lantis.

She wrote that when she had problems with her health last year, she wrote all about it on her blog, but she has a lot of lonely and frustrating memories of that time period. She also wrote that if she does feel like performing music again in the future, she will be sure to let her fans know. Hirano thanked her fans for their words of encouragement and asked for fans to please wait until she is able to perform music again.

Hirano performed theme songs for Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Seikon no Qwaser, Zettai Karen Children and various other anime. Hrano's 2009 single, Super Driver reached #3 on Oricon's charts.

Source: Hachima Kikō via Anime News Network

Pre-order AYA MUSEUM [Regular Edition] / Aya Hirano via CDJapan
Pre-order AYA MUSEUM [Limited Edition] / Aya Hirano via CDJapan
Pre-order AYA MUSEUM [w/ DVD, Limited Edition] / Aya Hirano via CDJapan

Kamen Rider OOO & Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Summer Movie Website, Open!

The official website for the upcoming Kamen Rider OOO & Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Summer movies is now open! The website features a small teaser between the two films and the update regarding the Kamen Rider OOO Summer Movie.

Movie Version: Kamen Rider OOO: WONDERFUL Shogun and 21 Core Medals is about an alchemist named Gara who created the Core Medals 800 years ago. Gara has now revived, lusting to take back his creations, the Core Medals. He attacks Eiji and Ankh in order to retrieve the Core Medals, in in the purpose of creating a new world.

In order to create a new world, Gara is turning humans into Medals and he’s leading the current world to an end. Suddenly, a part of Tokyo turns into the old city Edo. Gara is causing the time to distort and blend with each other. To end all the chaos, OOO agrees to fight with the Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune (played by Ken Matsudaira who also played the same role for Abarendo Shogun, a historic drama).

The film will air alongside with Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger the Movie this August 6th.

[C] 06 - Conflict

In this episode, an L look alike made an appearance and gets close with Kimimaro, Msyu's teamwork with Kimimaro improved... along with her appetite for cup ramen and lastly, Sennoza (the L look alike) talks about his different view about the future.

Probably one of my favorite episodes in the series due to Sennoza's ideology which conflicts Mikuni's beliefs about the future and causes Kimimaro to start having doubts about the future. Quite complex in my opinion. Another thing, Jennifer officially introduces herself to Kimimaro and after she explains her side, it seems that Kimimaro doesn't know whom to trust, this is getting interesting.

As for Msyu's teamwork with Kimimaro, it seems that they are getting much more closer compared to the previous episode asides that Msyu agrees to research their opponent even if she isn't into researching... and their research paid off. Also if there is one thing I noticed with Msyu and Kimimaro's current battle style is that Msyu doesn't rush towards her opponent that much compared to the previous episodes.

Overall, it was a really good episode. Asides from the ones mentioned above, the battle with Sennoza really stunned me in terms of action and intensity of the scenes. Seriously, I really thought that Msyu will really die in the episode due to her appearance.