"Attack On Titan" Season 2 To Premiere Saturday April 1 On FunimationNow, Hulu And Crunchyroll

"Attack On Titan" Season 2 To Premiere Saturday April 1 On FunimationNow, Hulu And Crunchyroll

The wait will soon be over for countless anime fans of "Attack on Titan" across the U.S. and Canada. Funimation Entertainment announced today that "Attack on Titan" Season 2 will premiere on FunimationNow, Hulu and Crunchyroll on Saturday April 1, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern / 9:30 a.m. Central. Both the premiere and future English-subtitled simulcast episodes of the new season will be available across all three platforms as well as the Crunchyroll and Funimation channels on VRV. Details on Season 2 English SimulDub episodes will be shared within weeks.

"We're thrilled to be premiering 'Attack on Titan' Season 2 together with Hulu and Crunchyroll to anime fans across the U.S. and Canada," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. "Fan excitement has been building non-stop since our acquisition announcement and our clip reveal last December. 'Attack on Titan' Season 2 will not disappoint."

"Attack on Titan" ("Shingeki no Kyojin" in Japanese) is based on the New York Times best-selling manga series by Hajime Isayama and tells the story of a world in which the last of humanity fights to survive against man-eating giants called Titans. With now 21 volumes in print and an estimated 70 million copies in print today, "Attack on Titan" has inspired spin-off manga and novels, the anime series, a live action movie and numerous video games. Funimation simulcast the original 25-episode, Season 1 of "Attack on Titan" as well as released it on home video throughout North America.

"We're excited to bring the pop culture hit "Attack on Titan" back for a second season after its long hiatus," said Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation. "And based on clip reveals, it will be an action-packed season that fans can look forward to watching. It's definitely been worth the wait."

Synopsis

Eren Jaeger swore to wipe out every last remaining Titan, but in a battle for his life he wound up becoming the thing he hates most. With his new powers, he fights for humanity's freedom facing the monsters that threaten his home. After a bittersweet victory against the Female Titan, Eren finds no time to rest—a horde of Titans is approaching Wall Rose and the battle for humanity continues!

Viewers can catch up on all past episodes of "Attack on Titan" on FunimationNow, Hulu and Crunchyroll as well as the Crunchyroll and Funimation channels on VRV.

SOURCE: Funimation

"Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS" Movie Tickets Now On Sale In The US

4K Media Inc., the Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. subsidiary that manages the global Yu-Gi-Oh! brand outside of Asia, has announced that advance tickets for Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS are now on sale in the U.S. via yugiohtickets.com.

Additionally, the company announced the winners of three (3) Voiceover Contests held this past year; giving six (6) winners the unique opportunity to be voice-actors in the upcoming feature film.  

The film is set to be released for a limited-time engagement by 4K Media with Screenvision Media, a national cinema advertising leader, to over 500 theatres across the United States and Canada on January 27, 2017.

Kristen Gray, SVP of Operations and Business & Legal Affairs at 4K Media, said, "We're very excited to offer Yu-Gi-Oh! fans the opportunity to purchase their movie tickets in advance, to insure their ability to see this limited release film while in theatres.  We are also happy to share that theatres will be distributing an exclusive promotional Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card to fans as they enter the theatre, while supplies last."

"Anticipation for the new Yu-Gi-Oh! film is very high," added Darryl Schaffer, EVP Operations & Exhibitor Relations for Screenvision Media.  "By making tickets available in advance of the release dates, fans can rest assured that they'll be able to experience Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS without the fear of theaters being sold out."

The six winners of The Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS Voiceover Contests held at the following three events are:

• The 2016 Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Championship in Orlando,FL winners: Tyler Schmauch (Policeman) and Lindsay Victoria Granduke (Lab Technician A).
• The 2016 New York Comic Con winners: Luis Alfonso (Engineer) and Brooke Stocken (Bakura Fan Girl).
• The 2016 Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Championship Series in Minneapolis, MN winners - Ted Kong Yang, (Sanpei) and Bethany Cardinal (Lab Technician B)

In Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS, the stakes have never been higher; the rivalries never as fierce; the risks never so great. One wrong move—one card short—and it's game over for good. A decade in the making, Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS features new designs and an all-new story from the original creator of the global phenomenon, Kazuki Takahashi. 

His masterful tale features anime's most beloved characters in their long-awaited return: Yugi Muto, Seto Kaiba and their faithful friends Joey Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, Téa Gardner and Bakura. It's the most highly anticipated re-YU-nion ever!

In addition to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, video games and feature films, the brand also includes the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated franchise, with over 700 episodes spanning from the first series "Yu-Gi-Oh!" DUEL MONSTERS, followed by "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX," "Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's," "Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL" and "Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V." 

SOURCE: 4K Media Inc.

YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE Makes Its TV Debut; Airing Saturday, November 12th On Disney XD

(from left) Hovernyan, Nathaniel, Whisper and Nate - who have traveled back in time - are preparing to fight evil. (PRNewsFoto/LEVEL-5 abby Inc.)

YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE, the first English-language film based on the global phenomenon YO-KAI WATCH, will make its U.S. television debut on Saturday, November 12, LEVEL-5 abby Inc. announced today. 

The film, which recently received a limited theatrical run, features the voice talent of the hit show YO-KAI WATCH, currently airing its second season on Disney XD. YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE debuts at 9:00 AM ET/PT on Saturday, November 12 on Disney XD, and will have encore performances on Sunday, November 13 at 5:00 PM ET/PT and Monday, November 14 at 3:45 PM ET/PT.

YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE follows Nate Adams and his Yo-kai friends, Whisper and Jibanyan, as they're transported to the past to help Nate's grandfather, Nathaniel, battle evil Yo-kai and invent the Yo-kai Watch. YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE also introduces a new Yo-kai — Hovernyan, a floating blue cat who is Nathaniel's heroic companion. 

Cinema Blend calls the film "a fun and fast watch that makes for some entertaining excitement," and Anime News Network says YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE is "a funny and heartwarming comedy-adventure."

Nate and Hovernyan make for a formidable duo! (PRNewsFoto/LEVEL-5 abby Inc.)

To celebrate the film's TV debut, LEVEL-5 abby Inc. will make the second season of the YO-KAI WATCH animated series available for free on YouTube for a limited time. Starting with the first five episodes on Monday, November 14, episodes will be added throughout the month to the official YO-KAI WATCH YouTube channel, culminating on Wednesday, November 30. Each episode on the YouTube channel will also feature special QR codes that can be scanned into the best-selling new Nintendo 3DS games YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spiritsand YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls, as well as codes for the iOS and Android apps YO-KAI WATCH Land™and YO-KAI WATCH Wibble Wobble™.

Fans will also be able to collect secret passwords hidden in each episode, which can be entered at the official YO-KAI WATCH website for a chance to enter a sweepstakes to win one of more than a thousand prizes, including exclusive Hovernyan "YO-MOTION" MEDALS. One grand prize winner will receive a prize package including, Nintendo 3DS games, Hasbro toys and a one-of-a-kind prize: a custom voice greeting from their favorite Yo-kai!  For more details on the sweepstakes, fans can visit the official YO-KAI WATCH website.

"We are thrilled that our amazing partners at Disney XD will be bringing YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE to television for all of our fans to enjoy," Yukari Hayakawa, Chief Operating Officer, LEVEL-5 abby Inc., said. "With the second season of the TV show, the best-selling new Nintendo 3DS games, our popular iOS and Android apps and now YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE, American YO-KAI WATCH fans have an entire world of hilarious, action-packed adventures to explore."

New episodes from the second season of YO-KAI WATCH are currently airing on Disney XD, every Saturday at 8:30 AM ET/PT. Immediately before the debut of YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE on Saturday, November 12, the premiere of the new episode "Whisper's Secret Past" explores the secret origins of Nate's beloved Yo-kai butler for the very first time.

Enter a sweepstakes to win one of more than a thousand prizes, including exclusive Hovernyan "YO-MOTION" MEDALS! (PRNewsFoto/LEVEL-5 abby Inc.)

About YO-KAI WATCH

YO-KAI WATCH™ is a cross-media universe, following the hilarious misadventures of an average human boy and his involvement with the mischievous Yo-kai (invisible beings that are the cause of life's daily annoyances) all around him. Our young hero obtains a special watch, empowering him to discover and summon the mysterious Yo-kai, befriend them and then work together to solve everyday problems… problems that are often caused by other trouble-making Yo-kai! Discover the adventures of Nate and his Yo-kai companions via video game, animated comedy series, comics, toys and video on demand. 

View full episodes on the official YO-KAI WATCH YouTube channel and visit the official website, as well as follow YO-KAI WATCH on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE: LEVEL-5 abby Inc.

The Movie Trailer:

Funimation Entertainment to Host Live Stream Premiere of the Next Big Thing in #Anime "My Hero Academia" on Sunday, April 3

Adaptation of Smash Hit Manga Series Debuts on FunimationNow with All-Night Launch Party

Funimation Entertainment will host an exclusive live stream launch party on Sunday, April 3, 2016 leading into the premiere of the most highly anticipated, new anime series of the year – My Hero Academia, available on FunimationNow. 

Join Dubbletalk's Justin Rojas,Lauren Moore and surprise celebrity guests for an all-night premiere launch party featuring interviews, contests and giveaways, show clips and much more, followed by the premiere of "My Hero Academia" and an episode recap discussion!  

Celebrity guests include: 

• Colleen Clinkenbeard ("One Piece") 
• Clifford Chapain ("Attack on Titan") 
• Apphia Yu ("Assassination Classroom") 
• Felecia Angelle ("Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign") 
• Michelle Rojas ("Date A Live")

"This five-hour event is a first for Funimation, and we are so excited to share this experience with fans -- not only the premiere of 'My Hero Academia', but also all of the interviews and extras surrounding the show," said Gen Fukunaga, Founder and CEO of Funimation. "I'd like to personally invite our fans to join us for this huge event as we celebrate the launch together!"

• Produced by Bones, Inc. ("Fullmetal Alchemist", "Cowboy Bebop", "Space Dandy") "My Hero Academia" will quickly join the top ranks of anime classics such as "Dragon Ball Z," "One Piece," and "Naruto." 

• Adapted from the Manga Taisho-nominated Japanese super hero series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi ("Barrage on the Battle Star", "Oumazoo"), "My Hero Academia" is pegged to be one of the most fan-embraced anime titles of 2016.

Fans can participate in an exclusive launch party contest beginning on April 3 and running through April 16, 2016 by signing up for a free 14-day trial of FunimationNow. The more episodes fans watch on FunimationNow, the more chances they have to win. 

More details will be shared during the event.

SERIES SYNOPSIS: 

"My Hero Academia" is a superhero origin story that soars to the top of the class! Izuku has dreamt of being a hero all his life--a lofty goal for anyone, but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. That's right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered "quirk," Izuku was unlucky enough to be born completely normal. But that's not going to stop him from enrolling in one of the world's most prestigious hero academies. Now, the only thing standing between him and his first class is the academy's formidable entrance exam--nothing a little private tutoring from the world's mightiest hero can't solve.

WHEN & WHERE:

• Sunday, April 3 – 1:00 AM EDT: "My Hero Academia" live stream launch party begins. To watch, tune in live at www.funimation.com/myheroclass
• Sunday, April 3 – 5:00 AM EDT: "My Hero Academia" Episode 1 premiere. To watch, subscribe to FunimationNow and tune in live at www.funimation.com/shows/my-hero-academia/videos
• Sunday, April 3 – 5:30 AM EDT: "My Hero Academia" Episode 1 recap. To watch, tune in at www.funimation.com/myheroclass

THE TRAILER:

SOURCE: Funimation Entertainment

Mamoru Hosoda's "The Boy And The Beast" Nominated For 43rd Annie Awards

The Boy and The Beast

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced on Tuesday the nominations for its 43rd Annual Annie Awards™ which recognize the best in the field of animation. The list included a Best Animated Feature-Independent nomination for Mamoru Hosoda's "The Boy and The Beast" – the critically acclaimed anime film from Studio Chizu, which is being distributed in the U.S. by FUNimation Entertainment. ASIFA - Hollywood voting members will receive ballots onJanuary 1, 2016. Winners will be announced on February 6, 2016 at a black tie ceremony in Royce Hall atUCLA.

"The Boy and The Beast" is one of four inaugural nominations in the new Best Animated Feature-Independent category debuting at the 43rd annual awards.  In the words of ASIFA - Hollywood President Jerry Beck, "We will now recognize not only features in wide-release, but also the independent animators, international studios, anime and special productions that might not otherwise get the attention they deserve."

My Top 10 Dubbed Anime TV Series [In No Particular Order]

Many fans in the U.S. were first introduced to anime at a young age, watching dubbed versions on Toonami and Adult Swim. The hard work and dedication that goes into creating a smooth and still entertaining voice-over dub requires a special set of skills, especially for the voice-over talents.

With that in mind, here is a quick top ten list of what could be considered some of the best voice-over acting for an English dubbed anime television series (in no particular order).