Wizards of the Coast Announces Brand-New Dungeons & Dragons Video Game "Dark Alliance" [Trailer Included]

Wizards of the Coast Announces Dark Alliance

Wizards of the Coast and Tuque Games have officially announced that Dark Alliance, a third-person action RPG, will launch worldwide on PC and consoles in Fall 2020.

Dark Alliance is an exciting, action-driven, hack-and-slash adventure filled with iconic monsters, legendary characters, and epic loot. In an all-new trailer that debuted during last night's Game Awards, Jeff Hattem, Founder of Tuque Games introduced millions of players to the game's unique take on Drizzt Do'Urden and his legendary companions.

"From the moment I founded Tuque, our team has known that we wanted to bring our passion for D&D and creativity to the Dark Alliance series," said Jeff Hattem, Head of Studio, Tuque Games. "We're taking players on an epic journey through the harsh and violent, Icewind Dale, where they're going to need to use their wits, their weapons and their party members to help them survive the iconic monsters we're going to send their way."

A spiritual successor to the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance series featuring popular characters created by best-selling fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, the new Dark Alliance combines the pulse-pounding action of a hack-and-slash dungeon crawler with the progression and loot systems of a role-playing game.

"Drizzt and his companions are some of Dungeons & Dragons' most recognizable heroes," said Nathan Stewart, Head of Franchise for Dungeons & Dragons. "This all-new Dark Alliance will give players a visceral experience that drops them into the action of a Drizzt storyline like never before."

Featuring couch or online co-op for up to four people, fans can play as scimitar-wielding hero Drizzt Do'Urden or one of his unique companions Catti-Brie, Bruenor, or Wulfgar as they set out on an action-packed adventure in the icy tundra of Icewind Dale.

The Trailer:

• To learn more about Dark Alliance, visit the official website at DarkAlliance.com

SOURCE: Wizards of the Coast

The National Gallery of Canada Presents: Beautiful Monsters in Early European Prints and Drawings (1450-1700)

Hendrick Goltzius The Dragon Devouring the Companions of Cadmus, 1588 Engraving on cream laid paper 25.5 × 32 cm National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa Purchased 2019 -  Photo: NGC (CNW Group/National Gallery of Canada)

Monsters and supernatural creatures –, sometimes horrifying, always fascinating – created between 300 and 500 years ago are the subject of a new exhibition of works on paper on view at the National Gallery of Canada from November 29, 2019, to March 29, 2020.

Beautiful Monsters in Early European Prints and Drawings (1450–1700) presents nearly 70 rarely exhibited prints and drawings by 45 artists selected from the National Gallery of Canada collection, including a number of recent acquisitions and promised gifts. Springing from the imagination of artists such as German painter and printmaker Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) and fed by the collective fears of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, these images were produced using a variety of techniques including etching, engraving, woodcut and drawing.

"By looking at these works from the Gallery's collection closely, one can see all the talent and ingenuity Renaissance and Baroque artists devoted to creating creatures that are both monstrous and refined," said Sonia Del Re, PhD (Art History), exhibition curator and Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Canada. "Visitors of all ages will be fascinated by these beasts from a bygone era that continue to fuel the imaginations of dreamers and creators today."

Beautiful Monsters in Early European Prints and Drawings (1450–1700) is divided into four themes:

• Demons presents illustrations of biblical stories and accounts of the lives of saints. The works include a remarkable miniature drawing on vellum by Flemish artist Johan Wierix (1549–1620) titled Frontispiece to "The Creation and Early History of Man," c. 1606, which was donated to the Gallery in 2019 by Frank and Marianne Seger.
• Mythological Creatures brings together images that illustrate Greco-Roman myths, often involving hybrid creatures that are half-human, half-animal. This section features The Dragon Devouring the Companions of Cadmus, a work by the famous Dutch engraver Hendrick Goltzius (1558–1617), which the Gallery acquired earlier this year. This masterpiece, a collaboration between the engraver and the painter Cornelis van Haarlem (1562–1638), was produced in 1588 based on a painting by van Haarlem, now in the collection of The National Gallery, London.
• Sea Monsters features dangerous beasts emerging from the depths of the ocean and includes one of the most celebrated images in the history of printmaking: Battle of the Sea Gods (1485) by Italian artist Andrea Mantegna (1431–1506).
• Ornamental Beasts comprises, among other works, small-scale models for decorating utilitarian objects such as silverware, armour and ceramics with fanciful figures.

The exhibition ends with the print Hell (1935) by M.C. Escher (1898–1972). It is the printmaker's interpretation of a detail from the famous Renaissance painting The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450–1516), which he saw in Madrid in 1922.

The exhibition Beautiful Monsters in Early European Prints and Drawings (1450–1700) is complemented by programming for all ages.

Monstrous Activities

Two fun activities have been incorporated into this exhibition: a monster scavenger hunt, an activity sheet available in the space that invites visitors to find 8 monsters in the artworks on display, which they can then take home and colour; and "Monster Mash" activity, which encourages visitors to create their own hybrid monsters on two magnetic walls.

Meet the Expert: Sonia Del Re

Thursday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m., exhibition curator Sonia Del Re will explain why fantastic creatures appear in so many Renaissance drawings and prints. In Gallery C218. In English with a bilingual question period. Free admission.

Concert

Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., Ottawa storyteller and comedian David Brennan will bring to life the myths and legends of the fantastic creatures in the exhibition. His performance will be accompanied by the music of the Ottawa Baroque Consort. In the Auditorium.

Study of a Dragon - Circle of Giulio Romano (image via National Gallery of Canada)

SOURCE: National Gallery of Canada

His Dark Materials: How To Decode The Story's Linguistic Secrets

The mysterious world of His Dark Materials (BBC/Bad Wolf/HBO)

The BBC dramatisation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy has brought to the screen a universe that the author describes as “like ours, but different in many ways”. One of the ways Pullman achieves this eerie blend of similarity and strangeness is through his use of language.

Countries are given archaic spellings: Brytain, Eireland, Corea and Groenland. Alternatively, they are identified by historical names such as Nippon for Japan (from the Japanese “land of the rising sun”) and Cathay for China (from the medieval Latin Cathaya).

The Pacific Ocean is renamed the Peaceable Ocean, a direct translation of the Latin name which it was given in the 16th century in recognition of the calm seas experienced by the explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

In English, scientific terms are typically formed using the suffix -logy; this goes back to the Greek logos (“word, discourse”). Instead, Pullman draws on the Old English practice of using cræft (“skill”) – as in Old English tungol-cræft (“star-skill” or “astronomy”) – hence atomcraft “particle physics”. Scientists are known as philosophers (literally “lovers of wisdom”), drawing on an earlier use of the word to refer to scholars working in any field of research.

Pullman also revives words that have fallen out of use in contemporary English, such as gyropter – from the Greek gyros (“circle”) and pteron (“wing”) – as an alternative to helicopter – from Greek helix (“spiral”).

The photogram – from the Greek photo (“relating to light”) and gram (“written”) – has been replaced by photograph in modern English, while aeronaut – from Greek aer (“air”) and nautes (“sailor”) – was an early term for a balloonist.

Alongside these, Pullman introduces his own coinages, such as the chthonic (or “underground”) railway station and the alethiometer, which Lyra uses to determine the truth (Greek aletheia).

Here be dæmons

A striking feature of Lyra’s world is the dæmon, an animal embodiment of a human’s soul, an idea partly inspired by paintings like Hans Holbein’s Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling and Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine.

Although the word is pronounced identically with English demon, its distinctive spelling is intended to evoke the older sense of an “attendant spirit” and thereby distinguish it from the Judaeo-Christian use to refer to an evil spirit or devil.

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Lady with an Ermine. (via Wikimedia Commons)

The names of the characters draw on a similar array of etymological sources. Some are named after identifiable historical individuals, such as Lee Scoresby, after the Arctic explorer William Scoresby. John Faa is the name of a historical Scottish figure who was formally acknowledged as King of the Gypsies during the 1500s. Gyptian is an archaic form of Gypsy, itself a reduced form of Egyptian – when Romany peoples first appeared in Britain in the 16th century, they were wrongly thought to be of Egyptian origin.

The surname of Ma Costa recalls English occupational surnames, such as Brewer and Baker: coster is an abbreviated form of costermonger. Originally a name for an apple-seller (from costard “apple”) it later came to be applied to any street trader. More ominously, Mrs Coulter has a name linked with ploughing: a coulter being the iron blade attached to the plough used to slice up the soil (from Latin culter “knife”).

Lyra’s origins

The unusual name of the heroine, Lyra Belacqua, sets her apart from these naming practices. Given the influence of the poet and artist William Blake, some have seen connections with Lyca, “The Little Girl Found” from Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience. Others, meanwhile, have proposed links to the Lyra constellation.

‘I owe something to Norse mythology, you know…’ (BBC/Bad Wolf/HBO)

Pullman himself has explained that he took the name from what he mistakenly understood to be the author of his favourite childhood hymn: Lyra Davidica. Although he later discovered that this was the Latin for “Harp of David”, he used it as the name for his heroine anyway. The appeal of the character has since led to its popularity as a girl’s name. Lyra’s surname, meanwhile, is that of a Florentine craftsman trapped in ante-purgatory in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

The most important literary source, however, is John Milton’s Paradise Lost, a poem which has held a lifelong fascination for Pullman and which provides both the metaphorical and literal “Dark Materials” for Pullman’s cosmology – the title is, in fact, a quotation from the poem, specifically Book Two, lines 910-19:

… into this wild abyss,
The womb of nature and perhaps her grave,
Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire,
But all these in their pregnant causes mixed
Confusedly, and which thus must ever fight,
Unless the almighty maker them ordain
His dark materials to create more worlds,
Into this wild abyss the wary fiend
Stood on the brink of hell and looked a while,
Pondering his voyage…

Norse mythology, meanwhile, is the source for the name of the armoured bear Iorek Byrnison, whose surname fittingly draws upon the Norse word brynja (“mail coat”). But not all names are so carefully chosen.

In a radio interview, Pullman, perhaps in jest, claimed that the name of the witch Serafina Pekkala was plucked from a Finnish telephone directory.

Well, we do live in the real world, after all.

About Today's Contributor:

Simon Horobin, Professor of English Language and Literature, University of Oxford

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

Theatrical Anime Film Based On Popular Rhythm Game "DEEMO" To Be Released In 2020

PONY CANYON announces new Theatrical Anime Film project based on popular rhythm game “DEEMO”

Tokyo based Anime producing powerhouse Pony Canyon announced the production of an Anime Film adaptation of the world-famous rhythm game "DEEMO" at a panel held during ANIME NYC (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, NYC).

"DEEMO" creator/producer Min-Yang Yu and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa confirmed that the film will be produced by Pony Canyon and Production I.G group, a partnership that has already yielded tremendous success with the global blockbuster Anime "Attack On Titan".

The production company of the film is Signal MD will join the project as the production company and will be supported by Production I.G, Japan's leading Anime studio and creator of numerous masterpieces and global hits such as the "Attack on Titan" and "GHOST IN THE SHELL" series.

Junichi Fujisaku (screenwriter - "GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX"; director/ series composer/production designer/screenwriter - "BLOOD+") has been named as the Executive Director, and up-and-coming creator Shuhei Matsushita will be the Director. 

The theme song will be composed by Yuki Kajiura ("Sword Art Online", "Puella Magi Madoka Magica", "Fate/Zero", and "The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyokai)/Boundary of Emptiness").

• The film is expected to wrap up in 2020.

About DEEMO, the game on which the movie is based

DEEMO is a SmartPhone rhythm game app that has had over 23 million downloads worldwide. DEEMO -Reborn-, both its downloadable and packaged software for PlayStation4, will be released on November 21.

DEEMO, a rhythm video game inspired by the musical instrument of piano, carries approximately 200 songs of a wide variety, from beautiful classical music to rock, jazz, and electronic. It offers innovative entertainment to the players who must tap the notes on the screen like playing the piano, and in addition to its collection of superlative music, the smoothness of gameplay is unrivaled by any other game app, which have captivated many music game fans in Asia and around the world.

Movie: Introduction

"Never left without saying goodbye"

Alone in a castle, a figure plays a piano... Deemo
One day, a girl with no memory falls from the sky.

A gentle story that will touch your heart

Ming-Yang Yu (CEO of Rayark / Executive Producer) Profile

As a producer, Yu has developed a variety of titles as well as assisted in production line quality control and creative thinking. He insists on combining original game design with high-quality art as the cornerstone of Rayark's game development. At the same time, he also devotes himself to making Rayark a content provider that can influence the world.

Ming-Yang Yu

Mitsuhisa Ishikawa (CEO of Production I.G) Profile

Born in Tokyo in 1958, Ishikawa joined TATSUNOKO PRODUCTION Co, Ltd., after graduating from college, and later established his own company Production I.G, Inc., of which he is currently the CEO and president. Ishikawa is known for the world famous "Ghost in the Shell" (1995), "Blood: The Last Vampire" (2000), the animated sequence in "Kill Bill: Vol.1" (2003), as well as "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence" (2004), which was the first anime to be nominated at the Cannes International Film Festival.

Within the current anime market, he is also known for such popular titles as "Attack on Titan," "Psycho-Pass," and "Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie."

Mitsuhisa Ishikawa

SOURCE: Pony Canyon

More Magic Awaits … Be the First to Unlock It With Wizarding World Gold

More Magic Awaits … Be the First to Unlock It With Wizarding World Gold (PRNewsfoto/Wizarding World Digital)

Today, we are delighted to announce further details about Wizarding World Gold, an annual, paid subscription which will unlock early access, exclusive benefits and enhanced experiences when it officially launches later this autumn.

• This spellbinding, new subscription will offer fans the opportunity to enhance their free Official Harry Potter Fan Club experience and is available to pre-order from today. 

Subscribers to Wizarding World Gold can look forward to a host of new benefits, including a magical welcome gift, currently not available anywhere else! The gift includes the interactive Keys and Curios journal, featuring a specially designed cover by MinaLima - the graphic design team behind some of the most iconic and memorable visuals from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

This beautiful and intricate journal will arrive personalised with your name, Hogwarts house and more – meaning no two journals will be the same. Inside, you'll discover interactive secrets and surprises, which are updated monthly and are unlocked as you explore the new Wizarding World app.

• Also included in the gift is a postcard print of J.K. Rowling's original Hogwarts sketch and an exclusive collectible pin badge, which features the Enchanted Key emblem!

As well as your welcome gift, a year's Wizarding World Gold subscription will unlock:

• Wizarding World Originals – Immerse yourself in our new video series which is set to unravel the mysteries and uncover the secrets from all corners of the Wizarding World. Learn about the creative talent and craftspeople who bring you closer to the magic in The Workshop and discover our pick of behind-the-scenes content in From The Archive.
• eBooks – Take the magic of J.K. Rowling wherever you go with all seven eBooks of the original Harry Potter stories, available on the Wizarding World app for the duration of your subscription.
• Collectible pin badges - You'll receive the first pin badge in your welcome gift. Plus, claim collectible pin badges from selected Wizarding World UK and US locations including: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatres in London, New York & San Francisco, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Hollywood as well as at the iconic Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ in King's Cross Station, London.
• Special events – Get access to Gold subscriber events throughout the year, such as the Wizarding World Christmas Party in the Great Hall at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London later this year.
• Exclusive discounts - Enjoy discounts from the new Wizarding World.com shop, the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ in King's Cross Station, London, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package at Universal Orlando Resort, as well as Warner Bros. Studio Tour stores in both London and Hollywood.
• Priority booking - Look forward to priority access to tickets for the most popular Wizarding World events and locations, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child shows in London, New York and San Francisco as well as Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
• Early access - Unlock early access to limited-edition Wizarding World Gold merchandise ranges and curious collectibles - before they go on general release.
• Plus, plenty of perks – including new quizzes and puzzles, chances to win once in-a-lifetime experiences and much, much more!

Fans can enjoy all this for just $74.99 (US) or £59.99 (UK) per year. In addition, Wizarding World Gold will soon be available to purchase as a gift box subscription - the perfect present for any Harry Potter fan! It launches this autumn online at WizardingWorld.com, the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station in London as well as Warner Bros Studio Tour Gift Shops in London and Hollywood.

Want to be among the first to get your hands on a Keys and Curios journal? Fans can pre-order their Wizarding World Gold subscription from today on WizardingWorld.com, with full benefits unlocked later this autumn.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter (Image from Warner Bros.)

About Wizarding World Digital  

Wizarding World Digital is a joint venture between Pottermore Ltd and Warner Bros. and is dedicated to delivering innovative and digital experiences for all fans of the Wizarding World. In 2019, it launched the Wizarding Passport, Wizarding World mobile app, WizardingWorld.com and The Official Harry Potter Fan Club.

About Wizarding World

More than two decades ago, a young Harry Potter was whisked onto platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station, and readers everywhere were swept along with him into a magical universe, created by J.K. Rowling. In the years since, the seven Harry Potter bestsellers have inspired eight blockbuster movies, an award-winning stage play, and, more recently, the start of the Fantastic Beasts five-film series. People of all ages have been enthralled by these extraordinary adventures, set within an expanding universe, inspired by the vision of J.K. Rowling. For today's growing worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, the Wizarding World welcomes everyone to explore more of this magical universe — past, present and future. The Wizarding World also provides fans with an instant, trusted kite-mark of quality and authenticity.

About Pottermore Publishing

Pottermore Publishing is the global digital publisher of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series as well as other audiobooks and eBooks from the Wizarding World. It leads the way in innovative digital publishing and to bring new generations of readers together with long-standing fans, celebrating and bringing to life the stories that first began with the Boy Who Lived.

• Visit PottermorePublishing.com for the full range of publishing, including language availability as well as forthcoming releases.

SOURCE: Wizarding World Digital

Wizarding World Digital Introduces The Official Harry Potter Fan Club And New Mobile Hogwarts Sorting Ceremony [Trailer Included]

The Official Harry Potter Fan Club

Wizarding World Digital today announces the launch of The Official Harry Potter Fan Club, which can be experienced through the first ever Wizarding World app - a Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts mobile companion, and new, interactive Wizarding World website. 

• Whether you've considered Hogwarts a home for over 20 years, or you've only recently been bewitched by a Niffler, everyone can now immerse themselves in the ever-expanding magical universe in new and innovative ways.

The Wizarding World app allows users to discover which house they belong to with a re-imagining of the famous Hogwarts Sorting Ceremony, featuring J.K. Rowling's original questions and a new augmented reality Sorting Hat, whilst those fans that have been previously sorted can reaffirm their house pride. 

The Wizarding World app - Sorting Hat

The new app is also packed with fresh content including exclusive videos, interactive quizzes and Secret Codes, plus the new fanzine 'Wizarding Weekly', putting the best of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts right at your fingertips.

WizardingWorld.com – the new online home of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts is where fans can enjoy all they loved from Pottermore.com, but with a trunk full of original content and new interactive experiences. Delve deeper into the stories you love, get behind-the-scenes details and enjoy all your favorites from J.K Rowling's archive of writing for Pottermore.

Accessible through both the app and the website, fans will be able to join The Official Harry Potter Fan Club for free. This will provide them with curated experiences from the Wizarding World, including an official Fan Club newsletter and member benefits. And soon, fans will have the option to enhance their membership experience with Wizarding World Gold, a yearly paid subscription that comes with a unique, annual gift and is packed with exclusives and special offers - all of the magic you love and more!

All these great experiences and features can be unlocked by registering for a personalised Wizarding Passport which is a fan's magical identity and holds their defining traits such as their Hogwarts house, Patronus and Wand.

Paul Kanareck, Managing Director of Wizarding World Digital says: 'The Harry Potter global phenomenon continues to be loved by fans of all ages – from the millions of people who discover the books for the first time to those who explore the movies, audiobooks, stage play, visitor attractions and games each year. We have a wonderful opportunity to create new experiences including a fan club for the digital age, which offers an amazing breadth of content and new interactive platforms that will give our fans around the world a truly connected experience across the Wizarding World universe.'

The Wizarding World app, available with the newly reimagined Hogwarts Sorting Ceremony can be downloaded today for free in the initial launch territories (UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) on the App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android. 

The Official Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts companion

• Selected features will also be hosted globally online at WizardingWorld.com for fans who cannot access the app at this stage. 

• To join the free Official Harry Potter Fan Club today and stay up to date, visit WizardingWorld.com to receive the latest information and download the Wizarding World app.

The Wizarding World app - Dumbledore 

The Trailer

About World Digital 

Wizarding World Digital is a joint venture between Pottermore Ltd and Warner Bros. and is dedicated to delivering innovative and digital experiences for all fans of the Wizarding World. In 2019, it launched the Wizarding Passport, Wizarding World mobile app, WizardingWorld.com and The Official Harry Potter Fan Club.

About Wizarding World

More than two decades ago, a young Harry Potter was whisked onto platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station, and readers everywhere were swept along with him into a magical universe, created by J.K. Rowling. In the years since, the seven Harry Potter bestsellers have inspired eight blockbuster movies, an award-winning stage play, and, more recently, the start of the Fantastic Beasts five-film series. People of all ages have been enthralled by these extraordinary adventures, set within an expanding universe, inspired by the vision of J.K. Rowling. For today's growing worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, the Wizarding World welcomes everyone to explore more of this magical universe — past, present and future. The Wizarding World also provides fans with an instant, trusted kite-mark of quality and authenticity.

About Pottermore Publishing

Pottermore Publishing is the global digital publisher of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series as well as other audiobooks and eBooks from the Wizarding World. It leads the way in innovative digital publishing and to bring new generations of readers together with long-standing fans, celebrating and bringing to life the stories that first began with the Boy Who Lived. 

• Visit PottermorePublishing.com for the full range of publishing, including language availability as well as forthcoming releases.

SOURCE: Wizarding World Digital

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Disney And Pixar's 'Coco' Comes To The Hollywood Bowl For The First Time Live In Concert With Special Guests Including Benjamin Bratt, Eva Longoria, Carlos Rivera And More

Disney And Pixar's 'Coco' Comes To The Hollywood Bowl For The First Time Live In Concert

Disney and Pixar's Coco will be brought to life on stage for the first time ever this November at the Hollywood Bowl for one weekend only – Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th. 

The spectacular event in Los Angeles will include an all-star lineup of special guests including Benjamin Bratt, Eva Longoria, Carlos Rivera, Miguel, Alanna Ubach, Alex Gonzalez, Jaime Camil, Lele Pons, Rudy Mancuso and Natalia Jimenez who will appear throughout the evening as the beloved film plays on the Bowl's movie screen accompanied by a full, live orchestra. Mariachi Divas will also entertain the audience with traditional Mariachi music throughout the night.

Conductor Sarah Hicks will lead the full orchestra performing Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino's original score along with special guests performing the film's songs including Academy Award-winner for Original Song "Remember Me," as well as "Un Poco Loco," "The World Es Mi Familia," and many more.

• Coco Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl will transform the legendary venue into the Land of the Dead with special pre-show activities. Day of the Dead costumes are encouraged.

Mousetrappe, the award-winning immersive design agency and media studio, returns to create state-of-the-art digital projection imagery on the shell of the iconic Hollywood Bowl. Earlier this year, Mousetrappe also created imagery for Disney's The Little Mermaid Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

"I'm very excited to join this incredible group of exceptional talent, in the city that I'm from, to bring this very special movie and message to life," said Miguel. "The idea of celebrating our ancestors is very dear to my heart, especially after the passing of my grandparents."

"It is such an honor to be a part of this monumental celebration at the Bowl," said Alanna Ubach. "Love to my beautiful family and friends watching!"

"Mis raíces latinas son mi orgullo y celebrarlo sumando mi voz a la música de Coco en el Hollywood Bowl es un honor," said Natalia Jimenez.

"Coco is my heart, it means everything to me. It's ancestors, family, music, love, culture, traditions, dreams, and passion. Coco is everything that inspires, connects, and makes the world a better place. It's a unique film," said Alex Gonzalez. "The Hollywood Bowl is a very special place where we can celebrate and share our love and appreciation for music and Coco! It's a huge honor and privilege to be a part of this beautiful performance at the Hollywood Bowl. I am so excited, can't wait!"

Felipe Fernandez del Paso serves as director of Coco Live in Concert. Fernandez del Paso has directed theater and film, and is also a production designer, set designer and writer. He received an Oscar nomination for Best Production Design for the 2003 film, "Frida."

Amy Tinkham is Creative Consulant for Coco Live in Concert. Most recently she served as Creative Director for Aerosmith's "Deuces are Wild" Las Vegas residency and James Taylor's Caesars Palace residency. She also directs the Dancing with the Stars and America's Got Talent Live tours. She is currently working with Franco Dragone on a new show in China.

The concert is produced by Disney Concerts and Live Nation/Andrew Hewitt & Bill Silva Presents, a team who has performed together several highly acclaimed live to film events at the Hollywood Bowl including Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Concert starring Zooey Deschanel and Kelsey Grammer as well as Disney's The Little Mermaid starring Lea Michele and Harvey Fierstein.

About Coco

Disney and Pixar's Coco features an original score from Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino, "Remember Me" by Oscar winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco and co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina. 

• The film won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song.

Despite his family's baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. Disney and Pixar's Coco is directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist Monsters University) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3).

• Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, September 13th at 12pm PT at Ticketmaster.com.

SOURCE: Live Nation Entertainment

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" Celebrates Global Expansion With The Biggest Times Square Takeover On Record

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, universally acclaimed for its breathtaking magic and stage wizardry, last night welcomed fans "Back to Hogwarts" with the launch of a new worldwide campaign in the heart of Times Square.

To mark the global milestone, the show hosted the largest-ever Times Square takeover, with award-winning actress and Harry Potter fan, Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as Wizarding World fans and influencers. Fans witnessed a jaw-dropping takeover of nearly all the Times Square screens, which revealed the never-before-seen Harry Potter and the Cursed Child campaign, in celebration of its global expansion.

• With more than two million tickets sold worldwide, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been spreading its magic and thrilling audiences across the globe in London, New York and Melbourne, with more productions opening soon in San Francisco, Hamburg and Toronto.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

"We are very proud that J.K. Rowling chose to tell her eighth story on stage. Just as she created a generation of lifelong readers with the Harry Potter book series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now doing the same for theatre, with over half of our audiences worldwide being first time theatre-goers of all ages," said Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. "Three years in and over two million tickets sold thus far, it is so exciting to watch audiences all over the world be transported 'Back to Hogwarts' to revisit their beloved characters. There is nothing like the experience of being in a theatre with a community of others, seeing and experiencing in real-time as the magic unfolds live before your eyes. The Boy Who Lived, lives on, and the story continues on stage across the world because, as J.K. Rowling herself said: 'Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.'"

As a special thank you to Harry Potter fans, and as a nod to the famous platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is announcing that 934 lucky people around the world will get the chance to watch the show as complimentary guests. But fans have to act fast. To find out how you might become one of them, go to harrypotteronstage.com now and select your chosen location.

"Harry Potter has such a special place in my heart and seeing the characters from the stories come to life on stage was true magic for me," said actress Sarah Jessica Parker. "From the astounding stagecraft, to the magic and illusions, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child brings true storytelling to life that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Being part of the whole experience tonight was one that I'll never forget."

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Receiving universal acclaim for its breathtaking magic and stage wizardry, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the most awarded play in theatre history, winning 25 major U.S. awards, including six Tony Awards with one for Best Play and 24 major theatre awards in the U.K. being the most awarded show in the history of Britain's Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now playing at the Palace Theatre in London, where it received its world premiere in July 2016; at the Lyric Theatre in New York, where it opened on Broadway in April 2018; and at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, where it opened earlier this year. Upcoming productions include the exclusive U.S. West Coast premiere in San Francisco at the Curran later this year; the German premiere, the first non-English language production, at the Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt in Hamburg in spring of 2020; and the Canadian premiere at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto in fall of 2020.

SOURCE: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Become The Warrior Of Darkness Today In Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers

Today, SQUARE ENIX launched FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers, the latest expansion for the critically-acclaimed MMORPG that recently celebrated more than 16 million registered accounts. 

The enthusiasm for Shadowbringers has brought FINAL FANTASY XIV to new heights, with the active player base reaching its highest mark in the game's nearly six-year history.

Shadowbringers marks a bold new beginning, taking players beyond the world of Hydaelyn for the first time as they journey to the First and the realm of Norvrandt. The Warrior of Light must become the Warrior of Darkness to restore night and save the world from the apocalypse the Flood of Light promises.

Shadowbringers adds a wealth of new features to the game, including:

• New Jobs: Gunbreaker and Dancer –The Gunbreaker is a new tank role who wields the iconic gunblade, utilizing ammo cartridges to protect their party from harm. The Dancer, a ranged attacker, not only unleashes powerful attacks using throwing weapons, but also dances to execute abilities which provide beneficial effects to their party.
• New Player Races: Viera and Hrothgar – The rabbit-like Viera are joined by the burly and lion-like Hrothgar, both with unique, customizable features specific to their races.
• New Game+ – This brand-new system will allow for replay of previously completed quests while retaining one's current progression and job level.
• Level Cap Increase – The level cap will be raised to 80 with the release of Shadowbringers. With this will come new actions for classes and jobs—as well as new foes against which players can hone their skills.
• Trust System – In Shadowbringers, players will have the opportunity to challenge dungeons with a party of trusted non-player characters, including members of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Traditional party matching systems will remain available.
• New Beast Tribes and Primals – Players will encounter the carefree but cruel pixies in Il Mheg alongside their mighty regent Titania, along with other beast tribes including the Nu Mou and the Dwarves.
• New Content and System Upgrades – Battle system changes, new equipment, crafting recipes and more.

Players can also look forward to a variety of additional content that has been announced for release in upcoming patches:

• New Alliance Raid: "YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse" - This exciting new 24-man raid written by guest creators Yosuke Saito and YOKO TARO will see FINAL FANTASY and NieR come together as never before.
• New High-End Raid: "Eden" – This new high-end raid will feature a new character designed by KINGDOM HEARTS director and FINAL FANTASY series veteran, Tetsuya Nomura. The content is schedule to become available on July 16, 2019 with the release of Patch 5.01.
• Restoration of the Holy See of Ishgard – End-game content for crafters and gatherers.

The FINAL FANTASY XIV free trial invites new players to access content up to level 35, create up to eight playable characters, and experience the different playable races, classes, and jobs with no restrictions on playtime. 

New players who wish to experience the free trial may register here: sqex.to/FFXIVFreeTrial.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers

• FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers

Related Links

• Shadowbringers Teaser Site: na.finalfantasyxiv.com/shadowbringers/
• The Lodestone: na.finalfantasyxiv.com
• Official Facebook: FinalFantasyXIV

 The Trailer

SOURCE: Square Enix, Inc.

Anime Expo 2019 Thrills Fans Of Japanese Pop Culture During Four-Day Show In Los Angeles

Drawing more than 350,000 attendees from across the world Anime Expo, the largest anime event held in North America each year, prepares to welcome some of the most passionate Japanese pop culture fans to the Los Angeles Convention Center July 4-7.

Drawing more than 350,000 attendees from across the world Anime Expo (AX), the largest anime event held in North America each year, once again welcomes some of the most passionate Japanese pop culture fans to the Los Angeles Convention Center July 4-7, including a special Pre-Show Night on July 3. 

In its 28th year, AX is the preeminent event featuring the newest anime films, television series, fashion, video games, manga, dance, music concerts, exhibitors and exclusive convention merchandise, all combined to deliver unforgettable experiences to fans of anime and Japanese pop culture.

"We are super excited with the AX 2019 line-up and know our fans will find plenty of events and activities to entertain and keep them engaged through-out the four-day show. From the exclusive screening of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution and the impressive works from world-renowned composer Yoshihiro Ike, to crowd favorites like the Fashion Show and all of the fabulous cosplay, we encourage AX 2019 attendees to sample it all - creating many amazing and lasting memories," said Ray Chiang, CEO of The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, AX's organizer.

AX 2019 features 400+ exhibitors, 19 premieres, 500+ artists and hundreds of hours of programming, as well as multiple programming tracks like Culture Day, Family Day and Career Day, many interactive events and 22 Guests of Honor and 100+ industry appearances.

Keeping things mobile and with so many cool events to see, AX makes it easy for fans to know when and where to be with their own App. The Anime Expo 2019 Mobile App is a virtual tour guide - turning a phone into a digital companion, accompanying fans on their journey while providing guidance and information about everything AX! Fans with smartphone access can get up-to-date schedule information, maps, guest information, exhibitor list, artist alley list, and more.

AX 2019 offers four-full days and nights jammed-packed with panel discussions, live performances and special appearances. 

Here are some must-see events:

4DX Anime Film Fest (July 3 & July 4 Regal LA Live Theater): 

At the first annual 4DX Anime Film Fest experience exclusive screenings of Detective Conan: Zero The Enforcer, Mobile Suit Gundam NT (Narrative) and Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the MOVIE – A Wakening of the Trailblazer - enhanced with immersive, multi-sensory 4DX motion and environmental effects! 

• In addition, a 30-minute Q&A panel with screenwriter and cast follows the Mobile Suit Gundam NT (Narrative) screening to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the series.

Music Galore: 

From DJ's, dance and AMVs to live concerts and karaoke, it wouldn't be AX without plenty of music-related events to choose from. 

Two musts: 

Yoshihiro Ike (image via showclix.com)

• Yoshihiro Ike: Anime Soundtrack World (July 7, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, Main Events/Hall B): This international debut concert by legendary composer and musician Yoshihiro Ike is sure to awe the audience. Ike is one of the most recognized music composers in Japan, having worked on more than 100 titles in the last 20 years. 

Aqours (image via anime-expo.org)

• School idol group Aqours makes a return appearance with LOVE LIVE! SUNSHINE!! Aqours World LoveLive! in LA 〜BRAND NEW WAVE〜 (July 5, 7 p.m. & July 6, 1 p.m., The NOVO).

Artist Alley (Kentia Hall): 

A must-see are the more than 500 artists who showcase a variety of handmade creations for sale to attendees, including original artwork, prints, crafts, clothing and comic collections in what is the largest gathering of amateur and semi-professional artists at any convention.

• This year's featured artists are Shinnosuke Uchida, the world's only wall-manga live paint artist, and LA-based pop culture artist Jared Yamahata.

Anime Expo Fashion Show (July 5, 12:30 – 3 p.m., Live Programing 1/Petree Hall): 

Japan is home to many of the most cutting-edge, fashion-forward trends in the world. AX takes pride in showcasing and introducing a variety of designers and their creations to the American market. 

Throughout the years, AX has featured authentic Japanese clothing brands, as well as a new generation of models and this year AX is honored to have Michelle Nguyen Bradley MC the Fashion Show. 

Designers include: h. NAOTO, Acryl CANDY, HYPLAND, amnesiA&paramenesiA, Metamorphose and Hot Topic. 

• In addition, in The Annex attendees are able to meet and get an autograph or photo from the designers and models, and shop each brand's offerings.

Charity Auction (July 7, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Live Programming 3 (408 AB): 

AX is proud to give its support to a very worthy local organization Terasaki Budokan, and encourages fans to stop by the auction and bid on items donated by AX 2019 Guests of Honor, and anime-related vendors and companies that will include signed merchandise, memorabilia, and original artwork. 

Terasaki Budokan's mission is to provide a facility in Downtown Los Angeles for youth, families and seniors that offers sports, community activities and opportunities to connect visitors to Japanese American culture and to a vibrant, sustainable Little Tokyo. 

• Last year's Charity Auction raised nearly $18,000.

Masquerade & World Cosplay Summit US Finals (costumes) (July 6, 8 – 11 p.m. Main Events/Hall B): 

AX encourages and embraces cosplay and the AX Masquerade is a celebration of cosplay and performance competition steeped in history of more than 20 years. AX is excited to welcome all of the performers who are hoping to win the US preliminary for World Cosplay Summit.

Gaming (Entertainment Hall): 

With more than 200 gaming stations, including eGaming and eSports arenas, tabletop, mobile and arcade games, AX 2019 delivers the latest from Dream League, PUBG, KONAMI, Fate/Grand Order and others. 

With tournaments, learn-to-play, and free-play sessions, there's something for everyone at all skill levels in the tabletop games section. eGaming fans can compete with Xbox, Nintendo, Playstation consoles, plus an arcade section to compete with others or just have fun. 

• Additionally, fans can join the biggest names in the industry as they unveil their latest projects and releases during panels and workshops.

During all show days, attendees who can't fit everything into their schedule can connect to the Anime Expo Livestream channel to watch events in LP1/Petree Hall and exclusive interviews.

SOURCE: Anime Expo

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