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

What Leaving The EU Would Really Mean For British Trade Deals

IR Stone / Shutterstock.com

By Paul James Cardwell, University of Sheffield

What would be the impact of staying in or leaving the EU for the UK’s global trade? This has become one of the most talked about questions of the referendum so far.

The various Leave campaigns have claimed that quitting the EU would free the UK from its “shackles”. As one of the world’s largest economies, they claim the UK would be well placed to opt out of the EU’s existing deals with non-EU countries and forge free trade deals of its own.

The Stronger In campaign and other pro-Remain bodies claim Britain has the “best of both worlds” – a full part in the single market, and a place at the EU table in negotiating trade deals.

Arguments on both sides turn on whether the UK can strike free trade agreements with non-EU countries. But “free trade” is not as straightforward as it sounds.

The current deal
Within the EU, member states enjoy largely unrestricted trade in goods and services, which is just not generally available in other trade deals. Agreements with non-EU countries often do not cover economically significant areas, such as financial services or agricultural goods.

According to Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, the EU has the legal competence to run external trade policy towards the wider world. This provision has been in place since the original Treaty of Rome in 1957 (long before the UK joined).

The logic is straightforward – if there is a single market within the EU, then member states cannot set up individual deals outside the EU, as the two would be incompatible. Changing this rule was not part of the UK’s demands for a new settlement from the EU earlier this year. In fact, the UK has always supported the external commercial aspect of EU membership.

Currently, the EU operates bilateral deals with states across the globe. It has preferential trade agreements with South Korea, South Africa, Mexico, many countries around the Mediterranean, and a customs union with Turkey. A deal with Canada has been agreed, and negotiations with India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are underway. Many Commonwealth countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific are also covered by EU deals.

The unknown alone
Could the UK opt-out and go it alone? In theory, yes, but in practice, the picture would be rather different. There are three major obstacles in concluding post-Brexit deals.

The first is that much would depend on what the UK’s relationship with the EU would look like after Brexit. That would take time to resolve but would probably take priority given the UK’s current reliance on the single market. If the UK concludes an agreement to retain access to the single market, like Norway and Switzerland, it would be difficult for it to have separate deals with non-EU member states, as they may conflict. And while the UK might be able to continue to take advantage of existing EU agreements with other countries, it would not have a say in any changes or negotiations over new agreements – for example, with China.

The second is the process, both in terms of the content and the time needed. Trade agreements are complex and take time.

Although negotiating an external agreement as part of the EU means taking account of 28 national interests, there is no guarantee this would be easier as a single state – especially if trying to negotiate multiple deals at the same time within a limited timeframe.

To take an example, the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement took 14 rounds of negotiation over nine years to conclude. And as one Eurosceptic MP – who is nevertheless going to vote to remain in – recognises, markets are more global and sophisticated than they ever were, adding to this complexity.

Neither does being a relatively large economy guarantee success. Japan, the world’s fourth largest economy, has only 15 agreements. With a service-based economy, the UK would need to make the case that any agreement was not limited to goods or investment alone for it to be effective in supporting British interests. The need for comprehensive agreements would probably lengthen the process considerably.

US Trade Representative Michael Froman has warned the UK not to expect a special deal. EPA

The third, crucially, is the willingness of other countries to deal with the UK outside the EU. Although a relatively large economy, the UK’s attractiveness to outsiders is largely because of its position within the much bigger single market. Narendra Modi, prime minister of India (the largest country in the Commonwealth) has said as much.

And given the complexities and time involved in these sorts of negotiations, the US Trade Representative has explicitly said that the US is not interested in a separate US-UK deal. His comment confirms the trend for free trade agreements to be pursued collectively by blocs, including the Gulf Cooperation Council and Mercosur, where they exist. The EU has of course led the way in this respect and is still in the process of agreeing the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the US.

Therefore, the choice seems to be remaining in the EU with current agreements and negotiations ongoing with other states, or leaving in the hope that states respond positively to the UK seeking an agreement. But there is no evidence yet to suggest that they would do so, and plenty of evidence to the contrary.


About Today's Contributor
Paul James Cardwell, Reader in EU External Relations Law, University of Sheffield

This article was originally published on The Conversation. 

Who Cares About Batman Vs Superman? Wonder Woman Finally Steals The Show

© Warner Brothers

By Amanda Potter, The Open University

Batman Vs Superman: The Dawn of Justice has received a frosty critical reception, to say the least. Despite this, I found myself coming away from the cinema filled with hope. Certainly not for either of the titular characters – who have never been less inspiring. Instead, the future finally seems bright for superwomen. Although Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) is given far less screen time than her male counterparts (and is not even referred to as Wonder Woman), she steals the show when she appears in superhero costume for the finale.

Wonder Woman initially appears as a nameless beautiful woman of mystery, dressed in a succession of slinky backless dresses and gold jewellery – including what could turn out to be her signature bullet-stopping bracelets. Gadot is also known for being Miss Israel, linking her with former beauty pageant winner, Miss World Lynda Carter, who played Wonder Woman in the 1970s television series.

Rather than concentrating on this link, however, interviews have been keen to play up Gadot’s two years' military service as a suitable grounding for a superheroine. Gadot’s Wonder Woman is admired by Ben Affleck’s Batman, but she is not cast as his love interest.

Not-too-subtle clues are given to Wonder Woman’s identity, and they are grounded in the world of Greek mythology. She first appears at a party where villain Lex Luthor is making a speech about Prometheus and Zeus. Her second appearance is in a museum, looking at a (fake) sword used by Alexander the Great to cut the Gordian knot. We learn from a flight attendant that her name is Miss Prince, and she tells Batman that she has avoided the world of men for 100 years, but returns to help in the end. This is a Wonder Woman who likes to go her own way.

Amazon origins
The character of Wonder Woman was originally conceived by US psychologist William Moulton Marston in 1941 for what would become DC Comics. Wonder Woman, known by her alias Diana Prince, is Princess Diana of the Amazons, a tribe of women living on Paradise Island.

According to Greek mythology, the Amazons were warrior women who lived in the Black Sea area, on the edges of the ancient Greek known world. They would take local men as lovers for the purpose of procreation, but would only keep female children.

Unlike Greek women, they hunted and fought battles. In literature and art they are often used to epitomise the opposite of what it meant to be Greek and civilised. Archaeological evidence has been found in the modern Ukraine of women from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE buried with horses and weapons. It is now believed that nomadic Scythian women who lived in the Eurasian Steppes did in fact hunt and fight, leading to the origins of the myth of the Amazons.

Diana Price. © Warner Brothers

In the comics and in the Warner Bros Wonder Woman television series that aired from 1975-1979, starring Lynda Carter, Wonder Woman’s potential as a female superhero is impaired by romance. In the original story, she falls in love with US military intelligence officer Steve Trevor, whose plane crashes on the island, and returns with him to 1940s America, where she helps to fight the Nazis and other criminals. Her romantic relationship with Trevor holds her back.

This positioning in relation to a male hero is also a defining feature of the Amazons from Greek mythology. Although seen as brave warriors, skilled at fighting, they ultimately exist to be defeated, conferring heroic status on the male heroes who kill or pacify them. Heracles (Hercules) takes the belt of Hippolyte, the Queen of the Amazons, as one of his labours. Theseus abducts an Amazon Queen (either Antiope or Hippolyte). Achilles defeats Penthiselea in the Trojan War, falling in love with her at the moment she dies at his hands.

None of this for Wonder Woman. © Warner Brothers

I feared that the latest incarnation of Wonder Woman would be similarly defined in relation to men. But Wonder Woman’s latest incarnation is confident and self-sufficient. In a film where the other female characters, Lois Lane and Martha Kent, are used and cast in the roles of female victims who need to be saved, the appearance of a Wonder Woman who is more than a match for the male superheroes leaves me with hope that finally we will see a female superhero who can live up to her potential. Let’s just hope that the Wonder Woman feature (to be released in 2017) does the same.


About Today's Contributor
Amanda Potter, Visiting Research Fellow, The Open University



This article was originally published on The Conversation. 

'World of Warcraft: Traveler', A New Book Series For Children Based On The Global Bestselling Game Franchise, To Be Launched Soon

Scholastic & Blizzard Entertainment Announce World of Warcraft(R): Traveler, a New Children's Book Series Based on the Bestselling Video Game Franchise. Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment (PRNewsFoto/Scholastic)

Scholastic, the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, and internationally acclaimed game developer and publisher Blizzard Entertainment have announced today a collaboration on a new book series for kids ages 8-12 based on Blizzard's popular World of Warcraft game franchise. World of Warcraft: Traveler will launch simultaneously in the U.S., the U.K.,Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, with the first hardcover book scheduled for release in November 2016, followed by the second title in November 2017. 

Set in the breathtaking land of Azeroth, this epic action-adventure series features a young cast of Warcraft characters discovering the mysteries and majesty of the world around them. 

Written by celebrated comic book author and animation writer Greg Weisman, the first book will include full-page sketches created by Blizzard artist Samwise Didier, and a full-color cover illustration by Blizzard artist Stephane Belin.

"World of Warcraft is a captivating fantasy universe that lends itself to many imaginative and innovative storytelling possibilities. When Blizzard initially approached us about creating an original series for kids, we were not only intrigued but immediately mesmerized," said Debra Dorfman, Vice President and Publisher, Global Licensing, and Media Consumer Products, Scholastic. "This has truly been a fantastic collaboration and we look forward to sharing this thrilling adventure with boys and girls everywhere."

"We're excited to be collaborating with Scholastic on a series that will bring Azeroth to life for a whole new audience," said Chris Metzen, Senior Vice President of Story and Franchise Development at Blizzard Entertainment. "And Greg Weisman is an accomplished writer who's really gotten to the heart and soul of Warcraft with the characters he's developed here—we're thrilled with the work he's done on World of Warcraft: Traveler."

The video

About World of Warcraft: Traveler 

It's been years since twelve-year-old Aramar Thorne, a clever boy who is never without his precious sketch book, has seen his father. So when Captain Greydon Thorne comes ashore and asks his son to join him at sea, it feels as if someone has redrawn Aram's entire world. Before he knows it, Aram is aboard the Wavestrider with Lakeshire fading to a distant dot on the horizon. But the thrill of adventure quickly fades, as Greydon relentlessly schools Aram on how to handle his cutlass and how to relate with the strange and diverse creatures of Azeroth. In addition, Aram struggles to get along with the Wavestrider's crew—especially second mate Makasa, a tough teenaged girl who has been reluctantly placed in charge of him. Just as Aram starts to get his head above water, a band of vicious pirates attack the Wavestrider, turning his world upside down once again. As Aram tries to find his way home with his father's compass in hand, he'll travel across Azeroth's beautiful and hostile terrain, encountering creatures both terrible and wondrous. He'll seek to understand Azeroth's denizens as he draws them in his sketchbook, forming unlikely friendships along the way. But the journey is hindered by Greydon's compass, which never points north. If the compass isn't leading Aram and Makasa home--to safety--to what destiny is it leading them?

Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment

About Greg Weisman
Greg Weisman has been a storyteller all his life. He's best known as the creator of Disney's Gargoyles and as a writer-producer on multiple animated series, including Young Justice, Star Wars Rebels, and W.I.T.C.H., and Marvel's The Spectacular Spider-Man. He's written multiple comic book series and two young adult novels, Rain of the Ghosts and Spirits of Ash and Foam. Greg lives in Los Angeles, California.

SOURCE: Scholastic

Hypnotist Richard Barker Shows How #Trumpnosis, Donald Trump's Form of Covert Hypnosis, Affects Millions Around the World

Hypnotist Richard Barker has just released research surrounding mass hypnosis and has coined the phrase "Trumpnosis"... 

Covert hypnosis means having access to people's subconscious mind and altering the way they behave and think in a disguised or somewhat hidden way. Some popular covert hypnosis techniques used to align someone's behavior and thoughts to the desired outcome of the hypnotists are displayed during mass hypnosis. 

Barker typically refers to mass hypnosis as "Trumpnosis", since he states, 

"Mr. Trump displays it so well".

The media have also made comments regarding the Hypnotizing of a nation and questioned what is happening to America. Through the words and actions of an individual, can we influence and suggest a nation to think a certain way? Richard Barker who is known as the 'Incredible Hypnotist' thinks so.

Barker said, "Everything we do and see must first start with a thought process. We don't see the world; we think it. If your thoughts are influenced by a master Hypnotist to think in a certain way on a mass level, this is 'Trumpnosis'".

Richard Barker, Incredible Hypnotist  (PRNewsFoto/Richard Barker)

Mass Hypnotism can apply to everything and be everywhere – in families, in schools and in politics. The influence and use of repetition on crowds is identified through Mr. Trump's speeches and is seen to influence even the most enlightened minds. The power is due to the fact that the repeated statements are embedded in those profound regions of our subconscious mind.

Donald Trump successfully uses techniques such as pacing and leading, anchoring, verbal confusion, repetition and so on. He successfully bypasses the critical factor in minds of some people and has the ability to turn off the rational thinking. 

By using certain words and behavior, a speaker can very quickly establish a rapport with an audience. Repeated exposure to the same speaker can result in them being viewed with admiration, bordering on worship. Every word uttered is accepted as the complete truth.

"Through the words he has used, both now and in the past, he has placed others into a hypnotic state without them knowing," says Barker. "Trump's speeches contains hypnosis techniques of hypnotic anchoring, pacing and leading, critical factor bypass and so on."

Hypnotist Richard Barker insists, "All you need to remember is that most people's needs are based on their instincts. Understanding people's instincts, especially in a mass gathering, is one of the key goals of mass hypnosis. Trumpnosis is a vehicle for enabling large groups of people to have an altered belief system."

Visit Trumpnosis.com for more info about "Trumpnosis" and a free copy of Richard Barker's report...

The Video

SOURCE: Richard Barker, Incredible Hypnotist

   Click here for more Donald Trump related stories...