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Pokémon manga e-books are available in schools and libraries worldwide
Pokémon manga e-books are now available to public libraries and schools worldwide through OverDrive, Inc. Students and library patrons can visit overdrive.com to find a participating library. From there, you'll be able to download Pokémon magna titles published by Viz Media, either on a web browser or via the Libby or Sora apps. Borrowed titles will expire at the end of the lending period, so as an added perk, there are no late fees.
Crunchyroll app coming to PS3 (plus bonus streaming anime news)
Crunchyroll, online purveyors of on-demand anime and Korean dramas, will extend the subscription-based side of its service to the PlayStation 3 at some unknown point in the future. For $6.95 a month, users will be able to stream Crunchyroll's selection of anime or Korean dramas to their televisions by way of PS3 -- getting both requires a package subscription at $11.95 a month. Subscribing also grants access to HD content on Crunchyroll's website, as well as early access to new episodes and an iOS/Android app.In related news, VIZ Media's Neon Alley anime channel (announced for unspecific consoles late last month) will be coming to the PS3 when the channel launches this fall. As you'll recall, Neon Alley functions like a premium television channel, airing shows according to a set schedule and requiring a $6.99 subscription.
VIZ Media launching subscription-based 'Neon Alley' anime channel on consoles this fall
VIZ Media, the localization company responsible for bringing Bleach, Naruto and all things Rumiko Takahashi stateside, has announced that it will be launching a 24-hour anime network called Neon Alley on consoles this fall.Which consoles will actually receive Neon Alley remains to be seen, as the press release (found after the break) does not list specifics. The $6.99 a month service will not be an on-demand streaming app, but rather an actual television channel with a schedule and everything. All content will be uncensored, in HD when possible, but always dubbed in English, which could be good or bad depending on your personal anime sensibilities.The channel will broadcast advertisements, despite the subscription fee, though VIZ says those ads will be "limited" and help keep the monthly cost below 10 dollars. Announced programming includes Naruto Shippuden, Inuyasha: The Final Act, Death Note and quite a few others, as well as original programming.
The pros and cons of making a digital jump with comics
Anime News Network did an in-depth comparison of reading manga on an iPad vs. a Nook Color today, after Viz Media sent them both devices so they could do a hands-on look at making the digital jump. After taking a hit from the closing of Borders, Viz decided to turn its popular Shonen Jump publication into a digital-only product. Launched in January, Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha is $25.99 for an annual subscription, with three of its flagship series -- One Piece, Bleach and Naruto -- now running almost concurrent with the Japanese release. Individual issues can be rented for 99 cents for a 4-week period. The results aren't surprising. By holding up a volume of manga next to an iPad, it shows that the iPad is right about the same size as a manga volume and the experience is just as good as reading a print book. What the article does highlight is the problems that the Nook Color has with Viz's products, especially when it comes to things such as double-page spreads. It doesn't touch on the Kindle Fire, however, since Viz hasn't ported its app out to it yet. As expected, the big drawback to the iPad is the price. While manga sold via Viz's iPad app is cheaper than the print volumes, the price of an iPad would be the barrier preventing teens from completely making that digital jump Viz wants them to make. We originally looked at the Viz app in 2010, and we were pretty pleased with its offerings then. If you haven't considered a digital transition of your manga and comics yet, the ANN article is a good way to see if you'd want to do so. While I still prefer buying print graphic novels, my comic-buying habits are a mix of supporting my favorite local comic shop and buying digital manga through Comixology and Viz -- the latter being excellent for long series that take up a ton of shelf space.
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva coming to a DVD player near you
Viz Media, the anime localization super-giant responsible for bringing both Bleach and Naruto to North America, will continue its cultural conquest of the western continent by releasing Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva in North American markets. The film takes place between the events of Professor Layton and the Last Specter (due out this fall) and Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, and should be available at your local otaku shelter "later this year." The 2009 animated film featuring everyone's favorite top-hat professor had previously undergone westernization for its 2010 release in the UK, however Viz Media's adaptation will be the first version available in the US and Canada for those weary of importing. The film has been such a success in Japan and abroad that Layton developer Level 5 has already commissioned a sequel, however there has been no mention of localization for that adventure so far.
Netflix deal with Viz Media brings more anime with subbed eps of Inuyasha, Bleach, Naruto
As we noted when Netflix announced its expanded deal with Fox, there's some new anime available on Watch Instantly these days and now Netflix has revealed a deal with Viz Media made it all possible. This has brought hundreds of episodes of popular series including Bleach, Naruto and Inuyasha to the service and most importantly, they're uncut and feature the Japanese audio with subtitles -- a must for hardcore fans. There's also new eps of other series like Trigun and Fullmetal Alchemist available through a deal with Funimation, but unfortunately it appears those are dubbed editions. Clearly licensing issues play a role, but here's hoping we see more original audio, uncut releases in the future (trying to watch Ghost in the Shell dubbed is just painful) or in the best possible case -- an option to watch subbed or dubbed.
Viz brings mainstream manga to the iPad
Viz Media, LLC introduced its first iPad app this past week, Viz Manga, and it's something that I've personally waited a long time to see. I've been a manga fan for years, ever since I saved my allowance as a teen to buy $18 copies of Ranma 1/2 in the mid-90s. A good section of my bookcase is devoted to volumes in both English and the original Japanese. As, first, the Kindle, then the iPad were introduced, I looked at both of these devices as not only a more convenient and cost-effective way of obtaining more series, but also as a chance to hopefully cut down on the frequent pirating that goes on in the manga (and anime) world. Hundreds will take the latest chapters of well-known, licensed series, such as Bleach and One Piece, then translate and release the chapters online within days of the Japanese release. While Viz, one of the larger companies out there, has taken strides toward getting chapters of the English releases done at the same time as the Japanese, it's not fast enough for a very picky community that wants their fix before the releases have even hit the printing press. There is manga out there that's available for the Kindle and iPhone, but these are niche titles. TOKYOPOP took a step in the right direction of making more mainstream work available by releasing Hetalia through the comiXology app. Dark Horse introduced more digital content in October, but that focused more on traditional comic books than their manga titles. There is also an iPad app coming from Yen Press. But by Viz opening its own store on the iPad, we're finally getting to see the mainstream manga releases like Bleach, Naruto, Dragon Ball, and more in a legal, digital format, and I couldn't be happier.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 coming to North America and Europe this fall
Since its original Japanese announcement, Naruto fans have been wondering two things: When is Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 coming out? And does it still look good? Well, the answers are "this fall" and "yes." Not only is Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 the first game based on the Shippuden story arc to appear on an HD console, it's also the first multiplatform game for the franchise. Whereas the first game appeared exclusively on PS3, the sequel will grace both Xbox 360 and PS3 later this year. Thankfully, it looks as though developer CyberConnect2 isn't cutting any corners for the sequel, promising more than 40 characters, original Japanese voice overs and "bigger and more epic cinematic boss battles." Like the first Ultimate Ninja Storm, the sequel is likely to present an abridged version of the series story. However, the press release boasts that "a shocking story twist" will have "Sasuke wearing Akatsuki gear." Yeah, we can't believe it either.
Viz publishing Kirby manga in North America
Do you ever want to go beyond the Kirby games, and explore the deep backstory and complex, rich cast of characters in the Kirby universe? If so, you'll be pleased to hear that manga/anime publisher Viz Media is releasing a 25-volume Kirby manga in North America, joining Zelda and Pokemon manga. The manga by Hirokazu Hikawa follows "Kirby and his friend, Chirby," trying to return the Star Rod while being pursued by King Dedede. Essentially, it's Lord of the Rings, but with an infantile pink monster who devours everything instead of a hobbit. The first volume will be out September 2010. [Via Anime News Network]
Naruto Shippuden fighter coming to PSP this Fall
It's been a while since we've seen you on PSP, Naruto -- and it looks like you've grown up. PSP will getting its own fighter based on the Naruto Shippuden series later this year, courtesy of Namco Bandai. According to IGN, Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising will feature a simplified control scheme that allows players to easily create "ultimate combos" with two support characters and easy-to-use Jutsu attacks. In addition to an Ad-Hoc versus mode, there will also be two-player co-op.The story will take players through the Gaara Retrieval arc while the titular Akatsuki Mode will let you play as the Akatsuki organization. It looks like Naruto fans will have a lot to look forward to.[Thanks, David B.!]
Ban-kai!: Sega to bring Bleach DS sequel stateside
Likely surprising no one considering the popularity of the Bleach manga/anime series, Sega announced its plans to publish Bleach: Dark Souls (or Bleach DS: 2nd Kokui Hirameku Requiem, as it's known in Japan), the follow-up to Bleach: The Blade of Fate, this summer in North America.The Treasure-developed 2D fighter features a number of improvements on the original: an exclusive storyline that takes place in between the series's first and second season 44 playable characters (The Blade of Fate has 26) 30 new Power-up Cards and Power Crystals Bleach encyclopedia containing "fun and interesting facts about the entire Bleach universe" All that comes on top of the game's four-player online battles and multi-plane stages. Hit the gallery below for English-translated screenshots from Dark Souls, or check past the break for a two-minute trailer from the Japanese release.%Gallery-17918%
