Watch: 'Astroboy Reboot' Gets a Teaser

Astro Boy was first the hero of a manga created in 1952 by Osamu Tezuka, but soon became the star of a popular anime series. The character has been through a lot of iterations and re-imaginations, including a CG movie in 2009. 

Now he is back on television with a series of 26-minute episodes called Astroboy Reboot, and the first teaser is just below.

If Studio Ghibli Films Were Like Other Anime

Earlier this week, I got an amazing surprise on my Facebook account. A video by College Humor  which takes some pretty hilarious liberties in re-imaging Studio Ghibli films as if they were like most Japanese anime. Take a look for yourself. And you're welcome:

The Art of The Wind Rises Book Coming Very Soon

Since it was announced that The Wind Rises would be Hayao Miyazaki's final film, I have been anticipating the release of the art book. Viz Media announced last week, via the Anime News Network, that they would be publishing The Art of The Wind Rises on 8th April - which is just days away - for the price of $34.00 USD/$39.99 CAN.

Miyazaki Un-Retiring?! Or Just a Rumor?

A Reddit article started making the rounds earlier this week citing a Japanese blogger, which claims that Hayao Miyazaki has retracted his retirement statement, made just four months ago, to work on some unknown project. Now before we begin to speculate what awesome project could possibly pull Hayao Miyazaki out of retirement, let's speculate on this bit of, still, potential news.

The Wind Rises Review [NYFF]

I had the immense privilege to attend the New York Film Festival on Saturday 28th of September, and watch a screening of The Wind Rises. Being Hayao Miyazaki's last film (as far as we know), and a Studio Ghibli creation, expectations were high. I, along with a vast audience of maybe 300 people, got to enjoy a wonderful story the way it should be enjoyed: on the big screen, with fellow enthusiasts and loved ones held close.

Princess Mononoke Sequel? Sort Of.

There is a project in the works that picks up 600 years after Princess Mononoke leaves off. Wolf Girl tells the story of "a teenager struggling to find her place in the city, [who] seeks refuge in a magical forest where giant wolves once ruled. When she discovers that humans are cutting down the trees, she unites with the wolves to defend her new home, before it all burns." While this sounds extremely exciting, it is not actually a Studio Ghibli production...

New Stills From Studio Ghibli's The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Now that we know Hayao Miyazaki's final film, The Wind Rises, is due to open officially in the US for an Oscar qualifying run from 8th - 14th November in New York and Los Angeles only, and even though most of us have yet to see the film, we can already look forward to Studio Ghibli's next project which is also right around the corner...sort of.

Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli on Retiring

Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki finally released a statement over the weekend about his retirement. Throughout the recording, Miyazaki is cheerful, respectful, and honourable, just as he's been throughout his entire duration at Studio Ghibli.

[UPDATE] Akira: 25th Anniversary Edition coming to Blu-ray on 12th November

Official Cover Art

In very exciting news, independent anime distributor Funimation has announced that is planning to release a new Blu-ray edition of director Katsuhiro Otomo's classic film Akira, commemorating its 25th anniversary. Akira was previously released in North America by distributor Honneamise in 2009 but went out of print shortly after; Funimation picked up the rights and now is prepping a new set that'll be released on 12th November. Technical details and bonus features are yet to be announced but it'll come in the form of a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. Check the trailer announcing the new release below:



Based on the manga by the same name, Akira is a landmark of Japanese animation and its style has become a very influential element not only in animation but also live-action films. Are you excited for this release?

Note: Akira is available in the UK courtesy of Manga Entertainment. You can order the UK edition here or pre-order the US edition here.

My Neighbor Totoro Blu-ray Review

My Neighbor Totoro, while being one of Studio Ghibli's most important films, is also director Hayao Miyazaki's most universally iconic. Riding off the success of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Castle in the Sky (1986), Miyazaki decided to take a leap of faith and do something that would hit a little closer to home for him. Studio Ghibli's two previous films had garnered their success by playing to the public desires of animation at the time; magic, fantasy and futuristic plots and themes were extremely popular in Japan, and it was thought that anything else would prove to be a failure. But My Neighbor Totoro proved to be everything but a failure, eventually becoming a globally recognized figure, and being adopted by Studio Ghibli as their logo/mascot.

Hayao Miyazaki's New Film To Be Released in Japan in July

The beautiful poster for The Wind Rises.

In exciting news, Studio Ghibli's newest project has been given a release date in Japan. The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) will be released in Japan on 20th July, 2013, Far East Films reports. Written and directed by Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, five years after his last project (2008's Ponyo), The Wind Rises will be a welcome return for the beloved and acclaimed director. Frequent Miyazaki collaborator, composer Joe Hisaishi, also returns to score the film.

The Wind Rises is an adaptation of Miyazaki's own 2009 manga and tells the story of historic World War II Zero fighter designer Jirō Horikoshi. Similar to Porco Rosso, this film will tackle Miyazaki's passion for flying and aeroplanes, although a detailed synopsis isn't available at this time.

The only downside to this news, is that we'll have to wait a little longer until it gets released in the Western Hemisphere; but we can expect another Miyazaki classic with gorgeous animation and an impressive story.

Are you excited for The Wind Rises?