anime

'Beyond Creation' Anime Short Created With Live2D

Software developer Live2D began streaming a short animation titled "Beyond Creation" last Saturday. The animation was made largely through the company's own Live2D software, and was produced and planned by the company's Live2D Creative Studio design team. The short stars Natsumi Fujiwara as the drawing boy Louie, and Haruka Tomatsu as the mysterious girl Epsilon.

Aniplex announced a business capital tie-up and its acquisition of a majority stake in Live2D in March last year. Aniplex plans to implement "Live2D" drawing and animation software in a feature-length animated film. Both companies plan to use their various specialties toward new types of expression in anime and games.

The Live2D software first launched in 2009 with the goal of allowing uses to work with two-dimensional models in three-dimensional space. More than 300 video, game, and app titles have utilized the software.

Source: Animation Business Journal (Tadashi Sudo)

PS4 Bandai Namco Sale Discounts Lots Of Anime Games (US)

This week's PlayStation Network sale in the US is a celebration of anime, thanks to deep discounts on loads of games from publisher Bandai Namco. The sale discounts games following popular anime franchises like Dragon Ball, Digimon, and Naruto, along with anime-inspired games like the .hack and Tales series.

Some notable deals include sales on Dragon Ball FighterZ ($23), including the FighterZ Edition ($47) and Ultimate Edition ($55). You can also get the first FighterZ Pass for half price at $17, which includes an extra eight fighters, or you can select individual characters for $3 a la carte. You can also get Dragon Ball Xenoverse for $10 or Xenoverse 2 for $15.

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is down to $36. Gundam Versus is $20. Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja and One Piece: Burning Blood are both $15, and Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm is $5. Plus the RPGs Tales of Berseria and .hack//GU Last Recode are down to $15 and $20, respectively.

"FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance," wrote critic Peter Brown in GameSpot's review of Dragon Ball FighterZ. "Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre."

Several of the listed games also have DLC packs on sale too, so even if you own these games you might still want to expand it. You can check out the full store listing for more deals and details and to make your purchases.

Allow your wallet to be your spirit guide during this rad anime sale

In honor of Anime Month, Amazon has select anime Blu-ray and DVDs on sale. But here’s the catch, the deal is only good for one day only–today!

The sale includes both box collections and individual seasons of some of the most popular anime of the last decade. So not only will master anime collectors be happy they have a ton of titles to choose from, but with up to 60% in savings, their bank accounts won’t be able to complain about it either. To sneak a peek at what’s on sale, continue reading. 

1) Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series

From the director: Explore the far reaches of the galaxy in this undeniably hip series that inspired a generation – and redefined anime as an indisputable art form. The Bebop crew is just trying to make a buck. This motley lot of intergalactic loners teams up to track down fugitives and turn them in for cold hard cash. Spike is a hero whose cool façade hides a dark and deadly past. The pilot Jet is a bruiser of a brute who can’t wait to collect the next bounty. Faye Valentine is a femme fatale prone to breaking hearts and separating fools from their money. Along for the ride are the brilliant, but weird, hacker Ed and a super-genius Welsh Corgi named Ein. On their own, any one of them is likely to get lost in the sprawl of space, but together, they’re the most entertaining gang of bounty hunters in the year 2071.

Price: $19.99 (regularly $29.99) 

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2) Wolf Children

From the director:  Hana was a student before she was a mother. She was bright and pretty, and her future held endless possibilities. Then she met a man, who turned out to be a wolf, and together they built a family. Hana loved her mate fiercely, but fate took him from her, leaving her alone with two unusual kids she didn’t know how to raise. Frightened of being discovered, Hana and her wolf children fled to the countryside to build a new life. Raising her little wild things was an adventure. It left Hana bruised, scratched, exhausted, and joyously overwhelmed as her pups grew stronger and wandered further every day. This is a mother’s journey. Teach your children to chase their dreams – and smile through the tears as they disappear into the world in search of who they will become. Hana wasn’t always a mother, but it was always what she was meant to be.

Price: $11.99 (regularly $22.70) 

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3) Dagashi Kashi 2 (season two)

From the director: The snack pack is back, and this time they’re bringing the toys…toys and games, that is! Right as things are raring to go, Hotaru suddenly leaves. With the queen gone, the snack kingdom crumbles, and Shikada Dagashi goes from shop to shack. Now it’s up to Kokonotsu to bring it back to life! Ready to make some serious changes, Kokonotsu’s vision is brought to a halt when a convenience store opens across the way! And the owner has a familiar sense of absurdity that keeps the crew on their toes. Luckily, they gain a new face and a new drive to share the love of Dagashi! But will it be enough to keep them afloat while they wait for Hotaru’s anticipated return?

Price: $20.40 (regularly $39.98) 

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4) Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World (the complete series)

From the director: In this imperfect world, the stories are what make it beautiful. Journeying the land and visiting the unique countries all around is Kino and her talking motorcycle, Hermes. Together, the two travel from place to place, experiencing new cultures and people. But despite how enjoyable some lands may be, Kino will only stay in each country for three days or less with just enough time to gather stories and memories before continuing on the open road. While some countries can be pleasant and enjoyable, others are dark and sinister. From lands with legalized murder to cruel hierarchies, Kino experiences it all while keeping her wits—and a pair of guns—about her.

Price: $32.07 (regularly $64.98) 

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5) Garo: Vanishing Line (part 1)

From the director: Hang on to your seats for a gripping story, unlike any other Garo adventure! Horrors teem in the shadows of Russel City, where something sinister has just awakened. Seeking to vanquish this darkness is Sword, the legendary knight in golden armor, with simple desires and a reputation for getting the job done. When a headstrong teen named Sophie comes along in search of her missing brother, she and Sword get caught in a twisted fate. Banding together, they chase their only clue—El Dorado.

Price: $31.01 (regularly $64.98) 

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6) Tales of the Abyss: The Complete Series

From the director: Based off the popular game, Tales of the Abyss will take you to a fantastic world where fate is written in Fonic Stones and the will to defy it lies in those who are mere replicas. Pampered Prince Luke fon Fabre is suddenly thrown from his life of luxury into an adventure unlike any other. Together with a group of magic-users, he’ll learn about his world and the dark truth about his existence.