NDK Industry Panels for FUNimation and Aniplex
/FUNimation and Aniplex (1pm to 3pm)
Another NDK may have come and gone, but we do have plenty of release news from FUNimation and Aniplex for up and coming titles!
The FUNimation panel was hosted again this year by Justin Rojas, the Senior Manger of Social Strategy and Development for FUNimation. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the anime FUNimation releases is contagious and engaging, making for an enjoyable information panel. If you are a fan of FUNimation and would like to keep tabs on what they are doing and lend your support, like/follow/subscribe to their various social media outlets. You can find FUNimation on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Youtube or at their website. Also check out the FUNimation Show to see an exclusive Livestream on Thursday, September 18 at 7/8pm Central Time which includes a tour of the FUNimation headquarters.
FUNimation also has several titles streaming on Netflix and Hulu as well as their own Exclusive Streaming option on the FUNimation Channel. The FUNimation Channel has over 9,000 videos for you to enjoy from old favorites to the latest streaming titles. You can also check out FUNimation’s website for the latest titles being released domestically on DVD and Blu-ray. Here’s some of the featured titles we saw at NDK!
Two Dragonball Z titles are coming our way, with DBZ Season 6 being released on Blu-ray as well as the Dragon Ball Z Movie: Battle of Gods. DBZ: Battle of Gods is currently up for pre-order and will be released on October 07. The Extended version of the movie will be hitting stores here in the States first before Japan!
A new feature film dealing with falling in love with an android called HAL is available now for purchase. This movie seems very poignant and complex.
Fairy Tale Part 11 was recently released this past July. Volumes 12 and 13 are not far behind with October release dates.
A Certain Scientific Railgun S Season Two Part One was also recently released this past July and makes a great companion to Season 1!
The Devil is a Part-Timer (a personal favorite that’s highly recommended!) is now available for purchase in a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack. Convenient for loaning out for people to try!
Hetalia Beautiful World Season 5 is also available for all you Hetalia fans with a spiffy new look!
Attack on Titan Part 2 will be dropping on September 23, but if you want the Exclusive Collector’s Edition, you better hit up the pre-order now. The Collector’s Edition comes with some very nice items and a chance to win an exclusive figure!
Another One Piece Film has hit our shores and will be available to purchase on September 30. Pre-orders are now available for One Piece Film Z.
A new Ghost in the Shell series is coming out October 21. Ghost in the Shell: Arise takes place before Section 9 is formed and shows how Motoko Kusanagi joins the organization.
Also coming out on October 21 is Bayonetta: Bloody Fate, an animated retelling of the first video game that coincides with the release of Bayonetta 2.
And the last title preview was for Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash!, which was the most tame trailer shown from the previous night’s FUNimation Peep Show. If battling busty ninjas is your thing, this title is probably for you.
This was Aniplex's second year hosting a panel at NDK. They had a number of titles that are available to watch streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll or their own Aniplex Channel.
Some titles that are currently available to watch streaming are Hanamonogatari, The Irregular at Magic High School, Sword Art Online II, Aldnoah Zero and P4GA (Persona 4 Golden Animation).
Aniplex has also launched a US side store called Aniplex +. This store location has special items that often aren't released in the States for the local anime fan to purchase. Check it out to find special deals on figures, wall-scrolls, plushes and more!
A number of titles are also available for purchase from Aniplex.
One such show is part of the Monogatari sereis entitled Kabukimonogatari. Check out the number of special items that come in the limited edition Blu-ray set!
Also available now is the first season of Silver Spoon, a series about high schoolers at a farming school, brought to you from the creator of Full Metal Alchemist and is a personal favorite of mine.
Also available is a dual pack of the Gurran Lagann movies, which is a great way of getting both films.
There are also three Madoka Magica movies available for purchase. There are also limited edition versions available while supplies last.
Kill la Kill Volume 1 is available for purchase in a limited edition and regular sets and look out for Volume 2 coming in October! Pre-orders can be placed now.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day Movie is also available in a limited and regular edition and well as Oreimo 2. Check out the page to purchase season 1 as well.
There are a couple of titles coming soon for purchase, including Valvrave the Liberator on September 23 and Nisekoi on November 25.
A couple of new streaming title will air in October, one of which is a retelling of Fate/Zero called Fate/Stay Night. Check out the site for more details. The other title is Your Lie in April, a charming tale about a former musician meeting a new musician who reignites something he lost inside himself.
A big announcement was the news that Gurran Lagann will be getting a Blu-ray release here in the states with volume 1 dropping on November 11 and volume 2 on December 09. Both volumes are up for pre-order.
All in all, both panels were informative about upcoming titles that are sure to please a wide range of anime fans.