Anime Boston Live Blog

The FUNimation panel hosted by the venerable Adam Sheehan and started with a review of all the ways to follow and participate with FUNimation.  From their blog to Facebook to Twitter to Youtube.  Also a review of merchandise they only make  available at conventions.

Also, Adam mentioned their online conventions they have started to do for the folks that have no convention anywhere near them or can’t go to one.  They recently even announced a new acquisition during the last one, which if anyone missed it was Black Buttler.

Next up was Hong Kong Connection.  What is that?  Well, FUNimation has acquired a boatload of old classic Shaw Brothers Kung Fu films.  And yes, they are putting dubs you would expect of a late night Kung Fu show.

Also covered FUNimation’s new S.A.V.E. line.  The Super Amazing Value Editions are discounted series and OVAs that have been out for a while that you might have missed the first time around.  OVA/Movies are $9.98 msrp, 1/2 seasons are $19.98 msrp & full seasons are $29.98 msrp.  These value sets have all the features and specials that the last release version of the series had and can usually be found on sale.

Then followed the standard review of titles currently released or releasing:

• Soul Eater Part 1
• Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple
• Evangelion 1.11:  You are (not) Alone
• Slayers Revolution
• Strike Witches
• Dragon Ball Z Kai
• Fullmetal Alchemist:  Brotherhood
• Initial D 3rd & 4th Stage
• My Bride Is A Mermaid

Next up were the New Acquisitions which started with recapping their most recent title announcement, Black Jack.

• Spice & Wolf Season 2:  After announcing Spice & Wolf at last years Anime Boston, Season 2 of the series was announced at this years convention.
• Chobits: A license rescue from Geneon.  Should be released with the original Geneon dub.
• Eden of the East Movie Collection: Along with the movies being acquired, FUNimation was able to secure the original song for the series.

FUNimation has announced Spice & Wolf Season 2 and a license rescue of Chobits and Eden of the East Movie Collection

Full official press releases now available at activeAnime.com

Voice actors turn on each other in violent out break over last piece of sushi @ Anime Boston! Fact-less story to follow at 11!

Chris Ayres wants last piece of sushi

*activeAnime and TheHaisho not liable for any “facts” in story.  >__>

We will be covering Anime Boston again this year on April 2-4th.  We will post any news stories and things that may be of interest sporadicly through the weekend, with a full writeup to follow.

You can also just follow us on Twitter for any news items.

@AA_TheHaisho

Kalafina is the newest songstress project by renowned composer Yuki Kajiura (.hack:SIGN, Madlax, Xenosaga II & III).  Kalafina’s debut album Seventh Heaven was released in the U.S. on May 12^th via iTunes and other online music stores.  The three members of Kalafina, Wakana, Keiko and Hikaru, were selected by Ms. Kajiura after intensive auditions which featured 30,000 people.  The group debuted in January, 2008 with their first single “oblivious” reaching #8 in Japan.  Kalafina is featured in the anime film series “The Garden of Sinners” (Kara no Kyokai) theme.  Their newest single “Lacrimosa” is the ending theme for the popular anime series “Black Butler” (Kuroshitsuji).

Kalafina held their U.S. concert debut at Anime Boston 2009 on May 23^rd.  These three lovely ladies gave the Anime Boston crowd a concert to remember.  The packed house got to their feet several times during the performance.  Kalafina’s three part harmonies and unique style sets them apart from the ordinary.  They featured their 3 tops hits, “oblivious”, “ARIA” and “fairytale” as well as their newest single “Lacrimosa”.  During the performance, the girls nervously interacted with the audience with their limited English skills which of course just made them more endearing to the crowd.  After completing their full set, they took the audience by surprise when they returned to the stage with their producer, the venerable Ms. Kajiura, who took her place behind the keyboard to personally accompany the trio in a final song.  Kalafina’s powerful and unique sound made the concert a pleasure and their debut a complete success.

After their concert, we were able to sit down with Wakana, Keiko and Hikaru as well as Ms. Yuki Kajiura and ask them some questions. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the nicer displays at this years convention had to be the Nintendo exhibit.  Everytime I went by, the booth was loaded with people playing the game and having tournaments with each other.  Seemed to be a hit with the fans as well.  The booth looked great as you can see.  It was even complete with their own Fire Emblem characters.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, for those unfamiliar with it, is a total overhaul of an NES classice never before released in America.

You are the general: Shape your army to suit your strategy by selecting from dozens of characters with unique spells and abilities. But guide your army wisely, because if a character falls on the battlefield, he’s lost forever.

You can take the battle online and clash with players around the world over Nintendo^® Wi-Fi Connection. You can also borrow units to use in your army, talk with friends using the built-in Nintendo DS microphone and even buy rare and powerful items from the Online Shop using in-game currency.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a quick sample of the full interview to come soon.

Q: Did you get to see any of Boston while you have been here?
A: Keiko – We just saw some of the landscape and river on the drive in from the airport, but we have been too busy here at the convention. Hopefully we will get to see some of the sites tomorrow after the convention is over.

Q: Are you happy with the response you have gotten here so far for your debut US concert?
A: Yes, very.

Q: Miss Kajiura, what started you down the path of creating anime and game soundtracks?
A: I was working on a film at the time and I was approached by a producer to do it.

Q: Miss Kajiura, where do you find your artistic inspiration?
A: In Books and words, things without sound.

Be sure to watch for our full interview later!

Day 3 is underway as things wrap up at the convention. But stay tuned for our interview and some final reports.

Wish me luck as I explore the late night side of a convention. Basically, the darker side of anime and manga… the 18+ events.

Funimation has confirmed the acquisition of Spice and Wolf season 1 (will include the Japanese DVD only episode) coming Winter 09.

Announcements:

• Sgt. Frog Season 1 – Part 1 available September 22nd. (Will leave the Macross and Gundam references alone – will be exactly as in Japan)
• Starting May 30th, One Piece will stream for free 1 hour after Japanese airing on Funimation.com
• Fullmetal Alchemist OVA will be released this summer.
• Evangelion 1.0: English Dub will premiere at Anime Expo

Mike McFarland was introduced as the ADR Directorfor Eva 1.0 and joined the panel.  Cast: Shinji – Spike Spencer; Rei – Brina Palencia; Misato – Allison Keith-Shipp; Ritsuko – Colleen Clinkenbeard; Gendo – John Swasey; Ibuki – Catlin Glass; Kensuke – Greg Ayres; Fuyutsuki – Kent Williams; Toji – Justin Cook; Kawuru – Jerry Jewel.