Industry News: MCM London Comic Con May 2017 Announcements
Sunday, May 28, 2017
It's been a while since I have done something like this, and that's because I've done it already on behalf of Anime UK News. Since I have more time than the usual I decided to recap the news on here as well.
Manga Animatsu haven't announced any, so this will cover Anime Limited, MVM and Universal Pictures.
If you want to see the Anime UK News versions of the round-up, here they are:
Anime Limited
Anime Limited split their announcements across their two panels. The good news is that they have tons of films coming to UK theatrical screens sooner than the usual, perhaps even before North America for the most part. The downside however is that the announcements are not as big as their two major outings from London MCM in 2016.
Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?
(Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka?)
The upcoming film from studio SHAFT is due for 18th August 2017 in Japan and is based off the 1993 television film of the same name from Shunji Iwai. Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi will both be directing the film with Satoru KÅsaki composing the music and Akio Watanabe as character designer. There's currently no news on when exactly the film will be released for UK theatrical screens but more news will probably be expected later in the year.
Hyouka
From Kyoto Animation and Kadokawa Pictures, the cult anime series is finally coming to the UK as a Blu-ray collector's edition and DVD in both English & Japanese across two parts - Part 1 is due for Q3 2017. The show has been in a state of limbo from Kadokawa for quite a long time now but it’s now available for licensing. You can check out the English dub over on Funimation Now.
Lu Over the Wall
(Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta)
One of Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU's latest films. Released in Japanese theaters a few days after this announcement on 19th May 2017, the film will be available in UK theatrical screens on 6th December 2017 in Japanese audio with English subtitles.
The Night is Short Walk On Girl
(Yoru wa Mijikashi Aruke yo Otome)
Another one of Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU's latest films, this time it's from the same creator who wrote The Tatami Galaxy. Released in Japanese theaters on 7th April 2017, the film will be available in UK theatrical screens on 20th September 2017 in Japanese audio with English subtitles.
Project Itoh: Genocidal Organ
(Project Itoh: Gyakusatsu Kikan)
The last film animated by Manglobe before they went bankrupt, members of the studio returned to form Geno Studio to help finish off the production. Genocidal Organ is also the last film in the Project Itoh anime trilogy, based on the novels written by the late Project Itoh. The film was released in Japan on 3rd February 2017. The original novel Genocidal Organ is available to read entirely in English from Viz Media’s sci-fi novel publication Haikasoru.
(Project Itoh: Gyakusatsu Kikan)
The last film animated by Manglobe before they went bankrupt, members of the studio returned to form Geno Studio to help finish off the production. Genocidal Organ is also the last film in the Project Itoh anime trilogy, based on the novels written by the late Project Itoh. The film was released in Japan on 3rd February 2017. The original novel Genocidal Organ is available to read entirely in English from Viz Media’s sci-fi novel publication Haikasoru.
Wolf's Rain
From BONES, Wolf's Rain returns to the UK after being out of print due to Bandai/Beez's closure. Anime Limited will be releasing the series on Blu-ray sometime in Q4 2017 in both English & Japanese, presumably as a complete series set given Funimation have done the same. It’s worth noting that Japan never released the series on Blu-ray but Funimation made their own in-house master (Standard Definition Upscale). Reports have said that it’s fairly good. You can check out the Japanese language version over on Viewster.
Other additional information also mentioned at the panels:
- Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic hasn’t been acquired for theatrical release and there are currently no news on whether it could happen. Funimation in North America have planned theirs with an English dub.
- Death Parade is currently set for a Q4 2017 (October-December) release schedule with the Ultimate Edition still in the works.
- ERASED (Boku Dake ga Inai Machi) Part 1’s release is currently set for Q3 2017 with 6 episodes as well as a 92 page booklet from the Japanese releases. They can’t get access to the Original Soundtrack and Manga that Aniplex of America have included in their release. The series will include the English dub and Japanese audio with English subtitles. The SRP will also be £39.99 for both parts each.
- Evangelion: 2.22 and 3.33 have yet to be acquired but they are interested in going after them once they are available. Manga UK had released them on Blu-ray and DVD but as it’s a sub-license from Funimation the rights are slowly or quickly going away.
- Fairy Tail is doing well with its return to home video which is a surprise considering they didn’t sell very well during Manga UK’s era. Parts 16-18 (aka the 2014 series) are available to pre-order on Amazon.
- Gundam ZZ and Turn-A are the only two Anime Limited is working on for the time being. They have stated that there are more titles in the works but for now we can confirm that ZZ is coming this September with a Part 1 Box as a subtitled only release on Blu-ray.
- Haruhi Suzumiya Season 1 doesn’t have any more updates due to Funimation’s release causing some compilations. Anime Limited only have the rights to Season 1 while Funimation had all of them. Funimation released both seasons in chronological order while Anime Limited can’t, so they’re now investigating whether they should author their own discs or find other plans.
- Miss Hokusai will be available on iTunes as a digital download on 26th June 2017.
- Your Name is returning to UK cinemas in both standard and IMAX screens. The IMAX screens will be Japanese audio with English subtitles only while standard will include dub & sub. No sign of home video release just yet.
Last but not least, anime will be returning to UK television with the Viceland channel on Sky 153 and NOWTV. So far only Eureka Seven and both seasons of Tokyo Ghoul will be shown. Audio options are not announced at this time, though its likely to be dubbed.
MVM Entertainment
MVM wins the best announcements of the convention. Their line-up is a mix of Sentai Filmworks' titles from the Anime Strike season and also some older titles.
Armed Girl’s Machiavellism
(Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism)
Spring 2017 show that never received a UK simulcast due to Sentai Filmworks and their exclusive deal with Amazon’s AnimeStrike service. No further news on home video, probably going to be released in 2018.
Fate/Grand Order -First Order-
The special film released last New Years to setup the Fate/Grand Order mobile series for newcomers continues MVM’s streak of acquiring more Fate for the UK. Aniplex also have the rights to this series in North America and there are rumours of an English dub in the works (which is honestly no surprise). The special should be available for Blu-ray, but if you can’t wait it’s streaming on Crunchyroll and Daisuki.
Flip Flappers
The Autumn 2016 show gained a cult fanbase and will now be heading to the UK! You can check out the show across The Anime Network, Crunchyroll, and Viewster. No further news on home video, probably going to be released in early 2018.
Fruits Baskets [Blu-ray Version]
Much like what Funimation is doing, MVM will also be celebrating the anime’s 10th anniversary by releasing the show on the Blu-ray format. Note that the show’s Blu-ray master is an upscale but at least there’s an option available for those who want it. Audio options include English and Japanese with English subtitles. The DVD version is already available for anyone interested.
Girlish Number
From the creator of My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU comes Girlish Number from the Autumn 2016 season. You can check out the show over on The Anime Network, and Crunchyroll. No further news on home video, probably going to be released in early 2018.
Granblue Fantasy the Animation
Based on the very successful mobile game from cygames, Granblue Fantasy is now coming to the UK which is great because it’s also one of the Aniplex titles (and thus would spare people spending a lot to import). The series is currently airing in the Spring 2017 season and you can check it out over on Crunchyroll, and Daisuki.
Grimoire of Zero
(Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho)
Spring 2017 show that never received a UK simulcast due to Sentai Filmworks and their exclusive deal with Amazon’s AnimeStrike service. It’s also animated by studio White Fox (known for adapting Re:ZERO and Steins;Gate) as well as being part of the Dengeki Bunko light novel imprint in Japan (and as such also starred in the Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax IGNITION video game). No further news on home video, probably going to be released in 2018.
Matoi the Sacred Slayer
(Soushin Shoujo Matoi)
Another Autumn 2016 show arriving to the UK from studio White Fox. The series will be released in Japanese with English subtitles only, but you can check out the series over on The Anime Network and Viewster. It's got a set release date from Sentai so it could reach the UK before 2018.
New Initial D the Movie Legend Trilogy
DEJA VU! EUROBEAT INTENSIFIES! Initial D returns to the UK with the movie trilogy remakes. Noted as New Initial D the Movie Legend, all three films (Kakusei, Tousou, Mugen) will be released by MVM. Formats and audio options are unknown as there are no known English releases in North America and Australia at this point. Anime Limited’s French branch did release them in France but they don’t have English support. You can watch the original four stages of Initial D over on Funimation Now.
Sagrada Reset
(Sakurada Reset)
Spring 2017 show that never received a UK simulcast due to Sentai Filmworks and their exclusive deal with Amazon’s AnimeStrike service. No further news on home video, probably going to be released in 2018.
Sword Oratoria: Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side
(Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka Gaiden: Sword Oratoria)
In a surprise announcement, the spin-off series to Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is heading to the UK under MVM’s label. The Spring 2017 show never received a UK simulcast due to Sentai Filmworks and their exclusive deal with Amazon’s AnimeStrike service. The main series is available under Manga Animatsu’s distribution and can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
Other additional information also mentioned from their social media:
- GATE is expected to be released hopefully in Q4 2017. Note that it'll be both seasons in one set.
- Girls und Panzer der Film license does include the Anzio Battle OVA.
- Kizumonogatari hasn't been acquired just yet but MVM will go after it once it's available. Hanabee have to wait until Aniplex of America have released Part 3 -Reiketsu- on home video before they can start their releases.
- Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls currently has a set release date for 2nd October with plans to hopefully release a collector's edition combo (if it's anything like Nozaki and No Game No Life then expect the Blu-ray, DVD & OST pack in a chipboard box of some sort).
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures have a fair more to reveal. They teased about 7 titles they have planned for 2017 and they're revealed. Half of them were already confirmed but nevertheless this is what's coming:
And You Thought There is Never a Girl Online?
(Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta?)
Arriving on 28th September 2017 for Blu-ray and DVD in both English & Japanese. Details are rather mixed at the moment but it's stated to be a collector's edition release with an artbook and artcards. The show is available to stream on Funimation.
Bakuon!!
The cute moe girls motorbikes equivalent of Top Gear will be released on Blu-ray and DVD for 28th August 2017. The set will be an amaray case, cardboard slipcase and a couple artcards with a lower suggested retail price. The show is also only in Japanese audio with English subtitles which may have been the factor for this release. If you can’t wait that long, the show is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Berserk [2016]
The first season of the 2016 adaptation of Berserk will be released on Blu-ray and DVD for 4th December 2017. Both formats will also have collector's edition sets but the details are currently not final for the time being. It is likely to include content similar to Arslan and Seraph. The show will include both English and Japanese audio with English subtitles. You can check out the show on Crunchyroll in Japanese and Funimation in English.
Drifters
Much like Berserk it’s currently early stages for the time being but it’s expected to share similar content for the Blu-ray and DVD collector’s edition formats. The release date has currently be set for 26th December 2017. The show will be available with English and Japanese audio with English subtitles, and you can watch the series on Crunchyroll in Japanese and Funimation in English.
The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance
(Arslan Senki: Fuujin Ranbu)
The 8 episode arc continuing the events that occurred in the first season. The show will be released on both Blu-ray and DVD formats in collector’s edition sets matching similar content to the first season’s release for 28th September 2017. It will be available in English and Japanese audio with English subtitles. Both seasons of the show are available to stream on Funimation.
Seven Mortal Sins
(Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai)
Currently airing in the Spring 2017 season, how on earth they decided to license this is beyond me considering it's basically going to be butchered by the BBFC because sexy anime girls and glorious fanservice. If you can’t wait for a home video release, the show is streaming on both Crunchyroll in Japanese and Funimation in English. Note that the simulcasts are currently showing the censored versions due to licensing restrictions.
STARMYU Season 1
The male idol show will be released on Blu-ray and DVD for 28th August 2017. The set will be an amaray case, cardboard slipcase and a couple artcards with a lower suggested retail price. The show is also only in Japanese audio with English subtitles which may have been the factor for this release. If you can’t wait that long, the show is available to stream on Funimation while its second season is available on Crunchyroll.
Other additional information also mentioned:
- The Heroic Legend of Arslan Season 1 will be re-released as a standard edition complete series set for 28th September 2017 on Blu-ray and DVD in a single case.
- Seraph of the End -Vampire Reign- will be re-released as a standard edition complete series set for 28th September 2017 on Blu-ray and DVD in a single case.
That's it for the MCM announcements for May 2017. Not that much compared to previous years because Manga Animatsu have essentially been losing momentum due to Funimation and other distributors. I'm surprised they haven't announced Dragon Ball Super or any other properties. Anime Limited had too many titles in their backlog which pretty much explains the lack of titles announced. As for Funimation UK, well who knows.