Anime, or Japanese animation, along with manga is becoming increasingly popular outside of Japan. Latest manga releases, new series announcements and other goodies can be found here. Dattebayo!
The rendezvous with the spy goes awry leading to an all out battle between the updated Team 7 and Orochimaru. However, the brawl gets out of hand quickly and turns into a fight for survival between Yamato’s team and Orochimaru’s minions.
Meanwhile, Sai’s true intentions are revealed after he leaves the battle and ends up at Orochimaru’s lair. The rest of Team 7 arrive and finally encounter Sasuke, but Sasuke has other ideas in store.
The Naruto Shippuden Box Set 4 is expected to reach stores on October 19th, 2010.
I arrived home from work today and found an envelope marked all the way from Kazo, Saitama prefecture in Japan sitting on the table. After noticing the Present Tree logo at the bottom and the Konoha emblem on the back, I figured the contents had to be for the Naruto’s Forest campaign that ran this past June.
I opened the envelope and found five sheets of paper enclosed within; one of which was my certificate of the tree I’m sponsoring. Also included was a beautiful print of Naruto and Jiraiya resting under a tree, a card with an amazing forested landscape where the saplings are planted, another card detailing some of the various local plants and a brief paper covering how the tree will be cared for.
So, if you’re ever in Japan, stop by the forests in the Yamanashi prefecture and look for tree 11-04772. I hope to visit one of these days…
Ever wondered which of your favourite ninjas celebrate their birthdays? Grab a slice of cake, a shuriken and party it up with our fairly comprehensive listing of character’s birth dates within the Naruto series. Read the rest of this article…
Viz Media released a short video of a limited edition Naruto Shippuden figure at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Only 1,000 of the Naruto Sage Mode figures are available, and can only be found in the convention. Check out the larger version of Naruto in the background too! Viz Media is located at booth #2813 in the San Diego Convention Center, so if you’re going, be sure to stop by to pay them a visit.
San Diego Comic-Con runs from Thursday, July 22nd, until Sunday, July 25th.
Naruto volume 49
The five leaders of the hidden ninja villages all convene to decide how to handle the rising menace that is the Akatsuki. However, decisions are made which Naruto doesn’t know how to handle. Even worse, a new hokage takes over Konohagakure and issues a new order – one that doesn’t bode well for Naruto or Sasuke.
Volume 48 of the Naruto manga goes on sale October 5th, 2010 for 9.99 USD/$12.99 CAD.
The anime world lost a familiar voice today, as actor Peter Fernandez passed away from complications due to lung cancer.
Fernandez was best known for his role in the English version of Speed Racer as not only the titular character, but as Racer X and various other roles. Fernandez also lent his voice in other series, such as Astro Boy, Gigantor, Marine Boy, and Lupin III.
Fernandez was 83 years old.
Source: Anime News Network
Anime on iTunes
Looking for digital anime downloads of your favourite series? If you have Apple iTunes, FUNimation is holding a small sale on select series until August 3rd, 2010. Popular selections include Fullmetal Alchemist, Ouran High School Host Club, Afro Samurai and Soul Eater just to name a few.
Visit http://www.itunes.com/anime to bring up iTunes and get a head start!
Source: FUNimation
Fullmetal Alchemist volume 24
Deep in the tunnels beneath Central, Hohenheim stands face-to-face with Father, the leader of the homunculus. Does Hohenheim have what it takes to unseat Father and defeat him?
With control of the military almost in Mustang’s hand, a surprise return by King Bradley shows that the colonel and his allies haven’t tasted victory just yet.
The latest chapter in the Elric brother’s quest to regain their lost bodies and save Amestris takes a long break before hitting store shelves. The fight continues on January 18th, 2011.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 2 DVD
The Elric brothers adventure introduces them to visitors from a distant land and encounter a variation of alchemy called alkahestry. Colonel Mustang faces off against Lust after learning about the Homunculi and the mysterious force behind them. Winry also uncovers a horrific truth of what really happened during the battle of Ishbal.
FUNimation is now releasing the first DVDs for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood in box sets as opposed to individual discs (when the first series were available for purchase). Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 2 will contain the second 13 episodes over two discs and goes on sale August 24th, 2010. A Blu-ray version will also be available on the same day.
