Author: Gabriel Persechino-Forest Published: January 8th, 2019
Strike Witches Spin-Off Visual
The new Strike Witches series, set for release in spring 2019, has just made a visual (See above) available. Some fans have expressed concern over the reduced levels of fanservice in the visual (Compared with other Strike Witches works), that this could be caused by increased censorship in Japan over loli characters now that the Olympics are approaching. However, since this is based on a comedic spin-off manga that has less fanservice in general, it is unlikely that any censorship is at play in this case and I wouldn’t start to worry until the main series (Set to return in 2020) comes out.
Source: Comic Natalie
Funimation Episode Download Feature
Premium subscribers of Funimation Now on iOS and Android can now download the episodes of the series they are watching, with the downloads being automatically set to your language of preference.
Source: Funimation
Karl Marx Anime Announced
China’s bilibili will stream an anime focused on The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital as well as Karl Marx. The series will be titled “The Leader” in English. Anime fans on social media have already expressed concerns over the anime both being propaganda upon release and being a potential inaccurate rendition of Karl Marx’s ideals.
Source: South China Morning Post
Pokémon’s Ratings are Hitting New Lows
The series’ ratings have dropped to 3% (Which really isn’t good) but TV Tokyo is determined to keep the franchise alive (Merchandising anyone?) and that it will ride the wave.
Source: Sora News
Toonami Programming Shortens Again
The Toonami block is losing the hour it had gained last September. With the new schedule that started January 5, the new block now starts at 11:00 p.m.
Source: Toonami
Netflix is Using Fanart Without Permission
One of Netflix’s banners for Sword Art Online uses an illustration from pixiv artist Keeta, as demonstrated below:
Is… is Netflix using fanart for their Sword Art Online banner? Not sure if this is the source: https://t.co/EMXIWb8Tge pic.twitter.com/XQ6FUlW6wM
— Marow (@Marower) December 4, 2018
The artist also confirmed to Anime News Network that this was indeed their fanart and that Netflix had not contacted them over its use. Netflix Japan told ANN that they are allegedly working out the issue with the artist.
Fate/Kaleid and Celestial Method Episodes Announced
Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya will receive a new and original OVA, which is the earlier announced anime sequel project. Celestial Method has announced that a new episode will be released at a yet unspecified date.
Source: Comic Natalie and Celestial Method Official Website
New Episode Counts Confirmed
Date a Live III has been confirmed with 12 episodes (Home video release will be across 2 box sets). Circlet Princess will also have 12 episodes (Released over 4 BD sets). The final season of Fairy Tail has been confirmed at 51 episodes.
Source: Date a Live Official Website, Amazon Japan and Fairy Tail’s Official Website