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This summer, P.A. Works dives into the world of Lewis Carrol's classic novel with their own spin on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Today, a new main visual for Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to -Dive in Wonderland- shows us a bit more of the film's magical world, as well as its two heroines in action. Check out the new artwork, and see how many familiar faces from Wonderland you can spot: Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to -Dive in Wonderland- Main Visual Related: Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to -Dive in Wonderland- Anime Movie Releases Main Trailer Featuring Sekai No Owari Theme Song Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to -Dive in Wonderland- will open in Japan on August 29. This is the first theatrical anime movie in Japan inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland novel originally published in 1865. Toshiya Shinohara ( The aquatope on white sand ) serves as...

The official website for Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to -Dive in Wonderland- ("With Alice in Wonderland -Dive in Wonderland-"), an upcoming theatrical anime movie inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic fantasy novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland , announced today that Japanese pop band Sekai No Owari will provide the film's theme song "Zukan" ("Visual Dictionary") and posted a main trailer featuring the song. Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to -Dive in Wonderland- Anime Movie Main Trailer Sekai No Owari pianist Saori, who wrote the lyrics of "Zukan," shared her comments on the website and X (formerly Twitter): The protagonist of "Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to" is a girl who is living a life that's not always as she'd like it to be. What kind of words would suit her to fantastically depict the way she faces her difficulties? As I was thinking about this, several "images of creatures...

We’ve gotten our hands on an exclusive clip from the critically acclaimed anime drama, The Colors Within, which teases the dedication and level of detail that went into bringing this vibrant and uplifting story to life. Directed by Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice: The Movie), written by Reiko Yoshida (The Cat Returns), and produced by the Japanese animation studio Science Saru, you can own The Colors Within on Blu-ray from May 27, courtesy of Gkids Films and Shout Factory.

The Colors Within features a voice cast led by Sayu Suzukawa as Totsuko Higurashi, a high school student who can see the 'colors' within others. The rest of the cast includes Akari Takaishi, Taisei Kido, Yasuko, Yui Aragaki, Aoi Yûki, Minako Kotobuki, and Keiko Toda. You can check out the official synopsis for The Colors Within alongside our exclusive clip below.

“Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the 'colors' of others.

The official YouTube channel for enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa has started streaming a music video for his new song "Party of Monsters." As reported , the pop tune was released under the unit name "Hikawa Kiyoshi with t.komuro" featuring J-pop artist and producer Tetsuya Komuro as director by request from Hikawa, and is now used as the ending theme for GeGeGe no Kitaro: My Favorite GeGeGe Generation , a special program to air selected episodes from past GeGeGe no Kitaro TV anime series. In the music video, Hikawa (Kiina.) shows off fierce dance performance with many "monster dancers" under the theme of "Monsters' Party." He said, "This is the first time I have danced so much in an original song (laughs). I am very happy that Komuro-san contacted me and said, 'I got goosebumps!' I hope a wide range of people will listen to this song and dance to it as much as they want.

The official X (formerly Twitter) for GeGeGe no Kitaro: My Favorite GeGeGe Generation , an upcoming TV program to air selected episodes from past GeGeGe no Kitaro TV anime series, announced that enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa will sing the ending theme song "Party of Monsters" for the program. The song will be released under the unit name "Hikawa Kiyoshi with t.komuro." J-pop artist and producer Tetsuya Komuro serves as director by request from Hikawa. CD jacket This is the third time Hikawa has performed a theme song for the GeGeGe no Kitaro anime series: First was the opening theme "GeGeGe no Kitaro" for the TV anime's sixth season in 2018-2020, followed by the third ending theme "Mienkeredomo Orundayo" for the same season. "I am very happy to get the offer for the ending theme again this time," said Hikawa. "I am also very happy that Tetsuya Komuro, who gave us...

GeGeGe no Kitaro: My Favorite GeGeGe Generation , an upcoming TV program to broadcast selected episodes from past GeGeGe no Kitaro TV anime series, announced on March 14 that singer Ado will sing the opening theme song for the program. The iconic "GeGeGe no Kitaro" theme song has been used since the TV anime first season in 1968. Ado is a Kitaro fan, knowing the series since childhood and read a illustrated yokai encyclopedia in her youth. "Whenever I hear the clattering sound of geta, I would get excited and say, 'Kitaro and his friends are coming for me!' she said. "Now that I am an adult, I am really honored to sing 'Gegege no Kitaro.' I will sing it with all my might." Ado's version of "GeGeGe no Kitaro" is now featured in the program's teaser trailer below. GeGeGe no Kitaro: My Favorite GeGeGe Generation Teaser Trailer Additionally, the...

2025 marks 10 years since the passing GeGeGe no Kitaro creator Shigeru Mizuki. And in honor to celebrate Mizuki's continued influence, a series of new projects will kick off this year. Fans in Japan can enjoy rebroadcasts of classic Kitaro episodes, followed by the return of the stage show this summer. Fuji TV and other stations will first broadcast GeGeGe no Kitaro: My Favorite GeGeGe Generation starting April 6. The weekly feature will welcome the many voice actors who have played Kitaro over the decades, each choosing their own favorite episodes to discuss: GeGeGe no Kitaro voice actresses The lineup includes: Masako Nozawa (Series 1-2) Keiko Toda (Series 3) Yoko Matsuoka (Series 4) Minami Takayama (Series 5) Miyuki Sawashiro (Series 6) Toko Yatabe, the character designer for the film The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe has drawn a new illustration for the upcoming feature, showing Mizuki's studio and Kitaro as he has appeared across the many seasons.

While the new anime of every year get plenty of attention, the new anime movies of every year are just as deserving of such. Whether they’re spinoffs or adaptations of popular anime or manga or original stories from celebrated directors, there are always great new anime movies to watch, and in many cases, they end up among the best pieces of animation a person can watch in their respective year.

Anime movies are almost always fun, and 2024 was no different. Dozens of incredible anime films were released worldwide in 2024, and according to major anime site Anime!Anime!, Japanese fans have officially chosen the 10 anime films they consider to be the best films of 2024. In most cases, the top 10 films are all among the most critically and financially successful anime films of 2024, and they’re all films any anime fan should watch as soon as they become available.

The Colors...

Studio Ghibli movies represent a generation of anime watchers who have grown up encased in the wholesome aura of emotionally stirring stories. Being a treasure trove of masterful storytelling, artistic visuals, and deeply impactful films, Studio Ghibli is every anime fan's best bet to be introduced to a stunning universe. One of the reasons why Ghibli movies will make viewers fall in love with the wondrous world of anime is because its stories are perfect for all ages and genre lovers.

These films have a certain maturity, charm, and profoundness that resonate with the audience, especially young adults who can relate to their concept of personal growth and moral dilemmas. From exploring the impact of familial bonds to learning one's worth, these Studio Ghibli gems are perfect for new anime fans.

Related 10 Studio Ghibli Characters Who Deserve More Screen Time

These Studio Ghibli characters still have a story to be told,...

Studio Ghibli has long crafted beautiful movies full of fantastic casts and vibrant landscapes. Though fans may debate what makes these movies as amazing as they are, one of the biggest reasons fans keep coming back is the creative characters growing as people throughout the story. A Studio Ghibli movie couldn't exist without its relatable cast of characters.

While many Studio Ghibli characters have their story properly concluded by the end of the film, there are others still whose tale could continue if a sequel film was ever made. There are other side characters who never had a chance to have their story told, pushed aside by the movie's protagonists. These Studio Ghibli characters still have a story to be told, if they are ever given a chance to tell their tale.

Ursula Finds Inspiration in Nature This Reclusive Artist Helps Kiki Find Her Magic Again

In Kiki's Delivery Service,...

Studio Ghibli is one of the most famous animation companies in the world and the source of some of the industry's greatest films and narratives. With each fantastic tale comes a set of beloved characters, a feat that Studio Ghibli never fails to present in each of their works. From Howl's Moving Castle to Ponyo, there is truly a film for any fan of anime to enjoy.

The characters of Studio Ghibli remain some of the most renowned characters in animation, several often appearing on merchandise today. However, there are many characters that remain the best of the best, even among the fantastic roster presented in each film. Each character is unique in their own way, from their personal growth to the narrative that follows them.

Related This Modern Classic Is Hayao Miyazakis Highest Rated Movie on Rotten Tomatoes

Even if Hayao Miyazaki only produced it, Only Yesterday is one...

Kiki's Delivery Service was first released in 1989, and for 35 years, it's been an underrated contribution to the iconic filmography of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. Often considered the best coming-of-age anime and movie by the studio, Kiki's Delivery Service follows the young witch Kiki as she strikes out into the unknown and eventually finds her sense of purpose. When watching Kiki today, it's easy to slip back into the movie like a warm hug and let it envelop you in its comfort. However, that's not to say that the movie doesn't have deeper themes and an enduring message.

Kiki's Delivery Service

Director Hayao MiyazakiRelease Date July 29, 1989Studio(s) Studio Fuga, Nibariki, Tokuma Shoten, Nippon Television Network Corporation, Studio GhibliWriters Hayao MiyazakiCast Rei Sakuma, Mieko Nobusawa, Minami Takayama, Keiko Toda, Kappei YamaguchiRating GRuntime 103 MinutesGenres Family, Animation, Fantasy

Accompanied by her cat Jiji, one of Studio Ghibli's best animal companions, Kiki leaves...

For over 23 years, anime voice actor Masako Nozawa has provided the voice for Son Goku from Akira Toriyama's beloved shonen franchise, Dragon Ball. Recently, Japanese audiences demonstrated their appreciation for Nozawa's iconic role by granting her the title of "Japan's top female voice actress."

NetLab, a popular Japan-based entertainment site, collaborated with "Voice Note" to hold a survey asking viewers to state who they believe to be "the best female voice actor in Japan." This particular poll, targeted toward audiences in their 50s and 60s, allowed participants to choose performers from not just anime but also video games, TV commercials and VAs for foreign-made films. In a landslide vote, roughly 24.4% of voters chose Nozawa. The second place winner, with 11.3% of the vote, was Nobuyo Oyama, who voices the titular robot cat from Shin-Ei Animation's Doraemon anime. The top 13 winners are listed below.

Related Dragon Ball Spotlights One...

Kiki's Delivery Service is a delightful Studio Ghibli film with a relatable and charming story of a young girl coming into her own. Osono plays a motherly role in Kiki's life, offering protection, guidance, and a listening ear for Kiki to confide in. Kiki's hesitation to ask Osono for help or advice reflects her struggle with insecurities, feeling ashamed to burden others with her feelings.

Kikis Delivery Service is one of the most delightful Studio Ghibli films. The central story of a young girl coming to her own is relatable as it is charming. However, there is one scene in the film that is more devastating than people might realize.

When Kiki is sick after spending a night in the rain, Osono takes care of her. She makes Kiki some oatmeal and gives her a compress for her head. But just as Osono is about to leave, Kiki begins to ask something before saying,...

A Silent Voice director Naoko Yamada's new anime, The Colors Within, continues to mesmerize fans following the release of a stunning trailer for the original film by Science Saru, revealed on May 23, 2024.

Yamada's The Colors Within unveiled the trailer via X (formerly Twitter), introducing the characters and voices of Saku, Shiho, Sumika and Kimi's grandmother. The trailer features previously introduced characters like the main trio of Totsuko, Kimi and Rui, as well as showcasing never-before-seen cuts ahead of The Colors Within's international release window in Winter 2024. The film will release in Japanese theaters on August 30, 2024. Readers can find the trailer and more information about the cast and staff below.

Related Your Name Artist Reveals Release Window for Directorial Debut Film, 'A New Dawn' Yoshitoshi Shinomiya, a key animator for Makoto Shinkai's popular film Your Name, unveils the release window for their upcoming anime, A New Dawn.

The official website for The Colors Within (known as Kimi no Iro in Japan), an upcoming original theatrical anime film directed by Naoko Yamada ( Liz and the Blue Bird ), announced four additional voice cast members today on May 13. The cast announced today include three roommates of the protagonist and her grandmother. The voice cast includes: Saku Momochi played by Yasuko Shiho Nanakubo played by Aoi Yuki (Madoka Kaname in Puella Magi Madoka Magica ) Sumika Yatsushika played by Minako Kotobuki (Asuka Tanaka in Sound! Euphonium ) Shino Sakunaga played by Keiko Toda (Anpanman in Soreile! Anpanman ) Among them, only Yasuko (a comedian) is voicing an anime character for the first time. "At the time of recording, I was very nervous because it was my first debut as a voice actor in my life! At the same time, I was really, really happy to be able to do the voice acting I had always wanted to do!

Since its early beginnings, anime has been famous for long-running series with episode counts that often go into the hundreds. Fans are all-too familiar with the many long shonen series out there, from classics like Dbz and Naruto to more recent titles, such as My Hero Academia. But while this popular demographic is full of lengthy shows for fans to enjoy, shojo has quite a wide selection of long series as well.

From action-packed magical girl titles to dramatic high school romances, a surprising amount of shojo anime are quite long. Some even offer multiple seasons, with hundreds of episodes packed with even more stories and character development. These titles are rare, but they make for some of the best series within the demographic, and many have become iconic over the years.

Read Our Review 10 Most Aesthetic Shojo Anime Shojo anime styles are vibrant and unique, and series like My Happy Marriage...

Two of the most iconic band of thieves in the world of manga and anime will come together in a massive crossover movie when Lupin the Third vs Cat's Eye lands on January 27, 2023, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. This epic production by Tms Entertainment will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lupin the Third anime and the 40th anniversary of the Cat's Eye manga.

Lupin is the gentleman thief created in 1967 by mangaka Monkey Punch, spawning one of the most successful anime franchises of all time, including seven seasons, eleven movies, live-action adaptations, TV specials, and much more. The series inspired many creators, including Tsukasa Hojo, who in 1981 published the manga Cat's Eye, which came to be one of Weekly Shonen Jump's best-selling series and one of the best-selling manga of all time. While both series feature a group of skilled and cunning thieves, the three sisters of Cat's Eye...

We have an exclusive clip from Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog, which will be released in select theaters May 18. Yoichi Sai directs this documentary, which follows the life of a seeing eye dog, from the day he was born to his pairing with a Japanese blind man.

Quill The Life Of a Dog - Exclusive Normal

The documentary-like story of a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. We follow Quill from the litter, his selection to become a guide, his life with a foster family until his first birthday, followed by highly specialized schooling in guiding the sightless. He is then paired with a blind man named Watanabe Mitsuru who is at first reluctant to rely on Quill. But Quill's great patience, gentleness and skill eventually wins him over and they become inseparable friends.

Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog comes to theaters May 18th,...

Title: Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog Music Box Films Director: Yôichi Sai Screenwriter: Shoichi Maruyama, Yoshihiro Nakamura from Ryohei Akimoto’s novel Cast: Kaoru Kobayashi, Kippei Shina, Kazu Matsuda, Teruyuki Kagawa, Keiko Toda, Rafie, Chibichibiku, Yuma Screened at: Review 1, NYC, 5/10/12 Opens: May 18, 2012 While “Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog” tells us about the way a guide dog for the blind is selected, trained, and lives with his human companion, the film is targeted to kids and to adults who are known to themselves and others as “dog people.” Directed by Yôichi Sai in a documentary style—so much so that viewers unfamiliar with the production [ Read More ]...

Koki Mitani’s already-big upcoming comedy Once in a Blue Moon (Suteki na Kanashibari) just got a little bigger.

It was previously announced that the film would star Eri Fukatsu as a third-rate lawyer who’s forced to depend on a 421-year-old ghost (Toshiyuki Nishida) as the sole witness to her client’s innocence.

Earlier today, a bunch of new names were added to the cast list, including Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (Smap), Masachika Ichimura, Takayuki Kinoshita (Tko). Fumiyo Kohinata, Takashi Kobayashi, Kan, Sen Yamamoto, Keiko Toda, Kazuyuki Asano, Katsuhisa Namase, Zen Kajihara, Kenji Anan, and Yoshimasa Kondo.

In addition to the casting update, Toho also revealed the theatrical release date: October 29, 2011.

Sources: Tokyograph, Cinema Today...

Earlier today, it was announced that Yosuke Eguchi and Yu Aoi will co-star for the first time in Yogashiten Coin de Rue, a new film directed by Yoshihiro Fukagawa (Dear My Love). The title is a mixture of Japanese and French meaning “Corner Pastry Shop”.

Eguchi will play Tomura, a legendary pastry chef who was renowned for his sweets before suddenly dropping out of industry circles 8 years ago. Since then, he’s been giving lectures to confectionery school students while authoring a guidebook as a pastry critic. However, he’s declined all invitations to showcase his abilities at several prestigious shops.

Aoi will play a cake-maker’s daughter who traveled from Kagoshima to Tokyo to chase after a boyfriend. She gets a job at a popular Tokyo shop called “Pastry Coin de Rue” which is run by Yoriko (Keiko Toda) and her husband Julian (Nathan Berg). While there, she gets...

When you say "Japanese film", your first word association is not likely to be comedy. But this movie pleasingly defies festival expectations. A madcap farce centering on the production of a radio drama, "Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald" is a frothy, "Soapdish" kind of lark. It's zany and fast-paced, with the frantic comic furor of some of Blake Edwards' high-octane mayhem.

While it's not likely to attract notice among mainstream audiences, this deliriously funny film was a hit with festival audiences at last year's Chicago International Film Festival. Cities with significant Asian-American populations could make this one an art house sleeper.

The comic craziness is set against the deadline atmosphere of a Tokyo radio station, where the production "team," including some voice-over artists, is putting on a live radio show. It's a swoony melodrama, much in the style of those golden oldies from American radio such as "Pepper Young" and "Stella Dallas". This scenario is especially drippy, the outcome of a dramatic contest sponsored by the station in which the single entrant, not surprisingly, was the grand-prize winner.

The script is stilted silly, but it's taken deadly seriously by its housewife-writer, a shy, deferential young woman, and it's regarded as high art by the assorted vocal players, each of whom only has one quibble with the script -- it doesn't pay proper justice to their particular character.

In short, the "team" is a wild and idiosyncratic group, from the obsequious producer to the prima donna female star. Included in the mix are a bitter security guard who was a former sound man and the writer's insecure, car-salesman husband. This mix of oddballs, not surprisingly, will ring true to anyone who has ever ventured near the entertainment industry.

Screenwriter-director Koki Mitani's eye for foibles is evident, and he wisely stokes the character clashes to their believable max. Undeniably, the narrative itself is generally predictable, but it's delivered with such speed and skill that the belly laughs overcome the unremarkable story line.

The players are a well-selected screwball group, including Kyoka Suzuki as the serious-minded writer and Toshiaki Karasawa as the cool-and-collected director. Keiko Toda is terrific as the lead actress, vainglorious and conniving.

Technical contributions are smartly realized, with special kudos to editor Hirohide Abe for the fast pacing.

WELCOME BACK, MR. MCDONALD

Lighthouse Entertainment/Group/Fortissima

Producers: Chiaka Matsushita, Hisao Masuda, Takashi Ishihara, Kanjiro Sakura

Screenwriter-director: Koki Mitani

Based on the play "Radio No Jikan" by Mitani and the Tokyo Sunshine Boys

Directors of photography: Kenji Takama, Junichi Tozawa

Editor: Hirohide Abe

Music: Takayuki Hattori

Sound mixer: Tetsuo Segawa

Art director: Tomio Ogawa

Color/stereo

Cast:

Kudo: Toshiaki Karasawa

Miyako Suzuki: Kyoka Suzuki

Ushijima: Masahiko Nishimura

Nokko Senbon: Keiko Toda

Ben Noda: Takehiko Ono

Suhuru Hosaka: Shiro Namiki

Furukawa: Yasukiyo Umeno

Hiromitsu: Jun Inoue

Running time -- 103 minutes

No MPAA rating...