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Show Notes
0:00: Justin and Helen have much to discuss about the anime and manga news that’s been happening in the past few weeks, but first…what have the two hosts been up to! Well, you know what Justin’s been up to. Meanwhile Helen talks about the whole Otakon experience, from panels (to her panel) to concerts and to Samurai Flamenco! (Yes Samurai Flamenco!)
Pandemic News
13:48: The COVID-19 situation appears to have gotten out of control in Japan, as numerous talents have been getting it — so much so that ANN did a list! And another season, another studio being affected by the pandemic: Uncle From Another World Episode 5 will see a delay due to an outbreak within Atelier Pontdarc.
News
16:24: Square Enix launched the Global version of Manga UP! a few weeks ago…and it has not gone well. In fact, out of all the companies and new apps launching over the past few years, Justin argues that outside of their launch catalog, Manga UP! might’ve had the worst Day 1 launch out of all of them. There’s plenty of reasons why. The two hosts discuss every aspect of their failed launch, and whether this might be too tough for them to overcome.
27:54: Some major companies have sued pirate site Mangamura for a lot of money.
29:50: Unfortunately, the newest WSJ title RuriDragon is now on indefinite hiatus after creator Masaoki Shindou’s health has not gotten that much better after a couple separate weeks off.
33:30: The artist behind the Solo Leveling manhwa passed away due to cerebral hemorrhage from chronic illness, and the two hosts discuss the sad news.
Licenses
35:23: Discotek had a couple announcements at their Otakon panel:
- The 1981-1986 Urusei Yatsura anime
- The City Hunter films and specials
- Machine Robo: The Running Battlehackers
- Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV
- The Princess and the Pilot
- The Tales of Symphonia OVAs
- They will also be re-releasing Dino Mech Galking & Sherlock Hound
37:30: HIDIVE, in addition to a couple dubs they’ll be doing, announced at Otakon they will add The Super Dimension Century Orguss anime to their service; DENPA also announced at the convention they’ve licensed Mitsuru Adachi’s Short Game manga anthology & Kiseki Himura’s Tawawa on Monday — the last one Helen had to remember that this was discussed on the podcast some time ago!
39:26: Yen Press took to Twitter for these announcements:
- Norimitsu Kaihou & Sadoru Chiba’s School-Live! Letters
- Mikanuji’s Assorted Entanglements
- BitterSweet & Kei’s SOTUS
- Shou Harusono & Kotoko Hachijo’s Hirano and Kagiura (LN)
- Kureha’s Bride of the Barrier Master (LN)
- Kiwamu Sato’s Tezcatlipoca (Novel)
41:11: Irodori Sakura announced they’ve licensed Haijima’s My Crush is My Roommate and Pikachi’s Romance for Teachers; Mangamo announced they are now simulpubbing Mashiro’s Loving Yamada at Lv999! manga.
Streaming News
42:07: After many many years (2018), Laid-Back Camp is finally getting a dub! After weeks/months of a number of expected and unexpected dub announcements, Laid-Back Camp finally will be English voiced. Justin’s hype. Meanwhile Helen hopes this leads to BD releases.
Main Topic: Crunchyroll/Sony essentially swallows anime Crunchyroll purchases Right Stuf
45:07: Justin and Helen discuss the major news of Crunchyroll buying anime distributor Right Stuf, their major concerns about this move, the erotica being moved, and how other companies should see this move, especially anime companies like Sentai.
Weird News
56:37: If you didn’t have any idea who or what Anime Matsuri was, saying they’ve licensed and have dubbed two anime shorts from Nippon Animation doesn’t seem worthy of weird news…until you remember it’s a convention AND it’s a convention with a history. Is it also good to mention Vic Mignogna is involved in the dub for this?
59:18: One Piece notched a new Guinness World Record with over 500 million copies published worldwide. Makes sense.
1:00:36: Detroit Lions running back Jammal Williams is an anime fan, even saying he’d give fans who bring him anime stuff first priority. Which means some fan needs to give him the most obscure anime and get him to sign it.
1:02:41: Helen thinks a 1/1 scale of Nanachi from Made in Abyss with its price tag is somewhat reasonable. Meanwhile Justin thinks paying $3,600 might be a bit too steep!
1:04:50: Well, at least both hosts agree if you don’t want a standard panini press, you can get one branded with the Principality of Zeon!…Yes, that is indeed a thing.