LOS ANGELES, Calif. (February 22, 2012) – Looking to staff at a summer convention and be part of a growing anime family?  As this summer’s most anticipated anime, manga and music convention, AM2 (June 15-17, 2012; Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton) proudly announces the launch of the 2012 year’s online staff application form.  More info and attendee registration can be found at http://www.am2con.org/staff-applications/.

Staff member benefits include crash space reimbursement, meals, special events, raffles, staff-only badges, etc.  Staffers should expect to work a minimum of eight (8) hours per day.  As the primary customer service contact within the convention, you will be expected to always emphasize courtesy and maintain a customer service mind-set throughout the convention.  Individual department descriptions are included on the staff application itself.  Come join the AM2 family today!

 
AM2’s Official Guests of Honor currently include Toshihiro Kawamoto.

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with access to Main Events and Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks, retailers and local restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV’s, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

Follow us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AM2Con

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/AM2Con

About AM2

Located in Anaheim, California – AM2, established in 2010, is a multi-day (3 days) 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga.  Nominal fees are charged for certain activities that attendees choose to participate in. AM2 will be held on June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California.  More information can be found at www.am2con.org

Title: BROKEN BLADE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Running Time: 300 min.

Age Rating: TV 14 (V)

Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles

CAT: SF-BB100

UPC: 814131012210

Published by: Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by: Section23 Films

Street Date: 2/21/2012

Format: DVD

SRP: $59.98
Title: BROKEN BLADE COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY EDITION

CAT: SFB-BB100

UPC: 814131012319

Format: BD

SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: In Cruzon, children are born with the ability to control quartz. This power allows them to levitate simple objects-or control enormous and complex mobile battle suits called Golems. But when an ancient Golem is discovered during the height of a brutal war, a young king and his beautiful queen turn to Rygart Arrow. Though an “un-sorcerer”, Rygart can miraculously pilot this ancient and powerful weapon. But in war, school friends can turn into bitter enemies and allies have suspicious motives. Strap yourself in, power up, and prepare for the heavy metal mecha action of BROKEN BLADE!

About Section23 Films:

Section23 Films provides home video marketing and distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings. With its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the market today.

Vic has been acting for stage and screen since he was 8 years old. But he started his career in anime a little over ten years ago as Vega in Streetfighter II. Since then Vic has been in more than a hundred and fifty shows and video games, known for such roles as Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Tamaki Suou in Ouran High School Host Club, Fai in Tsubasa Chronicle, Dark in DN Angel, Kurz in Full Metal Panic, Broly in Dragonball Z, Kougaijji in Saiyuki, Ikkaku in Bleach, Yukito in Air, Takanaga in Wallflower, Tatsu in Peacemaker, Luciano in Code Geass, Virgil Walsh in Trinity Blood,  Hikaru in Macross and many more. Currently Vic is playing roles in the new Wolverine and Iron Man series on G4. He’s also playing Zero in Vampire Knight, and Yoshimori in Adult Swim’s Kekkaishi. He is also back in the role of Edward for Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, playing Death Scythe in Soul Eater, as well as Pokemon, Naruto, Bleach and several others. Vic has also voiced roles in a large number of video games including Soul Calibur, Disgaea, Persona III, Sonic Colours, Project Sylpheed, DBZ, Bleach, FMA and more. But even longer than his voice acting, Vic has been a professional music composer / singer / producer who has written and produced hundreds of pieces for TV, radio and CD. He sings the themes for shows like One Piece & DBGT, and has produced several CDs of his own original music, all available on iTunes. Finally, in addition to anime and music, Vic has a degree in film and is deeply involved as an actor and director in several web series like “Nuka Break”, “Starship Farragut”,  and is executive producing a brand new TOS based series “Star Trek Continues”. Vic works regularly writing, producing and directing video and film productions of all kinds.

The Minneapolis anime convention is also excited to announce the performance of the Soup or Villainz at the convention. Formed in 2009, the Soup Or Villainz base their operations out of South Bend, IN. This group of high class villains consists of Remi-son and Viet Vu with a slew of henchmen and henchwomen. These Soup Or Villainz are out for world domination…not for power but because its just something to do. Along with their hypnotizing beats and lyrical mysticism, they use their strong intellects to turn the youth into mindless zombies one song at a time.

Vic will be appearing alongside other voice actors such as Quinton Flynn (Reno, Axel, Iruka, Deidara, Jonny Quest, Timon, Speed Racer), Sonny Strait (Krillin, Lupin III, Maes Hughes), and other yet-to-be-announced guests. The Soup Or Villainz will be performing alongside nerd rap headliner YTCracker, along with Dr. Awkward and StarF. All guests will be available for autographs during the weekend, in addition to their own personal Q&A sessions.

AniMinneapolis 2012 will feature over sixty different events and panels, including free autograph signings, cosplay contests, anime screenings, video game tournaments, a Nerdcore concert, guest of honor Q&A sessions, and many others including dozens of fan-lead panels. There will also be a dealers room and artists alley for buying awesome anime swag.

The convention will be held the Ramada Hotel near Mall of America from June 29 – July 1, 2012. Hotel rooms at the Ramada are only $99 per night, and can be booked online at http://animinneapolis.com/location

Registration for AniMinneapolis is $25 until April 15th, $30 thereafter until pre-registration closes on June 10th. Walk-up registration is expected to be available at the door for $35. The convention does not yet have an official attendance cap, but a cap may be announced if the convention expects over 2,000 attendees. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register to get the best deal. Registration can be found online at http://animinneapolis.com/registration

For two full years, Yui, Mio, Ritsu and Tsumugi have worked together to keep Sakuragaoka Girl’s High School’s struggling Light Music Club alive, and along the way they’ve begun to build a reputation as real rock musicians, especially since the previous year’s addition of underclassman rhythm guitarist Azusa!!  But as a new school year begins, there are new and scary challenges ahead.  With four fifths of the club graduating at the end of the year, replacement members have to be recruited.  There are college exams to prepare for.  There are colleges to choose.  And there are friends to prepare to say goodbye to.  But no matter what happens, they’ll have their faculty adviser and secret former Death Metal guitar/vocalist Sawako Yamada there to help them in her own unusual way, especially since she’s now their homeroom teacher as well!!  And most of all, they’ll have each other.  Because the group of amateur musicians who barely knew each other has become much more than just a band, and by the time this school year is over, they’re going to achieve something so amazing it requires multiple exclamation marks!!  Get ready to be blown away as the girls from K-ON! rock on!!

 K-ON! Season 2 will be available on DVD & BD later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks:

Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors.  Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.

www.sentai-filmworks.com

ABOUT BROKEN BLADE

In Cruzon, children are born with the ability to control quartz. This power allows them to levitate simple objects—or control enormous and complex mobile battle suits called Golems. But when an ancient Golem is discovered during the height of a brutal war, a young king and his beautiful queen turn to Rygart Arrow. Though an “un-sorcerer,” Rygart can miraculously pilot this ancient and powerful weapon. But in war, school friends can turn into bitter enemies and allies have suspicious motives. Strap yourself in, power up, and prepare for the heavy metal mecha action of Broken Blade!

Visit Alamo Drafthouse – West Oaks
Like us at Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Sentai-Anime-Night/265120710181402)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (February 17, 2012) – Celebrated character designer and animation director, TOSHIHIRO KAWAMOTO, of such famed animes as COWBOY BEBOP, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 0080, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 0083, GOLDEN BOY, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: The 08TH MS TEAM, ESCAFLOWNE (MOVIE), WOLF’S RAIN, EUREKA SEVEN, SWORD OF THE STRANGER, GHOST SLAYERS AYASHI, HEROMAN, GOSICK, TOWA NO QUON and outside of Japan as the character designer and animation director for the beloved many more will attend this summer’s most anticipated anime, manga and music convention AM2 (June 15-17, 2012; Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton).  More info and attendee registration can be found at www.am2con.org

Kawamoto founded the world famous anime studio Studio BONES in 1998 with Masahiko Minami (former Sunrise producer) and Hiroshi Ousaka (animator colleague who passed away in 2007).  He has an animation career that spans over 25 years and has a long list of high profile works but is best known for his work as the character designer and animation director for the ever popular anime, COWBOY BEBOP.

 
Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with access to Main Events and Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks, retailers and local restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV’s, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

Follow us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AM2Con

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/AM2Con

About AM2

Located in Anaheim, California – AM2, established in 2010, is a multi-day (3 days) 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga.  Nominal fees are charged for certain activities that attendees choose to participate in. AM2 will be held on June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California.  More information can be found at www.am2con.org

Full episodes will begin streaming on www.funimation.com  in March of 2012.  
Series synopsis:
Currently, there are several hundred species of aliens on Earth, and humans are completely oblivious to their existence!  One day an amnesic alien prince crash lands on the planet, and all hell breaks loose!  Now the universe’s greatest mind, with the worst personality, has become Earth’s biggest royal pain.  

Additional information may be found at:  http://www.funimation.com/level-e

About FUNimation® Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands. They manage a full spectrum of rights for most of their brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit www.funimation.com.

Movie synopsis:
Toyotomi Hideyoshi is defeated, but feudal Japan isn’t safe yet. The fallen villain’s most loyal and lethal minion – Ishida Mitsunari – is obsessed with carrying on Toyotomi’s legacy of violence in the name of vengeance. Ishida brutally cuts a bloody path across the countryside, even as Tokugawa Ieyasu attempts to rally Date Masamune, Sanada Yukimura, and the nation’s other warlords toward an era of harmony. Unfortunately, for peace to finally be achieved, the fires of war must be unleashed once more. With Japan’s fate hanging in the balance, one of the most epic, over-the-top battles in history begins in Sengoku BASARA – Samurai Kings: The Movie!
Additional information may be found at: 
http://www.funimation.com/sengoku-basara-samurai-kings

About FUNimation® Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands. They manage a full spectrum of rights for most of their brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit www.funimation.com.

REVIEW:
This show was awesome! It’s so close to the original manga by Akihisa Ikeda that fans will love it, and anyone that appreciates harem comedies will love it too!

The premise is super simple and opens the door to tons of fun. Tsukune is a nice guy but he flunked his high school entrance exams. His father enters him in a school by a flier off the street! No one has heard of Yokai Academy, it’s far, far, away, but what choice does Tsukune have?  He goes to a place with an eerie bus driver, and while crossing a graveyard walking on his way to his new school he meets a super cute girl that ends up sucking his blood! That’s right, the hottie is a vampire and she’s super sweet. Suddenly Tsukune realizes Yokai Academy isn’t your ordinary school – it’s a school for monsters only! If he’s found out as a human, he’ll be on the menu for lunch!

It’s great comedy, lots of fun, and a parade of monsters for fans of monster shows to guess and enjoy. You have werewolves, lamias, nine-tailed foxes, and all sorts of other ghoulies and beasties. Moka is the only one that knows Tsukune’s secret, that he’s human, and when he’s targeted by bullies or tries to defend Moka’s honor, its action and the comedy of the fallout because each time Moka as her full vampire self defeats the bad guys, Tsukune somehow ends up with the credit! Now all kinds of bruisers want a shot at him because of his growing rep as a badass. But the bigger problem is trying to keep it under wraps that he’s a human, which gets even harder when a bevy of monstrous beauties take a liking to him!

The first season introduces the hotties that become central to the show and the lives of Tsukune and Moka. They include the devilish succubus Kurumu, the cute younger witch Yukari, an older witch Rubi, and my personal favorite – the ice cold hot stuff Mizore the snow demon girl. The show has special episodes introducing the girls, and then establishing their crushes on Tsukune (and some on Moka!) and how they all become friends despite being romantic rivals.

The anime has typical episodes (sort of) like the swim suit episode when the girls think about joining the swim club and deal with a mermaid. Then the group revives the newspaper club. The story never gets dramatic until episodes 9 and 10 which is the first two-parter. The group goes to the human world for a day and when they visit Witch Hill, they come across a powerful witch with a mad on for all humans and she’s ready to break the barrier between human and monster world and have the monsters destroy humankind.

After that comes the second serious storyline and climax to the first season when a rival newspaper club pops up and tries to snuff out Tsukune and friends’ newspaper. It turns out to be a devious plot by the Security Committee. This committee is a violent extreme version of a disciplinary committee and they manage to out Tsukune as a human and sentence him to death – immediately! The final episode is a big coming together of the girls to try to rescue their boy. The show is a great feel good anime that’s all about togetherness.

The anime is bang on! Done by Gonzo, which did crazy amazing animation like Last Exile, Chrono Crusade and Samurai 7, the studio has fun with Rosario Vampire. There’s silly fun fan service with an excess of panty shots all over the place, all the time, nearly constant.  The colors are vibrant, the character designs are gorgeous (they look just like the anime but full on depth and color bringing them to life!), and the monsters are fun. The transformation of Moka from regular sweet Moka to badass hottie vampire Moka is not as sexy as I would have liked. I wanted more oomph to that pizzazz, but hey, you can’t have everything I guess.

The show features two songs. The opening “Cosmic Love” and the ending (which is my favorite) “Dancing in the Velvet Moon” are both sung by the main Japanese voice actress for Moka, the lovely Nana Mizuki!

EXTRAS:
Extra goodies include textless songs and trailers of other anime titles.

IN SUMMARY:
The first season of Rosario Vampire is like the manga coming to life! It’s pretty faithful to the manga series. Its vampires, succubi, snow demon hotties and witches after one human boy to the tune of a whole lot of laughs and fun in this romantic comedy!

•  Released By: FUNimation Entertainment
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
• Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 / Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0
• Running Time: 325 minutes
• Rating: TV-13
• Release Date: 12/20/2011
• Reviewed By: Davey C. Jones

This manga is hilarious and totally off the rails! Kyoko changes her appearance and Sho doesn’t recognize her. She joins a talent agency by the skin of her teeth and then is part of the Love Me Section. One of her first jobs is to look after a bratty actress that puts Kyoko through her paces, but no one has the fiery determination Kyoko has, after all she is a woman possessed! When the lead actress puts on a hissy fit, it gives Kyoko a chance to show her stuff and she does shine. However for Kyoko it also shows her how much she has to learn and she is at once intimidated by the awesome star Ren, infuriated by his cold demeanor, and inspired to want to meet him as equals in front of the camera some day. She at last has a goal past seeking revenge, but will it be enough to stop her from going through with the crazy plan she has to defeat Sho?

Her demons are actually seen visibly many times on the page and it cracks me up every time. She cackles and gets all maniacal and gives off a creepy vibe that people are uneasy about. However, deep down she’s sort of a pure soul and strives to do her best. When a new member is forced to join the Love Me section, the girl is resentful. After all, Kanae is an excellent actress and she does not see the potential this crazy girl she is paired with might have. But when Kyoko is forced by some resentful and mean spirited girls at the training school to undertake a test, suddenly we will see if Kyoko has what it takes to make it to the top or not – and if she doesn’t prove herself here, she’s kicked to the curb!

I love the dreamy guys, the crazy girl, all the whacky comedy and equally off the wall imagery the antics of Kyoko’s crazy train entails.  You can’t help but cheer for her to take Sho down several pegs, he’s an arrogant toad. And Ren is a mystery man with good looks and some kind of hidden past that is drawing Kyoko in. Will she get a second chance at love and develop a dream that isn’t rooted in revenge? That’s what Skip Beat is all about! And now you can get the first three volumes in one condensed collection!

IN SUMMARY:
A hilarious tale of a girl seeking stardom to take down the man that did her wrong!

• Published By: VIZ Media
• Author / Artist: Yoshiko Nakamura
• Format: Japanese / BW
• Pages: 568
• Rated: T
• Release Date: 3/6/2012
• Reviewed By: Rachel Bentham