Anime Today Episode Summaries

Event 121 Run Time: 58:30 | The ANIME TODAY Summer Event welcomes Kim Groomes of Anime Expo 2011, AnimeCons.com founder Patrick Delahanty, and Robert Napton of Bandai Entertainment to episode 121 of Anime Today.

Kim Groomes, the director of marketing for Anime Expo (AX), previews what fans attending the convention’s 20th anniversary event can expect to find, including guests of honor from the anime, manga, gaming and music industries, Hatsune Miku (and her entourage), the world premiere of the anime film LASTEXILE -Fam, The Silver Wing-, and much, much more.

Patrick Delahanty, the founder of AnimeCons.com, returns to Anime Today with his road-tested “Top 10 Summer Con Survival Tips” and news about how you can use the AnimeCons site to track your fan gatherings and meet other fans.   

Robert Napton, Bandai Entertainment’s marketing director, also returns to preview Bandai and Fathom Event’s upcoming theatrical release of TEKKEN: Blood Vengeance in 3D. The world premiere of this feature film will take place in movie theaters across the United States – for one-night only – on Tuesday, July 26, 2011.

Also in Episode 121, listen to tracks from JapanFiles.com artists BONE IDOL (“Surf on the Golden Wave”), FLOPPY (“Surftronica”), CAPRiS (“Summertime blues”) and ROCKET K (“Shout it out loud”).

Event 120 Run Time: 42:34 | Anime Today is back with a special podcast event to celebrate the upcoming release of the Antique Bakery anime series and the grand opening of its official site (antique.rightstuf.com!) Tune in for:

• A two-part phone interview with Nicole Bermansolo (owner of the Kyotofu Japanese Dessert Bar and Bakery); • A sneak preview of the content planned for the Antique Bakery site; • A sampling of sweet J-pop tracks from JapanFiles.com; and • The scoop on RightStuf.com's new sale on Blu-ray and DVD titles from Bandai Entertainment, the current contest for “I Love K-drama” gift packs from YA Entertainment, and more.

Episode 119 Run Time: 1:09:04 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt – the co-authors of NINJA ATTACK! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws – to episode 119 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, two-segment interview, Yoda and Alt discuss what led them to write a guidebook about ninja and their known associates, some of the surprises they uncovered during their extensive research, and some of their favorite historical and fictional figures… some of whom will be familiar to anime fans. Additionally, they talk about their previous field guide to Japan’s supernatural legends, Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide.

Yoda and Alt are the founders of Alt Japan Co., Ltd., which is based in Tokyo and specializes in the translation, adaptation and production of English-language editions of books, manga and video games (Ninja Gaiden).  In addition to the Ninja and Yokai Attack! books, they also co-authored the book Hello, Please! Very Helpful Super Kawaii Characters from Japan.

Also in Episode 119: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Nick tells fans how they can find “rockin’ deals” on manga, manhwa and more from Yen Press. • Marie takes a look at FUNimation’s release of the anime Sengoku Basara. • Nick announces the latest Otaku Prize Blitz winners, reminds fans about the Viz Pictures’ Detroit Metal City contest, and kicks off a new contest with the award-winning Japanese dessert bar and bakery Kyotofu for gift certificates that can be used either at their online storefront or their Midtown West location in New York City. • Listen to clips from the Samurai Deeper Kyo: Capriccio CD soundtrack from Geneon Music. • Also hear tracks from JapanFiles.com artists DECO 27 (“Bye-Bye’ By My Ai” from Sou Ai Sei Ri Ron), Sizima (“Indian Summer” from Natsu no Sizima), Aozorafantasii (“Across the Universe” from Flight), and the Caraway (“Hasta luego!” from their self-titled release). • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 118 Run Time: 1:30:16 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome NYAV Post founder Michael Sinterniklaas to episode 118 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, three-segment interview, Sinterniklaas discusses how he got his start in acting and came to found NYAV Post, a bi-coastal studio that handles audio production for numerous anime, original animation, feature film, commercial and video game projects.

He then goes on to discuss his directing and acting work on the recent two seasons of The Slayers anime series, how acting has influenced his directing, how working on domestic projects (like the role of “Leonardo” in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) differs from his anime work, and the challenge of working on Kurokami, which was simulcast – with an English-language dub – on the same day and date of its Japanese broadcast.  Finally, he talks about his recent roles in Summer Wars, Eden of the East, and Sengoku Basara, as well as his production work on the worldwide release of the Mobile Suit Gundam UC (Unicorn) series.

Also in Episode 118: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Rich shares how fans can find “spectacular savings” on Blu-ray and DVD titles from Section23 Films and the labels it distributes. • Christy takes a look at the Sentai Filmworks DVD release of Shigofumi. • Rich announces the latest Year of the Otaku winners, plus the winners of the Japanese limited-edition stamp set featuring artwork by Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito, of the Casshern Sins contest, and of the Assault Girls contest. Then he kicks off a new contest gearing up for VIZ Pictures’ release of the live-action Detroit Metal City movie. • Listen to clips from the Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi CD soundtrack from Geneon Music. • Also hear tracks from JapanFiles.com artists Sweet Vacation (“Trick or Treat” from Do The Vacation!!), MUFAS (“BONES” from MUFAS, BEING BORN, BAAANG!!), and malin harue + yancy (“Light my fire” from Apartment). • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 117 Run Time: 1:07:50 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome FUNimation Brand Manager Amber Barnes to episode 117 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Barnes discusses how she got her start marketing anime, as well as some of her recent and upcoming anime projects – Casshern Sins, The Slayers seasons 4 and 5 on Blu-ray, and Spice and Wolf. Plus, she reveals details about the Halloween release of the live-action horror-comedy Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl.

Also, Anime Today takes a look back at the podcast’s segments with authors, including Patrick Macias (Otaku USA, Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno), Frederik L. Schodt (The Astro Boy Essays), Fred Ladd (Astro Boy director, Astro Boy and Anime Come to the Americas), Helen McCarthy (500 Essential Anime Movies, Art of Osamu Tezuka, Manga Cross-Stitch), Jonathan Clements (Schoolgirl Milky Crisis, Anime Encyclopedia) and Patrick W. Galbraith (Otaku Encyclopedia).

Also in Episode 117: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Rich shares how fans can find “heavenly deals” on Blu-ray, DVDs and more from Media Blasters and its specialty labels. • Marie takes a look at the Yen Press release of the Bunny Drop manga by Yumi Unita. • Rich announces the latest Year of the Otaku grab bag winners, plus the winners of the There’s Something About Sunyool manhwa and You’re Beautiful K-drama contests. Then he reminds listeners about the ongoing contest for a Japanese limited-edition stamp set featuring artwork by Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito. And finally, he kicks off a new contest with FUNimation for two Casshern Sins prize packages that each include Part 1 of the anime on DVD, plus a signed metal poster featuring artwork from the series. • Listen to clips from the Texhnolyze CD soundtracks – Music Only Music But Music and The Man of Men – from Geneon Music. • Also hear tracks from JapanFiles.com artists Aoi Kidokoro (“Hotarubi” from Yume Maboroshi No Shiro), KEYTALK (“Blue Moon Light” from TIMES SQUARE), and Roma Tanaka (title track from LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL). • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.