Anime Japan Convention Adapts to Virus Era

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefMulti-territory Asian streaming platform Viu is to launch four new anime titles and six Korean dramas as part of its second quarter slate update.

Maggie Lee Chief Asia Film CriticIn the spirit of “Thelma and Louise,” a lesbian fugitive and the woman she’d kill for hit the road with three stilettos and a blood-red BMW in “Ride or Die.” A glammed up, erotically-charged cocktail of amour fou and true romance directed by Ryuichi Hiroki and written by Nami Kikkawa, the Netflix production gives agency to full-blooded female protagonists.

cruise around Japan with Good Housekeeping. FIND OUT MORE The 15-day Japan cruise will take you on a journey far and wide through the fascinating land.

Japan's Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) and Indian media conglomerate Zee Entertainment said Tuesday that they have entered into a multifaceted co-production agreement. Under the deal, which was unveiled during MIPTV, the new partners will develop formats across genres to cater both to their respective domestic markets and for global sales and overseas distribution.

Japanese in 2019.“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer.

Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentVideo sharing social-network TikTok and Toho, Japan’s biggest and grandest studio, are partnering to launch a film festival aimed at scouting new creative talent.The TikTok Toho Film Festival 2021 will start accepting entries worldwide on April 12, with a closing deadline of May 31.

New IndieWhen I’m once again free to move about the cabin and see movies in theaters again, I hope I get the chance to give the hilarious “Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar” (Lionsgate) a second look with a rowdy and engaged audience.

Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentJapanese streaming platform U-Next will begin carrying a selection of HBO and HBO Max content from Thursday.HBO does not operate as a subscription service in Japan and for many years HBO content has instead been licensed to local players, including satellite channel Super! drama TV and pay-TV platform Wowow.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorYoshiki, leader of the group X Japan, has donated $100,000 in support of mental health to MusiCares to help music creators and industry professionals affected by depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health concerns, the organization announced Monday.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefNetflix has revealed its involvement with an anime adaptation of hit Japanese manga “Record of Ragnarok.” The show, about an epic fight for the fate of humanity, will premiere in June this year, and join the streamer’s burgeoning slate of anime content.The company made the announcement at Tokyo’s AnimeJapan 2021 Expo, where it also provided local fans with cast news and updates on other shows.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefIs it crunch time for Sony’s takeover of Crunchyroll? The proposed acquisition of specialized streaming platform Crunchyroll by the Japanese hardware and entertainment giant may now be facing an additional degree of regulatory uncertainty and delay.Tech website The Information reported that the U.S. Justice Department has extended its anti-trust review into the deal.

Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentThe 44th Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony was held on Friday at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takawana in Tokyo, despite a state of emergency still in force on the nation’s capital.One big winner was Uchida Eiji’s gay-themed drama “Midnight Swan” with took the best picture prize, while star Kusanagi Tsuyoshi was awarded best actor honors for his turn as an ageing transgender nightclub performer.Meanwhile, best actress went to Nagasawa Masami for her portrayal of

Netflix is locking down production space in Japan, as the streamer continues to expand its footprint in the developed markets of East Asia. The company said Thursday that it has inked an agreement with Japan's legendary Toho Studios, home of Godzilla and Akira Kurosawa, for access to two soundstages and additional facilities in southwest Tokyo.

Netflix has struck a multi-year deal to lease two soundstages at iconic Japanese film studio Toho.

Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentA late addition to the Nikkatsu lineup for FilMart is “First Gentleman,” a local co-production between Nikkatsu, Toei and Nippon TV.

Charli XCX, The 1975 and No Rome have shared an animated video for their debut single ‘Spinning’ – watch below.The newly-formed supergroup shared their first song at the start of the month after Charli announced that she was “forming a supergroup” with the Dirty Hit acts.The new video, created by Japanese artist Hideyuki Tanaka and designer Samuel Burgess-Johnson, is “a video inspired by the art that inspires me,” according to Rome.Watch the video, an animated wonderland that sees the trio

Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentThe pandemic has led to changes in production that could well be permanent, but its effect on content going forward is less clear.