Funimation Acquires UK Anime Distributor Manga Entertainment Limited

By Justin D Williams

Funimation announced its acquisition of Manga Entertainment Limited (“Manga”), the leading distributor of anime in the UK and Ireland. Headquartered in London, England, Manga is a long-term partner of Funimation and currently serves anime fans  across a wide range of channels, including Blu-ray / DVDs, broadcast, theatrical and digital (EST - electronic sell-through). Following its immediate consolidation of Funimation’s UK home entertainment business, Manga will become the largest distributor of anime Blu-rays/DVDs, offering  fans more than 900 hours of subtitled and dubbed entertainment – the biggest catalog of titles available anywhere in the UK and Ireland.  With this acquisition, most of these titles – many for the first time – will become available for streaming to fans throughout the UK and Ireland on FunimationNow over the coming months. These titles will include hit series like “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” “Naruto Shippuden,” “Ghost in the Shell: Innocence” and “Sword Art Online.”
“With this acquisition, we will create a truly immersive anime experience for fans in the UK and Ireland. This begins with providing fans access to Manga’s library of titles to enjoy whenever and wherever they want on FunimationNow,” said Mitchel Berger, vice president of sales and distribution for Funimation. “Together with the Manga team, Funimation will bring its fan-first omnichannel approach to serving anime fans – engaging with them directly through the widest array of touchpoints.”

“On behalf of Manga Entertainment, we’re thrilled to join Funimation and their expanding global business,” said Jerome Mazandarani, managing director of Manga Entertainment Limited. “We’re excited for the new opportunities that lie ahead and to serve anime fans in the UK and Ireland in a bigger way than ever before.”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Funimation which today provides streaming, home entertainment, theatrical and broadcast distribution, as well as merchandise licensing in many territories around the world. With a catalog of more than 600 titles encompassing over 10,000 hours of subtitled and dubbed entertainment, Funimation directly serves consumers in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand through its subscription service FunimationNow. In November 2018, FunimationNow became the first Sony Pictures Television service to launch on Amazon’s Prime Video in the UK.

Funimation can be found on Facebook at  facebook.com/funimation. Twitter at twitter.com/funimation and Instagram at instagram.com/funimation.

Sonic Adventure 2 (Videogame Flashback)

Sonic Adventure 2 (Videogame Flashback)

In the fight between heroes and villains, will you choose to save the world or conquer it? The hunt for the Chaos Emeralds is on and battle lines have been drawn between Hero and Dark. Experience two unique adventures featuring both long-time heroes and new and returning villains as they battle for the fate of the world! Save the day as heroes Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles or cause chaos as Shadow, Dr. Eggman, and Rouge, utilizing each of their unique skills and abilities! Take a break from the main story and challenge a friend in two-player across kart racing and other competitive modes! Raise your own pet Chao, improve their statistics, and compete with them in unique mini-games! Challenge yourself to complete over 150 unique missions across 30 action filled stages!

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X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (Videogame Flashback)

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (Videogame Flashback)

The game begins with the X-Men and Brotherhood of Mutants uniting forces to save Professor X and Polaris. Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine meet up with Magneto, Mystique, and Sabretooth at a military prison outpost in Greenland to free Professor X. Upon freeing him, the teams relocate to the fictional mutant haven of Genosha. They find the island ravaged by Apocalypse's forces, and work through the wreckage and find out what he was searching for. They learn that Quicksilver was kidnapped by Apocalypse, who also kidnaps Beast from the X-Mansion. Beast manages to point the team in the direction of the Savage Land, a secret prehistoric preserve in Antarctica.

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OTAQUEST LIVE J-POP Concert Announces VIP & Other Ticket Packages

OTAQUEST LIVE J-POP Concert Announces VIP & Other Ticket Packages

OTAQUEST LIVE, a unique, live summer concert presenting a dynamic slate of J-Pop, dance and hip hop superstars who define the vibrant sound, styles, moves and images that drive Japanese pop culture, has unveiled a variety of ticket packages, including VIP passes, for the event headlining The Novo in L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, July 3rd.

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Tribeca Talks: Hideo Kojima and Norman Reedus

Hey O&G fans, this year at Tribeca Games we got a chance to attend the Tribeca Talks: Hideo Kojima with Norman Reedus event. One of the Best Video game designers and One of the most popular TV and Movies star sat down at the BMCC theater to talk about their game project (Death Stranding) , their work history and their growing friendship over the years.

Unfortunately there was a ban on video for the event, but we were able to record audio. So check out our audio, video and pictures of this wonderful and informative event.

Hideo Kojima and Norman Reedus Tribeca Talks

by Sean Tucker



Tribeca Audience Awards Winners Announced

Tribeca Audience Awards Winners Announced

The 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, announced the winners of its two Audience Awards: the audience choice for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature films, sponsored by AT&T.  Plus One, written and directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer, was honored with the Narrative Audience Award and Gay Chorus Deep South, directed by David Charles Rodrigues, was given the Documentary Audience Award. The winner of each received a cash prize of $10,000.

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Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid Releases New Free Update with Story Mode

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid Releases New Free Update with Story Mode

Gamers around the world now have access to new, free downloadable content (DLC) for the recently released Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, developed by nWay. The content for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One will introduce several new elements requested by players including a new “story mode” by the acclaimed writer Kyle Higgins, in addition to new characters, battle arenas and voiceovers from original cast members.

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WWF Rage In The Cage (Videogame Flashback)

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Rage in the Cage was the first WWF game to feature actual video footage in the form of FMV clips seen in the game's opening video, as well clips of the wrestlers' signature moves that can be viewed on the wrestler select screen, and clips that play of the player's wrestler celebrating upon completion of the tournament mode. In addition, the game features audio introductions by Howard Finkel and rants between the competitors prior to the matches. However, for the game's music, developers did not take advantage of the CD format, as it resembles the synthesized music of 16-bit games from that period. Rage in the Cage features 20 wrestlers, the most seen in a WWF game up to that point (this number would not be surpassed until WWF Attitude was released six years later).

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Lenni Reviews: "Saint Young Men" by Hikaru Nakamura

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In this answer to the question "What if Jesus and Buddha went on vacation" we have a thoroughly enjoyable and hilarious set of stories about these two powerhouses of the heavens living a normal(ish) life in Japan. If you're not into 'slice of life' stories, this will bore you but I found it endearing and fun! Both religions are treated with respect and the translation notes are exceedingly helpful for some of the side humor. It wanders a little but that comes with slice of life stories. I had a lot of fun reading this volume but it's hard to see where this would keep going for multiple volumes without getting repetitive. 4.8 out of 5. 

 

Japan's Hot EDM Club Scene Hits L.A. With OTAQUEST KICK OFF - July 3rd

Japan's Hot EDM Club Scene Hits L.A. With OTAQUEST KICK OFF - July 3rd

OTAQUEST and LDH USA are bringing the high energy vibe of Tokyo’s nightlife to The Novo by Microsoft at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 3rd for a special one-night-only club event featuring the biggest names in Japan’s bustling club and EDM scenes.

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Tales of The World: Radiant Mythology (Videogame Flashback)

Tales of The World: Radiant Mythology (Videogame Flashback)

The world of Terresia is under assault by a "devourer", which seeks to consume its mana and leave it barren. Although the residents of the planet are unaware, this is actually a result of the actions of two entities named Widdershin and Aurora, the descenders of other worlds. As a last resort, the world's life-giving tree (the World Tree) uses the last of its power to create a defender - the player's own character. The hero, after being awakened by a strange creature named Mormo whose own world was destroyed by the same threat, learns of the danger to this world's World Tree. Upon hearing a scream, the player rushes to discover that a girl is being attacked by a soldier. After rescuing the girl, she introduces herself as Kanonno, a member of an organization named Ad Libitum. This guild seeks to help the people of the world, fighting injustice and oppression. With no better leads, the player and Mormo set out to join Ad Libitum, hoping to learn more about the location of the devourer.

As always, the Tales of the World spin-offs add Tales characters from entries in the main installments. They play as NPCs that will assist the player throughout the game to stop the villain from destroying the world.

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