SDCC 2012 Discussion Thread

[WTK]

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 (7/12 - 7/15/2012 @ San Diego Convention Center)

Thursday, July 12

3:00-4:00 VIZ Media Panel— Get the latest updates and exciting news from VIZ Media staff on your favorite manga and anime. You'll also get the scoop on new acquisitions, upcoming releases, and projects VIZ has yet to announce. Get in line early and get a chance to win prizes! Room 7AB

3:30-4:30 FUNimation Sneak Peek: Mass Effect: Paragon Lost and Coming Soon— A very special look at Mass Effect: Paragon Lost, a new animated feature based on the world of EA and BioWare's Mass Effect games, in addition to some exclusive looks at new series coming soon from FUNimation, one of the North American leaders in anime. Room 24ABC

5:30-6:30 Kodansha Comics— The staff of Kodansha Comics talk about all their exciting plans for 2012 and beyond. Learn about all the new titles coming out in the coming months, with special coverage of Sailor Moon, Battle Angel Alita, and many other hit manga series. Kumi Shimizu (Kodansha USA Publishing) and Dallas Middaugh (Random House) will tell tall tales and answer all of your burning questions. Room 4

8:15-9:15 Robotech Industry Panel— Tommy Yune (Harmony Gold president of animation), Steve Yun (Harmony Gold VP of new media), Steve Galloway (New Video), Svea Stauch Macek (comic artist of Macross #1), Frank Catalono (voice of Robotech's Rand), and Saralo MacGregor (Content Film), showcase all the latest Robotech projects. Room 6DE

Friday, July 13

11:00-12:00 JManga: The Future of Digital Manga— It's been one year since the launch of JManga.com, the world's first official and legal manga portal website. Find out where the international manga scene is headed. See what's new on JManga and what's on the way. Panelists to be announced. Room 25ABC

12:00-1:00 FUNimation— All the latest news and information from FUNimation, one of North America's leaders in anime. Room 24ABC

1:00-2:00 Neon Alley: The Newest Destination for Anime— The word is out on Neon Alley, but there's more to be unveiled! A 24-hour anime channel launching this fall on the game console, Neon Alley will feature the world's best anime titles, including blockbusters Naruto Shippuden, Tiger & Bunny, Berserk: The Golde Age Arc Trilogy, and Blue Exorcist! Get the scoop straight from Brian Ige, VIZ Media's VP of animation, on upcoming series and more! Attendees are entered to win special prizes on the spot! Room 32AB

4:30-5:30 UDON 2012— Catch up on the latest releases and get the scoop on upcoming projects from the UDON crew, including comic and art book announcements you won't want to miss! Included will be sneak peek artwork, insight into the recruiting process for new artists, and a chance to win some of the company's hottest new books. Moderated by Chris Butcher (Toronto Comic Arts Festival, UDON's director of marketing), with participants Erik Ko (UDON CEO), Jim Zubkavich (project manager), Matt Moylan (managing editor), and UDON artists Joe Ng (Street Fighter IV) and Omar Dogan (Street Fighter Legends). Room 26AB

5:30-6:30 Berserk— At long last, the dark fantasy epic Berserk, by creator Kentaro Muira, comes to the silver screen! Join Dark Horse Comics and VIZ Media in a rare interview with Eiko Tanaka, founder and CEO of Studio 4°C (Tekkonkinkreet, Animatrix, Batman). Find out what it really takes to transform this stark manga into an animated feature. Room 32AB

6:30-7:30 Yen Press— The Yen Press crew return to San Diego for their annual sneak peek at forthcoming projects, fan Q&A, and of course some sweet giveaways to spread the love! Room 8

8:30-10:30 Berserk Screening— Comic-Con exclusive! See Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I-The Egg of the King with a special intro by Eiko Tanaka, founder and CEO of Studio 4°C (Tekkonkinkreet, Animatrix, Batman). Experience the start of an epic anime trilogy, and catch a special sneak peek of Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II-The Doldrey War. Room 32AB

Saturday, July 14

12:00-1:00 Shonen Jump Alpha Panel— The new Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha, North America's only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine, gives fans the ultimate digital experience of reading the best manga every week, with official releases of chapters from Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, and more! Special panelists from Japan Yoshihisa Heishi (editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen Jump, founding editor of Yu-Gi-Oh!), Koji Yoshida (editor of Death Note), and Kengo Monji (editor of Bakuman) will share the latest news, expert opinions, and a behind-the scenes look into the manga world. To top it off, they'll have a heated Q&A showdown with the SJ Alpha editors! Room 7AB

[WTK]

The 4-day schedules are up. Anime wise it's pretty much FUNimation and Viz Media.

[WTK]

via PR...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VISIT VIZ MEDIA AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL, BOOTH #2813

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING PERSONAL
APPEARANCES, BOOTH ACTIVITIES AND
SHOW EXCLUSIVES FOR 2012 COMIC-CON
INTERNATIONAL

Company Welcomes Studio 4ºC Founder For Discussion On
BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC Anime Film Trilogy And Offers
A Variety Of Collectable Giveaways, Fun Booth Activities, Panel
Discussions And Much More!

San Francisco, CA, July 9, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, returns to Comic-Con International, the nation’s biggest comic book, science fiction and pop culture event, with an exciting and expansive roster of special personal appearances, exciting panels, anime feature film premieres, and fun giveaways and convention exclusives. The show takes place July 11-15 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA, and VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2813.

Fans won’t want to miss a special opportunity on Friday July 13th to catch a rare personal appearance by Eiko Tanaka, Founder and CEO of Studio 4ºC, which produced the new dark fantasy epic BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy. VIZ Media will release the first movie on Neon Alley this fall. Ms. Tanaka will make an in-person appearance at the VIZ Media booth for a signing session at 3PM. She will also be a special guest at the BERSERK Panel, 5:30PM in Room 32AB, where fans can find out what it really takes to transform the stark manga into an animated feature. Finally, Ms. Tanaka will make introductory remarks at the exclusive Comic-Con screening of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING, 8:30PM in Room 32AB.

The recently announced Neon Alley will be featured at Comic-Con. A brand new 24- hour digital anime channel launching on a major game platform this fall, Neon Alley will feature the world's best anime titles, including blockbusters BLUE EXORCIST, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, TIGER & BUNNY and more. Get the scoop straight from Brian Ige, VIZ Media's VP of Animation, at the Neon Alley Panel on Friday July 13 th, 1PM, Room 32AB. At the VIZ Media booth, fans can sign up for the mailing list and get the first-ever Neon Alley collectible tote bag. Fans will have a chance to be featured on Neon Alley, as VIZ Media will be filming clips at the company’s booth throughout the show. Check the daily schedule for filming times.

Digital manga will also be a highlight of the VIZ Media booth this year. The fun starts on Comic-Con Preview Night – Wednesday, July 11th – with commemorative tote bags given to the first 500 attendees that stop by the booth featuring WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, North America’s only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine. The totes will be available at other times throughout the weekend to visitors that complete a round of “passport” activities stationed around the VIZ Media booth.

Sample the VIZ Manga digital platform on a variety of devices – on laptops, the iPad®, iPod® touch, and the upcoming VIZ Manga for Android phones! Fans will also get an opportunity to experience the digital manga experience on the NOOK © Tablet. More than 60 series and over 600 volumes are available now for both the VIZ Manga platform and the NOOK, including blockbusters BLEACH, NARUTO, BLACK BIRD, and more!

During Comic-Con, fans that purchase an annual membership to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA (available on the VIZ Manga platform) will receive a limited edition YU-GI-OH! Slifer The Sky Dragon trading card (limited quantities available – please visit the booth at show opening for a ticket). Fans can sample the latest issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA. Each new digital edition of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA treats manga fans in North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine.

Also be on the lookout for a special photo activity with a life-size 3D Luffy from the hit pirate manga adventure, ONE PIECE. Collectable digital photos will be emailed to participants after the event. Fans can take part in this activity at the VIZ Media booth, or at the SHONEN JUMP ALPHA JUMP TRUCK fan meet-up on Saturday, July 14th at 3PM at the 5th Avenue Landing, behind Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center. Meet up visitors will also receive free ice-cream (while supplies last) and have the opportunity to take part in cosplay & fan art contests to win other cool SJ ALPHA prizes!

Attend the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Panel on Saturday July 14th, 12PM in Room 7AB, and get the latest news, expert opinions and a behind-the-scenes look into the manga world from special guests from Japan Yoshihisa Heishi (Editor-in- Chief of Weekly Shonen Jump, founding editor of YU-GI-OH!), Kouji Yoshida (editor of DEATH NOTE), and Kengo Monji (editor of BAKUMAN｡). The guests will also have a heated Q&A showdown with the SJ Alpha editors!

The VIZ Media booth will buzz with a variety of fun activities and giveaways. Don’t miss other fun free VIZ Media product giveaways including VIZ Kids manga and graphic novel samplers, the Haikasoru science fiction imprint samplers, special show lanyards, and an array of assorted anime and manga patches, posters and more (while supplies last)!

Gamers will want to be sure to check out playable demos for Namco Bandai’s latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN video game. Stop by and play the demo and also get free NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM GENERATIONS tchotchkes.

Streaming content provider Hulu also joins in the fun at the VIZ Media booth. Get your show badge scanned to enter to win one of 4 Xbox 360 systems and a 3-month gift card for Hulu Plus. The first 1,000 attendees scanned will receive a limited edition promotional card, featuring NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, with a free 30-day trial to check out the Hulu Plus subscription service.

Don’t miss the annual VIZ Media Panel, Thursday July 12th, 3PM in Room 7AB, for all the latest updates and exciting news from VIZ Media staff on your favorite manga and anime! Also get the scoop on new acquisitions, upcoming releases, and upcoming projects. Be in line early and get a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes!

Finally, VIZ Media is proud to have two manga titles nominated for the 2012 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards, which are considered the Oscars of the comic book industry. NAOKI URASAWA’s 20th CENTURY BOYS (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens), by Naoki Urasawa, is nominated for Best Continuing Series, while SATURN APARTMENTS (rated ‘T’ for Teens), by Hisae Iwaoka, is nominated for Best U.S. Edition of International Material. The Eisner Awards Ceremony will be held on the evening of Friday, July 13th at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel.

For more information on Neon Alley, please visit www.NeonAlley.com.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, please visit SJAlpha.com.

For more information on the VIZ Manga digital platform, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

For more information on VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

[sheleigha]

I hope Viz will bring up what they said at another panel thisy ear about the Evangelion manga, hinting at a reprint or something... I see vol 13 put up on preorder, and I really hope they mention something on it (or that someone asks about it!)

[WTK]

via FUNimation.com

San Diego Comic-Con Here We Come!

It's that time again, FUNimation fans-

We are on the road and SoCal-bound for another year of San Diego Comic Con. We've got panels, some very special guests and some really, really awesome announcements, in addition to a totally tricked-out booth, Mass Effect: Paragon Lost-style.

Come to the FUNimation booth from 9am-12pm or 2pm-5pm Thursday-Saturday or 9am-12pm Sunday to get your very own, ultra-customized Mass Effect: Paragon Lost colonist badge. You can pre-order a copy with us for its November 13th release date and get an exclusive t-shirt too!

We are so excited about Mass Effect: Paragon Lost we have some super special content for our Sneak Peek Panel. If that wasn't enough, we will also have a couple of announcements in our Industry Panel, too. Check the info below:

FUNimation Sneak Peek; Mass Effect: Paragon Lost and Coming Soon
Thursday, July 12th, 3:30-4:30pm, Room 24ABC

FUNimation Industry Panel
Friday, July 13th, 12-1pm, Room 24ABC

Space is limited and lines can get long, so come early 'cause you don't want to miss these!

Since this is San Diego, and as you might know, we will be releasing Lost Girl seasons 1&2 later this year, our friends from the cast will be joining us at SDCC for some totally Fae fun-times. On Saturday from 6-7pm, you can catch the cast at the FUNimation booth for a signing with exclusive poster. This autograph session will be ticketed and these will be available for you folks that pre-order Lost Girl on Thursday and Friday, and then first-come first-served on Saturday morning for the remainder. You can also check the cast panel details below:

Lost Girl Panel
Saturday July 14th at 8:15pm, Room 6BCF

The booth will also have Ai Yori Aoshi and Armitage III, two of the newest additions to our Anime Classics collection, almost 3 weeks before they come out! We will also be featuring Fractale and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Collection 2 a week early. Drop by and grab a copy of Fractale and get your very own Nessa figurine with purchase, while supplies last. We will also have awesome FUNimation tote bags with every $100 purchase.

[WTK]

Part of Friday's announcements (FUNimation Acquires Significant Stake in GameSamba)?

[MelancholicMariya]

Originally Posted by WTK

Part of Friday's announcements (FUNimation Acquires Significant Stake in GameSamba)?

Funimation seems to be looking at video game stuff a lot as of late, be it the partnership with EA for the Dragon Age and Mass Effect anime movies or this acquisition. What exactly will Funimation do with GameSamba? Are they just going to make games to promote Funimation's bigger releases?

[Damius]

Originally Posted by WTK

Part of Friday's announcements (FUNimation Acquires Significant Stake in GameSamba)?

Well, I'm not interest in games, but still curious to know what it is.

[WTK]

https://twitter.com/gendomike/status/223549766070579200

Accel World: no word on dubs either. ‪#sdcc

https://twitter.com/gendomike/status/223549199126511617

Question: when is Lagrange S1 to be released on disc? Answer: no hard release date. Dub to be on Neon Alley. ‪#sdcc

https://twitter.com/debaoki/status/223549776631840768

at @vizmedia panel ‪#sdcc‬ - Monster anime is available on download-to-own. "when we have a date for dvd release, we'll post it on Facebook."

[Damius]

Originally Posted by WTK

Will Facebook still exist when they will have a date for that?