Ethan Bortnick began touring the world as a performer when he was only 10 years old. Through the years his musical tastes have changed, and with it, so have his fans. But some things never change, like Bortnick bringing his family on tour with him... and his love for Gengar. Check out the interview below for more on this unique artist. Thanks for joining us for this interview! Could you introduce yourself to Crunchyroll News readers? Ethan Bortnick: Thank you for having me! I’m Ethan, I’m a classically trained musician that is now an artist/singer-songwriter. I started in music when I was 3, I learned how to play the piano through perfect pitch and started learning Mozart pieces by ear. Eventually learned how to sing and taught myself all kinds of genres which led to my love of performing. When I was 10 I started to tour a lot and...
- 4/10/2024
- by Carolyn Burke
- Crunchyroll
Shingo Matsamura's gripping drama “The Lump In My Heart” about a student who is challenged by a life-changing diagnosis is based on a script adapted from Yokoyama Takuya's eponymous stage play, and penned by Takahashi Izumi, producer/ director/ writer who has proved his writing versatility with contributions to genre and dramas alike.
The Lump In My Heart is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
When Chinatsu (Yoshida Mizuki) runs into her chidlhood friend and teenage crush Kohki (Okudaira Daiken) at the university campus, she becomes obsessed with something he had said to her a long time ago that made her aware of the male gaze. That particular remark made such an impact on her in the past, that she has developed a permanently complicated relationship to her body. When her breasts come to focus again many years later, due to a medical check-up she is required to do,...
The Lump In My Heart is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
When Chinatsu (Yoshida Mizuki) runs into her chidlhood friend and teenage crush Kohki (Okudaira Daiken) at the university campus, she becomes obsessed with something he had said to her a long time ago that made her aware of the male gaze. That particular remark made such an impact on her in the past, that she has developed a permanently complicated relationship to her body. When her breasts come to focus again many years later, due to a medical check-up she is required to do,...
- 2/12/2024
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Yuki Kodama's coming-of-age manga Kids on the Slope has won fans over in many forms, from its 2012 anime adaptation to the live-action film released in 2018. Next month, the story will be presented in a new form: a night of staged readings and live jazz music. Animax Reading Drama: Kids on the Slope will unite 18 talents, who will take turns as the production's six lead cast members. Stepping into the roles will be: As Kaoru Nishimi: Junta Terashima (Shiki Ando in Paradox Live The Animation ) Ryu Kiyama (Kakeru Shiwasu in the Tsukiuta stage plays) Tasuku Kaito (Meguru Bachira in Bluelock ) Gakuto Kajiwara (Asta in Black Clover ) As Sentaro Kawabuchi: Fumiya Imai (Hiiragi Kashima in given ) Ryotaro Akazawa (Taichi Nanao in the A3! stage plays) Toshiki Masuda (Eijiro Kirishima in My Hero Academia ) Yoshiki Nakajima (Yo Uei in Dr. Stone ) As Ritsuko Mukae: Ibuki Kido (Megumi Jinno in Eromanga Sensei...
- 2/8/2024
- by Kara Dennison
- Crunchyroll
The director of the classic '90s anime Cowboy Bebop, Shinichirō Watanabe, revealed in a recent interview that he hopes to someday work on live-action.
When asked if he has ever wanted to direct a live-action production in his interview by Full Frontal, Watanabe responded by saying, "I do, but I didn’t really have any opportunities… Or rather, I had one, but it never happened. We didn’t have money, didn’t find actors, there were multiple reasons… But if I had another opportunity, I’d take it. I’ve always dreamt of doing live-action, and at first, I really hesitated between doing live-action and animation. I ended up doing animation, and my dreams there have kinda come true (laughs), so now I just have live-action left."
New Cowboy Bebop Fragrance Line Promises to Make You Smell Like Spike, Faye or Julia
Shinichirō Watanabe's Anime Career
Watanabe has...
When asked if he has ever wanted to direct a live-action production in his interview by Full Frontal, Watanabe responded by saying, "I do, but I didn’t really have any opportunities… Or rather, I had one, but it never happened. We didn’t have money, didn’t find actors, there were multiple reasons… But if I had another opportunity, I’d take it. I’ve always dreamt of doing live-action, and at first, I really hesitated between doing live-action and animation. I ended up doing animation, and my dreams there have kinda come true (laughs), so now I just have live-action left."
New Cowboy Bebop Fragrance Line Promises to Make You Smell Like Spike, Faye or Julia
Shinichirō Watanabe's Anime Career
Watanabe has...
- 11/3/2023
- by Melissa Simmons
- Comic Book Resources
Coming-of-age anime realistically portray the challenges and changes that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood. These shows explore the journey of self-discovery and the search for identity, often through unique and complex storylines. The protagonists of these stories face obstacles and struggles, but ultimately learn and grow, making these anime some of the best in the genre.
Coming-of-age anime focus on the transition from childhood to adulthood, during which one inevitably faces a variety of changes and new feelings. Change is never easy to adjust to, especially when dealing with other external factors, such as new environments or peculiar situations that are hard to speak about, but it's not impossible either, and these shows realistically depict all facets of the process.
This period is also typically characterized by the earnest desire to explore one's identity and discover one's likes, dislikes, fears, and passions. Especially when considering all the...
Coming-of-age anime focus on the transition from childhood to adulthood, during which one inevitably faces a variety of changes and new feelings. Change is never easy to adjust to, especially when dealing with other external factors, such as new environments or peculiar situations that are hard to speak about, but it's not impossible either, and these shows realistically depict all facets of the process.
This period is also typically characterized by the earnest desire to explore one's identity and discover one's likes, dislikes, fears, and passions. Especially when considering all the...
- 10/14/2023
- by Remus Badescu
- ScreenRant.com
Japanese anime studios are like the caffeine of the entertainment world, churning out original series and mega hits faster than a caffeine addict downing espressos. While anime like Attack on Titan have become pop culture VIPs, films such as Spirited Away have taken a seat at the fancy “greatest cinematic work” table. And guess what? Some anime big shots even teamed up with Hollywood bigwigs like Universal Pictures to conquer the world. It’s like they’ve got their anime wands set for “world domination.”
From choosing some of the best mangas for animation to creating their own original works, here are some of the best anime studios.
Studio Ghibli
Ever asked a random person about anime studios? Bet, they’ll blurt out “Studio Ghibli!”. Led by Hayao Miyazaki, the Dumbledore of film directors, Studio Ghibli is the force behind some of Japan’s top anime money spinners. Oscars? Yep,...
From choosing some of the best mangas for animation to creating their own original works, here are some of the best anime studios.
Studio Ghibli
Ever asked a random person about anime studios? Bet, they’ll blurt out “Studio Ghibli!”. Led by Hayao Miyazaki, the Dumbledore of film directors, Studio Ghibli is the force behind some of Japan’s top anime money spinners. Oscars? Yep,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Fatima Ali Idrisoglu
- MovieWeb
Shinichirō Watanabe, the director of Cowboy Bebop, is teaming up with Adult Swim again for a new anime series called Lazarus. Lazarus takes place in the near future and follows a task force assembled to find a missing scientist and develop a vaccine for a dangerous drug. The series will feature stunning animation from Studio Mappa and an impressive soundtrack with musical guests like Kamasi Washington and Bonobo. Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick films, will choreograph the action scenes.
Shinichirō Watanabe, the main director behind Cowboy Bebop, is directing a brand-new series for the late-night television network Adult Swim. The two have been a match made in heaven for years now, as the network was a frequent distributor of Watanabe's various projects.
Cowboy Bebop would be the first anime series aired on Adult Swim, for example, and many have credited this partnership for introducing the medium to...
Shinichirō Watanabe, the main director behind Cowboy Bebop, is directing a brand-new series for the late-night television network Adult Swim. The two have been a match made in heaven for years now, as the network was a frequent distributor of Watanabe's various projects.
Cowboy Bebop would be the first anime series aired on Adult Swim, for example, and many have credited this partnership for introducing the medium to...
- 7/27/2023
- by Sean Shuman
- MovieWeb
The legendary creator of Cowboy Bebop, Shinichirō Watanabe, teams up with John Wick director for a new anime series.
A report from Deadline revealed that Watanabe is working with Adult Swim and Studio Mappa to produce an anime project titled Lazarus. It is described as a sci-fi action thriller set in the near future and will be the first series written/directed by the creator since 2019's Carole & Tuesday. Watanabe described the upcoming project as "a culmination of my career so far." He also added that he hoped fans would enjoy it and teased that they would get a first look at Adult Swim Festival on July 22, 2023.
Related: Adult Swim's Primal Starts Production on Season 3
Watanabe is not the only notable name working on the project as Chad Stahleski -- a stuntman and director from the John Wick franchise -- is also attached to design action sequences. Cowboy Bebop...
A report from Deadline revealed that Watanabe is working with Adult Swim and Studio Mappa to produce an anime project titled Lazarus. It is described as a sci-fi action thriller set in the near future and will be the first series written/directed by the creator since 2019's Carole & Tuesday. Watanabe described the upcoming project as "a culmination of my career so far." He also added that he hoped fans would enjoy it and teased that they would get a first look at Adult Swim Festival on July 22, 2023.
Related: Adult Swim's Primal Starts Production on Season 3
Watanabe is not the only notable name working on the project as Chad Stahleski -- a stuntman and director from the John Wick franchise -- is also attached to design action sequences. Cowboy Bebop...
- 7/21/2023
- by Michael John-Day
- Comic Book Resources
Adult Swim has given the green light to a new anime series from Shinichirō Watanabe, Lazarus.
The series will mark Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.
The year is 2052 – an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.
Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned – this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world – and coming soon.
As a response to this threat,...
The series will mark Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.
The year is 2052 – an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.
Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned – this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world – and coming soon.
As a response to this threat,...
- 7/20/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Adult Swim has greenlit “Lazarus,” a new Toonami series from renowned anime director Shinichirō Watanabe, known for his work helming episodes of “Cowboy Bebop,” “Samurai Champloo” and “Kids on the Slope.”
Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, “Lazarus” also recruits the contributions of “John Wick” series director Chad Stahelski, who designed several action sequences for the series, along with the musical talents of saxophonist Kamasi Washington; producer, DJ and musician Floating Points; and producer, DJ and musician Bonobo. The trio will provide a jazz and electronic score for the project.
Watanabe will pull the curtain back on the series at the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., as part of the Comic-Con event Toonami on the Green.
“Lazarus,” which is already in production, takes place in 2052. The series follows a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist that develops a drug called Hapuna — a cure-all...
Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, “Lazarus” also recruits the contributions of “John Wick” series director Chad Stahelski, who designed several action sequences for the series, along with the musical talents of saxophonist Kamasi Washington; producer, DJ and musician Floating Points; and producer, DJ and musician Bonobo. The trio will provide a jazz and electronic score for the project.
Watanabe will pull the curtain back on the series at the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., as part of the Comic-Con event Toonami on the Green.
“Lazarus,” which is already in production, takes place in 2052. The series follows a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist that develops a drug called Hapuna — a cure-all...
- 7/20/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Coming-of-age is a genre that's both intimate and relatable to anyone who went through a turbulent adolescence. In simple terms, coming-of-age narratives depict a protagonist's journey from childhood to adulthood. Yet, on an emotional level, such a simple premise has more depth and nuance than any other genre. The transitional period of adolescence is one of the most crucial in a person's life.
While coming of age, one firmly builds their identity and comes to terms with who they are but also faces the first cruelties of the adult world. Leaving one's childhood behind can be both heartbreaking and hopeful, as it opens the person up to the opportunities of maturity. Coming-of-age anime is a helpful tool for adolescent viewers to find comfort during this lonesome process. And, for those who have long since stepped into the adult world, the best coming-of-age stories in anime offer melancholic nostalgia unique to the genre.
While coming of age, one firmly builds their identity and comes to terms with who they are but also faces the first cruelties of the adult world. Leaving one's childhood behind can be both heartbreaking and hopeful, as it opens the person up to the opportunities of maturity. Coming-of-age anime is a helpful tool for adolescent viewers to find comfort during this lonesome process. And, for those who have long since stepped into the adult world, the best coming-of-age stories in anime offer melancholic nostalgia unique to the genre.
- 7/17/2023
- by Maria Remizova
- Comic Book Resources
Mappa has made history with Yuri!!! on Ice in the most baffling fashion.
Studio Mappa, the animation and production studio behind works such as Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, recently and inexplicably uploaded the opening song for Yuri!!! on Ice -- seven years after the series premiered in 2016. The upload confused fans and sent many into a panic as they believed Mappa finally had news about Yuri!!! on Ice's movie Ice Adolescence, only to find out it was simply an upload of "History Maker." The opening has garnered over 27,000 views since its upload as of this article's writing.
Related: Yuri!!! on Ice Fan Shows Love for Victor's Precious Heart-Shaped Smile
TVアニメ「ユーリ!!! on Ice」 OPムービーをMAPPA CHANNELで公開! 今回は、2016年制作「ユーリ!!! on Ice」から 「History Maker」Dean FUJIOKAhttps://t.co/Iz0oKVInn3#yurionice #Mappa pic.twitter.com/X1Vxf6G3TF — Mappa (@MAPPA_Info) June 28, 2023
One Yuri!!! on...
Studio Mappa, the animation and production studio behind works such as Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, recently and inexplicably uploaded the opening song for Yuri!!! on Ice -- seven years after the series premiered in 2016. The upload confused fans and sent many into a panic as they believed Mappa finally had news about Yuri!!! on Ice's movie Ice Adolescence, only to find out it was simply an upload of "History Maker." The opening has garnered over 27,000 views since its upload as of this article's writing.
Related: Yuri!!! on Ice Fan Shows Love for Victor's Precious Heart-Shaped Smile
TVアニメ「ユーリ!!! on Ice」 OPムービーをMAPPA CHANNELで公開! 今回は、2016年制作「ユーリ!!! on Ice」から 「History Maker」Dean FUJIOKAhttps://t.co/Iz0oKVInn3#yurionice #Mappa pic.twitter.com/X1Vxf6G3TF — Mappa (@MAPPA_Info) June 28, 2023
One Yuri!!! on...
- 7/2/2023
- by Hilary Leung
- Comic Book Resources
The one anime series that I'm most excited about this spring is "Skip and Loafer." The source manga tells the tale of Mitsumi Iwakura, an ambitious teenage girl from the country who moves to Tokyo for high school. There she meets the easygoing Sosuke Shima, and the two of them slowly build a close-knit network of friends that includes local mean girl Mika Egashira, bookish Makoto Kurame, and independent-minded Yuzuki Murashige. Each of them is as different as can be, and yet despite bad early impressions, they find a common cause in each other. "Skip and Loafer" is too good-natured to be a "realistic" high school story. But it is successful at evoking the texture of adolescence in its banality, complexity, and sweetness.
"Skip and Loafer" is also the first anime in years to be directed and scripted by the great Kotomi Deai, who has now been active in the...
"Skip and Loafer" is also the first anime in years to be directed and scripted by the great Kotomi Deai, who has now been active in the...
- 3/12/2023
- by Adam Wescott
- Slash Film
It was a good day for both Hirokazu Koreeda’s Palme d’Or winner “Shoplifters” as well as Kazuya Shiraishi’s crime thriller “The Blood of Wolves” who both managed to clean up at the 42nd Japan Academy Awards.
For a second year running, a Koreeda film managed to win most awards on the night, with “Shoplifters” picking up a total of eight awards.
The other big winner of the night was “The Blood of Wolves”, which, despite fierce competition in most of the categories in won in from Shoplifters” and others, managed to pick up an impressive four awards, including two for its male leading duo. The other two films to get a look-in were Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai” and Shinichiru Ueda’s “One Cut of the Dead“.
Check out all the winners below:s
Best Film: Shoplifters (Hirokazu Koreeda)
Best Animated Film: Mirai (Mamoru Hosoda)
Best Director: Hirokazu Koreeda...
For a second year running, a Koreeda film managed to win most awards on the night, with “Shoplifters” picking up a total of eight awards.
The other big winner of the night was “The Blood of Wolves”, which, despite fierce competition in most of the categories in won in from Shoplifters” and others, managed to pick up an impressive four awards, including two for its male leading duo. The other two films to get a look-in were Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai” and Shinichiru Ueda’s “One Cut of the Dead“.
Check out all the winners below:s
Best Film: Shoplifters (Hirokazu Koreeda)
Best Animated Film: Mirai (Mamoru Hosoda)
Best Director: Hirokazu Koreeda...
- 3/3/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment aims for gold with a sports anime that will melt your heart on the ice rink. Bring home the revolutionary fan favourite Yuri!!! On Ice, with the complete series available as a DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack from September 24.
The series’ depiction of figure skating and the relationship of its lead characters earned acclaim from anime critics and sporting professionals alike, including three-time U.S. national champion and Lgbtq activist Johnny Weir. Yuri!!! On Ice also won all seven categories it was nominated for in Crunchyroll’s inaugural 2016 The Anime Awards, including Best Couple and Anime of the Year.
Directed by Sayo Yamamoto (Michiko & Hatchin) at the Japanese animation studio Mappa (Kids on the Slope), Yuri!!! On Ice features choreography by former professional figure skater Kenji Miyamoto.
Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Durarara!!!) stars as Yuri Katsuki, alongside Junichi Suwabe (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works) as Victor Nikiforov.
The series’ depiction of figure skating and the relationship of its lead characters earned acclaim from anime critics and sporting professionals alike, including three-time U.S. national champion and Lgbtq activist Johnny Weir. Yuri!!! On Ice also won all seven categories it was nominated for in Crunchyroll’s inaugural 2016 The Anime Awards, including Best Couple and Anime of the Year.
Directed by Sayo Yamamoto (Michiko & Hatchin) at the Japanese animation studio Mappa (Kids on the Slope), Yuri!!! On Ice features choreography by former professional figure skater Kenji Miyamoto.
Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Durarara!!!) stars as Yuri Katsuki, alongside Junichi Suwabe (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works) as Victor Nikiforov.
- 9/11/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
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