Anime News - Onigamiden to Make its U.S. Premiere at Anime Expo

According to the online schedule for the Anime Expo convention in Los Angeles, Sony Pictures' Onigamiden film is scheduled to make its American premiere at the convention on July 1.

Animated by Studio Pierrot, Onigamiden revolves around the war between oni (demons) and humans in the former Japanese capital of Kyoto, 1,200 years ago during the Heian period. Directed by Hirotsugu Kawasaki, the movie is an adaptation of a 2004, two-volume novel by the same name from author Takafumi Takada. The movie opened in Japan on April 29.

A 30-minute introductory panel will be held prior to Onigamiden screening.

The North American anime distributor Bandai Entertainment will screen The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiyaand Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer at the convention. Both films will be premiering their English dub. Bandai will release Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer on DVD and Blu-ray on July 5.

The convention will also screen a preview of Supernatural: The Anime Series, and will host the world premiere of Gonzo's Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing television anime series. Warner Bros. Television will release Supernatural: The Anime Series on Blu-ray and DVD on July 26. Funimation announced on Wednesday that it licensed Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing in the United States.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip.

(animenewsnetwork.com)

Yet another reason I hate living in Florida. Okay, I love [Central] Florida, but I can't say that I'm kinda peeved that that we don't get a convention as huge as Anime Expo. By huge, I mean, X Japan making appearances. I would have killed to see that, honestly. You see, yeah, we have Megacon, and that is a solid convention, but that isn't quite an anime convention, it's moreso a comics/anime/gaming/larping convention. What about Anime Festival Orlando, Supercon, Metrocon, or Zonacon? While I do enjoy them, that is not quite the issue I'm talking about here!!! >=( There are big conventions in some worse parts of this country! (just kidding, all)

Adding to my anger, may I ask a question to the convention gods? Why in the hell do we not have an established gaming convention? Otronicon, seriously? I'm getting peeved at seeing my buddies go to PAX and E3.

Sorry for the rant. On topic, I am really stoked about this movie. I accidentally came across it when I was searching in the "O" section of animenewsnetwork.com, but what I saw was promise. After looking more into the film, and its trailer, I have a few things to say about it. One, the animation is awesome. Though some folks have told me that the art looks a bit weird (don't ask, I don't know what the hell they're talking about), I think it is great. The theme reminds me of two anime I have watched as a wee boy. One was A Chinese Ghost Story and the other was Adventure of Horus. The aforementioned Ghost Story was a fantasy title that used a lot of CG, albeit having a simple art style. Same went for Horus in a way (minus the CG. I mean, 1969, come on). Anyway, I'm going into this expecting a success. Anything other than that is a disappointment, guys. Now check out the trailer!