GamingAngels recently had a chance to catch up with CrunchyRoll, a website dedicated to bringing anime and Eastern television shows to Western audiences. Keith Kawamura, the brand manager of the site was more than happy to answer our questions for subscribers.

GamingAngels: What inspired you to create a streaming site for Anime/Eastern Drama?

Keith Kawamura: This Crunchyroll community is amazingly passionate about their interest in anime and Asian entertainment. Our continued goal is to bring fans all over the world together, strengthen the community and create a way to make the physical world as we know it, a little smaller and intimate through the legal distribution of anime and Asian content. In doing so, perhaps we can develop a greater sense of understanding and awareness throughout.

How did you guys get started? What were some of the first shows streamed on the site?

Crunchyroll began its operation in 2006 and started simulcasting Anime titles in 2008. Some of the first titles we showcased were GDH’s LINEBARRELS OF IRON and Directions’ TIME OF EVE. We also started featuring a myriad of other content like RAMEN FIGHTER MIKI, EGG MAN and BLASSREITER.

Do you have any favorite anime or television shows you watch on the site?

Well, now that the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN story arc is back on track we’ve been watching that, as well as the ending of the Arrancar: Downfall saga on BLEACH. Most recently we’ve been checking out GOSICK – which has this amazing detective-mystery storyline – and BEEZLEBUB – which is just hilarious if you’re really interested in Japanese style humor. There are honestly too many titles to list.

Anime and video games typically go hand-in-hand in today’s culture; Do you have any video games you enjoy?

We all have our different interests in gaming, so if you were to draw a Venn diagram, you would probably see League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Star Craft 2 and Dragon Age, as well as console games like Grand Turismo 5 and God of War all hanging out in the middle section.

Do you have any plans to further expand content or any other areas of the site in 2011?

Our goal is to feature 100% of the content from Japan, and eventually from all of Asia – ranging from TV shows to movies. While we are constantly trying to progress forward in that effort, so we’ll see where 2011 will take us!

We saw that you recently acquired DVD distribution rights for”5 Centimeters Per Second.” Can we expect any other DVD or Blu-Ray releases from you?

Hopefully!

There have been complaints about the Crunchyroll iPad App. What problems have you run into while streaming shows to iPad owners, and will there be any adjustments soon? Is the iPad difficult to work with?

We take feedback from our community very seriously and constantly work on the application everyday with all parties involved and continue our efforts to improve it. We definitely appreciate everyone’s support and patience throughout this entire process.

Compared to other Anime streaming sites, what does Crunchyroll offer that others don’t?

What we offer more than anything else is the experience of being on a platform that features a myriad of Asian content ranging from anime to Korean and Chinese dramas; from Japanese horror flicks to autocross videos. On top of that, airing a variety of brand new anime episodes within one hour of Japanese broadcast makes Crunchyroll the premier location to access content as soon as it airs. Moreover, being part of a worldwide community that is interested in the same things that you are interested in, helps make this a truly robust experience.

Do you have anything else you’d like to add, or a message for fans and subscribers of the site?

As always, we want to thank everyone out there who has, and continually, supports Crunchyroll and our efforts to empower both the user and creators of content in Asia. Thanks to you we are able to provide you with the best possible service we can and continually expand and evolve the way that the rest of the world views videos. If you’re new, please check us out at www.crunchyroll.com/freetrial

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Thank you to CrunchyRoll and Keith Kawamura for answering our questions. I would definitely suggest checking out the site, if you’re a fan of anime and interested in a streaming site with high quality streams for a nominal subscription fee.

VIZ Media is proud to present VizAnime.com. A website recently launched that will premiere with over 400 episodes of VIZ’s most popular shows, including Bleach, Naruto Shippuden, Death Note, Inuyasha and Prince of Tennis.

The website will be completely free to use and have a customizable interface for users as well.

“A variety of interactive social networking tools and features also help foster an official online home and community for VIZ Media anime fans allowing them to connect on and discuss favorite shows, and offer ratings and opinions of various episodes.

Users can “follow” as many series as they like and choose to be notified each time a new episode is released, as well as keep track of the last episode they’ve watched. This makes it easy to stay current on series like INUYASHA or NARUTO, which feature more than 100 episodes.”

Check out VIZMedia.com and VIZAnime.com for more details.

I don’t know a lot about Nick Simmons other than he’s the son of Kiss guitarist, Gene Simmons. Nick is trying his hand at comics with his “original creation”, Incarnate. The blog, Topless Robot, found the pic above and pointed out that Nick Simmons’ Incarnate looks similar to the popular manga, Bleach. Bleach is on the left and Nick’s images are on the right.

Fans called Nick out very quickly with a Facebook fan page. Nick joined the fan page and had some interesting quotes.

“I have no idea how people are saying my comic looks like that bleach magma. My book is in color and the other is not. My book reads left to right… the other reads right to left. Besides some vague similarities, they’re nothing alike. I put my heart and soul into my book – great story and awesome characters… yet people are trying to pull me down. And NO… I didn’t trace or copy other peoples work. Most of these photos are starting to look like photoshop manipulations to make me look bad. You can’t trust everything you see on the Internet.”

Nick and his dad are looking into a lawsuit against the Facebook group, but Radical Publishing, the publishers of the comic, are taking the time to look into the claims. They released the statement below:

“We at Radical Publishing, Inc. and Radical Comics, Inc. are quite concerned to hear the news surrounding Nick Simmons’s Incarnate Comic Book. We are taking this matter seriously and making efforts now to contact the publishers of the works in question in an effort to resolve this matter. We have halted further production and distribution of the “Incarnate” comic book and trade paperback until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. Rest assured that Radical is taking swift action regarding this matter and will continue in its efforts to maintain the integrity and protect the intellectual property of artists throughout the world whose creative works are the bedrock of our Company and the comic book industry.”

Here is a list of releases for you (with obligatory story plots to follow):

• NANA Uncut Box Set 3 (Rated ‘M’ for Mature. Price: $59.90 US/ $85.99 CAN – Available Feb 2nd)

Love can mend your life–but will it tear the Nanas apart? Nana K. is happily involved with Takumi from Trapnest, though she doesn’t fully trust him. Nana O. graciously stays away from the apartment for a while, and both Nanas feel the loneliness of their separation. Then in the midst of Blast preparing to sign their first record deal, Nobu makes a surprise confession to Nana K. Now she must make a difficult choice, and someone’s heart is bound to be broken.

• NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 6 (Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens – Price: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN – Available February 9)

While Naruto and Kakashi chase after Deidara, Sakura and Granny Chiyo together take on Sasori of the Red Sand. Sasori’s masterful puppetry allows him to use the jutsu of the person he’s transformed into a puppet, forcing Sakura and Chiyo to face the power of the Third Kazekage. But with Chiyo’s guidance, Sakura learns to read Sasori’s moves, and the training she received from Tsunade turns out to be invaluable as the attacks grow ever more fierce!

• BLEACH Uncut Box Set 4 Part 2 (Rated ‘T’ for Teens – Price: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN – Available February 16, pictured above)

The battle against the evil Bounts grows wider and fiercer as Ichigo and friends, reinforced by a group of Soul Reapers, try to take the fight to their hideout. But the Bounts have many tricks up their sleeves, and it looks like certain defeat for Ichigo and his comrades. Uryu, who had lost his Quincy powers, is the key to the Bount leader Kariya’s plans for revenge against the Soul Society, as well as the key to his defeat. Will Uryu be able to regain his powers in time to save his friends?

• NARUTO Uncut Season 2 Volume 1 (Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens – Price: $39.97 US / $57.99 CAN – Available February 16)

Before the final round of the Chunin Exam, Naruto receives some special training from the legendary Toad Sage, Jiraiya. When the battles resume, Naruto is ready, but what about Sasuke? He’s about to face the one ninja no one, not even Naruto, thinks he can beat. But in the midst of everything, a sinister plot is set in motion, and the Village Hidden in the Leaves finds itself under attack!

• BLEACH Volume 25 (Rated ‘T’ for Teens – Price: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN – Available February 23)

Jin Kariya, the leader of the Bounts, arrives at the Department of Research and Development and quickly dispatches the guards there. He has come to find the Bount Crest known as Jokaisho, which has the power to blow all of the Seireitei away, and only Ichigo and Chad stand in his way. Meanwhile, Uryu confronts the Bount Yoshi with his new Quincy powers, but he finds them difficult to control as he desperately tries to defend himself from the attacks of his ruthless opponent!

For more info on all of these releases, you can visit www.viz.com. If you’re specifically interested in the NANA series, visit www.NANA.viz.com. For Naruto, visit www.NARUTO.com. And finally for Bleach, visit www.BLEACH.viz.com.

Available in January 2010 listed by Date:

January 12th:
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 5
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN

Team Guy and Team Kakashi finally reach the Akatsuki hideout, only to encounter a tricky five-seal barrier that triggers an even stranger trap. While Team Guy face some pretty tough opponents–themselves!–Kakashi and Naruto must take off after Deidara who has absconded with Gaara. Sakura and Granny Chiyo are left behind to confront Sasori of the Red Sand. Granny Chiyo may be the only one with the ability to see through his many complex traps and skilled puppetry, but even one scratch from his poisoned weapons could mean instant death!

January 19th:
BLEACH Volume 24
Rated ‘T’ for Teens
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN

Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is assigned to lead the defense of the Soul Society and mobilize the Soul Reapers to find and kill the intruding Bounts. But the Bount leader Jin Kariya has gathered a huge mob of ruffians and plans to use them in his quest for revenge. Meanwhile, it is discovered that Maki Ichinose, the banished Soul Reaper helping the Bounts, has infiltrated the Seireitei and has been secretly manipulating their data. What strategies will play out, and how can Ichigo and his allies stop them?

January 26th:
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Standard & Special Edition Box Sets 1
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN

Naruto Uzumaki is back! After two and a half years of training on the road with Jiraiya of the Sannin, Naruto is back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, and he’s ready to show off his new skills. He and Sakura team up to take on their old master Kakashi, who’s pretty impressed with their progress. They’ll have plenty of opportunity to put it into action when news arrives from the Sand Village that Gaara, Naruto’s former rival and now Kazekage of the Sand, has been kidnapped! And the culprits are the very same group who are after Naruto–the Akatsuki! The Special Edition Box Set features 13 episodes on 3 discs and also includes a collectible NARUTO Shippuden Mininja figure.

The Standard Edition is the DVD-only collection featuring 13 episodes from the hit series on 3 discs not including the collectible figure.

POKÉMON ELEMENTS, Volume 7: Psychic & Volume 8: Dragon
Rated ‘A’ for All Ages
MSRP: $9.98 US/ $14.99 CAN

Following the POKÉMON All Star series set, the POKÉMON: ELEMENTS collection consists of the most important episodes commemorating the different types of Pokémon characters. Each disc showcases a Pokémon type with three all-time favorite episodes.

Honey and Clover © 2005 CHICA UMINO/SHUEISHA • Honey and Clover committee

The Viz HQ is up and running again this week after some flooding shut down the office for a couple days. There are some great DVD sets and movies coming out in December that they would like to make sure you keep in mind for your holiday wishlists.

Naoki Urasawa’s Monster Box Set 1 (Episodes 1-15) on December 1st

Hunter X Hunter Box Set 4 (Episodes47-62) on December 1st

Naruto Shippuden Volume 4 (Episodes 14-17) on December 8th

Honey & Clover Box Set 2 (13 Uncut Episodes) on December 15th

Bleach Volume 23 (Episodes 92-95) on December 15th

20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End Movie on December 15th

OK, maybe NOT a showdown but they are certainly making us spoiled for choice this coming holiday season. VIZ Media keeps on shelling out the goods for November’s stellar line-up, and the latest tidbit that appeared in my inbox is sure to set some mouths drooling!

Only those who are addicted to NARUTO, POKÉMON, BLEACH and NANA will be the happiest of those reading this. Be prepared for some new additions to your collection – or printout a list and leave it lying around for your loved ones to see as a subtle hint. OK, so getting on with it – what’s in store for your collection? I hope you’re comfortable.

If you’re a NARUTO buff, prepare yourself for 3 attacks on your wallet – NARUTO Shippuden The Movie, NARUTO Shippuden (Volume 3), and NARUTO UNCUT (Season 1, Volume 2). You can read about the NARUTO Shippuden movie here, but what about NARUTO Shippuden (Volume 3) and NARUTO UNCUT?

NARUTO Shippuden (Volume 3) sees Team Kakashi having to save Gaara of the Sand, who has been kidnapped. Sakura impresses everyone with her medic ninja skills which she uses on Kankuro, while Granny Chiyo of the Sand decides to accompany the rescue team on their search for Gaara. But as they are making their way towards the Akatsuki lair, what happens when they bump into their old enemy Itachi Uchiha?

NARUTO UNCUT (Season 1, Volume 2) has Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura enduring deadly foes and dark powers as the Chunin Exams in the Forest of Death are raging on. They are searching for the Heaven and Earth scrolls, however Sasuke needs to watch himself – evil is after him! To make matters even better, the genin must take each other on in one-to-one battles – but will Naruto be able to withstand the pressure of not only facing his friends, but winning?

BLEACH aficionados prepare yourselves for BLEACH UNCUT (Box Set 4, Part 1) and BLEACH Volume 22.

BLEACH UNCUT (Box Set 4, Part 1) has Ichigo and his friends returning to the World of the Living from the Soul Society, and attempting to get back to normality. But when abductions start to occur, it’s up to them to figure out what’s going on. And Soul Reapers arrive to find out more about a clan known as Bounts. Will they all be able to stop the Bount leader from stealing peoples souls and continue to feed his ambitions?

BLEACH Volume 22 has the Soul Reapers sticking around, including Rangiku Matsumoto. They are around to help battle the Bounts. When they enter the clans cave hideout it’s soon realised they’ve wandered into a trap, and Ichigo and friends have to come to the rescue. When Ichigo comes face to face with the Bount leader Kariya, he needs to call upon his bankai if he wants to survive. And finally, Uryû must recover his lost powers as well.

POKÉMON devotees can get their next instalments in the POKÉMON: ELEMENTS series, Volume 5: Ice and Volume 6: Dark, soon. Each volume is dedicated to an element type and contains 3 episodes.

POKÉMON: ELEMENTS Volume 5: Ice contains the episodes “Freeze Frame“, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snorunt!“, and “Spring Fever“. POKÉMON: ELEMENTS Volume 6: Dark contains the episodes “Absol-ute Disaster“, “Pop Goes The Sneasel“, and “A Bite to Remember“.

NANA fans get the next volume in the NANA BOX SET (Volume 2), which sees Nana K.’s Tokyo experiment put into jeopardy when she becomes strapped for cash and her relationship with Shoji hits some turbulence. Nana O’s love life is also in the spotlight with a reunion with her ex, Ren from Trapnest. And with a close connection to her favourite band, will Nana K. meet Takumi, the man of her dreams?

So here is your check-list:

• NARUTO Shippuden The Movie comes out November 10th and is $24.92US/$35.99CAN, rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens.
• NARUTO Shippuden (Volume 3) comes out November 24th and is $24.92US/$35.99CAN, rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens.
• NARUTO UNCUT (Season 1, Volume 2) comes out November 24th and is $39.97US/$57.99CAN, rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens.
• BLEACH UNCUT (Box Set 4, Part 1) comes out November 3rd and is $49.95US/$71.99CAN, rated ‘T’ for Teens.

• BLEACH Volume 22 comes out November 17th and is $24.92US/$35.99CAN, rated ‘T’ for Teens.
• POKÉMON: ELEMENTS Volume 5: Ice comes out November 24th and is $9.98US/$14.99CAN, rated ‘A’ for All Ages.
• POKÉMON: ELEMENTS Volume 6: Dark comes out November 24th and is $9.98US/$14.99CAN, rated ‘A’ for All Ages.
• NANA BOX SET (Volume 2) comes out November 24th and is $59.90US/$85.99CAN, rated ‘M’ for Mature.

So that’s what is coming out in November thanks to VIZ Media. I hope you’ve been good this year!

This time Ichigo Kurosaki must discover what has happened to the Ouin and Toshiro Hitsugaya when they both go missing. Suspected of treason, Hitsugaya’s life has been put at risk when the Soul Society wants Ichigo to capture and execute him. Determined to prove Hitsugaya is not to blame for the Ouin’s disappearance, Ichigo sets out on his search for them both. Can he save them and the Soul Society as well?

Brian Ige, VIZ Media Director of Sales, Home Entertainment:
“BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion is the next exciting feature film in the ongoing BLEACH saga and the new DVD release also includes lots of great extras such as the original Japanese production extras and trailers, a production art gallery, a Japanese movie booklet and both English and Japanese audio,” says Brian. “We know many fans have eagerly awaited this release and the action and drama reach new heights as Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki risks his life to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of Toshiro Hitsugaya. For fans of the popular BLEACH manga and anime series, this is definitely an adventure not to be missed.”

If you would like more information, please visit VIZ’s official Bleach site at http://www.bleach.viz.com/ or VIZ’s own site http://www.viz.com/. You can also catch episodes of Bleach on SONY PlayStation VIZ Media channel, Amazon Unbox, XBOX Live, iTunes, and hulu.com. “BLEACH THE MOVIE 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion” is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and can be expected to cost around $29.92 US or $49.99 CAN.

Image: (C) Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, Pierrot (C) BMP 2007

The movie will actually have a theatrical release in major cities throughout North America this summer. The DVD release will be available just in time for the holidays.

“We are extremely excited to announce the domestic license for BLEACH THE MOVIE: MEMORIES OF NOBODY,” says Liza Coppola, Sr. Vice President, VIZ Media. “BLEACH has emerged as one of the most popular animated, manga and video game properties in North America and the release of this film will no doubt captivate millions of avid fans. Filled with riveting animation and spectacular battle scenes featuring all the major characters, BLEACH THE MOVIE is ideally suited for a theatrical presentation and we look forward to making it a summer filled with epic action as this film makes its way to theatres in major markets throughout North America.”