Fanboy.com is on Hiatus

See You Space Cowboy

I’m sorry to report that Fanboy.com is now on hiatus: We’re currently thinking of relaunching the site in the future, but for now no new stories will appear. We will still be posting links we love on a regular basis on our Facebook page so please keep in touch with us there.

I first registered this site on a lark in the 90s, but then started blogging almost 9 years ago in 2006 and found it to be a very rewarding experience. However after about 3,000 or so posts I got a bit burned out, however I was very lucky in that I found a few folks who were willing to put in the work to keep the site alive (namely Ben Huber, Bob Muir and Tim Sheehy) and to them I owe a great deal of thanks. I also would like to thank you the readers of this website for coming back to us over the past few years. In the meantime we’ll keep this site up for anyone who would like to see our old stories until further notice.

 

Dragon Ball Super To Air In Japan This July

Posted by Bob Muir on Apr 29, 2015 in Anime, Television

Dragon Ball Z

After 18 years, Dragon Ball returns to the airwaves with a new TV series, Dragon Ball Super. With interest in the franchise surging thanks to the two recent movies, this is the perfect time to see a new ongoing series. But will it be another Dragon Ball GT, the anime follow-up to Dragon Ball Z with the least involvement from creator Akira Toriyama? That’s too soon to tell, but it’s a positive sign that Toriyama is involved with “original story and character concepts.” It’s set a few years after the defeat of Majin Buu at the end of DBZ. And seeing as the two recent movies are also set after Majin Buu’s defeat, I guess we’re all assuming that DBGT didn’t happen. Which is just fine, really. Read more…

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English-Subtitled Trailer Released For The Boy And The Beast

Posted by Bob Muir on Apr 23, 2015 in Anime, Cinema

 

After releasing films like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and Wolf Children, Mamoru Hosada has established himself as one of the best directors of anime films. His creativity, skill, and attention to detail make for outstanding cinema, especially in a field that has lost luminaries like Hayao Miyazaki (retired) and Satoshi Kon. His next film, The Boy and The Beast, has a new English-subtitled trailer, courtesy of Australian distributor Madman. It tells the story of a boy who falls into a parallel beast world and is raised and trained by one of the beasts. The animation already looks outstanding, so check it out! Read more…

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Check Out Arc System Works’ Dragon Ball Z Fighter

Posted by Bob Muir on Apr 21, 2015 in Anime, Videogames

Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden

There have been some enjoyable Dragon Ball Z fighting games over the years, as various developers took their turn with the classic anime series. But Arc System Works, who is known for their “anime fighters” like Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, hasn’t made a DBZ game since Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 on DS. They’re returning to the series with Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden, which just had a demo released in Japan, giving us our first good look at the gameplay (below). While not as high-res as their console fighting games, it looks like a fun fighter with good artwork. Here’s hoping it’s better received than their previous DBZ fighters.
Read more…

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Sony Nabs Robotech, Planning Film Franchise

Posted by Ben Huber on Mar 27, 2015 in Anime, Cinema

robotech

Warner Bros. has toyed around with the idea of doing a Robotech film for a long time, but never really got anywhere. Now, Sony has taken over the reigns, and plans to move quickly to start up what they hope to be a successful film franchise. Gianni Nunnari and Mark Canton are producing (they produced 300) and Michael Gordon is writing the script (he previously wrote G.I. Joe and… 300 too). As anime fans might know, there’s quite the history between Harmony Gold (the company that licensed the popular anime series Macross and re-edited it into Robotech) and the fanbase. However, my main concern is if the film can be any good… Read more…

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Spirited Away Finally Coming To Blu-ray In North America

Posted by Bob Muir on Mar 26, 2015 in Anime, Cinema

Spirited Away

Ever since the first Studio Ghibli movie came out on Blu-ray, I’ve been waiting for Spirited Away to come out. It’s only been available on DVD since its US release in 2003, while it’s been available on Blu-ray in Japan since last year. That’s set to change, according to this new listing on Amazon, which official-looking box art. The Cat Returns also has a listing, helping to fill out the Blu-ray releases for their entire catalog. There are no release dates listed yet, but it’s just good to know that Disney, the official US distributor, hasn’t forgotten the second film to win Best Animated Feature. Hopefully it’s out by this summer! Read more…

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Get Your First Look At The ‘Attack On Titan’ Movie

Posted by Bob Muir on Mar 19, 2015 in Anime, Cinema

Attack on Titan

I’m sure most fans of Attack on Titan would rather have a second season of the popular anime. But until that happens, this live-action movie is looking pretty good! The first footage showed up on a Japanese show, and if you look under all the visual clutter that makes up many Japanese shows, you can get a glimpse of what the movie will look like. And it looks pretty great! It won’t make the wait for the second season any easier, but at least this movie seems like a faithful adaptation. Read more…

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First Gundam: The Origin Footage Shows The Early War Period

Posted by Bob Muir on Feb 19, 2015 in Anime

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

Gundam fans who love the Universal Century timeline (i.e. most of the classic series) have been waiting for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, the four-episode OVA that retells the original series, focusing on Char Aznable’s life. The 35th anniversary production has a scene at the pivotal Battle of Loum, where Char earned the nickname “The Red Comet,” and the clip below shows part of that battle. I would have preferred less CGI, but this fight does look good, retaining the older anime art style with modern animation. The first episode is out in March in Japan, but a Blu-ray is due out in April, as well as a streaming option. Read more…

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One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 Adds Even More Characters

Posted by Bob Muir on Feb 10, 2015 in Anime, Videogames

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3

The first One Piece: Pirate Warriors was a fairly enjoyable game, but certain story arcs from the manga were conspicuously absent. Some of those characters and areas were included in the sequel, but that game had an original story. So now we have One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 for PS3, PS4, and Vita, which adds in a lot of those missing elements, most notably Thriller Bark and the fight against Gekko Moriah. I’m interested in playing a more complete version, and I know there are other improvements, going by this trailer. But seeing as so much of this stuff was in the first game, it’s hard to get as enthusiastic about its release. If I find more interest in it, the game is coming out in Japan in March, in the US sometime this summer, and in Europe before the end of 2015.
Read more…

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Mexican Company Selling Dragon Ball Z Sneakers

Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 27, 2015 in Anime

Dragon Ball Z shoes

Look at these freaking shoes. The Mexican clothing company Heredia Clothing is putting out these Dragon Ball Z sneakers, inspired by Vegeta, Goku, and Trunks. They’re coming out at 400 pesos (about $27), which isn’t too bad, but there is no way you’d catch me wearing these things. They’re way too bright! Still, if you want your feet to feel like Super Sayin feet, maybe you’d enjoy them more than I would. Read more…

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GKIDS Picks Up Last Ghibli Film For US Release

Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 15, 2015 in Anime, Cinema

When Marnie Was There

Disney has first pass at releasing Studio Ghibli’s films, but lately it seems that if Hayao Miyazaki isn’t directing, they’re not as interested. GKIDS stepped in to release From Up on Poppy Hill and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. It seems they’re doing it one more time for When Marnie Was There, the most recent and possibly last film from the famed anime studio. GKIDS is planning a spring 2015 theatrical release and the usual award submissions; the distributor also purchased the home video and TV rights, so expect a Blu-ray release later this year. Read more…

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Third Persona 3 Movie Teased For April Release

Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 14, 2015 in Anime, Cinema, Videogames

Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down

The theatrical adaptation of Persona 3 continues with Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down. The anime movie will be released in Japan on April 4, only a few months from now. It’s not yet clear whether there will be a fourth film or if Falling Down is the final film in the series, but judging by this new teaser, we’re getting close to the end. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting on a Western release for the second movie in the series, Midsummer Knight’s Dream. Seeing as it will be out on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan on March 11, I predict a release later this year. Read more…

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Scarlett Johansson To Star In Ghost In The Shell Remake

Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 6, 2015 in Anime, Cinema

Ghost in the Shell

It’s not that I’m against DreamWorks making a Ghost in the Shell live-action remake. The original manga has been translated into various anime forms, from movies to TV shows to reboots, so the series has proven to be mutable enough that live-action could work. It’s that I’m against the kind of movie Hollywood would make. Having Rupert Sanders ready to direct Bill Wheeler while Avi Arad and Steven Paul produce is alright, but the first actor has been confirmed: Scarlett Johansson will star. She’s a great actor and would make a fine Major Kusanagi, assuming she gets the lead role. But, uh, the character is Japanese, not white. Read more…

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FUNimation To Stream Samurai Warriors Anime Adaptation

Posted by Bob Muir on Jan 1, 2015 in Anime, Videogames

Samurai Warriors

FUNimation already has the rights to Sengoku Basara, an adaptation of a Dynasty Warriors-style game about feudal Japan. So I suppose it just makes sense for them to lock down the rights to a similar anime. Samurai Warriors (Sengoku Musou in Japan) is an adaptation of a Dynasty Warriors spin-off game about feudal Japan. It sounds like a rip-off, but considering that not only Samurai Warriors, but also Dynasty Warriors came before Sengoku Basara, it’s safe from such accusations. The anime starts on January 11, 2015, on the FUNimation Streaming Service. You have to pay a cheap subscription rate, but you can also use a 14-day free trial, even at the end of the series, so you can binge it all in one go. Read more…

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One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X Is First Third-Party Amiibo Game

Posted by Bob Muir on Dec 25, 2014 in Anime, Videogames

One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X

So far, all the games that use Amiibo, the Skylanders-like toys that unlock in-game bonuses, are published by Nintendo. But the upcoming One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X for 3DS will be the first third-party game to include Amiibo support. The toys will unlock costumes for the various fighters that transform them into the same Nintendo characters. So tapping the Mario Amiibo will give main character Luffy a Mario outfit. These aren’t simple reskins, but fully-designed costumes that look more creative than I’d expect. The trailer below shows off the Smash Bros.-like fighting action, with the Amiibo details showing up near the end. Read more…

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New Trailer For The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 23, 2014 in Anime, Cinema

kingdom

He means it! The upcoming documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness will be particularly compelling due to Hayao Miyazaki’s recent retirement, as it goes in-depth about the making of The Wind Rises and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. It’s an amazing look at how Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki, and Isao Takahata make films. Especially since Miyazaki retired during the period the documentary covers, it’s fascinating to see the way that it affects the studio. The film is already out in Japan, but it’ll be showing in some theaters later this month, with a wide VOD release in late January. Trailer below! Read more…

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New Character Posters For Live-Action Attack on Titan

Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 21, 2014 in Anime, Cinema

attackontitan2-thumb-630xauto-51830

As you may have heard, a live-action Japanese adaption of Attack on Titan is coming summer of next year. They’ve been announcing the cast now, and to promote them Toho has released character posters for all of the main characters. In addition to your favorites like Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, there are also seven new characters and some new enemies, too. I’m hoping the special effects are good, as Japanese FX studios usually aren’t quite as impressive as what some Hollywood studios can put out. However, they’ve been improving rapidly and this could be a great movie to show off on. Check out the character posters below! Read more…

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Next Dragon Ball Z Film Brings Back Frieza

Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 18, 2014 in Anime

Dragon Ball Z: Fukkatsu no F

Dragon Ball Z is getting its continued anime revivals with the original creator Akira Toriyama actively involved. The next movie has been announced: Dragon Ball Z: Fukkatsu no F, due out April 18, 2015 in Japan. The title refers to the Japanese word for resurrection, fukkatsu, and also Frieza, the most iconic villain from the long-running series. It sounds like someone is wishing him back to life, and somehow Beerus, the antagonist from the previous film, will be involved, as he is on the poster. While I’m interested in seeing Frieza come back, it’s going to be a challenge to make him menacing again without only relying on some increase to his “power level.” After his initial defeat, his subsequent appearances resulted in embarrassing further defeats. Hopefully they find something interesting to do with him. Read more…

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Latest Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire Ad Is A Short Anime

Posted by Bob Muir on Nov 18, 2014 in Anime, Videogames

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire anime trailer

Since Pokemon Black 2 & White 2, new Pokemon games have received anime teasers to sell what the game is like, but prettier. To be honest, I think they’re pretty cool, with lots of action and a tantalizing overview of some of the game’s moments. But invariably, I realize that they look too good; we’ll never get anything that cool in the Pokemon anime with dopey Ash Ketchum, the world’s least-capable Pokemon protagonist. Why can’t Nintendo do something cool with the anime like these game ads? Tell the animators to get on it! Read more…

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Watch The Dragon Dentist, Studio Khara’s First Japan Animator Expo Short

Posted by Ben Huber on Nov 8, 2014 in Anime

02_girlwork_4c

You may have heard of Studio Khara, the group of folks behind the Neon Genesis Evangelion films, founded by series creator Hideaki Anno. His studio has been working on those mostly, but recently have taken time to create several original short films. The first short films is titled The Dragon Dentist, and is a unique piece directed by novelist Otaro Maijo, who also wrote the script. It features a young girl signing up to be a “dragon dentist” to help contribute in a war, but not really knowing what she’s getting into. No embed here, but English subtitles are available: just click here and make sure “EN” is selected in the top right, and then choose “English Subtitles” below the video. I’ve included some of the concept art below the break. Read more…

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New Lupin III Series Coming In 2015

Posted by Ben Huber on Oct 20, 2014 in Anime

poiai0s

It’s time for more Lupin III! A brand new Lupin III series will be coming in 2015 to Japan… and Italy! The series will actually premiere first on Italy’s RTI channel in spring of 2015, then Japan next. It’s still early, so no news yet on where it’ll stream or air in other countries. The story of the series itself will take place in Italy and San Marino, featuring a blue-jacketed Lupin. Veteran director Kazuhide Tomonaga will be the chief director (he’s done incredible work in the past, including the iconic car chase scene in Castle of Cagliostro), Yuichiro Yano will be series director, Yuuya Takahashi will write the scripts, and production will be done by Telecom Animation Film. That’s an impressive staff, so I’m pretty excited about this new series! Read more…

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Scarlett Johansson Offered Lead Role In Ghost In The Shell

Posted by Ben Huber on Oct 18, 2014 in Anime, Cinema

scarlettjohansson

The live-action Ghost in the Shell adaption is moving forward, now that they have a director (Rupert Sanders), producers, and script. Time to start casting! Earlier in the week Margot Robbie (Wolf of Wall Street) was offered the lead role, but it fell through. Dreamworks then extended an offer to Scarlett Johansson, where it now sits. Deadline reports that offer was $10 million, Johansson’s price after her success in Lucy and as Black Widow. Sadly we’re not getting an Asian actress like Rinko Kikuchi, it seems. It’d like to see the script to see how much they’re altering the story and concept. I’m not sure if this could be good, right now. Read more…

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Naruto Manga Finally Ending In Five Weeks

Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 7, 2014 in Anime, Comic Books

Naruto

The Big Three shonen manga series has been slowly crumbling as the stories get longer and longer. The Bleach anime stopped in 2012 (though it seems they could finish it later a la InuYasha: The Final Act), and the manga has been working towards a conclusion for a while. And while the Naruto anime (Naruto Shippuden) is still going strong, Weekly Shonen Jump (which serializes all three manga) has announced that the manga will end on November 10, only five weeks away. Author Masashi Kishimoto had mentioned the manga was nearing its conclusion in 2012, so it’s not like this is unexpected or anything. But once Naruto anime winds down and the Bleach manga ends, the only surviving member of the Big Three will be One Piece. And while the manga hid its midpoint in 2010, it shows no sign of stopping any time soon. Read more…

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Hear The English Dub Of Princess Kaguya

Posted by Bob Muir on Sep 25, 2014 in Anime, Cinema

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

The previous US teaser trailer for The Tale of Princess Kaguya sure looked stunning, but we didn’t get to hear the movie’s English dub. But this new trailer fixes that problem, letting us hear the voices of Chloë Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Darren Criss, and Lucy Liu. This is currently the second-to-last film from Studio Ghibli, with just one more film awaiting international release; after that, any future movies are currently uncertain as the studio has winded down production for now. Read more…

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