Industry News: Aniplex of America Otakon Vegas 2016 Announcements

So despite Funimation not showing much (aside from the April slate), Aniplex on the other hand just showed off a bunch of new releases as well as a dub cast.

Here's the list of anime Aniplex of America will be releasing over the course of Spring 2016.

In total we have 1 film import and 3 shows getting domestic releases.

The Anthem of the Heart

Japanese title: Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda.
Release format: Japanese Import

Limited Edition (Import)
Disc Specs
Release Date: March 30th
Spoken Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English (Audio commentary and bonus contents do not include subtitles)
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: Film
Number of Discs: 2 Blu-ray discs & 1 CD
Total Run Time: approx. 120 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $104.98
Retail Price: $84.98

Limited Edition Exclusive Bonus Contents
Special Programming before Theatrical Release
Opening Day Greeting
Promotional Videos and Commercials
Audio Commentary (Tatsuyuki Nagai, Mari Okada, Masayoshi Tanaka, Koki Uchiyama)

Limited Edition Exclusive Bonus Materials
CD (Original Soundtrack, Musical Part, Special Voice Drama, etc. )
Exclusive Box and Digipack Art by Masayoshi Tanaka (Character Design)
Deluxe Booklet (Corrections by Chief Animation Director, Staff Roundtable Discussion, Visual Collections, Artsettings, etc.)
52-page Theatrical Pamphlet (Mini-sized Version)

Standard Edition (Import)
Disc Specs
Release Date: March 30th
Spoken Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English (Audio commentary do not include subtitles)
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: Film
Number of Discs: 1 Blu-ray disc
Total Run Time: approx. 120 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $69.98
Retail Price: $54.98

Durarara!!x2 Ten

Japanese title: Durarara!!x2 Ten
Release format: Single Volumes

Volume 1
Disc Specs
Release Date: March 22nd
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: 13-18 (6 eps total)
Number of Discs: 2 Blu-ray discs
Total Run Time: approx. 150 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $99.98
Retail Price: $79.98

Bonus Contents
Textless Opening and Ending (3rd Arc)

Bonus Materials & Package
16-page Deluxe Booklet
Illustration Post Cards
Package Illustrated by Takahiro Kishida (Character Design)
Clear Cases with 2-sided Wraps

Volume 2
Disc Specs
Release Date: May 24th
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: 19-24 & 13.5 (7 eps total)
Number of Discs: 2 Blu-ray discs
Total Run Time: approx. 175 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $99.98
Retail Price: $79.98

Bonus Contents
Bonus Episode 13.5

Bonus Materials & Package
16-page Deluxe Booklet
Illustration Post Cards
Package Illustrated by Takahiro Kishida (Character Design)
Clear Cases with 2-sided Wraps

Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend

Japanese title: Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata
Release format: Single Volumes

Volume 1
Disc Specs
Release Date: March 29th
Spoken Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: 00-05 (6 eps total)
Number of Discs: 2 Blu-ray discs
Total Run Time: approx. 150 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $74.98
Retail Price: $59.98

Bonus Contents
Textless Opening & Ending
Promo Videos
Web Previews

Bonus Materials & Package
Illustration Post Cards
Package Illustrated by Kurehito Misaki (Original Character Design)
Clear BD Cases with 2-sided Wraps

Volume 2
Disc Specs
Release Date: May 31st
Spoken Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: 06-12 (7 eps total)
Number of Discs: 2 Blu-ray discs
Total Run Time: approx. 175 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $89.98
Retail Price: $69.98

Bonus Contents
Web Previews

Bonus Materials & Package
Illustration Post Cards
Package Illustrated by Kurehito Misaki (Original Character Design)
Clear BD Cases with 2-sided Wraps

Your lie in April

Japanese title: Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
Release format: Season Volumes

Volume 1
Disc Specs
Release Date: March 29th
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: 01-11 (11 eps total)
Number of Discs: 3 Blu-ray discs
Total Run Time: approx. 250 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $159.98
Retail Price: $129.98

Bonus Contents
Textless Opening
Textless Ending
Audio Commentary by English Cast (Ep.1)

Bonus Materials & Package
Original Soundtrack CD Vol.1 by Masaru Yokoyama (Music Composer)
Collectable Postcards
Box Illustration by Naoshi Arakawa (Original Creator)
BD Case Cover Illustration by Yukiko Aikei (Character Design)

Volume 2
Disc Specs
Release Date: May 31st
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: 12-22 (11 eps total)
Number of Discs: 3 Blu-ray discs
Total Run Time: approx. 250 min.
Rating: 13 UP
Suggested Retail Price: $159.98
Retail Price: $129.98

Bonus Contents
Textless Opening
Textless Ending
Audio Commentary by English Cast (Ep.22)
English Bloopers

Bonus Materials & Package
Original Soundtrack CD Vol.2 by Masaru Yokoyama (Music Composer)
Collectable Postcards
Box Illustration by Naoshi Arakawa (Original Creator)
BD Case Cover Illustration by Yukiko Aikei (Character Design)

English Dub Cast
Kousei Arima - Max Mittelman
Kaori Miyazono - Erica Lindbeck
Tsubaki Sawabe - Erica Mendez
Ryota Watari - Kyle McCarley
Emi Igawa - Erika Harlacher
Takeshi Aiza - Erik Kimerer
Nao Kashiwagi - Julie Ann Taylor
Saito - Robbie Daymond
Saki Arima - Wendee Lee
Hiroko Seto - Carrie Keranen
Koharu Seto - Cristina Vee

ADR Director & Script Writer - Patrick Seitz

English Dub Trailer

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Interesting announcements.

Starting off with The Anthem of the Heart, this film was made by the same creators who worked on Anohana and was given a theatrical release in North America a couple months back. The release provided by Aniplex of America is an import version (i.e. the Japanese release). If you're interested in getting this particular version I suggest you order it through Amazon Japan instead as it's cheaper than the price Aniplex of America are offering, the only thing you'll be missing out on is the translated booklet. The film has been licensed in the UK by Anime Limited so a cheaper option will be available.

Next we have the second arc for Durarara!!x2, much like the previous arc this is also split into two volumes. The 13,5 OVA is also included with the second volume (or 4th volume chronologically). The series is dubbed with the same cast which is a bonus. The series has also been licensed in the UK by Anime Limited so not only will there be a cheaper option but it's going to be released in complete season sets (one for each arc in x2).

Saekano got the Nisekoi treatment, which is a phew in my standards. The series (which aired in the Winter 2015 season) did pretty well streaming wise but I didn't think Aniplex would bother releasing the series, especially given the second season is arriving during sometime around the Autumn 2016 season. The 'Nisekoi' treatment is basically the series split into (half a cour) volumes in a similar fashion to the Japanese sets but with less content. The series will be released subtitle only but the price is rather reasonable (though expensive).

Finally we have Your lie in April. I'm glad that Aniplex took notice of the high praise the show received and gave it the English dub greenlit back in Anime Expo 2015. The series was one of my favourites when it aired so I'm happy that it not only got dubbed but also a Blu-ray release. Since time has passed between the Japanese releases and now, Aniplex is able to release the series as two season sets. To my surprise the original soundtrack is included and after doing some research this is more than likely the 'Original Song & Soundtrack' that's available on its own split across the two sets. They are pricey but it's better priced than Fate/Stay Night. The English dub sounds promising and I'm satisfied with the voice actors chosen for the respective roles (after the blunder that is Fate/Stay Night).

That's it from Aniplex, they also have Aldnoah Zero Season 2 Volumes arriving in January & April as well as Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works II in February.