In an announcement yesterday, anime publisher Sentai Filmworks revealed that they have acquired two new anime series for release in North America later this year, “AKB0048” and “Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East”.
Produced by the animation studio, Satelight (Guin Saga), “AKB0048” is a 26-episode, music-filled, science fiction anime based on the popular idol group AKB48. The anime is directed by Yoshimasa Hiraike (Kaleido Star) and features character designs by Risa Ebata (Macross Frontier) and music from Hiroshi Takaki (Tytania).
“AKB0048” takes place in the year 0048, in a world where all forms of entertainment have been banned by the anti-music DES. To help combat the tyrannical rule of the DES, a group of young women band together and resurrect the J-pop band AKB48, forming AKB0048. Not only are the lovely ladies of AKB0048 trained in music and dance, they are also skilled warriors who under the leadership of Sensei Sensei, put their lives on the line to make the universe “a safe place for getting your grove on”.
Anime fans can expect to see “AKB0048” soon through select digital outlets and a home video release is planned for later this year. No official release date has been given at this time.
“Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East” is produced by the animation studio, Studio Deen (Sankarea) and is based on the supernatural/fantasy manga by Miyuki Abe. The series is directed by Mitsue Yamasaki, with Osamu Yamasaki serving as Chief Director, and features music by Hitomi Kuroishi (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion) with character designs by Hiromi Kato (Needless).
Here is a description of the series from Sentai Filmworks.
When their village was wiped out five years ago, only Shino Inuzuka, Sosuke Inukawa and the girl Hamaji, who was raised as if she were their sister, survived. And both men inexplicably have the same peony-shaped birthmark. Genpachi Inukai and Kobungo Inuta were raised hundreds of miles away as foster brothers, but they too share the same birthmark. When they went north as part of the army three years ago, they went to confront demons and came back forever transformed. Now the Imperial Church has come for Shino and Sosuke and they must find eight mystical gems and their owners or face a fate worse than death at the hands of the Church. One of Japan’s greatest works of literature is born again in “Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East”!
Sentai Filmworks will release “Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East” on home video later this year, no official release date, and the series will be available through select digital outlets soon.
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