Latest from Kyodo News
Kyodo News
24 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Shingo Natsume's First Original Feature-Length Anime Film "ghost (Working Title)" Announced for 2027 Release!
The highly anticipated latest work from rising animation director Shingo Natsume, his first original theatrical anime "ghost (working title)," has been officially announced! The film is scheduled for release in 2027. Along with the announcement, a teaser visual and partial staff information have been revealed. ▲Teaser visual The teaser visual features a mysterious girl named Nike, holding a glass sword and gazing straight ahead with determined eyes. The background shows a starry sky and vibrantly colored flowers, hinting at the beginning of the story. Shingo Natsume's First Original Theatrical Anime "ghost (Working Title)" Announced! Shingo Natsume is renowned for directing numerous anime series including "One Punch Man," "ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.," "Sonny Boy," and "The Tatami Time Machine Blues." His unique artistic vision, showcased in his first original TV anime "Sonny Boy," garnered widespread acclaim and established him as a distinctive voice in animation. The recognition for Natsume's work extends beyond Japan, with "Sonny Boy" earning a nomination in the TV competition category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world's largest animation festival. Now, with "ghost (working title)," Natsume is poised to make his much-anticipated debut in original feature-length theatrical animation. The animation production will be handled by Madhouse, the legendary studio behind beloved classics such as Satoshi Kon's "Millennium Actress" and "Paprika," as well as Mamoru Hosoda's "Summer Wars." Madhouse has long collaborated with Natsume and continues to produce works that captivate audiences worldwide. Adding to the project's star power, manga artist Natsume Ono will provide the original character designs, while Norifumi Kugai will adapt them for animation. This reunites the team from the TV anime "ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.," bringing together a formidable crew currently hard at work on the production. Natsume expresses his vision for the film, stating, "Through the medium of animation, which can be seen as a form of fiction, I aim to create a work that captures the essence of our times while pursuing a sense of reality." The story revolves around the concept of a "ghost" that resides within everyone's heart - genuine feelings that can't be put into words but are undeniably present. The film follows Nike, a young girl who rebels against the world's absurdities to protect the "starry sky." It promises to be a challenging work that poetically depicts Nike's loneliness, bravery, and the subtle changes in her heart as she interacts with others. Currently in production with a team of resonant creators, the film is slated for theatrical release in 2027. The film's production announcement visual will be displayed as a poster from June 10th at the Japan Annex booth (hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry / Visual Industry Promotion Organization) at the ongoing Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France. A pitch session for the work is also scheduled. Stay tuned for more updates on this globally anticipated project! Director's Profile Shingo Natsume Shingo Natsume made his TV series directorial debut with "Space☆Dandy" (2014) and has since helmed several notable works, including "One-Punch Man" (2015), "ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept." (2017), and "Boogiepop and Others" (2019). In 2021, he took on multiple roles as director, scriptwriter, creator, and storyboard artist for the original TV anime "Sonny Boy," which garnered attention from global audience for its unique worldview. Natsume participated as episode director in "The Tatami Galaxy" (2010), directed by Masaaki Yuasa and produced by Madhouse. He was then chosen to direct the theatrical sequel, "The Tatami Time Machine Blues," released in 2022. "ghost (working title)" marks his first original feature-length anime film for theatrical release. Original Theatrical Anime Film: "ghost" (Working Title) Scheduled for Release in 2027 STAFF Original Concept: Shingo Natsume, Tomohiro Suzuki, Bandai Namco Filmworks, MADHOUSE Director & Screenplay: Shingo Natsume Original Character Design: Natsume Ono Character Design: Norifumi Kugai Animation Production: MADHOUSE (C)ghost production committee
Kyodo News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Baseball: Yamamoto takes loss for Dodgers as Padres escape sweep
KYODO NEWS - 5 minutes ago - 17:08 | Sports, All Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up three runs over 6-1/3 innings and was charged with the loss as the San Diego Padres avoided a four-game series sweep by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 on Thursday. Yamamoto (6-6) surrendered a solo home run to Xander Bogaerts in the second inning and gave up one run apiece in the fifth and the seventh at Dodger Stadium. The home team went behind 5-0 before rallying for all three of their runs in the bottom of the ninth. The right-hander allowed seven hits while striking out five and did not issue a walk. Tensions that had simmered between the division rivals throughout the series boiled over late in the game, with both benches clearing after Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch from Dodgers reliever Jack Little in the top of the ninth. San Diego closer Robert Suarez hit Shohei Ohtani with a pitch with two out and a runner on base in the bottom of the inning, with the Los Angeles bench appearing ready to rush the field again before Ohtani waved them off and walked to first. Suarez, who previously played in Japan for the SoftBank Hawks and Hanshin Tigers, was ejected from the game. Eight batters were hit by pitches over the course of the series. Japanese left-hander Yuki Matsui earned his first save after being called upon to get the final out. After his wild pitch led to a run and put runners on second and third, he struck out Dalton Rushing swinging to clinch the result for his team. The Dodgers announced earlier that Ohtani will make his second pitching start of the season on Sunday at home against the Washington Nationals. The two-way superstar made his first MLB mound appearance since August 2023 on Monday against the Padres, throwing 28 pitches while allowing one run in the one-inning outing. Related coverage: Baseball: Suzuki's 3-run homer lifts Cubs past Brewers Baseball: Ohtani returns to MLB mound, drives in 2 in win over Padres Baseball: Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani set for pitching return Monday
Kyodo News
3 hours ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
FEATURE: Matcha's moment in peril as Trump tariff threat looms over industry
By Toma Mochizuki, Spotlight Japan - 12 minutes ago - 16:17 | All, Spotlight The Kokaen tea farm in western Japan's Aichi Prefecture is among many in the matcha industry that has benefited from the recent boom in popularity of the Japanese powdered tea. While a surge in demand has been welcomed in a country where domestic tea consumption has been declining, there are concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff regime may push up prices and dampen sales. The uncertainty has left both experts and tea farmers anxious, fearing that a shrinking global market could mean the loss of a promising and lucrative opportunity. >>Read the full article with visuals and video on Spotlight Japan>> More Spotlight Japan stories: Remote Japan island, population 11, aims to become global manga hub Award-winning short captures rawness of relationships in 14 minutes FEATURE: Silent witnesses: A-bomb trees carrying on aging survivors' legacy
Kyodo News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
3-time figure skating world champ Kaori Sakamoto to retire after Olympics
KYODO NEWS - 6 minutes ago - 13:56 | Sports, All Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, winner of three consecutive world championships through 2024, said Friday she will retire from competition after next year's Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The 25-year-old, who claimed women's singles bronze at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, finished second at the world championships in Boston in March. Sakamoto revealed her plan at the opening ceremony for a new skating rink in her home city of Kobe in western Japan. "I feel like I have less than a year left," she said. "I'll be 29 at the following Olympics (in 2030), which is out of the question. I'll try to bring things to a close the year I turn 26." Sakamoto made her Olympic debut at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. She won her fourth straight Japanese championship, and fifth overall, last December. Related coverage: Figure skating: Retired star Mao Asada to open coaching academy Figure skating: Teen star Nishino signals big future with quad jumps FEATURE: Cool moves at any age: Japan's figure skating scene grows up
Kyodo News
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Tokio pop group member removed from TV show over past conduct
KYODO NEWS - 12 minutes ago - 13:37 | All, Japan A member of Japanese all-male pop group Tokio has been removed from a popular TV program due to past conduct that breached compliance rules on multiple occasions, a TV network said Friday. Taichi Kokubun, 50, was removed from "The Tetsuwan Dash," a variety program aired by Nippon Television Network Corp. and fronted by the members of Tokio. The decision to remove Kokubun was approved at an extraordinary board meeting, based on findings from a third-party probe. Kokubun has accepted the decision, the network said. "The Tetsuwan Dash" will continue broadcasting, the network said. Kokubun debuted with Tokio in 1994 and has an extensive career in television and radio. After the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011, he helped promote farming produce from Fukushima Prefecture on the variety program. Related coverage: Ex-Tokio pop group member released after arrest for drunken driving
