Kyoto Animation's Sequel of the Short Anime "Baja's Studio" to be broadcast on NHK General TV on the Marine Day!

It has been decided that the limited quantity "Original Short Story Novel by the author Akatsuki Kana" (3 types) will be randomly given as a novelty for the audiences of "Violet Evergarden: The Movie" (will release on Sep. 18, 2020). The cover and insert illustrations are illustrated by the character designer and art director, Takase Akiko. The TV anime of "Violet Evergarden" has been broadcast in 2018. It has become a hot topic as the work's setting is overflowing with feelings and it portrays the delicate sentimental feelings of the characters. In Sep. 2019, the side story "Violet Evergarden Side Story: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll" was released on the theatre for three weeks only and the finale for this series, "Violet Evergarden: The Movie" will be released nationwide on Sep. 18, 2020. It was decided that the "Original Short Story Novel by the author Akatsuki Kana" will be given as the novelty for the audiences. The novels are "Benedict Blue's Violet", "Oscar's Little Angel", and "Violet Evergarden IF". The cover and insert illustrations are illustrated by the character designer and art director, Takase Akiko. The novel will be given randomly in the theatres, and the quantity is limited. "Violet Evergarden: The Movie" will be released nationwide on Sep. 18, 2020. （C）Akatsuki Kane, Kyoto Animation／Violet Evergaren Production Commitee

The completely new movie of the "Free!" series will be released in 2021. The teaser visual and PV have also been revealed. The "Free!" series is produced by Kyoto Animation, and depicts the young students, who belong to a swimming club, tightening their bonds as a team to chase their dreams together. A total of three TV animes have been broadcast since 2013, and including the movie, a total of five works have been released so far. The release of the completely new movie has been announced in the event "'Free!' Series Orchestra Concert 2020", which was live-streamed from Pacifico Yokohama in Kanagawa on Aug. 15. Teaser PV and visual have been released, and finally the movie is going to depict Haruka and others challenging the world. Furthermore, "Ima kara demo wakaru Free! series vol.2 (It's not too late to learn about Free! series vol.2)" has been released on Youtube, which summarizes the third season of the TV anime "Free! -Dive to the Future-" and its remake version "Free! Road to the World - the Dream". Along with that, the release of the Blu-ray BOX containing the TV anime first season "Free!" and the second season "Free! -Eternal Summer-" has also been announced. It is the first BOX item of the series. More detailed information including the release date will be announced later on. "'Free!' Series Orchestra Concert 2020" is being archived and can be streamed until Aug. 31. Orders for the concert's goods are being accepted as well. Please remember the memories in this summer, and look forward to the release of the complete new movie next year. (C)Ooji Kouji, Kyoto Animation/Iwatobi Town Supporters' Club

From the light novel "KA Esuma Bunko" that is published by Kyoto Animation, the release date of "Sakura no Furu Machi", a title that won a special award from the "10th Kyoto Animation Award" has been decided for May 22, 2020. For the illustration of the book, FLY, who is well-known for designing the characters of the TV anime "Iroduku: The World in Colors" and illustrations of the light novel "Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki", will be in charge. "Sakura no Furu Machi" is the newest title of "KA Esuma Bunko" that is presented by Ogawa Haruo (Story) and FLY (Illustration). This title has won KA Esuma Bunko Special Award at the 10th "Kyoto Animation Award" well-known for titles such as: "Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions" (Honor Award), "Beyond the Boundary" (Honor Award), "High Speed!" (Honor Award), "Myriad Colors Phantom World" (Honor Award), and "Violet Evergarden" (Major Award). The key to this story is, "Amazakura", a mysterious phenomenon of floral leaves falling down like a rain. Tsubasa, who does not show the values by putting spaces with surrounding people, Hiyori, who cannot go progress being caught by past, and Ruka, who has moved into the school of Tsubasa and Hiyori for a certain purpose... This title depicts the faith of girls who carry "secret", surrounding the "Amazakura" that occurred suddenly. "Sakura no Furu Machi" will be on sale from May 22. It is priced at 648 JPY (Tax Excl.). (C) Ogawa Haruo / Kyoto Animation

It was announced that the release of "Violet Evergarden The Movie", which was scheduled to premiere on Apr. 24, 2020, has been postponed. On the official website, it explains the reason for the postponement, saying, "In response to the announcement by the Japanese government in connection with the spread of the new coronavirus," and also apologizes by adding, "We sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to the release of the film". "Violet Evergarden" is originally a light novel of the same name published by Kyoto Animation under the label "KA Esuma Bunko". The story features the protagonist Violet Evergarden, an ex-military girl who works as a ghostwriter, along with various human relationships. Previously, the TV series was broadcasted from Jan. to Apr. 2018, the spin-off "Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll" premiered in Sep. 2019, and the complete new film, "Violet Evergarden The Movie" was scheduled to premiere on Apr. 24. On the official website, the reason for the postponement of the film's release has been explained: "The film is almost complete and in the process of being released, but after receiving the announcement by the Japanese government in connection with the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan, we have decided to postpone the release date after careful consideration". An apology follows by saying, "We would like to apologize to everyone who was looking forward to the release of the film", and also a message to the fans was added, "We are very sorry for the inconvenience we have caused for giving the notice just before the release date, but the entire staff has created this work with extraordinary care. We hope you will join us and watch the movie as soon as it will come out". The new release date has yet to be announced. Stay tuned for it! (C) Akatsuki Kana, Kyoto Animation / Violet Evergarden Production Committee

The popular children's book "Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendou" with over 1.4 million copies receives a TV anime adaption. Broadcast will start from Sep. 8 on NHK E Tele. "Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendou" is a children's book written by Hiroshima Reiko and illustrated by jyajya. It currently has 13 volumes published. "Zenitendou" is a mysterious Dagashiya (candy shop), which only the lucky ones can visit. The shop keeper Benko always finds the perfect candy for the customers. But what happens when you eat it or use it in the wrong way...? It could bring you happiness or cause you misery. It's all up to you... The series ranked 4th place in "2nd 'Children's Books' Poll Chosen by Elementary School Students". It's the only reading material for children in the top 5, which is dominated by encyclopedias and picture books. Tomioka Satoshi will be directing the animation with Toei Animation and Kanaban Graphics working on the production. The anime "Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendou" will be aired on NHK E Tele from Sep. 8. (C)Hiroshima Reiko, jyajya / Kaiseisha / Zenitendou Production Committee

"#Everywhere Suzu-san" (Achikochi Suzu-san), the campaign to connect people like the protagonist Suzu from "In This Corner of the World" did during the war, is still ongoing in 2020. The special program titled "Everywhere Suzu-san: Wars Told by Young People" (temporary title) has been decided for Aug. 13. "#Everywhere Suzu-san" is the keyword created when the NHK program "Close-up Gendai+” in Aug. 2018 gathered episodes on SNS. It attempts to keep the memory of war to the future generations by cooperating with newspapers and internet media, who want to discuss about a slice-of-life during the war. The special program "Everywhere Suzu-san: The Wars Told by Young People" (temporary title) will be broadcast on Aug. 13. The episodes of war, including "food", "fashion", and "romance", collected by young generations of teens to '30s, will be made into anime. The director is Katabuchi Sunao following the previous year, and the actors include Yaotome Hikaru and Inoo Kei from Hey! Say! JUMP, the comedian Chihara Junior. The narrator is the announcer of Etomo Rie. <Full comments are listed below> 【Director Katabuchi Sunao】 This year marks the 75th year after the war. Only 25 more years for the 100th year. It is our turn to answer to "tell me about war" as "grandpa and grandma". What can we teach them when the time comes? 【Chihara Junior】 There are stories that the Japanese should know, and the episodes in "#Everywhere Suzu-san" are the most important ones. The stories even make me that I should live to my best after learning that such lifestyles had existed, so please watch the program.

Studio Ghibli revealed teaser images for their new CGI feature film "Aya to Majo", directed by Miyazaki Goro and supervised by Miyazaki Hayao. Alongside, the director also commented briefly on the film. "Aya to Majo" is based on a novel by the children's book author Diana Wynne Jones, who also wrote "Howl's Moving Castle". The story centers around a girl, Aya, who doesn't that her true identity is a witch, until one day she is brought in to a mysterious household and ends up living under the same roof as another mean-spirited witch. The film is under direction by Miyazaki Goro, who also won an Emmy award for his adaptation of "Ronja Rövardotter". "Aya to Majo" was also one of the 56 movies chosen for Cannes Festival's "2020 Official Selection". "Aya to Majo" will broadcast on 2020 Winter at NHK. <Commentary> Director - Miyazaki Goro There are way too many adults and fewer children presently here in our country (Japan). It must be really tough for these children to be surrounded by so many grown-ups and having to deal with them on a daily basis. There was this light bulb moment while I thinking about this matter, which allowed me to come up with ideas for the protagonist Aya. Please do look forward to seeing in the movie her way of dealing with cumbersome grown-ups. Although rebellious, the lovely Aya will give courage to the kids, and cheer up the adults watching. （C）2020 NHK, NEP, Studio Ghibli

From the anime"Landlady and Me" based on Yabe Tarou's (from comedy duo "Karateka") manga, episodes from 6 to 10 will be broadcast on NHK General. It will be be broadcastfor five consecutive nights from Jun. 8, 2020. "Landlady and Me" is a short story created by entertainer Tarou Yabe that depicts an "unusual life for two" both with laughter and cry, 39-years old "I" and 87 years-old "Landlady" living together in the single house in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The series sales, including the sequel "Landlady and me from now on", has exceeded 1.2 million copies in total and won the 22nd Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award Short Film Award. The long-awaited TV animation was played on NHK in March 2020, but the sequel was decided momentarily. In addition, Yano Akiko will be in charge of the theme song as she did in episode 1 to 5, and the animation production will be handled by Fanworks, the animation studio known for "Movie Sumicco Gurashi Tobisu Picture Book and Secrets" and "Aggressive Reiko". Episodes from 6 to 11 of the anime series "Landlady and Me" will be broadcast for 5 nights in a row from Jun. 8to Jun. 12. （C） NHK（Japan Broadcasting Corporation）.All rights reserved.