NYCC Metaverse 2020 Announcements — Yen Press Announces Eleven New Titles for Future Publication
NEW YORK, NY – Yen Press, LLC announced a slate of upcoming titles during a virtual panel titled The Yen Press Manga and Light Novel Party that was a part of New York Comic Con Metaverse. Acquisitions included manga (Hana-chan and the Shape of the World, Please Put Them On, Takamine-san!!, In Another World With My Smartphone, Can’t Stop Cursing You, Sex Education 120% and Love of Kill), light novels (Durarara!! SH, Yokohama Station SF and Hazure Skill: The Guild Member with a Worthless Skill Is Actually a Legendary Assassin) and both the light novel and manga adaptation of Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense.
All announced titles are scheduled for March and April 2021 release.
Durarara!! SH
Story by Ryohgo Narita
Illustrations by Suzuhito Yasuda
In the sequel series to the urban fantasy Durarara!!, Yahiro Mizuchi has come to Tokyo in the hopes of starting a new life (and maybe seeing the Headless Rider), but the famous Dullahan hasn’t been seen in half a year—and neither has anyone who’s gone to find her!
Durarara!! SH is a sequel series of the legendary Durarara!!, the most well known work by Ryohgo Narita, the creator of Baccano! and Dead Mount Death Play. With Durarara!! standing out as one of the most beloved franchises of the past decade, one that helped launch light novels in the West, Durarara!! SH is a highly anticipated release by the most passionate of light novel readers.
Hana-chan and the Shape of the World
Story and Art by Ryotaro Ueda
It’s the story of a girl. A girl who lives in the country. A girl encountering fragments, both bitter and sweet, of the world around her. It’s the story of the shape of her world.
Hana-chan and the Shape of the World is a unique addition to the growing category of slice-of-life manga, one that features a loveable female protagonist, a stylized art style and a story reminisicent of Yotsuba&!. Hana-chan and the Shape of the World is complete in one volume.
Please Put Them On, Takamine-san!
Story and Art by Yuichi Hiiragi
The student council president, Takane Takamine, is a beauty beyond compare, and she would normally never associate with a friendless nobody like Koushi Shirota. After seeing her undressed, however, he’s forced to become her walking “closet” as she changes underwear throughout the day. But Takamine’s stripping isn’t merely to tease—it’s the key to unleashing her time-bending powers!
Please Put Them On, Takamine-san! is a spicy romantic comedy manga that puts a sexy spin on popular science fiction tropes, one that appeals greatly to fans of the best-selling Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai looking for more of an edge.
In Another World With My Smartphone
Story by Patora Fuyuhara
Art by Soto and Eiji Usatsuka
Due to God having a bit of a clumsy accident, Touya Mochizuki is killed and reincarnated in a medieval fantasy world, along with his smartphone…? His easygoing, wondrous journey through another world starts here!
In Another World With My Smartphone is a manga adaptation of the light novel series that inspired the hit anime. The ongoing series puts a fun twist on the ever popular isekai genre.
Yokohama Station SF
Story by Tatsuyuki Tanaka
Illustrations by Yuba Isukari
In a future where Yokohama Station covers most of the island of Honshu, there are two ways of life-inside the station and outside. Life within the station is strictly controlled, and those who fail to follow the rules are expelled to the harsher world outside. When one of these exiles receives a temporary ticket to go into the station, he’s also given a mission to find the leader of a group determined to free humanity.
Yokohama Station SF is a dystopian science fiction novel that has enjoyed best-seller status in Japan. An epic tale that is complete in one volume, Yokohama Station SF is a must-read for fans of Japanese science fiction novels.
Can’t Stop Cursing You
Story by Kensuke Koba
Art by Natsuko Uruma
Those who make contracts with devils gain the power to curse others to death. Their mortal enemy: the Curse Detective Kiyoharu Saeyama, who uses traces of the curses left on their victims to uncover the identities of these sick killers. Let this deadly, paranormal game of psychological warfare begin!
Can’t Stop Cursing You is an edgy and suspenseful manga series that features a stylish and often gruesome art style. A relatively new series that is quickly gaining traction in Japan, Can’t Stop Cursing You is a welcome addition to the ever popular category of psychological thriller manga.
Sex Education 120%
Story by Kikiki Tataki
Art by Hotomura
Gym teacher Tsuji-sensei has one mission: help with Japan’s terrible modern sex education standards. The problem is, her students barely know their birds from their bees! Between a girl who already has a girlfriend, a hard-core BL lover, and a girl who only cares about cats, Tsuji-sensei has her work cut out for her.
Sex Education 120% is a school life manga that takes a comedic and sexy approach to discuss the topic of sex education. Led by an eccentric cast of characters all with their own lovable quirks, Sex Education 120% answers all the questions one would ask (and might not know to ask!) on a very important subject.
Hazure Skill: The Guild Member with a Worthless Skill Is
Actually a Legendary Assassin
Story by Kennoji
Illustration by KWKM
Roland is the world’s greatest assassin, he’s a man who’s taken a worthless skill and made it so powerful that he managed to kill the greatest demon lord that’s ever lived. He could live out the rest of his days as a wealthy and famous man, but instead chooses...an exceedingly normal life working at an adventurer’s guild?! For someone as exceptional as Roland, aiming for a normal life won’t come easy, however...
Hazure Skill: The Guild Member with a Worthless Skill is Actually a Legendary Assassin is an adventurous fantasy light novel series that is growing in popularity. The light novel series features popular RPG elements and a protagonist who shows himself to be a reluctant hero, an increasingly popular element seen in some of today’s hottest light novel series.
Love of Kill
Story and Art by Fe
She’s a professional hitman. And he…is also a professional hitman. And she’s his target. Caught in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, will she fall first…or will he?
Love of Kill is a thrilling manga series filled with intriguing action and romance. Originally a webcomic that has enjoyed success for years, Love of Kill is a dramatic and compelling romance story unlike any manga seen in the West.
Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense (light novel)
Story by Yuumikan
Illustrations by Koin
When it comes to the VRMMO NewWorld Online, Kaede Honjou isn’t your run-of-the-mill greenhorn gamer. Forgoing a typical stat allocation for her Great Shielder, Maple, she pumps all her points into defense from the get-go! Her reasoning? “I don’t want to get hurt.” With no magic, agility, or strength to speak of, this walking fortress will have to get creative to beat the baddies early on. But little does she know that her pure-stat build will propel her to chaotic new heights that even the game admins couldn’t account for!
Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense is the light novel series that inspired the hit anime that stands out as one of the most popular of 2020. Led by an adorable and endearing protagonist, this series excellently combines action, comedy and ever popular RPG elements to tell a story that appeals to a wide audience.
Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense (manga)
Story by Yuumikan
Art by Oimoto
Original Illustrations by Koin
When Kaede Honjou agrees to try out VRMMO gaming with her best friend from high school, her inexperience and “I don’t want to get hurt” outlook cause her to max out her defense points—leaving her with no attack points to speak of! Luckily for her, the game’s mod system is diverse enough that a little creativity boosts her special abilities to heights beyond the game admins’ wildest imaginations…Will this noob become a new star in NewWorld Online?!
The Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense manga does an amazing job portraying the events of the highly-anticipated light novel series in an art style that is just as adorable as its protagonist. This manga adaptation appeals greatly to fans of the upcoming light novel series as well as the hit anime.
About Yen Press, LLC:
Yen Press, LLC is a joint venture between Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. Founded in 2006, Yen Press has quickly risen to become one of the largest and most prolific publishers of manga and original graphic novels in the North American marketplace and a driving force in the introduction of light novels and Japanese literature to new readers through its Yen On imprint. For more information, visit www.yenpress.com.
###
Monday, October 19, 2020
Yen Press Announces 11 New Titles at NYCC Metaverse 2020
Sunday, October 18, 2020
The Walt Disney Company Announces Strategic Reorganization
The Walt Disney Company Announces Strategic Reorganization of Its Media and Entertainment Businesses
New Structure Designed to Further Accelerate the Company’s Direct-to-Consumer Strategy, in light of the Rapid Success of Disney+
Company’s Creative Engines Will Focus on Producing Content for DTC as well as Legacy Platforms, while Newly Centralized Distribution Group Will Oversee Commercialization and Distribution of All Content Globally
Alan F. Horn and Alan Bergman, Peter Rice, and James Pitaro Will Lead the Company’s Three Content Creation Groups
Kareem Daniel Named Chairman, Media and Entertainment Distribution, Which Will Include the Company’s Streaming Services, Led by Rebecca Campbell
Disney Sets December 10 as Date for Virtual Investor Day
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In light of the tremendous success achieved to date in the Company’s direct-to-consumer business and to further accelerate its DTC strategy, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) announced a strategic reorganization of its media and entertainment businesses. Under the new structure, Disney’s world-class creative engines will focus on developing and producing original content for the Company’s streaming services, as well as for legacy platforms, while distribution and commercialization activities will be centralized into a single, global Media and Entertainment Distribution organization. The new Media and Entertainment Distribution group will be responsible for all monetization of content—both distribution and ad sales—and will oversee operations of the Company’s streaming services. It will also have sole P&L accountability for Disney’s media and entertainment businesses.
“Kareem is an exceptionally talented, innovative and forward-looking leader, with a strong track record for developing and implementing successful global content distribution and commercialization strategies”
The creation of content will be managed in three distinct groups—Studios, General Entertainment, and Sports—headed by current leaders Alan F. Horn and Alan Bergman, Peter Rice, and James Pitaro. The Media and Entertainment Distribution group will be headed by Kareem Daniel, formerly President, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. All five leaders will report directly to Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products will continue to operate under its existing structure, led by Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, who continues to report to Mr. Chapek. Rebecca Campbell will serve as Chairman, International Operations and Direct-to-Consumer. Bob Iger, in his role as Executive Chairman, will continue to direct the Company’s creative endeavors.
“Given the incredible success of Disney+ and our plans to accelerate our direct-to-consumer business, we are strategically positioning our Company to more effectively support our growth strategy and increase shareholder value,” Mr. Chapek said. “Managing content creation distinct from distribution will allow us to be more effective and nimble in making the content consumers want most, delivered in the way they prefer to consume it. Our creative teams will concentrate on what they do best—making world-class, franchise-based content—while our newly centralized global distribution team will focus on delivering and monetizing that content in the most optimal way across all platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and the coming Star international streaming service.”
Under the new structure, the Company’s three content groups will be responsible and accountable for producing and delivering content for theatrical, linear and streaming, with the primary focus being the Company’s streaming services:
STUDIOS: Messrs. Horn and Bergman will serve as Chairmen, Studios Content, which will focus on creating branded theatrical and episodic content based on the Company’s powerhouse franchises for theatrical exhibition, Disney+ and the Company’s other streaming services. The group will include the content engines of The Walt Disney Studios, including Disney live action and Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures.
GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT: Mr. Rice will serve as Chairman, General Entertainment Content, which will focus on creating general entertainment episodic and original long-form content for the Company’s streaming platforms and its cable and broadcast networks. The group will include the content engines of 20th Television, ABC Signature and Touchstone Television; ABC News; Disney Channels; Freeform; FX; and National Geographic.
SPORTS: Mr. Pitaro will serve as Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content, which will focus on ESPN’s live sports programming, as well as sports news and original and non-scripted sports-related content, for the cable channels, ESPN+, and ABC.
The Media and Entertainment Distribution group, led by Mr. Daniel, will be responsible for the P&L management and all distribution, operations, sales, advertising, data and technology functions worldwide for all of the Company’s content engines, and it will also manage operations of the Company’s streaming services and domestic television networks. The group will work in close collaboration with the content creation teams on programming and marketing.
A 14-year Disney veteran, Mr. Daniel has held leadership positions across a variety of businesses, including consumer products, games and interactive experiences, publishing, studio distribution, and Walt Disney Imagineering. He has a deep understanding of the Company’s brands and franchises and vast experience extending original IP into experiential storytelling across business segments. Prior to leading Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, Mr. Daniel served as President of Walt Disney Imagineering Operations, Product Creation, Publishing and Games, where he was responsible for helping to transform IP from the various content partners into evergreen franchise properties at Disney’s parks and resorts, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland, and Pixar Pier and the upcoming Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park.
Mr. Daniel also served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, and prior to that, as Vice President of Distribution Strategy at Walt Disney Studios, where he worked closely with the leadership in developing the Company’s film content distribution strategy across multiple platforms and played a key role in the commercialization of the Studio’s films.
“Kareem is an exceptionally talented, innovative and forward-looking leader, with a strong track record for developing and implementing successful global content distribution and commercialization strategies,” said Mr. Chapek. “As we now look to rapidly grow our direct-to-consumer business, a key focus will be delivering and monetizing our great content in the most optimal way possible, and I can think of no one better suited to lead this effort than Kareem. His wealth of experience will enable him to effectively bring together the Company’s distribution, advertising, marketing and sales functions, thereby creating a distribution powerhouse that will serve all of Disney’s media and entertainment businesses.”
“I’m honored to be able to lead this new organization during such a pivotal and exciting time for our Company, and I’m grateful to Bob for giving me the opportunity,” said Mr. Daniel. “It’s a tremendous privilege to work with the talented and dedicated teams that will comprise this group, and I look forward to a close collaboration with the outstanding and incredibly successful team of creative content leaders at the Company, as together we build on the success we’ve already achieved in our DTC and legacy distribution business.”
With the reorganization, the Direct-to-Consumer and International business will no longer be managed on a combined basis. In Ms. Campbell’s role leading international operations, she will be responsible for coordinating and integrating activities across the various business units in each market to best represent the Company’s overall interests, and will report to Mr. Chapek. In her role leading direct-to-consumer operations for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, she will report to Mr. Daniel.
The new structure is effective immediately, and the Company expects to transition to financial reporting under this structure in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
The Company will hold a virtual Investor Day on December 10, 2020 where it will present further details of its direct-to-consumer strategies.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements and information in this communication may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements such as business structuring plans and the business impacts thereof, business positioning, future growth or value and other statements that are not historical in nature. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.
Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, integration initiatives and timing of synergy realization, new or expanded business lines or cessation of certain operations) or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including:
changes in domestic and global economic conditions, competitive conditions and consumer preferences;
adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;
health concerns;
international, regulatory, political, or military developments;
technological developments; and
labor markets and activities;
each such risk includes the current and future impacts of, and is amplified by, COVID-19 and related mitigation efforts.
Such developments may further affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as applicable):
the performance of the Company’s theatrical and home entertainment releases;
the advertising market for broadcast and cable television programming;
demand for our products and services;
construction;
expenses of providing medical and pension benefits;
income tax expense;
performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products; and
achievement of anticipated benefits of the TFCF transaction.
Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2019 under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” Item 1, “Business,” and subsequent reports, including, among others, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Forms 8-K.
--------------------
Friday, October 16, 2020
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 11th to 17th, 2020 - Update #16
by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Support Leroy on Patreon:
ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:
CRIME - From YahooEntertainment: An arrest has been made in the shooting death of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd who was shot several times in the back on October 3rd in Atlanta.
STAR TREK - From THR: CBS All-Access greenlights a fourth season of its flagship "Star Trek" TV series, "Star Trek: Discovery."
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Showtime will revive its Emmy-winning serial killer drama, "Dexter" (2006-13) as a limited series. Emmy-nominated actor, Michael C. Hall, will return as the title character, "Dexter Morgan," the forensic tech who moonlights as a serial killer.
TONY AWARDS - From Deadline: This is a list of nominations for the 2020 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards.
STREAMING - From Deadline: Amazon has given the greenlight to a young adult TV series based on the hit 1997 horror film, "I Know What You Did Last Summer."
SPORTS - From CNN: The Los Angeles Lakers win the National Basketball Association Championship for the year 2019-2020 - four games to two against the Miami Heat. It is the Lakers record-tying 17th NBA Championship.
From YouTube: Los Angeles Lakers claim 17th NBA title in YouTube mini-movie.
From YouTube: President Barack Obama shouts out Lakers for title win and for social justice.
From YahooSports: Lakers championship was a real coup for controlling owner, Jeanie Buss
From TheGuardian: Los Angeles Lakers champion and legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says, Amid uncertainty and upheaval, LeBron shows us what an American should be.
BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: The winner of the 10/9 to 10/11/2020 weekend box office is "War with Granpa" which has an estimated take of 3.6 million dollars.
PIXAR - From YahooEntertainment: "Soul" creators go inside Pixar's first African-American-led film: 'Animation is not an industry where there's been a great deal of Black representation'
OSCARS - From Variety: This Oscar Season Could Be for the Young and the Newcomers
OBITS:
From YahooSports: ESPN reporter, Vaughn McClure, has died at the age of 48, Thursday, October 15, 2020. McClure reported on the NFL's Atlanta Falcons for ESPN.
From Deadline: American actress, Conchata Ferrell, has died at the age of 77, Monday, October 12, 2020. She is best known for appearing in all 12 seasons of the CBS sitcom, "Two and a Half Men" (2003-2012). She was a three-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee, earning two of the nomations for her work on "Two and a Half Men."
From Deadline: American television film editor, Donald Douglas, has died at the age of 87, Saturday, October 3, 2020. Douglas began his career editing episodes of animated television series for Hanna-Barbera Productions, including "The Yogi Bear Show" (1961) and "The Flintstones" (1960). He received two Emmy nominations, one for his editing work on the 1984 CBS miniseries, "George Washington" and another for his work on the CBS television series, "Murder, She Wrote."
From ESPN: Baseball Hall of Fame player, Joe Morgan, has died at the age of 77, Sunday, October 11, 2020. Considered one of the greatest second baseman of all-time (if not the greatest), Morgan won two World Series titles with the Cincinnati Reds (1975 and 1976), and Morgan was named the "National League Most Valuable Player" both years. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
COVID-19:
From YahooNews: Why does COVID-19 kill some people and hardly affects others?
From YahooNews: Yahoo has a dedicated page of links updating news about COVID-19.
From Deadline: The news site "Deadline" has a dedicated page for news about coronavirus and the film, TV, and entertainment industries.
From TheNewYorker: The venerable magazine has a dedicate COVID-19 page free to all readers.
From YahooNews: Re: the federal government's response to COVID-19: What if the most important election of our lifetime was the last one - 2016?
From YahooLife: What is "happy hypoxia?" And do you have this COVID-19 symptom?
From JuanCole: Remember when President Donald went crazy and suggested that we ingest household cleaning supplies and UV light to fight COVID-19. Here is the video and commentary from Juan Cole.
From TheIntercept: The federal government has ramped up security and police-related spending in response to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, including issuing contracts for riot gear, disclosures show. The purchase orders include requests for disposable cuffs, gas masks, ballistic helmets, and riot gloves...
From TheAtlantic: The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying. The pandemic has exposed the bitter terms of our racial contract, which deems certain lives of greater value than others.
From ProPublica: Hospital's Secret COVID-19 Policy Separated Native American Mothers From Their Newborns
From TheGuardian: More than 20 million Americans could have contracted COVID-19, experts say.
From RSN/WashPost: The COVID-19 mutation that has taken over the world.
7/13 - From YahooSports: Maybe a pandemic means that there will not be college football this fall.
7/13- From YahooNews: The CDC adds four new symptoms (including nausea and purple or blue lesions on feet and toes) to the list of COVID-19 symptoms.
7/19 - From YahooFinance: Harvard Public Health professor Dr. Howard Koh says the U.S. "needs to regroup" to find COVID-19.
7/22 - From YahooNews: A public health employee predicted Florida's coronavirus catastrophe — then she was fired.
7/22 - From YahooLifestyle: Florida mom loses son, 20, to coronavirus, and then days later, her daughter.
7/23 - From TheWrap: The site has a list of movie and TV stars, entertainment and sports figures who have tested positive for COVID-19
From Bloomberg: Will the COVID-19 pandemic turn Millennials into socialists?
7/27 - From CNN: Chief of critical care at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Joseph Costa, passes away due to Covid-19 complications... after treating the hospital's sickest COVID-19 patients. He was 56 and leaves behind family, including a husband of 28 years.
7/30 - From Deadline: Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") reveals that he had a bout with COVID-19.
7/31 - From YahooEntertainment: Writer and actress, Lena Dunham, creator of HBO's "Girls, reveals that she contracted COVID-19 and the symptoms she experiences and still experience.
7/30 - From YahooGMA: In their bid to crackdown on illegal gatherings amid COVID-19, New York authorities break up an alleged sex party.
7/31 - From Slate: COVID-19 is airborne - for reals!
8/2 - From TheDailyBeast: In Mississippi, COVID-19 has coroners terrified.
8/6 - From YahooNews: Testing everyone constantly could stop the spread of COVID-19... according to this article.
8/8 - From YahooNYT: The coronavirus is new, but your immune system might recognize it.
8/8 - From YahooNBC: They thought COVID-19 was a hoax, and they almost died from it or are watching family and loved ones suffer with it or die from it.
8/9 - From YahooNews: The rest of the world is incredulous at the pitiful U.S. response to COVID-19.
8/9 - From YahooAFP: According to the real-time tally kept by John Hopkins University, the United States has hit 5 million cases of COVID-19.
8/16 - From Truthout: COVID Deaths Continue to Surge in Countries Led by Far Right Authoritarians
9/19 - From WashPost: U.S. coronavirus death toll reaches 200,000
9/23 - From CNBC: Mark Cuban, who owns the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and star of ABC's "Shark Tank," suggests that every household in American get a $1000 check every two weeks for the next two months.
9/28 - From Deadline: John Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker reports that over 1 million people have died of COVID-19 worldwide.
10/2 - From YahooNews: President Donald and the First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19.
BLACK LIVES MATTER:
From RSN: Judge's Blistering Opinion Says Courts Have Placed Police Beyond Accountability
From TheGuardian: Yusef Salaam, one of the "Central Park Five," says in an interview, "Trump would have had me hanging from a tree in Central Park."
From NPR: Prosecutors' plea deal required drug suspect to name Breonna Taylor a "co-defendant."
From ChicagoSunTimes: Rev. Jesse Jackson: America has millions of people in poverty because Americans choose not to demand the policies that would lift them out of poverty.
From APNews: No one will be held accountable for the killing of Louisville African-American resident, Breonna Taylor.
From Channel4: Revealed: Trump campaign strategy to deter millions of Black Americans from voting in 2016
From GuardianUK: California is going to consider paying reparations to the descendants of African slaves after adopting a landmark law to study and to develop proposals around the issue.
From TheRoot: What to Do When Your Country Turns Into a Dumpster Fire
From Vox: It's True: 1 in 1,000 Black Americans Have Died in the Covid-19 Pandemic
From CBS: Breonna Taylor's boyfriend certain cops didn't identify themselves
Mattel Television Announces New "Thomas & Friends" Episodes and Specials
Mattel Television Greenlights 104 New “Thomas & Friends®” Television Episodes and 2 Specials
Mattel Television announces a new co-production partnership with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studio
Mattel and Nelvana to introduce new creative approach to the “Thomas & Friends” television series starting with Season 25, which will premiere beginning in Fall 2021
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced that it has greenlit 104 11-minute episodes and two 60-minute specials for the “Thomas & Friends” television series over two seasons. The Company has partnered with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studio, a leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content, to co-produce the series starting with Season 25, which will premiere beginning in Fall 2021, and will introduce a new creative approach to the show, contemporizing the series for today’s families.
“Thomas & Friends” new creative direction builds on the long-standing success of the television series, which first launched in 1984. Starting with Season 25, the series will be animated in 2D. It will also build upon creative elements that have resonated with “Thomas & Friends” fans over the years by featuring comedic, playful stories and lessons told from Thomas’ point of view. Nelvana will help bring Thomas’ new 2D look to life, expanding upon Mattel’s existing relationship with Corus Entertainment, which serves as the Company’s Canadian licensing and broadcast partner for “Thomas & Friends.”
“‘Thomas & Friends’ enduring legacy and focus on the importance on friendship continue to resonate with global audiences, and we look forward to unveiling our new content to consumers next year,” said Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mattel Television. “Nelvana is the ideal production partner for the series, understanding the importance of staying true to Thomas’ ethos and heritage while bringing the franchise to life creatively in new ways for today’s kids.”
“As the exclusive broadcast partner and licensing agent of the treasured Thomas brand in Canada, we are delighted to deepen our relationship with Mattel by becoming their production partner on the re-imagined 2D series, which will introduce Thomas to a new generation of young audiences,” said Pam Westman, President, Nelvana. “With stunning animation and fresh new stories, the 2D series allows us to play up the humor in the show while honoring the legacy of the world’s most-adored blue tank engine.”
Executive producers for Season 25 of “Thomas & Friends” include Fred Soulie, Adam Bonnett and Christopher Keenan at Mattel, as well as Colin Bohm and Pam Westman at Nelvana.
Thomas was first created in 1945 by Rev. W. Awdry in stories for his son, Christopher. Today, the character is just as beloved by children as he was when he first chugged down the tracks. Thomas’ stories are currently told through the television series, toys, books, apps, live events and more.
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Nickelodeon Reveals First Look at Images from "Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years"
From L-R: Plankton, Sandy, SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward and Mr. Krabs in Nickelodeon’s Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years. (Graphic Business Wire)
Nickelodeon Reveals First Look of Characters in Original Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years Animated Series
SpongeBob and His Bikini Bottom Friends Head to Kamp Koral in All-New Series Debuting on Paramount+ in 2021
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon revealed a first look of the characters in its all-new animated series Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, which follows 10-year-old SpongeBob SquarePants and his pals as they spend their summer building underwater campfires, catching wild jellyfish, and swimming in Lake Yuckymuck at the craziest camp in the kelp forest, Kamp Koral. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, the series is slated to debut in 2021 exclusively on the newly rebranded Paramount+ streaming video on demand service. Following the season’s run on Paramount+, the series will also air on Nickelodeon later in the year.
In Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, SpongeBob meets Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Plankton and Mr. Krabs, where the new friends embark on all the joys of camp, including hunting for treasure, slaplining and more. The CG-animated series (13 episodes) is the first original spinoff of Nickelodeon’s iconic hit show SpongeBob SquarePants.
Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years features Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) reprising their iconic roles. Carlos Alazraqui (The Casagrandes) and Kate Higgins (Blaze and the Monster Machines) join as new characters Nobby and Narlene, narwhal siblings who live in the woods surrounding the camp.
Marc Ceccarelli (SpongeBob SquarePants), Vincent Waller (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Jennie Monica (SpongeBob SquarePants) are co-executive producers of the series. Production of Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years is overseen by Kelley Gardner, Vice President, Current Series Animation, Nickelodeon.
Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in Viacom International Media Networks history, seen in more than 170 countries and territories, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every month. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
The forthcoming Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years series is part of Nickelodeon’s strategy to be the home of the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands Nickelodeon’s growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue’s Clues & You!, the all-new animated Star Trek: Prodigy series and recently announced The Smurfs.
Nickelodeon, now in its 41st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).
------------------------
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Yen Press Announces "When a Magician's Pupil Smiles" and More Titles
Acquisition Announcement — Yen Press Announces Four New Titles for Future Publication
NEW YORK, NY – Yen Press, LLC announced a slate of upcoming titles that include the manga series When a Magician’s Pupil Smiles and Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana and the light novel series and manga adaptation of I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister.
When a Magician's Pupil Smiles
Story and Art by Chisaki Kanai
Ouka Namae, a magician's pupil, is incapable of feeling emotion. That is...he's almost incapable. There is one particular circumstance when his feelings rise to the surface, but the scenario that unleashes them is too dark to even contemplate...
When a Magician’s Pupil Smiles is a dark supernatural manga that was originally published as a digital exclusive by Yen Press. This upcoming print edition collects the entire series in a single omnibus edition.
Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana, Vol. 1 (manga)
Story by Kumo Kagyu
Art by Aoki Shogo
Original Illustrations by lack
Not a soul knows how the death and destruction started. Only one thing is certain-it came from the north. Deep within the Dungeon of the Dead is where the the Demon King resides and the only hope humanity has of defeating this great evil rests on the shoulders of a handful of adventurers. This tale of Sword Maiden's past smells of ash and sounds like the ringing of bare steel.
Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana is a manga adaptation of the upcoming light novel release. A spin-off of the ever popular Goblin Slayer that delves into the past of the legendary Sword Maiden, this manga appeals greatly to fans of the series.
I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister (light novel)
Story by Kisetsu Morita
Illustrations by Benio
In this spinoff story of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, enjoy Beelzebub’s misadventures in her early days as the demon Minister of Agriculture, after she was promoted from entry-level office worker right to the top!
I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister is a spin-off of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, a slice-of-life fantasy that has been rapidly growing in popularity with an anime adaptation on the horizon. As a spin-off that focuses on the past hijinks of fan-favorite character Beelzebub, this series further builds upon the fun and fantastical world that many have grown to love.
I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister (manga)
Story by Kisetsu Morita
Art by Meishi Murakami
Original Illustrations by Benio
In this spinoff story of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, enjoy demon Minister of Agriculture Beelzebub’s adventures in the days before she met Azusa. After refusing promotions for 1500 years, how did she make it from entry-level office worker right to the top?
Like the manga adaptation of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, the manga adaptation of I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister does an amazing job portraying the hilarious events and characters from the pages of the light novel series, all in a cute art style that fans are sure to love.
About Yen Press, LLC:
Yen Press, LLC is a joint venture between Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. Founded in 2006, Yen Press has quickly risen to become one of the largest and most prolific publishers of manga and original graphic novels in the North American marketplace and a driving force in the introduction of light novels and Japanese literature to new readers through its Yen On imprint. For more information, visit www.yenpress.com
Friday, October 9, 2020
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 1st to 10th, 2020 - Update #29
by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Support Leroy on Patreon:
ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:
DISNEY - From Deadline: Pixar's upcoming animated film, "Soul," will skip theaters and debut on the streaming service, "Disney+" on Christmas Day.
STAR TREK - From Variety: Actress Kate Mulgrew will return as "Captain Kathryn Janeway" (of "Star Trek Voyager") for Nickelodeon's animated "Star Trek: Prodigy."
POLITICS - From YahooNews: The federal government has broken up a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer by seven members of the militia group, the "Wolverine Watchmen."
POLITICS - From YahooFinance: Most Americans support higher taxes if it's spent on these 2 things: Poll
MOVIES - From IndieWire: Robert Downey, Jr. is working of his third "Sherlock Holmes" film, following the first two, in 2009 and 2011. He hopes to use this third film to launch a Marvel-style cinematic universe with Sherlock-inspired films.
MOVIES - From People: Whoopi Goldberg says there is work being done to bring about "Sister Act 3," which would be the second sequel to her hit 1992 film, "Sister Act."
STREAMING - From Deadline: AMC Network's streaming service, UMC, will launch the limited series thriller, "Terror Lake Drive." "Empire" star, Malik Yoba, leads the cast.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Constantin Film has set a reboot of its "Resident Evil" film franchise. Writer-director Johannes Roberts has said that he has conceived an origin story with "faithful ties" to the original Capcom video games. Netflix is also planning an eight-episode TV series based on the game.
CULTURE - From YahooLifestyle: 'They dictate their care': VIP (very important patient) syndrome may be behind Trump's discharge from Walter Reed, expert says
TELEVISION - From TCM: TCM's (Turner Classic Movies) "Star of the Month" for October 2020 is the late, great lion of British cinema, Peter Cushing. On Monday evenings in October, TCM will be screening two films starring Cushing.
MOVIES - From Variety: Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment have delayed the release of director Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" from Dec. 18th, 2020 to October 1, 2021.
BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: The winner of the 10/2 to 10/4/2020 weekend box office is "Tenet" with an estimated take of 2.7 million dollars.
From Deadline: "Tenet" leads the international box office with a take of 11.5 million.
From Variety: OPINION - "Why 'Tenet' was the Wrong Movie at the Wrong Time." (Column)
From Variety: Cineworld is considering closing all its Regal Cinemas in the U.S., U.K., and Ireland. This may be fallout from the announcement that the next James Bond movie, "No Time to Die," has been moved from a November 2020 release date to April 2021.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Clint Eastwood has found his next film. He will star in and direct "Cry Macho" for Warner Bros.
TELEVISION - From Deadline: Rob and Michele Reiner have revived the "Castle Rock" banner that Rob Reiner co-founded in 1987. The Reiners have signed an overall multi-year directing and producing deal with Warner Bros. Television.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Warner Bros. has moved "Roald Dahl's The Witches" from a theatrical release (scheduled for release Oct. 16th) to a streaming release on HBO Max on Oct. 9th.
STREAMING - From EW: Netflix releases first look at the late Chadwick Boseman ("Black Panther") in his final role in the film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."
MOVIES - From Deadline: Don Cheadle and Benecio del Toro headline director Steven Soderbergh's all-star HBO Max crime thriller, "No Sudden Move."
OBITS:
From CNN: American reggae and pop music singer-songwriter, Johnny Nash, has died at the age of 80, Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Nash was best known for his 1972 hit song that he wrote and produced, "I Can See Clearly Now," which hit "No.1" on the "Billboard Hot 100" charts. He was one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.
From RollingStone: Rock music and rock guitar legend, Eddie Van Halen, has died at the age of 65, Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Van Halen was best known for co-founding the rock band, "Van Halen," which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Eddie was frequently considered among the very best or the best guitarist of all time. Eddie had apparently been battling throat cancer for the past five years.
From Variety: The actor, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, was killed Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the age of 70. Byrd appeared in several Spike Lee films, beginning with "Clockers" (1995) and ending with "Chi-raq" (2015). He received a Tony Award nomination for his role in the 2003 revival of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."
From StLouisPostDispatch: Hall of Fame Major League Baseball pitcher, Bob Gibson, has died at the age of 84, Friday, October 2, 2020. Gibson spent his entire 17 year career, 1959 to 1975, with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals. Gibson won the top pitching honor, the Cy Young Award, 1968 and 1970, and he was the National League MVP in 1968. He was the World Series MVP in 1964 and 1967, leading the Cardinals to the World Series Championship both years. 1968, the pinnacle of his career, saw him post a 1.12 ERA (earned run average).
From RollingStone: Country music singer-songwriter and actor, Mac Davis, has died at the age of 78, Tuesday, September 29, 2020. Davis' initial fame came as a songwriter for Elvis Presely, writing such hits as "A Little Less Conversation" (1968) and "In the Ghetto" (1969). Davis' own solo hits included “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me” (1972), “Stop and Smell the Roses” (1974), and “One Hell of a Woman" (1974). Davis parlayed his hit music into a career in films and television, including hosting a number of his own TV variety specials.
From Deadline: Australian-American singer, actress, and activist, Helen Reddy, has died at the age of 78, Tuesday, September 29, 2020. Called the "Queen of 70s Pop," Reddy was best known for her feminist anthem, "I Am Woman," in particularly the 1972 recording of the song which had originally been released in 1971. In 1973, "I Am Woman" won Reddy a Grammy Award for "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female."
From CDC: The Centers for Disease Control has a "COVID Data Tracker."
From YahooNews: Why does COVID-19 kill some people and hardly affects others?
From YahooNews: Yahoo has a dedicated page of links updating news about COVID-19.
From Deadline: The news site "Deadline" has a dedicated page for news about coronavirus and the film, TV, and entertainment industries.
From TheNewYorker: The venerable magazine has a dedicate COVID-19 page free to all readers.
From YahooNews: Re: the federal government's response to COVID-19: What if the most important election of our lifetime was the last one - 2016?
From YahooLife: What is "happy hypoxia?" And do you have this COVID-19 symptom?
From JuanCole: Remember when President Donald went crazy and suggested that we ingest household cleaning supplies and UV light to fight COVID-19. Here is the video and commentary from Juan Cole.
From TheIntercept: The federal government has ramped up security and police-related spending in response to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, including issuing contracts for riot gear, disclosures show. The purchase orders include requests for disposable cuffs, gas masks, ballistic helmets, and riot gloves...
From TheAtlantic: The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying. The pandemic has exposed the bitter terms of our racial contract, which deems certain lives of greater value than others.
From ProPublica: Hospital's Secret COVID-19 Policy Separated Native American Mothers From Their Newborns
From TheGuardian: More than 20 million Americans could have contracted COVID-19, experts say.
From RSN/WashPost: The COVID-19 mutation that has taken over the world.
7/13 - From YahooSports: Maybe a pandemic means that there will not be college football this fall.
7/13- From YahooNews: The CDC adds four new symptoms (including nausea and purple or blue lesions on feet and toes) to the list of COVID-19 symptoms.
7/19 - From YahooFinance: Harvard Public Health professor Dr. Howard Koh says the U.S. "needs to regroup" to find COVID-19.
7/22 - From YahooNews: A public health employee predicted Florida's coronavirus catastrophe — then she was fired.
7/22 - From YahooLifestyle: Florida mom loses son, 20, to coronavirus, and then days later, her daughter.
7/23 - From TheWrap: The site has a list of movie and TV stars, entertainment and sports figures who have tested positive for COVID-19
From Bloomberg: Will the COVID-19 pandemic turn Millennials into socialists?
7/27 - From CNN: Chief of critical care at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Joseph Costa, passes away due to Covid-19 complications... after treating the hospital's sickest COVID-19 patients. He was 56 and leaves behind family, including a husband of 28 years.
7/30 - From Deadline: Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") reveals that he had a bout with COVID-19.
7/31 - From YahooEntertainment: Writer and actress, Lena Dunham, creator of HBO's "Girls, reveals that she contracted COVID-19 and the symptoms she experiences and still experience.
7/30 - From YahooGMA: In their bid to crackdown on illegal gatherings amid COVID-19, New York authorities break up an alleged sex party.
7/31 - From Slate: COVID-19 is airborne - for reals!
8/2 - From TheDailyBeast: In Mississippi, COVID-19 has coroners terrified.
8/6 - From YahooNews: Testing everyone constantly could stop the spread of COVID-19... according to this article.
8/8 - From YahooNYT: The coronavirus is new, but your immune system might recognize it.
8/8 - From YahooNBC: They thought COVID-19 was a hoax, and they almost died from it or are watching family and loved ones suffer with it or die from it.
8/9 - From YahooNews: The rest of the world is incredulous at the pitiful U.S. response to COVID-19.
8/9 - From YahooAFP: According to the real-time tally kept by John Hopkins University, the United States has hit 5 million cases of COVID-19.
8/16 - From Truthout: COVID Deaths Continue to Surge in Countries Led by Far Right Authoritarians
9/19 - From WashPost: U.S. coronavirus death toll reaches 200,000
9/23 - From CNBC: Mark Cuban, who owns the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and star of ABC's "Shark Tank," suggests that every household in American get a $1000 check every two weeks for the next two months.
9/28 - From Deadline: John Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker reports that over 1 million people have died of COVID-19 worldwide.
10/2 - From YahooNews: President Donald and the First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19.
BLACK LIVES MATTER:
From RSN: Judge's Blistering Opinion Says Courts Have Placed Police Beyond Accountability
From TheGuardian: Yusef Salaam, one of the "Central Park Five," says in an interview, "Trump would have had me hanging from a tree in Central Park."
From NPR: Prosecutors' plea deal required drug suspect to name Breonna Taylor a "co-defendant."
From ChicagoSunTimes: Rev. Jesse Jackson: America has millions of people in poverty because Americans choose not to demand the policies that would lift them out of poverty.
From APNews: No one will be held accountable for the killing of Louisville African-American resident, Breonna Taylor.
From Channel4: Revealed: Trump campaign strategy to deter millions of Black Americans from voting in 2016
From GuardianUK: California is going to consider paying reparations to the descendants of African slaves after adopting a landmark law to study and to develop proposals around the issue.
From TheRoot: What to Do When Your Country Turns Into a Dumpster Fire
From Vox: It's True: 1 in 1,000 Black Americans Have Died in the Covid-19 Pandemic