Hey, everyone!

Here’s what’s going in the world of Anime today:

• New Hatsune Miku Concerts Draw Criticism Amid Display Changes

• Keanu Reeves Joins Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film as Shadow

• Tatsuki Fujimoto's Look Back Anime Film Releases First Trailer

• Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation RPG Sets Worldwide Launch Date

Meme of the Day

New Hatsune Miku Concerts Draw Criticism Amid Display Changes

Crunchyroll and Crypton Future Media have faced backlash from Hatsune Miku fans following the HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2024 North America tour powered by Crunchyroll, which kicked off in Vancouver, Canada, on April 4.

Fans attending the concerts have noticed a departure from the traditional projection on a transparent screen. The concerts now utilize LED screens instead. This change, not communicated to fans before ticket purchases, has sparked disappointment among attendees.

The Ticketmaster page for the tour previously mentioned Hatsune Miku's holographic performances, but this information has since been removed. A Change.org petition demanding refunds has garnered over 6,400 signatures, addressing concerns about merchandise availability and other issues.

If you're unfamiliar with it, Crypton Future Media developed Hatsune Miku as part of Vocaloid technology. The character is a software voicebank and a virtual idol mascot that has gained international popularity since its debut.

ANN reached out to Crunchyroll, who redirected inquiries to Crypton Future Media. In response, Crypton Future Media acknowledged fan feedback and affirmed its commitment to refining the concert experience. It also confirmed that future shows will feature LED screen technology.

The North American tour, part of Hatsune Miku's 10th-anniversary celebration, includes various cities across the United States and Canada throughout April and May, with a European tour scheduled for October and November.

This marks the first North American tour since 2018, as the 2020 tour was canceled due to the pandemic, though the European leg proceeded in January 2020.

Keanu Reeves Joins Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film as Shadow

Keanu Reeves, renowned for his role as the formidable hitman in John Wick, is taking on a new character in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as he lends his voice to Shadow, an anthropomorphic hedgehog with a darker disposition. This confirmation comes from a source close to Variety. Reeves joins a star-studded cast, including Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr. Robotnik. Paramount Pictures has not provided an official comment on this casting.

In the video games, Shadow is depicted as a black-furred hedgehog, contrasting Sonic's blue fur. He often serves as an antihero and sometimes as an antagonist to Sonic.

Sonic 3 will be helmed by Jeff Fowler, who directed the first two films. The production team includes Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, and Hitoshi Okuno as producers. The film is slated to hit theaters on December 20, 2024. You can watch the official trailer here.

Tatsuki Fujimoto's Look Back Anime Film Releases First Trailer

The eagerly anticipated trailer for the anime film adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's one-shot manga, Look Back, has finally been unveiled.

Look Back centers around Ayumu Fujino, a fourth grader, and her reclusive classmate, Kyomoto. Throughout the 142-page short story, they develop a friendship while nurturing their mutual passion for creating manga. The manga was initially released online in 2021, shortly after the conclusion of Chainsaw Man Part One.

Unlike Chainsaw Man, which saw its first season and upcoming film adaptation of the Reze arc animated by Studio Mappa, Look Back is being brought to life by Studio Durian for its film adaptation. Look Back is set to premiere in Japanese theaters on June 28, 2024, and you can watch the trailer here.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation RPG Sets Worldwide Launch Date

The release date for the Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation RPG has been confirmed for June 20, 2024, titled Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation - Quest of Memories. Developed by Lancarse, the game will be available globally on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, excluding China. Alongside adapting the story from Rifujin na Magonote's novel series and its anime counterpart, the game promises fresh, original scenarios.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation follows a 34-year-old underachiever who finds himself reincarnated as an infant in a new world after being hit by a truck. Determined to live the life he's always desired, Rudy embraces every opportunity, armed with his new friends, magical abilities, and the courage to follow his dreams. With his past experiences intact, he embarks on an epic adventure.

Fans can catch the Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation anime adaptation, based on Rifujin na Magonote's light novel series and illustrated by Shirotaka, streaming on Crunchyroll. The series follows Rudy's journey as he navigates his new life in a fantastical world.

Did you know?

No songs Hatsune Miku sings or performs come from Crypton Future Media.

Indeed, Hatsune Miku's extensive repertoire of songs doesn't originate directly from Crypton. Instead, her vast collection results from a collaborative effort by fans worldwide. Using her program, enthusiasts compose and arrange songs for her performances. Crypton reports that Hatsune Miku boasts over 100,000 songs to her credit, a testament to the creativity and dedication of her fanbase.

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