Funimation held their industry panel at Anime Expo Lite. The following recap is courtesy of funimation.com/blog/
Summer 2021 Anime
The summer season has just begun, and with it a whole new batch of anime to warm your heart, bring the action and help you relax like a cool summer breeze.
There’s the sci-fi survival series Sonny Boy, which showed off an interview with its director, Shingo Natsume, during the industry panel. We also got another look at the series ahead of its debut.
Then there’s The Case Study of Vanitas, a brand-new anime from Aniplex and Bones based on the manga of the same name. It takes place in Paris and is about warring classes of vampires. What’s not to love?
Episode 1 debuted before the panel, and Funimation brought a preview trailer to get things started.
Next up was a special Q&A with voice actors from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime! Good timing, as the English dub for Season 2 Part 2 arrives this summer.
Things got realistic and strategic with a promo video and voice actor message for How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, as well as a special message from the English dub cast of My Hero Academia celebrating 100 episodes of the anime!
New to the Funimation Catalog
The Natsume’s Book of Friends series grows on Funimation with the two-episode OVA Natsume Yujincho: Ishiokoshi to Ayashiki Raihousha arriving to the catalog, joining the first four seasons of the anime.
Oh, and we got a little reminder that the iconic Robotech series (and two films) would be coming to streaming later this year, as well as a super-special Collector’s Edition of the series exclusive to The Funimation Shop!
Anime Movies
How about a look at three upcoming anime films to hit you right in the feels? We’re already emotional.
There’s Josee, the Tiger and the Fish, a beautiful coming of age story about young love. Check out the trailer below and catch it in select theaters on July 12 in North America! Tickets are available now.
Then there was a quick reminder that Sing a Bit of Harmony, Funimation’s first-ever co-produced film, would be coming soon. It’s all about love and music, so please stay tuned for future updates.
And how about The Stranger by the Shore, the incredibly moving love story based on the manga by Kanna Kii? It drops on Funimation in just a few days on July 9.
Anime Merchandise
It’s not a Funimation Industry Panel without some sweet collectibles to look forward to, right? We brought the goods.
There’s the fantastic “SUGOI DEKAI” shirt that Uzaki wears in Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! officially on its way, as well as these super comfy and adorable 119 mascot pillows from Fire Force.
Maybe figures and statues are your jam, so we’ve got another look at the incredible Deku and Bakugo garden gnomes from My Hero Academia, as well as some show-stopping figures of Edward Elric and Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
A Look Ahead
We also got a glimpse of a few things headed to Funimation later this year and beyond, including the key visual for the second cour of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation and a special illustration for She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man.
Funimation also helped kick off the trek to 1,000 episodes of One Piece, with a special sizzle from our friends at Toei Animation to help commemorate the journey so far!
