Wait, Why Didn't All This Cool Dragon Ball Stuff Happen at Anime Expo?

In what seems to be a calculated slight against AX, the Dragon Ball World Tour starts at Comic-Con. This awesome event that did not take place in LA, but will go to San Diego, (piff) to a convention that is not fully about anime, sounds great. So, it really sucks in comparison to Dragon Ball's presence at AX this year.

Here's what going on from the press release, including a Guinness World Record attempt at doing a Kamehameha together. I say AX tries to do it next year to take away from San Diego. Screw them.

And I get what Fun doesn't care if the event takes place in LA, they're Texas based. Toei, whose a part of this, says the division handling this is LA based. I'm guessing they're from New York, so they don't care for LA. Why else would you not start this here in LA?

Oh, look New York is on the tour list, but not LA. (Snicker)

FROM PRESS RELEASE:

Dragon Ball Guinness World Records Attempt

Come be a part of Dragon Ball and Guinness World Records history! The 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure will open with a special Guinness World Records attempt to become the largest gathering of people simultaneously performing the iconic Kamehameha super energy attack move.

Fans will  gather on Wednesday, July 17 at 3:30 p.m. at the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure  on the Marriott Marina Terrace at the Marriot Marquis San Diego. The first 1,000 participants to arrive will receive a free Dragon Ball Scouter accessory to wear during the Guinness World Records attempt. The Kamehameha super energy attack move will be led by actor Sean Schemmel, the English voice of Dragon Ball character Goku. Guinness World Records will be onsite  to supervise and validate the record attempt.

Dragon Ball World Adventure Displays

Dive into the world of Dragon Ball with an expansive collection of multi-faceted interactive installations will delight fans and attendees. Catch interactive kiosks featuring the latest Dragon Ball video game titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment, including Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, Dragon Ball Z Fighter, Dragon Ball Legends, and Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle.

Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth

Capture your visit to 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure with a unique and shareable complimentary memento.  Head to the Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth, select your favorite background and pose for a series of photos that will be stitched together and delivered to you as a looping animated gif that can be shared directly with friends and family and/or posted to a variety of social media channels.

Dragon Ball Collectibles & Exclusives

On display will be a wide array of S.H.Figuarts event exclusives and special Dragon Ball products from leading Bandai brands including Tamashii Nations, Shokugan, and Banpresto. Event exclusives will be available to purchase at the Tamashii Nations Booth #3545 inside the Comic-Con Main Hall and require an exclusive merchandise time slot issued by San Diego Comic-Con to purchase.

Dragon Ball Sticker Rally

Join the Dragon Ball Sticker Rally and collect stickers at each attraction inside the Dragon Ball World Adventure. Stickers may be redeemed for free premiums including Dragon Ball wristbands, posters, lanyards, stickers, fans and Saiyan Hair Set headbands. In addition, all tour guests will receive an exclusive 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure oversized swag bag to use to carry all of their Comic-Con purchases.

LA Links: Vidiots x Drafthouse, Bling Ring Billboard Screening & Jurassic World- The Ride

-So, the new Video Vortex opening with the LA Alamo Drafthouse is partnering with the LA well-known Vidiots non-profit. What does that mean for you? It means the ability to freely rent 40k of Blu-rays and DVD's at the new location. That's right, for free.

It also comes with a series called Tales from the Video Store about peoples experiences renting before Netflix and special screenings.

-A24, who gave us the new horror film just in time for the sunshine, Midsommar, is showing off it's films in the cities the movies take place...on billboards. For free. LA gets one. We get the Bling Ring, July 27, at 8pm, somewhere in the valley. Put in the coordinates into Google and find it. via /Film

- Jurassic World—The Ride is finally re-opened and now takes on the adventures from the new movies. They kind of re-did the whole area. So, check it out if you're going for Harry Potter.

River City Girls: Be Ladies and Punch People

Why do we have to wait until September? I want to beat up chicks and save my boyfriend already!!! A new, side-scroller beat-em up in the River City universe. Co-op as two girls laying the smackdown to save their thuggish boyfriends. The reason it looks so good is it's coming from WayForward.

 River City Girls is out September 5th on PS4, PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch digitally.

Bluehilda Already Better Than New Looney Tune Shorts

Check out the animated short about a cute little blue witch that looks way better than WB's trying to get us back with Looney Tunes.

All Anime Expo 2019 Coverage: Con Dad, Boobs & More

Here's all the coverage from AX 2019. What was you favorite part? Hopefully, the Dad Cosplay.

AX Dad or Con Dad, Just Call Me, I Worry About You: Anime Expo 2019 Field Trip Part 1
AX Dad or Con Dad, Just Call Me, I Worry About You: Anime Expo 2019 Field Trip Part 2

- Cosplay Gallery

-Breakdown

-Promare Premiere

-18+ @ AX 2019

-Funimation Bowling & Crunchyroll HQ @ AX 2019

-Artist Alley & Gaming

-AX The Bad

Anime Expo 2019: Promare Premiere

By Jonathan Bilski

Ahha-ha-ha. Oh my...it's Gurren Lagann. It's Gurren Lagann. I shouted in my head and the crew declared after the show. It may be about racism towards fire people (not stolen from Fire Force), but for anyone whose watched Gurren Lagann, you might go...wait, this is like the same thing. And it's a good thing, because the animation, ridiculous story and epic fighting that occurs is something you shouldn't miss. The North America Premiere of Promare took place at AX's Main event Hall on Friday, July 5th.

New film, Promare is about a young hot-shot firefighter fighting the Burnish, those with the power to control fire and supposedly wreak havoc. He and his fire rescue team take them on. And thus begins a ridiculous story that steals plot points from a number of TV shows and movies including Gurren, yet it's so well animated and fast-paced you'll want to see where it's going. And it's going pretty far. It becomes a story about two leads, both Galo Thymos, the hot shot and the leader of the Burnish, Lio Fotia, who I thought was a chick by just looking at the movie poster. There's some fan service for the ladies too towards the end so enjoy. And then it becomes even more epic with the fate of the Earth in the balance.

For some background info, the people behind the film, Trigger, used to work for Gainax and when the did they made Gurren Laggann. So, you have a film very much like the dystopian robot anime that spanned the universe. It has a lot of references to the past anime, nothing directly, but dang close.

Trigger's Hiroyuki Imaishi, the director of the film, creative director, Hiromi Wakabayashi, and character designer, Shigeto Koyama,were all in attendance. They flat out said the film was a starting point for anyone to check out their earlier work of Gurren Laggann and wondered about the differences between the Japanese and American audiences. Apparently, we're very different, but mind you the crowd was rowdy Anime Expo folk where you act out more. Japanese are a little more subtle. We yell here.

Trigger coming back and showing the film was, I believe, fulfilling their promise for when the first broke news of the film at AX two years ago. It was worth the wait.

The recent 2nd big earthquake that wobbled California should have occurred during the epic finale as it would have only increased the scale and insanity of the battle. Instead, it made Trigger a little nervous they would have to cut their panel short. They didn't.

Can't wait to see their future stuff, which looks like a rip on Zootopia, but with basketball and Neo-noir detective drama. Look for the anime BNA in the future.

Promare will be shown this year in theaters with two special screenings.

That's not a girl on the left

Check here for local listings, tickets available now.

• Tuesday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. local time (English-language dubbed)
• Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. local time (English-language subtitled)

ATLUS Art Exhibit 2019: Persona 5 Royal & Catherine: Full Body Showcase featuring Shigenori Soejima Aug 17

Atlus dominated AX per usual this year. You couldn't even get there bag without spending $50 and now they're taking over Nucleus.

ATLUS Art Exhibit 2019: Persona 5 Royal & Catherine: Full Body Showcase featuring Shigenori Soejima
August 17, 2019 - September 1, 2019
Opening Reception / Aug 17, 1:00PM - 7:00PM
210 East Main St, Alhambra CA 91801

Here's what's happening:
 
OPENING RECEPTION HIGHLIGHTS

• ADMISSION includes a door prize (while supplies last)
• Meet artist Shigenori Soejima, the character designer of PERSONA 5 and CATHERINE and more...
• Pre-register to participate in autographs and panel!*
• Debut of exclusive limited edition PERSONA 5 and CATHERINE prints and other new items will be available
• Special announcement to be made for PERSONA 5 ROYAL

EXHIBITION FEATURES

• Over a dozen fan created pieces of tribute art will be on display
• Rare game artwork from the PERSONA 5 and CATHERINE franchise will also be on display
• Interactive installation
• Photo-op wall

• There will be two separate signing sessions on opening night
• One of the signing sessions will include an artist panel prior to the signing
• Registered attendees will receive 1 signature from Soejima-san per person
• The gallery will be providing a poster for signature. Attendees may not bring their own items for autographs

*Registration for signing sessions will go live starting 10am PT August 2nd
$5 Registration fee will be credited back to attendees upon purchase of any event related merchandise.