Shonen Jump: J-Stars AMV

We're less than a month away from the release of the highly anticipated J-Stars Victory Vs.+ for PS3, PS4, and Vita in the US! Need a reminder of exactly why we're looking so forward to this game? This AMV showcasing some of the best of the best of Shonen Jump – both characters and shows included in the game and ones that aren't – serves as the perfect look back at the iconic SJ brand, as well as getting us seriously excited to punch Sasuke as Goku. Get hyped!

New Series 'Dragon Ball Super' Announced, Airing in July

Hold onto your hats people, this is not a drill! In news that came out of nowhere, it has been announced that a new Dragon Ball series, the first 'new' one in 18 years, will begin airing in Japan in July! The series, titled 'Dragon Ball Super', will take place 'after the defeat of Majin Buu, when the Earth is peaceful again'. Original creator Akira Toriyama is credited as coming up with the original story and character concepts for the series.

Some additional notes should be added to this however. 1) For clarity's sake, 'Dragon Ball Kai' began airing in 2009, so we've had a series on TV since the end of GT in 1997, but by Kai's very nature I can see why it's not considered “new”. 2) While the announcement lists it as taking place after Majin Buu, that doesn't mean it will actually be after the end of the manga, as both of the two recent films as well as the Jump Special Animation Tour special before them, also take place after that arc but during the 'ten year' time skip prior to the final chapters. This series could very well be in that same area of time. 3) It doesn't pay to be cynical, but it's worth pointing out that GT was originally touted as having Toriyama's involvement as well, but in the end his involvement was very minimal. While it's unlikely that that's true this time as well due to Toriyama's increased interest in the franchise as of late, it's still something to keep in mind.

Needless to say, this is news that I never thought I'd actually read or have the pleasure of reporting on. Dragon Ball Z was arguably my first anime series, is still one of my favorites, and the Dragon Ball franchise as a whole is among my absolute favorite things. To think we're getting another new series...I'm a little numb with excitement!

Tegami Bachi (Letter Bee) Manga to End with 20th Volume

The 19^th volume of Hiroyuki Asada's Tegami Bachi (Also called Letter Bee) just came out in Japan this past Saturday, and lists that the 20^th volume (due out this winter) will be it's last. The manga began in Monthly Jump in 2006, and when the magazine ended it switched to Weekly Jump before finally finding a new home in Jump Square in 2007. The manga tells the story of a young boy named Lag Seeing who delivers mail as a “Letter Bee”, coming across all sorts of dangers which his “Dingo” companion Niche protects him from. The 17^th volume was just released by Viz in the US last November.

This is a series I remember liking well enough when I got to read a bit of it in the US version of Shonen Jump, so I really need to get around to checking it out more properly eventually. I remember that Niche is adorable and sassy, and that's more than enough for a read, I'd say.