VIZ Media presents the finale to the acclaimed anime series CROSS GAME with the availability of Episodes 49 and 50 today on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own premiere website for anime, as well as through the streaming content provider HULU (www.Hulu.com).

While Goro Miyazak’s animated feature, Tales from Earthsea, stands on its own as an entertaining film that did well in its Japanese theatrical run, there’s no doubt that the inevitable comparisons to his father and scrutiny from the book’s fans would overshadow the film’s merits to some degree.

The arrival on Blu-ray of Miyazaki’s timeless feature, Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind reminds me why I mortgaged the farm to buy a top-of-the-line HD-TV and dvd player last year. The true beauty of the director’s visual style, his painterly landscapes and explosions of color have never been more apparent than with this new Blu-ray release.

Skydance Productions' head David Ellison is in talks to buy the rights to anime series STAR BLAZERS, reports Deadline.com.

Sentai Filmworks today announced its acquisition of DREAM EATER MERRY, the latest hit anime series from animation powerhouse J.C. STAFF (Excel Saga, Azumanga Daioh, Revolutionary Girl Utena,).

VIZ Pictures, Inc., the film distributor and producer behind the Japanese pop culture venue in San Francisco known as NEW PEOPLE, has announced that it will now operate as a newly established company, NEW PEOPLE, Inc., to re-brand and create synergy between all corporate divisions.

Sentai Filmworks today announced its acquisition of INFINITE STRATOS, the latest hit anime series from 8-Bit (Durarara!!, Macross Frontier).

Toei Animation announced today that it has finalized new licensing and merchandising deals in Latin America for several of the company’s animated properties.

Pokémon, one of the most successful entertainment properties in the world and the second-largest video game franchise of all-time, is celebrating a blockbuster year in 2011.

LETHAL WEAPON screenwriter Shane Black will direct a live-action adaptation of manga DEATH NOTE for Warner Bros., reports Deadline.com.

VIZ Media rings in 2011 and expands its current anime promotion on iTunes in the U.S. (www.iTunes.com) to include the premieres of BUSO RENKIN and VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY.

Toei Animation announced today that Cartoon Network Latin America has acquired the broadcast rights to the new anime series, Dragon Ball Kai – Freeze Saga, while also renewing Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT.

The Songdo Animation Center is now under construction in Seoul, South Korea, reports Variety.

Eight companies that exited from the 2011 Tokyo Anime Fair (TAF) are teaming up for a new event, titled Anime Contents Expo, reports Variety. It will run from March 26-27, while TAF runs from March 24-27.

TOKYOPOP, the country's leading independent manga media company, Baker & Taylor Inc., the world's largest distributor of physical and digital books and entertainment products, and e-commerce solution leader MashON, today announced the launch of the new TOKYOPOP Shop at www.TOKYOPOP.com.

Verizon’s FiOS TV customers now have on-demand access to the cultural phenomenon of Japanese animation known as “anime,” with the launch of the Anime Network on FiOS TV Video on Demand.

The comeback of the brand “BEYBLADE: Metal Fusion” marketed by the brand management and media company m4e AG and toy manufacturer Hasbro is in full swing.

Imira Entertainment, Spain’s leading production and distribution company specialising in youth programming, has signed its first third party representation deal with Sunwoo Entertainment.

Starz is teaming with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert to create a live-action remake of the anime NOIR, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

GKids, which helped THE SECRET OF KELLS earn an Oscar nod, will release Mamoru Hosoda's SUMMER WARS for an Oscar qualifying run, reports Variety.