Filipino-language anime channel HERO has announced through television advertisements their program line-up this January 2015, which includes the fantasy anime Leviathan, the live-action Gatchaman movie, and the highly-acclaimed Rurouni Kenshin live-action movie.
Leviathan: The Last Defense
絶対防衛レヴィアタン
The story is set in Aquafall, a fantasy world abound with water and greenery, and populated by dragons and fairies. Meteorites suddenly bring forth evil creatures that threaten all living things on the planet. The fairy Syrup assembles the Aquafall Defense Force, with three girls of the dragon clans as recruits. The story follows Syrup and the dragon girls Leviathan, Bahamut, and Jörmungandr as they work together to battle enemies and grow up. (Synopsis from Anime News Network)
Leviathan: The Last Defense (Zettai Boei Leviathan) is a Japanese anime adaptation of a mobile game, produced by the Roppongi-based Internet media company Gree.
The fantasy role-playing social-network game was released in April 2013 on both iOS and Android platforms, as a “freemium” service.
The anime adaptation was directed by Kenichi Yatani, who also worked on the popular anime series Strike Witches, while Please Teacher! director Yasunori Ide handled its script composition, and character designs were made by Takaharu Okuma, who also worked on the anime Mitsudomoe.
Leviathan: The Last Defense premieres on New Year’s Day, January 1st, at 01:30pm.
Gatchaman
ガッチャマン
Set in the near future in Tokyo, Japan. The evil terrorist organization Galactor has declared war on the world. The group possesses more advanced technology than governments and occupies over half of the planet. Dr. Kozaburo Nambu of the International Science Organization gathers together 5 superhero ninja agents, known collectively as Gatchaman, to stop Galactor. (Synopsis from AsianWiki)
Gatchaman is a live-action movie adaptation based on the popular 1970 anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, which has been released in Japanese theaters on August 2013.
Toya Sato, who worked on two (2) movie adaptations of Kaji, directed the movie, while screenplay has been made by Yusuke Watanabe. The band BUMP OF CHICKEN performed it’s ending theme song, “Niji o Motsu Hito”.
The cast has been lead by Ayame Goriki as Jun the Swan, Gou Ayano as Joe Asakura the Condor, Ryohei Suzuki as Ryu Nakanishi the Horned Owl, Tatsuomi Hamada as Jinpei the Swallow, and Tori Matsuzaka as Ken Washio the Eagle.
Gatchaman premieres on Sunday, January 04, at 12:00am with encore telecasts at 12:00pm and 08:00pm. The movie will have an encore presentation on Sunday, January 18.
Rurouni Kenshin
るろうに剣心
Kenshin Himura was an assassin for the Imperial side during the war that ended the Shogunate and installed the Meiji government. After killing countless people, he made a vow to never kill again. Ten years later, he finds a home at a failing dojo, only to be caught up in a string of murders related to an opium ring. His commitment to never taking a life is put to the test as the people he’s come to care about are threatened by figures from his past. (Synopsis from Anime News Network)
Rurouni Kenshin is a highly-acclaimed live-action movie adaptation based on the highly-popular manga series written by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
The live-action adapatation was directed by Keishi Otomo, who also directed its sequels, while he was joined by Kiyomi Fujii in writing its screenplay. The theme song was performed by the highly-popular rock group ONE OK ROCK.
The cast are lead by Takeru Satou as Kenshin Himura, and Emi Takei as Kaoru Kamiya.
The live-action movie was screened in Japanese theaters on August 2012, where it earned a total gross of USD36,798,585 (about PHP1,646,184,700).
It was also released in the Philippines exclusively through SM Cinema branches, and distributed by Pioneer Films, on December 05, 2012 where it earned second place in the box office for its first week. The movie earned a total gross of USD647,922 (about PHP28,945,590).
Rurouni Kenshin will have its Philippine television premiere on New Year’s Day, January 1st, at 09:00pm. It will be aired for one-night only, and without encore telecasts for the time being.
Another title that is set to premiere next month is the South Korean animation Tai Chi Chasers, which is set to premiere on Wednesday, January 07, at 06:00pm with encore telecasts on the next day at 12:00am, 06:00am, and 12:00pm.
Titles that are set to return next month include Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya, Gargantia on Verdurous Planet, To Aru Majutsu no Railgun, Fate/Zero, and the anime movie Tiger and Bunny: The Beginning.
You may check the channel’s January 2015 line-up advertisement below:
