Anime
Yuuji Oono, Music Composer of ‘Lupin the Third’, Dies at 84
Yuuji Oono, the acclaimed jazz pianist and composer renowned for scoring the anime series Lupin III, died on May 4, 2026. He was 84.
His agency, Office Augusta, announced his passing in an official statement on May 13, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the support and kindness shown to him throughout his lifetime. The statement added that up until just before he died, Oono had been living his life normally until he passed away peacefully while sleeping. Private funeral and memorial services were held with close family per his relatives’ wishes. A public gathering will be held at a later date.
The statement also confirmed that the concert on May 30 at Billboard Live Tokyo will continue as planned because Oono had already finished preparing for the show.
Oono began his recording career as a versatile jazz pianist and composer in 1966. During the mid-1970s, he took a break from playing the piano in order to concentrate more on composition. This transition turned out to be crucial, as he became one of the key figures in anime music composition, particularly for his works in the Lupin III franchise. His work on Lupin III: Part II and the movie Lupin III: Cagliostro no Shiro (Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro) gained him worldwide recognition.
Beyond Lupin III series, Oono composed scores for many notable anime titles, including Space Cobra (Space Adventure Cobra), Gakuen Senki Muryou (Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars), Time Slip Ichimannen (Prime Rose), Kaitei Choutokkyuu: Marine Express (Undersea Super Train: Marine Express), and 100-man-nen Chikyuu no Tabi: Bander Book (One-Million Year Trip: Bander Book). His extensive career lasted nearly six decades, producing more than 50 film and television scores.
Source: Sponichi Annex, Oricon Music
>
Anime
‘Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Akogare no Yume e – Magokoro no Duo’ Theatrical Release Postponed
The official website for the Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Akogare no Yume e – Magokoro no Duo (Fairy Princess Minky Momo) original video anime announced on Wednesday that its theatrical release has been postponed due to production circumstances. The OVA was originally scheduled to open in Japan on November 13. A new release date will be announced at a later time.
The production committee apologized to viewers and related parties for the postponement. Advance tickets that have already been purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled theatrical release.
Ayumu Watanabe (Summertime Render) is directing at Ashi Productions and Deko Akao (Witch Watch) is penning the script. Hiroshi Watanabe (Minky Momo in Tabidachi no Eki) and Mari Tominaga (Cardfight!! Vanguard) are designing the characters. Tomoki Hasegawa (Jiisan Baasan Wakagaeru) is composing the music.
Produced by Ashi Productions, the original television anime aired in 63 episodes from March 1982 to May 1983. A second anime series aired in 62 episodes from Fall 1991 to Fall 1992.
The Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yume no Naka no Rondo (La Ronde in my Dream) original video anime was released in July 1985, followed by Minky Momo in Yume ni Kakeru Hashi (Minky Momo in the Bridge Over Dreams) in May 1993, and Minky Momo in Tabidachi no Eki (Minky Momo: The Station of Your Memories) in June 1994.
Source: Oricon News
>
Ministry of Justice expert panel had indicated right of publicity protects voices
©津田健次郎 / ANDSTIR
On Wednesday, the Tokyo District Court dismissed the lawsuit voice actor Kenjirō Tsuda filed against the operator of the video-sharing app TikTok for posting videos that allegedly used AI to imitate his voice without permission. Tsuda had sought the removal of the videos, and the court found that the videos had already been removed.
The Singaporean company that operates TikTok in Japan reported that the videos had been removed after the lawsuit’s November 2025 filing. Thus, the company argued that Tsuda no longer has a legal interest in continuing the case.
According to the lawsuit’s filing, an unidentified individual owned the TikTok account that posted at least 188 videos dealing with urban legends and conspiracy theories between July 2024 and September 2025. According to information the individual posted on another site, the revenue from the videos was estimated between 500,000 and 750,000 yen (about US$3,000 to US$4,500) per month.
Tsuda’s legal team argued that the videos featured narration generated by AI to imitate Tsuda’s characteristic “smooth, low-pitched” and “deep, husky” voice. They claimed that the videos were misleading viewers into believing that the narration is Tsuda’s voice, thus attracting them. Tsuda’s camp had sought the removal of the videos based on the Unfair Competition Prevention Act and the right of publicity, which is the right to protect the image of public figures such as celebrities and entertainers.
The defense had argued that the voice in the narration was a “universal male voice” generated by training AI on the voice of the poster’s friend, as was stated on the poster’s external website. The company’s lawyers argued that there was no confusion and therefore no violation of the law. TikTok also denied any infringement of publicity rights, arguing that most of the comments on the videos were opinions and reactions regarding to the content, and the viewers were not drawn in by the voice of the narration.
In related news, an expert panel for the Ministry of Justice issued guidelines in August on how to interpret the existing laws to protect voices from unauthorized generative AI use. The guidelines indicated that the voices of voice actors and actors are legally protected under the right of publicity, just as their likenesses (e.g. photographs) are. The guidelines also indicated that depending on how much they infringed on that right, generative AI providers could face joint liability.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun
(Kōtarō Adachi) via Hachima Kikō
>
© ASHI PRODUCTIONS 2026／FPMM Committee
The production committee for Mahō no Princess Minky Momo Akogare no Yume e Magokoro no Duo (Fairy Princess Minky Momo: A Heartfelt Duet for Dreams of Yearning), the new original video anime (OVA) of the Fairy Princess Minky Momo magical girl anime franchise, announced on Wednesday that the new anime has been delayed due to production issues. The committee had planned to open the anime in theaters in Japan on November 13.
The committee apologized to fans looking forward to the anime and all those involved in the production, and said it will announce the new opening date, as soon as it is decided, on the anime’s official website and social media accounts. People who bought advance tickets for the screenings can still use them after the new opening date.
The new OVA‘s story is set in Diginarsa, the land of dreams and hopes, which maintains its existence through dream energy. But the land is in danger of disappearing as humans lose their dreams and hopes, and the dream energy decreases. As a last resort, the land’s king sends off his three companions Chamocha, Dettabook, and Pipirupi to Min ky Momo for help.
On her 12th birthday, a girl named Momo received a smartphone as a present, and awakens as Min ky Momo after meeting the king’s companions and resolves herself to save Diginarsa. As Momo steadily collects dream energy, a mysterious app begins to become popular in the city. But the dreams that children talk about in the app are nothing but frivolous dreams only driven by the desire for recognition or boosting their viewing numbers. Momo starts to question everyone’s dreams.
©ASHI PRODUCTIONS 2026／FPMM Committee
The OVA stars:
Ayumu Watanabe (Witch Hat Atelier, Akane-banashi, Space Brothers) is directing the anime at Ashi Production. The original 1982-1983 anime’s main animator Hiroshi Watanabe and Minky Momo in The Station of Your Memories key animator Mari Tominaga are designing the characters. Deko Akao (Arakawa Under the Bridge two seasons, Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream) is writing the script, Katsunori Shimizu (Magical Girl Ore, Citrus) is the sound director, Zack Promotion is in charge of sound production, and Tomoki Hasegawa (Minky Momo in The Station of Your Memories, Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!) is composing the music. Studio Live is credited for design cooperation. MOVIC and Giggly Box are distributing.
The new OVA will be the franchise‘s first new one since 1994’s Minky Momo in The Station of Your Memories, 32 years ago.
William Winckler Productions launched an Amazon Instant Video release of the 1982-1983 television anime as English-dubbed features in 2015, and it described the story:
In Minky Momo, a princess from a magical world is sent to Earth to help people recover their lost hopes and dreams. Using her magic, and with the aid of her magical dog, monkey and bird, Minky – known on Earth as “Gigi” – encounters amazing adventures.
The 1982-1983 series inspired a television series followup in 1991-1992 and several OVAs. Harmony Gold USA released the Fairy Princess Minky Momo: La ronde in my dream OVA in English as Gigi and the Fountain of Youth. Crunchyroll began streaming the original television anime in January 2024.
Sources: Mahō no Princess Minky Momo Akogare no Yume e Magokoro no Duo anime’s website, Comic Natalie
>
Esteban Ocon to leave Haas putting F1 future in doubt
Northern Ireland: Jess Kelmore one of five new call-ups for World Cup play-off
Man City: Micah Richards ‘devastated’ after reading Premier League verdict on charges
-
movies4 months agoSearch For Canadian TV Actor Stewart McLean Now Homicide Investigation
-
Fashion9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Fashion9 years ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Fashion9 years ago
Model Jocelyn Chew’s Instagram is the best vacation you’ve ever had
-
Fashion9 years ago
Emily Ratajkowski channels back-to-school style
-
Fashion9 years ago
9 Celebrities who have spoken out about being photoshopped
-
Anime4 months agoRurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc Manga Takes 1-Issue Break – News
-
Anime3 months agoHIDIVE to Stream English Dubs for The World Is Dancing, The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World, The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie Anime – News