Finally we’ve reached the end of the week! It feels like we’ve been waiting forever to hear these words but finally Funimation is ready to break out their big announcements. Are you ready?

FUNIMATION HAS HETALIA AND THE SACRED BLACKSMITH!!!

Originally a manga created by Hidekaz Himaruya, Hetalia has been a constant source of conversation and controversy (imagined by the overly sensitive or not) since it was forced to premiere online last January instead of getting the TV premiere that was originally scheduled. In the series of fifteen minute shorts produced by Studio Deen (Higurashi – When They Cry and most recently Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works, Seitokai no Ichizon), various countries from around the world are represented by cute chibi characterizations. While the story mostly centers on the cowardly Italy and his new friend Germany in an earlier time, lots of countries get thrown into a mix of short comedy stories as the countries argue over every little thing (art imitates life?). Controversy or not, the series has been a hit getting three seasons green lit within one year! Funimation has licensed the first 52 episodes of the series (seasons 1 and 2) though with season 3 hitting the internet this spring, perhaps it’s only a matter of time before we see more.

The second big announcement from Funimation today was for the fall 2009 fantasy series, The Sacred Blacksmith. Based on the light novel series and animated by Manglobe *insert immature giggle*, the series follows Cecily who has followed her family tradition and become a knight in the village she lives in. After her sword is broken in battle, she is saved by a mysterious man named Luke who can create swords capable of slaying demons. Which is a good thing because someone in their world has recently broken the ban on demon contracts which threatens to throw the world into darkness and war once again.

Hetalia is a no brainer here; fans in Japan and the US have been all over this series for a year so it should come as no surprise that if anyone got the license it was going to be Funimation. The Sacred Blacksmith, on the other hand, wasn’t met with a large amount of praise when it was first released. While a lot of fans and writers I know were happy to talk about how good the series looked, I don’t know many who were particularly excited about the story. But then again, we started this week with 17 new live action movies so, weak story or not, this is still a vast improvement over where we were on Monday.

So to recap the week, Funimation now has the license to 17 new live action movies, FLCL, Zettai Shougeki ~Platonic Heart~ (I’m still working my way up to calling it Master of Martial Hearts), Jyushin Enbu, Hetalia and The Sacred Blacksmith and all of them are going to be released this year. 2010 just got a whole lot more interesting.

Updated 1/11: Press releases added

FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES

“AXIS POWERS HETALIA”

FROM MEDIA FACTORY

Flower Mound, Texas (January 08, 2010) – FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 52 episode comedy anime series “Axis Powers Hetalia” from Media Factory, Inc.

Based on the popular web comic and manga series created by Hidekaz Himayura, the anime is directed by Bob Shirohata (“Gravitation” among others).

About Axis Powers Hetalia

The world is on the cusp of war and Italy, a pasta-loving energetic young soldier, is stuck in the middle of it!  Join Italy and all of your favorite countries as they re-live the past.  Cute, crass, colorful and funny, this series is world history like you’ve never seen it before!

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/hetalia .

FUNimation Entertainment will release the series on DVD in two parts starting in late 2010.

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.

FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES

“THE SACRED BLACKSMITH”

FROM MEDIA FACTORY

Flower Mound, Texas (January 08, 2010) – FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 12 episode action anime series “The Sacred Blacksmith” from Media Factory.

Based on the popular Japanese light novel series by Isao Miura, the anime is directed by super star director Masamitsu Hidaka (“Pokemon” series and movies, “Linebarrels of Iron”).

About The Sacred Blacksmith

Cecily Campbell is making her family proud.  She is taking up the family business by becoming the newest Knight Guard of the Independent Trade City of Housman.  The only problem is that she is not very good at her new job.  Fortunately for her, Luke, the sacred blacksmith, is on her side.  Luke has the power to forge powerful swords capable of defeating the demons that plague the land.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/sacredblacksmith .

FUNimation Entertainment will release the entire series on DVD in one set in Fall 2010.

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.