American and Canadian anime audiences have a lot to look forward to this year. Two hit anime series, "Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid" as well as the "Aria the Scarlett Ammo AA" Season 2, are already slated for release in North America via Funimation.
Funimation, the US-based company which is one of the leading distributors of foreign anime to the North American market, recently announced that it will be airing two red hot anime series from Japan this year. The two anime series are Yosuke Kuroda's "Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid" and Doga Kobo's "Aria the Scarlett Ammo AA" season 2, according to Crunchyroll.
But it gets even better. In the announcement made at the Industry Panel of Ikkicon last weekend, both anime series are targeted for an English speaking audience as both will already be English dubbed when they air by April 2017.
The company already released the English dub cast for the "Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid" anime. Mirei will be voiced in the English dub by Mandy Lane, Mamori by Kayla Hardwick, Akira by Janelle Lutz, Kasumi by Roseanne Palmer, Charlotte by Monica Rial, Meifeng by Brittney Karbowski, Rain by Cecilia Higginbotham, Miyasato by Haley Esposito, Kouzuki by Sara Ragsdale and Saejima Terri Doty.
The plot of "Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid" follows the story of some eye-catching girls who were infected with the A virus. Transported to separate islands, these girls later found out that they have special abilities which can be divided into two. One group of girls are called Extars which transforms into powerful weapons when aroused while another group are called Liberators who have the ability to wield these transformed weapons, according to Anime News Network.
Meanwhile, Funimation likewise announced the English voice cast of "Aria the Scarlett Ammo AA" season 2. Akari Mamiya will be voiced by Madeleine Morris, Aria Kanzaki by Leah Clark, Shino Sasaki will be voiced by Amber Lee Connors, Raika by Kristi Kang, Monica Rial plays Kirin, Sara Ragsdale as Urara Takachiho, Alex Moore as Kyochikutou, Luci Christian as Riko Mine, Morgan Garrett as Hina Fuma, Lunsey Hale as Yuyu, Steph Garrett as Yaya, Marla Acevedo as Nonoka, Michelle Rojas voices Suimitsutou, Brina Palencia as Shirayuki Hotogi, Todd Haberdorn as Kinji and Jad Saxton as Reki.
"Aria the Scarlett Ammo AA" is a spinoff of the original "Aria the Scarlett Ammo" anime. As the name suggests, Aria Kanzaki is back but this time she will be paired with a newcomer Akari Mamiya in a mentor-mentee arrangement.
Both anime series will be released by April of 2017, though a definite date is still to be announced. Stay tuned to Yibada for more updates.
Meanwhile, enjoy this brief "Valkerie Drive: Mermaid trailer: