The Android Developers blog has announced the latest update to the Native Development Kit, which now includes support for the proper extensions needed for developing 3D games using the newer Open GL ES 2.0 standard, placing games and applications developed with the NDK closer in performance to the games available on iPhone 3G/3GS and Palm Pre.

In related news, the first application developed with the NDK is now available for purchase from the Android market, which is a Japanese developed 3D shooter titled ExZeus Arcade for $3.99.  The game is limited to Android 2.x compatibility, limiting the game to the Motorola Milestone/Droid and Google Nexus One.

Since someone kept bitching for it, here goes:

The original:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Funimation has confirmed that it will edit the recently debuted Dance in the Vampire Bund anime for content on both the streaming version currently available online and in the future home video release.

The content in question relates to scenes of overt sexuality that were expanded from the original manga, in which the main protagonist Mina Tepes is being fondled in a sexual manner on a consistent basis in several different scenes throughout the series along with overt nudity and other implied and overt sexual situations.

As the protagonist takes the form of a young girl, the above situations taken out of context may cause concern for many unfamiliar with the series, with Funimation deciding that the content in question is inappropriate for the US release.

Funimation has released the following statement:

FUNimation Entertainment is known for releasing the titles we license in their original, uncut form, as their creators intended. However, after viewing the unedited as well as the Japanese broadcast edit of the series Dance in the Vampire Bund, we have determined the series contains controversial elements which, when taken out of context, could be objectionable to some audiences.

With this in mind and with approval of the licensor, we will edit select scenes from the series in streaming and home entertainment release. These are scenes which are inappropriate for U.S. viewing and are not essential to the storyline.

Dance in the Vampire Bund is a complex and dark drama cited by press and fans as one of the best anime series out of Japan this season. Its strong story is what brought the series to our attention and why we are bringing it to the U.S.

With the above decision taken by the licensor in the wake of the Handley case, those that were hoping for an uncut release will have to resort to importing the Japanese home video release.

In an email sent out to mailing list subscribers, Tokyopop has confirmed plans to release Rave Master in a complete 51 episode set spanning 8 DVDs for $39.99 using the CreateSpace on demand disc pressing service, in a similar vein to ImaginAsian and its attempt to sell select series on demand.

The set has also been confirmed to be English dub only and will not include the Japanese voice or background music tracks.  Tokyopop formerly published the Rave Master manga before its license from Kodansha expired, which forced Tokyopop to cease publication at 32 volumes, with Del Rey resuming publication this year.

The series was also broadcast on Cartoon Network via the Toonami animation block in 2004 before recently moving to SyFy’s Ani-Monday block in 2009.Tokyopop also distributed the anime before ceasing in house licensing and distribution in 2007 due to financial concerns.

At this point, it is not known whether the Rave Master set signals the resumption of physical anime distribution for Tokyopop, or a one-time promotion.

[Special thanks to Psychopuppet]

Following up, Fairy Tail and Rave Master author Hiro Mashima will be authoring a new one-shot story titled Nishikaze to Taiyô in Shonen Rival #5, publishing on April 3rd in Japan.

The story centers around two treasure hunters named Zephyr and Sol, in search of the treasure of the goddess. While they find the statue of the goddess, it contains a secret.

GetBackers character designer Rando Ayamine will be debuting a new yet untitled series in April’s Shonen Champion anthology while continuing work on his other series in Holy Talker in the monthly Shonen Rival magazine, even if the aforementioned series is placed on hiatus.

Following a botched attempt on Monday, Bandai Channel is now streaming the first seven minutes of the forthcoming Gundam Unicorn Blu-Ray OVA series.

The series premiered last month in Japan and the footage is available with French, Spanish, Traditional Chinese (Mandarin), and Traditional Chinese (Cantonese) subtitles, in addition to the English dub.

The first OVA will be released later this month on the 12th in the US and Japan simultaneously and will feature the previously leaked Gundam OO Movie Version trailer as bonus footage.

Pre-Order Gundam Unicorn on Blu-Ray from Amazon

Nick Simmons has released a formal statement regarding the allegations of plagiarism raised last week by the Bleach LiveJournal community Bleachness.

Like most artists I am inspired by work I admire. There are certain similarities between some of my work and the work of others. This was simply meant as an homage to artists I respect, and I definitely want to apologize to any Manga fans or fellow Manga artists who feel I went too far. My inspirations reflect the fact that certain fundamental imagery is common to all Manga. This is the nature of the medium.

I am a big fan of Bleach, as well as other Manga titles. And I am certainly sorry if anyone was offended or upset by what they perceive to be the similarity between my work and the work of artists that I admire and who inspire me.

Simmons’ own work, titled Incarnate has been suspended from publication and sale pending the outcome of investigations undertaken by the publisher Radical Publishing and Viz Media respectively.

Seraphim Digital Studios representative Janice Williams has confirmed the voice cast for the forthcoming May Blu-Ray release of the first Appleseed CGI feature film. The new cast and dub has also been confirmed as exclusive to the Blu-Ray release and can be found at the Contine Reading link.

[via SXAniMedia]

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Tanumura Arina, author of Full Moon wo Sagashite and Sakai Mayu author of Momo will each publish a one shot story in the One Shot Ribon Special releasing in Spring in Japan. Tanumura’s one-shot will be titled Tenshi no Kinka – Maple Rose and  Sakai’s will be titled 17 o’locks.