Funimation simulcast plan is in trouble

From what I know, apparently US based company Funimation has yanked out 2 popular series from simulcast lineup; "One Piece" and "Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood" due to pirates (ironically). They manage to break into one of the server, decrypt it and release one day earlier to the world, hampering Funimation simulcast effort. The stolen episodes are the one with Funimation logo as I was made to understand. As the publishers and production companies fighting back due to shrinking Japanese economic pie, looks like the digital pirates won this round.

No announcement if the company intends to return the series on schedule yet.

A very angry editorial on this matter.
Another story

Obama's Story in manga

No, not the doujin with Aso and Clinton but this is new manwha from Korea. A new venture centered on biopics of famous people by Korea publisher, Kasan. They are cashing on Obama's appeal to penetrate US market with this, I believe. A good idea but some people are not taking this seriously. Obama looks too cute, judging from the cover.

However it is an interesting attempt. I might read it out of sheer curiosity factor.

Source

Lucky Star/ らき☆すた boxer

No, simply no.

Darker than Black Season 2

Yes,

Another sequel on hand! Studio Bones quite good series Darker than Black will have a sequel, having been green lit by studio. I dunno what afflicted Japan lately but seems to me all got bitten by sequel bug. Oh brother. Either they are too scared to make new story or they just want to milk the old ones dry. Or both.

Director for Darker than Black 2 in purportedly leaked Bones document will be Tensai Okamura and manga serializations already released in Young Gangan to promote the series.

As much I welcome the continuation of this one, I becoming quite leery of sequels. I dunno why. Bleh.

Shakugan no Shana Season 3 is confirmed

UPDATE on August 4th 2011
Yes it is finally confirmed Fall 2011

The popular series Shakugan no Shana will be given 3rd season, a testament to its popularity with slated airing on October 2009. However with lackluster Season 2, I do wonder if they going to continue the series in similar tired manner or infuse with more dynamism and tight storytelling that is hallmark of Season 1? Latest edition of Dengeki Bunko featured this with proud announcement of the airing time. JC Staff will behind this work again.

Remains to be seen if it is worth to watch another season of Shana and the gang.

Christian Bale as Solid Snake?

Okay, I am a slowpoke but I read something about upcoming Metal Gear Solid LA movie which might cast Mr Bale as Solid Snake. In the interview back in 2007 (that's how slow I am!) he speaks about this role.

On IMDB it is listed as 2009 release (still in production though) but so far I don't hear a squat about it from Rotten Tomatoes or any sort of trailer so I kinda reserved anything about this. Kurt Wimmer the guy who give us the idea of gun kata (Equilibrium) and super posing movie Ultraviolet will be directing Metal Gear Solid. It is known that Hideo Kojima been wanting to make a movie instead of game which explains super long cinematic scenes in later games.

Christian Bale has the intensity and dark aura about him to play as Solid Snake. After excellent performance as John Connor in Terminator Salvation and Batman, nothing is impossible for this man. I am very much looking forward to this if this is for real.