FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT TO HOST LIVE STREAM PREMIERE OF THE NEXT BIG THING IN ANIME “MY HERO ACADEMIA” ON SUNDAY, APRIL 3

Adaptation of Smash Hit Manga Series Debuts on FunimationNow with All-Night Launch Party

Flower Mound, Texas  Fri. April 1, 2016 – Funimation Entertainment will host an exclusive live stream launch party on Sunday, April 3, 2016 leading into the premiere of the most highly anticipated, new anime series of the year – My Hero Academia, available on FunimationNow. Join Dubbletalk’s Justin Rojas, Lauren Moore and surprise celebrity guests for an all-night premiere launch party featuring interviews, contests and giveaways, show clips and much more, followed by the premiere of “My Hero Academia” and an episode recap discussion!  Celebrity guests include Colleen Clinkenbeard (“One Piece”), Clifford Chapain (“Attack on Titan”), Apphia Yu (“Assassination Classroom”), Felecia Angelle (“Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign”) and Michelle Rojas (“Date A Live”).

 “This five-hour event is a first for Funimation, and we are so excited to share this experience with fans -- not only the premiere of ‘My Hero Academia’, but also all of the interviews and extras surrounding the show,” said Gen Fukunaga, Founder and CEO of Funimation. “I’d like to personally invite our fans to join us for this huge event as we celebrate the launch together!”

Produced by Bones, Inc. (“Fullmetal Alchemist”, “Cowboy Bebop”, “Space Dandy”) “My Hero Academia” will quickly join the top ranks of anime classics such as “Dragon Ball Z,” “One Piece,” and “Naruto.” Adapted from the Manga Taisho-nominated Japanese super hero series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi (“Barrage on the Battle Star”, “Oumazoo”), “My Hero Academia” is pegged to be one of the most fan-embraced anime titles of 2016.

Fans can participate in an exclusive launch party contest beginning on April 3 and running through April 16, 2016 by signing up for a free 14-day trial of FunimationNow. The more episodes fans watch on FunimationNow, the more chances they have to win! More details will be shared during the event.

SERIES SYNOPSIS: 

“My Hero Academia” is a superhero origin story that soars to the top of the class! Izuku has dreamt of being a hero all his life—a lofty goal for anyone, but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. That’s right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered “quirk,” Izuku was unlucky enough to be born completely normal. But that’s not going to stop him from enrolling in one of the world’s most prestigious hero academies. Now, the only thing standing between him and his first class is the academy’s formidable entrance exam—nothing a little private tutoring from the world’s mightiest hero can’t solve.

WHEN & WHERE:

·         Sunday, April 3 – 1:00 AM EDT: “My Hero Academia” live stream launch party begins. To watch, tune in live at www.funimation.com/myheroclass

·         Sunday, April 3 – 5:00 AM EDT: “My Hero Academia” Episode 1 premiere. To watch, subscribe to FunimationNow and tune in live at www.funimation.com/shows/my-hero-academia/videos

·         Sunday, April 3 – 5:30 AM EDT: “My Hero Academia” Episode 1 recap. To watch, tune in at www.funimation.com/myheroclass

About Funimation Entertainment

Funimation is the go-to destination for extraordinary anime.  By combining its integrated in-house studios along with its technology and distribution partnerships, Funimation leads the industry with its omnichannel approach to offering anime to fans—from streaming and home entertainment, to theatrical distribution and broadcast television. The company's next generation streaming service, FunimationNow, provides subscribers with instant access to their favorite sub and dub shows in ad-free HD on the widest array of devices and platforms—from smartphones and tablets to TVs and gaming consoles. For more information about Funimation, visit funimation.com.