Not so long ago, being a Japanese idol singer was purely a domestic gig, with even the biggest stars of the genre remaining more or less unknown outside their home country. But thanks to the spread of Japanese pop culture around the world over the last decade and a half, that’s not really the case anymore. These days, it’s not uncommon for J-pop idols, especially those with an anime connection to boost their foreign exposure, to make appearances overseas.

Now, in a case of animated art imitating life, the high school idols of Love Love!, Japan’s biggest current idol anime hit, will be heading abroad as the upcoming Love Live! theatrical feature has been announced for international release.

It’s been almost a year since Love Live! wrapped up its second 13-episode TV season. The franchise hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, though, as fans still continue to buy merchandise and turn out in droves for related events, including this month’s Love Live!-endorsed Kanda Matsuri festival .

Still, it’s been a long time since fans have had any new anime to watch in the saga of the animated would-be teen idols. Their patience is about to be rewarded on June 13 with the opening of the franchise’s first theatrical feature, Love Live! The School Idol Movie, across Japan.

When licensed for overseas release, many anime movies go straight to Blu-ray or DVD, and even when a theatrical run is in the cards, it often comes far after the one in Japan. For example, Studio Ghibli’s latest film, When Marnie Was There, came out in Japan last summer but is only now arriving at theaters in the U.S.

So the international community of Love Livers, as Love Live! fans have taken to calling themselves, will be happy to know that their wait will be far shorter, as Love Live! The School Idol Movie’s, website has been updated with release dates for 13 territories outside Japan starting as early as August.

▼ Promotional image for the Love Live! movie

Currently, the official list of overseas premiers and dates is:

Australia (September)
Bruenei (Early October)
Hong Kong (August 6)
Indonesia (October 21)
Korea (early August)
Malaysia (October 1)
New Zealand (September)
Philippines (October 1)
Singapore (October 8)
Taiwan (early August)
Thailand (late August)
U.S.A. (September 12)
Vietnam (Early October)

To celebrate, Emi Nitta, voice actress of Love Live! character Honoka Kosaka, recorded this special message for foreign fans.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqQbbxRzy4&w=580&h=357]

According to the website, Australian screenings are currently planned for Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney, and venues in Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand. The U.S. release will be handled NIS America, which previously licensed the Love Live! TV series, with showings expected in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. And while American Love Livers are no doubt disappointed that they’ll have to wait a few weeks more than their counterparts in Asia to see the movie, you have to admit that it’s appropriate timing to premiere Love Live! The School Idol Movie just about the time summer vacation ends.

Related: Love Live! The School Idol Movie Countdown Website
Sources: Inside Games via Jin , Love Live! official website
Top image: Love Live! official website
Insert image: Love Live! official website

Need a little laugh to help ease yourself into the week?

In the past, we’ve featured some photo fun from Asia , 35 signs you might be in Asia , as well as 39 looks at the lighter side of Asia . This time, we’re bringing you 36 more bizarre, comical, and downright nonsensical scenes from around Asia!

A small FYI–if anyone reading this is a bit squeamish about reptiles, you may want to scroll past #32 really quickly. Cheers!

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▼ That’s certainly one way to get the ladies’ attention–if he doesn’t burn it all off, that is.

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▼ Wait, you mean that’s not what bras are designed for ?

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▼ Could this be a relative of that man who collapsed after a 14-day online gaming streak?

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▼ It’s almost like they’re trying to get revenge for something…?

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▼ #shortpeopleproblems (I know)

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▼ Reminds me of kid Goku in Dragon Ball, always lugging a big fish around.

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▼ Very resourceful. We expect he’d do well on one of those reality survival TV series.

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▼ Because why not??

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▼ Not the most traditionally romantic bike ride, but they look like they’re enjoying it enough.

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▼ Apparently graduating wherever this is allows you to attain monkey-like powers.

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▼ You were warned!!

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▼ A man and his dog, driving off into the sunset.

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We’re a bit surprised Mr. Sato didn’t make it into any of these pictures, but maybe his unique brand of weirdness hasn’t made it far enough outside of Japan yet. Next time, for sure!

Source/Images: Kotaro Blog

Meet Jaemy Choong, a graphic designer and co-founder of Kickatomic Creatives , a ‘graphic lab’ based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their incredibly clever designs have been used in logos, prints, corporate identities, and even for Malaysian TV channels.

Discovered by Bored Panda last week, Jaemy C.’s currently ongoing project involves cleverly manipulating postcard-sized movie posters so that they blend in seamlessly with background people, objects, and even a cooked chicken! Join us after the jump for some visually fun movie mash-ups.

Jaemy Choong sums himself up in the following way on one of his social media accounts:

“Awkwardintroverted Malaysian. I play with movie postcards & @Kickatomic in a graphic lab co-founded by my crazy.”

If that description doesn’t immediately pull you in, check out his company’s business pitch:

“Hire us for the mere fact that we are externally crazyfun but internally superserious when it comes to getting shit done. We are young (kinda), willing (please don’t bend us over) and learning (our sponge is thirsty) and we believe in giving our best to our projects. Yes we do.”

They’ve certainly got our attention!

We’re sharing Jaemy C.’s movie postcard mash-ups below, complete with his own witty captions. Which ones especially appeal  to you?

▼”Looks like the stress finally got to the team at @Kickatomic. #TheShining #Freakyfriday”

▼”Ladies and gentlemen, slasher porn sleeping beauty. #hostel#hostelpart2 #eliroth”

▼”Love makes balancing on balls so easy. #theLoveGuru #MikeMyers#movieposter”

▼Beware their weapons of mass destruction. #FreddyvsJason#movies #horror

▼”Happy #horny Tuesday.#howtotrainyourdragon #mashup#artstagram”

▼”Hope everyone’s gettin’ back in the action nicely after the holidays.#007 #skyfall”

▼”May the odds be ever in your favour. But first #letmetakeaselfie.#theHungerGames #katniss”

▼”Groot things come to those who are willing to branch out. – by jaemyc#GuardiansoftheGalaxie #GotG#Groot”

▼”Hook, Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams, Jumanji, What Dreams May Come, Bicentennial Man, Happy Feet, The Crazy Ones! Grew up watching so many of his movies. (and one tv show i guess). So many #win of characters that fueled my imagination in life. Watched #Hook and #Jumanjiidontknowhowmanythousandtimes when i was a kid. Thank you for the journeys. #RIProbinwilliams”

▼”For inspiring the crazy one in all of us. (technically not a movie but for u we’ll make an exception today, Robin) #riprobinwilliams#thecrazyones”

▼”Will always be a fan of this legend.#RipRobinWilliams#bicentennialman – by jaemyc”

▼Last one dedicated to the amazing#RobinWilliams. My favourite dragny. #MrsDoubtfire #drag#nanny #ripRobinWilliams”

▼”Doughnuts anyone? – by JaemyC#thesimpsonsmovie#thesimpsons”

▼”Sometimes being a superhero really sucks.- by jaemyc#AmazingSpiderman#Spiderman”

▼”Stylo yoga #xenomorph on the prowl. #avp #alien#alienversuspredator – by @JaemyC”

▼”In brightest day, on #friday night, no evil shall escape my sight.#worldpeace #greenlantern#haljordan – by @JaemyC”

▼”Careful, this chick bites. #jaws#chicken #foodporn – by @jaemyC”

▼”#Kaiju Squarepants dominates our poor #Jaeger. A sad Monday it is.#PacificRim #movies – by JaemyC”

▼”To achieve that much-desired sexy back, stand still, straighten posture, and slap on a #MattDamon movie poster. #Elysium – by @JaemyC”

▼”#Throwback movie tribute – Reloaded with a new actor. I think he “fits” the role rather nicely.#matrix #reloaded#matrixreloaded – by @JaemyC”

▼”‘ET, Balik Kampung.’ (ET, go home) The #SciFi Mashup piece.#ET #DarthVader #StarWars#extraterrestrial #balikkampung – by @jaemyC”

▼”I think the orange fro added depp to his character.#EdwardScissorhands – By @JaemyC”

▼”Going to war is jus a walk in the park for this #Spartan. #300 – by @JaemyC”

▼”Hanging out with the stars.#theFaultinourStars – by @JaemyC”

Be sure to check out Jaemy C.’s official business website or any of his personal media sites listed below for more samples of his ongoing creative projects!

Sources/images: Bored Panda , Kickatomic Creatives , Instagram (jaemyc) , Pinterest (Movie Postcard Project)