Well, Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth in The Hobbit is officially in theaters now, so naturally we're curious about what our fine readers think about the first chapter in Bilbo's unexpectedly extended journey. Anyone see it this weekend? Let us know in the comments after you check out the weekly news recap!
Below you'll find a bevy of hot stories, features and video posted throughout the week. But that's not all. We've also compiled a few stories we missed, so be sure to check those out, as well.
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BLAZIN' STORIES!
Studio Ghibli Announces Next Anime Movies from Co-Founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata
"Dragon Ball Z - Battle of Gods" Anime Movie Full Trailer in HD!
"Fist of the North Star" Condoms Hit Japanese Stores
The Crunchyroll Store is Open for Business!
HOT STORIES
Is Square Enix Teasing a New "Star Ocean?"
Second Season of "Mortal Kombat" Web Series Scheduled for Mid-2013
New Cast and Images Revealed for "Hunter x Hunter" Greed Island Arc
Latest "Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai NEXT" Visual
Kamen Rider Beats James Bond in Japanese Box Office
"One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2" Visual Revealed and Plans Announced
Meet the Characters and Mecha From Upcoming Sci-Fi Anime "Suisei no Galgantia"
Official "Pokédex" iOS App Now Available for North America and Europe
Good Smile Company Previews "Sword Art Online" Kirito Nendoroid
Latest "One Piece Film Z" Anime Movie Promo Blitz
Crunchyroll Adds "Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life" to Anime Lineup
Flow to Cover "Cha-La-Head-Cha-La" for Dragon Ball Anime Movie
Namco Bandai Registers "Idolm@ster Shiny Festa" Trademark in U.S.
"Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory" Set for March 2013 Release on PS3
"Project Versus J" Takes Shonen Jump Brawlin' to PS3 and PS Vita
G-Shock Collaboration Models with Katsuhiro Otomo's "Akira"
XSEED Sets "Unchained Blades" Release Date on Nintendo 3DS
10 Finalists Selected for "My Most Favorite Anime Heroine" Contest
"Power Rangers" Theme Performed on Eight Floppy Drives
"Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3" Unleashes More Jinchūriki
"One Piece Film Z" Breaks Franchise Opening Day Record
FEATURES
YATTAR NEWS: A Real Life Transformer!
Fanart Friday, Winter Wonderland Edition
TOP VIDEOS
Dracula Unleashed in "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2" Trailer
Japanese Take on Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" Gets Teaser
"BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma" Clip Introduces Izayoi
Voice Actress Mikako Takahashi Presents "Girls und Panzer" Monkfish Dance
Bandai Celebrates "Mazinger Z" 40th Anniversary with Special Figure
Battle Between Idols and Fascism Returns in "AKB0048 next stage" Preview
Latest "Kotoura-san" Anime Preview
AKB48 Celebrates "Totteoki Christmas" in New PV
The Rocket Punching Glory of the First "Pacific Rim" Trailer
"Macross 30: Ginga o Tsunagu Utagoe" Game Preview
Bandai Showcases Cho Gattai Robo Mickey and Friends Mech
Latest "Vividred Operation" Character Preview
"Gundam" Studio Shows Off New Mecha Anime "Valvrave the Liberator"
First "Suisei no Galgantia" Sci-Fi Anime Preview
First " One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2" Promo
"Dragon Quest VII" Shines on Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo of America Introduces "Fire Emblem: Awakening"
Japan Unveils Smartphone Controlled Toilet!
SOME STORIES WE MISSED!
Here's the Gears of War: Judgment campaign trailer [Destructoid]
Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney Will Have DLC for the Next 24 Weeks [Siliconera]
Unannounced Hitman trilogy sighted on Amazon [Destructoid
Square Enix offers discounts on everything Square Enix [Joystiq]
As always, thanks for tuning in to CrunchyNews and hanging out with us this week. Let your voice be heard if you have any suggestions, or just general comments for us!
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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. His blog can be found at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter at @Moldilox.