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Funimation Reveals Dub Casts, New Site, Prepaid Cards

North American anime distributor Funimation has announced on Friday the English dub casts for the Black Butler, Oh! Edo Rocket, and Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~ anime. The company also revealed plans for an online social networking website and anime-branded pre-paid debit cards.

Funimation listed the main cast of Black Butler (pictured at right) in a press release. J. Michael Tatum will perform as the demonic butler, Sebastian, and Brina Palencia will voice Ciel. The dub of Oh! Edo Rocket (pictured below left) was also revealed. Greg Ayres will play Seikichi, a young fireworks maker, with Palencia voicing Sora, the mysterious girl who approaches Seikichi. The cast for Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~ includes Newton Pittman as Reiji and Lindsay Seidel as Ein.

In addition, FUNimation has announced that it is launching an anime-focused social media and video hub in an all new FUNimation.com. Some of the additional content include improved video environment, ability to post comments and reviews on certain content, and cosplay and fan art galleries. Membership is free and allows users to create an account and personalized profile. An Elite Membership will launch later this year and provide access to high-quality English dubbed episodes before they are available to the public. Users are allowed to sign up for beta testing which will take place in September. FUNimation will launch the service in October.

Also revealed was FUNimation's plans for anime-branded pre-paid debit cards. The cards will be available in August and will contain images from anime such as Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Fruits Basket, Sgt. Frog, Soul Eater and Tsubasa with more to come out. The cards will work anywhere Visa credit or debit cards are accepted.