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Bones Studio Addresses Allegedly Leaked Document

Late last week, a file that was purportedly to be a management document from the BONES anime studio was added to uploader.jp, a Japanese website that offers to distribute files anonymously and without charge. The spreadsheet file in Microsoft Excel format included a list of the studio's animation staffers along with what were reportedly their phone numbers, comments on their affiliation and availability, a letter-based classification system, their assignments, and their addresses. Among other points, it listed Fullmetal Alchemist animator Yasuhiro Irie as "Hagane 2 kantoku" (Iron/Fullmetal 2 director) and Darker than Black director Tensai Okamura as "Darker 2 junbi-jū" (preparing for Darker 2).

Bones President Masahiko Minami has posted an official statement about the file on the studio's website on Sunday. According to Minami, an internal investigation has determined that no file with this same formatted information existed within the company. He adds that the information which was reportedly the staffers' personal details did not come from the company's documents. Thus, the studio has determined that "a third party" had created and posted the document with the intent to libel the company. The studio will continue a special investigation into who distributed the file to malign the studio and the staffers. If the identity of the person is discovered, the company plans to deal with the individual severely.

In an interview after the official statement was published, ANN asked Minami about the possibility of a sequel to Fullmetal Alchemist or Darker than Black. Minami told ANN, "It hasn't been decided yet. We are interested in doing them. As original science-fiction works, they were extremely fascinating. With these kinds of dramatic story lines, I feel that there's a lot we could do potentially." The rest of the interview will be released on the ANN website after Anime Expo.