Father Geek reporting in with Scott Green's report for this Wednesday's AICN Anime Column, but first these items that found there way to ol' Father Geek's PC this morning...

Dont knwo if you have received this, but I just got the Clerks Uncensored dvd of the cartoon series, and on the commentary Kevin Smith says they are working on Clerks The Animated Movie, partly as "a big f**k you" to a certain network that screwed them on the series. It also seems to show up on IMDB to, as a 2nd Clerks movie, but IMDB is as reliable as Dundee United (Braveheart 2 anyone...they had this listed for about a year...(Steve Buscemi as a resurected Willie Wallace in World War 1...come on)

Shinji Ikari

FG back with this bit...

Just wanted to make sure you knew about the NEW Chuck Jones weekly animated series over on the main Warner Bros. Site. :http://www2.warnerbros.com/web/main/index.jsp

Kewl Stuff!!

Chuck is the Master!!

Dr. Omega

Annnnnd now here's Scott...

Manga Spotlight Uzumaki volume 1: Spiral Into Horror

By Junji Ito

Kurozu-Cho is a remote coastal town, isolated by mountains. It is haunted by the ubiquitous spiral pattern. In Kurozu the spirals influence manifests itself in madness, and sometimes horrific supernatural phenomena. At times the curse seems to be a punishment for sins, at other times it appears to be arbitrary infliction. A woman witnesses the death of her husband from his obsession with the spiral. The shock results in a severe phobia of the shape. She cuts off her hair after seeing a spiral bun. Then her finger nails. Ultimately she learns of the inner ear's spiral cochlea. She destroys her ears, and suffered constant vertigo until her death.

Into the Spiral collects five horror stories original presented in Viz's Pulp, their manga anthology for mature audiences. (In Japan it originally appeared in Weekly Big Spirits). The links between the stories are Shuicji Saito, the son of a man who has recently become obsessed with the spirals, and Irie Goshima the daughter of a potter. The two are both witness to the curse and victims of it.

The book lists HP Lovecraft was one of the creator's influences. They aren't trying to stop the horror around them, they are only trying not to be its victim. It appearances to be a law of nature. It's like dealing with lightning. You can't stop it. You can only attempt not to be struck. The difference between Uzumaki and most of Lovecraft is that in Lovecraft the horror is something hidden just bellow the surface. Here the thin layer between the cruel and maddening forces, and humanity has been scraped away for its potential victims to see.

Horror is a genre that can lend itself well to comics. It is a visual medium that allows and encourages the reader to linger on a moment. A shocking moment is there as long as you want to take it in, or you can turn away, and it will still be there when you return. In America the growth of horror comic has been stunted since the near fatal blow the genre received with the Comic Code Authority.

Its not apparent whether the stories are building up to something, or are an anthology of frightening works. Either way the volume is a great collection of genuinely disturbing stories. There are some very creative and memorable scenes that fans of horror, both of the psychological and grotesque varieties, will enjoy.

Grade A-

Anime Spotlight Pilot Candidate:

Volume 1: The Academy (Episodes 1-3)

From Xebec, the makers of the fun science fiction series Martian Successor Nadesico that manage to hit every genre along the way comes Pilot Candidate, originally Candidate for Goddess, a 12 episode anime series that uses digital effects for its action shots.

Once again the fate of humanity rests in the hands of a boy and his giant robot. Humanity has feared badly in a war against mysterious space monsters known as Victims. Five robotic goddesses or ingrids are piloted by children to protect the human race from attacks. Like Evangelion the pilot must synchronize with the mech.

The protagonist is a headstrong boy in the new class training to pilot the ingrids, with other anime cliché boys, the know-it-cool with glasses and the silver haired brooder for example. He has a rival with similar abilities, or is fiercely competitive, with a dark disposition. Girls are trained as technicians for the mecha. The first three episodes seems to indicate that their training is how not cry and loose their heads during an attack. There appears to be a girl piloting the head mecha, and presumably there is an explanation for this aberration in the gender divide, and presumably it will be spelled out later. Somehow there is also a cat girl lurking around (a human looking girl with cat ears).

After three episodes the story appears skeletal. Children jockeying for a position to pilot a robot to save humanity isn't a new concept, there nothing has been introduced to make it novel or interesting. It bends logic more the genre typically does by having the adults in charge of the program appear young and juvenile themselves.

Like many anime series it is based on a manga (comic) series. There are a large number of characters appearing on the screen, but they seem like they were fleshed out in the manga, but only appearing in the anime series.

Anime TV series are increasing using digital animation, largely for cost cutting reasons, its less expensive than painted cels. Candidate For Goddess is a good example of the youthful problems of the method. Character interaction uses 2d images, while battle scenes used 3d effects.

The 2d animation works well enough, not really distinguishing itself one as better or worse than other television series. A fist fight between two of the potential plots even managed to be entertaining.

The 3d design is a mixed bag. The actually mech design is elegant. They looks like porcelain dolls. Many liken it to Five Star Stories, and manga series and movie science fiction about feudal societies. Other the other hand, the Victims look like rubbery Macy's Day parade balloons that spew fire. The motion of the 3d effects is reminiscent of the Lodoss War OAV, which featured beautifully drawn dragons that slid across backgrounds with little actual movement if any. Here the mecha and victims are well detailed, but feature minimal animated movement. When they do move it is stiff and slow enough to damage suspension of disbelief.

Fans of bishonen (pretty boys) will find the type of character design, and outlandish outfits (shorts, puffy-sleeved shirts) that they tend to enjoy, with the overly energetic or angst-filled personalities tend to go with the design. If you enjoyed the characters in Gundam Wing, or the design in Clamp School, you will be able to find more to your liking in Candidate for Goddess.

If you are not a fan of the sub-genre, there isn't much to latch onto. If Pilot Candidate has any positive qualities it did not lead with them in the first three episodes. There is no hook to bring the user back. Cookie cutter characters, boring action, and a story with no hooks conspire to make a soulless series. The recently released Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko suffered from most of these flaws too, but it didn't take itself seriously, and it was bright and fun.

Other points of interesting include the fact that the series was said to be heading to Cartoon Network at some point. Also, it uses a dubtitled scripts. Traditional the script for the English subtitles are a more literal translation than the script used for the English dub. In the case of a dubtitle they are the same.

Grade: C

This Week's Release:

Manga:

• Animerica Extra Vol 4
• Aqua Knight Vol 2 Tp
• Astra #4
• Blade Of The Immortal #61 Secrets (4 Of 4)
• Dragonball Part 4 #4
• Geobreeders #31 $2.95
• Gunsmith Cats Special
• Joan Gn #2 $14.95
• Kabuto Gn $11.95
• Kabuto Gn Vol 2 (Mr) $11.95
• Kazan Vol 1 Gn #5
• Magical Journey Pokemon Vol 4 Friends & Family Tp
• Pulp Vol 5 #12
• Princess Prince #13
• Ranma 1/2 Part 10 #8 (Of 11)
• Redmoon Gn #1
• Silent Mobius Advent #5 (Of 6)
• Slayers Super Explosive Demon Story #1 $2.95
• Super Manga Blast #17

Anime

• Battle Skipper: The Movie
• Boogiepop Phantom Vol 2
• Gasaraki Vol 7
• Gatekeepers Vol 2 New Fighters
• Sailor Moon S Tv Vol 11 Edited Video Dub
• Sailor Moon S Tv Vol 11 Uncut Video Dub
• Sailor Moon S Tv Vol 11 Uncut Video Sub
• Sailor Moon S Tv Vol 12 Edited Video Dub
• Sailor Moon S Tv Vol 12 Uncut Video Dub
• Sailor Moon S Tv Vol 12 Uncut Video Sub

Aqua Knight is a lighter manga (comic) series from Battle Angel Alita creator Yukito Kishiro. See the official English page at here.

The Gunsmith Cats special concludes the manga series about young bounty hunters Rally Vincent, and Minnie May.

Also of note, Diamond Distributors will be releasing the Berserk Guts Hawk Soldier and Black Swordsman figures.

Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki News

Anime News Network reports Toho has announced that Sen to Chihiro by Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service) has exceeded Titanic's box office record, 6 billion yen. As of November 11th, Sen recorded 26.2 billion yen in box office sales and has drawn 20.23 million viewers (Titanic drew 16.8 million and ICHIKAWA Kon's documentary movie Tokyo Olympic 19.5 million). At the press conference, Miyazaki said, "I'm happy if people love this movie for 20 years, 30 years. Sen will open in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan in December, and in France next January.

Ghibli´s International Sales Bureau Chief Stephen Alpert has indicated at the press conference, which recently took place in the Tokyo Metropolitan Hotel, that the negotiation for an US release is now up and running.

According to announcements Ghibli is currently working on three movies scheduled for next year.

The first project is the anime-adaptation of "Howl´s Moving Castle" (Hauru to ugoku shiro), a novel by British fantasy author Diana Wynne Jones. Due out in Japan's theaters in July 2002 the 100 min long movie will be supervised by Miyazaki but directed by Mamoru Hosoda, last spotted at Toei working on the "Digimon" movie.

The second movie has to be "Baron". Set in the same universe of "Whisper of the Heart" it will be directed by Hiroyuki Morita, who used to work as animator and animation checker at Ghibli. Whisper of the Heart was a film that was not directed by Miyazaki, though he did work on the script and storyboards. It is a great story of a young artist as a young student tries to determine the direction she wants to life to take. The movie features a wonderful, surreal fantasy scene.

To complete the trio "Ghibli Episode 2" enters. If you ask me it´s presumably the sequel to the short movie "Ghiblies" from 2002 which shows the studio and its staff as comic characters (check Nausicaa.net for more details). Though the director of the first part was unknown, "Ghibli Ep 2" will reportedly be directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, currently CG director at Ghibli.

According to an article translated by Nausicaa.net Miyazaki commented on his next film, "there might be a chance, if it's (a film to be released) in the summer of 2004. I have to go into the totally different field (from where I've been) before."

Toonami Reactor Anime

Cartoon Network's Toonami Reactor site initially posted a riddle concerns it upcoming anime showings:

Toonami Reactor returns once more With four sagas born of eastern lore An epic record of robot wars Of cosmic labors unseen before And creatures torn from legend's yore Of pirate ships, the police...and more.

Now it has been revealed full episodes of Star Blazers, Record of Lodoss War, and Harlock Saga twill appear starting on November 14th on www.cartoonnetwork.com/toonami/reactor/.

According to a post on Toonzone.net by Jeff Harris, Patlabor will also be one of the titles.

Star Blazers and Harlock saga are parts of Leiji Matsumoto space opera series. Harlock saga features the scarred space pirate captain, and is based on Wagner's Ring cycle.

Lodoss War is a standard fantasy epic with the cast you would expect from a series based on early Dungeons and Dragon (young knight, priest, elf woman, seedy thief, gruff dwarf , wizard), and a few interesting secondary characters (a mercenary woman, and her berserker partner). The series is based on fantasy novels. There was a early OAV (direct to video release) series, and a later TV (Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight ) series that takes place after the first half of the TV OAV series.

The TV series features great opening animation with music by popular composer Yohko Yanno (Cowboy Bebop, Macross Plus).

Cut Cowboy Bebop Episodes Not To Shown on Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network's most recent schedule indicates that the episodes of the who they skipped on its first run, 6 "Sympathy for the Devil", 8 "Waltz for Venus" and 22 "Cowboy Funk" will again not be shown on the series second run. Episode 22 would have been shown last week. It was mostly likely pulled because it features a humorous bomber known as the "Teddy Bomber". The episode was a humorous one, featuring Cowboy Andy, a man who was modeled himself after the tackier westerns, who turns out to be disturbingly like Spike in terms of reputation, ability, behavior and personality. Episode 6 was likely pulled featuring a violent confrontation with a child, and eight because it featured a humorous thwarting of a hijacking.

Tenchi and Big O to Return to Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network's online schedule indicates that Tenchi Muyo (The original OAV, and first TV series Tenchi Universe), and Big O will be returning to Toonami this December. Tenchi Muyo is a sci-fi romantic comedy about a boy raised with his father and priest grandfather who winds up the object of the affection of a series of odd women include a space pirate, and alien princess, her cute young sister, and a ditzy galactic police officer.

Cowboy Bebop Box Set

The Right Stuf offered the box used for the Cowboy Bebop DVD Box set for $12.99. It can be seen at here. Their thousand unit stock sold out in two and half days. Bandai has stated that they are looking to making more available.

The full DVD box set, to be released on 11/20, will retail for $199.98, and include the series on DVD, and a CD of the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack.

Bandai Entertainment Sets January 25, 2002 For Theatrical Release Of Animé Feature Escaflowne

From the press release:

Bandai Entertainment will launch Escaflowne into theatrical release on Friday, January 25, 2002 within top U.S. and Canadian markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Vancouver, opening the eagerly anticipated animé film prior to a February, 2002 national roll-out.

A motion picture production based on one of the most popular animé titles, Escaflowne is celebrated animator Shoji Kawamori's cutting-edge vision of a world where good and evil hinge on a girl's ability to find meaning for her own life.

Taking animé to new levels as an entertainment form for adults, Escaflowne blends romance and fantasy to tell the story of Hitomi Kanzaki, an ordinary high school student whose life has lost all meaning. Feeling at her most desperate, she wishes that she could just disappear into thin air - a wish that is immediately granted when a mysterious man suddenly materializes and catapults her away from Earth. Hitomi is instantly thrust into Gaia, a strange new world ruled by sword and sorcery, where a fierce battle rages between a rebel group and the ruling Black Dragon Clan for power over the legendary dragon armor called Escaflowne. For the first time in her teenage life, Hitomi realizes she can make a difference - this time the fate of a world is in her hands.

The term used for Japanese animation, 'Animé' offers lifelike characters, rich environments, compelling personalities that range from comical to dangerous and engrossing worlds that appeal to audiences across the globe. Outside of Japan, animé has generated devoted fans worldwide for its unique style that represents a significant departure from the traditional U.S.-produced animated cartoons.

Escaflowne has its roots in the acclaimed anime television series The Vision of Escaflowne, which aired in the U.S. on the Fox Kids Network and YTV in Canada. Since the series' successful telecast, fans nationwide have embraced the story of Hitomi, Van Fanel - prince of the ravaged kingdom - and the legendary god of protection, Escaflowne.

Fox Cuts Afternoon Animation

The Zentertainment newsletter reports that the Fox Kids weekday animation block will be dropped starting December 21st. Affiliate stations have complained of the block's low ratings and revenue growth. One Charlotte, NC station exec told the New York Daily News more than a year ago that the station was "literally dying on the vine" with the kids' programs. "It's not working now and it hasn't worked for some time," the exec said. In a statement on Thursday, Robert Quicksilver, president of network distribution, said: "the weekday kids programming block has been hit particularly hard in the past few years."

Pioneer Licenses Hellsing

From Pioneer's web site "Pioneer Entertainment is a member of Hellsing production committee and also the DVD distributor of this project in North America. Visit www.hellsing.net (Japanese site)". The horror series, based on a popular manga series, appeared on Japanese TV this fall. It was produced by Studio Gonzo, best known for their cgi work.

Influential Manga Artist Dies

According to a post on rec.arts.anime.misc reports Ryuichi Yokoyama, a significant early manga artist died November 8th at the age of 92. As the first mangaka to be recognized by the Japanese government as a serious artist, Yokoyama-sensei was best known for his 4-panel wartime manga "Fuku-chan" (1938-1971) which span over 5534 editions in the Mainichi Shinbun (AFAIK Japan´s longest newspaper comic strip) and had inspired many other manga-ka inclusive Osamu Tezuka himself. His home page can be found at here.

Mini Pat Site

Production I.G. has launched the official homepage for Oshii´s latest film, "Mini Pat" here here, with an English version here. The humorous puppet style animation takes place in the setting of the sci-fi police drama Patlabor.

Saber Marionette R Removed From Bandai Schedule

Bandai's latest press release schedule has dropped Saber Marionette R DVD. Right Stuf has learned that the disc has been delayed indefinitely.

New Anime Magazines in Japan

Animaxis reports that though there has been recent indications of a shrinking Japanese anime magazine market two new, and "usual" anime magazines have been announced to cover bishoujo (beautiful girl) anime and manga.

"Usually ... a manga is serialized in a magazine of sorts, then the manga books are published, then an anime is produced and last of all character goods. However the most recent trend has seen the creation and popularization of characters first, which may then result in manga or anime being created afterwards. Taking this into consideration both of these magazines are attempting to present anime and characters in a different way from other anime magazines."

OtomeX, whose first issue is available November 29th, will feature "Broccoli Complete", a look at the heroines of DejiCharat, Galaxy Angel, Aquarian Age, and various other Broccoli anime series, specifically for fans of Broccoli's works. Also in the premiere issue is a look at Final Fantasy: Unlimited.

This magazine also takes a look at The AlchemiStory: Gekko no Myria, a Japanese-only Original Web Novel.

OtomeX debuts with a cover price of 780 yen, and is published by Hobby Japan.

The second magazine, PALETTA, has been in publication since October 18th, and is published by Enterbrain.

Jin-Roh VHS Release Cancelled

Retailers have been told by Bandai that they will no longer be offering a VHS version of Jin Roh.

The feature is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood set in an alternate version of the 60's where the German occupied Japan after World War II, leading to authoritarian government enforced by squads of military police, including the Jin Roh or Wolf Brigade.

Cinar Attempts to Sell its Titles, Including Anime

Animation Magazine reports Canadian has failed to sell its entire library to a single buyer. According to Cinar's November 6th edition of their Bi-Monthly status update, "discussions with a party with respect to a transaction involving certain of the Company's assets have terminated. The Company, with its investment advisors, is pursuing other transaction alternatives." It may now attempt to sell individual titles. Anime News Network reports one of its titles is the Panmedia's anime adaptation of the Wizard of Oz. The four part OVA series, written by Yoshimitsu Banno and Akira Miyazaki and directed by Fumihiko Takayama (Bubblegum Crisis, Gundam 0080: A War In the Pocket), was released in Japan between 1982 and 1988. Currently Cinar's "Little Lulu" is set to begin broadcasting on Cartoon Network Japan in December 2001.

Turn A Gundam Site Opens

Anime News Service reports the official website for Yoshiyuki Tomino and Studio Sunrise's Turn A Gundam Movies, Earth Light and Moonlight Butterfly, has opened in Japan Friday at: http://www.turn-a-gundam.net/. There, Japanese readers can find the latest news pertaining to the projects as well as images of the premiere of the first film at the Tokyo Fantastic Film Festival. Also present are story, character and background info, product info and a BBS. Music will be provided once again by the phenomenal Yoko Kanno as well as a vocal addition by Donna Burke. The first film Earth Light opens in Japan on Feb. 2nd with the second film Moonlight Butterfly following close behind with March 9 debut. Streaming trailers have been uploaded and can be viewed in the following sized Real Player streaming formats: 320k 160 k

Release Dates

Synch Point will be releasing FLCL b-monthly starting on January 15th, and I'm Gonna Be an Angel starting on 1/22/02.

ADV announced that Plastic Little will be released on DVD February 5th.

From the press release

"Journey to the breathtakingly beautiful planet Yietta, where colonists - living on a floating artificial continent - make their living by exploiting tourists. But no paradise is perfect! A secret organization within Yietta's military initiates a ruthless plot to take control of the planet. At the last moment, Professor Nalerof Mordish sabotages their plans, but in the process, loses his own life. Believing Mordish's daughter Elysse possesses a computer code vital to their cause - the military capture her as well. Captain Tita and the crew of her hyper-sub Cha Cha Maru put their lives on the line to rescue her. When the military mobilizes, in a desperate bid to retrieve Elysse, it's a game of Cat and Mouse on a planet-wide scale - with one crucial difference: mice don't shoot back!

ADV Films' release of Plastic Little on DVD ($24.98 SRP) contains the English-language version as well as the original Japanese-language version with optional English subtitles. Extras include original storyboards and production sketches, previews of upcoming ADV releases, and a "Jiggle Counter" created especially for this titillating title. "

Sorcerer On the Rocks will be released on November 20th "Long ago, in a time of magic and mystery, there lived a group of courageous individuals known as the Sorcerer Hunters. Pure of heart and dedicated to justice, their job was to rid the kingdom of the powerful sorcerers and demonic monsters that oppressed the people and terrorized the land.

This isn't their story.

This IS the story of Shibas, a bounty hunter whose job is to rid the kingdom of the powerful sorcerers and demonic monsters that oppress the people and terrorize the land . . . for a price! Although the price isn't small, it's willingly paid in full. Even though he may be debauched, debased and a real bastard at times, he's also good. Really good! So good, in fact, that when a local nasty needs a powerful sorcerer to use as a sacrifice, he settles on Shibas. It's just his bad luck that Shibas has no intention of cooperating. Get ready for the magical mayhem of Sorcerer on the Rocks!"

Princess 9: Double Header will be released on January 8th. "In this volume, the Princess Nine all-girls baseball team is finally starting to come together, but they still find themselves four girls short of the necessary roster. As the crucial first game approaches, Keiko and Kido scour Japan for more players, but ultimately, the task is left to the girls themselves to recruit the final members. Charged with leading the Princess Nine to victory, pitching prodigy Ryo must find a way to conquer her own personal demons and forge the band of rag-tag misfits into a real team. but before she can do that, she'll have to confront her bitter archrival, Izumi! "

ADV wll be releasing the eighth and final volume of Gasaraki on 2/19, and the two disc set of AD Police Tokyo 2039 on 4/9.

Bandai is now stating Gundam 0080 volume 1 will be released on 2/19/01.

Pioneer's web sites February 26th as the tenative released date for The SoulTaker: Vol. 1 The Monster Within (with three episodes) and Sherlock Hound: Vol. 1 Case File 1 (with 5 episodeS), and Spring 2002 for Cardcaptor Sakura Movie.

Tokyopop on the Acquisition Rumors

Anime News Network reports when questioned about the recent rumors surrounding possible licenses acquired by Tokyopop, specifically the GTO Anime & Manga, the Initial D Anime & Manga, and Chobits, Tokyopop representative Sam McBride responded that "Some of these will be official soon." Not much to go on, but it does suggest that Tokyopop does have some, maybe all, of the above titles.

Schedule of New Anime Shows in Japan This Winter

• Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002 1/07
• Honou no Mirage 1/07
• Oo-Dorobou Jin 1/07
• Full Metal Panic 1/08
• Kakutou Ryouri Densetsu Bistro receipt 1/08
• Kinnikuman N-Sei 1/09
• Onegai Teacher 1/10
• Shichi-nin Nana 1/10
• Patapata Hikosen no Bouken 1/05
• Piano
• Aquarian Age
• Weiz Kreuz Gluhen

Full Metal Panic was to air in October, but was postponed after the events of 9/11.

Weiz Kreuz Gluhen continues the story of four bishonen (pretty males) who are flower shops works by day and assassins by night.

RUMOR: G-Gundam Casting In Vancouver?

According to unconfirmed reports into ANS from a few sources around Vancouver B.C., in recent days a casting call has gone out to voice talent in the area for reported English roles in the G-Gundam TV series. If the rumors prove to be true this could be one of the next Gundam TV series to be released in North America by Bandai Entertainment.

The TV animation of G-Gundam was produced by Sunrise, running in Japan in 1994, composing the season of Gundam just prior to Shin Kido Senki Gundam Wing in 1995. Plot-wise G-Gundam has been referred to as the "Dragon Ball" of Gundam due to the fact that the story, occuring in FC 95, revolves around a battle tournament where the "13th Gundam Fight" has began, the ring is the planet Earth. A nanotechnological monster of unspeakable power has been set free an now Neo Japanese Gundam fighter Domon Kasshu has came to Earth, not only to win the tournament but to find the Devil gundam, created by his father and was stolen by his brother, Kyouji Kasshu, before a catasthrope befalls the world. Of note production wise is G-Gundam director Yasuhiro Imagawa was also involved with the Giant Robo series.

Staff and Air Data:

• 49 episodes - aired April 22, 1994 to March 31, 1995
• Director: Yasuhiro Imagawa
• Scenario: Fuyushi Gobu
• Character design: Hiroshi Osaka
• Mecha design: Hajime Katoki Kunio Okawara Kimitoshi Yamane
• Mechanic design: Hirotoshi Sano

New Images of Upcoming Anime

Midori Kou has posted several scanned pages from the November 2001 issue of Animedia Magazine that include the first actual stills from the upcoming third Fushigi Yuugi OAV series and three pages worth of stills from the upcoming fifth Slayers movie, Slayers Premium.

The first volume of the new Fushigi Yuugi OAV is scheduled for Japanese release on December 21st. The 30 minute long Slayers Premium will open in Japanese theaters on December 22nd as part of a theatrical multi-feature including the short Di-Gi-Charat and Azumanga Daioh movies and the feature length Sakura Taisen movie. here here and here

Vampire Princess Miyu DVD not cancelled

AnimEigo has stated that the rumors circulating on the internet that volume 2 of Vampire Princess Miyu on DVD has been cancelled are false. However, at this time, AnimEigo still has not rescheduled an official date for the DVD to be released.

Anime Awards

Blood: The Last Vampire, the only anime nominated for a 2001 Annie award lost "Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Theatrical Feature" to Shrek. The list of nominees can be seen here.

According to a post on the official Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust message board here, the movie is on the list of six animated films that are being considered for the Oscar for Best Animated Film.

That's all for me this week...

Scott