Once again ol' Father Geek here has been typing code like a fiend so he can post another of Scott Green's fact packed, info infused columns for our regular Wednesday Morning Editions of The AICN Anime Report. Man, I hope you all appreciate this 'cause Father Geek's getting callous' on my fingertips from all this keyboard work setting up the news on Toys, cards, games, comics, Videos, DVDs, TV Releases, and Theater Releases for all you Anime/Manga geeks around the world. Well, anyway, here's Scott with this week's report...

Spotlight On Mobile Suit Gundam

0080 War in the Pocket, Volume 1, Released by Bandai

The war between the Federation, and the rebelling orbital colony Principality of Zeon is raging, but it has not effected the neutral colony Side Six. Alfred is a young boy growing up on the colony. He doesn't often see his father, who works at the colony's port. His father's extended absences are beginning to take a toll on him. When not thinking about the war, or destruction he is emotionally detached. His grades are plummeting. He gets into fights at school. He finds a brief outlet by destroying hospitals and building in a video game. His mix of a child's interest, and violent fascinations are best illustrated by the series eye-catchers (brief block of animation leading into and out of commercial break) showing Alfred wearing a Zeon helmet and an enormous grin, or a child's back pocket with a model rocket, Swiss army knife, and pistol clip.

Behind the scene the ink is drying on an agreement between the colony and the Federation. Alfred's involvement in larger events begin when, on a school bet to find proof of a federation mobile suit, he sneaks into the port, and records the Federation moving cargo into the colony. Later, he meets Chris, a neighbor who has returned to her parent's house after taking a job with the federation as a "data analyst".

Outside the colony Federation and Zeon forces locked around each other's throats, but the children look on in fascination as they see the first skirmish inside the colony. Alfred breaks ways from his school mates to chase down a crashing Zeon Zaku (a one eyed green armor with a gas mask like head, and spiked shoulder plates). While marveling at the machinery he does not notice its pilot. The young pilot named Bernie grabs Alfred's camera, and while going through its footage see the previous video of the Federation cargo. Bernie and Alfred exchange the footage for a Zeon rank insignia. After escaping with the footage the Zeon send Bernie back to the colony with a team of battle hardened special forces in "Operation Rubicon", to take the Federation cargo.

Compelling, and believable characters hallmark 0080. They are immature, and not just Alfred, but Chris, and Bernie too. They are selfish, duplicitous, and ignore the implications of their actions. Bernie or Chris appear to be more career focused than ideologically linked to their side of war. Like Amuro of the original Gundam series, or Shiro of 08th MS team, the direction in which the characters will be pushed is clear, but the formation feels less contrived. It is more of an outgrowth of their decisions that a molding by external forces.

The coherence of 0800's storytelling exceeds that of other currently released Gundam series. As a six episodes OAV (direct to video release) the first volume promises, a terse, focused series. It works well as a stand alone series by alluding to other Gundam works with chaining itself to the larger Gundam universe.

Though War in the Pocket is driven by its characters than its visuals, the first volume features battle scenes comparable to Gundam's more action-centric series. The series opens with an amphibious attack on an arctic launch site. It convey the size and capabilities of the robots. They don't just ambling along shooting at each other. The Zeon suits slide across the ground and around building, grabbing Federation Gundam, and engage them in close combat, or hold them as shields.

Bandai's presentation of the Gundam OAV series (08th MS Team, 0083: Stardust Memories, and 0080: War in the Pocket) DVDs has been exceptional. The reversible covers continue to look great. With the improvement artwork on the disc, and the addition of series time lines on the inert, the releases continue to improve. Giant robot enthusiastic will appreciate en the entries in the "MS (Mobile Suit)Encyclopedia".

This Week's Anime and Manga Releases

Anime

• Ceres, Celestial Legend Vol. #7
• Dirty Pair Flash:Random Angels
• Dragon Ball Z:Garlic Jr. Sacred Water
• Dragon Ball Z:Garlic Jr. Vanquished
• Landlock
• Magic Users Club - A Magic Kiss (Vol. 6)
• Rurouni Kenshin Vol. #15
• Sherlock Hound - Case File 1
• The Soultaker - The Monster Within (Vol. 1)
• Zenki - Saga 2

Manga

• Big O Part 1 #1 (Of 5)
• Cannon God Exaxxion #4 Stage 1 (4 Of 8)
• Corrector Yui Vol 2 Pkt Tp
• Cowboy Bebop #2 (Of 4)
• Gundam Wing Endless Waltz #1 (Of 5)
• Lone Wolf And Cub Vol 18 Last Kurokuwa Tp
• Oh My Goddess Part Xi #7 Mystery Child (Part 5 Of 8
• Super Manga Blast #19
• Lodoss War Chronicles Heroic Knight Book 2 (Mr)
• Lodoss War Deedlits Tale #7 $2.95
• Love Hina #1 (Of 4) $2.95
• Magical Journey Pokemon Part 6 #4 (Of 4)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Vol 3 Tp
• Pokemon Advs Part 6 #3 (Of 4)
• Slayers Special #2
• Slayers Super Explosive Demon Story #4
• Wild 7 Gn #2

Big O is a sci-fi noir detective story set in a city whose populous has lost its memory forty year ago. Roger Smith is a private negotiator, and the owner a the Big O, a giant robot made from forgotten technology.

Love Hina is a relationship comedy about a young man who fails to get into the prestigious Tokyo University, a goal that was to furfill a promise to a childhood girl friend he was separated from at a young age. Instead he ends up as manager of his relative's hot spring/boarding house for girls, thus beginning anime/manga's typical boy surrounded by odd girls story.

Soul Taker is a recent horror series that has received rare reviews from anime fans who have seen it.

Synch-Point's release of "I'm Going to Be an Angel" volume 1 was to be this week, but it has been delayed indefinitely".

The Macross Lawsuit...

Anime New Network has reported on the ongoing legal litigation between Harmony Gold & Tatsunoko and Big West over the Macross License. Harmony Gold, which has always claimed exclusive ownership of the Macross License, has blocked the North American importation and release of Macross based merchandise in the past and licensed the Macross Anime to AnimEigo for DVD release.

However a recent Japanese ruling states that Tatsunoko, the Japanese company that originally sold the Macross license to Harmony Gold, did not own the Macross license in the first place and was never in any position to sell that license to Harmony Gold. According to the ruling Big West, the original creators of Macross, own the international rights. Based on this ruling Big West has obtained an injunction barring Harmony Gold from selling or licensing further Macross merchandise.

For more information see here.

This potentially has series implications to the releases of the Macross and Robotech in the US.

Viz News (Gunnm: Last Order, New Tezuka Release)

Viz will be release Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix: a Tale of the Future. Tezuka, is best known in English speaking world for Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, and Metropolis was highly instramental in shaping the Japanese comic and animation industries. He considered Phoenix his "life work".

From the press release

After several nuclear wars, civilization has gone underground due to the toxic atmosphere. The five cities resemble huge shopping malls, with each city ruled by an enormous super-computer that calculates every action for its inhabitants and rules supreme. Meet Masato, who secretly keeps a Moopie as a companion - a forbidden extraterrestrial creature capable of assuming any form and inducing hallucinations in those it contacts. In this highly regimented world, the super-computer Hallelujah cannot allow for anything outside its exacting calculations. When Hallelujah discovers Masato's secret and decrees that the Moopie, known as Tamami, must be destroyed, Masato chooses to defy the order and makes a daring escape with Tamami to find a safe haven. Their escape triggers a visitation by a mythical bird and an adventure of epic proportions.

The twelve self-contained yet interlinked stories that compose Phoenix (Hi no tori in Japanese, literally "Firebird") is considered by many to be the summit of Osamu Tezuka's artistic achievement. Tezuka himself referred to Phoenix as his "life work." Painstakingly composed over a span of decades (early versions appeared as early as 1954), serialized in a number of venues and left incomplete with Tezuka's death in 1989, Phoenix represents Tezuka's ambitious attempt to push all he knew about the comics medium to address fundamental questions about existence. This edition, Phoenix: A Tale of the Future, is an English translation of the second of the twelve Phoenix stories ("Future").

The first graphic novel collection of Takehiko Inoue's "Vagabound" will be released this March. The comic is an adaptation of Eiji Yashikawa's "Mushashi", the fictional account of the life of the famous swordman Miyamoto Mushashi. The series opens with Mushashi before taking the name he would become known under, as a wild and reckless youth.

From Anime News Network's Katsukon 2002 report, although no release dates were given, Viz has acquired the titles Gundam: Origin (manga version of the original Gundam TV series), and Gunnm: Last Order (continuation of Battle Angel Alita). Battle Angel Alita follows a robot found and repaired by a scientist in the Junk Yard, a scrap heap society below the towering city of Tiphares. Viz has released the Yukito Kushiro's original eight volume epic (which was abbreviate by the creator's heath problems), and the tangent prequel Ashen Victor. The detail in the story and art, and the mix of action and ideas of the Battle Angel are amazing.

The company has also regained control of the rights to CLAMP's X manga.

Volumes 11 and 12 of Rumiko Takahashi's Inu Yasha: The Dog Demon manga will be released respectively in May and September.

Kaiji Kawaguchi's critically-acclaimed political manga Eagle, the story of a Japanese-American senator's U.S. Presidential campaign will be completed with the April release of a fifth collected volume.

Hamutoro has been licensed and will be shown on Cartoon Network at an unidentified future point.

Although Viz has the rights to the Corrector Yui TV series, no release is expected until the TV run of Card Captor Sakura is finished, due to the name similarity between the two shows.

The Inu Yasha anime will be released starting in August, with three episodes per disc (9 volumes) and a disc a month, at an MSRP of $24.95 or possibly $19.95. However, the release schedule will be delayed if the series is shown on TV

The Season 2 DVD box set of Ranma 1/2 will be released by April.

Continuing its relationship with Rumiko Takahashi, Viz is considering acquiring the remaining "Rumik World" anime titles, several of which have been available in English on VHS for several years.

There are plans to release the currently-available episodes of Maison Ikkoku as a DVD box set. If it is successful, the remainder of the series will be dubbed and released as well. The company is looking at releasing the rest of its back catalog on DVD as well, but there are doubts as to titles' commercial viability.

Manga Entertainment Web Site Update (Evangelion Movie News)

Manga Entertainment (who releases anime, not to be confused with the term "manga", which refers to Japanese comics) has redesigned their web site at www.manga.com Manga conforms that they have English translation rights to the 3 episode R.O.D. (Read or Die) OAV series and the full digital anime samurai movie Kai-Do-Maru.

The site lists June 25th as the release date of the first Evangelion movie, "Death and Rebirth". The Evangelion page features downloadable wallpapers, film synopsis and the first two minute long sequence of new footage created for Evangelion: Death with its new English language dub available for viewing in streaming Real Media and Windows Media formats. The Evangelion movies are an alternative to the controversial final two episodes of the Neon Genesis Envangelion TV series. The first half of "Death and Rebirth" is a summary of the first twenty four episodes of the television series with new footage for transitions. The second half of the movie the beginning of its new conclusion. Nerv, the organization that employed the Evas to battle invading angels in the series is assaulted by the Civil Defense Force. The first part of "End of Evangelion" is the second part of "Death and Rebirth." The second part of end of Evangelion is the conclusion to the series.

From the site on the Macross Plus movie:

Shoji Kawamori's critically acclaimed Macross Plus is one of the most expensive and respected anime films ever produced. Originally created as a 4-part Original Video Animation series, this masterful story featuring world-class animation was taken back to the drawing board and rearranged as a 'feature film' with 20 minutes of new animation integrated under the supervision of the director himself.

The Movie Edition includes a breathtaking new opening sequence, new scenes that further clarify the relationships between key characters, plus a dramatic new ending featuring extended footage of the haunting concert given by the film's virtual pop star, Sharon Apple. The end result is a film which spectacularly conveys the Director's vision while infusing striking new elements into the gripping story.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

• JAPANESE LANGUAGE
• 5.1 Surround with English Subtitles
• Stereo with English Subtitiles
• Character Bios
• Photo Gallery
• Macross Plus Trailers
• Manga Previews
• DVD Catalog
• Web Links

Armitage Dual Matrix DVD Detail

The sequel to Armitage the 3rd, Armitage: Dual Matrix, will premier on American home video on June 25th. Unlike the first Armitage movie, Armitage: Polymatrix, Dual Matrix does have a Japanese audio track (as well as optional English subtitles).

According to Anime on DVD, the film will seemingly be released in three different versions- a movie only DVD, a 2 disc set of Polymatrix and Dual Matrix, and a limited edition which will consist of the movie combined with a variant edition of the McFarlane Toys Armitage action figure packed in a metal Armitage lunch box.

Right Stuf News

From Anime News Network's Katsukon 2002 report, KO Beast Century (7-episode fantasy OVA) and Dancaizer 3, both acquired in 2001, are scheduled for release in the summer, but no further information on formats or features is available

Between 100 and 120 soundtrack CD's will be released under the AnimeTrax label over the next ten months. However, yet again, no information was available on specific titles.

An upcoming set of Boogiepop Phantom will include a soundtrack CD and 5.1 stereo on the English dub

Right Stuf's eagerly-awaited release of Gainax's high school romance drama Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (His and Her Circumstances or Kare Kano) will be completed by the early summer on 5 DVD's (6/5/5/5/5). There is a possibility of a June release of a box set, which if at all possible will include a clear sleeve with cherry blossoms printed on it, although finding a printer has been problemmatic.

Another unidentified full-length TV series has been acquired, but no further comments can be made, although it was noted that the series in question is similar to KKNJ and had received significant fansubber attention. (Fansubs are anime titles that have been translated and subtitled by fans who have not licenses the title) It is rumored that the title is the 51-episode high school romance drama Hana Yori Dango (Boys Before Flowers)

Since they are cheaper than boxes in terms of both packaging and shipping, using multipacks is expected to be continued, despite disagreement among fans on whether or not they're actually useful.

AnimEigo You're Under Arrest TV Series Update

In addition, AnimEigo has updated their FAQ, with one of the questions regarding whether or not they are doing the YUA TV series. The answer: "Yes, we're hard at work subtitling and dubbing it. As of 2/19/02 we're actually about half done. The first set of DVDs will be coming out in late spring. Hopefully of 2002."

The Kimagure Orange Road Box Set is in replication. Anyone interested in pre-ordering the set should do so soon.

You're Under Arrest follows the mostly humorous, but sometimes-dramatic lives of two Japanese policewomen, the rational, and mechanically inclined Kobayakawa Miyuki, and the impulsive and strong Tsujimoto Natsumi. The manga (comic) series by Fujishima Kosuke's (best known for Oh! My Goddess) has a spawned has been an OAV (direct to video release), theatrical movie and one season of a television. The movie, which veered more to the more towards intense drama and action than the normally light hearted OAV and television series.

Kimagure (Whimsical) Orange Road is classic romance about a young man with psychic powers, who must hide his powers while being part of a love triangle with the beautiful and mysterious girl he loves, and the sweet and kind girl who loves him.

Magical Witchland Website Now Showing Past Episodes.

AIC's Magical Witchland website now has the last three months of their webcast anime up and ready to watch.

Astroboy Returns to TV.. in Japan.

Anime News Service is reporting that English-dubbed prints of Astroboy will be re-shown in Japan, with English dialogue and Japanese subtitles. Previously believed lost forever, a set of Astroboy prints was found in a warehouse three years ago.

Ironcat News

From Anime News Network's Katsukon 2002 report in late March, Ironcat is releasing a Narumi Kakinouchi art book which contains watercolor character portraits from her various series (Vampire Princess Miyu, New Vampire Miyu, Vampire Yui, The Vampire Dahlia, The Wanderer, My Code Name is Charmer, and others).

Licensing talks for new manga titles are still ongoing with Kakinouchi, as well as artists Sennou Knife, Hiroshi Aro and Inui Karuka.

The Studio Ironcat website (www.ironcat.com) is undergoing a redesign. Its new version will include a regular webcomic feature.

Finally, Ironcat has reiterated that is it accepting submissions from aspiring American manga artists, as well as suggestions for Japanese titles to consider translating.

Robotech Flash Contest Winners

The winners of the Robotech flash contest can be seen here.

Miyazaki News

From Anime News Service, According to Toshio SUZUKI, president of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki's next film will probably be released in 2004. The quote from the press conference interview at the Berlinale Film Festival: "If I can believe Mr. Miyazaki, this will happen in 2004. (smiles)"

"Another note: There will be a second episode of Ghiblies released in theaters with The Cat Who Returned a Favor."

Behind The Scenes of FLCL.

Anime Tourist has posted a two park interview with Marc Chandler and Rick Tetzlaff about their work on FLCL and the new Astro Boy series and with Kari Wahlgren & Jennifer Sekiguchi about ADR blues, what it's like to voice for Anime, and learning Japanese in the booth.

In this behind the scenes look at FLCL as we talk with March Chandler (Director/Scriptwriter) and Rick Tetzlaff (Sound Engineer/mixer) about the challenges they had in translating difficult in-jokes and pop culture references, finding the right voice for the characters, working with Gainax, getting the sound right, their prior work Cowboy Bebop, and the new work they are doing on the Astro Boy series.

Joining Marc and Rick were Kari Wahlgren (Haruko) and Jennifer Sekiguchi (Mamimi). With these guests we discussed the challenges of voicing anime, ADR blues, their prior work, and learning Japanese in the booth.

New Grave of Fireflies DVD from CPM?

From Anime on DVD's forum

Grave of the Fireflies SE from CPM?

"Anyway, this one is being re-released in the Fall. It is from a new digitally remastered source, although the old source really wasn't too bad. The new DVD will also be anamorphic. There are a few new features as well including some Japanese interviews and 'making of' featurettes." Grave of Fireflies is a thought provoking anime classic about a young boy and his sister who lose their mother and home to the World War II fire bombing of Kobe.

My Family To Animation TV Series

From Anime News Service According to Nikkan Sports, the manga Atashi'n chi (My Family) by Kera Eiko serialised in Yomiuri Shimbun Sunday edition newspaper will be animated by rival corporate group TV Asahi after years of negotiations. The manga focuses on the everyday lives of the Tachibana family of four from the point of view of high school daughter Mikan. It has been described as "Sazae-san of the Heisei (Emperor Akihito) period". This family anime is set to begin broadcast at 7.30pm on Fridays in April 2002, after "Doraemon" and displacing "Crayon Shin-chan", which will move into a Saturday timeslot.

Yu Yu Hakusho TV And DVD Debut

According to Animation Magazine, Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files will air on Adult Swim Feb 23, the only series to rival Dragon Ball Z ratings in Japan, Yu Yu Hakusho will lead Cartoon Network's new Saturday Night Adult Swim Action block. Produced by FUNimation Prods. Ltd., the same company responsible for bringing Dragon Ball Z to North America, Yu Yu Hakusho will air at 10 p.m. CST and 11 p.m. ET and PT.

In addition, Yu Yu Hakusho is slated for release on DVD on April 16. Yu Yu Hakusho - Yusuke Lost, Yusuke Found and Yu Yu Hakusho - Artifacts of Darkness (Goldhil Home Media 2, $24.95) each feature more than 80 minutes of programming plus extras.

Initial D Battle Stage First Images

From Anime News Service The first images have been released for the coming Initial D: Battle Stage Special at Animax's Website. The lateset Initial-D production is a 1 hour 25 minute special planned to be broadcast in Japan on February 1st on Sky PerfecTV channel 121. The Computer Graphics utilized for the OVA and Third Stage Movie were slightly more detailed over the 1st and 2nd TV series CGI and this Battle Stage recompilation will feature the respective car races from the 1st and 2nd TV series re-computer animated with the latest technology and updated effects on a detail level of that on par with the quality seen in the the film. Additionally, the battles will play out to brand new Super Eurobeat tracks and the special will include commentary by the legendary Drift Racer Keiichi Tsuchiya. DVD rental of the special is slated for March and DVD sale is expected to occur in May. http://www.animax.co.jp/ppv8/index.html

Anime News Service reports J-pop diva Hikaru Utada is set to make her American debut soon after just signing a contract with Island Def Jam Records this week. The now 19 year old Utada's 1999 album "First Love" sold a record 9,000,000 copies, her newest single "Light " is due in Japan on March 20th. Details on the release of her first American album have yet to be set but already the announcement is making huge press all across Japan this weekend. The singer was born in New York in 1983 and entered school at the American Colombian University in September of 2000.

Merchandise News

Vice, Yamato and N2 Toys are working together to release 12" action figures of Motoko Aramaki from the Ghost In The Shell sequel: Man-Machine Interface. Three versions can be seen here,

Toycom's Robotech mini-busts can be seen here. The line will include Rick Hunter, Roy Fokker, Max Sterling, Miriya and Minmei.

12" figures of Lain, from Serial Expirements Lain, in her famous bear pajamas, and her school uniform can be seen at here.

Bandai's Anime Collector's series can be seen at here. New sets include Cowboy Bebop (Spike, Faye, and Spike's Swordfish), Big O (Angel and Big Duo), and Pilot Candidate.

Kaiyodo's Trigun figures of Meryl Stryfe, the Previews Exclusive version of Monev the Gale, and the Trigun mini-busts can be seen at here. Toycom's 12" Vash the Stampede can be seen at here.

Upcoming Medabots figures can be seen at here.

New Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaia Dates

3.1.2002 Houston - AMC Studio 30; San Francisco - UA Galaxy

3.8.2002 San Diego - UA Horton Plaza; *Dallas - United Artists Plaza

4.5.2002 Sacramento - UA Market Square at Arden Fair

Boston/Seattle TBD - Shooting for March

*Note - Dallas has been pushed back from 3.1.2002 to 3.8.2002. There will be a FREE sneak preview screening on 3.7.2002 through 94.5 FM KTXQ - tune in for more info

Spriggan Release Date Announced, More Theatrical Showings

ADV announced on Anime on DVD's forum that Spriggan will be released on April 23rd. The released will include anamorphic transfer with 5.1 English and Japanese audio and English subtitles, production sketches and English commentary.

www.sprigganthemovie.com lists more Spriggan showings including March 1st Rice Media Center - Houston, TX; March 26th Duke University Media Center - Durham, NC G&S Entertainment - Marietta, GA

Upcoming Lupin III Releases

From Anime News Service's mailing list. Wizard's Spring 2002 Anime Invasion lists the next set of Lupin III movies to be released by FUNimation after Legend of the Twilight Gemini. Funimation says each film will be released every 5-6 months after Gemini.

• 1)"Voyage to Danger" [aka "Dark Order of Assassination"]
• 2)"Dragon of Doom" [aka "Burning Sword of Zantetsu"]
• 3)"Harimao's Treasure"
• 4)"Farewell to Nostradamus"
• 5)"Dead or Alive"
• 6)"Crisis in Tokyo"
• 7)"The Columbus Files"
• 8)Missed by a Dollar"
• 9)"Island of Assassin"[Aka, Walther P-38]

Lupin III follows Lupin, a scruffy, lecherous thief with a heart of gold, and his companions, the sullen gunman Jigan, the stoic samurai Goemon, and his some time lover/feme fatale Fujiko. Samurai anime fans will fan to keep an eye open for "Dragon of Doom", which focuses on Goemon.

"Island of Assassin" is perhaps the best of Lupin's III movies, considered to be second to Hayao Miyazaki's "Castle of Cagliostro" (releases by Manga Entertainment). Some action fans rank it higher.

Yamato/Leiji Matsumoto News

According to Anime News Service "space cruiser YAMATO" which is a hit product of Reiji/matsumoto is broadcasted as the new work television series from October is announced on February 25. According to the staff, They seem to be preparing it with a title of "New space cruiser YAMATO" currently. A work says a stage of final stage about TV stations. Movie "New space cruiser YAMATO" shows "New space cruiser YAMATO" in August, next year and plans it and They have collaboration plan with overseas and rise.

Memorialized that Matsumoto received a prize by "an order of purple" in last autumn on February 25, and "the meeting which celebrated" it was held in inside Tokyo hotel, and about 1200 participated. Fujio/akatsuka of a comic artist was to inform you of a friend representative, but is absent by physical condition defectiveness. Mr. SakyouKomatsu of a writer acted as a substitute.

Anime News Network reports according to Nikkan Sports, Leiji Matsumoto announced at his national cultural award celebration party on the 25th that the new series of Space Battleship Yamato would appear this fall. He said the story will be set in the world of 1,000 years after the final Yamato.

His horse drama manga, Gunfrontier is also set to be turned into an Anime for the first time. In addition, Matsumoto said that a U.S. firm and a French firm were interested in making animated films with him.

Golden Boy Announced for DVD

In a move welcomed by many anime fans, AD Vision has announced that the 6 episode Golden Boy OAV series will be released on two DVDs beginning on April 23rd. "Golden Boy: Treasure Hunt" will contain bilingual OAV episodes 1-3 and retail for $29.98.

May Manga Releases

Diamond Distributor's has released their monthly Previews catalogue with the comic releases for the month of May. If you are interested in pre-ordering any of the releases talk to your local comic shop. (A list can be found at Diamond Comics. High lights include new collections of the romantic comedy Oh! My Goddess, and samurai action Blade of the Immortal from Dark Horse, TOKYOPOP's releases collections of CLAMP's Angelic Layers, Kare Kano, and Kodocha, and Viz's releases of Neon Genesis Evangelion volume 6, Tezuka's Phoenix, and a new volume of X/1999.

ComicsOne.com

ComicsOne.com will be releasing complete sets of Joan and Tomie.

The Joan collection will retail for $39.50. In Medieval France, during the Hundred Years War, the same man who took Joan of Arc under his wing raises a young woman named Emil to follow in her footsteps. Guided by visions of Joan of Arc, Emil seeks to unite France under the divine rule of the King. In her quest, Emil retraces Joan's journey to power, and gains her own followers and enemies along the way. Is Emil the reincarnation of Joan of Arc, or just another deluded soul? Will Emil's life end the way Joan's did? Collected in a three-volume set for the first time, Joan is a beautifully painted historical epic that thoughtfully reconsiders one of the watershed moments of Western history.

Tomie, by Junji Ito (creator of Uzamaki) will retil for $17.50. Tomie by Junji Ito Tomie is a high school heartbreaker with a dark secret: no matter how hard you try to kill her, she comes back! Whether she's chopped up, buried, or drowned, Tomie will return to wreak vengeful havoc on those around her! As long as there is a droplet of Tomie's hellish flesh left, she can grow back to her beautiful, evil self. This chilling series by Japanese horror master Junji Ito is now available in a two-volume set. Tomie will remind you of the EC horror classics with a manga twist.

CPM MANGA

Central Park Media will be releasing Geobreeders volume 3,Slayers Special volume 5.

In Geobreeders "Kagura security is on vacation for three days, but can they avoid things blowing up? Don't bet on it! The Phantom Cats don't go on vacation!".

In Slayers Special #5 "Lina's up to her eyeballs in trouble and she's throwing Naga at the danger again. This time the Dark Crystal is at stake. Can Lina possibly defeat the dark sorcerer Galdin?"

Dark Horse Comics:

Related non-manga releases include the first of the four issue Lone Wolf 2100 mini series by Mike Kennedy and Francisco Ruiz Velasco: "It's a hundred years from now and the world is coming apart. A deadly man-made virus known as the "War Spore" is spreading, the debilitating effects felt by man and android alike. Whole populations have become refugees; barred at every border. Human-like android emulation constructs called EmCons, suspected of intentionally releasing the virus, are in revolt. Only a few places on earth remain safe havens from the Spore. Hiding among the displaced hordes are a man named Itto and a young girl, Daisy. She is the daughter of a renowned scientist who was working on a cure for the virus. He was her father's bodyguard, but now his accused murderer. They're on the run from the operatives of the Cygnat Owari Corporation, men - and machines - who will stop at nothing to kill the man and retrieve the girl. Whether Daisy is an infectious carrier of th! e virus, as the corporation claims, or something more, as Itto believes, escape is but the first step on their journey, the final destination of which is vengeance. Part homage, and partly a re-imagining of the original Lone Wolf and Cub manga, this special project is being done in association with MegaHouse (the authorized licensors of Lone Wolf and Cub), and under the watchful eye of Kazuo Koike, the writer and co-creator of Lone Wolf and Cub. "

The Dark Horse Extra #47 anthology will feature the end of Stan Sakai's serialized Usagi Yojimbo story.

In Astro Boy Volume 4 Astro fights to free abused robots from a robot theme park that masks a secret weapons factory; Astro and fellow robots are stranded on the moon only to discover a valley full of diamonds...but they are not alone, and the diamonds are not unguarded; Astro becomes trapped in the twentieth century after a child prodigy's time machine breaks down; and Professor Ochanomizu and Astro Boy are caught up in a movement to overthrow a dictator who has a machine capable of producing human clones...and a force of evil robots to defend it.

Lone Wolf And Cub Vol. 22: Heaven And Earth in "Rain. Poison. Explosives. Vengeance. It's a deadly combination that forms a volatile mixture of deceit, betrayal, and hate as the final showdown between Lone Wolf assassin Ogami Itto and his nemesis Retsudo begins. While the torrential rains continue to pound Edo, the fiery Retsudo and his bloodthirsty Yagyu army rush along the banks of the swelling Hatcho River, racing to beat a load of explosives that's traveling down the other side, heading right into the hands of the vengeful samurai Ogami. Meanwhile, the cunning poisoner Abeno sees his chance to destroy both sides as they run headlong on their collision course - he's going flood all of Edo! Forced to put their battle aside, Ogami and Retsudo find themselves fighting side by side to save all of Edo from the floods, while Ogami's little son Daigoro wanders alone, fighting for his life and searching for his father! It's a deluge of evil, and it threatens to wash away all! that stands in its path!" This volume features Lone Wolf and Cub stories not previously released in the US.

In Blade Of The Immortal #68: Beasts Part 3 (Of 7), bad things happen to the assasin Hyakurin after being captured by vengeful members of the Itto-ryu sword school.

In the Blade of the Immortal colllection "Secrets" Anotsu Kagehisa, murderous leader of the rogue Ittö-ryü, has journeyed to the mountains far from Edo to the romote Shingyötö-ryü dojo under invitation to bring the sword school under his wing. But instead of a warm welcome, Anotsu finds a dojo full of angry young men who don't want to take orders from an upstart, unless he can proves he's tougher than the best of them! That sits just fine with Anotsu, who has dedicated his life to putting the killing back into Japan's formalized sword schools, but Anotsu suspects that something more than proof of his worthiness lies beneath the challenge. Meanwhile, the immortal swordsman, Manji, is recovering from a battle that left him literally cut to pieces. His charge, Rin, is till nowhere to be found, bound for vengeance against Anotsu, but soon his troubles may become a bit more immediate, troubles that even an immortal may not survive! Collecting issues #58-#65 of the ongoing series.

Dark Horse will also be releasing two Blade of the Immortal t-shirts with the scarred immortal samurai Manji, his young client Rin, and Anatsu, the head of the rogue Itto-ryu sword school.

Other indivual issues include Kenichi Sonoda's (Gunsmith Cats) sci-fi, action Cannon God Exaxxion #7: Stage 1 Part 7 (Of 8), Oh My Goddess! Part XI #10: Mystery Child Part 8 (Of 8)

Oh My Goddess!: Wrong Number collects the "lost" stories that were skipped in the original run of the series, and later printed in the Super Manga Blast! anthology are included in this new, remastered first volume of the popular manga series, the first of three new volumes that restore the complete Oh My Goddess storyline and fill in early details of this of tale of college student Keiichi Morisato, who accidentally dials the Goddess Technical Helpline and is delivered the living, breathing, literal goddess Belldandy...and one wish. When he jokingly asks for Belldandy to stay with him forever, he gets his wish, and one hilarious headache after another as Keiichi and his Goddess-out-of-water adjust to the inevitable clash of the Spiritual Plane and the Material World. Also includes material from the previously published 1-555-Goddess.

The Super Manga Blast! #22 anthology features new enteries in Club 9, 3x3 Eyes, What's Michael, Shadow Star, and Seraphic Feature.

IRONCAT

Ironcat will be releasing Futaba-Kun Change! Volume 8 #4, and Vampire Yui Volume 4 #4.

MARVEL COMICS

Deadpool #67, and X-Men: Evolution #7 will feature art by the anime inspired Udon.

Iron Man #400 (55 in the current numbering) will feature a cover by manga artist Kia Asamiya.

Ben Dunn's monthly Marvel Mangaverse will continue in its second issue.

TOKYOPOP

Individual issues include Cardcaptor Sakura #28, Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz #3, Kodocha #5, Miracle Girls #20, Miracle Girls #21, Ragnarok #4,Real Bout High School #2, Saint Tail #19, and the shoujo anthology Smile Volume 4 #6.

Collections:

Angelic Layers volume 1 by CLAMP "In the distant future, the most popular sport in Japan is Angelic Layer. Contestants use fighting dolls that they hatch and raise from eggs, called "Angels," and battle them in an arena. 12-year-old Misaki has entered the tournament with her doll Hikaru, and together they plan to take the sport by storm!"

In Gto Volume 2 former gangster Onizuka is ready to put aside his punkish ways and join the working world as a teacher. All that stands between him and a regular paycheck and dozens of hot girls to flirt with is the big teaching exam. Oh, wait. he accidentally used his study book as toilet paper! Now, without credentials, the only place he can land a job is at the Holy Forest Academy where he only barely gets hired after humiliating the Vice Principal. He'll have to use his street smarts to deal with students and faculty alike if he's ever going to become a Great Teacher.

In Kare Kano Volume 1 by Masami Tsuda, straight A's, athlete, and overall "Ms. Popularity," Yukino, is the perfect student. Or at least that's how she appears to the outside world. But when the curtains are drawn, a lazy young egomaniac lurks who will do anything and everything to be the top student in her school. Yukino finds her resolve put to the test, as after years as the idol of her class, a threat emerges in the more perfect Soiichiro. A good-natured, studious, and athletic boy he is her equal in every way but one -- that behind the act is a genuine heart driven to succeed. Yukino is desperate to regain her status anyway she can, but through embarrassing flub-ups at every turn, Soiichiro remains untouched even as they find respect for one another, and maybe, after all the dust has cleared, something more.

In Kodocha Volume 1: Sana's Stage by Miho Obana; adapted by Sarah Dyer What is Kodocha? It's the smash-hit comedy series from Japan about what happens when child star Sana Kurata tries to "fix" the problems of everyone around her. And there are a lot of problems to solve. Her classroom's been overrun by bullies, her teacher's being blackmailed, and the girl's live in terror, all because of the tyrannical rule of the demon child Akito Hayama. There's going to be a Rumble in the Jungle Gym when these two strong personalities collide! Printed in the original right-to- left format, readers can experience Kodocha in the way the author intended!

In Love Hina Volume 2 Keitaro Urashima's dream is to attend Tokyo University with his childhood sweetheart, a girl he hasn't seen in years. But when he fails the entrance exams, he's in danger of losing his chance for good. Meanwhile, his job as caretaker of a girls dorm filled with gorgeous ladies keeps him more than busy. Keitaro wants to hit the books, but first he's got to see if one of the girls really is his old crush! Working together, can the two finally make the grade, or will Keitaro be seduced by the temptations that surround him?

In Ragnarok Volume 1 by Myung Jin Lee; adapted by Richard A. Knaak after 1000 years of peace, the Wolf God, Fenris Fenrir, has been reborn. She seeks to find the reincarnation of Balder, the Glorious God, as the land of Midgard begins to slide toward destruction. But even as she does, fate guides her and three others to one another, and their legendary meeting will set in motion Ragnarok the thief, while the accursed prosecutor, Skurai, and the Valkyrie, Sara Irine follow as well in the search for battle, glory, and power. English version written by New York Times bestselling author Richard A. Knaak, author of multiple Dragnonlance, Warcraft, and Diablo novels. Covers colored by Dark Minds creators Dream Wave Productions.

Other collections include Corrector Yui Volume 3 Pocket Mixx by Keiko Okamoto, the horror story Island Volume 4 Pocket Mixx, Peach Girl Volume 4, Skull Man Volume 2, Sorcerer Hunters Volume 10.

Special Edition Books

Cowboy Bebop Complete Anime Guide #4

Pre-pubescent hacker extraordinaire Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV (you can call her Ed for short), steals the show in the fourth volume of the Cowboy Bebop Complete Anime Guides. Covering the episodes "Black Dog Serenade," "Mushroom Samba," "Speak Like A Child," and "Wild Horses," this volume features everything from slapstick comedy to murder and blackmail. Added bonuses include a complete character guide to every player, big and small, from the entire Cowboy Bebop series so far, as well as a full color atlas to all Bebop locations.

Gundam Technical Manual: Stardust Memories

Three years after the One Year War, the remnants of the Principality of Zeon are regrouping to strike back against the Federation. One of the most epic Gundam stories ever told, Stardust Memories (also known as Gundam 0083) is full of epic space conflicts, naval battles, and aerial assaults featuring a slew of new mobile suits. But in the midst of the chaos, the war becomes a one-on-one battle between test pilot Kou Uraki and Zeon ace pilot Anevel Gato. Full-color design schematics for all Mobile Suits in Stardust Memories OVAs. Histories of the Federation, the Principality of Zeon, and the One Year War and the five years of conflict that followed. Biographies of all the key players in Stardust Memories. All-new paintings of Gundam units in action. Third volume in a continuing series covering the entire Gundam universe.

Cardcaptors Anime Book Volume 3 Tp

When Sakura Avalon opened the mysterious Clow Book in her dad's library and released the cards inside, she inadvertently signed on for the challenge of a lifetime. Join Sakura as she faces a relay race with her dad Aiden Avalon, a crazy day at the zoo, and more! It's not going to be easy, but with the Clow Book's magical guardian, Kero, and her best friend Madison by her side, Sakura just might stand a chance of becoming Cardcaptor!

The Art Of Cardcaptor Sakura #1

As seen Kids WB! Fans of Cardcaptor Sakura, rejoice! Tokyopop proudly presents the first of three art books from the top- selling girls' manga series! There are 120 pages of full-color artwork, most of which have never been seen in America before. Also included is an exclusive 15-page mini-comic, not available anywhere else, which no fan will want to be without! From the creators of Clover, Angelic Layer, Chobits, and Magic Knight Rayearth.

VIZ COMMUNICATIONS

The Animerica Extra volume 5 #6 anthology features new enteries in Chicago, Fushigi Yugi, Marionette Generation, Revolutinary Girl Utena, Steam Detectives and Video Girl Ai. The Pulp volume 6 #6 anthology features new enteries in Bakune Young, Banana Fish,Cinderalla, Dance Till Tomorrow, Monkey Can Draw Manga Short Cuts, and Uzamaki.

In Bastard!! #6 "Fighter" Part 1 (of 3)Across the land of Metallion news spreads of Dark Schneider's rebirth, reaching one of the leaders of the rebel armies, the dark elf wizard Arshes Nei! Once Dark Schneider's lover, she now longs to see him dead - and sends her deadliest assassin, the master of the Curse Spiders, to spill his blood."

In The All-New Tenchi Muyô! Part 1 #1 by Hitoshi Okuda "Tenchi Muyô is back, presenting more new adventures never seen on the Cartoon Network, from the artist of Viz's previous Tenchi comic No Need For Tenchi! In the green forests of Okayama Prefecture, Japan, lives Tenchi Misaki, a teenager who shares his house with a bevy of extraterrestrial houseguests, all of whom happen to be beautiful women. A mysterious stranger spies on the Tenchi household. Meet Tenchi, half-human descendant of an alien swordsman; Ayeka and Sasami, princesses of planet Jurai; Mihoshi, space cop; Washu, the mad scientist; and Ryoko, a space pirate turned good! Is it romance? Is it comedy? Who is the main character anyway? It's the same anime excitement you know and love!"

Other indivual issues include The Big O Part 1 #4, Ceres: Celestial Legend Part 2 #6, Dragonball Part 4 #10, Dragonball Z Part 5 #5, Inu-Yasha Part 6 #13, Pokémon Adventures Part 7 #2, Magical Pokémon Journey Part 7 #3,Medabots Part 1 #3, Medabots Part 1 #4, Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 7 #1 Ranma ½ Part 11 #3, Silent Möbius: Turnabout #5, Vagabond #7, Zoids Volume 4: Chaotic Century .

Collections:

In Dragonball Volume 8, printed in the authentic right-to-left or "eastern," format, Dragonball introduces a young monkey-tailed boy named Goku (a wry update of the classic Chinese "Monkey King" legend), whose quiet life changes when he meets a girl named Bulma who is on a quest to collect seven "Dragon Balls." If she gathers them all, an incredibly powerful dragon will appear and grant her one wish. But the precious orbs are scattered all over the world, and Bulma could use the help of a certain super-strong boy. After the setbacks Goku's dealt the Red Ribbon Army, Commander Red has hired Taopaipai, the world's deadliest assassin, to kill him! To beat this powerful opponent, Goku must travel to the top of the miles-high Karin Tower to meet the hermit master Karin and get his magic elixir that can increase strength tenfold! Even with the elixir, does Goku have the strength to beat Taopaipai?

El-Hazard Volume 1

"Good-natured high school student Makoto Mizuhara was liked by all - a fact that Jinnai, the arrogant and paranoid class president, could not abide. But that was before Makoto was whisked away by a strange woman into the even stranger world of El-Hazard - and Jinnai, Jinnai's sister Nanami, and their gym teacher Mr. Fujisawa have come along for the ride! Based on the anime from the studio that brought you No Need For Tenchi! While Makoto and co. befriend the Roshtarian Royal Family and the Three Priestesses of Muldoon, Jinnai allies with the seductive Diva, queen of the Bugrom hive-empire. The former Earthlings find themselves changed by their environment and develop strange powers. Soon the fate of the kingdom of Roshtaria, and all of El-Hazard, hangs in the balance as three factions vie for control of the strongest weapon in a magical world. the living weapon Ifurita."

Inu-Yasha Volume 11 Tp continues Rumiko Takahashi's latest series. "When Japanese high school student Kagome is transported back in time to the feudal era, she accidentally releases a legendary dog-like half-demon named Inu-Yasha from his imprisonment for stealing the magical "Jewel of Four Souls." Bound to Kagome by a powerful spell, Inu-Yasha is forced to help her reclaim the jewel, now shattered into countless shards, to prevent other demons from using its power for terrible evil! When a would-be water god with a stolen spear of enormous power threatens to destroy a village, Inu-Yasha and company must find the real water god before it is too late! Then, the group comes across a decimated village with no clues to who did it. With a swing of the Tetsusaiga and the crack of splintering wood the culprit is revealed-which turns out to be a shock for Sango!"

Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 6 by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, in 2015, Earth faces a terrifying last judgment from mysterious giant "Angels." To combat the Angels, the secret organization NERV creates the Evangelions -massive humanoid robots that can only be piloted by a select few teenagers. Now, with technology on their side, NERV seeks to defy prophecy and battle the forces of heaven with the fate of mankind in the balance. but who are their true enemies? During a lull in fighting, Commander Ikari and Ritsuko prepare for the delivery of Unit-03 while Shinji tries to adjust to normal life. But Unit-03 harbors a terrible secret, one that may force Shinji to choose between friendship and duty. Also available in a special Collectors' Edition, which is printed in the original right-to-left Japanese format with Sadamoto's original sound effects!

Phoenix: A Tale Of The Future by Osamu Tezuka is a gripping science fiction parable about the pitfalls of technology that takes place in the far future and around the globe, this Tale of the Future is as relevant now as it was when it was first published in Japan in the late '60s. A testament to comics as an art form and as literature, Phoenix: A Tale of the Future is an essential component of any serious comics collection. After several nuclear wars, civilization has gone underground due to the toxic atmosphere. The five cities resemble huge shopping malls, and each city is ruled by an enormous computer. Meet Masato, who secretly owns a creature called a Moopee, an extraterrestrial capable of assuming any form and inducing hallucinations in those it contacts. He attempts to discover the secret of the Phoenix, while the world veers toward Armageddon. By the creator of Astro Boy and Adolf. The 296 page volume retails for $22.95.

Uzumaki Volume 2 continues the outstanding horror series. A fiendish power - the power of the spiral - swirls about the sleepy, fogbound town of Kurôzu-cho. It haunts the streets, kills some of its inhabitants, drives others mad... and changes others in even more terrible ways. Now Kirie Goshima and her boyfriend, Shuichi Saito (who lost both his parents to the spiral), must find a way to stop the malign spiral and its ghastly followers before their world is engulfed! Obsessed with Kirie, an awkward teenager gives her a jack-in-the-box before dying in a horrible accident. Slimy with sweat, and growing a shell on his back, a boy turns into a giant snail. The lighthouse of Kurôzu-cho beams a deadly glow over the sleeping houses. Mosquitoes spin in drowsy spiral, sucking the blood of pregnant women, and turning a hospital into a nightmare. And in the South China Sea, a hurricane is forming, moving toward Kurôzu-cho to snare it in the eye of the storm.

X/1999 VOLUME 7 by CLAMP

A tale of dark poetry and prophecy foretelling the end of the world and the fate of the lone young man who holds Earth's destiny in his hands - Kamui, heir of incredible psychic powers. Alone in the world, with no purpose except to protect his two dearest friends, Kamui finds himself sought by two opposing sets of occult forces: the Seven Seals, who protect the mystic symbols embodied in Tokyo, and the Seven Harbingers, who want to destroy the city - and the Earth. As alliances change, as his loved ones are threatened, Kamui must choose a side - or is his fate already preordained? Kamui's aunt Tokiko is torn apart giving birth to the sacred sword that is Kamui's birthright. The gory sight drives Kotori into madness, where she meets her dead mother in the Sea of Tears, and the prophet Kakyo who awakens her powers as a dreamseer. Then an earthquake shakes Tokyo, startling the Dragons of Heaven and Earth with the presence of one of their equals, the sorcerer Sakura- zuka! mori, hated enemy of the medium Subaru (from CLAMP's Tokyo Babylon). Who among all these people of power is the "other" Kamui. Kamui's Twin Star?