Father Geek here with another of our regular Wednesday editions of Scott's HUGE Anime/Manga column. As is the usual case he is covering any and everything even vaguely related to the wide wonderful world of manga/anime... Gaming, cards, comics, toys, videos, DVDs, Television releases, Theatrical releases, even the internal politics of the industry... its ALL libel to pop up at any time in one of these "one-stop-shopping" mid-week reports. Annnnnnd as is also usually the case ol' Father Geek's fingertips are numb from punching in all the code involved in posting these columns... ooooooooooh, the ends we go to here at AICN Headquarters in Austin to keep you filled in on the latest industry news. Well, before we get into the normal column for this work-week I have some stuff that came directly to me here at our Central Texas Compound that you may find important, or at the least... interesting...
Hello,
Tonight (May 29), at At Our Site we'll be having an anime and manga chat. I hope some of you can attend :)
Sincerely, Jennifer M. Contino
You might want to check that out... might be fun. Now, here's a little bit on our buddy, mobile Austinite, and huge Anime fan Guillermo del Toro...
Last Friday, the director of BLADE 2, Guillermo Del Toro came to visit Production I.G. Apparently, James Cameron introduced him to Ghost in the Shell and he as been a huge fan ever since. Oshii-san and Del Toro, talked with each other in front of the press and talked about many things.
Guillermo praised Oshii-san's work and talked about how he felt in about 10 years, live action film makers would be able to create hybrid Live Action/CG/anime. He felt that anime is one of the most important things to come out of Japan in the 21st Century and he pleaded to the press that the Japanese! governent support this wonderful art.
Guillermo(originally from Mexico) was a very lively and jovial fellow who kept on patting Oshii-san on his back. His voice was filled with gusto and his bellowing laugh could be heardall the way down the hall. It's always nice to see foreign creators get so enthusiastic about anime.
ggreg
COOOOOOOOOL!!!. now here's some info on the big Labor Day fest in NYC that you'll want to make a note of...
GUNDAM CREATOR, YOSHIYUKI TOMINO CONFIRMED AS ONE OF THE GUESTS OF HONOR AT BIG APPLE ANIME FEST 2002
MAY 28, 2002?New York (NY): The Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF), a weekend long celebration of Anime Manga Culture announced that anime director, Yoshiyuki Tomino, creator of the ever-growing Gundam saga has been confirmed as a guest of honor at BAAF 2002. Tomino will be appearing at both BAAF 2002 and Anime Expo NY (AXNY) events in Times Square, August 30 ~ September 2, 2002.
As the Red & Black Sponsor of AXNY, its highest-level sponsor category, BAAF, which has been called The Cannes Film Festival of Anime Manga Culture, will be overseeing a variety of activities during the labor-day weekend festivities, including many Guest of Honor appearances, the BAAF Film Festival, and the BAAF Symposium.
Yoshiyuki Tomino"Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack" will be one of the featured films to be screened over the holiday weekend and this showing will be the New York premiere of the movie. BAAF is planning for a panel discussion on Tomino works following the premiere of the film. Tomino will also be making a special guest appearance at the Virgin Megastore where he will greet fans and sign autographs.
Yoshiyuki Tomino began his career in 1963, as part of the creative team behind TV's popular "Astroboy". After a decade of refining his craft as a freelancer, working on and studying the various genres of anime, he created "Reideen the Brave" in 1975. Tomino's directorial debut, the mecha series, was the first of many that he would create during the following years. These shows included 1977's "Zanbot 3" (a groundbreaking series that featured its heroes being blamed for a catastrophe and later killed), and of course, the immortal "Gundam" series, which recently enjoyed its 20th anniversary celebration. Gundam's various spin-offs (including Tomino's own "Gundam Z," "Gundam ZZ," "Turn-A Gundam" and "Char's Counterattack") have enjoyed considerable success around the world and are considered classics by many anime fans. Tomino's other more recent works include "Brain Powerd" and "Garzey's Wing."
About Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF) - Just Click Here for More Info
The annual Big Apple Anime Fest is considered to be the Cannes Film Festival of Anime Manga Culture BAAF is supported by a consortium of companies involved in the anime and manga industry, and is open to all participants. Both the trade and the public are welcome. BAAF goal is to promote Anime and Manga Culture to the general population, and to provide an exciting event to those who already enjoy it. World Anime Party and Cosplay on Broadway are trademarks of BAAF.
About Anime Expo (AX) - All Your Questions are Answered Here
Anime Expo is the largest convention devoted to Japanese animation and manga (comics) in the United States. Hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), Anime Expo is the industry largest and oldest tradeshow hosting tens of thousands of fans and industry members from all over the world over their 11 -year history. In 2002, the Big Apple Anime Fest will be welcoming Anime Expo to New York as a Red and Black Sponsor, AXNY's highest sponsorship level, as the two organizations jointly mount what is expected to be the largest World Anime Party ever.
About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) - Want to Join Up? Just Click Now
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit California Corporation founded and administered by a volunteer staff. The purpose of the SPJA is to popularize and educate the American public about Japanese animation (anime) and comics (manga), as well as provide a forum, Anime Expo, to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. The SPJA seeks to highlight the positive aspects of anime in the United States. Anime Expo is a registered trademark of SPJA
Father Geek back... Man, if there is any way you can get up to New York for this fest, do it, you won't be sorry. Well, now to the normal (?) report...
The AICN Anime Report...
by Scott Green
Berserk Released
by Scott Green
Berserk Released
Media Blasters released the first volume of the anime series Berserk this Tuesday. It is a medieval epic as rich, and harrowing any you'll find. This is the anime title to see, especially if you are something beyond comedy, action, or style for its own sake.
It follows the tragic development of a swordsman named Guts who only wishes to hone his skills, but falls in with a charismatic mercenary captain with larger ambitions. The conflict take the mercenary band from the battle field to palace intrigue and back. The schemes and motivations of the characters match the depth of a work like Lone Wolf and Cub
Released by Bandai Entertainments
Escaflowne: The Movie
Escaflowne: The Movie is a revision to the "school girl gets transported to mystical land" television series by the same name. The TV series distinguished itself as the pinnacle of its genre with a tight story, a complex world of distinct cultures, political and military intrigue, and an captivating science fiction idea that drives its events.
The movie forgoes the qualities, and the romantic aspect of the TV series in favor of a more physiological drive along axes of the pain triangle formed by girl from Earth, a vengeful warrior, and the leader of the world crushing army.
The movie does retain some of the TV series best features: its brilliant visual design, its complex battle scenes, and the music of the amazing, style spanning Yohko Kanno. Though it is more molded by traditional fantasy epic it retains many of the innovations. For example the villain's traditional dark, elite hunters (the Nazgul of Lord of the Rings, ect) are supplanted a squad for exceedingly vicious, handsome young men, who have the demeanor of a stereotypical anime homosexuals.
The balances around Hitomi Kanzaki, a school girl who is seriously, likely clinically depressed. She has quit the track team, and is rapidly progressing towards driving her only friend away. Her one desire is to fade away. A black robed man provides her with what she thought she was wishing for.
Hitomi finds herself on Gaea, a world where the Earth, and the moon can be seen from the night sky. Its it divided into states similar to those of Earth's middle ages, except for armies of the Black Dragon Clan, which has employs zeppelin like air ships, and floating fortresses. Under its nihilistic leader, the Black Dragon Clan has enslaved or scorched most of the world's states. Among clan's antagonists are the Abaharaki, an army of refugees, and their companion, Van Fanel. Van is the king, and last survivor of the White Dragon clan. He's retained a sword, and shoulder plate of his people, but he has adopted the attired of the warrior from a more untamed culture. His drive for vengeance fighter, and is driving away those near to him.
The titular Escaflowne is an ancient war god that manifests itself as a giant robot armor. It is a fearsome bio-mechanical construct that feeds on the blood of its pilot; it really captures some Lovecraft/Moorcock old god darkness. The climactic battle between the Escaflowne and its opposite number is one of most disconcertingly bloody giant robot battles in anime. It has the look of a mythic end times final battle.
Despite this giant robot climax, and a brief foray into psychic power conflict, most of the movies confrontations are resolved with blades. Its fights capture the speed and excitement of samurai action. From quickly, deadly strikes, to showy contests for supremacy, to phased assaults, movie is expert in capturing the appropriate flavor for the type of conflict it is depicting. The frequency, diversity and caliber of the fight scenes should please any action fan.
Gaea is given a rich, visual depth. Its diverse cultures are explored visually, with intricate design in the appearance of characters, dress and setting.
Yoko Kanno provides her consistently superb touch to the movie's music, in a background score picks up the slack for the dialogue in adding an emotional depth to the movie, catchy vocals, and a haunting sound that factors into the story. Her musical vocabulary, and ability to match the music for a scene are amazing.
Both the music and visual design provide are captivating mixes of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian element, with outliers and different ends of the spectrum, as well as hints and manifestations of things outside this range. Its provides a non-vocal exploration of the history, and status of the world without spending dialogue to explore.
The suffers from the desire to fit as many of the television series characters into the feature as possible, and often make them distinct from the original incarnation. They show up, look interesting for a while, then fade. The result damages the logic of the movie. Key characters don't get enough screen time, while others who appear to be key to the story spend most of it in the background after their introduction. It would have benefited from a greater focus on fewer characters. If you are unfamiliar with the television, there are several characters whose roles in the final third are poorly telegraphed, or seemingly random, but don't feel bad, there is a new character who leaves the tv show fans nearly as in the dark.
While the emotional conflict at the center of the movie gives it some weight, missing in many action and fantasy features, it doesn't achieve the gravity or believability to as memorable as the visual aspects of the movie. After some promising opening volleys with Hitomi's depression on Earth, it looks forced. You never get a sense of how the conflict in Gaea effects Hitmoni. Nor are the hatred or desperation of Gaea's inhabitant effectively conveyed. It has the brisk pace of an action movie, so its weakness is rarely felt, when it has conclude, it feels empty. In the end it was a more a promising looking idea than a well executed one.
When you compress Escaflowne to 90 minutes you get a well executed, beatifically looking, rather traditional fantasy epic. It accomplishes more than nearly all of its competition in the crowded genre, but it feels slightly disappointing because it seems it did not hit the mark it was aiming for. If it the characters were made more believable, or their interactions more interesting, or the script been more even (increase the time for the important characters, decrease or remove the superfluous ones), the story could have been as good as the movie's look and feel.
The DVD is available in a standard edition, and the "Ultimate Edition", which features a large, designed box, the movie's soundtrack, and a bonus disc with interviews with the production team including ,Kazuki Akane, Yoko Kanno, Masahiko Minami, and Masuo Ueda, and voice actors including singer Maaya Sakamoto, Tomokau Seki, Shinichiro Miki, and English voice Kelly Sheridan production art, and footage from the North American premiere. An excellent feature on the movie disc is a real time storyboard track, which shows the story board illustrations has the designed event is happening. Even if you are not typically into movie design and production, its probably the most interesting feature to put on a DVD after commentary tracks.
This Week's Releases
Anime
- Berserk - War Cry (Episodes 1-5)
- Berserk - War Cry (Vol. 1) - With Series Box
- Gokudo - Goddess Extraordinaire
- Martial Arts Pack - Ayane's High Kick/Grappler Backi
- Macross Plus - Movie Edition
- Orphen - The Soul Stealers (Vol. 5)
- Princess Nine - Strike Zone (Vol. 4)
- Rurouni Kenshin:Fall From Grace
Manga
- Astro Boy Vol 3 Tp
- Blade Of The Immortal #68 Beasts (Part 3 Of 7) (Mr)
$2.99
- Inu Yasha Vol 11 Tp
- Lone Wolf & Cub Vol 21 Frangrance Of Death Tp
- Medabots Vol 1 Boy & His Bot Tp
- New Vampire Miyu Vol 2 Gn
- Zoids #4
Bandai Announces .hack
From the press release:
- Berserk - War Cry (Episodes 1-5)
- Berserk - War Cry (Vol. 1) - With Series Box
- Gokudo - Goddess Extraordinaire
- Martial Arts Pack - Ayane's High Kick/Grappler Backi
- Macross Plus - Movie Edition
- Orphen - The Soul Stealers (Vol. 5)
- Princess Nine - Strike Zone (Vol. 4)
- Rurouni Kenshin:Fall From Grace
Manga
- Astro Boy Vol 3 Tp
- Blade Of The Immortal #68 Beasts (Part 3 Of 7) (Mr)
$2.99
- Inu Yasha Vol 11 Tp
- Lone Wolf & Cub Vol 21 Frangrance Of Death Tp
- Medabots Vol 1 Boy & His Bot Tp
- New Vampire Miyu Vol 2 Gn
- Zoids #4
Bandai Announces .hack
From the press release:
From the press release:
Is it a game? Or is it a world? .hack//SIGN the anime series.
"The World" is immersive virtual gaming environment of the future. Millions of players log on each day to test their skills in virtual adventures and battles. But when reality and virtual reality collide, a whole new adventure unfolds.
.hack//SIGN boasts character designs by famed illustrator Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion and Wings of Honneamise), an engaging and immersive storyline scripted by Kazunori Ito (Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor), and directed by Kouichi Mashimo (Noir and Irresponsible Captain Tylor).
Bandai America's video game division has also announced at E3 the release of .hack for Playstation 2. .hack features the perfect fusion of action/RPG game play presented in an anime format. In addition to the .hack PS2 game a separate OVA DVD disc will also be included (Please note that the OVA series is a completely different and separate series from .hack//SIGN). Touted as a "Virtual MMORPG or Massively Multiplayer Online RPG, .hack utilizes the latest in rendering technology enabling environments to transform in real time. Alongside game play, .hack gamers will also have the option to choose between Japanese and English dialogue. Scheduled for release October 2002, .hack carries a suggested retail price of $49.98. For more information, please visit www.dothack.com
Anime "Lupin the 3rd" Television Rights in America
Anime News Network report on the 27th Thomas Entertainment awarded the popular anime series "Lupin the 3rd" TV broadcasting and video rights.
Mahou Yuugi Web Anime to Close
According to the announcement from Lycos Japan, the "Mahou Yuugi"Lycos Japan website will close at the end of June the online streaming anime about cute witches.
Dreamworks Acquires Millennium Actress
Screen Daily reports Dreamworks has acquired the rights to Satoshi Kon's (Perfect Blue) Millennium Actress.
Dreamworks has not yet finalized its distribution plans for the picture, but Klockworx says that it is hoping for international theatrical release through UIP. Klockworx will itself handle the Japanese distribution in early autumn through a "mini-chain" release.
Anime News Service reports the official website for Satoshi Kon / Klockworks anime film Millenium Actress has opened at www.1000nen.net.
Millennium Actress is a love story about an aging actress who was once a huge star who became a recluse, and the president of a small film company who fell in love with her on the screen, and want to make a documentary about her life.
AIC Web Sites
Inside AIC official English website The AIC anime studio has updated a number of of its English anime sites including:
The "A.D Police" OVA series website. The three episode OAV (direct to vide) series takes a dark, and violent look the relationships between humanity and technilogy. The series is connected to the more adventerous Bubblegum Crisis, and TV series recently revised both.
The "Armitage" OVA series website. Armitage is a sci-fi cop drama about a woman officer is who is a member of a new breed of robots that are mentally and physically compatable with humans.
The "Hajyakyosei G-Dangaioh" TV series website.
Pioneer: Second Stage Box
Anime on DVD reports a Vandread: Second Stag will be available with a box to hold the series eight volume for $34.98, and without for $29.98.
New Macross Announced
According to Anime News Service, the first episode of
the new Macross Zero OAV series will be released in
Japan on October 25th. No additional information is
available.
Anime in Japan
From Anime News Service
Official Mahoromatic Second Series Title has been officially announced that the title of the second series of Mahoromatic will be "Mahoromatic - Motto Utsukushii Mono".
Space Pirate Captain Harlock ~ The Endless Odyssey ~ will be broadcast on AT-X on 27 June 2002 before seeing the first volume "Hakidame no Blues" of the DVD release on 19 September 2002
A TV anime series adaptation of the manga Get Backers, serialised in weekly Shonen Magazine, is to commence broadcast in October 2002. The website for the manga (about two boys with special powers) is here. Authors are Aoki Yuya and Ayamine Rando. http://www.shonenmagazine.com/gb/news/index.html
Samurai Deeper Kyo will commence broadcast on 1 July 2002. Rikujyou Bouei Tai Mao-chan will commence on 3 July 2002. Asagiri no Fujo will commence on 3 July 2002 as well. Horie Yui will voice-act in all three. Horie played Naru in Love Hina. Rikyujyou Bouei Tai Mao-chan is Akamatsu Ken's latest work, and apart from voice acting, Horie will sing the OP and ED.
The manga version of the anime will commence serialisation in the July 2002 issue of the monthly Magazine Special, to be published on 20 June 2002. While Akamatsu worked on the original concept and original character design, the manga seems to be credited to "RAN". http://www.shonenmagazine.com/
Appleseed Video Teaser Online
From Anime News Service
A preview for the upcoming CG Appleseed work is available for download at the Yamato Toys website here
Anime Coming to American TV
ToonZone reports Shinzo and Beyblade will be coming to ABC Family.
Shinzo is an Saban Entertainment's adapation of a series about a future where all humans have mutated except a young girl.
Beyblade is based on the fighting top collectable game.
G-Gundam will premiere on Cartoon Network's Toonami lineup on July 1st at 5pm, replacing Batman Beyond
Anime Broadcast Service
Anime News NetworkZDnet, a company called iBlast will eventually be broadcasting Anime content to computers.
Backed by major U.S. television station owners iBlast will first launch its service in Los Angeles on July 25th. The company will broadcast content via currently unused digital television bandwidth at an impressive rate of 19 megabits a second (almost 3 times as fast as the fastest cable modem service). Special hardware will be required for computers to receive the content, including a digital television antenna and a receiver, which will be available as an internal PC device or an external USB attachment. The hardware will cost between $99 and $199, while the monthly service will cost between $5.99 and 9.99
Initially the service will only be available in the LA area and the only specified content that it will include at startup will be video games. However the service will expand to other US cities and teh content will expand to include Anime amongst other things. At this time details from the company are still sketchy.
Cartoon Network Adult Swim Action For July and August
From ToonZone.net
Saturday, July 6th
Saturday, July 13th
Saturday, July 13th
Saturday, July 27th
Saturday, August 3rd
August Manga Releases
Comicsone
ComicsOne will be start several new full color martial arts comics.
The first 120 page volume of Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre will retail for $13.95. Everyone in the martial arts world, including Wuji, is in search of the legendary "Heaven Sword" and "Dragon Sabre" blades. It is said that whoever possesses these two weapons will become the most powerful Kung Fu master and the Chief of the martial arts world.
Weapons Of The Gods #1 is another full color comic. From Tony Wong, the acclaimed author of Oriental Heroes (from Jademan Comics),
Weapons of the Gods tracks two ancient weapons of immeasurable power as they battle throughout the ages. The weapons were created long ago, when Celestial Goddess was locked in battle with the Dark Spirit. Celestial Goddess used five colors of stones to create a magical weapon known as "Heaven's Crystal" in order to defeat the evil Spirit. One hundred years later, Heaven's Crystal disappeared. Now, forces are trying to use "Tiger Soul," its opposing weapon, to destroy the world.
The martial arts epic Storm Riders continues in its 5th volume.
The revenge story Wounded Man will conluce in its 9th volume.
A set of the Kabuto volumes 1 & 2 will be released fo $21.00
Close to 500 years ago during the Tensho Era of Japan, a man was born who defied the will of a demon; a man who had the gods of good on his side; a man destined to battle evil... his name was Kabuto. Somehow, Kuroyasha Douki, the vile Black Night Demon, escaped his prison in Hell and returned to the earthly plane to wreak vengeance on the family-line of Kabuto. None can escape his deadly magic and masterful skills with the blade; however, the gods of the North, West, East and South band together to help Kabuto stand for justice! With the questionable help of a diabolical talking sword forged by his father, Kabuto may live another day to see his own sons born!
CPM Manga
Geobreeders Book 4: Unfriendly Skies Tp by Akihiro Ito
The ongoing feud between Kagura Security and the Phantom Cats has been legendary, but the stakes are raised even higher when one of our heroes is kidnapped! Written and illustrated by the mega-talented Akihiro Ito, Geobreeders is a high-octane slugfest that never runs short on action, thrills, and cute girls with machine guns!
Kia Asamiya's space epic Martian Successor Nadesico concludes its its fourth volume as the battleship Nadesico is caught between the Earth Federation forces and the mysterious Jupiterians.
M.D. Geist Complete Edition Tp: by Koichi Ohata
Enter a future devastated by war; a future you'll probably live to see. With their governments driven to the brink of destruction, the planet Jerra is in disarray. Amidst the turmoil a new type of hero emerges on a quest for vengeance and violence. Geist, born in the government laboratories of Earth, hungers for battle and power, and no authority can stop him!
Dark Horse
Astro Boy Volume 7:
In this volume, Astro Boy's adventures in the 20th Century continue. After lying buried beneath the Mekong river during the Vietnam War, Astro is discovered and revived many years later in a time when robots are worked like slaves and discarded like broken toys. Teaming with the young and idealistic Dr. Ochanimizu, Astro fights for robot rights...and encounters his creator, Dr,.Tenma, at the time of Astro's creation, a situation that could create a dangerous time paradox!
The 25th volume of the samurai epic Lone Wolf And Cub Vol. 25: Perhaps In Death will feature a cover by Matt Wagner. The Lone Wolf and Cub spinoff, Lone Wolf 2100 will conclude with its fourth issue.
Individual issues include Blade Of The Immortal #71: Beasts Part 6 (Of 7), and Oh My Goddess! Part Xii #2: Learning To Love Part 2 (Of 3).
IRONCAT
Ironcat will be releasing You & Me Volume 1 #2, Vampire Yui Volume 4 #7, and Vampire Princess Miyu Volume 3 Graphic Novel.
Vampire Princess Miyu volume 3 features the return of the guardians Ranka and Ichiro, the the Western Shinma Carlua and Lemures.
TOKYOPOP
TOKYOPOP will be begin releasing graphic novel
colelctios of Rave starting in August.
The series is a comedy version of the familiar story of a boy who must stop the rebirth of a demonic force. The boy, named, in this case lives on an island with a a mysterious girl seeking lost memories, a woman chasing thief, and a very odd dog creature that with a spherical head and a pointed sea shell like nose. An anime series based on the manga ran on Japanese TV last October/
Indivial issues being released include Cardcaptor Sakura #31, and Gundam Wing: G-Unit #2 (of 12)
Graphic Novels
Angelic Layer Volume 2 Gn continues CLAMP's twist of the collectable game (Pokemon) genre of manga. by CLAMP
Initial D Volume 3 Gn by Shuichi Shigeno
With a little more torque and some tightening of the turns, Takumi rides his brakes with the delicate touch of an artist. The young Speed Star drives his father's Eight Six through treacherous mountain passes in a race against the Night Kids' Takeshi. It's intuitive rookie vs. seasoned street racer atop Mt. Akina, where a deadly combination of five consecutive hairpin turns put drivers to the ultimate test. As Ryosuke of the Red Suns follows behind, he studies Takumi's unorthodox moves and incredible raw talent with keen interest. He is one of many racers eager to pit their own talents against the mysterious Eight Six.
Kodocha Volume 3: Sana's Stage Gn by Miho Obana; English adaptation by Sarah Dyer
It's a season of family crises in Kodocha! Sana's school friend Tsuyoshi, the mama's boy, is now fatherless after his parents get divorced and his dad won't acknowledge him. The real bombshell drops when Sana's mom releases a new book that reveals shocking details about Sana's past. But in Kodocha, even the most shocking incidents take a turn for the bizarre, and this time is no exception.
Volume 6 of Peach Girl will be released, and volumes 1-3 of the shoujo will be re-released. The shoujo (girl's) series follows Momo, a girl with the undeserved reputation for be a wild party girl, whose best friend has scheme to undercut her romantic interests.
Priest Volume 2 Gn: by Min-Woo Hyung
It's Sergio Leone meets Spawn when an "Old West" priest sells his soul to a devil to get revenge! In the American West, a priest named Ivan gave his soul to the demon, Temoraz. He has been granted immortality and supernatural powers that he can use to fight other devils. at least until the day comes when the demon within takes over his body for good.
Ragnarok Volume 3 Gn By Myung Jin Lee; English Adaptation By Richard A. Knaak
For centuries, the balance of power in the realm of Midgard has been maintained by the Assassins Guild, a group of professional killers in the Morroc Dessert who work in the name of absolute neutrality. That balance is about to be thrown into chaos. Skurai, the cursed prosecutor, has made his way to the assassins' temple, and with his bloodthirsty blade, all will taste his wrath. But only the blood of one assassin - Loki - will cure his thirst, and Loki is on assignment keeping the demon lords in check. He hasn't taken sides until now, but with war about to break out between men, gods and demons, neutrality is not an option.
Other graphic novel releases include Corrector Yui volume 5, Love Hina Volume 5, Mars Volume 4 GN, and Saint Tail Volume 6 Pocket Tp.
Viz
Issues
Inu-Yasha Part 7 #1 (of 6)
Inu-Yasha is Rumiko Takahashi's (Ranma 1/2) tale of a school girl frm the modern era, and a half dog demon from Japan's era of warring states. The series shifts between fairy tale, romantic comedy, action, and horror. In part 7 Totosai comes to Inu-Yasha for protection against Inu-Yasha's brother Seshomaru, who has a sword powerful enough to give life, instead of taking it away! What Seshomaru wants is the complete opposite - one as powerful as Inu-Yasha's! Will these two battle it out to the end?
Bastard!! #9: Vampire by Kazushi Hagiwara
Part 1 of 2. Who's the greatest undead ally of the Dark Armies of Chaos? Who's the mighty vampire with the high-pitched singing voice? It's King Dai-Amon, the scourge of the night - and now he craves power by killing Dark Schneider and drinking Tia Noto Yoko's blood! Werewolves and undead are hurled at our heroes as they make their way through the dark mountains to reinforce the defenders of Metallicana - and Dark Schneider, the bastard wizard who might save them, is trapped within his wimpy alter ego! Each issue of Bastard!! contains heavy metal & RPG reviews!
Vagabond Part 1 #10 by Takehiko Inoue
Musashi sets out to test his skill against the famed Hozoin Spear technique. But Gion Toji, from the Yoshioka school, is hot on his trail and beats Musashi to the Hozoin temple.
Other individual issues include The All-New Tenchi Muyô! Part 1 #4 (Of 5), The Big O Part 2 #2 (of 7), Ceres, Celestial Legend Part 3 #3 (of 4) Dragon Ball, Part 5 #3 (Of 7), Dragonball Z Part 5 #8 (Of 12), Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 7 #4 (of 7), Ranma 1/2 Part 11 #6 (of 11), Silent Möbius: Blood Part 11 #2 (of 5)
The Animerica Extra September 2002 Volume 5 #9 antholoy features new enteries in Mint to Bokura, Fushigi Yugi, Video Girl Ai, Steam Detectives, Chicago, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and Marionette Generation.
Graphic Novel Collections
Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Volume 6 Tp adapted the original Gundam series/
Silent Möbius Volume 8: Advent Tp continues Kia Asamiya's manga of a team of super-human women who fight demons.
X/1999 Volume 8: Crescendo Tp by CLAMP
Three mysterious men arrive at Fûma and Kotori's house and announce themselves as the directors of CLAMP Academy, a school designed for the express purpose of protecting the second sacred sword until "The Day To Come." After arriving, Kamui watches a final message left by his aunt imploring him to choose his own destiny in the battle ahead. Will Kamui choose to protect the present as a Dragon of Heaven or will he vie for change as a Dragon of Earth?
The nine volumes of Sanctuary will be released. Sophisticated crime drama by Sho Fumimura and Ryoichi Ikegami (artist of Crying Freeman & Mai The Psychic Girl). Two handsome, ruthless young men vow to transform the destiny of Japan by any means. As children, they survived the horrors of the Cambodian killing fields together. Now, are they powerful enough to rise to the top of the Japanese Parliament and the Yakuza crime syndicate?
Pokemon manga being released include the Magical Pokémon Journey (the huge eye, super-cute, shoujo veron of Pokemon) Volume 6: Gold & Silver trade paperback collection, Pokémon Adventures Volume 6: The Cave Campaign trade paperback collection, Pokémon Adventures Part 7 #5: Primary Colors, Corsola's Brave New World.
Other kids' anime based manga being released include Medabots Part 3 #1 & 2 (of 4), and Zoids #7: Chaotic Century.
Viz will be releasing a host of products to coinside with Cartoon Network's June airing of the Hamster anime series Hamtaro.
When ten-year old Laura moves to a new town, she's not the only one who has to make new friends. Her pet hamster, Hamtaro, also needs to get used to new surroundings and find new hamster friends. Meet Hamtaro and his gang of hamster pals, known as "The Ham-Ham Gang," as they join forces to help Laura solve various problems and embark on countless adventures. Releases include The Official Hamtaro Handbook, Hamtaro Punch-Out Activity Book, Hamtaro Hamster Care Guide, The Official Hamtaro Trading Card Guide, and Hamtaro Origami Book.
