Father Geek here with your regular mid-work-week dose of everything you need to know about the worlds of Manga and Anime; Conventions, insider gossip, Comics, DVDs, VHS, books, theater releases, just anything and everything all in one easy to locate wednesday column here at AICN just for you.

Now here's Scott with our regular roving report...

Spotlight on... Blue Seed: Perfect Collection

Released by ADV Films

ADV has put together a great bargain with the Blue Seed Pefect Collect. The 26 episode TV series are packaged on four DVDs for $60.00 It isn't a brilliant series, but it is sufficiently entertaining.

In Blue Seed Japan is being threatened by an invasion of giant plant monsters known as Aragami. What makes these creatures a bit more interesting than random rampaging threats is that a number of Japan's folklore, and legends about demi-gods, and monsters are unified under the heading of the aragami. Japan's protection against the Aragami is to sacrifice a girl from the lineage of the Kushinada. The Kushinada, Kaede was under the protect of human agents from the governmental organization the Terrestial Administration Center(or TAC, meant to sound bureaucratic and mundane), and my the Aragami in the form of Kusanagi, a young man who was implemented with mitami (the titular blue seeds).Despite this protection, and her general competence, Kaede disappears during a mission.

With the increasing threat of the Aragami, TAC recruits Kaede's twin sister Momiji, a clumsy, but open hearted girl who was unaware of her sister, or her role. More members of TAC are recruited, so that the team consists of its level headed very Japanese directory, his very competent right hand woman (who always has her bangs completed over one eye), a divorced mother/biologist, a momma's boy computer expert, and a gung-ho army woman in a bubblegum pink jump suit. The team is also occasionally joined by a brash wanna-be pop singer/American raised Shinto exorcist, with the always amusing habits of cursing in English, and calling Momiji "sacrifice girl."

The waters are muddied by the introduction of Murakumo, a villainous third party with powers similar to Kusanagi's who works with other to resurrect the demi-god Susan-oh. The additions add a number of gradations, and differing motivations in the enemy camp, which are confusing for a while, but eventually clear themselves up. Some surprisingly inventive mythology ties the series together as it draws to its conclusion, and adds a satisfying logic.

The series follows the threat of the week drama/comedy/action that was most fully realized in Evangelion, which was probably in development about the same time as Blue Seed. While the conflict with the Aragami features some twists in its evolution, the relationships between the characters develop along standard lines. There are a number of memorable cute or humorous moments that many people enjoy greatly, but there wasn't much novelty, or character. When the characters do something, or evolve, it is so familiar, and distance most of the characters travel in their arcs was so short, that when everything is said and done, it feels like they spent a lot of time traveling without going anywhere.

Likewise, the action is fun, if standard with giant monsters, Kusinagi, jumping around in typical anime super-hero mode, the almost fun visuals of Shinto exorcism, and the rest of TAC using rocket launcher, or techno-gadgets. Many of the earlier Aragami encounters have a bit of the air of anime's tentacle laden horror-pornography, with panty shots in the place or nudity, as it progresses the series battles are more standard giant monster disposal, as well focusing strategy, enforcing character traits/development, and advancing the story. Kusinagi, and Murakumo's frequent confrontations provide for a nice running grudge match that is almost as cool and vicious as the series would like it to be.

The series builds on clues, until late in the series, it is revealed that the central conflict relates to the character of Japan, and its modern incarnation. A western audience can enjoy the show for its action, and relationships, but if you know a bit about Japanese culture and mythology, and its more to the series. It seems like a mostly surface level series, but one you could read a great into if you so choose, like looking for cultural symbolism in Gilligan's Island.

A favorite feature of the series is the thirteen short "omake" or extras. A number of the humorous sequences are brilliantly amusing, or at least passably funny depending on your tastes (an excellent Godzilla-esque parody trailer), there are a few sweet ones, and a few most people will wish never saw the light of day.

Manga Preview: Project Arms

By Ryouji Minagawa and Kyouchi Nanatsuki To be Released by Viz starting in September

Project Arms looks like a good technologically influenced militarist action. Something for first person shooter/Metal Gear Solid fans.

From Viz's description of the series: From the creators of Spriggan(Striker by Viz Comics) comes a new tale of nano-machines, cybernetic assassins, powerful telekinetic opponents, and a secret organization dedicated to bring forth the evolution of man. Ryo Talatsuki thought of himself as just an average high school student, until he learned that his arm had been secretly replaced with a powerful nano-machine drive weapons called "ARMS".

The preview features Ryo going out to look for his sister, and encountering trouble in the form of a squad of stun-baton wielding secret agents, which he dispatches with some quick moves, and A-Team style resourcefulness. It concludes with a few pages of techno-organic mayhem and destruction.

For many, Spriggan was mentally connected to Akira by the presence of a blue skinned psychic child, but here the Akira influence is a bit more prevalent, and the character and structural design. One of the difference is an odd crookedness, cubist tinge to the characters' faces, which is either a genius story telling effect, or an amusing artist quirk, probably the latter. Another case of an uncertainty of whether an illustration characteristic is effect or flaw, is the depiction of action. It looks like the comic could use more intermediary motions depicted. Often it presents a beginning, an end, and cuts secondary aspects in the middle. For example, we see Ryo sitting, drinking a can of soda with a man about to strike him from behind. Cut to the can flying up, cut to the man's surprised eye, cut to Ryo's face sideways, and determined, cut to Ryo sitting on top of the man with arm lock on his would-be assailant. This works well most of the time, but intermediary action seems never to be shown. Whether is it a depiction of speed, or a flaw remains to be seen.

Given the amount of speed lines, quick motion, and load crashes in the simple previews, its seems reasonable to expect some very fast paced action from Project Arms. Ryo's strategy foreshadows some inventiveness to the action, that felt forced here, but may blossom into something interesting later.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Brain Powered - Family Feuds (Collection 2)
• City Hunter: The Motion Picture
• Escaflowne - The Movie
• Escaflowne - The Movie (Ultimate Edition 3-Disc Set)
• Getter Robo Armageddon - Power Pack (Vols. 1-4)
• Hellsing - Impure Souls (Vol. 1)
• His And Her Circumstances (Vol. 1)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 - Stardust Memories (Vol. 4)
• Real Bout High School - Netherworld (Vol. 2)
• Ronin Warriors - The Shadow Of Doom (Vol. 4) ~
• Sailor Moon - Adventure Girls! (Tv Show, Vol. 6)
• Sailor Moon - Introducing Sailor Venus (Tv Show, Vol. 5)

Manga

• Ceres Celestial Legend Part 3 #2 (Of 4)
• Kodocha Vol 2 Sanas Stage Gn
• Medabots Part 2 #4 (Of 4)
• Pokemon Advs Part 7 #4 (Of 5)
• Revolutionary Girl Utena Vol 2 To Plant Tp

Bandai Announces Rights To Ghost in the Shell TV series

Bandai Entertainment Inc. has announced that it has acquired the home video, and broadcast rights in North America for the highly anticipated anime television series - Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Created by Production I.G. (Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, Love Hina), original story by Masamune Shirow (Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell), directed by Kenji Kamiya, and music by Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne) - Stand Alone Complex is the television series sequel to the animated film that redefined Japanese animation, Ghost in the Shell (1995).

Further production and release details on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in both Japan and North America will be forthcoming. Production I.G. has launched the official Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex website - which can be found here at: http://www.production-ig.com/Ghost_TV.html

Ghost In the Shell 2 Manga for October

Dark Horse will be releasing The first of the 12 issues Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell 2 Man Machine Interface manga this October. Dark Horse has been waiting for Shirow to finish the story and its color 3-d art to his satisfaction.

Newsarama has pictures here

From Dark Horse's solicitations

By Masamune Shirow, translated by: Frederik L. Schodt, cover by Masamune Shirow.

March 6, 2035. Motoko Aramaki is a hyper-advanced cyborg, a counter-terrorist net security expert, heading the investigative department of the giant multi-national, Poseidon Industrial. Partly transcending the physical world and existing in a virtual world of networks, Motoko is a fusion of multiple entities and identities, deploying remotely controlled prosthetic humanoid surrogates around the globe to solve a series of bizarre incidents. Meanwhile, Tamaki Tamai, a psychic investigator from the Channeling Agency, has been commissioned to investigate strange changes in the temporal universe, brought about by two forces, one represented by the teachings of a professor named Rahampol, and the other by the complex, evolving Motoko entity. What unfolds will all be in a day's work...a day that will change everything, forever. Man-Machine Interface, the sequel to Masamune Shirow's groundbreaking Ghost in the Shell reaches American shores. Featuring 100 pages of new art and story created since its original publication, most rendered in full color with digital effects on a level never before seen in the annals of graphic fiction.

40 pages, $3.99, in stores on Oct. 30.

Translators

Studio Proteus report the latest on whether their will be standard and adult versions:

Regarding the status of the "standard" and "adult" versions of the books, Shirow has not decided on that yet--or, to be more accurate, he waffling now. He modified the pages from the limited hardcover release for the mass-market paperback in Japan, and at first he seemed amenable to letting us do a version with the original images, but now he's not sure. He seems to feel he may have gone a bit too far in the hardcover. At this point all we can do is wait and see what he decides. You'll be able to purchase the issues via mail order or at your friendly local comic book store.

Raijin Comic Lineup

The upcoming weekly manga (comic) anthology Raijin has announced their line-up on their site at www.raijincomics.com/

FIST OF THE BLUE SKY by Hara Tetsuo Shanghai, 1932. China's criminal underworld is ruled by ruthless Triads and infested with opium. When a series of atrocities occur against his brothers, Kenshiro must return to Shanghai to exact brutal revenge on those responsible. But will this master of the deadly God Fist of the North Star martial arts find justice, or be swallowed up by the dark secrets that wait around every corner? FIST OF THE BLUE SKY is Tetsuo Hara's stunning prequel to his legendary manga, FIST OF THE NORTH STAR!

CITY HUNTER by Hojo Tsukasa In the grungy underbelly of Tokyo, heinous crimes are committed against the innocent - crimes that even law enforcement cannot or won't touch. When these victims have reached the end of their rope, they turn to mercenary Saebo Ryo - the City Hunter. One of Japan's most beloved manga series, CITY HUNTER is written and drawn by Hojo Tsukasa, the creator of other manga hits like ANGEL HEART, CAT'S EYE, and FAMILY COMPO.

SLAM DUNK by Inoue Takehito SLAM DUNK, the internationally popular basketball manga (with over 100 million books sold), finally comes to America! An intoxicating equivalent of NBA superstars-to-be in a satire of Dawson's Creek, through the lens of manga, SLAM DUNK is the creation of Inoue Takehito (writer/artist of the critically acclaimed VAGABOND).

BOMBER GIRL by Niwano Makoto In the not too distant future, Tokyo has become a city of chaos riddled with crime. From this chaotic mix comes Rashomon Emi, aka Bomber Girl! The ultra-violent manga twin Pamela Anderson never knew she had, Emi is the super sexy, and manically hilarious bounty hunter who often gets so into her work that she ends up killing the criminals before she can collect the bounty!

GUARDIAN ANGEL by Sakurano Minene Japan's latest hit "magical girl" manga prepares to make waves in America! Meet Guardian Angel Getten: a cute mischievous girl who lives in an amulet. Written and drawn by 24-year old Sakura No Minene, Japan's newest female superstar, GUARDIAN ANGEL GETTEN blends fantasy, humor, and romance into a wild boy-meets-girl-from-another-dimension story!

BAKI THE GRAPPLER by Itagake Keisuke GRAPPLER BAKI is the story of a mysterious 17- year old martial arts fighter who enters the high stakes world of championship fighting. Driven by a dark, mysterious secret from his past, Baki is determined to become the most powerful champion no matter what the cost. Opponents dismiss him as an inexperienced weakling, but those who have seen him fight say he is as fierce as a wounded tiger! Written and drawn by martial arts expert and champion Itakgake Keisuke, GRAPPLER BAKI is legendary in Japan for being the most accurate martial arts manga ever!

FIRST PRESIDENT OF JAPAN by Tsugihara Ryuji and Hidaka Yoshiki With the Parliament dissolved, the Japanese people elect their first president. Galvanized by this bold and charismatic leader, Japan rises up to take its place as a true global power, a role often at odds with the interests of the United States. President Sakuragi Kenichiro is faced with one of the most challenging roles and modern history-- and the opportunity to rewrite the destiny of Japan. Written by Hidaka Yoshiki, a Japanese born Harvard professor, and advisor to the White House and US Navy on Japanese-American relations, THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF JAPAN is a taut political thriller for the 21st century.

PLUS...

REVENGE OF THE MOUFLON by Ono Yoichiro: an action packed tale of terrorism, involving a hijacked plane over Japan, and the passenger that takes a stand in the face of oppression.

ENCOUNTER by Konohana Sakuya: a science fiction mystery, and this year's winner of the International Manga Prize in Japan!

KEIJI by Hara Tetsuo: high-octane historical action featuring the rebellious samurai Keiji!

First Look at Macross Zero

The Robotech Information Center has the design for the upcoming Macross Zero's VF-0 valkyrie. According to Anime Nation the four episode OAV (direct to video) series will feature 2D characters with computer generated 3D mecha. The first episode of Macross Zero is scheduled for Japanese release on October 25th.

New Protoculture Addicts

Issue 71 of Protoculture Addicts has been released. The cover story is an in depth look at Ronin Warriors, the youth oriented tale of five virtuous armored warriors fighting a demonic invasion.

The issue also features news, convention coverage, anime and manga reviews, and write up on recent anime releases.

Some of the Japanese releases include Comet-San, Earth Defense Family, Final Fantasy Unlimited, Fruit Basket, Shaman King, and the One Piece movies.

Earth Defense Family is the latest from director Shoji Kawamori (Escaflowne, Macross Plus, Arjuna). The series is about family, in this case a dysfunctional family given the duty of protecting Earth from invading monster. The family is comprised of an over weight, unexpressive computer enthusiast father, a control freak wife who wants a divorce, an obnoxious third grade son, a teenage daughter who resents having to pick up the slack for other family members, they must work together to defeat space monster, rampaging robot pets, and maintain their defense budget.

Comic-San is a hyper-cute remake of a live action children's show about a princess from a distant planet who lives on Earth where she is to look for the prince who she may be arranged to marry.

Fruits Basket is the latest from increasing popular Akitaro Daichi(Jubei-Chan Ninja Girl, Now and Then, Here and There, Kodomo No Omocha, Kaze Makase Tuskiage Ran). The series' name comes from a cruel children's game that ostracizes one of the players. The series follows a group of lonely characters who aren't good at communicting. From Protoculture Addict's description: "One the surface, Fruits Bakset has cute characters, funny looking animal, and animal curses, but the story is very deep, touching more sensitive matters."

Shaman King follows a boy who can contact the world of spirits, and hopes to earn the titles of Shaman king. Though it has aspects of the simple endless fighting anime, it has interesting, evolving characters, and a level of depth to the ideas.

The Shaman King manga (comic) is generally more highly regarded than the anime, with a greater depth to its visuals and story.

Japanese Spirited Away DVD Problems

Many have been complaining about the red tint to the Japanese DVD release of Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away". Nausicaa.net has an image illustrating the problem here, and a side by side comparison can be seen here. Buena Vista Home Entertainment explains, "The DVD has been examined at Studio Ghibli. It is not faulty." Ghibli also explained that they would not issue another version of the DVD with the tint removed. In a seperate statement BHVE explains that, along with Miyazaki and the photography director, they re-mastered the video to be more suitable for home video viewing on top of the line liquid crystal and plasma displays.

Robotech Macross Saga Box Collection

Anime on DVD reports ADV Films has announced today a 09/24/2002 release date for the Robotech Macross Saga Collection box set. The first six discs which make up the Robotech Macross Saga will be released in this collection. These are the same discs as the individual Robotech discs. It will retail for $69.98. This set does NOT include the extras discs which were released with the 3 disc Robotech Collections.

New Matusumoto Anime

Anime News Network Venture Soft has announced a new TV Anime series based on Leiji Matsumoto's manga titled "Dai-Ginga Series Dai-Yamato Hen 7vs7" ("The Great Galaxy Series The Tale of Great Yamato 7vs7"). Despite the name, the series is not related to Space Cruiser Yamamoto in any way.

ComicsOne Announces New Manga Series, Including Crayon Shinchan

ComicsOne has announced the acquisition of four new manga series, including the humorously demented Crayon Shinchan, the anime version of which has appeared in the UK, and Hawii.

Crayon Shinchan follows the adventures of a five year old boy who thinks he understanding the adult world, but ussaully just ends up embarrising he parents with antics like his "shadow elephant".

September ushers in Bride of Deimos, written by Etsuko Ikeda, illustrated by Yuuho Ashibe and printed in the original Japanese "right- to- left" format. This is a dark and brooding yet tantalizing anthology filled with passion, mystery, despair and one lovesick Demon. Long ago, a brother and sister lived happily on Mount Olympus until they fell in love. The gods were so angry about their forbidden affair that they exiled them from the mountain, transformed the brother into a demon, and imprisoned the sister at the bottom of a vast ocean. As her body rotted under the waves, she asked her demon brother to find a girl that resembled her exactly so that she could possess a new body. However, once this unsuspecting bride-to-be is found, the sibling's tawdry affair begins to crumble.

Iron Wok Jan by Shinji Saijyo will be released in October. Jan is a brilliant young chef at a top class restaurant in Tokyo called Gottancho. His hopeless arrogance and self-confidence regarding his cooking technique forces him to incessantly challenge Kiriko -- a talented chef of Gottancho. Iron Wok Jan! will be printed in the original Japanese "right-to-left" format.

Red Prowling Devil (by Toshimitsu Shimizu the creator of Maico 2010) will starting in October. During a routine mission Naomi (aka - Red Prowling Devil ) accidentally shoots down a group of innocent civilians. The organization Naomi works for takes advantage of her incredible guilt and convinces her to become an assassin in order to make amends.

These Black & White 200 page graphic novels will be priced at $9.95. Visit www.comicsone.com for more detailed series information.

Spirited Away From Viz

Newsarama has posted a feature of the Viz's upcoming release of the film comic of Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki movies Spirited Away here.

Wall Street Journal looks at Spirited Away

On Friday the Wall Street Journal ran an article about Spirited Away. According to reader Jonathan Scarpelli, "[The article] looks into why Hayao Miyazaki's success in Japan has not translated to the US market. The article also clarifies Disney's decision to push back the release of Spirited Away to September and it reaffirms that Lasseter and Co. did not cut a single frame from the film." Read it yourself at here.

Zone of Enders From ADV

Anime on DVD reports ADV will be releasing Zone of Enders: Idolo, the OAV series based on the video game on September 24th. Extras include interviews with Director, Character Designers and the Mecha Designer, Production sketches and Zone of Enders Timeline. Anime on DVD has also been told that this disc is also the first with the Noir trailer and I believe it may even be anamorphic.

Upcoming Releases

From Pioneer:

10/29

• Armitage III OVA DVD Perfect Collection

11/12

• Hellsing 3: Search and Destroy
• Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play: Fushigi Yugi Eikoden DVD
• Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play: Fushigi Yugi Eikoden Limited Edition DVD
• Pokemon Johto League Champions: Fire and Ice

11/19

• Sailor Moon SuperS TV: Pegasus Collection V DVD
• Sailor Moon SuperS TV: New Powers (D) Uncut
• Sailor Moon SuperS TV: Pure Friends (D) Uncut
• Sailor Moon SuperS TV: The Power of Friends (D) Edited
• Tenchi Muyo! Magical Project S Vol 1 (2 DVD Set)
• Tenchi Muyo! Magical Project S Vol 2 (2 DVD Set)
• Vandread: The Second Stage DVD 2: Sacrifice
• X TV Series DVD 2

12/12

• Sherlock Hound: Case File VI DVD
• Strawberry Eggs DVD 3: School Spirit
• Zoids: Shadow Battle! (DVD / VHS )

From Central Park Media:

10/2

• Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight Graphic Novel 3

10/8

• Grave of the Fireflies Collector's Series Edition
• Yu Yu Hakusho The Movie: Poltergeist Report DVD

10/22

• Harmagedon Collector's Series Edition DVD
• Ping Pong Club: Love & Comedy (Die! Die! Die!) (DUB / DVD)

Possible releases for the October time frame according to comics re-preorder magazine Diamond's Previews.

• Best of Cowboy Bebop - 49.98 (this is likely wrong, should be 34.98, and they foolishly show the Bebop box set image)
• Hamtaro - 2 discs @ 14.98 each, dub only Harmageddon Collectors Series
• Poltergeist Report/Yu Yu Haksuho movie from Central Park Media
• Project ARMS from Viz with three episodes (78 minutes) but priced at 24.98
• Trouble Chocolate from Viz with what would be four episodes (104 minutes) for 24.98

Tokyopop Delays Invu

Tokyopop has informed Right Stuf that they have indefinitely delayed the release of their Invu Graphic Novel series.

From TokyoPop's description of the series: "Four teen girls find their lives intertwined in the most bizarre ways! When 16-year-old Sey's mom leaves suddenly for Europe, she leaves Sey with a new family, the Kangs. Her new "family" is supposed to be normal, but when her foster brother turns out to be a sister, she begins to think that her new home is weirder than her old one! Sey looks for a job so she can get her own place and escape her crazy life, but the more she finds out about her new sibling, the more she finds out that their lives are intertwined.

Noir English Language Cast; The dub cast for ADV's upcoming release of Noir are: Mireille - Shelly Calene - Black; Kirika - Monica Rial; Chloe - Hilary Haag; Altena - Tiffany Grant.

ADV Announces Alliance with CoMix Wave Inc.

A.D.Vision has announced an alliance with CoMix Wave Inc., one of Japan's top anime and manga management and production companies, to promote and popularize the Japanese company's creative talent and holdings. CoMix Wave brings award-winning talent, titles CoMix Wave manages more than 50 of Japan's top manga artists and illustrators, and works to discover and promote new talent within the industry. The company also manages production-both in Japan and overseas-of anime projects, including Koji Morimoto and Studio 4oC's Clio Award-winning anime-style television advertisements for "La Saunda," a Hong Kong shoe franchise. CoMix Wave also produced one of the most talked-about anime titles of the year, "Voices of a Distant Star" by Makoto Shinkai, who won the award for "Most Valuable Newcomer" at Tokyo Anime Fair 21, in February.

In August, ADV will sponsor a panel at San Diego Comic-Con International featuring CoMix Wave artist Masami Esaka, introducing the artist and the CoMix Wave firm to American fans. Esaka specializes in airbrushed artwork, often using animals and themes of love, peace, and the art of the Japanese tattoo in his illustrations. At the convention, Esaka will discuss his illustrations and technique, and will demonstrate his airbrushing talents by body painting fans.

Problems for Hello Kitty

The Wall Street Journal Reports that despite a 30% incewase of merchandise sales in the US, Hello Kitty parent company Sanrio is facing financial problems from investments in flagging Japanese market and a 35% decline in its own stocks.

Anime on North American TV

From Anime News Service Canadian fans note YTV begins running Hamtaro from August 5th (Monday). Time is to be set.

The Encore Action channel's Animidight schedule for August is:

Series name: Date: Time:

• X August 3 12:00 AM
• Princess Mononoke August 10 12:00 AM
• Psycho Diver August 17 12:00 AM
• NO ANIME August 24
• Cyber City OEDO 808 August 30 12:00 AM
• Cyber City OEDO 808 August 30 12:42 AM
• Cyber City OEDO 808 August 30 1:26 AM

Schedule in Eastern/Pacific Time

GTO Creator in US

TOKYOPOP has announced that Tohtu Fujisawa, manga artist and creator of GTO will be attending the San Diego Comicon, and doing two singing in Los Angeles at Borders Northridge and Wherehouse Cerritos.

Wherehouse Cerritos

Sunday August 4, at 2pm in the Afternoon

Wherehouse Cerritos 12731 Towne Center Dr. #E, Cerritos, CA 90701 562-653-9313

BORDERS NORTHRIDGE

9301 Tampa Ave. Northridge, CA 91324 (818) 886-5443

Borders Northridge will have a Q&A and signings event on August 5 at 7:30pm.

COMICON in San Diego

Friday - August 2nd 1pm-Panel

Saturday 2pm-Signing at the TOKYOPOP Booth

Top 100's

From SaiyanZ Rage

On May 26th the Japanese Kore ga Nihon no Best 100 television program broadcast its list of the Top 100 Anime Ever, as selected by Japanese viewers. On July 7th the program followed up its May program with a new viewer compiled list of the Top 100 Anime Characters Ever.

The top ten were

• 001. Doraemon
• 002. Son Goku (Dragonball)
• 003. Totoro
• 004. Lupin the 3rd
• 005. Char Aznable (Mobile Suit Gundam)
• 006. Kenshiro (Fist of the North Star)
• 007. Asakura Minami (Touch)
• 008. Lum (Urusei Yatsura)
• 009. Bakabon's father (Tensai Bakabon)
• 010. Norimaki Arale (Dr. Slump)

AnimeNation has the full translated list here.

The Japanese Kore ga Nihon no Best 100 television countdown program is now accepting votes for selection of the 100 best anime theme songs ever. Voters may vote only once and must provide a name, address and phone number to prevent submission of multiple votes. Votes may be submitted through this online form here, or via e-mail to best100@tv-asahi.co.jp.

The final results of the polling will be broadcast on the Kore ga Nihon no Best 100 program next month. The results of current polling are available now here

Based on current, non-finalized voting results, the top five anime theme songs by census vote of Japanese fans are:

• 01. Space Cruiser Yamato opening theme
• 02. Heidi of the Alps opening theme
• 03. Mazinger-Z opening theme
• 04. Lupin the 3rd opening theme
• 05. Candy Candy opening theme

The only current theme songs currently on the list are

• 28. Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi theme song
• 39. Crayon Shin-chan opening theme
• 68. Tottoko Hamutaro opening theme
• 74. Pocket Monsters opening theme
• 95. Ojamajo Doremi Dokan opening theme

Noteworthy candidates for the top 100 list currently include:

• 10. Urusei Yatsura opening theme
• 19. "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" Dragonball Z opening theme
• 35. "Moonlight Legend" Sailormoon opening theme
• 55. Evangelion opening theme
• 92. Sakura Taisen opening theme