Father Geek here with another fun filled edition of our regular weekly report of all things Manga and Anime related from the keyboard of Scott Green...

Sakura Wars 1: Return of the Spirit Warriors

Release by ADV Films

Sakura Wars has foundation of a first rate, fun action series: alternate history, samurai aesthetics, steam powered battle armors, a cold gun totting Russian woman, all with eye catching designs. What it delivers is characters from a generally unfamiliar franchise with a host from molds familiar to fans of anime. High quality animation, and an fast moving script will provide entertainment for anime fans, but it doesn't deliver on much of the promise of its high concept.

Sakura Wars is another of the anime/gaming world's inspired, odd combinations. "Return of the Spirit Warriors" is the first half of the second OAV series based on a successful video games series that mixed dating simulation (a bit like a video game version of "The Bachelor"), and tactical combat (video game fighting, with a bit more rules, to inspire strategy). Anime transition scenes, character design by Ah! My Goddess' Kosuke Fujishima, and voice work by a number of top voice actresses lead to success comparable to its contemporary Final Fantasy 7. Its release on the domestically unpopular Sega Saturn has stunted the game series domestic release.

In 1919 Captain Ohgami's charges, the Imperial Flower Combat Troupe saved Japan imperial Japan from the armies of Hell. Using the cover of an acting troupe, the group is made up of psychic girls from a range of nations who are trained to pilot steam powered battle armors. In this second OAV series Ohgami is preparing to leave a more peaceful Japan for a new assignment. His preparation for the journey is used a framing devise the look the particular members of the troupe.

Sakura Wars is bright, and visually interesting. Much has traditionally been made about the faults of anime inspired by video games, but some of its benefits can be seen here. Characters have very distinct and captivating. You can easily spend a the length of a video game or anime series looking at them without getting bored.

The steam technology is present with a steady trickle of interesting gadgets, some of which look with quick, dirty plot necessities, others though generally absurd (ie. steam powered remote bomb detonation), are fun to watch. However, the steam powered battle armor only makes one appearance, with the heroes' armors completely absent.

The problem is, that is doen't deliver on the what it is uniquely qualified to provide. Instead, it is a sitcom depth exploration of characters, who are amusing, and even likable, but to an audience missing the requisite attachment. There are two contradictory problems with the characters. First, the series amuses a level of comfort with the characters, but most American viewers are only vaguely familiar with them at best. The series feels like it is meant to be pleasant post script.

Second, there isn't too much to know about them. They a manufactured group of conflicting and complimentary personalities. Something for everyone to like. There is a history that is mentioned, and there is a single trait that a particular episode focuses on. They are immature, or withdrawn, or stuck up and haughty (although the series does deserve some credit for doing something out of the ordinary and amusing with the stuck-up character). The hurtles seem too short to make the successful jump satisfactory.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Armitage III OAV
• eX-Driver (Vol. #2)
• Fruits Basket Vol. #1: A Great Transformation
• Knight Hunters - Midnight Finale (Vol. 5)
• Real Bout High School Holiday Gift
• Medabots - Use the Medaforce (Vol. 5)
• Tenchi Muyo - Mihoshi Special and Pretty Sammy

Manga

• Astro Boy Volume 8 Tp
• Fushigi Yugi Vol 7 Castaway Tp
• GTO Vol 7 Gn
• Lone Wolf & Cub Vol 26 Battle In The Dark Tp
• Mars Vol 6 Gn
• Miracle Girls Vol 6 Pkt Tp
• Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Vol 7 Tp
• Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 7 #6 (Of 6)
• Peach Girl Vol 7 Pkt Gn
• Priest Vol 3 Gn
• Ragnarok Vol 4 Gn

Battle Royal Novel Coming February

Viz Communications, Inc. today announced its February 2003 release of Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. A brutal, high-octane thriller, the novel touched a nerve in Japan where, like post-Columbine America, senseless youth violence dominated headlines. As a result, Battle Royale became a runaway best seller and is now available for the first time in English from Viz as a 504-page novel for only $15.95 USA

Told in breathless, blow-by-blow fashion, Battle Royale-a cross between the Survivor reality TV show and Stephen King's The Running Man-starts with an irresistible premise: each year, a randomly selected class of high school students is taken to a deserted island, where each is given a map, food, water and a weapon. As part of a ruthless authoritarian program, the students are required to wear special collars, which will explode when they break a rule, and are then forced to fight each other to the death for three days until only one survivor remains.

Fruit Basket Site Opens

FUNimation has launched the web site for Fruit Basket.

Fruit Baskets ratd the #1 show in Japan in 2001, thanks in part to diretor Akitaro Daichi (Kodomo No Omocha, Jubeo-Chan Ninja Girl), whose high energy series have been gathering a following in Japan, and the US.

From the site:

Tohru Honda is a cheerful 16 year old girl. She was orphaned when her mother was killed in a car accident. Not wanting to burden anyone, she buys a tent and begins to live in a forest. She is determined to finish school in order to fulfill her mother's last wish. It turns out that the land Tohru is living on belongs to the Sohma family. She is quickly invited to live in the Sohma house (all males), as long as she is willing to cook and clean. One of the Sohma's, Yuki, is the most popular boy at Tohru's high school. He is swooned by girls constantly and is even referred to as the "prince" of the school. His cousins Shigure, Yuki's guardian, and Kyo make up the rest of the household. Tohru knows that her living environment is out of the norm, but things turn out to get stranger. The members of the Sohma family are possessed by animals and they turn into their true selves when they are embraced by the opposite sex! You can imagine Tohru's surprise when she witnesses their secret. She promises not to tell a soul, but the "cat" may already be out of the bag.

TokyoPop Announces 10 New Manga Series

TOKYOPOP has announced the acquisition of 10 new manga series, including 6 predominantly anime related sci-fi and action series, and four Korean fantasy series.

G-Gundam (Sci-Fi / Action)

As seen on Cartoon Network's Toonami block weekday afternoons, G-Gundam tells the story of clashes between nations in a future century, settled not by war, but by organized tournaments between giant Mobile Fighters called Gundams. The highly popular series is a fun-filled blend of action, fantasy and science fiction, with plenty of giant robots and exhilarating battle scenes to captivate the imagination. Boasting multiple mega-selling toy lines, Gundam has become one of the most successful franchises in anime history.

Gatekeepers (Sci-Fi / Action)

Imagine Men in Black meets Gundam, and you've got Gatekeepers. Written and illustrated by famed manga-ka Keiji Gotoh (Nadesico), this manga inspired Gonzo's anime of the same name, which is currently being released on DVD. The story: Invaders have infiltrated the Earth. Our only hope of stopping them lies in the hands of the Gatekeepers, who use their psychic powers as a last defense against a relentless force.

Scryed (Sci-Fi / Action)

Written by Yosuke Kuroda and illustrated by Yasunari Toda, Scryed has been called the X-Men of manga. Its mesmerizing pace and twisting plot keep readers guessing and wanting more. The title's popularity as a manga turned it into an anime series, produced by Sunrise (Gundam, Cowboy Bebop). The story: When a new type of human becomes the center of an unexplained phenomenon, an elite squad of soldiers appears to keep the peace... or so it seems. This group, called HOLY, has many hidden motivesâ€| and, in this case, what the public doesn't know will hurt them.

RAVE (Action / Adventure)

Fans of Dragonball Z are sure to enjoy this fast-paced adventure series from creator Hiro Mashima. A smashing success, the manga has been made into a top-rated anime on Japanese TV that will soon also debut in the States. The story: When the all-powerful Dark Bring awakens after a 50-year respite, it falls into the hands of the evil society Demon Card. The world's only hope is Haru, a young boy with a big sword who must collect the pieces of the RAVE stone to stop the darkness.

Jing: King of Bandits (Action / Adventure)

Yuichi Kumakura's seminal manga series is a visual fantasy classic in the tradition of Alice in Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Miyazaki's Spirited Away. The manga also inspired an anime series, currently airing in Japan and soon to release in the U.S. The story: In the life of Jing, the extraordinary is just another part of his normal day. A haunted ship with a living anchor, a speeding train run by a Dodo bird, a floating island ruled by a maskâ€| just a few of the wild sights this master-thief encounters.

Samurai Deeper Kyo (Martial Arts / Adventure)

Written by Akimine Kamijiyo, this is a historic adventure series in the spirit of Rurouni Kenshin. The manga's intense samurai fight sequences and compelling plot piqued the interest of Studio Deen (RAVE, Jing: King of Bandits), who adapted it into an anime for TV Tokyo. The story: Kyoshiro is a peaceful medicine peddler who harbors the soul of an assassin. Searching for his own identity, he accompanies a young bounty hunter across Japan in pursuit of a murderer.

The fantasy series include Rebirth, Chronicles of the Cursed Sword, Dragon Hunter and King of Hell:

Rebirth

Created by Kang-Woo Lee and first published in Korea in 1998, Rebirth tells the story of Dark Magician Deshwitat Rudbich, a vampire who was sealed in limbo 300 years ago by the Light Magician Kalutika. Resurrected in the present day, Deshwitat now vows to destroy Kalutika. He has the help of a team of spiritual warriors, and is determined to unlock the Light Magic necessary to bring this mad magician down for good.

Chronicles of the Cursed Sword

Created by Beop-Ryong Yuy, this tale follows the life of Rayan, an orphan with no home, no skills and no apparent purpose in life. However, when hehappens upon the PaSa sword -- a cursed blade made from the bones of a demon king -- he suddenly realizes he has the power to be a great hero. The sword's creator is the evil Shiyan, a royal vizier who needs the weapon to help him usurp the kingdom from its rightful monarch.

Dragon Hunter

Created by Hong-Seock Seo, Dragon Hunter takes place in Kaya, a world where dragons shape people's lives. Hunters make a living by slaying them, while shamans control them with incantations. Seur-Chong is a hunter with the Dragon's Curse, a condition that gives him incredible strength and stamina, but it is slowly killing him. While this mercenary's only initial concern is money, he is thrust in the middle of the power play among those who hire the hunters, and finds himself fighting for a cause more noble than anything he'd ever imagined.

King of Hell

In Na In-Soo's King of Hell, there's a rift between Hell and the mortal world, and lost souls have been escaping to torment the living. The King of Hell has released Ma-Je -- the greatest swordsman in the underworld -- to stop the wayward souls. A story with striking artwork and steeped in Eastern and Western mythology, King of Hell is currently one of the hottest new series in Korea.

Manga Artists at Marvel Comics

An eleven page preview of Uncanny X-men #416, Kia Asamiya's first issue illustrating the title is online on Marvel's web site's Dot Comics page

Newsarama has posted information and images from Marvel's colaberation with a host of manga creators at here.

Editor C.B. Cebulski is looking to open the doors of Marvel for a growing handful of established Japanese comic creators, something that will add a distinctly Eastern flavor to many Marvel books and upcoming projects. Newsarama caught up with Cebulski to find out the whos and hows of bringing Japanese artists to the American market.

"Some of them are guys I have known who have long expressed an interest to work at Marvel or work outside of Japan, and others are artists that I specifically went searching for," Cebulski said. "Even others are the result of a talent search that I conducted in Japan, so it's a mishmash of different people in general."

Cebulski's talent search was run shortly after he began at Marvel in conjunction with a Japanese website devoted to American comics. "I posted up that I was a Japanese-speaking editor working at Marvel who was now seeking Japanese talent, and listed a bunch of submission guidelines that told them exactly what we needed," Cebulski explained. "I got hundreds and hundreds of entries, from which we've hired about four people. We've started them on little things here and there, because we wanted to test them out and see how they're doing. But so far, it's proven to be pretty successful. Some have gone on to do other stuff, outside of my office."

Cebulski acknowledged that the idea of manga artists seeking work in the American comic market may strike some observers as a little odd, given the persistent view of the Japanese market as robust and healthy - a place where comics are accepted as mainstream entertainment by the masses. Given that working environment, why would any creator want to come to America, where, at best, comics are still an arguable small niche industry, catering to a smaller audience?

According to Cebulski, there are many reasons. "The biggest draws for them are that: first, they get to work in color, which is an opportunity that's not afforded to them in Japan, just given the restrictions that are placed on the printing in Japan - they're almost always in black and white," Cebulski said. "Secondly, a lot of these manga artists grew up with American comics - they were exposed to them all along, be it something like Kia Asamiya citing the Wonder Woman television series that played over there, or more recently, the Spider-Man and X-Men movies. Now, with Spider-Man, American comics are getting bigger again in Japan, thank God. As a result, a lot of them want to come over and work on American heroes. Finally, many of the creators think that if they can come and work on American heroes, it will open the market more for their other products to get published in the United States."

"I'm helping to coordinate Kia's work on Thor and Uncanny X-Men, and there's another studio, Gurihiru, two Japanese women, who did a pin-up for me. Tom saw it and loved it, so now they're doing an 11-page Fantastic Four Double Shot story which looks just amazing.

"There are other artists who are going to start working on other projects with other offices, and I'll most likely serve as the coordinator in those instances. I am also developing my own projects with some of the artists that I specifically went and sought out. There are certain people who I'm claiming as mine."

"One of the things I'm trying to develop now is something with the artist Tsutomu Nihei who did Blame!, which is a huge hit in Japan that's spawned an anime series, live action movie and action figures," Cebulski said. "I've gotten pretty close with him, and we're going to be doing a Wolverine project together. Takehito Iko, who created Outlaw Star, which was one of the top Cartoon Network series recently - we've gotten very friendly lately, and he is going to start out doing covers. And then hopefully, he wants to branch out and do a Fantastic Four/Silver Surfer project sometime next year, but that's something that will take a little more coordination. It's on his wish list, so we'll see what we can do to accommodate him."

CPM's Reduce Priced Re-Issues

Central Park Media has announced the details of the repriced titled that were recently put on moratorium. The 12 titles will be re-released this January for $19.99 each, with a box set for $239.99.

They include:

• Knights of Ramune
• Battle Skipper: The Movie
• Darkside Blues
• Demon City Shinjuku
• Dynamite Dozen 12-Pack
• Garzey's Wing
• NightWalker: Eternal Darkness
• NightWalker: Midnight Detective
• Silent Service
• Strange Love
• Shamanic Princess
• Venus Wars
• Wild Cardz

Garzey's Wing is a fantasy series from Gundam creator Tomino Yoshiyuki.

Shamanic Princess is a six episode mystical action OAV, with amazing visual effect and design from some of anime's top creators.

Silent Service is a political post World War II submarine thriller from Kaiji Kawaguchi, creator of the award winning manga series Eagle: Making of an Asian American President.

Darkside Blues and Demon City Shinjuku are horror super-heroes set in tone variations of post apocalyptic Tokyo.

Bandai and Comics One Bring Onegai Teacher to the US ComicsOne, announced today that they will be publishing the comic book based off of the popular Japanese Anime hit Onegai Teacher (Please! Teacher). Volume One of Onegai Teacher is set to hit shelves in January 2003.

Bandai Entertainment has also recently announced plans for the release of the anime series of Onegai Teacher exclusively on DVD home video. With a street date tentatively set for May 2003, Onegai Teacher brings the fanatic popularity of Onegai Teacher experienced in Japan directly to fans in North America. A limited special edition is currently planned with a slew of bonus material to be included.

From the press release:

Onegai Teacher is the story about Kei Kusanagi an 18 year old high school student who dreams of meeting the girl of his dreams. One night he sees a dazzling light fall into a nearby forest. Upon investigation he discovers a strange woman, floating on a lake. Taken off guard he quickly runs back home. The next day he learns that the mysterious woman in the forest is his new homeroom teacher. Now can Kei hide the fact his teacher is an alien at the same time dodge rumors that he and this teacher are having an affair? Find out in the upcoming series Onegai Teacher!

ADV Films Announces Licensing Agreement With Dreamwave Productions

ADV Films announced an agreement with Ontario-based comic-book production company Dreamwave Productions-recently in the news in light of their contract with Hasbro to create the first new TRANSFORMERS comics since the early 90s-under which Dreamwave will produce certain licensed collectible merchandise based on ADV Films titles. The first product on the schedule is a collectible four-color lithograph poster featuring characters and art from the hit ADV title "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040."

"The greatest challenge with any licensing agreement is in ensuring that the quality of the licensed product reflects the quality of the original," said ADV Films President, CEO and Founder John Ledford. "Our agreement with Dreamwave is an excellent one because of their passion for the medium, and the exquisite quality of their work. I'm very pleased to be beginning our relationship with them."

Dreamwave President Pat Lee is equally enthusiastic. "ADV Films is one of the most-respected anime distribution houses in North America, and the chance to work with them to create outstanding merchandise and collectibles is a great opportunity."

Initial concepts for the "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040" lithograph are already in progress. When complete, the lithograph poster will be available through the ADV Films website (http://www.advfilms.com) and other channels.

Upcoming Releases:

The first volume of CLAMP's Chobits will be released on March 11th. Chobits is a rare shounen (boy's) work for the team of manga women manga creators about a poor boy who find discarded Persocom computer in the shape of a girl, who seems to mysteriously operating without an operating system.

The recent romantic comedy/drama TV series Ai Yori Aoshi will debut in America on February 25th at $29.98 for the first DVD or $34.98 for the premier DVD with series collector's box.

The first volume of Peter Chung's (Aeon Flux) Alexander the Great inspired "Reign" is schedule for release on February 25th, with the first four episode of the 13 episode serie.s

Right Stuf will be releasing Dangaizer 3 Volume 2 on January 21st. A new action packed mecha comedy from Masami Obari (BUBBLEGUM CRISIS, DANGAIOH, MEGAZONE 23, VIRUS)! With fantastic mecha and character designs combined with fast paced action sequences and a complex storyline, Dangaizer 3 will have fans begging for more!

Hina Mitsurugi never imagined her life would end up like her favorite battle game! Even after piloting the monolithic robot Dangaizer, Hina can't seem to remember what her true purpose is or why Goma is trying to kill her. While Reika and Cindy struggle to restore her broken memories, Goma is targeting Neo Hong Kong for the next stage in their diabolical plans of destruction. When the three pilots knowingly rush headlong into a trap, the stakes have been raised! There's a new player in the game - Eileen, the Angel of Destruction! Her close resemblance to Hina could contain the answers to her mysterious memory lapse. But why is she so determined to destroy Dangaizer?

March 11th releases include

• Cardcaptor Sakura Vol.#14
• Fancy Lala 5
• Lupin the 3rd TV Vol.#02
• Tsukikage Ran: Carried by the Wind 4

March 18th releases:

• Vandread Second Stage Vol. #4 -

Guilty Gear Movie U.S. Bound?

According Anime on DVD to information received from the PR clearing house for Sammy Studios today, "Guilty Gear X Plus, this movie is finally making its way across the ocean for its North American debut".

Viz AnimeNext News

From Anime on DVD

Ranma Season 5 Box should be released in Feb 2003. Seasons 6 and 7 will also be released in 5-disc box sets. Rumiko Takahashi's soap opera-esque drama Maison Ikkuku may be released in box sets starting in the second half of 3003. Trouble Chocolate will be 20eps on 5 discs.

Temporary Animerica Price Drop

Viz is offer $29.95 subscription of their Animerica anime magazine until November 15th.

Super Milk Chan Flash

Episode 0 (character bios) and Episode 1 of Oh! Super Milk-chan: Milk no IT Kakumei are available online (in Japanese only) at here. Super Milk Chan has been likened to Powerpuff Girl's for an older audience. The pop-culture peppered show features a diminutive super heroin, charge with saving the day and paying her own rent. The series has been licensed by ADV. There have been indications that the delay in its release is due to the fact that ADV is try to license it for television.

Studio Ironcat News

From Anime News Network's Anime USA 2002 report. American manga company Studio Ironcat has changed its name to IC Entertainment in a move designed to signify the company's desire to move beyond simply translating manga..

The IC Entertainment website will go up in approximately two weeks at ic-ent.com. It will include features such as a multimedia section with wallpapers and mp3 music files, webcomics by US and Japanese artists, and a "fully integrated purchase/payment system."

Additional information was made available on IC's Amerimanga compilation. Each 130-page monthly issue will feature four manga-style comics by previously unpublished American artists. In addition, each issue will include fanart, a poster or other promotional materials, and additional written and art content. The current MSRP is $7.99 and the title will be available both from the IC website and through Diamond. Story and artwork submissions will be accepted, subject to rigorous guidelines which will be posted on the IC website as well.

Other items IC will carry include several signed Groundwork of Evangelion artbooks, and doujinshi by Japanese artist "Saya". Also, a merchandising agreement has been signed between IC and Japanese anime merchandise distributor Broccoli. This allows IC to further increase the amount of merchandise and non-manga items it carries.

No Sound Effect Translations in Tokyopop Manga

Anime News Network reports TOKYOPOP will discontinue the sparce translation of sound effects that they have been including in their "100% Authentic Manga" line.

TOKYOPOP marketing manager Kristien Brada-Thompson explains the decision as "Staying with our policy of keeping it as authentic as possible," and states that this was always part of their original plans for the "100% Authentic" line. "That's what the fans have asked for," explains Kristien.

While the desire for unflipped Manga has always been pretty unanimous, there have always been mixed opinions regarding the translation of sound effects in the North American Manga readership. For some, translating the sound effect destroys the original art, especially when the background under the original sound effect is erased. For others, untranslated sound effects mean an incomplete translation.

"There are multiple elements to the decision, one is obviously efficiency," explains Kristien. However she adds, "But authenticity was the key issue."

Some company such as Viz, are experimenting with end noting the meanings of untranslated sound effects.

Bandai License Love Hina Spring Special

Anime on DVD reports Bandai has announced that they have licensed the romance comedy Love Hina Spring Special. The only Love Hina anime not confirmed for American release is the three episode "Love Hina Again" OAV series.

News Soundtracks From ADV

ADV Films has announced that they will be releasing the soundtracks from Blue Seedm and the Salyers Return movie on November 19th.

Blue Seed The Blue Seed soundtrack includes vocal performances by top Japanese stars including Megumi Hayashibara, Takada Band and Sakiko Tamagawa.

Slayers Return: The Motion Picture "R" The soundtrack to Slayers Return: The Motion Picture "R" also includes numerous instrumental and incidental tracks, and vocal performances by Megumi Hayashibara, who is the voice of the film's lead character.

Dragon Ball Z Game Images

The Magic Box has images of the Dragon Ball Z Playstation 2 fighting game Dragon Ball Z: Budokai here and here. The game is scheduled to release in US on December 17, for $49.99.

Amusing Merchandise

See Evangelion soap dishes of Rei, Asuka, and Misato

Ghost in the Shell Creator Designs Optical Mouse

From Anime News Service ELECOM announced "M-MAPP1SM" according the "M.A.P.P." series which the creator under activity designs by October 15, the game, comics, animation, etc. to Mr. Masamune Shiroh's design, and two kinds of optical mice of "M-MAPP1KH" by Mr. Hajime Katoki's design as an announcement and its 1st cartridge product. By the schedule of sale on November 22, a price is 7,500 yen, respectively. On the whole, "M-MAPP1SM" according to Mr. Masamune Shiroh of a cartoonist also with the high evaluation from overseas with an individual style is round, and it is the design with which machine-likeness was taken out extensively. On the other hand, though "M-MAPP1KH" by Mr. Hajime Katoki who took charge of the mechanism design by TV animation "Mobile Suit Gundam", the video game "Dennou Senki Virtualon", etc. uses crossroads as a base, that the mouse button part has a cylinder form etc. is the individual design out of which two persons' special feature both came. As for a color variation, three colors of "black", "silver", and a "white" are prepared for both models. the performance as a mouse 800 count and an optical mouse with a wheel USB The conversion adapter to PS/2 is also appended. Cable length is 1.5m, M-MAPP1SM serves as 69(W) x104(D) x35(H) mm, and, as for the size, M-MAPP1KH serves as 50.2(W) x85(D) x36.4(H) mm. The original booklet which introduced two persons' besides Driver CD design process, a concept, manufacture episode, etc. is also appended. "M. A.P.P." is the abbreviated name of "THE MECHANICAL DESIGNERS ACCELERATE THE PERIPHERAL PRODUCTS." It will be planning for ELECOM to expand lineup not only to a mouse but to other peripheral equipment, and to go from now on.

4Kids Looks To Japan For Licenses

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that 4Kids, best known for bringing Pokemon to the US, is looking to license more Japanese super-hereo style shows to compete with Nickelodean's humor base line-up.

"In January, his New York-based company agreed to pay $101 million to lease for four years the prime preteen time slot of Saturday morning, 8 to noon. As soon as his new lineup, dubbed FoxBox, made its debut last month on News Corp.'s Fox network, it was clear Mr. Kahn had a certain kind of youngster in mind: boys. "When boys fantasize, they fantasize about power, strength and speed, so they need Pow!, Ka-zam! and Voom! in their stories," Mr. Kahn says. "Nickelodeon doesn't give them that."

"Instead of emulating Nickelodeon, 4Kids is importing and Americanizing decidedly more-violent, more-action-packed Japanese cartoons to appeal to the boys who make up roughly half of Nickelodeon's two million Saturday-morning viewers. The goal isn't just advertising dollars. Mr. Kahn's 4Kids specializes in licensing Japanese creative properties in the U.S., and its hottest properties, especially Pokemon, are cooling off. The company is hoping it can woo boys to its shows and induce them to buy action figures, video games, game cards and other tie-ins to its new shows, yielding big royalties."

Cartoon Network Anime Ratings Up

According to ToonZone Cartoon Network's Adult Swim Action, the Saturday-night block featuring exclusive animé programming, achieved a 49% delivery growth in its target demographic of adults eighteen to thirty-four (249,000 viewers) compared to the same time period last year. Additionally, ratings for adults eighteen to thirty-four grew by 25% (0.5 average). Among men eighteen to thirty-four, delivery grew by 85% (154,000 viewers), as ratings (0.6) increased by 50%. The block ranked #1 on all cable in its time period with viewers twelve to twenty-four.

All four telecasts of DragonBall Z (Monday through Thursday, 6:30 p.m.), whose ratings have increased since new episodes premiered on September 16, 2002, ranked among the top 50 programs on ad-supported cable for the week in household delivery. Thursday's telecast topped the group, ranking #25 with 2,344,000 homes and a 2.9 household rating.

RATING PERIOD: Monday, October 7, 2002 to Sunday, October 13, 2002 SOURCE: Turner Entertainment Research from Nielsen Media Research data. NOTES: All ratings based on coverage homes for the network.

Manga Artist Convicted Of Pedophilia

From Comicon Splash Shounen Jump manga artist Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro has been convicted for breaking child prostitution laws In Yokohama. But the artist escaped jail after the District Court suspended his sentence.

Shimabukuro, who was fired from SHONEN JUMP magazine after his August arrest, was found guilty of having sexual relations with schoolgirl prostitutes on five occasions.

"What you have done has had an enormous impact on the boys and girls who were your readers," Judge Adachi told Shimabukuro at his sentencing.

MAINICHI INTERACTIVE is reporting: "Court records showed that 27-year-old Shimabukuro paid up to 80,000 yen a session in Yokohama love hotels for schoolgirl prostitutes as young as 15 or 16 that he met through online matchmaking sites from April last year until the month before his arrest. Shimabukuro's penmanship of "Seikimatsu Leader Den Takeshi," which ran in Shonen Jump, earned him the Shogakukan Manga Award, one of the most prestigious awards given for manga artists."