Father Geek here to remind you that it is the middle of the ol' work-week, and time for...

The AICN Anime Report...

Scott Green

Manga Spotlight: Ghost in the Shell 2: Man Machine Interface Issue 1

By Masamune Shirow

Released by Dark Horse Comics Translated by Studio Proteus

One of the cornerstones of American manga (Japanese comic) popularity has returned. This is Masamune Shirow version 2003 (2001 Japanese time): same mind conquering ideas that make sense; same women's outfits that don't; out of the cities and onto the globe; less action, more debate; the gun and tanks are gone, replaced by neurons and cyberspace boardrooms, and all wrapped in "digitalcolor", CGI adorned dream illustration.

It is "approximately four years and five months" after Motoko Kusinagi fused with an intelligent life form. She is no longer with Section 9, no longer a police officer, no longer jumping out of windows and physically scraping with terrorists. She has become a puppet master of sorts. Physical influence on the world is handled by brainhacking the minds of cyborgs. She's a being built as much on information as on physical matter, and she has begun tweaking global politics.

So far there is no indication that familiarity with the movie or previous manga series are necessary. Like its predecessor, the tone is less leaden than the movie, marbled with comic moments, and cartoonish facial expression. Like its manga forefather, it looks like it is going to meander the way into its ultimate destination. In terms of more concrete connections, Section 9's Bateau and Aramaki make a cameo that suggests further involvement. The role of the Fuchikomas, intelligent spider tanks is still present, but has been given to a host of Motoko's assistants who look a bit like feudal Japanese retainers, cross with Shirow's caricature of himself, crossed with donut holes.

The visuals and story telling have a Smithsonian-esque clutter. Everything is there. Motoko can't just receive a conversation precipitating projectile launched communications cable. Two and a half pages are spent in the process. It is launched. It is tracked by Motoko's assistants. She readies to receive it with schematics, trajectory projections, and diagnostics super imposed over the image in what looks like the Olympian grandchild of the red and black Terminator-vision. Motoko catches the projectile in a whirling Kung Fu spin kick before finally spending another half page pulling it in.

Shirow's greatest strength, and aside from women's attire, weakness (Motoko's outfits are all VERY thong centric, and the less said about the on-ship assistant robots the better) is his torrent of ideas.

The issue opens with a mix of neurology, cosmology, and religious ordering which introduces a new magnitude to Ghost in the Shell. (Side note: Alan Moore of From Hell/Watchmen fame had an interesting take on these concepts in Mr Majestic, in which a Superman type character experiences the end of the universe. The comic is available in a collection by the same name. ) Shirow's ideas have a palpable stickiness. Already in there are a few notions that you know you will remember years later.

It is meticulous, and appealing, but often it becomes too much. It stops being a water garden, and becomes pink flamingos. Between the data overlays, windowed assistants, and large blocks of dialogue, there's too much. It looks like every idea made it onto the page. Nor is he able to let his ideas justify themselves. The almost every page has some foot note: defining terms, elaborating on concepts, adding extra technical information, arguing for a scientific consideration of psychic perceptions, explaining when he illustrated a wire to be slacking.

The long and frequently delayed journey of Ghost in the Shell 2: Man Machine Interface looks well worth the wait. Shirow is a perfectionist (not to mention what couldn't be generously called a strange work habits, and a flighty decision making track record), and the translators, Studio Proteus are likewise perfects. The buck the quick and dirty manga translation trend, and there finished work certainly looks better for it. None of the pictures you may have seen online can do the amazing illustration and color job in this comic.

Anime Spotlight: Go Nagai's The DevilLady

Released by ADV Films

One of the innovations to anime in the late 90's was the advent of late night television series, which often didn't have the highest animation budgets, but pushed boundaries with new levels of mature themes, violence, and strangeness. The LadyDevil (originally known as Lady Devilman) entered into the company of Serial Experiments Lain, and Berserk with a shocking brutality, and a look new facets to Go Nagai's captivating and controversial look at humanity and a religious theme inspired world view.

DevilLady is structured around the episodic disposal of monsters by a Jun, fashion model who changes into a demon-rending beastial creature, and Asuka, her Human Alliance handler. Jun is coerced into hunting down humans who have undergone a beast transformation (hinted to be a response to world's current condition), and revolted by the sadistic side of her own change. Asauka is gratuitously, and often distractingly cruel, but it works in that the picture being painted isn't evil people fighting monster, or those who fight monster become them, but that the world operates on a vicious clockwork. This operates well with a Lovecraftian sense of unimaginable horror, and a doom lurching around the corner (the series includes a few direct homages to the author).

Go Nagai's influence weighs heavily on any work he touches. Judged by the content of his works, one could call Nagai a mad genius. In the 70's Go Nagai become one of the shapers of anime and manga, an innovator of the genres of the piloted giant robot, the transforming magic girl, and the horror superhero. He was also responsible for bringing new levels of sexuality and violence to manga. His direct involvement in the anime version of DevilLady is questionable. The direct storytelling seems to owe more to the director, but the theme and ideas of the series are taken from his manga (comic) series, which had among its fans Evangelion creator/director Hideaki Anno. The end that the anime builds to is said to be well worthy of Nagai's reputation.

The monster design certainly shows Go Nagai's gift for the memorably disturbing. There is always some extra mouth, or appendage that make them gold star nightmare inducers. It's not the giant, verminous rat that gets you, its the human rib cage, arms and laughing skull sticking out of its back.

After the five episodes of the first volume Lady Devil has gotten off to a strong start. The always strange parade of monsters, a real curiosity of how Jun will react to her role, and the question of what is developing gives the series a forward momentum There is a nagging question of whether the concept can remain fresh throughout a 26 episode series, but the series looks like a strong choice for horror fans.

Anime Spotlight: Mahoromantic: Automatic Maiden Volume 1

Released by Pioneer

Gainax has a well earned reputation of a having the golden touch. Their recent resume has included Evangelion, FLCL and the manic anime adaptation of Kare Kano, as well as a few not so well known gems like Ai No Awa Awa Awa (Modern Love's Silliness, a raunchy series aimed at 20-something women, best known domestically for the shorts Ebichu Minds the House). Mahoromantic is another manga(comic) adaptation, and another familiar genre: average boy living with super powered girl. There's a satisfactory mix of comedy and drama, that rank it a solid "above average", the disappointment comes in that it is a non-mindblowing Gainax-lite.

Mahoromantic was scripted, and directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga, whose Evangelion credits are limited to co-production, but who deserves a create deal of recognition as the director and script writer of Gainax's alternate history space program masterpiece Wings of Honneamise. There are moments of directorial brilliance, the way a shot is framed, the way a gag unfolds, but it is using existing tricks rather than creating new ones. It stands on the shoulders of giants, but on its own the people sitting behind it in the theatre wouldn't be complaining.

During the 80's, Earth suffered a catastrophic alien invasion which was fought off by combat robots. Post victory the robot Mahoro was given the choice of decommissionment or turning in her armor and living a 398 day life. She chose the later and was given a job as a maid in the house of a Suguru, junior high school student who had lost his parents. The average boy, and ultra cute Mahoro (whose anti-pornography lecture belong on the all-time anime highlight reel) set up house, where they are frequently joined by supporting cast of classmates, and a bear guzzling big busted teacher who insists on tagging along and hitting on Suguru.

Maid-fetishism aside, this plays out in a manner which is more sweet, and funny than it reads when written out. There is a surprisingly bittersweet edge to Mahoromantic. There are many lives that don't really seem to have gone the way people planned, and a lot of characters who seem to be putting on a brave face. There seems to be something wrong with the classmates, but character who take the price is the teacher who seems to be an abject failure whose defense mechanism puts Evangelion's Misato character to shame. In particular, Suguru has had a tragic life, and Mahoro had a traumatic time in the war. Aside from a few shudder-worthy Freudian scenes, so far the relationship between the two looks mostly platonic.

Mahoromantic's other surprising, is that Mahoro, and the teacher feature busts that are frequently shown, and posses anatomical features that you wouldn't expect from a televised anime series.

Mahoromatic's combination of quirky fun, and emotional weight is part of the foundation of anime's appeal. By most standards it is an adequate series. Unfortunately, it appears to be a route exercise for Gainax.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Argentosoma - Another Reality (Vol. 1)
• Arjuna - Conflicts (Vol. 3)
• Betterman - Despair (Vol. 5)
• Dragon Ball Z:Super Android 13
• Melty Lancer - Alpha (Vol. 1)
• Wild Arms - The Good, The Bad and The Greedy (Vol. 1)

Manga

• Ceres Celestial Legend Part 4 #4 (Of 4)
• Invu Vol 1 Gn
• Oh My Goddess Hand In Hand Tp
• Raijin Comics #9
• Record Lodoss War Chronicles Heroic Knight Book 4
• Rga Magazine #9
• Shonen Jump Vol 1 #3 March 2003
• Wish Vol 4 Gn

Bandai has opened an ArgentoSoma website at www.argento-soma.com .

Cowboy Bebop Movie Receives Rating

The MPAA has awarded the Cowboy Bebop movie "R for some violent images." The movie does have several scenes of violence which are more intense and graphic than those of the television series.

Asamiya Batman Preview

DC Comics has posted a 10 page preview of Kia Asamiya's Batman: Child of Dreams here.

The hard bound collection will be released in February with a translation by Road to Perditions Max Allan Collins.

RGA Folden into Raijin

Gutsoon! Entertainment has announced that the contents of the weekly anime and video game supplement Raijin Game and Anime (RGA) will be folded into the Raijin manga anthology starting with issue 21 of Raijin comics, due out on May 7th. The magazine price and subscriptions rates will not change.

Trigun Cartoon Network Resurface

SaiyanZ Rage is reporting that sci-fi Western Trigun will be coming to Cartoon Network, but a network representative would not state which programming block it is headed for.

The Adult Swim block's site is listing the following along past, current, and planned shows Cowboy Bebop, InuYasha, Lupin The 3Rd, Reign, And Yu Yu Hakusho :

. TRIGUN

Vash the Stampede is the most notorious gunslinger on the futuristic desert planet of Gunsmoke. He's got a giant price on his head, and there are lots of disreputable types out for the reward. Little do they know, Vash is actually quite a good-natured sort and a bit of a doofus. Just don't get in his crosshairs.

Ghost in the Shell 2 Release Schedule

With last week's release of the first issue of the Ghost in the 2: Man Machine Interface, Diamond

Distributors announced that the schedule for upcoming issues will be:

• Issue #2: February 12
• issue #3 : March 5
• Issue #4: April 2
• Issue #5: April 30

American Astro Boy Update

Yahoo Movies hs reported that Columbia Pictures version of Astro Boy is now planned as a fully cgi movie for release next year.

New Media Blaster Titles

Media Blasters as announced the acquisition of anime titles Samurai Deeper Kyo, Juuni Kokki, and the Weathering Continent movie.

Samurai Keeper Kyo is a slightly Kenshin-like 17th century wandering samurai story. The Samurai Deeper Kyo manga is being released by TOKYOPOP.

Juuni Kokki is a fast paced school girl in mystical land adventure.

AnimeNation Licenses First Anime Series

Online anime retailers AnimeNation has announced their first licensed an anime, "Omishi Magical Theater: Risky Safety" (Omishi Mahou Gekijou Risky Safety).

Risky Safety will be the debut release from newly created AN Entertainment, AnimeNation's home entertainment subsidiary devoted to providing Japanese animation to English speaking viewers.

ABOUT RISKY SAFETY (from the press release): Broadcast on Japanese television between October 1999 and April 2000, Risky Safety is a gorgeously visual and emotionally touching humorous drama unlike anything else ever released in America before. The Risky Safety story revolves around junior high school girl Moe Katsuragi who is first introduced deeply saddened over her perception that the boy she likes has no interest in her. At the depths of Moe's despair, the tiny apprentice death spirit Risky appears before her, urging Moe to give in to sadness and give up her soul. Matters become confused when Moe discovers that the little devil Risky actually shares a body with the clumsy but pure hearted apprentice angel Safety. The tug-of-war over Moe's soul between devilish Risky and angelic Safety sets in motion a funny and touching 24 episode tale of fate, love, friendship, the cosmic balance of the universe, and even a few giant monsters!

In the tradition of Buena Vista distributed anime titles including Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away, Risky Safety is an inspiring and heartwarming story suitable for family viewing. At the same time, Risky Safety includes enough elements of traditional imported Japanese anime to appeal to even the most seasoned and selective anime fan. Risky Safety is based on a comic book story created by Ray Omishi, the creator of popular and successful anime series Sorcerer Hunters. Risky Safety also features a memorable theme song performed by fan favorite vocalist Maaya Sakamoto, the singer responsible for theme songs to popular anime imports including Escaflowne, Lodoss War, Card Captor Sakura, and RahXephon. The Risky Safety animation was created by Studio A.P.P.P., the veteran Japanese studio responsible for breakthrough hit anime titles including Robot Carnival and Jojo's Bizarre Adventures. The all-star Japanese voice cast includes veteran actors Maaya Sakamoto, Kikuko Inoue, Horie Yui, Rumi Kasahara, and Yuri Shiratori.

For images and additional detail about Omishi Magical Theater Risky Safety, visit the official English language Risky Safety website at RiskySafety.com.

Dragonball GT To Debut at Toy Fair

Figures.com reports JAKKS Pacific will be debuting Dragon Ball GT at the New York Toy Fair, which commences Friday, February 14.

Manga Entertainment Plans

Manga Entertainment has announced a number of their scheduled released for 2003.

The sci-fi action series Guyer on two six episode DVDs February 25th.

Also on February 25th comes Volume Two of Virus, anime director and character designer Masami Obari (Fatal Fury - The Motion Picture).

March 25th will introduce the first two volumes of the landmark Japanese TV martial arts series Fist of the North Star, first time available on DVD.

The Fist of the North Star series consists of 36 half hour episodes now contained on 5 DVD volumes. Each DVD contains 7 episodes (bonus episode on volume 5) and features digitally remastered 4x3 picture, motion menus, English and Japanese languages, English subtitles, character bios, photo gallery, prologue, Japanese credits along with Manga extras. The complete DVD collection features Episodes 33, 34, 35 and 36, never before released in the US on VHS.

Manga will focus on even more exciting anime series releases in 2003 including Rayearth, New Dominion Tank Police, Orguss 02 and the highly anticipated new release Read or Die slated for Spring. Also look for Limited Edition boxed sets on Street Fighter II V and Macross Plus.

Beside previously announced DVD releases including the Street Fighter II V Boxed Set and Rayearth OAV Collection on April 29th and Read Or Die on May 27th, Manga Entertainment has announced several new DVD tentative release dates.

Tenative plans include a 10th Anniversary Edition of Ninja Scroll on June 24th, New Ninja Scroll 10th Anniversary Edition: June 24, New Dominion Tank Police on August 26, Orguss 02 on September 30, Evangelion Movies DVD Boxed Set on October 28

New Fist of the North Star Announced

Japanese manga publishing group Coamix has confirmed plans to release a 3 episode OAV series titled "Shin Hokuto no Ken" (New Fist of the North Star) this spring. Early images are available from the Coamix homepage, and a short clip of MPG footage is available for download from production company OB Planning.

Tatsunoko Wins "Author's Right" to Macross

According to Anime News Network the internationally contenious rights to Macross (which was edited into Robotech) have changed again. In a serious legal blow to Studio Nue, widely perceived as the original creators and rightful owners of Macross, the Tokyo district court today ruled that the rights associated with authorship, the "author's right," for the first Macross series, belong to Tatsunoko Productions, not Studio Nue.

Head judge Toshiaki Inamura explained, "After Studio Nue planned the project, the general director was engaged creatively in producing the series entirely. Tatsunoko made a contract with each staff member and managed the production." Japanese copyright law gives ownership to the company when the body of work is created by its employees (or by people under contract) as a part of their duties. Therefore, the property right are guaranteed to the production company, not the planner(s) nor the director(s).

In October 2002 the Tokyo district court ruled that the rights to the design of the Valkery belong to Studio Nue.

TOKYOPOP Acquires New Manga Title

TOKYOPOP has announced its acquisition of the translation rights to the "Kindaichi Case Files" (Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo) manga series. This popular teen detective story spawned over 30 volumes of collected manga, a live action TV series, an anime movie, and a 148 episode anime TV series.

Pioneer Mahoromatic Website Opens

Pioneer has opened a website for Mahoromatic at http://mahoromatic.pioneeranimation.com/

AnimEigo Anime and Samurai 2003 Schedule

From Anime on DVD

• March 07: Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
• March 15: You're Under Arrest (YUA) Box Set 2 (Episodes 13-24 + Bonus Disc)
• March 28: UY Box Set 4 (Volumes 15-20)
• April 07: Rupan: The Fuma Conspiracy
• April 30: Lone Wolf & Cub 1
• April 30: Dagger of Kamui
• May 07: Lone Wolf & Cub 2
• May 07: Battle Royal High School
• May 09: YUA Box Set 3 (Episodes 25-36 + Bonus Disc)
• June 06: YUA Box Set 4 (Episodes 37-52)
• August 08: UY Box Set 5 (Volumes 21-25)
• October 03: Kimegure Orange Oreade OVAs/Movie Box Set

AniMatrix Release

The AniMatrix short film collection will be released on VHS and DVD on June 3rd. Beginning February 4th, four of the 9 AniMatrix shorts will be streamed for free at The AniMatrix.com:

"The Second Renaissance - Part 1," written by Larry and Andy Wachowski and directed by Mahiro Maeda (Blue Sub No. 6), will go online on February 4th.

"Program," written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) will be available online in March.

"Detective Story," Written and Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) will be available online in April.

"The Second Renaissance - Part 2," written by Larry and Andy Wachowski and directed by Mahiro Maeda, will go online in May and lead into The Matrix Reloaded, which opens in theaters on May 15th.

FUNimation Box Sets

According to Anime on DVD, FUNimation has announced box sets of the Blue Gender and Fruits Bakset anime series.

ADV Plans

Anime on DVD reports ADV Films has stated they are hoping to release more Slayers this fall. They own the rights to several of the fantasy comedy movies which they have not released.

There is en effort to release more Sailor Moon this summer.

The You're Under Arrest movie will not have a DTS soundtrack With the Nadesico movie, it will most likely be matted widescreen. They asked and are trying for anamorphic but it might not happen

April Manga Releases

The following manga (comics) be released in the April time frame. Highlights include the Battle Royale manga from TOKYOPOP (the previous Battle Royale listing from Viz referred to the novel, which Diamond Distributors incorrectly referred to as a graphic novel), classic Hiroshima story Barefoot Gen, and reduced priced second edition graphic novels from Viz. For a full list, or to pre-order them visit your local comic shop.

Comicsone.Com

Crayon Shinchan Gn #4 is a new collection of the four page comics strip adventures of the demented kindergartener.

Iron Wok Jan! Gn #4 brings the suprise hit cooking manga to the All-Japan Cooking Competition finals.

In the comedy Onegai Teacher: Please! Teacher Gn #2, now, not only must Kei deal with school, his friends, and the fact that he's married to his alien teacher, Mizuho, but now Mizuho's kid sister has come down to cause trouble for the happy couple.

Red Prowling Devil Gn #4 continues the aeriel adventure.

Other Kung Fu comics include Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre Gn #6, Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre Gn #2, Story Of The Tao Gn #4, and Weapons Of The Gods Gn #3.

CPM MANGA

Let's Stay Together Forever Gn by Tomoko Taniguchi

Love and Rockers! High school cliques can get very exclusive, and people will seldom cross these lines. Will Leo the Metal-Head, and Ayami the shy girl, ever realize that they were made for each other? Or will social dogmas keep them apart? A tale of love, loss, and hairspray!

Record Of Lodoss War: Welcome To Lodoss Island Book One

Tp is a collection of the super deformed (big head, small body) short strip take on the fantasy epic.

Dark Horse

Issues:

Blade Of The Immortal #78: Fall Frost Part 6 (Of 6)

concludes one of the samurai epic's top sword fight.

Super Manga Blast! #31

Includes new the first chapters of the fifth volume of Shadow Star, Seraphic Feather 3x3 Eyes, and Appleseed Hypernotes.

Collections:

Astro Boy 15

Osamu Tezuka; Translation By Frederik L. Schodt

Oh My Goddess!: Mystery Child Tpb

It's not every day you get a call from the creator of the universe! But when the Almighty calls to summon Belldandy's goddess sisters, Urd and Skuld, back home to investigate a problem with the universe's time management program, it can only mean one thing: college boy Keiichi's alone with Belldandy at last! But don't get your hopes up, buddy. Who's this little boy who just appeared out of nowhere in the garden? He's certainly not human, but is he a god, a demon, or something in between. And why is he treating Belldandy like his long lost.lover? Masamune Shirow Works:

Ghost In The Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface #5 Masamune Shirow

Cyber-agent Motoko Aramaki remains hot on the trail of the shadowy terrorists making life hell for Poseidon Industrial. Motoko deploys a cyborg surrogate, Chroma, for on-the- ground operations to pick up needed information, but while waiting for an e-brain private eye to pony up the data, Chroma is jacked into a no-holds-barred virtual combat game- at least she hopes it's virtual!

Intron Depot 3: Ballistics Masamune Shirow

On sale May 7, SC, 128pg, FC, $44.95 Dark Horse Comics is proud to present the third volume of Masamune Shirow's best- selling art book series Intron Depot. Ballistics features a treasure trove of spectacular full- color illustrations featuring high-caliber treatments. Often a sci-fi military theme is evoked, with special emphasis on detailed weaponry, but there is also a healthy batch of fantasy themes and outer space action. In addition to his traditional drawing and painting expertise, Shirow is also one of the foremost talents in computer graphics. Not only does he create exceptionally realistic backgrounds and vehicles, but in this volume presents alternate "takes" on the main image, presenting different color combinations, daytime/nightime versions and other variations on the primary theme.

Intron Depot I,

Intron Depot 2: Blades, Cyberworld Portfolio, Intron Depot II: Blades Cd-Rom, Intron Depot Coaster Set, Intron Depot Lunch Box, Masamune Shirow 2003 Calendar, Masamune Shirow's Morning Star Statue and Masamune Shirow's Requiem Statue will be re-released.

The Cowboy Bebop Zippo lights will be re-released.

Gutsoon! Entertainment

Manga Anthology Raijin Comics issues #17-20 includes new entries in Slam Dunk, City Hunter, Firsts of the Blue Sky, Guardian Angel Getten and Bakie the Grappler.

Rga Magazine #17-20

RGA Magazine is America's weekly, up-to-date news and information title about anime, manga, video games, and Otaku culture, straight from the front lines of Japan! Issue #17: Overview of New Fall 2002 Anime Season; Issue #18: New Spring Programs; Issue #19: Otaku Web Links; Issue #20: Voice Actor Kamiya Akira.

I.C. Entertainment

Issues

Amerimanga #5

Collections:

Hyper Dolls Volume 4 Gn by Shimpei Itoh

Vampire Yui Volume 4 Gn by Narumi Kakinouchi

You & Me Volume 3 Gn by Hiroshi Aro

Last Gasp

Barefoot Gen Vol. 1 (tpb) New Printing.

In 1945 cartoonist Keiji Nakazawa was 7-years-old and living in Hiroshima when the city was destroyed by an atomic bomb. Starting a few months before, the four volume saga of young Gen shows life in Japan. 96 pp.

Marvel

The first two issues of Namor, illustrated by Mizuki Sakakibara will be released as part of Marvel manga inspired Tsumani line. The first issue will retail for $0.25.

Ron Garney rather than Kia Asamiya will be illustrating Uncanny X-Men #422

TOKYOPOP

• Akira Cinemanga Volume 3 (of 5) is the comic with screen captures from the animated movie.
• Battle Royale Volume 1 (of 5) Gn By Koshun Takami In the future, random Jr. High School classes are chosen to compete in a game called Battle Royale. The rules: only one student can survive after 3 days on an island or else they all perish. The classmates turn upon themselves in a battle for survival, treaties are made and broken, and former friends become foes as the relentless countdown continues.
• Demon Diary Volume 1 Gn (of 4) by Jee-Hyung Lee Gods and demons wage a never-ending battle with the mortal realm as their battlefield. But it is foretold that one will arise who can restore harmony between gods and demons. Enter Raenef, heir to a set of demon royalty.
• Digimon Volume 2 Gn (of 12)
• Erika Sakurazawa's Angel Gn by Erika Sakurazawa Every day, we come across people who make a difference in our lives. Teachers, parents, friends. But for some people who are truly in distress, an angel is sometimes sent down to lend a guiding hand. Moving tales of sadness and humor that give insight to a world that could very well be your own.
• Fake Volume 1 Gn (of 7) Ryo and Dee, two of New York City's finest, are called in to investigate the activities of some two bit street punk. The operation goes south rather quickly when Dee is kidnapped and Ryo must put all of his skill and training to the test to get his partner back in one piece. Their partnership is on the line as electrified emotions raise questions of attractions within them that are difficult to ignore.
• Gatekeepers Volume 2 Gn (of 7) by Keiji Gotoh
• GTO Volume 11 Gn (of 25)
• INVU Volume 2 Gn (of 4)
• Kare Kano Volume 3 Gn (of 13)
• Love Hina Volume 10 Gn (of 14)
• Man Of Many Faces Volume 1 Gn (of 2) by CLAMP... This shoujo romantic comedy follows a master thief and the girl who loves him, from grade school into adulthood. The story begins with Akira as a third grader, who lives with his two mothers and is ordered to steal bizarre items at their whim. When he's forced to hide from the police, he takes refuge in the room of a young girl. who falls in love with him.
• Mars Volume 10 Gn (of 15)
• Miracle Girls Volume 9 Pocket Tp (of 9)
• Priest Volume 6 Gn (of 9)
• Ragnarok Volume 7 Gn (of 10) by Myung Jin Lee
• Rebirth Volume 2 Gn (of 11)
• Scryed Volume 2 Gn (of 5)
• The Skull Man Volume 6 Gn (of 7)

VIZ COMICS

Magazines

Anthologies

Animerica Extra Volume 6 #5 May 2003

The Anime Fan's Comic Magazine! Learn about Yû Watase's post-Ceres project, Imadoki. Plus the Manga serials: Short Program 2; Fushigi Yûgi; Video Girl Ai; Steam Detectives; Revolutionary Girl Utena; Marionette Generation; and Banana Fish.

Shonen Jump Volume 1 #6 June 2003

Features Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, YuYu Hakusho, Naruto, and Shaman King. Squarebound.

Comics & Graphic Novels

Issues

The Big O Part 4 #2 (of 4)

created by Hajime Yatate, story & art by Hitoshi Ariga

As Paradigm City's chief negotiator, Roger Smith makes a living helping people reclaim their forgotten memories. But thoughts of a mysterious woman, forces him to contemplate his own hazy past. Are the images of a forgotten romance enough to rekindle his long-dormant memories?

Collections

The Big O Volume 2 Tp

$9.95

Chicago Volume 2: Book Of Justice Gn

story and art by Yumi Tamura

Rei, Uozumi, and Shin are dispatched on an emergency rescue mission when a madman goes on a killing rampage, finally taking a group of students hostage at a snowy mountain resort. But what started as a routine rescue operation turns into a bitter reminder of childhood tragedy for Rei. Will the ghosts of the past come back to haunt her on the frigid slopes of the Japanese Alps. $15.95

Dance Till Tomorrow Volume 6 Tp

TP, 216pg, b&w $12.95

Dragonball 2Nd Edition Tp's

By Akira Toriyama

Son Goku, a super-strong boy with a monkey's tail, had never left his mountain home... until he met Bulma, a girl from the city, who invited him on her quest for the magic Dragon Balls that can grant any wish. Soon, Goku's natural inclination for martial arts led him to seek out the world's greatest trainers and tournaments, fighting bad guys and making friends around the world! The prequel to Dragon Ball Z combines adventure, fantasy and slapstick comedy with the skill of a master cartoonist. VOL. 1-7 SC, 5x7, 192pg, b&w $7.95

Dragonball Z 2Nd Edition Tp's

By Akira Toriyama

After years of training and adventure, Goku has become Earth's ultimate warrior-and his son, Gohan, shows even greater promise. But the stakes are increasing as more deadly enemies begin to appear, including Goku's greatest rival Vegeta, and the heroes must go into space to face menaces straight out of science fiction. More action- packed than the stories of Goku's youth, Dragon Ball Z is pure adrenaline. Get ready for action as time travelers, aliens and the mighty Super Saiyans clash over the fate of the universe! VOL. 1- 7 SC, 5x7, 192pg, b&w $7.95

Fushigi Yugi Volume 8 Gn

story and art by Yû Watase

SC, 200pg, b&w (Note Price) $9.95

Fushigi Yugi 2Nd Edition Gn's

story and art by Yû Watase

Viz is proud to announce our re-release of Yû Watase's most popular shôjo series, Fushigi Yûgi, at a new economical price and new size! When best friends Miaka and Yui open an ancient Chinese book, they find themselves transported to a parallel world. Trapped in the Universe of the Four Gods, Miaka is thrust in the role of priestess who must save an entire empire.and who falls in love with dashing martial artist Tamahome. VOL. 1- 2 SC, 200pg, b&w $9.95

Gundam The Origin #5

SC, 104pg, FC $7.95

Gundam Wing Ground Zero 2Nd Edition Tp

story & art by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

Ground Zero is one version of the events taking place in the interim between the TV series story and Endless Waltz, and explores a question important to the Gundam Wing series: when the war is over, what then?! A team of five Gundam are pitted against each other at a deserted space station. When assassination, mind control, and a loaded gun enter the picture, it's obvious they're not alone. SC, 136pg, b&w $9.95

INU-YASHA 2ND EDITION TP'S

story & art by Rumiko Takahashi

Start from the beginning with a re-release of one of Takahashi's greatest manga, an otherworldly fairy tale of ancient Japan, from the creator of Ranma 1/2 and Maison Ikkoku. Kagome was always just a typical Japanese high school girl. Her grandfather is obsessed with ancient myths; her home is crammed with mystical talismans.but none of it ever seemed to matter until one amazing day. Inu-Yasha is an out of the ordinary historical fantasy adventure (with a touch of gothic horror) from the "Queen of Romantic Comedy", Rumiko Takahashi! Through a trick of fate, Kagome's destiny is linked to a doglike half- demon named Inu-Yasha, who remembers Kagome's previous incarnation as the woman who killed him.and the same trick of fate has tied her destiny to the mysterious "Jewel of Four Souls," which can fulfill the dreams of any person or monster. When the jewel is shattered into shards, they must work together to find the pieces before everyone's worst nightmare comes true. VOL. 1- 2 SC, , b&w $8.95

Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 7 Tp

story & art by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

REG.-SC, 192pg, b&w $15.95

Ranma ½ 2Nd Edition Tp's

story & art by Rumiko Takahashi

Viz is pleased to re-release the first two volumes of Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2-in a handy new smaller size and great lower price! Ranma 1/2 is a martial arts/teenage romance comedy like nothing you've ever seen! When Ranma and his father Genma get splashed with cold water, dad transforms into a giant panda-and male Ranma becomes a young girl! VOL. 1- 2 SC, b&w $9.95

X/1999 VOLUME 10: FUGUE TP

story & art by CLAMP

SC, 192pg, b&w $9.95

X 1999 2ND EDITION TP'S

story & art by CLAMP

Viz is proud to re-issue CLAMP's greatest manga, X/1999, with an earthquake-shaking new size and price! X/1999, an occult science fiction fantasy, is a stunning work of shôjo (girls' comics) from the collective of CLAMP - a combine of four female shôjo artists who have taken all of Asia by storm! After a mysterious six-year absence, Kamui, a young man with mysterious psionic powers, returns to Tokyo. Now his childhood girlfriend Kotori and psychic Princess Hitono are having prophetic dreams about Kamui's role in the end of the world! VOL. 1: PRELUDE SC, and VOL. 2: OVERTURE 184pg, b&w $9.95

Junko Mizuno's Hansel And Gretel Gn

story & art by Junko Mizuno

Everyone knows the story of Hansel & Gretel. You all remember Hansel, the smart, squatty kid with a tuna can strapped over his mouth, lest his preternaturally loud voice make things crumble all around him. And of course, Gretel, the tall pink-haired schoolgirl in the sailor suit, striking down bullies with each blow of her handy bamboo practice sword. And if you don't remember the story going this way, rest assured you won't be able to forget Junko Mizuno's Hansel & Gretel! SC, 152pg, $15.95