Father Geek here with this week's mid-work-week column on all things having to do with the world of Manga & Anime.

We're about to become deeply mired in the "SXSW Film & Music Festival" down here in Austin, soooo next week's reports could be a little late because we will be stuck attending dozens of conferences, films, and concerts from about 8am till 3am each day for the next 10 days. We'll try to keep updated for you, but who knows how insane it may become with 600 bands, 100+ films, and all those guest panels crammed into the next week and ahalf...

For now here's Scott's latest issue of The AICN Anime Report...

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

by Masamune Shirow Released by Studio Proteus and Dark Horse Comics

The second issues of Ghost in the Shell 2: Man Machine interface feature some impressively prescient bio-tech ideas, even more impressive considering the issue was written at least a couple of years ago. It follows this up with a brilliant chess game of brain hacking. The dialogue flies in a dense storm of conversation between the now information organism Motoko and her helper, but once its sifted through, and you figuring out what's happening a rewarding read emerges.

Shirow is creating world, densely populated new technologies, complex webs of factions, and great manipulating forces. Almost every page is footed, explaining what you are seeing, and adding depth he couldn't convey in the dialogue, or illustration. It is intricate, it is logical, yet is impossible to suspend disbelief, and really contemplate the world, because of all the Barbie doll bodied women who either wear skin tight outfits, or cropped enough to make a Joe Eszterhas character blush.

The attire fits Motoko's personality, especially her new one, so while it is overused on the account, there's a degree of permissibility. It gets distasteful when you have a woman, strapped to a chair with a metal head piece, whose army fatigue shirt to opened to expose her cleavage, whose wearing no pants, but a shiny thong. Later images seem to indicate that this pant-less getup is her standard uniformed attire. It isn't Peter Chung style everyone wears ridiculous outfits. You can make similar arguments about Neon Genesis Evangelion, and countless other serious minded series, revealing outfits are nearly ubiquitous in anime and manga, but the blow doesn't feel as harsh as it does here.

Manga Spotlight: Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit's Tale Book One: Choices... Book Two: Forest of No Return

by Ryo Mizuno and Setsuko Yoneyama Released by CPM Manga

The first Lodoss War story was a basic Dungeons and Dragon fantasy adventure. A knight, a priest, a wizard, a thief, and an elf and a dwarf's adventure. Four manga series based on the story have been released in English: The Grey Witch, a high adventure with the beginning of the story, Chronicles of the Heroic Knight, which continues the story told in a more anime-like vein, Lady of Pharis a more mature, pulp prequel, and the shoujo variant Deedlits Tale.

Deedlit's Tale look turns down the volume of the cataclysmic conflict, and looks at the relationship between the high elf Deedlit, and the human knight Parn, particularly the issue of an elf's relationship with a human. Like many relationship stories, it is more about the process than the results. It introduces Parn's foil, Eastas, a high elf who like Deedlit left the Forest of No Return to adventure in the human world, and pulls in Lief the half elf half human girl from Chronicles of the Heroic Knight for the middle of the spectrum.

Parn makes for an interest object of romance. Parn cares for Deedlit, but he's oblivious, he focuses on the knight's duty to right wrong. And he's rusting into danger. Beyond this stories's eptitome of what elves don't like about humans, he's a special case. Many anime/manga heroes jump into situations where they do stand a chance, but few do it with the zeal, frequency, and magnitude as Parn. Outnumbered, or outclasses, Parn moves forward. He's an ameba blindly going towards justice. (Ironically the backdrop story is Parn convincing a village to take a necessary risk, and claiming he's just throw down his life for anyone).

These aspects help and hurt the story. It makes any affection that Parn shows her sweet and satisfying. He's a perfect example of the qualities Estas distrusts in humans, and ones Deedlit admire. On the other hand, it makes the "can elf love a human" business look flat and obvious. How about what is it like to have a relationship being level headed and competent woman, and a single minded man who seemingly tries to get himself killed whenever possible.

The design for Deedlit, and Parn has been altered to for the shoujo story. It is illustrated with finer lines, greater attention to hair, a few extra fold to make them look more glamourous. Parn in particular is more handsome than other incarnations. He's more the dashing adventurer with unkempt hair than the kid who put armor over his green Power-Ranger-ish suit. Deedlit bring life to the concept on an elf, someone with years of wisdom, but physical youth and beatify.

Manga Spotlight: Lupin III: Volume 2

By Monkey Punch Released by TOKYOPOP

Decates of enduring popularity are a testament to the success of the Lupin III's concept. The character, who is part movie James Bond, part more brutal book James Bond, and Austin Powers, severed from any political configuration, and you have a creation that you can fill volumes with Put in in with his grumpy gunman partner Jigen, his feme fatale rival Fujiko, and the relentless police officer chasing him, Zenigata, and you have comics' perpetual motion machine.

TOKYOPOP collects eight twnety page volumes in the adventures in which Lupin tries to get money, women, and not caught. It's more knifes, guns, and whits than the gadgets and fantastic feets of the anime (and manga title pages). The sketch-like Mad Magazine/EC Horror style illustration gives the Lupin manga its unique feel, which can be Looney Toon like, and human. The faces are sometime too cartoonish, and sloppy but there Monkey Punk also renders some amusing scenes. One story in particular features breathtaking snow bound landscapes.

The second volume of the manga is a noticeable improvement over the firs. The dialogue isn't as distractingly punch, and the stories aren't as sadistic (before it sometimes approached a brutal, too human Spy vs Spy). The stories are starting to become memorable in their own right, rather than just as inspiration for good anime. They need some work to feel less stunted and jittery, but there are some great punch line endings, and in-story running gags.

In some ways the formula still feels like it is in beta. Lupin is solidified as the sometimes dark edged trickster who can't help himself, and Fujiko is perfect as devious screw him, then screw him competition and the repartee between the good is getting good. Jigen and Zenigata aren't pulling their weight yet, at least not in the way they do in the anime. Once these characters are better defined, and the stories get a bit tighter, the series will really earn its classic reputation.

This Week's Releases:

Anime

• Black Lion - Fear the Black Lion (Vol. 1)
• Carried by the Wind - Tsukikage Ran - Way of the Samurai (Vol. 4)
• Chobits - Persocom (Vol. 1)
• Chobits - Persocom (Vol. 1) - Limited Edition With Series Box and Stationary Kit Chobits - Persocom (Vol. 1) - With Series Box
• Cubix: Dondon For Dinner
• Dragon Ball Z:Imperfect Cell
• Fancy Lala - Rise to Stardom (Vol. 5)
• Medabots - Love and Medabots (Vol. 8)
• Neo Ranga - A God Is Risen (Vol. 1)
• Neo Ranga - A God Is Risen (Vol. 1) - With Series Box
• Samurai Showdown
• Yu Yu Hakusho Dark Tournament:Fairpla
• Yu Yu Hakusho Dark Tournament:Rising
• .hack//SIGN (Vol. 1) - Limited Edition Boxed Set

Manga

• Ceres Celestial Legend Part 5 #1 (Of 4)
• Kare Kano Vol 2 Gn (Of 15)
• Gatekeepers Vol 1 Gn
• Mars Vol 9 Gn (Of 15)
• Ragnarok Vol 6 Gn (Of 10)
• Raijin Comics #13 (Mr)
• Ranma 1/2 Part 12 #1 (Of 8)
• Seraphic Feather Target Zone Tp
• Shonen Jump Vol 1 #4 April 2003
• Super Manga Blast #29
• Zoids #13 Chaotic Century

Also Battle Royale Novel (the translated written prose novel).

A review of the first volume of the Kare Kano manga, the relationship story which spawned the anime His and Her Circumstances can be read here

TOKYOPOP Announces Rising Stars Winners

TOKYOPOP has announced the winners of their manga creation contest here "Rising Stars of Manga Winners"

Trigun Date Set

Cartoon Network will begin running sci-fi Western Trigun midnights starting March 31st.

More Third Tenchi OAV 3 Shots

More images from the upcoming third Tenchi Muyo OAV series can be seen at hereat Tenchi-web.

Bebop Movie Trailer Goes Online

The official Cowboy Bebop site has been updated with a trailer

Manga Artist off Marvel Comic

Marvel will be replacing manga artist Mizuki Sakakibara with Salvador Larroca on their Tsunami line's Namor. Marvel had been touting Sakakibara as an award winning manga creator, but the titles he had worked on were never stated or discernable from other sources.

FUNimation News

From Anime News Network

FUNimation is still in negotiations with Cartoon Network over the televising of Blue Gender. Both are confident that negotiations will end soon, and Blue Gender will be joining the Adult Swim Action line up. With its mature themes and fantasy violence, Adult Swim is the only practical venue. Nothing has been said about possible edits. As part of their original deal with AIC, FUNimation has the rights to the Blue Gender movie. No plans have been set in stone as to what the movie release will contain, but expect the same cast as that from the TV series.

Yu Yu Hakusho is joining the Toonami afternoon block. The episodes shown are currently available in edited version on DVD. Uncut episodes will continue to be found on DVD releases.

FUNimation is gearing up for the release of Dragonball GT. The official DBGT website has been open for the last few weeks. They currently have a karaoke contest on their website where fans can create their own version of the theme song. Winners will be included in future DVD releases as extras. The DVD will also feature the original Japanese openings and closings with the original music.

Recent news about the redubbing of the first 53 episodes of Dragonball Z erroneously listed the Ocean Group as handling the new dub. While the Ocean Group was integral to the creation of the original Dub, FUNimation will be handling the Dub in house with the current cast of actors reprising their roles.

Funimation contacted ANN recently with some clarifications regarding the new Dragonball dub, Blue Gender on TV, the Blue Gender movie, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Dragonball GT

Yo Inoue Passes Away

Voice actress Yo Inoue died on Februery 28th. She was best known for her work as Gundam Wing's Hero and Patlabor's Kanuka Clancy.

Lupin III Live Action In Production This Year

ICV2 reports Hollywood production company Twilight Entertainment has acquired the right to create a live action film version of the venerable manga and anime property Lupin III. Producer Gerald Molen (Jurassic Park: The Lost World, Shindler's List) is in charge of the project and he indicated to Screen Daily that he was planning to blend international actors and Hollywood stars in an effort to capitalize on the property's international appeal (the anime series has appeared in close to 100 countries). Twilight Entertainment plans to start shooting on its Lupin III live action film before the end of 2003, and to release the film within two years.

English Websites

Buena Vista has opened a Spirited Away site, and a site for Mizaki's movies here.

ADV has added a Neo Ranga site at here.

Pioneer has opened a GateKeepers 21 site.

Ghibli UK News

From Anime on dVD

Buena Vista has announced their plans for releasing Ghibli movies on DVD in the UK.

Due on 18/08/03:

• Castle in the Sky
• Pom Poko
• Kiki's Delivery Service

While On 22/09/03:

• Porco Rosso
• Whisper of the Heart
• Only Yesterday

Also mentioned was, "We are pleased to announce that Buena Vista intend to release My Neighbour Totoro and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind sometime in 2004!"

Suzuki to attend Oscars

Toshio Suzuki will be representing Studio Ghibli at the Oscars, where Spirited Away was nomiated for Best Animated Theatrical Feature.

Media Blasters Passes DVD Milestone

Anime on DVD notes, with the announced release of the Virtua Fighter anime, Media Blasters has become the first domestical anime company to release their entire back catologue on DVD.

Kids' Wb! Announces 2003-2004

The 2003-2004 season of the Kids' WB block will include new shows "Megaman: Nt Warrior" ,"Xiaolin Showdown"and "Teen Titans" as well as new episodes "Yu-Gi-Oh!," "Pokémon," "Jackie Chan Adventures," "What's New Scooby-Doo?" "Ozzy & Drix," "¡Mucha Lucha!" And "X-Men: Evolution."

Season-to-date, Kids' WB! dominates all broadcast and cable competition in Boys 6-11 with the top six programs, Tweens 9-14 with the top five shows (with Jackie Chan Adventures, Ozzy & Drix and Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Fairly Odd Parents" all tied at #4), Male Tweens 9-14 with the top nine program spots and Boys 2-11 (tied with Nickelodeon) with six of the top 10 programs. Kids' WB! continues to lead as the #1 broadcast network among Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 - with the top nine programs in these demos, as well as in Girls 2-11 with five of the top 10 shows. Yu-Gi-Oh! ranks as the #1 program among all Saturday morning competition, including cable, in Boys 2-11, Boys 6-11, Tweens 9-14 and Male Tweens 9-14 and ranks as the #1 broadcast program among Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11. Among Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11, Kids' WB! takes the top nine program spots among the broadcast competition in both demos with Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon: Master Quest, Ozzy & Drix, Static Shock, Jackie Chan Adventures, What's New Scooby-Doo?, X-Men: Evolution and ¡Mucha Lucha!

The new series to debut in the Summer 2003 schedule is:

Megaman: Nt Warrior (working title) is set in the year 200X, where virtually all technology is linked to a central computer system. Citizens interface with this network using their personal "NetNavis" (Net Navigators) via their portable terminals (PETs). This futuristic world requires kids and their families to interact with rapidly progressive technology.where hackers and high-tech computer crimes threaten their lives and the entire universe. The responsibility to save the computer-generated world and protect their town falls upon tech-savvy Lan and his NetNavi, Mega Man with his advanced power upgrades - as these net-warriors unite to expose the darkness within their digital universe. Plug in.log on.and power up.for an energizing cyber-adventure. The series is produced by ShoPro Entertainment.

Hikaru Midorikawa at Anime North

Hikaru Midorikawa (voice actor for Zelgadis, Tamahome, Heero Yuy, numerous other roles) has just been confirmed as the Japanese Guest of Honour for Anime North 2003. The convention is being held on Victoria Day weekend (May 16 to 18) in Toronto, Ontario. For more details visit the Anime North website

Special Addition To Japanese GITS: SAC DVD

Anime News Service reports a thread at Production I.G.'s Forums has indicated that I.G. will be producing some Tachikoma-the name of the mecha in the new Ghost in the Shell series-shorts which may only be exclusive to the Japanese dvd's.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Update

Previous reports that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure would only be available at specialitu stores have been amnded to state that the anime will later be available in major retailers

Volume 1, was due out on March 11th will only be available at specialty stores initially, but it will make its way into major retailers after a while. AnimeNation is repirting According to Super Techno Arts, "Something really bad happened during the authoring and manufacturing process" of the first Jojo's Bizarre Adventures DVD. As a result, the debut DVD in the series will be slightly delayed.

"We [STA] are preparing ourselves to get our products into the major retail outlets in the near future.I t just won't happen by the street date of first volume JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.This is our very first release, and it takes more time and preparation than the rest of the already-established distributor. I do not wish for our consumers to think that JoJo will NEVER be available through major retailers. It will be. But not right this minute."

Japanese Anime Sites and Upcoming Shows

From Natsume Maya Naruto

Parasite Dolls, an ADV Police spin off co-produced by ADV. The first of 3 OAV episodes will be released in Japan on May 22nd. An American release date has not been announced yet.

Fantasy adventure TV series Scrapped Princess.

VAP's website for the upcoming TV anime Divergence Eve by RADIX

TV Tokyo also has a site up for Bouken Yuuki Pluster World as well. That series commences broadcast on the same day of 3 April 2003. present.

Hand Maid Mai is being distributed over the internet on a fee paying basis. However a pilot film is available for download free here. Just click on the clapperboard pic on the bottom right hand corner of the page. Source: Magicalantique.com.

The website Gasaraki Web is now open.

TV Tokyo has announced that it'll commence broadcast of the following anime series on the following dates:

• Sora no Stellvia on 2 April 2003. (To me, the title appears to be Uchuu no Stellvia in kanji, but the furigana suggests the title should be read Sora no Stellvia)
• Bouken Yuuki Pluster World on 3 April 2003.
• Ningen Kosaten Human Scramble on 5 April 2003.
• Sonic X on 6 April 2003.
• Fire Storm on 6 April 2003.
• Dear Boys on 7 April 2003.
• Last Exile on 7 April 2003.

Source: Magicalantique.com.

The latest issue of Young Animal states that the TV anime series Air Master will commence broadcast on 1 April 2003.

Ikki Tousen to be Animated

Ikki Tousen, a manga created by Shiozaki Yuuji, will be adapted into an anime series, according to an upcoming issue of Comic Gum magazine. The high school fighting manga features warriors of China's Three Kingdom era reincarnated in modern Japan. More details will follow after the title's official announcement.

Media Blasters Announces New Releases

The Knight Hunters/Weiss Kreuz television series will be collected in a box set on May 27th. The series follows a quatret of tortured assasins by night/popular flowershop managers by day.

Two epsiode OAV series Madara, and the Virtua Fighter TV series will be released on May 27th.

Ys II OAV, the five episode first volume of Samurai Deeper Kyo, and four epsisode enty in Mirage of Blaze will be released on June 24th.

Kinnikuman Nisei to be Continued for American Market

Although the Kinnikuman Second Generation TV series ended on Japanese television on December 25, 2002, after 51 episodes, Toei Animation has officially announced that further episodes will be created specifically for American television broadcast. The episodes will be specifically written for, and tailored for American viewers.

The Gundam Chair

A Gundam Hand Chair coming to the Japanese market can be seen here

Anime Mechandise News

From Figures.com

Images of Kaiyodo's 7" Mass Production EVA from the Evangelion movies can be seen here. The Figure will be availabele in the US starting in April 2003.

Mech fans will want to check out Bandai's upcoming Big O figures, which are schedule to be released this summer and include 6" Megadeus and a taking 12" Big O.

Superior Defender, super deformed Gundams can be seen here

Zeta Gundam figures can be seen at here.

ICV2 reports that JAKKS Pacific who acquired the Dragon Ball licnese aftr the bakcruptcy of Irwin be adding Dragon Ball GT figures to the lines of Dragon Ball, and Dragon Ball Z figures start this fall.

Jakks will release three series of the basic 5.5" DBZ line (series #12, #13, & #14) in 2003 starting with series 12 in the summer. All three series (retail $6.99 per figure) were designed by Irwin, but include some excellent figures including a "battle-damaged" Goku in series 13. Even better than the DBZ figures are the 5.5" Dragon Ball figures that IF Labs designed.

The first series, launching in Summer of 2003, includes General Blue, Master Roshi, Goku and Krillin, and the Pirate Robot.

Jakks is also manufacturing a number of "Striking Z Fighters" ($7.99) that imitate the signature power moves the characters display in the TV series as well as a series of "Energy Glow" ($9.99) figures with lights, sound effects and actual voice recordings of some of the most popular DBZ characters including Gohan, Trunks, and Goku (all in Super Saiyan mode).

DBZ figures are also available in two packs ($12.99) that feature the combatants in some of the key battles in the DBZ mythos. Goku and Vegeta, S.S. Gohan vs. Perfect Cell, and Goku vs. Raditz are just a few of the pairings from two series of 2-packs, one of which launches in the Summer, followed by a second for the Fall.

Jakks is also continuing the IF Labs series of 7" and 9" figures from the DBZ Movie Collection and the Dragon Ball Collector series. These high quality figures, which include Android #13, Super Android #13, Trunks and Vegeta, have a suggested retail price of $14.99.

May Manga Releases

COMICSONE.COM

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Gn #4 by Wang Du Lu & Andy Seto

Has Li Mu Bai finally met defeat by the mighty Shaolin adept, Golden Spear Cheung? But like Li has said in the past: "Never underestimate the power of Tai Chi Sword style!" This particular style is made even more fearsome with the use of the potent Green Destiny sword!

Other Kung Fu comic releases includeThe Legendary Couple Gn #5, Mega Dragon & Tiger Gn #5, Saint Legend Gn #5, Storm Riders Gn #12 and Weapons Of The Gods Gn #4.

Iron Wok Jan! Gn #1, Bride Of Deimos Gn #1, Crayon Shinchan Gn #2, Bride Of Deimos Gn #1 & #2 and Red Prowling Devil #2 will be re-released.

CPM Manga

Alien Nine: Book 1 Gn by Hitoshi Tomizawa

Yuri is totally bummed. She just started 6th grade, and was elected to capture and eliminate aliens that are constantly invading the school! Even worse, she has to wear a symbiotic alien helmet to get the job done. Authentic Japanese style right to left format book!

Dark Horse Comics

Issues

Ghost In The Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface #6 (Of 11)

Chroma, one of super-cyber agent Motoko Aramkai's cyborg surrogate operatives, has a little problem. She's not sure whether she's in the real world or inside a game...but either way, there are plenty of well-armed weirdoes going all-out to turn Chroma into a grease-spot, virtual and/or literal. And real or not, their goal is to find a way to get to Motoko, and she may have unwittingly provided them with the means to track her down...and rub her out!

Oh My Goddess! #97: The Phantom Racer Part 2 (Of 4)

Super Manga Blast! #32

Collections

Astro Boy Volume 16

Dark Horse will re-release two volumes of 3x3 Eyes House Of Demons:Second Edition and House Of Demons:Second Edition collect the first two chapters of the horror series. "From a hidden land in the Tibetan Highlands comes Pai, a strange and beautiful woman come to Tokyo to find a young man named Yakumo who can help her in her quest.to become human! When Pai finally finds her man, the two set off in search of an artifact that can transform her, but it will take all her mystic powers to keep the reckless Yakumo alive - even if she has to steal his soul to protect him!"

Gutsoon! Entertainment

Fist Of The North Star: The Master Edition Volume 4 Gn by Hara Tetsuo & Buronson

The martial arts epic continues, printed in color in the original right to left flow.

Raijin Comics #21-24

The weekly anthology features Fist of the Blue Sky, Slam Dunk, City Hunter, First President of Japan, Guardian Angel Getten, Baki The Grappler, Keiji, Revenge of the Mouflon,PC $4.95Ea.

I.C. Entertainment

Amerimanga #6

a new issue of the American manga anthology.

Central City Volume 1 Gn by Saya

Earth after World War III. Rebuilding after the destruction has given rise to various vices. Are the Disposers the manifestation of peoples' desires to combat these vices...? Megatokyo Chapter Zero: "Relax, We Understand J00!", Vampire Princess Miyu volume 1, and volume 2 will be rre-released.

Marvel

Wolverine: Snikt! #1 (Of 6)

From Tsutomu Nihei (BLAME!) Nihei comes a new, fast-paced, high-octane limited series. Alone in a barren wasteland inhabited by robotic, parasitic organisms, the X-Men's most lethal member devolves further and further into his true, savage, berserker state with each battle. The key to Logan maintaining a link to his humanity may lie with a mysterious young girl!

X-Men: Ronin #5 (Of 5)

Cover by Tommy "Slayers" Ohtsuka written by J. Torres with art by Makoto Nakatsuka. The incredulous may have some problems with Marvel's description: "It's AKIRA meets EVANGELION in this thrilling conclusion to the limited series!"

Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2:

Dominent Species collections Kia Asamiya's run on Uncanny X-Men.

TOKYOPOP

Brain Powered Volume 1 Gn (of 3) by Yoshiyuki Tomino & Yukiru Sugisaki

When the discovery of an alien organic vessel submerged in the ocean reveals the key to planetary destruction, a collective of evil scientists called the Reclaimers work to unlock mankind's extinction. But Hime Utsumiya fights on a team of alien organic mecha to combat them!

Cardcaptor Sakura: Master Of The Clow Volume 5 Gn (of 6) by CLAMP

Chobits Volume 6 Gn (of 8) by CLAMP

Clamp School Detectives Volume 1 Gn (of 3) by CLAMP

A trio of pre-teen sleuths made up of: sixth grader Nokoru Imonoyama, Student Body President, whose family built the Clamp School in which he's the top student, with the superhuman ability to detect a woman crying from 2 km away; fifth grader Suoh Takamura, Student Body Secretary, a master martial artist with third degree blackbelts in judo, aikido, karate, and kendo; fourth grader Akira Ijyuin, a master thief, also known as the "Man of 20 Faces," popular with the ladies, and is currently dating the president of the kindergarten. Together they are the Clamp School detectives and they help girls in distress around the campus

Cowboy Bebop Shooting Stars Volume 2 Gn (of 2)

Concludes the alternate ending to the series.

Digimon Volume 3 Gn (of 12)

Dragon Hunter Volume 1 Gn

Dragon Knights Volume 8 Gn (of 17)

G-Gundam Volume 1 Gn (of 4) by Hajime Yadate, Yoshiyuki Tomino, Katsuhiko Chiba, & Mizuho Takayama

In the year FC (Future Century) 60, disputes between nations are settled in a tournament known as Gundam Fight. Each side picks its champion pilot, constructs a huge mechanical combat machine, and prepares to do battle.

Gravitation Volume 1 Gn (of 12)

Gravitation is a yaoi (homosexual male romance, ussually for a female audience) about a rockstar, and lyrics writer.

Gto Volume 12 Gn (of 25)

Happy Mania Volume (2 of 5) Gn

It's a new year, and Shigeta resolves to swear off of men while her roommate announces her impending marriage. As is often the case, her resolution is thrown out the window when another man walks into her life while Takahashi silently watches from the sidelines and acts as her guardian angel in her time of need. However, he is slated to go to America for a study abroad program and wonders what Shigeta will do without him.

Jing King Of Bandits Volume 1 Gn (of 7) by Yuichi Kumakura

Jing truly is the King of Bandits. He has earned this title by pulling off the most amazing and seemingly impossible heists in the world. When rumors of a flying ghost ship filled with gold-stuffed zombies reach his ears, he packs his bags and hitches a ride onboard n

King Of Hell Volume 1 Gn (of 3) by Na In-Soo & Kim Jae-Hwan

In life, Majeh was a gifted swordsman. In death he acts as a reaper for the King of Hell, collecting souls of the dead and bringing them to the underworld. When a rift opens up between Hell and Earth, evil spirits begin escaping to the mortal realm and Majeh must hunt them down and destroy them before the rift is permanently opened.

Love Hina Volume 11 Gn (of 14)

Lupin Iii Volume 4 Gn (of 14) by Monkey Punch

Marmalade Boy Volume 7 Gn (of 8)

Mars Volume 11 Gn (of 15) by Fuyumi Soryo

Pet Shop Of Horrors Volume 1 Gn by Mari Akino

A smoke-filled alley in Chintown harbors Count D's Pet Shop. Magical creatures are available with an exclusive contract. But if the contract is broken, the Count can't be held accountable for what happens next!

Rave Volume 3 Gn (of 18) by Hiro Mashima

Rebound Volume 2 Gn (of 10)

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 1 Gn (of 18)

1604 A.D. Four years after a devastating civil war, Yuya Shiina earns a living by hunting outlaws. When she captures Mibu Kyoshiro for a small bounty, she has no idea about the dark secret he carries within. Kyoshiro shares his body with the spirit of Onime-no-Kyo, a legendary assassin who has killed a thousand men.

Shaolin Sisters Volume 3 Gn (of 5)

The Kindaichi Case Files Volume 1 Gn (of 6)

Hajime and Miyuki go to a small island for a training camp for their school's drama club, to prepare for a production of Phantom of the Opera. Their hotel is called Opera House Mansion, and while staying there, a real Phantom appears and, using the same Phantom of the Opera plot maneuvers, mysteriously kills the cast-members one-by-one.

Tokyo Mew Mew Volume 2 Gn (of 4) by Mia Ikumi & Reiko Yoshiku

Ichigo has transformed into a crime-fighting cat named Mew Mew. Fighting crime in a big city can be a difficult job when you are on your own. Therefore, her first mission is to find the rest of the Tokyo Mew Mew crew, but that task turns out to be more difficult than she originally imagined.

Under The Glass Moon Volume 1 Gn Of (3)

Luka Reinhardt is the 21st century's greatest Dark Wizard. He and his bookish brother, Luel, live next door to a pair of witches named Madame Batolli and Nell. Both witches fall for Lukas good looks and ignore Luels feeble advances without a second thought. It's more than a love triangle - it's a love pentagram, especially when Luel's old flame, Sage, shows up. As if that weren't enough magical mayhem, things get a bit heated when Neo, Luka's overzealous apprentice, unleashes Efreet, a wrathful fire spirit.

Vampire Game Volume 1 Gn (of 3) by JUDAL

Centuries ago the king of Saint Feliosta, and the Vampire King, Dusel, had a monumental duel. Dusel was defeated and swore that he would fight in his next incarnation. His promise comes true. He is reborn. And the vampire game begins!

Viz Communications

Animerica Extra June 2003 Volume 6 #6

Features new entries in Short Program 2,Fushigi Yûgi, Steam Detectives, Banana Fish, Revolutionary Girl Utena and Marionette Generation.

Shonen Jump July 2003 Volume 1 #7

Features new entries in Dragonball Z,Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yuyu Hakusho, Shaman King, Naruto, One Piece and Sang Land.

Viz will also be start releasing graphic novel collecitons of Shonen Jump material.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Volume 1: The Millennium Puzzle by Kazuki Takahashi

Tenth-grade loner Yugi always had his head in some game-until he solved the Millennium Puzzle, an Egyptian artifact containing the spirit of a master gambler from the age of the pharaohs! Let the games begin! 200pg,$7.95

Yuyu Hakusho Volume 1: Goodbye, Material World by Yoshihiro Togashi

Yusuke Urameshi was a tough teen delinquent until one selfless act changed his life...by ending it. When he died saving a little kid from a speeding car, the afterlife didn't know what to do with him. 200pg,$7.95

Issues

The Big O Part 4 #3 (of 4)

Collections

The Adventures Of Hamtaro Volume 2: Hamtaro Gets Lost & Other Stories

Ceres, Celestial Legend Volume 4: Chidori Tp by Yû Watase

Aya Mikage leads the life of a normal high school student until her 16th birthday, her own family tries to kill her and imprisons her twin brother, Aki. Aya later discovers that she possesses the blood of the "tennyo" (heavenly maiden), and when severely shaken she will transform into Ceres. SC, 192pg, b&w $9.95

Dragonball Volume 11 Tp by Akira Toriyama

• The Tenka'ichi Budôkai is heating up... and despite strong showings by Kuririn and Jackie Chun, it looks like the ultimate match is going to be Goku vs. three-eyed martial arts prodigy Tenshinhan. SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95
• Dragonball Volume 8 Tp--2Nd Edition SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95
• Dragonball Volume 9 Tp--2Nd Edition by Akira Toriyama SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95
• Dragonball Volume 10--2Nd Edition SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95
• Dragonball Z Volume 11 Tp by Akira Toriyama SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95
• Dragonball Z Volume 8 Tp--2Nd Edition by Akira Toriyama SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95
• Dragon Ball Z Volume 9 Tp--2Nd Edition by Akira Toriyama SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95
• Dragonball Z Volume 10 Tp--2Nd Edition by Akira Toriyama SC, 192pg, b&w $7.95

Gundam Wing Ground Zero Tp--2Nd Edition story & art by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

Now packaged in a new slimmer size and a lower price! 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? SC, 136pg, b&w $9.95

Project Arms: The First Revelation Volume 1: Awakenings by Ryoji Minagawa

From the creators of Spriggan (Striker by Viz) comes a new tale of nano-machines, cybernetic assassins, powerful telekinetic opponents, and a secret organization dedicated to bring forth the next evolution of man! SC, 208pg, b&w $9.95

Revolutionary Girl Utena Volume 3: To Sprout Tp

by Chiho Saito SC, 200pg, b&w $9.95

Revolutionary Girl Utena Volumes 1 & 2 Tps--2Nd Editions

VOL. 1--SC, 200pg, b&w $9.95

VOL. 2--SC, 200pg, b&w $9.95

When she was young, Utena Tenjou accidentally fell into a roaring river only to be rescued by a mysterious man-her prince. Since that day, Utena is determined to grow up to be not a princess, but a strong and noble prince.