Father Geek here with our regular mid-work-week trip through the wide world of Manga & Anime. As always we'll be covering in one easy to locate column everything you could possibily want to know about Anime and Manga; Soundtracks, Videos, DVDs, Comics, Games, Festivals, and company politics. Plus this week a special section of links to tons of cooooool trailers...
The AICN Anime Report...
by Scott Green
Anime Spotlight: Wild Arms
Volume 1: The Good, The Bad & The Greedy
Volume 2: Western Romance
Released by ADV Films
by Scott Green
Anime Spotlight: Wild Arms
Volume 1: The Good, The Bad & The Greedy
Volume 2: Western Romance
Released by ADV Films
Released by ADV Films
For some unfortunate reason it usually has to be western, AND... western and sci-fi had some traction for a while, western and horror keeps on popping up, here is western and fantasy, specifically RPG video game fantasy. That being because the Wild Arms anime was based on a such as game. The game was notable because it was released about the same time as Final Fantasy VII, when games with full motion video cut scenes were coming into their own, and it features some notable anime style cuts. It has become memorable for some nice theme music with an Ennio Morricone panache (here in some presence, with a very rock revival style closing that play one top of urban scene superimposed with billboards of the characters).
The premise has legs, and mythos influenced oddity that really caught some in the fantasy comedy Slayers. The plot lynch pin in Wild Arms is Sheyenne Rainstorm, a 25 year old gunslinger who woke up in a woman's bed, threw on paints, walked out of a saloon into a bullet. Years later he was revived in the body of a five year, but with his weapon, an ARMS, a gun that few people can use, which was rumored to have been used the Evil Race (this series translation of "mazoku") to kill God 1,000 years ago. In his time between lives he missed a mini-apocalypse known as the Twilight Venom. This brand of dark intrigue shines through the series' more typical dizzy clouds episodic MacGuffin chases.
Sheyenne is joined by a pair of women, a gambler/magician named Loretta Oratorio, and Crimson Noble (a vampire, if vampires didn't have a problem with sunlight, and were lime green haired Pokemon-trainer-cute) named Mirabelle, and a hulking eye patch wearing scientist (who so far seems the most altruist of the crowd). The group is capped off by a pair of ex-spouse fuzzy, wise cracking, marshmallow peep creatures (and whose life spans are more than hinted to have included the business with the God killing.)
The series generally follows the group, generally segregated by gender seeking some treasure, the women looking for money, and the man trying to locate Sheyenne's original body. This brand of length padding filler can be excellent, as in Cowboy Bebop, or the aforementioned Slayers, or it can seem like a waste. Wild Arms has many qualities that puts it in the former category. It has a number of good running gags, Sheyenne looking for action, and only finding little girl wanting to play tea party or cat's cradle with him, Loretta getting rejected whenever she tries to add sexual persuasion to a deal, or Marabelle's pudgy, barely flying bat-form. There are a number of good western culture references, to Romeo and Juliet, to the Shining, to the Old Testament (the male fuzzy creature, named Isaac is fond operating a petstore through a human proxy named Abraham). At times it shows off a good fantasy series spectacle, a scythed armed, fire breathing dinosaur in a Robocop helmet.
Ultimately, in two volumes in trends towards the latter. The twists to keep up the establish level of energy get to frantic, and it often end up lopping itself off at the knees. Two many twists are packed in, or one wrong one upsets an episode. A serious gambler vs gambler episode with mythos hints careens into a parody of women's professional wrestling parody, and literally ends up in the mud.
The deepest flaw in the series is, why be a rare, or soul fantasy western if your not going to use that to distinguish yourself. There is nothing inherently wrong with strange episodic situations comedies, but a war between God, and the forces of darkness where a gunslinger plays a pivotal role, seemingly against the side of the angels has a spark to it. The small setting variant, and twists on continuously retold stories like the Yojimbo/Fist Full of Dollars gang war, or the train ride where everything goes wrong don't have the same flare.
Wild Arms has plenty of potential, and looks like something work sticking with to see what it grows into, but after two volumes it has distinguished itself.
Anime Spotlight: Love Hina: Spring Movie
Released by Bandai Entertainment
Love Hina isn't quite "love it or hate it", but it certainly has its staunch fans and its detractors. It well earns both. A problem prone geek ends up in a house with a group of beautiful, women, designed to be likable, constructed with a pop-music style science. At its best it can be inspired insanity, or an amusing fresh take on the familiar, and at its worst it can be barely coherent gibberish, or a frequent convention taken to almost offensive tedium.
Many time loser/failure Keitaro is once again taking the entrance test to prestigious Tokyo University, in order to fulfill his preschool promise of meeting his separated pre-school playmate. His tempestuous new love Naru, is also taking the test, as is the anemic and strangely charismatic Mutsumi, with the girls of the boarding house where Keitaro works and resides are rooting for them. The events that the anime series has been building to have come, but... its always been the craziness of the journey, so here is some more craziness and more journey.
A great deal of misspent energy is spent placing of the cast in a lushly animated tropical island (and in more revealing clothing, ie in one case a palm leaf bikini). There transitional journey to the next step in their lives is symbolized by land dwelling mewing, yellow turtles becoming a flowing of flying, mewing yellow turtles.
Production IG's animation is certainly crisp, and beautiful. Character design has been stepped up, movements are more fluid (especially in the chest). It wouldn't be a spring special without the sample of anime, cherry blossoms, rendered with gratuitous beatify.
It teases a new self awareness (ie that the accidentally fondling joke has been used far too often), but its doesn't depart from standards of the anime series. More of the same, better looking. It remains a pleasant distraction anime.
This Week's Releases
Anime
- Argentosoma - Getting Even (Vol. 2)
- Betterman - Finality (Vol. 6)
- Dai-Guard - In The Red (Vol. 5)
- Devil Lady - The Strengthening (Vol. 3)
- Ronin Warriors - Ova Volume 1
Manga
- Crayon Shinchan Gn #4
- Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Gn #3
- Gundam Wing Blind Target Tp 2Nd Ed
- Shonen Jump Vol 1 #5 May 2003
- Super Manga Blast #30
- Zoids #14 Chaotic Century
More Cowboy Bebop
- Argentosoma - Getting Even (Vol. 2)
- Betterman - Finality (Vol. 6)
- Dai-Guard - In The Red (Vol. 5)
- Devil Lady - The Strengthening (Vol. 3)
- Ronin Warriors - Ova Volume 1
Manga
- Crayon Shinchan Gn #4
- Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Gn #3
- Gundam Wing Blind Target Tp 2Nd Ed
- Shonen Jump Vol 1 #5 May 2003
- Super Manga Blast #30
- Zoids #14 Chaotic Century
More Cowboy Bebop
LA Time's Calendar Live has interview Cowboy Bebop's Shinichiro Watanabe here, where mentions the Cowboy Bebop movie, AniMatrix, and Studio Bone's upcoming samurai series "Mukoh Hadan." The articles concludes with:
Although there are no plans for further installments of "Cowboy Bebop" at this time, Watanabe concedes that Spike's adventures "will probably continue at some time in the future, although I'm not sure in what form. When the original 26-episode series concluded, a lot of fans and sponsors wanted me to continue. That's why I made this movie."
Cowboy Bebop Video Street Date?
DVD File is listed that Columbia Tri-Star will be releasing the Cowboy Bebop Movie DVD on 06/24/2003
Spirited Away DVD Release Not Delayed
Nausicaa.net has
confirmed that the April 15th DVD release of Spirited
Away will not be delayed be the movie's return to
theatres.
New Trailers For Upcoming Japanese Releases
Kaleido Star by Studio Gonzo, known for their CGI work, and co-produced by ADV here
Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitchi
Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok
The second RahXephon movie trailer is here
"Uchu no Stellvia" / "Stellvia in Space"
Trailerefor UFO Princess Walkure season 2, Sumeba
Miyako no Cosmos-sou Suttoko Taisen Dokkoaider, and Narue no Sekai can be found here
Box Office For Spirited Away
Box Office Mojo is listing that Spirited Away took in $1,765,491 in ticket sales last weekend.
ADV Launches Saiyuki Site
ADV Films has launched a website for the Saiyuki anime series here
Full Metal Panic Scheduled for June Release
From the press releaseL 2003-ADV Films today announced a June 10, 2003 release date for the first volume of the hotly anticipated anime series Full Metal Panic! ADV Films is releasing Full Metal Panic! Mission 01 as a disc only, and in a special edition, including the volume one disc, an exclusive Full Metal Panic! t-shirt and a high-quality custom series art box, sized to hold all of the series volumes
Deftly combining mecha combat, martial arts, international criminal intrigue, high-school politics and a dash of teen romance, Full Metal Panic! was enthusiastically received by viewers in Japan. The manga Full Metal Panic!, which was published in Japan before the release of the anime, has since November 2002 been appearing in serial form in Newtype USA magazine.
The creative staff behind Full Metal Panic! is extraordinarily strong. The series was directed by Kouichi Chigara (Gate Keepers, Phantom Quest Corps) and produced by GONZO Digimation (Hellsing, Blue Sub No. 6).
The Story: On the surface, Kaname Chidori appears to be a normal, popular high school student. The problem is, she doesn't realize just how popular she is. Unbeknownst to her, a group of terrorists believe she possesses the special powers of "the Whispered," and they're out to kidnap her. Enter Sousuke Sagara, a young, hotshot agent from the stealthy anti-terrorist organization Mithril. Will he be able to protect Kaname without her finding out what's really going on? Or will he just drive her crazy as he tries to fit in as her awkward, gung-ho, war-crazed classmate?
Full Metal Panic! Mission 01 (SRP $29.98 disc only; $44.98 Special Edition) is a DVD-only release, including four complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include a reversible cover; a fold-out poster with in-depth background information printed on the reverse; clean opening and closing animations; production sketches, Japanese piracy warnings; and ADV Previews.
CPM Manga July Releases
The Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight - Book Five and Alien Nine: Book Two will be released on July 9th.
Shirow Based Anime
A CGI 3D anime is being created based on the Hyakki Shou illustrations by Ghost in the Shell Creator Masamune Shirow.
New Mahoromatic
GAINAX will be recreating a summer TV special for the
robotic maid anime Mahoromatic.
Upcoming Anime Releases:
July ADV titles (from Right Stuf):
Upcoming ADV:
From Anime Nation:
For the first time ever in America, the first two seasons of Sailormoon TV episodes will be released uncut and unedited in a subtitled only DVD boxed sets. According to AD Vision, the 46 episode Sailormoon season will retail for $99.98 beginning on July 17th. The 42 episode Sailormoon R season will retail for $149.98.
All 140 episodes of City Hunter will finally be coming to America in 6 subtitled only DVD collections. The 51 episode City Hunter season 1 will be released on 2 DVD collections. The 63 episode second season will also be released in 2 DVD collections. The 13 episode third season, and 13 episode City Hunter '91 season will be released in one DVD set each.
The 49 episode Aura Battler Dunbine series will be released in 5 volumes with 10 episodes each on volumes 1-4 and 9 episodes on volume 5. Each volume will retail at $39.98
The 13 episode Bandit King Jing TV series will be released on 3 DVDs with a 5/4/4 episode count. The first DVD will be released in a $29.98 DVD only, and a $39.98 DVD with series box.
Evidently, episodes 1-22 of the 52 episode Super Gals! Kotobuki Ran TV series will be released in America under the title "Super Gals!". The 5 episode long DVD volume 1 will retail in a disc only version for $29.98 and in a DVD with series artbox edition for $39.98.
Those Who Hunt Elves II will be released in two DVD volumes with optional English, Japanese & Spanish dialogue at a retail price of $29.98 per volume.
All three Blue Seed 2 OAVs will be released on a single DVD titled "Blue Seed Beyond."
All 7 Mazinkaizer OAVs will be released in two domestic DVDs retailing at $29.98 each.
April 7
Rupan III: The Fuma Conspiracy
Late April
Urusei Yatsura Box set #4
May
You're Under Arrest Box set #3
April Bandai Releases
April 1
Argento Soma volume 2 Getting Evem
Ronin Warriors OAV volume 1
Betterman volume 5, "Finality"
April 22
Arjuna Volume 4 "Understanding"
G Gundam volumes 7 -9, and Box Set III
Bandai May Releases
Bandai has announcd Please Teacher!, Fancy Lala, .hack//SIGN, and Banner of the Stars set for release on May 6 and Geneshaft is set for release on May 20.
Please Teacher! Volume 1 -- Hot For Teacher
Witness the unique relationship between an 18-year old high school student, who has not aged in three years due to a coma that stunted his growth and a teacher whose possesses a secret that only this student knows.she is an alien sent by the Galaxy Federation to observe the Earth. As the sole human being with knowledge of this secret, Kei Kusanagi, must marry this alien, Mizuho Kazami. Homework, dating and a gorgeous alien wife-going to school has never been quite this fun!
.hack//SIGN - Outcast (Version 2)
From the same all-star anime creative team: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Evangelion), Kazunori Ito (Ghost in the Shell), and Koichi Mashimo (Noir). Login to the most successful online game in history! "The World" is being played by millions of people around the world, making it the most popular game ever. Players can go online and trade items, form parties, and go on quests. But none of that concerns Tsukasa. Trapped within "The World", a virtual prisoner - His journey from the digital world to the real world has just begun.
Banner of the Stars -- Only The Beginning (V.3)
The Imperial Star Forces has suffered a catastrophic blow under the might of the United Mankinds new weapon! Admiral Bebaus is faced with losing nearly half his fleet and the main battle has only just begun! On the front lines, the Basroil's doing the best it can, but despite their valiant efforts it looks like the battle may be lost! Lafiel, who is an Imperial princess, isn't used to losing and she isn't about to start now. And just when things look their darkest... disaster strikes! Will Lafiel and Jinto survive this latest challenge?
Geneshaft -- Volume 1
In a final attempt to save the human race, a genetic engineering program was initiated in hopes of creating a new breed of human beings with special skills and abilities to benefit all of society. However, this newfound peace is interrupted as an artifact of unknown origin hangs between the Earth and the moon. A group of these new breed of humans have been selected to investigate, however Mika, one of the members of the team, is confused as to why she's been included since she doesn't seem to have any super abilities. Armed with a prototype ship and mecha known only as 'Shaft', this strike team may be the only thing standing between peace and the total destruction of the Earth!
FUNimation Summer Releases:
From Anime on DVD:
Dragon Ball - Pt 2 King Piccolo Saga Set - $39.95 -
06/03/2003
Dragon Ball GT - Baby - Creation - $24.95 -
06/03/2003
DBGT - Baby - Proliferation - $24.95 - 06/03/2003
DBZ -Babidi Box Set - $57.95 - 06/17/2003
Yu Yu Hakusho - The Dark Tournament - Settle The Score - $24.95 - 07/08/2003
Yu Yu Hakusho - The Dark Tournament - Yoko Kurama - $24.95 -
07/08/2003
Dragon Ball - Piccolo Jr. Pt 1 Saga Set - $39.95 -
07/15/2003
DBGT - Baby - Ramifications - $24.95 - 07/15/2003
DBGT - Baby - Preparation - $24.95 - 07/15/2003
YU-Gi-Oh! - Best of Friends, Best of Duelists - $19.95 -
07/22/2003
DBZ - Majin Buu Box Set BS - TBA - 07/29/2003
Dragon Ball - Piccolo Jr. Pt 2 Saga Set - $39.95 -
08/19/2003
YU-Gi-Oh! - Match of the Millennium Part I - $19.95-
08/19/2003
DBZ - The Legendary Super Saiyan - TBA - 08/26/2003
From Viz:
Volumes 4 and 5 of Inuash will be released on April 22nd.
The fifth season of Ranma 1/2 will be collected in a box set on May 6th.
Cartoon Network Anime Ratings
Many have been noting a slide in Cartoon Network ratings, particularly compared with Nickelodeon. Ratings have dropped 15% since last year. A recent New York Daily News article is attributing the slide to the network directing its attention on the Adult Swim block which is perceived to be driving a more profitable children's audience off the network. The network has not launched a hit children's show since the 1998 Powerpuff Girls "The wind's gone out of them," Nickelodeon's Executive Vice President and General Manager Cyma Zarghami told the newspaper.
In more positive news a Cartoon Network press release is reporting that raitings have been up since the afternoon launch of the samurai anime series Ruruouni Kenshin:
Cartoon Network's action-packed weekday afternoon franchise, Toonami (Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m.), introduced brand new episodes of top-rated Dragon Ball Z and a new animé series direct from Japan that rocketed double-digit delivery and ratings increases among its target kid demos, according to Nielsen Media Research. Among tweens 9-14, the block grew 24% in delivery (734,000) and 21% in rating (2.9), compared to the same time period last year. With boys 9-14, the franchise gained 34% in delivery (629,000) and 32% in rating (4.9).
Dragon Ball Z (5:30 p.m.), the ongoing adventures of Super Saiyan warrior Goku, continued to capture Toonami's largest audiences with brand new episodes that produced double-digit delivery and ratings growth among tween viewers. And the U.S. premiere of Rurouni Kenshin (6:30 p.m.) also inspired remarkable delivery and ratings increases. Highlights of both series performances vs. their corresponding time period in 2002 are as follows:
Dragon Ball Z (5:30 p.m.)
* Tweens 9-14 delivery (933,000) increased by 56%, and ratings (3.7) by 54%.
* Boys 9-14 delivery (796,000) grew by 67%, and ratings (6.2) by 63%
Rurouni Kenshin (6:30 p.m.)
* Tweens 9-14 delivery (691,000) expanded by 38%, and ratings (2.7) by 35%
* Boys 9-14 delivery (590,000) jumped 45%, and ratings (4.6) jumped 44%.
Adult Swim (Sunday-Thursday, 11 p.m.-2 a.m.), Cartoon Network's late-night franchise of animated programming for adult viewers, also made a big splash last week, scoring triple-digit delivery and ratings gains among its young male target demos. Highlights of Adult Swim's performance vs. the same time period last year include the following:
* Men 18-34 mushroomed by 198% for delivery (264,000) and by 100% for ratings (0.6).
* Men 18-24 increased by 108% for delivery (129,000) and by 100% for ratings (1.0).
* Adults 18-34 grew by 67% for delivery (291,000) and by 33% for ratings (0.4).
* Adults 18-24 improved by 132% for delivery (190,000) and by 133% for ratings (0.7).
* Since its premiere, Adult Swim is regularly #1 in men 18-24 over such live late-night programming as Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Call with Carson Daly and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 82.5 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment.
RATING PERIOD: 3/17/03 - 3/23/03
Manga Continues Decline in Japan
From Icv2
A recent article in the Japan Times detailed the problems faced by publishers in the world's most successful comic book industry. Manga sales represent almost 40% of all units sold by Japanese publishers and bring in nearly 25% of industry revenues, and in addition the top ten anime series on Japanese TV are all based on manga, but in spite of sales figures and media penetration that would be the envy of publishers in any other country, all is not well with Japanese manga publishers. The biggest problem is with sales of the numerous manga anthologies, where earnings on the 281 different manga magazines declined a substantial 3.1% in 2002, the seventh straight year of declining sales. Shueisha's Shonen Jump, the best-selling anthology magazine has seen its sales decline from more than 6 million copies per issue in the mid 1990s to 3.2 million. Kodansha's Shukan Morning (weekly morning) has a circulation of only around 700,000 in spite of the fact that it carries Takehiko Inoue's popular Vagabond and Shuho Sato's Black Jack.
In contrast to the decline in magazines, sales of the trade paperback collections of individual titles (tankoubon) managed a slight gain of a tenth of a percentage point. Actually many manga publishers believe that as many or even more people are reading manga now, they just aren't going about it in the traditional fashion. More and more readers are bypassing the magazines and waiting for the tankoubon editions. Even more troubling to Japanese publishers is the rise of the Book-Off chain, where patrons can buy slightly used tankoubon editions at a discount and then sell them back to the store. In Japan, where publishers and distributors have made it virtually impossible for retailers to discount new books, the resale system employed by the Book-Off store represents a real challenge, especially during the tough economic times that Japan is experiencing now. It has even been suggested that publishers and retailers should set up a rental system similar to the revenue sharing system used for videos in the U.S. to offer consumers an alternative to the Book-Off resale model that would preserve publisher revenues.
Risky Safty News
AN Entertainment has announced that their first DVD Omishi Magical Theater: Risky Safety vol 1, will be released on July 8th. The company's new website has gone online at here. From the PRess Release:
AN Entertainment is pleased to announce the upcoming North American release of the 24 episode long Omishi Magical Theater: Risky Safety anime TV series. This charming series of ten minute long episodes will be brought to English language viewers on three bilingual DVD volumes released every other month beginning on July 8, 2003. The 80 minute long debut Risky Safety DVD will contain TV episodes 1-8, dub out-takes, extensive translation notes, interactive menus, and an image gallery at a suggested retail price $29.95. Anime fans that attend the Anime Expo convention in Anaheim, California on July 3rd - 6th will be given an exclusive opportunity to purchase the debut Risky Safety DVD days before its official street date!
ABOUT RISKY SAFETY:
Based on a manga story by Ray Omishi, the creator of Sorcerer Hunters, Risky Safety is a heartwarming story for viewers of all ages. Young Moe Katsuragi, depressed because she believes she has to break up with her boyfriend, is confronted by a small and spunky apprentice death spirit named Risky. Risky tries to pressure Moe into giving in to despair and giving up her soul until a glimpse of hope brightens Moe's attitude and causes Risky to transform into the apprentice angel Safety. In fact, the testy devil Risky and the compassionate angel Safety share the same body! This comical struggle between light and dark, and the tug-of-war over possession of Moe's soul forms the basis of a humorous and touching drama certain to appeal to established fans of Japanese animation and viewers new to the unique appeal of anime.
Initial D Release Scheduled
TOKYOPOP has announced that the first DVD volume of Initial D will contain 4 episodes and retail for 19.98 beginning on August 12th. Source: Anime on DVD
ADV Music Announces First Titles
AD Vision's new ADV Music label has announced its debut releases, scheduled for release on June 3rd at a retail price of $14.98 each.
Super Atragon: Metal Pulse Music Edition Composed, arranged and conducted by Masamichi Amano; performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic and the Versailles Orchestra.
All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Soundphase 4 Composed by Hiroki Otomo, Kenichi Fujita, Hiroshi Matsuda (of the band Southern All-Stars), with additional compositions by Junichi Kawauchi.
Onimusha 2 Soundtrack Orchestral compositions by Taro Iwashiro, Hideki Okugawa and Toshihiko Horiyama.
Egyptian Theater 1st Festival Of Anime
American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre 1st Annual Festival of Anime
WHEN: May 2 - 14, 2003
WHERE: Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. Parking validation for Prestige Parking on Las Palmas North of Hollywood Blvd.or Hollywood and Highland only.
1st Festival of Japanese Anime With the breakout success of films like SPIRITED AWAY and METROPOLIS and television shows like "POKEMON," "COWBOY BEBOP" and "DRAGON BALL Z", Japanese anime has finally gone above-ground to become a pop culture phenomenon in the U.S. The Cinematheque's 1st Annual Anime Festival will feature Los Angeles Premiere screenings of features including TAMALA2010: A PUNK CAT FROM SPACE and A TREE OF PALME, plus episodes from cult hit TV series including "AURA BATTLER DUNBINE", "RAHXEPHON", "BRIGADOON", "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST", "BERSERK" and the original uncut version of "SAILOR MOON", a tribute to hentai pioneer, Toshio Maeda (UROTSUKIDOJI, LA BLUE GIRL) plus early anime classics such as JACK & THE BEANSTALK and ALAKAZAM THE GREAT, and much much more!!
Jojo's Bizarre Adventures Delayed Again
Super Techno Arts has informed AnimeNation that the first Jojo's Bizarre Adventures DVD, originally scheduled for release on March 11th, the rescheduled to March 31st, has been delayed again until an unspecified date in the immediate future.
Ninja Resurrection Soundtrack
Right Stuf's AnimeTrax will be releasing the soundtrack for Ninja Ressurrection, composed by Masamichi Amano (SiN: the Movie / Giant Robo / Princess Nine TV / Ruin Explorers / Urotsukidoji) and performed by Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra on July 29th.
4Kids Continues to Do Well with Anime
From Anime News Service 4Kids Entertainment released its earnings report on March 28th, claiming a twelve million dollar increase in net revenue. As the licensor of two of the biggest fads in recent history, their growth is not surprising. Notable, though, is their continued support of the Pokemon brand.
"Pokémon continues to be among the top rated network kids television series. The new Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire videogames that were released in mid-March are already top sellers, demonstrating the continued vitality of the Pokémon brand," says Al Kahn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 4Kids Entertainment.
With Yu-Gi-Oh and the continued vitality of Pokemon in its pocket, 4Kids looks to have a banner year in 2003.
Comickers Comes to America
Anime News Network reports Harper/Collins will be rleasing Japanese Comickers, a collection of from art and design Japanese periodical Comickers.
Anime Game News
From The Magic Box Transformers fan must see these screenshots from an upcoming Playstation 2 game.
Images of the new Arc the Lad fantasy RPG can be found here
Images of Anime based GameCube games based of Naruto and Shaman King can be found here and here repesctively.
Nintendo will be releasing a fourth Hamtaro game. Screenshots here
