Father Geek here with Scott's report from the whole wide world of Manga & Anime... Its a really cool one this week with lots of info on toys and other merchandise in addition to the new release books and films, soooo check it all out below in the AICN regular weekly edition of...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: Azumanga Daioh: The Animation Volume 1

Released by ADV Films

For many, Azumanga Daioh is one of the most anticipated released of the year, and who would have thought that one of anime's most popular titles would be one of its most mundane. Even compared to romance shoujo titles it is noteworthy in not rocking the boat of reality.

The wildly popular and addictive show adapts a 4 panel comic strip manga into 5 minute shorts, later collected into standard length episodes. Generally, the series is composed of the in-between moments in the lives of five (and later six) girls from a high school English class (literally English, there's a amusing scene where the teacher meets an American on the street). The quick stories are snapshots of the punctuation points of school life: greetings, interruptions in a class' lesson, gym, the walk to school . Outside a few daydreams, Azumanga Daioh is as mundane as anime gets. Many of the cast members are slightly unusual, they tend to be the kind of faces that stick out in blur of school memories, but there are none exhibit anime's trade mark excesses. They feel like people rather than fitting roles.

Azumanga Daioh is the ultimate comfort food, Prozac anime. Its a few shorts for it to get its hooks in, but once it does, there is a strong siren's song: hypnotic and begging to be re-watched. The appeal could be compared to Saved By the Bell without the why-am-I-watching-this-crap after taste, and a true to life rather than caricaturized depiction of school life, or a younger Friends without the soap opera romance.

The stories are generally predictable, inclusive and not necessarily self contained but of the moment. There are regrets, a sense of time passing and the ephemeral nature of school days; twenty something teachers lamenting their passing youth; in the case of several character, one shutters a bit thinking of their future profession (or pitying their former co workers), but nothing substantial enough weigh down the levity. So far, the anime has exaggerated this condition. The anime has followed the progression of the manga with some faithfulness, but among the unadapted strips include a number of more pointed about grades, exams and money. Characters do get frazzle, frightened and fidgety, but it is never tension that passed to the viewer. The anime boils down to high school with the camaraderie, without the stress.

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

Volume 3: Impractical Magic

Volume 4: There's No Place Like Home

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Volumes 3 and 4 constitute the second half of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, what looked at first to be Gainax (creators of Evangelion and FLCL among others) and Studio Madhouse's (animators of Ninja Scroll, CardCaptor Sakura, Trigun and many others) attempt at manic parody anime.

Sasshi and his life long friend Arami escaped the imminent destruction via urban renovation of their neighbor, Abenobashi, and consequent separation by stepping into a series of Abenobashi's warped through the lenses of pop culture. Once the pair accomplish the object of the genre their current genre win a martial arts tournament, defeat the fantasy evil overlord ect, its resident goblin sends them to the next.

Ultimately, despite some amusing jokes, Shopping Arcade Abenobashi was never a great parody and was probably never meant to be Gainax's answer to Excel Saga or Akitaroh Daichi. The sci-fi episode featured staggering quantities of references (it was evident that the material was closest to the creators' hearts), the magic girl segment had some great gags (deranged wall-eyed talking mascot pushing around his subject magic girl's arms and casting his voice to force the inane spell routines), and the gonzo depiction of American culture (low case g gonzo, not to be confused with animation Studio) in the Hollywood episode was impressive in its genius associative jumps (Akira's bridge collapse with Titanic's slit was particularly inspired), but the cleverness was frequently drowned out by hammering a small set of low brow jokes and sight gags.

Abenobashi establishes itself, maybe not as a first tier Gainax work, but as a series well worth viewing for its motivations and mechanisms.

Its increasingly common for anime series to establish a status quo, then deviate from it or subvert it. Given the reputation that Gainax has built for character examination, it was expected that Shopping Arcade Abenobashi would progress beyond sight gags and genre in jokes, and a little earlier than half way through the expectations of many were realized.

The second volume revealed that Sasshi was causing the pair to travel to next Abenobashi varient rather than their own, real world one, to avoid facing the reality of the end of his friendship with Arami. However, it is later revealed that Sasshi possessed a deeper, initially suppressed motivation beyond not wanting to be separated from his life long friend for not wanting to return home.

One of the two X factors that Sasshi and Arami consistently meet in their journy, the middle aged blue hair gentleman Eutus, is revealed to be Abeno Seimei, a Onmyou mystic from the Heian period. (The other fellow traveler, large chested Mune-mune is revealed to be someone almost as interesting). Abeno Seimei is a bit of a better historically documented Merlin figure. The science of Onmyou magic (seen in numerous anime including Spirited Away, Doomed Megalopolis) is the operative agent of the series. Acting on Sasshi's pain aversion and over consumption of mental junk food, it is an intriguing, not to mention visually scintillating process to watch. As Sasshi begin to rack his brains to create a world were he and Arami could be happy, only to face Arami's growing frustration the complementary dynamics of character and mystical world creation elevate the series about a sequence of hit or miss jokes.

Madhouse is well capable of keeping up with Gainax's spray of ideas. Down to the frequently repeated effect for the reality jump, Abensoshi is never dull to watch. The details in the characters, and their worlds continually fuel the series' energy. Along with a jazzy soundtrack that convey the Woody Allen effect nostalgia, irreverence and detachment

Many people argue that anime has trouble with endings, and while there are often good arguments against some of the favorite sited examples for this assertion, memorably good endings aren't the norm. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi has an ending that is at least problematic. All along the series has been playing to multiple audiences, and at its end, it can't go both ways at once. It was colorful and rapid, and it slows and heavy. A given audience may favor one aspect over the other, and maybe it was impossible to please both. Abenobashi settles with a children's ending.

For a child audience, it is good to know that the world can be set right. Who didn't love the end of Neverending Story For an adult audience (given the vintage of the references, an adult audience must have been a consideration in the series' creation, and bolstered by the 17+ rating on the domestic release) it is more interested in seeing how to move past the irreversible twists of life. Episode 7 of the series was one of the great anime single episode stories. Its bittersweets look at the convolutions of life provided a stark offset to the inconsequential cultural artifacts that littered the series and the mind the of its hero. Growing out of that episode there was a real and post modern edge to the sorrow and frustration of the characters in their zany predicaments. Maybe in a Shakespearian way the series played the line between comedy and tragedy, but in the end, the final sentiments seemed falsely achieved. It was a provocative climb, but ultimately it felt like the flag was posted on a false summit.

Anime Spotlight: Arjuna - The Complete Collection

Released by Bandai

Arjuna is brilliantly constructed anti-escapist work, troubled not just because of its divisive subject matter, but because it couches the ills of environmental and social ecology as a spiritual debate rather than a scientific one.

A highly estimated teams of creators, chiefly Shoji Kawamori and Yoko Kanno who previously collaborated on Escaflowne and Macross Plus, the involvement of any of whom is reason enough to watch a work of anime, put together a series that is genius in its visuals, music, and the depth of its character, with a poignant message. Yet, Arjuna the is mercilessly manipulative, heavy handed, and possibly misguided as in its choose of a Hindu based spiritualism as its tool for examining the woes of modern life. The new collected edition is perfect for the series, which is frequently intellectually and sensationally amazing, yet flawed series.

Arjuna grafts cuts of elements magic girl stories, spiritual exploration, and secret military unit against monster threats. After falling off a her boyfriend's motorcycle, Juna has a near death experience in which she is given the opportunity for a new lease of life in return for helping to avert the terrible fate of humanity. While growing as an awakening being: learning from various gurus with opinions of the afflictions of the hear, mind and body of humanity, Juna works with the mysterious SEED organization to fight the physical manifestations of these problems known as Raaja.

The characters are tightly scripted so that there is very little that doesn't advance their experience. The scripts gifts them with personalities and emotions rang so true that one gets frustrated with them as people rather than as characters.

Director and writer Shoji Kawamori's craft is detail and composition. His application of these skills to Ajuna's visually mappings of connections provides the series' most convincing argument. The projection from hamburger to cow to grazing land to be deforestation and chemical use to maintain grazing land is illustrated in a manner traces the line from decision to consequence and highlights the complicity in some choices in the woes of the world. The impact is a lasting mental ribbon around the finger to think twice.

The depiction is expanded to highlight natural beauty in its greenery and insets, and the grim plastic and steel work of modern urban living. A tradeoff is presented, as well as the small rightness of living well.

Part of the ailment that the series aims to paint is a lose of human empathy in the modern condition. The world built by cell phones, writing and hospitalized birth has deafened a gentleness, appreciation for a natural mathematical order, and deeper methods of communication. This lament for lost Eden is may be misguided, if you want to find a state of gentle existence you need to go back further than hospitalized birth, or even writing, past most stages of primate development, and in its more lucid moment it seems to recognized that back to the hills and land isn't a complete panacea, but it an amassing experience to watch.

As well as the natural journey, Shoji Kawamori explores as a psychedelic realism in his spiritual exploration. Not just in the monumental transforms as Juna channel larger beings in her battles, but small cute and sweet scenes where she flounders through her first experience with astral projection, or dramatic presentation of persecutions outside the bounds of time.

As a work with a clearly defined agenda, Arjuna invites judgment on its persuasiveness. Given that it is examining observable phenomenon that are harder targets that philosophy or psychology it requires more scrutiny than most anime series. As a message, Arjuna is undermined by its sensationalism and spiritualism. The former makes it too easy to shut down emotionally, the latter makes it too easy to shut out logically. The karmic ties modern humanity to the world's ecology is a hard and brunt message, not helped by its overstatement.

The one-two of boogieman threats eat-your vegetable threats and emotional sucker punches in Arjuna become overwhelming. With a unsubtlety that predictably follows famine with ultra-consumerist commercials or a progressing from one of the more affable character narrowly saved, then dying a horrible death to likable cute kids suffering the desolation of Japan the line between emphasis and trauma induction are trampled. The message, the presentation and the characters begin to merge. There are twists in who holds the spiritual high ground, and humanization of the authorities, even an audience include to agree may find the self righteousness grating: gurus punishing the world for their woes chiding viewers and heroes until the end.

Ignoring Arjuna is a mistake, but its persuasiveness is undercut by the deafening drum beat of issues and statements that science and experience doesn't bear out. Broadly, nature has a system of checks and balance, but to invent and harp on a false example doesn't help the argument that humanity has upset the balance. Arjuna matter of fact statements that seems like insert fact that don't stand up under examination, or are highly debatable. That insects cleanse the dead or unhealthy parts of a plant is nice is a spiritually foundation, but anyone who has seen a pest defoliate a healthy plant knows that it isn't literally true. Granted that the use of fertilizers and pesticides plays havoc with the balance of nature, to say nothing of pollution, but to a viewer who has been trained to view an issue through a scientific lens, passing it through a lens of spiritually is bound to weaken the argument. An interview with Shoji Kawamori leaves the impression that experimentally proven science and Shoji Kawamori's only encountered each other by accident.

As a tool of debate. it facilitates over reduction of complex problems and systems. You can say the sins of humanity against the world could, and maybe probably will lead disaster. You could name this come-uppance karma (or nemesis or retribution or any another term depending on the belief system you are working within).

Arguments get exponentially more complex and divisive when you add the dimension of religious belief, even if source is non dogmatic and non-organized. Environmental concerns are contentious enough topic without breaking the debate out of the fenced off area of concrete observation.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• BASToF Syndrome
• Boys Over Flowers Vol 5:Be Still My
• Kiddy Grade:Lies Beneath Vol 3
• Legend of Mystical Ninja - Love is a Powerful Weapon (Vol. 4)
• Sugar Summer Special
• Yu Yu Hakusho - Dangerous Games (Vol. 23)
• The Animation Show Volume One
• Batman - The Animated Series - The Legend Begins/Justice League
• Batman Beyond -The Movie/Return of the Joker
• Challenge of the Superfriends - Attack of the Legion of Doom/United They Stand

Manga:

• 3X3 Eyes Vol 8 Descent Of The Mystic City Tp
• Oh My Goddess #108
• Ai Yori Aoshi Vol 3 Gn (Of 9)
• Alice 19Th Vol 4 Gn Unrequited Love
• All New Tenchi Muyo Vol 4 Tp Girls Get Busy
• Btx Vol 3 Gn (Of 16)
• Duck Prince Book 1 Gn Transformation
• Fake Vol 7 Gn (Of 7)
• Gto Vol 18 Gn (Of 25)
• Gundam Seed Gn
• Kare Kano Vol 9 Gn (Of 13)
• Kill Me Kiss Me Vol 2 Gn (Of 5)
• Lupin Iii Vol 13 Gn (Of 14)
• Negima Vol 1 Gn
• Peach Girl Change Of Heart Vol 8 Tp (Of 10)
• Pet Shop Of Horrors Vol 6 Gn (Of 10)
• Shonen Jump Vol 2 #6
• Tsubasa Gn
• Xxxholic Vol 1 Gn

InuYasha Movie Release

Anime on DVD reports Animerica that indicates that, "a DVD release of the first Inu Yasha movie this summer, then a DVD release of the second movie later this year." There's been various talk around certain dubbing journals and sites about the work on a "mysterious but obvious" feature film that's been worked on in the dubbing studios lately up in Canada by the Viz folks.

Anime MPAA Ratings

From Filmratings.com and Anime on DVD's forum, the following upcoming anime releases have recieved MPAA ratings:

Ghost In The Shell II: Innocence: Rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images and brief language.

Steam Boy: Rated PG-13 for action violence.

Nausicaa Of The Valley of The Wind: Rated PG for violence.

Pokemon Theme Park

The world's first Pokemon theme park is being built in Aichi, Japan for the 2005 World Expo.

Japanese Box Office

A Post on Anime on DVD's forum reports that the leading movie ticket sales in last week's Japanese box officer were:

• 1. Haunted Mansion new
• 2. Detective Conan: Magician Of The Silver Sky
• 3. Crayon Shin-Chan: Arashi O Yobu! Yuhi No Kasukabe Boys
• 4. Kill Bill Vol. 2 new
• 5. Casshern new
• 6. Cold Mountain new
• 7. Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King
• 8. Ocean Of Fire (aka Hidalgo)
• 9. Peter Pan
• 10. Quill

The new CGI Appleseed dropped off the list, while anime movie with younger and more wide spread appeal Detective Conan: Magician Of The Silver Sky and Crayon Shin-Chan: Arashi O Yobu! Yuhi No Kasukabe Boys retained dominant positions on the list.

Flame of Recca Game

The Magic Box has images of Flame of Recca: Final Burning for PS2 here. The fighting game will be release in Japan June 10th.

New Masamune Shirow Art Book

Ghost in the Shell creator Masamune Shirow will be releasing his fourth Intron Depot art book, entitled Bullets, in Japan in mid June.

Re: Cutie Honey Trailer

The official site for re:Cutie Honey, the anime followup to the new live action incarnation of Go Nagai's horror magic girl, has a new trailer for the OAV series.

Domestic L'Arc~en~Ciel Release

Anime News Network reports J-Pop group L'Arc~en~Ciel, who have performed numerous anime themes, will be releasing their first domestic CD June 29th. Smile, will feature features eleven tracks, including Fullmetal Alchemist theme "READY STEADY GO."

More Galaxy Angel Anime

Natsume Maya points out Kadokawa Publishing's Galaxy Angel page has updated to announce that the fourth Galaxy Angel TV series will premier at 1:00 AM on July 7th.

The Galaxy Angel will be ending in the June issue of Japan's Dragon Age magazine.

Chrno Crusade Manga To End

Morimoto Daisuke's popular manga series will be ending in the June issue of Japan's Dragon Age magazine.

This Ugly and Beautiful World Online

Aime news Network reports Animate.tv will broadcast a raw Japanese showing of the the first episode of Gainax's This Ugly and Beautiful World online from May 6th to June 3rd for free.

Fuji TV Invests in Gonzo

Natsume Maya reports that Fuji TV has purchased 10% of production company Gonzo Digimation. Last year, Fuji TV began to expand into movie production. The two companies will work together on movie production, with their first movie release planned within the next two years. Fuji TV's funding will secure DVD rights.

In an interview, President of Fuji TV Murakami Kouichi stated that he's aiming at the world market in this tie-up with Gonzo. Further, Kameyama Chihiro, head of the movie section of Fuji TV commented that Pixar would be a rival.

Fuji TV is currently broadcast Gonzo series Chrno Crusade and Gantz.

ADV Talks 24/7 Anime Network

Insight Communications (NASDAQ: ICCI) has entered into an agreement to distribute the Anime Network as a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week network.

The Insight agreement represents Anime Network's first 24/7 agreement with a major multisystem cable operator (MSO). Insight expects to roll out the Anime Network on its Digital tier in several markets.

With a dedicated and loyal fan base, Anime is among the hottest genres in the entertainment world today. The Anime Network is riding on that wave of popularity. As one of the most successful Video On Demand (VOD) offerings available to cable and satellite subscribers, Anime Network holds the distinction of being the only independent network ever launched from a VOD programming service.

With its 24/7 linear network launch on Insight Communications' systems, Anime Network moves to a new level by giving fans non-stop anime action of feature films and television series such as "Noir," "Spriggan," "Neon Genesis Evangelion," "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040," "Tekken," "Golden Boy," "Ninja Resurrection," "Samurai X: The Motion Picture," "Comic Party," "Gravion," "Kaleidostar," "Orphen," "Final Fantasy," "Chobits," "BoogiePop Phantom" "Peacemaker," and "Chrono Crusade."

Dark Horse Previews

Dark Horse comics has posted the following manga previews

Super Manga Blast! #42

Cannon God Exaxxion: Stage 3 TPB

Trigun Maximum Volume 1 TPB: The Hero Returns

Figures News

Figures.com has images of InuYasha series 1 here. The line, which will be released this June for $12.99 per figure, includes InuYasha with "Tetsusaiga" sword and Kagome with bow and arrow.

Series 2, which will be released in July/August includes Sesshomaru (with sword) and Kikyo (with bow and arrow).

DragonBallToys.com has images of JAKKS Pacific's new Chibi line, mini figures which will be released in June for $2.99 each.

Three packs include Fat Buu, Super Saiyan Vegito, Super Saiyan 3 Goku Super Saiyan 4 Goku, Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta, Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta Super Saiyan Goku, Perfect Frieza, Vegeta w/ Armor

New Yamato Delayed

The website for the upcoming Space Battleship Yamato Rebirth Chapter states that the series' release has been delayed until summer 2006.

August CPM Press Manga Releases

August 4th

• The World of Narue Volume 2
• Duck Prince Book 2: Swan's Dilemma

August 11th

• Record of Lodoss War: The Grey Witch Book 2

August 18th

• Yongi the Invincible Book 1
• Full House Book 1

Full House Book 1

Story and art by Soo-yeon Won. Elle is an aspiring screenwriter determined to make it big. Ryder Baye is a world famous actor that is always the center of media scrutiny. When Ryder buys the house that Elle is currently living in, these two very different people find themselves dealing with each other's seemingly incompatible idiosyncrasies, as well as an undeniable attraction to one another. Forced to live in the same house together, Elle and Ryder might turn out to be a very happy couple, if they don't kill each other first!

The World of Narue Volume 2

Story and art by Tomohiro Marukawa. Narue is a super-powered schoolgirl that just happens to also be an alien. Her boyfriend, Kazuto, doesn't really mind that she is from outer space, but sometimes being with her can be very strange indeed. When Narue and her friends start hanging out around town, that's when things REALLY start to get weird.

Yongi the Invincible Book 1

Story by Jeawoon Yu; art by Jungwho Moon. The peaceful village of Gang-Ho is disturbed when Yongbi, a seemingly foolish bounty hunter, comes to town looking to claim the bounty for the leader of Gang-Ho's deadliest clan of assassins. Will Yongbi collect the bounty unscathed, or will he fall victim to a vengeful pack of assassins hell-bent on retribution for their captured leader?

Simon & Schuster Is Named Domestic Manga Distributor For Viz

Viz announced today that they will be the domestic manga distributor for VIZ, LLC. The agreement begins June 1, 2004. Under the agreement, Simon & Schuster will provide the full suite of retail and wholesale distribution operations - warehousing, fulfillment, customer service, and accounts receivable collection -- for the entire VIZ catalog of titles.

ADV Talks Sakura Con Announcements

ADV Films made several major announcements from the Sakura CON show in Seattle on Saturday, April 24, 2004.

ADV Films announced two acquisitions. The company has acquired the home video and broadcast rights to Petite Princess Yucie, a fantasy story with remarkable creatures and extraordinary characters. Yucie is a cute girl who is really striving to be the next Platinum Princess who magical tiara can grant any wish. The only problem is that this 17 year old has the body and the face of a ten year old. Can she overcome the challenges designed by the queen so that she can finally become an adult?

ADV Films also acquired the home video and broadcast rights to Parasite Dolls, a theatrical film set in the Bubblegum Crisis universe. In the year 2034 both humans and Boomers coexist. Boomers are cybernetic beings created to help mankind. With the new Boomer technology, they are made to emulate humans in everyway. But every human has a dark side. What happens when the Boomers loose control? The A.D. Police creates a new "Branch" to investigate the crimes committed by the deadly machines.

ADV Toys Sneak Previews Items

ADV Toys, the new division of A.D. Vision Inc. that creates exclusive toys and collectible merchandise based upon the company's extensive film, manga (graphic novel) and original content holdings, today announced a lineup of exciting new merchandise that will be hitting the shelves this summer and later this year.

Kaleido Star:

From the brand new Kaleido Star anime series, ADV Toys announces "Jonathon the Seal" plush animals in a 5-inch size (SRP $7.99) and a 10.5-inch size (SRP $14.99). Kaleido Star is a new series from the renowned Japanese director Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon®) and the studio HAL Film Maker. It is a charming animated series aimed at tweens and teens with a believably positive storyline that emphasizes empowerment through bravery and determination. Noir: What better way to proclaim your devotion to the smash hit anime action series, Noir, than with a roomful of spectacular Noir goodies? Noir is the acclaimed 26-episode thriller, which premiered in Japan in 2001. Critics have favorably compared NOIR to such genre-defining live-action suspense titles as The Professional and La Femme Nikita.

So here they are...

• Wall scroll featuring Mireille and Kirika (SRP $17.99)
• T-shirt emblazoned with the lead ladies (SRP $19.99)
• Four collectible cloisonné pins (SRP $2.99)
• Window cling (SRP $2.99)
• Playing cards (SRP $4.99)
• Lunch box (SRP $14.99)

Excel Saga:

It's almost here. All the cool new Excel Saga merchandise you've been dying to get your hands on! Excel Saga is the popular and outrageously bizarre anime satire. It is best described as the ultimate parody of anime. From the opening credits-a hilarious spoof of Japanese pop videos-to the ending song featuring Menchi the dog singing/barking a plaintive ballad while a human interpreter translates for viewers; nothing is sacred in the world of Excel Saga.

ADV Toys is ready to Menchi-opolize the world!

• Menchi plush (10-inch SRP $14.99; 5-inch SRP of $7.99)
• Menchi rug (SRP $9.99)
• Menchi t-shirt (SRP $19.99)
• Wall scroll with Excel, Hyatt, Menchi and Ilpalazzo (SRP $17.99)
• Six collectible magnets (SRP $2.99 each)
• Official Excel Saga cloisonné (SRP $2.99)
• Reversible, good and bad antenna topper (SRP $3.99)
• Chopsticks (SRP $4.99)
• Lunch box (SRP $14.99)

These products will be available later this year. Stay tuned to www.advfilms.com/advtoys for more the latest in news and updates from this exciting new division of AD Vision, Inc.

AniMini

ADV Films announced an ultra-cool new DVD collection called AniMiniT, collectible, tradable pint-sized 3-inch DVDs. Affordably priced at SRP $6.98, each disc contains a complete first episode. Titles releasing under this new format include: Azumanga Daioh, Happy Lesson, Hello Kitty & Friends, Kaleido Star, Noir, Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat, Pretear, Princess Nine, Super Gals! and Wedding Peach. The mini DVDs are themselves coupons, and are redeemable for $10 off the regular size DVD title through ADV Films via the company website or mail-in. See the package for complete details.

Anime Network

Under AD Vision Inc.'s Anime NetworkT division there were several news items.

Linear Launch: The Anime Network announced that a linear launch (a 24x7 cable broadcast network) has been inked with a major cable company, and the network will launch in select areas in June 2004, but no further details were announced. "First Human on the Anime Network" sweepstakes: The network announced its new sweepstakes event where one lucky person will become the very first human on the Anime Network, and the lucky individual who gets to "flip the switch" for the network's linear launch. The sweepstakes concludes June 10. For complete details please visit http://www.theanimenetwork.com/launchsweepsrules.asp. Original Anime Network Launch Gear: Available soon will be a complete outfit of "Official Anime Network Launch" gear. This limited edition collection will feature the official launch logo and will be available for sale online at http://www.theanimenetwork.com in the coming weeks. In related news, the Anime Network is now available throughout all of Seattle and Portland via Comcast's digital cable service video on demand feature.

Newtype USA

New subscribers to Newtype USA, the leading anime and manga publication in the English-speaking world., can receive 10 percent off the annual subscription fee when they sign up for a year subscription via participating websites. They'll also receive a limited edition official launch Anime Network t-shirt. This offer is good through June 30, 2004. Visit www.newtype-usa.com for complete details.

June ADV Releases

Anime releases June 22

• Angelic Layer: Seventh Heaven (volume 7 of 7)
• Kaleido Star: All Things Great And Small (volume 2 of 6)
• Saiyuki: Following The Scriptures (volume 8)

June 29

• Kino's Journey: Not Without Reservations (volume 4 of 4)
• Magical Play: The Complete Collection
• Saint Seiya: Rekindled Regrets (volume 7)

Angelic Layer

Angelic Layerted by the all-female studio CLAMP (Chobits, Rayearth and Tokyo Babylon) and directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori (Azumanga Daioh). Angelic Layer is animated beautifully by the super-talented team at BONES, the animators of the highly acclaimed RahXephon and Wolf's Rain.

Kaleido Star

Kaleido Star, the new series from renowned Japanese director Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon) and studios GONZO and HAL Film Maker, combines playful elements of children's anime with the sophisticated vision of Cirque du Soleil. This highly anticipated series tells the story of an orphaned girl's journey to independence and performing stardom with the support of her new circus family.

Kino's Journey

Kino's Journey is originally a novel series written by Keiichi Sigsawa and published by Dengeki Bunko. The atmospheric animation, with its haunting musical score, is directed by Ryutaro Nakamura (Serial Experiments Lain). The story follows the young adventurer Kino, who travels the world on Hermes, a talking motorcycle, spending no more and no less than three days at each stop. This stylish, thought-provoking tale promises to grab hold of the audience's imagination, challenging expectations and stereotypes as it focuses on the discovery of beauty in things not beautiful.

Saiyuki: Following The Scriptures

The Saiyuki series is the latest manifestation of the 16th-century Chinese novel Xiyouji (Journey to the West) by Wu Cheng-En, which tells a time-proven story of a band of eccentric travelers bound for adventure. This intriguing anime is produced by TV Tokyo (Noir), Dentsu and Studio Pierrot (Fushigi Yugi). It also features beautiful character designs by Yuji Moriyama (Wings of Honneamise).

In the Saiyuki tale, a pistol-toting monk and his three eccentric companions are assigned the task of traveling to India from China to quash the resurrection of a sinister demon, encountering a few unsavory characters and experiencing a smattering of mishaps along the way.

Magical Play: The Complete Collection

Magical Play is the perfect zany anime for fans of Mahou Shoujo (Magical Girl) shows. This colorful and fun title is produced by AIC (Bubblegum Crisis and Burn-Up Excess) and Imagica (Azumanga Daioh and Gravion).

In the world of Sweetland, Padudu has fallen from Sea Heaven on a quest to become a Magical Girl and go to the Earth of her dreams. She will have to participate in magical battles and collect Hanamaru stamps. On her journey, she will meet many friends and fight countless rivals. Tag along and see if Padudu can accomplish her life-long goal of becoming a Magical Girl!

Magical Play: The Complete Collection (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including five complete episodes, (with a special 3-D episode)

Saint Seiya

Saint Seiya is based on a manga by Masami Kurumada and produced by Toei Animation, the animation studio that gave anime fans Neon Genesis Evangelion and Dragon Ball Z. The DVD release of Saint Seiya accompanies the popular airing of Knights of the Zodiac, an edited version of the title, on the Cartoon Network.

To be released by ADV Manga June 22nd

• Fantasy Land, Volume 1 of 6
• Full Metal Panic!, Volume 5
• Louie the Rune Soldier, Volume 2 of 3
• R2, Volume 1 of 1
• Sky Blade: Sword of the Heavens, Volume 1 of 13
• Steel Angel Kurumi, Volume 5 of 9
• Sweet & Sensitive, Volume 1 of 10
• The Ruler of the Land, Volume 3 of 31
• Those Who Hunt Elves, Volume 4 of 21
• Your and My Secret, Volume 1 of 1

Fantasy Land by Lee Si-Young

Fantasy Land, offering the classic theme of escaping the real world for a fantasy world, will resonate with readers of Peter Pan and Harry Potter. The artist of this beautifully drawn manhwa (Korean manga) is regarded by many as one of the best teen manhwa artists in Korea.

Ji-Yoon's life is mess! Her father has decided that she must get married as soon as she graduates high school-the last thing she wants! As she walks the streets in her gloom, she is strangely drawn to a statue in a shop window. She purchases it for a bargain price and brings it home. The day that Ji-Yoon dreads the most arrives-the day she must meet her new fiancé. But she is saved from her fate when the statue comes to life and takes to another world, a world where Ji Yoon is known as Princess Isdale, and she must battle against the evil Cardiff who covets her Lunar Mirror. Has she escaped the frying pan only to land in the fire?

R2 by Maki Hakoda

Young Kenta Akagi has never been anywhere except for his hometown of Lutzheim, where he currently ekes out an existence as a pizza delivery boy. Faraway places, strange foreign folks, the wars they fight, and the adventures they have are just stories to him, until he meets a young girl-the kind of girl that wars are fought over! People seem afraid of her, but Kenta doesn't understand why. All he knows is that he seems to remember her from somewhere, and that he has to protect her no matter what!

Sky Blade: Sword of the Heavens by HYUN KANG-SUK and Ah Shin

Jih-Ro was destined from birth to become a great conqueror. But then he learns that there is another-someone born on the same day at the same time-who shares this destiny. One must become the conqueror-the other must die!

While searching for the other destined one, Jih-Ro meets Il-Geum. When he learns that Il-Geum was born on the same day at the same time, he begins to suspect that Il-Geum is the other one. Their meeting proves to be no mere coincidence, however, as they continue on a journey filled with danger, humor, and the promise of new friendships.

Sweet & Sensitive, by Park Eun-Ah

Ee-Ji has a problem. She's not sure which boy she wants to be involved with! On one hand, there's Han-Kyul. He was her first crush from her elementary school days, and even though they are in high school, she still hasn't forgotten him. But on the other hand, there's Sae-Ryun. He's Han-Kyul's best friend, and even though he is very rude and picks on Ee-Ji all the time, he has a certain something that Han-Kyul lacks. Who will she pick-or will the decision be made for her?

Your and My Secret

She: cute but obnoxious, pretty but violent, petite but rude. He: shy and slender and secretly in love with her. When her mad scientist grandfather accidentally switches their bodies-it's freaky Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every day! Akira Uehara is mortified when his best buddy starts hitting on "him," and is embarrassed to look at "himself" in the mirror in her underwear! He can't wait to get back to being a boy. But Nanako Momoi has other ideas-she is starting enjoy life in Akira's body!

ComicOne Announces Maniac Road

ComicsOne has announced the upcoming release of Shinsuke Kurihashi's manga series Maniac Road.

Maniac Road is a comedy about the run down Ijima Electronics and Appliance store, located in the back streets of Akihabara (the Mecca of electronics in Japan). On its last leg, the store had nearly gone out of business, until three sisters-the store owners-hire the resourceful Takezou. With a stroke of genius, Takezou, has the sisters dress in costumes and refashions the store into the perfect shopping ground for Japanese "otaku" (those who absolutely crave manga, video games and Japanese animation). Business begins to boom and the adventure is on, as the three sisters meet some of the strangest and most eccentric characters of the growing Japanese manga/anime scene. But the road of the mania is full of potholes and a major entertainment corporation plans to muscle in on the small store's success.

Maniac Road # 1 will be available in July 2004. Each 200 page graphic novel will be priced at $9.95. Visit www.comicsone.com for more detailed series information. The cover can be seen here

ADV Picks Up CrossGen Staffer

ADV MAnga has hired embattle comic producer CrossGen Entertainment's Chis Oarr as National Accounts Manager, repsonsible for manga sales in the direct market, and with specialty retailers.

Viz July Anime Releases

7/6

Saikano Vol. #2

7/20

Pokemon Advanced Vol. #01: A Ruin With A View

Pokemon Advanced Vol. #02: Tree's A Crowd

TOKYOPOP to Create NBA Sports Manga

TOKYOPOP will be working with the NBA to creae a series of NBA Sports Manga, featuring the signature movies and greatest moments of prominantly players, starting with Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Jason Kidd.

Ninja Scroll TV Volume 3 Release

Urban Vision will be releasing the third and final volume of the Ninja Scroll TV series on June 29th.

Viz Announced Dr Pepper Partnership

VIZ announced the launch of a new advertising campaign with Dr Pepper. The first advertising will appear in the pages of the June 2004 issue of SHONEN JUMP magazine, which goes on sale nationwide on May 4, 2004.

To help promote the campaign, SHONEN JUMP and Dr Pepper, will also launch the "Be You, Be a Pepper, Be Manga" art contest providing readers and self-styled manga artists the opportunity to win prizes from Dr Pepper. SHONEN JUMP readers will be encouraged to draw themselves as an original manga-style character enjoying the great taste of Dr Pepper. Twenty submitted entries will be selected as finalists by the magazine's editors based on originality, creativity and the incorporation of a Dr Pepper can/bottle/logo.

The finalists will be posted on the SHONEN JUMP website at www.SHONENJUMP.com. Readers may vote for favorites via the site and will select the Grand Prize winner, who will be awarded a Trek mountain bike valued at $400.00. A First Place winner will score a Nintendo Game Cube and twenty-five Runner-ups will win official Dr Pepper hats. In addition, finalists will be given the opportunity to have their artwork featured online and may have the prospect to be featured in an upcoming issue of SHONEN JUMP.

Two Viz Manga Titles Break Usa Today Top 150 Book List

Viz announced that the manga editions of Naruto, vol. 3, Bridge of Courage and Rurouni Kenshin vol. 4, Dual Conclusions are the first graphic novels to ever appear on USA Today's Top 150 list of best selling books. Both Naruto and Rurouni Kenshin appear on the Top 150 list for the week of April 18th.

Upcoming Bandai Releases

Bandai has delayed the limited edition of Wolf's Rain volume 1 to July 6th, and the limited and standard released of the first volume of Stratos 4 to July 27th.

Big O II volume 4, Galaxy Angel volume 3 and .hack//Legend of the Twilight will also be releasing July 27th.