Father Geek here with the latest from Scott Green, our ace anime reporter. Its another great column, full to the brim with everything you need to know about the worlds of Anime & Manga. Just scroll down thru this report and you'll see what I mean...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Volume 3

Released by Super Techno Arts

With its larger than life characters, colorful super powers applied to graphically violent ends, and exotic locales, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an idea tailor made for anime. Volume 3 off plenty of the three specialties of the series: super powers, feuds, and horror.

Anime has its fair share of recognized vampires works, but other than maybe the mostly forgotten 3x3 Eyes, it is difficult to think of a good anime zombie flicks. The third volume of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a rare treat for those who want to see anime's take on zombies. A city of the dead animated by a women with the power to take possession of people via a puncture through the tongue is the perfect opportunity for a willing animator to allow the violence to get gory, occasionally shockingly so. Not to mention a few exceedingly morbid touches like attack zombie babies.

Preceding the chapters that were animated the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga (comic) detailed the conflict between Victorian gentleman hero Jonathan Joestar and his adopted half brother and criminal mastermind turned vampire Dio Brande. The series then skipped a generation turned its attention to Jonathan's jazz age globe trotting Indiana Jones-style martial artist grandson Joseph Joestar, and his battle against the Aztec Vampires.

The animated Jojo's Bizarre Adventure opens in the third leg of the conflict. Joseph seeks out his rebellious, half Japanese grandson Jotaro Kujo (in this case it is a little harder to make "JoJo" out of the lead's name), upon learning that the Joestar bloodline (including Dio, whose severed head had been attached to Jonathan Joestars body in the first generation), along with other across the world had begun manifesting Stands: Tarot card inspired beings that grant their host super human powers. Holly, the daughter of Joseph and mother of Jotaro is made critically ill by her Stand, necessitating that Joseph and Jotaro find and kill Dio to sever his link to the family.

In volume 3, path of the Joestars cross continental search for Dio hits a barrior when the cycle of revenge twisting back on the heroes. The Joestars and their allies have reached Egypt where Dio's advisor N-Yah plans to take vengeance on the heroes, and one their number, Polnareff, in particular for the killing her son J. Gail. In turn Polnareff was initially brought into the conflict to avenge J. Gail's murder of his sister. (No points for figuring out the name puns for N-Yah and J Gail. Polnareff's isn't obscured, but bragging rights for recognizing the reference).

The most interesting aspect of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is that though its effects are frequently flashy and tailor made for visual impact, the fights are less about less about brute force overpowering, and more about out thinking.

Volume 3 features the re-emergence of Jotaro into the forefront after a bit too much time spent with the French gallant Polnareff. Despite being at least as powerful as his companions and enemies, if no more so, Jotaro dominates as a master of the bluff. He reveals himself to be a wily bastard who keeps everyone off guard with a cynical, suspicious demeanor, and a police interrogator's verbal jabs and intimidation. His Stand, Star Platinum or Tarot card The Star, yells and punches things. Off hand this is a little dull and silly, but Jotaro's use of it as tool rather a brunt instrument sets the series apart. The actually check mate is a little too easy in Jotaro's battle against N-Yah , but the proceeding gambit was a return to form after the previously volumes avalanche of male melodramatics.

N-Yah is one of the few female combatants in the sizable JoJo's mythology. In general the franchise doesn't do a particularly good job of handling the gender. There aren't many significant female characters, and the ones who do appear often end up like Holly, who is dying from her Stand because she lacks her male relatives' fighting spirit.

She's one of the more fun horror villain adversaries to appear in the anime so far. She doesn't have the strangeness of the matter controlling malevolent orangutan of the first volume, but her powers and variants of design are excellent anime material.

Dio has already begun to be painted as intimidating and manipulative in his own right. The promised confrontation between Jotaro and Dio is something to look forward to.

The design it up to the standards it needs to be for such a visually intensive series. It establishes it exotic locations and outlandish characters as something beyond the generic. However, at times, it is sloppy about hiding it short cuts. In the less action intensive moment, the slackening of quality is too transparent.

Several aspects of the plot are weakened by viewing the anime in isolation from the source manga, or by its abridgement. There is a fan pleaser soap opera twist in particular that in the anime's abbreviated telling of the story feels like artificial and unneeded complication. Similarly, Hol Horse, an adversary from the last volume seems linger to get kicked around too much too little purpose. It is marginally interesting to brash former Dio follower who ends up in the middle in of the conflict, but he gets far too much screen time in proportion to his importance to the anime.

Volume 3 is contains the final episodes of the more recently produced of the two OAV (direct to video) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Because the second set of episodes directly chronologically proceeds the first set (which began almost in mid action), it has been release first domestically for a more logical narrative progression.

Two episodes per volume is less than anime consumers expect these days, but the distribution has fit the progression of the series well. Each volume has been satisfying, if slightly briefer than many have become accustomed to.

Anime Preview: R.O.D: The TV series

Volume 1: The Paper Sisters Based on Geneon's Dub of Episode 1 Volume 1, with Episodes 1-4 Schedule to be Release June 29th

The original Read or Die was one of the surprise hits of last year. It was easy to be incredulous that a short, direct to video series called "Read or Die" would be such as spectacular success, but it was exact what a high energy adventure should be: big graphic ideas, likable character, constant motion. Though lately early episodes of an anime series are poor indicators of the tone and quality of an of the series as a whole, it can be said that if the first episode is any indication, the R.O.D television series should be every bit as engaging as it predicessor. (Courtesy of the Japanese rights holders, TV series is R.O.D rather than "Read or Die")

Yomiko Readman, the incredibly lovable Sandra Bullock-like biblio-geek/special agent heroine of the original Read or Die is absent from the proceeding here, but shares a significant connection to a pivotal character, and seems to be a plot point at the minimum.

Instead, the focus is on the three Paper Sisters. Eldest to youngest Michelle Cheung blonde and a bit ditsy, with compulsion read anything in front of her and hints of an astute analytics mind about concerning what she reads, Maggie Mui tall and shy to a degree to she seems borderline autistic, Anita King a energetic and hot tempered young martial artist who is averse to book unlike to incredible hoarders Michelle, Maggie and Yomiko.

The three run Hong Kong's not precisely prestigious Three Sisters Detective Agency. They are introduced as the tour guide for visiting Japanese author Nenene Sumiregawa, a prominent author on the verge of a high profile movie adaptation who wasn't been able to write in four years... since the disappearance of her best friend... Yomiko Readman.

Like Yomiko the sisters have the power to control paper. Controlling paper sounds like an material for a parody, but rarely, even it anime, has a superhuman ability been so fun to watch. Projected through James Bond antics, and reflexive of the user's personality, it is consistently eye candy of a truly high order. The catch in ROD is that the Sisters use their powers in a more specialized or restricted fashion than Yomiko's, Michelle shapes it into weapons, typically a bow and arrow, Maggie creates animals, and Anita uses surfaces and edges, walls, slicing blades and the like. This is probably wise in that that is reduces the solve-all quality of the ability, and will likely force more creativity into the action over the course of the series.

The characters are quite likable, in quirky, distinct way, banter (some heated) about the nature of the novelists art, but the real seller is two spectacular action scenes. Both are a little too terrorist based to sit completely comfortably, but seeing the Paper Sister move is pulp action at its finest. In particular, seeing mini martial artist Anita work, crashing into a flying air place, slicing through doors, sealing holes behind her, but also seeing Maggie in her giant paper phoenix and Michelle elegantly draw her bow, will bring smile to the face of any fan. It is the joy of the seeing that effect that only anime can bring to life.

it isn't the bizarre "wow" of the OAV's opening, so far no obscure 19th century entomologists attacking major cities with giant grass hoppers, but it does offer a taste of the unexpected. First episode animation quality isn't always an accurate of a series, but this one look's like perfect anime fun. R.O.D's a release to mark on the calendar.

Manga Spotlight: Galaxy Angel Volume 2 by Kanan

Released by Broccoli Books

Even as low impact manga comedies go, Galaxy Angel is notably light weight entertainment. Still, it is a brisk zany and cute shoujo-ish space comedy that is sure to find its adherents. The manga is made up of short stories with some continuity, populated by likable characters with a bright iconic visual appeal and enjoyable light touch personalities.

It revolves the Angel Troupe, five teenage girls who have a job at the forefront of the galactic society's royalty, deities and strange entities, but as often as not, given the way their universe works, usually they aren't tasked with anything that strenuous.

In volume 2, all of the Angel Troupe members appear, but the volume's chief protagonists are Ranpha Franboise, a blonde version of the anime/manga Chinese stereotype (the dress, and a fun armament twist on the hair buns and all) who specializes in martial arts, fortune tell and looking for love, and Milfeulle Sakuraba, a sincere, luck blessed, pink haired girl. Together with Ranpha's attempts at maturity and warped forethought or judgment of set by Milfeulle surrender to emotions and instinct they are an effective comic duo. Their wide eyed expression when something goes wrong or unexpected are priceless. Some of the chapters veer towards male orient shonen material, but Galaxy Angel remains heavily weighted toward the shoujo female audience half of the ledger. There are plenty of shoujo appeal male officers, decidedly cute design, more relationships than action, and even the shonen mainstay of a hot springs excursion is less about revealing figures than jokes at the expense of the male characters.

The manga a little sweeter and considerably less mentally warped than its tongue-in-cheek oddly inspired anime alter ego. The anime (which is released domestically by Bandai) is oriented toward exploiting quick and sometimes elaborate premises, while the manga keeps matters simple, often advancing a number of plot threads involving the galactic power players, and the characters' relationship.

Like past Broccoli release review, the company deserves recognition for the presentation of their translated manga. In addition to highly quality paper, translated and original illustrated sound effects, and bonus features, their Translation Notes are a discernable boon to the work. A number of the references in the illustration of dialogue are deservedly pointed out and described.

There is something a little too corporate about the Broccoli /Gamers properties (Digi Charat, Aquarian Age and Galaxy Angel). They are forerunner of what many companies are looking to create, content that can be taken to manga, anime, video games, and merchandise. The results are simple, recognizable, and usually not deep. On the other hand, they are generally entertaining.

Manga Spotlight: Treasure Hunter Volume 1 By Hitoshi Tomizawa

Released by CPM Manga

Treasure Hunter is a Thief of Baghdab/Sinbad style Arabian pulp swashbuckler adventure from the creator of the deceptively cute mind-assaulting sci-fi Alien Nine. The wild, breezy adventure that compares favorably to other fantasy adventure manga that are domestically available.

The titular treasure hunter is Jubei, freelance merchant supreme. Along with partner, a magic carpet with the torso and head of a beaked human, he's an adventurer eager to take on the most dangerous missions.

Hyper competent adventurer and his wise cracking side kick isn't exactly virgin territory, but Treasure Hunter has many moments where Hitoshi Tomizawa's inventiveness grants the series a distinctiveness that it doesn't always achieve with its premise or characters.

Hitoshi Tomizawa populates his work with marvelous creations. In addition to the humanoid magic carpet, there is an erect walking spider henchmen, transforming castles, civilizations of skeletons and their pirate armadas. Perhaps best of all, Jubei's Kokaku Sword, an arthropod that shapes itself like a sword sheath and cultivates a sword like an oyster would a pearl. It only releases the sword when eating, and it enjoys human flesh the most.

The ravenous Kokaku Sword, Jubei using a magic umbrella to deflect a bombardment of water-bullets spat by a battleship sized fish, or using "medium glasses" to see spirits and "ghost tape" to capture them give the series a myth like sense of possibility and adherence to ideas over logic.

Treasure Hunter's illustration doesn't employ the super flat school style parody Pokemon consumerist appearance of Alien Nine, but instead uses a style similar to a rougher version of the expressive style of Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo. The illustration's reproduction in the volume is a noticeably muddy. While not a complete hindrance, it is sporadically problematic in the darker panels.

Treasure Hunter is summer blockbuster manga. Big on visuals, some of which implement some impressive ideas, but necessarily backed by an abundance of substance. It is a quick, fun read, not as memorable as Alien Nine, but not riding on the popularity of the better known work either.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Angelic Layer - Inherit the Layer (Vol. 6)
• The Big O II - Enemy Attacks (Vol. 3)
• Birdy the Mighty - Final Force
• Dragon Ball GT - Generations (Vol. 15)
• DragonDrive - Amazing Transformation (Vol. 1)
• Gate Keepers - Infiltration (Vol. 3) (Geneon Signature Series)
• Kaleido Star - Welcome to the Kaleido Star (Vol. 1)
• Kimagure Orange Road: The Movie
• lain - Reset (Vol. 4) (Geneon Signature Series)
• Legend of the Dragon Kings - Blue Dragon
• Sailor Moon S TV Series (Vol. 4) (Geneon Signature Series)
• Samurai Deeper Kyo - Shift in Time (Vol. 6)
• Slayers - Premium
• Tenchi Muyo OVA (Vol. 3) (Geneon Signature Series)
• Tenchi Universe - Tenchi Muyo on Earth (Vol. 3) (Geneon Signature Series)
• Trigun - Gung-Ho Guns (Vol. 4) (Geneon Signature Series)

Manga

• Basara Vol 6 Tp
• Blade Of The Immortal #89
• Cannon God Exaxxion Stage 3 Tp
• Cardcaptor Sakura Boxed Set Collection Vol #2 (Of 2)
• Demon Ororon Vol 2 Gn (Of 4)
• Dragon Knights Vol 14 Gn (Of 20)
• Dragonball Vol 15 Tp Shonen J Ed
• Hanaukyo Maid Team Vol 3 Gn
• Neon Genesis Evangelion Vol 3 Tp 2Nd
• Peach Girl Limited Collectors Set
• Phoenix Vol 4 Tp
• Prince Of Tennis Vol 1 Gn
• Record Of Lodoss War Grey Witch Book 1 Gn New Ptg
• Shaman King Vol 3 Tp
• Super Manga Blast #42
• Wedding Peach Vol 6 Tp
• Invader ZIM - Doom Doom Doom (Vol. 1)
• Jonny Quest - The Complete First Season
• Lady Snowblood
• Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance
• Lone Wolf and Cub 3: Baby Cart to Hades

FUNimation Licenses Full Metal Alchemistic

According to IGN FUNimation has announced the acquisition of Full Metal Alchemistic at the E3 video game expo. It was reports that 51 episodes have been schedule to air on Cartoon Network starting in October.

FUNimation describes the show : This is a tremendously popular series in Japan and Fullmetal Alchemist is currently ranked the #1 TV Show in Japan with the #1 Male Character and #1 Female Character (April 2004 Newtype Magazine, Japan). And, the series already has a large fan following in the United States.

Full Metal Alchemistic (no relation to Full Metal Panic) is one of the latest round of round of adventure series to hit the peak of popularity. The series follows the Elric brothers, who experiments in magic transformation resulted in Ed's lose of an arm and a leg, and Al's spirit's transfer to a metal armor.

Super Milk Chan Release Information

ADV has announced that Super Milk Chan volume 1 of 4, entitled "100% WHOLE", a more overtly mature Power Puff Girls like comedy, will be released on July 6.

ADV has launched their site for their upcoming release of "The Super Milk Chan Show".

ADV's description: With animation production by Studio Pierrot (GTO and Saiyuki), it includes both American and Japanese versions in a two-disc set perfect for fans of South Park and Adult Swim.

Meet Milk - a foul-mouth, selfish smarty pants superhero with no real superpowers. Not quite you're A-list superhero, but that won't stop the idiotic President (of "everything") from hiring her to solve the world's problems. And if that wasn't enough to quench your thirst, just wait till you meet her friends.

The Super Milk-Chan Show: 100% Whole (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release in a 2-disc set with reversible cover art. Disc 1 includes: three complete episodes and four vintage episodes in English 5.1 audio, live behind-the-scenes breaks, cast commentaries, character Q&A and ADV previews. Disc 2 includes: original Japanese episodes in both English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 language versions with English subtitles, original video haiku breaks, new opening "Disco Milk" animation, original opening and closing animation and ADV previews.

Gunbuster 2

Gainax has conf irmed Top wo Nerae! (Aim for the Top_ Gunbuster 2 as part on of their 20th Anniversary release. The six direct to video OAV episodes will be released starting September 24th, with subsequent volumes following every other month. .

Natsume Maya reports that the series will be directed by Tsurumaki Kazuya, character design by Sadamoto Yoshiyuki, Buster Machine mecha design by Izuna Yoshitsune, other mechanical design by Ishigaki Junya and Koyama Shigeto, animation production by GAiNAX, include use of 3D CG modeling .

From AnimeNation, the cast will be Nono, played by Yukari Fukui (Kokoru in Puchi Puri Yucie, Sena Rika in Kare Kano) Raruku, played by Maaya Sakamoto (Moe in Risky Safety, Hitomi in Escaflowne) Chiko, played by Miyuki Sawaki (Mint Blancmanche in Galaxy Angel) Nicola, played by Mitsuo Iwata (Kaneda in Akira, Itsuki in Initial D) New Coach, played by Takumi Yamazaki (Isamu in Macross Plus, Harada in Mezzo DSA)

Gunbuster was a sci-fi series that in number of ways was Gainax's prototype for Evangelion, an emotional and psychological look giant robot pilots.

The original Gunbuster anime series was released domestically on VHS by Manga Entertainment. A DVD release was talked about, but is no longer being listed by the company leading to speculation that like Giant Robo, they lost the license to any company.

Japanese Release Dates

From Natsume Maya

The fourth volume of the Macross Zero OAV will be released May 28th.

The three volumes of Re: Cutie Honey will be released on the 21st's of September, October and November.

Gainax's Neppuu Kairiku Bushilord will be released on 2004.

Gainax's Evangelion game Ikari Shinji Ikusei Keikaku (Ikari Shinji Rearing Project), a followup to game where raise Evangelion characters Rei and Asuka will be released August 27th. The first pressing will come with a voice message CD (featuring the three seiyuu who voice female NERV operators in the game) and a short comic by Yonekura Kengo (character designer and genga artist for the game).

The first of the Teizokurei Daydream OAV will be release June 25th.

Samurai 7 will commence broadcast on 12 June 2004 on a Skyperfect TV pay per view channel.

Japanese Gundam News

From Natsume Maya Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed Kokuu no Senjyou Orb Hen (Orb story arc) will be broadcast in the summer of 2004. The first part "Kokuu no Senjyou" was first broadcast on 22 March 2004. "Kokuu no Senjyou Orb Hen" is now the second part.

A new Zeta Gundam movie is in the works

Anime Unleashed Survives Merges

Comcast has launched the site for G4Tech, there merged of previously owned gaming network G4, and newly acquired Tech TV. The site's FAQ lists the Anime Unleashed block as one of the survivors.

July ADV Releases

July 6

All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Tv: Nine Lives (volume 4 of 4); The Devil Lady: The Complete Collection; Excel Saga: Imperfect Collection; Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Phase 7 (volume 7 of 7); Nadia The Secret Of Blue Water: Collection 2

The Devil Lady: The Complete Collection

Directed by Go Nagai (Getter Robo, Cutey Honey and Devilman) and adapted by Toshihiro Hirano (Vampire Princess Miyu) and writer Chiako Konaka.

By day a beautiful and shy fashion plate. By night a terrifying vision of demonic power. It's full-tilt gothic horror as Jun battles with an army of demonic forces threatening to destroy mankind. Follow the harrowing odyssey through the twisted maze that is Jun's new life - as the Devil Lady.

The Devil Lady: The Complete Collection (SRP $49.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including 26 complete episodes

Excel Saga: Imperfect Collection

Directed by Shinichi Watanabe (Lupin III) and produced by JC Staff (Azumanga Daioh) and Victor Entertainment (Noir)

World domination is the goal - Lord Illpalazzo and ACROSS, a secret ideological organization, are behind the dastardly plan. And their certifiably insane and unbelievably hyperactive senior agent Excel will stop at nothing to help her beloved boss Lord Illpalazzo rule the planet.

Excel Saga IMPerfect Collection (SRP $89.98 DVD) 26 complete episodes

Nadia The Secret Of Blue Water: Collection 2

Inspired by Jules Verne's classic novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Nadia, The Secret of Blue Water was directed by Hideaki Anno and animated by GAINAX (Neon Genesis Evangelion).

The last pieces of Nadia's heritage come together as a final showdown over the fate of Atlantis looms ominously in the conclusion of the classic adventure series. Then in the motion picture, join Nadia and Jean for another battle to save the Earth.

Nadia The Secret of Blue Water: Collection 2 (SRP $49.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including nineteen complete episodes plus the motion picture.

Robotech to be Broudast on Anime Network

The Anime Network has anounced that it has acquired the broadcast rights to all 85 episodes of Robotech from The Macross Saga, Robotech Masters and New Generation.

ADV Announces Grrl Power

ADV announced that Grrl Power will be released on June 8th, with the complete work on a one DVD for $14.98.

Grrl Power!'s lovable character Ao is deaf and practices Japanese sign language in the film. She joins Umi and Sora as the spunky proprietors of the best odd-jobs services company around, and they'll take on practically any task-and guarantee the results! What job will they take on next?

Grrl Power! is based on the successful manga Makasete Iruka! by Akitaroh Dachi and Takashi Takashita, and published by Tokuma Shoten. The anime is directed by Daichi, whose previous credits include directing the acclaimed Fruits Basket and Now & Then, Here & Now series. The creative team previously brought us Neon Genesis Evangelion, Sister Princess and Di Gi Charat.

The Story... Umi, Sora, and Ao are all sisters in the sixth-grade who together run the best little do-it-all shop in all of Shonan Beach, near Kamakura. And what's more, their business is a roaring success because of their reputation for being the best at what they do. But hey, what's this about them not going to school? They are grade-schoolers, after all. Why aren't they in school? And on top of that, they're all in the sixth grade. Are they triplets or something? What's the deal? Evidently, they don't have any parents. Even stranger, little Ao, the youngest, speaks in sign language. The girls seem to be completely self-sufficient, even generating their own electricity using solar and wind power. Yep, there's a story behind these girls-that much is for sure.

ADV Announces AniMini's

ADVhas announced AniMini's, 3-inch DVD samplers agained for the young girl market. The releases will be priced at $6.98, and double as coupons for $10 off a regular full-size multi-episode DVD title of the same name when purchased through the ADV Films website.

The first set of set, to be released on June 15th, include:

• Azumanga Daioh
• Happy Lesson
• Hello Kitty & Friends
• Kaleido Star
• Noir
• Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat
• Pretear
• Princess Nine
• Super GALS!

Digital Manga Announces Three 3 Yaoi Titles

Digital Manga Publishing has announced that it has licenses yaoi (male homosexual romance, typically for a female audience) Only the Ring Finger Knows, by Satoru Kanagi & Hotaru Odagiri, Desire, by Maki Kazumi & Yukine Honami and Passion, by Shinobu Goto.

Only the Ring Finger Knows will ship in August. Desire will ship in October. Passion Volume 1 will ship in August, volume 2 in November.

Anime Game Images

Magic Box has images of the following anime bases games

DragonBall Z 3 aka DragonBall Z: Budokai 3 here

One Piece: Round the Land here

Tetsujin No. 28 (aka Gigantor in the US) here

Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament (to be released in the US for the Playstation 2 this August) here

Late July Geneon Schedule

Geneon announced the following anime release

7/20

• Heat Guy J - Revolution (V.7)
• Heat Guy J - Limited Edition Collector's Box II (w/ Volume 7)

7/27

• Demon Lord Dante - Dante Rages (V.2)
• Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play (V.1)

Demon Lord Dante

Based on a popular Japanese comic by veteran creator GO NAGAI (Devil Man, Cutey Honey)

Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play

The Universe of the Four Gods is an enchantment, a book, a mystical world, and the story of the reader of the book, who is trapped by the enchantment within the mystical world, until the story reaches its conclusion. Confused? Not half as confused as poor Miaka, a Tokyo girl, who reads the book and then finds herself being saved from lecherous bandits by a gorgeous hero, becoming the high priestess of a bird, and befriending an Emperor - just so she can go home! Animation by Studio Pierrott (Ayashi no Ceres, Yu Yu Hakusho) Original Story by Yu Watase (Ayashi no Ceres, Alice 19th) English Dub by ZRO Limit (Trigun, Ah! My Goddess the Movie, Akira)

Innocence Release Date

AnimeNation reports that Coming Soon lists a September 17th for the domestic theatrical release of Ghost in the Shell Innocence.

ADV Dubine Incentive

ADV has announced a promotion for 80's classic Aura Battler Dunbine , where a coupon in many currently release can be used to redeem with a purchase of one volume of the series to receive a second.

Viz Confirms Release Of Koko Wa Greenwood Manga

A post on Anime on DVD's forum reports in the latest issue of Animerica Vol 12, No 5, May 04, on the letters page (pg 86) in their reply to the first letter Viz states "The Manga should hit Stateside sometime this year."

Ritsuko Okazaki Passes Away

Natsume Maya reports singer songwriter Okazaki Ritsuko died on 5 May 2004 of sepsis shock (which arises from an infection in the blood). She was 44 years old. Okazaki wrote and performed the theme songs for the anime Fruits Basket. She was also one half of the group Melocure, responsible for the theme songs in Stratos 4.

New Gonzo Samurai Series

AnimeNation reports Gonzo Studios has announced plans to produce an anime adaptation of the 12 volume Sunabozu samurai manga series.

The anime will be directed by Takayuki Inagaki, written by Hiroshi Yamaguchi, and use character designs by Takahiro Yoshimatsu.

Results of 26th Annual Animage Grand Prix

From AnimeNation The June issue of Animage Magazine contains the results of the magazine's 26th annual Grand Prix readers poll. Highlights of the results include:

Favorite Anime Series

• 01. Full Metal Alchemist
• 02. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed
• 03. Get Backers
• 04. Saiyuki Reload
• 05. Uchuu no Stellvia
• 06. Inuyasha
• 07. D.C. Da Capo
• 08. Prince of Tennis
• 09. Peace Maker Kurogane
• 10. Naruto
• 11. D.N.Angel
• 12. Onegai Twins
• 13. 12 Kingdoms
• 14. Kaleidostar
• 15. Ojamajo Doremi Dokkan!
• 16. One Piece
• 17. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
• 18. Hikaru no Go
• 19. Meitantei Loki Ragnarok
• 20. Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi

Favorite Episode

• 01. Full Metal Alchemist episode 7
• 02. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed episode 50
• 03. Full Metal Alchemist episode 3
• 04. Full Metal Alchemist episode 6
• 05. Full Metal Alchemist episode 5
• 06. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed episode 49
• 07. Full Metal Alchemist episode 1
• 08. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed episode 40
• 09. Get Backers episode 49
• 10. Full Metal Alchemist episode 9

Favorite Male Character

• 01. Edward Elric (Full Metal Alchemist)
• 02. Kira Yamato (Gundam Seed)
• 03. Roy Mustang (Full Metal Alchemist)
• 04. Asran Zara (Gundam Seed)
• 05. Amano Ginji (Get Backers)
• 06. Inuyasha (Inuyasha)
• 07. Genzo Sanzo (Saiyuki Reload)
• 08. Midou Ban (Get Backers)
• 09. Okita Souji (Peace Maker Kurogane)
• 10. Kuroto Beuer (Gundam Seed)

Favorite Female Character

• 01. Liza Hawkeye (Full Metal Alchemist)
• 02. Lacus Clyne (Gundam Seed)
• 03. Winry Rockbell (Full Metal Alchemist)
• 04. Cagalli Yula Arthur (Gundam Seed)
• 05. Naekino Sora (Kaleidostar)
• 06. Higurashi Kagome (Inuyasha)
• 07. Katase Shima (Stellvia)
• 08. Kino (Kino no Tabi)
• 09. Nakajima Yoko (12 Kingdoms)
• 10. Lust (Full Metal Alchemist)

Favorite Theme Song

• 01. "Melissa" (Full Metal Alchemist, Porno Graffiti)
• 02. "Kasenai Tsumi" (Full Metal Alchemist, Kitade Nana)
• 03. "Akatsuki no Kuruma" (Gundam Seed, Fiction Junction)
• 04. "FIND THE WAY" (Gundam Seed, Mika Nakashima)
• 05. "Asu e no Brilliant Road" (Uchuu no Stellvia, Angela)
• 06. "Annani Issho datta no Ni" (Gundam Seed, See-Saw)
• 07. "Meteor" (Gundam Seed, T.M. Revolution)
• 08. "Realize" (Gundam Seed, Tamaki Nami)
• 09. "INVOKE" (Gundam Seed, T.M. Revolution)
• 10. "Believe" (Gundam Seed, Tamaki Nami)

Favorite Seiyuu

• 01. Paku Romi
• 02. Ishida Akira
• 03. Hoshi Souichirou (Nagi in the Tenjou Tenge anime)
• 04. Hayashibara Megumi
• 05. Yamaguchi Kappei
• 06. Ohkawa Toru
• 07. Horie Yui
• 08. Morikubo Shoutarou
• 09. Seki Toshihiko
• 10. Kanna Nobutoshi

New Ghost in the Shell Game to be Released Domestically

According to GameSpot Playstion 2 game based on the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex anime is scheduled for a domestic release this year.