Well, its your old M & A Editor-in-Chief Father Geek here at the AICN World Geek Headquarters Offices in the fossil encrusted limestone strown hills of Central Texas with another of Scott's hefty weekly reports on the state of the Manga-Anime world. Yeah, another heaping dose of the kind of medicine every good geek needs to pull thru another long worrysome work week. Soooo, grab another mug of steaming hot java (or a cup of your fave warm herb tea) and prepare to surf on down thru this edition of...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: Requiem from the Darkness Volume 1

Released by Geneon

Horror in animation isn't a widely explorer territory. It doesn't have the intrinsic possibility of convincing the mind like live action. It doesn't trigger the same instinct tuned pop, or the same human intensity. It doesn't have the pace of description of written word or the ability to linger indefinitely on a moments like comics. Consequently, many animated horrors have worked on ideas. Twilight Zone twists or dark situations. Anime tends to be populated by gambits in which the viewer is creeped by the victim's fate, or shown the darkness lurching in the foundation. The more medium tied endeavors have used animation as a mechanism to capture bleed of recognizable world into something more uncertain.

Starting with a claustrophobic first episode, Requiem from the Darkness rolls out a mist, establishing a mesmerizing late night encompassing atmosphere. It's quick to establish a control on the vertical and horizontal, framing the viewer in a world that weaves folklore into obscene crimes The series linked single episode stories often predictable, but building towards a revelation more deeply than suspected. Yet it is less about the twist than the fully entrenched horror experience.

Based on an award winning novel and with episodes written by formidable adapters of horror into cinematic such as Hiroshi Takahashi (The Ring/Ringu movies) and Yoshinobu Fujioka (the live action version of Junji Ito's Tomie) the back bone of character and ribs on incidents are able to support a hypnotically stylized construction, fogged by dreamlike symbolism and narrative jumps.

A number of previous attempts at phantasmagoria aided by digital animation became tangled in their unrestrained possibilities, but Requiem's use of simplified and abstract backs grounds, and wandering icons, a torch on a tunic, a carried bell of staff, set against minimalist music, often more sound than melody creates and intense situation of following the characters as they stumble of stride onto damnation.

The original name for Requiem from the Darkness translates to "100 Stories", referring to a game/ritual in which telling 100 ghost stories protect the participants from the supernatural, or in this case, the converse, invoking a supernatural experience.

Set during the declining days of the Edo period's Tokugawa Shogunate (though over contextualizing it would detract from the romance), the wandering scribe Momosuke Yamaoka set aside a career of writing children's riddles to collect ghost stories to establish a reputation in the world of fiction. On his journey he meets Mataichi the Tricker, Ogin the Puppeteer, and Nagamimi the Bird Caller, a beautiful woman, a hulking wandering priest and a short peddler. Three wanderers who are secretly the Ongyo, a force set to uncovering and provoking retribution file crimes. An unknown, sinister motive seems to overshadow their actions, and as the stories mount, Momosuke becomes less the strict observer.

Requiem from the Darkness is solidly the most appropriately chilling anime for the season, and a unique series, well worth viewing for fans of horror or animation that tries and brilliantly accomplishes something different.

Manga Spotlight: Blood: The Last Vampire 2002 By Benkyo Tamaoki

Released by Viz

Blood: The Last Vampire 2002 is a modern follow up to Production IG's brief but stunning experiment which followed a supernatural Japanese teenage school girl unleashed on vampiric creatures of a Vietnam-era American army base.

Benkyo Tamaoki, who has balanced his work between the edgy and the outright pornographic (hentai) recasts the dry action of the original into a exercise in teen torment: the sadism of school and peers, and the cruelty of identity. Jointly, he leverages his background in more potent material to shift vampire sexuality into an area bound to upset a modern audience.

The plot is staged on the familiar grounds of a heroine going under cover in a school, hooking up with a troubled, bullied girl to ferret out demonic prey. The confrontation eventually hits the truth of the Last Vampire mini-universe head on, firmly defining the character, revealing truth, and concluding her story in a manner that is both complete and open for further continuation.

The plot points aren't substantially novel. Some are played for familiarity; others are too over exposed in fiction. Yet, there is a raw frenzy in Benkyo Tamaoki's illustration that resonates through the blood, nudity and violence.

Benkyo Tamaoki's adult work bleeds into Blood. He has a unique style that lends itself to charged horror, combining a bit of Tezuka simple effectiveness along with a lithe sexuality, and in this case a sadistic spark. The characters' bodies aren't fully idealized or softened, but have a gaunt, almost emaciated cuteness, striking for round faces, ribs slightly showing thinness.

There is a dissonance from its thin forms of leads such as Saya, suggesting vulnerability, set against her wolf-among-the-flock flaming eyes. Nudity, and suggestiveness permeate the manga. Though there is no actual sexual context or content, it is drenched in nerve racking creator malice. The illustration works to jar the reader, taking scenes that might be played for harmless titillation and prodding the reader in the other direction, taking scenes should be excused from sexual innuendo and packing it with more than suggestiveness.

Comic Spotlight: Flesh for the Beast Anthology

Released by Media Blasters

Flesh for the Beast expands the like named starkly low budget haunted house horror movie, following a group of paranormal investigators' brutal end at the hand of succubi, into an comic anthology, dominantly created by North America comic artists, but also featuring Japanese manga creators.

The anthology follows the movie's mix of t&a and cannibalistic gore, more sight than fright. There is a bit of a Joe L. Lansdale flavor in the short stories, maybe not the strength of high concept, but quick read, giddily grotesque, a few memorable tableaus that break the wall of good taste without blinking. While the movie overstretched a thin concept, the anthology's vignettes provide sharp little testimonies human tragedy, insanity and stupidity.

The stories are dominantly modern, with interesting historical back tracking to Houdini and the Dada movement. They're spiced with some cute references, a some of the moderns leave too much of a firmly pressed modern timestamp, but tips of the hat to likes of Andalusian Dog's famous eye scene balance the scale.

There is a manga short story by Slayers' Tommy Ohtsuka and Studio Zombie (they're illustration isn't always great, but their flesh tearing cover is a real attention grabber), but there is a wider manga influence on the illustration, more frequently in the storytelling than the design.

The anthology is an introduction to some real talents, some of whom have gained some notice (Teenagers from Mars' Rick Spears, cover work by Demo's Becky Cloonan) and who haven't been that visible, even to following of independent comics (the Brothers Goldman). It's rarely familiar or expected, but there are some treats, such as the bent Dali meets Lovecraft work from Adriano Eduardo.

An interesting aspect of the Flesh for the Beast anthology is that it is a transparent attempt to develop a property. The movie received some descent reviews, scaled for genre and intent but despite cover's claim, lack of buzz seems to indicate the movie wasn't a cult hit. There are movies that inspire medium expansions such as comics, and there are movie expansions created to foster the license. It's far from a unique origin, but at its own entity, Flesh for the Beast doesn't seem the material to draw interest in further expansion on its own from either consumers or creators. Creatively, and as a draw towards what seems to be built into a franchise, the anthology is a success. As a herald of an upcoming trend to build out properties, it is an uncertain prospect.

Anime Spotlight Mezzo Volume 1

Released by ADV Films

Though anime has a reputation for mindless violence, it is difficult to think of many recent, well constructed examples to live up to the hype or criticism. From its infectious, head lodging opening Mezzo throws introspection and sentimentality in back seat and rushes in a manic dash.

Yasuomi Umetsu is know for both porn (a segment of the infamous Cool Devices anthology), and artistry (a segment of the revered Robot Carnival anthology), has ridden a wave of popularity into creating a universe of glintingly slick violence.

Yasuomi Umetsu's Mezzo DSA is the last branch in his Kite universe tree. The initial two episode series Kite was Leon/the Professional if Gary Oldman's police officer had raised (and slept with) the killer orphan girl capping gleeful big Hollywood implausibility to the action with gut punch tragedy. Its popularity lead to the second two episode Mezzo Forte, a cameo linked tangent with the sadism of its processor, but which, discounting two scenes of out place egregious sexual violence, recasts the violence into a more slapstick role. Sadism is rampant, but in a blood spouting Three Stooges sort of way. (For completeness sake: links, at least thematic ones, have been drawn between Kite, and Umetsu's hentai/adult work in the Yellow Star segment of Cool Devices).

The direct to video Mezzo Forte launched the television Mezzo DSA, a high octane, bubble punk take on the private investigator show. Mikura is anime's ultimate pulp star, a pink hair chick in an orange singlet with the moves of Bruce Lee, and the shot of Chow Yun Fat in a John Woo movie. Together with Sex Pistols styled technician Harada, and cooly uncool goofy/hard boiled ex-cop Kurokawa, the Danger Service Agency (DSA) track down people, protect people, o a little courier work, and a little spying. They live in a converted double decker bus, cruise around in a pink beetle, and hang out/get jobs and information from a criminal mastermind barber. From time to time they "Repo Man" style stumbling into something grandly unusual: alien invasions and deadly virus and the like.

Even before its blistering pop opening credits , culminating with Mikura in a master of disguise sequence, of outfits, including anime fetishes: Chinese waitress, school girl, nurse with enema administer the first episode starts two young grade school girls harshly, interlaced by a criminal transaction between a thug and some comic book uniformed henchmen. Both are interrupted by Mikura's arrival and the subsequent ass-kicking, involving anime's most memorable testicle crushing scene.

Though Mezzo is unabashed pulp, it benefits from the constraints of television. The uncut version of the Mezzo Forte OAV was marred by scenes of hard core pornography, which felt inserted, and out of place. There's exploitation distastefulness, and then there's hard core sexual violence which doesn't even fit in the work's large context.

Manga Spotlight: Peach Girl Volume 1 By Miwa Ueda

Released by TOKYOPOP

In entertaining story telling it is good to have a sympathetic lead to whom the receiver can connect. It's often better a viscerally horrible villain that can sponge the rage. The brand of heel character you can't wait to receive what they deserve.

Peach Girl is a shoujo romance with a heroin who might not be completely aces on intelligence, but has her interests other than being lovelorn, and she certainly isn't weak spined. Refreshingly, she isn't afraid to state her opinion or case; there is a nice scene where she takes it to a pair of tormentors. She just has a real snake to commend with, and lacks the facilities or disposition to fight on a battlefield of rumors and misdirection

Thanks to blonde hair and a tan from her competitive swimming Momo is haunted by a false reputation as loose, low brow and flighty. It's a reputation that is strategically fostered by Momo's teen Iago "best friend" Sae. The relationship maelstrom is fueled by pair of boys. Momo is infatuated with Toji, but she outsmarts herself and in order not to provoke Sae, Momo expresses interest in the thought-to-be unattainable Kiley, who unexpectedly returns Momo's affection.

Peach Girl is a fun series to look at, with punchy illustration, attractive design and an expressive sense of fashion, with an engaging mix of humor and anxiety, but as a serial it's the delightfully enraging qualities that drive the series. It is an addictive call to reader masochism, and anticipation for an eventual payoff.

Manga Spotlight: Othello Volume 1 Satomi Ikezawa

Released by Del Rey

The title of Othello probably refers the game of black and white chips rather than Shakespeare's play. The shoujo romance comedy/drama takes part Jeckle and Hyde and part wish fulfillment, playing on what most people wish they did they when backing down from an opportunity or confrontation. There's something intriguing in the possibilities of the mix, a character that can be projected onto, and some one whose personal development inspires inspection.

Yaya stands on flimsy social ground. She has vanilla trappings, notably weak will, an over protective widower father, and a pair of friends more than willing to push her into bad situations for their amusement. Islands of solid group personality peak out in her interest in goth-y band Juliet and a relationship staggered by her lack of confidence, with Led Zepplin fan named Moriyama.

Yaya stumbles of toy transforming locket from her childhood favorite show Magic Girl Run-run, finds personally opportunistically morphing into Nana, an outgoing character that she used to pretend to playing with her mother as a child. Unfortunately, Nana is a bit too outgoing. She's capable of getting out of bad situations, but also good at getting into them, culminating in the volume with war with Yaya's "friends".

The series exactly doesn't really condone Yaya's full id antics, which decidedly cross bounds of ethics and judgment but it has fun with them, finding plenty of room for physical comedy in her skirmishes with her "friends".

Ghost In The Shell : Innocence Release Date

A December 28th release date has been announced for the North American release of Ghost in the Shell: Innocence.

Second Season of Samurai Champloo Announced

The official Japanese web site for Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe's scratch samurai work Samurai Champloo lists that a second season will begin on Japanese TV this January.

Second Naruto Movie Announced

A second theatrical movie based on action ninja-in-training anime/manga has been announced for summer 2005.

Negima Anime Adaptation

Anime News Network Ken Akamatsu reports that the anime adaptation of Love Hina director Ken 's wizard school manga Mahou Senshi Negima will premiere on Japanese TV January 6th.

MPD Psycho To be Released in UK

Twitch Films reports Takashi Miike's short TV series adaptation of gruesome manga series MPD Psycho will be released across three volumes in the UK 31st January 2005, 28th February 2005 and 21st March 2005.

ADV Acquires Theatrical Rights to Kumo no Mukou

Anime News Network reports that ADV has acquired the theatical rights to Makoto Shinkai's (who created sci-fi OAV Vocies of a Distant Star on his Mac) Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho (The Place Promised In Our Early Days). A release is planned for 2005.

Fullmetal Alchemist News

FUNimation has announced that the official web site for popular fantasy action Fullmetal Alchemist has gone live. The site features a cast list (coming soon), web log, and extras including trailers, wallpapers, character descriptions, episode summaries, and information on the upcoming Square Enix Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel PS2 game.

Fullmetal Alchemist debuts on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim November 6 at 12:00 a.m. E/P.

Anime on DVD lists that the video release of the series' first volume has been delayed from 01/18/2005 to 02/08/2005 due production issues with the collection issue tins.

Japanese Studio to Create Anime Division

ICv2 reports the oldest film studio in Japan, Shochiku Co., is creating an anime division, which will produce up to five animated features and TV series a year.

The company has previously distributed anime such as Saiyuki.

NewType USA Brings Back NewsStand DVD, Raises Prices After recieving negative feedback from removing sampler DVDs from newsstand edition of anime magazine NewType USA, the DVDs will be resumed in Newtype USA Vol. 3, Issue 11 . However, the newstand price will be raised to $12.98 Subscription prices remain unchanged.

January CPM Manga Releases

CPM Press announced its graphic novel releases for January 2005, which includes the first volume of the brand new action-packed series The Sword of Shibito, plus two new stand-alone graphic novels Over the Rainbow (shoujo) and Slayers Premium. Also available in January is Hyun Se Lee's Nambul, Armageddon, and Mythology of the Heavens, as well as the conclusion to the epic saga, Dark Angel by Kia Asamiya.

The Sword of Shibito Book 1 (manga)

Writer: Hideyuki Kikuchi, artist: Missile Kakurai. The setting: in the midst of a bloody war. The place: a strange castle in the Adachi fields where they say the demons live. The Saezuki family performs a forbidden act when they attempt to take a living soul and bind it to the cold flesh of a sewn-together corpse. From eternal sleep, Shibito returns!

Over the Rainbow (manga)

Writer and artist: Keiko Honda. Key is a young woman who has recently lost her memory. She is hired as an assistant at a law firm, where she has an uncanny ability to listen to people's problems and help them in their time of need. But who will be there for Key when she needs help?

Samurai Champloo Audio Change

Anime on DVD points out that the Japanese audio track on Samurai Champloo will be presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 track and DTS 5.1

WWII Controversy Hits Manga

After receiving complaints, Japanese manga publisher Shueisha suspended Hiroshi Motomiya's manga series "Kuni ga Moeru" (The Country is Burning) for its depiction of the "Rape of Nanjing" incident in which Japanese soldiers are accused of massacring 30,000 Chinese civilians.

A key point of contention a scheme based on a photograph of which Japanese officials deny the authenticity.

Upcoming Geneon Releases

Anime

1/4/05

• Ikki Tousen - Water Wars (V.3) DVD
• Hanaukyo Maid Team La Verite - How do you do, Master? (V.1) DVD
• Star Ocean EX - LE Box with Vol.1 DVD

1/11/05

• Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play (V.4) DVD
• Dokkoida!? - The Lost Action Hero (V.3) DVD
• Lupin the 3rd - Scent of Murder (V.9)
• Lupin the 3rd - Vol. 9 with Choro Q On-Pack
• Paranoia Agent - True Believers (V.2)
• Rumiko Takahashi Anthology - Primal Needs (V.1)
• Samurai Champloo - Volume 1

Signature Series re-price re-releases

1/4

• Gate Keepers - (V.7)
• Sailor Moon SuperS - (V.6)
• Tenchi Universe Collection - (V.7)

Collected Sets

1/11

• Black Heaven, The Legend of - Boxed Set DVD
• lain Signature Series 4 DVD Boxset$59.98

Sound Tracks

1/11/05

• Angela - Voice Of The Sky
• RahXephon Original Soundtrack 1 CD
• Samurai Champloo Original Soundtrack CD

Hanaukyo Maid Team La Verite - How do you do, Master? (V.1) DVD

With the death of his mother, a nerdy third-year middle school student, Taro Hanaukyo, traveled to Tokyo to meet his grandfather. What Taro saw there was a huge estate that was so immense he couldn't see from one end to the other, as well as countless number of beautiful maids. Taro was the grandson of Hokusai Hanaukyo, who amassed the Hanaukyo Family's fortune single-handedly. However, Hokusai was absent from the estate and, all of a sudden, Taro was handed the family's inheritance and ended up being the head of household for the Hanaukyo Family - a family so wealthy that it even has the power to divide the country of Japan. The maids Taro ends up living with are such characters as Mariel, the head of the maids; Konoe Tsurugi of the Security Department; Ikuyo Suzuki of the Technology Department; and Grace, the computer expert. Each of those characters possesses a unique talent and they comprise a group of maids with different expertise called the "Hanaukyo Maid Team." Taro spends his days at the mercy of those maids' antics, whose top and only priority is to "serve the head of household, Master Taro!

Rumiko Takahashi Anthology

Shelter. Employment. Companionship. Rumiko Takahashi explores the stress that can befall people when these basic necessities become endangered. From penguins to wedding chapels and to amnesiac husbands, each episode explores supposedly normal people under extreme situations with all of the dramatic skill and warped comedy that you expect from the world-famous creator of InuYasha, Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura!

Star Ocean EX - LE Box with Vol.1 DVD

Claude and his father are on their mission to investigate the unexplored planet, Mirokinia. When they arrive at the planet, Claude mysteriously gets transported to another planet called Expel. Wandering around in the woods trying to find a way back home, he saves a girl named Rena from a monster with his phase gun. Rescued by him, she tells him that he is the Legendary Warrior of Light whom she's been looking for. In search of Sorcery Globe which is believed to be the source of evils, Claude and Rena set off on their journey that will determine the world's fate.

Based on the Sony Playstation game, Star Ocean The Second Story (tri-Ace Inc., SQUARE ENIX), "Star Ocean Ex" is now reborn as an animated series! Series concepts developed by Kenichi Kanemaki (writer for Agent Aika, Ai Yori Aoshi) Directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (Slayers Movie, Bandit King Jing, Orphen) Animation by Studio Deen (You're Under Arrest, Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X)

Samurai Champloo - Volume 1 DVD

Mugen's a buck wild warrior - violent, thoughtless and womanizing. Jin is a vagrant ronin - mysterious, traditional, well-mannered and very strong as well. These two fiercely independent warriors can't be any more different from one another, yet their paths cross when Fuu, a ditzy waitress, saves them from being executed when they are arrested after a violent swordfight. Fuu convinces the two vagrant young men to help her find a mysterious samurai "who smells of sunflowers." And their journey begins. This is a story about love, friendship and courage . . . NOT! Directed by SHINICHIRO WATANABE (Cowboy Bebop, Animatrix) Designed by KAZUTO NAKAZAWA (Kill Bill Vol.1)

Black Heaven, The Legend of - Boxed Set DVD

Life can crush your dreams. Oji is a middle-management drone stuck in the drudgery of a corporate lifestyle to support his wife and kid. His only grip on sanity comes from the shred of hope surrounding his past life as the amazing guitarist of Black Heaven, a heavy metal band that almost made it. In his bleakest moment, the magic of performing is restored to him when a beautiful and mysterious woman informs him that only his special sound can save the universe from an evil alien invasion!

Key Sales Points: Black Heaven aired on the International Channel and AnimeOnDVD declared, "Black Heaven is one that we finished off with a smile on our face... recommended." All four volumes collected in a plastic slip case Featuring character designs by Kazuto Nakazawa (El Hazard, animation sequence director for Kill Bill, Samurai Champloo) Directed by Yasuhito Kikuchi (El Hazard Alternative World) Nusic by John Sykes and Michael Shenker Based on the original concept by Hiroki Hayashi (El Hazard, Battle Athletes, Battle Athletes Victory, Magical Project S!)

Angela - Voice Of The Sky

The road to soulful, energetic anime songs and guitars ablazing leads to 'Sora no koe' (Voice of the Sky), the full-length debut album of the newcomer Jpop group 'angela.' Fans are singing the praises of this promising duo, consisting of vocalist Atsuko and guitarist Katsu, both of whom provide the captivating and moving vocal songs to the popular series 'Stellvia,' such as the opening theme, 'Brilliant road to tomorrow' and the three closing themes, 'Beautiful night sky,' 'The end of the world' and 'dear my best friend.' J-Pop and anime fans are sure to rock out to this 10-song soundtrack with 'angela' at their very best.

RahXephon Original Soundtrack 1 CD

Call it brilliantly complex and radically ambiguous, call it ultimately rewarding, but whatever the case, the science-fiction mecha series, 'RahXephon,' has impressed viewers with its engagingly mysterious plot and and superb animation, while showcasing a lush marquee soundtrack that fans will not want to miss out on, with the release of 'RahXephon Original Soundtrack 1.' Composer and performer Ichiko Hashimoto's musical attention to detail and willingness to experiment with a minimalist approach result in aesthetically gorgeous instrumentals that will reign supreme with listeners. This 21-track CD features three vocal songs, including the intro theme, 'Hemisphere' (performed by voice actress Maaya Sakamoto and produced by Yoko Kanno, one of the hottest anime composers around) and the outro theme, 'Egg of the Dream' sung by Mayumi Hashimoto and Ichiko Hashimoto.

Samurai Champloo Original Soundtrack CD

Features music by artists Fat Jon, Nujabes, Force of Nature, Tsutchie, and more.

Manga Announces "Guyver Site"

Manga Entertainment is proud to release the action packed 12 part video comic series The Guyver on November 23 in a deluxe two-DVD Box Set featuring six 30 minute episodes on each disc.

When high-school student, Sho, unwittingly activates a mysterious alien weapon, he is transformed into THE GUYVER, a powerful mechanized warrior possessing an incredible alien arsenal. He must now defend mankind against the Zoanoids - devastating bio-weapons created by an ancient alien race's gruesome genetic experiments

The Guyver first gained popularity in 1985 when the saga appeared within the pages of the Japanese comic anthology Shonen Captain. Encouraged by his editor to make his initial combat-suit design more grotesque, comic artist Yoshiki Takaya struck upon the idea of an alien, biological device - a living suit of armor that bonded itself organically to its host. The animated version of The Guyver was released in two separate OVA series in Japan with Takaya personally involved in both productions. Not only did The Guyver make the jump from manga to anime, but the franchise has also spawned two live-action films (Screaming Mad George's Guyver in 1991, and Steve Wang's Guyver: Dark Hero in 1994).

TOKYOPOP Announces 10 Newest Rising Stars Of Manga Winners As Former Finalist Signs Book Deal

TOKYOPOP announced the winners for its fourth Rising Stars of Manga talent search and that it has signed former finalist Michael Vega to a book deal based on a new project called Dark Moon Diary. With Vega already hard at work on his series with author Che Gilson and inker/toner/letterer Diana X. Sprinkle--slated to debut in late 2005--the publisher is eager to share with the world its newest lineup of winners, all of whom will have the opportunity to score their own future TOKYOPOP book deals. Presenting the winners of TOKYOPOP's fourth Rising Stars of Manga competition:

Andy Helms (Age 25), a graphic designer from Alexandria, Virginia, is the Grand Prize winner for his entry, "Bombos Versus Everything." In addition to the $2,500 cash prize, Andy will receive a commemorative trophy and an exclusive opportunity to pitch his full-length manga series to TOKYOPOP's creative executives. "I can't really express how fantastic it felt when I received the news, but I can say that this is probably the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, which was probably pretty apparent to all the neighbors in my apartment complex," said Helms. "Thank you again, TOKYOPOP!"

College student Dave Iseri (Age 21) from San Luis Obispo, California, is the Second Place winner, and will receive $1,500 and a trophy for his work, "Down."

Amy Kim Ganter (Age 24), an animator/illustrator from Brooklyn, New York, has taken the Third Place prize, with $1,000 and a trophy for her work, "The Hopeless Romantic and the Hapless Girl."

The following Runner-Up entries have each earned $500 and an honorary plaque:

. "Beyond the Bird" by Jimmy R. Vann (Age 22) from Long Beach, California

. "Outlaw" by Aaron Vargas (Age 28) from Merced, California . "The Østberg Study" by Amy Reeder Hadley (Age 24) from Westminster, Colorado

. "Work Bites" by Jess Stoncius (Age 22) from Carbondale, Illinois . "Le Masque" by Karen Remsen (Age 17) from Oswego, Illinois . "Hellbender" by Maximo V. Lorenzo (Age 22) from Randolph, New Jersey

. "Shotgun" by Gregory Giovanni Johnson (Age 26) of Sumter, South Carolina

The fifth competition will start January 1st.

CPM Re-priced Releases

CPM announced that the following anime titles will be re-priced to $9.99 startin in January:

• Battle Arena Toshinden: Uncut Version
• Garzey's Wing
• Harmagedon Collector's Series Edition
• Silent Service
• They Were Eleven
• Tokyo Babylon
• Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer
• Wild Cardz

Anime Network Expands into South Caloforinia

Anime Network has announced that it will be appearing on the Adelphia Communincation carrier, expanding into 1.2 million hours in sourthern California.

IDT Producing 'Spawn' and Stan Lee Animated Projects

In non-anime news, ICV2 reports IDT Entertainment conglomerate that includes Anchor Bay Entertainment, Film Roman, Mainframe Entertainment, and Manga Entertainment, has announced the launch of New Arc Entertainment, a film production company with an ambitious schedule of projects including several animated features and one animated series scheduled for the next 15 months, including Rob Zombie's El Superbeasto, a Spawn feature length cartoon and a six-episode animated Stan Lee Presents series, the first two episodes of which are "Chameleon" and "El Lobo".

Viz Talks Holiday Manga Releases

Viz announced that the following manga collections will be released for the 2004 holiday season:

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, Volume 1 . MSRP: $9.99 . Available November 9, 2004

Hayao Miyazaki is the most renowned animator in Japanese history. He won an Academy AwardT in 2002 for the film Spirited Away, for which VIZ also published the Ani-MangaT. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, is a critically acclaimed manga about childhood innocence, friendship and the belief that magic is all around us. Breathtaking artwork and magical adventures is what readers will find in this title from the Studio Ghibli Library.

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO opens with Satsuki and Mei's move to the Japanese countryside with their father. Although Satsuki and Mei are at first frightened by their new surroundings, they quickly discover a magical presence in their midst and meet their new neighbor - a tree guardian named Totoro who lives in the forest behind their house. Soon a wonderful adventure begins.

MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR, Volume 4 . MSRP: $7.95 . Available November 2, 2004

Inspired by the popular television series currently seen on Kids' WB, MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR transports readers to the year 200x. Lan and MegaMan are back doing their best to thwart World Three's never-ending quest to take over the world. In this volume, Lan and MegaMan finally achieve PerfectSynchro but the pint sized NetNavi flips out. Can Lan bring MegaMan back to his old self before he's destroyed by the NetPolice?

BEYBLADE, Volume 1 . MSRP: $7.99 . Available October 20, 2004

Tyson is a boy with a passion for Beyblades. His enemies are the Blade Sharks, a militant Beyblade group who use aggressive tactics to win at any cost. Tyson has been given a special Dragoon Beyblade from a mysterious stranger and the Blade Sharks are determined to get. Beyblade battles abound in this fantastic first volume!

ONE PIECE, Volume 5 . MSRP: $7.95 . Available November 9, 2004

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy was inspired to become a pirate by listening to the tales of a buccaneer. His life is changed when he accidentally eats the cursed Gum-Gum fruit, and gains the power to stretch like rubber at the cost of never being able to swim again! Years later, still vowing to become the King of the Pirates, Luffy sets out on his adventure in search of the legendary "One Piece," the greatest treasure in the world. ONE PIECE is consistently the No. 1 selling manga in Japan, and the related anime series began airing in the U.S. on FoxBox in September 2004.

In the latest volume of this best selling SHONEN JUMP manga, wannabe pirate Usopp's village is under attack by the Black Cat Pirates, one of the most well known and feared crews on the high seas. Usopp now is about to find out how an imaginary pirate stacks up against the real thing and what it really means to be a pirate.

BLEACH, Volume 3 . MSRP: $7.95 . Available October 12, 2004

Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see ghosts, but this ability doesn't change his life nearly as much as his close encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper and member of the mysterious Soul Society. While fighting a Hollow, an evil spirit that preys on humans who display psychic energy, Rukia attempts to lend Ichigo some of her powers so that he can save his family, but much to her surprise, Ichigo absorbs every last drop of her energy. Now a full-fledged Soul Reaper himself, Ichigo quickly learns that the world he inhabits is one full of dangerous spirits. Along with Rukia, who is slowly regaining her powers, it's Ichigo's job to both protect the innocent from Hollows and to help the spirits find peace.

In the latest action-packed volume of this supernatural smash hit series. it's the anniversary of Ichigo's mother's death and the entire Kurosaki clan has gathered at the cemetery to pay their respects. Sleeping demons rarely lie still and Ichigo and Rukiasoon find themselves facing the Grand Fisher, an evil spirit that may be responsible for the death of the young boy's mother.

INUYASHA, Volume 19 . MSRP: $8.95 . Available Now!

The manga inspiration for the popular Cartoon Network TV series! Lingering lust of the weak human form gives life to the evil demon Naraku. The evil mastermind is unable to kill the priestess Kikyo - a fact that she taunts the demon with. Furious, Naraku intends to prove her wrong, and sends a Giant Soul Skimmer to destroy her. Inuyasha comes to the rescue and his friend and sidekick, Kagome, returns from her own era in the distant future just in time to see Inuyasha and Kikyo embrace. Can such a bizarre supernatural love triangle possibly have a happy ending?

RUROUNI KENSHIN, Volume 8 . MSRP: $7.95 . Available November 9, 2004

Action, romance, and historical intrigue help make Nobuhiro Watsuki's RUROUNI KENSHIN, the best selling manga series in the popular SHONEN JUMP graphic novel line. The tale of a wandering swordsman set against the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration, Himura Kenshin who was once an assassin (or hitokiri) of ferocious power now fights to protect the honor of those in need.

The latest volume opens with the shocking mid-day murder of Department of Internal Affairs Chief Ôkubo. A faint accompli, Kenshin leaves for Kyoto where the murder occurred, against the wishes of his friends who know him as the gentile "Rurouni." Awaiting him there is Sushio Makoto, the hitokiri who replaced the cold-eyed assassin Himura Battôsai once he swore off further killing. But does Kenshin go to Kyoto for a duel or for a death match?

WOLF'S RAIN, Volume 1 . MSRP: $9.95 . Available November 5, 2004

WOLF'S RAIN, Box Set . MSRP: $14.99 . Available November 5, 2004

Four wolves on the run from mankind answer the highest, most dire calling - they seek the legendary Paradise. From the creators of the popular Cowboy Bebop anime series seen on Cartoon Network, comes this new manga take on the hit suspense anime WOLF'S RAIN. Humans thought the wolves died off two centuries ago in this bleak post-apocalyptic wasteland. But some survivors lurk among the humans by mentally cloaking their animal bodies. One white wolf, Kiba, scours the land for the scent of the Lunar Flower that will lead them to Paradise.

WOLF'S RAIN is somber, uncompromising and thought-provoking science fiction. This graphically stunning title is also available in a box set, which includes the first volume in the series and a collectible 3D lenticular card.

VIZ rounds out the collection of graphic novels for holiday gift giving with the following two titles rated 'M' for Mature readers - recommended for adults.

SAIKANO, Volume 2 . MSRP: $9.95 . Available October 12, 2004

Shuji and Chise are high school seniors in a small town who have just started dating when Shuji discovers that Chise has been engineered by the military so that she can transform herself into a powerful weapon. While Shuji and Chise keep trying to nurture their relationship, Chise continues to grow more powerful as the Ultimate Weapon, and becomes increasingly torn between being a destructive fighting force and remaining an ordinary teenager.

In this volume, the city of Sapporo is attacked from the air and Shuji discovers Chise's terrible secret. Now she is summoned on a classified mission and Shuji must brace himself for what might happen to his true love.

SENSUAL PHRASE, Volume 4 . MSRP: $9.95 . Available OCTOBER 12, 2004

Up until recently, Lucifer has been the hottest band on the radio. The combination of Sakuya's good looks and Aine's sexy lyrics has shot them straight to the top of the hit parade. But that's all about to change. A new group by the name of Jesus is creeping up the charts. They've got the tunes and the sex appeal to rival even Lucifer's scorching popularity. It's the ultimate battle of the bands - Jesus vs. Lucifer! Who rocks harder?

12" Votoms Figures

Figures.com has images of Yamato USA's 12" figures of mecha war anime Votoms here

Milk Chan on Cartoon Network Officially Announced

Looking for exciting new programming to augment its successful late-night "Adult Swim" animation programming block, Cartoon Network has acquired "The Super Milk-Chan Show," an irreverent, politically-incorrect anime series from ADV Films, which it will begin airing in November 2004.

Mixing live-action with animation, this whacked-out series centers on the adventures of Milk, a selfish, foul-mouthed female superhero with no real superpowers. Far from the typical A-list superhero, Milk is assisted by an obsolete, abused robot and a slug that drinks too much. She also has a mechanical dog with a bad habit of relieving itself at inopportune moments. Produced by Studio Pierrot (GTO and Saiyuki), "The Super Milk-Chan Show" is currently available on DVD from ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of Japanese animation in the U.S.

New Manga Licenses

Anime on DVD points out TOKYOPOP has licensed In Dream World, Visitor and PhD: Phantasy Degree.

Infinity Studios, now lists Cafe Occult, Popo Can and Na Na Na Na