Father Geek here with the 1st edition of our regular Anime - Manga column for 2005...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

With the holiday season is almost over, many are probably a little light on funds due to festivities and hopefully a little charitable contribution, but I'd like to ask the readers of this column to donate something, part of you anime/manga/entertainment budget for example, to some charity or organization that assists victims of the Asian quake and tsunamis. If you can give a something, it will doubtlessly mean much more to the effected.

If you're looking for an organization, my preferred charity over the years, for no particular reason other than they were the one I found when looking a while back, that was secular and encouraging financial statements, has been CARE.

On a lighter note, thank you to the participants of last week's Geneon holiday give-away. Winners will be drawn and notified shortly.

Manga Spotlight: NAMBUL: War Stories Volume 1:Invasaion! Volume 2: Conquest By Hyun Se Lee

Released by CPM Manwha

Maybe because are no shortages of slow to heal sores in the relationships between peoples across the world, but, from a North American perspective, the relationship between Japan and Korea is often painted as wariness rather than rooted antagonism.

A number of commentators, including the creator of NAMBUL have observed that Japan and Korea have trouble normalizing relationship. NAMBUL looks to the echoes of World War II, but other, smaller, and more recent incidents also reside in the consciousness of both people.

Created in 1994, NAMBUL uses the energy crisis spawned by a hypothetical US-Iraqi Gulf War (different in character from the historical ones) as a catalyst to confront the relationship between Korea and Japan. Brothers Hae-Sung and Yusung serve as a microcosm for the search for a Korean identity under the pressure of Japanese influence.

NAMBUL stands out in making a point that the creator has conviction in and knowledge of. Hyun Se Lee is confronting a national assertiveness, more maintaining an identity than nationalism.

Hae-Sung and Yusung, along with their father are Korean immigrants to Japan who, despite their alternate paths both feel ambivalent about their identities and roles. Hae-Sung has rebelled against everything, and has become a bully and gang leader. Yusung, now Hideo, abandoned Korean culture in favor of a Japanese life, finally leaving his Korean lover for a Japanese wife, and finding wild success in the currencies market.

At the same time, NAMBUL examines the path of conflict. On the outside of a trade coalition between Indonesia and Korea, Japan finds itself blocked from a regional alternative oil supply. Japan decided to seek an inroads by through the Dyak minority ethnic group, supporting their war of independence in return for oil mining rights. Hyun Se Lee's character work sometimes has a Tezuka like tendency towards goofiness, but his detail and scale in mechanical depictions give the actions a sense of history.

Focus alternates between the building war between Japan and Korea and the stories of the brothers, so far intersection when in chance encounters with protest marches or military officials. How the two stories converge and how it effects the brothers will ultimately establish the impact of the series. Two volumes in, NAMBUL is still exploring the premise, without fully having established the role of the characters. Whether it is going to focus on the experience of an immigrant during in war time, or involving the characters in the conflict remains to be seen.

Among comic critics there is some implied perception of quality if a work addresses real world politics. That in the effort to escape escapism the intention is sufficient. There are cases like Eagle: The Makings of An Asian-American President, which featured engaging drama, but a flawed portrayal of the mechanics of American political campaigning, where the veracity is overlooked, and beyond that, cases where a vague extrapolation of a real issue is enough to count the work as a valid examination.

Hyun Se Lee is looking answer the trends in Korean history. There is enough of a text thumbnail bookend the volume to see the root of his argument. While his full statements haven't been unveiled, it is universally intriguing.

Anime Preview: Magical Meow Meow Taruto Volume 1 of 4: A Magic Cat

To be released by Bandai Feb 22 2005

There's little odd about the ideas of an anime series following a girl with purple, fuzzy cat ears and tail who tosses magic bubbles. Cat-eared girls barely warrant a blink. .Hack's dog girl is mildly novel, but cat girls are practically a mascot of anime. Still, there is something different about Magical Meow Meow Taruto that gives it its own charm. It is a darling, genuinely cute with few characters that aren't fun, but more interestingly, while it is while not quiet or subdued, it does a graceful job leaving a great deal unexplained, cleverly concealing definitive markers without letter their absence be felt.

Magical Meow Meow Taruto opens with an illustrated back story that looks old testament crossed with fairy-tale. Before the wars between the cat-peoples lead to the destruction of kingdom of Ganache, its ruler left sent away his daughter into the dimensional rushes. In a more or less familiar world knee-high, purple haired cat girl Taruto lives with Iori and his younger sister, and soon surprises her new feline neighbors with from a pair of traditional and fashion oriented almost contemporaries to a talkatively erudite intellectual, occasionally impressive magical abilities.

The series is cute enough in personality without resorting to a saccharine story or cotton-candy look to get away with simplicity, or the illusion of simplicity. Even the look isn't flashy, for a Madhouse (Ninja Scroll, most of the CLAMP adaptations, Paranoia Agent) its animation is notable competent rather than impression leaving. There's an abundance cute anime that leaves a sour taste. On one end there are marketing designed overtly commercial works, on the other there is the trend in moe, a kind of suggestive innocence for an older audience. Taruto works with cleverness and engaging characters to make itself highly watchable.

Behind the simple visible premise that gets plenty of mileage out of jokes like a girl with butterfly net trying to add the heroine to her collection whose puffy dress shoulders gets her caught in a narrow alley repeatedly, the series plays some interesting games with the viewer. This maybe a spoiler, but it is too much of a provocative aspect not to mention. While the character Taruto refers to Iori as her fiancé, and interacts with him as if she expects a two way conversations, but in a subtle way it appears that Taruto can her cat-person ilk are viewed by humans as typical cats.

One of the ambiguous aspects of Taruto is its intended and appropriate audience. The design and stories are undeniably attractive to a younger crowd. Apart from some sense of mortality that might be an issue for the very young, there is little objectionable material and nothing untoward. It is innocent, and not moe sort of falsified innocence mixed with titillating material. Still, there is a shadow of doubt. Most observers familiar with the Japanese market would say that the manga anthology that a title originates in dictates its intended audience. According to its opening credit, Taruto debuting in Monthly Ultra-Jump, the home of series such for a male audience older than the general Shonen Jump line, including Tenjou Tenge, Battle Angel Alita: Last Order, Bastard!! and Outlaw Star, a collection of series which have their share of rather graphic sex and violence. Taruto seem to be a case of radically alternative content, but the origin leaves some question regarding the direction that the series will take.

For anime that may appeal to young audiences, an good English dub is an significant aspect. In Taruto, the actors noticeably get into the personalities of the characters, quirky without excess hammyness, which enhances the experiences, especially important since the series leaves details left unsaid.

Anime Preview: Gravion Zwei

To be released by ADV Films

An anime series that opens with a blonde pilot referring to her opponent, on the Japanese language track as a "jack off" in English deserves some affection. Where as the original Gravion began with a sci-fi political crisis, Masami Obari reintroduces the cast in the sequel to his over sexualized retro-giant robot work by having the Gran Knight heroes dress/cross dress in maid outfits after losing at strip mahjong (followed by a musical sequence of the heroes performing maid-tasks). It isn't so much an overt comedy, as a combining giant robot series that has ridiculously good time flaunting the fact that it is hollow eye candy. More thought is given to the regalia of the heroic endeavor, from hand gesture posturing to the giant robot's creator carrying a disassembled scepter used to call for his drills and planes and such to combine into Super Heavy God Gravion than a coherent rational to the conflict. Even the obvious jokes, such as the Gran Knights' "under construction" laden home page are played with a straight face.

Beyond the Freudian implications of its focal constructs, sex had tended to be part of giant robot works. It has hard to top a genre with foundations like Go Nagai's breast missiles, and pillars like Evangelion's form fitting plug suits. Masami Obari would be the one to do it.

His female characters, regardless of age, tend to look like wasp waisted Paleolithic fertility statues. Even in the background with minor characters, seldom is a chance missed to throw in fissures of cleavage or gelatinous bounces. The super hero slight brightness meets lingerie less than graceful revealing is done to an excessive degree that is an amusing spectacle rather than titillating. As in most of his work Obari is an equal opportunity sexual exploiter. His male form and musculature is more in the mold of female directed fanservice than typical male aimed cool or bland identifiably. The question is question of how he will top himself, in this case he does it abundantly.

From its jackhammer opening animation, Gravion Zwei is a tasteless visual barrage, but it doesn't pretend otherwise. In doing so, it is able to have a rare degree of fun with the concept.

Anime Spotlight Stellvia Foundation 1 & Foundation 2

Released by Geneon

From Gainax's Evangelion precursor Gunbuster to AIC's sci-fi sports comedy Battle Athletes, space cadet series have had a minor, but persistent presence in anime in recent years. Stellvia takes a direct route with the concept, hardish-sci-fi for a younger audiences (or fans of youth-oriented design). Large aspects of the concept's science can be picked apart, but there is at least some functional details and a willingness to give scientific concepts some screen time, ie there is sound in space, but resistance-less motion.

Extremely hair styles, large, brightly colored eyes, truly young looking characters, and sci-fi incarnation of school uniforms gives the Stellvia a distinctive appearance. Its works better with the force of the characters' personalities behind than it does in static images, effecting a sense of youth, but for older, non-cuteness inclined audiences, it is a slight hurtle.

Set 200 years after Earth was battered by the effects of a star going supernova, space still has a green tint from the introduced gas. Humanity has rebuilt and extended itself through new settlements within the solar system. Shipon Katase is a young woman who enrolls at the Stellvia space station/academy hoping to see space from space, in time for the preparations for the Great Mission, an attempt to mitigate the effects of the next wave of imitations from the supernova. In the institution, she is quickly acknowledged as a phenomenon to watch, struggling at piloting standard one person space crafts, but astonishing observers in with her almost intuitive intelligence, particularly in programming (visualized with crystal models).

26 episodes makes for a long series these days, giving Stellvia room to evolve but in its early episodes a mix of sense of wonder and dorm camaraderie make for an enjoyable series. The characters are generally likable, and aided by a brisk pace, not episodic, but resolving short term sub-plots in an episode or two. Remarkably, the narrative isn't setting up a series to straw horse problems. There is some antagonism, but people are pretty much doing their job and goal oriented in their education rather than distracted by petty arguments. Nor is there a reductionist construction is simple motives.

Stellvia has its own look, but its brand of school progression story is far from new. From the preliminary meeting/impression on the institution head to the hero who is brilliant in some aspects of the curriculum and struggling with other it has been following an expected trajectory. With Harry Potter the dominant prep school chronicle of the day, it is easy to find comparisons between the it and Stellvia. It may also be easy to force more points of comparison than are needed (sports/house competition is present but it doesn't seem to be a key aspect), but Stellvia undeniably be consider a sci-fi work with Harry Potter appeal.

April Media Blaster Releases

From the Anime Works line:

4/12

Giant Robo: Ginrei Special

Iczer

Invader Zim Box w/Extras Disc

Invader Zim Box Full w/Extras Disc

4/26

Sadamitsu the Destroyer Complete

Shrine of the Morning Mist - Asagari No Miko - Volume 3 (of 3)

Giant Robo: Ginrei Special

The evil members of Blue Flower begin their most nefarious plot yet. They send Alberto to kidnap Ginrei and replace her with the nearest available evil twin. Her primary concern, however, is the identity of person who stole her favorite dress. Yet more terrifying adventure explodes when the Experts of Justice realize that the BF have better health benefits and a 401K. Created by the GIANT ROBO creative team, directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa and featuring music from the Warsaw Philharmonic. With guest appearances by Daisaku Kusama, Giant Robo, and many more. 1 Disc, 3 Episodes, 90 Minutes

Iczer

The biological combat android Iczer-1 travels to Earth. Her mission is to defend the planet from Cthuwolf invaders, but in order to power her battlesuit she needs to unite with a partner in body and mind. Nagisa is a human girl who has lost her parents to the Cthuwolf. Nagisa's psychic power can give Iczer-1 the strength to fight, and her love can give Iczer-1 what she needs to win. Directed by Toshihiro Hirano, director of Magic Knights Rayearth, Vampire Princess Miyu, and Macross: Do you Remember Love Mecha Designes by the legendary Masami Obari, of Battle Arena Toshinden and Fatal Fury fame. 1 disc, 3 episodes, 108 minutes

Invader Zim Box w/Extras Disc

The Irken armada is poised conquer the universe, but it would be a lot easier without Invader Zim! Thickheaded, brash, and overzealous, Zim has been banished into food service for wrecking the Irken home planet. He begs the almighty tallest for a second chance to reclaim his lost honor. Seeing the opportunity to rid themselves of this nuisance forever, they send Zim on a "secret" mission to a planet far away on the edge of the universe-Earth. Now Earth's only hope rests with a young UFO-hunting paranormal enthusiast named Dib. Seeing through Zim's human disguise, Dib makes it his sole mission to defend out planet from this fiendish alien menace. 1 disc, extras, running time tbd Retail: $39.95

Invader Zim Box Full w/Extras Disc

7 discs, 27 episodes, 675 minutes Retail: $129.95

Sadamitsu the Destroyer Complete

After a cosmic prison break, a horde of murderous aliens are free and headed to Earth. Humanity's only hope, a robotic police officer with unparalleled strength and an unwavering devotion to justice, has been decapitated. Sadamitsu, a local gang member and all-purpose thug, takes up the robot's mission and his head. Wearing it as a helmet, Sadamitsu borrows the robot's powers and fights the attacking aliens. 3 discs, 10 episodes, 250 minutes Retail: $29.95

Negima Trailer

A trailer for the upcoming adaptation of Love Hina creator Ken Akamatsu's Maho Sensei Negima can be seen here

Media Blasters Licenses Blame!

Media Blasters' John Sirabella indicated on Anime on DVD's forum that Media Blasters has licensed the 6 mini-episode anime adaptation of Tsutomu Nihei's Blame!

Fullmetal Alchemist Game in January

RPGamer and Anime News Network report that Square Enix will release Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel in North America on January 18th. The PS2 RPG game was released in Japan in December 2003.

NA Casshern Site

Go Fish's site for the North American release of the live action adapation of Casshen is now online here

JoJo Release Plans

Anime News Network reports that Super Techno Arts plans to release volume of violent super hero/horror anime JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in February, and volume 6 in June. Check disc reviews are complete and the replication is set to start shortly. They explained that the delays were caused by a reorganization of the company structure.

CPM Releases and Re-pricing

Central Park Media will be collecting Cyber City by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (director of Ninja Scroll and The Animatrix episode Program) in a release for March 8th, priced at $9.95.

Black Jack: Biohazard ($19.95 SRP) based on Osamu Tezuka's medical suspense, Black Jack DVD Collection 2 ($49.95 SRP), and Patlabor The Mobile Police-The TV Series: Volume 10 ($29.95 SRP) will also be released on March 8th

Anime on DVD reports that the box set collections of Slayers, Slayers Next and Slayers Try will remain at the, initially holiday priced, $49.99

Xenosaga Anime Site

The site for the upcoming Japanese release of the anime adaptation of game Xenosaga is online here

New Planetes & Survive Specials Scheduled

AnimeNation reports that new TV specials for Planetes and Mujin Wakusei Survive (Uninhabited Planet Survive) will air respectively on December 31, 2004 and January 2, 2005.

Marmalade Boy 4 Scheduled

The 4th collection of the anime version of Marmalade Boy will be released by TOKYOPOP on April 26th, 2005.

Trouble for Dreamwave

Comic rumor column Lying in the Gutters has updated the speculations about the status of comic publisher Dreamwave, best known for the Transformers license. There have been a number of public pay roll distributes, with an increasing number of creators stating that they have been refused payment. Reportedly, employees have been told that the company will go into receivership.

Transformer license owner Hasbro has given Dreamwave a deadline for license payments, and there have been rumors that Hasbro has asked comic distributor Diamond for Dreamwave assets and cancelled books.

Dreamwave's license is unlikely to be renewed, making Devil's Due the like successor