Father Geek here with Scott Green and his very cool Anime Report for this Wednesday. Well, I've seen alot of the METROPOLIS footage (trailers, out takes, etc...) and I'm really jazzed to catch the whole flick, hope I get to see it on the big screen somewhere, and the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. Here's Scott's info crammed column for this week... Read... Click those links... and ENJOY!
Yamamoto Yohko, Starship Girl Announced
Right Stuf has announced their upcoming release of Yamamoto Yohko, Starship Girl on 9/25 for $39.95 for the six episode OAV series. The sci-fi comedy is about an incredibly intelligent girl, good every skill, especially video games, who is taken to the future with a group of friends to pilot starships. Some of the series' jokes are odd to the point of being surreal. In one episode while vacationing the girls watch bananas stalk a swamp like alligators, and peal and eat alligators like they were bananas. Later they play pool with planets in order to get the opportunity to win a solar system from a crane game.
Sen to Chihiro
According to the Nausicaa.net mailing list two trailers of Sen to Chihiro can be found here
Knockin' On Heaven's Door Trailer Online
A trailer to the Cowboy Bebop Movie: Knockin' on Heaven's Door is online at here in 9 and 4 mb versions. The trailer is mostly scenes from the anime series, but there is new footage of the bounty hunter Spike squaring off against the new character Vincent.
Gundam Clarification
Charles McCarter of Bandai Entertainment post the following on Anime on DVD's Forum" I'd just like to go on record (again) as saying that the title change to "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing" from "New Mobile Report Gundam Wing" in the U.S. was the idea of Sunrise.
Since Gundam Wing was the first Gundam of the franchise to appear here, they felt it would be a good idea to give it the same moniker as most of the other series in the franchise, especially since they wanted to make the term "Mobile Suit" something that was easily undertood and recognizable by american viewers.
It was their choice. Bandai Entertainment did not change the title during our adaptation of the title.We are very conscious of the anime fans and we do take their opinions into consideration. However, in this instance, it simply was not a choice that was ours to make. In this case, I don't think it makes much difference either way.
Whether or not you like it or not, there it is."
Cosmo Warrior Zero TV Info
Sci-fi animation legend Reiji Matsumoto's first TV project in 19 years (last was Arcadia Of My Youth in 1982), Cosmo Warrior Zero recently was the focus of a press event in Tokyo. The series begins airing on TV Tokyo from July. The series is based on a Playstation 2 game by the same name. Reiji Matsumoto is best known in the US for the space opera Battleship Yamato/Star Blazers, and characters such as Captain Harlock and Queen Esmeraldas.
Alien 9 OAV Info
On May 13th a press event for the upcoming Alien 9 OAV series was held in Tokyo, there a premiere screening of the first episode took place. Fully digital aided animation and CG additions top off this scifi action serial. A special vocal unit was announced at the press conference, the single CD containing the series theme performed by the unit appears via Nippon Columbia on June 21. Volume 1 of Alien 9 is put on the market from the Bandai Visual at 5800 Yen retail on June 25. Vol. 2 is due on Sept. 25 followed by release of the other 2 volumes on Nov. and January 25.
Tokyo Pop Miyu News
http://www.animeondvd.com
Anime on DVD has learned the following about Tokyo Pop's release of Vampire Princess Miyu:
- They are planning a domestic DVD release
- It will be bilingual
- They are looking at September to start releasing them
- The series will be spread over 8 discs
- Pricing will be about $30 per disc
- They also plan on releasing the soundtrack domestically either in August or September
Browsing through the Tokyopop site, you'll also notice what appear to be upcoming soundtracks for Trigun and Bubblegum Crisis 2040.
Wings Comparison
http://www.animeondvd.com
A comparison of the region 2 to the region 1 DVD picture quality of Wings of Honneamise can be seen at here. Though Wings of Honneamise is a classic feature, both in terms of its animation, and its story, the quality of the image on the DVD make less than desirable.
Cartoon Network Analysis
Save Our Sailors has posted an interesting analysis of the situation at Cartoon Network's Toonami at here. The article presents the idea that Toonami will be moved to 5:00pm eastern and pacific so that its programming will not conflict with Kids' WB, and that more show trading, like the move of Card Captors to Cartoon Network may be occurring.
Video Girl Ai R1 DVD Correction/Update
Video Girl Ai will be released by Viz. It is currently being schedule for a two volume release, in September and December on bilingual discs. Bandai DVD Dates Bandai has announced the dub only edition of Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. #1 for 24.95$ and Angel Links Vol. #3 for 29.99$. Both are due on 08/07/2001. Due on 08/21/2001 is the next release of the Big O Vol. #2, also retailing for 29.99$
Bandai tweaks again
According to a bit of information posted in Anime on DVD's forums by Charles McCarter of Bandai Entertainment, the discs that are currently being authored will be done so that they recognize player defaults that you may have set on them. Those who have their players set to default on Japanese language with English subtitles, this is one more thing that lets us get to the content sooner. After recently making the opening logos and FBI warnings skippable.
Warren Ellis Animated
In another entry in the not anime, but interesting animation projects file comic book writer Warren Ellis (Planetary, The Authority, Transmetropolitan, ect.) seems to be making some animated inroads. In his e-mail news letter "From the Desk Of" he says "I'm currently in the middle of my first screenplay -- a script for an animated film that will be entirely computer generated. It's an adaptation of the fine Joe Haldeman sf novel MINDBRIDGE. Haldeman's most famous novel is THE FOREVER WAR. I'm writing this for Blur Studio, who can be found at http://www.blur.com. I'm also writing a TV series for and based on a concept by a Canadian animation studio."
The news letter also indicates that many of his comic projects are nearing their conclusions.
According to ZenEntertainment, Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: TNG) is attached to voice the lead role of Spider Jerusalem in a FLASH-animated series based on Warren Ellis & Darick Robertson's TRANSMETROPOLITAN. Ellis is in talks to adapt TRANSMET, which would appear as a series of shorts at SONY DIGITAL's SCREENBLAST.COM website. Stewart is familiar with the DC/VERTIGO Comics series, supplying an introduction to the upcoming trade paperback, LONELY CITY. Additionally, CA rumors Robin Williams may be interested in starring in a live-action feature film on the future's favorite gonzo journalist.
Saint Seiya: Hades Update
The Hades trailer than was showed in Toulon Festival. It can be seen at here. According to a Q&A
The Saint Seiya trailer was presenting during the event, and it was a big success.
Some people from Toei Animation were present to see it, it was unclear w if they decided to change their opinion and decide to continue the anime. If they don't want to continue the organization who producted the trailer may try to buy the Saint Seiya rights in order to continue the Saint Seiya anime.
Delays
Crest of the Stars Vol. #1 will now arrive on 6/5 (with subsequent volumes coming every two months, so August for #2), Cardcaptors TV Dub will move to 7/10.
Last Nadesico
ADV Films has announced the release date for the final volume of Martian Successor Nadesico. Vol. #6 will arrive on 8/28/2001 and will contain the remaining 5 episodes (the show is still coming out on VHS, so this is much like Bebop's release in that the DVD started later than the VHS but both will finish at the same time.). Price is 29.99$ for the 125 minutes of show. They also have the rights to the Nadesico movie, Prince of Darkness.
Synch Point Info
Originally, the DVD for Gainax's (Evangelion, Nadia) OAV FLCL was planned for after the VHS, but it now appears that this series will arrive at the same time though no dates are set yet. They're still looking at 2 OVA's per disc as well as getting some extras (which I hope will be a subtitled version of the Pillows music video that's on one of the discs). For Tenshi ni Narumon, it's still looking like that will be release to DVD after the tapes start rolling out.
ADV Dates
7/24 Arc the Lad 3: Wanted (D) Farscape 5 (DUB / DVD) Shadowraiders 6: Final Conflict (DUB / DVD) 7/31 Martian Successor Nadesico 11 (DUB / SUB) Sorcerer Hunters 2 DVD Nadia: Secret of the Blue Water 2: The Dark Kingdom (D) 8/21 Kimagure Orange Road: Summer's Beginning DVD 8/28 Martian Successor Nadesico 12 (DUB / SUB) 9/4 Arc the Lad 4: Alliance 9/11 Getter Robo: Armageddon 2 (D) Sailor Moon 11: The Return of Sailor Moon (D)
BAOH Delayed
Originally scheduled for release on 5/29, AnimEigo has announced that the BAOH DVD has been delayed until 6/26.
A Look at GITS 2 Via Action Figures
Three figures of Ghost in the Shell: Man Machine interface have been shown by Toycom. The figures of Motoko Aramaki entitled "Fire Wall" (features removeable mask), "White Dress", and a third figure, name not yet decided has been shown on Figures.com at here.
Death Update
ADV's Films adaption of Chaos! Comics' Lady Death is making it was The animated feature version of Chaos! Comics' Lady Death is making it's way through production according to Andy Orjuela of ADV Films. Orjuela recently spoke to Comics2Film about the movie. The filmmakers are starting to see animation from overseas. "We're getting some test footage back. We'll start putting it together here in town," Orjuela said. "Character designs are good to go. Key back grounds are still being worked on. They all kind of tie together and have the same Hellish look and feel. That's the hardest part right now, redeveloping Hell." Chaos! and ADV are striving to give viewers a new vision of the underworld. "The standard interpretation is the red, fire and brimstone type of stuff. We've completely stayed away from that," Orjuela told C2F. "Our Hell is very dark and it's grays. There's hints of red, lava and fire, but it's very lonely. That's what we want. It's creepy. It fits really well with the story." Brian Pulido wrote the treatment for the movie with Carl Maycek penning the screenplay. Maycek has been a producer on many ADV projects like RoboTech, Nadia: Secret of Blue Water and A.D. Police.
Plans are to putting test footage together with animatics and a scratch dialog track. This will allow the filmmakers to run through the movie and make sure everything works together as planned.
The movie could be completed this year. However, it's more likely the film won't be released until early next year in order to give ADV more time to promote it. Orjuela tells us to look for a promotional push that will begin on the internet late this summer. However, plans are to keep the queen of the dead under wraps until the movie comes out. "We're going to hide what Lady Death looks like."
Metropolis Completion Event
According to Anime News Service a press event announcing the completion of Madhouse's Metropolis theatrical animation adaptation of the Tezuka Osamu manga (of the same title) was held in a Ginza theater on May 16th. Major production staff and cast were on hand there where a mini live performance of a major theme of the film "METROPOLITAN RYTHM KIDS" kicked off the promotional. In addition 2 other songs from the film, "ST. JAMES INFIRMARY" and "THERE'LL NEVER BE GOOD-BYE" were performed and met by a grand applause by those in attendance. It was revealed that Jazz style music was adopted for a great portion of the film's BGM. Metropolis opens in theaters across Japan on May 26th via Toho Co., Ltd. ICV2that Sony Pictures has decided to forgo subtitling the film. It will be dubbed into English, and available at least at first only in a dubbed version. The film should be released in the U.S. early next year.
Original Dirty Pair on DVD
David Williams of ADV has posted on Anime on DVD's forum that they will be releasing the first volume of the Original Dirty Pair OVA series onto DVD on 7/17/2001. This disc will contain the first 5 of 10 OVA's and if it sells well (as it should), it should help spur the acquisition of the full TV series. "Dirty Pair" is the derogatory nickname of the "Lovely Angel", Kei and Yuri, a pair of trouble consultants who travel they starts with their fuzzy killing machine pet MUGHI (Military Utility Genetic Higher Intelligence), and robot Nammo, attempting to solve problems, and usually destroying things. A prequel to the series Dirty Pair Flash has also been released by ADV, and an American comic by Adam Warren has been released by Dark Horse comics, who has recently remastered his Dirty Pair: Sim Hell in color.
Pioneer Dates
Hand Maid May Vol. #1 and Niea_7 Vol. #1 will both street on 08/14/2001. Both volumes will contain 4 episodes and retail for $29.99. Pioneer's making Niea_7 their first DVD exclusive release, something other companies have been doing for a bit now. Hand Maid May runs for 10 episodes plus 1 special direct to video episode at the end and Niea_7 runs for 13 episodes. According to the Pioneer rep, the Fushigi Yugi OVA box set is scheduled to street on 6/5 and the Kishin Corps/Geo Armor disc is on 6/19. Kishin was delayed initially awhile ago to move up to a 2 disc release to improve video quality, and this secondary delay was due to the discovery of two episodes being dubtitled (a subtitled whose script is the same as the dub) instead of properly subtitled, so that needed to be fixed. Both releases are now in replication.
