Father Geek back with Scott Green's great Anime coverage for us this week. Sorry this is late, its NO fault of Scott's, I've been in New York City the last few days checking out the "rough cut" of the new version of ROLLERBALL which is set entirely in Asia, and couldn't get to a keyboard to post this on Tuesday night. Scott's got a ton of info for you soooo let's get right to it...
News From A-Kon
Last weekend the Project A-Kon anime convention occurred in Dallas Texas. Reports on the industry panel where posted by North Virginia Anime Anonymous and by "Sapphire" on Anime on DVD's forum
ADV Films announced new titles which include: Colorful (what some are describing as "sexy gag comedy," and Goemon (based on the Mystical Ninja Goemon franchise, one of which was released in the US for the Nintendo 64). Titles scheduled for release "next year" category include Spectral Force (Ironcat mentioned at their panel that they had complete work on the manga version they were producing for ADV) Devilman Lady, and Triangle Session, whish is on the air in Japan right now, and you can see "ADVFILMS" in the copyright info.
The theatrical release of the action movie Spriggan is scheduled for September, with a "platform" release. Release it in several currently undecided large cities, then if it does well expand the release. The movie's DVD release will be anamorphic.
Like other anime distributors ADV sees DVD as the future for the medium. A number of their titles will start being DVD only, real soon. Daigaurd, Soul Hunter(Senkaiden Houshin Engi) and Princess Nine (the shoujo, girls, series about a baseball team) will be DVD only. Princess Nine will be another experiment - not only will then entire series be on 6 discs, but the SRP will be $19.98. "DVD has taken the entire market by storm, especially in anime." Their goal is still to have their entire back catalogue released on DVD "by next year."
The back titles that are probably most anticipated are the comedy titles Dragon Half a fantasy parody about a girl who is half human and half dragon searching for love and Dick Saucer concert tickets, and Nuku Nuku, about a military robot given the brain of a cat.
There is no chance for Nadesico to be redone without. overlays. The science fiction series about the eclectic crew of a cooperate battleship has a number of text intensive scenes that used overlays that many found unattractive. The upcoming Those who Hunt Elves DVDs will use the new digital masters. The series is about a group of people from the modern day who must find an elf with a certain tattoo to get home. Goldenboy on DVD."It's on the list of things we really want to do" Golden Boy is a mature themed comedy about a person who leaves law school to see life before graduating, who takes various interesting jobs, and chases attractive women.
They've pretty much gotten the hang of what you can do with DVDs at this point, so expect more "fancy" stuff in the future. (For example, when you get Orphen - check out the episode title screen when playing the dub vs. the sub) Expect more easter eggs as well.
They still aren't exactly sure what to do with the other version of Sakura Diaries, a more risqué version of the series, but they are leaning towards a sub-only two disk set, possibly only sold directly from them. Whatever they decided, massive changes in scene orders between the two versions pretty much insure this will be a sub-only release.
In regards to Excel Saga ADV made their typical jokes about the difficulty of translating the series. ADV has been making jokes about translating the series for a long time, but its interesting that in late March ADV's "Avatar" stated on the Excel Saga mailing list that ". We're waiting on materials, and then we have to get it translated - a job that will take longer than usual, as you can well appreciate." Excel Saga is a comedy parody series with scenes of very rapid speech. Some of the series better episodes are considered by many to be the funniest anime made.
Digital Manga/ Synch Point discussed the shows we know they are working on, I'm Gonna be an Angel (Tenshi ni Narumon) and FLCL. The Angel dub features a rather eclectic voice cast - no names given but at least one cast member from Bebop, one from DBZ and the (mentioned elsewhere) fan dub actress. The director is apparently also a voice actress in Japan.
They hope to have the first volume of "Angel" for sale at this summer's Anime Expo. The series will be released across seven volumes total VHS (first two will have three eps. each.) $19.95 SRP. Since the DVDs will follow sometime later, price and episode counts have yet to be determined, but she expects 4 to 5 episodes per DVD.
They are still aiming to have the first volume of FLCL by the end of the year (unlike "Angel" they have not cast the dub yet) - since they are gong for DVD/VHS simultaneous release, this may slow things down at first. As for using the "Gainax" subs - Production IG has the final say on things like that.
Bandai indicated that their schedule is currently very full, and that they will not be announcing any more titles this year. In regards to the Cowboy Bebop movie it was stated that nothing is being looked at at this time. Cartoon Network has no date to start airing Gundam, but they still intend on showing it. The Gundam movies on DVD has been postponed - no date given till when. General Gundam note - its not a question of "if" but "when." Its all coming eventually.
The Escaflowne movie will be in theatres later this year - yes dubbed. No indication on what type of release.
For the Cowboy Bebop DVD box set extra Bandai stated they will be "really nice" and "if you don't already have the series wait to buy it."
They will continue to move away from VHS releases. DVD releases of Gundam 0083, Gundam 0080 Brain Powered and Silent Mobius are coming up. Saber Marionette J Again will be released on DVD next year. "Crest of the Stars"was delayed because they requested, and received, a better master copy of the series . Kanji credits may be placed as an extra in future DVD's. They stated the romantic comedy "Love Hina is coming out next year." Bandai is on public record on being very unhappy about Internet DivX fansub (anime subtitled by fans) distribution ,claiming that it hurts sales.
Manga Entertainment said the Fists of the North Star TV series will probably be released in DVD box sets. Their DVD release of the Rayearth OAV is not forgotten, but they don't know when it will happen. The Rayearth OAV is a retelling about CLAMP story of school girls traveling to a mystic land, but in the OAV, the mystic land travels to our world.
They know they can't make their Blood packaging as good as the R2, but are nonetheless trying to make it special. They want to get Giant Robo out for Christmas, and they have gotten a hold of a lot of extras. They are even trying to track down the rights to the Gin-Rei specials.
Giant Robo is a retro take on the boy with giant robot genre, based on the manga of Mitsuteru Yokoyama (Tetsujin 28 Go aka Gigantor) with over the top pulp action and melodrama, but without the intellectual baggage of some of the subsequent genre entries such as Evangelion.
The audience was asked if they would buy the Macross Plus movie on DVD sub only. They responded yes, but there were only about 7 of us. It was agreed that for many people price would be a factor for a sub-only release. The Macross Plus movie is a re-cut version of the four episode OAV series with new footage presented in such a as to tell the story of the OAV series with some large differences, both subtle and noticeable. The movie was previously released in the US on a subtitled VHS tape.
Those who have not seem the Macross Plus OAV should add it to their required viewing list. It is a very character driven story about three childhood friends who have excelled in live professionally, but failed personally and emotionally. The trio are reunited on their home planet with two as test pilots for advances fighters, and one as the manager for an extremely popular virtual idol singer. The series is more serious than other Macross series. Its animation, and the music by Yokho Kanno have set the standard for anime that following it.
Miramax has already bought the rights Ghost in the Shell anime sequel, to Manga's disappointment.
Akira Special Edition Sells Out
According ICv2, despite moving the production up from 75,000 to 100,000 unit Pioneer has sold out of the Special Edition DVD ton of Akira that they will be selling to retailers. The two-disk Special Edition includes a documentary on the making of the film, a feature on the process of restoration, another documentary on the creation of the new soundtrack for the film, and lots of other special features. Akira will also be available in a single disk DVD version (just the film with both English and Japanese soundtracks and English subtitles) as well as in a dubbed VHS version. Although only 100,000 of the Special Edition Tins will be manufactured, Pioneer will make the 2-disk DVD version of Akira available in conventional packaging, though this version may not be available when the other three versions hit the streets on July 24th.
Utena movie
Central Park Media has confirmed in an e-mail that their DVD release of the Revolutionary Girl Utena movie will be from an anamorphic print, but they did not specify whether not it will be progressive.
CardCaptors captures DBZ's old time slot
Commercial's for Cardcaptor's have started on Toonami announcing the show as starting Monday, June 4th 2001. The official Toonami.com site has also added a page for CardCaptors; with a short summary and some pictures from the series. There is also a rumor going on that some fans saw ads to the "new season" of "Cardcaptors"
Anime on DVD Review's Tokyopop's First DVD
Anime on DVD has posted a review of Tokyopop's Spring and Chaos, their first DVD release, at here. The DVD seems to have large problems with its video transfer, and a poor dubtitle script. Tokyopop has responded to e-mail inquiries by stating that they are "200%" committed to quality, and will make sure future release meet consumer expectations.
Tokyopop has also recently run into problems for their description of their upcoming release of the manga (comic) series Marmalade Boy , which, according to readers of the manga, inaccurately described the relationship between key characters, and let to worries about the quality of the series translation when it was released. TokyoPop also came under question for their ambiguous announcement of the manga series Corrector Yui with the statement "Corrector Yui - Kia Asamiya's maha shojo MANGA title comes to the US for the first time from TOKYOPOP this September. Crossing The Matrix with Sailor Moon, the hardwired morphing action will keep you electrified. ". Corrector Yui was originally a manga series by well known creator Kia Asamiya (who created Silent Mobius, and Nadesico, and did the Japanese manga adaptation of Star Wars: Episode One). The series was adapted into a anime series, and then the anime series was re-adapted to by Keiko Okamoto. Kia Asamiya subsequently i! nformed Fanboy Inc. that the series being released is the lesser known Keiko Okamoto version rather than his own.
Synch Point Looking For Deijiko Voice
Synch-Point is searching for Dejiko's voice! Broccoli Co, LTD in conjunction with Synch-Point searches for the perfect voice to play Dejiko in a new animated commercial. Recording begins in mid July. The characters of DiGi Charat began as mascots for Gamers, a Broccoli owned Japanese store chain that caters to anime fans with character goods, trading cards and books.
A combination of cuteness and comedy, the three main female characters (Dejiko, Puchiko and Rabi~En~Rose) are trying to become Idols. They all work in Gamers in Akihabara (known as the Electronic District of Tokyo). Synch-Point is aiding Broccoli in a search for the prefect female voice to play Dejiko in an upcoming commercial. Cute and sweet, but with the ability to be mean with selfish overtones. Please visit the Synch-Point website http://www.synch-point.com/dejiko to listen to short voice samples in Japanese. We are looking for similar voice type: high energy with comical abilities. Ability to sing required.
Send demo, resume, and photos by June 20th to 12211 W. Washington Blvd. #100. Los Angeles, CA 90066.
Auditions will take place on July 5th & 6th at the Long Beach Convention Center during Anime Expo. Those who are called into the audition will receive a complementary pass to the convention. The final audition will take place in front of a live audience at the convention.
More information to be released on the website later on this week. Email production@synch-point.com with any questions
Geo Armor Delayed
Once again, Pioneer has moved the release date for the Kishin Corps - Geo-Armor DVD. This time the new release date is 7/3. The delay is because the dvd has been changed to a 2 disc set, the company has run out of enough double amaray cases
Manga's Blood
A post on the Manga Entertainment forum has revealed that Blood for the US release of this 45 minute movie will be using the digital master for their release, though they also apparently do have the film master. The differences between the two are extremely minor though, and many consider the digital version to be the superior one.
July and August Right Stuf releases
The first DVD of the Captain Tylor OAV will be released on 7/17. The Captain Tylor OAV has been released onVHS. Right Stuf' AnimeTrax division will be releasing soundtracks of Sin: The Motion Picture, and Akira in July. This August Right Stuf will be releasing the second DVD volume of the Captain Tylor OAV, the 180 minute retails for $29.95l. The Captian Tylor OAV is side stories from the characters introduced in the TV series. Two volumes of Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko will be released on dubbed VHS with two episodes each.
Sound tracks of Macross II will be released from their Animetrax division.
Manga DVDs go Macrovision
Palm Pictures, the parent company of Manga Entertainment has entered into a five year deal with Macrovision to copy protect their discs. Despite Macrovision's claims that their process does not effect the video quality of the protected discs, many have noted instances to the contrary.
More From Agent Aika Creators
Studio Live alumni, Director Nishijima Katsuhiko (Aika, Project A-Ko Movie - Studio Deen) and character designer Yamauchi Noriyasu (Vampire Hunter D OVA, Aika), are working on a new series entitled Najika Dengeki Sakusen. The series features a fragrance company as a cover and is indeed a top spy agent. Like agent Aika the anime will likely feature humorously gratuitous amounts of "fan service" (unnecessary risque shots) and mecha.
Magic Users Club TV
According to Right Stuf Media Blasters will begin releasing the Magic User's Club tv series on 9/25. The TV comedy series about a high school club of magic users follows the OAV series which is currently being released.
The 12th volume of Rurouni Kenshin12, entitled "Blind Justice" will also be released on that date.
The Right Stuf site is listing some new titles from Media Blasters that are due out on 9/25/2001. :
Production I.G. - Oshii News Items
Avalon DVD & VHS to go on sale July 25, 2001. DVD memorial box set contains the movie DVD (in both Dolby Surround & DTS 6.1), 280+ page booklet with the movie project proposal, script, and storyboard, and a special footage DVD with the making-of video, image gallery, and movie trailers. BCBJ-0866 12,000yen. Polish (w/ Japanese subtitles) and Japanese dub. DVD standard edition in Dolby Digital/Surround w/ movie trailers. BCBJ-0867 4,800yen.
FLCL artbook to go on sale on July 13. Contains over 1,800 key animation line art from the 6-episode OVA series. Also includes all the color illustrations drawn by Sadamoto Yoshiyuki, such as the posters that were given-away with a DVD/VHS purchase. A4 size. 200 pages, 24 color pages.
Please Save My Earth OVA DVD to be released in Japan starting in July. There will be 4 DVDs for the 6-part OVA, conclusion, and music image video. The first pressing will include a box illustrated by character designer Takayuki Goto.
- Release schedule:
- Vol 1 - eps 1 & 2 7/25/01 VIZF-19 First press includes a special box VIBF-74 3,800yen
- Vol 2 - eps 3 & 4 8/22/01 VIBF-75 3,800yen
- Vol 3 - eps 5 & 6 9/21/01 VIBF-76 3,800yen
- Vol 4 - conclusion & music image video 10/24/01 VIBF-77 3,800yen
Yoshitoshi ABe's ESSENCE
Fans of Serial Experiments Lain may wish to locate a copy of Fanboy Inc's new released art book, "essence" by Lain character designer Yoshitoshi ABe. The $7.95 book 72 pages of artwork including color illustration, charcoal drawings, sketches, and facial illustrations. It should be available at most comic shops. The book was overprinted so it is still available for order.
Gatecrasher, Scary Godmother
According to Comics2Film Variety reports that cg animators Mainframe Entertainment, of reboot fame is expanding into consumer products through a strategic alliance with the newly formed Joy Tashjian Marketing Group.
Jill Thompson's Scary Godmother and Black Bull's Gatecrasher are among properties listed as being in development by Mainframe, and part of Tasjian's focus.
Scary Godmother is a children's tale about a girl who rather than having a fairly godmother, has a scary godmother how lives in a world with slacker werewolves, and vampires going through midlife crises. The comic series is created by Jill Thompson, whose are has appeared in comics such as Neil Gaiman's Sandman, and Grant Morrison's Invisibles.
For more information see Lurid.com. Gatecrasher is based on a the Black Bull comic book created by Mark Waid, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti.
