Father Geek here once again with Scott Green to offer up the AICN Anime Report to all you fans around the world. There's tons of great info in this one folks. Everything from new series, soundtracks, corperate shakeups, and DVD releases, to programing, games, links, and comicbooks. Check it all out below...
Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 On Encore
Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 On Encore
Starting on Saturday, August 4th, the new Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 anime series will be making it's way onto the Encore Action Channel. Bubblegum Crisis 2040 is an updated retelling of the 1987 OAV series about a team of women wearing exo-suits who attempt to contain the problems of out of control androids, and the cooperation that manufactures them. The 80's music and fashion that the OAV is famous for have been updated, and as a fully length TV series the story has been fleshed out.
Hakkenden DVD Box Set
Mike Toole of Anime Jump has posted on Anime on DVD's message board that Pioneer will releasing the six episode OAV series Hakkenden as a DVD box set on 9/18 for $54.98. Hakkenden is a samurai style tale. The head of the Awa clan promises his daughter's hand in marriage to anyone who brings in the head of the rival clan threatening to destroy his own. When his dog brings back the head of the enemy warlord he is forced to honor his promise. After conceiving children, his daughter and the dog are killed. The eight unborn pups are reincarnated as the Dog Warriors or Hakkenden.
The series is more subdued than other popular samurai features (Ninja Scroll, Kenshin), and expirements with animation styles.
Tenshi Ni Narumon! Volume 1 Release Information
Synch Point has sent out a press release concerning the first VHS volume of I'm Gonna Be An Angel (Tenshi ni Narumon), "a quirky comedy exploring all sorts of love". The three episode, 75 minute volume will be released 7/10.
From the press release: "Vol. 1 - Earth Angel Synch-Point is proud to debut it's first title - I'm Gonna be An Angel (Tenshi ni Narumon -),.
Never kiss a sleeping girl in the forest. That was Yuusuke's mistake. Ever since then, Yuusuke's been plagued by the girl. She follows him everywhere an insists that he's her husband. And now she's moved her family of witches, vampires and demons into his house - Sweet and innocent. Strange and silly. Noelle has decided that Yuusuke is her husband. But Yuusuke already has a crush on Natsumi. He tells Natusmi that she is an angel. Noelle overhears this and decides she will also become an angel. But what exactly does it mean to be an angel. And why does Noelle have a halo on her head?"
Akira confusion DVD Clarification
There has been some confusion lately that Pioneer will be releasing the special edition of Akira on 9/25. Anime on DVD has determined that the source of the confusion is that Pioneer has announced that he non-metal case special edition version of Akira (i.e. the same exact discs as the metal case, just in a keepcase) will arrive on 9/25/2001. Some retailers are changing the date for the limited edition tin version, still due on 7/24/2001, to 9/25/2001. The date for the time edition has not changed. To add another level to the confusion, anime retailer Anime Nation has been told by Pioneer that the non-tin Special Edition Akira will not be released on the 9/25, but will be released on 7/24 with the tin version.
EX Interviews Oshii Mamoru
Leading up to their re-release the online anime periodical EX has posted an interview Oshii Mamoru about Avalon. He talks about dogs, directing, The Matrix, and Patlabor among other topics, and states that he is working on a new anime project.
Cartoon Network Shakeups
Betty Cohen announced that she will leave her post as president of Cartoon Network Worldwide, effective July 16, but will stay within the AOL Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) family. Cohen's immediate plans are to develop multi-platform programs and services for a target audience of young adults and teens. Bradley Siegel, president of general entertainment networks for TBS, Inc., will add oversight of Cartoon Network to his portfolio, which now includes TBS Superstation, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, Turner South and Cartoon Network in a unified Entertainment Networks group. For more information see here
Betty Cohen will be replaced by Bradley Siegel, an executive at AOL Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting. Cohen, 44, will stay at AOL Time Warner to develop "multiplatform" programs and services that target 17- to 25-year-olds. In related news the officials at CN have started airing KidsWB commercials on Cartoon Network.
Sam Sundersingh of Saiyan Z Rage has spoken to Cartoon Network about their short term changes.
Dragonball Z will be returning to the 5:00 PM (e/p) for two days. Thursday, July 12 and Friday, July 13, 2001 DBZ will air at 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM (e/p) on the Toonami block. After the 2 special days are over, the following Monday, July 16 DBZ will reclaim its 6:00 to 7:00 PM (e/p) spot on Toonami. A Toonami representative explain that his was because Dragon Ball's Premiere date was pushed back to July 23rd .
"The Big O" would be joining the Toonami Line-up. He also mentioned that the reason Toonami is having these two special days (July 12 and 13) is that Big O has only 13 episodes. Toonami will air all the 13 episodes at 5:30 PM (e/p), and the last episode on Big O will air on Wednesday, July 11 Outlaw Star will be returning on the Toonami's mid-night's run (TMR) on Monday, July 23rd at 12:30 AM and will carry on into August 2001. He said CN is still debating if they will air Outlaw during the Toonami's afternoon/evening block. He said that the chances for Outlaw to return on Toonami's 5 - 7 PM (e/p) block is very slim. With all the new anime shows about to premier on CN's Toonami they will not have time to re-run old anime shows any time soon during the afternoon block. They will how ever circulate the flow of previous animes (GundamW, Outlaw Star, Sailor Moon) during TMR at 12:30 PM. (e/p)
The official Gundam series premier Dates are on Monday, July 23rd 2001 "Mobile Suit Gundam" will make is way on TV sets across U.S. starting us of at 5:00 PM (e/p) during the Toonami/CN's block. Cartoon Network has traditionally regarded 5:30 as a highly desirable time spot and used it to introduce new shows.
Marking a Tooami first, 08th MS Gundam will premiere during Toonami's Midnight Run on Monday, July 23rd 2001 at 12:00 AM (e/p). Ok this is also weird that it's premiering at 12:00 AM (e/p) on July 23rd but it will officially be July 24th, but it will be advertised on CN as July 23rd, Both MS Gundam and 8th MS Gundam will carry on into August 2001.
September 3, be on the lookout for DBZ Season 5. Infight Movies will be suspended until winter. The Toonami/CN official also said that he would be surprised to see if DB makes it's debut on July 23rd: "Batman and Superman" will not air on CN's Toonami anymore
Pilot Candidate#2's a new season or a new series called "I Wanna Be A Goddess For You" has been making pinnacle ratings in Japan as of right now. The old Pilot Candidate or (A candidate for Goddess) will premier on Toonami late Fall 2001. Pilot Candidate it self is a fairly new show it was released last year on May 28, 2000 in Japan. It was an OK anime hit in Japan. But looks like this new Pilot Candidate which was just released in Japan has delivered high ratings.
Toonami: Lockdown, a weeklong serialized story throughout Toonami that invites on-air and online participation, games and giveaways. The rumors of Reactor v2.0 are true after all.
Toonami Line-Up that will take effect Monday, June 25th, 2001.
- 5:00 PM --- Tenchi
- 5:30 PM --- The Big O
- 6:00 PM --- Dragonball Z
- 6:30 PM --- Dragonball Z
Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22
- 5:00 PM --- CardCaptors
- 5:30 PM --- CardCaptors
- 6:00 PM --- Dragonball Z
- 6:30 PM --- Dragonball Z
Toonami's Line-up: 5 to7 PM for July 12th and 13th
- 5:00 PM --- Dragonball Z
- 5:30 PM --- N.A. (T.B.A.)
- 6:00 PM --- N.A. (T.B.A.)
- 6:30 PM --- Dragonball Z
TMR Line-up 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM for July 12-13
- 12:00 AM --- Dragonball Z
- 12:30 AM --- Dragonball Z
Toonami's Line-up 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for July 23rd
- 5:00 PM --- Mobile Suit Gundam
- 5:30 PM --- Dragonball
- 6:00 PM --- Dragonball Z
- 6:30 PM --- N.A. (T.B.A.)
TMR Line-up 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM for July 24th
- 12:00 AM --- 8th Mobile Suit Gundam
- 12:30 AM --- Outlaw Star
The Toonami Reactor website, which provided the length Dragon Ball Z Frieza Saga, and the Star Blazers series Journey to Iscandar will announced in its newsletter that it will be going offline on June 25th at 10 am. The newsletter said that the site would return.
More Merchandisable Anime Coming to US TV
A number of new anime series are scheduled to come to American TV this year, most of which are Pokemon style merchandising vehicles.
Kids' WB! and 4Kids Entertainment announced on Japan's anime series, YU-GI-OH!, will be part of its Saturday morning lineup this fall. The announcement was made by Donna Friedman, executive vice-president, Kids' WB!, and Al Kahn, chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment.
"We are thrilled to be working once again with the creative team that brought Pokémon to Kids' WB!," Friedman said. "4Kids Entertainment and the YU-GI-OH! consortium in Japan are bringing us - and kids in the U.S. - the next hit animé-adventure series. YU-GI-OH! will make a great addition to our top-rated fall line-up."
Here's how Kids' WB! describes the show:
"YU-GI-OH!, based on the comic book series, follows the adventures of Yugi, a smaller than average high school student - and an easy target for bullies. When his grandfather, a local game shop manager, gives him an ancient Egyptian riddle called the Millennium Puzzle, and Yugi pieces it together, he unexpectedly becomes the powerful Game King, an alter-ego. When Yugi gets into sticky situations, the Game King takes over and protects Yugi and his friends. The game is on -- as Yugi plays games to defeat his monster rivals." Yu-Gi-Oh has been touted as the Pokemon-killer because in Japan it popularity replaced Pokemon's soon after Pokemon's height.
According to a National Post article Medabot from Nelvana (Card Captors), produced in association with NAS/Kodansha and TV Tokyo will be comings to Fox Kids this fall. Nelvana's official Medabot page is at here
Hasbro has agreed to license the series for merchandising. According to Figures.com Hasbro is expected to acquire the worldwide master toy rights to Medabot from Nelvana, the exclusive global distribution and merchandise licensing agent for the top-selling Japanese property (excluding Italy and Asia). The agreement in principle gives Hasbro the rights to manufacture collectible figures, playsets, board games and electronic games, among other categories. In addition, Hasbro's Tiger Electronics plans to develop and market "Medawatch," a high-tech and innovative communication piece that interacts with kids and their "pet" robots.
The toys in question run around $8 US dollars, and can be best compared to Bandai's very own Gundam model kits with ball jointed assembled sockets, mini spring firing units, and an overall unique robotic appearance. A Medarot stands a 4" tall, but is basically a pretty durable little action figure. Actual action figures have also been released in Japan, the packs consisting of a "skeletal/core" Medarot figure with loads of snap on accessories, weapons, and armor.
4Kids (who brought Pokemon over to the US) announces Tama and Friends will be syndicated and that they habe cleared 80 percent of the country for the series to begin airing weeky this fall. From the press release"
Tama & Friends brings nearly two decades of popularity in Japan to its U.S. debut. The creative animation for the series is produced by Sony Creative Products Inc. 4Kids will support the syndication launch with a multi-million dollar promotional campaign and merchandising program.
Tama & Friends follows the adventures of a cat named Tama and his cat and dog friends. As their curiosity gets the best of them, they learn enduring values of friendship and cooperation. From rescuing a friend that's fallen down a sewer drain to scheming their way to ride atop a blimp, Tama, Tiggle, Doozle and Momo share in fun-filled adventures that impart important social values."
4Kids will also be bringing Cubix: Robots For Everyone, a new CGI animated series that will be appearing on Kids' WB starting thi August.
"In the future world of Cubix, robots are part of everyday life-directing traffic, teaching school and even fighting crime. Robots are equipped with an EPU (emotion processing unit) to give each a personality of its own. The series will follow the adventures of its hero and his robot pal as they embark on comical adventures and ward off their evil nemesis, Dr. K. "
As one can easily deduce a line of Cubix merchandise is gearing up, including 3DO hames for the Nintendo Game Cub, Play Station 2, Game Boy Advanced, and Microsoft Xbox, expect for Christmas 2001, and a line of action figures from Trendmasters.
If you really want to be nauseated, read about the Cubix marketing campaign starting this summer, which includes mailing VHS tapes to children, and mall tours. Its enough to make a materialistic capitalist such as myself sick to his stomach.
Viz September Releases
Graphic novel collections being released include Dragon Ball volume 6 on 9/7, featuring Goku's fight against the Red Ribbon Army on the Muscle Tower. Fushigi Yugi volume 5: Rival will be released on 9/25. Miaka has gather her seven celestial warriors, and goes to meet her love, Tamahome, but instead meets her former friend Yui in charge of a army looking to capture her. Neon Genesis Evangelion #5 will be released on 9/14 and features Asuka moving in with Shinji and Misato, and Misato's night out with Kaji. No Need for Tench!: volume 10 Mother Planet will be released on 9/14. Eagle 20: Someone You Can Trust will be released on 9/21 features a political journalist covering the presidential campaign of Senator Yamaoka, whose discovers ties between the senator and his mother.
Individual manga issues being released include Dragon Ball 4.2, Dragon Ball Z 4.10, Gundam Wing Episode Zero #6 (featuring the story of Gundam Sandrock pilot Quatre Winner's childhood), No Need for Tench! 12.2, Ceres, Celestial Legend 4, El Hazard 3.3, Inu-Yasha 6.5, Neon Genesis Evangelion 6.3, Silent Mobius Advent #3 and Ranma 10.6.
Anime being released include the first DVD volume on Video Girl Ai on 9/25. "Available on DVD for the first time, the animated series of Masakazu Katsura's hit teenage romance manga, Video Girl Ai! Yota Moteuchi has a nickname among his high school peers-"dateless." Shy and lonely, Yota can't seem to face the love of his life, Moemi, to tell her his true feelings. Then, while walking the streets in a state of depression, Yota comes across a mysterious video store, Gokuraku, and rents a video starring cute young idol Ai Amano. But when he puts the tape into the deck and hits play, this video girl comes to life and jumps out of the television straight into his arms! Now, this real- life video girl has decided to help Yota improve his love life whether he likes it or not!"
The third 3 episode volume of Ceres, Celestial Legend will be released on 9/25. Ranma ½ Random Rhapsody volume 5: Wacky Winter Wonderland will be released on 9/25.
Info On New Anime Series
AniMaxis has posted information about two new anime series currently airing in Japan. "Shokan Kyoshi" (Real Bout High School) is based on a manga series by Reiji Zatsuga published in Dragon Magazine (a Japanese magazine by that name, not to be confused with the Dungeons and Dragons periodical). The anime series is due to start on July 30.
The anime of based on a manga series by, will be shown from July 30. Reiko Mitsuguri is a martial artist, and kendo practitioner with interest in Edo-era Plays. She is in her second year of high school at a school famous for K-Fight, a fighting tournament that is decided by which opponent can still fight at the end. Reiko is soon commanded by a girl-priest to start fighting invaliding monsters.
- Production Staff:
- Production - Kadokawa Shoten and Gainax
- Director - Makoto Shoji (Action Director of Street Fighter II)
- Scriptwriter - Aya Matsui (Gatekeepers)
- Illustrator - Sora Inoue
- Character Designer - Keiji Goto (Martian Successor Nadesico) Producer - Gonzo
The second series, Mahoromatic, is based on a manga series from Comic-Gum and is produced by Gainax-Shaft the anime will be directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga, director and scriptwriter of "Ouritsu Uchugun - Oanemisu no Tsubasa" and scriptwriter of "Top wo nerae!" (Released as Gunbuster in the US, about a girl with extraordinary powers trained to pilot a mech. Fans of Evangelion may wish to hunt down this series, which shares many quality with Evangelion)
The story revolves around the female-type combat android V1046-R Vesper Hyper Soldier - Mahoro. In the early 1980's these androids were produced to save the Earth from alien invasion. Without any humans noticing these Vesper Hyper soldiers fought off the alien attack. Mahoro, the strongest fighter, fought for 9 years and was on the verge of termination. As a reward for her fighting she is allowed to live a free life, but after her weapons are removed she'll only function for another 398 days.
Mahoro changes her name to Mahoro Ando and decides that she'll spend her remaining time taking care of Suguru, a second year Junior High School student. Suguru is the son of Commander Misato, who Mahoro witnessed dying on the battlefield.
She changes her name to and becomes a maid, concealing the fact that she is an android.
The first episode of this anime has also been scheduled to air on TBS's "Anime Festa 2001" series this fall.
Top 20 Anime Characters In Japan
From Newtype Magazine has come out with a list on the top 10 most popular male and female anime characters in Japan :
Male characters
- 1 Inuyasha (Inuyasha)
- 2 Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)
- 3 Icchan (Angelic Layer)
- 4 Louie (Louie the Rune Soldier)
- 5 Bit Cloud (ZOIDS/Liger Zero)
- 6 Char Aznabel (Gundam)
- 7 Haru (Jungle wa itsumo Haru no chigu)
- 8 Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan)
- 9 Ro Soma (Argento Soma)
- 10 Roronoa Zoro (One Piece)
Female Characters
- 1 Misaki Suzuhara (Angelic Layer)
- 2 Sakura Kinomoto (Cardcaptor Sakura)
- 3 Kagome Higure (Inuyasha)
- 4 Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess)
- 5 Ruri Hoshino (Nadesico)
- 6 Kirika Yumura (Noir)
- 7 Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)
- 8 Mirielle Bouquet (Noir)
- 9 Kikyo (Inuyasha)
- 10 Natsumi Tsujimoto (You're Under Arrest)
Samurai Fans Take Note
Capcom has officially announced Onimusha 2 for PlayStation 2, scheduled to release in Japan on March 7, 2002. The protagonist of the game will be Juubei Yagyuu, known to anime fans as the protagonist of Ninja Scroll (argueably, I know their family names fdiffer), and Ninja Resurrection, as well as playing a big part Jubei-Chan.. Other characters in the game include Oyuu (swordswoman), Magoichi (master of gun and sword), Kinoshita Fukuyoshirou Hideyoshi (loyal follower of Hideyoshi), Nobunaga Oda. Jubei will be modeled after actor Japanese actor Yuusaku Matsuda (passed away in 1989).
Fans of samurai/ninja anime series may also wish to take a look a SNK's Last Blade 2 which will be released in the US this July. There is a preview at http://dreamcast.ign.com/previews/16649.html
Manga Style US Comics
Marvel Comics announced a mature line that will start this September with a new manga style series. Manga style in its release rather than its artwork. September will see the debut of a black and white, weekly-shipping, $1.50 cover-priced new limited series, the third launch title (along with Alias and Fury) in the 'Mature Readers' line. For more Information on War Machine see Newsarama's feature on the series at here
Newsarama also spoke with Wildstorm editor Aaaron Watanabe about Ale' Garza's upcoming new series Ninja Boy, which was to the first of several new Wildstorm Manga-inspired titles in development reflecting styles and themes influenced by comics work of the "Pacific Rim". "Wildstorm wants to bring what we love most about Manga and anime to new titles coming out this summer," said the editor. "These 'PacRim'-inspired titles give artists and writers the opportunity to have fun with this genre while still infused with Wildstorm's distinct energy and style."
"Again, Manga, has been around for awhile and covers a wide range of subjects including feudal war epics. It's my belief that as western creators experiment more with Manga influences, they come across the feudal war material and are excited to play with those story elements as well. Also with the success of movies like Saving Private Ryan and more recently Pearl Harbor, the audience seems to be interested in the subject. But it's not like war comics weren't done before - i.e. Sgt. Rock, Blackhawks, or Howling Commandoes. But it's a continuation of the Manga influence. What will be interesting to see is if someone does a sports comic. Japan has these comics about soccer and baseball teams and their exploits that are very popular. "
For Information on specific comics see Newsarama's feature at here
Princess Prince Being Released as Bilingual Manga
Princess Prince (Rinnon No Kishi, literally Knight of the Ribbon, also known as Prince Saphire), is being released in English/Japanese bilingual manga across four volumes. The series is by Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion), and was adapted into an anime series in 1968. It tells the tale of Sapphire, who was born with two hearts, one male and one female and hides her femininity in order to ascend to the throne. It can be found at Sasuga Books
DBZ Movie #4 Soundtrack Info
Planet Namek has learned the Deftones will appear on the soundtrack to FUNimation's release of the fourth Dragon Ball Z movie, Lord Slug. Other bands appearing will be Disturbed, Boy Hits Car, Dust for Life, Finger Eleven, American Pearl and Broken. The movie, set to hit the shelves August 7 on home video and DVD formats, is the fourth full-length Dragon Ball Z feature presentation.
"It makes perfect sense for such cutting-edge bands to be included on the new Dragon Ball Z soundtrack," explained Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation. "This is one of the most cutting-edge cartoons on television today, and it is a perfect fit with today's hottest new bands."
"This time around, Goku must battle an evil overlord, Lord Slug, who has come to Earth inside a deadly asteroid with just one goal - to destroy it. Once Lord Slug discovers the seven magic Dragon Balls, it appears that even Goku may not be able to keep the planet out of his evil clutches. "
Many fans would argue that changing the soundtrack of the movie detracts from the feature. An example of this that is often used is the anime Street Fighter 2 movie whose soundtrack was replaced by alternative genre music. Those who have seen the original version and the altered version have stated that the replacement was to the detriment of the movie.
ADV Dates
ADV has announced that the third volume of the Blue Seed DVD release will be released on 9/18 with five episodes, and omake shorts.
The third volume of Arc the Lad, based on the Playstation RPG game will be released on 7/24. The first volume of Getter Robo, "Armageddon", from the distinctive creator Go Nagai (Cutey Honey, Devil Man, Manzinger/Tranzor) will be released on 7/17 with a 100 minute run time, and the second volume "Transfiguration" DVDw ill be released on 09/11/2001with 75 minutes of animation for $29.98.
Original Dirty Pair: Vol. 1 Girls With Guns will be released on DVD on 7/17. Orphen volume 1: Spell of the Dragon will be released on DVD on 7/10, and the second volume Orphen: Vol. 2 Supernatural Powers DVD will be released 9/11 with three episodes each. In this case the Playstation 2 RPG game came after the anime and manga sword and sorcery series, as opposed to Arc the Lad, where the game was first.
The third DVDvolume of the comedy sword and sorcery series, S Sorcerer Hunters: Vol. 3 Magical Contests will be released 9/11. Nadia - The Secret of Blue Water: DVD Vol. 2 The Dark Kingdom will be released on 8/14 and feature 4 episodes of the classic Gainax (of Envangelion fame) series.
Blade Of The Immortal banned from Germany
Comic Geek has posted that according to Splashcomics.de and 310k.com in response to the numerous inquiries concerning the publication of " Blade Of the Immortal ", at least on the part of Planet Manga, due to the occurring swastikas, a release for Germany is improbable." The series' protagonist Manji takes his name, and personal symbol from the Buddhist symbol of well being sauvastika, which was turned from counter clockwise to clockwise to become the swastika adopted by the Nazi's. There was fervor over the symbol in the US when it appeared on a Pokemon card that was imported during the craze.
Dark Horse releases blade of the Immortal in the US. Manji is a former samurai that is cursed with blood worms, which heal his wounds and give him immortality, until he kills 1,000 evil men. He is recruited by Rin, a girl whose family was killed when a new renegade sword school began destroying existing sword schools.
The series is a work of art. With his dialogue, and distinctive art work the series' creator, Hiroaku Samura demonstrates the strengths unique to the comic medium. The translation by Dana Lewis and Toren Smith of Studio Proteus reads like the series was created in English. There is no feeling that meaning has been lost in the translation.
Dark Horse September Manga Releases
Dark Horse comics will be releasing the following manga titles this September Lone Wolf and Cub volume 13 will feature a cover by Bill Sienkiewicz.
" Yagyu Retsudo is a man on fire. For years he's been planning the destruction of Ogami Itto, the Lone Wolf. Ogami is a one-man army, having cut down all of Yagyu's sons -- except one, who's been sent to avenge his brothers or die trying! Meanwhile, the toughest cop in Edo, now retired, has the chance to take in the killer of a lifetime, Ogami himself. But is he up to the task? And Daigoro, the Wolf's cub, finds himself in adventures of his own, befriending a rich family and their spoiled son, and mysterious female falconers. " Shadow Star by will be collected into a 192 page trade paperback. " From a dying planet shall come the children of light. While on vacation on a small island, young Shiina Tamai dives under the water near an old shrine and discovers an unearthly starfish-like creature. She nearly drowns but is rescued by the silent, wide-eyed little animal, who Shiina befriends and names Hoshimaru. To Shiina's surprise and delight, the creature changes shape, lets Shiina stand on him, and the two fly off into the clouds. But what looks to be a young girl's ultimate fantasy soon takes a darker turn as Shiina and Hoshimaru become entangled in a struggle between rival extraterrestrial factions who battle in the skies upon huge alien beasts called Shadow Dragons, with the fate of Earth hanging in the balance. "
Blade of the Immortal #60 will feature part 3 of the 4 part "Secrets". "Secrets," part 3 of 4. High in the mountains of Kaga, Ibane of the Shingyoto School has been training his students for war. That sits just fine with Anotsu Kagehisa, who has dedicated his life to putting the killing back into Japan's formalized sword schools. But there has to be more at stake than philosophy for Ibane to be willing to disband the Shingyoto founded by his forebearers and turn it over lock, stock, and barrel to Anotsu's Itto-ryu school. Is Anotsu willing to meet his conditions? " 32 pages, $2.99, arrives in stores on Sept. 12.
Robotech At Akadot
Len Cutler has interviewed writer/producer Carl Macek on "Robotech's" re-release from ADV for Akadot at here there is also a review of the new release at here and contest for a Robotech DVD signed by Carl Macek athere
Anime Jump Features
Anime Jump has poasted a number of features worth reading. They have reviewed ADV's release of Orphen at here and put together an editorial about its dub at here. A preview of Getter Robo can be found at here. Anime geeks will be amused by the license plate sightings at here
TRSI does the Boogiepop
From Anime News Network From director Watanabe Takashi (Slayers), comes Boogiepop Phantom. Based on the award-winning series of novels by Ueno Kouhei, Boogiepop is nothing like Slayers. Aimed at Adults, Boogiepop was aired in Japan as a late night TV series and has often been compared to another Avant Garde Anime series that has been very successful on this side of the ocean, Lain. According to Kris Kleckner of TRSI "It's very lainesk and I think that a lot of people are really going to like it."
Boogiepop is slated to come out later this year, but first TRSI will be bringing it to a few conventions and festivals, so far they have confirmed Anime Expo and Montreal's Fantasia Film Festival.
Central Park Media Release Info
According to Central Park Media's Justin Sevakis on Anime on DVD, Now and Then, Here and There is slated for a 1st quarter 2002 release, done in a 5/5/4 style. The series starts with a boy with an indomitable spirit being transported to world where children are being conscripted into an army. The highly praised anime series was passed over by Pioneer because of its mature and disturbing content.
They have acquired the Maetel Legend OAV's for release here in the US, helping to expand the Leiji Matsumoto (Captain Harlock, Star Blazers aka Battleship Yamato) universe even more. Those who have seen the Galaxy Express 999 movies or manga will be familiar with the character Maetel
Urusei Yatsura TV Box 2
AnimEigo has started e-mailing customer to alert them that they expect begin shipping the second Urusei Yatsura TV box set by June 25th, which was available through an online order system similar to their release of Macross, and ADV's release of City Hunter 2. TV 21-25 (TV Box 5) has been addedto their preorder page as well.
Tokyopop Seeks Manga Translator
Are you a Japanese fluent manga fan who would rather read the original tankubon than suffer through a lousy American translation? Are you interested in sharing the best translation possible with a wide audience? Then TOKYOPOP might just have the job for you. As TOKYOPOP's manga publishing department continues to expand, we are in need of freelance translators who can translate at least a book a month (200 pages). Candidates should have Japanese fluency (being able to understand unsubtitled anime is not enough! You must know kanji.), strong writing skills in English, a passion for manga, and preferably a college degree.
To apply by mail, fax, or e-mail, please send your resume and cover letter to:
- TOKYOPOP
- Attn: Editor
- 5900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2000
- Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Fax: (323) 692-6701
- e-mail: editor@press.tokyopop.com
Adult Swim Article
TV's Robin's Report, a column I tend to like, has a good article about Cartoon Network's Adult Swin at here It makes some good points about the necessity for the block.
Adult Swim Follow-up
From PopCulture.net: On the heels of Cartoon Network's announcement yesterday that it is planning a late-night block of adult-targeted cartoons, I spoke with Cartoon Network spokesman Jim Babcock, who was able to add a few more details.
First, there is no set number of new episodes for Space Ghost: Coast to Coast. At least six new episodes are already finished, but CN's Williams Street animation facility in Atlanta simply animates new episodes as they have time, Babcock said. The Williams Street facility is also responsible for most of the other Adult Swim cartoons: Sealab 2021, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Harvey Birdman and Leave it to Brak. Another Adult Swim toon, Home Movies, was picked up by CN after it was dropped by UPN.
The block begins on Sept. 2 and will run on Tuesday and Sunday nights from 9 p.m. to midnight (CT).
If the block is successful, CN plans to expand it to other nights. Babcock said CN would look outside of CN's own animation studios for potential programming, but he refused to say whether or not the adult-themed anime series Cowboy Bebop, long rumored to be a potential CN acquisition, was under consideration. He did stress that CN maintains a good working relationship with all of its outside animation providers, including Bandai Entertainment, which produces Cowboy Bebop.
