Father Geek here as usual on Wednesdays with our ace Anime/Manga editor Scott Green and this week's information crammed AICN Anime Report, buuuuuut first this review of interest to you all...
In a summer season of forgettable American movies like "The Mummy Returns, "Pearl Harbor," and "A.I.,"Hiyao Miyazaki's "Sen to Chirhiro no Kamikakushi," or "Spirited Away" is, as of now, the highlight of Japan's Summer movie season.
As with Miyazaki's previous, "The Princess Mononoke," Miyazaki once again draws from the imagery of the traditional Japanese spirit world to tell a modern fairy tale involving children on the age of adolescence. However, unlike the dark and somber "Mononoke," with it's strong message of the need for humans to learn to co-exist with their environment, "Spirited Away?Eis more of a straightforward action-adventure film which moves from horror, to humor, to provide us with an end which is both heartwarming and poignant. The film's main message is about how self-indulgence and greed twist and distort us, and keep us from those we love most. At the same, in almost a direct invective to Japanese youth who have lost direction, it stresses that the way for them to regain that direction is by finding their own identity.
The story is of a 10 year-old-girl named Chihiro Hagino, who is depressed about leaving behind good friends, and to a certain degree, part of her identity, as she is moving with her mother and father to a new city. Upon coming to their new town, the parents become sidetracked and stumble onto a mysterious old village, which as her father remarks, looks more like a bankrupt theme park than a real village. Unbeknownst to Chihiro and her family, they have stumbled fatefully into a resort city for creatures of the spirit world. In time, Chihiro's parents are transformed into pigs, and Chihiro, in desperation to not become a spirit, and to save her parents, enters into a slave contract with the resort's greedy master, evil witch Yubaba. What follows is then Chihiro's adventures to free herself and her parents from Yubaba and her curse.
On face of it, the above description makes "Spirited Away" sound more like a Disney film than a product of Studio Ghibli. In some respects, that argument might be made. But "Spirited Away" is beyond Disney. It is awash in bright colors and unforgettable carnival of imagery. The use of CG is highly subtle, but gives the seemingly cell-painted imagery a vibrant depth demonstrating how CG can accentuate a story without becoming the story itself. It may be one of the most dazzling animated films I've ever seen.
The film also has a higher sense of suspense and drama throughout than any recent animated Disney film I've seen. There is one sequence where Chihiro is negotiates a steep old set of wooden steps which had the audience on the edge of their seats. In addition, as Miyazaki has consistently done in his previous films, he gives his child characters a heart and intelligence which makes both adults and children alike identify with their dilemmas. On the issue of good versus evil, whereas Disney has good defeating evil by annihilating it, in “Spirited Away,” Miyazaki defeats evil by making his villains realizing the futility and self-destructiveness of their behavior—a far more constructive, and for lack of better word, “realistic” approach.
Though lacking Mononoke’s solemn profundity and intellectual depth, this will be an easier film for Disney (who I assume will market it) to sell in the U.S., provided they try to gear it to children 10 and up. Younger children may be frightened by some of the horror, and parents may be put off by vulgarity of one particular character in the film (Kaonashi).
Sadly, it is said that this may very well be Miyazaki’s last feature. In borrowing a line from the movie’s theme song, this one reviewer who hopes that this is not Miyazaki’s “Sayanora no toki,” or "time to say goodbye."
A Feral Geoffery
Father Geek back with this fun little tidbit...
My name is Joshua Siegel and I'm an actor/filmmaker in Los Angeles. As you're probably aware, the long-awaited DVD for the anime film AKIRA goes on sale today. My friend Juan Avilez and I are in the process of completing a live action fan trailer for AKIRA because we thought it would be something our fellow anime fans would enjoy.
I've created a website for the AKIRA Fan Trailer at This Location if you would like to learn more about the project. Although the trailer itself is still in post-production, you view some stills from the project and get info about the cast and crew. We're also currently looking for sites to host mirrors of the trailer, so if you or any affilated sites might be interested please let me know.
Thanks for running such a great site and I hope you and all the AICN visitors get a kick out of our little fan project. Please feel free to email me for any additional information.
-- Joshua Siegel, Arcadian Entertainment, http://www.arcadian.tv
Well, enough of ol' Father Geek and on to Scott's overflowing column for this week...
San Diego Comic Con International Anime Reports...
As comic fans could point out, the San Diego Comic Con took place last weekend. Though the domestic anime companies attended, and some had hinted an Anime Expo that major announced would occur at Comic Con, few materialed. ADV's expected announcements did not occur. The ADV staff seemed to be in a meeting that spanned several days.
Anime On DVD has posted a report from Peter Svensson at here The next major anime convention is Baltamore's Otakon
The companies were asked if they made any statements at the convention that they would like to repeat. Thanks to Bandai, Central Park Media and Urban Visions for Responding
The most noteworthy comment was from Rhona Medina at Urban Vision said" At the Urban Vision booth, we sold the new Gatchaman Collection DVD, offering a free T-shirt with purchase. For the new Vampire Hunter D movie, we had a booth full of free collector's cards (created exclusively for Anime Expo and Comic-Con), mini-posters of the official US theatrical movie poster, and keychains. We also had T-shirts, the official theatrical poster, imported key art posters of the Japanese theatrical movie poster, and imported postcard sets for sale.
The national premiere date for the US theatrical release of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is August 24, 2001 (Friday) at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, located on Hollywood Blvd. Tickets are now available, and the premiere is open to the public, so for more information on obtaining tickets, please check their site at www.egyptiantheatre.com/. .
Now, the film has shown at select festivals in Canada and the US late last year, but as a work in progress. We have finalized all small changes that were left, and this premiere will be the first time the complete version will be seen in the US. "
Even though the amount of information that came out of San Diego was a little disappointing, this has been a banner week for anime. Pioneer has released the Akira DVD. Cartoon Network has begun airing Gundam Mobile Suit Gundam "Mobile Suit Gundam" at 5:00 pm and 8th MS Gundam "8th MS Gundam" at 12:00 am.
Status of Studio Ghibli Movies on DVD
Given the prevalence of posts about the release of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki movies on DVD on the feedback, it looked like it would be a good idea to detail to current known status of Disney's plans to release the Ghibli movies on DVD. When Disney entered into an agreement with Ghibli the contract did not include DVD rights. A special contract was later made to release Princess Mononoke on DVD. It the contract has been broadened since the release of Princess Mononoke, Disney has not made it public. Disney's Buena Vista subsidiary is known to have the Region 2 (Japanese) rights to the movies. See Nausicaa.net for the schedule. For Disney contact information see Nausicaa.net. For more information see here. Thanks to Michael S. Johnson for help on this item. "
Crayon Shinchan Dub Confirmation
The following information was received about the Crayon Shinchan dub. "Hey, I think the people who are doing the English dubbed is Lacey Entertainment in which the company I work for has been doing promotional dubs for them. I happen to catch the pilot and thought it was funny. This company also worked on the Power Stone and they are making this anime cartoon about a little cat and his friends, I never caught the name of that one. "
Crayon Shinchan is a comedy series about a precocious five year old, who constantly causes problems for those around him. He's not so much clever as adult minded, or he would like to think so. Its character design is extremely simplistic and abstract. The series was subtitled and unedited when it aired in Hawii, including Shin Chan's "shadow elephant", and "ski half naked".
For a taste of the series see Ho Hoi!
Slayers Status on Fox
Anonymous insider "TVGuy" has responded to questions about what has happened to Slayers being shown on Fox. "it's been put "on hold", so there's no telling what's gonna happen. we've only cut two episodes so far and there are no plans to put it on any time soon so....there ya go."
3rd Tenchi OVA Series coming Next Spring in Japan.
The 3rd Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA Series is scheduled to be released sometime in the Spring of 2002 in Japan. Also scheduled to be released at the same time is Tenchi Muyo! GXP OVA and TV Series; it is basically about the Galaxy Police in a pre-OVA Series storyline (before Tenchi and the gang). AIC's website explain some of it at AIC's English page will also have an Official 3rd Tenchi OVA Series website at Tenchi-WebIt's in Japanese and doesn't really say much right now... AIC says that if will Officially be launched on October 10th, 2001... dubbed as the "Day of Tenchi!" Thanks to Mark Clifton of Washu.org for the information .
Tenchi Muyo (which translates to No Need for Tenchi, or No Need for Heaven and Earth or This Side Up, and probably a few other things) is AIC's prototype of the young man surrounded by unusual women attracted to him genre. In this case its part sci-fi adventure, part romantic comedy. Tenchi Masaki lives with his priest grandfather, and architect father in a temple. He eventually meets, a wild space pirate, the excitable princess of an alien world, the princess cute younger sister, a mad scientist, and two space police officers, one of whom is happy and dim, the other is dour, and competent. The series consists of two linked OAV series, a television series "Tenchi Universe" which is a divergent retelling of the OAV series, a second TV series, Shin Tenchi Muyo or Tenchi in Tokyo, which seems to take place after the first TV series, but is also divergent in a number of points, and three movies "Tenchi Muyo In Love", "Daughter of Darkness", and "Tenchi Muyo in Love 2", each ! of which stands on its own to a large extend. To confuse matters more there is a "Pretty Sammy" magical girl parody spinoff.
Cartoon Network Information From Comicon
Anime Tourist has posted "Cartoon Network News, Clues, and Rumors plus Samurai Jack Premier" at here. New information was presented at the San Diego Comic Con's Cartoon Network panel attended by Scott Willis - Art Director, Paul Rudish- Story boards, design, and odd jobs, Genndy Tartakovsky - Producer and Linda Simensky Sr VP of Original Animation and hunter/gatherer for the Cartoon Network. Leiji Matsumoto's Daft Punk music videos will be shown on a special music video Midnight Run August 31st, with other videos set to music from the Tonnami CD.
According to Anime Tourist, it was suggested that Cowboy Bebop will air this fall in the Adult Swim block on Sunday nights. It should be emphasized that this announcement is not yet official, but there is evidence that there is momentum behind it. The source was unsure as to how much editing would be needed and admitted that it was "something of a stretch for them". Despite its exceptionally high quality, it an odd show to pick for television, especially by Cartoon Network who has shown demonstrated that they shy away from use of the word "gun". This series is packed with guns, knives, shootings, and stabbings. Even the more mild episodes include scenes of blood flying for a punched face. Were as Cartoon Network made cigarette's into toothpicks for Blue Sub No. 6, three of Cowboy Bebop's protagonists smoke like chimneys. It is hard to imagine that there are any episodes that would air without heavy editing. It is a very mature themed anime that is often dark, and sexual, and violent.
The series is a science fiction adventure about a group of bounty hunters. It is highly episodic and its genre fluctuates between episodes. Only a handful of episodes are dedicated to what can be called the series' main plot. Between animation, plot, characters, and music, and of the episodes are the best an anime television series has to offer. Many point to episode 5 "Ballad of the Fallen Angel" as one of the series high points. It introduces the series' antagonist, Vicious, and has an action sequence set to composer Yohko Yanno's "Green Bird" that many find to be the one of anime's greatest moments. It seems like in episode 24 "Hard Luck Woman" seems like Yohko Yanno, who also provided the soundtrack for Macross Plus, and Escaflowne, pulls out all the stops, not only to make the resolution of some of characters stories emotional, but also adds to the episodes whimsical moments. Other fan favorites include #17 "Mushroom Samba", a humorous episode about the young eccentric hacker Ed, and dog Ein, searching for food and bounties, and episode 20 "Pierrot Le Fou", a very dark, and violent episode about tracking down a unstoppable and insane killer.
Genndy Tartakovsky talked about Samurai Jack and stated "We actually did a lot. Secrets of the Samurai was a good resource. We wanted Jack to be true to the way of Bushido. The Lone Wolf and Cub manga has certainly been an influence." Editors note: "Secrets of the Samurai" can occasionally be found in the bargain section of Barnes and Nobles, and at their web site.
Lone Wolf and Cub Wins Eisner Award at San Diego
Comic's Eisner awards were announced.
The winner for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material was Lone Wolf and Cub, by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima (Dark Horse)
Newsarama has the list of winners at Newsarama Lone Wolf and Cub is a samurai series about the former executioner for the shogun. When Ogami Itto is framed for a crime by the rival Yagyu clan, rather than commit seppuku (ritual suicide), he takes his young son to travel the path of Meifumado (hell). He becomes an assassin who takes jobs for 500 gold ryu and answers to the questions he asks his clients. The series is divided between stories about Itto's contracts as an assassin, and his conflicts with the Yagyu. The manga series is being released by Dark Horse comics for $10.00 a 300 page 5"x7" volume.
Merchandising Anime Updates
During the Season Premiere of the Mon Colle Knights, FOX KIDS aired a promo for the new anime coming, "Medabots!". The merchandise based anime series that will start this fall. Kids' WB is airing ads for "Cubix, Toys For Everyone", which is set to premiere August 11th.
Thanks to Gatekeeper2150 for the information.
Amano on Elektra For Marvel
Marvel has announced Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D, Sandman: Dream Hunters) and novelist Greg Rucka will be collaborating on an illustrated novel similar to Sandman Dream Hunters (by Amano and Neil Gaiman), featuring the ninja assassin Elektra and Wolverine. Newsarama has an image at here. The "square-bound" Elektra-Wolverine trilogy is set for release in November. The price will be about $5 a 48-page issue.
DBZ on WB
According to Planet NAmek a source who at Kid WB's Toonami said they can only air Dragon Ball Z: Season 1 and 2.. That means only episodes 1 to 53. Although Toonami as a whole, has the rights for all the 180 DBZ episodes on CN. Toonami doesn't have the right to air them all in Kids WB.
Gasaraki 6 Date
ADV has set a September 25th date for the sixth volume of Garasaki. Translation and release of the series has been unpredictable due the effort required, especially the unusually large dub cast needed. Gasaraki is a very detailed mecha series about an ancient and powerful family whose youngest son is assigned to pilot a mecha suit for an experimental military unit. It has a degree of detail and realism that most anime series, let alone mecha series do not have. Its far from the typical boy piloting mech series in that it devolves into more societal subjects, as well as science fiction, and that the young man piloting the mech is neither blindly reluctant, or enthusiastic. He fulfills his duty which trying to find the reason he is propelled in the position.
Getter Robo Vol. #1 Problem update
The following was posted on Anime on DVD's Forum:
As many know, I've been looking into some issues with the first volume of Getter Robo. There appears to be two different problems with volume 1 of Getter Robo:
1) some discs have the correct volume 1 outer label but inside have an insert and disc labeled "Transfiguration" which is volume 2.
2) some discs have a outer label, insert and disc label "Resurrection" for volume 1 but the disc content is really volume 2.
Not all volume 1 discs are bad, the problems are with a latter pressing. We are currently working to address these issues.
At this point I'd like to ask anyone who has received Getter Robo 1 and has the FIRST problem listed above (correct outer label but incorrect insert and disc) to please email me at dlw@advfilms.com.
To save Chris bandwidth, I'm only looking at the first problem now and you don't need to post anything here. I'll address those with the second problem shortly so if you fall into that group please hang on.
Thank you for your patience.
David Williams, A.D.Vision, Inc.
Tokyo Pop San Diego Press Release
TokyoPop make a number of noteworthy announcement at the San Diego Comic con, and confirmed them in a press release.
TOKYOPOP Inks Samurai Girl - Real Bout High School Anime Series and Announces New Manga Titles at Comic-Con
Hot new Gonzo series is latest addition to TOKYOPOP® Anime line; TOKYOPOP® Manga continues licensing rampage with Ragnarok and Kare Kano
SAN DIEGO-7/19/01-Stuart Levy, CEO of TOKYOPOP, was joined by Koji Miyajima of Pony Canyon for the contract signing of Samurai Girl - Real Bout High School as the latest addition to TOKYOPOP's anime line at Comic-Con on Thursday. Pony Canyon arranged the US license of Gonzo Studio's off-kilter martial-arts television series to TOKYOPOP® Anime.
Samurai Girl - Real Bout High School is set in a school where everybody knows martial arts, and no one is afraid to use them. The series is slated to premiere in Japan on July 30, and is the latest project of Gonzo Studios, which is renowned for the outstanding production quality of their titles including Blue Submarine No. 6, Vandread and Gatekeepers. In addition, Samurai Girl - Real Bout High School reteams the creators of Gatekeepers, director Shinichii Tokairin (Street Fighter), character designer Keiji Gotoh (Martian Successor Nadesico, Sorcerer Hunters and Those Who Hunt Elves) and screenwriter Aya Matsui (Dragonball and Marmalade Boy).
Actress Ikue Kimura, who voices the lead character in the original Japanese version of the series, was also present for the signing. Kimura's character, Ryoko, is an elite fighter who is willing to take on any of her classmates to prove herself. Based on the series of novels by Saiga Reiji and graphic novels by Sora Inoue both published by Kadokawa, Gonzo has served up a tongue-in-cheek production that showcases their impeccable animation and character designs a work of spin-kicking action.
"Though many of the details are still under wraps until the show airs in Japan," said Levy prior to the press conference, "I'm prepared to say that Samurai Girl is Gonzo's next big hit, and a great addition to TOKYOPOP® Anime. Gonzo's work is second to none, and they have a great, original, though off-beat, take on martial arts and real-fighting."
TOKYOPOP® Manga announced two more titles to its rapidly growing line with Kare Kano - He Says/She Says, a new addition to the acclaimed girls manga anthology, SMILE, and the Korean manga, Ragnarok: Into the Abyss.
Ragnarok (or "the end of the world" in Norse Mythology) expands on the ideas of genre twisting role-playing games like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest with outstanding character designs by series creator Myoung-Jin Lee. With an emphasis on kinetic story telling, the series features a shifting ensemble of swordsman and sorcerers as they face a bizarre host of enemies, unique in design to the Ragnarok world. Ragnarok, will be the second Korean title released from TOKYOPOP® Manga after the premiere of the horror series Island this August.
In Masami Tsuda's Kare Kano, which debuts in SMILE in early 2002, Yukino Miyazawa is the model student - smart, attractive, athletic and friendly - she's at the top of her class. That is until she enters high school and finds herself ranked second behind the even more perfect Arima Souichiro. While she may look like she's handling the competition like a lady, secretly she's plotting his downfall, but their rivalry takes on a new twist when Arima reveals that he's in love with her.
AnimEigo September and October PR
Excerpted from the AnimEigo New Release Bulletin for September and October 2001 Releases:
Urusei Yatsura TV Series Volume 4 DVD During a Hawaiian vacation, someone starts swiping the girl's swimsuits; Cherry and Sakura take a Hotel's "Full Course From Hell" "Free if you can eat it all" challenge; Mendou Shutaro, the richest boy in Japan, is transferred to Tomobiki High, and causes chaos when he runs for class president; Lum uses high-tech astrology to decide who is the best match for her: Ataru or Mendou; Benten and her fellow Chinese Gods of Luck have their annual End-of-Winter grudge match against Lum and the Oni; Benten comes back with a few friends to make Lum's life lousy; A mysterious teacher-for-hire arrives at the school, and he's going to clean up the class; and if you think Lum, Ataru and Mendou are bad, the first meeting of their mothers threatens to plunge the galaxy into war! Urusei Yatsura: It's Japanese for "Outrageously Funny!"
AV000-104 * Urusei Yatsura TV Series Volume 4 * DVD * 100 min * $24.95 Subtitled in English with Japanese Language * UPC 7-37187-00325-7 ISBN 1-56567-280-1 * Prebook 8/28/01 * Street 9/25/01
Vampire Princess Miyu Volume 2 DVD (Fragile Armor and Frozen Time) When spiritualist Himiko continues her pursuit of Miyu, Princess of the Vampires, she does not have to look far. For Miyu comes to Himiko, and offers her a bargain of her discovery of her true nature after her first meeting with Larva, of the secret concealed by Miyu's parents, and of the night that Darkness and Shinma gathered together. And, finally, Himiko realizes what it is that has bound her destiny together with Miyu's...forever!
AV201-071 * Vampire Princess Miyu Volume 2 * 55 min * DVD * Dubbed in English Subtitled in English with Japanese Language * $24.95 UPC 7-37187-00362-2 * ISBN 1-56567-313-1 Prebook 9/25/01 * Revised Street 10/23/01
Walt Disney Corp. Acquires Fox Family TV
Walt Disney has reached an agreement with the owners of Fox Family Worldwide to buy the network for for $3.3 billion, plus the assumption of $2.1 billion in debt. Other stipulations include that they will continue to run the 700 Club for the network which was once owned by Pat Robertson.
Fox Family, which owns cable channels around the world, is the troubled joint venture of News Corp. and Haim Saban, the cartoon marketer who parlayed millions of dollars from "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" into an ownership position and role as chief executive of the operation.
The Fox Family channel had a history of running anime, especially Digimon and Monster Ranchers, and its "Made in Japan Block. more information see here
Synch Point
Synch-Point has a new web design up online at www.synch-point.com There are lyrics to the English version of "Welcome," which will be featured in the upcoming DiGi Charat commercial to air in Los Angeles cable channels in August.
Akadot has a detailed look at the studio at here
Tommy Yune Leaves Wildstorm for Robtech
Writer/artist Tommy Yune told Newsarama he's recently become creatively involved with Harmony Gold's Robotech. "I'm not at liberty to divulge the details of my work at this time, but expect to see lots of cool stuff coming soon through Robotech.com. " For more information see here http://www.comicon.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000164.html
Marv Wolfman on Anime Inspire Mini-Series
Comic legend Marv Wolfman (writer of DC' Crisis on Infinite Earths, and Titans, creator of Blade, ect) will be working on an anime inspired comic miniseries call "Robo Dojo". "While Marv Wolfman might not be the first name you'd think of when it comes to manga and anime, but the self-described "fan of anime for years" is going to get a chance to change your mind when his upcoming six-issue mini-series Robo Dojo debuts as the third installment of Wildstorm's upcoming 'PacRim' series of titles. Wolfman writes of course, and the series is illustrated by artists Greg Lane & Richard Bennett, with covers by Michael Golden.
"Wolfman says he's a fan of anime dating back to the early 70s when he lived in Flushing, NY, where they had a Japanese language TV station giving him the chance to watch subtitled cartoons like Raiden and others.
"I was thrilled when [editor] Aaron Watanabe asked me to submit ideas for Robo Dojo," said Wolfman. "Aaron had a solid idea he wanted expanded on and essentially what I did was create the characters and use his basic idea to come up with a strong story featuring two teams of students who are given the chance to learn and to build their technologically innovative robots at a University dedicated to robot technology..." " For more information see Newsarma
Spriggan to make Canadian Debut
ADV Films has announced that they will be making the Canadian Spriggan debut at the Con on August 24th at the Bloor Cinema for CNAnime.
DBZ/Toonami news....
According to World' Finest News
"As we reported earlier, Toonami is coming to Kids'WB! Batman Beyond will be aaprt of the block, as well as Pokemon, Cardcaptors (unconfirmed), but the 4:30pm (ET) slot is the kicker. It seems, for now, that time slot will be a rotating slot highlighting Cartoon Network Toonami shows, much like the "Action Block" that aired earlier this summer in that same timeslot. Batman Beyond will remain at 3pm (ET), followed by Pokemon, possibly Cardcaptors (or another Pokemon), then the rotating CN slot. This schedule righ tnow is likely temporary. And the first show to begin in this slot? Well, on Monday, July 30 Kids'WB! will air a week of Dragonball Z episodes at 4:30 p.m. (ET). This is a big milestone in the Toonami block, which will be four hour slong and stretched over two networks. Stay tuned for more news on this later this week!"
Blue Gender Press Release
From the press release:
Fort Worth, TX - FUNimation Productions Ltd. the U.S. producers of Dragon Ball Z, announces the release of Blue Gender to VHS and DVD October 16, 2001. This hit anime sci-fi series was originally produced by A.I.C., the Japanese production company which produced other popular anime series such as Tenchi Muyo! TV, Bubble Gum Crisis Tokyo 2040 and AH My Goddess
Having already sold over 5.5 million home videos, FUNimation is excited to bring Blue Gender to the U.S. "Anyone who loves anime or sci-fi will love Blue Gender. The artwork and stories are very compelling," says Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation.
Set in 2031 on the planet Earth, Blue Gender takes viewers to a world where human beings are the prey for giant insects - creatures called "Blue". The series has found such acclaim in its native Japan that a major Japanese theatrical release is now in production.
"We've used some of our best talent on producing Blue Gender including two of our most popular Dragon Ball Z voice actors," continues Fukunaga. Eric Johnson, the voice of Dragon Ball Z's Teen Trunks will provide the voice for the main protagonist Yuji. Laura Bailey, who is Kid Trunks, will be heard in the role of the female lead character, Marlene. FUNimation is staying true to the original Japanese series including using the original Japanese music. Fans will especially appreciate the DVDs, which will contain many extras such as the Japanese version with English subtitles, interviews, extended music videos, and image gallery. Fans can find out even more information by clicking on www.bluegender.com.
Miyazaki's latest film breaks box office records
According to Anime News Network Miyazaki's latest film _Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi_ ("Sen and Chihiro Spirited Away") opened on the July 20th and drew a 20% larger audience than _Mononoke_ on the release day. At Hibiya Sukara-Za theater in Tokyo, 700 people were drawn up in queue in front of the theater on the night before the opening day.
Laputa, Castle in the Sky Direct To Video Release
Anime News NEtwork points out according to Upcoming Movie, Laputa, Castle In The Sky will be released direct-to-video within the next year or so. Previously, it was suggested that Castle In The Sky could have received a theatrical release.
Laputa is one of Hayao Miyzaki's movies done with Studio Ghibli. It has been compared to as a Jonathan Swift setting, with Jules Verne technology, and a Miyazaki sensibility.
Digiko English Fan Voice Actress Selected
From the release: Synch-Point finds Dejiko! Voice Actress chosen from the Final Five!
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Broccoli Co, LTD (http://www.broccoli.co.jp), in conjunction with Synch-Point (http://www.synch-point.com) have found the voice for Dejiko! After an extensive search and open call to find an English voice actress for the commercial to air in the US, Synch-Point was inundated with talented women wanting to be the English voice of Dejiko.
The amount of audition tapes and CDs sent in were astonishing. Out of over 30 semi-finalists, 5 finalists were selected - Marisa Dutton, Karen Hsin, Emma Sakaguchi, Casey Strand and Elizabeth Switzer.
All 5 finalists were very talented and it was a very hard decision. After a live audition at Anime Expo and extensive interviews, Broccoli and Synch-Point chose Karen Hsin. She will be featured in the commercial to air late this summer!
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). This US commercial will feature Dejiko.
For all the latest information, visit the Synch-Point DiGi Charat website (http://www.synch-point.com/dejiko).
Anime on International Channel
Starting Monday, July 30, the International Channel will make the following changes:
· Dragonball Z will move to Sundays at 10:30 pm Eastern time (7:30 pm Pacific time). DBZ will still repeat on Thursdays at 1 am Eastern time (which is the same as Wednesdays at 10 pm Pacific time).
· Armored Trooper Votoms will move to Sundays at 11 pm Eastern time (8 pm Pacific time).
· The Irresponsible Captain Tylor will move to Sundays at 11:30 pm Eastern time (8:30 pm Pacific time). Thanks to Mark Holtz for the information.
Manga Rights and Schedule
According to Peter Svensson's San Diego Comic Con report for Anime on DVD Manga only has the rights to the Rayearth OVA, not the 'Wings of Hope' collection. Ghost Sweeper Mikami will hopefully be released by late 2001. Virus Buster Surge is definitely for next year.
CPM Manga News (Slayers, Lodoss War, Nadesico)
According to Peter Svensson's San Diego Comic Con report for Anime on DVD CPM Manga to release more Slayers manga in October. The Slayers Super Explosive something-or-other. Also Deedlit's story, which is said to look good. Nadesico manga is to end soon.
Kia Asamiya Movie News
According to Peter Svensson's San Diego Comic Con report for Anime on DVD Kia Asamiya is moving to New York. His Batman manga will be released at a time when it won't interfere with the release of Frank Miller's Dark Knight Strikes Again. DC doesn't want two big Batman projects overlapping. The delays in his color version of Dark Angel should stop now, as the entire series was held back due to coloring problems on one issue.
Pioneer Plans
According to Peter Svensson's San Diego Comic Con report for Anime on DVD Pioneer plans to release The Wanderers starting around Winter, on a total of four DVDs. They will release more DVD boxsets if the ones released sell well. They feel bad about Moldiver. Mihoshi special is still being thought about. The cost of dubbing Magical Project S equals the purchase price for several series, which means that they might not do it. Though I hope it will. Regarding the so-called Director's Cut of Soul Taker, it really is just having some scenes redrawn to look nicer, no content changes at all. It is unknown if the original footage will be available. Pioneer's release of Ah! Megami-Sama might be by the name Ah! My Goddess in America. Though we semi-joked about using alternate covers to please both the Oh! and the Ah! Groups. They will absolutely not use the Coastal Carolina voices, as they "need to distance ourselves" from the Animeigo release. The El Hazard Box Set looks pretty. !
The Mini-goddess series will be released on several DVD-5s.
October Anime Releases
Diamond Distributors puts out a monthly preorder catalogue called Previews. For anime in a tentative resource of what is coming in a given months. It is often incorrect, but it sometimes gives good hints about what to expect.
Its October anime DVD list is:
- Battle Of The Planets: Vol. 1 DVD - $19.95
- Battle Of The Planets: Vol. 2 DVD - $19.95
- BoogiePop Phantom: Vol. 1 DVD - $29.95
- Arc The Lad: Vol. 5 Oath Of Vengeance DVD - $29.98
- Black Magic M-66 DVD - $24.95
- Blue Seed: Vol. 3 DVD - $29.98
- Blue Seed: Vol. 4 DVD - $29.98
- Cardcaptor Sakura: Vol. 6 Friends And Family DVD - $29.98
- Cardcaptors: Vol. 6 Best Of Friends DVD - $24.98
- Ceres, Celestial Legend: Vol. 4 DVD - $29.95
- Cowboy Bebop Perfect Collection DVD Box Set - $199.98
- Dragonball Z - Frieza: Super Saiyan Goku DVD - $24.95
- Dragonball Z - Saiyan Conflict DVD Box Set - $99.98
- Dragonball Z - Namek Saga DVD Box Set - $119.98
- Dragonball Z - Uncut Movie DVD Box Set - $59.98
- Getter Robo Armageddon: Vol. 3 DVD - $29.98
- Gatekeepers: Vol. 2 New Fighters DVD - $29.98
- Generator Gawl: Vol. 4 DVD - $29.98
- Gokudo, Swordsman Extraordinaire: Vol. 1 DVD - $29.95
- Gold Digger Original Animation: Vol. 1 DVD - $29.95
- Gundam MS O8th Team: Vol. 3 DVD - $24.98
- The Hobbit DVD - $19.98
- Inhumanoids: Vol. 3 & 4 DVD - $19.95
- Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA DVD Box Set - $89.95
- Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA: Vol. 3 DVD - $29.95
- Jewel Hunter Lime BEM DVD - $24.95
- Knight Hunters: Vol. 1 Dead Ringer DVD - $29.95
- Lain Abe DVD Box Set - $119.98
- Landlock DVD - $29.95
- The Lord Of The Rings DVD - $19.98
- Night On The Galactic Railroad DVD - $29.99
- Ping Pong Club: Losers Club DVD - $29.99
- Pilot Candidate: Vol. 1 DVD - $24.98
- Pokemon: Vol. 1 Orange Island DVD - $24.98
- Return Of The King DVD - $19.98
- Robotech - Macross Saga: Vol. 5 DVD - $14.98
- Robotech - Macross Saga: Vol. 6 DVD - $14.98
- Robotech - Macross Saga: Collection 3 DVD Box Set - $44.98
- Rurouni Kenshin: Vol. 13 Innocence And Experience DVD - $29.95
- Shadow Skill DVD - $29.95
- The Simpsons: Season 1 DVD Box Set - $39.98
- Sorcerer Hunters: Vol. 4 Magical Battles DVD - $29.98
- Sailor Moon Movies DVD Box Set - $89.98
- Spaceship Agga Ruter DVD - $29.99
- Spirit Of The Sword DVD - $24.95
- Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko DVD - $39.95
- X: The Movie DVD - $29.95
- Teachers Pet DVD - $29.99
- Tenchi Universe DVD Box Set - $199.99
Spotlight: The Legend Black Heaven Volume 1: Rock Bottom
The concept of Earth music being used to end galactic conflict isn't new to anime. It was one of the centerpieces of Macross/Robotech. In this case the galaxy's savior is Tanaka Ouji. He was once Gabriel Tanaka of the metal group Black Heaven. He had a brief stint of wild success, but now he is back to being Tanaka Ouji. He was a wife who just threw away his Flying V guitar and filled the case with his young son's toys. He has a job as a cooperate cog where he is constantly being watch by a demanding manager. He's gone from being Iggy Pop to being Drew Carry. His luck turns around when he is approached by his attractive young boss, and her three flaky assistants, and given a guitar to play. It turns out that they are alien agents who need the music of Gabriel Tanaka to power their weapons to fight an opposing galactic force. For Ouji his role only servers as a break from his everyday life, but now his coworkers look with wonder on his odd relation with their boss! , his wife is beginning to suspect he is giving an affair, and his son think the manager is the commander of the Power Rangers group from the show he watches on TV.
The show aired on late night TV in Japan. This means that the situations and fan-service is a little more risqué that other TV shows, and the nudity is a little more anatomically correct. Also, like some late night shows the animation is very cheap. A cel is moved across the screen for a bus moving in a scene that is only comprised of a bus movie across a background. Cels and animation is often re-used. The space battle scenes are done in low budget cgi. Some may find a charm to the low budget nature of the animation. It gives the series a stunted pacing analogous to some domestic late night animation, such MTV's the Maxx, and parts of Liquid Television. In some situations and moods the style becomes endearing.
The first volume of the series offers interest in Ouji, and amusements in some of the situations he find himself in, but little in terms of impact from drama or action. Ouji is dull when his slogging his way through work or family life, but for the view he doesn't become more exciting when's he's giving an animated talk about music, or playing it. The highlights were the outlandish things that the three alien assistants did to fit in such as doing synchronized exercises on their balcony all morning because they read Japanese people exercise in the morning, or reading tabloids, then knocking out Ouji and their commander who they could take pictures of the two in comprising positions. Legend of Black Heaven is interesting, and at times entertaining, but its not engrossing. However, there seem to be some elements being introduced that could make the series more interesting as it progresses. The aliens are calling Ouji their messiah, but they are also doubting that he is cap! able of what they need from him.
