Well, it's Wednesday and time for Father Geek to post another of Scott Green's AICN Anime Reports with all the latest info from the world of Anime and Manga... everything from DVDs and videos to comics and games to theatrical releases, cards, and toys... all in one convenient one-stop location here at Ain't It Cool... annnnnnd, here it is...
Star Blazers DVD Set
Voyager Entertainment has announced that they will be releasing the Star Blazers: Quest for Iscandar DVD Set on 9/25 that will include the entire set
Monkey Punch / Lupin Items
A summary of the upcoming Lupin III movie, the Alcatraz Connection can be read at here
The Lupin ML reports that they were able to find that Monkey Punch's (creator of Lupin III) intends to work anime including work based the Musashi legend, with sci fi elements, and an anime adaptation of the "Seven Samurai". Monkey Punch is still working on his manga adaptation of "1,001 Arabian Nights". The Lupin movie here offers an interview with staff there in Japanese, art and character sketches.
Lupin III is the James Bond of thieves, a global trotter with the gadgets and skills for any situation, with an attribute (and in the case of Lupin III attire) that fit the times quit as well as it used to. He is joined by his partner Jigen, and somber gunman, the unstoppable, and unpredictable samurai Goemon, his sometimes ally, sometimes rival, sometimes love interest Fujiko Mine, and the police inspector never quite able to catch him, Zenigata. Fans of the cast of Cowbop Bebop may find something to their liking in Lupin III.
Vampire Hunter D Web Site Opens
The web site for Vampire Hunter D movie has opened at www.VampireHunterDBloodlust.com with images from the film and information about the feature..
English Voice News
The English voice of Digi Charar's Dejiko, Karen Hsin, will have her concert debut in Japan in early August at the Velfarre in Roppongi. Karen Hsin was chosen from out of over 30 semi-finalists at Anime Expo 2001 to be the voice of Dejiko for a commercial to be aired later this year.
There have been several concerts featuring the popular cast of Di Gi Charat - Asami SANADA (Dejiko), Miyuki SAWASHIRO (Puchiko) and Kyoko HIKAMI (Rabi~En~Rose). This is the first concert to introduce the English Dejiko to Japanese fans. Karen will be performing in the Di Gi Charat concert on the 4th of August, and the English version of the "Welcome" Song.
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. For More information see here
Interviews with: "Dorothy Melendrez" who is known for supplying the English voice of Karou (from Kenshin), Miz (El Hazard), Meryl (Trigun), Kris Kristopher (Battle Athletes) here also know for, Fujiko Mine - Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, Nina Purpleton - Gundam 0083, Kris Kristopher - Daiundokai TV (Battle Athletes Victory) , Miz Mishtal - El-Hazard , Kimiya Kaoru - Ruroni Kenshin , Meryl Stryfe - Trigun there are more interviews with VA's such as Eva, Blue Seed and more Ohayocon Press
Kenneth Lee TOKYOPOP's newest DVD Producer has announced that the voice of "Miyu" will be done by 17 year old broadway star Kimberly Brown. Her bio can be seen at here
R2 Soul Taker Review
Anime on DVD has reviewed Soul Taker at here The series seems to have a great deal of potential, but it hasn't been out long enough in Japan to receive much buzz in the US.
Anime Merchandising News
A number of anime merchandise announcements have occurred recently. Diamond Select, affiliated with the Diamond comic distributors have signed an agreement to create statues, die-cast cars, and action figures based on the anime properties controlled in the U.S by Central Park Media. Diamond Select will have the rights to make resins and action figures based on properties like Project A-Ko, MD Geist, Pin-Up Beauties, Geobreeder, and Demon City Shinjuku. The first products that Diamond Select is working on will be based on Project A-Ko and MD Geist.
Project A-Ko is a parody of many of the action, sci-fi, and romance series popular when it was released . in 1986. Now that the series and styles it parodies are no longer as popular it is a bit date. It still has a following, but the jokes now require a little more uncommon knowledge. Its very rare someone who would admit to being a fan of MD Geist.
Diamond Select as also signed a deal for Gatchaman (aka Eagle Riders, G-Force, ect). The recent licensing agreement with Sandy Frank Entertainment affords Diamond Select the rights to develop action figures, resin statues, calendars, wall scrolls, building block figures under 3 inches, and the right to import Japanese toys based on the property.
"The first time I saw Battle of the Planets was as G-Force," admitted Steve Rowan, Senior Designer for Diamond Select. "But then I remembered, 'I used to watch this as a kid.' Nostalgia and anime are both huge as my generation (generation X) turns thirty-something. This is going to be big." Diamond Select will begin production on action figures under 3 inches for the series, to be released Summer 2002.
Irwin, who produces Dragon Ball Z, will be aligning with FUNimation to launch a new toy company for FUNimation's properties which include Blue Gender, Yu Yu Hakasho, and Dragon Ball Z. More information is expect from at the upcoming conventions this summer.
This September Bandai will start releasing their Anime Collector sets, which include one mech (7" giant robot or ship) and two human figures (4 ½" ) for $19.99. The first round include The Big O (featuring Roger Smith, Dorothy, and The Big O), Escaflowne (featuring Hitomi, Van, and Mechanical Suit Escaflowne), Outlaw Star (featuring Gene, Melfina, and their spacecraft, which transforms into grappler mode). Future sets will feature characters and mecha from Pilot Candidate and Cowboy Bebop.
Toycom will also be releasing a number of interesting anime figures. Berserk figures of Guts (Hawk Soldier), Guts (Black Swordsman), Casca and Griffith will be released one a month start in September for $17.99 each. Samurai X (Kenshin) figures of Kenshin, Karou, Sano and Saitoh will also be released this September for $12.99 each.
Ghost In The Shell: Man-Machine Interface- three figures of Motoko Armaki due out this October/November for an SRP of $17-20 each. Only one Variant is planned- a Suncoast Video "Chrome" Exclusive of the Motoko Armaki "Fire Wall" figure. Toycom is not going to go into the mass variant direction they took with their previous Ghost In The Shell 6" line. In 2002 figures based on Kia Asamiya Silent Mobius and Steam Dectives will be released. 2002 will also see the release of an undisclosed Escaflowne product.
Digimon 3 Date
Story Date: 7/29/01
FOX KIDS has just announced the 3rd Season of Digimon for a September 1st Premiere.
Bandai from Ai Con
A report about Bandai from Ai Con was posted on Anime on DVD's forum. Richard Kekuhuna, a Bandai representative had a panel at the convention. Among what was reported to be stated:
1)The Escflowne movie should be expected sometime in 2002, they're audio mixing now and are looking for extras.
2)Pilot Candidates (Candidate for Goddess) the 1st disc is almost done, extra's are a "See how it's done in Japan dub studio" and another is a feature allowing you to make your own dub... however, he didn't say if it was whole episodes or specific scenes.
3)The promotional CD states Fancy Lala volume 1 will have 5 episodes.
4)Bandai does not have Cyber Team Akhibara. Kehuhuna responded to the post with "I will go with standard "Can Neither Confirm Nor Deny" on this... however I can say that Cyber Team Akihabara was never announced at Anime Expo. Anime Expo's webpage was just thanking Bandai for bringing film to expo, it's not a license announcement."
Anime Movies This Summer in Japan
The feature length anime adaptation of the fairy tale "The Clever Princess" entitled Princess Arete, opened in Japanese theaters on July 21st. Produced by Studio 4C, the studio behind Spriggan and Memories, the film has a look very similar to Production IG's Popolocrois Monogatari, and features Houko Kuwashima (Kirika of Noir, Yurika in Nadesico) performing the voice of Princess Arete. The official Japanese Arete Hime homepage features film stills and a long theatrical trailer in Real Media format.
Sham Neko , the latest film written and directed by Monkey Punch, creator of Lupin III, is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on October 6th.
Azumanga Daioh will graduate from manga to a theatrical short film this Christmas.
The manga is actually a series of humorous 4 panel comic strips about the daily lives of a group of Japanese high school girls, created by Kiyohiko Azuma, character designer for Battle Athletes and Pretty Sammy. Azumanga Daioh is currently one of the most popular comic strips in Japan.
Revolutionary Girl Utena Movie
Anime on DVD has a preview of the Revolutionary Girl Utena movie cover on Anime on DVD
The first 10,000 copies of the Utena movie DVD will come in a limited edition transparent pink keepcase and also include a special Anime Zone sampler DVD featuring trailers and clips of CPM anime titles.
New X Anime News
The Japanese Chara-Ani.com site has posted the 30 second promotional clip of the upcoming X OAV premiered at the Tokyo Character Show. The Official Clamp homepage has confirmed that the X TV series is in production. The new series is most likely to premier on Japanese television in October.
The series will be directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and Co-produced by MADHOUSE.
Getter Robo DVD recall
From the press release: It has come to our attention there is a problem with the first DVD volume of Getter Robo, entitled "Resurrection." Many of the units were shipped with following problem:
The discs have an outer label, insert and disc label "Resurrection" for Volume 1, but the disc content is actually another volume.
Not all of the Volume 1, "Resurrection" discs are incorrect, as the problem occurred at the pressing plant during a late pressing, and does not affect discs pressed earlier in production.
In an effort to provide the very best in customer service for our loyal fans, we are working hard at addressing and correcting these problems. We are asking retailers to return their remaining stock to us, and to please wait patiently while corrected replacement product is prepared.
Consumers are asked to call our toll free number for information on how to replace their defective discs at no extra cost, with the corrected DVD. That number is 866-527-2111.
New Takeshi Miyazawa Manga
From C.B. Cebulski: The new August issue of NYLON magazine (the one with Natalie Portman on the cover) has a new eight page manga story by SIDEKICKS very own Takeshi Miyazawa inside! It is a fall fashion preview that he was asked illustrate that turned into an awesome sequential comic story. Due to time constraints he was only able to fully pencil and zip three of the pages but the end product still came out wonderfully. It's great to see that Takeshi's keen fashion sense and uncanny ability to make his characters seem so natural and real is starting to help him gain some more mainstream exposure.
More on Cowboy Bebop Movie soundtrack
The Seatbelts "Ask DNA" mini album that was released on July 25th had music from the upcoming movie, but the OST will be released August 22nd.
"Ask DNA" includes
- 1. What Planet is This
- 2. Ask DNA (Opening theme)
- 3. Cosmic Dare (Pretty with a Pistol)
- 4. Hamduche
- 5. Is It real?
The album is distributed by Victor Entertainment, and available for 1500 yen.
Tokyopop Episode Distribution
Tokyopop rep Kenneth Lee has stated, from volume 2 on, both Vampire Princess Miyu TV and Saint Tail will be 4 episodes per discs. This will drop Miyu down to 7 discs from 8 (presumably) and Saint Tail to 11 from 15 (presumably) for its 43 episode length.
The Vampire Princess Miyu TV series is a mostly episodic series about Miyu a youthful looking vampire girl Miyu, who is assistant my tall, cloaked vampire adapted in physical conflict with scythe or claws, and small pink rabbit creature, with a hideously enlarged eyes. Miyu travels Japan sending stray vampires, Shinma, back to "The Dark". There are some excellent horror episodes in the series that very disturbing and memorable, of the caliber of good Twilight Zone episodes. There are also a few that miss their mark and end up muddled or embarrassingly silly.
Saint Tail in a magic girl series (ie Sailor Moon), about a girl who robs criminals by nights. Fans of the genre and cute anime praise it.
Toonami.com Update
The Toonami.com website has been updated including information and media from Mobile Suit Gundam and Daft Punk's first three videos by Leiji Matsumoto of Battle Ship Yamato fame. For more FAQ's Click Here.
DBZ Episodes on Kids' WB
According to SaiyanZ Rage the first 5 DBZ episodes are not airing on Kid's WB. Like reported here a few days ago. Kid's WB has mixed up the episodes that will air during Dragonball Z at 4:30pm on Kid's WB Toonami.
Toonami's Kid's WB Dragonball Z Line Up.
- Mon, July 30 at 4:30 pm during DBZ - "Gohan's Metamorphosis" (Season 1)
- Tue, July 31 at 4:30 pm during DBZ - "Home for Infinite Losers" (Season 1)
- Wed, August 1 at 4:30 pm during DBZ - "Laboratory Basement" (Season 4)
- Thu, August 2 at 4:30 pm during DBZ - "Super Vegeta" (season 4)
- Fri, August 3 at 4:30 pm during DBZ - "Faith in a Boy" (Season 4)
- Monday, August 6 at 4:30 pm - Dragon Ball Z
- Tuesday, August 7 at 4:30 pm - Dragon Ball Z
- Wednesday, August 8 at 4:30 pm - Dragon Ball Z
- Thursday, August 9 at 4:30 pm - Dragon Ball Z
- Friday, August 10 at 3:30 to 4:30 pm - TBA (Possible DBZ Movie)
- Saturday, August 11 at 11:00 am - Dragon Ball Z
Q&A
If you have any questions send them only to sgreen@skuldo.com and I will try to answer them.
Is a Berserk TV sequel coming out?
There have been rumors, but nothing has been confirmed. Some people have speculated
that it may be done as an OAV. The amount of material that could not be shown to television increases after the events introduced in the TV series. Various factions and characters are introduces whose practices, either sexual, or violent, or gruesome would be ill suited for an adaptation to TV.
What do you know about Ghost in the shell 2? when is it coming out?
For information about the manga see www.studioproteus.com/ and their February report on its status. There have been talks about the rights to the anime, but nothing has materialized yet in terms of an actual feature. At the A-Kon convention it was mentioned that Mirimax acquired the rights to the anime rather than manga, who released the first movie in the US.
Was Kenshin oav made before Kenshin TV?
The Kenshin/Samurai X OAV series takes place chronologically before the Kenshin anime series, but it was produced after it. The Kenshin anime and manga series diverge after episode 62, after what is known as the Kyoto or Shishio story. A dilemma facing many anime series that are based on running manga series is what to do when you reach a point where you have to progress beyond what has been told in the manga. Examples of what can is done can be seen in Dragon Ball Z, in which the pace is slowed to match keep time with the manga release, or Trigun, which progresses as much as the manga will allow, then takes its own path to complete the story. The Kenshin anime series decided to tell its own stories. It features a few longer stories buffered by one episode stories, usually of a humorous nature. The lengthy stories are marred in the minds of many viewers magic and supernatural elements that do not fit the tone of series.
In the case of the manga, the events animated as episode 62 of the anime series lead directly into the next long story, Jinchuu or "Revenge", which takes the series to its finale. In the Revenge story Kenshin faces off against Enishi, a man with spiky white hair, Chinese garb, and sunglasses who is an arms dealer that sold weapons to Shishio. Enishi gathers a group of fighters with connections to Kenshin's past in order take revenge upon him. During the Jinchuu story a chapter is devoted to Kenshin telling his past. He explains his role as a political assassin, later bodyguard, and how he got the crossed scars on his cheek. This chapter was adapted into the four episode OAV after the competition of the anime series.
Is there any other Kenshin plans at the moment? There are no currently announced Kenshin anime projects. Normally once as anime series has been completed it is not taken up again, but after the recent resurrections of Slayers and Tenchi Muyo, I would not put it outside the realm of possibilities.
The other potential opening for some return to Kenshin material is in the creator of the Kenshin, Watsuki Nobuhiko's new manga, "Gun Blaze West". I'm not too familiar with the details of the series, especially time frame, but its an western, and one of Kenshin's key characters ended the series by going to the American west.
