For more info: http://www.radiocomix.com
4/26/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure out on Region 1 DVD Fall/Winter of 2002
Based on the original manga series by Hirohiko Araki, the first volume of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" DVD will be released in Fall/Winter of 2002. 13 episodes will be available on total of 6 volumes, with sound and music upgraded to 5.1 surround system for the original 6 episodes. Character design and animation director by Junichi Hayama, music composed and arranged by Marco d'Ambrosio of MarcoCo., and sound design by Tom Myers of Skywalker Sound.
Street Date: Fall/Winter 2002 (date TBA)
Episode count: 1st Volume 3 Episodes x 30 minutes each
Format: Region 1 DVD
Animation Production: A.P.P.P.
Executive Producer: Kazufumi Nomura
Distribution by: TBA
Official Super Techno Arts Inc. Website Launch Date: 5/01/02
http://www.supertechnoarts.com
More than 100 years have past since the battle between Jonathan Joestar and the vampire, Dio Brando. Dio's escape from the ocean depths awakens the psychic power known as "Stand" within Josef Joestar and Jotarou Kujo (JoJo). They join forces with other Stand Users to face the ultimate evil to save JoJo's mother Holly from the deadly curse."
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: AnimePro - http://ap.rice-box.com
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: Natsume Maya
"Subway Cinema in New York City will be sponsoring an Asian film festival April 26 through May 2 with Gamera 2 & 3 showing. Gamera 2 will be screening on Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 pm, while Gamera 3 will screen on Saturday, April 27 at 4:15 pm and again on Monday, April 29 at 6:30 pm. In addition Club Daikaiju will be sponsoring raffles for Gamera merchandise at the film festival on Saturday"
Also, the Subway Cinema site mentions Visitor Q(now banned in New Zealand) and Pistol Opera will be there, as well as a movie called Kiss the Moon from the people behind the Korean hit Attack the Gas Station.
Thanks to Daniel for the news
May 2: "Jin-Roh," 9:30 p.m. (not rated, mature).
May 3: "X," midnight (NR, mature), Riverview Theatre, 3800 42nd Av. S., Mpls.
May 4: "Jin-Roh," 3 & 9:30 p.m.; "Spriggan," 11:30 p.m. (R)
May 5: "Jin-Roh," 3 & 9:30 p.m.
May 6: "Perfect Blue," 9:30 p.m. (NR, mature only)
May 7: "Spriggan," 7:30 p.m.; "Perfect Blue," 9:30 p.m.
May 8: "Akira," 7:20 p.m. (R); "Spriggan," 9:45 p.m.
May 9: "Akira," 9:30 p.m.
May 10: "Ghost in the Shell," 9:30 p.m. (NR, mature); "Akira," 11:30 p.m.; "Patlabor II," midnight (NR, mature), Riverview.
May 11: "Akira," 3 p.m.; "Ghost in the Shell," 9:30 p.m.; "Akira," 11:30 p.m.; "X," 11 a.m., Oak Street Cinema, 309 SE. Oak St., Mpls.
May 12: "Ghost in the Shell," 3 p.m.; "Akira," 9:30 p.m.
May 13: "Akira," 7:20 & 9:45 p.m.
May 14: "Wings of Honneamise," 7:20 p.m. (NR, mature); "Patlabor II," 9:45 p.m. (NR, mature).
May 15: "Patlabor II," 7:30 p.m.; "Wings of Honneamise," 9:30 p.m.
May 18: "Transformers," 7:30 p.m. (PG); "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust," 9:30 p.m. (R); "Ninja Scroll," 11:30 p.m. (NR, mature), "Patlabor II," 11 a.m., Oak Street.
May 19: "Transformers," 3 & 7:30 p.m.; "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust," 9:30 p.m.
May 20: "Ninja Scroll," 9:30 p.m.
May 21: "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust," 7:30 p.m.; "Ninja Scroll," 9:30 p.m.
For the full article: http://www.startribune.com/stories/412/2257005.html
Thanks to Anjiro-san for the item
Link source: http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=4&id=213226 (originally reported by Kyodo News) - Anjiro-san
Courtesy Anjiro
At the same time as the redesign, Anime Boston has also rolled out its new mascots, A-chan (previously featured on fliers) and B-kun. We expect great things in the future from the two newest additions to the Anime Boston family.
For more information on Anime Boston, or to pre-register for the convention, visit the Anime Boston web site.
Kung Fu Cult Cinema reports Mark Dacascos (Live Action Crying Freeman) will possibly play opposite to Jet Li in the movie ' Cradle 2 the Grave '. Dacascos plays the bad guy who kidnaps the daughter of DMX & government agent Jet Li is soon on his trail.
Legend OF Zu, available again on DVD
The following China Star DVD went out of print since the announcement 2 months ago that China Start will stop distributing DVD. But now Mei Ah is the official distributor of China Star these following titles are now again available in HK store. The LegendOf Zu, La Brassiere, Born Wild, Failan, Love On A Diet, Let's Sing Alone and The Duel.
Gun Crazy
From Zeni
Japanese woman action yakuza, Gun Crazy is a movie that split in two different episodes that both will be out in Japanese theater at the same time. The fable of a lady with guns, Gun Crazy (Episode 1 : Fukushuu no Areno - Wasteland of Revenge) with Ryoko Yonekura and (Episode 2 : Uragiri no Banka - Elegy of Betrayal) with Rei Kikukawa will hit Japanese theater this May 11th. Official Web page: Click Here!
RAN R1 very special edition
From Dvdtimes.co.uk
Fans have waited an inordinate amount of time for a decent release of Akira Kurosawa's Ran and just when our cries have been answered it seems we have to pay $99.95 for the pleasure! It would appear that Wellspring Media and Amazon.com have teamed up to present an exclusive Limited Edition release titled The Akira Kurosawa DVD Collection, of which only 5000 will be made. For now this release is the only way to obtain the new Masterworks edition of Ran that features a new high definition, digitally remastered 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer and Japanese DD5.1 Audio with English subtitles. Also present in this set is Kurosawa's final film Madadayo and the 215-minute documentary Kurosawa, both of which are available separately. Further extras for this boxset include a Ran mini-poster, four 5x7 photographs, a multi-page booklet, and the Japanese-style miniature shoji screen and certificate of authenticity. The release date for this fine looking set is September 9th 2002. We expect the new Masterworks edition of Ran to be available as a single release sometime in 2003.
China/HK:
1)"Shaolin Soccer" cleared up last Sunday's the 21st Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) with 7 awards...[From Daniel: Also, Accidental Spy won two awards for Best Editing and Best Action Choreography.]
2)"At the backstage of HKFA, Both Best Actor and Actress Stephen Chow and Sylvia Cheng confirmed that before the win they have been discussing the prospects of working together. The film, according to Cheng, will not necessary star them both and may not be a comedy.
Japan:
1)"Amuse Pictures will produce 7 short films with 7 promised young directors. Shunji Iwai, Tetsuo Shinohara, Ryuhei Kitamura are among them. All films will complete within 2 months. Some of them will go to the international market.
2)" "T.R.Y.", directed by Kazuki Omori, is Toei's big budget co production with China and South Korea, and stars Japanese superstar,Yuji Oda("Bay Side Shakedown).Set in early 20th century in Shanghai, Isama (Oda) gets money doing dirty tricks with the underworld in China. It will start shooting on the 27th of this month and will be released early next year in Japan, China and South Korea.
3)"Luc Besson established a distribution company for Japan. The company, Europe Corp., will produce and distribute films in Japan with "Taxi 3" and "Transporter" already in production. He said that he would like to produce Japanese films someday at the press conference.
4)"Quentin Tarantino will finally start location scouting for "Kill Bill" in Tokyo next month.
5)"Kyoto and Himeji Castle are the only locations used in Japan for the shooting of "The Last Samurai". Most of the film will be shot in New Zealand where production team has found Japanese-looking locations near Mt. Fuji."
Source: AICN
"Someone posted a few things on the GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA message forum here at MZ and I just checked them out for myself and 3 are confirmed and 1 is actually unclear according to sources:
"1. New Godzilla will the utilize Mire-Goji suit (from GXM) with a re-designed head and smaller dorsal.
"2. MechaGodzilla doesn't fly, but is transported by some kind of aerial system. (MZ's source says its like something from Evangelion)
"3. The G-cells used to create MechaGodzilla are taken from a Godzilla '54 bone fragment.
"4. This is the iffy one: MechaGodzilla will be piloted by two females.
"COMMENTS
"The redesigned mire-goji suit of course was reported here a while back but smaller fins and a different type head is what many fans have wanted. The idea of the G-Cells from a 1954 bone I think makes it clear this film is another stand alone film since in G2000 and GXM the Godzillas in those films were the same ones from 1954. I wonder if this "new" one is explained? More info to come."
MISSING PERSONS, a new independent 3D animated feature film, will have its New York Premiere on May 1st at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Shown in state-of-the-art high-definition digital projection at the BMA's 460-seat theater, the film is entirely CG-generated, rendered in a striking "toon-style" using proprietary software.
MISSING PERSONS (http://www.missingpersonsmovie.com) Dirs: Matt & Dan O'Donnell Wednesday May 1, 2002 - 9:00PM Brooklyn Museum of Art 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY (Take the 1 or 2 train to the "Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum" stop.)
Tickets $10 (http://www.wbff.org/2002/films/detail.asp?cid=1&fid=164) Afterparty at SUPERFINE, 126 Front St., DUMBO, Brooklyn -- free admission
Dennis Harvey of Variety says:
"...a refreshing oddball stew of parodic noir, police and sci-fi elements as sifted through deadpan surrealism."
"...owes more to current graphic-novel fashions, retro comic books...than to most contempo Western or Nippon animation. Look boasts strong, minimalist lines reminiscent of old UPA shorts, depth perspectives at once multi-layered and flat, plus vividly garish coloration. Result comes off somewhere betwixt Roy Lichenstein and David Lynch, with a loopy, satirical future-cop story to match."
"...striking to look at and cryptically hilarious in numerous weird fantastical-banal details. (Computo's oddly dapper persona and mobility/grasping abilities are just one source of consistent entertainment.)"
SYNOPSIS: A chronicle of the intersecting lives of four lost souls haunting the fringes of Coney Island's 60th Precinct. John Funn, a lonely Missing Persons detective at the frayed end of a once promising career, hitches his wagon to the rising star of a strange and impressionable young sergeant named Snookie. Computo, a World War II Army surplus robot, and Crazy Legs, an horrifically injured streetfighter, eke out a desperate living hawking mislabelled narcotics, while patiently awaiting happier times. Woven throughout the unraveling of these two dysfunctional partnerships is the story of a bizarre Missing Persons case involving a mysterious half-drowned man living one foot below the surface of the Atlantic ocean. A tale told in a cycle of interlocking absurdities--played almost alarmingly straight--MISSING PERSONS is an entirely CGI-generated 3D animated film, rendered in "toon-style" using custom software.
Thanks to Anjiro-san for the info
Source: Natsume Maya
Link Source: http://www.asahi.com/english/culture/K2002042400393.html
Source: Natsume Maya
From Corona:
"Next month Universal Pictures will include a teaser trailer for Hulk with every print of Spider-Man. Audience members will get a chance to have their first impression of Eric Bana's tortured scientist as the actor narrates the trailer.
"And thanks to a friend who works with gamma radiation, we've got a description of what you'll see in the approximately one-minute long trailer!
"The trailer begins outside a typical residential house. The camera moves inside and we see Bruce Banner (Eric Bana), viewed from behind, looking into a bathroom sink mirror. Bana's voice narrates the scene saying he's frightened, not of what he's becoming, but that he's begining to enjoy it. At that point the camera dives in to a close-up of his eyes, which are changing to green. Suddenly we see his home explode from the inside.
"The trailer will ship with all prints of Spider-Man but it will be up to the discretion of the theater managers as to whether or not to attach the Hulk teaser trailer with Spider-Man or another movie. However, our source expects most multiplexes to attach at least one copy to a print of Spider-Man."
Pathfinder Pictures states Master of the Flying Guillotine will also(hopefully) be playing at the following venues:
"July 12 San Fransisco, Lumiere Portland, Clinton Street
Aug. 2 Austin, TX"
The May issue of Fangoria has an informative article on the production of the Uzumaki movie.
SHOUJOCON ANNOUNCES GUEST ROSTER FOR 2002 EVENT
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 15, 2002 - Shoujocon, the world's first convention dedicated to the celebration of girls' and women's anime (animation) and manga (comics) from Japan, is proud to announce their 2002 Guest Roster. Taking place July 19-22, 2002 at the East Brunswick Hilton and Towers, Shoujocon will provide programming and events that cater to fans of such anime and manga series as Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura and Knight Hunters (Weiss Kreuz), among others.
Shoujocon's scheduled Guests will include personalities both in the professional anime and manga industry, as well as fan-run organizations that promote women's roles in the publication and readership of female-oriented comics in North America. The 2002 Guests are as follows:
Asuza Kurokawa, Shoujocon's Japanese Guest of Honor, is a professional mangaka (comics artist) who has published 18 tankoubon (anthologies/graphic novels) including Kaeranai Natsu, Amai Sankaku, and Shounen Shinshi S. Diverse in style and story, Ms. Kurokawa's works run the gamut from shoujo (girls' and women's comics) to shounen (boys' comics) to ladies' stories to yaoi (male/male stories geared to a predominantly female readership).
Bill Timoney, also known as Billy Regan, comes to Shoujocon as its 2002 North American Industry Guest. Bill is a professional voice actor, director and casting director who has done work with dubbing many anime series popular with shoujo fans such as Record of Lodoss War, Trigun, Lain, and Cowboy Bebop, to name just a few.
Umbrella Studios, Shoujocon's 2002 Fan Guests of Honor, is a fan-run online and print publishing enterprise as well as a club consisting of shoujo fans and friends with a deep love for beautiful stories and art. They specialize in short-run self-publishing of both fanworks and original comics and anthologies and have produced over forty publications in the past three years.
Friends of Lulu, the Organization Guests for 2002, are a non-profit group created by comic fans and professionals to promote both women's roles in the American comic book industry, and more female readership of comics. Its members work to break through the stereotypes in the comic book area and to create opportunities for female fans and creators alike to succeed.
Please note that scheduled guests are subject to change.
For more information about Shoujocon, its guests and the Shoujo Arts Society, please visit Shoujocon on the World Wide Web, at http://www.shoujocon.com/
Official ballots will be distributed in May and the winners will be announced on August 2, 2002 in San Diego as part of Comic-Con International: San Diego, the largest convention highlighting comics and pop-culture in the U.S. Awarded annually, the Eisner Awards acknowledge the best titles, storylines and artists in the comics business, and are considered the most prestigious awards in the industry.
The full Viz release can be read here
Source: Natsume Maya
Sailor Moon on DVD
==================
The VHS release of Sailor Moon has broken the record to become the worst
selling anime series of all time in the UK. In a final attempt to salvage
the series, MVM will be releasing episodes 1-4 on DVD on 10th June. If it
doesn't sell this time, there will be no more Sailor Moon released in the
UK.
Blue Gender release date set
============================
Funimation have set a date of 10th June for their UK release of the first
VHS and DVD volumes of the TV series 'Blue Gender'. In order to keep costs
down (BBFC fees mainly), the DVD will only include the English soundtrack.
However, Funimation have indicated that they are happy for fans to import
the US edition of the DVD should they want a version with the Japanese
soundtrack.
Launch date change for new Sci-Fi anime
=======================================
The start of The Sci-Fi Channel's screening of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion',
'Martian Successor Nadesico' and 'Blue Gender' has been postponed until
20th June.
The Sci-Fi website at http://www.uk.scifi.com has been redesigned, and you
can now register to received schedule updates by e-mail.
Free Barefoot Gen screening
===========================
The Japanese Embassy in London hosts regular free film screenings, and next
month the anime 'Barefoot Gen' is included in the programme. See
http://www.embjapan.org.uk/events_films.html for details. Because places
are limited, advance booking is essential.
The impressive profit surge is largely thanks to the unprecedented local success of Spirited Away, Hayao Miuyazaki's animated feature which has grossed $230m (Y30.19 billion) and recorded 23.33 million admissions since its Japanese release on July 20 last year. Among Toho's other hit titles were Celebi: A Timeless Encounter, the latest feature in the Pokemon series which took $29.7m (Y3.9 billion), Onmyoji, Yojiro Takita's CG period action drama which took $23.6m (Y3.1 billion), followed by two hit animated series Doraemon: Nobita And The Winged Warriors which took $22.9m (Y3.0 billion) and Detective Conan: Countdown To The Heaven which took $22.0m (Y2.9 billion) at the box office.
The proposals, made by the Council for Cultural Affairs, are aimed at passing on cultural attributes that foster rich humanity to the next generations.
With the success in mind of Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi) animated movie, which won the Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival in February, the report stated: "We can be proud of animation art as well as computer graphics. These forms of art are the driving force to rejuvenate the nation's arts and culture in the future."
The report stated movies were important as a composite art form, recommending to the government that it establish a system to support the production and screening of movies.
"New Line Cinemas, happy with the big opening and strong showing of their vampire fight flick BLADE 2, has again hired BLADE scribe David Goyer, this time to pen a third film.
"This comes only weeks after Goyer hinted he'd like to take a DARK KNIGHT RETURNS tack with a third BLADE movie, possibly revisiting the character 20 years after the events of BLADE 2, when vampires rule the world...."
List contributor, Daniel has referenced the below the Cinescape piece from a few weeks back where Goyer was interviewed, and mentioned some striking parallels to a well known Vampire anime:
"If New Line and Wesley [Snipes] go for the premise that I like, which is basically a post-apocalyptic vampire movie, where the world has been taken over by vampires and humans are treated as cattle to be milked for their blood," del Toro said in a recent web chat. "Living in small caves in concentration camp conditions. And from out of the night comes the long-forgotten Daywalker, and the new battle begins."
"Thanks to Chris Cruz for the information on the Japanese release of Godzilla - Mothra - King Ghidorah on DVD/VHS:
"This month's DVD release mags (in Japan, that is) have revealed that Toho has announced GMK for video rental release on August 2nd, and DVD sale on the 21st of the same month. The price for the DVD will be the same as the Japanese G2K and GxM; that is to say, 10,000 yen. As for extras, the only one definitely confirmed (thanks to blurbs written by a Toho executive in the ad) is a commentary track with Niiyama Chiharu and Kaneko Shusuke. Considering G2K came with a second DVD of extras, and GxM came with an extras DVD and a copy of Ooshima Michiru's soundtrack though, GMK should hopefully be packed with all sorts of goodies.
"X Plus USA will be releasing several Gamera figures in the U.S. come June:
"We will be importing the X-Plus Japan Gamera toys. These are plastic vinyl kits that require simple assembly using a blow dryer.There are 10 characters in this series. The first 2. Gamera 1 and Gamera 2, will be available during the last week in June 2002. Expected retail is $22.99. Pictures are posted at www.xplususa.com under the "Coming Soon" section."
"Visit the X-Plus USA web site at http://www.xplususa.com."
Source: Cinescape
ADV FILMS ACQUIRES THE ANIME HIT NOIR FOR HOME VIDEO RELEASE
HOUSTON, April 24, 2002 - ADV Films is proud to announce the acquisition of the rights to release the hit anime series Noir on home video. ADV plans a six-volume, DVD-only release for this much-anticipated title.
Directed by Koichi Mashimo (Dominion Tank Police) from scripts by creator Ryoei Tsukimura (El Hazard), and featuring an acclaimed soundtrack by composer Yuki Kajiura (Blood: The Last Vampire), Noir was an immediate hit with Japanese fans after the series' TV Tokyo debut on April 15, 2001. Noir has already built a strong fan base in America, as anime fans have been purchasing available imported Noir merchandise like CD soundtracks, trading cards and art books while waiting for an announcement regarding the series' stateside release.
"The fans have literally been screaming for Noir," said ADV President John Ledford. "And they've literally been hounding our reps on the internet for any information on our release ever since the word first leaked out that we had it. Not that that's so surprising, since everything about Noir - from the engaging story and characters to the dynamic animation and sophisticated soundtrack - combines to form a completely euphoric sensory experience. In many cases where a show has this kind of hype, the show itself often has trouble matching the advance buzz, but Noir not only surpasses the hype; it blows it away with a couple of high-powered hand guns, then digs a hole, drops the hype in and shovels dirt on top of it."
In Noir, the beautiful and renowned assassin Mireille Bouquet receives a mysterious e-mail beckoning her to "make a pilgrimage to the past, with me." Intriqued by the cryptic message, and the attachment that plays a haunting music box melody, Mireille travels to Japan to meet the source of the email: Kirika Yuumura, a quiet young girl well-versed in the killing arts, with no memory of her past. Together, the young women form an uneasy alliance as the assassin duo "Noir," in an effort to uncover Kirika's background, as well as her links to Mireille's own troubled past.
Thanks to Daniel for this and the below 3 items.
The Lupin III Exhibition has been touring different citieis in Japan. It has various historical and art displays of Lupin III (mostly the animated version) with a focus on Mine Fujiko. Some of the highlights are life sized plastic sculptures of the main characters, various TV screens showing Lupin clips, a display of Lupin goods sold throughout its history (including some very rare items such as a Castle Cagliostro chess board), paintings of Fujiko by other famous artists, original designs and story boards, a large drawing of Lupin by Monkey Punch-sensei for the Exhibition, a real Harley Davidson motorcycle like the one in the ending credits of the first TV serries with another life-sized Fujiko statue, and much more. There is also a gift store section where you can buy Lupin goods (mostly are easy to find goods, but there are also a few rare items such as Lupin III towels). [This information is based on the Lupin III Exhibition as it appeared in Shibuya, Tokyo last year]
Thanks to Tzara for the news
The New York Times is carrying an article today on the vast number of Japanese consumers who are reluctant to upgrade to the latest 3G handsets.
Source: Natsume Maya
Our new hotel is the Airport Days Inn, just down the street from the original convention site. Although the Days Inn is a much older hotel with fewer amenities than the Clarion Inn, it is important to note that it has more convention space and is less expensive. Therefore MTAC should be able to give attendees a better experience for their money. Room rates are $55 per night and include a breakfast buffet for two. For room reservations call 615.361.7666 or toll free at 1.800.851.1962. Be sure to ask for the special Middle Tennessee Anime Convention price of $55. Once again we apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused.
The Middle Tennessee Anime Convention will be held August 9th, 10th, and 11th. Pre-registration deadlines are closing in fast. The current membership fee is $25. This will increase as of June 1st. Online registration is available on the MTAC website.
For additional information visit: http://mtac.animenashville.org
Kodansha will be releasing a life-sized Chii Cutout. Preorders start 26 April 2002. A life-sized Chii body pillow will also be offered at 3 kg in weight and 12,600 retail. A life size Chii doll from Paper Moon is being offered. With 14 movable parts (and fingers), the doll stands 152 cm tall and costs 450,000 yen (excluding tax). Past dolls include Ayanami Rei, Maehara Shinobu (Love Hina), Hoshino Ruri and Kinomoto Sakura.
Source: Natsume Maya
PALM PICTURES AND MANGA ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE NEW DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH WEA
Chicago, IL - (April 23, 2002) Palm Pictures Home Entertainment Division, which releases films from both Palm Pictures and Japanese animation label, Manga Entertainment, announce a new distribution deal through WEA Home Video effective immediately. RYKO Distribution previously distributed the Palm/Manga library.
The Palm/Manga catalog consists of over 300 titles including live-action films such as The Basketball Diaries, The Bob Marley Story: Rebel Music, Stop Making Sense and Manga's best selling anime line including Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll and Blood the Last Vampire. The catalog now features over 60 DVDs with another 20 new DVD releases slated this year.
Having previously worked with WEA in the music business, both Manga GM, Mike Egan and Head of Palm Pictures Home Entertainment/Manga CEO Marvin Gleicher are thrilled to be back. "We are extremely excited for Palm and Manga DVDs and Videos to now be distributed by WEA. This will position Palm and Manga even stronger in the US marketplace with the extensive reach of WEA distribution network. We are also excited to be working with Mitch Mallon and his experienced sales staff," states Gleicher.
Mike Egan says, "It's great to be back in the WEA family. Our product line fits in perfectly with the WEA family of labels. The anime genre is still growing strong and we have some great new titles coming shortly including the two highly anticipated Neon Genesis Evangelion films coming this summer." Egan and VP of Sales & Marketing, Bryan Smith, will be working closely with WEA's Director of National Sales, Mitch Mallon on new releases throughout the year.
San Francisco, CA -- The 2002 Cherry Blossom Festival's Anime Costume Parade and contest was held on Sunday, April 21, 2002. Over 110 participants from all over the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond dressed in costumes ranging from such anime series as Sailor Moon to Princess Mononoke as well as some video games such as Zelda and Final Fantasy. The first prize of a Plush Totoro went to Bay Area resident Kiyoshi Okuma for his Link costume from Zelda. The three second place winners were Kimberly Gruenke (Zelda from Zelda), Yilan Chan (Lulu from Final Fantasy X) and Amber Duncan (Sailor Tin Nyanko from Sailor Stars). The five third place winners were Justin Kudo (Auron from Final Fantasy X), Ingrid Sinchez (Cherry from Saber Marionette J), Diana Lebeda (Misha from Pitaten), Lydia White (Sailor Galaxia from Sailor Stars) and Chris Tang (Wizard from Angelic Layer). All of the entrants participated in the Cherry Blossom Festival's Grand Parade, which started at San Francisco's City Hall and ended at Japan Town. Prizes were distributed to the winners and participants at an awards ceremony at the Peace Plaza following the parade.
Photo links for the 2002 Cherry Blossom Festival's Anime Costume Parade and Contest can be found on the World of Anime website at http://worldofanime.come.to
Japan Video and World of Anime would like to thank all of the participants, volunteers, sponsors and judges for making the 4th annual Anime Costume Parade a huge success and look forward to everyone's participation in the costume parade and contest again next year!
Source: Natsume Maya
Article: A look inside Studio Ghibli: Q&A on Spirited Away
Link: http://www.animetourist.com/article1049.html
Promotional Copy:
Fans attending the premiers of Spirited Away at the San Francisco International Film Festival received a special treat with the unexpected appearance of Toshio Suzuki, John Lasseter, and Steve Alpert. After the films were Q&A sessions in which both Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Lasseter spoke. Our article is a complete coverage of both Spirited Away Q&A sessions. The article is based on a transcription we did of the 4/21 session and a good summary of the questions asked on 4/20. A must for Miyazaki fans, there is a lot of interesting background info and surprises in the answers.
Source: Natsume Maya
(Beat) Takeshi Kitano
http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/heroes/takeshi.html
Jackie Chan
http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/heroes/chan.html
Doraemon
http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/heroes/doraemon.html
A-Mei the Taiwanese pop singer
http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/heroes/amei.html
Also Matt has included the following link to an older article about Young Japan. It has some fascinating
insights including the article Youki
Kudoh wrote on Japan losing its cultural identity:
http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/magazine/1999/990503/home.html
Source: Natsume Maya
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