Anime News Service - August 9 - 15 Anime News

8-15-00---- Newsweek Final Fantasy Movie Article Online

MSNBC has posted an article on the upcoming Final Fantasy Movie from Newsweek here.

8-14-00---- NanDesuKan News

Excerpted from the official release:

NanDesuKan, Colorado's own Japanese animation, manga, and cultural convention, is pleased to announce our new convention this coming October.

NanDesuKan is October 13-15, 2000
at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel, in Lakewood, CO

******************* Japanese Guests!

Hiroki Hayashi of AIC Studios
Creator or El Hazard * Co-Creator of Tenchi Muyo!

AIC Studio's Hiroki Hayashi will appear and speak both Saturday and Sunday at NanDesuKan. Mr. Hayashi is responsible for many projects at AIC, but is probably best known for El Hazard and Tenchi Muyo! where he served as creator and co-creator, respectively. Mr Hayashi will be accompanied by Mr. Kazuya Tanaka, Sound Director for AIC Studios in Japan.

******************* American Voice Actors from Ah, My Goddess!

We are proud to announce the American Voice Actors theme for this year is the Goddess Gala!

Belldandy (Juliet Cesario),
Skuld (Pamela Weidner),
Urd (Lanelle Markgraf),
and Keiichi (Scott Simpson)
will be joining us, along with translator Shin Kurokawa!

******************* Mari Iijima in concert!

October 13, 2000 - Live at Nandesukan

We are proud to announce the appearance of platinum-selling Japanese recording artist Mari Iijima at NanDesuKan. Ms. Iijima, famed for dozens of albums including such titles as "Midori", "Miss Lemon", "For Lovers Only", and "My Heart in Blue", will give a one hour concert Friday evening at the convention, and will sign autographs afterward to promote her new U.S. Release *No Limit*.
Friday passes for the convention and concert are only $10!

Ms. Iijima will also speak and sign autographs on Saturday.

*** and So Much More! ...that we can only ask that you visit our Web Site: http://www.ndk.cc for further details!

NanDesuKan is October 13-15, 2000 (4 pm Friday - straight thru - to 6 pm on Sunday!) at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel, in Lakewood, CO (within the greater Denver metropolitan area)

We hope to see you there!

8-14-00---- Evangelion: The Day Of Second Impact CD Release

To comemorate the fictional date (9-13-00) of the Second Impact Event in Gainax's Neon Genesis Evangelion series, a special limited edition CD Soundtrack will be released titled Evangelion -TheDayOfSecondImpact- on September 13th in Japan. The CD will retail for 1905 Yen and contain the following tracks:

Cruel Angel's Thesis
Fly Me To The Moon
Soul Refrain

Other BGM

8-14-00---- Alexander Movie Edition

The Movie edition of Peter Chung's Alexander Senki will be released to theaters across Japan in the fall of this year. With a premiere in Shinjiku in October.

8-14-00---- Anime / Music News

The Original Soundtrack to the OVA series Angel Game Preserve is out in Japan from King Records on August 23rd at a retail price of 2667 Yen.

The Love Hina TV Series Original Soundtrack featuring BGM music by Masaki Iwamoto & Kouichi Korenaga and a vocal tracks performed by Megumi Hayashibara is out in Japan September 21st retailing at 3429 Yen.

The Yugioh Duel Monsters Original Soundtrack Duel 1 is out in Japan September 6th retailing at 2913 Yen.

Love Hina Mini Album - 3 is out in Japan August 23rd retailing at 1571 Yen.

To-Heart Drama Album "Piece Of Heart" is out in Japan on August 23rd, retailing at 2300 Yen.

8-14-00---- Ojamajo DoReMi # Japanese VHS Release Start

The second Ojamajo Do Re Mi (A Useless Witch Doremi) TV season "Sharp" (#) begins VHS release in Japan October 4th. Vol. 1 is out on that date and retails at 3,300 Yen.

In this series DoReMi and her friends Zuki, and Aiko become lost in the garden of the Queen of the Witching World, where they find a baby, Obu-chan being born from a budding flower and are bound to take care of it for one year according to the laws of the Witching World. The baby grows and eventually joins as an apprentice witch.

Video Release Schedule Is As Follows:
Vol. 1 - 10-04-00 - 3,300 Yen
Vol. 2 - 11-02-00 - 6,600 Yen
Vol. 3 - 12-06-00 - 6,600 Yen
Vol. 4 - 01-10-01 - 6,600 Yen
Vol. 5 - 02-07-01 - 6,600 Yen
Vol. 6 - 03-07-01 - 6,600 Yen
Vol. 7 - 04-04-01 - 6,600 Yen
Volumes 8-13 - To Be Announced

8-13-00---- Angels Egg DVD Update

Anchor Bay Entertainment passed on a small progress update on their upcoming Angels Egg DVD release:

"We're still trying to track down quality elements for a release, but we're still working on it."

8-13-00---- Darkhorse Akira Trade Paperback Release

Excerpted from the Darkhorse website:

Akira Vol. 1 TPB
By: Katsuhiro Otomo

Dark Horse is committed to bringing the finest comics from around the world to America. Now, in association with Kodansha Ltd. and Studio Proteus, Dark Horse has again gathered one of the crown jewels of graphic fiction. Katsuhiro Otomo's stunning science-fiction masterpiece, Akira! Regarded by many as the finest comic series ever produced, Akira is a bold and breathtaking epic of potent narrative strength and astonishing illustrative skill. Akira is set in the post-apocalypse Neo-Tokyo of 2019, a vast metropolis built on the ashes of a Tokyo annihilated by an apocalyptic blast of unknown power that triggered World War III. The lives of two streetwise teenage friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda, change forever when dormant paranormal abilities begin to waken in Tetsuo, who becomes a target for a shadowy government operation, a group who will stop at nothing to prevent another catastrophe like that which leveled Tokyo. And at the core of their motivation is a raw, all-consuming fear: a fear of someone -- or something -- of unthinkably monstrous power known only as...Akira. And Akira is about to rise! Collected in six massive volumes, Akira has been reproduced in its original, black-and-white majesty as never-before-seen in an English-translated edition. If you love science fiction, manga or comics, Akira is the one work that must be represented in your collection!

Recommended for mature readers.

Published December 13, 2000

SC, 364pg, b&w, 6-3/4" x 9-3/4"

$24.95

8-13-00---- G-Saviour Update

Sunrise's upcoming Live-Action / CGI Gundam project G-Saviour is expected to broadcast in Japan soon. The series is set in Earth's future, the problems of an exploding population, food shortage, environmental decay, and an energy crisis plague humanity. Against this backdrop war and political intrigue unfold.

Mankind has moved out into space colonies which are ruled along with Earth by a united government, the Congress of Nations. Enviromental researcher Cynthia Graves and a team of research interns infiltrate a deep sea laboratory led by an ex-Congressional army pilot, Mark Curran. A military team led by Curran's old rival Lieutenant Colonel Jack Halle descends on the lab apprehending the intruders. Curran discovers that Cynthia stole samples that, when combined with formula of her creation, form new underwater plant species named Bioluminesence that could turn the world's ocean floors into farms where food can be grown to cull the Earth food crisis. But this is'nt in the plans of General Garneaux, the Ambitious Earth Autonomous Region governor-general and Halle's comanding officer. Mark's discovery brings an attempt on he and Cynthia's life and they flee to the space colony Gaea. Mark must enter the cockpit once again, this time piloting a Gundam Mobile Suit and defend the Gaea space colony from attack.

A Play Station 2 G-Savior videogame is out in Japan September 14th at a retail price of 7,800 Yen.

8-12-00---- New Viz Release

Viz Communications has sent out their latest mini-release, it can be read here.

8-12-00---- YTV Anime Update

Information from Canadian Broadcaster YTV's anime updates list indicates they will broadcast The Vision Of Escaflowne TV series this fall. The official start date has not been set as of yet but a preview episode is scheduled to air September 4th at 7:30 PM. YTV will be airing the Vision of Escaflowne TV series as part of their fall lineup. Again the time slots are not yet public information, also no word as to whether YTV will be airing the uncut version, or the same version as Fox.

8-11-00---- Manga Entertainment / Palm Pictures And SMV Announce Canadian Market Entry

Excerpted From The Official Press Release:

SMV (SONY MUSIC VIDEO) AND PALM PICTURES ANNOUNCE AN ALLIANCE TO MARKET AND DISTRIBUTE PALM PICTURES AND MANGA ENTERTAINMENT DVDS AND HOME VIDEOS IN CANADA

For Immediate Release

Toronto, August 10 - SMV, a division of Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc. announced today the formation of a long-term strategic alliance to market and distribute the complete catalogue from Palm Pictures and Manga Entertainment in both video and DVD formats.

This new alliance joins the leading producer of best-selling Japanese animation and specialty programming with SMV's own award-winning catalogue of home video and DVD titles creating a formidable entertainment force within Canada.

"This is an ideal partnership," says Therese Garnett, Director, SMV, "one that allows two leaders in their field to create a powerful force in the marketing and distribution of award-winning entertainment. By combining the strengths of both companies, this venture will further reinforce SMV's commitment to provide entertainment excellence to audiences across Canada."

"We are extremely excited to be distributed through Sony Music Video in Canada," says Marvin Gleicher, President of Home Entertainment for Palm Pictures and Manga Entertainment. "SMV and Palm Pictures/Manga's entertainment match perfectly."

Under the terms of the agreement, SMV will market and distribute Manga Entertainment's complete catalogue of Japanese animation along with newly produced programming from Palm Pictures for the home video and DVD markets.

"Many of these releases have been absent from the Canadian marketplace for some time," said Therese Garnett, Director SMV, "and we are excited to not only reintroduce these much sought-after titles, but also launch brand new releases over the years to come."
(more . . .)
The release strategy from SMV includes a full launch of Manga Entertainment's complete animé catalogue for this fall, along with brand new releases from both Manga and Palm Pictures available for the first time on home video and DVD. Scheduled new titles through fourth quarter 2000 include 'The Castle of Cagliostro,' 'Perfect Blue,' 'Rayearth Volume 1,' 'X,' plus for the first time on DVD 'Ghost in The Shell,' ' Ninja Scroll,' 'Choke,' 'Devil Man' and others.

The Manga catalogue includes the industry's most celebrated line of animé titles and features including 'Ghost In The Shell,' 'Ninja Scroll,' 'Perfect Blue,' 'Macross Plus,' 'Street Fighter II V,' 'General Chaos: Uncensored Animation,' 'The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb' among others. The Palm Pictures catalogue includes such notable programming as Sandra Bernhard - I'm Still Here...Damn It!' 'Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense,' 'Thicker Than Water,' 'The Fabulous Story of the Cuban Cigar' and more.

SMV (Sony Music Video) encompasses an award-winning collection of concert video footage, specialty programming and features in both video and DVD formats. SMV is a division of Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc., the leading producer, manufacturer and marketer of recorded music, video and DVD in the world.

Manga Entertainment is a futuristic, cutting-edge theatrical, DVD and home video company that produces and releases the newest and highest quality Japanese animation, Japanese live-action, and international animation films. With offices in Chicago, London and Tokyo, Manga is the international and Japanese animation label within Palm Pictures, Chris Blackwell's audio/visual entertainment company and the largest distributor of Japanese animation in the world outside of Asia.

Palm Pictures, Chris Blackwell's audio/visual entertainment company, is actively involved in the acquisition, production and distribution of music and independent film projects, with a particular focus on the DVD format.

8-11-00---- Keanu References Anime In New Interview Artcle

In this recent interview with The Bergen Record American Actor Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure) commented on returning to his role in the next Matrix movie:

"I'm looking forward to playing the part again," he says, adding that the appeal of "The Matrix" went beyond its stunningly choreographed action scenes and its amazing visuals. The real hook, he believes, was the human drama. "It had an ambition to create a cinema that's never really been seen before in that form, but was recognizable in anime, or graphic arts, or cartoons."

8-11-00---- Arujientosoma Series Update

The previosly mentioned "Arujientosoma" fall sci-Fi TV series will be produced by Sunrise and broadcast on TV Tokyo starting in October on Thursday latenights (25: 15 - 25: 45). The series aims to be an intense Earth-based science fiction story with heavy human drama elements.

Production Staff:
Script: Yamaguchi Hiroshi
character design: Osamu Murase
Mecha Designs: Kimitoshi Yamane
Set Design: Sato Hajime
Director: Katayama Kazuyoshi
Animation Production: Sunrise

8-11-00---- eX-Driver Volume 2 Japanese Release Details

The second volume of Kousuke Fujishima's new OVA project eX-Driver is out on DVD and VHS in Japan October 25th. Titiled "2nd Story ON AND ON - fear -" the OVA has an estimated run time of 30 minutes on either format. The VHS version will inlcude Hi-Fi Stereo audio and retail at 5,000 Yen. The single layer DVD release will inlcude Dolby Digital stereo and also retail at 5,000 Yen. A special EX-D card (Hamazaki Kenichi version) is inserted into both releases. VHS extras include an eX-D OVA production diary "EX-D report 2" and a "SECRETFILE". DVD Extras include OVA production diary and a mini-game 'TOPSECRET', when the game is cleared a hidden ending is revealed.

Production Staff:
Original Planning: Kousuke Fujishima
Character Designs: Hamazaki Kenichi
EX car design: Shunji Murata
Acoustic supervision: Toshiki Kameyama
Script: Nobumizu Fujita
Animation Production: Triangle Staff, Access

8-11-00---- Digi-Charat New TV Mini-Series Additional Information

More information is available on the upcoming new Digi-Charat mini series to air in Japan on TBS Auggust 22nd. Overall series supervisor will be Hiroaki Sakurai who will be directing the 1st mini episode. The 2nd episode story direction will be by Masayuki Kojima. For the 3rd episode Tatsuo Sato will be directing. Character designs / art direction will be by Yamakawa Yoshiki and animation will be produced by Madhouse.

8-10-00---- Anime Music News

A new two CD Yamato TV BGM album entitled Space Battleship Yamato Eternal Edition File No. 0 &1 is out September 13th in Japan, the retail price is 3,800 Yen.

A new Drama CD "Angel Game Preserve CD drama star Hades compilation 2" created by Kaori Yuki is out in Japan September 21st at a retail price of 2913 Yen. Featured on the CD are seiyuu Kenji Nojima, Yuko Miyamura, Hideyuki Tanaka and others. Script is by Hajime Morie and distributuion is by King Records.

"One Piece Music & Song collection 2" is out in Japan September 21st at a retail price of 2800 Yen.

8-10-00---- Yugioh Dual Monsters TV Series Japanese DVD Release

"Yugioh Duel Monsters TURN 1", the 1st volume of 12 upcoming Yugioh TV series DVD's is out in Japan Sept. 21st, retailing at 3,800 Yen. The CD contains 4 episodes, the first CD conatins a special jacket sticker.

Future volumes will follow the schedule below:
Vol. 2 10-25-00
Vol. 3 11-22-00
Vol. 4 12-21-00
Vol. 5 01-24-01
Vol. 6 02-21-01
All volumes will retail at 3,800 Yen, Vol. 7-12 release is to-be announced.

8-10-00---- I-Mode E-mail Prankster Suspect Identified

In Japan, police have identified a suspect that they believe could be behind a recent e-mail prank that targeted subscribers of NTT DoCoMo i-mode internet / mobile phone service. Police examined NTT DoCoMo's communication records and identified the male suspect who is a resident of northeastern Japan.

8-10-00---- New Gundam Action Figures Confirmed For Japan

New Bandai Mobile Suits In Action figures confirmed by Newtype magazine:

- RGM-79 GM & RB-79 Ball double pack (¥1,200; late August)
- MSN-02 Zeong (¥1,980; late September)
- MA-08 Big Zam (¥5,800; October)
- RX-178 Gundam mk.II (A.E.U.G. colors) (¥1,200; November)
- RX-178 Gundam mk.II (Titans colors) (¥1,200; November)
- MS-14A Gelgoog (mass-production type) (¥1,000; December)

8-9-00---- Bandai Entertainment Additions To Otakon News

- The Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz Toonami version VHS and Premium Collectors DVD is tentatively scheduled for a February 2001 release.
- The Escaflowne broadcast version will have some changes (ie: music placement), Bandai wants fans to know that supporting the Fox edited version (no matter how good or bad the changes over the original settles with them) will further the chances of getting more quality anime programming on television (not supporting it would probably dimish chances).
- The DVD release of Escaflowne will contain all the mentioned additions (plenty of extras and tarot card set).
- A Gundam 0083 or 0080 DVD release may be seen in conjunction with the launch of the original Gundam series on video sometime next year.
- For those participating in the Gundam Wing action figure promotion, please read the instructions carefully. For those purchasing DVD's - You need BOTH Proof of purchases from Gundam Wing DVD 2 and Gundam Wing DVD 3 in order to redeem for the Wing Gundam action figure. For those purchasing VHS's - You need ALL THREE Proof of purchases from Gundam Wing VHS 2, 3, and 4 in order to redeem the Wing Gundam action figure.
- On the issue of soundtracks, Bandai Entertainment mentioned they are currently focusing on home the video market and although they are interested in soundtracks they are not actively pursuing these licenses at this time.

8-9-00---- Hello Kitty Promotion At Mcdonalds

As part of a special promotion running at Mcdonalds through August 24th in America, it's possible to get up to 9 different toys featruring characters from Sanrio's Hello Kitty / Transformers Beast Machines when purchasing a Happy Meal.

Hello Kitty toys include: Hello Kitty Wrap Fabric Bracelet, Kimono Figurine, Apple Combo Lock Toy, Crew Kid Soft Toy, Charm Watch, Sticker Toy, Dear Daniel Mobile Stamper, String Pull Figurine, and Ballerina Hair Scrunchy.

Beast Mchines toy are all action figure-like transforming into Beast and Robot form, they include: Optimus Primal, Megatron, Jetstorm, Cheetor, Tankor, Nightscream, Thrust, Rattrap and Blackrochina.

For Toy Images: www.mcdonalds.com

8-9-00---- Sydney Anime Festival Update

As of 9 PM Eastern Time (12:00 PM 8-10 in Sydney) ticketing for the "Japanime" festival to coincide with the Summer Olympics in Sydney has been open for about 2 hour. Fan reports from those calling into make bookings for tickets indicate busy phonelines.

8-9-00---- Animeigo Urusei Yatsura DVD Update

Excerpted from the Animeigo mailing lists:

Dear UY DVD purchaser,

A couple of weeks ago we emailed you to update you on the status of the UY DVD release, and let you know of the manufacturing problems we had. I'm writing today to give you an update.

After the discovery of the original defects, our replicator repressed and repackaged all the remaining box sets, as well as produced extra DVDs for us to use as replacements for those of you who had already received your sets.

These discs arrived late last week.

To our dismay, while the "bubble" defects were gone, all of the remanufactured UY DVD 2 discs had faint "coffee ring" defects on them. We immediately contacted the manufacturer, who claimed that these were not in fact defects and that the DVDs would play correctly.

In an attempt to discover the truth, we contacted several technical contacts at other manufacturers; they too said that the rings should not affect play. And indeed, the discs seemed to play on our machines.

Still, we wanted to be absolutely sure, so we sent several samples of the discs to one of our technical contacts over the weekend. He has reported back and told us that the discs ARE defective, and that while they will play in most players, their error rates are too high for comfort and will have problems running on some players.

Thus, we have rejected the new UY DVD 2 discs. They are being manufactured yet again and should be in either late this week or early next week.

Because, at this point, we are way beyond the point of paranoia, we then intend to have them checked, not only by us, but also several outside reviewers. Assuming no further screwups, we should be able to resume shipping of box sets in about 2 weeks. And, as soon as possible after the box sets are shipped, we will send out replacement discs to those of you who have told us you've gotten bad discs.

We greatly appreciate your patience, and we hope you'll agree the wait is worth it.

Sincerely,
Robert Woodhead,
CEO, AnimEigo.

8-9-00---- Anime Music News

In conjunction with the upcoming new Digi Charat mini-series broadcast on TBS in Japan from August 22nd, a new 21 track CD entitled "Digi Charat summer special 2000" is out from King Records on August 23rd retailing at 2913 Yen.

A 4 track maxi CD single featuring the opening theme "Silent Wind" for a new Sci-Fi Anime TV series to begin airing in Japan in the fall entitled "Arujientosoma" is out Ocotber 21st from Victor retailing at 1,000 Yen. Lyrics for Silent Wind are by Keiko Kitagawa, composition is by Katsuhisa Hattori.
Out simultaneously on October 21st is the ending theme maxi single for the new series with a title as-yet undecided, retail price will be 1,000 Yen and Keiko Kitagawa will be writing lyrcs for this new ending, composition will be by Katsuhisa Hattori. The new series begins airing on TV Tokyo in October.

A 20th anniversary commemoration concert titled "Concert of Fire" in honor of Sakura Wars / Gate Keepers / MS Gundam 08th Team / Gaogaiger (and many other series' score) composer Tanaka Kouhei in Tokyo on the evening of November 1st.

8-9-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

A new Sakura Wars i-mode game "Sakura Wars Love Letter Roman" will be available from Sega in Japan from September 1st at a retail price of 300 Yen.

8-9-00---- Dragon Quest VII Soundtrack Japanese Release Info

SPE Visual Works / SME will release the two CD Dragon Quest VII Original Soundtrack in Japan September 6th. The soundtrack includes game music from the long anticipated PSX RPG by Dragonball creator Akira Toriyama / Enix. Retailing at 3,800 tax included, music performed by a full Phil Harmonic Orchestra is featured across 2 CD's (CD 1 with 18 tracks and a running time of 71 minutes 53 seconds, and CD 2 with 30 tracks and a running time of 67 minutes 58 seconds).

8-9-00---- Gravitation Japanese OVA DVD Release

Based on the original bishonen manga by Maki Murakami, volumes 1 and 2 of the Gravitation OVA are scheduled to be released on a single DVD in Japan September 20th t a retail price of 5,800 Yen. A special reservation campaign is associated with the DVD release where upon redeeming a special ticket they will receive a special Gravitation script. Murakami-sensei provides illustration for the Box Jacket and extras include a special extra audio track. The single layer disc has a Dolby Digital Stereo soundtrack and a 52 minute running time.

OAV Staff:
Script: Kawasaki Hiroyuki
Character design & Animation Direction: Hiroya Iijima
Sound Supervision: Daisuke Asakura

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