Read more about the visionary anime director's plans for the future in this Akadot article.
Hudson has revealed their Dreamcast online battle game Bomberman Online, the game will have 3D graphics, but the gameplay will remain in 2D. Up to 10 players can battle over the internet, you can also create your own custom characters. There are 5 play modes: Hyper Bomber, Submarine Attack, Panel Attack and Battle Royal. You can also collect special items in the game and trade them with other users online.
Source: Magic Box
Thanks to Daniel for this news:
A review of Treasure's upcoming Bangai-O-for the U.S. Dreamcast-is available at this link.
Sega was forced to cut 300 jobs(11% of their staff), in an attempt to improve the efficiency of their company. They will suffer a $500 million loss for the fiscal year ending March 2001. This info was obtained at Gamespot.
ZD Net mentions that WonderSwan Color version of Final Fantasy 2 will be released in Japan on May 3 for $50.
This Gamespot article states that From Software will delay King's Field 4(for PS2) to summer of 2001. This is for the Japanese release, with no North American release confirmed.
Sonic Adventure 2 pics are available at this link. The game is expected to have a North American release in June.
Bomberman Online pics are at this location. Online battles will involve as many as ten players.
More pics of the FF movie can be viewed at this link. They're facial shots of the characters, with their respective voice-actors.
UnderGroundOnline Signs Affiliate Deal With TOKYOPOP
NEW YORK - February 27th 2000 - UnderGroundOnline (www.ugo.com
"TOKYOPOP features a range of excellent content and adds a unique and
international dimension to our network, "said Chris Weller, Vice President
of the UGO Affiliate Network. "We are excited to have them on board."
Featuring cutting-edge content in anime, games, cars, wrestling and music,
three year-old TOKYOPOP (www.TOKYOPOP.com
"UnderGroundOnline is dedicated to providing the cutting-edge entertainment
content that our audience looks for on the Web," said Matthew Galgani,
TOKYOPOP's Vice President of Marketing. "There is tremendous synergy between
our sites."
About UnderGroundOnline
UnderGroundOnline is the entertainment mecca for 18-34 year old males on the
Web. As one of the five fastest growing communities on the Web (Source:
Neilson NetRatings), UGO has, in just two years, reached 6.5 million unique
visitors according to PC Data, 3.7 million according to Media Metrix and
boasts 500 million page impressions. It is comprised of over 350 affiliated
content partners and owned sites, including UGO.com and UnderGroundStore, an
e-commerce mall. UGO caters to music, games, film/TV, technology, animation,
wrestling and sports enthusiasts who seek out the most progressive and
cutting-edge Web experience. UGO users are technologically savvy and
passionate, spending an average of 2.2 hours per visit. The company is
headquartered in New York, NY and can be reached at www.ugo.com
About TOKYOPOP
TOKYOPOP, a division of Mixx Entertainment, Inc., is a market leader in
character-based entertainment from the creative hotbed of Japan and the
surrounding Asian region. Founded in 1996, TOKYOPOP has exclusive rights
to a range of popular properties and releases a growing line of publishing,
film, and music products. With over 2 million publications in print,
TOKYOPOP's publishing line includes several books based on popular cartoon
characters enjoyed by millions of fans on Cartoon Network and Kids! WB
television. Through its DVD and VHS labels, TOKYOPOP High Voltage
Video(tm) and TOKYOPOP Anime(tm), TOKYOPOP is bringing Japanese pro
wrestling and anime to the rapidly expanding audience of US fans. In music,
TOKYOPOP Soundtrax(tm) is the market leader in video game soundtracks,
featuring titles such as Final Fantasy IX, Tekken Tag Tournament and The
Bouncer. Find out the latest at www.TOKYOPOP.com.
[source: Des Moines Art Center website; Studio Ironcat (www.ironcat.com)]
Source: Anihabara Source: Anime Nation
The Right Stuf has added the following listings:
Dragon Ball Z Androids: Vol. 35 Invasion Uncut DVD
Publisher - Funimation
Dragon Ball Z Androids: Vol. 36 Dr. Gero Uncut DVD
Mail Order Maiden 28 DVD YTV showed the first episode of Escaflowne which was skipped before. Some
of the edits that were made I found to be ridiculous.
This guide will be the most comprehensive of its kind in any language, including Japanese, and will include over 2,000 anime from 1917 through 2001. Each film will be listed with key personnel (director, writer, animator, music, voice actors, etc.) running time, studio name, alternative titles (Eng/J), and a critique/description with ratings. Needless to say, we're VERY excited about it already. Helen McCarthy and Jonathan Clements, the British anime experts, are the authors.
This is going to be a big book (over 500 pages, we estimate) and almost 10 years in the making. Just wanted to let you know and get the word out!
Manga artist Takeshi Miyazawa has been nominated in the "Best New Talent" category of the
Harvey Awards for his work on the series SIDEKICKS!
For a complete list of nominees, be sure to visit:
http://www.pittsburghcomicon.com/award_nominees.html
Manga nominations were few and far between this year, but there were two other manga nominees. In the Best American Presentation of Foreign Material category, Blade of the Immortal and Lone Wolf and Cub, both from Dark Horse, were nominated.
Online voting will be opened soon to determine the winners and we will keep you posted. We seriously hope all manga and anime fans will lend their support to these nominees in the final voting. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in Pittsburgh on April 27th.
According to an e-mail from Scott Bessho, one of the two professors in charge
of the Anime Revealed class at Bellevue Community College (mentioned in the
Seattle Times article posted on ANS a few days ago), the BCC anime club will
hold in conjunction with the class an Anime Film Festival to take place on 8
March. The festival schedule is still not set, however, it will be posted as
soon as it becomes available at [http://www.bccanime.net]. The class, which
takes place in the Winter quarter (January - March) has proven successful and
is approved for the same quarter of 2002 as well.
AnimEigo New Release Bulletin
The following AnimEigo release has been delayed. The new street date is
March 27, 2001. We are sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused.
Urusei Yatsura TV Series Volume 1 DVD
When the Oni, a mysterious race of Aliens, come to repossess the Earth, they give us one chance to save our planet - a champion, selected at random, must defeat their princess, Lum, in their national sport--Tag! Unfortunately for Earth, the champion turns out to be Ataru Moroboshi, a lecherous lad whose lack of luck is legendary. When Ataru lays eyes on the curvaceous Lum, he readily agrees to take on the task of touching her horns. Alas, when the contest begins, he finds out that the Oni forgot to mention one small matter-Lum can fly! When all seems lost, his girlfriend Shinobu promises to marry him if he wins. Win he does, but Lum misinterprets his victory cry as a proposal of marriage--to her! Now Lum's living in his closet, planning their wedding, and zapping him with high-voltage electricity if he even looks at another woman. His girlfriend isn't sure if she's been jilted or saved from a life of misery; his Lum-crazed schoolmates are plotting to get him "out of the way;" his parents are loudly wishing he'd never been born; and to top it all off, a demented Buddhist Monk has been seen lurking around the neighborhood mumbling something about evil spirits and curses. Then Lum's friends and relatives start visiting, and things start to get really weird!
AV000-101 * Urusei Yatsura TV Series Volume 1 * DVD * Subtitled in English with Japanese Language * UPC 7-37187-00330-1 * ISBN 1-56567-277-1 * $24.95
Prebook 1/25/01 * Street 3/27/01
The BAFTA (The British equivalent to the Oscars) gave CTHD the "THE DAVID
LEAN AWARD for Achievement in Direction", "FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE"
award, "THE ANTHONY ASQUITH AWARD for achievement in Film Music" award, and
the "COSTUME DESIGN" award. This was from AICN. Here, you can find another
review of Brother. A negative review of the Japanese production of Game of
Death is at AICN. And this piece claims Battle Royale
will be in the UK in October, but that no one in the U.S. wants to
distribute it in the U.S.
Source: Anihabara
We know you've waited for the highly anticipated Trunks Saga and we want to reward you for you loyalty! Score has randomly selected 2,000 lucky fans to receive a FREE Trunks common card. Check your mailbox in the next few weeks to see if you're a lucky winner!
Be A DBZ CCG Insider For A Day!
GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST!
McFarlane Toys has unveiled more Akira figures at Toy Fair 2001 last week. You can veiew them here.
Flint the time detective will start at the end of february in Germany
showing on RTL 2.
Also, the CD
Beatmania ANI-SONGS MIX ultimate fleet REMIX, retailing at 2,330 Yen is due out on March 21, it includes 10 tracks.
The
PlayStation 2 OP single and CD Soundtrack to Zone Of Enders (which includes a tune running with a recently released trailer) will be released very shortly in Japan. The OP theme single "KISS ME SUNLIGHTS" is scheduled for release on March 7 at 1,143 Yen, and includes that track along with "BLUE", "KISS ME SUNLIGHTS "no vocal ver.",
"KISS ME SUNLIGHTS "eternal ver." and "BLUE "no vocal ver." The ZOE original game soundtrack has a retail price of 2,427 Yen and a scheduled Japanese release of April 25th. Included are Game BGM, an ED theme "Light Of Name Of Hope" and "Flowing Destiny". The ZOE TV series begins in April.
Tokimeki Memorial Vocal Collection including the drama "Iris youth", "Love of song", and "Poetry of the start" is ondisc along with several new songs. The collection will retail at 2,913 Yen and is due on March 21.
Japan News: 1)- World famous gymnast, Alina Kabaewa will appear in Toei's
big budget hyper ninja movie, "Akakage - Red Shadow". Her part starts
shooting from April 2, and she is reported to have many interesting fight
scenes. Meanwhile, director/actor Naoto Takenaka has been cast for the role
of Shirokage in the film. "Akakage" is reported to feature many Matrix-like
scenes.
2)-Takeshi Kitano's "Brother" has set its US release date for May
11th.
3)- Toho will produce, "Reisei To Jyonetsu No Aida (In Between
Passion and Calmness)".Yutaka Takenouchi and Hong Kong's Kelly Chan have
been cast in the leading roles. The film is a love story focusing on a
couple over 10 years. Shooting will start soon in Japan and Italy.
4)- Ray Charles will sing the main theme song for upcoming Anime,
"Metropolis".
Anime: ADV has stated that the action movie Spriggan is currently before the
MPAA. There is a 50/50 chance it will be released this fall.
Source: AICN
I am currently in Japan and have the latest news for you all on Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface. The hardcover edition that was released with the Solid Box is NOT (as you may have surmised from the "Short Cut" notation on the final page) the completed version. (Insert groans of dismay from the fans here.) For the upcoming mass-market paperback release, Shirow will be bit-twiddling the artwork some more, as well as adding a 24-page full color Epilogue. The "Shirow release date" for this is April. As usual, don't hold your breath.
So when will our version be coming out? Well, I have discussed the various difficulties in adapting his work with Shirow many times over the years. The solution we have arrived at for the current GITS2:MMI is for him to produce a "foreign version." This is possible as the entire series exists as digital files. Shirow will flop the pages, tweak any artwork he is unsatisfied with after the flopping process, remove all sound effects, and redo the word balloons for horizontal lettering. He is also, thank God, flipping all the English "display lettering" (those of you who have the hardcover will know what I mean). I've proofed this for him and corrected the (few) errors from the HC. We will get data files from him, add the FX and translation, and away we go.
But...we can't begin until he's done with the paperback edition, and then the foreign edition tweaks. So when, you ask? I hope to begin actual production work by the end of this year at the latest, but...we're talking Shirow here. Once we start getting in data files, then I can let you all know a REAL release date. Until then...
So we have good news and bad news. Have patience, and it will one day be in your trembling hands!
Now I'd like to forestall one question--yes, there is a VERY naughty sequence in the book. Shirow knows very well this can't be sold mass-market in much of the world, and the foreign edition will have an altered version of the sequence. He has actually already done the artwork for this. However, after consultation at DH, we have decided that that issue will be available in two forms--the Shirow-altered version that will be sold through Diamond's regular catalogue, and a XXX version (even more graphic than the Japanese one!) sold via their Adult supplement. When the collection is done, there will be two versions produced--the Shirow, and a limited XXX rated.
By the way, Oshii has agreed to direct the GITS2 movie (to my surprise), and work on the TV series has begun at Production I.G.
Source: The Magic Box Thanks to Daniel for this news: According to Gamespot, RE:Fire
Zone, Sega and Square's mutli-player rpg, Tekken 4, and Soul Calibur 2 were
a no-show at the AOU.
Konami presented Silent Scope 3 (with a heavier rifle, better visuals and
more missions) Beatmania II DX 5th Style, DDR 5th mix, Guitar Freaks 5th
Mix, Keyboard 3rd mania and Mocapboxing. Pictures are available at Gamespot.
Namco's Vampire Night seems to be getting some positive comments; and one
can learn a little more about Mr Driller G and Taiko No tatsujin at Gamespot.
Sega's Naomi 2 games were Virtua Striker 3, Wild Riders, and Club Cart. You
can read about these and other Sega games at Gamespot.
In other game news, Onimusha will be released in North America on March 14;
it will be M-rated and retail for $49.99. Gamespot mentions
that there will be a multi-million dollar marketing campaign-for the
game-for 6 weeks, starting March 16.
Also, Gamespot
says that Sega's suing K-mart for not paying for Dreamcast consoles that
were sold to the chain since September 1999.
AD Vision has confirmed for us that the original Dirty Pair OAV series will soon be coming to DVD on 2 discs retailing at $29.98 each. The first DVD, titled "Girls With Guns," will use the same cover art as the first VHS release and will contain 5 OAV episodes complete with their pre-episode and post episode trailers and bonus textless opening and ending animation sequences. Although no release date for the first Dirty Pair DVD was provided, it was listed among several other AD Vision titles that are scheduled for release in late March or April, which may suggest a possible release date.
Source:
AnimeNation
Central Park Media has launched a webpage for one of their latest acquisitions, Harlock Saga (part of Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 world). Harlock Saga is an updated retelling of the classic Richard Wagner opera, Der Ring Des Nibelungen, Harlock Saga unveils one of Captain Harlock's adventures regarding how he first meets the young Tadashi Daiba and revisits his relationships with some old friends.
The website contains character descriptions, a number of interviews, detailed glossary, story, image gallery, wallpapers, trailers, and sketches.
Here's the url:
While still firmly in the rumor phase until Media Blasters confirms it, more interesting tidbits have surfaced regarding Vandread. The series creators, Gonzo (also created Blue Submarine No. 6) apparently contacted some fansubbing groups both in IRC and through normal webpages to let them know that the series had indeed been acquired by Media Blasters and to remove it from their lists.
Source: Anihabara Fanboy Entertainment has updated with the following: Jeez, I have been getting more calls today than yesterday over this news about BAAF. A few updates just came in regarding the Big Apple Anime Festival, set to take place in New York City over Halloween weekend. I am going to combine all the info here into one post.
- It is going to be called the Big Apple Anime Festival, BAAF for short.
- It will be held Halloween weekend, from October 26 - 28, here in New York City. Perfect time for cosplay!
- Exactly where it will be held is unknown at this point, however, it looks as if it will take place in a variety of different venues. The only definite location confirmed so far is the Director's Guild Theater, which has been rented for that weekend. (The same theater they premiered the dub of Castle In The Sky Laputa and Vampire Hunter D in last year.)
- Contrary to popular belief, the convention is not going to be a Bandai sponsored event. Seems sources were a little quick to jump the gun on that fact. BAAF is indeed being sponsored by more than just one anime company. Numeous anime and manga companies are expected to be sponsoring, contributing and participating.
- Confirmed guests include: Kunihiko Ikuhara - Sailor Moon, Utena; Toshio Maeda - Urotsukidoji; Mitsuhisa Ishikawa - President & CEO, Production I.G; Tetsuya Ikeda - President & Executive Producer, Atman Co.; Tim Eldred - Comic Book Artist, Leading World Authority on Votoms
- No screenings or premieres have been announced yet. As stated earlier, all rumored screenings are just that, RUMOR!
-A website has been set up for the event. Interested parties can visit: http://www.bigappleanimefest.com
- Of particular interest is the The First Annual BAAF Symposium - "Reverse Globalization and the First Amendment: Freedom of Expression in a Multicultural World."
More details and information will be forthcoming so be sure to keep checking the BAAF site as I am assured it with be regularly updated.
More Studio Pierrot anime is heading to the US!
"Tenshi ni Narumon" has been acquired for North
American release. The 26-episode TV series revolves
around Noelle, a very innocent girl from another
dimension. She falls in love with a normal human boy,
Yuusuke, and moves her family into his house,
transforming his life.
Original concept by HEAVEN PROJECT and produced by
Bandai Visual, Studio Pierrot, and TV Tokyo.
4. ``Pokemon: The Movie 2001,'' Warner Home Video.
Video Sales
7. ``Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie,'' Manga Entertainment.
Set #1 - Jotaro Kujo & Star Platinum
Set #2 - Kakyoin & Heirophant Green
Set #3 - Polnareff & Silver Chariot
Set #4 - Dio and The World
Set #5 - Abdul and Magician's Red
All come packaged in a beautifully designed, original Japanese window box and include accessories.
In recent Jo Jo Toy Fair news, Koto will be releasing "Redecos"- all 5 of the above mention "Stands" as single blister packed action figures! Look for these this Fall through Diamond.
Kotobukiya's mighty robot series of Front Mission 3 action figures are receiving a new look. Offered for pre-order in the November issue of Diamond Previews, Series 1 will be sold in two new bold colors- green and red. The 5 Wanzers (the robotic mechs in this series) include Zenislev, Kyojun MK 107, Meledyne M1, Drake M2C and Grezex. All scheduled to ship early MARCH 2001 for an SRP of $25.99.
Kotobukiya's new Armored Core 2 line due out for US release via Diamond is as follows:
#1 Emroard ECM XR00- IN STORES NOW
#2 Zio Matrix ZCL-XA/2- IN STORES NOW
#3 Matrix ZCX-F/ROOK- on sale in May
Koto has also revealed that THREE new AC 2 robots on on the way, the line being called Armored Core 2.5. Two of the mechs revealed for Summer release include the slender #4 Little War Type ZCH-GR/1 and another heavy weight, the #5 M Load High Movement Type ECL-ONE.
The story for this upcoming video game title takes place 67 years after the original Armored Core. The first Armored Core game allowed you to control a highly maneuverable mech in a very wide variety of environments, while utilizing dozens of unique weapons. The closest thing at the time to this on the Play Station was Mech Warrior 2.
Continuing with their Toy fair Coverage, Figures mentions Koto has
Bastard! figures on the way, this line so far consists of three figures:
*Dark Schneider Version 1- known as D.S. Jugulator in Japan. Shipping this June from Diamond.
*Dark Schneider Version 2- coming this July via Diamond- this is one awesome mutated version of the sword weilding hero above.
*Mikael- this winged beauty is coming this August via Diamond.
At this time, Bandai Entertainment has not yet committed towards any
sponsorship for the convention in New York contrary to earlier press
announcements by Fanboy Entertainment. We are also unaware of any
screenings for Oshii's Avalon and the Cowboy Bebop movie, nor have
we announced any acquisition information for either of these titles. An album commemorating the fictional birthdate of the character Ayamani Rei of Gainax's Evangelion is out on March 30th with new recordings and a reported "astringency" of music including BGM, vocal themes, and yet another remix of the TV series OP theme. tentatively titled
"EVANGELION-THE BIRTHDAY OF Rei AYANAMI" will retail at 1,905 Yen.
KATSUCON 7 VIDEO CLIPS ON OTAKU TELEVISION WEBSITE
Gaithersburg, MD, February 23, 2001 -- The crew of Otaku Television would like to thank all the anime fans who took time out to talk to us at Katsucon 7, especially Mr. Steve Bennett and the great folks at Studio Ironcat.
We have posted some video clips from the footage and interview from K7 on our website, www.otakutelevision.com. We will be featuring Katsucon 7 on our upcoming episode.
For those of you who haven't seen OTV's first episode, it is available once again as streaming video on the website.
Otaku Television is a public access television program that focuses on the fandom community, and is produced solely on a volunteer basis. We appreciate all the support from our fellow anime fans.
A British site, The Raft has posted new Quicktime clips of the One More Time video here 03-23: All Night Event -Megami no Oritekuru Yoru- in Marunouchi Picadilly
3-30: All Night Event -30gami no Oritekuru Yoru- in SY Kakuza Osaka A few well-known manga series have debuted in French versions in the last
couple of weeks:
Eden: It's an Endless World Hiroki Endo (Generation Comics)
Samurai Deeper Kyo (Akimine Kamijo) should be coming out soon from Kana.
I looked around a little and there does seem to be a bit of a Japanese
fan base for this series. Anyone have any opinions to offer on it?
The Pokemon manga will soon be coming
out in France. Glenat is doing Pokemon: Getto Da Ze by Miho Asada.
Kiseki's mission to bring out their anime back catalogue on DVD is
proceeding apace. A double feature DVD containing 'The Cockpit' and
'Digital Devil' was released this Monday, and two more releases - Macross
II and Gunbuster are planned for 19th March and 23rd April respectively.
The Macross II DVD will be a compilation of the entire series in dubbed
format, and the Gunbuster DVD will be a similar collection, but in
subtitled format. The footage censored from the VHS release of Gunbuster
will not be restored for the DVD, but it will include other non-video
bonus material.
Mini Manga Festival at the ICA
At short notice, I have discovered that the ICA in London are holding a
short season of anime films from this Saurday to next Wednesday. The films
to be shown are Roujin Z, Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell, Perfect Blue and
The Wings of Honneamise.
Current UK anime video release schedule
All of the following dates are subject to change.
Out now: The Cockpit/Digital Devil (KD)
(A)=ADV Films, (M)=Manga Entertainment, (V)=MVM, (K)=Kiseki Films Source: Animejin
We received this news from a U.K. fan:
The release date is currently set for 5th March (though likely to be delayed), it can be pre-ordered at a discount with free-international shipping here: http://www.blackstar.co.uk/video/item/7000000062148 , it should be noted that the disk is likely to be region zero as have all previous Kiseki anime disks (meaning it should run with no problems at all on a computer set-up, no idea about stand alone).
The International Game Developers Association has a list of nominees for the
Game Developers Choice Awards-which will be held in San Jose, Ca. next
month.
Ulala and Seaman are part of Original Game Character of the Year Award
nominee list. Fumitaka Shibata (of Samba De Amigo) and Naofumi Hataya and
Kenichi Tokoi(of Space Channel 5) have been nominated for Excellence in
Audio. Shigeru Miyamoto and Eiji Aonuma have been selected for Excellence in
Game Design for their work on Zelda: Majora's Mask. For Excellence in Visual
Arts, Tomonobu Itagaki, Hiroaki Matsui and the team have been chosen for
their work on DOA2. Also on that list are Ryuta Ueda and Kazuki Hosokawa(Jet
Grind Radio). Game of the Year nominees include Shen Mue and Jet Grind
Radio. Game Spotlight Awards include Crazy Taxi, Jet Grind Radio, Zelda:
Majora's Mask, Samba De Amigo, Seaman, Shen Mue and Virtua Tennis. According to
ZD Net Sega will introduce two new Virtua Fighter characters for part 4. One
of them looks like a Chinese Buddhist Monk and practices a martial arts
style known as Rakan Ken. The other character is a female, but other than
that, no pictures of her were made available.
Tecmo has confirmed a North American release of Monster Ranchers 2 for PS2.
The game will retail for $49.99, and will be released here this summer. More
information on the specs of the game are at this link. Sega
has announced that three other characters(besides Akira, Pai, and Lau) will
appear in Virtua Fighter 4: Wolf, Kagemaru and Aoi. The game will be
released on the Naomi 2 arcade board and then the PS2. This info was
obtained at this link.
My
opinion on the best Asian actor(Tony Leung) made it into the March/April
issue of Cinescape Magazine along with:
1)Robert Woodhead got a mini-interview in the first article, "East Beats
West: How Asian cinema's stars and styles are busting into Hollywood". He
explains how people in the Hong Kong industry have managed to attract
Hollywood with their style of movie-making.
2)"For Love of the Games" is an article on the emerging popularity of video
game soundtracks, with an interview with a representative from Tokyopop
Soundtrax. The list of game-themed soundtracks released here-through Mars
Colony-include RE3:Nemesis, Power Stone, Streets of Rage 2. Those from
Tokyopop are Final Fantasy 9, Tekken Tag Tournament and The Bouncer.
3)There's also an article on the goals and problems behind the production of
the Final Fantasy movie. In it, Hironobu Sakaguchi explains what themes he
wanted to present in the movie, as well as his motivation for the concepts
behind all the FF games after part 3.
4)The cast reported to be in the Resident Evil movie are Milla Jovovich,
David Boreanaz, and Michelle Rodriguez.
5)And finally, "Game Shows: More and more videogames are being reborn as
anime adaptations" discusses the phenomenon of games made into anime, citing
titles such as Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, Tekken, Sin, and
Street Fighter Alpha and IIV. Also, the story includes games based on anime
and manga, mentioning Fist of the North Star and Ghost in the Shell. On the
negative side is their side-post which recommends anime that isn't based off
games. While Pet Shop of Horrors is one of those titles, so are
Urotsukidoji, Speed Racer-The Movie, and Nightwalker:Midnight Detective.
imdb.com has added an interview with Michelle Yeoh
co-star of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon here .
1. Shigeru Okada, the chairman of Toei (movie company) and Japan Film
Industry Association.
Studio Ghibli has launched a Japanese book page listing books published by Studio Ghibli, and giving a peek at upcoming books. Ghibli is working on a book about Masahiro Ioka, the art director of "Heidi" and "Anne of Green Gables," which goes into publication in April. The book will include an article written by Isao Takahata and interviews with other staff who worked with Masahiro, including Miyazaki.
Source: Fanboy Entertainment
All
Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited Questions,Comments,News Submissions
2-28-01---- Anime Exhibit In Iowa
The Des Moines Art Center (www.desmoinesartcenter.org) is currently holding an
exhibit entitled My Reality: Contemporary Art and the Culture of Japanese
Animation. "My Reality investigates the role of Japanese animation, commonly
called anime, on today's art," reads the exhibit website,
(www.desmoinesartcenter.org/anime.html). Two artists-in-residence, the
Japanese sculptor Kenji Yanobe and Steven Bennett IV, of Studio Ironcat, have
also been brought in to supplement the exhibit program. My Reality is open
until 6 May.
2-28-01---- Angelic Layer Date
Shonen Ace announced that Angelic Layer will start at 17:20 Apr.1 on TV Tokyo. The official title will be "Kidou Tenshi (Mobile Angel) Angelic Layer.
2-28-01---- College Students Analyze Anime
An interesting article can be read here entitled "Syracuse U. students discuss merits of anime".
2-28-01---- Sailor Moon S Unedited
A revealing item here on the "uncut" release of Sailor Moon S.
2-28-01---- Public Radio Anime Mention
Wyoming Public Radio has published a transcript of a short presentation on anime titled "The Tao Of Yaoi," originally written and broadcast by Joyce Brabner, the mother of a 12 year old female anime fan. The interesting article discusses the diversity of anime, including yaoi, sexual presentations and parental responsibility with refreshing insight and intelligence from a non-anime die-hard.
2-28-01---- Akira Premiere Set
The official Akira website site has been updated with news that the Digital Projection World Premiere of Akira will occur at the AMC Empire, Times Square,
New York City on March 30th, 2001.
2-28-01---- DVD News
Anime On DVD is reporting Bill Flanagan of Viz has mentioned
Random Rhapsody DVD #1 Who Do? Voodoo will be released on May 22nd along with the tape. #2 will be released in June.
All Random Rhapsody DVD's will be bilingual (English/Japanese language with selectable English subtitles) and will contain three episodes coming to 78 minutes each.
This also applies to upcoming Ceres: Celestial Legend (Ayashi no Ceres) DVD's as well.
Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, English subtitles.
Date Available - Mar 13 2001
Format - Hybrid
75 Minutes
Rating - 13+
Contains the UNCUT English / Japanese versions of:
The Androids Appear - Three years have come and gone, and the day of reckoning has finally arrived! The Androids are here, just as Trunks predicted, and they are wrecking havoc on an unsuspecting city! Goku and his friends must now put their training to the test, but are they ready to face these mechanical monsters? A Handy Trick - Yamcha is held at the mercy of the ruthless Android 20, and Goku and the others must race to help their friend. Believing their power to be far superior, the Androids temp Goku’s rage by leveling half the city! But there’s one thing the Android’s didn’t count on – Goku’s a Super Saiyan! Double Trouble for Goku - The battle with the Androids begins in earnest as Goku launches an all out assault against Android 19. The Super Saiyan seems to have the fight well under control, but something is horribly wrong! Goku’s strength is mysteriously fading away! And Android 19 isn’t slowing down! Upgrade to Super Saiyan - Attacked from within from a crippling virus, Goku is helpless against the maniacal Android 19. But just when it looks like the end for Goku, Vegeta appears on the scene! And he’s got a few big surprises in store for the Androids!
Publisher - Funimation
Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, English subtitles
Date Available - Mar 13, 2001
Format - Hybrid
75 Minutes
Rating - 13+
Contains the English / Japanese UNCUT versions of:
The Secret of Dr. Gero - In his first fight as a Super Saiyan, Vegeta takes control of the battlefield and defeats Android 19 in a convincing fashion! Unwilling to share 19’s fate, Android 20 runs for cover in the mountains! Now Vegeta and the rest of the Z-Fighters must find the diabolical Android and put a stop to his evil ways. The hunt is on! More Androids?! - Vegeta, Piccolo, and Gohan lead an exhaustive search through the mountains for the wily Android 20. But all is not as it seems – the hunters are also the hunted! Android 20 lurks in the shadows, ready to strike, and it looks like Piccolo is his first target! Can the mighty Namek withstand the Android’s energy-draining attack? Follow Dr. Gero - Our heroes make a startling discovery – Android 20 is none other than the evil Dr. Gero himself! But this new revelation may have come too late, for the diabolical doctor has fled to his secret laboratory, where he intends to awaken two more killer Androids! Can the Z-Fighters stop him in time?
Publisher - Critical Mass
Adult
Date Available - Apr 24, 2001
Format - Hybrid
Genre - Erotic Comedy
45 Minutes
Rating - 18+
Year Created - 1998
Ever wonder how the cretins of this world typically get the nice girls? Aiwa certainly falls into that category: he spends his days endlessly obsessing over a girl named Kozue whom he can never have and runs every chance encounter with her through his mind. Oh yes, he’s got it bad... To put his mind a little more at ease, Aiwa ordered a little something special to brighten up those long nights, but it so long to arrive that he totally forgot about it! Now, true to form, the company has messed up his order and sent him, well something...different. But just how different he’s about to find out! When Aiwa opens his box from the company, he finds out that technology is a little better than he bargained for, and Aiwa’s in for the surprise of his life. Inside is Satomi who is just about exactly what every man is looking for: loyal, pure-hearted, cheerful ... and utterly insatiable. It doesn’t take long for Aiwa to learn just how perfect his new little friend is, and how his life is no longer entirely his own. But even as perfect as she is, Aiwa’s still dreaming of Kozue. Of course, he’s not above a little (or even a lot!) of practice until the day he can finally score with the girl of his dreams... Now, all he’s got to do is to find the off button before Kozue comes over again....
2-28-01---- DBZ News
FUNimation has posted cover images for the new Saiyaman VHS tapes and the Android DVDs on their pre-sale page.
2-27-01---- Mr. Comet
A new anime TV series titled Mr. Comet begins in Japan from Toho on
April 1. The series broadcasts on Television Osaka/TV Tokyo-affiliates at 9:30 AM.
2-27-01---- YTV Shows First "Cut" Escaflowne TV Episode
Thanks to Wayne Lee for this news:
Edits made:
-The scene where Van gets hit with the Land Dragon's tail and coughs up
blood is cut (oddly enough when you see Van get up, there is clearly a
puddle of blood on the ground o_O;)
-when Van shoots the dragon in the eye it was cut down a bit
-The scene where Hitomi has the vision of Van getting impaled by the
dragon's tail was kept in
-Hitomi slapping Van was edited (they can show a person getting impaled but
they can't show a slap O_o;)
-The whole scene of Van slicing up the dragon and blood coming out of it
like a geyser is kept in (although, the blood is green so its not AS bad, i
guess)
2-27-01---- New Anime Encyclopedia From Stonebridge
Thanks to Miki for this news:The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917. It's due out in Fall 01.
2-27-01---- Takeshi Miyazawa - Harvey Nominee
Thanks to C.B. of Fanboy for this news:2-26-01---- Seattle Anime Course Tangent
Thanks to Mikhail for this info:2-26-02---- Animeigo UY TV DVD 1 Delay
From the press release:2-26-01---- Asia AICN Award
Thanks to Daniel for this news:2-26-01---- FUNimation Announces DBZ DVD's
According to The Right Stuf,
FUNimation has announced that they will be releasing Androids: Invasion and Andriods: Dr Gero on DVD on 3/13/01. As with the other FUNimation DVDs, these two will be hybrid (English, Japanese, with English Subtitles) but no word on extras yet.
2-26-01---- DBZ Figures From Diamond
Diamond Comics has mentioned Irwin's 17th line Dragonball Z 2001 Series 4 Figures will ship in June. Ranging in size from 3" to 5" tall, these articulated figures -- which will include Super Saiyan Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, Female Android, and Male Android (it appears from the article that that is how Androids 17 and 18 will be marketed). You can view them here.
2-26-01---- Third Part Tenchi Muyo Interview Posted
AIC has posted the third part of their Interview with Kajishima Masaki on the company's Japanese website. An English translation is expected shortly.
2-26-01---- Harvey Manga Nominees
Nominated in this year's Harvey Awards relating to manga include Takeshi Miyazawa for Best New Artist for work on Fanboy's Side Kicks, and Dark Horse's Lone Wolf and Cub, and Blade of the Immortal for Best American Presentation of Foreign Material. The awards will be presented on April 27th at Pittsburgh's ComicCon.
2-26-01---- Article: "Pokemon Scare Was Hysteria"
An interesting new slant on 1997's infamous Pokemon "seizure" sequence of events has been written up by the New York Post
here. According to a new study the entire episode could have been a exagerated case of social hysteria.
2-26-01---- Excel Saga Spinoff
You know Tenchi Muyo spun off Pretty Samy, and Nadesico spun off Gekigangar. However, I think nobody expected Puni-Puni Poemy would be an original anime. It appeared in Excel Saga on only a little while, but it'll be released on March 3.2-16-01---- Digital Movie Star Article
A very interesting article here by Roger Ebert on Digital Movie Stars and the Final Fantasy Film.2-25-01---- DBZ News
Planet Namek is reporting on another DBZ CCG newsletter:
The DBZ CCG Hummer Tour will kick off again in March. Be sure and check http://www.DBZcardgame.com to look for volunteer opportunities in your city. Volunteers receive t-shirts and get to meet the DBZ voice actors in person!
In the next few weeks Score will be sending out a packet of information to retailers across the nation. We will be including one Trunks common card in each packet. Be the first to ask your local retailer about it and maybe you'll get lucky!
TRUNKS TOURNAMENTS?
Check next week for more information about Trunks pre-release tournaments!
2-25-01---- Tri Zenon News
The new Anime Sci-Fi series helmed by some of the Slayers staff - Tri Zenon, currently airing on TBS has a few interesting items on the way. #1 is a new character album called Terra Effect, which retails at 2,913 Yen with a March 16 release date. Included are 10 tracks and 1st press buyers can obtain a special box. Next up is a new hybrid Tri Zenon CD-ROM "Perfect Digital Data", which retails at 4,800 Yen when it is released on April 27th. Included on the disc are a series Database-Encyclopedia, Wallpaper collection, Voice data, Screen saver and Clock and calendar. Finally Tri Zenon is set to arrive on region2 DVD at a retail price of
3,800 Yen on March 21, the disc has a running time of 60 minutes (includes episodes 1-2).
2-25-01---- Flint The Tme Detective In Germany
Thanks to David Heinemann for this news:2-25-01---- Japanese Gaming Music News
Konami Music and King Recors are adding songs from anime such as Dog of Flanders and others to a new cd release:
Beatmania ANI-SONGS MIX masterpiece animation REMIX, the cd is due on March 21 at the retail price of 2,330 Yen. Included are 9 tracks and and first pressing units are stocked with an original sticker. 2-25-01---- Komitsuku Party
A new TV series called Komitsuku Party will begin airing in Japan in April, the OP theme single "Like You" will retail at 1,000 Yen when it is released on April 25th. The ED theme single retails at the same price and is out on April 25.
2-25-01---- RUN DIM TV News
The fully 3D CGI anime series RUN DIM begins in Japan in April. A Japanese company Idea Factory Theater and a South Korean firm Taldoremustageo. The series is set on a fututre earth and deals with giant robots. The OP theme single is out in Japan at 1018 Yen on April 25. The ED theme, "Heaven Knows" is set for release at 1019 yen on April 25.2-25-01---- Yami no Matsuei
(Descendents of Darkness) News
From the Anime series broadcast on Japan's WOWOW BS Ch. 5, Yami no Matsuei
(Descendents of Darkness) comes a new maxi single collecting OP and ED themes with jacket illustration by Yumi Nakayama who is character designer for the series. The CD will retail at 1,143 Yen when it is released on April 25th.2-25-01---- Digimon Music Releases
"Counter Attack Of Digimon Adventure 02" ED theme goes on sale at 1,190 Yen on Feb. 21. Meanwhile the Digimon Adventure 02 soundtrack goes on sale at 2190 Yen on March 7.
2-25-01---- True Getter Robo Anti Getter Robo CD
The original soundtrack to Bandai Visual's new Getter Robo OVA series featuring full orchestra music is due on
February 21st at 2857 Yen.
2-25-01---- Masami Okui Best Album
Masami Okui's best album S-Mode #1 is out in a 2 piece set, retailing at 3,238 Yen on March 21st.
2-25-01---- Yugioh Dual Monsters Theme
Set for broadcast on TV Tokyo affiliates in April, the new Yugioh Dual Monsters TV series OP and ED themes will be performed by Masami Okui. The maxi single featuring those tracks will appear at 1,143 Yen on April 25th.
2-25-01---- Love Hina Vocal Best Album
A new character themed Vocal Best Album for the Love Hina series is set for release with 11 tunes (2 new tracks) on
March 16th, it will retail at 2913 Yen. Meanwhile the 9th Volume DVD is due on
May 2nd at 3000 yen.
2-25-01---- Kuromi-Chan Update
Daichi Akitaro's new OVA work, Kuromi-chan dealing with Otaku No Video style anime production folly had a special event commemorating it's released on Feb. 24. Staff and Akitaro-sensei were on hand speaking on the new project to be released on DVD and VHS on March 30th at 4800 Yen.
2-25-01---- Misc. Asia Cinema News
Thanks to Daniel for the following:2-25-01---- Ghost In The Shell 2 Info
According to Studio Proteus:2-23-01---- Anime / Manga Gaming
Gainax has revealed new details on their Dreamcast typing game Neon Genesis Evangelion Typing E Plan, scheduled to release in Japan on April 19, for 6800 yen. The game features characters and scenes from the popular anime series. There are a total of 7 lessons, to complete each lesson you will have to defeat the boss and acquire the license to proceed.2-25-01---- DV News
AnimeNation has received confirmation from Funimation that the long delayed Dragonball Z Androids: Invasion and Dr. Gero DVDs will both be released on March 13th.
2-23-01---- Harlock Saga Website
Anime Next is reporting:2-23-01---- Vandread Rumor
According to Anime On DVD:2-23-01---- Flint Airing In Australia
Flint the time detective will start showing on cable channel Fox Kids in March. 2-23-01---- Viz June Releases
Viz Communications has sent out a release list of June product announcements, check it out here.2-23-01---- Italian Anime Releases
We received a list of upcoming Italian Anime releases from Benkyo! editor Giovanni.2-23-01---- Big Apple Anime Trademark Owned By CPM - BAAF Event Update
Update on the BAAF, the company Central Park Media has owned the trademark to the name Big Apple Anime which is for the use of Japanese film festivals since January 4, 2001. 2-23-01---- Studio Pierrot's Tenshi Ni Narumon U.S. Bound
According to the Studio Pierrot English website:2-23-01---- Alaska Anime Article
The Anchorage Daily news has posted an article here looking at the popularity of anime from a mainstream perspective.2-23-01---- Anime On Billboard Charts
Top DVD Sales Billboard Magazine Chart Leaders
Weekly charts for the nation's most popular videos as they appear in the March 3, 2001, issue of Billboard magazine:
6. ``Sailor Moon: The Legend Begins,'' DIC Entertainment.2-23-01---- Figures News
Figures.com is reporting Koto's Jo Jo' Bizarre Adventure action figure 2-Pack Sets will be out soon with
each set including one fully poseable action figure of the characters pumped-up alter ego ("STAND"), the other being non-poseable- the character in standard human form. All sets are being distributed to America via at Diamond. Here's what to look for, all at an SRP of $29.99:2-23-01---- Animeigo Macross Update
AnimEigo has updated bit on their website mentioning the current number of preorders for Macross is now 10,459. The Macross page lists that this was updated on 1/23.
2-23-01---- Bandai Entertainment Not Yet Committed Towards NYC Convention Sponsorship
Bandai Entertainment has contacted ANS with the following:2-23-01---- Anime Music News
The price of the DiGi Charat Christmas opening single due on March 21 has been changed to 971 Yen.
2-23-01---- Otaku Television Update
Otaku Television has updated with the following:2-23-01---- Daft Punk Matsumoto Video Quicktime Link
In addition to directing Daft Punk's latest video, Leiji Matsumoto will providing jacket design of the group's latest album, 'Discovery' due on March 10. 2-23-01---- All Night Ah! My Goddess Events
2 recently announced all night Ah! Megami Sama events have been announced to occur in Japan:
Inoue Kikuko
Hisakawa Aya
Touma Yumi
Inoue Kikuko
Hisakawa Aya
Touma Yumi
2-23-01---- Seattle Anime Course
Two instructors at Bellevue Community College in Washington are teaching the first academic course in the state on the subject of anime, or Japanese animation. Read more in this Seattle Times article.2-23-01---- New Manga In France
Exprerted from the post
GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) Toru Fujisawa (Pika)
Kajika Akira Toriyama (Glenat)
2-23-01---- UK Anime News
More DVDs from Kiseki Films
For more details, contact the ICA box office on 020 7930 3647
5th March: Bubblegum Crisis 2040 vol. 7 (AT),
Martian Successor Nadesico vol. 5 (AT),
City Hunter: Bay City Wars (AT),
You're Under Arrest File 3 (VT)
19th March: Street Fighter Alpha (MB), Amon Saga (MT), Macross II (KD)
2nd April: Bubblegum Crisis 2040 vol. 8 (AT),
Martian Successor Nadesico vol. 6 (AT),
Street Fighter II V vol. 7 (AT), Legend of the Overfiend (MD),
Kimagure Orange Road - The Movie (VT)
23rd April: Gunbuster (KD)
7th May: Bubblegum Crisis 2040 vol. 9 (AT),
Martian Successor Nadesico vol. 7 (AT),
City Hunter: Million Dollar Conspiracy (AT)
4th June: Bubblegum Crisis 2040 vol. 10 (AT),
Martian Successor Nadesico vol. 8 (AT), Samurai X Movie (AT)
2nd July: Bubblegum Crisis 2040 vol. 11 (AT),
Martian Successor Nadesico vol. 9 (AT),
City Hunter: Secret Service (AT)
6th August: Bubblegum Crisis 2040 vol. 12 (AT),
Martian Successor Nadesico vol. 10 (AT),
Street Fighter II V vol. 8 (AT)
Unscheduled: Blood (MB), Virus (MB), X (MD), Patlabor I & II (MD),
Street Fighter II Movie (MD), Akira (MD),
Fist of the North Star Movie (MD)
(T)=VHS tape, (D)=DVD, (B)=Both2-23-01---- Misc. Gaming Asian Cinema News
Thanks to Daniel For these news items:
Source: ZD Net2-23-01---- Ghibli / Miyazaki News
According to posts on the Hayao Miyazaki Discussion Group The Japanese magazine "Premiere" has published a list of "The Most Powerful 100 of Japanese Film Industry":
2. Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, the president of Kadokawa Publishing. Kadokawa also
produces films.
3. Yasuyoshi Tokuma
4. Hayao Miyazaki
5. Takeshi Kitano
6. Nobuyuki Idei, the CEO of Sony
7. Kinji Fukasaku, a film director
8. Koji Yakusyo, an actor (Shall We Dance?)
9. Yoji Yamada, a film director (Tora-San series)
10. Isao Matsuoka, the chairman of Toho (movie company)2-23-01---- Niea_7 U.S. Bound
Fanboy has learned today that Pioneer has licensed the English language rights to Yoshitoshi ABe's wacky anime series, Niea_7. (Pronounced Knee-Ah Under Seven) No details yet as to when it will released or in what formats. The adaptation should be interesting though as the series is full of "in jokes" and lots of Japanese cultural references unfamiliar to many foreigners, even those somewhat familiar with Japan.