Famitsu.com has shared a few clean, albeit tiny, pictures of Bandai's third (and we presume final) Dreamcast Gundam game. Titled Gundam Battle Online, this Online real time strategy game allows you to assemble a team and go out to the battle field. You command your troops via a map mode and view the action, interacting along the way, in the battle mode. Gundam Battle Online is set for Japanese release in the Spring. No word yet on a possible US release.
STOP PRESS! ( http://www.newtype-net.com/ )
BREAKING BARREL NEWS$B!D(B IN ENGLISH!?
Gichi Ohtsuka, author of the new Gundam novel "For the Barrel", has dropped critical hints about the story to American fans. In his exclusive column FOR THE BARREL: UPDATE on Newtype's online edition, Mr Ohtsuka revealed tantalising details about the identities of certain hotly-debated characters, and background details still unknown to the Japanese audience. He also spoke at length about realism in giant robot shows such as Patlabor, in an exclusive Q&A session with fans. Mr Ohtsuka's web column presents an unmissable opportunity for English-speaking fans to communicate with a professional from the anime/manga industry ? the unique chance to express opinions direct to the author in Japan. See "Special Topics" in this month's Newtype online.
"Patlabor, policía especial" (Special Police Patlabor), will on Fox Kids in Spanish and Portuguese American countries. The series will be running in an anime block every day of the week. The daily schedule starting in March will be:
17:30 Digimon
18:00 Monster Rancher
18:30 Flint
19:00 Patlabor
19:30 Dinozaurs
Super Cerdita (Super pig, the Saban version of Tonde Boorin) is not included, but airs at 13:00 Monday to friday. Also, Digimon and Patlabor will be repeated at 21:30 and 22:00, each, Monday to Friday. The first Patlabor will be airing on Fox Kids in Spanish in February 24th, 25th an 26th as part of an anime marathon. The central time zone/Mexican time zone schedule for the marathon will be:
9:00 AM 4 episodes of Super Cerdita (Saban version of Tonde Boorin)
11:00 4 episodes of Digimon
13:00 4 episodes of Monster Rancher
15:00 4 episodes of Flint
17:00 other 4 episodes of Digimo
19:00 two episodes of Dinozaurs
20:00 Patlabor 1
22:00 Patlabor 1 (again)
Sunday 25th:
9:00 4 of Flint
11:00 two of Dinozaurs
12:00 4 of Digimon
14:00 4 of Monster Rancher
16:00 2 of Dinozaurs
17:00 Patlabor 1
19:00 one of Digimon
Monday 26th:
9:00 AM 4 episodes of Super Cerdita
11:00 4 episodes of Digimon
13:00 4 episodes of Monster Rancher
15:00 4 episodes of Flint
17:00 other 4 episodes of Digimo
19:00 two episodes of Dinozaurs
20:00 Patlabor 1
22:00 Patlabor 1
Source: Doblaje Latinoamericano UMJAMS Anime News
IT'S HERE! I have completed my review of the less-cut version of Kite currently available from Kitty Media on VHS (sub and dub) under the name "Kite Director's Cut". Overall, they restored most of the cut footage and only several seconds of scenes featuring sexual contact between Young Sawa and Akai have been cut. I've reorganized the Kite editing report page as well to accomidate the information on the heavily edited AnimeWorks version and the newly released Kitty media version. I plan on adding a page of screen shots when I have the chance. Read the editing reports here.
Source: The Magic Box
Cartoon Network is up across all three demo groups, from a 1.1 to a 1.5 among kids 2-11, from a 1.4 to a 1.8 in 2-5, and to a 1.3 from a 1.0 among kids 6-11. But Brad Agate, research vp for Horizon Media, points out that much of the Cartoon ratings increase can be attributed to an increase in the network's subscriber base. Cartoon has added 8.3 million new subscribers since last season, while Nickelodeon has added 2.9 million.
go here for more information : Yahoo Article
Thanks To: http://www.dbz-kingdom.com
Tecmo has released new info on their PS2 breeding & battling game Monster Farm, scheduled to release in Japan on March 22, for 6800 yen. In this game you can create new monsters by using "Disk Stones" (music CD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROMs) . The new born monsters will have a favorite region, where they can be brought up faster and stronger. Also, the monsters can grow up into different forms in different regions. There are 5 different regions in the game. When a monster passed out, its experience and knowledge will be left inside a crystal called Monster Heart, another monster can inherit its power by taking the Monster Heart. There is a new Recruit Machine in the game, which sells monster accessories that makes your monster fashionable.
Source: Magic Box
Thanks to Daniel for these links:
Zdnet has an interview with Sonic Team director Yuji Naka at
this link.
According to the article, about 100,000 Japanese users are playing Phantasy
Star Online. Information from the interview itself mentions how to find
Naka(when he's playing the game himself), the development of PSO, and
development of Sonic Adventure 2.
There are pictures and details of the Sega/Pace set-top box at
this link.
Konami announced that an MGS2 demo will be packaged with the North American
Z.O.E., at a retail price of $49.99. The entire package is expected to be
out around March 27. The news came from
this article.
Konami's Shadow of Memories will be out in Japan around February 22, instead
of March 1. The Japanese version will also have a demo of Silent Hill 2. The
U.S. version is supposed to come out in March. This is courtesy of
this link.
And DC's price in Japan will go down to an astounding $89. This will include
the Hello Kitty model and the Sakura Wars package versions. More can be read
about it at
this article.
New Bandai anime spawns instant merch
Bandai's betting the ranch on new anime imports Outlaw Star, Big O and Pilot Candidate, with action figures hitting shelves before the latter shows even hit airwaves. Outlaw Star debuted on Cartoon Network's Toonami block January 15, and Big O and Pilot Candidate probably won't light up screens until this fall, but new anime collector sets from Bandai America will include figures from all three shows, along with characters from Gundam Wing, Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne and Blue Submarine No. 6. Each of the sets is tentatively priced at US$14.99 and will include one seven-inch and two four-and-a-half-inch figures when they ship later this spring.
Bandai is also planning to pour lots of cash into building the successful Gundam franchise this year via a Gundam Wing Interactive Tour. The promo, currently being developed with Wal-Mart and Pioneer, will aim for 15- to 28-year-old guys and run between March and October 2001. The multimillion-dollar U.S. project will aim to build on Gundam's cult following through model-making workshops and presentations on the history of Gundam and anime in general.
On the Thursday, Feb. 1 news of www.cinescape.com , it's been confirmed that Dreamworks picked up the re-make rights to the Japanese horror film-The Ring-for about $1 million. There's also a summary: "The Ring tells the story of a strange video tape that somehow kills those who view it. A reporter investigating the death of a cousin watches it and things get very strange as she soon fears that her death is imminent. She realizes that the only way to possibly stop death from coming is to glean the secrets of the tape's strange images."
This is taken from the Feb. 1 news at www.imdb.com: "Documentary Captures Tantrums Of Movie Director"
A Japanese documentary filmmaker has completed work on a film about the shooting of director Kinji Fukasaku's new film Battle Royale -- but it's unlikely that it will be used to promote the movie, already a controversial hit in Japan. According to today's (Thursday) Yomiuri Shimbun the documentary by Toshiro Uratani includes scenes of Fukasaku shouting at two actresses "Boring! Your 'manzai' (interaction) is boring! Boring manzai is the worst!" In another scene Fukasaku is seen throwing a can of coffee against a table to scare the performers. In reporting on Uratani's film, the Yomiuri observed that Fukasaku's "tantrums on the set are as well known as the work he produces."
In game news, zdnet mentioned that Enix will release the first chapeter of DQMonsters 2 on March 9, instead of the original March 20 date. The second chapter III's Adventure will come out April 12. This news came from http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2681284,00.html
Namco and Nippon Telenet are working together to make a 4th Tales of series for an unannounced console. Details at http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2681279,00.html
And Konami will release a USB keyboard for PS2. The software, Beatmania Dadada comes with it; and the package will retail for about $58 U.S. This is courtesy of http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2681200,00.html
At this ZD Net link, Pokemon Gold and Silver continue to dominate the charts.
Zdnet also has previews of Konami's Ring of Red at this link and Onimusha at this link.
Cartoon Network has announced that "Gundam Wing" will be joining the Toonami line-up On March 12th. It will broadcast at 4:30 pm on weekdays. Ronin Warriors has dropped out of the line-up. Toonami/CN will not air Gundam Wing (UNCUT) during mid-night run. So no more Gundam UNCUT. The walls are closing in, as the "Original Gundam Series" is also coming to Cartoon Network. Expecting it to appear early summer or late summer. In Japan, Mobile Suit Gundam (FirstGundam) Movie 1.2.3 DVDs released December 2000 sold well. It ranked first to third place on Japanese DVD sales chart some days ago! That is one reason why Gundam Wing will re-run on Toonami/CN.
Toonami.com has announced on their Official site that every Friday, Toonami Movies will be broadcasted, starting March 2nd. Till now they have given us the names of 3 movies airing on Toonami. Also, expect some DBZ movies in March.
- Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz on Friday, March 2nd 2001 @ 5:00 p.m. (TBA) (edited)
- Blue Submarine Number. 6 on Friday, March 9th 2001 @ 4:00 p.m.
- Sailor Moon R 2000 on Saturday, February 17th 2001 @ 11:00 a.m.
Toonami (Schedule for weekdays starting March 12)
4:00 pm --- Sailor Moon
4:30 pm --- Gundam Wing
5:00 pm --- Dragon Ball Z
5:30 pm --- Outlaw Star
6:00 pm --- Tenchi Universe
6:30 pm --- Superman
12:00 am --- Dragon Ball Z
12:30 am --- Outlaw Star
Source: DBZ Kingdom
According to the storyline, 500 years hence, the ruins of the Castul kingdom known as a truly ancient state stands as remnant of the age of magic which has ended. Many kingdoms have subsequently arisen and fallen here each either relying on the physical power of the sword or the mystic energy of the magic force. Extremely and uncommonly talented warriors are born dubbed "Magic soldier" who invade the ancient ruins and pillage it's riches, works of art and magical artifacts. A young person, Riui who has just graduated from a magician's apprenticeship meets the thief Mirel and the soldier, Gani, the three compnaions join up seeking the magician, Ninatsu.
The OP theme "Twinkle Trick" will be performed by idol unit PRECOCI and go on sale via cd single on March 28, 2001.
On January 25, Nihon Eiga Seisakusha Renmei, an association of Japanese movie companies, released the report "Nationwide Cinema Outlook." According to the announcement, the number of movie-goers decreased by 6.5% when compared with the previous year. In total, 135.39 million people attended Japanese cinemas in 2000. Last year, big hits like "Titanic" (1998) or "Armageddon" (1999). In contract, the number of screens increased by 13.6% over the previous year (2,524 screens). The number of cinema-complexes increased up to 44% of the total screens. The box office revenue was 170.86 billion yen, which is less than the previous year by 6.5%. The biggest hit in 2000 was "M:I-2" with a revenue of 9.7 billion yen. The biggest Japanese film of the year was "Movie Pocket Monster: Kesshoto no Teio."
Source: Nihon Keizai Newspaper, January 26, 2001
On January 22, Kyodo Insatsu announced that the company had developed a system to support the digital editing of comics. This system digitizes images and text separately in the editing stage. The digitized data can be formatted as PDF which can be used for Internet subscription services. This system makes reading the text easier than traditional systems and make editing more efficient. Traditional systems digitized both images and letters by scanning; therefore, the letters tended to be blur when enlarged. Shogakkan adopted this system for the magazine "IKKI." On January 23, ll comics in this magazine will be delivered on the electric manga service "Manga no Kuni" which is jointly managed by Shogakkan and Access Ticket Systems will deliver. Free subscription service is available for a month.
Source: Nikkei Sangyo Newspaper, January 23, 2001
Source: Anihabara
Figures.com is reporting Sony's AIBO 2nd Generation Entertainment Robots will be showing off their electronic wonders at this International Toy Fair 2001.
WHO:The new AIBO 2nd Generation Entertainment Robot from Sony Electronics Inc. Entertainment Robot America (ERA). This burgeoning new version of the original pop-icon boasts a sleek new look and advanced interactive features including voice recognition technology allowing AIBO to understand up to (50) words, wireless LAN control, and photo-taking capabilities. Sony ERA's original AIBO [ERS-110] pioneered the robotic pet trend, and has been a featured guest on MTV's The Real World New Orleans, and in Janet Jackson's It Doesn't Really Matter video. The new AIBO 2nd Generation takes the pop-culture phenomenon to new heights, appearing in MTV's boy band parody sitcom 2GETHERas well as the WB's Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
WHAT: Sony ERA Demonstrates Advanced New AIBO 2nd Generation Software Packages- Party Mascot and AIBO Master Studio. See the synchronized troupe of AIBOs shake their collective groove thing utilizing the newest AIBO software offering from Sony- Party Mascot. With the new Party Mascot software AIBO becomes the life of the party performing multiple dance routines and playing party games with itsowners and friends. In addition to the synchronized AIBO dance troupe, AIBO will also perform a wireless LAN demo on the show floor made possible by the soon to be released AIBO Master Studio programming kit. AMS users will be able to create and edit original behaviors and sound data for their robotic companion. The AIBO Master Studios' wireless LAN feature also provides increased technological convergence allowing users to then send those newly created motions wirelessly from their PC... now doing the Robot has a whole new meaning!
WHERE: American International Toy Fair, The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center- Area:Techno Play/ Booth: 4333
WHEN: February 11 - 15, 2001
Also via Figures.com, is news of a Full Resin Vash the Stampede Statue from Epoch expected to arrive in the USA by way of Diamond. At 1:8th scale- measuring 9" tall, including base, fully painted and ready to display with original Japanese packaging, it will retail at $120 and is scheduled to ship in May, 2001.
Diamond Distributor's Previews magazine lists the following domestic releases of manga as occuring in April:
CPM Manga willl be releasing CPM 5th Anniversary Pack #2 for 14.95 (which includes Record of Lodoss War: The Grey Witch #1, Record of Lodoss War: Lady of Pharis #1, Call Me Princess #1, Geobreeders #1, Kia Asamiya's Nadesico #1, Frontier Line #1, and Iczer #1. Also, anime posters from Utena, Arlsan, Patlabor, and a mini-poster from the Geobreeders video, plus a phone card from the mecha series Hades Project), Dark Angel 24, a limited edition hard cover of Dark Angel Vol. 1, Geobreeders 26, Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight 8, Martian Successor Nadesico 23,Martian Successor Nadesico Book 2 15.95 14.75, Maxion 17, Princess Prince 7 and Time Traveler Ai 19.
Dark Horse will be releasing Blade of the Immortal: The Gathering 14, Gunsmith Cats: Mister V 7, Lone Wolf & Cub Vol. 9: Shadows Echoes, Masakazu Katsura's Shadow Lady: Sudden Death (tpb), Oh My Goddess! Part X 3, Orion (3rd ed. tpb), Rockstar Games' Oni 3, Super Manga Blast! 12 and Usagi Yojimbo 47. They will also be re-releasing their Gunsmith Cats Zippo lighter.
Fanboy Comics will be realsing Essence: Art of Yoshitoshi Abe, Mobius Klein 4, Sidekicks 3,and Spellbound: Magic of Love 3. Ironcat will be releasing Dahlia Vampire 1 and Futaba-Kun Change! Vol. 6 4, and Vampire Princess Yui Vol. 2 4.
Tokyo Pop Press will be releasing Cardcaptor Sakura 15. Gundam Wing Pocket Mixx Vol. 3 (gn), Miracle Girls 7, Sailor Moon 30, Sailor Moon Pocket Mixx Vol. 9 (gn), Saint Tail 6, Saint Tail Pocket Mixx Vol. 1 (gn),Smile Vol. 3 5 and Sorcerer Hunters Mixx Manga Vol. 3 (gn)
Viz will be releasing Animerica Extra Vol. 4 5, Aqua Knight, Part 3 2,Art of Pokemon: Third Movie, Dragonball, Part 3 11, Dragonball Z, Part 4 5, Eagle Vol. 15: Nomination, El Hazard, Part 2 3, Gundam Wing: Blind Target 3, Gundam Wing: Episode Zero 1, Gundam Wing Vol. 1: Ground Zero (tpb), Genesis Evangelion Book 5 (collector's ed.) 7 , No Need for Tenchi!, Part 11 1, Pulp Vol. 5 5, Ranma 1/2, Part 10 1, Silent Mobius Vol. 6: Catastrophe (tpb), Yellow Caballero Pokemon 2 and Video Girl Ai Vol. 3: Recall (tpb).They will also be re-releasing, Dragonball Z Vol. 2 (tpb), Mobile Suit Gundam: 0079 Vol. 1 (tpb), Mobile Suit Gundam: 0079 Vol. 2 (tpb) , Ranma 1/2 Vol. 16 (tpb) and Strain Vol. 4 (tpb).
We were having some technical problems with the forums, but they have been corrected. We hope that everyone will take part in the conversation one again. You can get to the forums through the Amano's Fans section of the amanosworld.com site, or you can get directly to the forums by going to http://www.amanosworld.com/forum/
Square announced the official name of the Final Fantasy X theme song, it is called "Suteki de ne", which translates to "It is Wonderful". The song will be performed by the Japanese country music singer Rikki.
Sega of America announced that Shenmue 2 for Dreamcast will be coming to North America in November. Source: The Magic Box
Courtesy The GIA: GameSpot VG reports today that a new installment in Namco's "Tales Of" RPG series is in the works. (The series currently includes Tales of Phantasia, Tales of Destiny, Tales of Eternia, and the Game Boy offshoot Tales of Phantasia Similar Dungeon.) Namco will collaborate with Nippon Telnet to create the new game; the latter company is already recruiting new developers for the title. No details on the game have been announced yet, save that it will be released on one or more next-generation consoles.
Sega's Sakura Taisen series is coming to the PlayStation 2, but it may not be series' first title that's being ported. Famitsu today clarified that the planned PS2 version of Sakura Taisen is still an undetermined title -- possibly the first game, but also possibly the second or the upcoming third installment. Sega's choice of which title to port could also affect the title's fate in North America. While Working Designs head Victor Ireland has expressed interest in the series, he noted in a message board post that the chance of Working Designs localizing the game "depends on the quality of the game (not all ST's are created equal, I still think the first is the best)."
Dragon Ball Z is the latest craze among kids and adults in Australia. It is fast becoming favorite cartoon series for those living Down Under. Actors Chris Sabat (Vegeta, & Piccolo) and Sean Schemmel (Goku) have taken a trip to Aussie land. They will be signing autographs and acting out scenes from the series at Comic-Fest 2001. Some are calling the actor's appearance at Comic-Fest the biggest attraction at the convention. Stay tuned we will let you know details from the trip soon.
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