Anime News Service - February 5-10 Anime News

2-10-00---- American Sol Bianca DVD Vol. 1 Release Set

The Pioneer Entertainment Update lists Sol Bianca The Legacy: Vol. 1 Lost Treasures DVD with a U.S. release date of March April 25th retailing at $29.98.

2-10-00---- Monster Rancher Toy Update

Playmates line of action figures and products based on the anime TV series / video game, Monster Rancher, is hitting stores across the U.S., with plush beanie toys and more than 400 monster action figure toys attainable through collecting "Mystery Monster Rancher" four, eight and 18-packs. Talking electronic Monster Rancher toys are slated for a July release.

2-10-00---- Sakura Taisen Music News

A Sakura Taisen 4-CD music box titled, Taishou Kayou Karaoke Daizenshuu is scheduled for release in Japan on March 15th retailing for 7,140 Yen. The CD's include a collection of close to 60 background tracks, newly arranged from the Sakura Taisen game series, CD drama, OVA's, and musical's. 1st presses come with special packaging.

The Sakura Taisen Gokakenran OVA CD single is currently scheduled for release on March 15th, listing at 1050 Yen. The single will feature the title track, Furui Piano by Takano Urara, and the B-Side track, Kagayaki, by Nishihara Kumiko & Ikura Kazue. 1st presses include a jacket-size original illustration sticker.

2-10-00---- Wizards Of the Coast Announce Release Of Card Game Base Set 2

Wizards Of The Coast have have announced the launch of it's Base Set 2 expansion to it's Pokemon collectible card game. The release comes on the one-year anniversary of the initial trading card game release, Base Set 2 contains a mix of cards from the original base set and the Jungle expansion. Each of the 130 cards in the new deck will feature a Base Set 2 symbol. Wizard's also plans to release a two-player Starter Set containing an instructional CD-ROM or CD-ROM and video. Three Base Set 2 preconstructed theme decks will be released soon also, titled "Lightening Bug," "Grass Chopper," "Hot Water", and "Psych Out."

2-10-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Namco has completed a gun sniping Golgo 13 arcade title, set for release in Japan on March 3rd. The game will feature an original story with selectable stages from the start.

Capcom USA plans to realease their upcoming PSX RPG, Breath of Fire IV to America with a release set for this fall.

Playstation 2 Information:

- A Japanese newspaper has reported that the PSX 2 may have incompatibility issues with existing PSX games, apparently, some games are programmed to work directly with the PSX 1 hardware. Sony plans to release a complete list of games that are incompatible with PSX2.

- Sony has revealed that the PSX 2 DVD capabilites will support all contemporary DVD player protocols, including multi-angle, multi-story, wide screen and subtitling features. Sony will reveal more PSX2 DVD applications at the Playstation Festival 2000, to be hosted February 19 - 20. A demo DVD title to be used at the event, will be the American live action film, The Matrix.

2-9-00---- American VHS Video Release Date Set For Slayers Try

CPM's VHS release of Slayers Try Vol. 1: Majestic Journey is slated for May 9th. Sub and Dub tapes will contain 4 episodes and are priced at $19.99.

2-9-00---- CPM Geobreeders DVD Release Date

The Right Stuf lists CPM's Geobreeders DVD-ROM with a release date of May 16th, in Hybrid format, with a running time of 90 minutes.

2-9-00---- Pulp Editors Release Statement To United Kingdom Readers

The following statement was released on the internet today to U.K. readers of Viz Comic's Pulp Magazine:

Dear UK readers,

Hello from San Francisco. We've recently come to the somewhat belated discovery that there's been a respectable (or, considering the magazine at hand, not entirely respectable) amount of discussion of our magazine, PULP, on this newsgroup.

We would like to invite and encourage you to send in your comments and/or fan art via e-mail if you so desire. We certainly don't mind printing your criticism as well as any positive remarks.

Beginning with our June issue, PULP will be adding two new manga stories in addition to the ones currently running, as well as an expanded range of articles. Our price, however, will remain the same at US$5.95. We're reaching a little closer towards the Japanese model of plenty of manga between one cover for a low price.

Recently, two writers associated with PULP had the opportunity to meet with European fans of manga and anime culture at the International Film Festival, Rotterdam's "Japan Edge" presentation. Even though it is true that PULP is an American magazine and may sometimes give the impression of addressing only American audiences, we are certainly gratified that it has a following abroad. When you look at it, Europeans and Americans alike come as strangers to manga, but I don't doubt that you have a slant on things that would be most interesting. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please send your mail to:

alvin@viz.com
once@ix.netcom.com

Sincerely,

Carl Gustav Horn, Manga Editor
Alvin Lu, Columns & Departments Editor
PULP

2-9-00---- Kamen Rider Making A Comeback

The Kamen Rider (Masked Rider) Live-Action henshin sci-fi TV series, originally airing in 1970 and created by late cartoonist Shotaro Ishinomori is now back, more popular than ever, airing in Japan on TV Asahi networks in the Kamen Raida Kuga (cougar) series. According to TV Asahi, the first two episodes of the new series, aired 8-8:30 a.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, posted viewer ratings of 27.5 and 28.4, respectively, among children aged between 4 and 12 years old. The rating for viewers of all ages stood at 8.9 for the first episode, faring well against news programs on NTV (16.4), TBS (12.1) and Fuji TV (4.5) that shared the same time slot. On Feb. 2nd the TV station's official Kuga Web site (www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kuuga/) received 36,857 hits, which is the highest figure for any of TV Asahi's program Web sites.

The story is based around 24-year-old Yusuke Godai (played by Jo Odagiri), who secretly acquires a belt with strange powers, found during an archeological excavation in Nagano Prefecture. The Archeologists accidentally break the magic seal on a subterranean vault where an ancient tribe of demons is trapped, unleashing evil monsters that threaten all living on Earth. Godai uses the belt and transforms into Kamen Rider Kuga and begins his effort to save the world.

Source: Yomiuri Shimbun

2-9-00---- Pokemon American Boxoffice Update

Pokemon: The First Movie, in it's 13th week of release in North America drew $134,623 over this past weekend, lowering it it from #40 to the #42 spot on the Daily Variety movie chart. To-date, Pokemon has grossed $85,503,823.

2-9-00---- Kiki's Delivery Service On Disney Channel Tonight

Kiki's Delivery Service will air on the American Disney Channel cable network tonight at these times:

8:45 PM Eastern
11:45 PM Eastern

2-8-00---- Anime Character Kits To Ship In February

Anime related character figure kits to be released in Japan This Month (All prices quoted in Yen):

To Heart (Kotobukiya)
Kamigishi Akari 1/8th Scale 6800

To North (Kurushima)
Haruno Kotori 1/7th Scale 12000

Five Star Stories (Kaiyodo)
Auxo Action Figure 1280
Concourd Action Figure 1280

Ghost in the Shell (Alpha)
Kusanagi Motoko HD Clear Type 2200

Card Captor Sakura
(B-Club) Kinomoto Sakura Vol.7 1/8th Scale 12800
(Gesse/GTZ) Daidohji Tomoyo Act 1 1/8th Scale 7800
(Kaiyodo) Kinomoto Sakura 18th Scale 12000

Ojamajo Doremi (B-Club)
Doremi Ompu Set 4800

Final Fantasy VII (Kotobukiya)
Sephiroth 1/8th Scale 12000
Aeris Gainsborough 1/8th Scale 9800

Houshin Engi (Kotobukiya)
Dakki 1/8th Scale 9800

To Heart (Kotobukiya)
Kamigishi Akari Casual Wear 1/8th Scale 6800
Multi 1/8th Scale 8000
Kurusugawa Serika Swimsuit 1/8th Scale 8000

Nadesico (Musashiya)
Hoshino Ruri 16 Years Swimsuit 2 1/5th Scale 14800

D4 Princess
Rurido Dorisu 7800

2-8-00---- Anime Model Kits To Ship In February

Anime related model kits to be released in Japan This Month:

Super Robot (Aoshima)
Zambott 3 3980

Gao Gai Gar (Aoshima)
Gao Gai Gar Gold Edtion 6800

Mazinger (Bandai)
UFO Glendizer (Soul of Chogokin) 14800

Gundam 0079
(Bandai) Kadoh-Senshi Zaku Production Type 4500
(Bandai) Char's Z'Gok Action Figure 1000
(B-Club) Guncannon 1/100 Scale 17800
(B-Club) Gouf "Lamba Ral" 6800
(B-Club) FG Gundam Fighting Body 1/144 Scale 2800

Gundam M.S.V.
(Bandai) J. Riden Zaku II Action Figure 1000
(Bandai) S. Matsunaga Zaku II Action Figure 1000
(B-Club) GM Cannon Conversion Parts Set 1/100 Scale 6500

SD Gundam (Bandai)
SD Gundam X 400
SD Char Z'Gok 400
SD Gundam Geminass 400
SD Gundam Mk.4 400
SD Gouf Custom 400

Dunbine (Bandai)
HG Dunbine 1/72 Scale 1000

Zeta Gundam (B-Club)
Marasai 1/144 Scale 12800

Gundam Wing (B-Club)
Shenlong Gundam Ver Ka. Conversion Parts Set 1/100 Scale 6500

Gundam - 08th MS Team (B-Club)
RX-79 Gundam Detail Parts Set 1/144th Scale 4800

Speed Racer (Club-M)
The Mach 1/24th Scale 19800

Five Star Stories
(Kaiyodo) LED Mirage Action Figure 2980
(Volks) Bibros 1/100 Scale 19800
(Volks) LED Mirage Raid Gig 1/100 Scale 21800

Evangelion (Medicom)
Kubrick Evangelion 1980
Kubrick Devilman A 1980

Zoids (Tomy)
RZ-014 Godos 600
EZ-012 Brachios 800
RZ-002 Guysack 600
RZ-003 Barigator 600
RZ-010 Pteras 600
EZ-006 Molga 600
EZ-005 Redler 800
EZ-017 Iguan 600
RZ-008 Gordos 3000
EZ-016 Saber Tiger 2000
RZ-013 Cannon Tortoise 600
EZ-022 Gator 600
RZ-019 Double Sworder 600
EZ-018 Saicurtis 600
Hel Digunner 800
EZ-023 Hellcat 600

Macross (Yellow Sub.) VF-22 w/Reatolis Figure 1/144 Scale 8500

2-8-00---- Bandai MG Model Line Rumors

In the Japanese modelling world, it's currently being rumored that Bandai is drwing up plans for Sazabi and Nu Gundam additions to it's MG line. A possible release may come sometime in the near-distant future.

2-8-00---- Gatchaman & Casshan DVD's In Japan

The original Gatchaman series and Casshan have recently been announced for DVD release in Japan by Nippon Columbia. On May 20, 2000, Gatchaman will see it's first two discs released and Casshan will see it's 1st disc volume released. Each disc will be priced at 2,980 Yen per-volume. Following the launch, two volumes of Gatchaman and one volume of Casshan will be released monthly until early Summer, 2001. Each of these volumes will be priced at 4,700 Yen each. There will be a total 27 volumes of Gatchaman and 9 volumes of Casshan released to DVD. No details have yet surfaced on region coding, extras, etc..

Source: Tatsunoko Fanclub USA

2-8-00---- Darkhorse And Digimon

A Dark Horse Comics spokesperson has confirmed that beginning in June of this year a publishing program based on the anime series Digimon: Digital Monsters will start. No creative teams or further details were announced at this time.

Source: Another Universe

2-8-00---- Animeigo Urusei Yatsura DVD Set Update

On the topic of the upcoming Urusei Yatsura DVD set, Robert Woodhead of Animeigo has recently mentioned the following on their mailing list:

We've hit a few snags, but are working through them. We're really being paranoid on the first UY DVD set, because once we get it right, we can pipeline the rest of them out.

2-8-00---- Utena Tarot Card Deck

The Utena Tarot Project has recently completed their doujinshi Tarot Card Deck. More information can be had here.

2-8-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Starfish will release an adaptation of Masamune Shirow's Manga, Gundress, to a new PSX war sim by the same title in Japan in late Feb. In the game, the player contols 5 female agents against multiple criminals in 7 episodes.

Capcom's Naomi / Dreamcast fighting game, Marvel V.S. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes will support VMS, players will earn 3 type of points: N-point (Naomi), D-Point (Dreamcast) and V-Point (Network). Access to new characters and game difficulty increases through collecting more points. The Dreamcast port has 6 play modes: Arcade, V.S., Training, Option, Network Battle, and Score Attack. Players can use their high scores to exchange for secret characters in the Secret Factor screen. The game is expected to be released for Dreamcast and arcade on March 23rd.

SNK's The King of Fighters '99: Evolution for Dreamcast will feature a new Survival Endless Mode and Survival Time Attack Mode. In Survival Endless Mode, the player fights opponents one after another until their energy runs out, a portion of the energy is regained after defeating each opponent. Survival Time Attack Mode tests how many opponents the player can defeat within the time limit. KOF 99: Evolution is slated for release in Japan on March 30th.

Sega has reportedly updated the Dreamcast BIOS ROM in Japan, Asia, America and Europe, to disable the DC Mod Chip, keeping DC owners from importing games.

Nintendo of Europe has revealed that Nintendo's 128-bit Dolphin will be 33% more powerful than Sony's PSX 2.

2-7-00---- Student Takes School To Court Over Loss Of Pokemon Cards

Sixth-grade Californian student, Rudy Donithan-Treat, says his school seized and then lost his Pokemon playing cards, he and and his mother, are taking the school to court to recover a monetary award of $5,000.

Investigators believe the cards were either thrown away accidentally or stolen by someone at the school. The school district has already rejected an informal $500 claim by Rudy and his mother. The two will appear before a court commissioner on Feb. 29th to place his claim.

2-7-00---- Manga Issues Voluntary Recall Of Defective Macross Plus DVD's

Manga Entertainment has issued the following statement in response to growing inquiries of the condition of their Macross Plus DVD releases:

We have noted your concerns regarding our Macross Plus DVDs. If you are not completely satisfied with your Macross Plus DVD, please send them to:

Manga Video
Attn: Macross Plus DVD
P.O. Box 482
Lincolnshire, IL
60069-0482

for a prompt replacement. We will be accepting exchanges from Tuesday February 8th through Monday May 8th. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

Please include all original materials (disc, case) and your address and telephone number inside the DVD case. If you have any other questions, please send an email to dvd@manga.com

We are very proud of the Macross Plus DVDs and we hope that you find them highly entertaining.

Manga Entertainment, Inc.
A Palm Pictures, LLC Company
http//www.manga.com

2-7-00---- Gundam Wing Operation 1 Release Date Set

Bandai Entertainment has announced it's Gundam Wing: Operation 1 DVD is currently scheduled for release on May 16th, English Dubbed and Subtitled VHS will be released simultaneously on this date.

2-7-00---- Yutaka Minowa Site

Official Homepage of the new Vampire Hunter D Movie character designer, Yutaka Minowa can be seen here here.

2-6-00---- Top Anime DVD Sales (Japan) (As Of 2-7)

1. Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Vol. 1
2. Gaogaiger Final OVA Vol. 1
3. Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Vol. 2
4. Card Captor Sakura Vol. 14
5. Card Captor Sakura Vol. 5
6. Turn A Gundam 2
7. (Macross DVD Collection) Macross Plus 1
8. You're Under Arrest Special 6
9. Maho Tsukai Tai 3
10. Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko Mission: 5
11. (Macross DVD Collection) Macross DVD Box Part 1
12. Betterman 6

2-6-00---- Top Manga Sales (Japan) (As Of 2-7)

1. GTO 14
2. H2 33
3. Vagabond 5
4. Flames Of Recca 22
5. Salary Man Kintarou 22
6. Le Cirque De Karakuri 11
7. Fruits Basket 4
8. Angel Sanctuary 16
9. Get Backers 4
10. Good Morning Call 5
11. Major 27
12. Sekaide Ichiban Daikirai 7
13. Tokyo Crazy Paradise 12
14. Gals 2
15. Harlem Beat 28
16. Samurai Deeper Kyo 3
17. Oishii Kankei 16
18. 3X3 Eyes 33
19. Hakomeikyuu Utyuugayondeiru
20. New Gappler Baki

2-6-00---- Top J-Pop Album Sales (Japan) (As Of 2-7)

1. "Genius 2000" - Namie Amuro
2. "Zard Cruising&Live (Limited Edition)" - Zard
3. "Love Is The Message" - Misia
4. "Tonight I'm Yours/B-Side Rendez-vous" - Tomoyasu Hotei
5. "Fresh Brash Old Man" - Snail Lamp"
6. "Recycle: Greatest Hits Of Spitz" - Spitz
7. "Worlds Of The Mind" - Move
8. "Magnum Collection 1999 Dear" - Masaharu Fukuyama
9. "Max 6 Best Hit's In The World '99" - Various Artists
10. "Freedom" - Yuki Koyanagi
11. "The 20th Anniversery Edition" - Motoharu Sano
12. "Best Of Best All Singles Collection" - Maki Ooguro
13. "Muzai Moratorium" - Ringo Shena
14. "DanceMania X5" - Various Artists
15. "The Gentle Sex" - Toshiki Kadomatu
16. "Loveppears" - Ayumi Hamasaki
17. "On The Street Corner 1" - Taturou Yamashita
18. "On The Street Corner 2" - Taturou Yamashita

2-6-00---- Top J-Pop Single Sales (Japan) (As Of 2-7)

1. "Tsunami" - Southern All Stars
2. "Koino DanceSite" - Morning Musume
3. "Gibusu" - Ringo Shena
4. "Tumi To Batu" - Ringo Shena
5. "Don't Need To Say Goodbye" - Ami Suzuki
6. "Neo Universe/ Finals" - L'Arc-En-Ciel
7. "Love" - Day After Tomorrow
8. "Kuchibue" - Mr.Children
9. "Seinaru Umito Sunshine" - The Yellow Monkey
10. "Mago" - Ooizumi Ichirou
11. "Anatano Kisswo Kazomasyo Opus" - Yuki Koyanagi With Trans
12. Hitorino Yoru" - Porno Graffitti
13. "Tell Me" - HIDE With Speed Beaver Universal
14. "Zeus 2000" - Zeebra/Sugar Soul
15. "Millennium" - Yuming + Pocket Biscuits
16. "Anatano Kisswo Kazomasyo You Are Mine" - Yuki Koyanagi
17. "Masimaro" - Tamio Okuda
18. "Pray / Get Into In A Groove" - Every Little Thing
19. "Chokotto Love" - Pucchimoni
20. "Happiness-Winter Mix" - Glay

2-6-00---- American Anime Toy News

North American Toy Company ReSaurus plans to expand their line of Street Fighter action figures adding variant "Player Three" figures, differentiating from the existing "player one" and "two" color schemes, the line may be marketed through an exclusive, unspecified retail outlet. A second ReSaurus line of Street Fighter Jr. figures will be unveiled at the upcoming Toy Fair.

Resaurus is also planning to release a Mach 5 toy from the Speed Racer (Mach Go! Go! Go!) series in late March, including saw blade, a robotic homing pigeon, stilts, and an underwater bubble. The Mach 5 will be packaged with fully articulated figures of Spridle, and Chim-Chim.

North American Dragon Ball Z toy producers, Irwin has reportedly seen a stock increase of 38% by the end of their recent show at the Canadian Toy Fair.

4Kids Entertainment Inc. and Rare Limited to have reached an agreement to have Rare's game-related merchandise distributed by 4Kid's Leisure Concepts, Inc. The agreement covers merchandising, tie-in rights and publishing rights for Jet Force Gemini, and Perfect Dark. Leisure Concepts, Inc. will have non-exclusive basis for all motion picture and television rights for these games.

2-5-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Upstar is currently finishing production on a new WonderSwan Macross battle sim, "Macross: True Love Song", it's scheduled for release in Japan in March. The game will feature a new storyline and character designs.

SNK's Metal Slug 2nd Mission for NGPC is set for release in Japan on March 9th, listing for 3980 Yen. The game will feature new weapons, enemies, and more detailed graphics. Each stage will feature branches, that lead to different enemies and bosses.

In SNK's NGPC release of Last Blade all the characters will be super deformed, each character fights in Power or Skill Mode, Attacks become more powerful in Power Mode, however in Skill Mode it will be possible to perform more combo moves. There are several mini-games in Last Blade including a mini baseball game. Japanese release is slated for March 16th, the title will list at 3800 Yen.

2-5-00---- Sony Acquires North American Rights to Beat Takeshi's 1st American Film

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American distribution rights to Takeshi Kitano's first English Language film, "Brother". The film, which is currently in production in Los Angeles stars "Beat" Takeshi and Omar Epps. The announcement was made jointly by Sony Pictures Classics, the film's producer Jeremy Thomas, who won an Academy Award for Bernardo Bertolucci's film "The Last Emperor", and Masayuri Mori, President of Office Kitano.

Kitano wrote, directed and stars in his first film made in America, in which he continues his investigation into the criminal life that he explored to award-winning effect in the films, "Fireworks", "Violent Cop", "Sonatine", "Boiling Point" and "Kikujiro", among others. The film will feature elaborate action sequences and will continue Kitano's expansion into the international market. A major star in his native Japan, as well as England and France, Kitano has developed a considerable following among devotees in the United States.

In "Brother", Kitano stars as Yamamoto, a Yakuza officer involved in a losing war with a rival family. He travels to Los Angeles in search of his younger brother Ken who he learns is a smalltime drug dealer. The two men join forces with a friend of Ken's, Denny, and become embroiled in a fight with several gangs for control of the LA drug trade. By introducing the Yakuza code of honor into LA's gang wars, the trio prove very successful until the local crime lords discover their own encoding power. "Brother" is slated for a mid-2001 release and stars Omar Epps (E.R., Mod Squad, The Wood) as Denny, Tatyana M. Ali (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Claude Maki, Massaya Kato, and features a special appearance by Tetsuya Watari.

"Brother" is a presentation of the London based Recorded Picture Company, and Office Kitano. It is currently in production for seven weeks in Los Angeles. Parts of the film were also shot in Japan.

"We are very proud of our affiliation with "Brother", Takeshi Kitano's first film made in America", noted Sony Pictures Classics' co-President Michael Barker, whose company is also releasing Kitano's "Kikujiro" which screened at the '99 Cannes Film Festival. "This is the opportunity for his work to be recognized by a wider audience. For us there has not been a filmmaker of his breadth and talent since the great Kurosawa. As writer, director, and actor, Kitano is unparalleled in modern movies. "Brother" is abundant with this fresh and exciting vision."

Source: Business Wire

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