The Japan Digital Animation Festival (JDAF) 2001 is holding a world-wide digital animation competition until March 30 in preparation for their festival in May!
The judges will include such animation notables as Mamoru Oshii (director of Ghost In The Shell, Avalon, and Blood The Last Vampire), Tom Sito (named Animation Magazine's list of the 100 Most Important People in Animation in 1996 for work in such films as The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, The Prince of Egypt), and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa (producer of Ghost In The Shell and the Evangelion movies).
An English version of the JDAF homepage is available:
"http://www.jdaf.gr.jp/01_e/frame.html"
1)Last Monday, Tv Azteca broadcast the episode 37 of "Las Aventuras de St. Tail" (Sweet tales of St. Tail), and the day after, begins to re-runs the entry series. There is some question as to whether there was supposed to be 37 or 40 episodes of the series, and whether episodes were edited out.
2)Azteca also announces in the schedule for this weekend, an anime block with Sailor Moon R, Vision of Escaflowne, Yaiba and Captain Tsubasa J, on Saturday, and Slam Dunk returning to Sundays. There is a large animosity among anime fans towards Tv Azteca because they hold the rights to a large number of anime series, including Detective Conan, Mahoujin guruguru ("Los caballeros de Kodai"), Young Robin Hood, The Twins of St. Claire, Little Women, Three mousketers anime, Slam Dunk, Slayers, Ninja Kamui, Yat Anshin! ("Yat 1"), Dragon Quest, B't X, and Zenki, but retire series quickly (as little as less than a week) due to low ratings.
3)Mexico's Channel 5 of Televisa has replace Robotech with Woody Woodpecker and Scooby Doo, and a CGI bock of Best Machines, Max Steel, Voltron 3D, Starship Troopers with Dragon BallZ and Dragon Ball GT. The station also began airing Monster Rancher, in addition to its already running Digimon and Pokemon. Dr. Slump and Ranma1/2 still air mornigs.
4)On January 2nd the Spanish language Cartoon Network premiered new episodes of Pokemon, with Pokemon: the Johto Journeys starting a week later, and began re-running Card Captor Sakura.
5)Thanks to Cesar De la luz for sending along this information. Red Baron, and Virtua Fighter (based on the fighting game) will be air on Univision. Univision acquired the anime tv series 'The Red Baron' and 'Virtua Fighter' from Lain International. Both were produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and dubbed into Spanish in Los Angeles CA. The Red Baron or 'El Baron Rojo' in Spanish (49X30min.) will be in air on February 10th. Kent de la Rosa and his friend Sally, the protagonists of this story, are fans of the new sport of 2020, the metal fight, and Kent will participate with Sally's robot, The Red Baron.
6)TV Azteca is currently running Sailor Moon (they have 199 episodes except 89, the episode was 45 mins long and the dubber Intertrack didn't want to cut it), Magic Knight Rayearth, Captain Tsubasa J, but because of complaints they mov ed Escaflowne from weekdays to Sundays at around 11 AM. It is not known whether they will be showing the Escaflowne movie. The magical girl St. Tail series has replaced Escaflowne in its 1:30pm weekday time slot.
7)The rival national channel of TV Azteca: Televisa is rerunning Robotech and the first season of Virtua Fighter. They are premiering Digimon 01 and rerunning Pokemon. There are rumors they may get His or Her Circumstances and Evangelion this year. On the cable side of things Sakura Card Captors was premiered on Cartoon Network in November, but there is a strong demand for Tenchi to be aired.
8)Unicable (small channel associated to televisa canal 5) aired Revolutionary Girl Utena, renamed of El Anillo Magico, the Magical Ring in English, but took it off after deciding that the content was too strong for young kids. After seeing Utenas rati ng they decided to air Lost Universe, and have been very pleased with the show. There is currently a movement to convince the station to air the last 9 episodes of Utena.
9)Locomotion is actually not exclusive of the DirecTV satellite system, but it's also in Cablevision, but in the expensive packages only. It has many uncut anime, and on January 20 and then Jan 27, they will put a subbed version of AIKA in two parts. They will put this anime in their 2 hour long weekday anime exclusive "Japanimotion" slots. On January 21, they will premiere Ghost in the Shell in Spanish. They are planning to bring these anime later in 2001: rerun Blue Seed, Silent Möbius, Supermilk, Cybuster.
According to this ZD Net article, Capcom and Namco will be co-developing an arcade shooter of the Resident Evil series. Entitled RE: Fire Zone, it's a spin-off of RE:CV, with the ability to play Claire Redfield and Steve Burnside. The game itself is modeled after a Quake-like shooter of Namco's called Gunmen Wars. RE: Fire Zone is expected to be at the AOU Amusement show in Japan; but Capcom doesn't have any plans for a North American release.
Source: dragonballz.com
Project A-ko 2/3/4 DVD: Love and Robots (Hyb)
Isn’t it tragic how space aliens, giant robots, and hostile occult takeovers get in the way of what’s really important? Meet Graviton High’s superpowered schoolgirl, A-ko. She has to fight the evil girl genius, B-ko, for the friendship of the cute ‘n cuddly C-ko, and make the world safe for after school activities! Is it any wonder she can never wake up on time?
Contains:
Plot of the Daitokuji Financial Group
Cinderella Rhapsody
Final
Bonus Features: Meet the Cast, Art Gallery, Production Credits, Chapter Stops, Sneak Peeks, Interactive Menus.
Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, English subtitles.
Date Available - May 8 2001
Format - Hybrid
Genre - Comedy
180 Minutes
Publisher - CENTRAL PARK MEDIA
Rating - 13+
Normal Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $27.00
A 30 track soundtrack for the Studio Pierrot Anime TV Gakkou no Kaidan (School Ghost Story) which is broadcast currently weekly on Sundays on Fuji TV is set for release on March 7th, retailing at 2,913 Yen.
The soundtrack to the Gameboy rerelease of Dragon Quest III goes on sale in Japan March 7th at 2233 Yen.
A CD soundtrack for the recently released PSX title Gunparade March inbcluding original BGM, Tada Akifumi's compositions, and Main and ED (SWEET DAYS) themes is set for Japanese release April 27th at 3000 Yen.
The Gunparade March Main theme single is due on April 27th at 1200 Yen. Both single and album will be released by Pioneer LDC.
Steel Angel Kurumi and Miami Guns seiyuu Rie Tanaka is set to release her long awaited first album to the Japanese market "GARNET" on February 7th, the CD will retail at 2913 Yen. Special reservation edition includes poster.
Future release schedule:
VOL. 3 March 30th of 2001 DVD: ZMBZ- 1153 5,200 Yen
VC: ZMVZ- 1160 6,000 Yen
VOL. 4 April 27th of 2001 DVD: ZMBZ- 1154 5,200 Yen
VC: ZMVZ- 1161 6,000 Yen
VOL. 5 May 25th of 2001 DVD: ZMBZ- 1155 5,200 Yen
VC: ZMVZ- 1162 6,000 Yen
VOL. 6 June 29th of 2001 DVD: ZMBZ- 1156 5,200 Yen
VC: ZMVZ- 1163 6,000 Yen
VOL. 7 July 27th of 2001 DVD: ZMBZ- 1157 5,200 Yen
VC: ZMVZ- 1164 6,000 Yen
Gravitation Vol. 1
February 21st of 2001 DVD: SVW B1455 / 2 episodes / 3,800 Yen
VC: SVW V1455 / 2 episodes / 4,800 Yen
Gravitation Vol. 2
March 23rd of 2001 DVD: SVW B1456 / 3 eps / 5,000 Yen
VC: SVW V1456 / 3 eps. / 6,000 Yen
Gravitation Vol. 3
April 25th of 2001 DVD: SVW B1457 / 4 eps. / 5,500 Yen
VC: SVW V1457 / 4 eps. / 6,500 Yen
Gravitation Vol. 4
May 23rd of 2001 DVD: SVW B1458 / 4 eps. / 5,500 Yen
VC: SVW V1458 / 4 eps. / 6,500 Yen
Whew! January was one busy month for us! And we're not through yet! Here's what we've been up to in January:
Sakura Con
April 27-April 29, 2001
Everett Holiday Inn and Convention Center
Everett, WA
http://www.sakuracon.org
Sakura Con is pleased to announce the addition of Lorraine Reyes, former ADV Art Director and Art/Creative Director of Marketing for Bungie Software.
Lorraine Reyes is a former ADV graduate who now calls
the Pacific Northwest home. She describes her almost
four year tenure at the Houston based anime giant as
follows: "I was the Art Director/Senior Artist. I
had a hand in the packaging design/production for
nearly every title from late 1994 to early 1998.
That's over 100 titles! I've done some background
voices, video opening titles, copyproofed some
subtitled films, created ads for various magazines,
created several logos, spent lots of hours coaching,
guiding and nudging the graphic designers who've
worked on various projects that fell under my
jurisdiction."
More recently, though Lorraine was the Art/Creative
Director of marketing for Bungie Software Products,
Inc. who developed the 3rd person action game, Oni.
Lorraine's artwork has also appeared in Elfquest: Wild
Hunt which has been collected and is currently
available in graphic novel form.
Currently she is an artist for a top secret gaming
project at a top secret software/game development
company at a top secret location somewhere
insignificant in Redmond, Washington.
_______________________________________________________
Sakura Con welcomes back Returning Guest Antonia Levi.
Dr. Levi is an ex-hippie, ex-English teacher,
ex-businesswoman & ex-several other things she doesn't
admit to when she's sober. Dr. Levi is also the
author of "Samurai from Outer Space: Understanding
Japanese Animation", several scholarly articles about
anime and a quarterly column "Toni-chan Explains It
All" which runs in Animeco. Dr. Levi has also written
articles and reviews covering various topics.
At this link, there's yet another article/review on Battle Royale, but this time from someone who saw it at the Rotterdam Film Festival. From the Q+A with the director, this guy got information such as:
-Director Fukasaku had never heard of Survivor and Big Brother (lucky man!) until his visit to Los Angeles last week, so he said he couldn't comment on similarities.
-The film is based on a novel, which was excluded from winning a japanese horror award because it was "too repulsive".
More interesting anecdotes are at the site itself. Also, the reviewer claims that Avalon will be screening in Berlin.
As for game news, Yu Suzuki hints about what Virtua Fighter 4 will be like, courtesy of this zdnet link
Konami's KCEA studio is working on projects for GBA and X Box. The url for this is here.
Sony and NTT are attempting to provide fast-streaming multimedia content over the net, based on information found at this link.
Source: DBZ Kingdom
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #57
By Hiroaki Samura, translated by Studio Proteus.
"The Gathering," part 15 of 15. "The Gathering" concludes with this powerful, gripping chapter. Rin has almost won her way through the checkpoint with her tear-filled story of the death of the parents of the mother she's pretending to be. But as she and Nakaya prepare to leave, the head of the checkpoint has one last question: how could a young woman like herself really have given birth to two children? Before he'll believe her, he wants her to show him the proof, written on her body. If she's caught, it's death for the both of them. How can Rin prove that she's given birth with such a child-like body?
32 pages, black and white, $2.99, arrives in stores on May 23.
DIRTY PAIR: SIM HELL REMASTERED #1
By Adam Warren.
In color for the first time. This four-issue "remastering" of the popular, long-out-of-print black-and-white mini-series "blows it up" for the new millennium with new eye-popping, state-of-the-art coloring by GURU eFX! Every issue also features an additional eight pages of new, never-before-seen Dirty Pair artwork by writer/artist Adam Warren and friends. The story? The Dirty Pair face their greatest challenge yet when Kei confronts the awesome horror of...her employee evaluation. It looks simple: simulations are generated by the Central Computer to test her responses to different situations. But when a mysterious malfunction traps Kei in virtual reality, Yuri must enter the sim to save her...
32 pages, $2.99, arrives in stores on May 2.
SHADOW LADY: SUDDEN DEATH TPB
By Masakazu Katsura.
The fate of the world depends on Shadow Lady finding and sealing up the dreaded Demon Stones, but first she must vanquish the evildoers corrupted by their demonic power. But Aimi Komori has very little left of the magic eye shadow that transforms her into Shadow Lady, and she must transform for perhaps the final time to face the hideous Zera, Arch-Demon of Destruction. If Shadow Lady can't reseal the Demon Stones, Zera will transform into the Demon of Final Destruction, and mankind and demonkind will both buy the farm! Of course, the citizens of Gray City think that Shadow Lady is actually Zera's master, so they're after Shadow Lady's head, too! Collecting issues #19-24 of the series, plus the Shadow Lady Special.
176 pages, black and white, $14.95, arrives in stores on May 9.
GUNSMITH CATS: MISTER V #8
By Kenichi Sonoda, translated by Studio Proteus.
With Goldie out of the picture, you might expect things to settle down with the Gunsmith Cats, but what fun would that be? Apparently, Misty feels the same way, as she breaks the unwritten code of the underground professionals, stealing Bean Bandit's car right out from under his nose -- with Rally watching! Rally and Bean must band together to save Misty and the merchandise in Bean's car, but now they're up against a whole new gang, and the trouble is just getting started.
32 pages, black and white, $2.99, arrives in stores on May 16.
USAGI YOJIMBO #48
By Stan Sakai,
Chizu's in trouble. It was inevitable that, as the tireless leader of the fearsome Neko Ninja Clan, she would eventually be embroiled in its dark politics. Chizu has often favored her clansmen over her master, Lord Hijiki, but they sure don't seem to appreciate it. Caught in a trap sprung by her own comrades, Chizu faces her most challenging task ever, to escape the stronghold of a new enemy -- those who were once her friends.
24 pages, black and white, $2.99, arrives in stores on May 23.
OH MY GODDESS!: PART X #4
By Kosuke Fujishima, cover by Fujishima.
It's opening day for Chihiro's new automotive shop, Whirlwind, and it's also party time for all her friends and colleagues. Once the alcohol's gotten things going, the foxy Chihiro has an idea: why not try to get innocent little Belldandy rip-roaring drunk? What happens when a Goddess First Class gets a little tipsy? One hint: the last thing in the world you can say about Belldandy is that she's a mean drunk. In fact, she's such a kind drunk that she'll use her powers to give everyone what they want -- and every time she gives happiness to someone else, her boyfriend Keiichi is visited by an equal or greater unhappiness. Can he survive long enough to protect Belldandy from herself until she sobers up?
40 pages, black and white, $3.50, arrives in stores on May 30.
LONE WOLF AND CUB VOL. 9: SHADOWS, ECHOES TPB
By Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, cover by Frank Miller.
Water, death, and angry ninja take the foreground in this exciting volume of the legendary Lone Wolf and Cub series. A pitiful ferryboat girl discovers the tragic ways of "A Wife of the Heart," as the Lone Wolf, Ogami Itto, stands against the man she loves. In "Wayward Swords," a rogue swordsman-for-hire learns a valuable lesson about Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, from the Lone Wolf. Afterwards, Ogami once again must face the treachery of the Kurokuwa ninja clan, then becomes a river porter to foil the secret plans of his enemy, the Yagyu clan, and in doing so declares war against them all! The Lone Wolf's actions lead to a nationwide manhunt and an epic, bloody battle unlike any in comics. Don't dare miss a volume of the series that belongs on every bookshelf: Lone Wolf and Cub.
288 pages, black and white, $9.95, arrives in stores on May 30.
Minamicon 7 approaches
It is now less than six weeks to go until anime fandom descends on Southampton for the seventh annual Minami convention. As in previous years the popularity of the event is pushing the capacity of the hotel to its limit, and there is a real possibility that the convention will have to turn people away if they do not pre-register. To avoid disappointment, register now at http://www.minami7.anime.org.uk.
Another Japanese cultural export hits Britain
A Bristol based company, BS Group has announced a partnership with Tokyo Plaza Group, with the intention of opening a chain of pachinko parlours across Europe. The first location will be in London and should open within the next six months.
From The Magic Box:
Capcom has released new screen shots of the upcoming Naomi arcade action game Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation Vs Zion, scheduled to release in arcade this March. This 3D action shooter will allow up to 4 players to battle simultaneously, the story is based on the One Year War series, you can choose to fighting in the Federation side or the Zion side. 8 playable mobile suits are confirmed in the game, including MS-14S Char's Gelgoog, MS-07 Gouf, MS-06S Char's Zaku and MS-06 Zaku in Zion Force; and RX-78 Gundam, RX-77 Guncannon, RX-75 Guntank and RGM-79 GM in the Federation Force. The game is also heading to Dreamcast sometimes this summer.
Sega announced that the Sakura Taisen version of the Dreamcast Console will also receive a price drop on March 1, from 25800 yen to 14800 yen. This version of the Dreamcast includes specially made Sakura Taisen theme Console body, joypad and Visual Memory card. Banpresto has pushed back the release date of their PlayStation SRPG game Super Robot Taisen Alpha Gaiden by one week, from March 22 to 29. The game will still retail for 6980 yen. A Limited Edition of the game will be released on the same date for 9800 yen, which includes special illustration boards, binder, and memory card case.
Nikkatsu plans to release a DVD of the World Cup that will be jointly held by South Korea and Japan in 2002. The DVD will include a function to search games, players, and key scenes. Original interviews will be included also. Nikkatsu will release "J-League 2000 Season Year DVD" in March with more titles to follow in April. The company will triple their DVD releases by next Spring with up to 60 titles.
Pony Canyon will release an original DVD of shot scenes from the sky over the Yaeyama Islands in February. In their "Japan: Vertical Cross from the Sky" series, new features will be enhanced such as changing angles and zoom. Pioneer LDC will put original DVD of combative sports and operas in the market.
DVD's can hold seven times the amount of data found on a CD, can hold eight separate audio tracks and has the capability to present scenes in multiple angles. However, most current DVD's are simply digitized films without fully utilizing DVD's features.
Source: Nihon Keizai Newspaper, January 29, 2001
Source: Neptune Media
Part of the problem may be attributed to the South Korean market. Under South Korean law, theaters must show domestic films for at least for 146 days as a way of protecting the domestic film industry. Also, television commercials advertising Japanese films are not permitted. Additionally, Japanese production companies have not developed a good strategy to penetrate the South Korean film market.
Shockiku and Cinema Service, the largest film distribution company in South Korea have jointly produced "Sunebo" which was released this past December in South Korea and will be released in Japan next summer. As part of their agreement, "Geki Totsu: Shogun Iemitsu no Ranshin " (1989) will be released this February in South Korea. The recent Japanese box office success of the Korean action film "Shiri" should lead to more Korean movies being released in Japan.
South: Nihon Keizai Newspaper, January 28, 2001
Source: Neptune Media
Diamond Comics will be shipping the following Bandai Gundam model kits to a specialty store near you this Wednesday:
NOV005099 GUNDAM GOUF CUSTOM MS-07B-3 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005097 GUNDAM EZ8 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005103 GUNDAM G UNIT AESCULAPIUS 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005102 GUNDAM G UNIT GEMINASS 01 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005106 GUNDAM G UNIT GRIEPE 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005105 GUNDAM G UNIT HYDRA GUNDAM 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005104 GUNDAM G UNIT L.O. BOOSTER 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005100 GUNDAM GOUF FLIGHT TYPE MS-07H8 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005096 GUNDAM RGM-79 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005084 GUNDAM RX-178 HG MK II 1/144 MODEL KI (PU#457)
NOV005083 GUNDAM RX-78 HG 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005094 GUNDAM RX-78-2 MG 1/100 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005101 GUNDAM SNIPER RGM-79 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005095 GUNDAM VS ZAKU II 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005098 GUNDAM ZAKU II 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005093 SILHOUETTE GUNDAM 91 CLUSTER MS F90Y 1/100 MODEL KIT
NOV005090 SILHOUETTE GUNDAM 91 G CANNON MAGNA MS 71-B 1/100 MODEL KIT
NOV005092 SILHOUETTE GUNDAM 91 GUNDAM RXF91A 1/100 MODEL KIT
NOV005087 SILHOUETTE GUNDAM 91 HARDYGUN RGM-111 1/100 MODEL KIT
NOV005091 SILHOUETTE GUNDAM 91 RX-99 NEO 1/100 MODEL KIT (PU#457
NOV005088 SILHOUETTE GUNDAM 91 RXF91 1/100 MODEL KIT(PU#457)
NOV005089 SILHOUETTE GUNDAM 91 VIGNA ZIRAH XM-07G 1/100 MODEL KIT
NOV005085 Z GUNDAM MSZ-006 HG 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457)
NOV005086 ZZ GUNDAM MSZ -010 HG VARIABLE 1/144 MODEL KIT (PU#457
Q: When will new episodes begin broadcasting?
A: Cartoon Network will begin broadcasting new episodes beginning in fall 2001.
Q: What is the home video release schedule?
A: Here is the home video release schedule for the next 3 months. February 20: Imperfect Cell - 17's End; Imperfect Cell - Hunt for 18 March 20: Great Saiyaman - Declaration; Great Saiyaman - Gohan's Secret April 17: Perfect Cell - Temptation; Perfect Cell - Perfection We provide both the uncut and edited versions. Be sure to look for these new splendorous videos at Musicland, Sam Goody's, SunCoast, Camelot, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Blockbuster, Coconuts, Saturday Matinee, Record Town, Strawberries, the DBZ Store online and many other retailers.
Q: When will the History of Trunks Soundtrack be available?
A: Unfortunately, we do not have a clean answer because this project is being handled by an independent third party and is out of our hands. We have been and will continue to contact them to do anything we can to speed the project along.
Q: Will DVD begin simultaneous release with VHS?
A: FUNimation is giving fans what they want by releasing DVD's at an incredibly fast pace. Look for simultaneous release soon.
Q: What is the time-table for the release of Movie 4?
A: Production for Movie 4 is already underway and is going great. We anticipate its release this fall with Movies 5 and 6 to follow.
Q: How is FUNimation progressing with Yu Yu Hakusho and Blue Gender?
A: We are working furiously. We are currently holding actor auditions and creation of the Official Yu Yu Hakusho and Blue Gender web sites is in full force.
Q: What are futureplans for Action Figures?
A: New 5.5" figures are scheduled to hit the shelves this spring. These series 17 figures include Android 17, Android 18, Piccolo w/ cape, Goku, and Vegeta. Irwin will also introduce an assortment that includes Morphing Secret Saiyan Warrior and Striking Z Fighter action figures and many others in the traditional 5-1/2-inch size, as well as collectible 9-inch Dragon Ball Z action figures. Dragon Ball Z Energy Blasters, Dragon Ball Z Capsules, Dragon Ball Z Model Kits and Dragon Ball Z Trunks Time Capsule, which comes with an exclusive 5-inch action figure of the popular character Trunks will also be available. Exciting Model Kits and Capsules are already in stores.
Q: What's the latest news on DBZ video games?
A: Infogrames is currently in the pre-production phase of development for DBZ video games. Soon we will regularly update you on game progress in our Infogrames Update section of the News. Stay tuned!
Q: What other DBZ Merchandise will soon be available?
A: Many new exciting products including DBZ Squeezies from Alpi, Assorted DBZ Jewelry form Starline, DBZ Trinket Box from Tri-Star, DBZ 12" Figures from Irwin Toy, Towel Sets from J Franco and Sons, New Wall Scrolls from Great Eastern, New Backpacks from AD Sutton and New Key Chains from Great Eastern. Go to the DBZ Store to see pictures and descriptions of all these new items in the coming soon section.
Q: Will FUNimation bring other Anime to America?
A: Yes, we are actively working to bring the best of anime to the USA. We will soon be releasing 2 new animes Yu Yu Hakusho and Blue Gender. Yu Yu Hakusho is an exciting show about teenagers fighting in spirit worlds to save the Earth. Blue Gender is a cool Sci-fi series where earthlings must survive by fighting a giant bug-like creature called Blue that has taken over the earth. You can get details and pictures about both of these in the News Section of this web site under New Anime. Continue to look for more quality anime from FUNimation. We will keep you updated here.
Q: What are your future plans on this web site?
A: We plan to expand the site in many ways. We will have contests, chat with the actors from DBZ and the producers, games, more downloadable stuff, insider information, etc. The idea is to freshen the site often, keep you updated and to provide fans with a community for the DBZ family.
The 27 episode Princess 9 TV series was originally planned for a 9 disc release but now it's set for a 6 disc release with the first disc set to contain 5 episodes.
Media Blasters has released their new release announcements for 5/29 this year, it can be read here.
Tsui Hark (the director of the live-action and animated Chinese Ghost Stories) was interviewed about directing a CG 3-d version of Tetsujin No. 28. (Gigantor) at this link:
Here's an excerpt of the item of interest within the interview:
Reporter: Which project are your planning right now?
Tsui Hark: A lot. But my next one should be Iron Man 28 (just a translation), based on the same name comic book by Kosan Koki. It will be a (most likely) Hollywood production with Japanese and American funding. The Iron Man will be fully 3-D CG and the movie will probably be shot in Europe. Currently we are working on casting and the script. Shooting will start this summer and it will be released during the Christmas season of 2002.
All Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited
Questions,Comments,News Submissions