FEBRUARY 27, 2001
Street Fighter II V - Vol.1 (DVD) SRP=$29.95
Street Fighter II V - Vol.2 (DVD) SRP=$29.95
MARCH 27, 2001
Street Fighter II V - Vol.3 (DVD) SRP=$29.95
Street Fighter II V - Vol.4 (DVD) SRP=$29.95
APRIL 24, 2001
Appleseed (DVD) SRP=$24.95
Black Magic M-66 (DVD) SRP=$24.95
MAY 29, 2001
Amon Saga (DVD) SRP=$24.95
Ultraviolet Box Set (2 DVDs) SRP=$39.95
JUNE 26, 2001
Shadow Skill The Movie (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
Tokyo Revelation (DVD)* SRP=$24.95
Landlock (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
Black Magic M-66 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
JULY 31, 2001
Psychic Wars (DVD)* SRP=$24.95
Blood (DVD)* SRP=$24.95
AUGUST 28, 2001
SEPTEMBER 25, 2001
Violence Jack (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
OCTOBER 30, 2001
Vampire Wars (DVD)* SRP=$24.95
Virus Vol. 3 (Dub)* SRP=$19.95
Virus Vol. 3 (Sub)* SRP=$24.95
NOVEMBER 27, 2001
Giant Robo Vol.1 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
Giant Robo Vol.2 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
DELAYED RELEASES:
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (movie) - Coming Summer, 2001!
Ocean's original Dragon ball English voice actors are doing work for a new version showing in Holland, you can read more here and listen to audio outtakes here.
Reader Comments In an interview by Softbank publishing, Sega's Co-COO (Co- Chief Operating Officer) Tetsu Kayama has Quoted that the Playstation2 version of Sakura Wars will not be a Dreamcast port, and that an estimated two fan-service Sakua Wars titles will be released for the Dreamcast. Quoted by Kayama;
"...The PS2 version of Sakura Wars will not be "Sakura Wars4". It's nothing in that direction. It isn't concrete, but there are ideas for a gaiden(side story) to Sakura Wars 3 -it won't be something stupid like a port of Sakura wars 1 and 2. There's a lot of ideas, such as an Director's cut version of Sakura Wars(1) with the edited two chapters included. As the Saturn's sold 700,000, there is an aim this time for 1 million to be sold."
"If there is to be a fan service for Sega fans, this time we will be having Overworks to create about 2 Sakura Wars titles for the Dreamcast. This is promised."
Final Fantasy IX Bandai figures are now out in stores in the U.S., the figures retail for $9.99 and are available in sets of two. One features Zidane and Vivi while the other includes Garnet and Steiner, each with accessories.
Also added here is info and imagery from a production dinner at a Kichijoji area restaurant in January. Assembled there were staff and seiyuu for Bebop and even a few members of the Production I.G. camp, Kitakubo-sensei, director of Blood The Last Vampire and Okiura-sensei of Jin-Roh. Seiyuu Megumi Hayashibara did a sketch (another sketch can be seen here) at the dinner which can be seen by clicking the the link in the paragraph at the above page.
The semifictional Seat Belts group which performed a good amount of the TV series soundtrack is reunited with Yoko Kanno (images can be had here). This page has a fictional excerpt from the 'Jupiter daily report (2043.2.5.)' on the Seatbelt band and the figure Y.K. Apparently in the future a number of the Seatbelts' tunes are remixed and played on pirate net broadcast.
New goods include a number of Cowboy Bebop mobile phone straps featuring character and mecha figurines which can be viewed here. Each retails at 950 Yen and go on sale in Japan at the end of February from StockCube. Hobby shops and Tokyu Hands will carry them. A new 2001 year calender has also been produced (images viewed here). It features a number of stunning images (some from the new movie), retails at 1,200, and goes on sale between the end of February and early March from Movic. Look for it in Animate stores. The calender will cover 2 months for each image and starts with the month of April 2001.
Media of Gundam Battle Online for DC is available at this link.
Climax, developer of Blue Stinger and Illbleed will now be known as Crazy Games. Illbleed itself will hit North America in February and March 29 in Japan. This information was found here.
Bandai plans to sell 1.8 million WonderSwan units in Japan during the fiscal year ending March 22. If Bandai reaches it's goal, there will be 3 million units sold. But Bandai's also expected to announce an $8.5 million loss in it's WSC operations for the year to March 2001. And while Bandai is considering selling the game system to North America and Europe, it's current focus is in Japan. This info was obtained, courtesy of this location.
Computer Entertainment Software Association (CESA) announced nominees for the upcoming Japan Game Awards, which will be held as a part of an eve festival for the Tokyo Game Show.
Gold Award Nominee
Title Developer Platform
Zelda: Mujora Nintendo N64
Dragon Quest VII Enix PS
Final Fantasy IX Square PS
Fantasy Star Online Sega DC
Gunparade March SCE PS
New Wave Award Nominee
Title Developer Platform
Korokoro Karbie Nintendo GB
Fantasy Star Online Sega DC
My Summer Vacation SCE PS
Overseas Nominee
Title Developper Platform
Ages of EmpireII Microsoft PC
Diablo II Blizzard PC
Tomb Raider IV Eidos PC, DC, PS
You can catch a pic of Sonic for GBA at this link and Chu Chu Rocket for GBA at this one. Chu Chu Rocket will include a 4-player multi-player feature and a level editor.
PlayStation is, getting a PS3 generation out in 2002. The PlayStation 3 GS will feature 256Mb of on-die DRAM. The current implementation has just 32Mb of embedded memory. 'GS 3' will be capable of handling 75 million polygons per second with a fill rate of 1.2-2.6 billion pixels per second. Its 2Kb internal bus provides a bandwidth of 48GBps. Speaking at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference, held this week in San Francisco, the designer of the Graphics Synthesiser (GS), Simplex Solutions, unveiled a .18 micron chip almost twice the physical size of the .25 micron PlayStation 2 version (21.3mm x 21.7mm, compared to just 16.8mm x 16.88mm). Go here for more.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/3/16752.html
Source: DBZ Kingdom ( http://dbz-kingdom.com )
According to the Friday, Feb. 9 update of www.cinescape.com, Aaron Smith at Monster Zero confirmed the AICN info. He's also added that Baragon(from Frankenstein Conquers the World and Destroy All Monsters) will make an appearance as well as Angilas. Fuyuki Shinada-who designed Biollante-will be designing these monsters. cinescape.com finishes with a speculation that Godzilla will have "another new look".
Source: DBZ Kingdom ( http://dbz-kingdom.com )
Argent Soma Image Album "For The Future Lovers" goes on sale April 21 at 2,900 Yen.
As a side note, Pocket Monster Best Songs Collection 2 goes on sale on March 28th at 2,300 Yen.
Gall Force Movie: Eternal Story -
Dolby NR - 86 minutes - single layer - 4:3 - 3,800 Yen
Gall Force: 'Two Destructions' - Dolby NR - 53 minutes - single layer - 4:3 - 3,800 Yen
Gall Force Stardust Capter Conclusion - Dolby NR - 80 minutes - single layer - 4:3 - 3,800 Yen
Extras include song additions, video compilation clips and more.
File 1 Nagasaki Compilation -
March 21st - 4800 Yen
File 2 - April 25th - 4800 Yen
File 3 -
May 23rd - 4800 Yen
File 4 - June 27th - 5800 Yen
Swapped out copies of the Rurouni Kenshin TV Vol. #1 are finally making it both into retailer and customer hands these days, and it looks like there's some interesting changes with it. The first change is one way that you can tell which version you have, but only if you actually open the package. The new version is produced on a DVD-9, or dual layered, disc. This means that the bottom side of it will be gold-reflective as opposed to the silver-reflective DVD-5 single layer disc.
The phase inversion of the audio tracks has been fixed, but the first episode is still reversed (as opposed to the original disc where all four episodes were reversed). The subtitles have been tweaked in terms of spelling mistakes and the main menu now has music. The layout of the disc is also similar to more recent ones from Media Blasters, which means the branched openings/endings are gone and one straight video track is laid out instead.
Also noted is that with it now being dual layered, video quality is much improved over the original release. The one seeming downside is that the image gallery is short many of the pictures that were on the original release.
Sailor Moon S TV Series 3: Labyrinth (D) [Toonami Version]
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - Dubbed in English
Genre - Adventure
60 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - ALL
Normal Price: $14.98
Sale Price: $13.49
Sailor Moon S TV Series 3: Labyrinth (D) Uncut
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - Dubbed in English
Genre - Adventure
70 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - 13+
Normal Price: $14.98
Sale Price: $13.49
Sailor Moon S TV Series 3: Labyrinth (S)
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - English Subtitles
Genre - Adventure
70 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - 13+
Normal Price: $14.98
Sale Price: $13.49
Sailor Moon S TV Series 3-4:Labyrinth/Birthday Blues DVD (Hyb)
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - Hybrid
Genre - Adventure
140 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - 13+
Normal Price: $29.98
Sale Price: $26.99
Sailor Moon S TV Series 4: Birthday Blues (D) [Toonami Version]
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - Dubbed in English
Genre - Adventure
70 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - ALL
Normal Price: $14.98
Sale Price: $13.49
Sailor Moon S TV Series 4: Birthday Blues (D) Uncut
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - Dubbed in English
Genre - Adventure
70 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - ALL
Normal Price: $14.98
Sale Price: $13.49
Sailor Moon S TV Series 4: Birthday Blues (S)
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - English Subtitles
Genre - Adventure
70 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - ALL
Normal Price: $14.98
Sale Price: $13.49
STARZ! PREMIERES PRINCESS MONONOKE IN FEBRUARY
Animated Japanese Epic Features Voices of Angelina Jolie, Billy Bob Thornton, Gillian Anderson, Minnie Driver, Claire Danes, Billy Crudup and Keith David
Englewood, Colo., February 9, 2000 - On February 22 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, STARZ! premieres Princess Mononoke, Japanese writer-director Hayao Miyazaki's acclaimed story of the struggle of man against nature.
Artistically unchanged from the original film created by Miyazaki and his collaborators at Studio Ghibli in Japan, the English version of Princess Mononoke features the voices of some of today's most talented actors: Angelina Jolie (the upcoming Tomb Raider), Billy Bob Thornton (A Simple Plan), Gillian Anderson ("The X-Files," The House of Mirth), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), Claire Danes (The Rainmaker), Billy Crudup (Almost Famous) and Keith David (U-571). Seen in limited release in the United States, Princess Mononoke earned nearly $150 million at the box office worldwide.
Although it is set in ancient Japan, the message of Princess Mononoke is, at once, universally timely and timeless as the story centers around the dilemma of man's coexistence with nature, especially in an industrial age. In a world where problem-solving is impossible to simplify and there is a consequence to every action, Japanese Prince Ashitaka (Crudup), defending his village from a mysterious monster, inadvertently kills a protector-god from a distant region and finds himself the victim of a curse. As he searches the land for a cure, he stumbles into the center of a war over the woods, sparked by the presence of a tribe of iron forgers, led by Lady Eboshi (Driver). Although Eboshi has an altruistic interest in creating a sanctuary for outcast lepers, her colony is damaging the forest as they focus on the manufacturing of weapons. When their once lush woods deteriorates to wasteland, the animal gods of the forest, led by Moro (Anderson), a wolf god, and Princess Mononoke (Danes), a beautiful human raised by wolves, must battle to survive. Ashitika strives for a peaceful solution as he finds himself torn between his loyalty to the human race and his love and respect for Princess Mononoke.
AnimEigo News Bulletin Immediate Price Reductions from AnimEigo
The Suggested Retail Price has been lowered to $9.95 on the following items. Please adjust your systems accordingly.
AS098-032 * Crusher Joe - The Movie (sub) * VHS * Anime subtitled * 7-37187-00275-5*1-56567-274-7 * 125 min
AS098-033 * Crusher Joe - The Movie (dub) * VHS * Anime dubbed * 7-37187-00277-9 * 1-56567-276-3 * 125 min
AS098-036 * Crusher Joe - The OVA's 1 & 2 (sub) * VHS * Anime subtitled * 7-37187-00302-8 * 1-56567-206-2 * 113 min
AS098-037 * Crusher Joe - The OVA's 1 & 2 (dub) * VHS * Anime dubbed * 7-37187-00303-5 * 1-56567-207-0 * 113 min
AT089-001 * MADOX - 01 (sub) * VHS * Anime * subtitled 7-37187-00001-0 * 1-56567-000-0 * 50 min
AT094-001 * Shonan Bakusozoku - Bomber Bikers of Shonan (sub) * VHS Anime * subtitled * 7-37187-00070-6 * 1-56567-069-8 * 52 min
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!
CPM is unable to cut a deal with Fox kids being that CPM doesn't own the TV rights to Slayers. Fox Kids has dealt directly with the licensor to broadcast Slayers. We are cooperating a much as possible because it is in our best interests. it looks like Fox will be using the dub that we have already produced.
In their Japan section, here [AICN] mentions that the new Godzilla will go back to the the 60's Godzilla, where he'd fight many monsters. Godzilla is expected to fight King Gidorah, Mothra and Radon.
Regarding ADV's plans with Lady Death:
1) In the vain of the recent release of ADV Japanese collaboration Sin, there is news about the status of their adaptation of the Chaos comic book Lady Death. Comics2Film spoke with Andy Orjuela of ADV Films about progress on the Lady Death Animated movie. The movie was announced in August of 1999 with a targeted release date of Halloween 2001.Orjuela tells C2F that work is proceeding ap ace on the movie, although recent milestones are unlikely to excite fans. "We're getting storyboards on a daily basis from Japan. Chaos is reviewing the storyboards," Orjuela said. "We're going over fine details and streamlining the process. It's a slow and tedious process."
2)While ADV is hoping to have the movie out this year, Orjuela is reluctant to impose a deadline that would adversely impact the quality of the movie. Likewise, recent developments have changed the game plan for the movie slightly. "Ideally what w e'd like to do, as opposed to sending this straight to video, is to have it in a broadcast ready format instead and maybe do a cable release," Orjuela told C2F. "So basically we've just switched gears on the entire movie. The budget has increased and we've gotten additional funding. So it looks like it can be bigger, badder and better! We don't want to rush anything."
Source: DBZ Kingdom
Square has to restructure it's company, after "a net loss for the first fiscal quarter in its operating history." Hironobu Sakaguchi will no longer be VP of Square, but will move down to Executive Producer. Square CEO Masahi Hiramatsu will become the executive director, while company president Tomoyuki Takechi will become a contractual consultant. Losses for the company have been attributed to the company's film projects. The url for this is at this ZD Net Piece.
Sony explains the reason for Popolocrois 3's delay, while mentioning the development of a part 4 at this article.
Sega has hinted that they might be collaborating with Square on a new arcade game. Also, Sega will make a major announcement about an arcade project at the AOU show. This information was provided by this link.
Yu Suzuki has announced improvements for Shen Mue 2 here. These improvements include: the ability to speed up time, 4 different choices for questioning an NPC, and a map which can be seen on the main screen, instead of the sub-screen.
The creator of Space Channel 5(Mizuguchi) is working on a new music game tentatively titled "K-Project". Details about that project are located here.
Capcom has announced a Resident Evil: Code Veronica "Complete", which will be available for PS2 and DC on March 22. Supposedly, the graphics will be improved and there will be additional footage. More details can be had here.
The DC RPG Record Of Lodoss War has been set to hit the U.S. market on February 27th.
PC Game Watch has posted high-resolution images from Capcom's new Gundam fighting game, Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeon VS Federation. View them here. McFarlane Toys revealed they are folowing up on their MGS line of action figures with a new line of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty figures. Prototypes are expected to be on display at Toy Fair this month.
Core Magazine has posted this interview with MGS creator Hideo Kojima and character designer Yoji Shinkawa.
TOKYOPOP Launches 'Who Wants to be an Otaku?'
Online trivia game gives fans chance to test their knowledge of anime and manga
February 8, 2001 - TOKYOPOP(tm) has just launched 'Who Wants to be an Otaku?', an online trivia game that lets fans test their knowledge with questions such as "In El Hazard, what is the key to Mr. Fujisawa's strength?" The questions start out easy and get increasingly more difficult as the game goes on. Fans that answer 10 consecutive questions correctly get listed on the "Record of Official Otaku" and are eligible to win prizes from TOKYOPOP.
To play the game, just go to:
01 Tina (Final Fantasy VI: Piano Collections)
02 Kids Run Through the City (Final Fantasy VI: Piano Collections)
03 Mizu no Miko Eria (Final Fantasy III: Yuukyuu no Kaze Densetsu)
04 Melody of Lute (Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon)
05 Eyes On Me (Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VIII)
06 Tenderness in the Air (Final Fantasy V: Piano Collections)
07 Fragments of Memories (Final Fantasy VIII: FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC)
08 Main Theme of Final Fantasy IV (Final Fantasy IV: Piano Collections)
09 Balamb GARDEN -Ami (Final Fantasy VIII: FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC)
10 Lenna's Theme (Final Fantasy V: Dear Friends)
11 The Successor (Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VIII)
12 Music Box (Final Fantasy V: Dear Friends)
13 Theme of Love (Final Fantasy IV: Piano Collections)
14 Theme of Aerith (Final Fantasy VII: Reunion Tracks)
15 Welcome to Our Town (Final Fantasy IV: Piano Collections)
16 Rydia (Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon)
17 Shin-ai Naru Tomo e (Bonus Track)
"POTION -Relaxing with Final Fantasy" will be released by Sony Music Entertaiment and distributed by Digicube on 2/21, priced 2,345 Yen.
According to
this piece, Sony's
delayed numerous Japanese games, including Popolocrois Story III.
Capcom
finally has pictures of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure 5 for PS2 at
this ZD Net article, this
game will be more of an action than fighting game.
The Japanese
Dreamcast Magazine has a demo of Hundred Swords. Pictures and mpegs are
available here.
Pokemon Gold and Silver take a position slide to number 2 and 3, with Mario Tennis for
GBC being given the number 1 spot of the week. This is from
ZD Net.
Also,
Sega President and CSK chairman Isao Okawa has given up his shares in Sega,
in order to help with the company's transition from hardware to software.
The transaction is valued at $560 million, while Sega got an additional
donation of $730 million from Okawa. This news was posted at
this link.
According to Madman's Cafe Sega has announced their next gal-game release; "Love Hina -Smile again". "Love Hina -Smile again" will be the first game on the DreamCast to be sold only as limited edition sets. All copies of the game will include the following set of goods; Neckpiece (Neckpiece, 3 mascot figures) Lunch set (Luncheon mat, chopsticks, chopstick rest) Onsen set (Bath towel, Bath bowl) "Love Hina -Smile again" is scheduled for release on 3/29, priced 8,800 Yen.
From The Magic Box:
More discounts from Sega! Sega will reduce the price of the Hello Kitty Version of Dreamcast from 34,800 yen to 24,800 yen in Japan in March. The retail price of the Sakura Taisen Version of Dreamcast will also reduced from 25,800 yen to 15,800 yen.
Capcom has released new screen shots of their PlayStation 2 3D action game Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Chapter 5 (tentative name). The story is based on the 5th adventure in the manga series, the whole game will be in 3D, with comic book style graphics and animation. Six playable characters and their stands are confirmed.
From Software announced the new features to be included in Armored Core 2: Another Age for PlayStation 2, scheduled to release in Japan sometimes this spring. The game will have a new VS Mission Mode, to allow two players to compete in the missions. There are also 26 new parts for the mechs, as well as a total of 100 missions. Another new feature is the network battle mode, which allows you to battle over the internet using the USB modem.
ESCAFLOWNE DVDs 5 & 6 PRODUCTION UPDATE
Charles, Richard, and Satoshi are scheduled to visit the studios on Friday to check Escaflowne DVD 5 and 6.
GUNDAM M.S. WAR CARD GAME
Check out GundamOfficial.com for news about the new trading card game based on Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.
NEW ANIMEVILLAGE UPDATE
We're running through the website now making small typo fixes and running some data transfer tests.
SABER MARIONETTE DVD 2 PRODUCTION UPDATE
Richard is working on the next music video, featuring Cherry, for Saber Marionette DVD Collection 2. The first music video, entitled Lime Musical Circuit, is on the first SMJ DVD Collection DVD and should be appearing in stores within the next few weeks.
Fresh off the wire--some original Irwin news!
This is the tentative lineup for the "Double-Punch" figure line, along with their action moves:
Super Saiyan Goku - Double Kick
Super Saiyan Vegeta - Flip
Super Saiyan Trunks - Side Kick
Piccolo - Double Upper Punch
There's no word yet on how the action features will work, when these might be released, or on how much they might cost, but check back on Saturday, these figures will surely be in our exclusive Toyfair coverage!
The Official Dragon Ball Website has posted a transcript of an interview with voice actors, Chris Sabat (Vegeta, Piccolo and Yamcha) conducted by Pojo Magazine.
All Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited
Questions,Comments,News Submissions