Sound work and post production has recently wrapped in Japan on the final chapter of Sony's latest 2 part Rurouni Kenshin Seisouhen ("Years chapter") OVA. March 20th will see it's release in Japan on DVD for 5,600 Yen. Running time is 60 minutes (45 minutes animation), DVD will be Single Sided, 1 layer / 16:9 aspect / Linear PCM / Stereo / Double Sided color jacket (transparent case) / limted sticker with first presses. Extras include background / character / setting art and cast and staff interviews. Cover Illustration by Aki Matsushima.
Considering the message on the Japanese website for this release mentioning the resonance caused by Kenshin in America being partly responsible for the new series creation, fans in the rest of the world, including North America could be seeing the series brought over shortly.
[ORIGINAL STORY] Nobuhiro Watsuki (Shueisha Jump Comic) [DIRECTOR] Kazuhiro Furuhashi [STORYBOARD/ANIMATION DIRECTOR] Kazuhiro Furuhashi [CHARA DESIGN] Aki Matsushima [SCRIPT] Reiko Yoshida [MUSIC] Taku Iwasaki [ANIMATION PRODUCTION] Studio Deen
For people who can make it Saturday, here's the schedule for the Battle Royale screening in San Francisco, courtesy of Pulp :
"TokyoScope vs. Battle Royale! Book Reading/Signing/Screening
A Walk on the Wild Side of Japanese Cinema:
Meet Patrick Macias, author of TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion & See the Bay Area premiere of Kinji Fukasaku's infamous ultraviolent thriller Battle Royale!
NEW PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE THEATER
2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch
Berkeley, California
(510) 642-1412
www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/pfa/
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
6:30 P.M.:
TOKYOSCOPE READING/SIGNING
-Patrick Macias reads from his new book, TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film
Companion and introduces Kinji Fukasaku's controversial Battle Royale.
7:00 P.M.:
BATTLE ROYALE
-At last! Beverly Hills 90210 meets Survivor meets Sam Peckinpah in Kinji
Fukasaku's ultraviolent, antiauthoritarian epic about schoolkids on a
deserted island stabbing, shooting, and strangling one another for TV
prizes! The teacher: Beat Takeshi.
-More on Battle Royale
9:30 P.M.:
BLOOD AND LAW
-A rare gem from the PFA archives! Real-life yakuza Noboru Ando plays
himself in this classic mid-sixties gangster flick co-starring Bunta
Sugawara and Tetsuro Tanba!!!
Also, www.shockanime.com is up again. The webmaster had this to say in his update:
"ShockAnime.com has finally returned. There are a few things I've added to help out upcoming animators and filmmakers. Genryu's Blade 2 is currently in production. Expect to see it later this year. Also I'm looking for hot flash films for the Films section. Submit your film today."
Source: Daniel
Check out Pulp Online to read about Tezuka's foray into the world of sex and violence (which were meant to provide some social merit) in manga and anime.
CORUS ENTERTAINMENT'S NELVANA SCORES WITH INTERNATIONAL SALES AT NATPE 2002
Programming Deals Secured Include Output Deal with Venevision For Four Shows Plus First Look Option, ABC-TV Australia Licenses Seven Shows, FETV Jumps On Board for 100 Half Hours of Nelvana Animation and More
(Las Vegas, NV/Toronto, January 23, 2002) - An expanded programming roster from animation powerhouse, Corus Entertainment's Nelvana (NYSE: CJR, TSE: CJR.B), garnered the attention of movers and shakers from around the globe at NATPE 2002 this week. Drawing from its expertise of creating quality, age-specific programming, Nelvana is broadening its program options creating a multitude of opportunities for NATPE attendees.
"NATPE provided an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our new, innovative and diverse programming," said Michael Hirsh, President and CEO of Nelvana. "By targeting all key youth demographics and adding to our portfolio of brands known throughout the world we are able to reach entirely new audiences."
Television program executives took notice of Nelvana's roster with many agreements signed at the convention. Among those deals are:
Hot off the NATPE floor was an output deal closed with Venesion Free TV in Venezuela which includes four shows per year and first look options
ABC-TV, Australia signed on to license: "Franklin The Turtle," "Little Bear," re-license "Franklin the Turtle," re-license "Stickin' Around," re-license "George & Martha," license "Blazing Dragons" and "Neverending Story."
FETV in Panama just closed a package deal of more than 100 half hour hours of Nelvana animation
Santa Clause Brothers
Momentum Pictures signed on with a Pan Euro video deal for this last holiday season's runaway hit which launched on the Disney Channel in the U.S. and YTV in Canada. Nelvana produced the animated feature in association with Disney and Film Roman. "Beyblade" Sold to Teletoon France "Berenstain Bears" Sold to PBS Sold to YTV
Beyblade
Sold to Teletoon France
Berenstain Bears
Sold to PBS
Sold to YTV
Braceface
Fox Kids Latin America and Europe ordered two more seasons for a total of 52 episodes
Channel 5 U.K jumped onboard for 52 episodes for their "new teen block"
Sausage Factory (working title)
Sold to TV2 Denmark
Sold to TPS Cinema in France
Sold to MTV Italy
Sold to Sky U.K.
George Shrinks
Sold to PBS KIDS (strip)
Channel 5 U.K. grew with 40 episodes
Medabots
Sold to HV France Television Distribution
Sold to Televisa in Mexico and Caracol TV in Columbia to be part of the Latin America Free TV launch in April 2002
Fairly Odd Parents
Antena 3 and Nickelodeon Spain closed a deal for the sitcom to air beginning July 2002
Sold to Fox Kid's Latin America
Sold to France 3
John Callahan's QUADS
Sold to Canal Jimmy in France
Sold to Canal in Benelux
Sold to Canal in Scandinavia
Cyberchase
Sold to Teletoon France
Committed
Sold to Disney Germany
George & Martha
Sold to La Cinquieme (5) - France
Taina
Sold to France 3 Sold to Disney Italy
With a growing library of over 1,650 cumulative half-hour equivalent episodes, Nelvana's stable of quality TV programs are broadcast in over 160 countries around the world. In 2000-2001, Nelvana launched 23 animated TV series on U.S. networks and specialty services, more than any other supplier, including Disney, Warner Bros., Viacom and Fox.
Thanks to Sany for the above item
ADV FILMS is proud to announce the acquisition of the rights for the home video release of the seminal anime series, Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, from Harmony Gold. MOSPEADA will be presented in a Japanese-language version with English subtitles only.
ADV's release of Genesis Climber MOSPEADA marks the first time ever all 25-episodes of this classic animated series have been made available to North American audiences in their original, uncut form. MOSPEADA was first seen in North America in an English-dubbed format as Robotech: New Generation, the third and final act of the groundbreaking 85-episode Robotech series. The series was modified to fit into Robotech continuity, with major revisions made to the original script and scene sequence. Building on the success of Robotech on DVD, ADV is currently planning a DVD release of this title.
"Taking a cue from the glut of giant transformable mecha as the linchpin for sustaining productions," Robotech producer Carl Macek said, "MOSPEADA chose to go against the norm and personalized the mecha in the form of transformable body armor. The result is a more intimate and believable storyline."
"Fans have been demanding to see MOSPEADA for years," ADV President John Ledford said. "Bringing it to the States is a big honor for us at ADV, and we're especially happy to be releasing it in the Japanese-language, which is the way it was intended to be seen."
It's the year 2083, and mysterious aliens known as the Inbit have ruled the Earth for a generation. A fleet of rebel fighters from humanity's outpost on Mars journeys to Earth to reclaim their homeworld, but they are tragically wiped out, leaving heroic young pilot Stig Bernard as the last survivor. Determined to succeed in his quest, Bernard sets out on a suicide mission to invade the Inbit headquarters. Along the way, he gathers a small group of freedom fighters, along with an assortment of powerful robotic weapons and fantastic transforming vehicles to help his cause. Can this valiant band of rebels stare down extinction and wrest their homeworld from the clutches of their violent oppressors? Or will the human race meet its end?
You can check it out here.
The Right Stuf has uploaded it's latest series oriented banners of Boogiepop Phantom, His and Her Circumstances, and Yamamoto Yohko to it's links section.
Source: The Right Stuf International
IF Labs is going to be filming their own advertisements in the Dallas, Texas area at Planet Anime tomorrow and at Lone Star Comics Thursday. They'll be showing the new line of IF Labs DBZ figures to people, and interviewing them on their thoughts. As an added bonus, the commercial will be an extra on forthcoming Dragonball Z DVDs. Both of the commercial shootings will be at 2:00 pm, so there'll be plenty of wholesome sunshine and natural light. You know, the stuff that Mr.E is afraid of. Thanks for the info goes to THE Aaron Davidson, and John Staudacher, master of the funky chicken. Remember, the shootings are at Planet Anime tommorow (Wednesday) at 2:00pm, and Lone Star Comics Dallas on Thursday at 2:00pm.
The Magic Box reports:
Nec Interchannel has postponed the release date of the PlayStation 2 love adventure game Kanon from February 7 to February 28, the game will retail for 6800 yen.
Namco / Monolith Soft have released new screen shots and details on their PlayStation 2 RPG Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht, there are the 14 supporting characters and 6 main characters in the game, including: Bangeru, Andrew, Peregury, Mahguris, Meri, Sheri, Gainan, Yoakim, Lily, Hamah, Tony, Mathews, Jigi, Junior, Momo, Chaos, Kos-mos and Uzugi.
Namco / Monolith Soft's Xenosaga also features an action combat mini game called A.G.W.S. Battling, in which you can use your robots (AGWS - Anti Gnosis Weapon Systems) to battle, similar to Armored Core 2 and Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation Vs Zion, it is also possible to battle with a friend in 2 players split screen mode. This mini game alone can already be released as a separate game!
Here are some new screen shots of Sega's Sakura Taisen 4: Maidens fall in Love for Dreamcast, the game is scheduled for release on March 21, for 6800 yen. This time there will be a new drama from Royal Embassy Team called "Les Miserables", which will be performed by the girls from the Paris Geki team (the cast of characters from Sakura Taisen 3).
Koei will release Angelique Country for GameBoy Advance in Japan this March, a collection of mini games featuring characters from the popular Angelique series (a simulation game in which you play as a young princess who fight to protect the land and date with her male guardians). The mini games include Columns, sliding puzzles, shooting and action games.
Most popular single by a female Artist - Final Distance performed by Hikaru Utada - downloads 1,188,391
If you're interested, check out an article at Cinescape that describes how the people of the Saitama Prefecture have been trying to convince Toho to film there next Godzilla film there.
ADULT SWIM ACTION CRASHES THE POOL PARTY Saturday Late Night Block Aimed at Adults 18-34 Launches February 23
On February 23, Cartoon Network launches ADULT SWIM ACTION, extending its mission as the world's leader in animated entertainment with a new block of animated action-adventure programming aimed at adults ages 18-34. The block will air only on Saturday nights from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. (ET, PT). ADULT SWIM ACTION will feature three hours of action-packed programming including Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star and Tenchi Muyo!, among others. Saturday, February 23 will also mark the U.S. premieres of three popular Japanese animé imports - Yu Yu Hakusho, Pilot Candidate and Gundam 0083.
The programming line-up and show descriptions follow:
* 11 p.m. Yu Yu Hakusho
* 11:30 p.m. Cowboy Bebop
* 12 a.m. Pilot Candidate
* 12:30 a.m. Gundam 0083
* 1 a.m. Outlaw Star
* 1:30 a.m. Tenchi Muyo!
Yu Yu Hakusho follows the adventures of fourteen-year-old Yusuke Urameshi. Formerly a young rebel, Yusuke saves the life of a child and ultimately surrenders his own life. He is sent back to Earth with a mission to solve troubles between the Spirit World's dark creatures and the unsuspecting Living World. Yusuke joins a motley crew of former rivals, who join forces as friends to fight spirit criminals in this action-packed adventure series.
Following the exploits of the ship Bebop and its bounty hunter crew as they take on various assignments, Cowboy Bebop takes place in the future when the population of Earth has migrated into space. The show follows the exploits of bounty hunters, Spike and Jet, as they roam the galaxy with their dog, Ein, taking on various assignments and tracking down criminals in a hyperspace world rampant with crime and opportunities.
Pilot Candidate tells the story of the planet Zion, under attack by a powerful enemy from deep space. Zion's last hope rests upon a team of fighting machines known as the Goddesses. One trainee, Zero, realizes that it takes more than skill to become a pilot. He and the other pilot candidates must overcome their differences and complete their training or Zion will be destroyed.
Gundam 0083 takes place during the Stardust Memory (October U.C. 0083 - December U.C. 0083) which occurs three years after the end of the war between the Zeon and the Federation, when a group called the Delaz Fleet is formed by the survivors of the Zeon army. Their goal is to rebuild Zeon. Ace pilot Major Anavel Gato steals the Gundam GP02, a nuclear equipped mechanized battle-armor model, in development by the Federation. Lieutenant Kou Uraki pilots the Gundam GP01, the only one left, in an attempt to stop him.
ADULT SWIM ACTION shows will carry ratings of TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-Y7FV. The block will be packaged differently from other Cartoon Network programming, and will contain bumps at every break to notify viewers of the adult-targeted content. ADULT SWIM ACTION will only be promoted on Cartoon Network late at night.
The launch of Adult Swim Action follows the successful launch of Adult Swim in September 2002, a block of animated programming aimed at adults 18-34. Adult Swim premiered with the return of the critically-acclaimed Space Ghost Coast to Coast, new series including The Brak Show and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and acquisitions like Home Movies and Japanese animé import Cowboy Bebop.
Since its Sept. 2 launch, Adult Swim (Sundays & Thursdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.) has contributed to the network's adult 18-34 rating, posting 67 percent growth in ratings and 84 percent growth in delivery compared to 2000. With the help of Adult Swim, Cartoon Network jumped to #8 from last year's #10 ranking in total day delivery of adults 18-34 (177,000). In fact, Cartoon Network's performance with adults 18-34 out-delivers such well-known networks as Comedy Central, FX, VH1, Sci-Fi Channel, the Discovery Channel, E! and TV Land.
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 79.5 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment.
Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd n Eddy and other Cartoon Cartoons. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).
One of the last minute changes is the addition of "Zoids" to weekdays at 4:30 PM, beginning today with episode one. "Zoids" has been previously shown on Toonami and will continue to air weekday mornings in addition to its new weekday timeslot.
From Columbia Tristar final preperations for the release of Metroplis is running smoothly. The film is set to open this Friday in NY and LA and so far the critics' reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Reader, John Montoya has informed us on an additional Metropolis opening:
Opening Friday January 25th
TOWNE 3
1433 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
408-287-1433
FULL-LENGTH, SUBTITLED VERSION
SHOWTIMES--Fri, Mon-Thur: 5:00, 7:20, 9;40; Sat-Sun: 2:30, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
http://www.cameracinemas.com/comngjan.htm
From Jeff:
Thought you might find this of interest...it was just posted today (Tuesday 1/22/02) at Science Fiction Weekly:
An interview with Rintaro where he talks about Metropolis and reminisces about his days working with Tezuka...
http://www.scifi.com/sfw/current/interview.html
and a review of Metropolis, too...
http://www.scifi.com/sfw/current/screen2.html
Also working on the coming Ronin Warriors release, Bandai Entertainment is also looking toward this weekend's release of their film Escaflowne. Due to unforeseen circumstances however, the San Francisco opening of Escaflowne has been delayed. Updated information for SF will be released by the studio in a few weeks. Bandai has just announced one more screening in Los Angeles:
on Jan. 25th:
Pasadena
AMC Old Town Pasadena 8
Union at Fair Oaks
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626)585-8900
Los Angeles
GCC Galleria Cinema
3rd Level of the Mall,
1815 Hawthorne Blvd.
Redondo Beach,CA 90278
(310)777-FILM
New York
AMC Empire 25 on 42nd Street
234 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
(212)398-3939
Chicago
GCC City North Cinema
2600 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773)394-1601
ADV FILMS Acquires Southern Cross from Harmony Gold
January 21, 2001
Houston, TX -
ADV FILMS is pleased to announce the acquisition of the home video distribution rights to the classic anime series, Southern Cross, from Harmony Gold. Southern Cross will be presented in a Japanese-language version with English subtitles only.
ADV’s release of Southern Cross marks the first time all 23-episodes of this seminal anime series have ever been made available to North America in their original, uncut form. Southern Cross was originally released in Japan as a Japanese-language series, and was first seen in North America in an English-dubbed format as Robotech: Robotech Masters, the second act in the 85-episode Robotech series. The series was modified to fit into Robotech continuity, with several script and scene changes made to the original Japanese episodes, including changes to various characters’ names and relationships. Building on the success of Robotech on DVD, ADV FILMS is currently planning a DVD only release of this title.
"Tatsunoko is one of Japan's leading animation studios,” Robotech producer Carl Macek said. “Their ambitious production of Southern Cross in 1984 shows just how much their writers and producers were influenced by Western pop culture. It is a mature storyline that pulls away from typical anime conventions to tell a story acceptable for a global market."
“Southern Cross is a major part of anime history,” ADV President John Ledford said. “Bringing it to the States in its Japanese-language version is a major coup for ADV.”
When the Zor -a warlike alien species - attacks the human colony world of Grolier, the task of saving humanity from extinction falls on the shoulders of hot-headed Jeanne Francaix and the 15th Squadron of the Southern Cross army. But to save their world from extinction, they will have to rely on members of the Zor themselves.
Kool Kizz will release Nakoruru for Dreamcast in Japan on March 21 for 6800 yen, and interactive adventure game ported over from PC, featuring Nakoruru from SNK's Samurai Spirits series. In this game you play as Mika, a young girl who lives in the same village as Nakoruru, who will begin her own adventure with Nakoruru and friends. The Dreamcast port will have a new Memory File function which allows you to save the game to the internal memory at anytime.
Magic Box has new screens of Sega's GameBoy Advance action RPG Shining Soul, scheduled to release in Japan on March 28, for 5800 yen. The game supports up to 4 players simultaneously through link cable.
Thanks to Daniel for these items
FREE Warrior Nun Video Game
Coming soon to www.ben-dunn.com and www.apblast.cjb.net is an exclusive
Warrior Nun Areala RPG video game for FREE. The game will be based off the
First Areala and will be coming online exclusively soon.the game is being
made with RPG maker 2000.
Gold Digger OAV soundtrack Out Soon
For the first time the music from the Gold Digger OAV is now avialble on
CD. All music is by the talented Bill Yarnell. look for it this February online at www.ben-dunn.com,
www.antarctic-press.com and in stores.
Ninja High School back up comments needed and a preview
Ben's site would like comments on the past few issues of NHS's back up series Forevermore from fans. Thoughts can be sent to DarkainArts@hotmail.com.
Ninja High School #91's backup Forevermore, is going to feature a story that has came together based on "Americas new war". Originally in Forevermore, the story was going to take them to the middle east and cover quite a similar plot and story as the backup that will be featured. It is actually the first part of the missions trip that had been mentioned in issue zero. Basically, the Forevermore kids will be going to Afganistan. Sound kinda harsh? Kryokraven has realized that they need to act fast. With american military searching Afganistan for Bin Laden and the taliban, they are worried that they may stumble upon one of the relics. It`s an artifact of incredible power it`s an orb, containing the vengeful spirit of a paladin. Of course the forevermore group isnt told of this. They are told it is an excellent time to try to convert and comfort the Afganistan people as the land returns to peace. However, just to be sure, they are unknowingly sent to a safe village that is already predominatly christian. The following day, it is planned that they will tour an ancient temple where the artifact resides. That is until Hollie and Alan run into some trouble with a special guest star that is eager to ruin their plans.
First reported yesterday, the New York Times' larger piece on anime can be read here, while the pice on Cardcaptors editing can be viewed here.
All Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited
Questions,Comments,News Submissions