Beginning in January 2005, the new pay TV output agreement grants Starz Encore the exclusive, first-run pay television rights to all films released theatrically in the United States by SPE, including Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics, for six years.
The pact includes the largest-ever domestic commitment to exploit the Sony Pictures Entertainment inventory.
It's currently unknown what Anime factors are, or will be involved in this agreement. However, given Encore Media's recent embrace of Japanese Animation Movies, OAV, and TV series from a number of domestic licensing companies; SPE Japan's mounting Anime catalog of first-class creations in Japan; and finally SPE's recent declaration of entry into the American Anime broadcast market by seeking an American outlet for the Rurouni Kenshin TV Series, this agreement may have wide-reaching implications for the Anime Industry in this country, the full results of which may not be seen for another half-decade.
Armitage III: Perfect Collection (OAV episode compilation, $24.98)
Bastard! Vol 1 - 3 ($29.98 each)
Dual (listed as 'proposed' in all formats. $29.98 each)
El Hazard (OAV series)
Fatal Fury OAVs ($29.98)
Hyper Doll ($19.98)
Key the Metal Idol
Kishin Corps
Moldiver ($24.98)
Nanako (Another new acquisition, $29.98 each)
Phantom Quest Corp ($24.98)
Please Save my Earth ($29.98)
Ranma OAV box set ($119.98)
Square and NTT Communications in Japan will partner to create the new online service (to be utilized by FFX and FFXI), "Play Online". The service will support online game services, email, chats, e-commerce, and e-distribution (ie: downloading music and manga from the internet.) Slam Dunk creator and popular manga artist, Takehiko Inoue will be among the first to allow users to access his creations via the service.
Eidos Interactive has announced that the official American title of Berserk for Dreamcast (out March 4th) will be: "Sword of Berserk: Guts' Rage."
Takara has pushed back the release sate of their PSX Robot Battle Sim, Brave Saga 2 to this May.
SNK's upcoming Neo Geo Pocket Color RPG, Evolution, will feature a new Chat System, allowing players to communicate with team members. The built-in calendar function of the NGPC, serves as a catalyst to activate special conversations of the characters at specific dates. The game is slated for Japanese release on February 10th.
The rules are as follows:
-The story must include at least one recognizable character from an anime
series.
-No more then 4,000 words max - about 8 pages.
-Gratuitis violence and sexuality are not alowed and will not be judged -
think about what might be allowed in a PG-13/AA movie. (I know, bad choice,
but at least it gives people a guideline.)
-Space is limited to the first 35 entries.
-Submissions may be made by e-mail or snail-mail, but snail-mail entries
will be given higher priority.
-A pen name may be used but you must include your full, real, name along
with mailing address and daytime phone number.
-Deadline for entries is no later then April 24, 2000.
Winning entries will be read at the convention, as well as published in a fan zine, with all proceeds going to charity.
Complete rules and mailing address may be found on Anime North' web page: www.animenorth.com
On a page of The Hollywood Reporter listing what it considers to be the five hottest animated properties at NATPE, Card Captor Sakura is listed, accompanied by a small reproduction of an artbook picture of Sakura, Tomoyo, and Meilin in formal Japanese/Chinese dress. The spot reads:
"CARDCAPTORS"
'The Pitch': After a precocious young girl accidentally unleashes on the world
a powerful and ominous deck of playing cards, she is swept up in a flurry of
action and adventure as she gains extraordinary powers to capture each card.
Riding the "Pokemon" wave of merchandisable Japanese anime, Canadian animation
powerhouse Nelvana nabbed the North American rights to this 70-episode series
from Kodansha in Japan.
'Seller': Nelvana Limited
Gainax's recently released Windows 9X-J Neon Genesis Evangelion Typing Project E, typing game is designed to sharpen the keyboard skill of novice - to advanced computer users while allowing them to engage in the action of Eva.
Maya and others in the Evangelion guide the user with lessons based on major memorable scenes from TV series. Features:
-In Ibuki Maya's Typing Course for Beginners, Maya instructs users how to type, step-by-step.
-The program includes mant Eva SD characters.
-Mission 1 - Stop the Runaway Jet Alone: Correctly type the words appearing onscreen and catch the Jet Alone!
-Mission 2 - Asuka Strikes!: Jump from ship to ship in Unit Two while dodging Angel attacks.
-Mission 3 - Dance Dance!: Train with Asuka for the unison attack from Episode 9: "Dance Like You Want To Win."
Type the words correctlya and SD versions of Asuka and Shinji will change their dances.
-Mission 4 - Lock On Target An Fire: Defend Tokyo-3 by typing words appearing on the Angels' heads within the time limit.
Specifications:
Neon Genesis Evangelion--Typing Project E
Price: 4800Yen (plus tax)
On Sale Dec. 24, 1999
System Requirements:
OS: Windows 95-J with DirectX 5.0, or Windows 98-J
CPU: 166MHz Pentium or later
Memory: 32MB minimum
30MB minimum free harddisk space
CD-ROM: 4x Speed or faster
Display: 640x480 resolution, Highcolor (16-bit) or more, full screen mode Display and sound drivers must be compatible with Windows 95 or Windows 98, and DirectX5.0
Audio requires PCM soundboard.
WAVE, MIDI output, keyboard, mouse required
Software Sculptors' DVD ROM release of Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Rose Collection 2, scheduled to be out on 3/21 will be comprised of Shojou Kakumei Utena TV episodes 8-13 (144 Min.), the disc isexpected to retail at $39.99. Features Include:
The Songs, Interactive Menus, Chapter Stops, DVD Sneak Peeks, Spoken Langueges: English & Japanese With English Subtitles, DVD-ROM featuring: Original Script, Art Gallery, Links To Software Sculptors and AnimeOne Websites
Utena never wanted to be a Duelist. She came to the Ohtori Academy in the pursuit ofthe mysterious prince from her past, not to fight for the possession of the Rose Bride. The problem is that the Rose Bride - Anthy - is more than just a prize - she's Utena's friend.
But the President of the Student Council is also a Duelist, and he may be Utena's long-lost prince as well. Can Utena fight the man she loved since childhood? If she does'nt, her best friend will lose her freedom!
Chapter Stops:
1. Curried High Trip
2. Divine Justice
3. Castle Where Eternity Dwells
4. Just Fantasies
5. Nanami's Precious Thing
6. Something Unusual
7. Gracefully Cruel
8. What is the Destiny?
9.
For Friendship, Perhaps
10. Time For Us To Go Back
11. Tracing A Path
12. End Credits
Ryo Mizuno: The Creator of Record of Lodoss War and Legend of Crystania, Mr. Mizuno is making his U.S. convention debut appearance at Anime Central 2000.
Tomoko Taniguchi: Artist and writer of the shoujo manga Call Me Princess, published by CPM Manga. Ms. Taniguchi's work has been previously seen in the U.S. in Colleen Doran's "A Distant Soil". Ms. Taniguchi is making her U.S. convention debut.
Tsukasa Kotobuki & Daiken Yoko-o: The artist of Saber Marionette J and his dutiful terrorist assistant return once again to the Windy City, they can't get enough of the fans!
Crispin Freeman: Mr. Freeman is the American voice actor who has supplied the voices for such characters as Hallas and Zelgadis in The Slayers, Touga Kiryuu and Dios in Revolutionary Girl Utena and Captain Tylor in the Irresponsible Captain Tylor. He also does script adaptations for the TV show Pokemon and has done some incidental voice acting for the movie, Grave of the Fireflies. Mr. Freeman is a return guest from ACen99 and we're happy to have him back in Chicago!
Steve Bennett: The loveable, huggable front-man of Studio Ironcat makes his way to Anime Central to dispense his wisdom and share experiences of his many years working on anime in the 80s and forming a comic book company. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll paint cels.
Robert DeJesus: One of the premier american manga artists for Antarctic Press, Mr. DeJesus has done many titles such as Ninja High School and Not Ninja High School.
Bruce Lewis: Personable fellow and professional artist since 1992, drawing comics such as Star Blazers, Gall Force: Eternal Story, Votoms, & Robotech: Invid War Aftermath. Don't let his outward appearance fool you, this smooth operator knows how to teach you a thing or two about drawing manga-style.
C.B. Cebulski: Former editor in chief of CPM Manga.
Saturday, Feb. 5th:
4:00 PM: Sailor Moon R
4:30 PM: Castle In The Sky
Saturday, Feb. 12:
12:00 PM: My Neigbor Totoro
1:00 PM: Panda And The Magic Serpent (Taiji Yabushita, 1958, 76 min
A supernatural adventure based on a Chinese folk tale about a young scholar who falls in love with a white serpent that has been transformed into a human girl. First feature-length Japanese animated film and the first in color.)
3:00 PM: Sailor Moon R
3:30 PM: Tezuka (Kimba The White Lion: World Premiere Re-release
Osama Tezuka, 1966, 25 min
A plucky lion cub with a cute lioness girlfriendä His father is killed and he must take over as kingä But first he must vie for power with his evil usurping uncle who is supported by a band of cackling hyena lackeys. Sound familiar? Well it's not Simba, it's Kimba -- the original 1966 lion king, Kimba the White Lion, seen for the first time in over 25 years.
Astroboy:
Osamu Tezuka, 1963, 25 min
The adventures of a robot boy who, although a product of technology himself, sets out to combat those who would exploit technology for evil.
Princess Sapphire:
Osamu Tezuka, 1967, 30 min
A European princess is raised as a prince in order to protect her country from evil. The first in a long line of anime featuring a strong female as the central character.
Jumping:
Osamu Tezuka, 1984, 7 min
This humorous film takes the viewpoint of someone (or something) jumping through streets, forests and oceans and into the flames of an atomic bomb. Made in a single shot with 4,000 drawings.
Broken Film:
Osamu Tezuka, 1985, 6 min
Tezuka deliberately stained, damaged and cut his work in this homage to silent-period animated movies.)
4:00 PM: Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind
Sunday Feb. 13th:
11:00 AM: Tezuka
11:30 AM: Sci-Fi Anime (DragonBall Z: The Tree Of Might: US Theatrical Premiere
Daisuke Nishio, 1990/1998, 60 min
The hugely popular Dragonball Z is an intergalactic version of the eleventh century Chinese text, Journey to the West. Goku is sent by an alien race to destroy the planet Earth but loses his memory and grows up as a human, using his super powers to defend Earth from its enemies and to search for the seven dragonballs which bestow great powers on the possessor.
Gundam 0080: War In The Pocket:
Yoshiyuki Tomino, 1981, 25 min
Japan's premiere animated robot space saga tells the story of a civil war of the future between Earth and a rebel space colony.
Starblazers: Battleship Yamato:
Yoshinobu Nishizaki/Toshio Masudo, 1974/1980, 25 min
It's 2199 and radiation bombs from the planet Gamelon will make Earth uninhabitable in one year's time. This is the series that began the anime sci-fi craze and sets the standard for intense storytelling, fast action, and stark, bold graphic design.)
1:30 PM: Panda And The Magic Serpent
2:00 PM: Ranma 1/2: Big Trouble In Nekonron China (U.S. Theatrical Premiere
Shuji Iuchi, 1991, 74 min
The first film based on the enormously popular (both here and in Japan) manga by Rumiko Takahashi is an action comedy about a teenage martial artist who turns into a buxom redheaded girl when doused with cold water, and back into a boy when doused in hot water. Shown with the first episode of the TV series, which introduces the charactes and explains the origin of Ranma's condition.)
For More Information Visit The Official Website
Guardians Of Order also announced today that the Sailor Moon Collectible Button Men Combat Game, based on Cheapass Games' popular Button Men game, was now at press. The game is expected to ship within a few weeks. The Sailor Moon Collectible Button Men Combat Game uses the standard Button Men rules, with several new rules and features unique to the Sailor Moon universe. The first six sets each include a rules booklet and two collectable buttons that feature the most popular characters from the series. The company announced that quantities of these button sets would be limited, and that they would not be reprinted.
"We have plans to produce additional button sets for the game," Phythyon said, "but this will be the only print run for this particular set. Retailers and distributors are encouraged to make certain they have ordered sufficient quantities of the six collectable sets because once they're gone, they're gone."
-Tsunekazu Ishihara: President of Creatures Inc., sole producer of Pokemon merchandise
-Masakazu Kubo: Executive Producer of the Pokemon TV series and movie
-Takashi Kawaguchi: Director, Planning Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Playmates has released an image of it's upcoming Monster Rancher toy line:ADV Films has announced that it will release the first two volumes of Monster Rancher on March 13th, and the third and fourth on May 23rd. All volumes will feature three English dubbed episodes for $14.98.
On Monster Rancher, ADV President John Ledford has stated:
"We're very selective about what properties we get involved in, but this was a no-brainer. It's animated, which is the genre we're known for, so Monster Rancher fits in perfectly into our catalog. Coincidentally, the Monster Rancher opportunity presented itself just as we're expanding our children's line with titles like Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water and All-Purpose Multicultural Catgirl Nuku Nuku. The timing couldn't have been better."
ADV has extablished a Monster Rancher website at: www.monsterrancherfan.com. The site will include Character bios, story synopses, and an "Ask Suezo" feedback page.
Kadokawa Shoten's upcoming Dreamcast horror adventure game, The Ring, based on the popular horror movie / novel, the game will have a new, orifinal storyline featuring main characters: Megu Raymond, Daniel Roberts, and Jack Nixon. The game unfolds in a U.S. town, in where the characters traverse the dimensions of the present day and a virtual dimension created by the computer program called The Ring, to solve the mysteries behind a series of deaths. The title is slated for release in Japan on Feb. 24th listing at 6800 Yen
Four Japanese Beast Wars Neo dinosaur figures (Guiledart (triceratops), Saberback (stegosaurus), Archadis (archaeopteryx), and Hardhead (pachycephalosaurus)) with new colors and names have been released in in America, as the Beast Machines: Dinobots sub-line.
"MMD will allow mobile phone users to download and sample songs, as well as access concert schedules and other music-related information from various content holders. Users will also be able to enjoy interactive programs by responding to music popularity polls and taking part in other activities," An NTT DoCoMo representitive said.
Media Blasters will also release the first two volumes of the second season of Magic Knights Rayearth on VHS on May 23rd. Each volume will retail for $24.95, will be 100 minutes, and will be released in subtitled in dubbed formats.
Working Designs will release Arc The Lad Collection for Playstation in America, it consists of Arc the Lad I, II, and III all in a six CD-ROM package.
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