Anime News Service - January 24-26 Anime News

1-26-05---- New AIR Movie Trailer

A new clip of Osamu Dezaki's forthcoming AIR Film which originally screened exclusively at Winter Comike is now available here.

1-26-05---- New Count Of Monte Cristo Images

The official Gankutsuou site has updated with a fresh gallery of images from the TV series.

1-26-05---- MUNTO 2 Release Halted

Kyoto Animation has announced a postponement on the rest of the MUNTO 2 OAV DVD release in Japan. The series is expected to pickup sometime in sping.

1-26-05---- Daft Punk Is Back

Virgin Records recording artist Daft Punk is set to revolutionize dance floors and music playlists once again with the release of their innovative new album "Human After All," hitting stores on March 25. The CD is the follow-up to 2001's RIAA gold-certified "Discovery," which sold 2.6 million copies around the world and contained the smash hit "One More Time" (which reached #1 in France, Canada, Japan, and Portugal, #2 in the UK, and #1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Chart). The new album's first single will be the body-thumping, guitar-drenched "Robot Rock"; the video for the song will be directed by the Daft Punk duo themselves -- Frenchmen Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem.
"Human After All" was recorded at Daft Punk's home studio in Paris between September and November of 2004. Notoriously press-shy-and uniquely loath to have their photos taken for publication -- the duo did have this to say to British music magazine NME in January 2003: "The way the music industry is at the moment is allowing us to experiment. If everything is formulaic and we can finance ourselves to work outside of that formula, then for us there are no rules. We're setting our own agenda."
Indeed, the duo does strike out on their own singular path on "Human After All." Creating some of the most assertive and uncompromising music of their career, Daft Punk has married emotion and technology in a way that perfectly mirrors the fast-paced and hard-hitting rhythms of our modern lives. Songs like "The Prime Time of Your Life," "The Brainwasher," and the title track are state-of-the-art aural soundscapes that take the exhilaration of techno and the beat-driven delirium of dance music to bold new heights. And for those quieter moments, demonstrating that not all human feelings can be exhibited on the dance floor, the pair has created a pair of soulful and affecting romantic themes, "Make Love" and "Emotion."

Pioneers of electronic music, Daft Punk have been astonishing the dance and pop worlds with their versatility and inventiveness since they first exploded onto the scene in 1997 with their Virgin Records debut, the RIAA gold-certified "Homework," which included the hits "Da Funk" and "Around the World," and which sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. Daft Punk videos directed by the likes of Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry and anime legend Leiji Matsumoto have further enhanced the pair's reputation for artistic daredevilry. Now, treading fearlessly into bold new territory with "Human After All," Daft Punk continues to take music to the outer reaches of human possibility.

1-26-05---- ShoPro And Viz Latest

New details have surfaced in Japan on the Shopro / Viz merger first reported on yesterday. The investment ratio for the new company will be as follows: 40% for Shueisha, 40% for Shogakukan, and 20% for Shogakukan Production.

1-26-05---- Toei Announces 43% Decrease in Profits

Toei animation's consolidated pretax profit for the period between April and December 2004 has been announced to be down 43% compared to the corresponding number for the previous year. Popularity of Toei's animation in the North American region was reportedly sluggish and overseas sales with high profit margins has fallen short. Sales of the image related works are reportedly down 20%. It was not possible to supplement the popularity of Dragonball of which past sales have been remarkable. Toei mentions One Piece debuted stateside in September. In Japan, although theatrical and TV works increased in number, DVD titles have decreased. Toei's copyright related business sales saw a 11% decrease. Royalties from overseas copyright sales reportedly decreased. Sales of related business to Toei saw a 42% increase.

1-26-05---- New Anime Graduate School Planned For 2006

WAO Corporation Announced today plans to create a new animation graduate school in Tokyo that will open it's doors in April 2006. The aim is to offer an advanced education centered around the animated cartoon contents industry. Suginami Ward, Tokyo will most likely be the location and ties have been established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. WAO is headquartered in Osaka. There are currently about 70 animation schools in Japan. WAO creative college was founded in 1997 and trains creators of CGI animation, image and web. About 10,000 people have finished the school as of the present time. Spring 2004 saw the launch of Waoworld Ltd. that will produce films. One of their first projects is the anime movie Nitaboh. Suginami Ward was selected due to the cooperation with region and the currently established industry there.

1-26-05---- Japanese View: Academy Awards Nominees

News that a Japanese movie was not selected for the final nominees list of 77th Academy Award has been significant in the press there following Tuesday morning's announcement in Hollywood. Japanese films Daremo Shira Nai and LOVERS were expected to take the nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Likewise in the animation category, Mamoru Oshii's Inocence who was expected to be nominated did not make the final cut. Yahoo mentions Hayao Miyazaki's latest film Howl's Moving Castle has not been screened in America as of yet and could not have made the Best Animated Category. The Academy Awards are announced at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on February 27 (February 28 Japan Standard time).

1-26-05---- Gundam MMORPG Postponed In Japan

Bandai announced it has postponed the service rollout of it's PC Gundam MMORPG from February 14 to sometime this summer.

1-26-05---- New Anime Evolution Site Launches

www.animeevolution.com has been revamped for their 2005 convention which runs from Aug 20-22, 2004 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

1-26-05---- MTAC Additions

MTAC would like to welcome Studio Capsule to our roundup of guests attending MTAC Go (April 1st - 3rd). Bob and Emily DeJesus, founders of Studio Capsule, are always welcomed faces at any anime convention they attend and we're happy to have them coming to our upcoming con.

1-26-05---- Gundam Seed: Destiny Omake

In this week's episode of Gundam Seed: Destiny the CD cover for the new OP tune "Pride" by High and Mighty Color appears on the magazine cover that the character Shinn Asuka reads in a scene.

1-26-05---- Monkey Burglar In Yokkaichi

A man dressed as a monkey broke into a convenience store in Mie Prefecture, Yokkaichi at 2:15 on the 25th and attempted to rob the store by brandishing a switchblade knife at the clerk. He reportedly uttered the word "Pay" in a small voice. The burglar escaped without taking anything. The Mainichi has a surveilance camera image

1-26-05---- 15% In Japanese School Surevey Believe The Dead Can Revive

After a Japanese 6th grade girl was fatally stabbed by her classmate in Sasebo City, a survey on "Life And Death" was recently conducted by the prefecture educational commitee. 3600 schoolchildren in the prefecture were polled and remarkebly, 15.4% answered that they believe a dead person can reanimate. 29.2% said they had seen a person revive from death on TV and in movies while 7.2 percent said they saw a character revive in a video game by pressing the reset button. There was also a "free response" where students gave answers such as "Even if he or she died, the person was alive in the mind" and "It is also possible to revive if the medicine and the science is advanced"

1-26-05---- 2004: Magazine Sales Down - Book Sales Up In Japan

Printed publications sold in Japan over 2004 made an estimated 2,242,800,000,000 Yen according to a new report. Representing an overall sales increase of 0.7% compared with the previous year about 942.9 billion Yen and a 4.1% sales increase has been estimated for books while about 1,299,800,000,000 Yen and a 1.7% decrease was measured for magazines. The number of magazines published in Japan has dwindled in the last 7 years as mobile phones and the internet has drawn potential readers' attention. Book sales have been aided by million best sellers such as Harry Potter vol.5 and Sekai No Chuushin De Ai Wosakebu (made into a film by Toho). Source: Asahi Shimbun (Japanese)

1-26-05---- Japanese Art Famous Abroad Comes Home

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography (www.syabi.com) will host the exhibition Global Media 2005 from February. The event showcases the work of Japanese artists works which has been shocased and even won awards in foreign countries. Works of Kaichiro Morikawa who is the comissioner of architect Arata Isozaki and Otaku: Persona=Space=City from March 11th. Otaku: Persona=Space=City was displayed at the Japanese pavilion at Italy's Venice Biennale's 9th International Architecture Exhibition. The theme for 2004 when it was exhibited was "METAMORPH. Presented in the hakoniwa (miniature box-garden) style, the exhibition depicts otaku at home, also showing scenes from Comiket manga bazaars, "Electric Town" Akihabara--where otaku congregate to buy video games and DVD--and a "net space" where otaku communicate with each other. The otaku culture is displayed as a genre- and border-crossing phenomenon from an urbanologist's perspective. The dsiplay has attracted attention worldwide. Prize winners of "SIGGRAPH" and the 25th anniversary exhibition "Arts Electronica" are also to be included. Look for it between the dates of February 5 through March 13.

1-26-05---- Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokurao-Chan OAV Release

www.bin-kan.net has updated with info on the 1st DVD volue of the Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokurao-Chan OAV. Due on March 25th, the disc will include episodes 1-2, special goodies include a DVD Koga sincerity box, picture disk and manual as well as The Audio commentary.

1-25-05---- Anime Looks Great On This Notebook

Notebook Review looks over the ultra compact Sony Vaio U750 and even has an image with some Nadesico playing. According to the piece the Anime viewing experience on this machine very good.

1-25-05---- New Ghibli Films From Miramax

Miramax is poised to release 3 new Studio Ghibli films on DVD in Febreuary. Porco Rosso, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and The Cat Returns will release on February 22.

1-25-05---- Appraise Media Acquires Beckett

Apprise Media mentioed yesterday it's acquisition of Beckett Publications in Dallas.The cost of the deal was estimated at more than $20 million. Beckett is the publisher of American mags - Beckett Anime Collector, Becket Yu-Gi-Oh! Collector and Beckett Spotlight: Anime For Girls.

1-25-05---- Summer Sizzle From Yamato Toys

Yamato USA, the North American subsidiary of Japan’s Yamato Co., Ltd., turns up the heat this Summer with collectibles from the hottest titles in anime, manga, and video games including Cowboy Bebop, Trigun Maximum, DarkStalkers, as well as the highly anticipated releases of Burst Angels and Jubei-chan 2. Not to be overlooked either are Konami’s Metal Gear Solid 2 miniature figures. And for a little extra sizzle check out the girls from Ikki Tousen and G-taste. All these and more coming this Summer from Yamato USA!
Miniature Figures Konami Figure Collection ・ Metal Gear Solid 2, Vol. 1 ・ Metal Gear Solid 2, Vol. 2 ・ Suikoden
Masamune Shirow Collection ・ Dominion ・ Orion
Story! Image! Figure! ・ Cowboy Bebop ・ G-taste ? Yuki Shihoudou ・ s-CRY-ed
PVC Statues Capcom Girls Collection ・ Darkstalkers - Fighting Lilith Story! Image! Figure! EX ・ Burst Angels ? Jo ・ Burst Angels ? Meg ・ Ikki Tousen ? Sonsaku Hakufu ・ Ikki Tousen ? Ryomou Shimei ・ Ikki Tousen ? Kanu Unchou ・ Jubei-chan 2 ? Jubei-chan ・ G-taste ? Kyoko Hachioji ・ G-taste ? Ren Hasumi ・ G-taste ? Mayu Hoshino ・ Trigun Maximum Assortment ・ UFO Robo Grendizer ? Maria Freed
Resin Statues Noir ? Yumura Kirika Noir ? Mireille Bouquet

Yamato USA is currently accepting pre-orders for these and other items. For complete details, please see our catalogue listings in Diamond Comics’ January, February and March Previews, or visit the Yamato USA website at www.YamatoToysUSA.com.

1-25-05---- ADV Films Prepares Spriggan Special Edition

ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, is pleased to announce that the super soldiers of Spriggan are springing back into action on February 15, 2005. Get ready for the release of a new deluxe Special Edition of the hit feature that also includes the expansive soundtrack on CD!
Directed by Hirotsugu Kawasaki and supervised by Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), Spriggan is based on the comic of the same name by Chu Takasige and Ryoji Minagawa, originally published in Shonen Sunday and subsequently released in the U.S. under the title Striker. Teaming up with the acclaimed animators at Studio 4°C, Otomo and Kawasaki have crafted a feature-length extravaganza that masterfully combines traditional cel animation with ground-breaking computer graphics. This exclusive Special Edition release features a new state of the art video remaster and the complete Spriggan Soundtrack on a separate CD, filled with the beautifully lush music featured in the film.
The ancient artifact known as Noah’s Ark has been uncovered. Buried underneath the North Pole and forgotten since before the birth of history, the Ark holds the potential to elevate its controller to the status of a god... as well as the power to wipe mankind from the face of the Earth in a second! Now, a desperate battle erupts across the planet as two secret organizations race to recover the lost ark - one seeks to destroy it, and the other wants to use its massive power to enslave the human race! Monstrous half-human cyborgs face off against Earth’s ultimate defenders, the secret organization known as ARCAM and their elite agents, the Spriggan, in an epic duel with the future of the world as the prize!

Spriggan Soundtrack Included! Look for the exclusive Spriggan Soundtrack, filled with the beautifully lush music featured in the film, included in this new Special Edition release! Spriggan, Special Edition ($29.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release containing a 90-minute cinematic feature presented in English DTS, English 5.1, English 2.0 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles. Extras include: audio commentary with English ADR director Matt Greenfield and voice actors, the Spriggan Soundtrack, and ADV previews. “The most kick-butt action anime film ever released” -- scifi.com “A slam-bang action fest…” -- Animerica

1-25-05---- Anime Network Interest Rises

Anime Network has scored high marks from larger cable operators according to a new Beta Research survey measuring interest in launching networks in 2005. Among operators with more than 25,000 subscribers, the burgeoning network ranks third out of 27, joining NFL Network and College Sports Television to round out the top three. The 2004 Cable Operator Carriage Study polled some 151 providers across the U.S. to determine the interest in adding specific emerging or digital networks by the end of 2005.
“Over the past two years, we have prided ourselves in connecting with cable’s most desirable audiences, and we have ultimately transformed what began as a VOD offering into a thriving independent cable network,” commented Kevin Corcoran, President of Anime Network. “We are certainly pleased with these results and the recognition bestowed upon us by cable operators.”
The Beta Research findings are not only indicative of Anime Network’s current and projected growth?with programming now reaching more than 12 million households?but of the rising popularity of anime in general, now estimated as a $4.2 billion industry in North America.

Beta Research is one of the premier research companies in the United States, with published studies in a wide variety of business sectors including publishing, consumer product manufacturers and the media, to name a few. Using both quantitative and qualitative techniques, Beta Research studies involve panel, product research, concept/ad testing, market positioning, customer satisfaction, corporate image/perception, subscriber, readership/editorial, circulation, direct marketing and tracking.

1-25-05---- Nicktoons Gets Anime Parody Kappa Mikey

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc., announced today its first-ever global program acquisition, securing the worldwide broadcast rights to Animation Collective's property Kappa Mikey, for Nicktoons in the U.S. and Nickelodeon's international channels. The deal comprises 26 half-hour episodes of the animated action comedy that will premiere on the channels in 2006. Also part of the agreement, MTV Networks International secures international distribution rights for third-party broadcast sales.

The announcement was made at the National Association of Television Program Executives conference in Las Vegas by Keith Dawkins, Vice President and General Manager, Nicktoons and Larry Schwarz, Kappa Mikey's creator and C.E.O. of Animation Collective.

"MTV Networks' global acquisition of Kappa Mikey for Nicktoons and Nickelodeon internationally is a significant move forward in our strategic plans to leverage the strength and resources of our global networks to deliver our audiences everywhere the very best, cutting-edge entertainment available," commented Dawkins. "Kids around the world love anime and Kappa Mikey expands the genre with a great combination of originality and quirkiness."

"Anime is the most widely watched animation style in the world and kids all over are quickly becoming experts in its quirks and nuances. Kappa Mikey is a fun parody of the genre, while at the same time delivering fast paced action and character driven comedy," said Schwarz.

Kappa Mikey is TV's first raw fish out of water action comedy. American actor Mikey Simon joins the cast of LilyMu, once the top rated anime show in Japan. Though Mikey is a fish out of water (a raw one in this case!), his crazy antics and style lift LilyMu out of the ratings gutter and transform Mikey into the biggest star Japan has ever seen since that big green lizard accidentally got radiated! Kappa Mikey is the story of Mikey's epic struggle to win over his co-stars, get a clue about Japanese culture and look cool in close-up.

"MTV Networks' acquisition of Kappa Mikey is part of our strategic direction to seek out international distribution and investment opportunities to add to our kid and youth libraries," noted Debbie Back, Senior Vice President, Program Sales, MTV Networks International. "As broadcasters' demands increase for high quality content, we are expanding the breadth of our offerings and seeking investments in original productions and acquisitions that are relevant for the international marketplace."

1-25-05---- Gundam Seed Destiny Updates

The official Japanese website at www.gundam-seed-d.net has updated with Character, Story and Mecha information.

1-25-05---- DJ Krush Performs In Korea

South Korea's JoongAng Daily has an article on Japan's DJ Krush's recent gig in Seoul.

1-25-05---- ShoPro And Viz Announce New Company

ShoPro Entertainment Inc. and VIZ, LLC ("VIZ"), two prominent North American based companies specializing in Japanese content, are merging this spring to create a groundbreaking new entertainment company. The still unnamed venture ("NEWCO"), to be based in San Francisco, will leverage the unique collaboration, vision and ownership of three global powerhouses in Japanese manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc. and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. ("ShoPro Japan").

Merging ShoPro Entertainment and VIZ is a natural progression for both companies, who have successively collaborated on such hit properties as Inuyasha and MegaMan NT Warrior, among others. As one entity, NEWCO will benefit from pooled resources and creative talent, and gain access to Japan's strongest content, augmenting its ability to reach a wider audience. NEWCO's mission will be to enrich lives worldwide through the highest quality entertainment and unmatched storytelling.

ShoPro Entertainment -- an affiliate of ShoPro Japan, a subsidiary of Shogakukan Inc., one of Japan's largest publishing companies -- is a leading global licensor specializing in animation, entertainment production and consumer products for such properties as Inuyasha and MegaMan NT Warrior. VIZ -- a subsidiary of Shogakukan Inc. and Shueisha Inc. -- is a leading publisher of manga for English speaking audiences, including the best-selling graphic novel titles YU-GI-OH!, DRAGON BALL, ALICE 19TH, RANMA 1/2 , and the mega-hit SHONEN JUMP magazine. VIZ is also a top producer of Japanese animation home video/DVD titles such as POKEMON, INUYASHA and BOYS OVER FLOWERS.

"We are uniquely positioned to develop entertainment content across all available mediums for people of all ages on a worldwide basis, " said Hidemi Fukuhara, Vice Chairman of VIZ and incoming President and CEO of NEWCO. "Combining our collective strengths creates obvious brand building synergies. Merging and incorporating the expertise and support of Japan's three largest and most respected content creators, provides NEWCO with a significant competitive advantage."

Harnessing VIZ' and ShoPro Entertainment's combined assets, NEWCO aims to become an industry leader worldwide for audiences of all ages. Going forward, NEWCO will grow its business by working with its parent companies to maximize their brands' exposure on an all rights basis, including TV broadcast, publishing, home video, licensing, consumer products and promotions.

"In order to nurture and grow the worldwide exposure of Japanese manga and animation," said Osamu Kamei, Executive Director of Shogakukan Inc., "we have decided to step beyond the corporate framework that exists in Japan, and form a new globally oriented company by merging VIZ and ShoPro Entertainment. I strongly believe that the partnership of the three companies, Shueisha, Shogakukan and ShoPro Japan, will be a major step forward for the Japanese contents business."

Kazuhiko Torishima, Executive Director of Shueisha, Inc. explained, "At the root of the globally successful Japanese character business, is manga. The question we face is how to best communicate and introduce the culture of manga to children around the world. We believe the answer lies in NEWCO, which will allow us to unify and manage our business under one roof. In this regard, we will be able to respond much faster to market needs and thus greatly expand the exposure of manga."

Senior Executive Director of Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd., Yutaka Saito, added, "We have made much progress in cultivating the worldwide market for Shogakukan's content business. We are now deeply honored to partner with, not only Shogakukan, but also Shueisha, whose content has achieved so much success and acclaim. By representing all rights for our brands, we will be able to maximize our exposure on a global scale. We are excited about making this happen."

1-25-05---- Inocence Cut In Final Oscar Nominees List

Final Nominess for The 77th Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning in Hollywood. Taking the preliminary hopefuls from 5 to 3 films, The Dreamworks Distributed Mamoru Oshii / Production I.G.'s Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence (and only anime hopeful of the 5) was cut from the list. The final 3 nominess are Shark Tail, The Incredibles and Shrek2.

1-25-05---- Toho Anticipates Highest Profits Ever For February

Toho announced it's performance forecast for February 2005 was to change from 2.4 billion Yen conventionally to 25 billion Yen and the highest ever profit expectations by them. Howl's Moving Castle's opening in Japanese theaters and the cult status achieved by Sekai No Chuushin De Ai Wosakebu in May are considered as factors. Source: Yomiuri (Japanese)

1-25-05---- First Look: Oshii Aichi Expo Attraction

Update on Director Mamoru Oshii's theme theater to be present at this year's Aichi Expo in Nagoya from March 25th. Inside the "Dreamt Mountain" pavillion which is a joint creation of seven companies, lies the new theater attraction. The main floor is composed of tempered glass, below which sit 96 plasma monitors of 50 inches width. Their grid layout creates a jumbotron floor measuring 9x10 meters. The fact that plasma monitor emit a great amount of heat was taken into account and an air-conditioning company was consulted with to add proper cooling. 139 statues ring the theater standing as silent sentinels. Video of Fish, birds, and dogs will fill the floor screens while Music relating ideas such as the Sea, Emptyness and Earth will flow through the hall. The theme will be changed every two months. The aim of the theater is "Senses not usually used are called and awoken" according to Mr. Oshii. Source (click the link for an image): Asahi News (Japanese)

1-24-05---- Yamanote Line 60 Minute Circuit Barrier To Fall

A godsend amid the morass that is the Tokyo Train / Subway System, JR's Yamanote line provides at least one comforting predictable constant in the fact that in runs in a complete circle around the city's metro region. Today, Asahi News (English) reports that trains on Tokyo's main artery for 80 years, next year will complete the loop in central Tokyo in 58 to 59 minutes, breaking the 60-minute barrier.

1-24-05---- Convention Items

Ikue Ohtani (Pokemon Seiyuu) and Hiroshi Nagahama (Animation on Fruits Basket, Poemon Heroes, Utena) have been announced as the first 2 guests for Sakura Con 2005. Meanwhile, down the west coast of the USA, word has surfaced that writer Fred Patten has been admitted to the hospital last Tuesday, diagnosed with pneumonia. There is a chance he might not be able to attend the upcoming Anime-LA convention as a guest this weekend. Fred writes regular columns on anime for NEWTYPE USA, ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE, and numerous other publications. He is very active at comics and sci-fi conventions and his book, WATCHING ANIME, READING MANGA was just published by Stone Bridge Press last year. Get well cards or other well-wishing would probably be welcome as he recuperates. Hopefully he will only be there for a few more days, but he can always use more reading material. Fred can be reached at Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital in Marina del Rey, CA. ANS wishes Fred a speedy and full recovery.

1-24-05---- Why White Men Prefer Asian Women

Fred Reed of Too Good Reports sums it up.

1-24-05---- NERV iPod Update

New info is out on the NERV Ayanami Rei edition iPod. The unit will retail at 47,250 Yen when it's released at the end of March by Bandai Networks and LaLaBitMarket. Originally announced on December 15th, reservations began being taken on December 22nd. The base is a 20GB "M9282J/A" (33,390 yen) 4th generation model.

1-24-05---- Katori Shingo Shark Tale Dubbing Wraps

Katori Shingo (27) of SMAP completed his Japanese dub work for the Dreamworks CG film "Shark Tale" in Tokyo on the 24th. Katori reprises the role performed by Will Smith in the American version. Kimura Takuya of the group recently voiced a character in Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle. The film opens in Japan in March.

1-24-05---- Howl's Theme By Hisaishi Joe TV Performance

Hisaishi Joe who has composed the music to many Hayao Miyazaki animated films will perform his theme tune for the latest work, Howl's Moving Castle on the TBS "Watch" program on the 26th. This will mark his first appearance on a morning information TV program. The release date of his new album "FREEDOM" which was in production will be announced. The performance will not be live but pre-recorded.

1-24-05---- "Anime Offers Immersion In Other Realities"

The Daily Texan has good piece on anime convention and club events within the American state of Texas.

1-24-05---- Pryor And ADV Films Strengthen Ties

Exemplifying its position as a leader in international publicity and marketing, Pryor & Associates, LLC has announced an expanded roster of global client services in 2005. The company, calling on its worldwide team of diversely talented media professionals, will launch a series of unique and exciting media campaigns throughout the world -- each designed to maximize exposure for key clientele.

In March the Pryor & Associates team is looking to conduct an extensive media tour in Japan, establishing and strengthening relationships between A.D. Vision, a producer and distributor of Japanese anime content and parent company of the Anime Network here in the US, with some of the most influential journalists in and around Tokyo.

1-24-05---- Howl's Moving Castle Loses #1 Box Office Spot

With the figures just in from the past weekend's Japanese Box Office, the star power of Brad Pitt and George Clooney has apparantly been enough to dethrone Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle. Ocean's 12 in it's debut weekend takes the number 1 spot, relegating Howl's Moving Castle to #2. Kung Fu Hustle holds the 5th spot. Source: cinemanavi

1-24-05---- Tokyo International Anime Fair 2005 Schedule Relased

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has gone live with the contents for the upcoming Tokyo International Anime Fair 2005 to occur March 31-April 3 and Tokyo Big Sight. The sponsor is the Tokyo International Animated Cartoon Fair Executive Committee chaired by Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara. 179 companies are planned to exhibit including 30 companies from outside Japan. The country / company ratio breaks down as follows: South Korea 15, Chinese 11, U.S. 1, French 1, Canadian 1, and Hong Kong 1. The fair exceeded 70,000 total attendance over the 4 days in 2004. TAF's release mentions 60 percent of the animation that children in the world see is made in Japan and of that number about 80 percent is made in Tokyo. Below is a complete list of the exhibitors to be present as of January 24th:

artistgoods.com, Idea factory Ltd., Asatsudi Kei Ltd., Atom Shockwave Ltd., Anidou film, Or production, Aniplex Ltd., Animax brordocast Japan Ltd., Animation entrepreneur society, Animated Cartoon Press Center, The animated cartoon world star Ltd., Alkemist Ltd., IMAGICA entertainment, Radics Ltd., Intec Inc., Wynn key software Ltd., King rabbit, ANMC 21, Avex Ltd., A.D.Vision, Inc., Egg Ltd., nhk Enterprises 21 Ltd., Technical service Ltd. NHK, Integrated vision Ltd., International media Corporation Ltd., Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) Books Ltd., Foundation NHK Service Center, Inc., Epoch Inc. Ltd., OLC Ltd.:Rights entertainments, Organic Ltd., Osaka broadcasting Ltd., Okada trade Ltd., Office Ltd., Ofisefandoor Ltd., Office Prion Ltd., Opera House Ltd., On wave Ltd., Katayanagi school corporation educational institution, Kakugawa movie Ltd., Japanese syllabary Bangladesh fix Ltd., Divine wind animation Ltd., South Korea cultural contents promotion academy, Kids station Ltd., Creative on-demand Ltd., Croccwarcs Ltd., Ken media Ltd., Core film, Cospa Ltd., Konami Ltd., Comics waves Ltd., Committing Ltd., Satellite Ltd., Limited company, GDH Ltd., GP-GATE Ltd., XEBEC Ltd., Geneon entatamment Ltd., Jenco Ltd., Zion Ltd., Japanime Ltd., Japan cable Cast Ltd., Shanghai multimedia industrial society, Shogakukan, Inc. production, Shogakukan, Inc., Shochiku Ltd., Perfect Skye communications Ltd., Studio ell Ltd., Studio Galapagos, Studio Tanuki, Studio lark Ltd., STUDIO 4C, Selshis Ltd., Zen Ltd., Day Ltd., Tsccayo agency Ltd., Soft Image, Dainamopiccharz Ltd., Takara Co., Ltd., Takara mobile entertainment Ltd., Child production of dragon Ltd., Tian south badge factory Ltd., Tablier Ltd., Chinese contents cartel, Tea Enu Ka Ltd., Mouse promotion Ltd., Fifth avenue Ltd., TBS television Ltd., Dee rights Ltd., Foundation digital contents society, Tezuka production Ltd., TV Tokyo Ltd., TV Tokyo media net Ltd., Mi-TEL bean Ltd., Dentsu Ltd., Toon Boom Animation Inc., Toei animation Ltd., Toei Ltd., Toei Video Ltd., Tokyo animator school, Osaka animator school, The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Suginami branch, Suginami animated cartoon promotion conference, Tokyo intellectual property synthesis center, Japan commercialization right society, Illegal commodity measures conference, School corporate special school Tokyo net waving, Toshiba entertainment Ltd., Toho Co., Ltd., Azuma north new company Ltd., TOKYOPOP Ltd., Tokuma Shoten studio Ghibli business headquarters Ltd., Tommy Ltd., Tomus entertainment Ltd., Trinity Ltd., Trilogy Future studio Ltd., Namco Ltd., Nicker Eg factory Ltd., Nippon Television Network Corporation, Corporate middle Japanese animation society, Byrne house effect Ltd., Hamster Ltd., Hollywood (China) Digital Arts Research & Development Center, Parthenon production Ltd., Halfilmumacar Ltd., Bandai Co., Ltd., Bandai visual Ltd., Hiroshima limited liability middle corporation Japan Committee for Economic Development animation, Five outside Ace Ltd., Falcon Ltd., Fuji Television Network John Ltd., Planet Ltd., Production Ltd. I.G, Broccoli Ltd., Vaughan digital of Ltd., Hokkaido Television Broadcasting Ltd., Polygon felt-tipped marker Ltd., Bonds Ltd., Round Ltd., Micot end Basara Ltd., Omnilight Entertainment LLC, Cybergraphix Animation, Miyati Ltd., Insect production Ltd., Media Shougn Ltd., TVs service Ltd., Media factory Ltd., Moncaramel Ltd., Yamato Ltd., UFO table Ltd., Dream Futoshi company Ltd., Television Broadcasting Ltd., Yoyogi animation school, WOWOW Ltd., Wao Corporation Ltd.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

1-24-05--- Popotan Site To Close

While just being released in the USA recently, the official Japanese Popotan website has announced it will close on Feb. 4th.

1-24-05---- Doraemon Art Exhibition To Include Big Names

The Doraemon art exhibition will start in Kumamoto on March 30th and go on to do a nationwide tour. The theme selected 30 top Japanese artists and asked them to make Doraemon a theme in a piece of work. Artists include Yoshitomi Nara, Takashi Murakami, Katsuhiko Hibino, and Akiyo Onozuka and their works range the spectrum of media from paintings, to photographs, to sculptures etc. The exhibition runs through May 15th. Source: Dora-World

1-24-05---- Bandai Visual USA Press

Bandai Visual has put out a press release on Monday supporting this weekend's news of the launch of Bandai Visual USA. According to the document it was officially established as a corporation in the United States on January 5th. Bandai hopes to strengthen it's licensing business in North America through the venture by collecting elaborate marketing research data on the market. Improvement in business volume and effieciency is being sought through the launch. The company will handle licensing as well as development as well as project production and DVD sales. The target audience of the efforts will be those in their mid teens through their 40's across the North America region. Through Bandai Visual USA it's hoped the expansion of the Japanese market across the continent will be increased by developing theier high-quality high-value-added business model. Starting with a capital of $1,000,000 100% invested by Bandai Visual Ltd. The representative of the new company will be Takenari Maeda who is the managing director of Bandai Visual Ltd.. The Accounting period for the company comes to a close at the end of December. Business for Bandai Visual USA is scheduled to begin in April, 2005.
Source Bandai Visual

1-24-05---- Initial-D On American TV In May

According to a Tokyopop flyer for their Initial-D Battle 10 DVD release, the series will be "Coming To Television In May 2005".

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