presented by Mr. Martin Lazlo
Toonami will be trying to acquire or has just acquired the following shows: More Gundam, Outlaw Star, Big O, the two Reboot movies, and they are in discussion for two Sailor Moon movies. They are also working on some independently developed material. Two that are coming up are Aqua Team Hunger Force, think food products as detectives and Leave it to Barack. Think Leave it to Beaver with a gundam as a neighbor.
Japan TV Weekend
A weekend of special programmes from the Far East. Highlights include of of Japan's most popular animated TV Series; "Lum the Invader Girl", and a special documentary on Manga introduced by Jonathan Ross
For More Info: http://www.itv2.co.uk
OTAKON 2000 is proud to announce the latest additions to our roster of guests:
SIMON YAM
A talented and versatile character actor who has appeared in over 100 films,
Simon is OTAKON's first guest from Hong Kong. His many films include John
Woo's Bullet in the Head (1990), Tsui Hark's Once Upon a Time in China
(1991), Ringo Lam's Full Contact (1992), and the recent The Legend of Speed
(1999). His roles have brought him together with many other leading Hong
Kong actors including Jet Li, Chow Yun-Fat, and Andy Lau.
KUNIHIKO IKUHARA (Be-Papas)
Mr. Ikuhara is one of the great talents of recent television anime
production. After establishing himself as the director of the tremendously
popular Sailor Moon TV series, he went on to found the collaborative group
Be-Papas. He went on to create and direct the acclaimed Revolutionary Girl
Utena TV series, and later the Utena movie Revelation of Adolescence. His
most-recent work includes Shell Bullet, co-authored with Mamoru Nagano (Five
Star Stories)
SHINYA HASEGAWA
Mr. Hasegawa is a gifted illustrator, best known as the character designer
for Revolutionary Girl Utena. He has worked as an animation producer on
such memorable shows as Sailor Moon (R, S, and SS), Neon Genesis Evangelion,
and of course Utena. He is currently working on a new manga title, and an
illustration collection to be published soon.
HIROAKI SAKURAI
Mr. Sakurai made his solo directorial debut with the Cyber Team in Akihabara
movie, and has since gone on to direct DiGi Carat (left), currently the # 1
OAV series in Japan. He had previously worked as an assistant/episode
director on such showa as Jubei-chan, Martian Successor Nadesico, Nurse
Angel Ririka SOS, Child's Toy, and Akazukin ChaCha.
SCOTT FRAZIER - Animator and Digital Animation Consultant
IAN KIM - Artist
STEVE BENNETT - Studio Ironcat
CHRIS BEVERIDGE - AnimeonDVD (http://www.animeondvd.com)
STEVE PEARL - Fan Guest
JEFF THOMPSON - The Right Stuf, Intl.
NEIL NADELMAN - Translator
AMY HOWARD - Voice Actress
ADAM WARREN - Artist
AMANDA BONHOMME - Voice Actress
GILLES POITRAS - Author
SCOTT HOULE - Coastal Carolina Studios
ROBERT FENELON - Fan Guest
PAMELA WEIDNER - Voice Actress
JOHN STATON - Artist
Previously-announced guests include Serial Experiments Lain creator/producer Yasuyuki Ueda of Production 2nd, Lain character designer Yoshitoshi ABe, Production I.G's Hiroyuki Kitakubo (BLOOD) and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa (Founder), as well as the British band, BOA, known for the Serial Experiments Lain OP song, 'Duvet'.
Hiroyuki Okiura (JIN-ROH), previously announced, will be unable to attend.
OTAKON 2000 will be held August 4-5-6, 2000 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland. Lodging is currently provided by the Days Inn Inner Harbor, the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor, and the Hyatt Regency Downtown Baltimore. You can learn more about OTAKON at http://www.otakon.com
-Pioneer has no Bastard DVD planned currently.
-Pioneer's Tenchi Universe 2 DVD will be delayed a month due to a situation with sub timing.
-Manga will release Akira around a year from now, the DVD version will have many extras including 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, full remastering, a new dub with famous voice actors is possible, it will be anamorphic and a U.S. theatrical release is possible.
-Pioneer confirmed an Armitage the 3rd sequel is being developed.
-Urban Vison is still in negotiations for Berserk and Alexander, both will be released to DVD and no subtiteld VHS version will be available.
-Bandai Entertainment's release of Ayashi no Ceres has a tentative date of Spring 2001.
-Viz will release Ranma 1/2 TV DVD's in 2001.
-Manga's DVD release of Wings of Honneamise will inlcude many extras, reportedly more than Perfect Blue.
-Manga's DVD release of the Evangelion Movies will be anamorphic. Apparently the release will be delayed until next year due to contract problems and source materials from Gainax.
Dark Horse Comics Manga Editor Mike Hansen said of the event, hosted this past Friday at the San Diego Comicon: "It was a great night for manga."
Source: Psymanga
- Reports out of Comicon indicate that Bandai Entertainment has imposed strict enforcement of the Gundam copyright. Reportedly, over 6 cases of bootleg Gundam merchandise has been seized from four separate dealers ranging from wallscrolls to t-shirts.
- The Cartoon Network has officially announced that Endless Waltz will air on October 20th 2000 and that Blue Submarine No. 6 will air one week prior to that, showing on Monday through Thursday with a special tied feature Friday.
- It was also re-confirmed that the DVD release of Gundam Wing Endless Waltz will feature a premium edition containing all 3 uncut OVAs plus the theatrical Gundam Wing movie - slated for release next year.
Two prank messges have been reported, the first reads: "Your girlfriend, who has a slight cold, has drunk only half of a cup of coffee. Do you drink the remainder?", upon choosing "yes," the user is automatically dialed into the police emergency number, 110. A link to an internet webpage is included in the second prank message, on going to the page a bomb graphic appears with the following: "those with courage please click here", upon clicking the bomb the user is dialled into a local emergency phone number.
Viz Welcomes Rumiko Takahashi!
Ms. Takahashi will be available for two signings during her visit
to the San Diego Comic-con (http://www.comic-con.org):
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Please check your schedule to verify the location of each signing. Ms. Takahashi will NOT be appearing at the Viz booth.
THIS WILL NOT BE AN OPEN SIGNING AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROGRAM. TO ATTEND, YOU WILL NEED TO GET A PASS FROM THE VIZ BOOTH.
In an effort to make the process as fair as possible, passes for each signing will be given away in a lottery drawing.
LOTTERY TICKETS FOR THE SIGNINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING FRIDAY.
Lottery drawings will take place at the following times:
Friday: 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00
Saturday: 11:00, 1:00, and 6:00
If you are a lottery winner, you will receive a pass entitling you to a signing and small drawing from Ms. Takahashi. She will only be able to sign one item per pass.
You must be present to win your pass.
Passes issued Friday are only good on Saturday, and passes issued Saturday are only good on Sunday.
You may only enter the lottery once per day--any attempt to enter more than once will result in your removal from the lottery.
You may only win one pass.
Please let us know if you have any questions! Rumiko Takahshi will also be appearing at a panel on Saturday at 3:30. Check your schedule for the location.
It was previously reported here that Mattel Interative has recieved the Robotech gaming license, the toy giant. Mr. Harribey said the N64 title Crystal Dreams which had never been released, looks too dated to bring to the market as of present. Combined witht the fact that the most of the original development team had gone their seperate ways into new projects, resarting that title proves unlikely. Mattel's new strategy involves finding a fresh developer to create Robotech games for next-gen console systems (X-Box, Dolphin) and the PC. Projected release date on the first Robotech game is 2002.
Harmony Gold mentioned ADV's DVD release of Robotech will include an extra audio track featuring commentary from the original creative team.
Regarding Robotech 3000, A video clip of Netter Digital's Robotech 3000 was shown, but in a surprising twist Harmony Gold announced they were abandoning a CGI version of the series and opting for an Anime alternative instead. The company contacted some of the original producers of the original series(') seeking new designs. Several colored design sketches were shown (one can be viewed here). The new route in production was apparently agreed on by fan-reaction to the CGI concept as opposed to the original cel-based Japanese animated version.
Carl Macek revealed that the new series is set 700 - 800 years in advance of the events in the original. Projected initial airdate for this project is 2002.
Fans can keep up to date on the current state of the Robotech franchise by visiting the newly established website Robotech.com
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF LOST UNIVERSE SERIES ON DVD!!!
"Outer space has never been so out of control!"
HOUSTON - ADV Films wants to introduce to you volumes 1 and 2 of the Lost Universe series on DVD!!! Watch as Kain, Canal, and Millie begin their zany adventures. While the Universal Guardians handle most of the peacekeeping in the galaxy, trouble contractor Kain and his crew aboard the Swordbreaker always seem to get stuck with the assignments that nobody else wants. When private eye Millie investigates an illegal arms auction, she ends up on the auction block! Can Kain and Canal save her? Do they even want to? Between combating a rogue planetary security system and guarding a nursing academy, the crew of the Swordbreaker has their hands full. But that’s the least of their problems, for a sinister organization known only as Nightmare is about to make their lives a living hell!!
It may sound crazy, but that’s what makes the Lost Universe series so enjoyable. And this September, ADV Films won’t let you down. Don’t miss out on the excitement when ADV Films releases the first two episodes of this stellar series on DVD, which will contain both English dubbed and subtitled versions. Volume 1 of Lost Universe was released last month on VHS, and the VHS versions of volume 2 will be released in September, along side the DVD, day and date.
ADV Films, formed in 1992, is North America’s #1 distributor of top-quality Japanese animation ("anime"), with titles such as Evangelion, Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 and Martian Successor Nadesico. ADV also distributes American and Japanese live-action programming for theatrical and broadcast release. ADV Films can be found on the web at www.advfilms.com
Lost Universe
Running Time: 100 minutes
Rating: 12yrs+
Pre-Book Date: 8/15/00
Street Date: 9/12/00
Volume 1 DVD $29.98
Volume 2 DVD $29.98
Volume 2 VHS (English dubbed) $19.98
Volume 2 VHS (English sub-titled) $29.95
Source: Alpha Sigma : Anime TV Guide For US
Source: Anime Digital
Clements relays: "When even my own publishers question my commitment, this award is particularly valued and appreciated. I could not have succeeded without Manga Max's many contributors all around the world, who often worked with impossible deadlines and little recognition, all with the aim of bringing the Far East just that little bit closer. I'd also like to thank Vanessa Coleman, Phil Hession and Ben Gibbons, whose design and production skills ensured the magazine looked professional, even when created out of utter editorial chaos, and the many kind people from English, American and Japanese companies, who believed in the magazine and what it stood for. As some of you already know, issue 20 will be my last, but I cannot think of a better finale than winning this coveted award. I am truly honoured, and I thank you all."
Source: Animejin
Clements also co-wrote The Erotic Anime Guide with Helen McCarthy, translated Bloomsbury's Iron Fist Chin-Mi manga line and numerous anime titles for the European market (inc. Sol Bianca, Lupin III, Rei-Rei & Slow Step). He is perhaps best known internationally for his work on Return of the Overfiend (Urotsukidoji III).
ADV FILMS CANCELS RELEASE OF TWO SUB-TITLED VHS PRODUCTS
HOUSTON -ADV Films is announcing that they will not be releasing sub-titled VHS versions of two previously announced video products. The two titles, Generator Gawl and Gasaraki, which were announced, to be released on both English-dubbed and sub-titled VHS videos, will now be available only as English-dubbed VHS and DVD. The DVD format will contain both dubbed and sub-titled versions of the films, so fans will still be able to obtain the sub-titled version of our new titles.
ADV Films Set to Release Sin: The Movie HOUSTON, July 19 -- ADV Films is proud to announce the release of Sin: The Movie, the widely anticipated animated feature based on the hit game from Ritual Entertainment.
Enter the world of SIN. In the 21st century, the city of Freeport teeters on the verge of collapse. The twin tides of rampant crime and ruinous graft face but a single barrier, an elite strike force labeled HARDCORPS. Lead by Colonel John Blade, they have become a fierce fighting force for justice in Freeport. Blade must now unravel a mysterious series of unexplained kidnappings. An elaborate puzzle unfolds as he delves into the decadence of the city, and at its heart is SinTEK, one of the most powerful companies in the world. Elexis Sinclaire's genius, ruthlessness, and determination built an empire that, on the surface, seems to be giving society everything it wants and needs -- drugs that prolong health and, perhaps, even life. But within the company's well-guarded walls, Elexis' secret experimentations yield considerably darker results that may bring about mankind's greatest evolutionary leap -- or its extermination.
Sin: The Movie is sure to get your heart racing and keep you on the edge of your seat!! This October, ADV Films will bring this exciting title to home video. Sin: The Movie will be available on both VHS (English dubbed) and DVD.
Not only will the DVD contain both the English-dubbed version and the original Japanese version with sub-titles, but it will also contain a feature not heard of in the DVD world. There will be 2 story lines. That's right, the DVD will contain 2 completely different subtitle scripts for the same animation. It will be like watching two movies in one, and nobody will want to pass this up!!! Sin: The Movie is also one of many DVD films that will be compatible with the soon-to-be-released Playstation® 2.
For more information about Sin: The Movie, check out the official website at www.sinthemovie.com
Nelvana's "Cardcaptors" Debuts on Kids' Wb! to High Ratings and Critical Acclaim Series Captures Trendmasters as Master Toy Licensee
TORONTO, July 19 - NELVANA Limited today announced that its Japanese anime series, Cardcaptors, has garnered solid ratings and critical acclaim after just four weeks on Kids' WB! The series has also captured the interest of North American merchandise licensing companies, including Trendmasters, which this month signed up as the property's master toy licensee.
Cardcaptors makes its Canadian television debut on Teletoon in late August.
Cardcaptors, produced for Nelvana by Japan's Kodansha, premiered on the Kids' WB! on Saturday, June 17 at 9:30 a.m. (ET) and has captivated young viewers and delivered strong gains from its Pokemon lead-in at 9 a.m. After four weeks on the air, the show has averaged a 2.8 rating and 13 share among Kids 2-11, according to the Nielsen Television Index (NTI).
Among Boys 2-11, Cardcaptors has posted a four-week average 4.0 rating and 17 share. Cardcaptors is also delivering increasingly strong performances in the all-important Girls 2-11 and Girls 6-11 demos.
Cardcaptors tells a colourful tale of a young girl named Sakura who, along with her friend Li, battles evil with the use of very special tarot-like cards.
Cardcaptors is also attracting North American merchandise licensing companies to the character brand. Nelvana has signed a significant master toy and timepiece licensing agreement with Trendmasters to market plush toys, dolls, collectible figurines, dress-up and role play toys, as well as novelties that include a magic wand and light-up key chains and the Clow Book, which holds the magical cards from which lead character Sakura derives her powers.
Michael Hirsh, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Nelvana, says: ``Cardcaptors is one of Nelvana's most promising new properties. Its increasingly strong television performance is driving demand for merchandise and we are optimistic this brand will have substantial marketing legs. We are thrilled with the response to Cardcaptors from potential licensees and promotional partners like Trendmasters.''
To date, Nelvana has received a total of 21 commitments from licensees to the property, including Pioneer for home video and DVD, Scholastic for publishing, Upper Deck for trading cards and Changes for t-shirts.
Nelvana's dynamic new Cardcaptors web site can be accessed at www.clowbook.com or from Nelvana's web site at www.nelvana.com. Fans of the show who register on the web site can watch two-minute sneak previews of upcoming new episodes and learn more about the legendary mythology of the show and its characters.
All,
I wanted to share this HUGE NEWS with you all. We just received word that Disney has canceled the 8/29 DVD release of Princess Mononoke w/ out the Japanese language track in anticipation of a release with the original Japanese Track.
Here is their official statement to the online DVD stores:
> The scheduled 8/29 release of the DVD version of PRINCESS MONONOKE has > officially been cancelled.
> Princess Mononoke will be released to rental VHS on August 29, but the DVD > version will be held until further notice. No new release date has yet > been set. Rationale for this decision is based on the anticipation of the > availability of the original Japanese language track and possible > additional bonus materials.
At VSDA DVD Talk delivered a petition to Disney with over 4500 names, petitioning them to release Princess Mononoke with the original Japanese language track, this decision is a HUGE endorsement for the power of online sites!
Thanks all of you who lent your support to this amazing victory!
For Bandai, this is their first anime TV series to be broadcast in U.S. by Fox Kids, and after it's run in America is complete it will then air in Japan. Action figures will be also availabe from Bandai America. Stay Tuned.
Vampire Hunter D
OVA re-release on DVD SPECIAL EDITION
Prebook: 8/23/00 Street Date: 10/3/00
The ties of blood that bind
The year is 12,090 AD, a time when men no longer rule the Earth, and monsters run rampant beneath the lenient claws of vampires. Enforcing an archaic feudal system tinged with the blood of oppressed humans, vampires rule in aristocratic clans that subject people to their every passing whim.
One village, singled out by the ancient Count Magnus Lee, is prey to the vampire’s desires, and must give forth a young woman named Doris, whom he has chosen to entertain him for the rest of her lifetime. In desperation, Doris hires a mysterious Vampire Hunter known only as “D” to kill the Count. Conspiracies against D and hidden plots to thwart the Count’s intentions complicate matters further - and time is running out for Doris! It is up to the Vampire Hunter to slay the tyrannical Count, destroy his legacy, and save the girl in one stroke!
Urban Vision’s first release onto DVD will feature:
NEVER BEFORE SEEN bonus footage of the making of Vampire Hunter D
stereo 5.1 extraction
dual language option
artwork by Amano, the original character designer
the new theatrical Vampire Hunter D trailer
the original Japanese Vampire Hunter D OVA trailer
plus a preview of the new Vampire Hunter D Sony Playstation game!
Based On the Novel Written By: Hideyuki Kikuchi
Directed By: Toyoo Ashida
Character Design: Yoshitaka Amano
English Language Version Directed By: Carl Macek
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Rating: not rated; contains violence and nudity. Suggested for mature audiences.
TRT: approximately 80 minutes
©1985 Epic/Sony, Inc./ Movic, Inc. CBS/Sony Group, Inc.
Catalog Numbers: UV1064
Beginning in early 2001 the combined forces of Palisades Marketing and Mars Colony will begin releasing several ultra cool products to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s cult classic anime feature Ninja Scroll. “From the first time I saw Ninja Scroll I thought these characters would be perfect for an action figure line. Now I’m fortunate enough to be help make this “fan boys” dream come true,” said Mike Renegar, Palisades Executive Vice President. Steve Ortiz, Vice President of The Mars Colony, stated, "We are honored to be working with Animation Studio Mad House on this the first of several lines based on Mr. Kawajiri's master works. Furthermore, to be working with Palisades, a company which sets the standards for detail and quality in this industry, assures that this will be one of the best anime lines ever produced!" Still in it’s planning stages, the first action figure line-up will include Jubei, the reluctant hero for hire, Kagero, the brooding female ninja of the Koga clan, Tessai, the stony monstrosity with a boomerang sword, Shijima, master of stealth and misdirection who strikes from the shadows with his metal claw and Mushizo, the disfigured dwarf that houses a swarm of wasps in his misshapen back.
In addition to the action figures, which are being designed using Kawajiri’s artwork as a guide, Palisades plans to release high-end resin statues, wall scrolls and a collectible lunchbox. This first in the highly-detailed resin series will be Jubei and his arch rival Lord Gemma, the undying commander of the Devils of Kimon. The resins will be the first product to be released some time this winter.
We hope that anime fans around the world will be as happy as we are about all the great Ninja Scroll stuff we have coming up,” commented Josh “Solid” Gold, Palisades sales manager. “I have seen the first few designs and they look fantastic.” Keep checking back to both our web site & the Mars Colony web site for more information as it is revealed.
Urban Vision Entertainment is pleased to announce an informative panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Thursday, July 20, 2000 at 5:00 - 6:00PM!
Urban Vision will be announcing their upcoming releases of The Professional: Golgo 13, Goku: Midnight Eye, and the Vampire Hunter D DVD, plus new information regarding the acquisitions of Berserk and Alexander. There will also be additional information about distribution plans for the new theatrical movie, Vampire Hunter D, as well as results about its reception at FANT-ASIA.
MANGA VIDEO PROUDLY PRESENTS
RAYEARTH
AN ALL-NEW THREE PART ACTION-ADVENTURE SERIES BASED ON THE ORIGINAL MANGA BY CLAMP ON VIDEO AUGUST 29, 2000.
Chicago, IL - Manga Video will release an exciting new anime trilogy, the all-new RAYEARTH OVA (original video animation) series based on the popular Magic Knight Rayearth Japanese animated TV series by CLAMP (X, also available on Manga Video). In RAYEARTH, the faith and friendship of three young girls seals their destiny as the saviors of the world.
For friends Umi, Fuu and Hikaru, the tranquil beauty of springtime in Tokyo is not met with enthusiasm. Now that they've graduated from junior high, the unwelcome prospect of attending different high schools and living in different cities threatens to break up their intimate friendship. But when the girls make a fanciful wish to stay friends forever while standing beneath the mystical cherry blossom tree, they discover their wish will be granted, but their destinies will change.
A fairy residing within the cheery blossom tree has chosen the three unsuspecting friends to defend the Earth. With the help of several guides, the girls battle against three extra-dimensional forces threatening to consume the planet. With the assistance of Clef, a rouge priest, Hikaru meets Lexus, a fire deity who merges his powers with hers to combat their first enemy, an evil ice-witch. In Volumes 2 and 3 the girls will face their other two opponents in a race to save the earth.
RAYEARTH is a journey into a magical world featuring extraordinary
animation, superb design and loads of action...a true anime collector's
series.
Volume 1
Street Date: August 29, Pre-Book Date: July 10
Running Time: 45 minutes each
English dub SRP: $19.95 Order Number: 60200-40403-1
Subtitle SRP: $24.95 Order Number: 60200-40413-0
Volume 2: Street Date: September 26, Pre-Book: August 7
Order Number: Dub- 6-60200-4066-3-9 Sub- 6-60200-4065-3-0
Volume 3: Street Date: October 31, Pre-Book: September 11
Order Number: Dub- 6-60200-4068-3-7 Sub: 6-60200-4067-3-8
Here is a copy of an e-mail I received from Leslie Winston of Voyager Entertainment:
The Star Blazers trademark is registered to Voyager Entertainment, Inc. exclusively. We provided the U.K. with the materials necessary to create the first DVD, they simply duplicated sooner than us to meet their advertised release date. Voyager expects to release the first DVD here in the states in the next few weeks. The art for the sleeve inserts is being finalized, and the master is with the duplicator.
The first DVD will contain the first (5) episodes of "The Quest for Iscandar"; the S.R.P. is $29.95.
If you would like any further information, our website is under construction (starblazers.com) or you can e-mail, fax or write us at the address below.
Sincerely,
Leslie Winston
Manager of Operations
cc: Barry Winston, President
VOYAGER ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
310 Cedar Lane, 3rd Flr.
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Tel. 201-287-1133
Fax 201-836-5225
mailing address: PO Box 305, Leonia, NJ 07605-0305
All Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited
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