Battle Royale DVD
From sexgoremutants
Here's coming the much-anticipated directors version of the cult movie 'Battle Royale'. Released in cinemas in Japan, but never before seen in the UK, the Battle Royale Directors Cut DVD features an extra 8 minutes, including an alternative ending (all with optional English subtitles), presented in anamorphic widescreen. This limited edition two-disc set also features a Making Of documentary, interviews with director Kinju Fukasaku and Beat Takashi Kitano, and original theatrical trailer. In addition, the boxed set will include a poster art collectors card and a unique film frame card and a 4-page booklet. Choose your weapon and fight for your copy now before the new term begins. The limited edition set will retail for £29.99 and will go on sale from the 29th of September.
The Ultimate Godzilla DVD Collection DVD
From Sony Music! Five huge DVDs in one monstrous collection! The Ultimate Godzilla DVD Collection features Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla VS. Mothra, Godzilla's Revenge, and Terror of Mechagodzilla, as well as a special bonus DVD, Rodan. Release Date: September, 2002/A>
Dolls Takeshi Kitano's [Fireworks, Brother, Kids Return, Violent Cop] next directorial project, "Dolls", is finally complete and will be released in Japanese theater this October and will be released internationally sometime next year. The film's central theme is love and focuses on 3 stories overlapping each other. Official Web Page: http://office-kitano.co.jp/dolls/
Drive The new Sabu [Non-Stop] movie, Drive, is also getting a release this August in Japanese theater. Official Web Page: http://www.sabu-drive.com
Tokyo 10+01 is the new movie from director Higuchinsky (Uzumaki) and will be released in August in Japanese theater. WE don't have that much info about it yet, except that Japanese actor Masanobu Ando is on the main cast and that the movie si distributed by KSS (Versus) Official Web Page: http://www.kss-movie.com/tokyo-eleven/
MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE
[UNCUT ULTIMATE EDITION]
At last, the masterpiece MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, will be released as a special edition. The DVD will contain the English and mandarin language and English sub. A remastered wide screen transfer and a couple of interesting extra: 12 Minutes Of Restored Footage; Audio Commentary By Film Critics Wade Major & Andy Klein; Trailers (Original Chinese Release, US Release, US Restored Version Release); Still Gallery; Biographies
The original Ring
The book of The Ring, writ[ten] by Koji Suzuki, will be available in English in North America this September, for a listed price of 15$. As for the American remake of Hideo Nakata's movie, it will open in theater on October 18th.
And finally, straight from the Miramax headquarters is J. D. Nguyen's interview of RING's Executive Producer and all around cool guy, Roy Lee. Wanna know what's happening with all the Asian remakes and future upcoming projects that are coming out in Hollywood? Read on and be amazed! http://www.kfccinema.com/articles/royleeinterview/royinterview.html
Matsushita Electric Industrial("Panasonic co'ltd") announced establishing the booth "Nintendo Game Front" (NINTENDO game front) where Nintendo can experience the game software of the company in the "Panasonic center" to be opened in the Ariake waterfront subcenter in September on 24. The about 30-person accommodation by 130.72 square meters are possible for the width of a booth. Free experience of a "NINTENDO game cube", the newest game software of the "Game Boy advance", etc. can be carried out. At the present ordinary homes, it is said by using Matsushita's newest digital equipments, such as a big screen plasma display and a video projector, that the highest game experience with difficult realization is offered. Furthermore, proposals of new "play", such as a cooperation function of a game cube and the Game Boy advance, are performed. The Panasonic center is an institution which generally introduces a product, technical development, etc. of the Matsushita group. In the company, it is regarded as the "comprehensive information reception-and-transmission base" which is not a mere showroom institution. In addition, about collaboration with other companies of Nintendo, it is said that it is now undecided.
Animation World Network’s (www.awn.com) latest newsletter contained an interesting blurb on a new partnership formed between ADV Films and Japanese based CoMix Wave, Inc.. ADV will work towards promoting CoMix Wave’s properties stateside.
You can read the excerpt from AWN’s newsletter below.
North American anime distributor A.D. Vision, Inc. (ADV), has partnered with CoMix Wave, Inc., a Japanese anime and manga management and production company, to promote and popularize CoMix Wave's creative talent and holdings. CoMix Wave manages more than 50 of Japan's top manga artists and illustrators, and works to discover and promote new talent within the industry. The company also manages production - both in Japan and overseas - of a variety of anime projects, including Koji Morimoto and Studio 4C's Clio Award- winning spots for Hong Kong shoe franchise La Saunda, and the film Voices of a Distant Star by Makoto Shinkai. As part of the new alliance, ADV hopes to expand recognition of manga artists within an American fan base. ADV will also help CoMix Wave create and market merchandise and related media from the artists' works and intellectual properties.
Today, Wednesday july24th, radio station 979 conexion gave the fandom of Costa Rica the oportunity to listen to 4 anime hit songs: Zankoku no Tenchi no Thesis from Neon Genesis Evangelion, Its Gonna Rain from Rurouni Kenshin, Sakura Saku from Love Hina and Shooting Star from FCLC, as part of the show dedicated to anime named as "ANIMATRON".
This show is sponsored by the Anime Club, and apart from music also gives information to the fans with the lastest news in anime and manga and some interesting facts about diferent and specific animes.Its broadcasted on wednesdays from 6 am to 8 am as part of the morning show 06 AM, and we hope that it could be the opening door to a stronger anime movement in the Costa Rica.
If you need more information about this show and the radio station you can check their website http://www.979conexion.com or the anime club internet comunity http://groups.msn.com/AnimeClubCR.
The 3D movie "one piece, Adventure of Grandline" is shown from July 6 by Sanrio Puroland.
More Info: http://www.sanrio.co.jp/spl/event/onepice.html
Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
The show time (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) which deals with contents distribution on cable broadcloth networks and the Internet started network distribution of the TV program "Miss comet" "super robot red baron" all talk of the 1970s on 7/22.
From June, 1978, the comet is the "Kumiko Oba version" half[ about one year and ]-broadcast, and he is all 68 talks. A red baron is the special-effects robot drama broadcast from July, 73 to March, 74. All 39 talks. It was said that the work and time when cable broadcloth is concrete will offer distribution service of nostalgic TV program around the 70s seen when the user layers with the Internet main with undecidedness were children.
It distributes by the contents portal for the broadcloth bands which the broadcloth band distribution service only for members "BROAD-GATE 01" which cable broadcloth manages, and a show time manage "ShowTime." A show time is the contents distribution company in which cable broadcloth and optimism did halving investment and which they founded, and is offering contents distribution service which is not captured by the provider. A charge is 100 yen per 1 viewing and listening, and also offers the free digest version. For BROAD-GATE 01, two kinds, 2Mbps(es) and 500kbps(es), and ShowTime are [ the distribution bit rate ] 500kbps(es).
Source: C-Net Japan
A new Nikkei Net article has word on the new story for Stand Alone Complex being scripted by Shirow Masamune and confirmation the TV version will be 26 episodes in length.
Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
the communication charge total for 6 or July which is applicable noting that the imperfect call has generated them on the 22nd, in case NTT DoCoMo and eight companies of DoCoMo groups transmit the picture which is digital camera service "i shots" and was photoed to an i shot center -- it was announced that about 40 million yen is returned to a user It will pay by asked part in August. According to the company, the transmission in the center from an i shot correspondence cellular phone uses the line switching, and after it dials it and it calls a center, it stretches a session. However, since adjustment of connection timing is insufficient, after calling a center, it is said that the example which fails in stretching a session had generated the whole about 23%. As a result of checking a phenomenon at the end of June and readjusting, it became normal on July 17. Since the communication charge was charged also about a part for this failure, DoCoMo decided to return a part for collection ending to a user. An object period is from the service start at 0:00 a.m. on June 1 to 0:00 a.m. on July 18. An i shot correspondence machine investigates whether it is between synchronizations, about 600,000 sets are used, and failure in connection was individually after this, and will return it by asked part in August.
Source: C-Net Japan
Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
The computer entertainment association (it is renaming from a Computer Entertainment Software Association CESA and on July 3) released "2002CESA game white papers" on the 22nd. According to it, the amount of an in-and-outside-the-country software hardware full force load for [ 2001 year ] one year is 1,457,500 million yen (1,117,800 million yen of the previous year), and is the increase of about 30%. It became the highest record since the investigation start in 1996. For the amount of a software full force load, 517,400 million yen (said 577,900 million yen) and the amount of hardware shipment are the increase of about 30% at the whole for 940,100 million yen (said 539,900 million yen). Especially the hardware for overseas recorded the increase of 105.0%, and big growth for 718,900 million yen (said 350,700 million yen), and led the whole. What received the selling good condition of "PlayStation 2." moreover, the domestic amount of hardware shipment -- 221,100 million yen -- compared with last year -- it was the increase of about 17% However, on the other hand, the domestic amount of a software full force load was less than 264,200 million yen (said 293,100 million yen) and the previous year about ten percent. Although the domestic total market scale which was estimated from the shipment scale and which was hard and soft was 613,400 million yen, the soft market scale became 10.8% of reduction for 368,500 million yen (said 413,100 million yen) inside. It is 123 million yen of PlayStation 2 that was the highest in the average development amount of the game software development costs classified by platform newly carried out this time. The price of having been the cheapest was 4 million yen of "Game Boy." Moreover, according to the investigation conducted for the general citizen (3 years old - 59 years old) in the metropolis, a game participant's ratio is 27.3% and the downward tendency had come out of it a little from 27.7% of the previous year.
Source: C-Net Japan
Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
The press release for the first Bastard graphic novel at www.viz.com:
Bastard!! Vol. 1 Graphic Novel Story & Art by Kazushi Hagiwara Viz Graphic Novel FEEL THE THUNDER! Dark Schneider, the chaotic, lecherous wizard, has returned to lifeÉonly barely restrained by the magic that forces him to obey his host body's teenage stepsister, Yoko! His former allies, the four kings of the dark armies of chaos, send their spy, Ninja Master Gara, to see if the rumors of his resurrection are true. While hydras, dragons and armies of monsters assault their kingdom, the unpredictably violent wizard assaults their only defenderÉand bloodstained Metallicana may never know peace again!
The publishing schedule, courtesy of the official Viz Bastard!! page at http://series.viz.com/bastard/ :
WIZARD!! (Issues 1-2) December 2001-January 2002
NINJA!! (Issues 3-5) February 2002-April 2002 (Note: These issues include a transcript of an interview with Kazushi Hagiwara!)
FIGHTER!! (Issues 6-8) May 2002-July 2002
VAMPIRE!! (Issues 9-10) August 2002-September 2002
EMPRESS!! (Issues 11-14 October 2002-January 2003
UNDEAD!! (Issues 15-19) February 2003-June 2003
To be released 25 October 2002 Catalogue number BCBA-1332 Price 5,000 yen Approximately 30 minutes, Dolby Digital sound (5.1 and stereo), single layer, 16:9 anamorphic aspect ratio Billed as a movie quality OVA, eight years have passed since war broke out after the famous alien spaceship crashed on Earth in 1999. In those years, veteran pilots have fallen one by one and now teenagers take to the battlefield. Young UN F-14 pilot Kudo Shin crash lands on a deserted island in the South Pacific. However, an unusual energy reading is detected on the island and soon UN and anti-UN forces are fighting for control of the island, thought to hold the legacy of technology (Protoculture) bought by the aliens to Earth in ancient times. Kudo was not to know that this was the start of important event that was to be erased from the annals of history... This Bandai page currently has a few pics in the second box from the left.
Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
Source: Pioneer Animation via Michael
Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
Due to the fact that we are beginning our inventory and getting things ready for our location change away from the Melrose strip, your orders may take longer to process than usual, (specially international orders) No official word on where we're moving to... Keep checking our site for more info!!
Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
The intention of a restart "Daiei movie co'ltd." The long-established store and Daiei of a movie company will make a fresh start under Kadokawa Shoten Publishing by operating-assets transfer by the Tokuma bookstore of a parent company. There are also likely to be "God of a large evil" (Daimajin) which was not realized while only the Kadokawa group positive to image business was expected, and revival of a popular character "GAMERA." the property of Daiei which Kadokawa got -- Daiei of Chofu-shi, Tokyo -- contents, such as GAMERA to which evaluation can calculate the latest high Japanese movie and still wide range character business also "Shall we dance ?", "CURE", and overseas from masterpieces, such as "Rashoumon", "Jigoku-mon", and "Zatou-ichi series", in addition to studio, and "God of a large evil" At the interview on the 22nd, the Tsuguhiko Kadokawa-Kadokawa publication CEO will say, "If it does not continue making a movie, he is meaningless", in addition to the remake of a previous work, the "OTAKU-editor" in my Company is likely to be pleased with "GAMERA or "God of a large evil", and they are developed increasingly. It was already declared that "God of a large evil" revival wanted to see "God of a large evil" by CG." Since the horror picture "a ring" of the Kadokawa manufacture is remade in Hollywood and exhibited this autumn, it is also the possibility of the Hollywood advance of GAMERA or "God of a large evil." Mr. reason and Yasuyoshi Tokuma who took over Daiei which went bankrupt in 1971 by the Tokuma Shoten Publishing president pierced through the on-site principle, saying "Although I offer funds, interference is not carried out to a work", and he sent out many masterpieces.
It is [ how Daiei is again born by inviting Chairman Kadokawa who does not miss a check to the top until by contrast it results in details, and ] attention.
Source: Goo News
"DAIMAJIN" is a spectacular SF historical movie based on the tradition "Golem" of Judea, and is also the nickname of pitcher Sasaki of Seattle Mariners.and Tokyo giant's Matsui player's nickname is Godzilla.
The salesclerk who had the costume of "KAONASHI" on sold DVD of "Sen and Chihiro" in front of the DVD store last week.When the salesclerk who was doing the costume play for whether it got tired on the way squatted down, "Since "KAONASHI" is God, if it gets tired and it sits down, it was useless" was said to other salesclerks.Hearing it, I have laughed heartily.
Although he bought DVD of a "suicide club"(Jisatsu club), it was not interesting at all. Although surely railroad suicide of 54 girls' high school students of the scene of the beginning of a movie had terrible force, after that, it is simple and is not interesting. Since this movie was the work made since the author wanted to make a screen version of a cruel image called extensive suicide of the girls' high school student of the scene of the beginning of a movie, it did not necessarily have especially social criticism or an awareness of the issues. Although the scene on which surely 54 girls' high school students jump down on a rail all at once, it is run over by the train, and blood and a piece of meat scatter is extremely cruel and it is powerful, it is a tedious movie after it.
Thanls to Daniel for this news
The cell of popular animation is stolen. Kita-ku, Tokyo, the jobless man (36) were arrested on suspicion of theft etc. noting that the Metropolitan Police Department Shakujii station stole the cell of popular animation "the sailor moon" on July 23. It is said that it is stating saying, "It was troubled by living expenses and sold although it stole since I liked TV animation." The suspect stole about ten points (an equivalent for current price sum total 4,500,000 yen) for the cell drawing of the sailor moon which invasion and the TOEI animation own in the warehouse of TOEI of a movie work company etc.
Source: Goo News
According to reports out of Japan, Super Mario Sunshine has already sold 400,000 copies.
According to Bloomberg Japan, sales of Super Mario Sunshine for the GameCube may have already reached the 400,000 mark, making it one of the fastest-selling games to date--Konami's soccer game Winning Eleven 6 for the PlayStation 2 also hit that mark shortly after it was released. Super Mario Sunshine is the first GameCube game with Mario staring as the lead character. Equipped with his water cannon, Mario sets out to clean up Dolphic Island and discover the true identity of the translucent Mario. The North American version of Super Mario Sunshine is scheduled to ship on August 26.
Source: Jorge Antonio Rivera
Capcom has updated the official Auto Modellista site with a few new screenshots of the game in action, as well as some of the options that players will have access to in the garage feature. Players who sign up for the PlayStation 2 broadband service in Japan will be able to play Auto Modellista online against human opponents. They will also be able to chat, form groups, and even take pictures of their cars. Capcom revealed at E3 that it's currently in the process of securing rights to vehicles manufactured by North American companies and that it's currently looking into adding a downloadable content feature along with the four-player online multiplayer option. Auto Modellista is scheduled for release in Japan on August 22. The North American version is currently scheduled to ship in October.
Source: Jorge Antonio Rivera (RyuHayabusaDOA2) http://fly.to/AngelsofLight
DVD of Sen and Chihiro, "a color is over red" and a complaint. Animation movie put on the market on the 19th About DVD of "Sen and Chihiro-fathom disappearance" (Director Hayao Miyazaki), it is a buyer. It turns out on the 23rd that the indication "a color is redder than the theater version" spreads in between, and many complaints are brought near by studio GIBURI of work etc. GIBURI retorts "It is the color which GIBURI determined and is right" on the same day. It was emphasized the Buena Vista home entertainment of a putting on the market on the market agency "did not make [ recovery was not carried out and ] a change of a color", either.
Source: Goo News
Likewise Goo News has offered this assessment:
A color is strange. -- It is a complaint rush to "Sen and Chihiro" DVD! It turns out on the 23rd that the complaint "a picture is amusing" is pouring in a store or manufactured studio JIBURI last weekend involving DVD of the popular animation movie "the disappearance of Sen and Chihiro" (Director Hayao Miyazaki) put on the market. According to exchange, it is perplexed in "It is investigating why it became like this" by JIBURI in a store in part. The ripple has spread only in the popular work to which the first-time number of shipment exceeded a total of 5 million by DVD and video.
After sale on the 19th, "it was not repaired although I had you exchange" in the company, and it was said that it is asked, and studio GIBURI says that a telephone and 200 or more mails are pouring in. [ "a picture looks red" and ] moreover, the complaint [ buyer / DVD ] in mass home electronics retailers in the city of Tokyo too of "the color of a picture being amusing" and "becoming dark suddenly" -- about -- it brings near a number -- having -- the said store -- "-- it is called initial / poor / -- it is treating, coming out and exchanging -- it is called "
Although [ GIBURI ], as for this work, 3 million DVDs and 2 million or more videos are shipped and "most claims are DVDs", partly, the talk "video is also amusing" has also come out. JIBURI explains "If I will have the same possible thing as the tone seen at the theater seen, it is that to which the color design person in charge and the photography supervisor added the color effect, and is not unusual" to such an "unusual situation." However, popular works, such as TOTORO" used as " which GIBURI put on the market, and "Princess Mononoke", are also said "Although a certain color effect was added similarly, there was such no echo."
For this reason, a possibility of "discoloring" in the combination of a specific visual equipment etc. should be included. "I have Buena Vista investigating now why it became like this. I want to receive the result and to correspond as early as possible." (GIBURI stuff)
"Sen and Chihiro" by which theater public presentation was carried out by the end of last year mobilized 23,520,000 spectators, broke through the first [ in Japan ] 30 billion yen by the box-office revenue, and became the big hit which sets a new record. Not only the number of shipment was record, but DVD sold 1,400,000 sheets in one week (cage contest investigation). Moreover, sales revitalized other JIBURI works by the "Chihiro" effect, and a total of seven works carried out rank in to the best 50 with the chart of a "planet." Since this work is a work which created the social phenomenon at the time of a show, we are anxious about expanding the color tone unusual problem of DVD from now on.
- JIBURI DVD- which entered the best 50 Ranking /Sen and Chihiro. /Princess Mononoke. /Mimi o Sumaseba / Wisper of the Heart. /My Neibour Totoro . /Sen and Chihiro Collector's edition. /Porco Rosso / Crimson Pig(Kurenai no buta) /Kiki's Delivery Service (majo no takkyu-bin)
Rounding up this line of news Goos has this final comment translated graciouslyby Yukio-san:
that it is [ of "Sen and Chihiro fathoms" ] DVD, and "it being redder than the theater version" -- a complaint -- a large number -- It turns out on the 23rd that the indication "a color is redder than the theater version" spreads among buyers, and many complaints are brought near by studio GIBURI of manufacture etc. about DVD of the animation movie "Sen and Chihiro-fathom disappearance" (Director Hayao Miyazaki) put on the market on the 19th. This DVD is the big hit which will sell about 1,400,000 by the 21st. But, the store became exceptional situations, such as receiving an inquiry, by "The colors of this editing image and a preview (appendix disk) differed" etc. having been indicated with the bulletin board of a network. GIBURI retorts "It is the color which GIBURI determined and is right" on the same day. Although it emphasized the Buena Vista home entertainment of a putting on the market on the market agency "did not make [ recovery was not carried out and ] a change of a color", either, correspondence, such as canceling the formal comment which was being planned hurriedly, got confused. According to Buena Vista, "Sen and Chihiro fathoms" are the first full digital animation in GIBURI, the work which unites cell drawing and a color is not done, but the color design persons in charge of GIBURI say that the monitoring screen adjusted and determined the color. The technical magazine AV watch (Impress) editorial department on a network "although it will be right if a producer says that it is this, to a consumer, the theater version is original. That a color differs from it has pointed out in that it should have publicized in advance."
Source: Goo News
BANDAI INVADES OTAKON 2002 WITH EXCLUSIVE GUEST APPEARANCES, MOVIE SCREENING AND MODEL BUILDING CONTEST
Anime Fans Await Screenings of Char's Counterattack, Escaflowne and Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
CYPRESS, Calif. (July 24, 2002) ? Bandai Entertainment Inc. and Bandai America Inc. plan on blowing away anime fans at Otakon 2002 in Baltimore, MD on July 26-28. As one of the convention's main sponsors, Bandai's announcements and activities include:
- Panel Discussions with Creators Takehito Ito and Hiroyuki Morioka. Renowned anime creators Takehito Ito (Outlaw Star) and Hiroyuki Morioka (Crest of the Stars) will make their first convention appearance at Otakon. Fans will be given the opportunity to meet and interact with them at various scheduled panels and autograph sessions. Mr. Ito's anime series, Outlaw Star, is currently one of the highest-rated shows on the Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" block. In addition, Mr. Morioka will be unveiling his latest sci-fi epic, Banner of the Stars, the sequel to fan-favorite Crest of the stars.
- Char's Counterattack Screening. Bandai Entertainment Inc. will premiere the long-awaited theatrical release of the first original Gundam film ? Mobile Suit Gundam's Char's Counterattack. A limited theatrical rollout is planned with engagements across North America shortly after. Presented with English subtitles, this Japanese animated film culminates the television series of Mobile Suit Gundam, Z Gundam and Gundam ZZ. Taking place 14 years after the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, Char's Counterattack concludes the long-running rivalry between hero Amuro Ray and his nemesis Char Aznable. After years of conflict between Earth and the space colonies, Char has devised a radical solution. By bombarding Earth with asteroids, he will render the planet uninhabitable and force all of humanity to live in space. All that stands in Char's way are Amuro and one small Earth Federation fleet. The destiny of the human race will be decided by the final clash between these two Newtype warriors.
- Anime Guide DVD. Distributed throughout the convention, the Anime Guide DVD features a full episode of Arjuna as well as trailers of Bandai Entertainment Inc.'s new television shows and theatrical features. An estimated 100,000 of these promotional DVDs are being distributed to anime convention participants and various retail outlets.
- Escaflowne The Movie and Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade. In addition to Char's Counterattack, anime fans can enjoy special screenings of Escaflowne in Japanese with English subtitles. Escaflowne follows Hitomi, a Japanese high school girl, who escapes her reverie of depression on Earth by traveling to the alternate world of Gaea. There, she meets Van, an enigmatic young king, who will determine the fate of countries with a mystical dragon armor named Escaflowne.
- Model-Building Contest. On Friday and Saturday, July 26-27, a Gundam model-building contest, sponsored by Bandai America Inc., will allow anime aficionados to enter and win prizes, such as t-shirts, DVDs, Gundam model kits and action figures. Every hour, two teams of two people will build a Gundam action figure model kit and compete against the clock to find out who has the fastest fingers. Expo attendees can register for the contest at the Bandai booth, and participants are chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Booth Activities. Bandai's booth will showcase Gundam, anime toy collectibles and two video game consoles, which will allow fans to test Bandai's latest interactive games, such as Federation vs. Zeon and the upcoming RPG/anime series ? .hack. A variety of giveaways will be distributed at the booth, including posters, stickers and other Gundam and anime memorabilia.
Otakon is the largest East Coast convention devoted to East Asian culture, with a particular focus on Japanese animation (anime). Held at the Baltimore Convention Center from July 26-28, fans will have an opportunity to be immersed in anime films, series and other exciting activities.
For everyone attending OTAKON 2002 (July 26-28, 2002 -- Baltimore, MD), don't forget to visit Viz (booth # 925/1024) to check out our giveaways, buy product and talk to Viz staff!
In addition to the booth, you can find Viz at the following con events:
ANIME SCREENINGS
----------------
Saturday July, 27, 2002
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Inu-Yasha, Episodes 1 & 2 (Main Video 1 -- Hall A)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Great Dangaioh PREMIERE (Main Video 1 -- Hall A)
VIZ PANELS
----------
Sunday, July 28, 2002
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
VIZ INDUSTRY PANEL (Panel Room 2)
Join Viz staff, including Carl Gustav Horn, editor of Eisner-nominated
EAGLE: THE MAKING OF AN ASIAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT, NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION, BANANA FISH, BAKUNE YOUNG, STRAIN and VOYEURS, and Elena
Ontiveros of Viz's marketing department, as they serve the dish on
what manga and anime releases fans can expect to see from Viz for Fall
and Winter of 2002.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
MYTHS OF EVANGELION (Panel Room 3)
Ten million people watched the final TV episode. The even more
controversial movie, which TOKYOSCOPE's Patrick Macias argues was
artistically the most important anime film of the 90s, won a special
1997 Japan Academy Award for having created the biggest public
sensation of the year. Half a decade after the end of Evangelion, it
is clear the Eva phenomenon is far from over, as the industry still
looks for another anime that can so capture the imagination of the
larger Japanese public, and American fans at last get to see the DVD
release of the film. Come discuss Evangelion with Viz's editor of the
English edition of co-creator Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's manga, Carl Gustav
Horn.
http://www.koyagi.com/USAAnimeRelease.html
Source: Gamers News courtesy Michael
Funimation news
Funimation have given details of their next few UK releases:
Blue Gender volume 2, containing episodes 4-6 will be released on 5th August on DVD (£17.99) and VHS (£12.99).
Lupin The 3rd: Secret of Twilight Gemini will be released on 9th September, also on DVD (£15.99) and VHS (£12.99).
Also out on 9th September will be Yu Yu Yakusho volume 1, containing episodes 1-4, also on DVD (£12.99 supposedly, but that's probably a misprint) and VHS (£12.99).
Fox Kids News
Fox kids have published a press release announcing their autumn 2002 line-up:
-begin quote-
London, UK - Fox Kids today announced the launch of a new season of programming on the UK cable, satellite and digital channel for Autumn 2002. It includes several exclusive all-UK TV premieres of anime and live-action series that complement the channel's existing line-up.
The new series of the battling robots super-show Medabots, acquired from Nelvana International, launches on Fox Kids UK on September 2, 2002. The show is set in a technologically advanced future where every child owns a high-performance pet robot endowed with artificial intelligence. The first series launched in February 2002 and is currently one of Fox Kids top- rating shows.
The line-up of new series for the fourth quarter of 2002 also include:
Shin Chan Series 2, the top-rating 'Japanimation' series acquired from TV Asahi featuring the humorous antics of a cheeky young boy (UK-TV premiere).
Pig City, produced by Cinegroupe, is an animated comedy featuring the adventures of Mikey, a country bumpkin pig who moves to the big city (UK-TV premiere).
Power Rangers Wild Force, from Saban International, features the latest incarnation of the lycra-clad intergalactic time-travelling crime-fighters (UK-TV premiere).
Ian Finnegan, Managing Director, Fox Kids UK, says: "'Japanimation' programming is a core feature of the schedule and the new shows launching in September join established anime favourites on the channel such as Digimon and Flint the Time Detective. We are confident that the new additions to the schedule such as Pig City, with its irreverent humour, and the new series of the ever-popular Power Rangers will prove a big hit with kids this Autumn."
-end quote-
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Source: Natsume Maya (http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au)
LOCATION AND TIME Anime USA 2002 www.animeusa.org October 11-13, 2002 Sheraton Premiere in Tysons Corner 8661 Leesburg Pike Vienna, Virginia 22180
NEWS:
Anime USA is proud to announce that we have just confirmed Hidenori Matsubara as our guest. Mr. Matsubara has served as Animation Director and Character Designer adapting Mr. Fujishima's designs for the Ah! My Goddess and Sakura Taisen anime as well as Animation Director for Otaku no Video anime. He is also credited as animator for Taiho Shichauzo OVA, Patlabor Movie, Blue Submarine No. 6, Fatal Fury Movie, Wings of Oneamise, Ranma 1/2, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Macross II.
GUESTS:
- Hidenori Matsubara, Animation Director and Character Designer for the Ah! My Goddess and Sakura Taisen anime
- Scott McNeil, voice of Duo Maxwell in Gundam Wing, Piccolo in Dragonball Z, and Wolverine in X-Men Evolution.
- Scott Frazier, Animator on RikiOh 2, Shurato , Bubblegum Crash and Tottoi.
- Amy Howard Wilson, voice of Nova in Star Blazers and Miranda in the The Irresponsible Captain Tylor! OVA.
- Keith Burgess, voice of Akuma in the Street Fighter Alpha movie. Co-producer for the End of Evangelion movie.
- Kelli Shayne Bulter, voice of Yoko Sasaoka in Boogie Pop Phantom and Ikeda in Kare Kano.
- Steve Bennett and Doug Smith from Studio Ironcat, publisher of US releases of Hyperdolls, Vampire --Princess Miyu, and many other titles
- Austell Callwood, Creater/ Artist of the comic Cove, Pirate Mercenary.
- Temple Studios , Publisher of Blood of Onyx, Hyper-Boy, and other titles.
2) It has now been officially confirmed that director Ryuhei Kitamura ("Versus") will next direct the big budget period epic "Azumi". Based on a popular manga that has sold over 8 million copies, the film will tell tell the tale of a group of young warriors trained to be Samurai and Shogun assassins. Teen idol Aya Ueto has been signed to play the titular role. Shooting is set to start in September and the film will release next summer.
Source: Asia AICN via Daniel
Continuing to prove how high profile an anime becomes in the mainstream Japanese press when it enjoys success overseas, a number of Japanese sources have made reference to GIT's popularity Europe and America in the first few sentences of their writeups. 3 corporations are involved in the development of Stand Alone Complex which are: Bandai Visual (EMOTION), Dentsu and Bandai Entertainment. Production I.G. will produce the animation. From October 2002 the series will air in Japan via commercial broadcast and CS. Those who may have shrugged off Bandai's bi-line refferring to this show as "THE BIGGEST ANIME RELEASE OF ALL TIME" as overhypeed PR syntax should take heart in the fact that production expenses have been quoted at 8 hundred million Yen, which is roughly double the average budget of an anime TV series.
Sources: Nikkei Net | http://unyora.jp/tarax/anime/
Check out screenshots of the recently announced Final Fantasy remakes for the PSOne. Gamespot:
Square has released screens of the Japanese Final Fantasy I and II remakes that were recently announced for the PSOne. The games will be sold separately, though Square also announced plans to sell a limited-edition package that includes both games as well as three action figures. We'll have more on the Final Fantasy remakes as it becomes available.
Source:Gamespot.com(Gamespot)
Yoko Kanno - Composer Guest of Honor* Composer: Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Chikyû shôjo, Escaflowne, Brain Powered, Cowboy Bebop (TV Series), Memories (segment 1), Tenkuu no Escaflowne (TV Series), Please Save My Earth, Natsu jikan no otonatachi and Macross Plus
Toshihiro Kawamoto - Character Designer Guest of Honor* Character Designer: Cowboy Bebop (TV Series), Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door, The Cockpit, Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, Gundam: The 08th MS Team and Golden Boy
Shinchiro Watanabe - Director Guest of Honor* Director: Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Cowboy Bebop and Macross Plus Writer: Cowboy Bebop (TV Series)
Atsushi Takeuchi - Mecha Designer Guest of Honor Mecha Designer: Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor, Sakura Wars (Movie), Sol Bianca, Starship Cruiser Yamato 2520, Tenchi Muyo (AKA No Need for Tenchi) and Armitage the III Director: Ace Combat 3, Sakura Wars 3 (Game) and Yuki Kaze Production Designer: Ah My Goddess
Akitaro Daichi - Director Guest of Honor* Writer and Director: Juubei - Chan (Jubei-Chan the Ninja Girl) and Kaze Makase Tsukikage Ran Director: Kodomo no Omocha (AKA Child's Toy), Nurse Angel Ririka, Fairy Princess Ren, and Sugoiyo Masaru-san (Sexy Commando Masaru-san)
Noboru Ishiguro - Director Guest of Honor Director: Robotech, Macross: Ai Oboeteimasuka (AKA Macross, SDF-1 Macross: Do You Remember Love?), Astroboy, Megazone 23, Uchu senkan Yamato (AKA Space Crusier Yamato), Legend of the Galactic Heroes OAV Series, and Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest Is the Sea of Stars
Takao Koyama - Writer Guest of Honor Writer: Dragonball, Gatchaman, Slayers, Urusei Yatsura, Dr. Slump, Saint Seiya, Shurato, NG Knight Lamume & 40, Time Bokan and 13 of the 14 Dragonball movies
Taro Maki - Special Industry Guest of Honor* Producer: Tenchi Muyo in Love, Tenchi Muyo: The Movie 2, Super Doll: Rika-chan, Tree of Palme and Millennium Actress
Mayumi Tanaka - Voice Actress Guest of Honor Voice Acting Credits: Kuririn (Krillin) and Yajirobe (Dragonball and Dragonball Z), Giovanni (Night on the Galactic Railroad), Pazu (Laputa), Young Satoru Kanzaki (Area 88), Seneca (Arion), Yu (Giant Gorg), Ryunosuke Fujinami (Urusei Yatsura), Kanna Kirishima (Sakura Taisen) and Koenma (Yu Yu Hakusho) Other Roles: 3x3 Eyes, Dragonball GT, Fire Tripper, Rurouni Kenshin, Sailor Moon and Wataru
Yoshiyuki Tomino - Director Guest of Honor* Creator: Reideen the Brave (AKA Raideen) and Gundam Director: Gundam Z, Gundam ZZ, Turn-A Gundam, Char's Counterattack, Brain Powerd and Garzey's Wing *Appearing at Anime Expo New York courtesy of the Big Apple Anime Fest.
For additional information on Anime Expo New York, please visit us at http://www.axny.org
Anime Expo New York is pleased to welcome Mr. Toshihiro Kawamoto as their Character Designer Guest of Honor. Mr. Kawamoto is an animation director and character designer who has worked on some of the most popular anime titles to date. He is the character designer and animation director for Cowboy Bebop, Mobile Suite Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, Movile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team and Golden Boy. Mr. Kawamoto will be appearing in New York to assist Columbia Tristar in promoting the dubbed premiere of Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven's Door in New York. Mr. Kawamoto will be appearing courtesty of Big Apple Anime Fest.
Anime Expo New York is proud to welcome Mr. Shinchiro Watanabe as their Director Guest of Honor. Mr. Watanabe is the director of Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Cowboy Bebop (TV Series) and Macross Plus. He also served as the writer for Cowboy Bebop (TV Series). Mr. Watanabe will be appearing in New York to assist Columbia Tristar in promoting the dubbed premiere of Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven's Door in New York. Mr. Watanabe is appearing as a guest of Big Apple Anime Fest.
For additional info on Anime Expo New York, please visit our page at http://www.axny.org
A new Dragon Ball Z game developed by Bandai and distributed by Infogrames has been released in the Europe. The game is for Game Boy Color and is called Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors. No US release is planned.
If you order the Metropolis DVD from MVM (http://www.mvm-uk.co.uk) now you get a free packet of anime trading cards.
From: ADVFIlms thanks to Michael for the scoop
The ADV Prophet has just learned tomorrow's screening for Princess Blade at the Asian-American International Film Festival in New York has SOLD OUT! Following in the footsteps of 2001's Spriggan, ADV is planning an early 2003 theatrical release for Princess Blade - the stunning live action martial arts film based on the comic book "Shurayukihime" by Kazou Koike (The Lone Wolf and Cub) and Kazou Kamimura, and featuring fight choreography by Donnie Yen (Iron Monkey, Blade II).
The movie tells the tale of Yuki (Japanese idol Yumiko Shaku), the beautiful but deadly daughter of the Takemikazuchi assassin clan, as she cuts through her past and searches for her true destiny after discovering the head of her clan was responsible for her mother's death. Yuki's quest pits her against her former family, who are sent to kill her, and leads her towards possible happiness in the arms of computer whiz Takashi (Japanese idol Hideaki Ito).
Princess Blade has already made a splash at several prestigious film festivals around the world, with more on the way. Check out the www.advfilms.com for news about when and where you can see this amazing film before next year's theatrical run!
Source: Akadotretail
Schedule in Eastern/Pacific Time
Courtesy Michael
BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF HOME VIDEO AND BROADCAST RIGHTS FOR THE BIGGEST ANIME RELEASE OF ALL TIME - GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX
Cypress, CA (July 22, 2002) – Bandai Entertainment Inc. announced today in conjunction with Production I.G., its acquisition of the home video and broadcast rights in North America for the highly anticipated anime television series - Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Created by Production I.G. (Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, Love Hina), original story by Masamune Shirow (Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell), directed by Kenji Kamiya, and music by Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne) - Stand Alone Complex is the television series sequel to the animated film that redefined Japanese animation, Ghost in the Shell (1995).
In the future, life between the digital and physical world has been blurred. The boundary of technology and humanity has been stretched beyond imagination with lives being led in both the electronic and physical worlds. With the melding of man and machine – a new cybernetic level of existence is being created - An existence that continues to redefine mankind.
Further production and release details on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in both Japan and North America will be forthcoming. Production I.G. has launched the official Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex website – which can be found here at: http://www.production-ig.com/Ghost_TV.html
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