Referring to the week of anime segments, Hiro Awanohara, Marketing & Sales Manager for Big Apple Anime Festival states, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to show some outstanding examples of the rapidly-growing anime manga culture on the captivating NBC Astrovision by Panasonic. Panasonic's generous gifts and dedication to our festival is something we are proud of as we look forward to embracing the eyes of the public at the most popular location of New York City. "
The Times Square large screen will feature anime from some special BAAF titles including much anticipated World Premiere and Exclusive Sneak Preview titles from TriStar Pictures and Dreamworks as well as classic titles from companies such as Central Park Media.
Industry giant, Panasonic will also supply a wide variety of hi-tech audio/video products to be featured at the Big Apple Anime Fest booth for the duration of the three-day festival. David Williams, Senior Manager of Brand Strategy Group at Panasonic noted, "Panasonic is honored to be joining forces with the Big Apple Anime Festival once again by providing the audio and video resources that will allow the exciting Anime culture to be enjoyed and celebrated by even more New Yorkers."
Taking place this year over Labor Day weekend, the Big Apple Anime Fest has become known as the "Cannes Film Festival of the Anime Manga Culture." Japanese animation (anime) is one of the hottest media trends among today's global youth. Having established itself last year as the largest anime film festival in America, the BAAF 2002 Film Festival will feature premieres, retrospectives, symposiums, autograph sessions, dealer booths, creative panels, and a costume party, The events will be held at locations around Times Square, including The Directors Guild Theater on 57th street [57th St is no place near Times Square], the Marriott Marquis Hotel, and the Virgin Megastore.
This year an all-star collection of anime celebrities including renowned directors, Daichi Akitaroh and Yoshiyuki Tomino, anime producer, Maki Taro, and voice actors such as Mandy Bonhomme, Rachael Lillis, Liam O'Brien, Ed Paul, Eric Stuart, and Jimmy Zoppi are expected as Guests of Honor.
The festival will feature the world premiere the theatrical English dubbed version of "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie," a sci-fi action adventure scheduled for theatrical release by TriStar Pictures in early 2003. At the premiere, Cowboy Bebop director, Shinichiro Watanabe, score composer, Yoko Kanno and Character Designer, Toshihiro Kawamoto will be on hand to meet their legions of fans. Cowboy Bebop is also currently an enormously popular animated TV show, currently seen in the U.S. on the Cartoon Network.
Panasonic consumer electronic products are marketed in the United States by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. The company is a division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (NYSE:MC) of Japan, one of the world's largest producers of innovative electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. Matsushita Electric Corporation of America is a founding member of the Internet Home Alliance.
An Inside Look at Anime
A presentation by Yasuhiro Imagawa World-renowned writer, director, and producer of Japanese animation
Mr. Imagawa will talk about the behind-the-scenes process of making animated series and movies, showing video clips from the various programs he has created or directed. His projects include Mr. Ajikko, G Gundam, 7 Nanas, Gianto Robo—The Night the Earth Stood Still, The Violinist of Hamelin, Boy, and Pet Shop of Horrors.
Monday, August 5, 2002 7:00 p.m. Addison Conference & Theatre Center 15650 Addison Rd. Addision, Texas 75001-9010 Free admission
Tuesday, August 6, 2002 University of Houston Houston Ballroom at UC 6:00 – 8:30 PM with Q & A and autograph session
DALLAS
For more information contact the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth at jasdfw@us-japan.org, tel. 214-761-1791, fax 214-761-1793.
HOUSTON
Contact Kira Farmer at 713-652-2977
or email info@cgjhouston.org for more information
Presented by the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, AnimeFEST, and the Consulate-General of Japan at Houston.
Today is the day you can begin previewing episodes from the first half of the final movement in the epic Neon Genesis Evangelion saga, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth! In the weeks ahead, we will be streaming additional excerpts from this masterful anime classic-in-the-making.
Created by Production I.G. (Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire) and Studio GAINAX (The Wings of Honneamise), the full-length DVD and VHS releases of Manga Entertainment's Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth also hit the streets today. The double-sided D&B DVD is Manga's most technically advanced to date, complete with audio commentary and an interactive, chapter-specific reference guide to Eva terms, characters and plot explication--an important introduction for Eva newcomers and a comprehensive resource for the Eva-literate. See below for an example of the wealth of informational detail contained in the DVD's "Mokuji Interactive" feature.
We hope you enjoy this and subsequent online sneak previews of Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth, the first of two sweeping, all-of- Eva-encompassing anime blockbusters. Stay tuned for future details and streams from the second, Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, in September.
Watch it here! http://www.sputnik7.com/vod/anime
Source: Daniel
Now that I've had time to look at the Hollywood Reporter article again, I've noticed they have a 2004 release date for it, and are calling it a "feature film", making one wonder if it's it going to be in theaters instead of going straight to home video.
The latest films from China's most popular filmmakers, a rollicking Thai melodrama-western, a double dose of Japanese gangster mayhem, two big box office hits from Korea, groundbreaking animations from China & Hong Kong, the latest Bollywood Blockbuster, award winning films from Vietnam & the Philippines, Australian classics and documentaries. Talk with legendary Hong Kong-based cinematographer Christopher Doyle. See the winners of the SHORT SOUP short film competition.
Featuring two great animations from Asia: the cel animation UPROAR IN HEAVEN, the classic story of the Monkey King from the Shanghai Animation Film Studio; and MY LIFE AS McDULL, winner of Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Awards 2002, boasting a dizzying array of animation techniques, including 2D cel animation, pencil-work, paper-cuts, fully-rendered CG, and even unadulterated live-action
You'll find it all at the 3rd Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival. Visit the website www.sapff.com.au for full program details & screening times. Tickets on sale now at Dendy Cinemas Martin Place & Opera Quays, or call Dendy Cinemas on 02 9247 3800 for credit card bookings.
BOOK NOW - TICKETS SELLING FAST. All sessions 18 years + (except seminars - open to all) ALL SESSIONS AT DENDY MARTIN PLACE CINEMA, UNDER THE MLC CENTRE
We're back! After nearly a year out of the scenes, @anime! has returned! We've gone back to our issue-based format and redesigned the site to help make it easier for everyone to navigate and use. The NEW issue is up, so go check out the changes!
Our new look comes along with a few new things to @a! Let's see what we have on our first time out with our new duds on...
She's just a typical high school student... Heh, yeah right. Come take a look at the hilarious hyjinks of Ryoko and Co. in Real Bout High School as we give you the first @anime! TripleTake, a look at the first pieces of the Real Bout line, the manga, the anime and the soundtrack from Tokyopop. It's martial arts fun like you've probably seen, but not quite like this.
Then. watch your back for an ambush! The battle for the mysterious Arc of Noah and the future of all mankind is the setting for the latest motion picture release from ADV Films. Action and suspense is the name of the game as we take a look at the DVD release of Spriggan!
We'll also be taking a RetroAnime look at the wacky world of Moldiver from Pioneer, the first part of an @anime! TripleTake with the manga review of Great Teacher Onizuka from Tokyopop and a look at the hot shopping spots in La-La Land with our first installment of the @animegastore!: Shoppin' in Los Angeles. New commentaries, upcoming releases and an editorial live from Anime Expo 2002... it's all in there!
1. The Yamato VF-1S Strike (Roy) has been delayed until the end of August. There was a few changes made. The gunpod grip now collapses into the barrel, and the gunpod is FLUSH in fighter mode. No more drooping/dragging gunpods, it's up high and snug. Will be incorporated in all future 1/60 VF-1's. Slight change made to one of the missiles to fit on the wings better.
2. Bandai is re-releasing the Max and Millia 1/55 VF-1J's. Nuff said.
3. Following that announcement, (about 2 days) Yamato is going to make 1/60 Max and Millia *SUPER* VF-1J's. I'm hoping for the armor to be color-coded, but no word yet. In case you're wondering, yes they're canon, go watch ep 27, and 30. (Color-coded in ep 27, standard grey in ep 30)
4. But before Max and Millia come out from Yamato, look for them to release the VF-1D.
Cheerful tour mate Rachael Lilis (anime voice actress for Pokemon, Utena, Slayers and others) Exciting visits to the showroom of studio Gainax, the creators of "Neon Genesis Evangelion" Special visits to the editorial offices of Raijin Comics, a new magazine to be published in the US this fall. The ultimate visit to the Ghibli Museum! Outdoor screenings, anime costume parade, Studio 4'C anime cell exhibition at Anime Wonderland Festival, and much more! Accommodations will be provided at the deluxe Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, with easy access to digital town Akihabara and fashion town Shibuya. No fan of anime and Tokyo pop culture will want to miss this tour.
For additional information please visit:
http://www.newyork-tokyo.com/animetour2002fall/flyer.pdf
Los Angeles, CA (July 30, 2002)- Only weeks after the launch of their unprecedented "100% Authentic Manga" campaign, TOKYOPOP has sold out its first printing of authentic manga books, causing U.S. retailers to trumpet a true success story!
More than 1,400 authentic manga floor displays are in storefronts nationwide, and with shipments of authentic manga to over 2,000 retailers, including such major accounts as Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, Borders and other book and comic stores, the sales have resulted in TOKYOPOP exceeding its normal manga release distribution volume by 200%.
"The release of TOKYOPOP's 'Authentic Manga' has been a phenomenal success for Waldenbooks. Reading the books right-to-left has presented no barrier to customers' willingness to pick up great material at a great value," said Kurt Hassler, Waldenbooks graphic novel buyer. "The Authentic Manga line is a great addition to our selection at Waldenbooks, and we will continue to support it in our commitment to providing our customers with the best the genre has to offer."
TOKYOPOP, the first U.S. publisher to publish all new manga in its original format, began its sweeping right-to-left launch with nine titles released in April 2002. Top TOKYOPOP sellers include Cowboy Bebop, Chobits, GTO and Real Bout High School. Nearly 200,000 manga titles were shipped during April alone, marking the company's biggest publishing month to date.
"We are thrilled with the continued success of our manga properties and most certainly our authentic manga campaign. This is the type of response by readers we like to see," said Steve Kleckner, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for TOKYOPOP. "We look forward to continued growth, and plan to double our releases to 30 per month in 2003."
Musicland's proven success with the Authentic Manga line has resulted in the company's plans to roll out TOKYOPOP branded manga floor displays in all 398 of their SUNCOAST video stores, making TOKYOPOP the first company with manga prominently featured throughout the SUNCOAST chain.
Wherehouse Music is also strengthening their TOKYOPOP manga presence. The retailer recently confirmed plans to offer the Authentic Manga line to customers throughout 114 stores.
"This series is not a sequel, nor a remake. It is a completely new series based on several new plots by Shirow Masamune. But of course, I cannot give any information about the storyline at this point of time."
Also, Ghostwriter gave the following information about the Japanese premiere of GITS TV: "We have an event called ANIFES in Sesion Suginami Hall on 10th August Saturday from 4pm. I shall be there in the talk show togehter with the Director Kamiyama and the Producer Matsuka. We will have a preview for 2 episodes of the series."
It's one day, but packed full of punch. Tons of prizes including Tenchi Muyo Glow In The Dark Stained Glass Windows, Neon Genesis Boxed Set oF DVDs, Robotech Boxed Set,Blue Seed Boxed Set, Star Blazers Screen Savers and much more. The first 100 people through the door get a free issue of Protoculture Addicts and a Digi Charat BookMark, among other things. More activities than one can do in a day including, Cos Play, Art Contest, Gundam Model Contest, Anime Viewing ( to be announced from Tokyopop and ADV Films), Trivia Contests. Admission is only $5 or free if you wear a costume!
The software which can recommend sale according to a judgment and age about the software of a home video game machine for whether the game industrial world is independently suitable for examination and social ethics in the contents, and the software which is not so are classified, or the system of examining the right or wrong of sale will start in October. "The computer entertainment rating mechanism (COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT RATING ORGANIZATION : abbreviated name CERO)" established in June serves as a subject of such business.
The economic organization of a computer game correlative industry and a computer entertainment association (COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLIER'S ASSOCIATION abbreviated name : CESA) will carry out such self-imposed control from four years before conventionally. Although the fixed effect has been obtained By various change of a situation, such as an increase in a user accompanying expansion of a market scale, an advancement of a game machine, soft diversification, and complication The point of if adoption of form that the point which should be improved about the state of regulation specifies in a package surfacing and the age group which should be sold especially, and the organization which became independent of this association are required came to be discussed.
Although the examination system was not determined yet, this mechanism announced "CERO examination ethics regulation (proposal)" this time. According to this, objects are PlayStation 2, Playstation, Nintendo64, GAMECUBE, Game Boy advance, X-box, Wonder-swan, and the software corresponding to each game machine of Dreamcast fundamentally first, and business use, the object for personal computers, the object for cellular phones, etc. are not contained.
Examination is based on self-assessment of a maker. A maker side writes down a required matter in the "questionnaire" which asks how many "violence expression" are included about soft contents. [ "sex expression", ] In addition, the possibility of sale, a next door, and an "age classification mark" will be displayed on a package, and presentation and CERO will ship the video in which the picture of whether to become a problem was mentioned, if inspection, age classification, etc. are judged and a notice and a maker agree with this on those contents. Since a judge is general, it is planned to seek.
These classification is expected to make age classification into "12 or more years old" "for [ all ] age", "15 years old or more", and "18 years old or more", and to be displayed from the software sold to henceforth at the December, this year time. In CERO, when a less than 15-year-old user tries to purchase "18 or more years-old" recommendation software, it is inclined to ask the circulation side, such as making it have cautions urged from a store side etc., for an understanding and cooperation, for example.
By CERO, when a participating maker takes action which breaks these regulations, it is inquiring towards imposing penal regulations, such as a fine or examination refusal, and expulsion. Although there is no legal legal force in the law of this mechanism, if many, such as a hard/soft leading maker who has participated in present and CESA, seem to join CERO and it does not pass through CERO examination, it is expected that it becomes powerful regulation also from it being considered that it becomes difficult to put software on a circulation route.
Source: PC Web
Calling all aspiring manga artists . send us your stuff!!! Whoa, hold on, some background material first . Definition of Manga
From time immemorial, many cultures have used a combination of the written word and pictures to tell stories, convey information, and bridge the gap between disparate peoples. Japanese archaeologists have discovered wood block prints from as far back as the 15th century that suggest the use of "comics," so to speak, as a part of daily life. Though manga as we know it probably came into being at the dawn of the 20th century, most aficionados of the genre agree that the modern manga style was invented by Osamu Tezuka - the creator of such venerated works as Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion - in the late 1940's/early 1950's. Since then, the manga industry has grown exponentially, influencing western comic books with its unique aesthetic, and being influenced in turn by countless styles and techniques from outside Japan.
Traditionally rendered in black and white, printed on coarse paper, and designed to be portable, manga is an art form for the masses, accessible to a wide spectrum of people from all walks of life. Manga genres range from horror to romance, science fiction to family dramas, military epics to sports stories. Another notable quality about modern manga is its attention to character. Manga's incredibly targeted and focused visual palette allows its creators to emphasize character development in a manner not commonly found in traditional western comics. And, because nearly anyone with a pen and a piece of paper can get started, a thriving amateur manga scene - whose indie products are known as "manga doujinshi" - has developed, both in Japan and internationally.
NOW, TOKYOPOP® WANTS TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE YOUR MANGA MUSCLES.
Since 1996, TOKYOPOP® has been committed to bringing Japanese manga - and, more recently, Korean manwha - to English speaking audiences. Now, we invite you to bring your manga to us. In our continuing efforts to seek out and foster new and original artists, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the TOKYOPOP 'Rising Stars of MangaT' Competition. This contest calls upon aspiring U.S manga creators (working in English) to take a shot at the big time by submitting their stories to us.
The top ten submissions, as selected by TOKYOPOP's editorial staff, will not only receive monetary prizes, but will also be published by TOKYOPOP® in a compilation manga anthology to be distributed worldwide. The grand prizewinner will also be invited to pitch a full-length manga story idea to TOKYOPOP® executives, for possible publication in its own book.
The TOKYOPOP 'Rising Stars of MangaT' Competition will officially launch August 15th. The Competition will run through Dec. 16th, 2002. TOKYOPOP® must receive all submissions no later than 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 16th, 2002.
Source: Tokyopop
(COMIC-CON, San Diego, CA) (July 30th, 2002)-Gutsoon! Entertainment, the U.S. sister company to Japan-based Coamix, is offering Comic-Con attendees a unique and special opportunity to subscribe to Raijin Comics and its Fujin magazine insert, the company's first publishing properties to be launched in November, at substantially lower rates.
During this year's ComicCon, held in San Diego, California from August 1st to August 4th, conference attendees who stop by the Gutsoon Booth, # 2329, will be able to subscribe to the first North American weekly manga anthology at a very special introductory rate of at $9.95 for one month (4 issues for one month at the single price.) The current single-issue cover price is listed at $6.95.
Comic book and manga fans the world over will have an opportunity to subscribe to Raijin Comics, and the magazines special supplement, Fujin at $9.95 for one month (4 issues of both for one month at the single price.) Fujin provides Raijin readers with up to the minute details on anime, videogames and Japanese culture trends.
For additional subscriber appeal, Gutsoon! is offering additional Raijin Comics special subscription opportunities for those (Comic-Con) fans who may be interested in a longer subscription time. Attendees can subscribe for three-months at a rate of $4.95/issue (12 issues of Raijin Comics and 12 issues of Fujin). A six-month subscription will also be $4.95/issue (24 issues of Raijin Comics and 24 issues of Fujin); a twelve month subscription is being offered at a special rate of $3.95/issue (48 issues of Raijin Comics and 48 issues of Fujin). To thank the newest subscribers, a special premium (gift) will be given to both six month and twelve-month sign-up subscribers.
In follow-up to distributing over 18,000 copies at Anime Expo, Gutsoon! will distribute 50,000 copies of #0 Raijin Comics at this year's ComicCon conference.
"Based on the overwhelming response we have had since premiering our #0 issue at Anime Expo, we wanted to offer ComicCon attendees an opportunity to experience the magazine and feel confident that they could afford to take part in its upcoming launch in November," said Nobuhiko Horie, Chairman. "Our core target audience, the 15 to 34 year old readers, have responded with great enthusiasm to Raijin Comics plans of an expanded character line and are especially excited to see an anthology which features Hara Tetsuo's "Fist of the Blue Sky", Tsukasa Hojo's "City Hunter", Inoue Takehito's "Slam Dunk" and Niwana Makoto's "Bomber Girl".
Created by Horie, President and CEO of Coamix, accomplished artists Hara , Hojo , and well respected editors Negishi and Yamamoto, Gutsoon! Entertainment, Inc. is a privately-held corporation operated by its shareholders and U.S.-based management team. The company's partners include publishing powerhouse Shinchosha, Hakuhodo and Sega Corp., who will work with the company to develop game and anime based content.
Proving once again there's nothing cooler than a giant monster wreaking havoc (unless it's a giant robot wreaking havoc), ADV has set a street date of October 22, 2002 for the DVD premiere of Rubbersuit Pictures' The Complete Daimajin, a three disc set featuring all three Daimajin movies - Daimajin, Return of Daimajin, and Wrath of Daimajin. Watch the original stone cold bad-%&# bring the wrath of vengeance down on some deserving perps in these classic live action monster flick. Retailing for a low suggested price of only $24.98, The Complete Daimajin comes in the letterbox format and Japanese language with English subtitles, and includes the Daimajin trailer and ADV Previews.
Source: ADV Films
Tv channel Yorin announced the aqcuisition of both Sailor Moon and Card Captor Sakura. Some digging revealed that Sailor Moon will be a Dutch dubbed version of the German version, which was very little altered from the original. Unfortunately, CCS will actually be a Dutch dub of the much despised Cardcaptors version. Dutch fandom is trying to convince Yorin to use CCS instead, but as the show seems to be ready for dubbing already, it would seem that this would be of no avail. These two shows are planned to start airing next september, along with Yu-Gi-Oh. Furthermore, it would appear that Gundam Wing and One Piece are considered, but nothing is finalized yet.
ABC Family will premiere a new kids' action/adventure line-up this Fall that features a combination of anime, live-action, and animated series and introduces the utterly unique "Tokyo Pig," an anime comedy romp produced by Miramax Television, in association with SME Visual Works, Inc. This marks Miramax Television's foray into kids' television. Also debuting on ABC Family is the popular live-action/CGI parallel universe fantasy, "Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension" and the animated "NASCAR Racers," bringing the national obsession with stock car racing to a new, younger audience. The new weekday schedule debuts MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 and the weekend line-up kicks off SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, it was announced today by Rich Ross, President, Entertainment, Disney Channel, a unit of the ABC Cable Networks Group. Ross oversees the kids' action/adventure block on ABC Family.
"Beyblade," ABC Family's highest rated series this season among Boys 6-11 on Saturdays, and the popular "Medabots," will create an exciting anime hour, seven days a week.
"Our kids' action/adventure block is riding a wave of double- and triple-digit ratings increases in households and key demographics," said Ross. "Tokyo Pig,' 'Galidor' and 'NASCAR Racers' will enrich the diversity of our action/adventure block and be strong partners to our popular 'Power Rangers,' 'Beyblade' and 'Spider-Man' series."
Tokyo Pig" - Debuting SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 (10:00 a.m., ET/PT), this hyper-kinetic, ultra-hip original anime comedy series reveals the fantastic adventures of nine-year-old Spencer and his magical pet pig, Sunny. Spencer's world changes after he draws a sky full of pigs in his journal and his sidekick Sunny appears out of the clear blue sky. When paired with Sunny, Spencer discovers he has the ability to make whatever he imagines come to life. Now -- with powers kids can only dream about - the duo embark on a new adventure each week as Spencer tries to keep his stray thoughts and careless scribbles in his journal from running wild and turning his life upside-down. The series is produced by Miramax Television, in association with SME Visual Works, Inc. (TV-Y7)
Maxi single with the theme song from the anime show "Asagiri no Miko," that premiered on TV Tokyo in July, 2002. Performed by Megumi Hayashibara, the title track "Koibumi" has a Rap part which is the first for the artist. There's another version of the same CD coming out simultaneously. The difference is that this version features Megumi Hayashibara's picture on the sleeve cover.
Source: CD Japan
It turns out on the 26th that the DVD image of a popular animation movie "Sen and Chihiro" (Director Hayao Miyazaki) had sent to stores all over the country the document which a selling agency presupposes "Reproduction with a personal computer (PC) can guarantee neither quality of image nor tone quality as studio GIBURI (manufacture)" etc. on the problem out of which the complaint "it was reddish" came.
A document is the selling manual for retail stores which the selling agency took out with 23 day. Although "appreciation by the DVD special-purpose machine and the monitor is recommended" instead of PC, there was almost no information offer to a general consumer. While DVD appreciation with PC increases focusing on a young man, the visitor who purchased the fact to not knowing is also likely to be expected [ many ], and only a popular movie is likely to be asked about the state of prior goods public relations.
Studio GIBURI is taken as "no comment."
Source: Goo News
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI) announced on the 25th that the domestic total shipment number of "PlayStation 2" (PS2) broke through 10 million sets. It has been earlier than "Playstation (PS)" for about seven months at mark achievement in about two years and five months since sale in March, 2000. Moreover, it is said that an about 1.4 times as many pace as this is hit compared with the shipment number of the same period of PS.
Thanks to Daniel for the hookup on this news.
Now, Viz Communications is proud to announce the November 2002 American launch of Shonen Jump, featuring the most popular comics from the original Japanese edition. Each issue of Shonen Jump is 256 or more pages for just $4.95. Plus, the comics in Shonen Jump are printed in the right-to-left Japanese-reading format to preserve the original artwork--but with English sound effects to make them as easy to read in America as they were in Japan.
The name given to the group, The Kaworu Seven, refers to the seven members of which the group comprises. "I really do feel that we have brought together an eclectic mix of artists. We are definitely devoting a large amount of time to pre-production so that we may trully create a revolutionary film," said Akira Tezuka, President of the Akira Creative. A young American writer pen-named Vicious Iori, who has recently directed two animated film shorts, is currently heading the team. "I firmly believe that what we have been developing during the past year creatively and narrative-wise will utterly surpass what you'll see coming out of Pixar or DreamWorks for the next decade."
The seven artists of the group include the President, Akira Tezuka (Final Fantasy IX, X), Vice President Makoto Sayori (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away), director and writer Vicious Iori (Concrete Razor, HIROSHI), Shirow Tadayuki (Ghost in the Shell, End of Evangelion), Ichiyo Kamehiko (Macross Plus, Cowboy Bebop), Nobuo Takahashi (Kingdom Hearts, The Bouncer), and Hajime Kaneko (Akira, Metropolis). "We will conduct the pre-production in-house while we hire an outside studio to handle the actual animation production." Studios such as Industrial Light & Magic and Rhythm & Hues are currently being evaluated.
Tekkon Ink Publishing is a fully independent print and digital publisher of graphic novels and Japanese manga.
Founded in 1995 by Japanese animator and former Square Visual Works artist Akira Tezuka, The Akira Creative was formed to give artists a network in which they could receive contacts and resources. Today it has aided professionals in both the video game and animation industries of Japan, the U.S., and Europe. Headquarters are located in Los Angeles,
The seven are currently writing three separate novels from which one will
be the basis for the movie. Beginning today, Tekkon Ink will begin
publishing online, on a weekly basis, chapters from these three novels
featuring commentary from the artists. Pre-production sketches and
renders will also be published in the near future. All profits from the
website will go to fund the pre-production of the film.
For more information:
http://www.kaworuseven.com.
California.
According to Hudson, TV Tokyo and BS will begin carrying the new BomberMan Jetters TV series across Japan from October on Wednesdays from 18:30-19:00. The various charaters are being overhauled slightly for this TV series in the aim to strengthen the brand image. Of course Bomberman originated in game software from 1985 and thusly new Jetters titles are being developed now for a cross-platform release from October. Bomberman Jetters is also destined for it's own card game, CD releases and manga serialization from September. Several corporations are involved in this project including Hudson, Shogakukan Inc. and TV Tokyo Channel 12
ADV Films is proud to announce the acquisition of Makoto Shinkai’s The Voices of a Distant Star, one of Japan’s most talked-about anime titles of the year, from CoMix Wave, Inc. ADV plans a DVD-only release for this highly anticipated title.
“The Voices of a Distant Star is one of the most incredible works of Japanese anime I’ve ever seen,” said ADV President, CEO and Founder John Ledford. “It’s a brilliant film, made all the more impressive by the fact of its single-handed creation. Shinkai-san has really set a new creative standard for the anime industry; he’s going to be a major force in the field for years to come.”
The story begins in the year 2046. A mysterious and dangerous creature called Tarcian is lurking on the edge of outer space. The UN Space Force mounts a mission to destroy the deadly creature, and Mikako, a young schoolgirl, is mustered to join the UN force. Unfortunately, she must leave her boyfriend Noboru behind on Earth. The couple bridges the gap between outer space and their home by communicating through mobile phone e-mails. But as the miles between them grow, the longer it takes to receive each other’s messages, creating an even larger divide for the young lovers to cross if they’re to be back in each other’s arms again.
Source: ADV Films Thanks to Michael for the link
Article about a Doraemon Exhibition in Suntory Museum in Osaka. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20020725woad.htm
Article reviews Studio Ghibli's latest work, The Cat's Return. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20020725woaa.htm
Finally, a great article about Umi wa Miteita (The Sea Watches) based on a script by Akira Kurosawa. They talk to Kurosawa's daughter, Kazuko, who is also the films costume designer. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20020725woa9.htm
Final Fantasy XI Bug Report Everyone knows Final Fantasy XI had a troubled launch in Japan, but how's it been doing lately? We talked to Andy Church, a software engineer and Final Fantasy devotee, and found that while the situation may have improved, there's still much to be desired:
Recently, I had a chance to speak with a Japanese freelance writer who had interviewed a number of players for an article on the Final Fantasy series. The writer himself does not play Final Fantasy XI, and told me that he was "versurprised" at the players' harsh attitude toward Square. So far, they've had an excellent--and well-deserved--reputation for turning out quality games and providing millions of players with hours of enjoyment, and that reputation has undoubtedly raised hopes for this new online venture as well. But it seems now that perhaps Square would be well advised to stick with its traditional, non-interactive fare, as user support does not appear to be one of the company's strong areas.
At onset, it appeared that Square was handling this game as any other massively multiplayer game maker would: they solicited beta-testers from the public for the first time in the history of the Final Fantasy series, primarily to find problems in handling multiple players in the same online world. Let's face it, though: Final Fantasy XI has been plagued with problems from the start, from overloaded servers to double-charging. With the massive influx of players at the release of the final product, the technical staff was likely hard-pressed just to keep the servers running in the beginning.
But now that a lot of those issues are being solved, it appears Square is neglecting the fact that there are actual game issues to be taken care of. In fact, the company is perhaps becoming a little over defensive: in a recent response to my report of several bugs in the game, Square replied bluntly that they would not be fixed, even that they didn't exist. As a player, this attitude could dampen my enthusiasm for future games in the series I've always loved; as a software engineer, it makes me furious at such irresponsibility.
The bugs I reported which provoked this particular response ranged from relatively minor interface issues to serious problems. The least of the issues were things such as macro keys not always being recognized; more serious problems involved a 5-10 second delay in execution of commands in crowded areas--a problem which any player knows can mean the difference between life and death--or the inability to obtain rare items from monsters in some cases.
To these, Square responded, "With respect to the issues you reported, we believe that they are designed behavior. For issues which do not directly impede the progress of play, we ask that you continue to play the game as is." As the joke goes, "It's not a bug, it's a feature," but Square wasn't joking.
In a separate instance, I contacted Square's customer support regarding a fairly serious (but trivial to fix) bug in experience point calculation. After getting the standard "we can't give you any detailed information" response and asking to be transferred to a supervisor, the first words I heard after explaining the problem were, "No, that problem doesn't exist." Not a request for clarification, not even a noncommittal "we'll investigate," but a flat-out denial that there was a problem in the first place. It took five or ten minutes of arguing and eventually a threat to quit FFXI entirely to drag a "fine, we'll look into it" out of the supervisor.
To be fair, the problem was fixed in the following week's upgrade, but had I not urged so much, perhaps it wouldn't have. Like any online role-playing game, Final Fantasy XI is extremely complex even from the outside and undoubtedly even more so internally. However, it seems to me that they still have an obligation to paying customers to deliver the smoothest possible experience, and everyone knows the first step toward solving a problem is admitting one exists.
Source: Gamers News via Michael
The Yomiuri Shimbun has an article online discussing the newest film, focusing on MechaGodzilla. It mentions how that the new MG will move fast than its counterparts in previous films by allowing the actor inside to move around more freely. The suit took 2.5 months. The photo you see is MG in its docking bay. CNN had an onair segment on GXMG this past week and you read an online story here Thanks to Mark Alvidrez And thanks to Mark Lockwood for sending in two photos from the GXMG promotional flyer, one of MG in its docking bay, and a larger version of the GXMG poster.
Source: Monster Zero
COMICSONE INTRODUCES THE HIT JAPANESE MANGA TITLE CRAYON SHINCHAN AND A TRIO OF OTHER MANGA GREATS!
San Jose, CA - July 22, 2002 - ComicsOne announced today that they have licensed the massively popular Crayon Shinchan (by Yoshito Usui), as well as three other hot new manga titles to be unleashed on the public this Fall season.
Famous as a Japanese anime TV show in Asia and the UK, Crayon Shinchan follows the daily life of a five-year-old boy whose bodily functions, offensive comments, and outrageous behavior consistently annoys his parents; and lands him in hot water. A national phenomenon in Japan, this shocking laugh-out-loud comic celebrates the terrible power of destruction and indecency wielded by toddlers everywhere!
Crayon Shinchan is a whimsical and creative collection of short stories told in the vein of comic newspaper strips like Family Circle or Garfield. He's only half a decade old, yet Shinchan has his own take on the opposite sex, relationships, parenting and possesses an uncanny grasp of the English language. Follow Shinchan as he gets himself and his parents into endless compromising situations. Fans of light-hearted manga and other stories such as Maison Ikkoku, Tenchi Muyo, Ranma ½, Bart Simpson or Dennis The Menace will see Crayon Shinchan as a refreshing new take on this mischievous and comical genre.
September ushers in Bride of Deimos, written by Etsuko Ikeda, illustrated by Yuuho Ashibe and printed in the original Japanese "right- to- left" format! This is a dark and brooding yet tantalizing anthology filled with passion, mystery, despair and one lovesick Demon. Long ago, a brother and sister lived happily on Mount Olympus until they fell in love. The gods were so angry about their forbidden affair that they exiled them from the mountain, transformed the brother into a demon, and imprisoned the sister at the bottom of a vast ocean. As her body rotted under the waves, she asked her demon brother to find a girl that resembled her exactly so that she could possess a new body. However, once this unsuspecting bride-to-be is found, the sibling's tawdry affair begins to crumble. This manga was the basis for an anime film directed by Rintaro, who recently won international acclaim for his direction of Metropolis.
September is an appetizer that wets the palate for October's three course manga feast. Next on the menu are the culinary exploits of Iron Wok Jan! (by Shinji Saijyo). Jan is a brilliant young chef at a top class restaurant in Tokyo called Gottancho. His hopeless arrogance and self-confidence regarding his cooking technique forces him to incessantly challenge Kiriko -- a talented chef of Gottancho. Iron Wok Jan! is a unique comic for American markets; it focuses on authentic Japanese cuisine and adventure, two themes that should attract a wide audience. Fans of the Iron Chef TV series (no relation) and connoisseurs of great food will find this manga unique and inspiring. Iron Wok Jan! will be printed in the original Japanese "right-to-left" format!
Make sure you leave room for dessert, which comes in the form of highflying heroine hijinks with Red Prowling Devil (by Toshimitsu Shimizu the creator of Maico 2010). During a routine mission Naomi (aka - Red Prowling Devil ) accidentally shoots down a group of innocent civilians. The organization Naomi works for takes advantage of her incredible guilt and convinces her to become an assassin in order to make amends. Red Prowling Devil mixes exciting aerial acrobatic action, drama and suspense to produce a truly pulse-pounding adventure series. Red Prowling Devil - The world's first portable air show!
Availability Volume One of Bride of Deimos is available in September 2002. Volume One of Crayon Shinchan, Iron Wok Jan!, and Red Prowling Devil will be published in October 2002. These Black & White 200 page graphic novels will be priced at $9.95. Visit www.comicsone.com for more detailed series information.
TOKYOPOP® BRINGS "MANGA LAND" TO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2002
Property-Themed Attractions and Special Guest Appearances To Highlight this Year's Show
For Comic-Con International 2002:
Los Angeles, CA - TOKYOPOP® will treat Comic-Con visitors to unique interactive experience when it transforms its 20x50 booth (#2429) into Manga Land, a tour of themed attractions showcasing the company's key properties. Comic-Con International is held in San Diego, California, from August 1 - August 4, with a special "sneak preview" night for industry on Wednesday, July 31.
TOKYOPOP's Manga Land experience presents a variety of branded attractions featuring TOKYOPOP's leading manga brands, including Initial D, GTO and the CLAMP titles. Designed to give visitors the opportunity to fully experience the properties, the attractions include a full-sized prototype Initial D arcade game, a GTO "classroom" starring Onizuka in the flesh, mini-manga drawing competitions and other fun games for prizes. Visitors can also enjoy an ultra-comfy viewing area for autograph sessions, as well as video screenings and exclusive previews projected onto a 7 ½ x 10-foot screen. Those looking to shop can check out the TOKYOPOP/Wherehouse Music Manga land Gift Shop for their fix of TOKYOPOP's hottest manga, anime and soundtrack merchandise.
TOKYOPOP's special guest for this year's conference is acclaimed creator of mega-hit series GTO -- Tohru Fujisawa - whose visit to Comic-Con is part of a very rare U.S. visit. Artist and author of numerous manga (graphic novel) properties from Japan, Fujisawa is best known for GTO, the story of a 22-year-old biker-turned-teacher at a school filled with bullies, sadists and schemers out to get him. Fujisawa will do an exclusive autograph/Q&A session at the TOKYOPOP booth on Saturday, August 3 from 2:00-3:30pm. He will also join TOKYOPOP's manga panel on Friday, August 2 at 1:00pm (in Room 7A), where the company will unveil details about its upcoming Manga Talent Competition.
Orange County's power-punk band, 4 OF 5 -- whose raw sound and clever riffs are featured on the GTO soundtrack -- will also be making a special guest appearance, signing advance copies of the new soundtrack on Saturday, August 3, from 11:00am to 12:00pm.
For those wishing to catch their first glimpse at current and upcoming TOKYOPOP anime series, screenings will take place both at the TOKYOPOP booth and in selected screening rooms within the conference hall. Titles being screened include Initial D (sub), Marmalade Boy (sub), Brigadoon, GTO, Real Bout High School, Vampire Princess Miyu and Saint Tail.
ADV ANNOUNCES NEWTYPE USA PANEL AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL PANEL ON AMERICA'S PREMIERE ANIME AND MANGA MAGAZINE TO FEATURE ADV HEAD JOHN LEDFORD, NEWTYPE (JAPAN) LEADERSHIP
HOUSTON, July 26, 2002-ADV Films today announced the addition of a fourth, content-packed panel discussion to its already generous schedule of exclusive special events for San Diego Comic-Con International 2002.
WHAT: A panel discussion, including: * Discussion of the history and philosophy of Newtype (Japan); * The story of Newtype USA, and * The relationship between the two. WHO: Panel includes Kenji Yano, Senior Editor of Newtype; Yorito Shiraishi, General Manager of Character Promotion and Rights for Newtype publisher Kadokawa Shoten; Soichi Tsuji, also from Kadokawa; and ADV President, CEO and Founder John Ledford. WHERE: San Diego Convention Center, Room 33AB WHEN: Friday, August 2, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon COST: Free FREE STUFF: Newtype USA subscription giveaways; merchandise and apparel
Thursday, August 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Room 4 CoMix Wave: A strategic ally of ADV, Japanese anime and manga management and production powerhouse CoMix Wave will be represented in a panel discussion featuring CoMix Wave Executive Vice President Toyohiko Kamimura, Vice President for Sales and Marketing Kazuki Sunami, and artist Masami Esaka, a leading CoMix Wave illustrator. Esaka will discuss his illustrations and demonstrate his airbrush technique.
Friday, August 2, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Room 33AB Newtype USA: The premiere anime and manga magazine in Japan is now available in the US! Join Kenji Yano, Senior Editor of Newtype (Japan); Yorito Shiraishi, General Manager of Character Promotion and Rights for Newtype publisher Kadokawa Shoten; Soichi Tsuji, also from Kadokawa; and ADV President, CEO and Founder John Ledford for a discussion about the history of Newtype, the story of Newtype USA, and the relationship between the two. Free subscription giveaways, merchandise and apparel!
Saturday, August 3, 1:00-2:00 pm, Room 8 Lady Death: Lady Death director, writer and co-producer Carl Macek and co-producer Andy Orjuela will discuss the making of this extraordinary film. A free-ranging Q&A session will follow.
Saturday, August 3, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Room 16AB The Voices of a Distant Star: This groundbreaking release will make its North American premiere at this panel; after the screening, the film’s creator, Makoto Shinkai (who made the film virtually single-handedly) will be present to discuss the film and its making. Kazuki Sunami of CoMix Wave will also attend, as will Voices… voice actress Mika Shinohara and Noritaka Kawaguchi (Director and GM of Merchandising Dept. at CoMix Wave).
Source: ADV Films
Jet Li received the most votes for who should play Goku in the live action movie. Which actor(s) would you like to see play Vegeta? (Submit your 5 choices.)
Source: Asian Film thanks to Daniel for the link
Aqua-system (Kumamoto-shi) of a game maker is of Mr. Chohei Kanbayashi's of SF writer's work, and made a development announcement of the game "the battle fairy YUKIKAZE" based on OVA which is scheduling sale for August, this year from BANDAI-visual. Development is furthered for the purpose of sale of the spring of 2003.
An original is "the battle fairy Yukikaze" published from the HAYAKAWA Publishing company in 1984. The Japanese long section of the 16th nebula prize elected by vote of SF fan is awarded. OVA is the first full CG work in OVA which reconstructed "the wood rack battle fairy and Yukikaze" (1999 annual publications) of this work and a sequel. Whole set sale of the 1st volume is due to apply and to be carried out one year and a half from 1 sale and after that on August 25. A game genre is a combat flight simulation. It is planned to utilize 3G model data for animation used by OVA, and to take in the screen taste of OVA in the game. Effect sound etc. is due to be made according to OVA. A platform is "Xbox." The price is planning 6800 yen.
Source: Cnet Japan
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