Source: Gamespot via Daniel
As revealed in the Gutsoon!/RAIJIN COMICS panel at AX, Gutsoon! will be publishing trade paperback collections of a "remastered" and full color edition of Fist of the North Star in the near future.
So, Gutsoon! does have the Fist of the North Star license. Fist of the Blue Sky will be first serialized in RAIJIN COMICS and then collected, while Fist of the North Star will go direct to tankoban.
Keep your eyes on http://www.raijincomics.com for more information on these publication and all of Gutsoon!'s plans!
Also, the DVD that is offered with the one year subscription will have the first episode of the new Fist of the Blue Sky anime, as well as the first episode of the Baki the Grappler anime. Full details can be found at our site.
Los Angeles, CA (July 5, 2002) - TOKYOPOP® today announced the acquisition of publishing rights to the highly popular manga series Lupin the 3rd and the movie books for Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira. Adding to its successful and unprecedented line of Authentic Manga books, TOKYOPOP® will publish the classic series Lupin the 3rd in its original right-to-left format. Akira will join such mega-hits as Cardcaptors in the company's growing catalog of Cine-Manga titles (digitally captured screen stills laid out in a storyboard format).
Created by renowned manga-ka (author) Monkey Punch, Lupin the 3rd first debuted in a 1967 issue of Japan's Manga Action Weekly magazine. Since then, the Lupin the 3rd franchise - including a long list of anime TV shows, movies, merchandise and maestro Hayao Miyazaki-helmed feature Castle of Cagliostro - has become a national hallmark in Japan.
The manga follows the life of international master thief Lupin III, who comes from a long line of high-stakes bandits committed to stealing from the rich for personal wealth. Lupin is joined by partners-in-crime Daisuke Jigen, an ex-mafia hit man who carries himself with a somber demeanor, and Goemon Ishikawa, a tacit swordsman who mysteriously fades in and out of Lupin's exploits. Fujiko Mine - a thief herself -- is the object of Lupin's affections, but the duo's romance remains in turmoil as their fierce competition interferes.
Considered the most successful anime feature film to date, Akira's 1988 U.S. release introduced the anime genre to a new generation of Americans. Its digitally restored 2001 theatrical release was followed by a DVD that topped anime charts last year and spawned a series of action figures.
Akira is set in the futuristic post-war megalopolis known as Neo-Tokyo. Sinister, dangerous and infested with gangs, this is a world in which the government and crime syndicates differ only in their methods of deviousness. Neo-Tokyo's dirty secrets are hidden by its powerful military and corruption runs rampant. When two childhood friends find themselves in a massive government cover-up, their lives, along with countless others, are threatened. A single boy - Akira - may be their only hope.
"We are thrilled at the opportunity to release such treasured classics as Lupin the 3rd and Akira, two series that hold tremendously high esteem with both anime aficionados and the mainstream public," said Stuart Levy, TOKYOPOP Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "These acquisitions could not be more timely as we continue the expansion of our successful authentic manga and Cine-Manga businesses."
Thanks to Daniel for the link.
Source: Cinescape
2)Information on the Shaolin Soccer edits, distribution and marketing of The Touch, and upcoming Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Zhiyi projects are available at AICN
3)AICN corrected Kill Bill's previous news by stating that Chiaki Kuriyama(Chigusa) of Battle Royale will be in the film, not Aki Maeda.(the female lead of BR) More pictures of the Japanese female band, the 5, 6, 7 8's are also available.
4)And Corona states that rights for a new Transformers movie may have been picked up, with rumours that it could be live-action.
Thanks to Daniel for the news
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: The Hollywood Reporter via Daniel
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: Michael
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: Pazuzu.
In the film, the evil monster Sandros turns the sky pitch dark, thereby blocking Cosmos' solar energy, thus depleting his power. Suddenly Ultraman Justice comes to the rescue to save the fallen hero.
News of Justice was released on July 1. Telebi Kun and Hyper Hobby were the first magazines on the stands with pictures.
As of this writing, there has been no official announcement regarding a follow-up series to ULTRAMAN COSMOS. Ultraman Justice has been announced as a character in ULTRAMAN COSMOS 2 only, so far...
Source: Henshin Online via Daniel
Source: Natsume Maya
I'm not sure if this issue is still in stores, so I'm posting this here. The following blurb was mentioned in the Cheers and Jeers section of the July 6-12 TV Guide: Hamtaro is bouncy, chipper and apparently unstoppable. This latest kiddie craze from Japan via the Cartoon Network is a benevolent but banal toon about a clique of hamsters. Yes, hamsters. The visuals, stories and dialogue are overly simplistic, but the nonviolent, teamwork-oriented plots certainly will please parents. Children, meanwhile, will latch onto the hamsters' language-Hamha means "hello" and heke means "huh?" But grown-ups, beware: Hamtaro may prove costly-merchandising mania can't be far behind. And are we really ready for another Pokemon?
Other Anime offerings on Friday mornings via Sci-fi are:
Blue Gender (11:40pm)
Neon Genesis Evangelion (12:10am)
Martian Successor Nadesico (12:40am)
Source: fliP
o "Seraphim Call" - Media Blasters (1 of 6 titles licensed.)
o All of "Utena" - CPM. (1 of 4 titles licensed.)
o "Gravitation" - Right Stuf (1 of 2 plus additional H titles.)
o "Fushigi Yuugi Gaiden" - Pioneer (1 of 10 titles licensed.)
o "Super GALs - Kotobuki Ran" - ADV.
o "Pretear" - ADV (2 of 11 titles licensed, but see below.)
Cinescape speculates that the Matrix Reloaded dvd might come out before Matrix Revolutions.
I couldn't make many of the studio panels, but I did pick up some news from reps and dealers at the studios' booths which might have been ignored by the other anime news sites. Some of this information is not guaranteed, so I will indicate if I'm still uncertain on certain subjects.
1)Media Blasters definitely owns the Ichi the Killer movie and has plans to put it on dvd next year. They have problems getting the Riki Oh anime though.
2)While it's not really big news, people at Animeigo's booth informed me that the liner notes for Otaku No Video were updated especially for the dvd.
3)Representatives at Urban Vision's booth informed me that they're working on getting the dvd rights to back-catalogue titles like Golgo 13:The Professional and the Cockpit. They should own the rights to Ninja Scroll tv. They definitely do not have the rights to the X OAV, and believe Pioneer does. While they own Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, they have not considered trying to acquire the recent Final Fantasy: Unlimited series.
4) Pioneer staff told me they own the first Lupin series(23 episodes) and plan to have over 3 episodes on dvd.
5)Despite Comics One's ability to release two different Terasawa manga titles, they still have trouble picking up Space Adventure Cobra. Also, despite them announcing a Lupin manga license a year ago, they've retracted that statement since then, because there's a complex legal issue that they have to deal with before they can release it. (Since Anime On DVD says Tokyopop picked up the original manga, I can only infer that they were thinking of a different Lupin manga. There was "Shin Lupin" which spawned the second series, and the '97 manga, which Monkey Punch wrote, but someone else drew.) And for those interested, the Storm Riders comic series is about 80 books and still going. Comics One is "working on" getting the King Of Fighters manga.
6)Manga told me they plan to release the Fist of the North Star tv show in a similar episode ratio as Streetfighter 2v, and with the original openings and endings available for viewing seperately from the actual anime. They still only have rights to the first 36 episodes. The upcoming Street Fighter 2 Alpha anime will have 2 new characters from the Alpha video game series, with Akuma having a more active role. (It should be out sometime next year.) Violence Jack on dvd is highly unlikely, and they haven't really considered a special edition Cagliostro dvd that has the region 2 extras. I have conflicting accounts of whether an Anno commentary track will be used for the End of Evangelion.
7)An associate has speculated through some Toei people that FUNimation may have the rights to One Piece.
8)I was told the .Hack anime would be available seperately from the game.
9)Sci Fi Harry seems to be another anime Super Techno Arts is working on releasing domestically along with Jojo.
10)Obviously, the toughest challenge was confirming the status of various live action titles of Tokyopop titles. I had two conflicting accounts from the TP staff on whether the live-action Initial D was licensed. (One person said it wasn't, while another person said it was, but they wanted to remake it for an American audience.)I'm also not very certain about whether they have the rights to the live-action GTO, as there are conflicting accounts on this subject.
11)While it isn't official, an insider has informed me that Miramax has indeed edited and dubbed the Legend of Zu.
12)Representatives at the Macross Panel informed me that the Macross Zero will be covered in the next Japanese Newtype; the U.S. NewType should also have information on Zero, as soon as the contract has been finalized.
13)Correcting a previous error, Raijin comics does not own Fist of the North Star, only Blue Sky. There is also a Fist of the Blue Sky anime in the works, with the first episode available on dvd to those who place a one year subscription to the magazine. Raijin has plans to sell their manga in graphic novel form in the future, but no prices have been established as of yet.(Viz representatives were still uncertain about bringing back the Fist of the North Star manga, even if Blue Sky were to be successful.)
After seeing a Hong Kong bootleg the day before the Sony film, and the actual 35 mm print, I can confirm that Cowboy Bebop: Knockin On Heaven's Door is NOT edited whatsoever. "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" is still in the film, parallels to 9/11 are intact, all the violence is still there, the music is still the way it was originally presented. (Perhaps the rumour was started because some fan was disgruntled that the songs were in English, but they're fine.)
As for Macross Zero, the story takes place 1-2 years before the original Macross, the film will be a mix of 2-d and 3-d animation, and the Outlaw Star character designer will be doing the characters for Zero. Unfortunately, Kanno will not be doing the music for the anime, because Kawamori felt it would be too similar to Macross Plus, and he likes to begin each Macross fresh. And while no singer for the anime has been announced, it will definitely be a woman. The songs themselves will have environmental themes. Unfortunately, the Macross Panel could not comment on the recent Big West/Tatsunoko dispute.
The "ONE PIECE " is the first edition highest. The 24th volume of the book of popular comics "ONE PIECE " (Artist: Eiichiroh Oda, Publishing company: Shueisha) published the 2,520,000 parts highest ever by the first edition on the 4th. The second impression of 20,000 parts was decided after two weeks. "ONE PIECE" is under series in a weekly Shonen jump (company), and the TV program is also broadcast. Old record is 2,500,000 parts of 21 - 23-volume each first edition of a "slam dunk shot" (Takehiko Inoue ).
Source: Goo News
Saiko Exciting starts this weekend
The new Sci-fi channel segment 'Saiko Exciting' starts this weekend, and they sent me a press release announcement:
"Brighten-up your Saturday mornings with an awesome two-hour blend of computer games, cutting-edge animation, radical Japanese music videos and competitions - all airing in the Sci·Fi channel's new weekly strand SAIKO-EXCITING, every Saturday, 10am to 12pm, from 6th July."
"This innovative strand, SAIKO-EXCITING, will air two of the most acclaimed, much requested and eagerly awaited anime series NEON GENESIS EVANGELION and MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO for the first time ever in the UK. It will also allow you to tap into the stylish world of Japanese music videos, with debuts of some of the best examples of J-Pop never seen before on UK television. Added to this, don't miss SAIKO-EXCITING's new and brutally honest gaming show, SFG (Sci-Fi Gamer), sure to whet the appetite of gamers out there. And if this isn't enough, the strand is packed full of competitions, interactivity and audience participation to complete the line-up."
More information can be found on the Sci-Fi website at:
http://www.saiko-exciting.tv
The anime is getting stronger in Costa Rica. Channel 7, one of the main tv channels in the country is broadcasting the classic of the 70´s Heidi. Many people, specially grown up people, is really happy to see this cute girl again the tv screens. There are several plans to broadcast more classic anime like Marco or Mazinger in the future. This channel is broadcasting Sakura Card Captor too, and this anime is really popular among the fandom here.
The anime club had good achivements this last week too, and we are working with 979 conexion, one of the most popular radio stations among young people, to produce a radio show about anime. Last wednesday Esteban Mata, (anime club magazine designer) and me were invited to this radio station, and for the first time ever, 5 popular anime songs were broadcasted. The show was really successfull and there is a plan to make a weekly presentation of anime music sponsored by the anime club.
We also had an invitation from channel 15, the universitary channel, to participate in a show called Musica x Inclusion, a music video show. They broadcasted the famous anime music video " Asuka- Engel", made by Erick Cadwell and it was a complete success, and they ask us to keep the video, because viewers just love it. Today, saturday july 6th, the exhibition the tsuiko hen, the first set of ovas of rurouni kenshin, was really successfull. We had a "full house" and a lot of fun.
Amoeba Music SAN FRANCISCO 1855 HAIGHT ST. http://www.amoebamusic.com/
SUNDAY - July 7th - 6PM PuffyAmiYumi
Performing live in support of their latest CD: An Illustrated History - out now on Bar None!
Prepare for the PuffyAmiYumi invasion! This Japanese duo may be relatively unheard of in the U.S., they have achieved superstar status in Japan. The youthful and attractive Puffy manage to combine traditional rock instrumentation, Japan pop sensibilities, and their energetic vocals into a coherent style all their own.
Also performing live with the B-52's on Monday, July 8th and Tuesday, July 9th at The Fillmore! http://www.thefillmore.com/
In response to the arrest of ULTRAMAN COSMOS star Takayasu Sugiura (because of which the series was pulled from the schedule and shelved), the Public Relations Department of Mainichi Broadcasting, issued this comment: "Until a formal determination can be made [by the courts], MBS is declining to comment on the situation." This is also due to the fact that the Osaka District Attorney has released the actor on his own recognizance pending any further action.
MBS prematurely ended its 64-episode run of ULTRAMAN COSMOS, which was to conclude in September, with two special episodes aired on June 22nd and June 29th -- with all footage of the "offending" actor excised without his being convicted of any crime. To fill in ULTRAMAN COSMOS's timeslot, MBS is replacing the series with ULTRAMAN NEOS, the direct-to-video series produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Vap Video in 2000.
Meanwhile, Shochiku Motion Picture Company, which is a co-producer and distributor of the upcoming theatrical feature ULTRAMAN COSMOS 2: THE BLUE PLANET, issued this statement: "We have completed the task of removing all of the star's scenes from the film, and it is ready for release on schedule. After the release, we will have to determine whether to issue the original uncut version of the film sometime in the future."
Meanwhile, viewers and fans, including children, were aware when the case broke last month that Ultraman Cosmos himself did no wrong, and the cancellation was due to the actor's personal life. Many feel no shame in wearing Cosmos clothing (jackets, t-shirts and pajamas) or owning associated merchandise. What most them are puzzled by is whether Sugiura is innocent or guilty. Now some of the truth is coming to light. Many fans on the Japanese BBS said that they are willing to buy more Cosmos merchandise to help support Tsuburaya Productions. Other fans are rightfully very upset at MBS' and Shochiku's censorship.
Strong comments came from Sugiura's office in Osaka: "Of course we believe that our client is innocent of the alleged extortion and other false claims [Assault and Battery]. While he has been released, it is extremely regretful that the program was cancelled and the movie is to be censored. We are very upset that the investigation by the police was handled most unprofessionally."
Whether Sugiura's attorneys file claims against the police, the alleged victim's family, the network and Shochiku is uncertain at this time. It's amazing to this author that in a modern industrialized and civilized nation, such as Japan, a person can be stigmatized through hearsay, before being proven guilty by due process of law. If this happened in the States, Sugiura's attorney would have filed numerous and righteous lawsuits against a myriad of parties, and would most likely win all of them.
The others who are being damaged by all of this, of course, are the fans throughout Japan, mostly children, who all of this adult business means nothing to, and Tsuburaya Productions, which has lost major revenue from producing ULTRAMAN COSMOS, and whose reputation has been unjustifiably dragged through the mud due to this scandal. A scandal, which seems to have turned a 180-degrees from Sugiura's alleged violence and strong-arming, to the grievous mishandling of the case; by not only the Osaka Police, but MBS and Shochiku as well.
Only in Japan...
LATE BREAKING NEWS!! The latest word from MBS this morning (July 5, 2002) is that they will broadcast the remaining episodes of ULTRAMAN COSMOS. No word as to when though. They are committed to finishing the run of ULTRAMAN NEOS first, but will schedule COSMOS for a later date.
There will be a new installment of the most popular Yakuza series EVER – “Jingi Naki Tatakai” [Most memorable for Kinji Fukasaku's direction]. 10 films were made in the series from 1973 to 2000 [2000 being 'Another Battle' directed by Junji Sakamoto] and now there will be an 11th film. Actor Kastunori Takahashi will play the lead in this new film, which will take place in Osaka and Nagoya. TV-director Hajima Takahasi will make his feature-film debut with this film. It will start shooting in August and is aiming for a November release.
“Ping Pong” was a major disappointment with both critics and audiences. The main problem was that first time director Fumihiko Souri (an ex-Digital Domain employee) could not adapt the translation from manga to film very well. Even the FX sequences left a lot to desire. Also it didn’t help that main protagonist Yosuke Kubozuka acted in the same mannerisms and style as his previous film “Laundry”. Director Hideyuki Hirayama’s dark comedy “Warau Kaeru” was surprisingly well made. The bizarre fantasy tells the story of guy returning to his ex-wife, whom he abandoned 7 years ago. The trick is that she already has a fiancé so he starts stalking and peeping at the couple. And during these moments, a mystical group of creatures (looking like frogs) start to appear and laugh at these pathetic humans’ miserable lives!
“Tomie – Final Chapter” [Based on the manga by Junji Ito] was a silly sequel to an equally idiotic horror series. This fourth installment seems to be the last one, and thank god for that. The only thing worth viewing involves a lesbian kiss and nothing else! Perhaps director Toshi Nakahara should go into another branch of filmmaking!
Famous music video director Kensuke Kawamura’s feature debut, “Kioku No Ongaku-GB” is much better than expected. The film, which has an EXCELLENT soundtrack, tells the story of a deaf man learning to understand music without his natural senses. Rock star Matsuioka Sai is excellent as the lead.
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