Anime News Service - June 18-21 Anime News

6-21-00---- Mach 5 Replica On Ebay

As reported in Septemeber of last year, A 1/1 scale fully functional replica of the Mach 5 (including saw blade cutters, jumping ability through a special hydraulics system and interactive voice responses to steering wheel mounted buttons.) from the Speed Racer (Mach Go! Go! Go!) TV series was constructed by Focus on Cars, a Long Beach CA. group for The Child Safety Network. Engineer Mark Towne designed the car which among the above extra vehicular amenaties, posses a 400-horsepower engine and an estimated top speed of 185 mph. CSN created the car to promote a nation-wide safety tour, called Child Safety Day At The Races.
The replica Mach 5 privately debuted at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, Nov. 2-5, 1999, in Las Vegas. Cos-playing characters including Speed Racer to Chim Chim were a part of the promotional events surrounding the tour of the Mach 5 around the country.

Now the 1/1 replica Mach 5 that cost $385,000 to build is up for auction on eBay. As of Monday, the auction has drawn $30,500 in bids. Community Benefit Alliance and the Children Safety Network will split the proceeds of the auction to end June 29th.

6-21-00---- Manga DVD Releases

Excerpted from the official press releases:

MANGA ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE BEST SWORD FIGHTING ACTION SINCE NINJA SCROLL

ON JULY 25, 2000

"An action-packed portrayal of warring ninja factions...quality action adventure." Slap Magazine

Chicago, IL- Manga Entertainment presents the July 25th DVD release of Sword for Truth - a film where nonstop action and masterful swordplay are challenged by one courageous fighter for truth.

Ancient feudal Japan was ruled by clans of Shoguns whose rule was absolute; they owned the land and the people on it! One man, Shuranosuke Sakaki the master swordsman, furiously protected his independence. Bearing his distinctive "Scythes Of Death" crest he walks alone and unafraid, cutting a swathe through those who stand in his way.

In this action packed adventure, Shuranosuke is hired by the Tokugawa Shogunate to rescue Princess Mayu from the clutches of a group of bandit ninjas, the Seki Ninja. They will stop at nothing to protect their captive and call upon the undead spirits in Hell to assist them. Shuranosuke's skills are put to the ultimate test as he leaves a trail of blood and severed limbs in a desperate attempt to save the Princess. Watch this classic samurai adventure and find out why Shuranosuke is a cut above the rest.

DVD features include: a Digital Remaster; In English, Japanese and Japanese with English Subtiles (all in Stereo); Scene Index; Manga 2000 Previews; Manga Fan Club Info; Manga Web Link.

Street Date: July 25, 2000 Pre-book Date: June 5, 2000 Running Time: 60 minutes Retail Price: $24.95

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GHOST IN THE SHELL COMES MAMORU OSHII'S TECHNO-ROBOT MOVIE

A MANGA ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE

"A must-see for both hard-core anime fans as well as newcomers alike." Animeco

Chicago, IL - PATLABOR 1: THE MOVIE, made popular by the highly acclaimed TV series Patlabor Mobile Police, is a science-fiction police film set against a tale of danger and high-tech revenge. Manga Entertainment is proud to announce the DVD release of Patlabor 1 on July 25, 2000.

In the year 1999, Tokyo's Mobile Police have a new weapon in the war on crime - advanced robots called "Labors" that are used to combat criminals who use new technologies for illegal means. In the midst of the police mobilization, the suicide of a mysterious man on the massive Babylon Project construction site sets off a cascade of events that may signal the destruction of Tokyo. What is the connection between the suicide and the Mobile Police?

While cops Noah Izumi and Azuma Shinohara investigate an unexplained wave of rogue Labors' rampaging the city, they uncover a sinister plot to infect Tokyo's eight thousand Labor robots with the deadly BABEL virus. With the future of the city hanging in the balance and a typhoon poised to trigger the devastation, Noah, Azuma and their teammates must destroy the source of the virus - the giant Babylon Project Tower in Tokyo Bay.

DVD features include: a Digital Re-master; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound in English; Japanese and Japanese with English Sub-titles in Stereo; Special Japanese Trailers; Scene Index; Manga 2000 Previews, Fan Club info and Manga Web Link.

Street Date: July 25, 2000 Pre-book Date: June 5, 2000 Running time: 120 Minutes Retail Price: $29.95

6-21-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

In Japan, Bandai plans create downloadable levels and various data additions for their Mobile Suit Gundam: Giren's Ambition: Genealogy of Zion for Dreamcast. 48 downloadable levels will be available total, each month after for 6 months - Bandai will make 8 additional levels available. A charge for the full package of 48 levels will cost 2000 Yen, the monthly package of 8 levels is 500 Yen, and single levels will cost 100 Yen.

Bandai's handheld Digimon games have sold over 9.5 million copies since their initial release in 1997.

6-20-00---- Anime Jump's Anime Central 2K Con Report

Mike Toole of Anime Jump has issued his very unique report of the events transpiring at this year's Anime Central con outside Chicago. Begin your journey through the Arlington Height's Sheraron's labrynthine sprawl of corridors here.

6-20-00---- Urusei Yatsura DVD Status

A post this morning by Robert Woodhead Animeigo to the company's DVD mailing list, mentions the following on their progress with producing the Urusei Yatsura DVD's:

"- we got everything fixed (cross fingers...), and the set is now in replication. There's a good chance we'll have it and be shipping in time for Anime Expo at the end of the month."

6-20-00---- Pony Canyon Set To Distribute Video Programs Via Web

Japanese Music company, Pony Canyon Inc. has announced it will distribute video programs over the Internet begining Wednesday. The move makes Pony Canyon the first Japanese company to offer original video programs on the web. To be initially released is an image program of Japanese vocalist Momoe Shimano performing three songs and a three-part image program with actress Megumi Okina. Each program will cost 500 Yen to view.

6-20-00---- New Toonami Lineup

Several sources list the new American Cartoon Network Toonami block line-up beginning July, 3 as the following:

Sailor Moon - 4:00
Ronin Warriors - 4:30
Dragon Ball Z - 5:00
Gundam Wing - 5:30
Tenchi Muyo! - 6:00
Batman - 6:30

6-20-00---- Escaflowne Movie Sountrack Details

Escaflowne Movie SoundtrackVictor Entertainment has set The Escaflowne movie soundtrack to be released in Japan July 26th with a retail price of 3,045 Yen. Macross Plus, Cowboy Bebop, and Escaflowne TV series soundtrack producer Yoko Kanno and Hajime Mizoguchi are heading up this project. The 26 track CD will feature the movie version theme "Ring" performed by seiyuu, singer Maaya Sakamoto with lryics by Iwasato Youho and musical compostion by Yoko Kanno; Insertion song "Sora" performed by Shanti Snyder with lyrics by Gabriella Robin and musical composition by Yoko Kanno; "Sora's Folktale" performed by Midori with lyrics by Gabriella Robin and musical composition by Yoko Kanno; The English version of Ring "You're Not Alone" with vocals by Sakamoto Maaya, lyrics by Shanti Snyder with musical composition by Yoko Kanno; Finally the Background score will also be included. CD Jacket Art is by Nobuteru Yuki.

Item # for the CD is VICL- 60590

6-20-00---- New Generation Pictures Panel At AX

From Jonathan Klein of New Generations Pictures:

The New Generation Pictures Panel will be put on at Anime Expo, Saturday, July 1st at 1:00 PM.

Our panelists will be

Reiko Matsuo: President of New Generation Pictures

Taliesin Jaffe: Director of Nazca & Amazing Nurse Nanako

Greg Weisman: Director of the new 3x3 Eyes dub (and creator/producer/writer on numerous U.S. Animated TV shows including Gargoyles, Starship Troopers, MIB and Max Steel)

Brett Jacobsen: Supervisor of Subtitle Production for New Generation Pictures

Glen Matisoff: President of "The Post Office" our audio production partner on all of our Pioneer projects, he's responsible for the awesome audio on Nazca, Nanako and 3x3 Eyes.

And yours truly, Jonathan Klein: Vice President and supervisor of all productions for New Generation Pictures.

It will be an open forum to discuss any topics, such as our dubbing and subtitling projects for companies such as Pioneer, CPM, Right Stuf and Urban Vision. I'm sure there are people curious to know how lunatics like us started an anime translation, dubbing & subtitling production company. But of course we'd like to talk about such things as improving the quality of dubs and subs here in America. Talking about what we think should be done and at the same time, we want to hear what the fans think should be done. I think it will be a unique opportunity, since many times fans may talk with the importers and distributors about what titles they want to see, but when it comes to production quality of the DVD and videos, it's in the hands of companies such as ours.

We will be also having a some kind of a contest during the panel. We haven't decided what kind yet, but we will be giving away VHS and DVDs of projects we've been involved with.

6-20-00---- First DVD Audio Players From Matsushita

Matsushita Electric plans to release two of the first consumer level DVD Audio players (DVD-A7 - 120,000 Yen) (DVD-A10 - 150,000 Yen) to-be marketed in Japan on June 30th.

6-20-00---- New Anime TV Series In Japan

Brigadoon Marin to Meran Brigadoon - Marin to Meran: Begins July 21st at 19:30, on WOWOW (free). Created by Yoshitomo Yonetani (Gaogaigar, Betterman). The story centers around a girl, Marin, and a mysterious lifeform weapon, Melan.

Starnge Dawn - Begins July 11th at 18:30 on TV Tokyo. Created by Junichi Sato (Gatekeepers). High school girls Eri and Yuko find themselves in a mysterious world where all people are not the same size as they were in the normal world. Here they look like characters from the American comic strip Peanuts.

Hand Made Mei - Begins July 26th at 18:30 on WOWOW (charge) college student Kazuya Saotome receives a mysterious package containing 12 inch (30 cm) tall maid doll robot.

Medarot-damashii - begins July 7th at 18:00 on TV Tokyo A sequel of the original Medarot series.

Sources: Fanboy Entertainment, Anihabara

6-20-00---- European Anime News

French translation sub and dub versions of Hayao Miyazaki's Mononoke Hime are now showing in theaters across Belgium. Premiering this past Wednesday, the limited run of the film is expected to be short, showing almost exclusively in smaller art house theaters. The following theaters are slated to show the film:

Cine Centre (1330 Rixensart)
Cinéma Paradiso (6000 Charleroi)
Le Parc (4020 Liège)
Vendôme (1050 Bruxelles-Brussel)
Wellington (1410 Waterloo)

Show times for these theaters can be viewed here.

A French subbed version of Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies (Le Tombeau des Lucioles), will air on the French network Arte on June 30th at 1:05 AM.

French publisher Tonkam has launched their official site. Tonkam started out as a retailer in 1995 selling the types of titles they now publish. Tonkam has translated many manga including X, RG Veda, Tezuka's Buddha and Adolf ni Tsugu, Katsura's Video Girl Ai, Len and DNA2, and others.

Source: Anime Dream

6-20-00---- Guardians Of Order RPG Releases

American Paper & Pen Anime RPG producers Guardians of Order have updated their product release schedule. Of note on The Sailor Moon RPG they list: "Big news coming soon! Keep coming back for details.":

Sailor Moon RPG
Sailor Moon Collectible Card Game Line (with Dart Flipcards)
Base Set 60-card Decks - (7 types) July $9.95 US/$14.95 CAN
Base Set 11-card Boosters July $2.99 US/$4.50 CAN

Tenchi Muyo! RPG
Tenchi Muyo! RPG and Resource Book June $29.95 US/$39.95 CAN
TM! Character Diary August $5.95 US/$8.50 CAN
TM! GM Screen September $12.95 US/$17.95 CAN
Tenchi Universe November $24.95 US/$34.95 CAN

Big Eyes, Small Mouth RPG
Big Eyes, Small Mouth Second Edition August $24.95 US/$34.95 CAN
Big Eyes, Small Mouth GM Screen September $9.95 US/$13.95 CAN
Centauri Knights (Campaign Adventure) October $15.95 US/$21.95 CAN
Cold Hands, Dark Heart (Campaign World) January 2001 $15.95 US/$21.95 CAN

Heaven & Earth RPG
Player's Guide August $19.95 US/$27.95 CAN
Game Master's Guide August $19.95 US/$27.95 CAN
Welcome to Potter's Lake (Setting Book) November $19.95 US/$27.95 CAN

Other RPG's
Ghost Dog RPG and Resource Book July $19.95US/$27.95 CAN
Hong Kong Action Theatre! Second Edition December $24.95 US/$34.95 CAN

Sailor Moon Button Men Combat Game
Luna & Artemis vs. Wicked Lady July $5.95 US/$8.50 CAN
Queen Serenity vs. Rubeus July $5.95 US/$8.50 CAN
Princess Serena vs. Sapphire July $5.95 US/$8.50 CAN
Rini vs. Wiseman July $5.95 US/$8.50 CAN
Neo-Queen Serenity vs. Diamond July $5.95 US/$8.50 CAN
King Endymion vs. Emerald July $5.95 US/$8.50 CAN

6-20-00---- YTV Anime Updates

Excerpted from the official newsletter release by Canadian broadcaster YTV:

Since we been receiving many, many e-mails asking about YTV's anime programs, we have created a special Anime Newsletter packed full of information. And as a YTV viewer who has asked us about our anime shows, you get a copy (don't you feel special)!!!

SAILOR MOON:

GOOD NEWS!!!! YTV will be airing BRAND NEW 'Sailor Moon' episodes this Fall!!! However, at this time we are still unable to tell you how many episodes we will have or what days/times they will air. Please stay tuned to YTV for info on our Fall schedule launch in September. YTV currently holds the rights to air the first 82 episodes of 'Sailor Moon', which we will be airing throughout the Summer.

You can catch 'Sailor Moon' on Fridays at 6:30pm E/P and Sundays at 4pm E/P. Although we know that all you fans would LOVE to see it aired more often, we do not have plans to adjust our present schedule. We are sorry if this is disappointing for you to hear, however, we hope you can understand that the programs and timeslots in our current schedule have already been confirmed and cannot be changed. Please be assured that all feedback has been forwarded to our Programming Department for their consideration.

DRAGONBALL Z:

YTV has now aired all of the new episodes that we have and are currently airing repeats of the 102 episodes we have. You will be happy to know that we will have more new episodes of 'Dragonball Z', in September. This is all the information regarding DBZ that we are able to provide you with at this time. Please be patient, and note that we cannot yet answer any questions regarding whether we will acquire other sagas (ie. Dragonball GT) or how many new episodes we intend to air in the Fall. We can tell you, however, that we not be able to show the original 'Dragonball' series, as we no longer have the rights to air this show. There are also no plans at this time to air any of the DBZ movies.

'Dragonball Z' airs Monday to Friday at 5:30pm E/P, Monday to Saturday at 5am E/P and Saturday at 8am E/P.

GUNDAM WING:

Although we are still waiting for the decision to be confirmed, YTV is planning having 'Gundam Wing' as part of our Fall schedule. For more details, please continue to watch and check out our website as we near September.

MONSTER RANCHER:

You will be happy to know that we will be airing BRAND NEW EPISODES of 'Monster Rancher' when we launch our Fall schedule (no word yet on what timeslot they'll be given)! We are sorry if replacing 'Monster Rancher' with 'Rugrats' was disappointing for you, but we hope you can understand that it is not uncommon for networks like YTV to move some programs to another day or time, introduce new shows, temporarily remove programs, or cancel shows with expired contracts. It is important to remember that all schedules are subject to change without notice.

You can continue to see 'Monster Rancher' on Saturdays during Snit Station in the 7:30am E/P timeslot.

DIGIMON:

On Friday, June 9, YTV began airing NEW 'Digimon' episodes!! We are airing the 8 remaining new episodes - from episode #45 to episode #52. After we air the last episode, 'Digimon' will go into repeats again, beginning at episode #1. Although you may find it disappointing that we do not have more new episodes, we hope you can understand that 52 episodes are all that we currently hold the right to air. Regrettably, we are unable to tell you at this time if there will be more new episodes in the Fall.

'Digimon' currently airs Monday through Friday at 4:30am E/P and at 4:30pm E/P. Also, it can be seen on Saturday at 9:00am E/P.

POKEMON:

YTV has finished airing all of the new episodes of 'Pokemon' that were delivered to us early this year. You can expect to see more NEW EPISODES with the launch of our Fall schedule. We are currently re-airing the episodes (up to #104) in order.

'Pokemon' airs Monday through Friday at 5:30am E/P; during The Zone at 5pm E/P; and on Saturdays at 5:30am and 8:30am E/P.

ANY OTHER ANIME:

Wondering if we'll be getting any NEW anime shows soon? Other than 'Gundam Wing,' our Programming Department has not made any announcements for the near future, but, you never know.....! Please be assured that your suggestions for anime programs have been forwarded to our Programming Department for their consideration.

This is all the news we have to offer you about anime on YTV . We hope the info was helpful!! Please keep watching YTV and stay tuned for our Fall Schedule which is sure to be great!!!

6-20-00---- Viz October Releases

Viz has sent out it's scheduled anime & manga release list for October '00 you can view it here.

6-19-00---- Cardcaptors FAQ

Nelvana has posted a FAQ on it's release of Card Captor Sakura, it can be viewed here.

6-19-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Bandai's Punch The Monkey Game Edition music action game featuring Lupin III characters is out on PSX in Japan June 22nd retailing at 5800 Yen.

Capcom's Vampire (DarkStalkers) will be a compilation disc containing the original Vampire Hunter and Vampire Savior, rather than a being a completely new title. The game will be released to Dreamcast in Japan in August.

6-19-00---- New Canadian Animation Channels

Excerpted from the official Press Release:

Nelvana Limited today announced it has filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for The Nelvana Channel, an innovative, multi-streamed entertainment service. Nelvana is also a partner with Corus Entertainment in Booknet, and is participating in six applications separately filed by TELETOON.
The Nelvana Channel is an entertainment service in which Nelvana programs are combined on-screen with additional supporting graphic and text material. The broadcast signal would be windowed into a number of distinct viewing areas designed to suggest a computer screen. These windows would simultaneously broadcast streams of video, graphics and text. One of the windows would be dedicated to the real-time broadcast of programming from Nelvana's extensive animation and live action library series. The other windows would enhance the featured program by thematically linking additional Nelvana-created material.
Nelvana is also a partner with Corus Entertainment in an application for Booknet, an entertainment and information network for children and adults, based on classic and contemporary books and characters. Nelvana has 40% ownership of Booknet, with Corus Entertainment owning 60% of the new service. Nelvana is also participating in the six "splinters" of the successful and popular animation channel, TELETOON, in which Nelvana is a 20% partner with YTV, Cinar and Family Channel. The "splinter" applications are for English and French services of TELETOON Action, TELETOON Adult/Adulte, TELETOON Art, TELETOON Pop, TELETOON Retro/Rétro and the multilingual service, TELETOON Multi.
"The Nelvana Channel presents the Company with a tremendous opportunity to interact directly with our viewers. The channel would work hand-in-hand with its companion website www.nelvanachannel.com," says Michael Hirsh, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Nelvana. "With this application process, The CRTC has opened the door to television in the 21st Century. We are pleased to participate in this important opportunity with a programming concept designed specifically for viewers in the digital age.
"We are also excited to collaborate with Corus Entertainment on Booknet, and with TELETOON on six additional applications. Nelvana believes in the importance of reading and our goal is to bring great books to life. Each of these compelling new services would make a distinctive mark in today's exciting and competitive new programming environment."

6-18-00---- Inu Yasha TV Series

Rumiko Takahashi's latest Inu Yasha will be adapted to it's own anime TV series for a fall broadcast in Japan.

Source: Fanboy Entertainment

6-18-00---- Cardcaptor Manga To End In Japan

Osaka-based studio CLAMP's Card Captor Sakura manga will end in Japan with the release of the August issue July 3rd. The final Tankoban collected manga will be released in August.

Source: Fanboy Entertainment

6-18-00---- New Spriggan Manga

Japanese publisher Shogakukan will begin a new monthly comic magazine - Monthly Sunday GX to include a new 52 page Spriggan comic by Toshihiro Ono that will tell the story of main character - Yu Ominae's first mission. A new series by Hisao Tamaki, Yokihi, Fujihiko Hosono and others will also makeup the magazine. For more information the Japanese web site can be seen here.

Source: Fanboy Entertainment

6-18-00---- Pokemon Takes Top Honors At Licensing Show

Nintendo / Leisure Concepts' Pokemon campaign was awarded license of the year at The 20th annual Licensing International Show on Thursday. The Pokemon franchise took honors in two other categories and several licensing deals were announced.

6-18-00---- Ryvius To Be Made Availavle Online

TV Tokyo has announced that at the end of June, an original spoof epsiode of it's Mugen No Ryvius (Infinite Ryvius) TV series will be made available for download on it's website. To facilitate faster downloads of the expected large files, TV Tokyo will change the anime from its original format simplfying backgrounds in series.

Source: Fanboy Entertainment

6-18-00---- Nie_7 Available Online

Takuya Sato and Yoshitoshi Abe's Niea_7 series is now available for download, at the official website http://www.nieaunder7.net. Episodes 7 - 8 have recently been made available, each divded into 4 parts. They can be viewed with Real Player.

Source: Fanboy Entertainment

6-18-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Bandai is releasing a Limited Edition version of SD Gundam G Generation-F that will include a game poster and a special package. Release is slated for August 3rd in Japan with a retail of 9980 Yen

NEC Interchannel's Dreamcast love adventure title Sentimental Graffiti 2 is now set for release in Japan July 27th, with a retail price of for 5800 Yen.

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