Anime News Service - June 14-18 Anime News

6-18-02---- Newtype Article: Gerry Anderson On New Anime Project

DVD Vision Japan's Matt Anderson informs us of the following:

Here is an article I found of interest in New Type. Since more and more anime projects are starting to use non-Japanese talent for their series (Syd Mead in Turn A Gundam and Peter Chung in Alexander--or Reign if you use the TOKYOPOP title) I thought this might be of interest to your readers. The July issue of New Type has a brief article about a new anime created in part with Gerry Anderson. For those of you who do not know the name, he is the creator of such hit shows as Thunderbirds, Space 1999, Stingray, and many others. The series will be called Gerry Anderson's Firestorm.

Firestorm takes place in the year 2014, where the world is threatened by Black Okoto. A team of specialists from around the world called Storm Force is created. The best of the best is Storm Force 9, a six member team led by Sam Scott. Equipped with advance vehicles and weapons, their code name is Firestorm. Gerry Anderson handles the Mechanical Designs, while the character designs and CG animation will be handled by the Japanese company. No word on when it will be release, or if it is an OVA or TV series.

6-18-02---- Lupin III News - New TV Special And All Night Movie Events

A huge thanks to Tzara who sends the following news:

On July 26th, at 9:03 PM, Nihon Terebi's (Japan TV) "Friday Road Show" program will feature Lupin TV Special: "LUPIN The Third Episode 0, First Contact"! This wil be the 14th yearly TV special. This time around will feature the first meeting of Lupin and Jigen, as well as his first contacts with the other characters. Friendship and treachery, and a few plot twists and turns". (Sources: Official Lupin the Third page: http://www.lupin-3rd.net and Nihon Terebi's Friday Road Show web page: http://www.ntv.co.jp/kinro/)

On July 20th and 27th, there will be all night LUPIN III screenings in Ikebukuro Tokyo (at Ikebukuro Shinbungeiza). Both events will also feature a special "guest talk show" (no news yet as to who the guest/s will be). The screenings will consist of various Lupin incarnations, including movies, episodes from the first and second TV serries, and TV specials.

Screenings Line-up:
July 20th: Movie, "Lupin vs. the Clone"; 1st TV Series, Episode 17; 2nd TV Series, Episode 112; TV Special, "Bye Bye Liberty"; 1st TV Series, Episode 4; 2nd TV Series, Episode 99; 2nd TV Series, Episode 145. July 27th: Movie, "Castle Cagliostro"; 1st TV Series, Episode 13; 2nd TV Series, Episode 26; TV Special, "The Hemmingway Papers"; 1st TV Series, Episode 9; 1st TV Series, Episode 1; 2nd TV Series, Episode 155.

All tickets are availible in advance either at the theater window or through Ticket Pia. There is an age requirement: 18. (Source: http://www.lupin-3rd.net)

6-18-02---- G-Fest Lineup

From Monster Zero courtesy Daniel:

G-FEST 2002 TO SHOW GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRUS! By: Armand Vaquer June 18, 2002 http://www.g-fan.com G-Fest 2002 announces film lineup including a U.S. showing of GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRUS

NEWS FROM G-FEST 2002

Contact: Armand Vaquer, (818) 881-5543 or AMVaquer@aol.com Jeff Horne, (630) 551-0394 or (630) 428-5235

June 17, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRUS" TO BE SHOWN AT G-FEST 2002

Fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy films will be gathering July 12-14, 2002 at the Radisson Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois for G-FEST 2002. G-FEST is pleased to announce that the first North American theatrical showing of "Godzilla x Megaguirus" (2000) will take place at the convention courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Special guests will include Godzilla and Mothra special effects director Koichi Kawakita; Godzilla, King Ghidorah and Battra suit actor and manga artist Hurricane Ryu; and actor Robert Scott "M-11" Field.

G-FEST 2002 will also show "Godzilla vs. Destoroyah" (1995) and "Gamera 2: Gamera vs. Legion" (1996) on Friday, July 12 and Godzilla x Megaguirus which will show Saturday night at the Pickwick Theater, 5 South Prospect, Park Ridge, Illinois. G-FEST 2002 will also show 1991's "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" at the Radisson Hotel that will include live running commentaries by Mr. Kawakita, Mr. Ryu and Mr. Field.

A "Burning Godzilla" figurine will given free to the first 500 pre-registrants of G-FEST 2002 courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. and X-Plus U.S.A.

G-FEST 2002 will also have a huge dealers' room where convention attendees may purchase movie memorabilia, toys, model kits, books, posters and photographs from their favorite monster film.

G-FEST 2002 will also have art, model, coloring, costume, video, trivia, kaiju call and music video contests.

Weekend admission is $29 for adults, $10 for youths 10 and under. Children under 5 are to be admitted free. Daily admissions are $15 for adults, youths for $5 and children under 5 are admitted free. The films at the Pickwick Theater are $7 each (all ages). The convention is open to the public.

For further information, go to the G-FAN/G-FEST website at www.g-fan.com.

6-18-02---- ABC Family Anime Times

Courtesy Daniel you can find out when Medabots, Beyblade, and Shinzo will be shown on ABC Family at Movie Poop Shoot.

6-17-02---- Another Hit - Miyazaki Interviewed In BBC Japanorama Interview

Despite reports to the contrary, Anime News Service's world class news sources have pulled through once again on this weekend's BBC Japanorama look at Studio Ghibli and interview with legendary animator, Hayao Miyazaki.

According to info posted to the The Hayao Miyazaki Discussion Group by Joe Curzon, today the UK Cable/Satellite Channel BBC Choice aired the program hosted by Jonathan Ross (who has praised Miyazaki before in the past on his Film 2001 show). The show also covered a former member of Studio Ghibli, Hideaki Anno (better know for Evangelion, Gunbuster and his other Gainax projects than his Ghibli work). Anno's section focused on a recent live action project and the alternative, filming techniques he used.

On being compared to Disney, Miyazaki replied saying he doesn't really like that, since Disney was a producer not a director. The Car chase scene from Castle of Cagliostro was shown, Ross stated that Steven Spielberg said that this is one of the greatest car chases ever! Miyazaki explained where he got the expressions of children by observing family friends daughters when he visited, which was only once a year. Ross mentioned that Mononoke did disappointing in the USA, and Miyazaki wasn't surprised by this, since he knew it was quite complex and not as easy to understand as other films. Miyazaki did say he was surprised that so many children did understand it and that so many adults did not. The bus stop scene in Totoro was shown and Ross highlighted the slow pace compared to American animation and said this is what made it wonderful. Miyazaki replied saying that originally this scene was going to be shorter, but because of the importance of the scene he wanted to make it longer.

Joes Curzon's site Anime Digital can be accessed at http://www.digital.anime.org.uk

6-16-02---- Manga Style Art Online

Manga-e-vasion is starting an online site for a group of Manga artists and writers. They're publishing our online manga free at the above address.

6-15-02---- Plastic Little Creator To Make Directorial Debut

Earth Work has updated it's website for a group of which Plastic Little creator Urushihara Satoshi is one of the three members. The site reports one of the "jiggle" master's current projects is Front Innocent, an adult anime in which Urushihara will make his directorial debut. Production is underway but is currently in the storyboarding stage.

Source: Natsume Maya

6-15-02---- ADV Items

Thanks to Mark for the heads up on these:

ADV Website News
----------------
First up, ADV Films has re-launched the ADVUK Website. This site offers much of the same content that we have stateside but with a catalogue of titles specific to the UK market and links to retailers where you can get your favorite ADV titles. As the site grows, we will offer announcements on new titles, contests and more for our fans on the other side of the pond. Also, be sure to sign up on our UK mailing list to be included on future email announcements.

Check that out here: http://www.advfilms.co.uk/

Next, ADV has launched a brand new show-specific website based upon ADV's release of the popular "Medabots" series. This site hosts the usual offerings of story information, character bios, and data on ADV's release of the series.

Check that out here: http://www.advfilms.com/favorites/medabots/index.html

Finally, the sites for Princess Nine, Robotech, Steel Angel Kurumi, and Golden Boy have all been updated. Princess Nine sports a great interview with Tiffany Grant. Steel Angel Kurumi offers an interview with Monica Rial, and the second half of our interview with Steven Foster, among other things.

All of those sites can be accessed via the "Favorites" section of ADVFilms.com. http://www.advfilms.com/favorites/index.asp

-------------------------
ADV Films BGC2040 Contest
-------------------------
Here's your chance to get your hands on the greatest anime series of all time! For a limited time only, ADV Films is giving away a grand prize package of a Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Perfect Collection and a DVD player! The BGC 2040 Perfect Collection includes all twenty-six episodes of the cyberpunk epic on six discs, and comes packaged in a spectacular DVD keepcase! Don't miss out on your chance to witness one of the coolest, most intense anime series' of all time!

For more information, stop by the official contest page: http://advfilms.com/cool_stuff/contests/BGC2040/index.asp

Contest ends on July 28th.

6-15-02---- New PS2 Title Transitions To Anime

Idea Factory is working on a Playstation 2 adventure/simulation game Gakuen Toshi Vara Noir ~ Kingdom of Chaos the Universe ~ (University Town Vara Noir), to be released in the (northern) summer. Looks like an anime version is being planned as well.

Source: Natsume Maya

6-15-02---- Anime Events Coming Up For Japan

Tzara sends us the following:

I read about these two events in the latest anime magazines, they both sound great! I went to a different TBS event a year or so back for the You're Under Arrest 2nd serries and it was great (the voice actors sang and did the talk show thing, it was great), so I have high expectations of this event.

I was also thinking that the X event will be happening fairly close to the same time as Comic Market (I don't remember the exact date, but I think it's within a week or so?), so anyone comming out to Japan from the States or wherever could probably get to this event also (if they can get advance tickets, and I'd be happy to help anyone out with this if they can't order internationally or get a freind living here to do it for them). Ok, well here's the 2 news items:

Big Screen X TV serries marathon event in Tokyo
On August 11th in Tokyo, there will be a screening of ALL 24 Episodes of the X TV series on a theater sized screen at Suginami-Seshion. The event is scheduled to open at 10 A.M. and finish at 8 P.M. The cost is 1500 yen and includes a special phone card. Tickets will go on sale June 29th at Animate stores. For more information, call Animate 03-59921234. (Source: July 2002 Animedia)

TBS Anime Festival 2002
On August 24th and 25th, TBS will be holding it's Anime Festival 2002 in Tokyo at the Akasaka ACT Theater from 1 P.M. to 6 P.M. The schedule includes creenings of Chobits, Get Backers, Mahoromatic `Motto Utsukushii Mono` (A More Beautiful Thing), and RAVE as well as a Talk Show Event. Guests at the talk show event include seiyuu Tanaka Rie, Kawasumi Ayako, "and others". There will also be
special goods for sale at the event and everyone who attends will recieve a small gift. Tickets go on sale July 13th and can be bought at Animate stores in the Kanto region (the area of Japan surrounding Tokyo) or through Ticket Pia anywhere in Japan. Tickets are 1500 yen. (Sources: July 2002 Animage and Animedia)

6-15-02---- Sakura Dairies With "Extras" Coming To Japanese DVD

August 25th sees the release of the Sakura Tsuushin (Sakura Diaries) OVA Complete DVD Collection. Price 22,800 yen (excluding tax). 270 minutes, containing all 12 episodes and unreleased scenes.

Source: Natsume Maya

6-15-02---- Ultraman Cosmos Star Arrested

According to Kyodo News, TV actor Takayasu Sugiura, who plays the title character on "Ultraman Cosmos," a popular children's TV show, was arrested Friday on suspicion of punching a vocational school student and extorting money from him in 2000, police said.

Sugiura, 21, is suspected of making an unjust demand to the student in Moriguchi, Osaka Prefecture, on the night of Sept 28, 2000. Because the student refused, Sugiura asked to meet him in the city in mid-October the same year. He is suspected of punching him in the face and extorting 450,000 yen in cash, the police said.

6-15-02---- Gay And Lesbian Community Journal Uncovers Anime

Out Smart Magazine, a leading American publication dedicated to covering the Gay and Lesbian community worldwide has examined Japanese Animation with a new piece, Sleeping With The Anime. How does anime factor in among those in the above groups and beyond, this article covers some ground previously unacknowledged.

6-14-02---- 2054 Lexus

Toyota's USA Luxury automaker devision Lexus has uploaded an interactive Flash preview of their 2054 concept, recently revealed as shown in the coming Hollywood Sci-Fi film Minority Report. View it here.

6-14-02---- Manga Devlopments

According to Daniel-san, Manga Entertainment will making the cable medium from June 2002 on a new Showtime science fiction series produced by Columbia/Tri-Star this summer called "Odyssey 5." The episode is called "Time Out of Mind" and is to air on or around July 19th. The show begins airing in June (check your listings for details). The series stars actor Peter Weller (Robocop) and is about five astronauts who are on a space shuttle mission, but the Earth is blown up by unknown attackers.

July 2002
Manga Video will be at the following conventions this month: Anime Expo (July 4 - 7) Los Angeles. The voice actors for the Evangelion movies will be at the Manga booth signing autographs. Wizard World (July 5-7) Chicago.

August 2002
Manga Video will be at the San Diego Comic Con (Aug 1-4) and Anime Expo East (Aug 31-Sept 2) New York City.

6-14-02---- Japanese Region 2 Tokyo Mew Mew Release Looks American?

Volume 1 of Tokyo Mew Mew will be released on August 21st. Running time is 150 minutes (6 episodes?) Retail Price is 4,800 Yen (excluding tax).

Source: Natsume Maya

6-14-02---- Famed Cartoonist Nancy Seki Dies

Thanks to Yukio-san (Dead Shot Club) for the following item:

Mr. Nancy Seki known for essayist also as an eraser wood-block artist It died in the hospital in Tokyo on the morning of the 12th. 39 years old. Aomori graduate. Constantly [ 11 ], condition became bad by taxi of return and it was hospitalized in the hospital in the city of Tokyo. The cause of death is unknown. A funeral and a farewell service are undecided. It is a variety show with the stamp which shaved and made the eraser. It comes out with the illustration "Atto odoroku Tamegoroh" (surprised Tamegoroh) of a page, and is an illustration with a weekly magazine etc. The column was written. "The face notebook of Nancy Seki" etc. is in a work.

Source: Goo

6-14-02---- Dreamworks Official Links

The official site for Jackie Chan's Tuxedo is up at http://www.dreamworks.com/thetuxedo/ with a poster. You can also now access the official Ring re-make site(http://www.dreamworks.com/ring/) without having to search under Road to Perdition. Dreamworks has Tuxedo scheduled for an October 11 release, and Ring for October 18.

6-14-02---- Cinema Links Du Jour

All via DanieI-san:

information on scenes in Bulletproof Monk and Kill Bill are available at AICN. Another spoiler-filled review of Takashi Miike's Agitator is at AICN and Miike's remake of Graveyard of Honor and Humanity is available at AICN. Miike talks briefly about the Katakuris and the Agitator at AICN. Read about the details of an upcoming limited-release movie called Secret Society about a British woman who ends up becoming a sumo wrestler at Yahoo.

6-14-02---- L.A. Times Tackles Hentai

American newspaper The LA Times has a new article examining the Japanese animated realm of Hentai.

6-14-02---- Hasegawa Valkyrie Updates

Long anticipated updates to the Hasegawa site regarding Macross Valkyire toys include VF-1 Battroids, Option Decals, and limited to 5,000 units, the Angel Birds.

6-14-02---- Happy Lesson Extras Update

KSS's Happy Lesson page has added TV series DVD bonus info (including pictures of the figures). Volume 6 will contain episode 11 and a previously un-broadcast episode. In addition to the box and extra items included with the deluxe edition of volume 1, each DVD volume (to be released approximately one month apart) will come with a character CD and postcard. The deluxe edition of each volume will have the character CD and postcard but will also include a figure and trading card. The final volume 7 (both regular and deluxe editions) won't have a character CD but what will be included in its place has yet to be revealed. In addition, those who purchase a complete set of the deluxe edition DVDs will be able to apply for a set of five items: figure of Kanna, special DVD (with 3 minute chibi character anime and seiyuu secret video), group photo of the seiyuu, animation cel of the TV anime series (an in-between cel, not a key cel - and applicants will not be able to choose their cel) and a trading card (Nakagawa Akiko cosplaying as Kanna). Applications must be postmarked by the end of April 2003 and I presume there will be a fee involved as well.

Source: As always a gracious thank you to Natsume Maya for the news

6-14-02---- Asian Fantasy Film Festival Note

Just a quick post. Tom & Diane of Clawmark Toys sent this photo of all the guests arriving at the third Asian Fantasy Film Expo this weekend. left to right is : Kawauchi-san (Bandai Rep), GMK director Shusuke Kaneko, director Teruyoshi Nakano, author Norman England, Jim Cirronella (background), and artist Bob Eggleton. Look for more AFFE coverage at the new Monster Zero website on Saturday at http://clubtokyo.org/monsterzero !

Source: Cinescape via Daniel-san

6-14-02---- I.G. Production

While the newest updates don't bring up any new details on any anime projects IG mightb be working on, the journals at http://www.production-ig.com/ have some interesting information on how work is done in Japanese studios.

Thanks to Daniel for the item

6-14-02---- Anime Fandom Getting Big In Perth

Fans in Perth (Western Australia) who are members of JAFWA (Japanese Animation Fans of Western Australia have seen the club's membership excel in recent months to upwards of 400. JAFWA completely fills a university lecture theater at every screening monthly (they screen every saturday afternoon except for the first one of the month).

6-14-02---- Animeigo To Correct KOR DVD Issues

From the post to the Animeigo website:

A personal message from AnimEigo CEO, Robert Woodhead The KOR DVD Box set has a opening/ending credits layout that is different from the industry standard. This change was well intentioned, but has upset a lot of fans. To make a long story short, we royally screwed up, and we're going to fix it -- at our expense. We're also going to make revisions in our internal procedures to ensure that things like this don't happen again. The KOR DVD Box Set will be completely remastered, restoring the opening credits to their proper places. Anyone who has bought the original box set who wants the new version will be able to swap their old discs for the new discs, free of charge. Obviously, this is going to take some time, and we don't have a good estimate yet for how long it will take. We will do it as fast as we can, but we want to take some extra time to review every aspect of the box set to make sure that this time, it's as perfect as possible. We will also be formulating -- and posting -- a set of standards we will use for DVD functionality on all our DVDs, and if we ever feel we have to deviate from these standards in the future, we will prominently announce that fact well in advance, along with an explanation. Furthermore, to reassure you that future AnimEigo DVDs won't have these kind of problems, we are going to start sending out some internal test discs to prominent reviewers in the fan community. When we have a better estimate of the release date of the new version, we'll announce it. When it's available, we will email everyone who has purchased the original set to let them know they can send in their old discs. To make the swap as easy as possible, all you'll have to do is stick the actual DVDs in an envelope, mail them back to us, and we'll mail you replacement DVDs. No need to send us the box or the Amaray cases. We'll finalize the details at a later date. I want to end by offering a personal apology to all the fans who have been upset by this situation. In the last year or so, as AnimEigo added considerable staff, I started delegating a lot more of my workload in order to spend more time with my children. This debacle is an indirect result of that decision, I take full responsibility for it, and I'm taking steps to fix the problem. Sincerely, Robert Woodhead, CEO, AnimEigo.

6-14-02---- My Neigbors The Yamadas To Screen In Melbourne

The Hayao Miyazaki Discussion Group has seen a post mentioning The Melbourne International Animation Festival will be screening "My Neighbours the Yamadas" (Tonari no Yamada-Kun) in Melbourne, Australia at the Cinemedia Treasury Theatre on Friday 28 June at 7.45pm. This may be the only opportunity to see this film on the big screen in Australia. Details are available at: http://www.miaf.net/

6-14-02---- Macross Panel 7 At AX

The 20th anniversary of Macross is a mere three months away, and this science-fiction romance classic is ushering in the third decade with new anime, new stories, new toys, and more. Fans can join the seventh annual Anime Expo get-together with the people who have brought you Macross:

(Scheduled to appear)
* David Fleming (First Macross translator/subtitler)
* Shawn Klueck (Macross World maintainer)
* Shin Kurokawa (First Macross DVD producer/restorer/translator)
* Egan Loo (First Macross DVD liner notes/Macross Compendium maintainer)
* Neil Nadelman (First Macross/Macross Plus/Macross II translator/subtitler)
* Dana Weaver (First Macross subtitler, not to mention Macross 7 expert)
* Special guest to be announced ....

Panel highlights will include:
* Talk plot points with the people behind almost every release of Macross
* View the actual pencil character and mecha design sketches (see the origins of the Valkyrie and Minmay), rare books and Valkyries, and more
* Hear the latest news in Japan and North America about upcoming animated works, all-new transforming Valkyries, and more
* oh, and there's the plush Valkyrie, Fire Valkyrie, and Guvavas ....

While at Anime Expo, don't forget to attend the Legend of Galactic Heroes panel with the first Macross series chief director Noboru Ishiguro and the presentation of Earth Maiden Arjuna from the creators of Macross!

Macross Panel Schedule
--------
Date: Saturday, July 6, 2002
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Place: Live Programming 1 (Long Beach Convention Center Room 104) [Pending schedule changes]
*Thanks to AX's convenient no-line ticket policy, you can still attend the panel and enjoy the Masquerade at 8 pm!

After the panel, MacrossWorld.com will be holding the first half of its annual gathering from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Please check out the websites below for more info!

6-14-02---- Animeage Forums

From the announcement:

The Animeage discussion boards is open. Its a great place to discuss all types of anime and Japanese related topics. Remember, without you its nothing. So stop on by http://www.animeage.net, and check it out. Thanks a lot everyone, Brian S.

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