You can read about Sony's PS2 online plans at Gamespot . Also, Gamespot states that Capcom vs SNK2 is headed for the GameCube.
I recently conducted an interview with the voice actor Saffron Henderson. I uplaoded it at Kyle Hebert's site. www.kylehebert.com.
CARTOON NETWORK ANNOUNCES NEW PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES FOR 2002
Cartoon Network announced several major programming initiatives for 2002 today at a press conference in New York. Speakers at the event included Cartoon Network executive vice president and general manager Jim Samples, senior vice president of programming and production Mike Lazzo, and series creators Tom Warburton (Codename: Kids Next Door) and Michael Ouweleen and Erik Richter (Harvey Birdman, Attorney-at-Law).
Acquisitions:
Cartoon Network presents the U.S. television debut of Hamutaro. 52 episodes of the Japanese sensation will premiere in July 2002.
54 new episodes of Dragon Ball Z starting in September 2002. Dragon Ball Z airs exclusively on Toonami, Cartoon Network's action-adventure franchise.
38 new episodes of Dragonball will air on Toonami this year.
Adult Swim:
The launch of the new Saturday night action edition of Adult Swim with premieres of animé series Yu Yu Hakusho, Gundam 0083 and Pilot Candidate.
Cartoon Network ended 2001 with multiple new records for ratings and delivery of target audiences, along with best-ever performances of original series premieres and annual programming specials.
Cartoon Network set new annual rating and delivery records-for both total day and prime-time with kids 2-11, kids 6-11 and adults 18-34. The network posted the largest year-to-year net total day delivery increase of any ad-supported basic cable network with adults 18-34 (+52,000), tweens 9-14 (+57,000), kids 6-11 (+91,000), kids 2-11 (+127,000) and boys 9-14 (+45,000). In prime time, Cartoon Network showed the largest prime time year-to-year net delivery gain of any ad-supported cable network with kids 6-11 (+114,000) and kids 2-11 (+163,000) and boys 9-14 (+38,000).
In 2001, Cartoon Network launched four new original series, a new programming block that is boosting the network's appeal to adult audiences, and attracted record traffic to its Internet site, CartoonNetwork.com.
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 79.9 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd n Eddy and other Cartoon Cartoons. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network). Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
A hack on the entertainment beat is bullish about the chances the 19-year-old with the Muppet-like eyebrows will make it big in the biggest market of them all. "Even before she's gone full time into music, Hikaru has received offers to perform with top artists from overseas," the scribe tells Shukan Taishu. "Hikaru is keen to try and make a living out of singing. And, it's not unrealistic to think it might actually work."
Others, however, aren't as convinced Hikky will be huge. "Plenty of huge Japanese artists, like Pink Lady, Seiko Matsuda, or Dreams Come True, have made an assault on the U.S. charts only to end with barely more than a whimper," a music industry source tells Shukan Taishu. "Sure, Hikaru's got ability and her English is flawless. Unfortunately, there are millions of American artists who are at least at her level. For Hikaru to succeed in the United States, she needs something like Kyu Sakamoto had when he reached No. 1 with 'Sukiyaki.' I think she needs to have an Oriental flavor and sell herself as being Japanese."
The first City Hunter show to make it to R1 dvd has been assigned a street date. City Hunter: Secret Service will be coming out on 6/25/2002. Features include English audio and Japanese with English subtitles, Japanese TV spots, a City Hunter Extra (sort of an omake), Clean Op/Ed. Runtime: 90 mins. SRP $29.98
Source: Anime News Network
Source: Natsume Maya
"With VIRTUA FIGHTER 4 and GUNVALKYRIE coming in the next few weeks from Sega, Japanese based music label Tokyopop has produced soundtrack albums to accompany the games, with techno beats put down by Sega's own famous WaveMaster, responsible for the recent hit JET SET RADIO FUTURE and PHANTASY STAR ONLINE....
""This album includes new music that is used to express the new VIRTUA FIGHTER," said FIGHTER game creator Yu Suzuki in a press statement, "as well as rock music that is different from all previous styles." Both games hit March 19, with the soundtrack discs hitting March 26."
Source: Cinescape
Courstesy to Natsume Maya for the info.
Thanks to Daniel for the info
Source: Sanspo.com
You can find summaries and reviews of the movies "Giants & Toys" and "Blind Beast" at The Onion.
Rotten Tomatoes claims Zu Warriors will have an August release date.
Upcoming Movies Here and here suggests that Zu and Shaolin Soccer should be shown in theaters in Cantonese with English subs, while this link indicates the Accidental Spy will be shown dubbed.
Corona states that the production company behind Terminator and Aliens is interested in casting Zhang Zhiyi as a vampire triad for the movie Jade.
Konami announced Yugioh Duel Monsters 7: The Duelcity Legend for GameBoy Advance, the 7th installment of the popular card battle game series. This time the game genre has been changed to a Card Battle RPG, the theme is about an adventure in the Duelcity, the story is divided into a number of episodes. There are over 100 Duelists in the city, you have to challenge and defeat them one by one, there are also several special events. The battles are in the form of the standard Yugioh card battles, but your abilities will increase as you battle with more rivals. Images can be seen here.
Lunar Legend GA images can be seen here
Thanks to Daniel for mentioning Gamespot states Konami of Japan will be releasing a new Contra game for PS2.
The GIA states that the PS version of Dragon Warrior 4 will no longer make it state-side, but that the game might appear on a different console. this link states that the developer for DW 7 and DW 4 is no longer working in software.
Thu, Mar 7 – 12:30 a.m. – A Trip to the City
Thu, Mar 7 – 5:30 p.m. – Kame House – Found!
Fri, Mar 9 – 5:30 p.m. – Deep Sea Blue
Mon, Mar 11 – 12:30 a.m. – Haski Master Thief
Mon, Mar 11 – 5:30 p.m. – Roshi Surprise
Tue, Mar 12 – 12:30 a.m. – Danger in the Air
Tue, Mar 12 – 5:30 p.m. – The Trap is Sprung
Wed, Mar 13 – 12:30 a.m. – Bulma’s Bad Day
Wed. Mar 13 – 5:30 p.m. – Beware of Robot
Thu, Mar 14 – 12:30 a.m. – Kame House – Found!
Thu, Mar 14 – 5:30 p.m. – The Pirate Treasure
Full List
Source:AnimePro
Source: Natsume Maya
Source: Natsume Maya
To all Robotech and Macross fans:
A number of rumors have arisen during the past week as a result of legal proceedings in Japan.
The original Macross television series was the result of a monumental collaborative effort involving several companies of creative individuals. We at Harmony Gold appreciate all the hard work these combined talents put forth to make Macross possible. We are proud to have worked closely with AnimEigo to provide fans with a faithful subtitled release of Macross in its original format.
The litigation in Japan involving Tatsunoko, Big West and Studio Nue does not affect Harmony Gold or its licensees. Harmony Gold is not a party to any legal proceedings. Furthermore, the lawsuit, which was tried in front of a Japanese court, only relates to rights in Japan. Since Harmony Gold’s worldwide rights to Macross exclude Japan, a Japanese judgment does not apply to us.
We continue to be very excited about our Macross projects with Toynami and AnimEigo and look forward to a bright future for Robotech and Macross.
Sincerely,
Alan Letz
Executive Vice President
Business Development
Drawing to a close a legal battle lasting several years and affecting licesning of related properties and merchandise around the world, a Tokyo district court judge issued a verdict on the franchise copyrights to Super Dimensional Fortress Macross Monday (Feb. 25th). The ruling could leave far greater implications for the future licensing of character and series related materials in it's wake. The legal battle involved Tatsunoko Productions, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and a re responsible for such classic anime as Speed Racer (Mach Go Go Go) and Big West who rounds out the interested parties, they are the Japan based copyright holders to the Macross franchise.
According to Monday's ruling by presiding judge Toshiaki Iimura, Big West does indeed own copyrights to the Macross franchise.
Source: Yahoo
Courtesy to Natsume Maya for the news
All films below are being shown in a large auditorium theater and in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound at the Anime Film Festival @ Columbus, Oh (Ghost Worlds: When Anime Attacks) are:
VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST - MARCH 7 - 10
AKIRA (Digitally Re-mastered 2001 Re-release Print) - MARCH 14 - 17
JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE - MARCH 21 – 24
A CHINESE GHOST STORY: A TSUI HARK ANIMATION - MARCH 28 – 31
METROPOLIS - STARTS APRIL 5 - 11 (Showing for one full week)
T Campbell & B Carnes Drexel Theater East (614)231-1050
For more info: http://www.drexel.net/specialevents.shtml
1)"Hi! Hope even people who don't like Dallas can come for a super-cool long weekend of Asian films showing at the new (and also super-cool) Magnolia. Most have not been seen before on a big screen in this part of the state. Here's the sched (still subject to change, blah blah) and URL.
The 1st Annual Asian Film Festival of Dallas http://www.affd.org
Thursday, March 28
NOWHERE TO HIDE
Friday, March 29
THE KILLER
CURE
VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST
Saturday, March 30
RAISE THE RED LANTERN
THE CHINESE FEAST
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
FALLEN ANGELS
TELL ME SOMETHING
Sunday, March 31 (at the Dallas Museum of Art) SHORTS PROGRAM THE SEVEN SAMURAI
Closing night film to be announced
HK News:
1)"The 21st HK Film Awards has announced its nominee lists on Wednesday.
"Shaolin Soccer" pleased the public to receive 13 nominations out of 18
categories[The list of all nominees is available at
AICN Of note is that
"Spirited Away" made the list for "Best Asian Film"]
2)"Chow Yun-fat has finally flown to Toronto for the shooting of "Bulletproof Monk" which is aiming for a Christmas release in US. Here's the proof, with Mr.& Mrs. Chow at the airport: The Sun
Japan:
1)"Mamoru Oshii is currently attached to 2 projects. One is an unknown live
action film and the other is the sequel to "Ghost In The Shell"(which is
coming close to final deal with Toho).
2)"GAGA Communications has announced that "Tekken: The Movie" will start production next year with Namco and Crystal Sky. Graham Yost ("Speed") will write the script.
3)"Inside rumours are suggesting that Ron Howard may take over the reigns for ¡°Memoirs of Geisha¡±, now that Steven Spielberg has abandoned the project.
4)"Takashi Miike will remake an old Yakuza movie, "Zoku Jingi No Hakaba", which was originally made 27 years ago by Shinji Fukasaku. [Correction from Daniel: It's Kinji Fukasaku, and details on the original film can be found at http://us.imdb.com/Title?0073207.] This movie is based on the real-life story of the famous Yakuza member Rikio Ishikawa. The shooting has started already and Goro Kishitani is playing the lead role. The film will release this summer in Japan.
5)"Actor Yosuke Kubozuka (¡°Go¡±) will produce "Kiyoki No Sakura" in which he will star with Yosuke Eguchi. The film focuses on a conflict between young boy (Kubozuka) and a Yakuza member (Eguchi) and will be set in Shibuya. Music-video director Kenji Sonoda will direct. Shooting will start by the end of March while Toei will distribute this later on in the year.
6)"Director Yoshimitu Morita ("Family Game") is shooting his new film, "Mohouhan", which is based on a best-selling novel. It will star the lead vocalist of SMAP, Masahiro Nakai, in the leading role. The film will be releasing by Toho this June.
7)"One of last year's best documentaries, "Project X", will now be a feature movie. The doc focuses on the Victor Company engineers created the VHS. Documentarian Sasabe will make his feature-film directorial debut while Toshiyuki Nishida will play the main engineer. Shooting starts February 26th and the film will release later this summer through Toei.
8)" One of most popular TV shows, "Trick 2", has now moved to the big screen. The show revolves around a beautiful magician girl (Yukie Namaka) and a psychic guy (Hiroshi Abe from "Godzilla 2000) who solve paranormal incidents, just like the X-Files story but with a much better plot. The shooting starts from 26th of this month. The director is the same one from the TV series, Yukihiko Tutsumi."
Full length episodes of the popular anime series, Dragon Ball Z will show on the big screen, along with the premiere feature episodes of two series, new to America, Yu Yu Hakusho and Blue Gender, on Saturday, March 23 at 4 pm and 8pm at The George & Sakaye Aratani/Japan America Theatre, located at 244 South San Pedro Street in Downtown, LA (Little Tokyo). Tickets for 3 hours of film are: $7 General Admission, $5 JACCC Members, $6 Seniors, Groups (10+), $5 Students day of show. To purchase tickets, call the Aratani/Japan America Theatre box office, 213-680-3700, Monday-Saturday, 12 noon - 5 pm and Sundays only on performance days.
Dragon Ball Z, "Majin Buu - Defiance" (62 minutes) is the exciting story of Goku, his son, Gohan, and their friends as they battle evil forces around the universe. Throughout their journey to uphold good, friendships develop, loyalties are tested, and characters over time turn from their evil ways to become allies with the good guys. "A fluid blend of supernatural martial arts, comedy, romance, and the kind of rich character development that anime fans have come to expect from quality anime." - Animerica
Yu Yu Hakusho, "Yusuke Lost, Yusuke Found"(63 minutes). One of Japan's most popular anime series and comics ever and ranked #6 on the list of the 100 Best Anime Ever Made by Japan's Brutus Magazine, Yu Yu Hakusho follows the adventures of Yusuke and his companions as they defend the world from the evil Spirit Criminals. After sacrificing his own life to save a child from a deadly traffic accident, Yusuke Urameshi is given a second chance and allowed to return to Earth. Once a confused and rebellious child, Yusuke finds direction in his life by working for the Spirit World.
"Blue Gender, Vol. 1" (60 minutes). Blue Gender is "an addiction, one that is candy-coated with excellent character development and brushed with the venomous tang of suspense." First aired in Japan in October 1999, Blue Gender is an anime-style science fiction with action, romance, deception, and intrigue. Set in 2031, the human race fights for its existence while being hunted down by giant, insect-like, alien creatures called Blue. Members of the Sleeper Recovery Team struggle to survive and lead the battle against the aliens. Not recommended for elementary school age children.
Produced and distributed in the U.S. by FUNimation Productions, Ltd., the producers of Dragon Ball Z. Screenings presented by special arrangement with FUNimation.
As the master toy licensee for Yu-Gi-Oh!, Mattel will introduce action figures and accessories, board games, puzzles, vehicles, playsets, activity toys, role playing products, youth electronics and ViewMaster products in 2002.
Dateline 3/3/02 Glenn & Kristyn Schmall Anime Tourist http://www.animetourist.com
Article: Synch-Point's no Fool.
Link: http://www.animetourist.com/article1041.html
In a quick interview with Synch-Point Producer Stephanie Sheh, we find out why Synch-Point chose FLCL, how come Production I.G is more involved, and what it's like to be a women in the anime industry.
From the releases:RELEASE DATE SET FOR SPRIGGAN Hit motion picture from the creator of Akira debuts on DVD
HOUSTON, Mar. 4, 2002 - ADV FILMS has set the street date of April 23, 2002 for the DVD premiere of Spriggan, the action-packed motion picture hailed by critics as "...the most kick-butt action anime film ever released" (scifi.com) and "a slam-bang action fest..." (Animerica).
Directed by first-time director Hirotsugu Kawasaki and supervised by Katsuhiro Otomo, the legendary creator behind the cinematic masterpiece Akira, Spriggan is based on the comic Striker by Chu Takasige and Ryoji Minagawa, which originally appeared in the Japanese monthly magazine, Shonen Sunday. The comics were a popular success, selling millions of copies of the paperback releases, which led to a fervent bidding war over the right to make a movie based on the property. Otomo and Kawasaki eventually won out, and with the backing of acclaimed animators Studio 4°C, masterfully combined traditional cel animation with ground-breaking computer animation to create a stunning action film.
Story: At the top of the world, the ancient artifact known as Noah's Ark has been uncovered. Buried and forgotten since before the birth of history, it holds the potential to elevate its holder to the status of a god... or to wipe mankind from the face of the Earth in a second! Now, a desperate battle erupts across the planet as two secret organizations race to recover the lost artifact - one seeks to destroy it, and the other wants enslave the human race! Monstrous half-human cyborgs face off against Earth's ultimate defenders, the secret organization known as ARCAM and their elite agents, the Spriggan, in an epic duel with the future of our species as the prize!
ADV's release of Spriggan ($29.98 SRP) contains the English-language version in 5.1 Dolby Surround Audio, as well as the Japanese language version in 5.1 Dolby Surround Audio with English subtitles. DVD extras include an audio commentary with the English ADR director Matt Greenfield, production sketches, and ADV previews.
SPRIGGAN
Running Time: 90 Minutes; Age Rating: R
Pre-Book Date: 3/26/02
Street Date: 4/23/02
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
RELEASE DATE SET FOR GOLDEN BOY: TREASURE HUNT
HOUSTON, Mar. 4, 2002 - ADV FILMS has set the street date of April 23, 2002 for the raunchy and hilarious Golden Boy: Treasure Hunt, the first of two volumes collecting the classic anime comedy.
Story: Get ready for the ultimate road trip as wandering student Kintaro Oe hits the highways of Japan in the wildest quest for knowledge ever! Whether he's re-programming the president of an all-female software company, checkmating the malicious daughter of a malevolent politician, or defending the sweet virtue of a noodle maker's daughter, Kintaro's cross-country odyssey is guaranteed to keep your sides aching with laughter! Take a lesson from the Book of Love with Golden Boy: Treasure Hunt.
ADV's release of Golden Boy: Treasure Hunt ($29.98 SRP) collects the first three episodes of the popular anime comedy in the English-language, as well as the Japanese language version with English subtitles. DVD extras include clean credit animation, an image gallery, and ADV previews.
GOLDEN BOY: TREASURE HUNT
Running Time: 90 Minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Pre-Book Date: 3/26/02
Street Date: 4/23/02
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
The American based public radio network NPR reviewed the Adult Swim broadcast of Cowboy Bebop recently, critic Milo Miles states, "Cowboy Bebop is Disney with guts and Lucus with brain". You can listen here
Volume 2 of Golden Boy: Bound for Glory will street on 6/18/02. Study more of life's lessons with the wandering teacher himself. Contains episodes 4-6 with an SRP of $29.98.
Thanks to Yukio ( ISDN Fanclub | Dead Shot Club ) for the news.
Source: Bandai
"Anime is the next big thing," said Larry Kasanoff, CEO of Threshold Entertainment. " "About a year ago, we started thinking that Japan was a place that we look to for creators. Not only will anime become popular here, but the lifestyle will also become more pervasive."
"...Sensing an untapped potential, Kasanoff wanted to bring anime to America. Threshold Entertainment is working on deals to produce a live-action anime movie. "
Speaking on Tokyopop:
The company's main business is Manga, graphic novels that are much more complex than the superhero-centric American comic book, but Levy said the entertainment industry is searching for the breakout hit. TokyoPop is betting that Initial D, a story that has produced 22 graphic novels in Japan, will do that. The company is looking for a broadcast network partner.
The March issue of Dengeki Hobby disclosed some interesting tidbits about the upcoming Hybrid Grade Gundam project. This is all still grist for the rumor mill, but makes for interesting reading anyway. Dig it: There's a good chance Gundam's not going to be in the same 1:12 scale as the previous Zaku. It'll be 1:24. (That's still nothing to sneeze at. For those of you without a slide-rule, that's roughly 75cm -- or a full two and a half feet.) Why? According to the Bandai project-manager interviewed for the article, the only way to ensure full posability (the Zaku's was limited to the upper torso) without increasing the price is to scale the sucker down. This time around, Bandai doesn't plan to compromise in articulation. But what's more, the four-and-a-half foot size of the Zaku proved to be a little too much to handle for the general fan. Says Bandai: "At half size, it should have the feel of something that someone could actually display in an average house." But what's more, "Imagine a row of robots like that displayed together. Wouldn't that be incredible?" Indeed it would. Is this the start of a whole new Jumbo-sized series of Gundam figures? Only time will tell. Those disappointed in the scale reduction can console themselves with the fact that a shrinkage in size also means a shrinkage in price. To wit: "We're thinking to reduce the price even beyond half of the Zaku. If at all possible, we're aiming to bring the price to around 50,000 yen." The Hybrid Models seem to be rapidly evolving into a "neo-Machinder" series of toys. Keep those fingers crossed....
3/10
9:00 Generator Gawl The Visitors (OC) 1 ADVF
9:40 All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Phase 0i (OC) 1 ADVF
10:20 City Hunter (OC) 1 ADVF
From the creator of the Anime Web Turnpike comes a comprehensive site dedicated to one of the most popular and successful Japanese music groups of all time, Dreams Come True.
DCTJoy.Com - The Joy that is Dreams Come True
http://www.dctjoy.com/
DCTJoy is the home that Dreams Come True fans have been waiting for. It includes detailed information on all the group's albums, singles, and soundtracks, complete lyrics for all their albums, music samples from many of their songs, guides to their side projects, guides to their English endeavors, a DCT starter kit, and much, much more. DCTJoy also includes an advanced forum where all DCT & JPop fans can gather to talk and share with their fellow fans.
Please come and join us at DCTJoy.Com and share in the Joy that is Dreams Come True!
Jay Fubler Harvey
Creator of DCTJoy.Com
All Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited
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