Reportedly, the Japanese record label AVEX TRAX will be bringing Korean born j-pop singer BoA to an anime convention in New York at some undisclosed future date. Japanese music companies, in an effort to draw listners are looking at anime conventions as potential venues for concerts, and at the same targeting the Anime fan market. The selection is partially due to the fact that so many popular Anime theme songs are now recorded by pop singers an groups. After initial exposure to pop music via anime many fans expand their interests into the J-Pop music arena. Many Japanese music industry representitives are rumored to have attended American Anime and comic conventions undercover in recent years to gauge the interest in these events which are regarded by some as a direct sampling of the market. These events include the San Diego Comic Con, Anime Expo, Fanime and A-Kon.
Interestingly, some reps were interested to see how visual kei has permeated into these conventions. Visual kei is often cross referenced in American music as a "Glam Rock" sort of style in which the members of a particular band become characters unto themselves and using visual devices, makeup, flashy hairstylings, clothing etc.. to enhance their overall unique appearance. It's Rumored that J-pop performers may be involved in some of the larger anime conventions as early as this year.
The survey mentioned above can be accessed here and asks the following:
Your Location (State/Country):
= Do you listen to Japanese music? What kind(s)?
= What do you like about said music?
= What is YOUR definition of the term "J-Pop?"
= Do you like "J-Pop?" Why or why not?
= Who are some of your favorite "J-Pop" artists? List as many as you'd
like.
= What do you think of "J-Pop" being used in anime?
= What do you think of "J-Pop" programming being used in anime conventions?
= Would you be interested in an "Introduction to J-Pop" panel?
= Would you like to see a "J-Pop" artist perform at a convention? If
so, who would you like to see?
= Any other comments?
E-Books Opinion?
Toren and the other hard-working, much-appreciated members of Studio Proteus:
As someone who works in the publishing business (though not comics, unfortunately), I am curious what you think of other American manga publishers producing comics in:
a) a PDF e-book form followed by a hard copy trade paperback like ComicsOne is doing;
b) a series of periodic trade paperbacks only, like TokyoPop is apparently going to be doing with most of its titles.
While I think the e-book format is a waste of time (though probably not that hard to do if you do all your set-up on computer to begin with), I do think that the TPB-only releases of some titles is appealing. I guess I don't have the patience to pick up several hundred Dragonball comics when I can just pick up 40-odd trades as they are published.
Has Studio Proteus ever considered going either of these routes?
Keep up the good work. Thanks to Lone Wolf & Cub, I finally got my brother reading manga on a regular basis.
--Colin Hart Wed, Jan 09, 2002
Hi, Colin;
Timely questions!
I don't like manga e-books, personally, because the resolution is awful and the experience of reading off a computer screen sucks. Just my opinions, but enough to keep me from doing any. However, that said, there may be a place for them for the cheap publication of manga that would otherwise never be translated.
Straight to TPB is a route which, of course, we are experimenting with. However, it is VERY hard to make the finances work. As things stand, the publication of the monthly amortizes the substantial costs of production, and allows us to release the TPB at a reasonable price point. As I've said, if Super Manga Blast goes under (it's still doing okay, thank heavens), we are NOT going to switch to a straight-to-TPB system for those stories--we simply can't make the numbers work. So be grateful to the fans who buy the monthlies: they support the TPBs!
Best;
--Toren
Thanks to Nick for the link
Nothing official on the SF Film Fest website, but the rumor is...
Saturday, April 20, 6:30pm, Castro Theatre MIYAZAKI Hayao's latest and greatest masterpiece will be premired in the States as part of the SF Int'l Film Fest.
There will be an additional screening Sunday, April 21, 11am, Castro Theatre again...
Tickets go on sale to the general public April 2nd
Thanks to Daniel for the news
JAPANESE RETAILERS PULL MICROSOFT'S XBOX
TWO major Japanese electronics retailers are suspending sales of Microsoft's Xbox. Sakuraya and Sato Musen halted sales this week after customers complained that the Microsoft machine scratches game discs. Both stores will continue selling the Xbox software, according to reports by Kyodo News and the Mainichi newspaper. Nationwide retailer Laox also halted Xbox sales, but apparently resumed sales after it became clear Microsoft planned no recall of the machines. Officials from the companies are not available for comment. But calls to retail outlets confirmed that Sakuraya and Sato Musen had stopped selling the Xbox. Microsoft announced the problem on Thursday, but said the scratched discs don't hurt the game performance or video quality. It has offered free repairs for customers who report the problem. The Xbox, priced at 34,800 yen (around £182), debuted in Japan on February 21. Within days, however, game fans began complaining about scratched discs after playing new games they bought to use with the new machine. By Thursday, Microsoft Japan had received nearly 590 complaints about the problem. Microsoft says the problem has not surfaced in the US, where more than 1.5 million Xbox machines have been sold since they arrived in stores in November.
SF Bay Area PS2 to get modem:
Sony Corp. said it plans to sell a $40 modem that will let PlayStation 2 users access the Internet and play online games, starting in August. The modem and online play will arrive after a delay of many months. Sony in May said it would put the modem on sale before the end of 2001. In a statement Thursday, Sony's Foster City-based videogame division said it would reveal at a later date which games will be playable online. Sony's move to offer games that can be played online via the $299 PlayStation 2 highlights its competition with Microsoft Corp.'s $299 Xbox. Source: Daily Review (The Daily Review)
Sanji Hase, father of seiyuu Arihiro Hase who voiced Hikaru ichijoh In Super Dimensional Fortress Macross died on March 8th, of complications from Lung Cancer, he was 66 years of age. Fans may recall son Arihiro met death at the young age of 31 on July 30, 1996. Sanji Hase was himself an actor and seiyuu, often voicing popular children's programs such as "Hirake! Ponkikki". A funeral service will occur at the Ochiai site of a religious service in Shinjuku-ku Ueochiai 3-34-12 from 10:00 - 6:00 over the period of March 12-13. The chief mourner is Mrs. Taeko Hase. Sanji Hase broke in to the industry with an 8 year stint on NHK's "Monosiri Hakase" from 1960. He became the popular voice actor who was indispensable to "Wolf Boy Ken", "Hyokkori Hyoutan Island", "Cyborg 009", "Kinnikuman", "DevilMan" and "Ikkyuu-san" anime. In addition, he acted as a regular of popular childern's program "Hirake! Ponkikki" of Fuji-TV of for 15 years from 1975.
Source: Nikkan Sports
Please note that due to our new distribution deal with WEA (Warner, Elektra, Atlantic), our video releases have been pushed back to begin in May. Including Astro Boy, which was originally set for April. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Danielle
MANGA ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE RETURN OF
THE WORLD’S FAVORITE BOY ROBOT
ON HOME VIDEO MAY 28, 2002 Chicago, IL- From Japan’s “God of Comics,” Osamu Tezuka - one of the seminal forces behind the advent of Japanese comic art and animation, Manga Entertainment is proud to bring ASTRO BOY to American audiences on home video May 28, 2002. Manga Entertainment is cross-promoting the release of Astro Boy with Dark Horse Comics as they publish (for the first time in the US) the original manga comic book in English. www.astro-boy.net
Astro Boy wowed American audiences in 1963 when the original black & white episodes first aired on NBC, finding their way into the highest rated time slot (6:30pm–7:00pm) for the New York metropolitan area. The show had a tremendous impact on American children and was extremely influential in establishing the popularity of robot heroes in the US. In 1983, Tezuka Productions, in cooperation with the Nippon Television and Network Corporation, created a higher-quality color version of Astro Boy. This updated 51 episode children’s series begins with the origin of Astro Boy and will be available on home video in the US for the first time through Manga Entertainment in 2002.
Contributing to the resurgent popularity of the character will be the forthcoming Astro Boy film from Hollywood - the first ever translation of a Japanese animated series into a feature film. Currently in production with Sony Films and Jim Henson’s Pictures, Columbia Pictures’' big screen version of the robot hero is slated for release in 2004 and will be directed by Eric Leighton, who's directorial credits also include Disney’s “Dinosaur.”
Manga Video will release the first 3 VHS volumes, each containing five 30-minute episodes of the series, on May 28, 2002. Volumes 4-6, each containing 6 episodes, will follow on August 27, while the final three volumes will have and November 26, 2002 street date. At a retail cost of $19.95 per volume, Manga’s Astro Boy series will make all 51 eagerly sought-after color episodes available for the first time to US fans and new viewers alike in an affordable format. A multi-volume DVD series will be released in 2004.
Broadly speaking, the Astro Boy series conveys a timely message about the triumph of kindness, compassion and selflessness in the face of discrimination and human prejudice – a message Tezuka tries to communicate not only to the children of the world, but also to their parents. With the massive success of other Japanese animated programming currently broadcasting on U.S. television (Speed Racer, Pokeman, Sailor Moon and Dragonball Z), Astro Boy is sure to find a welcome home as a role model among children eager to enjoy Astro’s exciting adventures and embrace the value of aiding humanity.
The story of Astro Boy takes place in April 2030, when a brilliant robotics engineer named Doctor Boynton looses his son Toby in a tragic car accident. Distraught over his death, the dedicated but heart-broken scientist uses his technical expertise to construct a robot in the boy’s image. But all was not as he’d hoped, for the scientist soon realized that the robot could never grow into a human being capable of filing the void in his heart.
Abandoned to the care of Hamegg – the cruel ringmaster of a carnival where androids are forced to fight each other, Astro Boy is rescued by the kindly Doctor Elefun – an “android’s rights” activist who adopts the boy robot and guides him in the use of his special powers to aid and protect mankind.
Studio: Manga Entertainment Sales & Distribution: WEA
Genre: Children’s Action/Adventure Rated. Not rated.
Running Time: 150 minutes each volume
Street Date for Volumes 1-3: May 28, 2002 Pre-Book Date: May 10, 2002
Volume 1 UPC: 6-60200-4084-3-5 Manga Selection #: MANGA4084-3
Volume 2 UPC: 6-60200-4085-3-4 Manga Selection #: MANGA4085-3
Volume 3 UPC: 6-60200-4086-3-3 Manga Selection #: MANGA4086-3
Source: Channel Neco (Sky Perfect TV)
Thanks to Tzara in Saitama fore the news
Check out the newly-commissioned Princess Nine website by visiting this address: http://www.advfilms.com/princessnine/
Announcement of the "2002 (No. 25) Japanese Academy Awards" took place in a hotel in Tokyo on March 8 with Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away selected as the best work prize. "GO" dircted and starring Yukisada Isao also received high honors. Awards:
Star actor prize Yousuke Kuboduka
Star actress prize Keiko Kishi
Supporting performance actor prize Tsutomu Yamazaki
Supporting performance actress prize Kou Shisaki
Supervision prize Yukisada Isao
Script prize Kankuroh Kudou
Photography prize Katsumi Yanagishima
Illumination prize HITOSHI TAKAYA
Art prize YOSHINOBU NISHIOKA, Toshiyuki Matsumiya
Recording prize Osamu Onodera, KIyoshi Kakizawa
Editing prize Tsuyoshi Imai
Music prize Gakuji Matsuda, Hitomi Shimizu
Foreign country work prize "Little dancer"
Mask Rider Ryuki and Ninpu-Sentai Hurricaneger broadcast on TV Asahi are to be cinematized in Japan this summer.
"Ryuki" is different from the conventional mask Ryder profile, in spite of broadcast in the morning of Sunday at 8:00, an audience rating is always high, more than 10% from the first time of February 2. The 50th anniversary of Toei has seen the arrival of shows such as "Kamen Ryder Agito" (Masked Rider Agito) "Hyakuju - Sentai Gaoranger" and shows such as these have represented high profit returns for the firm.
"Hurricane-Red" with Shun Shioya playing the leading part in special effects drama "Ninpyu-Sentai hurricaneger" for a child of Asahi National Broadcasting where a modern version ninja fought against extraterrestrials (Sunday, 7.30) (19) established a home page for a fan (HP) in form to meet. About 100 arrive a fan letter under him currently between one week. He told that he seemed to be ashamed that "a housewife and a female college student gave a letter to me in addition to children". The site can be accessed here.
Feature: A PAGE OF MADNESS
We shine our light on one of the truly great classics of silent cinema, Teinosuke Kinugasa's A PAGE OF MADNESS (KURUTTA IPPEIJI, 1927). Jasper Sharp talks to connoisseur Mariann Lewinsky about the ins and outs of this still remarkable and very impressive film.
http://www.midnighteye.com/features/silentfilm_pt1.shtml
Movie of the Week: GATE OF HELL
To coincide with our feature, we review Kinugasa's samurai epic GATE OF HELL (JIGOKUMON), a winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1954.
http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/gatehell.shtml
Review: STEREO FUTURE
Another generous helping of postmodernist style from SAMURAI FICTION and RED SHADOW director Hiroyuki Nakano.
http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/sterfutr.shtml
Source: Nausicaa.net
Source: Yukio-san (Dead Shot Club | ISDN Fnaclub)
Nikkan Sports
On March 7, It was announced that MechaGodzilla confronted Godzilla by a movie in the New Year of TOHO CO. LTD. for the first time in nine years. Mecha Godzilla is a high popularity robot monster since appeared as a rival of king of monster Godzilla in 1974. At a high technology period, MechaGodzilla will challenge Godzilla With Power up this time that becomes the fourth competition. Toho also decided to continue and to show popular animation "Tottoko Hamu-Taro" simultaneously.
The 21st century begins and has the Real robot age, and high technology monster mecha Godzilla revives. A title is unsettled, and Masaaki Tezuka supervisor of "Godzilla V.S. Megagillas" takes a megaphone for 00 years. As for the mecha Godzilla, from head to foot appears by setting of universe metal first in 1974. Mecha Godzilla collected popularity because of fired a missile from a body and as more one Godzilla which gave off a beam from an eye. Thereafter three times appeared, and was destroyed by Godzilla. Although the story that it knows very well will aim at overthrow Godzilla in this time as the super-robot that learnt the hightechnology technology, it is vague. It is an open planned for December. King gidla and Mothra did renewal in "a large monster all-out attack" of the last year that was a series 25 item and appeared on screen and became a topic. Mecha Godzilla of deep-rooted popularity can delight the former Godzilla fan. It was a gold mine movie of the New Year when the series recorded more than 3000000 number of spectator mobilization from "Godzilla" in 84, but in late years Hollywood movie stood in the way and was held in check.
Source: Nikkan Sports
Sony Metreon Calendar Listing
Upcoming FREE Bandai Anime Screenings At Metreon's Action Theatre— San Francisco's Only Anime & Action Film Venue
Themed Weekend Screenings and Events Throughout March include a Model Building Workshop and the Unveiling Of A 7-1/2 foot tall Gundam Statue! What: Action Theatre at Metreon-A Sony Entertainment Center is home to an ever-changing line-up of anime and action movies, and will present features from leading anime film and toy maker, Bandai Entertainment, in March 2002.
Anime (Japanese animation) is one of the hottest new entertainment options for teens and young adults around the globe, and is experiencing growing popularity in the Bay Area.
When: March 8-10 Weekend Bandai Comedy Weekend
Friday, March 8 4-9pm Haunted Junction
Saturday, March 9 11am-1:30pm Saber Marionette J Again 3-9pm Don't Leave Me Alone Daisy
Sunday, March 10 12-2pm Love Hina - Moving In 2-4pm Love Hina - Go West
March 15-17 Weekend Anime Collectors Launch
Friday, March 15 5-7:30pm Pilot Candidate (V.1-2) 7:30-9pm Pilot Candidate (V.3)
Saturday, March 16 1-3:30pm Cowboy Bebop Session 1 4-6:30pm Cowboy Bebop Session 2 6:30-8:30pm Cowboy Bebop Session 2
Sunday, March 17 1-2:30pm Cowboy Bebop Session 4 2:30-4pm Cowboy Bebop Session 5 4-6pm Cowboy Bebop Session 6
March 22-24 Weekend Samurai Weekend
Friday, March 22 5-7pm Ronin Warriors Vol. 1 (advance screening)
Sunday, March 24 11am-1pm Jubei-Chan the Ninja Girl - The Secret of the Lovely Eye Patch 1-3pm Jubei-Chan the Ninja Girl - Basic Ninja Training 3-4:30pm Jubei-Chan the Ninja Girl - Heart of Steel 4:30-6pm Jubei-Chan the Ninja Girl - Final Showdown
March 29-31 Weekend G Gundam Weekend
Friday, March 30 5-7pm G Gundam Volume 1 (advance screening)
** Bandai Shop will unveil the 7-1/2-foot tall Gundam head! **
Gundam Model Building Contest - presented by Bandai Entertainment. In conjunction with the special Bandai programming in Action Theatre, guests can bring in their assembled models to be judged by Bandai model kit experts.
Where: Metreon—A Sony Entertainment Center Action Theatre is located on the 2nd Floor Metreon is located at the corner of Fourth and Mission streets (101 Fourth Street) in San Francisco and is easily accessible by public transportation—just blocks from the Powell Street BART and Muni metro stations. Public Parking is available at the Fifth & Mission Garage across the street from Metreon and the Moscone Center Garage at Third and Howard streets.
Admission: FREE - All features are rated PG-13
Public Info: (415) 369-6086 or http://www.metreon.com
" The first response for Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files was overwhelming! Over 1 million people watched last Saturday. Thanks to all of you who caught the first episode of this exceptional series. Feedback was awesome. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files leads off Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim Block and is followed by Cowboy Bebop, Pilot Candidate, Gundam Wing, Outlaw Star and Tenchi Muyo. This heavily licensed set of shows proved their worth earning high ratings throughout with Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files clearly leading the way. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files had the number one performance ratings in households, girls 6-11, boys 6-11 and teens 12-17. This exciting series generated twice the ratings in boys 6-11 and teens compared to the other Adult Swim series. Thanks again to all of you who made this happen. "
Source: Cinescape
Thanks to Daniel for the news
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