Anime News Service - May 8-19 Anime News

5-19-00---- Blue Sub No. 6 To Air On Cartoon Network

Excerpted from the official press release:

BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES BROADCAST PREMIERE OF "BLUE SUBMARINE NO. 6" ON CARTOON NETWORK

Home video distributor Bandai Entertainment Inc., proudly announces the future broadcast debut of Blue Submarine No. 6 on Cartoon Network. Broadcast details, including airdate will be forthcoming.

================================ The oceans of Earth have risen, leaving most of the land underwater. Even worse, humanity is plagued with attacks by a race of sea mutants, dedicated to the eradication of mankind. Our last hope is the state of the art Blue Submarine No. 6 and her crew. Made up of the best personnel in the naval fleet, ace pilots Mayumi and Tetsu are in for the fight of their lives as the fate of all mankind hangs in the balance. ================================

BLUE SUBMARINE No. 6 combines traditional cel and cutting-edge 3D animation to provide a unique look never seen in an animated series before. Blue Submarine No. 6 is considered one Japan's most technically advanced animated features today.

5-19-00---- Boy's Be TV Seiyuu Data

Boys Be Kanzaki Kyouichi - Suzumura Kenichi
Kurumizawa Makoto - Ishida Akira
Kenjou Yoshihiko - Ishikawa Hideo
Nitta Chiharu - Murai Kazusa
Mizutani Aki - Shiratori Yuri
Kazama Yumi - Nagasawa Miki

5-18-00---- Final Slayers Novel

The Final Slayers novel titled The Demon Slayers was released in Japan May 15th. The first novel was first released in January 1990.

5-18-00---- Fanboy's Sidekicks #1 Expands to 40 Pages

Excerpted from the official press release:

SIDEKICKS #1 Expands to 40 Pages, Variant Covers Announced

Fanboy Entertainment is pleased to announce that due to the enormous demand for the eight page Sidekicks Preview Edition and the unexpected positive hype the book has generated, they will be increasing the page count of the Sidekicks #1 from 32 pages to 40 pages! The cover price will not change and remain at $2.75 as solicited.

"J. and Takeshi have a story to tell, and what a fabulous story it is.", comments Fanboy Entertainment's publisher, C.B. Cebulski. "The first issue was supposed to be 32 pages, but Takeshi ran a little wild and the book clocked in at 35 pages. What we originally planned, as was announced in an earlier press release, was that the eight pages originally seen in the Preview Edition were going to be removed and J. and Takeshi were going to rework the story with new art to make it shorter. But after the three of us got together in Chicago at Anime Central last weekend, plans changed. The previews were snatched up and the fan reaction was overwhelming. After reviewing all the original art for Sidekicks #1 and trying to formulate a plan, we all agreed that book should be left as is, unchanged."

Fans will now be able to enjoy the full Sidekicks experience as it was originally meant to be read. "I'd been pondering the expansion idea for a while, ever since J. first informed me of the page crunch. I saw CrossGen came out and did the same thing recently. I've heard their actions received a really positive response from the fans and retailers, so we felt that there was no harm in our trying something similar.", Cebulski explained. "Eight more pages of story for the same price. Who's going to complain about that?"

In addition, it appears that not all of the buzz Sidekicks has been generating has been restricted to the fan community. Several prominent comic creators have also taken an interest in the series and in the manga stylings of newcomer Takeshi Miyazawa. Cebulski explains, "After I sent out the Sidekicks Preview Editions to the press, industry and a few friends, the calls started coming in. J.'s story grabbed people and Takeshi's art started making waves. Now, thanks to the kind offers of several artists, Sidekicks will sport a few very high class variant covers. Manga master Kia Asamiya will be providing the alternate cover to the first issue. Ed McGuiness, Superman's superstar penciler, will be covering Sidekicks #2. Then, on the third issue of Sidekicks, Tellos' talent Mike Wieringo and Kaboom's kickin' Keron Grant provide the alternate covers. Never did we expect that kind of line up on a start-up series by a start-up publisher!" The variant covers for Sidekicks #1 and 2 will!

ship in 50/50 ratios, with the main cover drawn by Takeshi Miyazawa. Issue #3 will see the covers shipped equally between the three artists.

Cebulski also notes that the Sidekicks lettering has been changed. "Takeshi handlettered the eight page Sidekicks Preview Edition himself. Personally, I loved it. It was fun and original. However, reaction to it for the most part has been negative. It's about the only complaint we received about the book. Most people said they thought it was hard to read. But I guess that's a bonus benefit of having done the preview book. We've now gone back in and relettered the whole book to make it clearer and more legible. I guess it's better we found out sooner than later. People are going to be blown away!"

Sidekicks #1 goes on sale in June for $2.75.

5-17-00---- J-Pop / Seiyuu / Anime Music News

The Sakura Taisen Gouka Kenran OVA single, Furui Piano is now set for release June 14th, listing at 1,260 Yen. Featured on the track are seiyuu, Takano Urara, Nishihara Kumiko, and Ikura Kazue, and image tracks, Furui Piano Kagayaki.

Komori Manami's new single, Poppuna Yuuki, featuring the main theme to the upcoming Ojamajo Doremi # (sharp) anime motion picture.

Yonekura Chihiro's new single, Return to Myself, will include the new opening theme song to the Monkore Knight anime TV series. The B-Side track, Tohkue will become the ending theme to the Monkore Knight movie set for releasde later in the summer in japan. Release for the single is set for July 26th, with a retail price of 1,020 Yen.

5-17-00---- Bandai Entertainment Announcements

Releases from Bandai Entertainment on the horizon - Excerpted from an E-mail by Jerry Chu:

Tenamonya Voyagers - Bilingual DVD (FIRST [Exclusive] DVD [Release] - THERE WILL BE NO VHS - DUB or SUB)

Don't Leave Me Alone Daisy DVD Collection - The entire Daisy series (Ep. 1-12) within a 2-disc set.

Saber Marionette R DVD

Escaflowne DVD 1 has been rescheduled for October

Blue Submarine No. 6 v. 4 has been rescheduled for October

5-17-00---- Bilingual Card Captor Sakura Book

Japanese publisher, Kodansha International recently released a special, "bilingual version" book of Card Captor Sakura with the 1st issue original comic book fully translated into English. Running 192 pages, the paperback size B&W book's item info is as follows:

Name: Kodansha Bilingual Comic Series: Card Capter Sakura
(volume #1)
ISBN: 4-7700-2644-7
Price: 880yen (about $8.00)

5-16-00---- Trimark And Voltron

Trimark Entertainment has signed a distribution deal with World Event Productions that will give the company the home-video distribution rights to 12 episodes of the current CG Voltron cartoon, and distribution rights to all 124 episodes of the American version of the original early 1980's Voltron (Go-Lion) anime TV series. Look for Trimark's Voltron release in the U.S. this winter.

5-16-00---- Spriggan Director To Attend Anime Expo 2000

Excerpted from a newsgroup post by Mike Tatsugawa:

"Anime Expo is pleased to announce the attendance of Mr. Hirotsuge Kawasaki as a Guest of Honor. Mr. Kawasaki began his career as an animator and has worked very closely with Katsuhiro Otomo. He worked as an animator on AKIRA, and served character designers on MEMORIES, and also directed the story "Stink Bomb." His most recent work is as the director of SPRIGGAN."

5-16-00---- New NEC Mobile Phone System To Deliver With Music

NEC Corporation has developed a Mobile Phone system allowing cell users to download over 10,000 recorded tunes to use as custom rings. The songs are selected by verbally choosing songs via affiliated Internet services.

5-15-00---- Megumi's Vintage S - First Week Sales

Megumi Hayashibara's new best-collection album Vintage S has sold 85,970 copies within the first week of release in Japan.

5-15-00---- Escaflowne Movie Theme Single

Sakamoto Maaya's new single, Yubiwa is set for release June 21st, listing at 1,050 Yen. It will include the main theme to the upcoming Escaflowne movie. The full Escaflowne movie original soundtrack is set for release in Japan in July.

5-15-00---- Anime Expo Announces Takada Akemi Art Exhibit For AX 2000

Excerpted From A Newsgroup Posting By Mike Tatsugawa:

"Anime Expo Announces Another First! Takada Akemi Art Exhibit at Anime Expo 2000!

In conjunction with the Gallery of Fantastic Art (GoFa), Anime Expo is pleased to announce the first ever North American exhibition for artist and Anime Expo Guest of Honor Takada Akemi. Ms. Takada is best-known to American fans for her work on KIMAGURE ORANGE ROAD and PATLABOR. Now, fans will have a chance to view some of Ms. Takada's original artwork. These are the originals--not reproductions.

The Exhibit will run throughout the course of Anime Expo 2000. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see these illustrations firsthand!"

5-15-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Natsume's upcoming Gameboy Color RPG, Lufia: The Legend Returns, is set 100 years after Lufia 2. The main character is named Wein, who must find 11 other warriors, who have special powers that bust be brought together to reseal the 4 Sinistrals into the Doom island.

In Capcom and SNK's Capcom v.s. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000, the player can select from two different fighting styles: Capcom Groove and SNK Groove. In Capcom Groove a Super Combo gauge that can store up to 3 levels (ala Street Fighter Zero) is available. In SNK Groove the player can use super attacks when there are stocks in the combo gauge, and desperation moves when the life meter turns red. You can play with a team of 2 - 4 characters, with fewer characters you will receive higher strength and power each character has. Capcom v.s. SNK is around 15% complete.

Nintendo's Super Mario RPG 2 is out in Japan for N64 on Aug. 11. The U.S. release is set for on December 26.

Square's Final Fantasy IX for PSX has seen it's release advanced from July 19 to July 7 in Japan.

Sony will release Scandal, a Yodora animation novel, for PS 2 in Japan on June 29. The disc is the 5th installment of the novel series, developed by Sugar & Rocket.

Bandai's upcoming PSX robot war-sim, SD Gundam G Generation 3 has been renamed to SD Gundam G Generateion-F. Featuring 300 new characters, plus 700 characters in SD Gundam G Generation Zero, the game is locked in for a summer release in Japan.

Sega Toys will release new color versions of their electronic pet, Poochi next month for 2980 Yen each. Sega Toy's next-gen Poochi, Super Poochi, will arrive in Japan Nov. 3, retailing for 5980 Yen. Super Poochi incorporates a new AI system that will allow it to develop "personalities", based on the owner's care. An electronic cat, Meowchi and electronic bird, Chapichi are also to be released this fall on September 30, retailing for 2980 Yen each.

5-14-00---- Live At E3 And Anime Central

Anime News Service has been on the road since Monday, May the 7th hitting the E3 Electronics Convention in Los Angeles, California and currently attending the Anime Central Anime Convention in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Keep checking back for in-depth reports on both events as well as the addition of all of this past week's news.

5-13-00---- Seiyuu Kaneto Shiozawa Dies

Famous male seiyuu veteran, Kaneto Shiozawa (46) was found dead in his home, last week, appearantly from an accidental fall down stairs.

Shiozawa is known from roles in anime such as Ideon, in Heroic Legend Of Arslan as Narsas, Legend of Galactic Heroes as Orbelstein, Dragon Half's Rozalio, Street Fighter II's Balrog (Vega in the U.S.).

5-12-00---- AX 2000 Announces Takeda Akemi As Guest Of Honor

Excerpted from a newsgroup posting by Mike Tatsugawa:

"Anime Expo is pleased to announce that Ms. Takada Akemi will be joining us a Guest of Honor this year. While she has worked on a number of titles, including CREAMI MAMI and FANCY LALA, she is no doubt best known in the United States for her enduring work on KIMAGURE ORANGE ROAD and PATLABOR. In addition to her appearance at Anime Expo, a special display of Ms. Takada's artwork will be presented at Anime Expo. This is the first time that this art has been exhibited in North America, and the exhibition will contain the originals of many of her famous illustrations. The exhibit is presented by GoFa (Gallery of Fantastic Art).

5-11-00---- U.K. DVD News

In the U.K., Kiseki Films has recently released Starblazers Vol. 1 and Adventure Duo to DVD. Return of the Overfiend's release has been halted due to "authoring problems".

5-11-00---- Viz Announcements

Excerpted From A Post To The Viz Retailers/Distributors Mailing List:

The following graphic novels are in the midst of a reprint, and will be available for shipping by 5/15: Battle Angel Alita GN Vol. 7: Angel of Chaos, & Ranma 1/2 GN Vol. 14

Viz has Ranma 1/2 mouse cursors available for download via Comet Zone. We were mentioned in their e-newsletter as one of the newest additions to the Comet Zone family. You can find the Ranma 1/2 cursors at www.cometzone.com . So, go there and say goodbye to the old days of surfing with those boring arrows and pointing hands.

2000 will see the long-awaited DVD releases of such Viz titles as Please Save My Earth, Key the Metal Idol in 3 volumes, Fatal Fury OAV box set, and the Ranma 1/2 TV series in 4 volumes.

The video release schedule has been updated. Here is the schedule as it stands. Please contact me iwth any questions or problems.

Ranma 1/2 Outta Control subtitled: A Room With a Zoo
V-ROCS06 05/12/2000

Ranma 1/2 Outta Control subtitled: Happy's Heart
V-ROCS07 05/12/2000

Ranma 1/2 Martial Mayhem: One Lump or Two
V-RMM005 05/19/2000

Ranma 1/2 Martial Mayhem: Croak & Dagger
V-RMM006 05/19/2000

Maison Ikkoku subtitled: Date For Five
V-MIS18 05/19/2000

Ranma 1/2 Outta Control subtitled: Tattoo You
V-ROCS08 05/19/2000

Ranma 1/2 M. M.: Three Girls, a Guy, and a (Japanese) Pizza Place
V-RMM007 06/09/2000

Maison Ikkoku subtitled: Dress You Up
V-MIS19 06/16/2000

Maison Ikkoku subtitled: Present From the Past
V-MIS20 06/16/2000

Ranma 1/2 Outta Control subtitled: Great Eggspectations
V-ROCS09 06/23/2000

Ranma 1/2 Martial Mayhem: To the Victor, the Spoils
V-RMM008 07/07/2000

Maison Ikkoku subtitled: Hot Springs Holiday
V-MIS21 07/14/2000

Ranma 1/2 Outta Control subtitled: Pinky Promised
V-ROCS10 07/21/2000

Ranma 1/2 Martial Mayhem: Battle: Fois Gras
V-RMM009 08/04/2000

Ranma 1/2 Martial Mayhem: Swimming With Psychos
V-RMM010 08/04/2000

Maison Ikkoku: Wish Upon a Fall
V-MIS22 08/11/2000

5-10-00---- MVM U.K. VHS Releases

MVM has announced Kimagure Orange Road vol. 2 (£12.99) and Oh My Goddess vol. 1 (£11.99) for a July 10th VHS release.

5-10-00---- Bandai Entertainment Announcements

Excerpted from an E-mail by Jerry Chu:

Gundam Wing VHS and DVD Home Video release is May 16th!

Gundam Wing English Language VHS (Cartoon Network version)
SRP: $14.98 - 4 episodes
Gundam Wing English Language VHS (Uncut)
SRP: $14.98 - 4 episodes
Gundam Wing Bilingual DVD
SRP: $24.98 - 5 episodes

With the last episode (49) being aired this week, Cartoon Network will begin rebroadcast of the series beginning from episode 1.

Gundam Wing besides being shown M-F at 5:30 and midnight is also being broadcasted on "Rising Sun" block every Sat at 10:30 on Cartoon Network. Tentative Info: Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz will be broadcast on Cartoon Network as a special movie premiere.

5-10-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Sega of America has announced the U.S. version of Shenmue will be released November 14th.

Sega has officially announced Sonic Adventure 2 for Dreamcast, the game is being developed by Yuji Naka, the creator of Sonic. Sonic Adventure 2 will be released in the U.S. In 2001.

5-10-00---- Top Selling U.S. Translated Manga Sales Figures

Top-selling translated manga titles sales estimates for the United States, according to preorders through Diamond Distribution.

123 21200 DARK ANGEL PHOENIX RESURRECTION #1 (Image, $2.95)
142 17500 SAILOR MOON #20 (Mixx, $2.95)
164 13800 DRAGONBALL Z PART 3 #4 (Viz, $2.95)
174 11400 DRAGONBALL PART 2 #15 (Viz, $3.50)
177 11100 OH MY GODDESS (PART VIII #5) HAIL TO THE CHIEF #2 (Dark Horse, $3.50)
192 9400 GUNSMITH CATS KIDNAPPED #7 (Dark Horse, $2.95)
194 9100 BLADE O/T IMMORTAL THE GATHERING (3 OF 15) #45 (Dark Horse, $2.95)
198 8800 SUPER MANGA BLAST #3 (Dark Horse, $4.95)
202 8300 RANMA 1/2 PART 9 #1 (Viz, $2.95)
206 7300 POKEMON ADVS PART 2 #4 (Viz, $2.95)
211 6900 MASAKAZU KATSURAS SHADOW LADY #20 SUDDEN DEATH #1 (Dark Horse, $2.50)
223 5800 ANIMERICA VOL 8 #5 (Viz, $4.95)
229 5200 ANIMERICA EXTRA VOL 3 #6 (Viz, $4.95)
233 4900 AQUA KNIGHT #2 (Viz, $3.50)
234 4800 BONDAGE FAIRIES EXTREME (Eros, $3.95)
235 4900 INU YASHA PART 4 #7 (Viz, $3.25)
236 4700 CARDCAPTOR SAKURA #6 (Mixx, $2.95)
237 4700 GUNDAM WING #4 (Mixx, $2.95)
238 4500 NO NEED FOR TENCHI PART 9 #3 (Viz, $2.95)
244 4300 SAILOR MOON SUPER S POCKET MIXX VOL 4 (Mixx, $9.95)
251 3900 LODOSS WAR GREY WITCH #19 (CPM, $2.95)
254 3800 DARK ANGEL #13 (CPM, $2.95)
258 3600 MAGICAL POKEMON JOURNEY #3 (Viz, $4.95)
267 3400 RANMA 1/2 VOL 15 TP (Viz, $16.95)
269 3300 CO-ED SEXXTASY #6 (Eros, $3.50)
271 3300 HOW TO DRAW MANGA ILLUSTRATING BATTLES ENG ED ($18.00)
275 3200 SEX PHILES #16 (Eros, $3.95)
280 3100 MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO #12 (CPM, $2.95)
286 2900 SILENT MOBIUS KARMA #7 (Viz, $3.25)
289 2900 GUNSMITH CATS BEAN BANDIT TP (Dark Horse, $16.95)
297 2700 TIME TRAVELER AI #8 (CPM, $2.95)
302 2600 GEOBREEDERS #15 (CPM, $2.95)
309 2500 AQUARIUM #2 (CPM, $2.95)
313 2400 STEAM DETECTIVES PUSHING PENCILS (Fanboy, $3.95)
324 2200 NEW VAMPIRE MIYU VOL 5 #6 (Ironcat, $2.95)
326 2100 FUTABAKUN CHANGE VOL 4 #5 (Ironcat, $2.95)
328 2000 MAXION #6 (CPM, $2.95)
330 2000 GUNDAM WING POCKET MIXX VOL 1 (Mixx, $9.95)
333 1900 MAISON IKKOKU VOL 14 WELCOME HOME TP (Viz, $16.95)
334 1900 IMMORAL ANGEL #5 (CPM, $2.95)
1500 SECRET COMICS JAPAN (Viz, $19.95)

5-9-00---- Manga X Release Info

Manga Entertainment has revealed that it's X movie will be released on VHS dubbed on July 18th, with the subtitled VHS DVD version to follow at some point after that, with October being likely. Delays in Sub and DVD are due to Manga's acquiring Japanese language materials from the original producers. The first Patlabor movie is expected out on DVD July 25th, Blackjack and Angel Cop DVDs are set for an August 29th street release.

5-9-00---- Anime Expo 2000 Announces Range Murata As Guest Of Honor

Excerpted from a newsgroup posting by Mike Tatsugawa:

Anime Expo is also pleased to announce Mr. Range Murata as a Guest of Honor. A well-known and very popular illustrator in Japan, Mr. Murata is best-known to American anime fans as the character designer for the video series Blue Submarine No. 6. This will be Mr. Murata's first U.S. convention appearance.

5-8-00---- King Of Fighters Live Action Film Planned

A new live-action film based on SNK's King of Fighters franchise is reportedly in the works. Lead actors expected to work on the project are Andy Lau (Iori Yagami), and Takenouchi Yutaka (Kyo Kusanagi). It will be a joint production between Hong Kong and Japanese companies.

5-8-00---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Capcom's upcoming arcade fighter SNK v.s. Capcom, has been officially named Capcom v.s. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000. The game will hit Japanese arcades this August and feature new or redrawn animation sequences.

Ubi Soft has acquired U.S. publishing rights for Game Arts' Dreamcast RPG Grandia 2.

Enix has officially announced the release date of Dragon Quest VII: Soldiers from Eden for PSX, Japanese release has been announced as August 26th, in a 2-CD set, retailing at for 7800 Yen.

5-8-00---- Anime Expo 2000 Announces Junichi Hayama As Guest Of Honor

Excerpted from a newsgroup posting by Mike Tatsugawa:

Anime Expo is proud to announce the return of Mr. Junichi Hayama. Best-known as the character designer for Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and Fist of the North Star, Mr. Hayama has also worked on Be-Bop High School and King of the Desert Gandalla. His most recent work is as character designer for the New Jojo's Bizarre Adventure OVA series. Mr. Hayama is appearing as a guest of APPP/Super Techno Arts and is looking forward to returning to Anime Expo.

All Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited

Questions,Comments,News Submissions

Back To Anime News Service