Anime News Service - May 29-31 Anime News

5-31-02---- Cornelius American Tour Dates

Among an increasing influx of Japanese musical talent streaming into American venues this summer, add the name of one incredibly gifted musician, Cornelius. His American tour dates are as follows:

8/07 - Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
8/08 - Philadelphia, PA (Theatre Of Living Arts)
8/09 - New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom)
8/10 - Boston, MA (Axis)
8/12 - Detroit, MI (St. Andrews Hall)
8/13 - Chicago, IL (Park West)
8/14 - Minneapolis, MN (Ascot Room @ Quest Club)
8/23 - Los Angeles, CA (El Rey Theatre)

5-31-02---- Upcoming TV Series Peeks

According to Natsume Maya-san, images of characters from Xebec's coming Rikujyou Bouei Tai Mao-chan (Ground Defense Force Mao-chan) have been added to the studio's website. There one can see an image of the three primary school girls Mao, Misora and Silvia, who protect Japan from mysterious aliens.

Two short ads for Saishu Heiki Kanojo (She, the Ultimate Weapon) can be viewed at the official site's gallery.

5-31-02---- Capatin Harlock Endless Odyssey Series Broadcast Discontinued

As previously reported, in recent days news regarding the planned upcoming AT-X broadcast in Japan for the new Space Pirate Captain Harlock: The Endless Odyssey TV series had been building with the network reported to be airing the 13 episode series from June 27th. In a surprise move as viewed by many today (although original plans called for the airing to begin in September), a discontinuance of broadcast notice has been issued by AT-X citing "circumstances in regard to production" as being behind the move. If the series will be rescheduled to air in the future is currently unknown, however, a planned DVD video release by VAP of the first volume "Hakidame no Blues" on September 19th still holds with no apparent changes in that date at this time.

As fans may recall, the new Harlock series is simply star studded in regards to top industry talent filling the various battle stations of production. Metropolis director and former Osamu Tezuka colleague, RinTaro who directed the original 1978 Harlock TV anime has returned to the directors chair. Escaflowne character designer Nobuteru Yuki serves as character designer with script by Sadayuki Murai (Perfect Blue, Boogiepop Phantom) writing script. Seiyuu on the project include Kouichi Yamadera (Spike Spiegel - Cowboy Bebop) Nachi Nozawa (Cobra) as Doctor Zero, Yuko Minakuchi (Yawara), Rei Sakuma (Aika), Seki Tomokazu (Van Fanel - Escaflowne), Emi Shinohara (Mizuki Kaho - Card Captor Sakura) as Shizuka and Fumiko Orikasa (Nazna - Inuyasha).

What's known of the story to date is Rintaro's request for a completely original story in the same setting of Arcadia as the original.

5-30-02---- New Bandai Shows On Adult Swim

According to Bandai Entertainment's website, Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim is currently showing Cowboy Bebop, Mobile Suit Gundam: Stardust Memory, Outlaw Star, and Pilot Candidate. Mobile Suit Gundam, the show that started it all, will also be returning to Adult Swim starting in June. • Adult Swim airs Saturday and Sunday night on Cartoon Network. Saturday programs start from 11:00PM till 2:00AM (e/p). For show times, visit www.adultswim.com.

5-30-02---- Shin Departs Animeigo

According to a post on Animeigo's discussion list by Robert Woodhead, longtime producer Shin Kurokawa has left AnimEigo to pursue:

some other opportunities (bigger and better things than he could do here, we hope), and of course we all wish him well. Before he left, Shin diligently trained the current production staff in the secrets of the AnimEigo way, so there should be no disruption in our output or change in our level of quality. Finally, Shin will probably be doing some work for AnimEigo on a consultant basis in the future. In particular on things like Liner Notes.

5-30-02---- City Hunter Author Tsukas Hojo And Northstar's Tetsuo Hara Split From Shueisha

French fan site www.animeland.com reports Tsukas Hojo (City Hunter, Angel Heart) and Tetsuo Hara (Hokuto no Ken, Hana no Keiji) have split from Shueisha to create the new company, Coamix. A shakeup in the foreign translation rights seems to be occuring at this time with new rights not being granted. As existing rights expire, they may not being renewed. Animeland mentions in France the fallout includes licensor Tonkam withdrawing Rash and volumes 6-10 of Cat's Eye in late June with future withdrawls expected. City Hunter and "Ken le Survivant" appear to be unaffected in their respective French releases. As fans may recall, Coamix is involced in Gutsoon! Media's Raijin weekly manga anthology project slated for release in America this fall.

5-30-02---- Devil Hunter Yohko Collection 2

From the release:

RELEASE DATE SET FOR DEVIL HUNTER YOHKO COLLECTION 2

RELEASE CONCLUDES ADV FILMS' TENTH ANNIVERSARY DVD PREMIERE OF ITS FIRST ANIME TITLE

HOUSTON, May 30, 2002 - ADV Films has set the street date of July 9, 2002 for Devil Hunter Yohko Collection 2, the final of two volumes collecting the popular horror/action anime title.

Originally directed by Katsuhisa Yamada (animator - Macross), Hisashi Abe (designer - Pet Shop of Horrors), and Akiyuki Shinbo (director - Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko), Devil Hunter Yohko was the first title licensed by ADV founders John Ledford and Matt Greenfield after the company's formation in 1992. In celebration of ADV's tenth anniversary, they are premiering this historic title on DVD.

The Story: Demonic bloodbath? Trial by hellfire? These things might cause a few problems for most people, but not teenage exorcist Yohko Mano. She's the latest in a long line of professional Devil Hunters, and kicking monster butt is all in a day's work for her. It's a good thing too, because she's going to need all her creature-slaying skills to survive the latest trials and tribulations that lie before her. The demon Tokima plans to open the floodgates to the demon plane and if Yohko wants to survive this battle, she'll have to recruit some heavy-duty help! Then, there's a new Devil Hunter in town. She looks like Yohko. She talks like Yohko. She even fights like Yohko. But she's definitely not her, since she wants to eliminate Yohko and take over as the one true Devil Hunter - by any means necessary! It's the final fierce collection of Devil Hunter Yohko!

ADV's release of Devil Hunter Yohko Collection 2 ($29.98 SRP) features the Yohko music video collection, Yohko 4-ever, along with the fifth and sixth OVAs in the English-language, as well as the Japanese language version with English subtitles. DVD extras include clean credit animation and U.S. trailers. For a limited time, the set also includes the 2002 ADV DVD Catalog disc, containing trailers for ADV titles available or soon to be available on DVD, along with information on each one. It also has the first episodes of Excel Saga and Steel Angel Kurumi for fans to sample. In addition, there are examples of some of the extras found on ADV DVDs, such as the AD Vid-notestm from Excel Saga, Jiggle Countertm from Burn Up Excess, Farscape commentary and a clip from the Princess Nine special feature, "Ode to Oden."

DEVIL HUNTER YOHKO COLLECTION 2 Running Time: 120 Minutes; Age Rating: 17+ Pre-Book Date: 6/11/02 Street Date: 7/9/02 Format SRP DVD $29.98

5-30-02---- Faster Than The Shinkansen - Ferrari 575 M Allocations In Japan

According to Kyodo News:

TOKYO — Cornes & Co, the agent in Japan for Italian sports car maker Ferrari, said Wednesday it has begun landing orders for the Ferrari 575M Maranello, capable of cruising at 325 kilometers per hour. The car's top speed eclipses that of the Shinkansen bullet trains of the Japan Railway (JR) companies, Cornes officials said. Its V12, 515 horsepower engine has a displacement of 5748 cc. The Maranello, with a six-speed manual transmission, will cost 24.7 million yen. Ferrari plans to limit the number to be marketed around the world to 450 units. The company will allocate only 27 to Japan.

5-30-02---- Second Kung Fu Comic From ComicsOne: Heaven Sword And Dragon Sabre

KUNG FU COMIC INVASION BEGINS!

ComicsOne to release second Kung Fu Comic: Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre

San Jose, CA - May 30, 2002 - Fresh off the tremendous success of Storm Riders, ComicsOne has announced today that it is publishing Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, another of artist Wing Shing Ma's visually stunning Kung Fu comics. The first volume, shipping in August 2002, will present this sweeping Kung Fu epic to American readers for the first time. Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre is based on the famous martial arts novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha), which later spawned numerous television series and several Hong Kong movie adaptations - the most recent of which is Jet Li's Kung Fu Cult Master.

The licensing of a second Kung Fu masterpiece has firmly established ComicsOne as the leading producer of Kung Fu comics for American audiences. With the success of Hong Kong action and Kung Fu films in mainstream theaters, ComicsOne is banking on a renewed interest in Hong Kong Kung Fu comics in retail shops around the country. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was an international phenomenon," explained ComicsOne President Robin Kuo. "The spirit that the movie conveyed is certainly reflected in the Kung Fu adventures of Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre. I guess the best way to put it would be: if you like Kung Fu movies, you'll love Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre."

Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre is a full-color Kung Fu comic set during the Mongol invasion of ancient China. The story follows young WuJi Cheung's growth as a Kung Fu master amidst the frenzied pursuit of two ancient, powerful weapons: Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre. In order to unite his country and overthrow China's Mongol oppressors, WuJi must develop his own formidable powers while understanding both swords' relationship to his parents' legacy. The first volume, coming in August, depicts WuJi's birth to parents from rival clans and his education at the hands of the master swordsman Xie Xun, the Golden-Haired Lion King.

Mr. Ma's Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre and his Storm Riders should complement each other on the shelves of any comics store. "ComicsOne is aggressively seeking to be the leader in Kung Fu comics. By bringing some of the finest examples of the genre to America, we hope to build a body of work that any Kung Fu fan will seek out. The name ComicsOne will eventually come to represent high quality Kung Fu American editions," said Nicole Curry, ComicsOne Marketing Manager. Over the next few months, ComicsOne plans to launch an entire line of Kung Fu comics in order to capitalize on the success of Storm Riders and the prospective success of Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre. Look for Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre #1 and Storm Riders #5 in the June issue of Previews. Both books will ship in August of 2002.

Availability
Volume 1 of the ongoing 25 volume series will be available in August 2002. The full color 120 page graphic novels will be priced at $13.95. Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre can be purchased at comic shops and bookstores across the US or at http://www.comicsone.com/heaven/

About ComicsOne Corporation

ComicsOne Corporation (www.comicsone.com), is a publisher dedicated to bringing Asian graphic novels and related properties to a wider American audience through innovative means of content and delivery. ComicsOne publishes comics that attract a broad range of readers and interests, as well as satisfy longtime fans of the medium. With over 25 series in ebook and hardcopy format to choose from ComicsOne has something for everyone. ComicsOne was founded in December 1999 and is based in Fremont, CA

5-30-02---- Matrix Anime Releases Announced For Fall

The release of the long-percolating series of animated MATRIX shorts has finally been announced. According to Joel Silver, producer of THE MATRIX trilogy and the series of ten animated ANIMATRIX prequels, will hit the Warner Bros. website this fall.

They'll also be released on DVD some time later. The project, one of the most interesting ideas in tie-in programming around, has Japanese anime houses producing the series of ten shorts, including Square, which produced the CGI FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN.

Keep checking here or the official MATRIX site, http://www.thematrix.com/, to find out the specific date of the release. Until now, it was just vague supposition as to where the films would premiere. This is the first word the films will hit the web first.

Source: Cinescape

Thanks to Daniel for the news

5-30-02---- New AX Guests Named

Daigouji Gai sends in the following:

the following notables have been announced as Guests-Of-Honor for Anime Expo 2002 in Long Beach, California:

http://www.anime-expo.org/guests.html:

Maria Kawamura Hidenori Matsubara Mamiko Noto Hiroaki Goda Toshiharu Murata Tsukasa Hojo Koichi Mashimo

5-30-02---- Super Techno Arts Site Updated

The official web presence of Super Techno Arts: http://www.supertechnoarts.com/ has been expanded offering users info on news, products, company profile, contact info, FAQ info, Links and a colorful Jojo splash graphic on the main page.

5-30-03---- Saiyuki Reload Manga

Volume 1 of Saiyuki Reload by Kinekura Kazuya will be released on 25 July 2002. The limited edition version will come with an illustration booklet. Price 857 yen (excluding tax). The regular edition will cost 724 yen (excluding tax) and be released on the same day. Saiyuki Reload is serialised in Studio DNA's Monthly Comic Zero Sum.

Source: Natsume Maya

5-30-02---- Best Motoring Vol. 5 Release

Japanese automotive enthusiasts video magazine, Best Motoring International will see it's 5th VHS version release in America July 1st, Mitsubishi's Lancer and Suburau's Inpreza are to be featured. According to BMI, their presence at IAS in Long Beach was a huge success with Spoon Sports' Ichishima-san coming over from Japan with the Tommykaira WRX and Spoon S2000. Both cars will be in America for some time and many of the street performance magazines will be running articles on them soon.

5-30-02---- MTV Japan Turns 1

Post a wave of news on the recent 1st Music Video Awards show, The Daily Yomiuri has a piece on American pop culture icon, MTV's one year presence in the land of the rising sun.

5-30-02---- Discerning Online Culture: Crouching Otaku Hidden Salaryman?

Given the apparent immense popularity of online venues of mass communication such as message boards, forums and mailing lists and the relative ease of access and anonymity granted to users of same, can anyone truly be aware of another's reality-based identity online?

Unrelated to anime but with possible applications far beyond it's bounds, the UK's Guardian Newspaper is running an article by George Monibot titled "The Fake Persuaders" in which the ideas of "viral marketing" and companies creating fake people to change how other people think are examined.

5-30-02---- Kids WB Website Revamp - Where Is Cardcaptors?

Thanks to Michael for informing us the Kids WB network has completely "re-vamped" their web site at www.kidswb.com, adding sections for new shows with others apparently not making the transition in the move. One of these series is Cardcaptors. Although Toonzone's schedule for the network does not include Cardcaptors in the listings for the network through June 15th, Kids WB has never "officially" cancelled Cardcaptors in press release form.

5-29-02---- Official Lupin III Acquisition Announcement In New York City June 11th

As news of the deal continues to trickle through the Japanese scene a day after the announcement in the domestic press there it seems 5 theater edition works / or specials and 228 TV episodes appear to be included in the recently announced 7 year agreement with North America's Pioneer Entertainment. While Lupin has aired across Europe and in the lower Americas to much popularity, the violence and gunplay involved in the early Lupin series apparently presented challenges to the American broadcast and it is possible that this has been cleared in some way. In New York City in the coming month the official announcement will be made at the largest licensing trade show in America, L!censing 2002 which begins June 11th.

5-29-02---- New Print Club Designs Debut In Japan

According to Nikkei Net, new PuriKura (Print Club) options include the Osaka based ten pin bowling/amusement chain Round One, with 39 locations across Japan, providing a free service "CosPuri" to female members. Members will be able to choose from a range of 22 outfits when taking their photos at the PuriKura corner of the sites. Outfits include the wedding dress, nurse uniform and police uniform. Particularly popular are the sailor suit and China dress.

Source: Natsume Maya

5-29-02---- Shaolin Soccer Review

As World Cup mania sweeps Japan and South Korea, the Daily Yomiuri has reviewed Shaolin Soccer here.

5-29-02---- TV Anime Developments In Japan

Perhaps another testament to the wave of World Cup Futball Fever gripping the popular conscience in Japan, according to Natsume Maya-san, Takahashi Youichi's (Captain Tsubasa) latest soccer manga Hungry Heart, serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shonen Champion manga magazine, is to be animated as a TV series.

Space Pirate Captain Harlock ~The Endless Odyssey~. AT-X will be broadcasting the series (to commence 27 June 2002), which will be a total of 13 episodes.

5-29-02---- New Escaflowne Dates

Following are the updated theatrical listing and dates as posted by Bandai Entertainment to Bandai Entertainment:

03.May.2002

Tempe/Phoenix Harkins Valley Art 505 South Mill Avenue Tempe, AZ 85281 (602)222-4275

03.May.2002

Boston/Cambridge Brattle Theater 40 Brattle St. Cambridge, MA 02138

24.May.2002

Portland Clinton Street Theater 2522 SE Clinton Street Portland, OR 97202 (503)238-5588 theater

24.May.2002

Las Vegas Brenden Palms 14 4321 West Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89103 (925)677-0462

5-29-02---- Italian Anime Flash Doujinshi OPs

An artist calling himself "fabio p" has posted "flash doujinshi" of the intros to Berserk (at newgrounds here) Hokuto No Ken (here) and Devil Man (here) using the sound clips broadcast in Italy.

5-29-02---- Initial D 4th Stage News From Feature In Super Street

Import tuners and dori fans note the current issue of the American automotive enthusiasts Super Street Magazine includes a multiple page article on The Initial D Anime. Despite the series being officially licensed in The USA by Tokyopop, there are some tips for finding the 2 TV series, Movie and OVA Of the anime on HK DVD with English subs. While the race recompilation, BattleStage OVA is technically a successor to the previous releases, noteworthy news in the article includes a line which alludes that the true continuation in the story with the 4th stage (next movie, OVA or TV series) will be produced although not for some time.

5-29-02---- Bandai Networks Bringing Polygons Display Capability To i-Mode

Gundam Java Games developer Bandai Networks, in a joint effort with HI has secured a deal with 5 i-mode handset manufacturers for the licensing of the Mascot Capsule Engine/Micro3D Edition. The engine software which takes up about 60KB of memory, allows the 3D drawing of polygon characters on a cellphone display.

5-29-02---- Leiji Matsumoto In SMAP x SMAP

Thanks to Tzara for this item:

Leiji Matsumoto has been appearing on a short segment of the popular variety show "SMAP x SMAP" (Mondays from 10 - 11PM, Fuji TV) in Japan. In the segment, Smap member Kimura Takuya appears in cosplay as Captain Harlock on the bridge of the Arcadia. A famous seiyuu then appears first as only a voice and Kimura Takuya has to guess who the character is. Once he does, the character appears on the view screen at the front of the bridge and has a short conversation with Harlock (Takuya). This segment has occassionally appeared in the past, but in the last two episodes, Leiji Matsumoto has appeard on the bridge, cosplay in effect as Tochiro (From Galaxy Express 999, etc.). In the past, every segment has featured a different seiyuu, but on the last two episodes, the guest has been Nozawa Masako appearing as her characters Goku (Dragon Ball), Hoshino Tetsuro (Galaxy Express 999, etc.), and Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro (Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro).
The end of Monday's episode ended with "Captain Harlock's voyage on the Arcadia will contine" indicating that the segment will continue, most likely next week, hopefully with Leiji Matsumoto. In the past, SMAP x SMAP has also done other anime parodies including of Lupin III and Golgo 13.

5-29-02---- I.G.'s New Project - Blade 2 Director Visits I.G.

Read about Blade 2 director Guillermo Del Toro's visit to Production IG, and IG's next project at this link.

5-29-02---- Japanese Virtual Idol Yuki Terai Coming To UK DVD

UK based Escapi is set to release Yuki Terai - Secrets on DVD and VHS in August 2002, this will mark the Virtul Idol's UK debut. The invention of computer animator Kenichi Kutsugi, Yuki Terai is Japan’s No.1 Virtual Star. As one of the country’s most recognised 'celebrities', she has enjoyed a phenomenally successful career that has encompassed everything from hosting award shows and appearing in TV commercials to releasing hit CDs, videos and DVDs. Not to mention a best-selling coffee table book of her modelling shots.

5-29-02---- Wizard Anime Invasion #3

The American released anime magazine, Wizard Anime Invasion #3 includes an expose on Yu-Gi-Oh. Also, direct from Japan, readers get the latest on the anime phenomenon that's invaded the U.S. with new DVDs, toys, video and card games. Dragon Ball Z continues to earn powerful ratings on television and this month Anime Invasion presents the humongous world of DBZ-all the characters, all the secrets, all the battles and much more. Artist Humberto Ramos (Creator of DC/Wildstorm/Cliffhanger's Crimson and Out There and current artist of Marvel's Peter Parker: Spider-Man) draws an all-new Goku cover to this issue of Anime Invasion. Manga artist Kia Asamiya, best known for the manga hits Silent Mobius and Dark Angel, speaks to us in an exclusive Q&A interview. Readers can learn about why he chose to move to the United States from Japan and get a look at amazing unpublished Asamiya artwork. AI has got the latest news on 40 of this summer's hottest DVD's releases, hidden DVD easter eggs, and the scoop on new trailers and where to find your favorite series. In a piece on anime love stories, from Sailor Moon to Fushigi Yugi, readers can learn which series had the greatest romances and why. AI tours Toonami, bringing their cameras to the offices of the heads of programming of CN's Toonami network. Manga collectors can track their Manga comic book collection in the updated and expanded Manga Price Guide.

5-29-02---- Toho Changes And Outlook

Toho has named a new president, Hideyuki Takai. He joined Japan's largest film ditributor in 1964 and has been involved in film production since 1977. Credits include Kon Ichikawa's 48 Ronin (1994), Hideyuki Hirayama's School Ghost Stories (1995) and Koki Mitani's Welcome Back, Mr. Macdonald (1997). Among recent hits are the 2000 thriller Whiteout, which grossed $32m (Y4.2bn) and last year's romantic drama Twixt Calm & Passion, which earned $20.6m (Y2.7bn).

"We aim to expand revenues in the area of film distribution and exhibition, especially co-productions, by joining with TV networks, publishers, video companies and other partners," said Takai at the press conference announcing his appointment. He also noted that film distribution and exhibition, theatrical plays and real estate are the Toho group's three main businesses, of which the film business accounts for 60% of the company's total earrings.

Toho posted a record-breaking net profit of $78.5m (Y10.3bn) for the fiscal year 2002, ending February 28, an increase of 16.2% over 2001 - largely due to the unprecedented success of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, which has grossed $231m (Y30.3bn) and recorded 23.4 million admissions.

This year Toho will release Yoshimitsu Morita's thriler The Copy Cat in June, Takashi Yamazaki's Return starring Takeshi Kaneshiro (Chung King Express) this August. Also coming is Jun Ichikawa's Ryoma No Tsuma To Sono Aijin this autumn, and Masahiro Shinoda's $15.2m (Y2bn) Spy Sorge, starring Iain Glen in the summer of 2003.

Source: Screen Daily

5-29-02---- 1st MTV Music Video Awards Japan Examined

Steve McClure has essayed This year's Inagural MTV Video Muisc Awards Japan for the Japan Times Online.

5-29-02---- Amazon.co.jp Opens Anime Store

This week Amazon.co.jp has opened a new animation store section. To be found there is an up-to-date title listing of DVD's, CDs, software and TV games. Visitors can search the Japanese site for their favorite merchandise or media via creator or charcter / deries name. The period to June 30th will allow 10% OFF sales in commemoration of the opening the store qhich launched May 28th. Users who participate in the customer review can be eligible to get an Amazon gift ticket. Matt Anderson of DVD Vision Japan has setup a page on the new site here.

5-29-02---- Rinkya Auction Broker Launches

From the release:

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5-29-02---- Cinema News

From http://www.upcomingmovies.com/ring.html: The official teaser site lists it as The Ring. 5/25/02) Well, that teaser site has been replaced by another, without the "The".

And from http://www.somrux.com/ringworld/remake.htm: RING POSTER RELEASED. 26 May, 2002. Had the following post on the Ring forum: "A couple of weeks ago when I went to see Spider-Man at the Sherman Oaks Galleria here in Southern California, there hung on the windows a set of fairly large posters of upcoming Dreamworks releases-- Spirit, Road to Perdition, The Tuxedo... and Ring. "It wasn't really much of a poster, just a still image of Naomi Watts as Rachel, the 'Asakawa' character, standing on a sidewalk holding the hand of her son (the 'Yoichi' of the movie, of course), who has some sort of flower in his hand. Below, in big, simple letters, it read Ring 10-18-02." (Thanks mikejonas). DIRECTOR VERBINSKI DOES RING INTERVIEW... WITH US! 27 May, 2002. In a double-whammy of an exclusive, Ringworld gets not only the first picture from the set of the remake, but also the first interview with director Gore Verbinski. Visit the interviews section to see it all.

Source: Daniel

5-29-02---- Godzilla Cameo

It was announced this weekend that popular Japanese baseball player Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui would have a bit role in the newest Godzilla film GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA. A big thanks to Ubu Suzuki for help translating the article: Giants (Baseball) Matsui will make his first appearance in a movie, co-starring with Godzilla It was announced on the 27th that Giants Matsui (27 years old) whose nickname is Godzilla, will make his debut in Godzilla VS. Mecha-Godzilla (directed by Masaaki Tezuka, Toho Productions). This is the first movie to have an active professional baseball player make an appearance in the 26th Godzilla series. What brought Giants Matsui in the movie was that he made a comment at Tokyo Int'l Film Festival last fall that he would love to co-star with Godzilla. Toho says, "Tomoyuki Tanaka, the father of Godzilla, was a big fan of the Giants. We hope Matsui will help make a big hit in the movie as well as he does in the stadium. Matsui says, "I just play as myself. There are a few lines, but I will just go with being myself. I hope the audience will come and enjoy seeing me as not a baseball player."

Filming on GXMG will begin in June.

Source: Cinescape via Daniel.

Also, courtesty Yukio-san is another taqke on the news:

Matsui is to Godzilla and costarring. New Year movie of the December public presentation Godzilla co-stars with Godzilla -- Outfielder Hideki Matsui, a professional baseball giant, will appear on new work "Godzilla x mechagozilla" of the Toho movie, and he was announced on the 27th. This player who is proud of the leading heavy blow in the baseball world is known for the nickname of Godzilla from Ishikawa school and the Seiryoh Hi school quantity time which played an active part in Koshien. At the time of the Godzilla show at the Tokyo International Film Festival in November, last year, it became a cause to have taken out the aid comment and the performance to the Godzilla series was decided itself this time. Although the contents of a performance are things with "pleasure to see" (Toho staffs), can a big hit be flown also on a screen? Photography is exhibited by the national Toho system from a start and December 14 early in June. Matsui commented ", in a baseball field, I wish to come to see Hideki Matsui who is not different whole surface and player which are not seen."

Source: Yukio-san

A giant and Matsui are a world debut at the Godzilla movie. -- Not Godzilla but role De Dis of Matsui It became clear that outfielder Hideki giant and Matsui (27) do a movie first performance on the movie "Godzilla x mechagozilla" shown by the national Toho system from December 14 on the 27th. this series -- past the article of 25 works -- the progress by which all are mostly exhibited in the United States and this work is also exhibited by the end of next year A world debut is likely to be determined and it is likely to become big momentum in the season which aims at winner of a triple crown acquisition. [photograph: The giant and Matsui by whom it was decided that a performance would be the Godzilla movie. It is world debut ?] a little earlier than baseball.

Costarring of the dream of "Godzilla and Godzilla" was determined. It is birth of the powerful tag of the star of the baseball world, and the hero of a silver screen. natural in "movie performance etc. -- for the first time . Do you want to come to see the whole surface different from a baseball field?" Matsui floated an embarrassed smile at the Hiroshima airport of the waiting for a return-to-Tokyo flight. The superman mind work which stated with past 25 work and mobilized 95,450,000 people when calling it the Godzilla series. Almost all works are exhibited also in the United States, and a work "Godzilla x mechaGodzilla" is the schedule now [ "]." (Toho publicity department) Costarring of a dream is the proof in which the world accepted Matsui. Always having desired "To want to co-star with Godzilla on a movie very much next year" at the time of the Godzilla show at the Tokyo International Film Festival in November, last year. It is the presence as not performance power but baseball people as well as having accepted. Naturally it appears with the role of Hideki "a giant army and Matsui." It is in charge of photography at the giant Stadium in Tama-ku, Kawasaki-shi using the regular-season game rest in the soccer World Cup period in June. Use of the right of FA is declared at the 10th year of now OFF. Although it has used as the mouth in the present condition whether no to challenge the U.S. major company, it means determining a United States debut on a silver screen community a little before. "The superstar in the world and Godzilla's nickname are honorable and it is pleased. Is a movie pleasure?" Matsui who puts the number of home runs which had made little increase on ten [ 2-figure ] at last, and aims at explosion by the Yakult 3 series of battles (Shinto shrine) from the 28th. In order to leave the results which it is not ashamed of in the world, what it spurts out and barks at first of all in a ground is the first thing to do.

Source: Goo

5-29-02---- Pokemon News In Japan

Thanks to Yukio-san for this news item:

Talent's Uno Kanda (27) and Yumiko Shaku (23) who made up for the costume play figure challenged the stand-in of a open animation movie "Guardian deity of the capital of Pocket-Monsters water" in metropolitan area studio on July 13 on the 25th.

two persons aim at legendary Pokemon with a Thief sister's ZANNA and (Kanda) Rion (Shaku) it turned completely into the character which carries out Navel appearance to huge wig, and performs voice called a look -- obtaining -- "I want the man in the world to see" About marriage with a sweetheart's youth businessman and Mr. Mikio Yamano (33), it was a single principle a long time ago [ "] (him). -- It was made ambiguous with ".

to the sexy costume play figure of Uno Kanda = right = and Yumiko Shaku.

Source: Goo

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