According to the official FAQ updates at Dragonballz.com
The Garlic Jr. DVD's that were scheduled to come out in June and July have been moved. We will let you know the rescheduled release dates as soon as they are available. Z Warriors Prepare has also been rescheduled. We are adding the Episodes 106-108 from the Trunks Prelude to Terror video to the Z Warriors Prepare DVD so it will contain 5 episodes (106-110). Continue to check here for updates on the VHS and DVD release schedule.
This just in: World Tournament - The Draw and World Tournament - Blackout, which are scheduled for VHS release on July 17, are anticipated to be the first videos to have simultaneous release of VHS and DVD. That means you will be able to get these videos on DVD July 17. This is the anticipated schedule, which means that it is not final and there could be a change. This is very exciting news. In addition, it is anticipated that every release after these will be simultaneous with VHS and DVD, providing that any new video release has not aired on Cartoon Network. Be sure to regularly check the FAQ's for updates on the VHS and DVD release schedules.
From the Urban Vision Release:
Urban Vision Entertainment proudly announces the GATCHAMAN COLLECTION DVD
Gatchaman is back and better than ever on DVD!
“Stylish and elegant design… The mecha are terrific. ****” The Anime Movie Guide
Motion Menus! Digitally Enhanced! UV Trailers! UV Weblink! FREE GIFT INSIDE!
Gatchaman has been revamped - stylish and more dynamic than ever! The new OVAs manage to modernize the characters without compromising the design of the original series. This three volume mini-series continues the story from the 1970's hit TV series -- known as "Battle of the Planets" & "G-Force" on U.S. television --through to the ultimate confrontation between the Alien Galactors and the Human Race.
This disc contains all three volumes:
Volume 1 "The Dragon King"
Volume 2 "The Red Specter"
Volume 3 "The Final Countdown"
Msrp $29.95, in stores 7/17/01
UV1070
UPC: 638652107008
Not rated. Contains mild violence. Parental discretion is advised.
Approx. running time: 135 minutes: three 45 min. episodes
©1994 TATSUNOKO PRODUCTION COMPANY, LTD.
All rights reserved.
Packaging Design ©2001 Urban Vision Entertainment
Licensed for private home use in US & Canada only. Region 1 encoding
Licensed through HARMONY GOLD U.S.A. INC
Produced by Tatsunoko Productions
Directed by Hiroyuki Fukushima/Akihiko Nishiyama
Written by ART MIC
Character Design by Yasuomi Umezu
Music by Maurice White and Bill Meyers
English Language Version Written and Directed by Steve Kramer
Special Thanks to SOFTCAPITAL Q-1
KIA ASAMIYA Manga Guest of Honor for AX2001! Anime Expo is proud to announce Mr. Kia Asamiya as a Guest of Honor for Anime Expo 2001. A prolific manga artist, Mr. Asamiya's first title debuted in 1986. In 1988, his most well-known manga, Silent Mobius, began publication. His other works include Dark Angel, Compiler, Steam Detectives, and Corrector Yui. Several of his works have been adapted into animated television series, video series, and movies. Mr. Asamiya is also a renowned illustrator and has published numerous artbooks. He is currently working on a special Batman™ story with D.C. Comics.
SCOTT FRAZIER Reunion Guest of Honor from AX93, AX94 Anime Expo is pleased to announce the appearance of Mr. Scott Frazier, one of Anime Expo’s 10th anniversary reunion guests. Mr. Frazier has contributed much to the anime industry in various fields. He served as the Episode Director of Susie-chan & Marvy, the Supervisor of Quo Vadis 2, and the Technical Director of Grandstram. He also worked on the backgrounds for Genocyber 1-3, and Moldiver. His other works include Cel Checking for Bubblegum Crash 1-3 and production work for RikiOh 2. And last but not least, Mr. Frazier was the creator and artist of Transcendence, an original manga.
NOBORU ISHIGURO Reunion Guest of Honor from AX95, AX96 Anime Expo is pleased to announce the appearance of one of the "honored grandfathers" of Japanese animation and esteemed pillar of the anime industry, Mr. Noboru Ishiguro. Mr. Ishiguro has worked in the anime industry for a very long time and brings with him a well-known history of being Director of Spacecruiser Yamato (a.k.a. Starblazers), Legend of Galactic Heroes, Megazone 23, Macross TV series and Macross: Do You Remember Love? movie, and countless other popular anime titles.
HIDENORI MATSUBARA Anime Guest of Honor for AX2001! Anime Expo is pleased to announce its latest Guest of Honor, Mr. Hidenori Matsubara. Mr. Matsubara has been working in the anime industry for a long time and has served as an animator on such series as Otaku no Video, Ranma 1/2, Macross II, Patlabor: The Movie and Blue Submarine No. 6. He is best-known to anime fans as the man who adapted manga artist Kosuke Fujishima's designs for animation in the original Ah! My Goddess OVA series and the 2000 Ah! My Goddess movie. He is also the character designer for the Sakura Taisen TV series, once again, adapting Mr. Fujishima's designs. This is Mr. Matsubara's first U.S. convention appearance.
HARUHIKO MIKIMOTO Reunion Guest of Honor from AX92, AX95 Anime Expo is pleased to announce the appearance of one of the most popular character designers of anime fandom, Mr. Haruhiko Mikimoto. Mr. Mikimoto is best known for his work as character designer for Macross TV series, Macross: Do You Remember Love? movie, Gunbuster, Megazone 23 (Eve), Macross II, Macross 7 concepts, Super Dimensional Century Orguss, Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, and numerous other popular titles.
Viz Comics wishes to inform comics retailers and customers that the Gundam Wing: Ground Zero graphic novel has the incorrect price printed on the cover. The price as solicited is $12.95, but the book has the price of $15.95. Retailers will be billed at the $12.95 price but will need to re-sticker or post a notice of the accurate price. Please pass the information along to other Gundam retailers and fans so that no one will mistakenly pay the wrong amount.
A brief Italian writeup of the above new can be viewed here, of note is the photo taken around the time of the deal signing featuring Mr. Shinichi Fujiwara (YTV) with Francis Of Sanzo (Dynamic Italia) during the last MIP TV in Cannes.
Last Friday the first Tenchi TV series, Tenchi Universe ended, and this Monday the second series Tenchi en Tokyo" began on ETC...TV. Orphen is being dubbed in Spanish by Technoworks, Santiago de Chile. Thanks to Mauricio Villarroel for the information. For more information see here
From the Anihabara new report:
The television channel Televen has aquired the rights to air 11 anime series for this year, turning Televen into the definitive source for anime TV series on Venezuela. Joining the ranks of the classics they've already shown (Saint Seiya, Bishôjo Senshi Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, etc...) are various series, including Neon Genesis Evangelion (Shinseiki Evangelion), Popolocrois Monogatari, Monster Rancher, Taihô Shichauzo! (You're Under Arrest!), among others. There's rumors of Mahô Kishi Rayearth (Magic Knights Rayearth) and Kidô Senkan Nadesico (Mobile Space Battleship Nadesico) coming to Televen later this year. It's shaping to be a great year for anime fans on Venezuela.
May 11: Haim Saban, who leveraged the syndication of long forgotten Japanese cartoons into a seat at the table of Toon Titans, is set to make as much as $3 billion on an upcoming sale of Fox Family Network. Inside.com is reporting: "Fox Family head Haim Saban on Monday gathered his department chiefs and told them that within three to six months they would have a new boss, and that it would not be News Corp., which has been expected to assume full control of the channel. According to multiple well-placed sources within Fox Family, Saban said that Viacom, AOL Time Warner and Disney each have been approached about buying the channel in its entirety. All three media giants already own competing properties: Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and the Disney Channel, respectively." Saban forced the move after exercising his option to sell his 49.5% stake in the company to partner, Rupert Murdoch. Inside.com said: "Saban, chairman and CEO of Fox Family Channel's parent company Fox Family Worldwide, issued a release in December announcing that he had exercised his right to force News Corp. subsidiary Fox Broadcasting to buy his 49.5 percent stake. Under the terms of the deal, Fox had to pay a price based on the fair market value of the network as of January 31, 2001. Saban has reportedly sought as much as $2 billion for his share. Saban and News Corp. head Rupert Murdoch bought what was then known as the Family Channel from televangelist Pat Robertson in 1997 for $1.9 billion. The contract calls for Saban and Murdoch each to retain an investment bank to evaluate the company. If the price differed by 10 percent or less, Murdoch was to pay the average of the two prices; if the two banks were more than 10 percent apart, a third bank would be brought in to make the final judgment on price." The sale, once it goes through, has the potential to remake the Toon Titan landscape in a number of ways. The WALL STREET JOURNAL reported today that Viacom, Disney and AOL TIME WARNER have all been approached as potential buyers. More interesting, though, is what Saban himself will do once the sale goes through. Earlier in the year, Saban's name came up as a potential buyer of troubled Marvel Entertainment. Saban is known as a shrewd and savvy industry player and with his newly minted mega-fortune could move in any number of directions. Developing.
According to The Gaming Intelligence Agency: Voting has concluded in Square's PlayOnline survey to determine which music track will be remixed for inclusion on the CD single of the Final Fantasy X's theme "Suteki da ne." "Aerith's Theme" from Final Fantasy VII won a clear mandate from series' fans with 1794 votes, over three times as many as the next runner up, "You're Not Alone" from FF IX. Other notable also-rans include "Battle With Gilgamesh" from FF V with 309 votes and "Aria de Mezzo Caraterre" from FFVI with 283 votes. "Aerith's Theme" will receive new orchestration and added lyrics, to be sung by "Suteki da ne" vocalist Rikki. In additon to these two songs, the single will also include an original track from Rikki entitled "Utikisama," which translates as "The Moon." The CD single will likely be released sometime around FFX's launch on July 19.
Square recently revealed on its PlayOnline site that Emiko Shiratori, singer of the Final Fantasy IX theme "Melodies of Life," will provide the lyrics for the remix of "Aerith's Theme." The winner of a recent survey on Square's Japanese PlayOnline site, "Aerith's Theme" will be remixed into a vocal track for inclusion on the CD single release of Final Fantasy X's theme, "Suteki da ne." Okinawan folk artist Rikki will sing both "Suteki da ne" and the "Aerith's Theme" remix. Interestingly, this is Shiratori's first song-writing contribution to the Final Fantasy series -- while she sang "Melodies of Life," its lyrics were written by one "Ciomi."
There’s been a lot of complaints lately regarding the English subtitles on the recently released Moldiver DVDs being out of synch. Pioneer Entertainment has stated that the problem is due to the fact that the "subtitles" are actually the close captioned titles for English dialogue. It seems that during production Pioneer discovered that the subtitling company no longer had the subtitles for the show, and so they were forced to use the closed caption file to recreate as closely as possible.
Anime On DVD has added info that Pioneer / AIC's original 6 episode OVA series of El Hazard OAV will be released to DVD with a Japanese 2.0 track, and Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital track. No English 5.1 remix is planned.
Also from Anime On DVD's Forum on CPM possibly using Manga U.K. English dubs on U.S. releases of Sohryuden and Detenator Orgun - CPM has decided on creating new English language tracks to be used for both series. Jessica Calvello will provide voice on the tracks of both new shows.
Courtesy of Anime On DVD, ADV is developing a new subtitle font which is being tailored to be more pleasing on the eye than currently used subs. The new font appears on Gasaraki Vol. #5, Nadia Vol. #1 and other series releases.
Matt Greenfield decided to make ADV's convention plans for the year available to the public in a post on the American Anime Dubbing Mailing List.
I'm pleased to announce that this is starting to bear fruit and, in addition to the ever-popular Jessica Calvello, Tiffany Grant, and Brett Weaver, both Hilary Haag and Kira Solar will be attending Anime Weekend Atlanta this year (Sept. 21-23, 2001). This will be the first anime con for both of these ladies..."
I'm also informed that AWA is talking with several other ADV VA's as well, but that those haven't been firmed up yet.
If you have any other requests, please feel free to keep sending them in or ask us about them in person at one of the cons this year. In addition to AWA, fellow ADR director David Williams and myself will both be at Anime Central (5/11-13), Animazment (5/25-27), Project A-kon (6/1-3) and Otakon (8/10-12), with Lowell Bartholomee, one of the ADR directors from Monster Island, joining us at A-kon."
Since that post, the other VA's attending AWA have been confirmed. Watch for Jason Douglas and Kelly Manison to attend as well. Also, David Williams will be attending AKA-Kon (11/16-18) along with ADV VAs, Pam Lauer and Jessica Calvello.
Getter Robo fans, as you may have heard, ADV Films will be releasing the stunning first installment of Go Nagai's Getter Robo: Armageddon on July 17th. With rampaging giant robots, vicious alien invaders and a world on the brink of total destruction, old heroes as well as new must heed the call to battle as the war for Earth's survival begins anew!
Nautilus preparing to surface
Just a little over a month remains until the first DVD volume of Nadia: Secret of Blue Water makes its way into the hands of eager Japanese anime fans everywhere. Based on Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and set in 1889, this spectacular series created by studio Gainax is sure to be hot on the list of anime fans when it hits stores on June 16th. For more information on Nadia, check out the ADV Fansubs page and stay turned to ADVFilms.com for the latest developments on this spectacular series.
ADVFilms.com is in the process of putting together a website covering our coming release of Robotech on DVD. This website will be updated regularly with the latest news and information on the Robotech saga as it becomes available. Check back regularly for the latest word on this upcoming website project.
For all of you Kenshin fans that wanted the reversible covers for theSamurai X: The Motion Picture DVD, you're in luck! Until June 30th, you can send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the following address to receive your replacement covers for the Samurai X Motion Picture DVD:
A.D. Vision Return 5050 Laguna Blvd Suite. 112 PMB #360 Elk Grove, Ca. 95758
The replacement covers will be sent directly from the printer to you.
L'Arc~en~Ciel, best known to anime fans as the groups that performed "Blurry Eyes", the theme to DNA^2 have opened an English site at www.LArcUSA.com. They're going to release their album "Clicked Singles Best 13" in the US on May 22, 2001.
6/5
DB - Tournament - Roshi's Request UNCUT
6/12
DBZ - World Tournament - Junior Division DVD
DBZ - FRIEZA - Transformation DVD
6/19
DBZ - Perfect Cell - Unstoppable (UNCUT / EDIT)
DBZ - Cell Games - Ultimatum (UNCUT / EDIT)
DB - Tournament - Turtle Hermit UNCUT
7/17
DBZ - World Tournament - The Draw (UNCUT / EDIT)
DBZ - World Tournament - Blackout (UNCUT / EDIT)
According to a post to Anime on DVD's forum tb John Sirabella of Media Blasters, Season 1 discs of Magic Knights Rayearth will be released individually starting in this August. The Five 100 minute volumes are listed to ship on 6/1.
Viz's Animerica magazine lists a release schedule for Ranma 1/2 on DVD (from season 6) as occuring every month from May until January 2002. A 7/24 date is set for Ranma 1/2: Season 6 Vol. #3. The 78 minute disc is bilingual and will retail at 29.99$.
These new dates have been announced:
Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA Vol. #1 - 07/31 - 90 minutes - 29.99$ - TRSI
Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA Vol. #2 - 08/28 - 180 minutes - 29.99$ - TRSI
Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA Vol. #3 - 09/25 - 90 minutes - 29.99$ - TRSI
Puppet Princess - 08/28 - 40 minutes - 24.95$ - Media Blasters
Rurouni Kenshin Vol. #11 - 08/28 - 100 minutes - 29.95$ - Media Blasters
Apocalypse Zero - 08/28 - 60 minutes - 24.95$ - Media Blasters
Anime Nation updated with the followingNuTech Digital, manufacturer of several DVD titles for Central Park Media and Right Stuf, including Tokyo Babylon, Cyber City, La Blue Girl and Imma Youjo, has announced that they will be entering the domestic anime market with the license to several existing hentai anime series and all forthcoming Pink Pineapple releases. NuTech currently has plans for American bilingual DVD releases of several excellent hentai series including Welcome to Pia Carrot, Blackmail (Kyuohaku), Inmu, Koihime, Desert Island Story (Mujintoh Monogatari series 1 & 2), Shyusaku and Shyusaku Replay, and Angels in the Court. The DVD versions will subtitles and dubbing performed by adult video industry stars including Asia Carrera and Rayveness. The DVDs will be released individually and as boxed sets.
Anime On DVD Followed up by posting the following:
We conversed briefly with the folks at NuTech this afternoon and culled some interesting information. First and foremost, the discs will definitely be bilingual and there will be subtitles. Apparently NuTech has the exclusive distribution rights for all new Pink Pineapple releases. So those keeping track of their releases in Japan may want to enlighten the unwashed masses! We've also been told that the other titles, mentioned earlier in today's news, should be getting their promotion soon with listing the other various English language actresses taking a crack at the anime world.
After a brief follow-up with the folks at NuTech, my primary fear (and one I'm sure other hentai consumers are generally fearful of), we've learned that the upcoming releases that they're doing will not be dubtitled, but will be properly subtitled scripts. Phew! I'm definitely now looking forward to seeing how these discs come out, both in the dub and the sub.
From the desk of Head Fanboy, C.B. Cebulski:
Hey, all-
We here at Fanboy Entertainment are gearing up for an exciting time at Anime Central 2001 this coming weekend, May 11th - 13th, in Arlington Heights, IL, just outside Chicago. The ACEN guest list is huge this year and includes such manga and anime luminaries as Kia Asamiya, Yoshitoshi ABe and Range Murata, just to name a few! They also just added Miss Yuko Kagata, a popular Japanese voice actress, who will be filling in for Miss Naoko Matsui who had to unfortunately cancel. For more info visit http://www.acen.org.
As many of these guests are associated with Fanboy Entertainment in some way, shape or form (or soon will be!), we are pleased to be offering several convention exclusives this year you will ONLY be able to find at Anime Central 2001. I personally believe the best parts of any con are the special items you can find at the show and these goodies are sure to make Anime Central 2001 even more amazing than it is already shaping up to be.
At the Fanboy booth in the main dealers room you will find:
- Dark Angel: Phoenix Resurrection Action Figures - Anime Central 2001 Exclusive Variant Editions. These variants were produced just for this convention and you will not be able to find them anywhere else. There will be two versions available, a clear red plastic Dark and a clear pink plastic Leen. They will be limited to only 50 figures each! Kia Asamiya has numbered each one and will be signing them all. They will be $25.00 a piece. For an advance look at them, visit the following links:
Red Dark - http://www.fanboyinc.com/ACENDark.jpg Pink Leen - http://www.fanboyinc.com/ACENLeenjpg
- Range Murata Exclusive Anime Central 2001 Postcard Set - This is another item you will only be able to get at Anime Central this year. These are not even being sold in Japan! This is a set of 10 postcards featuring all new images illustrated by Range Murata himself. Some of these were finished just last week just for this set. I am not joking! We only went to print this past weekend! These are going to knock your socks off! They will be limited to only 300 sets. The sets will be $12.00 each.
- Range Murata 2001 Calendars - Fanboy has imported 50 of these uniquely designed calendars produced by Range Murata. This is unlike any calendar you have ever seen. You have to build it! Each calendar features 10 pieces of original Range Murata art. These went on sale at Comitia in Japan last fall and we were able to purchase the rest from Murata-san just in time for his visit to ACEN. Some assembly required. Each calendar will be $40.00.
- Silent Mobius 10th Anniversary Lithograph - Anime Central 2001 Edition. Yet another Anime Central Exclusive item. This print is similar to the Silent Mobius 10th Anniversary Lithograph that will go on sale next month in June but slightly different. Celebrating 10 years of the English language versions of the Silent Mobius manga, this litho will be hand-numbered in blue, limited to 150 editions and be signed by Kia Asamiya for you at the show. Each print will be $20.00.
- Corrector Yui Mini Lithograph - Anime Central 2001 Exclusive. In order to celebrate both Kia Asamiya's and Yuko Kagata's appearences at the convention, Fanboy is producing 500 mini-lithographs based on the popular anime series Corrector Yui. Illustrated by Kia Asamiya himself, both he and Miss Kagata will be on hand to sign these one-of-a-kind prints. There will also be a Corrector Yui panel and screenings of episodes of the Corrector Yui anime all weekend. Prints will be $5.00 each.
- ESSENCE: The Art of Yoshitoshi ABe will be making its debut at Anime Central, just in time for ABe-san's visit. You will be able to buy it at the con before it even hits stores! And of course, Yoshitoshi ABe will be around all weekend to sign every copy. The cover price of ESSENCE is $7.95.
- As J. Torres and Takeshi Miyazawa are making the trip down from Canada, Sidekicks will be in full effect at ACEN 2001! Stop by for special Sidekicks Three Packs and Five Packs.
We will also have our full line of Fanboy comics, prints and T-shirts on hand, including Dark Angel: Phoenix Resurrection, Spellbound, Mobius Klein and Steam Detectives.
I can't wait to see you all there! Now go read a comic...
Take care,
C.B.
For the month of May, TOKYOPOP was gracious enough to give Animefringe 6 trade paperback copies of Volume 1 of TOKYOPOP's newly-released series, Peach Girl, to give away to 6 lucky otaku.
Peach Girl, the popular teen manga by Miwa Ueda, is a look into the life and times of Momo Adachi, a teenaged girl with a curious skin condition that sets her apart from everyone else, and her trials and tribulations with life in high school. Filled with trendy style, plot twists and fan service, Peach Girl is one manga you shouldn't be without!
You can read more about our look at Peach Girl and participate in our
giveaway at this URL:
http://www.animefringe.com/feature/1/index.php3
Remember... you can't win if you don't play, and you have nothing to lose! So hurry on over and enter to win!
Time for some City Hunter on DVD! We're planning on releasing the 63 epsiode City Hunter 2 TV series on two 5 disc boxsets. That's 10 discs in total! But we need your help, we have to have 2000 preorders for the first boxset before we begin production! Each disc will contain 6 or 7 episodes with Japanese audio and English subtitles all in a nice collectors boxset. The more people who preorder, the lower the price for the boxset so preorder your's today at https://www.advfilms.com/advfansubs/subscribe.html!
Tsukasa Hojo's latest manga, titled Angel Heart, will start its weekly publication run in japanese manga weekly newcomer Weekly Bunch's debut issue. The first issue is scheduled for release on May 15th. Hojo, who is best known for his works on the ultra hysterical City Hunter, is said to have spent a good five years writing Angel Heart's foundation script. Details are awfully sketchy at this point, as the artist did not want to spoil the story before its release. From what this editor can gather, however, it seems like Angel Heart might be a full-fledge story fleshing out Hojo's 1997 short story, The Eyes of the Assassin, which was featured in the Parrot ~Shiawase no Hito~ short stories collection. In any case, the only sure thing is that Angel Heart stars a professional female assassin - nothing else is known aside from her gender and the large scar on her chest. On a related note, Tsukasa Hojo recently celebrated his 20th anniversary in the manga industry by releasing an artbook titled Hojo Tsukasa 20th Anniversary Illustrations. It is published by Shueisya, with a suggested retail price of 2,400 yen.
Squaresoft's official Final Fantasy X site has gone live. Though content is skeletal at best, with nothing more for English readers than a few already-posted screenshots, the opening intro movie is noteworthy for the way it showcases Yuna to the exclusion of all other characters. Greyed out sections of the site include World, Motions, and Downloads, so expect additions as the game's release date nears.
In today's press release announcing its Electronic Entertainment Expo roster, Square EA also offered a new look at Final Fantasy X's setting and plot. The planet on which Final Fantasy X is set has acquired a name -- "Spira" -- making FF X only the second Final Fantasy in which the game world has an actual name. (Final Fantasy IX's planet was named Gaia.) The FF series' trademark summoned monsters also have their requisite new name: "Aeons." New plot details describe the beginning of the story as the traditional destruction of the hero's homeland. Tidus miraculously survives the attack -- it's not clear yet what destroys his homeland -- and awakens in the middle of ruins. He soon meets up with Yuna, who is traveling the world to visit temples and learn how to summon the Aeons, "powerful spirits of yore," so she can destroy the force of nature known as Sin. As the pair journey, they learn more about Spira's past. One thousand years ago, Spira was a land of great technological advancement and "spectacular cities." However, Sin suddenly and mysteriously arose and destroyed all civilization. Since then, the people have lived in fear of technology, never knowing when and where Sin will strike next. Predictably, it's up to Tidus and Yuna to break the millennium-old curse. Final Fantasy X is due out July 17th in Japan. North American and European releases will follow in early and mid 2002, respectively.
Anime Expo is announced its latest Guest of Honor, Mr. Hidenori Matsubara. Mr. Matsubara has been working in the anime industry for a long time and has served as an animator on such series as Otaku no Video, Ranma 1/2, Macross II, Patlabor: The Movie and Blue Submarine No. 6. He is best-known to anime fans as the man who adapted MANGA artist Kosuke Fujishima's designs for animation in the original Ah! My Goddess OVA series and the 2000 Ah! My Goddess movie. He is also the character designer for the Sakura Taisen TV series, once again, adapting Mr. Fujishima's designs. This is Mr. Matsubara's first U.S. convention appearance.
This weeks issue of Shonen Jump contains an announcement for an anime adaption of the manga Shaman King, by Takei Hiroyuki. Starts July 4th, airing Wednesdays at 6:30, the time slot that made Dragonball and One Piece hits, so this may mean a big budget. Shaman King has been consistently the best thing running in Jump over the last could of years, cheerily using the conventions of the fighting genre as a springboard for his own insane, subversive ideas. The story is about Shaman, who allow friendly spirits to possess their bodies to fight.
The following list is of the anime related merchandise that Diamond Distributors is soliciting for a July release.
Statues being released include two Berserk statues, featuring "Casca in Dress", featuring the character in her appearance after the conclusion of the anime series' events, and Skullknight (solicited as "Skelknight"), a character that did not appear in the Berserk anime series, but who is very instrumental in the events of the manga. The statues are painted, 8", mounted on a plaque and will retail for $120.00 each. Dark Horse will be releasing a very impress statues of the Gunsmith Cats, Rally and Minnie May featuring the bounty hunters in an 8" tall, fully painted cold-cast resin statue culpted by Sam Greenwell of Acornboy Studios, and the paintmaster was created by Tsuyoshi Maeda of Kotobukiya Co. in Japan. A bust of Amazing Nurse Nanaki will retail for $52.80, and a resin statue of her (red version) will retail for $69.99 Resin statues of Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Gaogaigar Mikoto Utsugi and Gaogaigar Sakura Isoga will be available as a model kits for 39.99 and as a statues for 69.99. Ghost in the Shell Fuchikomas mech figures will be available in camouflage, green and red color schemes for 65.00 each. The 6" figures arrive assembled, with a figure of Bateau.
On the action figure front the Bastard figure of the angel Mikael will retail for $22.99. Three Resident Evil 3 two-packs that have been delayed will be released. Samurai X / Rurouni Kenshin figures of Saitoh Hajime , Kaoru, and Sanosuke will retail for $12.99. The two packs, which retail for $39.99 Chris Redfield vs. Tyrant Relist, Claire vs. Ivy and Claire vs. Nemesis 2. The two packs feature a 7 ½" tall hero character and a 10 tall monster foe. Figures feature limited articulation. Each set features a piece of the massive Nemesis creature. The virtual on variants of Fei Yen the Tiger Figure and Virtual on Winter White Temjin will retail for 20.99. A Raideen Deluxe Miracle figure will retail for $29.99 feature the 70's Shogun Warriors mech in 10" tall figure will 30 points of articulation Neon Genesis Evangelion Kubrick Box Set G retails for $12.99 and includes Kaworu Nagisa the 5th Child, EVA Unit 05, and EVA Carrier Wing. A Dr. Slump & Arale 12Piece PVC Set will retail for 27.99. T-shirts being released include Dragon Ball Z shirts of "Intro Cell" and "Trunks Saga". Gundam Wing shirts will include "Gundam Casualties" featuring a damaged Wing Gundam, and "Gundam Deathscythe Flash". Two Ninja Scroll shirts of the Ninja Scroll logo, and a collaged will be released. While on the samurai topic, two Kenshin shirts of rather disturbed Kenshin in "Bood Night", and a scene of the ronin in action for "Kenshin Slash". Two t-shirts of the manga version of Major Kusanagi will be released. Single t-shirt entries include Laputa: Castle in the Sky "Windows of Adventure", Five Star Stories, Guyver "Show Your Metal", Urusei Yatsura "Snap Shots" and Wicked City "Broken Glass".
Plushes of Totoro Mushroom Plush: Sun Arrows will retail for $29.99. A Banpresto Godzilla Plush will retail for $34.99, and feature a 12 tall" figure from crane machines. In the not anime, but pretty cool category medium and small versions of the Cthulhu plush will be released for $15.99 and $5.99 respectively.
Other merchandise being released include the Masamune Shirow "Cyberworld Portfolio" for 19.99, which include 13 ½ x 10 3/8 oversize full-color plates form the creator of Ghost in the Shell, Dominion and Appleseed. Captain Tylor Soundtrack CDs "Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA Collection Soundtrack" and "Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV Series Soundtrack Vol. 1 CD" will retail for $14.40. Key chains of Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus from Sailor Moon and iyone, Minoshi, Nagi, and Washu from Tenchi Muyo will retail for $4.50 each. Three Tenchi Muyo foil posters will retail for $9.95 each. A Sakura Wars 6-Piece Pendant Set retail for $23.94 and features PVC pendants measuring 6 x 2".
Funimation has confirmed that the first new home video release of Dragonball will be the uncut hour long tape "Tournament - Roshi's Request," to be released on June 5th. Based on the title it can be assumed that the original Dragonball series will be picking up where the original 13 American release episodes ended. Funimation has also confirmed that Dragonball Z movie 4, "Lord Slug," will be released on edited and uncut VHS on August 8th.
Animeigo is now taking pre-orders for Urusei Yatsura DVD set #2.
Right Stuf lists a 7/24 date for Oh! My Goddess DVD Vol. #1. The dis will contain OVA's 1-3, retailing at $24.95. Vol. #2 containing OVA's 4-5 is due on 8/7 at $24.95.
Searching through dusty attics, Right Stuf has managed to get our little hands on a limited amount of original Streamline Picture stock and we're giving it away at bargain prices! Some of these titles are no longer available in any format, others, such as the Akira Production Report, are likely to become hot commodities to true otaku.
Remember, we only have a limited amount of stock available so get them before they're gone!
Note: Our online store is not yet configured to show product availability. This is something we're currently working hard to correct. If you're concerned we might not have your item in stock, call our customer service hotline at 1.800.338.6827 between 8-5pm CST.
Akira Production Report (D)
Doomed Megalopolis Vol. 3 (D)
Doomed Megalopolis Vol. 4 (D)
8th Man After Vol. 1 (D)
8th Man After Vol. 2 (D)
8th Man After Vol. 3 (D)
8th Man After Vol. 4 (D)
Lupin III: Tales of the Wolf Vol. 1 (D)
Lupin III: Tales of the Wolf Vol. 2 (D)
Nadia (Streamline Version) Vol. 3 (D)
Nadia (Streamline Version) Vol. 4 (D)
Nadia (Streamline Version) Vol. 5 (D)
Nadia (Streamline Version) Vol. 6 (D)
Nadia (Streamline Version) Vol. 7 (D)
Nadia (Streamline Version) Vol. 8 (D)
3 x 3 Eyes (Streamline Version) Vol. 1 (D)
3 x 3 Eyes (Streamline Version) Vol. 4 (D)
Twilight of the Cockroaches (D)
LiveAction
Zillion Vol. 1 (D)
Zillion Vol. 2 (D)
Zillion Vol. 3 (D)
Zillion Vol. 4 (D)
Zillion Vol. 5 (D)
Zillion Set 1-5 (D)
Zillion: Burning Night (D)
Lensman (D)
Bandai Entertainment / Viz's Jin-Roh site has opened with image gallery, theatrical screening schedule, details on characters, story, staff and production. Concept designer Mamoru Oshii, Director Hiroyuki Okiura and Art Director Hiromasa Ogura are profiled.
From the character designer of Vampire Hunter D and Final Fantasy Manga Video presents
On DVD and VHS May 29, 2001
Chicago, IL - Manga Entertainment is pleased to announce the DVD and VHS release of Amon Saga featuring the impeccable artwork of Amano Yoshitaka (Vampire Hunter D, Final Fantasy and Angel's Egg). Amano also provided the graceful and dark images for Neil Gaiman's recent Sandman opus The Dream Hunters. A master of the fantastical, Amano once again plies his trade in Amon Saga.
Set in a barbarous world of magic and mysticism, this action-packed tale of intrigue and adventure follows the exploits of Amon - a young man on a desperate quest to avenge the death of his mother. When his hunt leads him to the castle of the Emperor Valhiss, Amon must endure the perils of initiation and join the ranks of the Imperial army in order to gain an opportunity to take his revenge. But once within the heart of the fortified city, Amon unexpectedly encounters the princess Lichia - the sultry daughter of King Sem Darai. It seems the Emperor hopes to exchange the princess for a map in the King's possession. But what is the Emperor's ultimate goal? Find out in this sword & sorcery epic when Amon Saga comes to VHS and DVD on May 29, 2001.
Street Date: May 29, 2001 Pre-Book Date: May 10, 2001 Running Time: 75 minutes
DVD Special Features include: English 5.1 Surround, English Stereo, Japanese Stereo, English Subtitles, Photo Gallery, Japanese Production Credits, Manga Video Previews , Manga DVD Catalogue, Merchandise and Catalog Info, DVD Previews and PC & Mac Weblinks. Distributed by Ryko Distribution Nationwide
DVD: $24.95 Selection #: MANGA4073-2 Barcode #: 6-60200-4073-2-2 VHS Dub: $19.95 Selection #: MANGA4074-3 Barcode #: 6-60200-4074-3-8 VHS Sub: $24.95 Selection #: MANGA4073-3 Barcode #: 6-60200-4073-3-9
Q: Many of Cartoon Network's programs seem geared to adults as well as children. Have the demographics for cartoons broadened?
A: ".......Now, as we experience great success with Japanese Anime' shows presented in our Toonami afternoon action-adventure block, we're beginning to see our biggest growth with 9-14 year olds, the "tweens." This presents new opportunities to grow our overall audience as well as to attract advertisers that wouldn't necessarily think of Cartoon Network first for reaching this highly sought for demographic."
Q: Cartoon Network has grown rapidly internationally, and recently expanded to 24-hour programming in the Asia Pacific region. Do cartoons transcend regional taste barriers?
A: ".......Part of the reason for this is that cartoon humor tends to be more visual and doesn't require the viewer to be familiar with all the nuances of language......Cartoons also are easily dubbed into foreign languages - ours are now available in 14 different ones - because animated mouths are not as precise as live ones, so viewers cannot tell if the dialogue is out-of-sync with the visual image. And many cartoon characters are anthropomorphic, which enables them to easily transcend race and nationality preferences of audiences around the world."
Source: Saiyanz Rage
No Ken-Ohki?
Sadly, although we fully expected it to be released this week, we've just been informed from the manufacturer that the Tenchi Ken-Ohki Stuffed Dolls have been delayed. They're currently estimating that the Ken-Ohki's will be be ready to ship again in late June / early July.
BESM Delay!
Guardians of Order (GOO) has informed Right Stuf that their Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM) RPG supplement: Big Ears, Small Mouse will be delayed until 6/15. No details were given on the cause of the delay.
There are a couple new things happening at the Amano's World site. First, we have 5 new T-Shirts in the store. These are very special and very limited edition T-Shirts, so if you would like one, please head over to the store to make sure you have a chance to get one.
Amanosworld Store:
http://www.amanosworld.com/store/store_home.html
Also, if you are in Japan or plan to be in the very near future, there are several exhibitions of Amano's prints that you may want to check out. You can find all the information in the news section under Amano appearances and exhibitions, or you can get directly to the section by heading here: http://www.amanosworld.com/news/exhibits.html
Hideaki Anno's (Creator of Evangelion) live action film Shikijitsu ("Ritual"), a co-production between Gainax and Studio Ghibli, is still currently touring the festival circuit. Ritual is not a true autobiography of Anno, it based on a book written by Ayako Fujitani, who also starts in the movie, which Anno re-wrote the book to make it about a film director, instead of a shop owner, but it seems to fit that claims that its autobiographical in that its thematically similar to him. A comparison could be drawn to how Edward Scissorhands is thematically similar to Tim Burton's life. . It won best artistic contribution at the Tokyo Film Fest and is currently in the top 20 films (audience poll) at the Hong Kong Film Festival. The following is a link where you can read a Q&A with Anno and Fujitani here. You can also read a summary of the movie and view a video clip: here and a trailer is at here. In an interview at here he states "I felt my career as an animation director had gone as far as it could, and decided I would like to try a new creative media. I am not complaining about the animation industry, but I felt I couldn't get any more satisfaction from making animation and I needed to try something new to stimaulate my creativity. I knew Ayako Fujitani and I loved her book when I read it. So I decide to try and make it into film." In response to the question "Where does your career go from here?" he stated "I started acting at thirteen, but I tend to be a bit lazy. I was in the 3 recent Gamera films, but I haven't done many serious film like Ritual before; I hope I will have the chance to do more. I recently completed a French film and I am now busy writing my second book; the deadline is the end of next month but I'm only half way through it, so I really don't know whether I can finish it in time."
Cartoon Network finished the month of April and tied for second place (with USA) in prime time ratings (1.7) and third place in total day ratings (1.1) among all ad-supported cable networks, continuing the network's remarkable first-quarter ratings and delivery growth pattern. Tweens 9-14, kids 6-11 and kids 2-11 all set April prime time rating and delivery records, while households set a prime delivery record for the month. In total day, tweens 9-14 and kids 6-11 set April total day ratings and delivery records, while households and kids 2-11 set an April total day delivery record. The all-animation network posted mostly double-digit rating growth across all targeted demographics, while delivery gains consistently outpaced the network's powerful 16 percent distribution growth vs. last April.
from Newsletter - Sam http://www.saiyanz-rage.com/home.shtml (Saiyanz Rage)
These will begin shipping probably tomorrow. The shipment will include the replacement disc, along with a set of limited edition postcards which are not sold in stores. The discs will be sent by mail and will take about 1-2 weeks to arrive. They are coming in hard mailers so there should hopefully be no problems. You can tell the "new" disc from the "old" disc by the characters on the silkscreen. The "new" disc has Tylor on the right, whereas the old disc does not have Tylor on it at all. New shipments of the DVD set and disc will have a sticker saying "13+" on them, so that they can be easily identified. Old sets do not have this sticker. Thanks to everyone who was patient as we fixed this issue. Best regards, Shawne Kleckner TRSI shawnek@rightstuf.com
Toycom (www.toycom.net) has announced Final Pre-Orders for their Die-Cast Giant Robo Action Figures, meaning these bad boys are going FAST. Made of almost 2 pounds of Die-Cast and durable ABS, the figures have a high amount of detail and come in two styles, Bazooka and Missile. Both feature superior poseability with 24 points of articulation and come with a 2" Ginrei statue (Bazooka version comes with Ginrei in a mini dress and Missile version comes with Ginrei in a long dress.) Packaged in an acetate-window box. This is a Limited Manufacturing Run. Shipping from Toycom is scheduled for June 2001, MSRP of $44.95 and will be available at select comic and specialty stores for those that purchased.
The U.S. launch of Irwin Toy’s all-new Sailor Moon toy line is meeting with strong success as retailers expanding programs in support of the teenage icon that is a hit with girls (and boys!) around the world. The “must have” Sailor Moon doll line, based on the hit anime TV series on the Cartoon Network’s Toonami Block, features an assortment of fully-articulated dolls and accessories, depicting key themes conveyed in the TV series: fantasy, friendship, action and romance. Lizanne Bertrand, Marketing Manager, said, “Sailor Moon is a wonderful story that girls enjoy tremendously, and which boys have also been watching in increasing numbers. With the enchanting property’s global appeal and the beautifully designed dolls, supported by Irwin Toy’s comprehensive marketing program and strong retail support, we expect Sailor Moon will be an increasingly popular favorite with girls across the U.S.” Bertrand added, “Among major retailers expanding merchandising efforts is Walmart, which this Fall plans to increase 400 to 1,900 the stores that will carry the Sailor Moon line.” Coming off several years of success in Canada, the relaunch of Sailor Moon in the U.S. comes at a time when the TV show has a strong foothold in the Cartoon Network’s Toonami Block and children have had time to enjoy and come to learn about the wonderful storyline and characters on the hit TV show. Irwin developed a complete range of dolls, plush, wands and accessories that feature colorful all-new packaging targeted to both the specialty and mass channels. The line also features seven plush characters, including Luna & Artemis, Sailor Moon’s wisecracking feline celestial guardians. Additionally, there are 25 dolls, representing each of the five Sailor Scouts, namely Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus, as well as dolls for Sailor Uranus, Sailor Pluto, Sailor Neptune, Princess Serena and the Wicked Lady. Each doll is sold with a wand or scepter and available in 6-inch and 11-½-inch assortments. Also, a special battery operated Luna Sphere, the special guide, advisor and protector of Sailor Mini Moon. Pushing on her nose opens the Luna Sphere to reveal a mirror and secret drawer, while touching her ears makes her eyes light up so Luna Sphere can act as a nightlight. Luna Sphere also has a motion detector that causes Luna to “meow” when someone comes within five feet of the Luna Sphere. Bertrand said, “As teenage roll models, the Sailor Moon characters are confident girls who stand up for right.” As the story goes, Serena, a junior high school student discovers she has mystical powers and is destined to protect the world from evil Queen Beryl and the fiends of the Negaverse. Serena assembles a team of Sailor Scouts to help her battle the forces of darkness in the name of Queen Serenity of the Emperium. Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter round out the rest of Sailor Moon’s team. Sailor Moon is given her powers by Luna, a trusted advisor of Queen Serenity, who takes the form of Serena’s cat and sticks with her through thick and thin.
Today figures.com released an artical found here:
On the "Prequel To DRAGON BALL Z" is On The Way (Dragon Ball or DB) "DRAGON BALL to air on Cartoon Network AND spawn new action figures. FUNimation Productions Ltd. today announced its Dragon Ball TV series will debut June 25th on the Cartoon Network, airing Monday through Fridays at 5:30 p.m. EDT, joining FUNimation's Dragon Ball Z on the network's famed after school Toonami Block of programming." Dragon Ball is the prequel to the Dragon Ball Z series that is the #1 hit of the Cartoon Network, and presents the characters in their younger years. Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation, said, "Dragon Ball is a wonderful series of Japanese anime that details the early years of the characters that fans have come to love on the Dragon Ball Z television series. In addition, we will begin airing new episodes of Dragon Ball Z on the Cartoon Network beginning September 3rd." The Dragon Ball series will be produced and broadcasted in other countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa at FUNimation's studios in Fort Worth, Texas, where it produces Dragon Ball Z.
- From Sam
http://www.saiyanz-rage.com (Saiyanz Rage)
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