Toronto, Ontario - Irwin Toy Limited (TSE: IWT) announced that George Irwin today resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer to pursue personal interests and other business opportunities, after having set the Company on a strong growth course during his tenure.
S. Macdonald Irwin, Chairman of the Board, will resume the additional post of President on an interim basis, until a successor is appointed
George Irwin, in announcing his decision, said, “I am proud of the Irwin Team and feel confident the executives and outstanding staff of the company, as well as its important business partners, will continue on the strong growth path Irwin Toy enjoys today.
”
In a statement, Irwin Toy said that the Board of Directors regretfully accepted George Irwin’s resignation and thanked him for his contribution to the Company, especially his role in guiding Irwin Toy as it has evolved from Canada’s leading toy company to an increasingly significant factor in the international toy business.
S. Macdonald Irwin said, “Irwin Toy is stronger today than at any point in the Company’s 75-year history. The Board of Directors and all employees of the Company join me in thanking George for his leadership, for delaying personal plans to continue as Chief Executive Officer during the past year and for guiding the Company during a critically important transition and expansion phase over the past year.
”
George Irwin joined Irwin Toy 28 years ago, rose through the ranks and was appointed President in 1990. He was named Chief Executive Officer in June 1994. Under his leadership, Irwin Toy experienced a financial and operational turnaroud,
regaining profitability in Fiscal 2000 following two years of losses, framing the Company’s currently successful product brand strategy, property licensing initiatives and international expansion.
The Company said it is confident that the strong management team in place at Irwin Toy will continue the direction the company has experienced in the past year. The Board of Directors said it established a committee of the Board to conduct the search for a new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Irwin Toy Limited develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of toy and games. Irwin Toy markets its products globally with a current focus on Canada, the United States and Australia.
A Card Captor Sakura i-Mode game is being released by Kodansha in early Dec., member registration is necessary for the use of this service.
Knights of Ramune 1-3 DVD (Hyb)
Date Available - Mar 13 2001
Format - Hybrid
180 Minutes
Publisher - CENTRAL PARK MEDIA
Rating - 13+
Slayers Try DVD Box Set (Hyb)
Date Available - Apr 10 2001
Format - Hybrid
650 Minutes
Publisher - CENTRAL PARK MEDIA
Rating - 13+
Speed Racer The Movie (Classic) DVD (English Dubbed)
Speed Racer, space hero Colonel Bleep and all their friends join up for this exciting animated feature.
First, Speed Racer, his girlfriend Trixie and all the gang are in a desperate race to save hundreds of lives from the evil clutches of the "The Car Hater".
But wait, there's more as Speed Racer returns at breakneck speed to bat excitement is interspersed with the three wonderfully creative classic animated "words from tle evil, on and off the track, with "The Race Against the Mammoth Car." All this fun and our sponsor" from the 1960's!
So grab your popcorn, fasten your seat belt and get ready to blast off for the best in animated action!
Special Features: Interactive Menus, Audio Commentary by Peter Fernandez and Corrinne Orr (voices of many Speed Racer characters), Speed Racer Trivia Game and Music Video, Mach 5 Features
Date Available - Feb 27 2001
Format - Dubbed in English
Genre - Adventure
80 Minutes
Publisher - PIONEER
Rating - ALL
Year Created - 1967
We just spoke to Jess of Toycom and it appears that the Macross Plus Valkyries are NOT going to be released within the next 6-12 months over here in the US. We don't have much details but our understanding is that the licensing dispute won't be resolved until this timeframe.
Representatives from Harmony Gold and Big West met about a week ago and this was the outcome of the meeting. Based on past delays of these toys, our best guess is that we'd be very LUCKY to see them by next Christmas. That is IF the licensing negotiations are resolved by then...
We are very excited to have a few prizes to give away to Amano fans. If you would like to win a copy of the American realease of Final Fantasy 9 autographed by executive producer Hironobu Sakaguchi and concept illustrator and character designer Yoshitaka Amano, check out the details in the Weekly Amano section of amanosworld.com.
www.Anime-love.com, which was closed for new memberships for two weeks, has reopened its doors to Version 2.0 of its matchmaker program.
Notice for all who signed up for the first program: due to the third party hosting, we did not have access to the database of personal profile information. Thus, we were unable to transfer the information for our more than 700 members. We ask that everyone sign up again, and are sorry for any inconvenience.
In the new and IMPROVED version of the Anime Love matchmaker program you will find:
€ The program is locally hosted, so that any errors you encounter, they will
be able to be fixed by the Web site's Love Programmer.
€ More detailed questions in the sign-up process for the anime fan, leaving
more space for hobbies and personal descriptions.
€ Space to put alternative contacts, such as AIM or ICQ
€ ICQ status icon by your name in the search so people can know if you are
online or not.
€ Improved search functions to include state and country, etc.
€ Better message capability. Easier reply functions for internal messages.
€ Email notification when you have messages on your account.
€ More server space so that virtually everyone can upload a picture of
themself. Pictures mean better exposure.
As before, you must be 18 years of age to sign up for this service. There is an area on the Anime Love forums for younger teens to chat and to hang out.
--
Tena Mastrangelo
Webmaster:
www.anime-love.com
Infogrames, Inc. Licenses Phenomenally Successful Dragon Ball Z Property From FUNimation Top-Rated Anime Cartoon Series Comes to Life in Video Games
NEW YORK, Nov. 30 - Dragon Ball Z fans, your wish has been granted! Infogrames, Inc., a global publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced it has licensed the phenomenally successful children's property, Dragon Ball Z, from FUNimation Productions, Ltd. to develop a line of video games based on the story and characters. Fans everywhere can now help the forces of good battle evil with amazingly popular Dragon Ball Z characters such as Goku, Piccolo and Gohan.
Infogrames has gained the rights to the popular license from FUNimation, licensor and producer of the hit Dragon Ball Z cartoon series, which airs twice daily on The Cartoon Network. An average of 1.5 million viewers enjoy the adventures of Dragon Ball Z each day.
Infogrames plans to bring Dragon Ball Z to multiple platforms. Further details on the games will be announced at a later date.
``We are extremely pleased to partner with FUNimation to bring Dragon Ball Z to video game fans,'' said Paul Rinde, senior vice president and general manager of Infogrames' WizardWorks division. ``Dragon Ball Z is a favorite among millions of kids and is one of the most highly searched topics on Lycos. We're confident we can bring the characters into a new medium for its growing fan base to enjoy.''
``Infogrames was the clear choice for publishing the next series of Dragon Ball Z games,'' said Gen Fukunaga, president of FUNimation Productions, Ltd. ``Their expertise in taking well-known licenses and bringing them to life, while representing their true integrity of the storyline and characters, will surely please our Dragon Ball Z fans.''
Dragon Ball Z, the animated series which originated in Japan in 1986 and launched in the US in 1998, was created by Akira Toriyama, Japan's most famous and popular animation artist. Dragon Ball Z is the story of Goku, a brave warrior with incredible powers who is plunged into a mystical adventure that is played out in exotic lands with noble warriors, shape-changing monsters, armies of ruthless villains and a kooky old wise man. Goku, his son Gohan and his friend Piccolo travel through various adventures as they battle Frieza, Goku's nemesis who wants to conquer the universe.
Source: Fanboy Entertainment
Dear Valued Customer,
Due to a packaging error, the initial run of Gundam Wing VHS Vol. 6 and 7 (SKU #s 1625, 1626, 1655, 1656) were packaged without the proof of purchase cards. To remedy this situation we have changed the qualifying requirements to redeem the action figure for these specific VHS volumes. They are as follows:
1) You may send in a receipt for Volumes 6 and 7 showing that you purchased the required videos, along with the proof of purchase card for Volume 5. Be sure to circle the video titles and/or price on the receipt.
OR
2) You may send in the UPC code from the box for Volumes 6 and 7, or a legible photocopy of the videocover’s back, along with the proof of purchase card for Volume 5.
OR
3) You may send in the proof of purchase cards if you received them for Volumes 5, 6, and 7.
You must only meet one of the above three options to qualify for the free action figure.
Promo figures are shipped on a while-supplies-last basis.
We would like to offer our deepest apology for the inconvenience and assure you that we have taken every step possible to ensure that the promotion is still fair and rewarding for all who participate. Thank you for your understanding and patience!
Deepest Apologies,
Bandai Entertainment, Inc.
Official Press Release
For Immediate Release
November 29, 2000
ADV FILMS TO RELEASE
SAMURAI X: THE MOTION PICTURE
HOUSTON - ADV Films is proud to announce Samurai X: The Motion Picture, the climatic conclusion to the hit Billboard Top 10 anime prequel.
The war against the Tokugawa Shogunate ended years ago. But there are some who are not happy with the outcome. Shigure Takimi watched his friends and family get slashed down in the name of freedom and prosperity. Now he and a band of desperate rebels have sworn to settle one final score. Only one man stands in their way: Rurouni Kenshin. Will the former assassin take up his sword to fight again? When Shigure discovers Kenshin's true identity and his fight becomes a personal vendetta, the young hero will have no choice.
In March 2001, the suspenseful conclusion to this awesome story will hit the streets on DVD ($29.98) and VHS ($19.98). The VHS format will contain the English-dubbed version of Samurai X: The Motion Picture, and the DVD will contain both the English-dubbed version, plus the original Japanese edition with English subtitles.
ADV Films, the premiere label of A.D.Vision, Inc. formed in 1992, is North
America's #1 distributor of top-of-the-line Japanese animation ("anime"),
with titles such as Sailor Moon, Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 and Neon
Genesis Evangelion. ADV Films, along with distributing top-quality,
computer-animated titles such as ReBoot® and Shadowraiders(tm), and
Weird-Ohs(tm) and the live-action sci-fi hit Farscape, also produces
American and Japanese live-action programming for theatrical and broadcast
release. Check out ADV Films on the web at www.advfilms.com
Samurai X: The Motion Picture
Street Date: 3/27/01
VHS (English Dubbed) $19.98
Official Press Release
For Immediate Release
ADV Films Announces Release Of
ADV Films is proud to announce the home video and DVD release, Gasaraki:
From the Ashes..., the latest addition to the Billboard Top 10 anime
collection.
The secrets of the kugutsu continue to come to light as Yushiro and Miharu
find themselves pursued by both the military and the Gowas. Their only
hope: to discover the true nature of the kai before it can be used against
the nation of Japan. Meanwhile, Yushiro's SSDF teammates find themselves
thrown into a deadly mission of their own, forced into combat with a berserk
squad of rogue TAs! The action is non-stop and betrayal lurks around every
turn in the new shocking collection of Gasaraki!
Don't miss out in March 2001, when ADV Films releases Gasaraki: From the
Ashes... on DVD ($29.98) and English-dubbed VHS ($19.98). The DVD will
include both the English-dubbed version of Gasaraki: From the Ashes... and
the original Japanese version with English subtitles.
Gamer's Republic calls Gasaraki "shear ecstacy for tech junkies...," but
everyone will love this show.
ADV Films, the premiere label of A.D.Vision, Inc. formed in 1992, is North
America's #1 distributor of top-of-the-line Japanese animation ("anime"),
with titles such as Sailor Moon, Samurai X and Neon Genesis Evangelion. ADV
Films, along with distributing top-quality, computer-animated titles such as
ReBoot® and Shadowraiders(tm), and Weird-Ohs(tm) and the live-action sci-fi
hit Farscape, also produces American and Japanese live-action programming
for theatrical and broadcast release. Check out ADV Films on the web at
www.advfilms.com
Pre-Book Date: 2/27/01
VHS(English-Dubbed) $19.98
Official Press Release
For Immediate Release
ADV Films Announces Home Video Release Of
New LOST UNIVERSE Episodes
ADV Films is proud to announce the latest addition to the stellar Lost
Universe home video collection.
Someone has turned the universe upside down! Millie and Nina are adrift in
space! Rail Claymore is running for his life! Kain is hiding out! And
Kali has just taken over the Universal Guardians! The only thing that could
make matters worse is if an evil rival suddenly destroyed Swordbreaker.
Oops. Maybe we spoke too soon. Things look bad, but the psi-blade master
never says "die". Surely Kain will come out on top as he always has.
There's no such thing as an invincible villain. Is there?
Don't miss out in March 2001, when ADV releases the latest video in this
spectacular series, on VHS in English dubbed ($19.98) and English subtitled
($29.95) versions. The Lost Universe: Volume 6 DVD ($29.98) will be on the
shelves in April, and will contain the English dubbed version, along with
the original Japanese version, with English subtitles.
ADV Films, the premiere label of A.D.Vision, Inc. formed in 1992, is North
America's #1 distributor of top-of-the-line Japanese animation ("anime"),
with titles such as Sailor Moon, Samurai X and Neon Genesis Evangelion. ADV
Films, along with distributing top-quality, computer-animated titles such as
ReBoot® and Shadowraiders(tm), and Weird-Ohs(tm) and the live-action sci-fi
hit Farscape, also produces American and Japanese live-action programming
for theatrical and broadcast release. Check out ADV Films on the web at
www.advfilms.com
Lost Universe: Volume 6
VHS Pre-Book Date: 2/13/01 DVD Pre-Book Date: 3/13/01
DVD $29.98
Harlock Saga DVD (Hyb)
Harlock Saga: Clash of the Space Pirates (D) Harlock Saga: Wrath of the Gods (D) - The 5th Kobe Animation Festival awarded the following prizes when it was held earlier this month:
Individual prize: Hiroyuki Okiura World's Biggest Otaku Contest
LOS ANGELES, CA- Akadot (www.akadot.com)
is sponsoring a contest to find the World's Biggest Otaku!
Submit a letter (max 500 words) on why you are the World's Biggest Otaku.
The lucky 'Otaku' chosen will be the subject of an Akadot profile as well as
the beneficiary of loads of anime merchandise.
Deadline for submissions is December 17.
Questions and comments can be directed to akadot@emanga.com.
Visit Akadot (www.akadot.com) for details.
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV DVD Collection 2
Pre-book date: 1/9/01 - Street date: 1/30/01 The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV DVD Collection 3
Pre-book date: 1/9/01 - Street date: 1/30/01
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV DVD Collection 4
Pre-book date: 1/9/01 - Street date: 1/30/01
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV DVD Collection Box Set
Pre-book date: 1/9/01 - Street date: 1/30/01
All
Stories, Graphics And Material © Anime News Service Unless Otherwise Cited Questions,Comments,News Submissions
Running Time: 90 minutes Age Rating: 17yrs.+
DVD $29.98
November 29, 2000
GASARAKI: FROM THE ASHES...
Gasaraki: From the Ashes...
Running Time: 75 minutes Age Rating: 12yrs+
Street Date: 3/27/01
DVD $29.98
November 29, 2000
Running Time: 75 minutes Age Rating: 12yrs+
VHS Street Date: 3/13/01 DVD Street Date: 4/10/01
VHS (English-dubbed) $19.98
VHS (English-subtitled) $29.95
11-29-00---- Harlock Saga U.S. DVD Release
The Right Stuf is listing CPM as releasing Harlock Saga on DVD on 5/8/2001 at the retail price of $29.99. Also 2 VHS dub volumes are also being listed:
Date Available - May 8 2001
Format - Hybrid
Genre - Science Fiction
180 Minutes
Publisher - CENTRAL PARK MEDIA
Rating - 13+
Date Available - Mar 3 2001
Format - Dubbed in English
Genre - Science Fiction
90 Minutes
Publisher - CENTRAL PARK MEDIA
Rating - 13+
Normal Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $18.00
Date Available - Mar 3 2001
Format - Dubbed in English
Genre - Science Fiction
90 Minutes
Publisher - CENTRAL PARK MEDIA
Rating - 13+
Have questions? Send us some feedback!
Normal Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $18.00
11-29-00---- Awards Roundup
- CESA is gearing up to close the acceptance of entries in it's 3rd amateur game grand prix on December 1. Winners will be announced at the spring Tokyo Game Show 2001.
Best Cinema Production: Card Captor Sakura - The sealed card (movie 2)
Best TV Series: Infinite Ryvius
Best Computer Package: Shenmue, chapter 1
Special Prize: Shigebaru Shiba
11-29-00---- World's Biggest Otaku Contest
Excerpted from the official release:11-29-00---- Captain Tyler DVD Collection - Release Dates Pushed Back
The Right Stuf has announced that due to unforeseen delays, the following titles will be delayed until
January 2001. Please note the new preorder cutoff and
street dates below. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV DVD Collection 1
Pre-book date: 1/9/01 - Street date: 1/30/01