Anime News Service - October 27 - November 1st Anime News

11-1-04---- Blade: Trinity Soundtrack Anime / Manga Features

Lil' Flip, WC, E-40, The RZA, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan are among the platinum artists who appear on the highly-anticipated "Blade: Trinity" motion picture soundtrack from New Line Records. Set for a Nov. 23 release, the soundtrack features five tracks produced by The RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), who co-composed the film's score with newcomer Ramin Djawadi. A complete track listing for the soundtrack is below. Starring Wesley Snipes, Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel, "Blade: Trinity" is the third film in the successful Blade franchise and is scheduled for a Dec. 8 release.
"Working with The RZA was a great experience," said David Goyer, "Blade: Trinity's" director, writer and producer. "He pulls in so many different, wide-ranging elements for his sounds and constantly surprises you. You never know where he'll find inspiration."
The movie's soundtrack will be available in two editions. The "Deluxe" edition includes a nine-panel manga comic piece by Takashi Okazaki, the creator of the successful Afro Samurai series; and a bonus DVD that features a four-and-a-half minute anime piece from the creators of Blokhedz, a 13-minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the movie's music including interviews with David Goyer, The RZA and Djawadi; a 5-minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the anime comic; a "Blade" weapons gallery; early costume and production sketches for the "Blade" films; and a gallery of the international "Blade" movie posters.
"I'm really excited about the deluxe edition of the soundtrack -- it's always cool when you can give the fans something special and authentic," said Goyer. The soundtrack's other version does not include the DVD, comic, production sketches or the movie poster gallery. Following is the complete "Blade: Trinity" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack track listing:

Fatal -- The RZA I Gotta Get Paid -- Lil' Flip/ Ghostface Killah/ Raekwon When The Guns Come Out -- WC/E-40 Thirsty -- Black Keith & ODB Daywalkers (Foot Chase) -- Ramin/ RZA Party In Tha Morgue -- Kool Keith Skylight -- Overseer Hardwax -- Manchild Bombs Away -- Paris Texas Weapons of Mad Distortion -- Crystal Method The Blood -- Black Lab Blade's Back -- Ramin Diawadi

11-1-04---- China's Sun Wukong Realeases To High Definition EVD Format

From China's Xinhuanet comes details that the animated feature 'Sun Wukong' has been released for the first time in Beijing on Thursday, in the form of High Density Digital Laser technology or EVD, China Radio International reported Thursday. EVD is the upgrade of DVD, or Digital Video Disc, and the publisher planned to use EVD form to show world's cartoon fans a high definition picture. The old tale 'Sun Wukong,' based on the book of same name by the late Japanese renowned cartoonist, Osamu Tezuka, who is well known for the animation 'Astro Boy', or A Tong Mu in Chinese, now gets a new look with a sharper image.

11-1-04

- Indiana's Fort Wayne Journal has the piece, "Mad for manga", which describes America's continuing fascination with the art form.
- The Seattle Times restaurants section has a review for Fort St. George which offers up eclectic food and culture. For 11 years, this funky Asian joint in the Chinatown International District has given a Japanese twist to American staples, serving to a whirlwind of anime fans, fashionable Japanese women and Asian teens with dyed-blond hair. Former Mariners pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki also used to frequent the place.
- Macworld.uk examines the viability of Apple's itunes in the Japanese market. Yankee Group analyst Mike Goodman suggests that Apple may face cultural and market issues in the region. Speaking specifically of Japan, he told NewsFactor: "For a Japanese version of iTunes Music Store to work Apple will need to be sensitive to the unique dynamics of the Japanese marketplace. Although Japan has a reputation for being gadget-happy, its citizens tend to adopt products made by domestic companies, such as Sony."
Microsoft's experience with the Xbox gaming console in Japan is a case in point. The Xbox had done well did well in the United States and Western Europe, but failed in Japan. Goodman said: "It did horribly because Microsoft did not provide users with the sort of games they like. The Japanese tend to prefer fighting games that stylistically have the look and feel of Japanese anime ... rather than the sort of shoot-'em-up or racing games Westerners tend to go for." He predicts: "In order for iTunes to avoid Xbox-like pitfalls and have a successful iTunes Music Store launch in Japan, Apple needs to provide Japanese consumers with a strong library of Japanese music from top Japanese record labels and pop stars."
- Yahoo has a candid conversation with Tsutomu Kitagawa, the third suit actor to play Godzilla. (Thanks to Daniel for the link)
- The first volume of MPD Psycho, the detective/horror tv series based on a manga, will be released by Adness at the end of February 2005. The 2nd and 3rd volume will follow in April and June. The release dates have not been confirmed yet and you might expect the series to move for a spring/summer 2005 release. Source: Kung Fu Cult Cinema (courtesy Daniel Z)

11-1-04---- Black Salt Martial Arts Film Coming

Owen Ratliff, the president of Ratti Entertainment Group informed ANS that in collaboration with Aries & Co. are releasing a new martial arts film entitled Black Salt. The PG-13 movie will feature positive role models and strong discipline technique. This story is about a father's honor and an ancient and powerful style of martial arts that has been practiced in Shaolin for hundreds of years. Also on the table are plans for merchandise lines including apparel, comic book, video game, toys and mix martial arts tournaments to be held around the U.S. where Ratti Entertainment/Aries & Co. will be searching for some of the next fighting stars for the film.

The Black Salt film project will be produced in China and the United States. The firms have just developed a fundraiser program with the Black Salt apparel line. This program is for the martial arts community to raise money for there schools, uniforms or tournaments abroad in the U.S. For more information please check out their website at www.blacksaltfilm.com or call us at 1-800-568-1280.

11-1-04---- eigoMANGA Concert A Success

San Francisco, CA - eigoMANGA, a California-based independent comic book publisher and Tower Records produced a successful rock concert for the release of its Japanese-influenced (manga) comic book athology magazine, RUMBLE PAK.

On Saturday, October 24, Tower Records and eigoMANGA produced a successful rock concert in it's store in San Mateo, California called RUMBLE INVASION. Local eigoMANGA fans turned out the celebrate with eigoMANGA on this day.

11-1-04---- Ghost In The Shell: SAC Broadcast Reminder

The first season of “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” begins on Cartoon Network November 6th. “Adult Swim” will air a new episode each week for 26 weeks. The broadcasts will occur at 12:30 AM in the Eastern and Pacific time-zones (11:30 Central and 10:30 Mountain), and each episode will be repeated on the following Thursday at 1:00 AM Eastern and Pacific time.

10-29-04---- FUNimation Latest

Thanks to FUNimation for the following updates:

Here is a quick news update on one of the latest initiatives by FUNimation Home Video. Beginning November 2nd, uncut volumes of the Yu Yu Hakusho Spirit Detective Saga (volumes 1 - 7) will be repriced. The new suggested retail price of "Yusuke Lost, Yusuke Found", "Artifacts of Darkness", "A New Apprentice", "The Gate of Betrayal", "The Beasts of Maze Castle", "Seven Ways to Die", and "Rescue Yukina" will be $16.98 for DVD and $11.98 for VHS. Retailers are urged to order as soon as possible to take part in this uncut reprice.

The brand has never been hotter. Yu Yu Hakusho is a top rated show on Cartoon Network's Toonami Block, where the series can be seen every Saturday night, the sales of Yu Yu Hakusho DVDs are at an all-time high and Atari is releasing their Yu Yu Hakusho Tournament Tactics for the Game Boy Advance on November 16. Repricing is a great way to get fans into the first volumes of the series.

10-28-04

- The Guardian also explores the dark side of Japan today with a focus on the recent "suicide pact" trends in the country. Entitled "Japan's lost generation finds solace in suicide", the article examines how disaffected young people are using the internet to make pacts to end their lives.
- The Korea Times previews Myongdong, Seoul's Cartoon Day event occuring from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3. ``Cartoon Day aims to strengthen the relationship between those working for local comics such as storywriters, cartoonists and publishers of comic books and to promote domestic comics to their fans,’’ said Yun Dong-hun, planning director of the Korea Cartoonists Association, one of the organizers of the event. Although local comics and animations have recently been becoming popular overseas, they are being neglected despite their long history due to the massive influx of Japanese comics, illegal circulation of comic books and indifference in licensing and copyright issues of comics. So Cartoon Day will be meaningful for readers of comics as well as cartoonists as an opportunity to think how to improve the situation, Yun said. oung, Kim Jun-bum and Kim Poong.
- The World Press dives deep into "The Dark Subculture of Japanese Youth" in a new investigative feature. Obsession with self mutilation and exchange of info on diagnosed illnesses are mentioned as passtimes with this set as are dark music such as the bands Mook, Raphael, Caligari, and Kinaluna. Mook has singles called “Cut to Pieces” and “Dead Spirit.” Caligari has songs such as “Guillotine” and “The Season of the Slasher.” The Goth-Loli fashion trend is covered, mentioning the use of accessories like crosses and crowns. In extreme cases, some even carry small models of wooden coffins or blacken the area around their eyes with makeup to suggest a death mask. Do these symptoms suggest something more sinister coming over Japanese society? Read the entire article at the above link.
- The Newark Star Ledger has yet another mainstream take on the Casshern Dreamworks Deal.
- Coming Soon has their report on today's Casshern / Dreamworks News.
- Only Punjab has a release courtesy Immanion Press who has announced the UK and US publication of the book Pop Culture Magick, by Taylor Ellwood. According to the release: "Whether you see Britney Spears as a pop culture goddess, or the characters of Japanese Manga as the potential raw material for magickal creatures, Pop Culture Magick brings all the most topical icons and ideas into the realm of ritual. "
- New Briton Herald mentions Central Connecticut State University’s annual Japan-Korea Week is focusing on the tradition of Japanese-American relations and other aspects of American contacts with Japan and Korea. Several events are taking place on the CCSU campus; all are open to the public.
- Only Punjab reports Stonebridge Press is readying a new book on Donald Richie who was instrumental in introducing Akira Kurasawa and other prominent Japanese filmmakers to the West. The book includes his long-awaited personal journals full of famous names and yet full of people who make up the wonders of Richie's adopted home.
- IGN reports Bandai has been announced as the first to jump on board to support products using UMD-based movie content for the PSP. Tentatively titled "Kidou Senshi Gundam for PSP," this first in a new UMD-only "Disk Series" of titles will bring Bandai's ubiquitous franchise to the UMD format. The UMD will include part of the original 1979 cartoon series, although Bandai has yet to reveal the number of episodes. In addition to this, Bandai has announced that the disk will feature artwork, bonus materials, staff interviews and a dictionary of Gundam terminology. This early UMD content will be released to Japan in Spring of 2005.
- IGN has their report on the recent Dreamworks Casshern move.
- DVD Answers in the U.K. has a new review of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust feature which was released a few years back.

10-28-04---- Dreamworks Acquires Casshern Rights

DreamWorks Pictures has taken domestic distribution rights to the Japanese feature "Casshern." Based on a 1970s animation series, the live-action feature follows a young man reborn as a bioengineered being who becomes involved in a bitter struggle between humankind and androids. Japan's Shochiku released the film in April in its home country. The film, directed by Kazuaki Kiriya, was produced by Hideshi Miyajima, Toshiraru Ozawa and Toshiaki Wakabayashi.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter (Courtesy Daniel for the email submission)

10-28-04---- First Ever International Manga Competition To Offer $75,000 In Prizes

The first-ever annual international competition to identify the best in Manga and Anime talent in the world has been launched, with $75,000 worth of prizes to be won.

"We are looking for fabulous new talent wherever it is," says Dr Andre Singer of IMAF, who is the organiser of the competition. "The popularity of Manga and Anime is increasing worldwide, and the competition will create a new forum for Manga artists and Manga animators, whether professional or amateur, to show the dynamic scope of their 'fantastical pictures' and stories in the wonderful world of Manga."

Work from selected entrants will be on show at the first annual International Manga and Anime Festival, which is to be held at the historic London County Hall from December 16th - 19th. The festival will show an original and exciting mix of Manga and Anime from around the world in both a modern and original environment. Anime will be on show in and around the prestigious Debating Chamber within London County Hall using the latest AV technology, with other displays being held in the elegant Riverside Suites overlooking the River Thames, Houses of Parliament and London Eye.

A panel of experts including Internationally renowned Manga writer, Koike Kazuo, who wrote the acclaimed "Samurai Executioner", "Crying Freeman", "Lone Wolf and Cub" plus the British impresario, Pete Waterman, who has a deep fascination for the world of Manga, will judge the entrants to the competition and prizes will be awarded in January/February 2005 in the following categories:

Best Short Animation
Best Storyboard
Best Character

Within each category, prizes will be awarded for work appealing to young children, teenagers or adults, reflecting the wide appeal of the manga genre. Each category prize will be worth $5,000, with a first prize of $30,000 for the best overall entry. The deadline for entries is November 30th 2004.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the IMAF website on www.imaf.co.uk which has full terms and conditions of the competition.

"The widespread influence of Manga is considerable but has received little acknowledgement by Western audiences. The Lion King and Finding Nemo, both fabulously successful films, were based on Anime, and there are hundreds of examples of Western-style animated movies taking their inspiration from Manga," continues Dr Andre Singer.

"It's now time for Manga and Anime to gain full international recognition and we have created a new focus for Manga through an international Festival together with the setting up of an animation centre, CHASE, here at London County Hall, lead by Manga experts from all over the world including Japan, South America, Europe and China."

10-28-04---- ADV Film's Kevin Cochrane To Adress LINK Licensing Conference In Miami

Kevin Corcoran of A.D. Vision, Inc. (ADV) will offer insights into building successful merchandising partnerships with major retailers, as part of the November 2-4 LINK event (License Magazine's Licensing International Networking Conference) in Miami, Florida. ADV, through its subsidiary, ADV Films, is the leading producer and distributor of Japanese animation (anime) and related products, capitalizing on one of the hottest trends in entertainment.
LINK, presented by License! Magazine, is an executive-level conference and networking opportunity tailored to licensing executives. On the second day of the conference, Corcoran will address attendees on how to successfully pitch a new product to major retailers, including Best Buy, Musicland and Suncoast, as well as how to then develop strong partnerships with these retailers in an effort to build a loyal and solid consumer base. Corcoran will provide specific examples of how ADV has collaborated with retailers to grow America's anime fans into one of the fastest growing consumer segments of entertainment goods and services. He will also discuss how the company utilized stellar relationships with retailers to expand beyond its core business into new areas such as publishing and merchandising.

Corcoran serves as EVP, COO and CFO of Houston-based ADV, which has helped fuel the burgeoning anime business into an estimated $4.5 billion industry. Primarily known for its success in the home video market, ADV is now experiencing unparalleled growth due to strategic expansions into cable television, publishing and consumer goods. Their ADV Toys division, created in August 2003, creates and markets exclusive toys and collectible merchandise based upon the company's extensive film, manga (graphic novel) and original content holdings. In only its first year, the division has brought to market merchandise in a number of categories, including hats, lunchboxes, plush toys, t-shirts and more. The company will begin meeting with potential licensees in 2005 for a full-scale merchandising campaign on behalf of its hundreds of titles.

10-27-04---- NHK Anime Discussion Program Takes Off

Japanese TV Network NHK recently began an anime talk show titled Anime Yawa (http://www.nhk.or.jp/manga/anime.html). The network has of course ran a similar program, Manga Yawa for some time now. Featured guests so far on their panel include Rintaro, Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Dezaki, Morio Asaka, Mamoru Oshii, Isao Takahata and just recently Hideaki Anno.

10-27-04

- Canada's Edmonton Sun examines the wild and weird side of Japan's 'Hai Definition' televison programming.
- Heavy Metal Music reports the band FEAR FACTORY (www.fearfactory.com) (Mortal Kombat (1995), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), SAW (2004) ) had worked with music supervisor Jonathan Platt on the soundtrack to the 2004 sci-fi anime film Galerians: Rion (www.galeriansrion.com), which featured a remix of the single “Archetype”, and a special video for the track was filmed.
- As many know, the largest Japanese expatriate community outside of Nippon is located in the San Francisco / San Jose area of the American state of California. The San Francisco Examiner takes a look at the city's Japan Town which has taken a step this week to ensure the preservation of it's rich cultural history. The Japantown Task Force released a preliminary draft report identifying potential historical preservation targets within San Francisco's Japantown, one of only three left in the United States.

10-27-04---- Seven Seas Entertainment Launches Web Home

Seven Seas Entertainment announced today the launch of their web site, www.gomanga.com. The site will initially promote Seven Seas' four flagship titles: Amazing Agent Luna, Blade for Barter, Last Hope and No Man's Land, as well as providing an online community for fans to meet the creators and discuss manga from around the world.
"Most manga have the benefit of exposure in Japan before they are released here in the U.S.," commented Seven Seas president, Jason DeAngelis. "We wanted to give readers a similar chance to see our books and get excited about them before they hit the shelves." To this end, each of the four launch titles will be made available for free to anyone who visits gomanga.com, with several pages appearing each week up to and beyond the February 2005 launch date.
Gomanga.com will be updated every weekday with a wide variety of material, including . Never-before-seen pages from each manga every week . Articles about the industry and the process of creating World Manga . Character sketches, cover treatments, and original artwork from the Seven Seas manga artists . Forums devoted to manga and anime from all over the world . Exclusive downloads and interactive contests

Gomanga.com is supervised by Jake Forbes, veteran manga editor and fan, who is contracting with Seven Seas to create and manage content for regular site updates. "The internet has long been the unsung hero of manga's explosive growth around the world, with online communities turning series like Fruits Basket and Rurouni Kenshin into 'hits' years before their English-language debuts," said Forbes. "Gomanga.com will offer readers the same opportunity to discover and discuss exciting new manga, only here they'll have the unique opportunity to interact with creators as well." All four Seven Seas manga are set to release in February 2005.

10-27-04---- ShoPro Entertainment Zatch Bell License Goes To Bandai America

ShoPro Entertainment (www.shopro-entertainment.com) has signed a comprehensive licensing deal with Bandai America for an inventive line of Zatch Bell! video and trading card games that will be sold throughout the mass market. The licensing news follows the recent announcement that Zatch Bell!, a dynamic action adventure series aimed at boys 8-14 years old, will make its television debut on Cartoon Network in Spring 2005. The all-new Zatch Bell! videogames will be available on all major platforms: PS, PS2, X-Box, GameCube, and Gameboy Advance.
ShoPro Entertainment is a recognized expert in delivering top Japanese entertainment brands to audiences worldwide. With Bandai America the company will extend the brand experience for Zatch Bell!, the latest phenomenon from Toei Animation, a leader in Japanese animation, production, and distribution.
"We're very excited to be working with ShoPro Entertainment's team to launch video and trading card games for Zatch Bell!," said Bill Beebe, Sr. VP, Sales and Marketing, Bandai America. "Bandai's proven strength in the gaming sector and growth in the collectible games arena will prove advantageous as we work together to build a fan base for this unique property throughout the U.S. and Canada."
"Partnering with Bandai America, a subsidiary of the third largest toy company in the world and an authority on toy development, is a tremendous opportunity for the Zatch Bell! brand," said Cynthia Money, Vice President of Consumer Products, ShoPro Entertainment. "We're eager to see Bandai's product development in action. We know the gaming experiences they will create for Zatch Bell! will deliver innovative and compelling game play."

Zatch Bell!, introduces American audiences to the world of good and evil demons and the quest of Zatch Bell! to become the benevolent king over all of the demons that have come to Earth to conduct the ultimate battle. Reluctant as he may be to fight against the evil demons, Zatch Bell! battles his adversaries with the help of his human friend, Kory. The power of the duo grows stronger as their relationship develops.

10-27-04---- Exclusive: Peter Chung Developing New Film With Animatrix's Studio DNA

Aeon Flux creator Peter Chung is reportedly involved in developing an independent feature film with Seoul-based studio, DNA ("Matriculated" - The Animatrix). Chung will write, design and direct the film and work with the studio utuilizing a combination of traditional and digital techniques to present an innovative and distinctive new style of animation.

10-27-04---- Koneko November December 2004 Issue Released

Raptor Publishing has announced the latest issue of it's German language 'Koneko' Magazine which deals on the topics of Anime / Manga and J-Pop. This time around, a special competition is being held. The focus is centers around the magazines catgirl mascot. Now they are looking for readers to submit renditions of a "Catboy for Koneko". The design must be at least DIN-A4 large and colored (Copics or PC). The best drafts will be decided on 15th December, and published in the magazine. Several prizes will be given out courtesy sponsors Anime Virtual, j-Stuff, Nintendo, Ubi soft and Wacom. The closing date is 26 November 2004. More information to the Catboy Contest are on www.raptor.de or in the new KONEKO (No. 5/04), which are available this week on German news stands.

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