Anime News Service - October 9-17 Anime News

10-17-06 (4:48AM EDT)---- Warren Ellis Writing Anime Inspired Castlevania

Dark Horizons linked a news item at Film Junk which indicates Transmetropolitan author Warren Ellis will be writing the script for a direct-to-video Castlevania animation film. Of note is the following section of the article: ...chairman and CEO of Panacea Entertainment Eric Gardner, had this to say: I think there will be anime elements of it, but it's going to be more hints of anime as opposed to traditional, full-blown anime - we're hoping it has a very distinctive, unique style that's instantly recognizable as what will become the animated Castlevania brand.
A big thanks to Daniel Zelter for the above news.

10-16-06 (5:14AM EDT)---- Takehiko Inoue Plans Instructional Video / BBall Scholarship

IT Planning mentions that one of his upcoming projects is an instructional drawing guide for home video, which is tentatively scheduled for an 11/28 release. He also intends to start a basketball scholarship for Japanese players. Thanks To Daniel Zelter for the news items.

10-16-06 (12:59AM EDT)---- Grudge 2 Tops US Box Office Weekend

Friday the 13th proved to be an ideal launch date for "The Grudge 2," as Sony Pictures' horror sequel scared up an estimated $22 million over the weekend to lead the movie industry at the box office. The picture opened at the low end of expectations and grossed 44 percent less than its predecessor from two years ago, "The Grudge," based on Sunday's studio estimates.
Source: The Los Angeles Times

10-15-06 (7:25PM EDT)---- Grudge 2 Opens In 3000 US Theaters This Weekend

Directed by Takashi Shimizu the Sony Pictures Hollywood sequel to 2004's The Grudge has opened this weekend in more than 3000 movie theaters across the USA. The horror film comes just in time for the Halloween season where movie goers usually seek a bit of a scare. The first film, based on the Japanese original The Juon became a smash hit in America, bringing more than 110 million dollars at the boxoffice. Look for a few Japanese celebrity cameos including Misako Uno of the music group AAA. Grudge 2 will open in Japan in 2007. In recent years Japanese horror films have become an increasingly popular pop culture export joining anime, manga, video games and J-music. Their appeal demonstratably crosses over and overlaps with audiences of these other products as well.

10-15-06 (6:51PM EDT)---- Kyocera: Overseas E-Manga Sales At 200 Million Yen In 2 Years

Japanese company KCCS recently started their business plan rollout to distribute manga digitally overseas. With a heavy initial focus on the Asian market Kyocera aims at sales of 200 million Yen in 2 years. A Chinese Language website established in Singapre will be followed by web presences in Taiwan and Hong Kong in the near future. Their delivery model currently uses encrypted net delivered content which can be read in a propriatary single purpose browser. 30 works are being offered now and will be increased to about 50 works within the year. The price is said to be about equivalent with that of manga sold in book stores in Singapore.

10-15-06 (6:16PM EDT)---- Dai Aku Tsukasa Hentai Controversy In Spain

After a short run nationally on Spanish televison, Green Bunny's hentai anime OVA Dai Aku Tsukasa has generated a bit of national controversy in the European nation. This has culminated in a discontinuance of the anime's future broadcast following a wide array of media attention on the nature of the content, which some say shows child character pornography and adult characters having sex with children characters. The origin of the affair apparantly started in several critical Spanish blogs after the initial broadcast on September 24. Conservative viewer groups immediately jumped on the bandwagon and began to voice their disapproval to the network and maintream media until eventually newspapers and later televison caught wind of the story. Despite the fact of disclaimers being aired beforehand on the adult nature of the content and the midinight timeslot, a weight of negative viewer responses has ended the anime's chances for future broadcast.

10-15-06 (5:25PM EDT)---- 1,000 New Animation Frames Added To Haruhi DVD's

In an October 14th entry to Kyoto Animation's restarted Haruhi Suzumiya production diary some info on the added scenes and props in the DVD was mentioned. At the bottom of the page the diary entry states over 1,000 pieces or frames have been inserted into the existing animation for the DVD release of the original TV series. On August 27th ANS first reported on new scenes and props showing up on the Japanese release R2 DVD's.

10-15-06 (5:09PM EDT)---- Captain Tsubasa Mangaka Stars In Toyota CM

46 year old Yoichi Takahashi, creator of the worldwide hit Captain Tsubasa manga will star in a new TV comerical spot for Toyota Motor in Japan. The artist and storyteller becomes the latest celebrity to be part of an ad campaign Toyota launched in April. Past stars in the commercial series include American actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Anime and Manga luminaries promoting Japanese automobiles is nothing new, a few years back Evangelion animation director Hideaki Anno starred in a spot for Nissan.

10-15-06 (3:19PM EDT)---- Tokikake Wins Best Animated Film Award At Sitges

Winner results are out from the Festival Internacional de Cinema de Catalunya 2006. More commonly known as Sitges (for the name of the city it's held in), the Spanish film festival has been held 39 times as of this year. It occured October 6-15th. The big news for anime fans, Director Mamoru Hosoda, Kadokawa and Studio Madhouse's Toki Wo Kakeru Shoujo (Tokikake) has taken the ANIMA'T Gertie Award for Best Animated Film. Screening under the title THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (which seems to be the semi-official English title Madhouse is using for screenings outside Japan, having used it several times) it joins other honored Japanese animation works more recently including Square-Enix's Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children whoch won the Honorary Maria Award last year. Likewise, other anime winners of the top long piece animation prize include Satoshi Kon's Tokyo Godfathers in 2003 and Katsuhiro Otomo's Steam Boy in 2004. Also competeing in the segment were Kihachiro Kawamoto's puppet animation film THE BOOK OF THE DEAD (he earned a Special Mention prize) and Satoshi Kon's Paprika. A number of Japanese observers online have noted the significance of Tokikake's win over Paprika, which by all accounts has been a much higher profile film with a more internationally well known director and past film history. Highly praised in Japan, being run in limited release it has become a breakout underground hit across a diverse range of demographics, packing out showings there and observably making fully grown middle aged salary men in business suits cry like babies by the time the credits roll. Both a wide mainstream theatrical release in Japan or pickup in America are yet to be determined for this very powerful film. www.kadokawa.co.jp/tokikake/

10-13-06 (6:56PM EDT)---- Peaceout To Clover Studio

Capcom has announced the dissolution of it's development subsidiary Clover Studio on October 12, 2006. Best known for producing the game Viewtiful Joe (which later became an anime), Atsushi Inaba headed the development Capcom Production Studio 4 and then at Clover Studio. Capcom said the company was dissolved to attempt an efficient development plan by concentrating resources under the main company group. Clover closes it's doors in March, 2007.

10-13-06 (6:28PM EDT)---- Di Gi Charat Winter Garden To Be TV Special

Broccoli unveiled the format for it's Winter Garden Di Gi Charat animation spinoff will be a television special. Broadcast is expected this winter, possibly on TBS in Japan.

10-13-06 (4:14PM EDT)---- Tachigui at 35th Festival du Nouveau Cinema de Montreal

After its North American premiere in Vancouver and its second European screening at Sitges 06, Mamoru Oshii's Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast Food Grifters (original title: Tachiguishi Retsuden, 2006, 104') will be back to Canada for the 35th Festival du Nouveau Cinema de Montreal (FNC). Oshii's movie has been officially selected for Temps O (Time Zero), the festival's section that brings together the hottest names in genre cinema and animated films.

Screening schedule: Date: October 22, 2006 (Sun) Time: 01:15 am Place: Ex-Centris, Fellini Theater (3536 Boul. Saint Laurent) Date: October 23rd (Mon) Time: 03:55 pm FNC official website: http://www.nouveaucinema.ca

10-13-06 (4:10PM EDT)---- New Geneon DVD Dates

According to Geneon Animation Pistol Opera director Seijun Suzuki's romantic fantasy featuring Zhang Ziyi and Jo Odagiri, Princess Racoon, will be out on dvd on Nov. 28. Also, Geneon mentions that the Tales of Phantasia anime's street date is January 2. Big Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the submission.

10-13-06 (4:09PM EDT)---- Tokyopop To Produce Lament Of The Lamb Film

Fresh on the heels of acquiring worldwide film rights to its hit manga series, Lament of the Lamb, a gut-wrenching horror story of a young man who shockingly discovers he may be the last in a bloodline of vampires, TOKYOPOP has chosen the property to launch the company's first foray into independent film production. Currently in development, the Lament of the Lamb film venture has landed a coveted "In The Spotlight" position at this year's 19th Annual Tokyo International Film Festival. Ranked as one of the world's largest film festivals and Japan's only officially approved international film gathering, the 2006 Tokyo International Film Festival will be held in Tokyo from October 21 through October 29, 2006.
Created by Kei Toume and originally published in Japan by Gentosha, Lament of the Lamb follows the physical and mental torment of a man who discovers that he is cursed with a hereditary disease that makes him crave blood. A metaphor for teenage alienation, twisted sexual desire and insanity, Lament of the Lamb presents psychological horror at its best.
Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP CEO & Chief Creative Officer, is producing the film. "We are honored to be spotlighted at one of the world's most significant film festivals. I believe what impressed the committee most about Lament of the Lamb was the distinctive East-meets-West approach to our production," Levy stated. "We'll script the story in Hollywood, attach a Japanese director, cast in the West, and shoot in Eastern Europe. Clearly, this production represents what TOKYOPOP as a media company is all about, from its business model to its creative approach."

According to a statement from Tokyo International Film Festival Chairman, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, "Co-productions with a wide range of countries have increased in number, not to mention a spate of Hollywood remakes, as a burgeoning cinematic diaspora transcends the confines of national and regional borders. At a time when Asia is basking in the glow of such unprecedented attention, the Tokyo International Film Festival continues to consolidate its status as a launch pad for such superb works."

10-11-06 (10:27PM EDT)---- Production I.G. Shorts At Holland Animation Festival

Production I.G will enter a number of short animation films into the competition division of the 11th Holland Animation Film Festival to be held November 1-5th in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Five works in total will be screened there, they are: Mylene Farmer - Peut-etre toi by Naoko Kusumi, Kirin Lemon 77: Enter the Seven Sevens by Katsuto Ishii, Kirin Lemon Black: Monster Blacks Gyakushu-hen by Katsuto Ishii, Blood+ (Opening Film Version 03) by Naoyoshi Shiotani and Ghost In the Shell S.A.C. 2nd Gig by A.T.

10-11-06 (7:50PM EDT)---- John Ledford interview On Anime Industry Restructuring

JETRO is carrying a Japanese language interview with ADV President John Ledford. The article which can be accessed by paid subscription only covers reorganization and restructuring of the American anime industry, and how he has tackled great media changes such as online distribution of contents and illegal file swapping, etc.

10-11-06 (6:27PM EDT)---- New Bikkuriman Anime Site Opens

Toei Animation launched their official website for the upcoming Happy Lucky Bikkuriman at www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/h-l-bikkuri/.

10-11-06 (6:24PM EDT)---- Idolmaster TV Anime Goes Mecha

Sunrise has updated their official presite for the upcoming Idolmaster Xenoglossia TV anime. Shocking and surprising alot of Japanese fans, the main splash image addition to the site confirms some teasers that have been going around in the big anime mags this month: Idolmaster will feature mecha. This is a new twist in the format of the property as it currently exists on the game and music side. Junichi Akutsu (My Otome) has been announced as mechanical designer. You can see his design (which is reminiscent of the designs Konami is using for it's biomechanical mechs in Metal Gear Solid 4) at the link.

10-11-06 (5:46PM EDT)---- Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Omnimedia Project

Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica author Sakaki Ichiro has in the past been awarded the 9th Fujimi Fantasy Novel Grand Prize. His Scrapped Princess novel sold more than one million copies and was later adapted to manga and anime by BONES (Cowboy Bebop). He will also be involved in the Devil May Cry anime in the scenario department. T.O Entertainment will be involved in the production of the Polyphonica project. As of yet the format is undecided although the domain is registered under .tv. In their Tuesday press release T.O said they have plans to develop the work in various media besides animation. In 2005 T.O announced the creator's novel Straight Jacket would become an anime movie and TV series. They took their plans to Tokyo Project Gathering to find potential investors. 7 novel volumes published as of about a year ago had sold 40 million copies. It's been noted on a few Japanese blogs that following TPG in Oct. 2005 no new info regarding the Straight Jacket anime has been published. On a side note T.O is involved in the Chavelier TV series animated by Production I.G. and a new live action film based on a story by Kei Oshii titled "1303 Room". Capital for that project is coming from an undisclosed overseas source.

10-11-06 (4:55PM EDT)---- Y's Origin Site - Trailer

Falcom opened the website for it's upcoming Y's Origin PC game. The fan favorite RPG (also known as Wanderers From Y's ) has its roots in the 1980's Japanese computer system NEC PC-8801. A Y's anime OVA was produced in 1992. 4Gamer has posted a zipped 1 minute 28 second 5.64MB video trailer in Windows Media format.

10-11-06 (4:47PM EDT)---- Naruto Wins 2006 Quill Award

VIZ Media LLC, one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that Shonen Jump NARUTO Vol. 7 has won the 2006 Quill Award for Best Graphic Novel, a first for any manga.
Source: Papodebudega Blog

10-11-06 (4:07AM EDT)---- Slam Dunk Mangaka On Xbox 360 Game

IT Planning mentions Takehiko Inoue will be contributing the character designs for Mistwalker Studios' upcoming "Lost Odyssey". More information can be found on the game at Wikipedia. Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news.

10-10-06 (8:25PM EDT)---- Animeigo Licenses First Miike Film

From Animeigo's site: We are pleased to announce that in 2007, we'll be releasing acclaimed director Takashi Miike's Graveyard of Honor. A fearless dishwasher saves the life of a Yakuza boss and rises to power quickly, but misunderstandings and drug-fueled paranoia inevitably result in murder and mayhem!
Thanks To Daniel Zelter For The News.

10-10-06 (8:23PM EDT)---- Suspected Plagarism In D.Gray Man?

There's been some discussion in the Japanese web recently concerning accusations of "Pacuri" or appropriation of material from existing manga against Katsura Hoshino's D.Gray Man manga. The website betty.jp/black_/ and several BBS and internet forum postings have spread the accounts and side by side images pointing out the similarities. The latest example featuring a side by side panel from Death Note and D.Gray-Man #92 can be viewed here. A past example can be viewed here.

10-10-06 (7:50PM EDT)---- Passengers Help Generate Power For JR

Japan Rail East have begun tests of a "Power Generation Floor" that makes electricity by the walking of passengers passing through a station. The test begins at Tokyo Station near the North Exit on the 16th. The goal is to have the system provide 100% power to automatic ticket machines. Oscillations created by the energy of passenger footsteps will work similar to the way a music speaker system generates sound. The actual amount of power generation is displayed on a panel and equates around 70-100 milliwatts per person. That amount of power can light a 100 watt bulb for around 10 minutes. Around 700,000 people use Tokyo Station each day. One day such a system could be used to meet the requirments of station lighting. Experiments continue there throughout December.

10-10-06 (7:07PM EDT)---- Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Updates

The official website for the recently announced Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica anime has gone live at www.polyphonica.tv. The original novel series has sold 200,000 copies in Japan.

10-10-06 (6:52PM EDT)---- Paprika Soundtrack Announced

After a successful showing at the Venice International Film Festival in September the original CD soundtrack for Director Satoshi Kon and studio Madhouse's pyschological thriller animnation film Paprika has been announced for a November 23rd release in Japan (product number CHTE-0038). TESLAKITE is the publisher and the retail is 2800 Yen. 13 tracks are collected therein, arranged by Susumu Hirasawa (Berserk). Somewhere around the beginning of 2007 will mark the theatrical debut of the movie in Japan.

10-10-06 (6:38PM EDT)---- Gedo Senki Drops Off Japanese Box Office Top 10

Japan Box Office October 7-8 Courtesy Kogyo Tsushinsha. This marks the first weekend Studio Ghibl's Gedo Senki (in it's 11th week of release) has dropped off the top 10 ranking:
1. WORLD TRADE CENTER
2. Nada SoSo
3. Hula Girl
4. THE LAKE HOUSE
5. The Laws Of Eternity
6. THE SENTINEL
7. THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT
8. X-MEN: THE LAST STAND
9. LADY IN THE WATER
10. Ultraman Mebius & Ultraman Brothers

10-10-06 (6:14PM EDT)---- Anime Is Most Downloaded Content On Winny

At the "Black Hat Japan 2006 Briefings" hacking and IT security event held in Tokyo on October 6th a panel headed by Takayuki Sugiura spoke on the current status of the Winny network. Despite the creator being arrested and crackdowns coming left and right from the Japanese police, 3rd party developers continue to evolve similar spinoff programs and users of the P2P file sharing software are currently estimated at 400,000-450,000 people a day. Main contents moving through Winny 3 years ago were hentai images and video games although now mainstream anime, hentai images and then music rank as the dominate transfers (in that order). The most popular anime shared are usually late night series and out of the top 30 file downloads at any given time about 27 will be anime. Sugiura's group estimates about 5,000 people on Winny have donwloaded the Haruhi Suzumiya TV series. (editors note: the figure seems very low) Around 3% files are esitmated to include virus attachments.

10-10-06 (5:04PM EDT)---- USA Release Planned For New Giant Robo Anime

Based on the classic mecha manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, ANS has learned Soft Garage's forthcoming GR - Giant Robo animation will get an overseas release in primary English language markets. Planning has already begun, with the official site www.gr-anime.com offline as of this posting to incorporate a new English language version (we nabbed an advance preview image of the site you can see at right). This is pretty much unheard of for an anime which has yet to even properly be announced in Japan. It also speaks volumes toward the international plans for distribution. Look for some more information on this subject when a production announcement event is held on October 24th at the 19th Tokyo International Film Festival. The new anime is expected to be part of a 40th anniversary revival project. 1992 anime director Yasuhiro Imagawa will return to work on the manga version as script writer. New manga serials are planned in two magazines (Comic Gum, Champion Red) now as well.

10-10-06 (4:08PM EDT)---- Winter Garden And Rozen Maiden Oubuture Debut

According to November edition of Animedia Rozen Maiden Ouberture and the DiGi Charat sequel Winter Garden will broadcast this winter on TBS.

10-10-06 (12:21AM EDT)---- Blue Dragon X Box 360 Bundle

Gamespot talks about a gaming new X box 360 package in Japan which retails for 29,800 yen and includes the forthcoming Blue Dragon rpg from Hironobu Sakaguchi and Akira Toriyama as well as related figures and a faceplate. Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news.

10-9-06 (7:13PM EDT)---- Asahi TV Anime Top 100

TV Asahi has released the results of it's 2006 Top 100 Anime survey in which Japanese viewers vote for their 100 favorite animation TV series in six categories. This year's top 5 from the judge's list are: Lupin III, Dragonball, Doraemon, Tomorrow's Joe and Mobile Suit Gundam.

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