Anime News Service - September 18-23 Anime News

9-23-99---- Character Kits To Ship In October

Here is a list of Anime related character figure kits to be released in Japan in October:

Betterman (B-Club Medium: Resin 1/8th Scale)
Sakura (Height: 180mm) 8800 Y

To Heart (Kotobukiya Medium: Resin 1/8th Scale)
Nagaoka Shiho 6800 Y

Sailor Moon (Kaiyodo 1/4th Scale)
Sailor Mercury (Completed) (Painted and completed model, Height: about 40cm) 28000 Y

Tenshi Ni Narumon (Kotobukiya Medium: Resin 1/6th Scale)
Noel 9800 Y

Shugogetten
Kotobukiya Xiao-Ring School Uniform (Medium: Resin 1/6th Scale) 12800 Y
Tsukuda Hobby Xiao-Ring (Medium: Soft Vinyl PVC Figure) 6800 Y

Bakabon (Tomy)
Unagi Inu Walking Mascot 680 Y

Sakura Wars (Tsukuda Hobby 1/5th Scale)
Orihime Action Doll 12800 Y
Reni Action Doll 12800 Y

Sentimental Graffiti (Tsukuda Hobby 1/5th Scale )
Adachi Taeko (School Uniform) (Med. Soft Vinyl,fully poseable, completed and painted) 9800 Y
Adachi Taeko (Deluxe Uniform) (Med. Soft Vinyl,fully poseable, completed + painted) 13800 Y
Morii Kaho Action Doll (Medium: Soft Vinyl) 12000 Y

Karekano (Tsukuda Hobby 1/5th Scale)
Arima Souichirou Action Doll 12800 Y

Black Jack (Tsukuda Hobby)
Pinoko Completed Model 2500 Y

Nanako Kaitaishinsho (Kotobukiya Medium: Resin 1/8th Scale)
Nanachigusa Nanako 7800 Y

Nanachigusa Nanako (Medium: Resin) 7800 Y

Tsukuda Hobby (1/5th Scale) Clothes for Doll Yukata 2500 Y

Tsukuda Hobby (1/5th Scale) Clothes for Doll Waitress 2500 Y

Tsukuda Hobby (1/5th Scale) Clothes for Doll One-Piece 2500 Y

9-23-99---- Model Kits To Ship in October

Anime related model kits to be released in Japan next month:

Shin Getter Robo (Romu Medium: Resin)
Getter 1 6500 Y
Getter Dragon 6500 Y

Mazinger (Aoshima Medium: Injection)
Mazin Kaiser 3500 Y

Master Grade (Bandai Medium: Injection 1/100 Scale)
Gundam NT-1 Alex (MG) 3000 Y
Rick-Dom (MG) 4000 Y

Zeta Gundam
Bandai Medium: Injection 1/144 Scale HG Type 100 (Hyakushiki) (Gold plated) 1500 Y
B-Club Medium: Resin 1/100 Scale Hyakushiki Kai (Type 100 Kai) (Full action, Height: 195mm) 19800 Y
B-Club Medium: Resin 1/144 Scale Assimer 16800 Y

Gundam 08th MS Team (Bandai Medium: Injection 1/144 Scale)
GM Sniper 1000 Y

Gundam 0079 (B-Club Medium: Resin)
Jet Stream Dom (Fixed pose, 3 pose, Height: 115 mm) 6800 Y

Ultraman (Tsukuda Hobby)
Ultraman Daina Medium: Resin 4500 Y
Ultraman Tiga Medium: Resin 3500 Y

Speed Racer (Imai Medium: Injection)
Mach Go wo/Figure 1500 Y

Thunderbirds (Imai Medium: Injection)
TB-2 Triple Container 1/350 Scale 2500 Y
TB-1 Landing Type 1500 Y
TB-2 w/Display Stand 1500 Y

Big X (Imai Medium: Injection)
Big X V-3 New Package 3500 Y

Tetsujin 28 (Imai Medium: Injection)
Testujin 28 Brown Body 4500 Y

Virtual-On (Wave Medium: Injection 1/144 Scale)
Temjin D.N.A Side 1200 Y
Raiden for Mimy Sarpen 1600 Y

Guyfard (Tsukuda Hobby Medium: Resin)
SD Guyfard & Deathfard 5600 Y

9-23-99---- Chrono Trigger Animation Clips

Gamespot has posted 2 video clips giving viewers a glimpse at the awesome Bird studios animation sequences to be included in the upcoming Chrono Trigger PSX rerelease. You can view the first one by clicking here and the second one here.

9-23-99---- Pokemon Lawsuit

A lawsuit filed Sept. 17th in a San Diego, CA, federal court has added Nintendo and Wizards of the Coast to a list of other companies being sued over "questionable" marketing tactics a group of lawyers considers as gambling. According to the lawyers, kids pay for packs of the popular Pokemon collectible game cards, which may or may not include rare or valuable cards. Kevin Roddy, the Milberg Weiss attorney who filed the suit, told the San Diego Union-Tribune "[Parents] don't realize that it's a form of gambling, but it troubles them that their kids are so obsessed with these Pokemon cards.... It's nothing more than a lottery disguised as a kids game."

9-23-99---- Ghibli Museum Sketches

You can view some incredible looking sketches of the upcoming Studio Ghibli museum, drawn by director Hayao Miyazaki himself here.

9-23-99---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Sony is set to release the PSX RPG, Arc The Lad III, as part of a double CD set in Japan on Oct. 28. This time around, the world has befallen a tremendous cataclysmic event, a new card system is added to the game in which you ca use defeated enemies transformed into cards for attacks. You will also be able to use saved data from Arc the Lad 2 in this game. Sony will also release their new PSX Action RPG Alundra 2 in Japan on Nov. 18, for 5800 yen.

Jaleco announced a new arcade karaoke music game called Star Maker, scheduled for release in Japanese arcades in November. The game will feature over 100 pop songs and support up to 2 players simultaneously.

Konami has a new Japanese arcade music game called Rap Freaks, in the game you attempt to become a pro rapper. You place your hands onto 2 hand shaped controllers, follow the signals on screen and match the beat while rapping into the microphone. There is a new arcade version of Dance Dance Revolution out too called "Karaoke Mix", in this game you have to dance on the DDR pad, while singing into the microphone as if you are a singer.

9-22-99---- CG Starship Troopers To Go On Hiatus

Netter Digital's CG RoughNecks: Starship Troopers will be pulled from the Sci-Fi Channel on October 4th, due to several production problems. Firstly, Flat Earth (half of the total production) pulled out of the project with less than half of the 40 eps. in it's first season completed, next, the Bohbot's Kids Network apparently sold the series to the Sci-Fi Channel without permission. Sony, who's funding the project, didn't think the series was ready. Sci-Fi is expected to put the show back on the air around January, when the remainder of the 40 eps. is completed.

Source: IGN

9-22-99---- Transformers Movie DVD

DVD Animania is reporting that a possible Rhino DVD release of the Transformers Movie may occur next year.

9-22-99---- Fushigi Yugi DVD Release Delayed

The release date for the Fushigi Yugi DVD boxset has been pushed back to Dec. 30th.

9-22-99---- Review: Sailor Moon Manga

We recently had a chance to check out a few of Mixx Entertainment's newest Manga releases:

Sailor Moon #12: In the 12th volume of the popular Sailor Moon Comic series, we learn that Rini and the Black Moon are actually from the 30th century. Sailor Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter (who were captured aboard a Black Moon UFO), have been taken there and Rini begs the help of Sailor Moon, Venus, and Tuxedo Mask. They decide to go there and in the fourth dimension they meet Sailor Pluto, The Guardian Of Time. Once in the future, they are attacked by the Artificial Jewel Brothers! After defeating them, they go into a crystal palace and see a familiar figure encased in crystal, Rini's cat, Diana runs to meet her and we are introduced to another familiar figure, who looks exactly like Tuxedo Mask!
$2.95, Out: Now, Pages: 48, Size: 6 5/8 x 10 1/4

Sailor Moon Pocket Mixx Graphic Novel #4: This volume recounts the story told in Sailor Moon Comics #7-10. Sailor Moon defeats Queen Metallia, Rini is introduced, and the Scouts begin their battle against the Black Moon! Extra in this vol. is an article written by creator Naoko Takeuchi.

$9.95, Out: Now, Order Direct From Mixx, Pages: 192

Sailor Moon Super S Pocket Mixx Graphic Novel #2: Super S Pocket Mixx #2 continues the story of the Scouts battle against the Dead Moon Circus and Queen Nephrenia. Elysion's Priest, Helios also introduces himself. This vol. also includes extra Battle Exam chapters: "Lita's Melancholy", "Amy's First Love" and "Raye and "Mina's Girls School Battle". Extra is an article by creator Naoko Takeuchi on her trip to America!
$9.95, Out: Now, Order Direct From Mixx, Pages: 176

Overall, the Mixx Sailor Moon releases have been put together really well. Good story translation, excellent sound effect translation and keeping close with the original manga.

9-22-99---- More Dragon Ball Z On The Way

Funimation is set to release Dragon Ball Z Volumes 24 & 25 on video Oct. 20th.

9-22-99---- AnimeVillage News

AnimeVillage has cancelled it's dubbed versions of AWOL 2 & 3, Ehrgiez 2 & 3, and Eatman ’98 2, 3, & 4. However, they still plan to release dubs for the first vol. of each series. AnimeVillage has announced of box sets for Eatman (sub), Escaflowne Best Collection (sub), Gundam 0083 (dub), Haunted Junction (sub), Saber Marionette J Again (dub & sub), Gundam 0080 (dub), and Gundam movies (dub). They all should be out soon

Source: Anime Nation

9-22-99---- Urusei Yatsura DVDs

Animeigo is accepting preorders for it's upcoming DVD releases of Urusei Yatsura. They will initially release 5 sets: Four sets will consist of 5 single-sided DVDs, each containing 4 TV episodes. Set 1 will be the equivalent of UY TV VHS Tapes 1-5, Set 2 Tapes 6-10, Set 3 tapes 11-15, and Set 4 tapes 16-20. The 5th set will contain all 5 UY Movies and all 11 OVAs on 8 DVDs. They won't be able to release Movie 2, Beautiful Dreamer (CPM owns the rights), but they will make the Movie/OVA box big enough to hold one extra DVD, so if you buy the CPM UY Movie 2 DVD, you'll have a place to put it. 2 TV episode sets will be released initially, then the Movie and OVA set, and then two more TV episode sets. They intend to release additional UY TV episodes on DVD as well, announcements should be forthcoming. Each DVD will be individually packaged in a standard Amaray DVD case, and each set will be enclosed in a collector's box. Odd numbered DVD cases will actually be 2-DVD flippy cases. The DVDs will contain the original program, the original Japanese audio track, and selectable English subtitles. By request of the Japanese licensor, the DVDs will be region-encoded so they only play in US/Canadian players. Liner notes included in the set will be in the format of loose-leaf binder pages, and a special binder will be provided with the first set. Very cool! You can preorder the sets directy from Animeigo by clicking here.

9-22-99---- Viz News

Viz Communications has announced Nov. release for the final wedding issue to Maison Ikkoku, and a delayed January release for Ranma 1/2 TV series volumes: Marry Me, Akane and Buns of Steel.

9-22-99---- Anime Manga Gaming

Square will release a special Chocobo Collection package (featuring 3 Chocobo titles in the package: Chocobo Stallion, Chocobo Dungeons 1 & 2) on the same day it releases Chocobo Stallion for PSX, on Dec. 22, in Japan.

Banpresto will release the 3 remake versions (Super Robot War EX, Super Robot War 2 & 3) of Super Robot Wars Complete Box separately in December, for 2000 yen each. Each game is identical to the ones included in the Complete Box.

Konami has announced a new PSX 2 RPG called Reisilied. The game will feature full 3D environments, turn based battles, and anime style CG graphics. In the game you play a young female, who is accompanied by a party of male characters.

Some new details are out on Phantasy Star Online, which is to include network support. In the game you will have to search for 3 other partner characters over the internet, and form a battle party. Each team member can chat, as well as exchange items and weapons.

9-21-99---- Bandai Visual (Emotion) News

Bandai Visual (Emotion) is producing a 3 vol. OAV adaptation of Yuki Kaori's Gothic Angel Santuary manga, currently running in Hakusensha's Flowers And Dreams magazine. Directed by Sayama Seiko, character designer and animation direction by Shimamura Shouichi. Bandai Visual will release the 1st vol. in Japan on 2/25/00, #2 on 4/25, and #3 on 5/25.

Bandai Visual will also be releasing the first half of The Super Dimensional Fortress Macross TV series and the first volume of the Macross Pluss OAV on DVD on Jan. 25th in Japan. Macross TV DVD Box #1 will retail for 15,800 yen, Macross Plus 1: 9,800 yen. Manga Entertainment will release the first and second volumes of Macross Plus on DVD on Oct. 12th. and Animeigo should have the entire Macross TV series released on Video and DVD in North America by late spring, early summer of 2000.

9-21-99---- Miyazaki Interview

Moriarty, from Ain't-It-Cool News, has conducted an incredibly well done interview with Mononoke Hime Director Hayao Miyazaki, you can read it here.

9-21-99---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Parasite Eve II for PSX is out in Japan on Dec. 9, for 6800 yen.
Square's Final Fantasy X, for the Playstation 2, tentatively scheduled to release in Japan in March 2001, is expected to incorporate communication support. Details are currently unknown, but this could obviously point toward internet multiplayer capability.

Capcom will release their PSX version of Street Fighter EX2 Plus in Japan on Dec. 22. The PSX version will have a number of new play modes not found in the arcade version.

At the Tokyo Game show, Banpresto annouced it will release Super Robot Taisen Alpha for Playstation in Japan on Dec. 29.

Sega's Dreamcast Shen Mue Chapter 1: Yokosuka will span 4 GD-ROMs, and support the Dreamcast modem. Over 350 characters will appear in the game.

ASCII's awesome looking Action / RPG Berserk, will be out in in Japan on Dec. 16.

Over 164,000 attended the Tokyo Game Show this past weekend, breaking previous records. 300 companies participated and over 450 games were exhibited.

9-20-99--- Princess Mononoke To Show At Chicago Institute Of Art Ghibli Retrospective

The of Chicago Institue of Art is scheduled to hold a Studio Ghibli film retrospective running from Oct. 7th through the 23rd. Among the films to be shown is Princess Mononoke, here's the schedule:

Mononoke Hime Thursday, October 7th 6:00 PM
Whisper of the Heart Saturday, October 9th 3:30 PM
Heisei Tanuki Kassen Ponpoko Thursday, October 14th 6:00 PM
Porco Rosso Saturday, October 16th 3:30 PM
Kiki's Delivery Service Saturday, October 23rd 3:30 PM

For more information, visit the institute's website here.

9-20-99---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Square had a 2 level playable demo of Parasite Eve II for PSX setup at the Tokyo Game Show. The game is a prequel, taking place 3 years before PE 1, Aya is now working with a team called MIST (Mitochondria Investigation and Suppression Team), and none of the previous characters will return to the game. Development of PE 2 is being handled by a new team from Osaka. Parasite Eve II is scheduled for a winter release in Japan.
Square announced that they will bring Dew Prism, Vagrant Story, Parasite Eve II and Chrono Cross to North America. Vagrant Story will be released sometime in the first quarter of 2000, Dew Prism will be released in the second quarter.

Namco's Playstation 2 version of Tekken Tag Tournament, will feature 34 playable characters, and dramatically improved polygon count and graphics over the arcade version.

Sega will release the (arcade ver. 5.4 based) Dreamcast version of Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram in Japan on Dec. 18. the game will retail for 5800 yen. The Dreamcast version will include higher polygon counts over the arcade version, network support an a host of new features. Short range attack power will be increased, and long range attack power will be reduced, to encourage face to face battles. Higher importance will be given to V-Armor value and the Rolling function will be removed.

9-20-99---- Top Manga Sales (Japan) (As of September 20th)

1. Rurouni Kenshin # 29
2. Bastard!! # 21
3. Futari H # 8
4. Ren-Ai Catalog # 13
5. Brain Powerd # 3
6. AZUMI # 15
7. Kindachi Shonene No Jikenbo Case # 4
8. Those Who Hunt Elves # 13
9. X # 13
10. Meiryoutei Gotoh-Seizyurou # 8
11. Salaryman Kintarou # 20
12. Bucho Sima-Kousaku # 3
13. Iyashino Ha # 5
14. Clover # 6
15. Sentimental Season
16. Barairo No Ashita # 5
17. GTO # 12
18. Kanna-San Daiseikoudesu! # 5
19. Silent Mobius # 11
20. Ryo # 12

9-19-99---- Kenshin Manga Ends

Nobuhiro Watsuki's manga masterpiece, Rurouni Kenshin has to come to an end with the release of vol. 29, which has just been put on sale in Japan. Kenshin has consistantly remained one of the best selling manga titles sold in Japan over the last 5 years. The manga has spawned an hugely successful 95 eps. TV series, movie, and OAV series, which is currently running. OAV #4 is out on the 22nd of this month, an official data book: Kenshin Kaden, is expected in late Nov., and a new Rurouni Kenshin Animation Memorial Box and BGM CD: Rurouni Kenshin Premium Collection, are both scheduled to be released on Dec. 18th. So while the Kenshin Manga may have ended in Japan, the total experience is far from over, and here in the U.S., it has'nt even begun. This could change very soon, strong rumors are circulating of a possible imminent North American acquisition of the TV series, a deal to acquire the manga is also rumored. As for Kenshin's creator, it's currently unknown what Watsuki sensei's plans are now, but it's said he may be working on a new manga series.

9-19-99---- Manga Deliverd Via Internet

Manga Access Ticket, a new internet service that launched Sept. 10th in Japan offers subscibers popular manga weeklies currently serialized in Shonen Sunday Magazine and Shonen Magajin Magazine. The service currently offers 8 titles including, The Case Book Of Young Kindaichi, GTO, Arms and Great Detective Conan. Subscribers must purchase and then download a special software program called an "Electronic Ticket", the ticket will enable you to read one serialization for 3 days at 50-100 yen ($.50-$100). Service is said to be fairly exceptional, subscribers can expect to recieve their manga almost within a week of it's publication. Unfortunetly, the service is currently only available to those living in Japan.

Source: Anime Scene

9-19-99---- Anime Ai No AwaAwa Hour

Hideaki Anno is directing the Gainax produced TV series, Anime Ai No AwaAwa Hour (Anime AwaAwa Hour of Love). The series, which consists of three seperate mini shows is currently airing on Japanese DirecTV channel 221. The 3 stories that make up Anime Ai No AwaAwa Hour are: Oruchuban Ebichu, with a hamster character, Ebichu; Koume-chan Goes!, revolving around a female office worker with a Kansai dialect; and Ai No Wakakusayama Story (Wakakusayama Story of Love), about four sisters with twisted personalities and two animals.

* Source: J-Dream Direct News Letter, J-Dream Web

9-19-99---- Limited Edition Chun Li Stamps

Stamps featuring the popular Street Fighter character, Chun Li, are to go on sale soon in the Central African Republic. The stamps comemorate the 10th anniversary of her appearances in Capcoms many games. Appearing on stamps, will be original illustrations of Chun Li from Street Fighter: 3rd Strike. The stamps can be used as legal postage within the Central African Republic, but otaku, Chun Li, and Street Fighter fans around the world are already looking to add them to their collections. Stamps will appear on sheets 151 X 182 mm. One sheet will include 4 different images of Chun Lee.

* Source: J-Dream Direct News Letter, J-Dream Web

9-19-99---- Comp AG

Kadokawa Shoten's new magazine, Comp AG (Anime&Game) started running in Japan Aug. 19th. The magazine has a focus similar to Newtype, including anime such as Macross, Gundam, and Evangelion, where it differs from Newtype, is it's equal attention given to anime related video games. The first issue shows Ruri from Nadesico on the cover, and includes a drawing to win a telephone card with an original Nadesico illustration by Keiji Gotoh, as well as a long article on Gainax's latest RPG game, Bokyaku no Senritsu.

* Source: J-Dream Direct News Letter, J-Dream Web

9-19-99---- Top DVD Sales (Japan) (As of September 13th)

1. D4 Princess vol.2
2. DVD Ultra Seven vol.7
3. DVD Ultra Seven vol.8
4. Cowboy Bebop 9th Session
5. Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2 the Movie
6. Akazukin Cha-cha DVD-BOX vol.1
7. You're under arrest (Taiho Shichauzo) Special vol.2
8. Blue Submarine No.6 vol.3
9. Dual! Parare Runrun Story vol.3
10.Better Man vol.1

9-19-99---- Top Laserdisc Sales (Japan) (As of September 13th)

1. The Affiars of Two Lovers vol.6
2. Cowboy Bebop vol.9
3. Ultra Seven -The Day Fruit Ripes-
4. Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2
5. To Heart vol.4
6. Devilman Lady vol.8
7. D4 Princess vol.2
8. Blue Submarine No.6 vol.3
9. Taiho Shichauzo (You're under arrest) Special vol.2
10.Nankai Kikou vol.8

9-19-99---- Top Manga Sales (Japan) (As of September 13th)

1. Kindaichi Shounen no Jiken-bo (Kindaichi's Crime files) Case 4 Seimaru Amagi/Fumiya Sato
2. X 13 CLAMP
3. Ren-ai Catalogue (Catalogue on Love)
4. Salary Man Kintaro 20 Hiroshi Motomiya
5. Dear Boys ActII 5 Hiroki Yagami
6. Hanazakari no Kimitachi he 9 Hisaya Nakajo
7. Clover 6 Toriko Chiya
8. Hajime no Ippo (the First Step) 49 George Morikawa
9. Bucho Shima Kosaku (The Executive Kosaku Shima) 3 Kenji Hirokane
10.Tenshi Kinryoku (The area where the angels can't be hunted) 15 Kaori Yuki

9-19-99---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Videogames.com has an in-depth review of all the events at this weekend's Tokyo Game Show.

9-18-99---- Chrono Trigger Animation

The highly anticipated PlayStation rerelease of Chrono Trigger is being showcased at the Tokyo Game Show this weekend. Akira Toriyama provided character designs for the game and Square is running animation sequences produced by Bird Studios from the remake on it's huge screens, everyone who's had a chance to see it, describe the anime sequences as absolutely incredible. Bird has created more than 20 minutes of high quality animation for the game, it's rated at OAV to theatrical quality. Sequences are expected to be included as the intro, ending(s), and throughout the game at important story events. The game is out in Japan in November, in advance of the sequel, Chrono Cross, which is to be released in Dec. Unfortunetly, Square EA has confirmed at the show that it has no plans to bring the rerelease to the U.S. at this time.

If you want to see the Chrono Trigger remake in the U.S., contact Squaresoft and tell them you would like it released! Here's their contact info:

Fax: 1-714-438-1705
Mailing Address:
959 South Coast Drive,
Suite 400, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

9-18-99---- Anime / Manga Gaming

Tokyo Game Show News:
Enix has setup 50 playable demo units of their highly anticipated PSX RPG Dragon Quest VII "Warriors from Eden".

Square is showing their new games on two 200 inch screens, including the newly announced Parasite Eve 2.

SNK is porting The King of Fighters '99 "Millennium Battle" To Dreamcast. Japanese release is schedulaed for March 2000. A Neo Geo CD version of the game will be out in December.

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