Father Geek, he of the blistered finger tips, here once again with another mammoth edition of our regular weekly column dealing with all things Manga and/or Anime, annnnnnd as is the usual case ol'Father Geek has some info for you that was sent directly to Geek Headquarters here in Austin, Texas...
DRAGONBALL - Official movie poll
Which actor would you like to see play Goku?
Vote now for: Brad Pitt, Jackie Chan, Jet Li,
Keanu Reeves, Robin Shou, The Rock or Tom Cruise...
Just Click Here To Vote
Then I've got this for you...
BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT INC. CONQUERS ANIME EXPO WITH VISIT FROM FILM CREATOR, FILM PREMIERE AND BUILDING CONTEST
Film Debut of Char's Counterattack Concludes Long-Awaited Rivalry
CYPRESS, Calif. (July 2, 2002) -- Anime fans beware! Bandai America Inc. and Bandai Entertainment Inc. will invade Anime Expo 2002 in Long Beach on July 4-7. As one of the convention's main sponsors, Bandai's announcements and activities include:
* Home Video Launch. Bandai Entertainment Inc. will announce upcoming projects and the release of four new home video titles for North America, including Argento Soma, Melty Lancer, .hack//SIGN and Infinite Ryvius, during a panel discussion.
* Char's Counterattack Premiere. Bandai Entertainment Inc. will premiere the long-awaited theatrical release of the first original Gundam film - Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack. A limited theatrical rollout is planned with engagements across North America shortly after. Presented with English subtitles, this Japanese animated film culminates the television series of Mobile Suit Gundam, Z Gundam and Gundam ZZ. Taking place 14 years after the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, Char's Counterattack concludes the long-running rivalry between hero Amuro Ray and his nemesis Char Aznable. After years of conflict between Earth and the space colonies, Char has devised a radical solution. By bombarding Earth with asteroids, he will render the planet uninhabitable and force all of humanity to live in space. All that stands in Char's way are Amuro and one small Earth Federation fleet. The destiny of the human race will be decided by the final clash between these two Newtype warriors.
* Special Screenings. In addition to Char's Counterattack, anime fans can enjoy special screenings of Jin-roh: The Wolf Brigade in English and Escaflowne in Japanese with English subtitles.
* Panel Discussions with Shoji Kawamori. Legendary creator Shoji Kawamori (Macross, Escaflowne, Arjuna) will be attending Anime Expo. Fans will be given the opportunity to meet and interact with him at the Arjuna focus panel discussion on Saturday, July 6, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
* Focus Panel with Koichi Mashimo. Renowned director Koichi Mashimo (.hack//SIGN, Noir) will participate in a two-hour focus panel regarding the upcoming .hack//SIGN anime series on Saturday, July 6, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition, Bandai Entertainment will premiere the first episode of .hack//SIGN as well as footage from the PlayStation 2 RPG video game.
* Model-Building Contest. At the Bandai booth every day of the show, a Gundam model-building contest, sponsored by Bandai America Inc., will allow anime aficionados to enter and win prizes, such as t-shirts, DVDs, Gundam model kits and action figures. Every hour, two teams of two people will build level-one Gundams and compete against the clock to find out who has the fastest fingers. Expo attendees can register for the contest at the Bandai booth, and participants are chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis.
* Booth Activities. Bandai's booth will showcase Gundam, anime toy collectibles and two video game consoles, which will allow fans to test Bandai's latest interactive games, such as Federation vs. Zeon and the upcoming RPG/anime series ? .hack. A variety of giveaways will be distributed at the booth, including Gundam posters.
* Animation Dance Party. On July 4th and 5th, Bandai Entertainment Inc. and BPM Culture Magazine will host a dance party for convention attendees at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Anime enthusiasts will dance the night away as electronic music's upcoming DJs, including Sean Montgomery (AstralFX) and Christian Dwiggins (Moonshine), spin records synchronized to Japanese animated presentations.
Anime Expo is the largest convention devoted to Japanese animation and manga (comics) in the United States. Hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, Anime Expo is the gathering place of fans and professionals in the anime and manga industry.
Whew... looks like loads of fun... Now I've got this final bit for this week...
First off, we're a small (recently founded) Animation studio based in NZ called "MUKPUDDY ANIMATION" made up of 3 animators, all in our early 20's whose aim is to create original web animation for a (world wide) general audience.
So far the Mukpuddy site consists of 2 monthly series, the first being "Dirk Banzai: Secret agent Lemur" about a small and hugely inept international Spy. The second is "Skid & Hokey" which follows the adventures of 2 aliens banished from their home planet only to find their way to Earth where they are warmly accepted against their will.
The site also consists of Process work (designs, model sheets, storyboards etc) and also features a merchandise section (t-shirts, jumpers, mugs etc).
Our site can be seen by going to, mukpuddy.com
We've been up for just over a month and we've already featured on the cover (and inside) Dodgy Mag, a NZ internet magazine.We've also won 2 international "best animation site" awards, within the last week.
Feedback so far has been hugely positive and we feel confident in the fact that our ideas have the potential to succeed.
Basically there's nothing like this coming out of New Zealand. In a country of 4 Million, we're 3 guys providing web cartoons to the world.
Thanks heaps...
Ryan Cooper,
Tim Evans,
Alex Leighton of
Mukpuddy.com
Father Geek back briefly... Check these guys out and give them some E-mail feedback. Now here's Scott with our regular weekly column...
The AICN Anime Report...
by Scott Green
Anime Spotlight: Ghost Sweeper Mikami
Released by Manga Entertainment
Fans of Slayers or other not-so-serious odd-squad vs/demonic invasions action comedies will probably enjoy Ghost sweeper Mikami. If you've seen much anime, you're almost guaranteed to have seen the elements re-assembled here, high every busty heroine, haughty rival, Shinto anti-evil post-it-notes, light saber-like weapons, regal evil overload with cool henchmen, ect.
Despite this, the movie features some very novel elements, such as some interesting and well animated fight scenes, and an inspired twist on vampire lore with a Western style vampire, with crosses, garlic, cross ect. who is Japanese to the degree that he is performed Noh Dance ceremonies, has a spider-demon samurai servant.
Ghost Sweeper Mikami's strongest and most enjoyable feature is its cast (which may be a little too large for the 60 minute movie), a group of exorcists/ghost hunters lead by the beautiful, and profit minded Mikami, her lecherous/hapless assistant/bait Yokoshima, cute/level headed ex-ghost Okinu, Catholic priest Father Karasu, half vampire Peat (or Pete, both are used), and their rivals, European "King of Magic" Doctor Chaos, with his robot assistant Maria, voodoo-priestess Ranmaru, and her bubbly partner Rukudo the herder of a menagerie of cute demonic beasts.
Manga Spotlight: GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (volume 2)
By Tohru Fujisawa;
Released by TOKYOPOP
GTO is exquisitely original, heart warming tale for people who would rather be reading about sex and violence. It provides something new in a sea of familiar genres and conventions. Onizuka is a 22 year old virgin, jobless loser with a less than savory past. He figures then becoming a teacher will be a clean solution to all of his problems. After a little torture, his initially problematic position as a student teacher ran so smoothly he was able to intervene in the life of a student, in his unconventional, but inspired way. Now, he has to land a real teaching job.
The second volume of GTO sets the template for the series going forward. After the first volume set the tone for the series, and established an example of what to expect this one laid the foundation. Onizuka finds a school that will take him, a vice principal who loathes him (not thanks to a smashed nose, German suplex, and destroyed car), and vein of sincerity in his original less than noble motivation for becoming a teacher. There is a nice edge of subversiveness to Onizuka's view of his role as a teacher. All the while it maintains a frantic pace, never slowing down too long, but allowing enough time for some interesting interactions with his new nemesis, a supporting old friend, or new fellow teacher, and some great former associates including a very Clockwork Orange-esque thug turned cop.
There are a few cases where the it would have been nice to have had the sound effects translated, but in the majority of cases they can be determined from context or shape. The instances in which the sound effects where an extension of facial expressions was less in this volume, and it looks as though some where translated. Given that the Authentic Manga line is very by some to be an effect to reduce the amount of touch-up work, it is mildly surprising to see some excellent work in integrating the English text into the art, in what looks to be difficult situations. There appear to be few minor jokes or levels of meaning lost from untranslated symbols and text, but as a whole it is extremely satisfactory. Unless you absolutely cannot train yourself to read right to left, be sure to take advantage of the line to get a large quantity of a series like GTO for an inexpensive price.
Anime Spotlight: Princess Nine Strike Zone
Released by ADV Films
Princess Nine is a good summer diversion about a girl's high school baseball team competing in a boys league. The anchor point of the team is Ryo, a driven young pitcher, whose deceased father was somewhat of a legend, and to a lesser degree Izumi, the antagonistic, and hyper-competitive daughter of the school's chairwoman, who founded the team. She is supported by a cast of stereotypical, but increasingly endearing characters that you'd recognize if you've ever a baseball movie; the fat catcher, the country bumpkin, the violent rebel, ect.
It's terribly melodramatic, everyone is against them, every situation is do or die, there's interpersonal conflicts between the team's stars, deeply rooted historic conflicts, and things that go wrong that you'd never expect. It even has Giant Robo-style drama opera-esque background music. Once you start expecting every conflict to be drawn out, and exacerbated as much as possible, and that the story is as hyper-stylized as the characters, you can enjoy the intensity and drama of the series.
The series break the pattern of previously volume, and successfully starts throwing out unexpected twists. The volume even gets around to shedding some light of the history of Ryo's father, without getting more interesting aspects of his relationship with the team's coach and Izumi's mother. Things happen sooner than you'd expect, and it manages to throw some real curves. The character become more likable. Once it gets into a grove, the episodes pass with a strange quickness that makes the series very addictive. If anything, the new problem is that is tries to hit the tear jerker buttons too often.
This Week's Anime And Manga Releases
Anime
- Power Stone - The Last Battlefield (Vol. 6)
Manga
Individual Manga Issues
- Bastard #7 Fighter (2 Of 3) (Mr)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 7 #2 (Of 7)
- Silent Mobius Turnabout #6 (Of 6)
- Vagabond Vol 2 Tp
Manga Re-Releases
- Oh My Goddess Love Potion Number Nine Tp
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 1
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 2
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 3
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 4
- Power Stone - The Last Battlefield (Vol. 6)
Manga
Individual Manga Issues
- Bastard #7 Fighter (2 Of 3) (Mr)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 7 #2 (Of 7)
- Silent Mobius Turnabout #6 (Of 6)
- Vagabond Vol 2 Tp
Manga Re-Releases
- Oh My Goddess Love Potion Number Nine Tp
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 1
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 2
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 3
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 4
- Bastard #7 Fighter (2 Of 3) (Mr)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 7 #2 (Of 7)
- Silent Mobius Turnabout #6 (Of 6)
- Vagabond Vol 2 Tp
Manga Re-Releases
- Oh My Goddess Love Potion Number Nine Tp
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 1
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 2
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 3
- Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Perfect Coll Vol 4
Nausicaa is Hayao Miyazaki's (Kiki's Delivery Service, Mononoke Hime) ecological epic about a messianic young girl who finds herself the focal points of the warring kingdoms that popular a world full of poisonous forests and giant insects.
Vagabond volume 2 continues the fictionalized biography of Miyamoto Mushashi, one of history most famous and respect samurai.
Upcoming Anime Releases
Compiled by Anime
on DVD
- Blue Gender 6 - 10/1
- Blue Gender 7 - 10/1
Blue Gender is a mecha-bug hunt sci-fi with some
interesting character interrelations, and a sense of
brutality.
- Cardcaptor Sakura Vol. #12 - 29.95 - 11/12/2002
- Cardcaptors Vol. #10 - 24.95 - 10/22/2002
- Gatekeepers Vol. #8 - 29.95 - 11/12/2002
- Fancy Lala Vol. #3 - 24.95 - 11/05/2002
- Dragon Ball: Fortune Teller Baba: Goku's Journey - 10/1
- Drgaon Ball: Tien Shinhan: Tournament Day - 10/1
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 'Feature Pack' - 10/1
The Dragon Ball Z Feature Pack includes movies Lord
Slug, Cooler's Revenge and Revenge of Cooler
- Fruits Basket DVD 1: A Great Transformation? - 10/29
- Grave of the Fireflies Collectors Series - 29.98 -
10/08/2002
Grave of Fireflies is emotional classic about two
orphans of the World War III firebombing of Kobe.
- Hellsing Vol. #3 - 29.95 - 11/12/2002
- Kimera - 19.98 - 09/10/2002
- Legend of Himiko Vol. #2 - 29.95 - 09/10/2002
- Love Hina Vol. #6 - 29.95 - 11/19/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Vol. #1 - 19.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Vol. #2 - 19.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Vol. #3 - 19.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Box #1 - 49.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Complete Operations -
199.98 - 09/24/2002
Gundam Wing is a more shoujo take on Gundam, with more
attractive robots, and angst filled pilots.
- MD Geist I/II Collector's Series - 29.95 - 09/10/2002
- Outlaw Star: The Collection - 89.98 - 09/10/2002
- Ronin Warriors Vol. #8 - 24.95 - 11/19/2002
- Steel Angel Kurumi Vol. #3 - 29.98 - 08/27/2002
- Strawberry Eggs Vol. #2 - 29.95 - 10/22/2002
- Tenchi Muyo: Pretty Sammy/Mihoshi Special - 29.95 -
10/29/2002
The Pioneer Animation website now lists the Tenchi
Muyo! Mihoshi Special DVD. This DVD will also include
the Pretty Sammy OVA series, which is due October 29th
with a $29.98 price-point. The Mihoshi Special was not
included in the original Tenchi Muyo DVD releases.
- Tsukikage Ran Vol. #1 - 29.95 - 09/10/2002
Tsukikage Ran is an episodic samurai comedy/adventure
about a wondering woman samurai, and her Chinese
Kung-Fu practitioner side-kick.
- Yu-Gi-Oh 1: The Heart of the Cards - 9/24
- Yu-Gi-Oh 2: Into the Hornet's Nest - 9/24
More Raijin Manga Anthology Info
- Blue Gender 6 - 10/1
- Blue Gender 7 - 10/1 Blue Gender is a mecha-bug hunt sci-fi with some interesting character interrelations, and a sense of brutality.
- Cardcaptor Sakura Vol. #12 - 29.95 - 11/12/2002
- Cardcaptors Vol. #10 - 24.95 - 10/22/2002
- Gatekeepers Vol. #8 - 29.95 - 11/12/2002
- Fancy Lala Vol. #3 - 24.95 - 11/05/2002
- Dragon Ball: Fortune Teller Baba: Goku's Journey - 10/1
- Drgaon Ball: Tien Shinhan: Tournament Day - 10/1
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 'Feature Pack' - 10/1 The Dragon Ball Z Feature Pack includes movies Lord Slug, Cooler's Revenge and Revenge of Cooler
- Fruits Basket DVD 1: A Great Transformation? - 10/29
- Grave of the Fireflies Collectors Series - 29.98 - 10/08/2002 Grave of Fireflies is emotional classic about two orphans of the World War III firebombing of Kobe.
- Hellsing Vol. #3 - 29.95 - 11/12/2002
- Kimera - 19.98 - 09/10/2002
- Legend of Himiko Vol. #2 - 29.95 - 09/10/2002
- Love Hina Vol. #6 - 29.95 - 11/19/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Vol. #1 - 19.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Vol. #2 - 19.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Vol. #3 - 19.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit G-Gundam Box #1 - 49.98 - 11/05/2002
- Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Complete Operations - 199.98 - 09/24/2002 Gundam Wing is a more shoujo take on Gundam, with more attractive robots, and angst filled pilots.
- MD Geist I/II Collector's Series - 29.95 - 09/10/2002
- Outlaw Star: The Collection - 89.98 - 09/10/2002
- Ronin Warriors Vol. #8 - 24.95 - 11/19/2002
- Steel Angel Kurumi Vol. #3 - 29.98 - 08/27/2002
- Strawberry Eggs Vol. #2 - 29.95 - 10/22/2002
- Tenchi Muyo: Pretty Sammy/Mihoshi Special - 29.95 - 10/29/2002 The Pioneer Animation website now lists the Tenchi Muyo! Mihoshi Special DVD. This DVD will also include the Pretty Sammy OVA series, which is due October 29th with a $29.98 price-point. The Mihoshi Special was not included in the original Tenchi Muyo DVD releases.
- Tsukikage Ran Vol. #1 - 29.95 - 09/10/2002 Tsukikage Ran is an episodic samurai comedy/adventure about a wondering woman samurai, and her Chinese Kung-Fu practitioner side-kick.
- Yu-Gi-Oh 1: The Heart of the Cards - 9/24
- Yu-Gi-Oh 2: Into the Hornet's Nest - 9/24
More Raijin Manga Anthology Info
Excerpted from rom the press release: First Weekly Serial Manga Comic Book Set For U.S. Launch In November 2002
For Animé Expo 2002 - As a result of the explosive growth in the anime genre, Gutsoon! Entertainment, Inc. plans to launch a new product line, Raijin Comics, a weekly manga comic book anthology based on Japanese stories and characters, translated for the North American market. Retail sales will begin in November 2002.
Unique to the North American Issue of Raijin Comics will be Fujin, a special supplement included in the weekly issues, will provide readers up to the minute details on anime, videogames and trends in Japanese culture.
Gutsoon! Entertainment's anticipates initial circulation for Raijin Comics to be 15,000 copies per week. Following the lead from it's Japanese counterpart, Gutsoon! plans to introduce an expanded character line in the weekly anthology, which will initially feature leading manga artists Hojo's City Hunter, Hara's Fist of the Blue Sky, Inoue's Slam Dunk, and Niwano's Bomber Girl . The key demographic for the company's product remains 15 to 34 year old males, however, the increase in story lines with strong female characters has generated equal interest among female readers.
Results of Latest Newtype Fan Poll
From AnimeNation
Newtype Magazine has published the results of its
current fan polls in the new July issue of the
magazine. Shows without web links do not have official
series sites. Japanese names are spelled in Japanese
order.
Favorite Male Character
Favorite Female Character
Favorite Show
Online Anime Periodicals
Ninth Art has posted a new entry in their "The Occidental Tourist"column about shoujo (girl's) manga here
The cover story of the July AnimeFringe high energy comedy Excel Saga, reviews of Escaflowne: The Movie, Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Box Set, Zoids Vol.2, Card Captor Sakura Vol.8, Ranma 1/2: Random Rhapsody Vol.8, Chobits Vol.1, Phoenix: A Tale of the Future, and articles on Hellsing, Read or Die and NieA_7.
Anime articles in the July issue of Sequential Art include a features of designer/animator Tetsuya Aoaki, and his upcoming manga Angel's Wing, an interview with manga artist Yu Watase (creator of Fushigi Yugi and Ceres, Celestial Legend), and a series of articles on mecha anime (including Macross Plus, Patlabor, Evangelion, Vandread, Escaflowne, Z-Mind, and Gundam Wing).
The issue also includes conventions reports from Animazement 2002, Project A-Kon XIII, anime reviews such as Boogiepop Phantom , Escaflowne The Movie, Excel Saga, Getter Robot, Metropolis, Soul Hunter, and manga reviews such as Call Me Princess, Domu: A Child's Dream, Kadocha, Record of lodoss War, Slayers.
Harlock Saga back in Production
Anime News Network reports VAP has announced that they have obtained Leiji Matsumoto's permission to re-starting production on the new Harlock Series, Endless Odyseey. The DVD release date and TV air date are currently unknown. There are no details about what kind of changes have been / will be made to the series in order to gain Matsumoto's permission.
Smile Magazine Cancillation
Anime News Network reports Kristien Brada explains Tokyopop's decision to cancel the shoujo (girl's) manga anthology Smile Magazine as an attempt to free up more resources for other work, particularly on the "Authentic Manga" line of products. "We were really blown away, in a good way, by the response to the Authentic Manga line," explains Brada, "We want to be able to put just as much time into each book (Authentic Manga)."
While Ms. Brada didn't mention any specific new licenses, her comments suggest that Tokyopop has licensed a larger number of Manga titles for release under their Authentic Manga line, explaining the need for more resources just to put "as much time into each book."
When asked if Smile Magazine wasn't financially viable any more she responded that wasn't the case, and that it was a tough decision to cancel the anthology. She also stressed that every title in Smile magazine is, or will soon be, available in graphic novel form.
Anime in Japan
From Anime News Service Kodosha's ongoing look at the giant robot war story Gundam includes an interview with executive producer Yoshii Takayuki, who conformed their a new Gundam, directed by Fukuda Mitsuo (Gear Senshi Dendoh, Yami no Matsuei) in the works to be broadcast this fall.
A TV commercial for Overman King Gainer, the new Tomino Yoshiyuki work to start airing on July 6th can be viewed in Streming Format. Character and mecha designs are also up on the website.
According to the diary entries for music production company Sparks, work has commenced on the music for a third season of Galaxy Angel, a young man, and beautiful super-powered women sc-fi.
Sony has announced that on September 19th, they will be releasing a special edition of the new Kenshin OAV series Rurouni Kenshin Seisou Hen. The director's cut features new scenes and two new music pieces by composer Ishizaki Taku. Kenshin is a samurai action about a former political assassins who gave him killing, and chose a wandering life of protecting people.
According to the official Mahoromatic web site, the new Mahoromatic series, Motto Utsukushii Mono ("Something More Beautiful"), will begin at 12:30 a.m. on Friday. Mahoromatic is Gainax (Evangelion's) series about a former warrior robot who takes on a more human life as a made.
August's issue of Dengeki G's Magazine reports more Sister Princess will be animated. Sister Princess is yet another guy surround by pretty girls anime about a boy who is sent to an island where he is the old boy after failing his high school entrance exam.
New trailers have been posted for the 6 Angels movie and Satoshi Kon's Millennium Actress. Millenium Actrss is Satoshi Kon's (best known for the suspense thriller Perfect Blue) love story/tribute to Japanese cinema.
Pioneer will release Yamato creator Leiji Matsumoto's (Battle Ship Yamato/Star Blazers) semi-autobiographical film Genso Dai Yojohan Dai Monogatari on DVD in Japan August 23rd. The 1980 movie was directed by Matsumoto, based on the manga. Catalog number: PIBD-1111 Price: 4,700 yen (excluding tax) 97 minutes, Dolby Digital monoaural Japanese language track, using a new 16:9 anamorphic telecine master and including a 2 minute trailer for the movie Comes with 4 page booklet.
The long anticipated Sentou Yousei Yukikaze OVA has planned to rollout in Japan over twelve months. Volume 1 is due August 25th at 6,090 yen. Volumes 2 - 5 shows every 3 months on the 25th.
The official Japanese Bandai Visual homepage has announced that the third Patlabor movie, WXIII Patlabor, will debut on special edition Japanese DVD on September 25th. The DVD will include a "making of" documentary, audio commentary from the production staff, trailers and TV commercials, and optional English subtitles.
The DVD will also include a 24 page full color booklet of liner notes, a book of production design sketches and storyboards, and apparently two DVD cases. (The Japanese site isn't very clear about this: "Gorgeous box which contains two tall cases and separate volume booklets of DVD.")
The DVD will retail for 12,800, or roughly $105 American. http://www.bandaivisual.co.jp/webuser/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCBA-1289
The official homepage of voice actor Koyasu Takehito (Aya of Weiss Kreuz) now states that the delayed second Weiss TV series, Weiss Kreuz Gluhen, will now premier on Japanese television this September.
Patlabor is a sci-fi police drama about a squad of police assigned to patrol newly prevalent construction robots. The series has garnered praise for both its character drama, and sc-fi ideas.
Manga Entertainment News
The first Evangelion movie, Death and Rebirth will be released on July 30th on DVD, and streamed on Sputnik 7.
The anxiously awaited American DVD release of Evangelion: Death and Rebirth comes on July 30th. In conjunction with the DVD release on July 30th, there'll >be an exclusive streaming of Evangelion: Death And Rebirth on Sputnik 7. See the official website at www.deathandrebirth.com
The End of Evangelion movie is due to be released on
September 24th.
Kaidohmaru, from Blood: The Last Vampire's Production
IG is coming in May 2003.
Born a girl in feudal Japan but raised and >taught >to fight as a boy, Sakata-no-Kintoki's "Kaidohmaru" warrior alter ego incites the jealousy of childhood friend Princess Ouni-Hime over the affections of fellow warrior Raikoh... so much so that the wicked Princess threatens to destroy the entire city. This masterful, fully digital tale of intrigue and passion is >the >latest from Blood: The Last Vampire animators Production I.G. and I.G. Plus. Sony Music
Read Or Die
- Coming June 2003: Bibliophilic substitute teacher - and part-time operative for the Special Operations Force of the British Libraries - Yomiko Readman becomes entrenched in a plot for world domination revealed through writings >in the >margins of certain rare books. Anime Expo 2002 attendees should look for >Read or >Die creator Hideyuki Kurata, director Koji Masunari, and character designer Masashi Ishihama, as all will be special guests at the Expo. Sony Music
Nuku Nuku Dub Cast
ADV announced the dub cast for Nuku Nuku on Anime on DVD's
forum.
- Nuku Nuku - Allison Keith
- Ryunosuke - Kira Vincent-Davis
- Kyusaku - Andrew Klimko
- Akiko - Kelly Manison
- Kyouko - Tiffany Grant
- Arisa - Kaytha Coker
- Eimi - Cynthia Martinez
- Grandfather - Phil Ross
- Shinichi - Brett Weaver
- Yoshimi - Mandy Clark
Macross Director Noboru Ishiguro Confirmed For AXNY
Anime Expo New York has announced the return of Noboru
Ishiguro as Anime Expo New York's Director Guest of
Honor.
- Nuku Nuku - Allison Keith
- Ryunosuke - Kira Vincent-Davis
- Kyusaku - Andrew Klimko
- Akiko - Kelly Manison
- Kyouko - Tiffany Grant
- Arisa - Kaytha Coker
- Eimi - Cynthia Martinez
- Grandfather - Phil Ross
- Shinichi - Brett Weaver
- Yoshimi - Mandy Clark
Macross Director Noboru Ishiguro Confirmed For AXNY
Anime Expo New York has announced the return of Noboru
Ishiguro as Anime Expo New York's Director Guest of
Honor.
Mr. Ishiguro is one of the best recognized and best respected members of the anime industry. His directing credits include Robotech, Macross: Ai Oboeteimasuka (AKA Macross, SDF-1 Macross: Do You Remember Love?), Astroboy, Megazone 23, Uchu senkan Yamato (AKA Space Crusier Yamato), Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Overture to a New War, Legend of the Galactic Heroes TV Series, and Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest Is the Sea of Stars.
Mr. Ishiguro has also worked on Bubblegum Crash! and Hi no Tori 2772: Ai no Kosomozon (AKA Phoenix 2772). Mr. Ishiguro is a frequent visitor of Anime Expo and served as Honorary Chairman for Anime Expo 1999.
For additional information on Anime Expo New York, please visit our webpage at www.axny.org
Saint Tail Release Info
>TOKYOPOP has decide to create a single collector's
edition package for the remaining three volumes of
Saint Tail.
- Saint Tail, Volume 6: The Crystal Swan
- Saint Tail, Volume 7: Hearts Aflutter!
- Saint Tail, Volume 8: Showdown!
will be replaced by a single collection.
- Saint Tail, Volume 6: The Crystal Swan
- Saint Tail, Volume 7: Hearts Aflutter!
- Saint Tail, Volume 8: Showdown!
will be replaced by a single collection.
Tenchi regulars to appear in GXP episode 17 Anime News Network reports accordiing to Tenchi-web.com, all the characters in Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki will appear in episode 17 of "Tenchi Muyo! GXP." Seinan will return to earth to visit the Masaki family, and Tenchi, Ryoko, Washu, Ayeka, Sasami, Mihoshi, Yosho and Ryoohki will all be there to greet him.
Kid's Anime on American TV
Kirby the animated series premieres on September 14 2002 on FoxKids.
Pleased with the strong television performance of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Kids WB has ordered 39 more episodes of the popular CCG related Anime from 4Kids Entertainment. This brings Kids WB's total number of Yu-Gi-Oh! episodes to 65.
Card Captors Volume Canciled
Anime on DVD reports according to information direct from Pioneer, Cardcaptors Vol. #10: Toying Around for VHS and DVD has been canceled. This is the dub-only version of the series as broadcast on US and Canadian TV. No information on whether it will be resolicited later or if this is the end of that particular version of the series.
September Manga Releases
September will be a good month for sci-fi action fans with a new Masamune Shirow Appleseed story in Dark Horse's Super Manga Blast, Central Park Media's Frontier Line Viz's release of the first issue of Battle Angel Alita: Last Order.
ComicsOne
ComicsOne will be releasing a number of news series in their direct to graphic novel collection format.
Bride Of Deimos Gn #1 by Yuuho Ashibe
"Long ago, a brother and sister lived happily on Mount
Olympus until they fell in love. The gods were so angry
about their forbidden love that they exiled them from
the mountain, turned the brother into a demon, and
imprisoned the sister in the deep ocean. As her body
rotted under the waves, she asked her demon brother to
find a girl that looked like her so that she could
possess a new body. In the modern world, the demon
finally finds the correct match: a high school girl who
looks exactly like his beloved sister. Instead of
offering her up for possession, however, the demon
falls in love with her. Jealous, his sister sends
Death and Onis (two Japanese ghosts) to take the girl's
life! "
Saint Legend Gn #1
by Andy Seto
No one believes in gods anymore. Superstitions are disappearing and human are starting to destroy the ancient Buddhist temples. Is this the natural course of human progress, or is an evil spirit controlling the course of human destiny? Alarmed that this destruction is plunging the world into chaos, the eight most powerful immortals unite to eliminate the evil spirit that becomes more powerful as each temple is destroyed. These eight select Chai Blue, an azure-haired immortal, to comedown to earth to help the people break free of evil's control.
King Of Fighters 2000 Gn #1 by Andy Seto
Based on the classic fighting game, The King of Fighters 2000! Follow the adventures of K and Maxima as they challenge all comers in the final King of Fighters Tournament of the 20th Century. After disappearing for nine months following the KOF '99 Tournament, K reappears at the first round of the 2000 tournament demanding to be included. His arrogance is unmatched, as he seeks to defeat four other fighters by himself. Has K gone crazy, or is there a method to his madness?
Legendary Couple Gn #1 by Louis Cha & Tony Wang
Noted Chinese authors Louis Cha and Tony Wong, of Jademan Comics fame, bring American readers this love story that is both touching and tumultuous. Set in the violent and turbulent world of ancient China, The Legendary Couple follows the adventures of an orphan, Tang Guo, and his beautiful wife, Xiao Longnu. For 16 years since the fateful day that he and his wife were separated, Yang has overcome countless hardships to become an unparalleled martial artist. Throughout his travails, he has never stopped missing Xiao and his passion has remained undying. Now, when the two are reunited, both wonder if their love has really stood the test of time.
Wild 7 Gn #6 "Pick up Wild 7 for the action, keep reading for the politics. This latest volume hilariously chronicles Sino-Japanese relations amidst a hijacking caper gone bad."
Releases from ComicsOne's martial arts line include Kung Fu stories Mega Dragon & Tiger Kung Fu Action Gn #1, Storm Riders Gn #6, and Weapons Of The Gods Gn #2,
CPM Manga
Slayers Special Book 1: Touch Of Evil
Lina Inverse, the precocious and dangerous sorceress, has teamed up the barbaric and busty, Naga the White Serpent. Together, they fight demons, thieves, and monsters all in the name of treasure and a good meal. Join Lina and Naga in their latest tale of tribulations and triumph through a medieval world of monsters, mayhem and monkey business. Includes a bonus interview with Slayers manga artist Tommy Ohtsuka.
Frontier Line Volume 1 Tp
From the creator of Grey: Digital Target! Six tales of mecha war and redemption. Civil war has broken out on the planet Sodom, and the only way to survive is by using the mechas left behind by a mysterious alien race. Can the two sides find common ground in their humanity or will they annihilate each other?
Many of Lodoss War collections will be released including Record Of Lodoss War: Grey Witch volumes 1-3,Record Of Lodoss War: Lady Of Pharis Book One, and Record Of Lodoss War: Chronicles Of The Heroic Knight Book 1.
Grey Witch features the cast of the original OAV, Parn the strong-headed fighter, Deedlit the young and haughty elf, Ghim the grizzled Dwarf, Etoh the young priest, Slayn the sorcerer, and Woodchuck the thief.
Lady of Pharis introduces new characters including the heroine Flaus, a savage warrior fire maiden who leaves her evil master to live a life of her own amid the demons and vampires of Lodoss. She meets Wort and Beld, who join her on her quest to find the legendary King Fahn, and all journey to Allania where they are tested to the limit in defending Lodoss from the horned Beast.
Chronicle of the Heroic Knight introduces Spark, the young knight who joins Deedlit and Parn and a new cast in a quest to retrieve a magic artifact.
Dark Horse
Individual issues:
Blade Of The Immortal #72: Beasts Part 7 concludes the "Beasts" story with the history of the blonde assassin Hyakurin.
Oh My Goddess! XII #2: Learning To Love Part 3 (Of 3) concludes the story of the young goddess Skuld's robot Banpei's courtship with another robot.
The manga anthology Super Manga Blast! #25 will begin a new Appleseed story from Ghost in the Shell creator Masamune Shirow. Appleseed Hypernote will feature the return of Deunan and Briareos, and will be accompanies by sketches and specs of the many landmates, robotic weapons, and cityscapes from the series. The issue also features new entries in Club 9, Shadow Star, Seraphic Feather, and What's Micheal.
Collections:
In Astro Boy Volume 8 Tp Astro must save the Earth from a voracious Martian fungus - and save the intelligent organism from the hydrogen bomb - all the while having to begin the fight for robot's rights and to keep robots from fighting each other.
Lone Wolf And Cub Vol. 26: Battle In The Dark Tp near the series conclusion as the Lone Wolf assasin Itto Ogami and his young son prepare for the confruntations with his enemies.
Oh My Goddess!: Final Exam Tp is the final "remastered" volume restores the "lost" Oh My Goddess! stories, presenting the full early storylines of student Keiichi Morisato's life with Belldandy, an honest-to-goodness, full-on goddess.
In Shadow Star: Shadows Of The Past Tp
Shiina Tamai is an awkward, self-conscious teenager, struggling with school and self-esteem. But her daily travails become of secondary importance when she encounters and bonds with an extraterrestrial shape-shifting creature, one of a menagerie of spaceborn entities now on Earth, including terrifying Shadow Dragons, flying beasts of vast and lethal powers.
Dark Horse will be releasing four Blade of the Immortal
stickers ("Manji Jumping", "Manji and Rin", "Manji and
Moon", and "Superdeformed"), and two Lone Wolf and Cub
t-shirts, "Full Moon", and "Ogami & Diagoro Walking")
Ironcat
Ironcat will be releasing issues Vampire Yui Volume 5 #1 and You & Me Volume 1 #3, and collections Hyper Dolls Volume 2 Gn and Hyper Dolls Volume 2 Gn.
Vampire Yui Volume 2 Gn
Like her fellow vampiress Miyu, Yui must discover her place in the world. Now a full vampire, she must struggle with her human morals and her new vampire instincts. Can she bring herself to drink the life-giving blood of humans? And how does she differ from the wandering Shinma that also prey on lonely souls in turmoil?
TOKYOPOP
Individual issues includes Cardcaptor Sakura #32 and
Gundam Wing: The Last Outpost #3 (of 12).
Collections
Works from the popular manga team CLAMP include Chobits Volume 3, and Wish volume 2.
Chobits: In the future, boys will be boys and girls will be robots. Like every other guy, Hideki just wants a cool job, a hot ride, and a state of the art robotic girlfriend. But pretty Chobits don't come cheap, and Hideki is out of luck, until he finds a cute one in the garbage. But even in the future, you get what you pay for and he soon discovers that real women aren't the only ones who are high maintenance.
In Wish, when Shuichiro rescues an angel, he's granted a single wish. The problem? Shuichiro can't think of any wishes that he couldn't grant himself. The angel, Amber, refuses to leave Shuichiro without granting a wish, so he moves in with the young doctor and helps out around the house, waiting for a chance to return the favor. Of course, angels aren't the only supernatural beings wandering the Earth. Soon, demons and archangels alike are stopping by Shuichiro's house, making things difficult for his angelic roommate.
Dragon Knights Volume 4 Gn described as "An enduring hit spanning ten years of publication in Japan, Dragon Knights incorporates street style and contemporary humor into a farcical tale of dungeons, dragons, and some rather fashionable warriors. Rath, Rune, and That's, the Dragon Knights of Fire, Water, and Earth do their best to look good while doing good."
Paradise Kiss Volume 3 GN
School was Yukari's life until she is kidnapped one afternoon by a group of fashion students calling themselves "Paradise Kiss." Wooed by Georgie, the group's leader and resident art snob, Yukari discovers the world of high fashion and a beauty she never knew she had. One of the top selling shojo titles in Japan, Paradise Kiss stretches the manga genre with a combination of exquisite artwork, high comedy, and coming-of-age angst.
Planet Ladder Volume 3
Orphaned in a war she can't remember, Kaguya is happy with her adopted family. But chaos returns when a mysterious boy tells her of her past as a princess from another world. With her guardian Gold, she sets out on a journey from world to world to claim her birthright. Courted by some, hunted by others, Kaguya's destiny is feared by all for it is her fate to decide which worlds shall rule, and which shall die.
Other collections include GTO Volume 6 GN, Love Hina Volume 6, Real Bout High School Volume 4.
Art books include Cardcaptors Anime Book Volume 8, and
Art Of Magic Knight Rayearth Volume 2 Art Book.
The first volumes of the relationship comedy Love Hina,
and the street racing action Initial D will be
re-released.
Viz Communications
Individual issues:
Viz will be releasing the first issue of Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Part 1 #1, an on going extension to the original series in place of its original ending. The original nine collected volumes of the sci-fi epic will be re-released.
The Animerica Extra October 2002 Volume 5 #10 manga anthology features news enteries in Short Program 2, Fushigi Yugi, Video Girl Ai, Steam Detectives, and Revolutary Girl Utena.
Bastard!! #10: Vampire concludes the two part "Vampire" story. The bastard wizard warload takes on the vampire lord Dai-Amon, amd converts him with the spell "Accused".
Inu-Yasha Part 7 #2 continues the battle between Inu-Yasha, and his full demon brother Sesshomaru.
Project Arms Part 1 #1
High school student Ryo Takatsuki is about to have his world come crashing down. It all starts when a new transfer student threatens to kill Ryo for seemingly no reason at all. The trouble escalates as a group of black-suited thugs show up to harass Ryo, but he manages to escape thanks to his survival training. Do either of these mysterious incidents have to do with his right arm that, since an operation in kindergarten, has been able to heal at a miraculous rate?
The Big O Part 2 #3 (of 4), Ceres, Celestial Legend Part 3 #4 (of 4), Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 7 #5 (Of 6), Ranma 1/2 Part 11 #7 (Of 11), Silent Möbius: Blood Part 11 #3 (of 5), Vagabond #11
Issues from the Viz Kids include The All-New Tenchi Muyô! Part 1 #5, Dragon Ball Part 5 #4, Dragonball Z Part 5 #9 Medabots Part 3 #3 and #4, Zoids #8: Chaotic Century,Hamtaro Board Game Book And Hamtaro Pop-Up Playset.
Collections
El Hazard Volume 2 Tp (volume 1 will also be
re-released)
Good-natured high school student Makoto Mizuhara was liked by all - a fact that Jinnai, the arrogant and paranoid class president, could not abide. But that was before Makoto was whisked away to the strange world of El-Hazard - and Jinnai, Nanami, and their gym teacher Mr. Fujisawa have come along for the ride! While Makoto and co. make friends, Jinnai allies with the seductive Diva, queen of the Bugrom hive-empire. The former Earthlings find themselves changed by their environment and develop strange powers. Soon the fate of the kingdom, and all of El-Hazard, hangs in the balance as
Spirited Away Volume 3 Tp by the animators the Spirited Away movie
Spirited Away, the new film from Hayao Miyazaki,
director of Kiki's Delivery Service and Princess
Mononoke, is the story of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl
in the midst of a move to the suburbs, who wanders into
a mysterious town and finds an "other world" of gods
and monsters, ruled over by a witch. There, humans are
changed into animals and disappear. To survive in this
new world, poor Chihiro has to go to work in a huge
bathhouse patronized by bizarre beings.
Vagabond Volume 3 Tp
In this volume, Shinmen Takezo has figuratively died and been reborn with the name - Miyamoto Musashi. His first destination is Kyoto where he plans to challenge the fierce fighters of the Yoshioka Dojo. Is Musashi mentally and physically prepared to take on this most famous school of swordsmen? Or will Seijuro and Denshichiro Yoshioka, the leaders of the Yoshioka School, be too skilled and experienced for him to handle? Musashi heads out, armed only with his wooden practice sword, to face his fears!
Other collections include Dragonball Volume 9 Tp,
Inu-Yasha Volume 12 Tp, Medabots Volume 2: Let's Get
Ready To Robattle Tp, and No Need For Tenchi! Volume 12
Tp.
Yu Watase's Ceres, Celestial Legend Volume 1: Ayuhi,
Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix: A Tale Of The Future Tp, Silent
Möbius Volume 3 will be also re-released.
Art Books
The Art Of Spirited Away
by Hayao Miyazaki
The Art of Spirited Away collects color illustrations
of Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi) for
the first time in an English edition! This book
includes paintings and designs from the new animated
film from the director of Kiki's Delivery Service and
Princess Mononoke. Large-size, softcover coffee-table
book featuring artwork from the renowned animated film,
Spirited Away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Features
color stills, sketches, storyboards, and illustrations
used to envision the rich fantasy world of the film.
Also includes a complete English-language script.
Anime Art Gallery: The Art Of Inu-Yasha
by the animators of the Inu-Yasha television series
The Art of Inu-Yasha collects color illustrations of Inu-Yasha for the first time in an English edition! This book includes paintings and designs from the hit anime series currently airing in Japan and soon to be introduced to North American audiences. When Japanese high school student Kagome is transported back in time to the feudal era, she accidentally releases a legendary dog-like half-demon named Inu-Yasha from his imprisonment for stealing the magical "Jewel of Four Souls." Bound to Kagome by a powerful spell, Inu-Yasha is forced to help her reclaim the jewel, now shattered into countless shards, to prevent other demons from using its power for terrible evil! This one-of-a-kind art book also includes a few special excerpts of artwork by Rumiko Takahashi!
Collector File 001: Girls In Pop Postcard Book
How to keep up with those up-to-the-minute trend-setting designs and fashions from the fast-moving streets of Neo-Tokyo? Get the stuff straight up with Viz's new "Collector File" postcard-book series, featuring the latest in cutting-edge art and design from Japan. This modestly priced collection showcases a variety of the best new illustrative talent from Japan - with an emphasis on cute, kitschy, and fantasy styles. This sleekly designed book can be given as a gift, or the pages can be torn out and sent as postcards. This postcard book is compiled from various Japanese artists, including Junko Mizuno, author of Cinderalla.
