Father Geek here along with the prolific Scott Green for another of our weekly lengthy and super informative AICN Anime Reports...

Those in the New York area may wish to check out Big Apple Anime Fest this weekend. Metroplis, Spriggan, Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea, and Blood: The Last Vampire will be amoung the movie shown.

This Week's Anime and Manga Releases

Anime:

• Arc the Lad - Day of Reckoning
• Battle of the Planets volumes 1 & 2
• Original Dirty Pair - Damsels in Distress (Vol. 2)
• Princess Nine - First Inning (Vol. 1)
• Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Movie
• Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Movie (Limited Edition) ~
• Rurouni Kenshin - Blind Justice ~ Kazuhiro Furuhashi
• Saint Tail - It's Show Time (Vol. 2)
• Vampire Princess Miyu - Haunting ~
• Vampire Princess Miyu - OAV (Vol. 2)

Manga

• Eagle vol 21 End of the Trail
• Galaxy Express vol 4 tp $
• Gundam Wing episode zero #7 (of 8)
• Harlem Beat vol 8 pkt gn
• How to Draw Manga #9
• Inu Yasha part 6 #6 (of 15)
• Kazan vol 1 gn #4
• Maxion #23
• Neon Genesis Evangelion book 6 #4 (of 4)
• Neon Gnesis Evangelion book 6 coll ed #4 (of 4)
• No Need for Tenchi part 12 #3 (of 6)5
• Oh my goddess the fourth goddess tp
• Parasyte vol 5 pkt gn (re-release)
• Parasyte vol 6 pkt gn (re-release)
• Parasyte vol 7 pkt gn (re-release)
• Usagi yojimbo #52

Princess Nine is the story of a girl's baseball team. ADV has stated that they are using the series to test the market for shoujo (girl's) anime series. It is also an example of the genre of sports anime, which is appears frequently in Japan, but has been underrepresented in what is released in the US.

The Utena movie is a retelling of the anime/manga series. Utena is a surreal tale about a girl who met a prince as a child who comforted her when her parents died. As she grew up she decided he wanted to become a prince herself. She enrolls in a strange school where a group of students fight duels for a girl known as the Rose Bride.

The movie is directed by the series' creator Kunihiko Ikuhara, who directed some of the darker parts of Sailor Moon. The special edition of Utena will feature a translucent pink case, and a disc of Central Park Media trailers. DVD special features include director's running commentary track with English subtitles. behind-the-scenes video (Featuring Ikuhara supervising the dubbing in NYC, footage of voice actors Rachael Lillis, Sharon Becker and Mandy Bonhomme), Japanese TV spots, Japanese trailers, US teaser & trailer, art boards w/ director's commentary,Character sketches w/ director's commentary, Fan tribute (Fan art and cosplay contest winners), Trivia quiz, Clean, untouched video (no overlays or hard subs), Removable song & sign translations (for the dub) , Sub track with Romanji song lyrics.

Viz is currently releasing the Utena manga in their Animerica Extra anthology. Central Park Media released the first 14 episodes of the TV series, and thought they had the rights to the rest, but encountered trouble getting them from the Japanese rights holders.

Vampire Princess Miyu refers to a vampire who looks like a young girl who attempts to control stray shinma (demons/vampires). Vampire Princess Miyu - Haunting ~ refers to part of the Vampire Princess Miyu TV series, and Vampire Princess Miyu - OAV (Vol. 2) is the second half of the original OAV series (direct to video rlease).

Battle of the Planets is the English adaptation of the classic anime series Gatchaman.

Eagle is a critically praising political drama about a Japanese-American war hero running for the presidency.

The Neon Genesis Evangelion manga is Sadamoto Yoshiyuki's take on the popular series about an alienated boy who must pilot a strange robot to save Tokyo from invading Angels. Sadamoto served as character designer for the anime series. The Collector's edition features page and panels in the Japanese right to left order, rather than the English left to right.

Parasyte is about a boy who has a symbiotic alien bind itself to his hand. The alien was initially attempting to buried itself in the boy's brain through the ear, but because the boy was wearing head phone it had to settle for the hand.

Bandai Release Dates

The Bandai Entertainment site has been updated with the dates of upcoming release

• November 2001
• 11/6/2001 Pilot Candidate Vol. 1 DVD $24.98
• 11/20/2001 Cowboy Bebop Perfect Collection DVD $199.98
• 11/20/2001 Gundam MS08 Vol. 3 DVD $24.98
• 11/20/2001 Gundam MS08 Vol. 3 Dub $19.98
• December 2001
• 12/4/2001 Crest of the Stars Vol. 4 DVD $29.98
• 12/4/2001 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 4 DVD $24.98
• 12/4/2001 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 5 DVD $24.98
• 12/4/2001 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 4 Dub $14.98
• 12/4/2001 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 5 Dub $14.98
• 12/18/2001 Big O Vol. 4 DVD $24.98
• January 2002
• 01/08/2002 Pilot Candidate Vol. 2 DVD $29.98
• 01/08/2002 Saver Marionette J Again DVD $34.98
• 01/22/2002 Gundam MS 08 Vol. 4 DVD $24.98
• 01/22/2002 Gundam MS 08 Vol. 4 Dub $19.98
• 01/22/2002 G-Saviour DVD $29.98
• 01/22/2002 Gundam 0083 Vol. 1 DVD $29.98
• February 2002
• 02/05/2002 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 6 DVD $24.98
• 02/05/2002 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 7 DVD $24.98
• 02/05/2002 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 6 Dub $14.98
• 02/05/2002 Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 7 Dub $14.98
• 02/19/2002 Gundam 0080 Vol. 1 DVD $29.98
• 02/19/2002 Love Hina Vol. 1 DVD w/ Box $34.98
• 02/19/2002 Love Hina Vol. 1 DVD $29.98
• March 2002
• 03/05/2002 Pilot Candidate Vol. 3 DVD $29.98
• 03/05/2002 Jin-Roh DVD Special $59.98
• 03/05/2002 Jin-Roh DVD $29.98
• 03/19/2002 Z-Mind $34.98
• 03/19/2002 Gundam 0083 Vol. 2 DVD $29.98
• 03/19/2002 Gundam MS08 Miller's Report DVD $29.98

Gundam 0080 "War in the Pocket" tell the story of the end of the One Year War from the perspective of a young boy from a colony that has been unaffected by the conflict.

Gundam 0083 "Stardust Memories" transitions the One Year War Gundams to Zeta Gundam. Three years after the end of the One Year War, the rebuilding federation faces off against the reminance of the Zeon. Gundam MS08 Miller's report is Gundam 08th MS Team from the perspective of Federation Intelligence Officer Alice Miller, assigned to investigate Shiro Amada, Commander of the 08th MS Team.

Jin-Roh will feature Japanese DTS Audio, Japanese and English Dolby Digital 5.1, English subtitles and trailers. The Special Edition will retail for $60 and feature a Special Edition Slip Case Packaging, Jin-Roh Original CD Soundtrack, Japanese DTS, Japanese and English Dolby Digital 5.1, English subtitles, Interviews with Cast and Creators, 12 Page Jin-Roh Booklet, Japanese Theatrical Trailers, and English Theatrical Trailers.

Pioneer Update

Pioneer Animation has updated their site with dates for their upcoming releases.

• November 11/06:
• Cardcaptor Sakura #6 "Friends and Family" VHS/DVD Subtitled
• Cardcaptors #6 "The Best of Friends" VHS/DVD (Kids WB Version)
• 11/13:
• Gatekeepers #2 "New Fighters" VHS Dubbed/DVD Bilingual
• 11/20:
• Trigun DVD Box Set
• 11/27:
• Ah! My Goddess! the Movie VHS Dubbed/DVD Bilingual
• Pokemon: Adventures in Orange Island #1 DVD
• Pokemon #47 "Azalea Adventures" VHS/DVD
• Pokemon #48 "Buggy Boogie" VHS/DVD
• Sailor Moon S #11 "Small Hearts" VHS (Dub Toonami and Sub/Dub Uncut Versions)
• Sailor Moon S #12 "The Awakening!" VHS (Dub Toonami and Sub/Dub Uncut Versions)
• Sailor Moon S Heart Collection #6 Bilingual Uncut DVD
• Tenchi Muyo! #10 "Space Drifters!" VHS Toonami Version
• December 12/11:
• Hand Maid May #3 "Memory Failure" VHS Dubbed/DVD Bilingual Niea_7 #3 "Sayonara Blues" DVD
• January: 01/15/02:
• Cardcaptors Vol. 7 "End of Days" Dubbed DVD/Dubbed VHS Running Time: 75 min Rating: 7 up
• Cardcaptor Sakura Vol. 4 "Sakura, Fight!" Subtitled DVD/Subtitled VHS Running Time: 100 min Rating: 13 up
• Cardcaptor Sakura Vol. 7 "Magical Mystery" Subtitled DVD/Subtitled VHS Running Time: 100 min Rating: 13 up
• Gate Keepers Vol. 3 "Infiltration" Bilingual DVD/Dubbed VHS Running Time: 75 min Rating: 13 up
• 01/22/0/01
• Vandread Vol. 1 "Enemy Engaged!" Bilingual DVD/Dubbed VHS Running Time: 100 min Rating: 13 up
• 01/29/02:
• Pokemon: The Johto Journeys Vol. 49 "The Squirtle Squad" DVD/Dubbed VHS Running Time: 70 min Rating: 3 up
• Pokemon: The Johto Journeys Vol. 50 "Midnight Heroes" DVD/Dubbed VHS Running Time: 70 min Rating: 3 up
• Sailor Moon SuperS Pegasus Collection Vol. 1 Bilingual DVD Rating: 13 up
• Sailor Moon SuperS Vol. 1 "The Eclipse" Dubbed VHS Edited/Unedited Rating: 7 up/13 up
• Sailor Moon SuperS Vol. 2 "Diana's Secret" Dubbed VHS Edited/Unedited Rating: 7 up/13 up
• February: 02/12/02:
• Adventures of the Mini-Goddesses Vol. 1 "The Gan Files" Bilingual DVD/Dubbed VHS Running Time: 100 min Rating: 13 up
• Niea_7 Vol. 4 "Under Seven Blues" Bilingual DVD Running Time: 75 min Rating: 13 up
• Pretty Sammy DVD Collection includes The Mihoshi Special Running Time: 165 min Rating: 13 up
• Tenchi Muyo! Vol. 11 "Guardians of Legend" Dubbed VHS Running Time: 62 min Rating: 7 up

Vandread is the familiar boy find mecha series, this set time is space where men and women are literally at war with each other. It features digital animation from Studio Gonzo of Blue Sub No 6 fame. The release will feature letter box video.

The Pretty Sammy DVD Collection will be released on 2/12/02, and includes the Mihoshi Special for a total run time of 165 minutes. The original Armitage OAV will be release on DVD next Spring to coincide with the release of the Armitage III Dual Matrix.

New Tenchi Info In English

The English version of AIC's Web page www.aicanime.com has posted an English translation of the information about the new Tenchi series.

About the trailer: Yes. It's Miss Orikasa Ai(Ryoko) doing the narration in the trailer.

"Tenchi Muyo! GXP" TV series credits: Director: Shinichi Watanabe Character design: Atsushi Okuda Orignal character design and concept: Masaki Kajishima Series construction: Yousuke Kuroda

Mahou Yuugi Information

Form the English version of AIC's Web page www.aicanime.com

"Mahou Yuugi" OVA #1 with Padudu figurine DVD set will release in Japan by King Records Inc. on 29th December, 2001.

"Mahou Yuugi" online 2D anime website opened on 10/19 at http://maho-yugi.lycos.co.jp/

This 2D anime is scheduled to boarcast from early November on Lycos Japan.

Credits for both 2D and 3D Edition: Dirctor: Mr.Hayashi Hiroki Character designer: Mr. Azuma Kiyohiko 3D Script Writer: Mr.Hideyuki Kurata 2D Script Writer: Mr.Ohnoki Hiroshi

"Mahou Yuugi" comic is serialized on monthly comic magazine "Dengeki Daioh" in Japan by Media Works. This comic edition is created by Mr. Katura Yukimaru.

Manga: Blood Breaking Records According to a press release Manga Celebrates 2001 with Record Breaking Year - Blood the Last Vampire is the fastest selling title in Manga's 8 year history

After breaking the record for the most successful video broadcast in sputnik7's history, on Halloween night (from dusk till dawn), Blood: The Last Vampire will have another video-on-demand streaming broadcast on www.sputnik7.com (6pm-9am EST), which is available to sputnik7 newsletter subscribers.

'Blood' also remains in theatrical release since August, and has been held over in many theatres. 'Blood' is currently touring as a feature film in RESFEST, the international digital film festival (www.resfest.com).

"We are very excited to bring a film like 'Blood' to America and present the newest digital film technology to all entertainment platforms." "Its success has proven to be a landmark time in the history of Manga Entertainment," stated Marvin Gleicher, President.

Blood: The Last Vampire debuted at #10 in Video Business's Top 20 DVD Sales, #14 in Billboard's Top 40 Overall DVDs, #12 in Video Store Magazine's Top 25 DVD Sellers List and #10 in Entertainment Weekly Top DVD Sellers List.

Macross Plus Movie Edition Confirmed For DVD Release In February

According to Anime News Service the 4 OVA compilation Film Macross Plus directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) will be released in North America via Manga Entertainment in late February. The Macross Plus movie is an edited compilation of the original four episode OAV series, with new footage, and a slightly modified story. Macross Plus is a very character driven story about three childhood friends who have excelled in their professionally lives, but failed personally and emotionally. The trio are reunited on their home planet with two as test pilots for advances fighters, and one as the manager for an extremely popular virtual idol singer.

Initial D Love Hina and Cowboy Bebop Manga Licensed

Anime Nation reprots In a surprise announcement, TOKYOPOP has announced several new American licenses on both the anime and manga front. In January, TOKYOPOP will debut the English language versions of the Love Hina, Cowboy Bebop and Initial D manga. The first comic issues of Cowboy Bebop and Love Hina will contain 32 pages and retail for $2.95. The first issue of Initial D and the second issue of Cowboy Bebop will be double sized 64 page issues but still retail for only $2.95. All three series will be published in the original Japanese right-to-left page format. TOKYOPOP has also announced that their first Cowboy Bebop Complete Anime Guide will be released in January. This 100 page reference guide will cover TV episodes 1-5 with cel art story guides, and monochrome character bios, technical guides, behind-the-scenes photos, and story details- just like a Japanese import art-book. The first of the 5 volume Cowboy Bebop Anime Guide books will retail for $12.95. And in another surprise announcement, TOKYOPOP has confirmed that they will be bringing the Initial D anime to America. No detail was provided on the extent of the anime franchise license. Initial D is a popular 22 volume manga series that spawned 2 TV series, a TV special, an OAV, a theatrical movie and numerous arcade and console video games. Initial D revolves around Japanese teen-age street car racing culture and is famous for its extensive use of "Euro-beat" Japanese techno/house/rave dance music and CG rendered cars and backgrounds which create a thrilling sense of speed and momentum in the show's frequent car race action sequences.

Anime Convention At Paramount's Great American

From the press release at www.pgathrills.com/media "Japanese animation (Anime) fans will be"drawn" to Paramount's Great America for the park's ParaCon - the first Anime convention ever at a major U.S. theme park - on Saturday, Oct. 27. See Anime premieres, meet industry leaders, and check out the latest games and merchandise. Discounted tickets are $18 in advance and can be purchased online at www.pgathrills.com or by calling 408-986-5853. ParaCon is free with park admission.

Convention highlights:

" See Anime premieres such as the North American debut of Strange Dawn and TekkaMan-Boy in the IMAX Cinema - the first Anime showing ever in an IMAX venue - and the Paramount Theatre. " Learn how to create the next Mega Man or Street Fighter as the production and design team from Capcom Entertainment present a game developer conference - the first of its kind ever at a major North American Anime event. " Meet Anime industry leaders such as Keith Burgess, voice of "Akuma" in Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie; Carl Gustav Horn, Animerica contributor and editor of the Neon Genesis Evangelion comic book; and Rhona Medina, marketing manager for Urban Vision Entertainment, the distributor behind Bio-Hunter and Vampire Hunter D at the industry panel discussion. " Purchase the latest Anime merchandise in over 11,000 square feet of dealer space at the Paramount Pavilion

Plus, learn to draw Anime at the art workshop, dress as your favorite Anime character for the costume workshop and contest, compete in the Dance Dance Revolution championships (US and Japanese versions), listen to the legendary sounds of Otaku Tribe's elite DJ's, join clubs such as Bay Area Animation Society and FanimeCon for the fan panel discussion and win prizes such as clothing, Anime cells and a Nintendo Game Cube "

New Ghibli Media Site

According to Nausicaa.net, Ghibli now has a website called www.ghiblies.com which includes comic strips and flash movies. Highlights include: "MOGA" Museum Of Ghiblies Art (scrolling panels of character sketches and concept art) "Short Strips" (manga style panels) "Ghiblies House" (short QuickTime animated pieces) "Resume" (animated panels containing brief character info) "Ghiblies Craft" (interactive demo/tutorial of 3D CG techniques used in the creation of Ghiblies) "Log Book" (diary of website)

Cowboy Bebop Encore

Anime News Service reports the Cowboy Bebop Knockin On Heaven's Door film will screen around some Tokyo theaters again between 10-20 and 11-2.

Upcoming Japanese Release of New Fushigi Yuugi OAV

The new Fushigi Yuugi OAV is currently set to go on sale on December 21st in Japan. The 1st volume of the new OVA will retail on VHS for 5800 Yen and DVD for 4800

AX Magazine To Suspend Publication Indefinitely

Anime News Service reports AX magazine, a leading Japanese games and anime / characters publication in Japan announced that after 44 editions and 4 years, the magazine will suspend publication in November 2001. While no specific reason has been given for the cessation in print a fall in sales due to the 880 Yen pricetag could be cited as a reason. A date when or if printing will resume was not given.

Upcoming Release Date

Diamond Comic's Previews magazine, which is not 100% accurate, indicates that Betterman volume 1, Garaski volume 8, Love Hina volume 1m and Sailor Moon SS volume 1 will be released this January. Love Hina will be released with and without a box that will hold the series' future releases.

Speed Racer Movie News

Variety reports Warner Bros. has has entered into a $1.2 million deal with Christian Gudegast and Paul Scheuring to write a new script for Speed Racer. Hype Williams is attached to direct the picture. Writers Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett ("Madeline'') Jeffrey Abrams ("Joy Ride'') and Patrick Read Johnson ("Dragonheart") and directors Julien Temple, Gus Van Sant and Alfonso Cuaron have been attached to the project at one time or another over the years. Gudegast and Scheuring who scripted "El Diablo,'' recently sold Warners the spec "Black Flag,'' with Simon West attached to direct.

Armitage: Dual Matrix English Voice Actress Named

Pioneer Entertainment announced that Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers, Cape Fear) will voice the character Naomi Armitage in ARMITAGE Dual-Matrix. Elizabeth Berkley voice Armitage in Armitage III Poly-Matrix, the movie edito of the original Armitage III OAV. ARMITAGE Dual-Matrix will be available on VHS and DVD in Spring 2002.

In ARMITAGE Poly Matrix, the prequel, Naomi Armitage Asakura, an illegally created android that is more human than anything ever made, meets Ross Sylibus while working at the Martian Police Department (MPD). Ross was transferred from the Chicago Police Department after a robot killed his partner. Attracted by their mutual desire to fight against the Martian Government because of its initiatives to terminate "Third Robots," Naomi and Ross become partners.

Directed by Katsuhito Akiyama and created and character designed by Hiroyuki Ochi, ARMITAGE Dual-Matrix takes place six years after the first film. Naomi and Ross have changed their names and live with their daughter Yoko as a normal happy family on Mars until a robot riot breaks out at an anti-matter plant on Earth and Armitage learns that the riot is a plot to suppress evidence of illegal research and development of "Third Robots."

While Colonel Strings basks in the glow of his new-found fame for quelling the riot at the plant, the anti-robot movement is growing more active. Armitage decides to go to Earth alone to find out who is behind this plot, but what she discovers is the most powerful enemies she has yet encountered.replicas of herself.

Mazinkaizer OAV Release

Escaflowne Movie Release In The U.S.

According to ICV2 Bandai is planning a limited North American theatrical release of the Escaflowne feature film -- Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea -- in January. A release in five cities is planned at this point: Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Vancouver.

FLCL Director to Appear at OmochaBox

Kazuya Tsurumaki, director of the cutting-edge, Japanese animated mini-series FLCL (pronounced Fooly Cooly), will be making an appearance at the OmochaBox retail store on October 27th from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. to sign autographs.

FLCL is a psychedelic, surreal fantasy set in modern day Japan in a little town called Mabase where the life of pre-teen Naota is torn asunder by the outrageous alien Haruko and the flirtatious, picture of innocence Mamimi. However, Tsurumaki (Evangelion, Nadia of the Blue Water) tosses into this relatively innocuous premise large robots that spring forth from Naota's head, secret agents that snoop around, lethal uzis battles, even more lethal Vespas, and a sophisticated satirical voice that ties everything together.

Autograph session line priority will be given to customers who purchase one of the many exciting FLCL products available at OmochaBox including FLCL artbooks (FLCLism and FLCL GroundWorks), action figures and more. Priority tickets will be distributed to customers starting October 19th. Only the first fifty customers will be guaranteed an autograph.

For more information see www.omochabox.com/retail

FLCL will be released on DVD in the US beginning in late January 2002. A co-production between Synch-Point (http://www.synch-point.com) and Production I.G USA (http://www2.production-ig.co.jp/eng2/Default.htm), the highly anticipated DVD will contain the first two episodes of the six part OVA series.

Bandai Ends Beleaguered AnimeVillage.com

"Due to restructuring, AnimeVillage.com will not be relaunched. On www.Bandai-Ent.com, you'll find timely updates and detailed information regarding our current product line as well as future endeavors and company news, including other projects and sites that will cater to the growing needs of the anime enthusiast!

Visit our site at www.Bandai-Ent.com and please give us your comments and suggestions. Thank you for your interest in Bandai Entertainment!" AnimeVillage was Bandai's attempt to provide anime shopping and content, but though it was relaunched several times it was never consistently updated.

Manga DVD For November: Shadow Skill

Manga will be releasing Shadow Skill on DVD on November 27th.

In a war torn world of deadly conflict, one small group of heroes stands against the forces of darkness, armed only with two weapons - their unswerving dedication to good and the superhuman martial art known as the Shadow Skill...

For fourteen-year old Gau, it is time once again for him to return to the graves of his parents, murdered by bandits when he was just ten. In the company of his adoptive elder sister Ella, Gau quickly comes to realize that his journey is more than just a pilgrimage, and that his combat abilities as a student of the Karuda school of martial arts are about to be pushed to their breaking point.

DVD Features include: * English 5.1 Surround Sound * English Stereo *Japanese Stereo *English subtitles * Character Bios * Photo Gallery * Manga Previews * Manga Fan club *Web links

Shadow Skill is a fighting anime, with some fun battle between Street Fighter type energy flinging martial artists and supernatural beasts. It gained a great deal of attention and buzz prior to its release, that subsiquently disappeared. New Love Hina OVA? A recent advertisement states that there is a new Love Hina OAV that will be released starting in December. The advertisement features Kanako, Keitero's adopted sister from the manga series.

Evangelion dead in Japan

One of AnimeNation's suppliers has informed the company that interest in Evangelion in Japan has fallen to the point that production of 2002 Evangelion calendars has been cancelled.

Urban Vision Licenses Strange Dawn

Urban Vision has licensed the Anime Series Strange Dawn and is considering releasing the series under a different label.

Strange Dawn is a 13 episode TV series that was Broadcast by Japanese TV station WOWOW from July 11th to September 26th 2000.

English excerpt from the Phase I DVD cover: Yuko & Eri, two girls fell into a trip to the strange world where small human beings live in. They visited a small village called "BELZERGLE" and saw many troubles. BELZERGLE is a land of sufferings from being involved in the wary between two big countries of GLIANIA and BARGEDANE.

For more information on Strange Dawn, EX has a preview of the series here. http://www.ex.org/5.7/14-animej_strangedawn.html

Urban Vision, which is best known for more mature Anime such as Vampire Hunter D, Golgo 13 and Wicked City, is considering new label to release Strange Dawn and other Anime aimed at children.

The idea of a "Kids Label" has been floating around at UV for several months now (Urban Vision rep Rhona Medina first mentionned it to ANN at Fanime in April) and while they haven't finalised the name of the label it will probably be "something simple" like UV Kids.

Some confusion, and interesting jabs by company representatives can be seen on Anime on DVD's forum http://www.animeondvd.com/dcforum/DCForumID1/3209.html

From the press release: Strange Dawn "Strange World" VHS/DVD Pre-book: 12/20/01 . Street Date: 1/22/02

What would you do if you found yourself in a world half your size? Nothing can be more surprising for Emi and Yuko, a couple of regular middle-school girls, when they discover a whole new land at their feet. To make matters even more complicated, the inhabitants of this world think Emi and Yuko are the legendary protectors of their country! It's a fantastic adventure as Emi and Yuko struggle to find a way back to normal-sized life!

Contains four complete episodes!

Episode 1 "Walking in the Desert" Emi and Yuko have landed in a world of trouble! On the way to class, they find themselves magically transported to another world! Is it a hidden part of Earth, or a planet in a whole other solar system?

Episode 2 "Surrounded by Silence" The girls have been brought to Bellzagle, suddenly becoming the 'Great Protectors' of the village, when all they really want to do is to get home! Shal decides to help the girls even though problems are creeping up on the village!

Episode 3 "In the Darkness" Reka and Mani can't stand the situation in the village, so they set off after Shal and the others, only to be captured! Who are friends, and who are enemies? Who can tell?!

Episode 4 "A Storm Rolls In" Is there another force creating chaos in all the countries? Alone, Emi finds a strange magical being with a mysterious message. Is this a good witch, or a bad witch? Without Yuko, what will Emi do?

DVD Special Features Include: · Character Art Gallery · Remastered in 5.1 · Motion menus · English and Japanese language w/English subtitles · Trailers · Strange Dawn online

Sale of Fox Family in Jeopardy

According to Reuters The Walt Disney Co. is reviewing its planned $3 billion cash acquisition of cable TV's Fox Family Channel following the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States, a spokesman said on Wednesday. ``We are concerned about the potential impact recent events could have on the deal, and we are reviewing it,'' said Disney spokesman John Dreyer. He declined to detail Disney's concerns and whether they included a renegotiation of the acquisition's price, but he did say the companies continue to work toward completing a deal. Dreyer said a specific closing date had not yet been set because of the numerous approvals required for the deal, especially in foreign countries where Fox Family has channels. October 18: Haim Saban's seat at the table of Toon Titans seems less of a sure thing today as the Walt Disney Corp. said it was rethinking its planned purchase of Fox Family Network. Saban, who built his entertainment business by importing cheap Japanese animation and superhero shows, owns almost half of Fox family and was set to score a $2 billion payday if the deal went through. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. owns the remaining shares.

REUTERS said: "When the deal was struck in July, financial analysts had expressed some concern that Disney was paying a rich premium to get its hands on the cable network. Disney agreed to pay $3 billion in cash and assume $2.3 billion in debt for Fox Family, putting the deal's total value at $5.3 billion. Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen estimated that Fox Family generated $150 million annually in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), putting the price at about 35 times EBITDA. That figure implied ``a fairly rich takeout,'' she wrote in a research note in July. Despite the deal's relatively rich price, financial industry players generally liked the acquisition because Fox Family provides Disney with a new outlet for TV programs such as those on Disney's ABC broadcast TV network. Back in July, Reif Cohen labeled it ``a perfect fit for Disney.''

See the full article at here. http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/011017/n17324852_1.html

Samurai Girl Real Bout High School Information

Samurai Girl Real Bout High School is a series about a high school that takes a slightly different approach to solving disputes. Using a duel system, all the children settle their disputes by fighting. Perhaps this policy has more purpose than the simple resolution of disputes.

The series will air in Japan on a few different TV networks. See the stations listed below:

• CS Broadcast Kids Station: Mondays 8:30 PM
• Sun TV: Fridays 12:30 AM
• Saitama TV: Saturdays 12:00 AM
• CTC Chiba TV: Saturdays 12:00 AM
• Tokyo MX TV: Saturdays 12:30 AM
• Kanagawa TV: Sundays 12:00 AM

The first volume on DVD and VHS was released on Wednesday, Octbober 17th in Japan. The DVD is priced at 6000 yen while the VHS is 4,800 yen. They both contain the first three episodes. A new DVD and VHS tape will be released each month.

They have also released two new single albums. "Cold Sword" and "Beatiful Snow" are on sale for 1,000 yen. The first soundtrack will be released on November 21st for 3,000 yen. http://www.animatenews.com/

Right Stuf Highlights Here and Now

Right Stuf has posted a preview of Central Park Media's upcoming release of Here and There, Now and Then From AIC, the studio that brought you Tenchi Muyo and Daichi Akitarou, the director of Jubei-chan the Ninja Girl / Elf Princess Rane, comes a series whose animation is simply visually stunning: Here and There, Then and Now.

Shu leads an ordinary life. At least he did until the day he meet LaLa-Rue, a girl with mystical colored eyes. Attracted by her silent mystery, Shu tries to coax the girl to talk with him, but just when he thinks he might be getting her to open up, they're both attacked by men riding monstrous machines!

In the ensuing battle, Shu finds himself sucked into a time warp that drags him 5 billion years into the future - to a world that is more like a battlefield than a place to live. Over the course of the millennias the sun has expanded and the cooling waters that Shu so loved have vanished.

Now in this desolate land, the human race must fight to survive under the cruel leadership of a few. And one of those leaders, General Hammud of Hellywood, thinks he knows Lala-Rou secret: the link to a new water source. And he'll do anything he has to have it.

But you haven't seen anything until you've seen the real player clip of the show available courtesy of the Japanese Production house - Anime International Company (AIC) here.

You can catch more of Here and There, Then when it makes its US debut on VHS / DVD beginning 1/8/02.

Central Park Media (CPM) expects to release Volume 2: Flight and Fall the following March, and follow up with Volume 3: Conflict and Chaos and the complete DVD Collection shelves in May 2002.

Soul Taker Information

Right Stuf reports that Pioneer's release of Soul Taker will feature a Holographic Foil Cover, Anamorphic transfer, art gallery, and a 16 page Soultaker Encyclopedia Booklet. Special edition of Soul Taker will airing starting November 7th on Japan's Wowow network.

Figure-17 official website(Flash Anime) The official site for the new anime series Figure-17 can be seen at www.figure-17.com/

The Japanese film comic Mook Book on the Cowboy Bebop Knockin' on Heaven's Door movie is schedule to be released November 7th. See http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/anime-comic/contents/200111/200104000342.html

No Japanese Language Track on Vampire Hunter D DVD

The North American release of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust will no feature a Japanese language track. The report can be seen on the official message board here The movie's original script was Japanese, but it animated for an English sound track. It appeared theatrical with an English sound track in Japan, but the Japanese DVD will feature language track.

Totoro - Kiki Next For UK DVD

According to the Nausicaa net post here:"the Buena Vista rep at London's gala Mononoke screening announced that both Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service would be coming to DVD **in the UK** (Princess Mononoke was released today). I double-checked this with Buena Vista today; it's certainly happening, but there's no indication of dates."

Pioneer Delay's El Hazard: Wanderers DVD

Pioneer has sent out a release stating that the release dates for volumes 2 through 4 of El Hazard: The Wanderers have been delayed with a new date yet to be determined.

Mobile Suit Gundam Volume 3

The third volume Gundam has finally made the series interesting. In the introduction to the first episode of the disc it is explained that the war started by the Principality of Zeon is not simply a war for independence, it is a war of conquest. The ruling Zabi family fully introduced. Garma's sibling include the sinister looking orator Gihren, the giant warrior Dozle, and his and their sister Kycilia, who seems to be the driving force behind the significant military endeavors, such keeping the ace Char under control. Their father is Degwin Sodo Zabi, who appears to be an old warrior too tired to continue. The youngest member, Garma, was being groomed for a position as military leader, was killed in the previous volume due to his military ineptitude. In a Nuremberg style rally the Zeon people are given Garma death as further motivation to continue their war against the federation. Like Nazi Germany, fascism, and propaganda were used ready the small state of Zeon build! s and military and challenge the powers around it.

Another political concept introduced in the volume is "Earth elite". It is the perception of those raised on the colonies that those living on Earth or owning property their, now matter how humble it is, regard themselves as rich elite. Amuro, the young protagonist of the series was introduces as living with his scientist father on an orbiting colony. His mother was separated from the two when she refused to go to space with the two. Amuro is reunited with his mother in a refuge camp on Earth.

Amuro became likable in this volume. He has worked through his whining phase. He continues to have physiological problems, and he picked up a few new issues in this volume, but now he's drowning his sorrows in work. He's accepted his role as a soldier in a war, now his issues are stemming from what he's seen and done. He's still learning about the consequences of his role.

The series is playing odd games with the watcher's sympathies. The Zabi family, the villains of the series are not introduced until the 11th episode, with the exception of Garma, who appeared to be unfit for the role nepotism put him into, but not a fairly benign person. The individuals and agendas driving the Federation remain hidden to the series' viewers and protagonists. The Zeon troubles continue often be portrayed as honorable and resourceful people. While Federation troops have not appeared often in this series the ones is this volume where drunken louts.

This volume also wretched up the battles a notches. There are two noteworthy ones. One introduces a new Zeon battle suit that can take on the Gundam as an equal. After tearing through countless Zaku, Amuro meets the Gouf, what appears to be a blue Zaku, with large shoulder spikes. It's the first time we see the Gundam in a fight against a weapon with comparable technical abilities. The second noteworthy confrontation is with a single Zaku, and a group of Zeon soldiers in light air crafts. The Zeon troops employee guerilla tactics that posed a greater threat to the Gundam than large squads of Zaku and heavy fighter plains.

The third volume of Gundam achieved what the first two failed to do, make the fourth something to look forward to. The complexities of the Universal Century's conflicts and their players are starting to make themselves know, and it series is starting to distinguish itself from other entries in its crowed genre.

Spotlight Starship Girl Yamamoto Yokho

Starship Girl is about two groups of teenage girl pilots in the far future who compete in the place of the armies. Terra's team is getting it handed to them by The Red Snappers of Ness until they return to twenty century to recruit Yamamoto Yohko, a girl who excels at all endeavors, especially video games. Or at least it might be if it paid any attention to its plot. It doesn't really play much attention to the characters. It barely establishes the primary characters, the secondary ones are window dressing. Fortunately motivations are kept simple. Everyone is competitive and wants to win. You don't really need to know much about the people who what they are fighting for, its enough to know that they want to win, and their doesn't appear to be many consequences to losing. It appears to be something about economic rights, such as mining, but the characters in charge are only show a passing concern for them. It doesn't quite randomly jump from scene to scene is a compl! etely random manner. There is enough cohesion so the arbitrary nature of the story isn't painful.

The series is made up of two three episode OAV series. The first more or less revolves around Yohko's team's conflict with the Red Snappers. The second is sortof about Yohko's conflict with a woman named Sylvia Dread. It doesn't follow the stories to closely, with the second episode of each series having almost nothing to do with the intended stories. Many anime series feature a hot spring episode, in which to take the opportunity to show the characters lounging around wearing very little. This is referred to as fan-service. Risqué shots with very little story value to entertain the viewers. When the second episode of a three episode series is hot springs episode you know the series isn't trying to go anywhere. It never stays is one place long enough to be annoying.

The stars of Yamamoto Yohko are its audio and video. The OAV budget and length allows deal to go into the series animation and audio. This translates into fluid animation, detailed images. The background music is more complex and orchestrated than the average television series.

The character design are very familiar AIC (Tenchi Muyo, El Hazard, ect) recycles its design, with tweaks for the series. On one hand it means seeing the same look repeatedly, on the other hand it means the character is be established by their looks. It's familiar. To the character, we've seen it all before. A code as been developed The girl with the purple hair and bangs is going to be shy and demure, the girl with the long silver hair is going to be heartless and aggressive, the blonde with tanned skin is ruled by her emotions, ect.

The series is released in the US by Right Stuf, who provide a comparably good value for the anime they release. The six episode DVD version retail for $40.00

It's a pleasant anime series to watch, especially in small doses. It's bright, colorful, and non-obtrusive. If that's enough for you, it's a good addition to an anime collection. Watching more than one episode in a row is not too recommendable, it's a great series two watching in between more serious subject matter, or as a quick diversion.