Father Geek here to once again introduce you to Scott Green's regular Wednesday AICN Anime Report... but before we get on with his column here's something I think may interest you...

Atomic Cartoons is very excited to announce their involvement in the animated multi-part Internet original property ³Chuck Jones¹ Timber Wolf². ³It has been a pleasure to have the occasion to work with animation legend Chuck Jones,² says Samantha Daley - Atomic Cartoons Executive Producer.

Atomic Cartoons provided animation production on ³Timber Wolf² for Wolfgang Productions, producing thirteen 4-5 minute weekly installments for the Internet. ³We wanted to animate an Internet show with the same look and feel of the Classic Warner Bros. cartoons that Chuck is so well known for and I am proud to say that I think we have achieved that,² offers Mauro Casalese ­ Atomic Cartoons ­ Co - Founder/Director.

³Chuck and I looked at a lot of different animation studios to work with us on the show, and when we finally came across Atomic, we knew immediately that we had found the right people for the job,² says Stephen Fossati, Jones¹ partner and Executive Producer for Wolf Gang.

³It¹s a mystery to me how they do this on the computer, but somehow these guys are breathing life into our characters. I¹m proud of the work they¹re doing,² says Mr. Jones.

The show was launched by Warner Bros. Online with great success, bringing in more than three quarters of a million individual viewers within the first week of its October 24 premier and has continued to expand its viewership since.

³Chuck Jones¹ Timber Wolf² available for viewing only at Warner Bros. Online, (http://www.warnerbros.com) features the shenanigans of series¹ title character, Thomas T. (that¹s short for Timber) Wolf, who has it all ­ looks, brains and a savoir-faire not usually associated with forest-dwelling animals. In each three to five minute episode, Thomas and his cohorts slip, skip and stumble through adventures and eventual predicaments, including Earl the Squirrel¹s insistence on collecting a $100 bounty for Thomas¹ tail, a herd of sheep that becomes a little too amorous towards Thomas and Thomas¹ misadventures in babysitting. And, among all of this bucolic bliss, there¹s just one catch, involving the utterance of ³Timber² and a slew of falling treesS

Since Trevor Bentley, Mauro Casalese, Rob Davies and Olaf Miller founded Atomic Cartoons in 1999, the Canadian owned studio has seen much success. Throughout this brief period of time the four associates have increase the studio to 30 members strong and have delivered pre-production on more than 100 half-hours of television animation including two seasons of Nelvana¹s ³Pelswick², Film Roman¹s ³The Oblongs² and Warner Brothers Television Animation¹s ³The Zeta Project².

Examples of Atomic¹s work can be found at http://www.atomiccartoons.com.

Now on with Scott's info rich column for this work week...

Manga Spotlight:

Gunsmith Cats by Kenichi Sonoda

If you are a fan of guns, babes and cars, manga is a place you can go for a fix.

Dark Horse Comics has recently released the final Gunsmith Cats special, concluding the run of the series. Rally Vincent is the titular gunsmith. In addition to being a firearms expert, she is a bounty hunter and car enthusiast. Her partner is the Minnie-May, short, young looking, former prostitute explosives expert. Technically they bounty hunters, but the impetuous of their conflicts usually isn't catching bail jumpers. They chase down, or are chased by Chicago's most brutal criminals. Their network of some time assistants include the information saleswoman Becky, thief Becky, most liked of all, the driver Bean Bandit. Bean Bandit is some time ally, some time competition or adversary. He's the kind of bad ass who get away with bringing a knife to a gun fight. An amusing scene shows his Kevlar/ceramic plated jacket breaking an unwary Misty's foot. Kenichi Sonoda puts a lot of itself into the series. This is a blessing and a curse to the series. He has a fun design sense for making memorable looking characters and outfits such as spunky May in her skirts, and grenade concealing jackets, or Rally with her padded leather jacket. He's got a great eye for detail, especially when it comes to the hardware (weapons and cars). He's done is research, and he seems to know the capabilities specific models of gun. Unfortunately, he seems to revel in risqué shots, and like Minnie May's mentor and boyfriend, he seems to have a bit of Lolita complex (further demonstrated by the next series Dark Horse is releasing Cannon God Exaxion). The amount of fan service is the series is a bit staggering. The incidents of shirts and skirts getting cut off accidentally or intestinally, pants getting pulled off, and clothes being removed in general gets a little excessive, but it becomes really problematic and disturbing when it involves hospital rooms, bathrooms, villains who like to dress captured people in bondage outfits, and the very under age looking Minnie May.

Some of the series' high lights include the first book, Bonnie and Clyde. After a quick introduction to the characters it is a non stop action story that pits Rally and May against a pair of mob guns to try to take power. The already vicious Bonnie goes over the edge after losing a thumb to Rally's gun, and her feet to May's bombs. This introduces another concept Sonoda seems fond of, replacing limbs with weapons. It covers all of the bases. Car chases, gun fights, and ambushes. Its prototypical Gunsmith Cats action without over burdening itself with plots.

Car enthusiasts and chase fans will want to take a look "Bean Bandit". Bean agrees to stop running drugs if Rally can prevent him from completing a drop. This leads to a road race between a Cobra, Dodge Viper, and a V26. It is difficult to capture the constant movie of a car chase in a comic, but Sonoda pulls it off. Speed lines, sound effects, facial expressions and panel composition are able to convey the speed and exhilaration of the race. The volumes also sports some very brutal fights with Bean Bandit, a man who uses his large stature to its full benefit in some great streets fights. It makes disarming a man using a belt look somewhat credible. The series does not do as well when it attempts to establish plot. It tries several times to introduce arch villains, first Gray, an ambitious criminal, and then Goldie, a mafia assassin that uses drugs to control people. When it tries to establish the threat of a villain, or their plots, the constant action and back and forth that makes the series is impeded. Volumes such as "Goldie versus Misty" and "Bad Trip", which feature large stretches of talking, and Rally reeling from the effects of being drugged are the series weakest. Gunsmith Cats is the comic version of the big summer action movie. Originally, believability a well thought out story, and well formed characters are great things to have, but a kick to the head with the leg parallel to the body, thumbs being shot off from various ranges, an unique weapons in the place of amputated limbs are always fun and exciting.

Anime and Manga Shipping this Week

Manga

• Blade Of The Immortal #60 Secrets (3 Of 4)
• Cannon God Exaxxion #1 Stage 1 (Part 1 Of 8)
• Cardcaptor Sakura Vol 5 Pkt Gn
• Dragonball Z Part 4 #12 (Of 13)
• Dragon Knights #2
• Eagle Vol 4 Tp
• El Hazard Part 3 #5 (Of 6)
• Goku Midnight Eye Gn #2
• Gundam Wing Battlefield Of Pacifists #2
• Gundam Wing Vol 2 Blind Target Tp
• Joan Gn #3
• Lodoss War Chronicles Heroic Knight #13
• Lodoss War Deedlits Tale #1 S&N Ed
• Lodoss War Deedlits Tale #4
• Oh My Goddess Part Xi #1 Banpei In Love (1 Of 2)
• Oh My Goddess Part Xi #2 Banpei In Love (2 Of 2)
• Parasyte Vol 8 Pkt Gn
• Sailor Moon Stars Vol 3 Pkt Gn
• Sailor Moon Vol 11 Pkt Gn
• Saint Tail #13
• Sarai Vol 1 Gn #5
• Slayers Super Explosive Demon Story #2
• Smile Vol 3 #12
• Wounded Man Gn #2

Anime

• Ceres Celestial Legend Vol 4
• Cowboy Bebop Perfect Collection Dvd Box Set
• Mobile Suit Gundam The 08Th Ms Team (Vol. 3)
• Magic Users Club Tv Vol 1 I Wanna Do More
• Magic Users Club Tv Vol 1 I Wanna Do More
• Nadia Secret Of Blue Water Vol 3
• Pokemon Johto Journeys Vol 47
• Pokemon Johto Journeys Vol 48
• Ranma 1/2 Digital Dojo Dvd Boxed Set
• Ranma 1/2 Random Rhapsody Vol 6 Dvd Pandamonium
• Powerstone - Mystery Of The Stones ~ Powerstone
• Trigun - The Complete Boxed Set

Ceres Celestial Legend is the story of Aya Mikage and her twin brother Aki who thought they were two normal teenagers until one incredible day turned their lives around forever. Aya discovers that she is a descendent of Ceres, a tennyo (celestial maiden or angel) who was captured a hundred years ago. Only now Ceres' wants her revenge and she plans to use Aya to do it.

Joan is a manga retelling of France Joan of Arc.

Trigun follows Vash the Stampede, a strange gunslinger walking across a desert landscape, sparsely populated by towns, and giant light bulb like "plants". With a large red trenchcoat, spiky blonde hair, and think rimmed sum glasses he hard to miss. Though he never seems to kill anyone he causes a great deal of destruction and has a $$60,000,000,000 bounty on his head.

Eagle is a political drama that was nominated for four of comics' Eisner Awards, more than any other manga series. The series follows Japanese-American Senator Kenneth Yamaoka's run for the US presidency, and the Japanese journalist sent to cover the campaign who soon learns that he's Yamaoka's son out of wedlock.

Information on Matrix Anime

The Matrix Revisited will be released this week. Five short anime movies, supervised by producer Michael Arias will be released next year leading into Matrix Reloaded. Yoshiaki Kawajiri, director of Vampire Hunter D (2000), Yoju Toshi and Jubei Nin Pocho (Ninja Scroll), will direct two of the short films for Madhouse Studios. The first episode follows a simulated ninja program in the Matrix. The second episode follows a man able to from from the Matrix into the real world using his will. Mahiro Maeda, director of Blue Submarine No. 6, will direct a sort of prequel to the first Matrix movie. Squaresoft will also produce one of the films using the CG rendering technology developed for the Final Fantasy movie.

Miyazaki Information

Anime News Service reports The United Kingdom's Watershed theater in Bistol is planning a Miyazaki season of movies starting February. Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa seem likely to be shown.

The Cambridge Picture House (Arts cinema) will screen the following Studio Ghibli films in Cambridge:

18/01 late nights Arts Picture House Cambridge Laputa: Castle in the Sky

19/01 (1) kids club Arts Picture House Cambridge My Neighbour Totaro - subtitled

20/01 (1) matinee Arts Picture House Cambridge Kiki's Delivery service

22/01 (1) eve Arts Picture House Cambridge Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

22/01 (1) eve Arts Picture House Cambridge The Crimson Pig 25/01 (2) late nights Arts Picture House Cambridge My Neighbour Totaro - subtitled

27/01 (1) matinee Arts Picture House Cambridge Princess Mononoke - subtitled All films are in January next year in a one week period.

In Japanese news Sen to Chihiro has been displaced in the number one box office spot by "In Between Calmness And Passion."

According to a Japanese article here both Disney and Dreamworks are in negotiations for the rights to the North American release of Sen to Chihiro. After partially funding the movie Disney has the rights to first refusal of the movie's distribution rights. Miyazaki points out that he created Sen to Chihiro specifically for Japanese audiences. And although he would be happy to see the film become successful worldwide, he has serious doubts that the film could prove successful in America where "a small number of the people will understand the film." He continues to say that, "Some [people] think being popular in the United States is the best thing, but I think it is wrong to think that way... Movies are said to be international, but I don't think so."

Yahoo News article reports Sen To Chihiro will debut in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan next month and is expected to be shown in France in January.

December 12th: Hong Kong

December 27th: Singapore

December 29th: Taiwan

January 16th: France ("Spirited Away" or "Le voyage de Chihiro" as it´s entitled in France will has its advance showing at the "Forum des Images" in December)

An interview on www.zakzak.co.jp reports Miyazaki's farewell directorial project will be a new film in 2004.

Cowboy Bebop Movie License Rumors

According to Anime on DVD's license list the Cowboy Bebop movie, Knockin' on Heaven's Door may be acquired, and not by Bandai. The speculation is that Columbia/Tri-Star, who was involved in the movie's Japanese release, may handle the American release as well. They've stated on several occasions their plans to try out more anime.

Eva Movie Premiere At Aka Kon

The Neon Genesis Movie will have its North American premier this weekend at Aka Kon 2001 in Vancouver BC. A clip is on their website at www.akakon.com .

ADV Films Announces Steel Angel Kurumi

Although first announced at last year's Anime Weekend Atlanta convention, AD Vision has now issued an official press release announcing impending plans to a domestic release of Steel Angel Kurumi (Kotetsu Tenshi Kurumi). According to the announcement, AD Vision will release episodes 1-24 of the series on 6 hour long DVDs.

The first Steel Angel series consisted of 24 fifteen minute long episodes broadcast on Japanese television as part of the Anime Complex II anthology program. Then the additional episodes 25-27 released as home video exclusives. The first series was then followed up by two sequels, the futuristic 3 episode Kotetsu Tenshi Kurumi Zero OAV series and the 12 episode Kotetsu Tenshi Kurumi 2 Shiki television series.

The first Kotetsu Tenshi series tells the story of a young apprentice Shinto priest named Nakahito living in the early 1900s who becomes master of the cheerful maid/battle android Kurumi, and friend to Kurumi's younger sister Saki and friend/rival Karinka. Fans of Bannou Bunka Neko Musume, Saber Marionette and Mahoromatic will find a similarly entertaining show in Steel Angel Kurumi.

G-Gundam Confirmed

ANS has confirmed with Bandai Entertainment's Jerry Chu preliminary details that indeed casting was taking place in Vancouver B.C. recently for an English dub adaptation for the G-Gundam TV series. G-Gundam will be the next Gundam series to arrive in the American marketplace and possibly on the airwaves as well. More details should be forthcoming in the next month or so. ANS conducted a brief interview with the Bandai representitve on a number of issues including plans for the rollout of the Escaflowne film, we managed to score a number of exclusive and interesting items. The piece will be posted in print form here shortly.

The TV animation of G-Gundam was produced by Sunrise, running in Japan in 1994, composing the season of Gundam just prior to Shin Kido Senki Gundam Wing in 1995. Plot-wise G-Gundam has been referred to as the "Dragon Ball" of Gundam due to the fact that the story, occurring in FC 95, revolves around a battle tournament where the "13th Gundam Fight" has began, the ring is the planet Earth. A nanotechnological monster of unspeakable power has been set free an now Neo Japanese Gundam fighter Domon Kasshu has came to Earth, not only to win the tournament but to find the Devil gundam, created by his father and was stolen by his brother, Kyouji Kasshu, before a catastrophe befalls the world. Of note production wise is G-Gundam director Yasuhiro Imagawa was also involved with the Giant Robo series.

Boogiepop Phantom Volume 4

Right Stuf will be releasing the fourth volume of the horror anime Boogiepop Phantom on February 12th. "From Watanabe Takashi, the well-known director of the popular comedic fantasy Slayers, comes the polar opposite of that series -- an arty, atmospheric fright fest!

The world of Boogiepop takes a turn into something completely unexpected with the appearance of the fragile and childlike Poom-Poom. His quest seems an innocent one: make friends with people and play throughout eternity in Paisley Park. Traveling throughout the city with Manaka, even Poom-Poom seems to have an appointment with the Angel of Death. Now in the final volume of the series, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The time has come for the fates of our varied characters and even that of the city itself to meet their ultimate conclusion.. The questions are now answered.

The last three episodes of the popular psychothriller! "Poom Poom," "under the gravity's rainbow," and "a requiem." "

The cover can be seen at http://www.rightstuf.com/outgoing/sleeves/rsdvd2024.jpg

The complete four volume collector's set will also be released on February 12th.

"A scream in the night, and in that instant the world changed ... or at least, it appeared to. There have always been forces in the world and voices in the night: some friendly and other malevolent. Invisible until summoned, they slide through dimensions as people walk through doorways. They wait, and watch the doings of Man closely ... each for their own reasons. Sometimes, they appear ... and when they do, the world changes again.

Everyone knows about Boogiepop: meet her one dark night and you are taken. People tell each other the stories and laugh: no one believes that she exists in this day and age. Still, there are some strange things that appear to be going on just below the surface. Darkness takes many forms, though. Evil and good intermingle. Lives end and others begin. And, others who were never meant to be born are thrust into existence. The glass shatters. Time stands still. There is something in the darkness. You aren't alone. Are you safe? Five years ago, there was a string of grisly murders that shook the city to its core ... and in the present, psychic echoes reverberate.

Throughout all, a sense of helplessness is universal as people go about their daily lives: they are not in control of their destinies and on some level the most sensitive are aware of it. Refuge is sought. The past can be a very comforting place. It can also be a horrific one.

And, just below the surface, predators await the unwary. "

New Anime in January

Anime Daisuki has published an early listing of new anime TV series premiering in Japan in January. Noteworthy new series include the big budget Pata Pata Airship Adventure, second series for Bakuten Shoot Beyblade and Weiss Kreuz, Yasuhiro Imagawa's Shichinin no Nana, Gonzo's delayed Full Metal Panic, Aquarian Age- based on the popular anime CCG, Piano and Kanon- both based on popular dating simulation video games, the ecchi Onegai Teacher and yaoi Mirage of Blaze, NHK's Bandit King Jing, and a revival of Kinnikuman- formerly marketed in America as "M.U.S.C.L.E."

Legend Of Basara DVD Box

Anime News Service reports the Legend Of Basara TV series is getting a special DVD box release in Japan. Included will be all 13 stories broadcast in 1998 telling the story of a band of characters in Japan where civilization collapses with catastrophe at the end of the 20th century. Key in this release is a illustrated BOX with collectors booklet and sketchboard image post cards. Also included are interviews with seiyuu (voice actors), background on the series and interview the series' original creator. The limited release set must be ordered between Oct. and January 20 of 2001 with a set release for Feb. 2001. Retail is 10,000 Yen.

Tenchi Muyo! GXP TV series latest information

The Official Tenchi Muyo website released the second GXP trailer with Mr. Kikuchi Masami(Tenchi Masaki) doing the narration. In this trailer "Tenchi" is introducing Seina Yamada as his "kouhai" in high school and how Seina's bad luck caused many troubles and made Seina meets many beautiful girls in new series. Be sure to check it out for you may find your favorite character of "Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki" in it!

Vap and AIC will release limited edition "Tenchi Muyo! GXP" character goods on in "Comic Market 61" December 29th and 30th, 2001. The detail of the items will be announced later on tenchi-web.com. "Animedia" published the newly drawn "Tenchi Muyo! GXP" illustration in the latest off-line issue.

The site interviewed new series director - Mr. Watanabe Shinichi, character designer - Mr. Okuda Atsushi and scenario writer - Mr. Kuroda Yousuke with asking each of them 3 questions:

Q1:"What is your favorite movie?"

Q2:"What is your first impression toward the new series?"

Q3:"You comments toward the anime that already had a lot of fans worldwide?" We can't translate the whole page for fans dying to know what did they say but here are a little infromation we can offered. Regarding the second question, Mr. Watanabe said after he saw the whole "Tenchi Muyo!" related anime, his first impression toward the new series was "Gee! Looks difficult." Mr.Okuda reacted "so many characters..." and Mr. Kuroda simply thought "Here comes new work!"

In Nomine Anime

Steve Jackson games will be releasing an anime supliment for their In Nomine RPG, which depicts the battle between the forces of heaven and hell. For the cover image, and some preliminary information see here

Toonami Reactor Returns

TheToonami Reactor, a streaming video service provided by Cartoon Network has returned today. Currently Star Blazers: The Comet Empire (Season 2) and Daft Punk's four videos are available for viewing.

Gainax Closes Shop to International Customers

Gainax has closed the shop their web site http://www.gainax.co.jp/menu-e.html to over seas buisness as of November 20th. This effect the English speaker audience because Gainax releases DVD of some of their series (FLCL) with English subtitles, and the web site offers collector's items.

"NOTICE: Suspension of Shipment for Abroad"

"Reluctantry, GAINAX-online-shopping-service plan to suspend shipment for abroad(except Japan). We will close the acceptance of orders for the abroad(except Japan) destination on 20th, November(JST)."

"Acceptance of domestic-delivery-orders in English form will be continued at URL: (http://www.gainax.co.jp/shop/index-e.html)"

"We are sorry that it may cause inconvenience to you."

Interesting Images

Tokyo Bay area buses with Cowboy Bebop: Heaven's Door and Future Boy Conan can be seen here.

The Cowboy Bebop movie: Knockin' On Heaven's Door DVD cover can be seen at here.

Pictures from the Sony Metreon Anime Festival can be seen at here.

Mahou Yuugi Webcast Startup

AIC and Lycos' webcast of mahou yuugi started yesterday in Japan and can be accessed at: http://maho-yugi.lycos.co.jp

Tweety With Sanrio

Sanrio announced that thy will be marketing products with Warner's Tweety Bird, and Hello Kitty for an Asian launch in March 2002. The merchandise will range from stationery items, fashion and home accessories, personal care items, plush, gifts and novelties, electronics, publishing, food and beverages and confectionery. The Tweety-exclusive product will include stationery, paper goods, mobile phone accessories and towels.

Anime Merchandise News

At www.advfilms.com, they have this to say about the Oprhen statue:

"Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to the Limited Edition Orphen statue, ADV Films has recently been able to negotiate a limited, one-time reproduction of more of the best statue in town! Originally solicited at $179.95, because of such limited supply, this beautiful statue is being made available at a drastically reduced price of only $69.98! To top it all off, ADV will be offering a refund to all of you already paid the original price! What a deal! We could only acquire two-hundred more, so get your orders in NOW because once these are gone, they are gone for good!"

The impressive Neon Genesis Evangelion: Matsumura Version, which is a bit of a spoiler if you haven't seen the entire anime series, can be seen at here.

A statue of the Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface Motoko Aramika can be seen at here.

A list of the anime merchandise that will be available through Diamond distributor's can be seen at here. If you are interested see your local comic shop. Some high lights include imported anime books including Groundwork of Evangelion the Movie Vol. 1, Inu Yasha Anime Comic 5, Pocket Monsters Celebi: Timeless Encounter (tpb) and Saint Seiya Encyclopedia. Imported manga includes Cat's Eye Manga 7-9, City Hunter 1, Kami Kakushi 1 Love Hina (Bilingual ed.) 6 & 7, Madara Manga 5, Magara 1, Red Shadow: Akakage Manga 1, Sengun 5,Slayers Manga 8 and You're Under Arrest! Manga 5. Import Miyazaki books include Kiki's Delivery Service (tpb) , My Neighbor Totoro (tpb) ,Princess Mononoke: This is Animation (tpb) Spirited Away Anime Comic 3 - 5 and Spirited Away: This is Animation

Diamond will be importing sound tracks of Cardcaptor Sakura Original Soundtrack 3 (Arcadia, Farewell, I Recommend Instincts, and Again), Cowboy Bebop Original Soundtrack 3 Blue, Dino Crisis Original Soundtrack (German ed.), Escaflown OST 3, Gundam Singles History II (Stand Up to the Victory, Don't Stop! Carry On! Flying in the Sky, Trust you Forever, and Eternal Wind), the second and third Neon Genesis Evangelion OSTs, Resident Evil 3 Nemesis Original Soundtrack 2 (German ed.), Slayers Next Sound Bible 2.

Blade of the Immortal Mix Up

Dark Horse comics has recently released Blade of the Immortal #61, without having released issue 60. Diamond comics has found the missing issue and will soon be shipping it.

Gundam Model Commercials Go Prime Time

Commercials for the Gundam models have recently begun airing on prime time spots such as Fox's Undeclared, and UPN's Star Trek: Enterprise, as well as on cable networks such as CNN and Comedy Central

Lupin III 30th Anniversary Celebration - New Online Comic Release From Monkey Punch

According to Anime News Service an official celebration of the 30th anniversary of Lupin III on TV has been commisioned adn is occuring between October 24 and Feb 2nd 2002. The Lupin III Network http://lupin-3rd.net/l30_top.html will offer web visitors who complete quiz and certain applications a chance to win some limited edition gifts. A number of participatories will join along in the celebration including the retail firm Animate. One can view Quicktime clips of the celebration here. http://lupin-3rd.net/op.html

Lupin creator Monkey Punch has started the online release of the manga "Lupin Three World". The comic is available through the broadband private bookstore "10 days book" (http://www.10daysbook.com/) as an ebook from December

ADV Snags Old Streamline Licenses

According to Anime on DVD's License list "ADV announced stuff at the con I can get no news from. Two ex-Streamline titles have found a new home, Crying Freeman and Doomed Megalopolis, and Medabots finds its home video home, but it will most likely be another straight from TV release, dub-only.

Thats it for Scott this week...