Father Geek here, happy to be bringing you yet another installment of THE AICN ANIME REPORT from the nimble fingers of the obsessed Scott Green. Obsessed? Just checkout the amount of info crammed into this week's Wednesday report. Nimble Fingers? Think about all those hotlinks and lists and... and all that code writing involved in putting together each week's column. Scott does a great job for us here at AICN. Father Geek just prays he doesn't burn out on us! Appreciate this guy geeks! The report would be impossible with out him, or his clones, ol' Father Geek's keyboard skills are layers below what is required of this regular weekly column...

Anime Spotlight Jin-Roh

Released by Bandai Entertainment and Viz Communications

Jin-Roh is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, in its more primal form, a romance between a girl, and a beast. Its screen play is by Mamoru Oshii (Patlabor and Ghost in the Shell), based on his Hellhounds manga which has been adapted into live action movies Akai Megane and Stray Dogs. Hiroyuki Okiura makes his directorial debut in this movie, which borrows much of its look from live action.

After the cataclysmic ending of the second World War, Japan is occupied by the Germans rather than the Americans. On the surface Japan inherits an aesthetic its occupiers. Car models, weapons, and aspects of urban design are reflect the influence. The aggressive economic growth that brought Japan back onto the world stage lead to social unrest, and the rise of armed anti-government groups. To augment the local police force, a new paramilitary organization was founded to protect the capital. Bellow the surface, a mode of operation was inherited from the Germans. The arrival Capital Police upped the ante. Their demonic appearance is marked by black body armor, a German style helmet, and faces obscured by gas masks, and glowing red low light goggles. Superior equipment, and ruthless tactics forced the anti-government forces to consolidate, and go underground. The violence of the conflict, and success of the nation dulled ideology, and discredited both sides, who era se! emed to have ended.

After a violent confrontation with protester, Constable Kazuki Fuse's squad pursues the agitators into underground tunnels. He comes face to face a young girl who had been serving as a currier for satchels of explosives. When he refusing to shoot she detonates the satchel she was clutching. The resulting exposition knocked out power to the surround area, exacerbating the riots, and the exposing presence of the Capital Police, who were outside their jurisdiction, and had not coordinated the operation with the local police. Fuze is sent back to the Capital Police's training academy. The debacle brings the growing wariness with the Capital Police to a public and political head. Hovering over the events is the specter of the Jin-Roh, or Wolf Brigade, a rumored rouge elite within the Capital Police specializing in counter intelligence.

The movie presents an organizational ecology, in which groups dedicate energy not to the purpose they where created for, but for perpetuating their way of life. They thrive or fade given environmental consideration. They survive, interbreed, evolve, or die out. Fuze's conflict becomes the front line in the organizational struggle as a turbulent era, fades into today's more peaceful consumer culture.

Jin-Roh is being branding an action, buts its violence is not entertainment violence. Violence is an aspect of the movie, and one portrayed as a physically and emotionally painful endeavor.

There is meant to be a sharp divide between moments of violence, and moments of peace. When action does commence, its blots out other emotion. When the Capital Police put on their armor, their humanity vanishes. The world is cover in black, red and orange hues. This is part of what makes Fuze an aberration. While suited in his armor in a moment of action, he fails to shoot the girl. When not in action, he is haunted by visions of a pack of wolves.

The depth of the detail in the animation is unparalleled. Its the generation beyond Ghost in the Shell. Backgrounds have a complexity that mirror real scenes.

The selling point of animation has traditional been that it allows the creator to portray things impossible or prohibitively difficult in live action. For example, the size, and unique character of Akira's cityscapes could not be created in live action to the depth they where in the anime movie. The reasons that Jin-Roh is animated rather than live action are more subtle. Jin-Roh could have been made live action with a sizable budget. Perhaps the movie was animated for greater precision is sets or increased flexibility and control in direction.

The direction is an interesting combination of live action and animated convention. Many of the shots are composed like live action, but with animation like movement, and aspect to aspect, or view to view cuts.

The movie's unforgettable tone is set by its music, composed by Hajime Mizuguchi (Please Save My Earth), with and end by Yohko Kanno.

Jin-Roh is unequivocally a movie to own. Its story is haunting. It will bring you back for subsequent viewing. It's a Rorschach Test. The questions it asks often depend on the viewer. Is the movie attempting to make a statement about Japan's real occupation and internal strife, or about the role of combatants in society. For animation fans, its one of the last great hurrahs of tradition cel animation, as computer animation continues to dominate Japan's animation.

Bandai has released a special edition of the movie, a CD of the sound track, and an extras DVD with interviews, productions art, and trailers. The soundtrack is one of the high lights of the package. It works well as a stand alone.

The interviews were surprisingly cursory. It doesn't scratch much of the movies' depth, or the decisions behind it. If anything it made the movie look like a product of converging whims rather than a unified vision. The Oshii wanted a story set in the context of pervious creations, the director wanted an original story, that was a romance.

This Week's Releases

Manga

• Blade Of The Immortal #64 Skin (1 Of 2)
• Cowboy Bebop #1 (Of 4)
• Futabakun Change Vol 7 #6
• Island Vol 2 Pkt Tp
• Kodocha #1 (Of 5)
• Lodoss War Chronicles Heroic Knight #18
• Lone Wolf & Cub Vol 17 Will Of The Fang Tp
• Magical Journey Pokemon Part 6 Green Jealousy #3 (Of 4)
• Marvel Mangaverse Eternal Twilight #1
• No Need For Tenchi Part 12 #6 (Of 6)
• Parasyte Vol 9 Pkt Gn
• Pokemon Advs Part 6 Agathas Arbok #2 (Of 4)
• Ragnarok #1 (Of 4)

Anime

• Cleopatra DC
• CosPlay Encyclopedia
• Dragon Ball Z - Imperfect Cell - Discover
• Dragon Ball Z - Imperfect Cell - Encounter
• Dragon Ball Z - Majin Buu - Atonement
• Dragon Ball Z - Majin Buu - Hatching
• Gasaraki 8- To Be a Kai
• Madonna
• Nadia, The Secret of Blue Water - The Deep Blue Sea
• Pokemon - The Johto Journeys - Squirtle Squad (Vol. 49)
• Pokemon - The Johto Journeys - Midnight Heroes (Vol. 50)
• Ranma 1/2 Rr:Uko's Secret Sauce
• Sailor Moon SuperS - Pegasus Collection I

Other interesting releases include Beast Wars - Transformers (Vols. 1 & 2) and a new printing of Usagi Yojimbo Vol 6.

The Cowboy Bebop manga features more stories of the sci-fi/western bounties hunters from the anime series. After the four issue mini series TOKYOPOP will be releasing the Cowboy Bebop manga in collected form.

Gasaraki volume 8 concludes the giant robot series, which raised many eyebrows with its strong grounding in well thought out science fiction, strategy and politics . See last week's column for a lengthy description.

Island is an interesting Korean horror manga series about rich and willful young woman, and a handsome sociopath with mystical powers who encounter mythical monsters on an exotic, real island. A description of the first two issues can be found here

Kodocha (originally known as Kodomo no Omocha or "Child's Toy") is a dramatic comedy about the hyper child actress, who mother is an award winning author. Kodocha is cute, and humorous, but it does not shy away from serious and complex issues.

Disney Allows Fans Vote For Kiki's Delivery Service DVD

Nausicaa.net reports Disney's web site new features the opportunity for fans to shows their support for a DVD version of Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service at here .

Kiki's Delivery Service is a classic fairy tale like story about a young witch to leaves her parents to find her place in the world. Utilizing what skills she has, flying on her broom she starts a delivery service. The movie's earnest emotion, and beautiful animation of an idyllic Europe has ones the series fans of all ages.

Colombia Tristar Confirmed for Cowboy Bebop Movie

Anime News Network reports a press release for Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment's release of Metropolis includes Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven's Door as one of the trailer on their release of Metropolis.

Knocking on Heaven's Door re-teams bounty hunter Spike Spiegel, ex-cop Jet Black degenerate gambler Faye Valentine, and odd-ball computer hacker Ed as they track down a terrorist intent on releasing a deadly virus. The movie features the impressive Yokho Kanno music, arial dog fights, and some of the best animation martial arts battles, as you would expect from a movie version of the popular TV show.

Anime News Service reports after going several months without update, the offical Japanese Cowboybebop.com has renewed in regards to Heaven's Door film released onto DVD on the 25th and a newly announced CD-BOX set.

The CD-BOX compilation will feature music by Yoko Kanno from previous TV and movie albums, some tracks will be mastered from different sound sources and new tunes and tracks not previously released will make it into this special set release. The planning of the BOX release is still in the preliminary stages, many details regarding what will go in are still being determined. The BOX (as of now) due in spring 2002 will include 4 CD's + 8cm CD and retail at 9,800 Yen from Victor Entertainment.

The Cowboy Bebop Knockin On Heaven's Door DVD lists a running time of 114 minutes with 13 minutes of extras, Sound Track is Dolby digital (5.1ch), DVD is single sided dual layer, aspect ratio 16:9, retail is 7,800, serial: BCBA - 1065. Extras include

Special information for theaterical release, TV ads, textless OP and ED, special I.S.S.P. FILE (16 page booklet). As for the contents of the disc, director Watanabe personally selected the chapter marks for the Movie chapter menu. Release was on January 25.

C.B. Cebulski Joins Marvel Comics

C.B. Cebulski has joined marvel comics as an Associate Editor. Cebulski's past credits include working with Central Park Media in in bringing titles such as Record of Lodoss War, Slayers, Plastic Little, Geobreeders, Dark Angel, and Nadeisco to U.S. audiences. While at Fanboy Entertainment, Cebulski worked closely with Kia Asamiya to produce Dark Angel: Phoenix Resurrection comic series, the first color Manga to land on American shores in over 10 years. Cebulski then followed this up by producing the first shojo (girls') Manga ever created specifically for Western sensibilities and styling were successfully combined with super hero themes in the series Sidekicks, by J. Torres and Takeshi Miyazawa, which Cebulski edited. He also worked with such creators as Yoshtoshi Abe of Serial Experiments Lain and Range Murata of Blue Submarine No. 6 on their critically acclaimed art collections.

Indications are that Cebulski will be working on projects aimed at brining younger readers, and girl into comics, in adition to bringing Japanese names to Marvel projects.

Cebulski stated "Recently, in Japan, many Manga creators have been taking more 'American comic style' approaches to their art and storytelling, which they freely admit... They are just as influenced by our comics as we are by their Manga, and I know many of the Japanese artists are already chomping at the bit to take a crack at drawing Marvel's heroes."

"Well, I think it goes without saying that Kia Asamiya's name will be turning up on some Marvel comics before too long. In fact, just look for his cover to IRON MAN #55 in May. I have also talked with Takehiko Ito, creator of Outlaw Star, and illustrator Katsuya Terada of Zenbu and BLOOD: The Last Vampire fame, and they have also lined up some upcoming work for Marvel. And the list continues to grow daily!".

Metropolis DVD Release Information

Home Entertainment will be releasing Metropolis in a Special Edition 2-Disc set on March 12th. The movie brings together a story by Osamu Tezuka, who sharped anime and manga into the from seen today, with direction by Rintaro ("X", "Galaxy Express 999"), and screenplay by Katshuhiro Otomo ("Akira")

In the late 1940s, long before "Astro Boy" and "Kimba the White Lion" established Osamu Tezuka as one of the most influential animators of all time, the legendary illustrator created the classic manga "Metropolis." More than fifty years since it was first imagined, Tezuka's vision of the inability of scientific progress to fulfill basic human needs is spectacularly rendered in its visual style, combining the best in Japanese cel animation with the latest in digital technology.

DVD ADDED VALUE ELEMENTS

• * Two disc set
• * First ever "pocket DVD" of added value elements
• * Special packaging - new fold-out packaging with outer sleeve
• * Widescreen and Full Screen presentations
• * Animax Special: The Making of Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis
• * Exclusive Featurette: Interview with Rintaro Katsushiro
• * Two Animation Comparisons
• * History of the "Metropolis" Comic Book
• * Digitally mastered audio & anamorphic video
• * Theatrical Trailers
• * Biography of Osamu Tezuka
• * Animated Menus
• * Production Notes
• * Scene Selections

Synopsis

Set in the future, Metropolis is a grand city-state populated by humans and robots, the cohabitants of a strictly segmented society. Amidst the chaos created by anti-robot factions, detective Shunsaku Ban and his sidekick Ken-ichi are searching for rebel scientist Dr. Laughton. But when they locate him, his secret laboratory is destroyed by fire under sinister circumstances, and instead Ken-ichi finds Tima, a beautiful young girl bereft of memory and speech, seemingly helpless at the site. Little does he know that Tima is a new top-of the-line android created to take over Metropolis, and that behind her creation lie the ambitions of a powerful man and his fierce desire to reclaim a tragic figure from his past.

Rated PG-13 (for violence and images of destruction) 106 Minutes Sound: Stereo Color Closed-Captioned VHS # 08215 UPC Code: 0-43396-08215-1

DVD SPECS

Format: Widescreen & Full Screen Sound: Japanese DTS and 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish Trailers: Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis, Final Fantasy, Cowboy Bebop

Evangelion Box Set

Anime on DVD reports ADV will be releasing Neon Genesis Evangelion in a DVD box set on April 9th for $169.98. The Neon Genesis Evangelion Perfect Collection boxset contains all 8 DVDs (including the re-mastered Volume 1 and all matching spine covers ).

Bid For Power Release

The Quake 3 Mod, Bid For Power has been released. Originaly the game variation based on Dragon Ball Z, but after a cease and desist order they removed the Dragon Ball Z characters and settings.

Initial D News

A recent Animation Magazone article spotlighted TOKYOPOP's marketing of Initial D as a possible candidate for English speaking television at last week's National Association of Television Program Executives (NAPTE) 2002.

The series follows a young street racer. It successfully intergrates tradition 2-d animation with CGI 3-d animation for the race scenes.

When asked how they select the properties for license deals, Brand Manager and Executive Producer Kenneth Lee replied, "The first requirement is that the property has to entertain us. There are a lot of clones out there now. We liked Initial-D because it was different; no explosions, no line-up of 500 different toys."

Adds Lee, "In Japan, Initial-D earns a 47% share for its time slot and has generated some $300 million in sales throughout Asia." It also generates a ton of pop music that will be re-recorded in the U.S. with top-name stars. Yet, Lee believes one of the best things about Initial-D is its crossover appeal. "The characters deal with real life problems that every kid or teenager goes through. There are some real relationships here. Plus," he adds with a grin, "Every kid wants to have a car."

Anime on DVD received a clarification from Kenneth Lee regarding the comment about the series' music. "I was misquoted. I did NOT say that we were replacing the music with top name stars." This makes sense, considering that the series techno-esque music is considered by many to be one of its strong selling points "Essentially, I was telling Animation magazine that Initial D used Avex Trax as a venue to have lots of top-name artists / hip music that really took off in Japan. And there was a *potential* that we could do the same IF IT GOT ON TV." "If we ever got on TV with this property, I would of course release the Uncut, Unedited Version - pristine with everything intact. If we did replace music *FOR TV* I would release that as a separate video anyways (if it wasn't possible to integrate it as a 3rd audio track)."

Anime News Service the latest Initial-D production as being a 1 hour 25 minute special titled "Initial D Battle Stage", it is planned to be broadcast in Japan on February 1st on Sky PerfecTV channel 121. The Computer Graphics utilized for the OVA and Third Stage Movie were slightly more detailed over the 1st and 2nd TV series CGI and this Battle Stage recompilation will feature the respective car races from the 1st and 2nd TV series re-computer animated with the latest technology and updated effects on a detail level of that on par with the quality seen in the the film. Additionally, the battles will play out to brand new Super Eurobeat tracks and the special will include commentary by the legendary Drift Racer Keiichi Tsuch! iya. DVD rental of the special is slated for March and DVD sale is expected to occur in May.

ADV Acquires Mospeada

On the heels of last week's Southern Cross announced, ADV has announced that they have acquired the rights to the final third of what became Robotech, Mospeada.

As with Southern Cross, ADV will be releasing Mospeada on DVD with only the original Japanese dialog and subtitles. There will be no English dub of Mospeada. Harmony Gold requires that the Robotech source material not be dubbed as they believe it could lead to competition between the two separate products.

From the press release:

ADV's release of Genesis Climber MOSPEADA marks the first time ever all 25-episodes of this classic animated series have been made available to North American audiences in their original, uncut form. MOSPEADA was first seen in North America in an English-dubbed format as Robotech: New Generation, the third and final act of the groundbreaking 85-episode Robotech series. The series was modified to fit into Robotech continuity, with major revisions made to the original script and scene sequence. Building on the success of Robotech on DVD, ADV is currently planning a DVD release of this title.

It's the year 2083, and mysterious aliens known as the Inbit have ruled the Earth for a generation. A fleet of rebel fighters from humanity's outpost on Mars journeys to Earth to reclaim their homeworld, but they are tragically wiped out, leaving heroic young pilot Stig Bernard as the last survivor. Determined to succeed in his quest, Bernard sets out on a suicide mission to invade the Inbit headquarters. Along the way, he gathers a small group of freedom fighters, along with an assortment of powerful robotic weapons and fantastic transforming vehicles to help his cause. Can this valiant band of rebels stare down extinction and wrest their homeworld from the clutches of their violent oppressors? Or will the human race meet its end?

Upcoming ADV Releases

The third volume of the Princess Nine, about a girls baseball team competing for boys' teams will be released on March 26th, with four episodes for $19.98.

Sailor Moon: A Heroine is Chosen and Sailor Moon: Sailor Scouts to the Rescue will be releases April 16th with 6 dub episodes each for $14.98.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - The Secret Cave will be released April 23rd.

Miyuki-chan in Wonderland will be released on May 7th for $12.98. The movie is the manga team CLAMP's take of the Alice in Wonderland story, with more panty shots.

Diamond Comics' Previews catalog is listing Spriggan for release this Spring.

Sherlock Hound Release Dates

Pioneer's new Sherlock Hound web site lists series upcoming release dates.

• Case File I - 02/26/2002
• Case File II - 04/23/2002
• Case File III - 06/11/2002
• Case File IV - 08/13/2002
• Case File V - 10/08/2002
• Case File VI - 12/10/2002

New Magazine to reprint Dragonball series

From Planet Namek A new Bi-Weekly Magazine entitled "Manga On-ga!", dedicated to the art and history of Manga, will re-run the entire lengths of a number of popular Manga series. The Mangas to appear include Dragonball, Hokut no Ken (Fist of the North Star) and Slam Dunk. Each of the series will feature new covers by various artists, as well as reprints of the original covers, this includes some new Dragonball art by Akira Toriyama himself. According to Planet Namek Toriyama hasn't "so much as doodled" Goku in years.

Official Word on Adult Swim Action

from Toonzone ADULT SWIM ACTION CRASHES THE POOL PARTY Saturday Late Night Block Aimed at Adults 18-34 Launches February 23

On February 23, Cartoon Network launches ADULT SWIM ACTION, extending its mission as the world's leader in animated entertainment with a new block of animated action-adventure programming aimed at adults ages 18-34. The block will air only on Saturday nights from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. (ET, PT). ADULT SWIM ACTION will feature three hours of action-packed programming including Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star and Tenchi Muyo!, among others. Saturday, February 23 will also mark the U.S. premieres of three popular Japanese animé imports - Yu Yu Hakusho, Pilot Candidate and Gundam 0083.

The programming line-up and show descriptions follow:

• * 11 p.m. Yu Yu Hakusho
• * 11:30 p.m. Cowboy Bebop
• * 12 a.m. Pilot Candidate
• * 12:30 a.m. Gundam 0083
• * 1 a.m. Outlaw Star
• * 1:30 a.m. Tenchi Muyo!

Yu Yu Hakusho follows the adventures of fourteen-year-old Yusuke Urameshi. Formerly a young rebel, Yusuke saves the life of a child and ultimately surrenders his own life. He is sent back to Earth with a mission to solve troubles between the Spirit World's dark creatures and the unsuspecting Living World. Yusuke joins a motley crew of former rivals, who join forces as friends to fight spirit criminals in this action-packed adventure series.

Following the exploits of the ship Bebop and its bounty hunter crew as they take on various assignments, Cowboy Bebop takes place in the future when the population of Earth has migrated into space. The show follows the exploits of bounty hunters, Spike and Jet, as they roam the galaxy with their dog, Ein, taking on various assignments and tracking down criminals in a hyperspace world rampant with crime and opportunities.

Pilot Candidate tells the story of the planet Zion, under attack by a powerful enemy from deep space. Zion's last hope rests upon a team of fighting machines known as the Goddesses. One trainee, Zero, realizes that it takes more than skill to become a pilot. He and the other pilot candidates must overcome their differences and complete their training or Zion will be destroyed.

Gundam 0083 takes place during the Stardust Memory (October U.C. 0083 - December U.C. 0083) which occurs three years after the end of the war between the Zeon and the Federation, when a group called the Delaz Fleet is formed by the survivors of the Zeon army. Their goal is to rebuild Zeon. Ace pilot Major Anavel Gato steals the Gundam GP02, a nuclear equipped mechanized battle-armor model, in development by the Federation. Lieutenant Kou Uraki pilots the Gundam GP01, the only one left, in an attempt to stop him.

ADULT SWIM ACTION shows will carry ratings of TV-PG, TV-14 and TV-Y7FV. The block will be packaged differently from other Cartoon Network programming, and will contain bumps at every break to notify viewers of the adult-targeted content. ADULT SWIM ACTION will only be promoted on Cartoon Network late at night.

FUNimation Acquire Fruit Basket

FUNimation has announced that they have acquired the rights to Fruit Basket, the latest from popular director Heitaro Daichi (Now & Then, Here & There, Kodomo no Omocha), Utena character designer Akemi Hayashi, and Studio Deen (Rurouni Kenshin).

From FUNimation's site: Toru Honda is a cheerful 16 year old girl. She was orphaned when her mother was killed in a car accident. Not wanting to burden anyone she buys a tent and begins to live in a forest. She is determined to finish school in order to fulfill her mother's last wish. It turns out that the land Toru is living on belongs to the Soma family. She is quickly invited to live in the Soma house (all males), as long as she is willing to cook and clean. One of the Soma's, Yuki, is the most popular boy at Toru's high school. He is swooned by girls constantly and is even referred to as the "prince" of the school. His cousins Shigure, Yuki's guardian, and Kyo make up the rest of the household. Toru knows that her living environment is out of the norm, but things turn out to get stranger. The members of the Soma family are possessed by animals and they turn into their true selves when they are embraced by the opposite sex! You can imagine Toru's surprise when she witnesses their secret. She pro! mises not to tell a soul, but the "cat" may already be out of the bag.

Mini-Pato Screenshots on Production I.G. Website

From Anime News Network Mini-Pato the 3 episode series from Production I.G. now has a couple pages of screenshots with some amusing captiosn up on the Production I.G. website. If your interested in the unique style of animation or you if you like 37mm pistols. You can check them out here, here, and here. The English page for Mini-Pato is available here Source: Production I.G.

HAPPY LESSON Anime TV Series in the Works

From Anime News Service: The HAPPY LESSON franchise is growing by a one new TV series. Previously, a character based Drama CD, manga and OAV release revolving around 5 bishoujo teachers, fan favorite manga artist Mutsumi Sasaki's Happy Lesson is being developed into a new TV series.

Details On Latest Yamato Series Unveiled "New Space Battleship Yamato"

From Anime News Service: On his 64th birthday - January 25th, creator Leiji Matsumoto officially unveiled cast and staff surrounding his latest TV series production - "New Space Battleship Yamato" at a local Tokyo Chiyoda Ward restaurant. Info And Images surrounding the event can be seen at Venture Soft and a Japanese list of production credits can be viewed here. The first Space Battleship Yamato's impact on animation and story telling in Japan was considered a milestone and the production team heads for this release would like it to follow along the same genrebreaking path on which the first series walked. To that end an allstar cast and staff has been assembled. Tomoharu Katsumata of Future War 198x (illustrated by Masami Suda (Hokuto No Ken)) has ben selected as series director. Executive Producer will be Hioshi Mori who has previously worked in planning on Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind, and with Hakuhodo and Ghibli as part of the production commitee on My Neighbor's The Yamada's. Also on staff are those associated with the production Salray Man Kintaro.

Tokyopop Commits to Unflopped Manga

From Anime News Network Up untill very recently, all North American Manga releases were "flopped" by their American publishers. Japanese Manga is originally written to be read from right-to-left, however because North American readers are used to reading from left-to-right, teh American publishers have mirrored the Manga to make the easier to read. This practice, referred to as "flopping" has the definite advantage of making the Manga more acceptable to first time readers and therefore more marketable. Research has also shown that many large bookstores do not know how to handle unflopped manga and often place them on the shelves with their back facing the customer.

However the process of flopping also has the major disadvantage of compromising the original Manga art, and causing some incorrect adaptations where the difference between left to right is important. Additionally it has required the removal and replacing of the original sound effects and text, often leaving white spaces behind the text.

Recently, several North American publishers, and most European publishers, have made the move to print some Manga in its original right-to-left format. But Tokyopop is now the first North American company to commit to publishing all of its Manga in this format.

Excerpts from Tokyopop Press Release:

TOKYOPOP has made an unprecedented move to keep the English-language versions of manga (comic books and graphic novels) as close to their Japanese originals as possible. Starting in April 2002, TOKYOPOP will publish all of its new manga titles in the authentic right-to-left format, and give fans the true experience they have been asking for. This not only maintains the integrity of the original artwork, but also enables TOKYOPOP to release most graphic novel series on a frequency three-to-six times faster than the current industry standard. TOKYOPOP volumes will hit the shelves monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly versus the six months or longer typical of competitors.

In Japan, all published manga (and most Japanese printed material) is written to read from right to left. This is also true for most European adaptations of manga. When an English translation is published in the U.S., however, the common practice has used computer-reversed or mirror images that allow the books to read from left to right (the Western standard). Unfortunately, this often compromises the integrity of the title's original artwork.

Today's announcement makes TOKYOPOP the first U.S. publisher to adopt such a sweeping policy. While some Japanese manga artists have required that the English versions of their manga be published from right to left, TOKYOPOP is the first American publisher to unilaterally announce that it will maintain the original format for all of its future manga titles.

Additionally, TOKYOPOP will leave the original printed sound effects in place, one more way in which American readers gain from the authentic manga experience. In the Japanese language, use of the onomatopoeia (i.e., printed sound effect words like 'buzz' or 'thump') is incredibly well developed, and many manga artists have intricately incorporated these sound effects into their art - again, an element that has been commonly altered in U.S. translations.

"A good manga is a work of art," said Senior Manga Editor, Jake Forbes. "If you reversed the works of Picasso and showed them to art lovers, they would know that something was off. Manga fans are no different. Staying true to the original format is an exciting move, both for the fans and for the artists."

TOKYOPOP's manga research has generated promising feedback, with enthusiastic reception from the fans and test-groups adjusting to the right-to-left format within just a few pages. An "authentic manga" how-to guide will be included in each graphic novel, but tests indicate that the new format will quickly become second nature. The authentic manga launch will also feature special packaging.

Upcoming TOKYOPOP Manga Releases in New Format:

April 2002:

Chobits

Cowboy Bebop

Dragon Knights

GTO

Marmalade Boy

Mars

Planet Ladder

Real Bout High School

Skullman

May 2002:

Initial D

Kare Kano

Kodocha - Sana's Stage

Love Hina

Paradise Kiss

For ComicsOne.com Previews

ComicsOne.com, a manga translator that is offering their products online through the Adobe e-book reader as posted a number of 30 page preview of their series, including Goku: Midnight Eye, a cyber punk version of the Journey to the West legend, Wounded Man, and their new action title Wild 7

Anime in Japan

According to Anime News Service Gonzo and Bandai Visual's new 5 part scifi air combat OAV, Fighting Fairy Yukikaze (Sentou Yousei Yukikaze) will be based on the first novel of anthology "Anatomy of Wonder". Yukikaze is a fusion of the classic war story and cyberpunk, in that the central character IS the airplane, not the pilot who flies it. Yukikaze ("Blizzard") is a state-of-the-art fighter jet with an artificial intelligence that becomes self aware and gets better and better at the job of warfare as the war goes on. This Link has illustrations of the Yukikaze made for the novel slipcovers. The trailer can be viewed here.

The Sugoi reports Kanon is scheduled to make it's debut on January 30th.

Trailers can be found at

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Anime Nation reports Mooto! Ojamajo Doremi ended with episode 50 on January 27th. The first episode of the fourth Doremi season/series, Ojamajo Doremi Dokan! will premier on February 3rd.

Hellsing concluded with episode 13, broadcast on January 16th. Vandread Second Stage ended with episode 13 broadcast on January 18th. Comet-san concluded with episode 43 broadcast on January 20th. Offside will end on episode 39, scheduled for broadcast on January 31st.

Raxephon broadcast its first episode on January 21st. Kanon premiers on January 30th. The second Galaxy Angel TV series premiers on February 3rd.

Central Park Media Manga News

Starting in April 2002, Central Park Media will be shifting their focus away from the production of monthly 32 page comics so they may increase our production of graphic novels. Some previously solicited material will now be unavailable at the announced format or price point.

Record Of Lodoss War Chronicles of the Heroic Knight will end with issue 18, 19 and up will be canceled. Issue #18 is the last issue necessary to complete the third story arc. The third story arc will be released as graphic novel #3 Street date TBA

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit's Tale will end with issue #7, 8 and up will be canceled. to complete the first story arc. The first story arc will be released as graphic novel #1 Street date TBA

Slayers Special will end with issue #6. Issue #6 is the last issue necessary to complete the series. A graphic novel compiling the issues will be released. Street date TBA

Slayers Super Explosive Demon Story will end with issue #6.Issue #6 is the last issue necessary to complete the first story arc. The first story arc will be released as graphic novel #1 Street date TBA

Upcoming releases include:

• Nadesico GN #3 4/3/2002
• Slayers Special #4 4/17/2002
• Slayers Super Explosive Demon Story #6 4/17/2002
• Geobreeders Graphic novel #3 5/1/2002
• Slayers Special #5 5/15/2002

Spirited Away Announced for Japanese DVD

Nausicaa.net has referenced a pair of Japanese links that suggest that Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi will be released on DVD in Japan in June. One link gives a June 19th date. A second link lists a release date of June 5th. Thus far all of the Studio Ghibli films released on Japanese DVD, including Gouche the Cellist and Tonari no Yamada-kun which have never been officially released in America, have included optional English subtitles.

English Language Newtype Status Update

from Anime News Network Akadot has published a brief update on the status of the tentative American produced English language version of Newtype Magazine. Mentions of negotiations with the Japanese publishers, financial viability assessments, waiting "for the green light to shine," and an image of a Newtype mock-up issue developed for proposal to Kadokawa Shoten seem to suggest that the American publication is still in the possibility stage rather than the confirmed production stage.

Rintaro And Maruyama Metropolis Audio

Anime News Service has posted an interview with Metropolis director Rintaro at here, in which he comments on the release of Metropolis in America.

More On 4Kids / Fox Deal

From Cinescape Toon Zone News previously reported that 4Kids Entertainment had won the bidding war to program Fox Kids and would do so beginning September 2002. Today at a 4Kids conference call, it was confirmed that "Kinnikuman" and the live-action "Ultraman" would be airing on Fox Kids in the fall. 4Kids Entertainment has also expressed interest in making their own in-house animated series based on their existing properties, in addition to acquiring anime. 4Kids has the rights to all Nintendo properties and is considering a show based on the videogame "Kirby," in addition to some other Nintendo properties. At one time, they were considering a "Perfect Dark" animated series, based on the videogame of the same name. However, nothing much has been said about it within the last year. 4Kids Entertainment also owns the rights to "Thundercats," and "The Cabbage Patch Kids" properties and could make new series of each. 4Kids Entertainment is expected to announce the rest of the block within a fe! w weeks. When it does, Toon Zone News will have a detailed look at it.

Guardians of Order Releases

Right Stuf has posted information about Guardians of Order's upcoming anime guide/role playing game supplement Ultimate Fan Guide Series. This authorized guide features detailed episode summaries, in depth character profiles, setting and theme analysis, and role-playing character sheets for the popular Tri-Stat System (as presented in the Big Eyes, Small Mouth RPG).

Serial Experiments Lain Ultimate Fan Guide and Tenchi in Tokyo RPG Supplement will be released in February.

Parallel Dual Ultimate Fan Guide and Big Eyes, Small Mouth (Revised 2nd Edition) will be released in April.

Dual combines elements of Tenchi Muyo (boy and a group of excentric girl) with Evangelion parody.

Trigun Ultimate Fan Guide and Fushigi Yugi Ultimate Fan Guide will be released in May.

Merchandise News

Figures.com has posted images of Kaiyodo's fourth Trigun figure, Meryl Strife here.

The latest addition to Yasuhiro Nightow's figure line will stand approximately 5" tall and will include a removable cloak that conceals her high-tech derringer holster rack - a total of 20 removable derringers. Also included is a multi-part suitcase filled with miscellaneous accessories, a 3D display stand depicting a bullet-riddled counter, and a figure of Trigun's Kuroneko the black cat

This original Japanese blister carded figure is scheduled to ship in June 2002 for $22.99 and is being offered for pre-order in the February issue of Diamond Previews.

This March Toycom will release new versions of their Guts Black Swordsman and Hawk Solider figures with diorma display bases for $29.99. They can be seen at here.

Toycom's 12" Trigun Vash the Stampede figure can be seen at here.

Dynamic Forces has provided Comics Continuum with a first look at Alex Ross' pencils for the upcoming Battle of the Planets nine-card set that he is painting here.

Comic Based Animation Projects

In non-anime news the animated projects based on Lady Death, and Jill Thompson's Scary Godmother have been progressing.

Comics Continuum reports Mainframe Entertainment (ReBoot) continues to develop Jill Thompson's Scary Godmother as an animated series, with plans for a one-hour special to launch the property.

Mainframe's Zeke Norton provided The Continuum with a look at the development of Scary Godmother's character designs here. At one point, he showed a group image scanned from Thompson's art with two CGI characters seamlessly replacing the original art.

Anime distributor ADV Films has sent out a press release stating that production is set to begin on their animated adapation of Chaos Comic's Lady Death. Co-producers Carl Macek (of Robotech fame) and Andy Orjuelawill soon travel to Asia to work with artists at SunMin Image Pictures Co., Ltd. (which worked on BAtman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles and the Maxx) under the supervision of director Young H. Sang, to begin creating the animation.

LADY DEATH tells the story of innocence betrayed and then reborn as a powerful elemental force capable of challenging the very roots of evil incarnate. Set in 15th Century Sweden, the film follows Hope, the beautiful daughter of Matthias - believed to be a skilled mercenary, but who in actuality is Lucifer, the Lord of Lies - who is accused of being the devil's consort following a hellish incident witnessed by a local priest. Ultimately, the mock inquisition sentences Hope to be burned at the stake. Unable to think clearly, she accepts Lucifer's offer of life in Hell - presented by the malevolent Pagan - over a hideously painful death. Lucifer's grand plan to pervert a pure soul meets unanticipated resistance, and Hope soon finds herself transformed into Lady Death. Together with the valiant outcast, Cremator, Lady Death challenges Lucifer's hell-spawned kingdom of darkness. The resulting conflict explores the depths of faith and love as an alternative to the corrupting powe! r of evil.

LADY DEATH will be produced as an all-digital, wide-screen feature-length film. The production will be designed to appear as traditional cel animation, but the work will be completed in a "paperless" environment. The advantage of using this process is that the dark environments of the underworld and the even darker demons that populate it can be visualized with a palate of colors that are virtually impossible to achieve utilizing traditional animation techniques.

The actual production of LADY DEATH should take a year to complete.