Father Geek here with the latest edition of our mid-week column on the world of Manga and Anime... this week's report is crammed full of everything you could want to know about the industry...

AnimeAICN...

By Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: Voices of a Distant Star

Released by ADV Films

New movements tend to come from individuals, or small groups, which is one reason why animation has tendencies towards stagnation, and following the last success. Traditionally, despite editorial and economic factors music, comics or manga, and prose have afforded the creator more freedom. The time and expense involved have been walls against entry and risk. Exacerbated by a bad economy more experimental anime OAV series, and movies have become rarer.

Voices of a Distant Star is anime produced with the punk ethic, from a man with a vision, the will to learn the necessary skills to create it. The 25 minute short work was created by Makato Shinkai on his Macintosh, originally voiced by himself, and his then fiancée. The result is the anime version of a short story. It's an eloquently, and fully express idea. It isn't a quick tie in, or a product launch.

A young boy and girl, who are connected to each other, maybe in love, suffer the common separation in transition from middle school to school. However, instead of attending a different school, she is chosen for an expeditionary/combat force that will travel outward through the solar system, then to other stars. They keep in contact through cell phone messages, which take longer, and longer to reach. Days, then months, then years. While she suffers the immediate emotional effect, and it shapes his personal development.

More often than not, things slide backwards, or undershoot their goal. A formerly well written show devolves into a sitcom, or a good idea never materialized. This isn't the case here. Voices of a Distant Star was never intended as standard giant robot action sci-fi, and it maintains its orbit over it.

Its human reactions extrapolated through a science/sci-fi concept. Over the course of the 25 minutes your relationship with the characters change. You try to rationalize what is happening, you judge them, and ultimately you feel for them.

The animation is rough, but effective because it focuses of points often missed, meaning, and storytelling. Voices has some week looking aliens and robots, but their movements and action have impact. He gives attacking CGI blobs poetry.

Voices of a Distant Star isn't disposable entertainment, and it's not just a novelty. Wow, one guy did it alone, let's give him extra credit. There's a great deal of enjoyable anime, but Voices of a Distant Star is a rare, enduring one, that adds something. Makato Shinkai had something to say, he had a vision of how to say it. The intent, the effort, and results are all stunning.

Anime Spotlight: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

Released by Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

The word "cool" might be fatally overused, but few others are a better fit for Cowboy Bebop. Solar system hopping bound hunters, Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and Ed return to do something they seldom do, save the day, and this time in an action movie sized caper.

These are the late afternoon days of an era. It was the wild west, where new technology, and past crises propelled wild expansion. It was a non-homogenized world of smokers, pioneers, and frontier justice. But now things are starting to tighten up. The missing paternalistic governments and corporations are starting to re-assert control.

Trying to cash in on a hacker bounty, the Bebop crew stumbling into a much bigger case, a terrorist who is about to use Halloween celebrations to release a lethal protean nano-machine. The case put them into conflict withVincent and Electra, who, like the Bebop television series' antagonist Vicious, are veterans of the Titan war (the parallel to the Civil War in this Western), making then equal or superior to the crew's hyper-competence.

The three pillars of Cowboy Bebop cool are characters, atmosphere, and action.

The magic Spike and company is present in the movie, but it isn't its strong suit. Spike is still Bruce Lee meets Mr White. The crew seems to have donated some of their screen time, and personalities to give Vincent, and Electra more presence. There are no new moments Nothing like shooting the virus canister, or stealing the mushroom.

Bustling crowds, and Yohko Kanno music make the movie breath with the spirit of a time. The expansion is starting to settle, and its seeds are starting to bloom. There isn't alot of right or wrong, but there is a lot of dangerous. Ironically, though the heroes are trying to neutralize a terrorist threat (in addition to cashing in on a bounty), between hacking, and stick-up, their actions as pretty much those of a terrorist.

Part of the Cowboy Bebop formula has been to play off action genres. Since the movie is a riff on action movies, its fight scenes are big spectacles, often in spectacular places. Spaced through the course of the movie, there are a number of fights which raise the bar in animated action. There is an office complex one-on-one martial arts melee that rivals almost anything life action.

The disappointment is, it isn't outstanding. In 25 minute bursts you can feel the rush of Cowboy Bebop. Something that, regardless of it's strength, wasn't going to be duplicated. At 115 minutes this feels like a movie. A top rate movie, but one that is where the script is tangible. These are characters who put themselves into a situation, then get swatted around towards its resolution. Given the extended time, the information gathering antics of the characters become procedural, and start looking forced and over designed.

The movie works to capture most of the hot spots of the television series. This gives the unacquainted a view of what they've missed, and fans a whirl wind tour of fondly remembered haunts. The drawback is, in the end it feels like a completed check list. Fist fight...check; Gun fight....check; aerial dogfight... check; For the fans you the three old men, Punch and Judy, Laughing Bull, even an ex-Cowboy Andy cameo.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Ai Yori Aoshi - Hugs & Kisses (Vol. 3)
• Cowboy Bebop - The Movie ~
• Devil Lady - The Purging (Vol. 5)
• Gate Keepers 21 - Final Gate
• Inu-Yasha - Secrets of the Past (Vol. 7)
• K.O. Beast - Password to Treasure
• Kai Doh Maru
• Noir - Death Warrant (Vol. 4)
• Pokemon Johto - Crash of the Dairy (Vol. 56)
• Pokemon Johto League Champions Vol 3
• Samurai Deeper Kyo - Demon Awakens (Episodes 1-5)
• Y's II - Castle in the Heavens (Episodes 1-4)
• Yamamoto Yohko, Starship Girl - Complete OVA ~

Manga

• Astro Boy Vol 16 Tp
• Castle In The Sky Vol 1 Tp
• Raijin Comics #28

Manga Entertainments has posted a Kai Doh Maru trailer

here

Steam Boy Delay

Akira creator Otomo Katsuhiro's new animated movie has been delayed until sometime next year. The movie was to be released in October in Japan, and November in the US.

Live Action Evangelion News

According to Anime Tourist's Fanime convention report, ADV Films has stated that the live action Evangelion movie will be shot in New Zealand with an international cast, and adapt the television series.

Cartoon Network Plans

Cartoon Network has announced that after a July hiatus, it will be airing new episodes of InuYasha starting August 4th.

The dark bug hunt sci-fi Blue Gender will begin August 4th.

The recent Fanime convention has spawned talk that the strange six episode Gainax OAV series FLCL by the end of the year.

Millenium Actress Date?

Anime on DVD has heard that Dreamworks will be releasing Millennium Actress this September

Tenchi Muyu Third OAV Date

The first volume third Tenchi Muyo OAV series will be released in Japan on September 18th.

The pernenually popular comedy shifts between its various television, movie, and OAV (direct to video) incarnation, but uniformly follows an earnest boy raised by his father and grandfather in a shrine who accumulates a crowd of interest women around his, including an alien princess, a demon/space pirate, an outlaw mad scientist, and pair of galactic police offers.

Raijin Goes Monthly

Gutsoon! has announced that as of the September they will change Raijin Comics from a weekly anthology, to a monthly one, with 16 addition pages for $5.95.

"We pride ourselves on being attentive and responsive to the interests of our readers and subscribers," said Horie Nobuhiko, President and CEO of Gutsoon! Entertainment and its Japan based sister company, Coamix. "Our move from a weekly distribution to a monthly distribution reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality in manga. Based on numerous conversations and extensive research with our readers, subscribers, retailers and distributors, we have been encouraged to move to a monthly magazine, thereby giving readers more time to read all the exciting stories in our magazine, and giving retailers more time and longer shelf dates for the issues to reach the growing number of manga fans."

Subscribers' weekly subscriptions will be rolled over to the new monthly format automatically.

Licensing Rumors

Anime on DVD reports an Anime Expo video programing flyer lists an English dub of Gunparade March. There have been rumors that Pioneer will be releasing the title. Gunparade March is a popular video game based anime about a team of girl who fight off an alien occupation of Earth.

Anime on DVD forums uses has experimented with TOKYOPOP's website, and found template pages for the following unannounced manga series licenses: Fruits Basket, Saiyuki, Get Backers, Ai Yori Aoshi: True Blue Love, Cyborg 009, Love Won't Stop (being called A.I. Love You), and Pitaten.

Fruits Basket is a relationship drama-comedy about a girl who was living in a tent after the death of her mother until her meets a clan of people who turn into animals when hugged by a member of the oppisite sex.

Get Backers, about a partnership of two poor young men, who start a business to get back lost of stolen items in order to make a living outside the boundaries of regular society. It's been noted for its yaoi (homosexual romance) overtones.

Pitaten is a hyper-cute comedy from the creators of Di Gi Charat.

Saiyuki a retelling of the Monkey-King/Journey to the West Legend with bishonen, elements of modern technology, and a pop atmosphere.

Galactic Heroes Drive

From Anime on DVD

There have been pursistant indication that the makers of the anime sci-fi war epic, Legend of Galactic Heros want to bring the series to the US.

The producer of Legends of Galactic Heroes and the rights holder of the series (110 main story episodes, 54 side story episodes, and 3 features) want to deliver an American release, subtitled and using brand new prints, some areas of which where new footage had to be created from scratch.

They are looking for show of support for pre-purchae plan. See here for the survey.

Ghibli News

House Foods Corporation has posted a page highlighting their ad campaign from Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) here. Commercial clips can be seen here

Animaxis.com has an article language article on Museum of Contemporary Art's life sized model of Studio Ghibli characters.

Yu-Gi-Oh to Star in Anti Drug Campaign

4Kids, who translates the Yu-Gi-Oh anime will be working with the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign to distribute anti-drug messages on Yu Gi Ph stickers.

Next NewType USA

The July release of Newtype Usa Vol. Two, Issue Seven will look at Gainax's Evangelion, an upcoming live action movie.

Other articles include.

,
• . Mobile Suit Gundam SEED;
• . Wonderful Days;
• . s-CRY-ed;
• . Macross vs. Sentou Yousei Yukikaze;
• . Street Fighter;
• . TEXHNOLYZE;
• . King of Bandit Jing;
• . Dai-Guard;

Bonus features include the final installment of Full Metal Panic, art of Brigadoon, s-CRY-ed postcards, an X poster, and a DVD with includes Episode 1 of ADV Films' King of Bandit Jing, and Episode 4 of The Right Stuf's K.O. Beast.

FUNimation Series Websites

FUNimation has posted websites for Kiddy Grade and Tenchi Muyo GXP, twho series which they plan to release in 204.

Kiddy Grade is a pair of women operatives series (like Dirty Pair or Noir), with a sci-fi setting.

GXP is a sci-fi comedy about an Earth boy who end up with two Galactic Police offers who fall for him. It is tangentially connects with titular Tenchi, and the cast of his anime.

Arislan on Moratorium

Central Part Media has put The Heroic Legend of Arislan on DVD. In the past when they have done this, they have re-packaged the title, and re-released it at a deduced reprice.

Upcoming Pioneer Releases

Anime on DVD reports after a long delay Pioneer has licenses the second Card Captor Sakura movie. Bang Zoom will be used for the English dub rather than the cast who provided the voices for the CardCaptors edit of the series. Unlike the first movie, Japanese and English dubs will be on the same DVD.

Other upcoming releases include: Soundtracks:

Cardcaptor Sakura The Movie 2: The Sealed Card - 95 minutes - $29.98 - 11/18/2003

Cardcaptor Sakura Vol. #18 - 75 minutes - $19.98 - 11/11/2003

Someday's Dreamers Vol. #1 (also w/box) - 75 minutes - $29.98/$39.98 - 11/11/2003

Chobits Vol. #5 - 100 minutes - $29.98 - 11/11/2003

Mao-Chan Vol. #1 - 89 minutes - $29.98 - 10/28/2003

Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful Vol. #2: Hectic Holidays - 100 minutes - $29.98 - 10/28/2003

Haibane Renmei Vol. #2 - 75 minutes - $29.98 - 10/28/2003

Anime:

L/R Original Soundtrack - 48 minutes - $14.98 - 11/05/2003

Someday's Dreamers Original Soundtrack - $14.98 - 11/05/2003

X TV Soundtrack #2 - 53 minutes - $14.98 - 11/05/2003

Friends of Lulu Nominates Manga

Friends of Lulu, an organization dedicated to promoting women in comics, has announced their award nominees for the year, which includes Rumiko Takahashi (Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2) for the hall of fame, and CLAMP (Card Captor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth, X/1999, etc.) for "Lulu of the Year".

The award will be presented at the San Diego Comicon on July 17th.

CPM Talks Upcoming Releases

Cat Soup, the breathtaking anime featuring mind-blowing visuals and whacked-out imagery will paw its way into stores on September 9th with the DVD release by Central Park Media. Offered at $19.99 (SRP), the Cat Soup Collector's Series Edition will show that it truly has nine lives with the simultaneous release of the Cat Soup Collector's Series Limited Edition "Liquid Art" Package at only $24.99 (SRP). The "Liquid Art" Package, an innovative packaging concept that has never been done before for a DVD release, is so daringly different and unique that Central Park Media will not let the cat out of the bag until street date and no sneak peaks will be given prior!

"Cat Soup is a visual extravaganza, a 'Hello Kitty On Acid' of sorts, that will appeal to a much wider audience than just anime fans," says Sam Napolitano, Director of Sales, Central Park Media. "However bizarre or disturbing this release may be, it is sure to attract attention because of its brilliancy, groundbreaking imagery and Liquid Art packaging. No cat-napping allowed!"

Cat Soup has a surreal style and compelling plot. Produced without any verbal dialogue, Cat Soup features a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack that is rich with audio effects and an impressive score. While there isn't a dialogue track, there are periodic Japanese word balloons which contain dialogue and other information relevant to the story. English subtitles have been included for each of these occurrences. However, the subtitles are not needed for full comprehension of the storyline.

Winner of the "Best Short Film" at The 6th Fantasia Film Festival and "Excellence Prize" at Japan's Media Arts Festival, Cat Soup features the psychedelic imagery of the late artist Nekojiru. From the director of Nadesico, Tatsuo Sato's Cat Soup tells the story of a little kitten, Nyaako, who embarks on a bizarre journey with her brother Natta, to get her soul back, which has been stolen by Death. In the surreal dreamscape of the Other Side, they encounter many fantastic characters and embark on various remarkable and disturbing adventures. From a hallucinatory sea voyage to a rambunctious carnival, the two kittens travel far from home and discover just how strange and miraculous the world can be.

Following the launch of a special Web site in early July, 2003, Cat Soup will have its North American theatrical premiere at the Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF), August 29-31 in New York City.

The Cat Soup Collector's Series Edition DVD and Cat Soup Collector's Series Limited Edition "Liquid Art"

Package DVD feature:

• Ø Director's Commentary (Japanese with English subtitles)
• Ø Interview with Director Tatsuo Sato (Japanese with English subtitles)
• Ø Art Gallery
• Ø Cat Soup Trailer
• Ø Previews
• Ø Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround

TITLE: Cat Soup Collector's Series Edition

RUNNING TIME: 66 minutes (33 minutes/program, 33 minutes/commentary) RATING: 16 & UP SRP PRICE: $19.99 $24.99 (Limited Edition Liquid Art Package)

Animation Runner Kuromi

On September 9, Central Park Media will hit the ground running with the highly anticipated DVD release of Animation Runner Kuromi from acclaimed Director, Akitaroh Daichi (Fruits Basket, Now and Then, Here and There, Jubei-Chan the Ninja Girl). The release will follow the film's North American premiere during the Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF), August 29-31, in New York City.

Winner of the "Best OVA" award at the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2001, Animation Runner Kuromi, is the ultimate behind-the-scenes tale of Kuromi, who just landed her dream job at the famous animation Studio Petit. Unfortunately, Kuromi is in for a rude awakening! Moments after Kuromi arrives for her first day on the job, her boss, who gave his life to anime, is hospitalized, and suddenly Kuromi is the new head of the ultimate team of slackers! It's up to her to race against the clock and finish production on Time Journeys Episode 2, or else anime fans everywhere will be let down. Inspired by her love of animation, and with the help of good friends, high spirits, and a little bit of luck, Kuromi will help deliver the best episode of Time Journeys ever.

"We are delighted to bring this runaway anime hit to North America," said Sam Napolitano, Director of Sales, Central Park Media. "Moreover, there is no better venue than the Big Apple Anime Fest to launch the DVD release of Animation Runner Kuromi and introduce her to a whole new audience."

The Animation Runner Kuromi DVD Features:

• Ø Commentary by Director Akitaroh Daichi
• Ø Animation Process Featurette
• Ø Interview With Voice Actress Lisa Ortiz.
• Ø Art Gallery
• Ø Sketch Gallery
• Ø Animation Runner Kuromi Trailers
• Ø Previews
• Ø English & Japanese with English Subtitles
• Ø DVD-ROM Features: Art Gallery, Script, Cast & Production Credits. and more!

TITLE: Animation Runner Kuromi

RUNNING TIME: 80 minutes (40 minutes/program, 40/minutes commentary) RATING: 16 & UP SRP PRICE: $24.99 STREET DATE: September 9, 2003

AD Launches Voices of a Distant Star Website

ADV announced the launch of a webite for Voices of a Distant Star here

The newly launched website includes: an information section, with details about Voices of a Distant Star and its creation; detailed character backgrounds; downloadable desktop backgrounds; interviews with key staff and English voice talent; and an exclusive cell phone riddle game, allowing visitors to access hidden "omake" on the site.

Ranma Farewell Party

From Viz: July 4, 2003 9:00 p.m. - Midnight

House of Blues Anaheim (located in Downtown Disney) 1530 S. Disneyland Dr. Anaheim, CA 92802

The Ranma 1/2 TV series finale is near...

But don't worry--we still have more graphic novels on the way! Join VIZ in celebrating one of the most acclaimed and recognized anime series on the market, from the best-selling Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha and Maison Ikkoku).

Food & Drinks! Giveaways! Music!

Don't miss this exclusive event for wacky martial arts at its best!

RSVP* to rsvp@viz.com no later than JUNE 27, 2003

* RSVP does not guarantee entry. One person per invite/ticket. Entry on first come, first serve basis. Must be at least 18 years of age to enter.

.Hack Anime Trading Card Game

Bandai has announced that Decipher will be launching .hack//ENEMY, a collectable card game this October.

From the press release:

In recreating the .hack universe for the tabletop gaming community, Decipher introduces an exciting and fast-paced game system, combined with an organized play environment t hat will immerse the players in The World, just as the fictional roleplaying community would do. Within The World, you try to beat your opponent from the perspective of the monsters attacking and killing your opponent's characters. Only in .hack//ENEMY will you experience The World from the point of view of the monsters and mysterious AI entities corrupting the system.

As you accumulate enough Victory Points to win the game, you are simultaneously trying to stop your opponent from beating you to the punch. And in an innovative feature that captures the feel of the massive online roleplaying game, a unique tournament structure allows players to collect experience points to "level up" their abilities and gameplay experiences.

As you gain experience and levels through the organized play system, you increase your ability to gain access to exciting and exclusive gameplay.

Long Awaited Tranforming Escaflowne Figure Unveiled

After a two year delay, Toycom has finally revealed the transforming Escaflowne Gymelf figure. The 18 inch figure will retail for $59.99 Figures.com has photo's here.

Go Nagao Collection Comes Then Goes

ADV announced then days later indefinitely delays a three disc collection of Go Nagai works.

From the intial release:

The Stories: From the master of horror and off-beat comedy, Go Nagai, come three completely different and completely entertaining anime masterpieces. In Shuten Doji, time-traveling trolls enlist the aid of human boy to defeat a nameless horror that threatens the entire universe. The battle rages in the past, present and future as Jiro and his companions fight to save all they know and love. Kekko Kamen is the ultimate super-hero. Dressed only in her mask and red leather boots, and armed with an array of highly unusual attacks, she fights crime wherever she finds it. And the Delinquent in Drag isn't perverted, his parents just bought him the wrong the school uniform. What's a boy to do?

Go Nagai's Collector's Set (SRP $44.98) is a DVD-only release, including all four episodes of Shuten Doji, both episodes of Kekko Kamen, and all of Delinquent in Drag in one three-disc package. In Japanese, with English subtitles.

Ninja Scroll Releases

The first DVD release of the Ninja Scroll TV series will be released on September 2nd for $24.95.

A site for the soundtrack is online here

Live Action Skyhigh

Takahashi Tsutomu's (Ice Blade) vengance horror manga Skyhigh is being adapted into a live action movie, which will be released in Japanese theatrs November 8th.

The official site can be seen here

Lupin III Games

Bandai announced at E3 that they will be releasing Lupin the Third: Legacy of the Magical King in the US this Novembner.

The Magic Box has images of Lupin III: Umi nor Kieta Hihou here. The interactive Gamecub game will feature 15000 frames of animation and 500 clips.

Mahoromatic Images

Gainax has posted images of Mahoromatic Adventure here

Convention News

Tom Yoda Chairman and CEO of Avex, Inc will be attending the Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF). Avex is the parent company of several record labels and animation studios.

Ministry of Sound will be attending the Fanime convention to reseach anime fan demographics and music.

Yasuhiro Irie, director of the Alien Nine anime, will be attending BAAF.

A number of ex-Anime Expo staff members have announced the creation of a new anime, "The new con isn't an anime only con, it is planned to be a general media event with anime, Hong Kong film, J-Horror, J-Rock/Pop convention called the Pacific Media Expo, which will held on Memorial Day 2004 in southern California.

Voice actor Kazuki Yao will be a guest at Anim Expo

New Rumiko Takahashi Anime

The new Rumiko Takahshi Theatre anime series, named for the creator of Ranma 1/2 and Inu Yasha will air starting on July 5th

Anime Economics

Anime News Service reports that a quote from Turner Entertainment Network senior VP Ian Diamond which states the network Globally has a budget of $500 million over five years for original animation.

From Natsume Maya

A recent article in Newsweek Japan, entitled "From Niche to Mass" comments on how anime and manga have grown into a global business. In many regions manga trends have been bucking decreasing trends in the local publishing industry.

In France, Japanese manga now makes up 12% or 260 million Euros of the market. There's been rapid growth in North America as well. Toei, which produces anime such as Pokemon and Digimon, earned 6,253 million yen or approximately 35% of its revenue from overseas operations last year.

The president of Coamix (publishers of Raijin Comics) states that the US market for Japanese manga grew threefold from 2000 to 2002. The US market for Japanese manga is estimated to be worth US$40 million. As to anime, 60% of the animation which is broadcast in the world today (80% in Italy) is made in Japan.

The US market for Japanese anime is estimated to have been about US$100 million in 1999 but is estimated to be about US$500 million today.

The broadcasting license fee for one episode of anime has increased from about US$1,000 to about US$2,000-$4,000 (I think that's for cable TV, perhaps for the US or France).

Despite all this growth in recent years, these US and European markets are still relatively small compared to the domestic Japanese market where the manga market is 520 thousand million yen (approx. US$4.4 thousand million), the anime market is 160 thousand million yen (approx. US$1.35 thousand million) and the character goods market is worth one billion yen (approx. US$8.45 thousand million). (Note that since I'm Australian, I'm referring to the Australian/British "billion", which people in the US would call "one trillion", that is - one million).

Comparison of markets for Japanese manga:

• US - 4,760 million yen
• Germany - 2,500 million yen
• France - 36,140 million yen
• Japan - 520,000 million yen

Breakdown of Toei Animation's sales:

• In 1999, 8,233 million yen from Japan, 1,561 million yen from abroad.
• In 2000, 9,393 million yen from Japan, 5,452 million yen from abroad.
• In 2001, 8,876 million yen from Japan, 7,154 million yen from abroad.
• In 2002, 11,442 million yen from Japan, 6,253 million yen from abroad.

Anime Specials in Japan

The Japanese television station TBS will be airing specials of Sugar: A Little Snow Fairy and Mahoromatic Natsu no TV Special this August.

Interesting Non-Anime Releases

FUNimation will be releasing home video version of the new animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles starting with the first two volumes on September 2nd. The DVDs will feature an interview with co-creator Peter Laird.

Rhino Home Video will be releasing the Transformers Beast Wars Season I DVD Box Set on August 12th. The collection will retail for $59.95.