Father Geek here with our Anime & Manga report for this week... interesting breaking news, soooooo dig in and enjoy...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: Risky Safety: Omishi Magical Theater Volume 1

Released by AN Entertainment

The really good comic high concepts with the legs to run have pitted polar opposites against each other: cat and mouse, sly rabbit and manic duck, or in this case would-be suicide inducing hellspawn, and cheery-affably clumsy angel. Maybe "suicide inducing hellspawn" is a little harsh for Risky, but she'd like it, and the bipolar nature of that statement fits Risky Safety.

Risky is an apprentice shingami (death spirit/god), a mini scythe wielding Brian Froud(Labyrinth/Dark Crystal) type creature who needs to convince people to resign themselves to sorrow in order to graduate to a full fledged shingami. Safety is a soft spoken, somewhat clumsey apprentice angel who must convince people to find happiness in order to graduate into full angel status. Unfortunately for the would-be shoulder mounted angel/devil pair they share the same physical space. When their charge is unhappy Risky is present, when they become happy Safety is present. Together Risky and Safety almost make for a sentient mood ring.

Risky Safety is a real "all ages" type show is that is appropriate for both young audiences, and older ones. The mix of fairy tale, slapstick, and attitude is one of universal appeal. Risky's suicidal urging are oblique enough that they shouldn't worry whoever is supervising younger viewers. There is some direct discussions, but the show focuses more on hope and despair. It is hard to imagine anyone finding the content objectionable.

Risky Safety was originally part of Anime Complex, the anime anthology that spawned Neo Ranga, Adventures of the Mini-Goddesses, and Steel Angel Kurumi among others. Risky Safety's 10 minute, one scene episodes build into story arcs of the people that Risky and Safety influence.

The first subject is Moe (not pronounced like the Stooge), a young school girl voiced by popular voice actress/singer Maaya Sakamoto who reaches the end of her tether when she starts believing her boyfriend has abandoned her to hit on other girls. The second is a strange story of fairy tale Europe about Fazzy, a girl whose by isolated by her father's obsession with creative life sized dolls.

The Anime Complex format has met with mixed success. Most have been interesting, but the time length has made some clunky, especially in a collected format. Risky Safety works well in the format punchy format. It is able to establish a new angle to the story or relation, present a new humorous take, and move on. Where as other Anime Complex shows require breaks from their choppy information overload, Risky Safety becomes progressively addictive.

AN Entertainment has put together an excellent package for their first release. It couples a fan catering subtitle text with a more universal English dub. The subtitle text has the honorifics that many fan enjoy. The only strike is the decision to include two previews, and a recap between each episode. Doubtless comple-ists would want them on the disk, but when the episodes are ten minutes long, the volume of repeat information becomes an annoyance. Locating them in under the DVD's bonus menu would be preferable.

AN Entertainment has posted the first episode here.

Anime Spotlight: Aura Battler Dunbine Volume 1: Tales of Byston Well

Released by ADV Visions

Pop culture of given decade tends to a certain feel. Like movies, music TV or any other medium most 80's anime feel like 80's anime. For American audiences. Aura Battler Dunbine is a lost treasure of the 80's. With the good and bad implied, its like newly unearthing Hungry Like the Wolf, or Miami Vice.

If you're looking for the Macross or Gundam that you've never seem, and probably never heard of, you'll be in heaven with Aura Battler. Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino what many viewers look for in their sci-fi.fantasy epics: a rich world, a brisk, heroes who aren't always people, real threat and danger with consequence. It manages to be incredibly complex and perfectly understandable.

Show Zama is one of the individuals from our world are brought to Byston Well to be press ganged into piloting insect like Aura Battler Armors in a war between the world's noble house. Tomino is quick to establish a supremely deep pool of complex pool of characters, motivations and agendas, but like his work in Gundam it remains accessible.

Despite its age, being created by a highly influential figure, and that stories' concept is rather familiar, Aura Battler Dunbine feels vibrant and new. The series captures the spirit of a time when new avenues were being explored in anime. Sci-Fi anime epics where coming into their own, and few knew then, or know now a better way of taking the characters and viewers on a wild ran than Yoshiyuki Tomino.

Anime Spotlight: Junkers Come Here

Released by Bandai Entertainment

It isn't common to hear that a children's movie has more for the children's parents than the children themselves. Usually this means that the two prongs of the feature are physically humor for the child, and jokes or references over their heads for the adults. Junkers Come Here is a more for parents than children to the extends that it is a Trojan horse to get them together and illustrate a point to the parents.

Junkers is the dog who belongs to precocious sixth grader Hiromi. He's an affectionate little Schnauzer, and he talks (maybe, the movie creatively makes it so that it could work either way). Yet, this is as far from the typical story of a girl and a talking dog as possible. Slowly it establishes that this cheery little girl is reaching an untenable situation. Her parents have been making tremendous strides in their career, but they've become distant from each other and their daughter. They're not abusive, or spiteful, but they are guilty of felony level obliviousness. They've foster an intelligent, independent child, and she happily is one, but they conveniently overestimate her maturity.

Junkers Come Here hits an adult audience hard because it soft sells its emotions. Despite the depth, it doesn't go for hysterics. Even after it concludes, there is something in the facial expressions that seems to indicate that the young narrator didn't catch everything. There is hardly a note of melodrama in the picture. Slowly, and sometimes subtly the movie builds up emotional pressure, until it begins to move the audience.

Some of the investiment in establishing the characters, maybe at the expense of the ability to grab attention. Junkers Come Here is anything but dull, but it requires the view to invest their attention. Not to say a young audience wouldn't, or that the movie isn't charming enough to entice them to, but the bread crumb trail to follow from beginning to end can be sparce at times.

There are a number of comic mini-adventures with comfort over-eating, or spying on a crush, and a fantasy scene, but it doesn't have the flash the audience may be looking for. Junkers is adorable, and he's present for a number of classic on screen situations but they don't pop up in rapid fire succession. For the most part the movie stays physically simple. Not to say that the animation is simple, its is anything but. One puppet show in particular is a true accomplishment in animation.

Comparisons are doubtless going to be made between Junkers Come Here, and the Studio Ghibli movies, which are best represented by the works of Hayao Miyazaki. To some degree the comparisons are warranted. They character design and color palette are reminiscent of a Ghibli work. The character personalities are as engage, deep and complex. However, without directly gauging a young audience's reaction to the movie, it doesn't seem like it has the same ability to keep attention of a pre-teen audience. The same emotional slow build that's unignorable by older viewers may not do the trick for younger ones.

Manga Spotlight: One Piece: Volume 1 Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda

Released by Viz's Shonen Jump Line

Pirates of the Carabean was a fun movie, but when it comes to over the top pirates, One Piece blows it out of the water. Johnny Depp was certainly a character, but Monkey D. Luffy introduces himself with a scar forming knife thrust between his upper lip and left eye, and rope swing is matched by Luffy sling shot over a newly erected statues.

When Viz announced an English edition of manga anthology Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh dominated the spotlight, but One Piece is the series from the line-up with real universal appeal. Not everyone is going to like Dragon Ball Z's energy blast fisticuffs, but no one has resist falling in love with One Piece. It's just too odd and energetic not get addicted to.

The death sentence and lost treasure of Pirate King Gold Roger ushered in an age of pirate. One of the would be pirate kings is Monkey D. Luffy, the ward of a small port village that grew up idolizing the pirate Red Shanks his the pirate crew who frequently used the port as a base of operations. Unfortunately for Luffy's future in the profession he acquired a curse that prohibits him from swimming. On the positive side his has gained the ability to stretch like an elastic. So after punching out the local sea serpent Luffy sets out to conquer the world with a barrel, a hat, and a row boat. He soon looses the boat, but that doesn't deter him from starting to assemble a crew. Given that he is more enthusiastic than intelligent, he begins by trying to recruit pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro, a renowned swordsman who manages to use three at time.

One Piece little in the way of ships trading cannon volleys or treasure hunter. Its more ships full of oddities and larger than life characters. Luffy certainly has little in common with Jim Hawkings or Horatio Hornblower, but what it does owe to the pirate genre is a sense of freedom, and the ability to one to create their own destiny.

This anything can happen spirit is given weight with tragedy. It is not the sort of village slaughter/parents killed by arch villain type, but small things that underscore the fragility of life, or the consequence of actions. It shapes the characters without dominating them

This Week's Anime and Manga Releases

Anime:

• Android Kikaider - Lonely Soul (Vol. 1)
• Argentosoma - Outside Sanity (Vol. 4)
• The Devil Lady - The Victorious(Vol. 6)
• Noir - Terminal Velocity (Vol. 5)
• Saber Marionette J (Ultimate collection)

Manga:

• Astro Boy Vol 17 Tp
• Cannon God Exaxxion Stage 2 Tp
• Basara Vol 1 Tp
• Brain Powered Vol 2 Gn (Of 3)
• Brigadoon Vol 1 Gn (Of 3)
• Cardcaptor Sakura Master Of The Clow Vol 6 Gn (Of 6)
• Chobits Vol 7 Gn (Of 8)
• Clamp School Detectives Vol 3 Gn (Of 3)
• Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Vol 1-4 Gn Set
• Dragon Hunter Vol 2 Gn (Of 3)
• Dragon Knights Vol 9 Gn (Of 17)
• Forbidden Dance Vol 1 Gn (Of 3)
• G-Gundam Vol 2 Gn (Of 3)
• Jing King Of Bandits Vol 2 Gn (Of 7)
• King Of Hell Vol 2 Gn (Of 3)
• Love Hina Vol 13 Gn (Of 14)
• Lupin Iii Vol 6 Gn (Of 14)
• Magic Knight Rayearth Vol 1 Gn New Ptg (Of 3)
• Marmalade Boy Vol 8 Gn (Of 8)
• Mars Vol 13 Gn (Of 15)
• Raijin Comics #33
• Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol 2 Gn (Of 18)
• Shaolin Sisters Vol 4 Gn (Of 5)
• Shonen Jump Vol 1 #9 Sep 2003
• Skull Man Vol 7 Gn (Of 7)
• Slayers Special Book 3 Lesser Of Two Evils Gn
• The Kindaichi Case Files Vol 2 Gn (Of 6)
• Tokyo Mew Mew Vol 3 Gn (Of 4)
• X-Day Vol 1 Gn (Of 2)

Next Week on TV

Sunday August 10th

• 12:00 Am Cartoon Network .Hack//Sign
• 7:00 Am Family Channel Medabots (through Saturday)
• 7:30 am Family Channel Beyblade (through Saturday)
• 9:00 am Family Channel Beyblade
• 9:30 am Family Channel Beyblade
• 10:00 am Family Channel Beyblade
• 10:00 am UPM Digimon: Digital Monsters
• 10:30 am Family Channel Beyblade
• 11:00 am Family Channel Beyblade
• 11:30 am Family Channel Beyblade
• 6:00PM Cartoon Network Hamtaro
• 10:30PM International Channel Dragonball GT
• 11:00PM Internal Channel Slayers
• 11:00PM Cartoon Network Big O

Monday-Friday

• 12:00 AM Cartoon Network Fooly Cooly (Tuesday - Friday)
• 12:00 AM Tech TV Anime Unleashed (not Monday, through Saturday)
• 12:30 AM Cartoon Network Blue Gender (Tuesday - Friday)
• 12:30 AM Tech TV Anime Unleashed (not Monday, through Saturday)
• 1:00 AM Cartoon Network Trigun (Monday - Friday)
• 1:30 AM Cartoon Network Cowboy Bebop (Tuesday - Friday)
• 1:30 AM Cartoon Network Lupin III (Monday)
• 3:00 AM Tech TV Anime Unleashed (not Monday, through Saturday)
• 3:30 AM Tech TV Anime Unleashed (not Monday, through Saturday)
• 6:00 AM Cartoon Network Zoids
• 7:00 AM Cartoon Network Hamtaro
• 7:30 AM UPN Digimon: Digital Monsters
• 9:00 AM Cartoon Network Pokemon
• 2:00 PM Cartoon Network Hamtaro
• 4:00 PM Digimon: Digital Monsters
• 4:00 PM WB Pokemon
• 4:30 PM WB Yu-Gi-Oh
• 4:30 PM Tech TV Anime Unleashed
• 5:30 PM Cartoon Network Dragon Ball Z
• 6:00 PM Cartoon Network Cyborg 009
• 6:30 PM Cartoon Network Yuyu Hakusho
• 9:00 PM Cartoon Network Pokemon
• 11:00 PM International Channel Lost Universe (Monday)
• 11:00 PM International Channel Fushigi Yugi (Tuesday)
• 11:00 PM El Hazard - The Wanderers (Wednesday)

Saturday August 16th

• 2:00 AM Tech TV Anime Unleashed (not Monday, through Saturday)
• 2:30 AM Tech TV Anime Unleashed (not Monday, through Saturday)
• 8:30 AM WB Yu-Gi-Oh
• 9:30 AM Fox Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
• 9:30 AM Fox MegaMan: NT Warrior
• 10:00 AM Fox Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
• 10:00 AM WB Pokemon
• 11:00 AM WB Yu-Gi-Oh!
• 11:00 AM Family Channel Tokyo Pig
• 12:30 PM Cartoon Network Transfomers Armada
• 1:00 PM Cartoon Network Hamtaro
• 8:30 PM Cartoon Network Transformers Armada
• 9:30 PM Cartoon Network Rurouni Kenshin
• 10:30 Cartoon Network G Gundam
• 11:00 PM Cartoon Network Pokemon

New Big O starts Sundays on Cartoon Network. The Sunday night into Monday Morning Cartoon Network will also feature an hour of anime at 1:00am, featuring Trigun and Lupin III.

The first hour of Cartoon Network's weekday Adult Swim will continue to be FLCL/Fooly Cooly followed by Blue Gender. A returning Cowboy Bebop bumps Lupin III out of the line-up.

A review of the first volume of FLCL can be seen here.

A review of the first volume of Blue Gender can be seen here Sunday August 10th Big O appears at 11:00PM

Supreme Court Rejects Adult Manga Case

The United States Supreme Court has decline to hear of case of Texas comic book shop owner Jesus Castillo, who was arrested for selling hentai (adult/pornographic) manga Beast Invasion #2 to an adult. Castillo was sentance to a $4,000 fine and a period of unsupervised probation.

For more informatation see ICV2's coverage.

Millennium Actress Release

DreamWorks will be screening Satoshi Kon's Millennium Actress (Perfect Blue) in New York and LA starting September 12th. The movie will be released on DVD on October 28th. The movie is a blurred reality tribute to Japanese cinema. The official page at www.millenniumactress-themovie.com/ has been updated.

Legal Battles Over Yamato Ends

From Animaxis The latest round in the legal despute between Battleship Yamaoto(aka Star Blazer) producer Yoshinori Nishizaki and manga creator Leiji Matsumoto have ended with both side dropping their appeals to the March 2002 court ruling which stated that Yoshinori Nishizaki was involved in the entire producion of the Yamato anime series where Leiji Matsumoto was only partial involved in the production in matters such as character design.

With this settlement, Nishizaki side will start the production of "Space Battleship Yamato Rebirth Chapter"; the sequel to its original series. At the same time, Matsumoto side is also planning to create its new series as well, Dai Ginga Series Dai Yamato Hen 7 vs 7 (Great Galaxy Series ~ Great Yamato Arc 7 vs 7).

Steamboy Site

The official site for Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo's Steamboy has opened at www.steamboy.net/

New Work for Kenshin Creator

From Natsume Maya Watsuki Nobuhiro, author of Rurouni Kenshin, has contributed three charater designs fo the upcoming arcade fighting game Samurai Spirits Zero. Watsuki's current manga is Busou Renkin (Weapons Alchemy).

Neko Majin Z Returns?

Toriyama World reports that it looks like Akira Toriyama may be doing another one shot parody of his most famous creation, Dragon Ball, in the September issue of Monthly Jump.

Manga Fairs Better at the Harvey's

After being shut out of the American comic communities biggest awards, the Eisner, manga did better at the 2003 Harvey Awards. Dark Horse Comics' Lone Wolf and Cub won the award for Best Presentation of Foreign Material. Pulse has the complete list of winners here

ADV Formally Announces Manga Line

A.D. Vision, Inc. formally announced the founding of ADV Manga, the firm's new publishing division and the latest major initiative of the Houston-based international multimedia concern. Initially announced in a far-reaching July 4, 2003 panel discussion at Anime Expo (Anaheim, California), the division will publish manga-Japanese graphic novels-as well as other types of books, including high-quality art books, tie-in volumes to anime (Japanese animation) films and series, and more.

The U.S. market for manga was recently estimated by www.ICv2.com at approximately $100 million annually, with growth rate predictions as high as 30% for the current year. Correspondingly, traditional comic-store outlets and now mainstream bookstores have dramatically increased the amount of shelf space dedicated to these titles, helping in turn to drive even more growth.

"With ADV Manga we are seeking to capitalize on the current explosive growth in the U.S. market for manga and related graphic forms," said A.D. Vision, Inc. President and CEO John Ledford. "We feel that combining our strong overseas relationships with our knowledge of the domestic market for Japanese cultural commodities and our proven marketing and distribution capability is a strong recipe for success.

Initial title acquisitions include numerous titles which tie into anime titles already licensed to A.D. Vision, Inc.'s ADV Films division. Full Metal Panic!, Cat Girl Nuku Nuku, Steel Angel Kurumi, Azumanga Daioh, Najica and the RahXephon BIBLE illustration book are all examples.

"Our cross-promotional capability is key to the traction we've already developed in the licensing market," said Ledford. "We're able to reach consumers and potential consumers through our anime division, the monthly magazine Newtype USA, and via the Anime Network as well; the synergy is extraordinary."

About ADV Manga

Specializing in Japanese and other East Asian comics, illustration books, graphic novels and more, ADV Manga is the publishing division of A.D. Vision, Inc., parent company of ADV Films, Newtype USA, Anime Network and more. Founded in 2003, with nationwide mass-market distribution, ADV Manga is poised to dominate the explosively growing U.S. market for imported graphic novels and related published materials. More information is available at http://www.adv-manga.com.

New Asamiya Marvel Comics?

Comics rumor column Lying in the Gutters reports that amoung a list of upcoming Marvel Comics titles generated by changing the date on the company's site's "Out this Week" page is X-Men spin-off Starjammer by manga aritst Kia Asamiya. Asamiya has previously provide cover art for a number of Marvel comics titles, and illustrated a story arc of Uncanny X-men.

Marvel's Quest Canceled

Marvel Comics has again had problems with a manga artist working on their manga-inspired Tsunami line. According to Pulse's interview with Marvel's Michael Doran here about the line, The Quest, to be created by Andi Watson and manga artist Yuji Iwahara has been removed from Marvel's production schedule. "The book went through some changes in the development process and eventually Yuji Iwahara (the artist associated with the project) moved onto another project in Japan. We hope to work with him again in the future on another project."

Marvel's plans to incorperate manga artist into the line hit an early snag when Salvador Larroca replaced Mizuki Sakakibara on the line's flagship title Namor.

Slayer's Tommy Ohtsuka will be working with Andi Watson on a future Tsunami comic.

Marvel's Manga Man Promoted

During a recent editorial shift at Marvel Comics, the company's resident manga expert C.B. Cebulski, formerly of CPM Manga and Fanboy Inc recieded a promotion to oversee a new Talent Relations Office.

In his new role, he will work with Managing Editor David Bogart to recruit new talent from all creative disciplines, manage talent to assure complimentary creative teams are matched with projects best suited for their skills, and to address freelancer concerns and issues that arise during the creative process. Pictures of the upcoming Sailor Moon TV series can been seen at: The official Sailormoon page here CBC Television Network here The Nikkan Sports Newspaper here

Upcoming Broccoli Book Manga Releases

Broccolo Book has announces their first English manga releases. They will be starting with Di Gi Charat, the cute, hyperacticve of Japan's Gamers hobby stores.

Di Gi Charat Theater Vol. 1: Dejiko's Summer Vacation will be an over 170 page volume, to be released on November 11th for $9.99.

What happens when an alien hybrid cat-eared girl with aspirations of becoming the next idol super star lands on earth?

Well first of all, she discovers that she needs money. And in order to pay for their high living expenses Di Gi Charat (aka. Dejiko) and her pal Puchiko have to work. Fortunately for them, an anime retail chain called Gamers has openings! As a new employee, Dejiko becomes quite popular with the customers. But what happens when Rabi~en~Rose, her self-proclaimed rival, seeks to steal the show? And what about Piyoko and the Black Gema Gema Gang, a group of neighboring aliens who seek to kidnap her? These things can only mean one thing for Dejiko: non-stop adventure!

Join Dejiko as she spends her summer break tricking Piyoko, blowing up the Black Gema Gema Gang, and switching bodies with Rabi~en~Rose!

Includes ten stories about Dejiko and the gang by some of Japan's most talented artists, including original character designer Koge-Donbo! Complete with character profiles, translation notes, and comments by the artists.

Di Gi Charat Theater Vol. 2: Piyoko is Number One! will be released on December 16th.

The Black Gema Gema Gang are from Planet Analogue, and due to their poor resources they have been trying to conquer planet Di Gi Charat for years. Upon learning that that Princess Di Gi Charat (Dejiko) went to Earth, they quickly follow to kidnap her and hold her for ransom to support their home planet.

Piyoko is the head of the Black Gema Gema Gang, and Rik, Ky, and Coo work under her loyally and lovingly. However, Piyoko's plans always seem to backfire, and the goal of a prosperous planet is far away...

Also coming soon from Broccoli Books: Galaxy Angel Manga series by Kanan

A sci-fi comedy adventure centered around five very different warriors of the female persuasion.

In the future, five beautiful and powerful warriors operate Angel Frame, the remains of Lost Technology. Prince Eonia was expelled from his homeland only to come back and kill off the royal family. The only hope remaining for Transbalt Kingdom is to protect Prince Shiva, who was raised by the Mother Queen of the White Moon.

Commander Takuto has been assigned to take the Angel Troop under his command in order to escort Prince Shiva to safety. Milfeulle Sakuraba, Second Lieutenant, has the gift of luck. Of course, that doesn't always mean good luck. And when it's bad... it's bad. Ranpha Franboise, Second Lieutenant, loves all things spicy. Her reflexes and speed are legendary. Mint Blanchmanche, Second Lieutenant, junk food addict, loves to cosplay. She has the power to read minds. Forte Stollen, First Lieutenant, handles weapons and loves yakitori. Second Lieutenant Vanilla H is a religious-based vegetarian and heals using the nanomachines.

Fighting for the Empire, they travel through space along with 200 other brave souls through on a large ship, one of the remnants of Lost Technology, equipped with its own beach and even space whales!

Juvenile Orion

Manga series by Sakurako Gokuraku'in As the Aquarian Age rises, the violence escalates between the various female factions, the Mindbreakers and the alien Erasers.

However, a new change is on the horizon. Great power awakens in certain men and boys. Like the young girls of ages past, they learn to wield the magic found deep inside themselves.

And now female Mindbreakers emerges in the battle to decided the fate of the Earth.

Mana transfers to a high school in Tokyo, where she is reunited with her childhood friend, Kaname. But she is attacked by another classmate named Naoya Itsuki, who wants to test Mana's ability as a Mindbreaker. Kaname rushes to her aid, but when Mana reaches out to touch him, black wings rip out of Kaname's back. Naoya accepts Mana's powers, and begins to explain the history of Aquarian Age.

Di Gi Charat Theater: Leave it to Piyoko! Manga series by Hina.

Has a manga ever focused on such an evil villain!? Don't let her cuteness fool you! Piyoko has grand evil plans to kidnap Dejiko. The people of her poor Planet Analogue are all counting on her. Of course, she can't be a very good bad guy without her hench men, the Black Gema Gema Gang - Rik, Kai and Coo. Sure her grand plans seem to keep falling apart. But don't worry. Piyoko plans to come out on top. Dejiko, you'd better watch out!.

Game News

Trailers, design and game images of RahXephon Soukyuu Gensoukyoku for the Playstation 2 can be seen here

From The Magic Box

Atari's GBA 2D fighting game Dragon Ball Z:Taiketsu, developed by Webfoot can be seen here

Images of 3D fighting game Naruto: Naurtimet Hero can be seem here

Banpresto will be releasing Capcom arcade action game Mobile Suit Gundam Z: AEUG Vs Titans in Japan in September

New Full Metal Panic

Accoding to Natsume Maya, the Japanese Dragon Magazine is lising the new Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu will be 11 episodes long. The JApanese air date has been moved from August 4th to the 25th. The rumour is that the show was originally 12 episodes long but the second episode, which involved the kidnapping of a child, and has been cut from the lineup because of the fact that there was a kidnapping in Japan just recently, thus also resulting in the delay in broadcast. The 12th episode may perhaps turn up on the DVD release, so the rumour goes.

The first Full Metal Panic was delayed after September 11th due to plane hijacking plot arc.

Unlike the original Full Metal Panic, the new series will be animated by Kyoto Animation rather than Studio Gonzo.

Box Sets

According to Anime News Service Battle of the Planets, the Gatchaman English adpation will be collected in the Battle of the Planets: The Ultimate Box Set, a four disc set with the series first 12 episode. The collection will be released on September 9th for $69.95.

From Anime on DVD Pioneer will be releasing a 4 disc set of Evangelion parody/take off Dual on September 30th for $99.98. T

OKYOPOP will be releasing the first five volumes of GTA in one first of two collections of the series on December 3rd for $99.99.

Hand Maid Mai Cancelled?

After missing Februrary, April and June Japanese release dates there are rumors that the Hand Maid Mai OAV, the spin-off of Hand Maid May, has been cancelled.

Live Action Casshan: Robot Hunter

Casshan: Robot Hunter, a classic live action TV show/anime series is being developed into a live action movie for Japanese release in 2004. A placeholder page can be seen at www.casshern.com

T.M. Revolution Coming to America

Anime News Network reports Tofu Records will be publishing domestic version of T.M. Revolution's latest CD "Cordinate" and the "Summer Crush" 2 disc DVD set containing live concert footage and more. Both releases will be available for sale before official street date at the upcoming Otacon convention where T.M. Revolution will be on hand to preform live and sign autographs.

AnimeNEXT to host Outlaw Star Creator

Anime News Network reports Takehiko Ito, creator and artist of Outlaw Star and Angel Links, will be attending this year's AnimeNEXTSaiyuki Sequel

Accoding to Natsume Maya Studio Pierrot will be animating Saiyuki Reload, the sequel to 2001's Saiyaki to air on Japanese TV this fall. Saiyuki is a bishonen (beutiful, feminin male) adapation of the popular Journey to the West legend (which spawned the original Dragon Ball amoung others).

Daichi Akitaroh News

From Natsume Maya The Comix Wave http://www.cwfilms.jp/ Films website has updated with the news that Daichi Akitaroh's OVA Makasete Iruka! http://www.irukaya.com/ is scheduled for release in the (northern) spring of 2004. Source: Moonphase. This OVA is in a sense an independent anime with much of the drive behind the work coming from Daichi. Comix Wave was also involved with the release of the independent anime Hoshi no Koe by Shinkai Makoto. Daichi Akitaroh is a director worth following whose works have included Kodomo no Omacha (aka Kadocha), and Now and Then Here and There.

Inu Yasha, Dragon Ball, DBGT on YTV

Anime News Network reports Inu Yasha, the original Dragon Ball, and Dragon Ball GT are all scheduled to premiere on the Canadian station this fall.

Last Exile Volume 1 Release Date

Pioneer will be releasing Last Exile on November 18th.

Chobits on TV?

Anime News Network reports during Tech TV's online Anime Unleashed Chat earlier today a Tech TV representative stated that Pioneer had sold broadcast rights for Chobits to a television network other than Tech TV. Thanks to Ryu Hoshi for this news. The transript can be seen here

Knights of the Zodiac TV Airing

Cartoon Network will be airing Knights of the Zodiac, the English Dub of Saint Seiya on Saturdays starting August 30th.

Yu Gi Oh Movie

From Anime News Network According to Variety, "Warner Bros. is in negotiations to acquire worldwide distribution rights (excluding Asia) to the film, which is currently in production in Japan." Warner Bros. president Dan Fellman is reported to be overseeing the talks and is expected to finalyze a deal with 4Kids within the next 2 weeks.

There has already been one Yu-Gi-Oh! movie produced in Japan, a 30 minute film that has yet to be released in North America.

According to Variety the new Yu-Gi-Oh! movie is expected to be released in North American theatres next summer (according to ComingSoon.net the film is due on August 13th, 2004).

Spirited Away Red Tint Lawsuit Update

From Anime News Network

On July 24th Walt Disney Japan presented their defense in the Spirited Away "red tint" lawsuit. According to the Daily Mainichi, Disney insists that it made no errors in the production of the DVD.

"The defense only produced the DVD disks from the DVD master. We have no say in color or tone. Therefore we have no responsibility in this matter." "The staff took it into consideration that the color temperature of TV sets made in Japan was different from that of TV sets overseas before they actually tuned the color. So it is inadequate at the court to argue about whether the tone is correct or not."

Walt Disney quoted Studio Ghiblie's explanation of the issue in their defense. Referring to the plaintiffs' statement that the "correct" color balance of the trailer proves that there is an error with the rest of the DVD, "The trailer is only an extra. The tone of the movie part [of the DVD] is best for viewing the movie in DVD format." "The color temperature of domestic TV sets is 9300K (degrees Kelvin), while the master data was produced on 5500K monitors (Movie projector are also 5500K). [Without the corrections] 9300K TV's display the image with a slight white tint in comparison to theater projections. Ghibli tuned the color temperature for 9300K TV sets."

Tetsuo Otani, lawyer and plaintiff, commented "Disney insists it bears no responsibility because it only manufactured and sold the DVDs. Yet I think Disney has a responsibility to each consumer since it was Disney that sold to them." "The U.S. version has less red tint. The defense should explain why. Disney insists that Studio Ghibli tuned the color so that Chihiro's feelings would be better portrayed, but that cannot satisfy us because it does not explain why the tint on the DVD is different from that seen in theaters."

October ADV Releases

The following will be released by ADV Films October 14:

• Saiyuki: Sting Of The Scorpion (Volume Five Of The Hit Series)

October 21:

• Power Dolls: Complete Collection (Both Ova Episodes On One Dvd)
• Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross (Magnificent Digital Remaster)
• Steam Detectives: Case 1 (Steampunk Mysteries)
• Those Who Hunt Elves Ii: Still Stripping After All These Years (Second And Final Volume)
• Arc The Lad: Complete Collection (The Entire Series At A Great Price)

Southern Cross

The first-ever DVD release of the anime classic Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross, set for October 21, 2003. ADV's release of Southern Cross marks the first time all 23 episodes of this golden age series have been made available in North America in their original, uncut form. To further the release's authenticity, Southern Cross will be presented only in a Japanese-language version with English subtitles.

Like ADV Films' recent critically acclaimed release of Genesis Climber Mospeada, Southern Cross has undergone a thorough digital remastering process, returning the series to near-perfect condition without compromising the character of the original animation.

Southern Cross was originally released in Japan in the mid-1980s as a Japanese-language series, and was the source material for ROBOTECH Masters, the second act in the 85-episode ROBOTECH saga. ROBOTECH producer Carl Macek modified the title to fit it into the overarching ROBOTECH continuity, with several script and scene changes-including changes to certain characters' names and relationships-made to the original Japanese episodes.

The Story: The year is 2120, and the planet Gloire has been successfully colonized by descendents of Earth, who set about to establish new, self-sustaining outposts to keep the human race alive following a near fatal apocalyptic war on Earth. However, these colonists are unprepared for the return of the Zor, the original inhabitants of the planet, who left in the wake of a similarly devastating war that turned their world into a harsh, uninhabitable wasteland.

A brutal war ensues. The action focuses on an elite group of human colonists who battle the returning Zor in powerful transformable weapon systems. As casualties mount on both sides, and real negotiations seem out of the question, the endgame deteriorates into a no-win situation.

Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross (SRP $99.98 DVD)

is a DVD-only release, including all 23 of the title's episodes on five discs. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include: booklet with interviews and information on the series; production sketches; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV Previews.

Steam Detectives

ADV Films announced an October 21, 2003 release date for the first volume of Steam Detectives, a suspenseful detective series based on a manga by Kia Asamiya (Martian Successor Nadesico, Silent Mobius). Steam Detectives, the story of a young detective and his nurse sidekick, has been applauded for its evocative animation and retro feel, inspiring comparisons to graphic art detective classics like Dick Tracy and Batman.

The Story: In a sprawling metropolis powered by steam, villains take advantage of the omnipresent fog to commit countless crimes and baffle the police. Only a boy genius can unravel each mysterious caper and bring the evildoers to justice!

Aided by nurse Ling-Ling and her megamaton Goriki, Narutaki has sworn to defend the city from the outlaws that terrorize it with their mischief and mayhem. The orphaned son of a revered detective, Narutaki must use all of his wits to combat the plague of crime that sweeps Steam City.

A sophisticated marriage of the lush darkness of film noir with the gritty storytelling of classic detective novels, Steam Detectives is a stylish steampunk adventure that you won't want to miss!

Steam Detectives: Case One (SRP $29.98 DVD)

is a DVD-only release, including five complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: a tri-fold insert with pre-production materials from creator Kia Asamiya; production sketches; clean opening and closing animation; Steam Detectives trailer; and ADV Previews.

Arc the Lad: Complete Collection (SRP $89.98)

is a DVD-only release containing all 26 episodes of the television series on six discs. Includes both English- and Japanese-language versions, and English subtitles. Includes ADV Previews.

October Media Blaster's Releases

The following will be released on October 28th by Media Blaster's' Anime Works Label:

Jungle Emperor Leo trailer

Leo, King of the Jungle, lives at the foot of Moon Mountain. His family life is threatened when a group of humans come in search of Moonlight Stones. Only concerned with money, they have no regard for the jungle. Leo must fight to protect the world he loves, or lose everything! Osamu Tezuka, "The King of Cartoons," (ASTRO BOY and METROPOLIS) created the Jungle Emperor Leo story. This is the true Lion King!

Gun Frontier Vol. 4: Guns Blazing (Episodes 11-13)

No legend of the Wild West would be complete without a showdown aboard a moving locomotive! Tochiro vows to put everything on the line to save his sister and bring an end to the Organization. His enemies are waiting with an ultimate weapon, capable of turning Tochiro into nothing more than a big floppy hat resting on the sand.

Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol. 3: The Sea of Trees (Episodes 11-13)

Deep within the Sea of Trees, a young boy waits for Demon Eyes Kyo. Just like Kyo, Sasuke wields a katana sword and is rumored to be the Tenrou, one of the True Muramasa with power to change the world. There is one way to prove who is the real Tenrou. Lurking in the shadows is the evil army of Jyunishinshou, and they want to destroy Sasuke and Kyo!

Mirage of Blaze Vol. 3: Darkness Descends (Episodes 8-10)

To disrupt the advance of the Feudal Underworld, Takaya, Chiaki, Naoe and Yuzura search Japan for evil spirits. Confused by his relationship with Takaya, Naoe leaves to track down the Tsutsuga, a soul consuming red beast. Takaya, still unable to confront his alternate identity as Samurai Kagetora, meets Ujiteru Hojo. His former brother attempts to bring him back to the Hojo clan, and Takaya is forced to remember his disturbing past with Naoe.

Space Pirate Mito: First Season Collection (Episodes 1-13 on 4 discs)

Mito, a three-foot tall alien, is known as a wanted criminal and the galaxy's most dangerous pirate. But all she really wants is to be called "Mom." Aoi, her earthbound son, has no idea about his mother's infamous career. Aoi's in for an adventure that brings him to all corners of the universe, with the first working mom to carry a pulse rifle!

ADV Looking For Translators

From Anime on DVD ADV is offering employment opportunities to US residents able to translate Japanese and/or Korean into English. The studio asks all applicants to be fluent in both the spoken and written language and to possess "EXCELLENT" English grammar skills. Interested individuals are invited to e-mail a resume to hr@advfilms.com or fax 713-341-7182, ATTN: Translation, specifying Japanese or Korean.