Father Geek here with our latest report on the world of Manga & Anime from Scott...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: Infinite Ryvius Volume 1: Lost in Space

Released by Bandai Entertainment

In 2001, Infinite Ryvius was one if the IT anime series. Its complexity and angst won over many fans, but since then it has fallen off the radar screen a bit. Ryvius is often called a sci-fi Lord of the Flies. The comparison isn't perfect, but it is a good selling point for Ryvius' story of teens cut off from adult supervision during a crisis who find themselves creating society.

The mechanics of Infinite Ryvius are a bit complex and fuzzy, but the important factor is that after humanity colonized the solar system in the 22nd century, the sun released a giant solar flare which created a plasma cloud which became known as the Sea of Geduld. A diverse group of teenagers are stationed on the Liebe Delta Astronaut Training Center, where they are undergoing training to fill various capacities in workings of the solar system travel when an act of sabotage kills the station's instructors and sends it into the Geduld.

So, a large high school's worth of teenagers are stranded in a precarious situation that brings all their intra and extra clique conflicts into focus. Damaging the direct Lord of the Flies comparison are a strange entity who appears at various times in the space station, the fact that the space station secret houses a craft of unknown design, and the fact that new society isn't a closed system. Saboteurs are still engaging in direct conflicts with the teenagers.

Even setting aside background characters who are just recognizable by sight, Ryvius is quick to stack a tower of Babel of characters. The characters suffer from common anime affliction of people too cute, too bubblely, or too easy to define by a single treat, flaw, or past event. But still, their interactions are often interesting to watch, and there are a well placed few that stand out as individuals rather than representatives of a particular stereotype or archetype. The good natured, earnest hero has a refreshing ongoing conflict with his brother, a young man with antisocial tendencies such as violent rages, or point blank telling his girlfriend that he doesn't really care for her, and only got together with her because he thought they might have been compatible. When given the chance, he seems happy to pummel the hero, or twist an arm out of it socket. Many of the other character likewise go a step beyond the mold, such as a quiet but decisive gang leader, who appears to be more than just the scheming agitator.

Ryvius is serial story, to the degree that at times the episode breaks seem almost arbitrary. Five episodes in, the series is still establishing itself, which makes a complete judgment difficult. The depths of the conflicts, and the shaping events in the characters' lives, which are frequently alluded to, haven't been revealed.

Sometimes anime can seem like the output of 1984's plot generation machine, recombining a set of standards circumstances and characters. Successful themes, elements and design are seen over and over. Because of this "ambitious" can be a funny term to apply to anime, especially televised anime. There aren't many FLCL's out there breaking barriers, but Sunrise is a studio whose work often walks the line between purely well crafted and ambitious. With series like Gundam, Escaflowne and Cowboy Bebop it has created works that have broken old templates, and created new ones. Infinite Ryvius is another of Sunrise's series that seems a challenge. Juggling the number of character the continuous story holds to potential of yielding spectacular results.

Anime Spotlight: Ninja Scroll 10th Anniversary Special Edition

Released by Manga Entertainment

There are several surprises from the 10th anniversary release of Ninja Scroll.

First, it holds up better than expected. While the animation looks 10 years old, and Studio Madhouse has made its animation more fluid in later works, it is still the same quick draw stunningly fast, violent, and offensive thrill. When a rock monster rips a man's arm off, and drinks the blood, the on screen characters' mouths drop, and yours still will too. From the jump start into strangeness opening to the rage filled conclusion, the palpable vileness of the villains, the demeanor of the heroes and the mad rush of violence earn Ninja Scroll its reputation on the pinnacle of anime action. The action and characters are both easily remembered 10 years later.

The plot is a spaghetti western, and a heist caper working against each other. On one end is a three way antagonistic alliance between a principled vagabond ronin (masterless samurai), a ninja woman poison taster, wondering monk/government spy. The three follow storm and plague to find themselves facing the Eight Devil of Kimon, a cadre of outlandish individuals engaged in their own group politics while tending their skills to an unfolding caper.

The second surprise, is that if you read between the lines, the release is a testament to the fact that Ninja Scroll is the reverse of the Hollywood movie that doesn't do much in the US but pulls in big numbers overseas. Either Manga Entertainment was extremely stingy about licensing material related too the movie, or, what seems more likely, this material never existed. Exhibit A: the sparse quantity of promotional images. There's the cover image picture, which is used again as a included poster, but beyond that everything is collaged screen shots. Exhibit B: the bonus content is entirely produced by Manga (character descriptions, a history of Jubei Yagyu which is sure to muddy the waters in the debate whether protagonist Jubei Kibugami is based the historical swordsman, English cast interviews, and an interview with the director focusing on its reception in the US) .

This bonus material doesn't add much value. The character summaries don't provide any information that isn't blatantly obvious to someone whose seen the movie, and the history of Jubei and director interview are only mildly informative. Still, the Ninja Scroll 10th Anniversary has exactly what you would want for an action movie of this caliber. Great image and great sound. The double sided DVD with digital 4x3 full screen and 16x9 widescreen, Japanese and English language tracks with 6.1 DTS-ES and 5.1 Dolby Digital EX Surround Sound.

Manga Spotlight: Sanctuary Vol. 1 Written by Sho Fumimura Illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami

Released by Viz

In history and fiction, politics and organized crime are conjoined twins. As the contestants in these two games of survival of the hungriest race up their respective ladders, sometimes they cooperate as allies, sometimes they hinder each other antagonists. Hojo and Asami are bonded allies. Both are young, intelligent, handsome, and breathtakingly single minded. One is determined to climb the latter of Yazuka, the other determined bring youth the old age of home of the Japanese Parliament being become Prime Minister by age 40.

Sanctuary opens with Hojo and Asami at points in their careers where advancement becomes a zero sum game. As a secretary to Dietman, and a rising captain, advancement comes at someone's expense. Each finds their rival for the next rung to a ruthless man running who is holding on as tightly as possible to their current position, while hoping to be given a step up to the next.

The conflicts are full are bloodsport politics, the kind that Hunter S Thompson enjoys teasing about, and of intra-gang struggle with vestiges of loyalty, but without the over used family facade. Incident by incident Sanctuary rings true. Each scheme or confrontation has comparable historic echoes. Linked together it slightly stretches credibility.

Sanctuary isn't unique is treating its female characters poorly, but it seems especially harsh. In its game woman are cruelly treated pawns in the chess game. It is a venue with little room for sentimentality, but when a father accepts his daughter's rape as an inevitablity of the life he leads, it may have gone too far.

Santuary is an older Viz release, which isn't always easy to find, but it is worth the hunt. It has that potently addictive men's soap opera mix of the quest for power, loyal companions, and vicious enemies. There are a number of good lengthy shoujo (female audience) currently on the market, but when it comes to shounen (male) epics, there are few for as good Sanctuary for an audiences who have grown too old or too tired for the Dragon Ball action epics.

This Week's Anime and Manga Releases

Anime

• Battle of the Planets - Ultimate Set with Limited Edition Toy
• Battle Royal High School
• Blue Seed - Beyond
• Bubblegum Crash 1:Illegal Army
• Corrector Yui - Web of Confusion
• Dragon Ball - General Blue Saga
• Oh My Goddess (Vol. 2)
• Omishi Magical Theatre:Risky Safety 2
• Pokemon - The Adventures in the Orange Islands (Vol. 2)
• Rune Soldier - Monsters and Mayhem (Vol. 4)
• Sailor Moon Season 2 Box Set
• X - Seven (TV Series, Vol. 7)
• You're Under Arrest TV Volume 1
• You're Under Arrest Set 2

Manga

• Boys Over Flowers Vol 2 Tp Hana Yori Dango
• Dragonball Z Vol 13 Tp Shonen J Ed
• Tuxedo Gin Vol 2 Tp
• X 1999 Vol 11 Tp Interlude

December TOKYOPOP Manga Releases

• Chronicles Of The Cursed Sword Vol 4 Gn (Of 10)
• Cyborg 009 Vol 3 Gn (Of 8)
• Demon Diary Vol 5 Gn (Of 7)
• Dragon Hunter Vol 4 Gn (Of 9)
• Erica Sakurazawas The Rules Of Love Gn
• Escaflowne Vol 4 Gn (Of 8)
• Fake Vol 5 Gn (Of 7)
• Page 350
• Forbidden Dance Vol 3 Gn (Of 4)
• Gto Vol 16 Gn (Of 25) $9.99
• Girl Got Game Vol 1 Gn (Of 6)
• Kare Kano Vol 7 Gn (Of 13)
• King Of Hell Vol 4 Gn (Of 6)
• Lupin Iii Vol 11 Gn (Of 14)
• Page 351
• Peach Girl Change Of Heart Vol 6 Tp (Of 11)
• Pet Shop Of Horrors Vol 4 Gn (Of 10)
• Planetes Vol 2 Gn (Of 3)
• Pita Ten Vol 1 Gn (Of 6)
• Priest Vol 10 Gn (Of 15)
• Ragnarok Vol 9 Gn (Of 10)
• Rebirth Vol 6 Gn (Of 11)
• Saber Marionette J Vol 4 Gn (Of 5)
• Tokyo Mew Mew Vol 5 Gn (Of 10)
• Shutterbox Vol 2 Gn (Of 4)
• Snow Drop Vol 1 Gn (Of 6) (Mr)
• Vampire Game Vol 4 Gn (Of 12)
• Wild Act Vol 4 Gn (Of 10)
• World Of Hartz Gn

In the new series Girl Got Game,a father enrolls his daughter in a prestigious prep school ... as a boy! Kyo Aizawa finds herself masquerading as a boy at Seisyu Academy - which is famous for its boys' basketball program - so she can fulfill her father's dream of becoming an NBA basketball star.

Girl Got Game - published originally in Japan as Power!! - is a comedy/action manga, full of misunderstandings and gender-bending crossdressing.

Digi-Charat creator Koge Donbo's Pitaten is the irresistibly delightful story of Kotarou Higuchi, an elementary school student whose mother died and whose father is often away on business. He is doing his best (and failing) to pass the entrance exams for middle school; and his life is made even harder when his new neighbor Misha just won't leave him alone. She claims that she is an angel and that she will do her best to protect him ...

In Choi Gyung-ah's Korean manwha Snow Drop, Sana was kidnapped and raped as a child, but she is trying to put that experience behind her. When she meets Hayden in high school, they instantly click and fall in love with each other. However, a dark secret from their past threatens to tear them apart. Like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, Snowdrop is about two star-crossed teens who fall madly in love.

Viz December Manga Releases

• Animerica Jan 2003 Vol 12 #1
• Animerica Extra Jan 2003 Vol 7 #1
• Shonen Jump Vol 2 #2 Feb 2004
• Bastard Vol 2 Tp 2Nd Ed (Mr)
• Alice 19Th Vol 1 Gn Lotis Master
• Alice 19Th Vol 2 Gn
• Battle Angel Alita Vol 1 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Big O Vol 5 Tp
• Dragonball Vol 14 Tp Shonen J Ed
• Di Gi Charat Vol 1 Gn
• Di Gi Charat Vol 2 Gn
• Excel Saga Vol 4 Tp
• Inu Yasha Vol 7 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Inu Yasha Vol 8 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Inu Yasha Vol 16 Tp
• Hot Gimmick Vol 1 Tp
• Hot Gimmick Vol 2 Tp
• Junko Mizunos Princess Mermaid Gn
• Knights Of The Zodiac Vol 1 Gn
• Please Save My Earth Vol 2 Tp
• Project Arms Vol 3 Tp Secrets Of The Past
• Rurouni Kenshin Vol 1 Gn
• Rurouni Kenshin Vol 2 Gn
• Sand Land Vol 1 Gn
• Shaman King Vol 2 Tp
• Silent Mobius Vol 12 Tp That's All Folks
• Vagabond Vol 8 Tp

Packaged Sets:

• Castles In The Sky Gn Boxed Set
• Spirited Away Gn Boxed Set
• Shonen Jump Graphic Novel Coll Ed Box Set

Viz is also re-soliciting the Battle Royale novel.

Alice 19th:

Alice 19th is a recent series from Fushigi Yuugi creator Yuu Watase.

Alice Seno seems like a normal girl in high school. She's a bit shy; she's got a crush on a boy name Kyo; and she's got an older sister who is more popular than she is. Pretty normal stuff until Alice has an encounter with a mysterious and magical rabbit girl that changes the course of her life. Words have power, and Alice has the potential to become a master of this power. Uncontrolled use of these words, however, can have deadly consequences, and Alice inadvertently sends her sister into a world of darkness. Alice resolves to save her sister from the darkness, but in order to do so, she must become a master of the Lotis Words. Will the dark side be more than she can handle?

Hot Gimmick:

Hot Gimmick is the new manga by Aihara Miki. In company-owned rabbit-hutch apartments live tenants who can't afford to live anywhere else. And in the complex where sixteen year old Hatsumi Narita lives, everyone's lives are ruled by the rumor-mongering, self-righteous landlady, Mrs. Tachibana. Get on Tachibana's bad side, and life becomes hell.

When Hatsumi has to buy a pregnancy test because her popular sister Akane thinks she's pregnant, Mrs. Tachibana's son, Ryoki, who used to bully Hatsumi as a kid, catches her and promises not to tell the world about Hatsumi's secret as long as she becomes his slave. Suddenly Azusa, Hatsumi's protector in their youth, reappears to save her again! He's moving back into the neighborhood! Despite the budding romance between Hatsumi and Azusa, Ryoki has control over her through the secret that could ruin the lives of everyone in Hatsumi's family, and he hasn't forgotten who his slave is! And he'll make sure Hatsumi doesn't forget either! Rurouni Kenshin

One of the biggest manga hits of the 1990s, Rurouni Kenshin is set in Japan during the late 1800s and brings this remarkable period of Japanese history to life. It is the Meiji Restoration, and the feudal system separating the classes has ended. By law, the samurai must give up their swords -- symbols of their traditional power -- but a few still resist the changing times.

Knights of the Zodiac (Saint Seiya)

Knights of the Zodiac is a fast-paced, futuristic action-adventure series that pits the forces of good against evil as the Knights of Athena battle the Knights of Aries for control of the sacred Golden Armor of Sagittarius and the world.

Manga Entertainment Loses Giant Robo?

According to Anime on DVD after many delays in releasing Giant Robo of DVD, Manga Entertainment has lost the rights to popular retro series Giant Robo. The rights were acquired by an unidentified company.

Miyazaki's "Howl's Moving Castle"

Naruto Forum points out that British author Diana Wynne Jones has recently spoken about Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's theatrical anime adaptation of her novel Howl's Moving Castle here. Howl's Moving Castle, described as "a light-hearted fantasy that gently deconstructs fairy-tale conventions."

An image album (music inspired by the movie rather than a sound track) will be released in Japan of December 3rd.

October NewType USA

NewType Usa Vol. Two, Issue Ten (October 2003) will feature a cover story of Witch Huntr Robin, feature articles will cover Kill Bill with an interview by David Carradine, and a look at AN Entertainment. Title coverage includes Samurai Champloo, Cutie Honey, GADGUARD, Angelic Layer, Ninja Scroll and hack//SIGN, as well as articles on creators Satoshi Kon and Yoshitoshi ABe.

Bonus features include the second installment of the ANGEL/DUST manga, Official Art of: Witch Hunter Robin, a Super GALS! Centerfold, postcards from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, A LAST EXILE poster and DVD insert, containing the first episode of Final Fantasy: Unlimited.

Upcoming ADV Soundtracks

ADV Music will be releasing soundtracks of giant monster movies Destroy All Monsters, Rebirth Of Mothra, Rebirth Of Mothra 2 and Rebirth Of Mothra 3, and anime movie Spriggin on October 28th.

Spriggan: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is composed by Kuniaki Haishima, with vocal performances by Säju.

ADV Acquires Korean Animated My "Beatiful Girl, Mari"

ADV Films Founder announced the acquisition of the acclaimed Korean animated feature "My Beautiful Girl, Mari" for North American distribution. The title was named "Best Feature" at the 2002 Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Held annually in Annecy, France, the Annecy International Animated Film Festival is the world's most prestigious festival of animation.

The Korean animation industry, long known for the quality of its behind-the-scenes animation work on overseas productions, has in recent years begun to gain considerable attention for its original productions. Directed by Lee-Sung Kang, and largely animated using digital techniques, "My Beautiful Girl, Mari" is widely considered to be the finest original animated work to emerge from Korea.

"We've been paying very close attention to Korean animation for some time," said President and CEO John Ledford. "The industry is not yet as well established as the Japanese animation industry, but the quality of the work is very impressive. The recognition that 'My Beautiful Girl, Mari' has received is proof of that, and we're excited to have the opportunity to bring the title to North America."

"My Beautiful Girl, Mari" tells the story of a young boy, Nam-woo, who escapes from a difficult life (his widowed mother has a new boyfriend, his beloved grandmother is gravely ill, and his best friend is leaving for school in Seoul) through an elaborate fantasy involving a lovely young girl named Mari. Later in the film, the adult Nam-woo looks back at the period and reflects upon the importance of this dream-life in getting through the challenges of his youth. "My Beautiful Girl, Mari" makes extensive use of symbolic magical realism elements, in an animation style that is noticeably different from both Disney-style American animation and Japanese animation.

Release Plans ADV Films plans a limited theatrical release in 2004 for "My Beautiful Girl, Mari," followed by an Anime Network broadcast debut and home video release.

Kim Jong-Il Manga Hit In Japan

Yahoo has run an article article about the Japanese success and reception to the manga (comic) telling of Korean head of state Kim Jong-Il's life story.

I'm Gonna Be an Angel 2 Release

Anime on DVD reports that almost two years after the release of volume 1, Synch-Point will be releasing the second volume of I'm Gonna Be An Angel on Janurary 27th.

Trailers and Official Sites

English:

Go Fish, the label that Dreamworks will be using to distribute foreign films such as Satoshi Kon has opened a site at www.gofishpictures.com

Japanese:

From Natsume Maya Animators Bee Train ( Noir and .hack//SIGN) has opened a website.

JVC Music has a website up for the upcoming TV anime series of Gungrave here

A "digest" movie is up for streaming download for the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki 3rd OVA series can be seen here

Promotion video for Nishizaki Yoshinori's anime "Space Battleship Yamato Rebirth Chapter", to be released next year can be seen here. You'll see three small triangles about the row of images in the middle of the screen. Click on the left triangle for high quality broadband, on the centre triangle for low quality broadband and on the right triangle for narrowband internet connection. Joins.com reports that this anime will be a joint Japanese-Korean production. The project is worth 15 thousand million won (approximately 1.5 thousand million yen).

Devil Man Live Action Movie

There are reports like Go Nagai's Cutey Honey, his horror superhero manga series Devilman is being adapted into a live action movie.

Satoshi Kon's TV Anime

According to Natsume Maya Satoshi Kon, whose anime movie work has included Perfect Blue and Millenium Actress will be writing, producing, and by some reports directing TV series Mousou Dairinin, which will be airing on Japanese network WOKWOW thi February.

KOR Box Set

Anime on DVD points out that AnimEigo is accepting pre-orders for a 3 DVD set of the Kimagure Orange Road OVA and Kimagure Orange Road Movie. The set is expected to ship at the end of October for $60. Kimagure Orange Road is classic anime series about a love triange between two girls, and a boy who must hide his family's psychic powers.

Mebia Blaster Releases Statement on Audio Issues

Media Blasters has posted a statement concerning the recent discovery that many of their Anime Works DVD feature mono audio rather than the stated stereo. The state here says "We are now identifying which discs have this problem and will be making a determination if the disc should be re-authored and if an exchange program will be offered. The determination and order of the re-authoring will be made based upon the popularity and sales performance of the release and the available materials."

Upcoming Pioneer Releases

According to Anime Nation Pioneer has announced that Last Exile DVD volume 1 will debut in America on November 18th in three different editions:

DVD only (episodes 1-4) for $29.98 DVD with series box for $39.98 Limited edition with series box, mousepad & Alvis Hamilton figure for $49.98

Someday's Dreamers DVD volume 1 will include episodes 1-4 and a limited edition postcard and retail at $29.98 or $34.98 with series box on November 11th.

L/R Licensed by Royalty DVD volume 1 will debut in America on November 25th at $29.98 DVD only/$34.98 with series box for episodes 1-4.

Card Captor Sakura movie 2: The Sealed Card will hit American DVD on November 18th in two different editions:

The Standard Edition includes the movie with 5.1 bilingual audio and 16:9 anamorphic video at a retail price of $19.98. The Special Edition will retail at $29.98 and include the movie plus theatrical trailers, TV spots, an art gallery, the Kero-chan mini-movie, a 20 page booklet and a reversible cover. First editions of the Special Edition DVD will also include a bonus translucent mini pencil board.

Bandai to Switch Distributors

Anime on DVD reports that like Viz, Bandai will be cease to distribute their anime titles through Pioneer. As of January 1st, 2004 they we move to a new, currently unnamed distributor. Anime on DVD has a Q&A here

Yu-Gi-Oh Movie

Anime News Service points out that Yahoo's listings for the Yu-Gi-Oh movie, which is scheduled to be released August 14th 2004, with a PG rating.

Playhut Entertainment's Chinatown Update

Playut Entertainment has scheduled their Chinatown animated series to be shown at the The Comic-Con in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino from October 31st to November 2nd. See www.playhutentertainment.com for series descriptions, which includes DeCheng, Way of The Warriors, Bird Island, The Mighty Bunch and Little Monk.

Anime Ratings

According to Icv2 SD Gundam, the most recent anime series to debut this fall on the Toonami block of the Cartoon Network, posted a 29% increase in viewers over the same time period last year. SD Gundam is one of the most recent series in the long-running mecha-heavy anime franchise. Though known as "Superior Defender" Gundam in the U.S., the "SD" really refers to "super-deformed," the term the Japanese use to distinguish the often humorous squished down versions of anime or manga characters. The plucky little robots from SD Gundam are out to prove that "size doesn't matter," and their ratings indicate that, at least initially, they may be right. The new series posted a 42% growth in ratings for kids 6-11, while overall ratings for kids from 2-11 grew by 29%--indicating that show is hitting its target demo with an especially strong performance among school age children.

Cartoon Network recently earned a #5 ranking among cable channels for adults 18-34. The networks stands as the top ranked prime time programming among children 6-11, number two during the day.

-Adult Swim averaged an 0.6 adults 18-34 rating (up 100%) and delivered 404,000 viewers (up 103%) vs. the same period in summer 2002.

-Adults 18-24 average delivery (240,000) increased by 138% and ratings (0.9) by 125%.

-Men 18-24 average delivery (179,000) increased by 159% and ratings (1.3) by 117%.

The September 14th season premier of Yu-Gi-Oh as part of the Kids' WB block was the highest rated show in the demographics groupings of Boys 6-11, Tweens 9-14 and Male Tweens 9-14.

Bandai Anime Events

Bandai Entertainment announced the launch of "So You Want to be a Witch Hunter" online promotion in conjunction with the upcoming DVD release of Shukou Murase's Witch Hunter Robin anime series. Fans of anime are encouraged to surf over to www.witchhunteronline.com where they will be given an opportunity to "Join the Hunt" and experience the world of Witch Hunter Robin and enter a sweepstakes to win a Witch Hunter Robin Prize pack including the first DVD, t-shirts, theatrical poster.

The promotion is scheduled to begin September 23th, 2003 and will last until October 31st, 2003. For official rules and sweepstakes entry, please visit www.witchhunteronline.com.

A Sony Entertainment Center presents the 3rd Annual Metreon Festival of Anime on Saturday, October 11 from 10am-11pm.

The festival will offer an exciting line-up of the latest anime films, a preview of the newest products in Bandai America's expanded shop, panel discussions, and costume and model building contests.

This year's Metreon Festival of Anime features screenings from anime authority, Bandai Entertainment, like "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" and "s-CRY-ed," and culminates with the haunting debut of "Witch Hunter Robin," which fans will experience in 4-D rumble seats. Festival goers can take part in activities hosted by Bandai Shop, including a Q&A panel and autograph session with Kari Wahlgren, the voice of 'Robin Sena' from "Witch Hunter Robin". The Festival will include a "Gundam" model building contest, and "Jagun Fighters" game demos, a new toy line that combines action figures with intricately crafted game pieces called Power Eye Stones. Chronicle Books will host a presentation by Academy Award-winning artist Doug Chiang, creator of "Robota."

Kari Wahlgren is thrilled to have a chance to meet fans of Japaneseanimation at the Metreon Festival of Anime. As the voice of Robin Sena in the upcoming "Witch Hunter Robin" release - Her credits also include: Liz in the new "IGPX" series on Cartoon Network, Haruko from "Fooly Cooly" (FLCL), and she is currently preparing for her role as Cher in the upcoming production from Bandai Entertainment, "Wolf's Rain".

Astro Boy - the classic icon of Japanese animation - will be making a special appearance to give a sneak peek at his new series coming to the Kids' WB! in early 2004. Astro Boy is the story of a robot boy in Metro City, a futuristic town inhabited by humans and robots alike. Astro is a reluctant hero, fighting for peace and justice for all the city's inhabitants against those seeking their destruction. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Tezuka Productions, and distributed in the U.S. by Sony Pictures Television.

For ticket information see here