Father Geek here to once more introduce you to Scott Green and our regular weekly column on all that is Manga and/or Anime...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Manga Spotlight: Kill Bill and Lone Wolf and Cub

If the House of the Blue Leaves chapter of Kill Bill left you with a taste for the brutal surge of samurai action, the place to look is Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima's Lone Wolf and Cub. From the ball and chain duel with Go Go Yubari to the whirl wind battle with the Crazy 88 gang, you can find antecedent reflections in Lone Wolf and Cub.

Lone Wolf and Cub is a samurai revenge epic of monumental breath. Ogami Itto was a renowned swordsman with the prestigious post of the shogun's executioner. After being framed for a capital crime by the head of a rival clan Yagyu Retsudo, Itto rejects his death sentence and takes his infant son Daigoro on the path of Meifumado, the road to hell. As the Lone Wolf assassin he will accept 500 gold ryo, and an explanation of true motivation to take any contract killing: criminals, lords, Buddhist saints (there is a reflection of Sonny Chiba's Hattori Hanzo's thoughts on meets God or Buddha in this particular contract), Some times the deserving meet their end, sometimes it is the sympathetic one who find themselves on the end of Itto's sword.

Lone Wolf and Cub starts as an anthology of Itto's exploits as an assassin. They are short, complete stories with elements of continuity as Itto walks into the lives of others, often as an instruments of their revenge. It is an exploration of code that he lives by, which is radically different than the one of the former life as the series progress, it alters its status quo. His vengance leads more into direct conflict, and ultimately open war with the with the Yagyu clan samurai, their offshoots, and the Kurokuwa ninja as Itto's plot is slowly revealed. The path winds with plenty of twists as players fall by the way side and are introduced, compounded by the repercussions of actions made during both of his lives.

Many of the duels are short and brutal chess where the opening gambit decides who lives and who dies in an inky black arterial spray . Beyond Retsudo there are few recurring adversaries. Duels with Ogami Itto are fast, and fatal. Typically it is the build to the confrontation that provides the meat of Ogami's battles. The daring nature of his ploys, and disregard for the safety of himself and his child are stunning. However, confrontations that have the flash intricacy seen in Kill Bill are standard fare. The manga continues to outdo itself with exotic weapons and attacks: life and death against weighted chains, a former sword act performer who has own path of vengeance has lead to tattooed her body with distracting images, warriors who specialize in blinding sands, a trio of brother who use a sword, claw and club, or at the its strangest and most impressive a squad of fire watchers who battle with the age of ladders. Beyond exotic weapons are the many against one team attacks, including some macabre teamwork strategies seen in Kill Bill, such as using one's own body to lock a weapon. Then again big lead in's promoting an opponent's skills and weapons may still result in a fast confrontation.

Dark Horse released the series in 28 300 page 4"x6"volumes for $10 each. Until the later volumes, strict order isn't essential. If you enjoyed Kill Bill, you owe it to yourself to try at least a volume or two of Lone Wolf and Cub.

Anime Preview: Last Exile Volume 1: First Movie Based on English Dubbed Episodes 1-2

To be Released by Pioneer/Geneon 11/18/03

Last Exile is literally out of the blue spectacular. The last anime series that created a world as wide and rich as Last Exile was Escaflowne, which brought together the talents of names like Shoji Kawamori, Shinichiro Watanabe, and Yohko Kanno. Last Exile features production design by Mahiro Maeda, whose impressive resume includes Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky, and the Animatrix, but most of the series' staff doesn't have the cache among American anime fan's that Escaflowne's did. Yet, from the first episode Last Exile leaves an impression. It is one of the remarkable anime series that combines the detailed visual representation of a new world, with a story that gives it life. In this case, a world of airborne travel and steamtech, populated 18th century armies who battle with musketeer, and ironclad style volley exchanges.

Beyond driveing the story, the series depicts how the factors of the world's technologies and intuitions effect the lives of its inhabitants.

Claus and Lavie are the pilot and mechanic of a vanship, a small ships used for couriering missions, and racing. They live a lower class industrial revolution life, worrying about food, and water that isn't too polluted, but find themselves on the front of combat, consisting of two warring nations, a Dune style guild, and a partially independent war ship.

The attention to social stratification is the first indication that Last Exile is doing something different. Despite some heavy handed doses of spunky kids, and sentimentality, the series shows some grit in the lives of its characters. (Then again, no one could accuse Dickens of restraint in the use of sentimentality or spunk). From Claus and Lavie to the front line soldiers who are almost literally canon fodder thanks to hidebound concepts of chivalrous warfare, Last Exile establishes dramatic complexity by neither painting the participants as carefree or hopelessly oppressed. They reach for the typical anime characters of fame, excellence in their field of endever, carrying on a family legacy, but they are also shaped by the world that they live in, and possess a recognizable yearning for a better life.

The core flight concept looks a bit soft sci-fi, but Last exile possesses a deep functional mechanics, from shaving weight, to signal flash communication, to Babbage style tactical computers there is sense of functioning steam tech. Likewise, from uniforms to politics, the societies are given a richness, which a flavor of European history.

Last Exile is a 10 anniversary titles from Studio GONZO, a studio best known for their CGI work. They first gained note for Blue Submarine No. 6, and attractive six episode series with a story that not all viewers found engaging. There are scenes in Last Exile where the 2D and 3D elements have a distractingly noticeable layered look, that serves as a reminded that CGI animation hasn't completely matured, but as a whole, it serves Last Exile well. (Though it has trouble with grime and dirt too.) Its story telling capabilities have greatly improved. From its initial journey through the slipstreams of air currents, the CGI work on Last Exile sucks you in with its energy and beauty. Though Last Exile original aired as a TV series, it is presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen, an excellcent touch given that this is the type of work whose expansive vista are make for wide screen.

Last Exile established an interesting launch point in its first two episodes. It should be a great opportunity for the great battles, with room to maneuver into some new sci-fi and social areas. If it continues to look as good, and expand the view of its world, it should become an instant classic.

Manga Spotlight: Azumanga Daioh: The Manga Volume One By Kiyohiko Azuma

Released by ADV Manga

Azumanga Daioh reads and looks like the manga version of your favorite newspaper comic strip. It is made up of four panel strips, with occasional "deluxe" sequences of 10 page comic book style comics panels.

The gag driven stories follow a clique of female high school students: cute teacher, cute girls, cute animals. They are a mix of athletic, brainy, energetic: a wide spread with a something for everyone mix of personalities types. Their teacher is a young recent graduate, the type of teacher that is either instantly popular, or harassed out of the profession. There is an inclusive feel for reader that lets them in on the group. Personalities are drawn with a light touch. Nothing is ever too overpowering or serious.

The strips are cute, mildly amusing, and generally very mundane. There are enough running gags that anyone should find a few amusing. A distinction from most familiar comic strips is that rather than being open ended, Azumanga Daioh has a definite progression through its school years.

Azumanga Daioh has a following that redefines cult. There are many readers who really synch to this series. This strong dedication is a bit unfathomable for those who don't posses it, but the manga certainly does combine Saved by the Bell hypnotic quality with charming illustration. It is comfort food manga.

Azumanga Daiog is one of ADV's first manga releases. The collection is a 160 page graphic novel priced at $9.99 with dimensions a bit bigger than TOKYOPOP/Gustoon/Viz 2nd second, or CPM, about the dimension of Viz's old releases, or editor's choice line. The sound effects are presented in their original Japanese design, accompanied by an English translation.

There have been some purist complaints about the localization: Brooklyn accent for the Osaka, studying Spanish instead of English. On the flip side, there are still a number of Japanese cultural jokes, but nothing the casual anime/manga fans hasn't been exposed to.

Manga Spotlight: FLCL Volume 1 Art by Hajime Ueda Story bt Gainax

Released by TOKYOPOP

The six episode OAV (direct to video in Japan) FLCL, also known as Furi Kuri, is a wild, experimental, Freudian acid trip. Hajime Ueda has put together a two volume manga (comic) retelling of the series, and though it doesn't supplant the genius of the anime series, it does augment it well. The chapter illustration in particular, ranging from clay sculptures to underground styling to a parody of The Scream give the manga its own brilliance.

The secret of FLCL is that it isn't half as incoherent as its reputation would suggest. It makes perfect sense when regarded as a Freud fit with spasms of having fun with the medium. Part of the reputation can be attributed to the fact that FLCL can almost be considered an animated poem. While there isn't a universal mapping, there are some anime series that can be likened to written literature. The rhythm and symbolism of FLCL can be described as poetry.

FLCL follows a pubescent boy whose older bother goes to the US to play baseball, leaving him alone with his brother's high maintenance girlfriend, lecherous skirt chasing father and grandfather. He's them hit on the head by a Vespa by riding, flamboyant mystery woman, leaving him with a robot spawning wound.

The anime tried morphing through a number of animation looks, from bullet time parody to South Park cut outs. One of the scenes was a dinner conversation told by panning through pages of manga , with some minimal animation added to the panels. Ironically neither the scene, nor the style appear in the manga version. The manga retelling of the anime has more of an American independent comic look; what you might see from Slave Labor, or some of the other publishers who produce edgy, offbeat humor.

It bounces out of the style, for example using cute birds and cats and flowers for revelation that a character is a compulsive arsonist, looking a bit like Junko Mizuno's concept of demented sweetness.

The manga version of FLCL captures frantic page of the anime. It jumps around the story a little, with a flow that will probably be a little difficult without haven't seen the same.

While the manga as its own entity it is interesting, it can't live up to the animated project. Without the Gainax direction, and Pillows background music, it is missing the anime's awe inspiring newness. Still, it is quirky, amusing, and in its own way quite inventive.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Ai Yori Aoshi - With All My Heart (Vol. 5)
• Angelic Layer - Divine Inspiration (Vol. 1)
• Dna2:Epiphany
• Dragon Ball Gt:Annihlation
• Dagon Ball Gt:Salvation
• Full Metal Panic - Mission 04
• Heat Guy J - Vampire's Ambition (Vol. 2)
• Heat Guy J - Sins of the City
• Initial D - Battle 2
• King of Bandit Jing (Vol. 3)
• Legend of the Dragon Kings Vol. #3
• Lupin the 3rd TV Vol. #04: Thieves' Paradise
• Neo Ranga - Ghosts of Days Gone By (Vol. 5)
• Omishi Magical Theatre:Risky Safety 2
• Patlabor - The Mobile Police The Original Series Collection
• Revolutionary Girl Utena - Revelation
• Saiyuki - Sting of the Scorpion (Vol. 5)
• Sugar Vol. #4
• Yu-Gi-Oh - Legendary Heroes
• Yu-Gi-Oh - Ties of Friendship

Also

• Transformers Season 3 Part 1 Boxed Set

Manga

• All New Tenchi Muyo Vol 3 Tp Dark Washu
• Basara Vol 2 Tp
• Battle Angel Alita Last Order Vol 2 Tp
• Blade Of The Immortal Path Of Shadows One Shot #83
• Cannon God Exaxxion #18
• Ceres Celestial Legend Vol 1 Aya Tp 2Nd Ed
• Ceres Celestial Legend Vol 5 Tp Mikage
• Flowers And Bees Vol 1.
• Forbidden Dance Vol 2 Gn (Of 4)
• Full Metal Panic Film Book Sc
• Fushigi Yugi Vol 1 Tp 2Nd Ed Priestess
• Fushigi Yugi Vol 9 Tp Lover
• Ghost In The Shell 2 Man Machine Interface #8
• Gravitation Vol 2 Gn (Of 12)
• Ranma 1/2 Tp Vol 5 2Nd Ed
• Ranma 1/2 Vol 24 Tp
• Rave Master Vol 5 Gn (Of 18)
• Revolutionary Girl Utena Vol 1 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Revolutionary Girl Utena Vol 4 Tp To Bud
• Tenchi Muyo Sasami Stories Vol 1 Tp

Chobits on The Anime Network

ADV Films has announced that Chobits will be appearing on their Anime Network television station. Chobits is are rare shonen (male audience) story from manga team CLAMP, about a world where computers are given the shapes of animate creatures. A poor young man who goes to the city to work his way through school find an abandoned young woman-computer, what might be a legendary pereson, a computer with emotions.

Robert Rodriguez Anime?

Animation Blast points out that during an interview on Last Call With Carson Daly, director Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, Spy Kids) mentioned that he is working on an anime project.

Upcoming Soundtracks From ADV

December 9th:

• Doomed Megalopolis
• Jyubei Ninpucho (the Japanese name for Ninja Scroll)
• Kimera
• Sonic Soldier Borgman: Last Battle
• Sonic Soldier Borgman: Lover's Rain
• Voices Of A Distant Star
• Geneon

January 20:

• Neon Genesis Evangelion Original Sound Track (OST) 1
• His and Her Circumstances Act 1.0
• Fooly Cooly (Furi Kuri) OST 1

Production IG Kill Bill Page

Production IG has posed a website for their animate sequence appearing in Kill Bill at www.production-ig.com/killbill.php Production IG (Ghost In The Shell, Patlabor 2, Jinroh) animated a segment of the movie for the Lucy Liu character O-Ren's back story.

New Rumiko TakahashiOne Shot Manga

Natsume Maya reports that Inu Yasha creator Rumiko Takahashi will be creating a one shot manga story called "Kawaii Hana" (Lovely Flowers) for issue number 20 of Shogakukan's Big Comic.

Yu Yu Hakusho News

FUNimation has announced a number of new initiatives concerning Yu Yu Hakushu, an action series about a young punk from a troubled home who gets a second chance at life as an agent of the lord of the underworld after dying trying to save a boy from an oncoming car.

FUNimation started a Yu Yu Hakusho Chance to Win $100,000 Sweepstake on October 8th.One lucky fan will have a chance to win $100,000. For contest rules and entry guidelines, visit www.yuyuhakusho.com.

The site also now features news of the Yu Yu Hakusho products developed by licensees SCORE and Atari.

SCORE debuted the Yu Yu Hakusho Trading Card Game on September 15th. Instrunction how to play, and demo trailers are on the website.

On December 9, Atari will launch their Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective video game for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Fans can stop by the video game section at www.yuyuhakusho.com to find out more information about the game, view screenshots and watch the game trailer.

Yu Yu Hakusho apparel is available for a limited time at Kids R Us, JC Penney and Mervyn's.

The site has added a Reviews section where fans can now provide their own reviews for their favorite Yu Yu Hakusho releases.

Yu Yu Hakusho video releases:

October 7: Yu Yu Hakusho - The Dark Tournament - Sword & Dragon

November 4: Yu Yu Hakusho - The Dark Tournament - Deadly Toguro

December 9: Yu Yu Hakusho - The Dark Tournament - Tournament's End

January: The next saga in the Yu Yu Hakusho series - Chapter Black

Orguss 02 On DVD

Manga Entertainment has announced that they will be released Orguss 02 On DVD October 28th.

Based on the hit 35 episode Japanese television series Orguss, acclaimed anime director Fumihiko Takayama (Patlabor 3 / Mobile Suit Gundam) brings the story into the future 200 years after the original. Created as a direct to video release, Orguss 02 features six pulse pounding thirty minute episodes featuring dramatic mecha combat, giant robots and political intrigue intertwined with explosive sci-fi action.ar!

For 200 years they lay deep beneath the earth, silent on the ocean floor. Now, the rival nations of Zafran and Revillia race to gain possession of the Decimators, destructive robots of war. Even though the technology is from the past, the Decimators are important weapons in the fast approaching political conflict - but the Earth is in danger of extinction if these ultimate weapons are unleashed!

Teaser Alice 19th

Viz has opened a teaser page for upcoming, starting with Yu Watase's (Fushigi Yugi, Celese: Celestial Legend) Alice 19th here

Sailor Moon R Errors

ADV has posted on their site that the initial pressing of their release of the Sailor Moon: Season Two Uncut features a four second glitch in episode 67.

Evangelion 2 Site Online

Alfa Systems has opened their website for the Neon Genesis Evangelion 2 game here

Anime Game Images

From The Magic Box

The Magic Box's October 10th update features images from Bandai's PS2 RPG Inu Yasha, which will feature full 3D graphics and super deformed characters, 3DAGES' Sega Ages 2500 Series Fist of the North Star for PlayStation 2 and Bandai's Kinniku Man 2nd Generation.

Images of the new Playstation 2 Berserk game can be seen at here. The game appears to features characters and creatures from through the manga series (including after the events of the anime series)

New images of Bandai / Capcom's Mobile Suit Gundam Z: AEUG Vs Titans for PS2, the sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation Vs Zeon can be seen here.

New images of Bandai's Playstaton Naruto: Narutimet Hero can be seen here. The cell shade game will feature fully interactive environment. You can enter different arenas in each stage, by breaking the background objects. Each character can execute his / her special abilities and use different kinds of weapons, it is also possible to pick up objects in the stage and use as weapons.

Noir Soap

Right Stuf is currently selling a strange example of anime merchandising: a four pack of the characters from bullet ballet tragety Noir superdeformed in soap here.

Studio 4ºC Movie

Studio 4ºC, who worked on several AniMatrix shorts will be animating the movie Mind Game, directed by Yuasa Masaaki (CrayonShin-chan).

New Gonzo Movie

According to Natsume Maya Studio Gonzo has announced their first theatrical project. The movie Spirit will be directed by Keiichi Suiyama, written by Sadayuki Murai(Perfect Blue, Boogiepop Phantom, and Cowboy Bebop episodes Boogie Woogie Feng-Shui, Cowboy Funk and Wild Horses) and the with character design by Kouji Ogata (Boogiepop Phantom)

New Saint Seiya Movie

The recent Saint Seiya Hades OAV will be spun off into a Saint Seiya Tenkai-hen movie, which will be in Japanese theatres this February.

Saint Seiya has been appearing as Knights of the Zodiac on Cartoon Network, which ADV will be releasing on home video. The manga will be released by Viz.

Satoshi Kon Previews

From Natsume Maya

The official website for Satoshi Kon's upcoming movie Tokyo Godfathers has posted a trailer here

Design sketches by Studio Ghibli's Ando Masahi for Kon's upcoming first television series Mousou Dairinin can be seen here.

ComicsOne to Release ParaPara

ComicsOne has announced that they have licensed the ParaPara! dance comic, Andy Seto's romance comic based on the dancing video game.

Para Para is available in January 2004. The full color 128 page graphic novel will be priced at $13.95. More detailed series information can be found at http://www.comicsone.com/parapara.

Viz Licenses Kaikan Phrase

Viz has licensed the mature shoujo manga series Kaikan Phrase, which will be released starting in March. The sometimes explicit manga follows the romance between a bands lead singer, and its lyricist.

Upcoming ADV Releases

December 2:

City Hunter 3... Original Dirty Pair: Affair Of Nolandia ... Rahxephon-Orchestration 7: Crescendo (final volume)... Steam Detectives: Case Two

December 9:

All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Dash! Mode 2... Final Fantasy: Unlimited-Phase 2... Orphen Season Two: Revenge... Neo Ranga: The Search For Paradise (Final Volume)... Supergals!: Ran Loves Shibuya!

Rahxephon-Orchestration 7: Crescendo

Aeventh and final volume of the extraordinarily beautiful and complex anime series that captivated millions in Japan, and has been released in the U.S. to a veritable storm of fan excitement and critical acclaim.

RahXephon was created and directed by Yutaka Izubuchi (Gasaraki, the Gundam franchise), and produced by Bones (Angelic Layer), Victor Entertainment (Noir) and Fuji TV (Astro Boy, Battle of the Planets). The RahXephon series debuted on Japanese TV in 2002 and became an immediate sensation, with fierce action and the multilayered complexity of the plot and characters drawing in viewers by the tens of thousands.

Final Fantasy: Unlimited-Phase 2

Second Volume Of 25-Episode Video Game Tie-In Series Final Fantasy: Unlimited was directed by Mahiro Maeda, one of the most acclaimed anime directors in Japan. Maeda was recently hand-picked to direct two of the animated shorts included in The Animatrix, the anime side project based on the hit feature film The Matrix.

Producers for the Final Fantasy: Unlimited series are SQUARE, TV Tokyo (NOIR) and Dentsu (Princess Mononoke, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), with animation produced by Gonzo Digimation, animators of Hellsing, Full Metal Panic!, Zaion and several more of anime's most popular recent titles.

Orphen Season Two: Revenge

The first volume of Orphen Season Two: Revenge. The initial volume of the series' sequel picks up where Season One left off, staying loyal to the stylish animation, exciting action and quick wit that appealed to a wide range of anime fans during the first season.

Based on Yoshinobu Akita's popular series of Japanese fantasy novels, which spawned both this anime series and the hit Playstation2 video game, Orphen is an enduring favorite in the spells-and-sorcery genre.

City Hunter 3

Three-Disc Collection Of Third Season Of Television Series

The subtitled, Japanese-only collection includes all 13 episodes of the legendary, long-running Japanese animated television series' third season. City Hunter is centered on the (mis)adventures of .357-packing professional bodyguard/clean-up man Ryo Saeba, known as City Hunter. For all his abilities, City Hunter is burdened by an active libido-which always seems to get in the way of his missions!

Neo Ranga: The Search For Paradise

Directed by Jun Kamiya (Blue Seed), Neo Ranga was widely celebrated on its original Japanese broadcast for the quality of its design and backgrounds, for the title's use of music, and for an intriguing and original plot.

Yu-Gi-Oh Volumes 14&15

4Kids Entertainment Home Video, Inc., the home video unit of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. in association with FUNimation, will release Volumes 14 and 15 of the YU-GI-OH! home video series on October 14, 2003.

Volume 14 (Episodes 41-43): Ties of Friendship and Volume 15 (Episodes 44-46): Legendary Heroes, each featuring three episodes from the hit television series. Volume 13 of the YU-GI-OH! home video series - Match of the Millennium Part 2 - was released September 16, 2003.

The Spanish language version of volumes 5 through 8 will be released October 21st.