Father Geek here in the colorful wild flower covered Central Texas Hill Country with the latest from Scott and the wide worlds of Manga & Anime. As is the norm with his weekly reports this one is crammed full of coolness, tons of info, enough to satisfy the most jaded genre geek. So I'll just step aside and let you scroll right on down into this week's regular issue of...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Manga Spotlight: Sgt Frog: Keroro Gunso
Volume 1
By Mine Yoshizaki

Released by TOKYOPOP

Sgt Frog's high concept could be described as ET, if ET had the body
of a cartoon frog, and the disposition of Marvin the Martian, and if
Eliot's mother was a large chested manga editor. It's high energy,
blaring volume humor. It isn't wildly more creative or deeper than
most screw ball comedies, but it is heavy on charm, and dizzy,
slapstick energy.

Frog alien Sgt. Keroro was part of an expeditionary force to prepare
Earth for conquest until the mission failed when he was captured by 12
year old UFO enthusiast Fuyuki Hinata and his less than enthusiastic
older sister Natsumi. Their large chested, often absent, manga editor
mother decides that the alien would the perfect model for her latest
manga series, so Keroro soon finds himself housed in the family's
feudal ghost haunted basement.

The cast expands on this projection of oddity until hitting its
zenith: a high maintenance kogal (over tanned, kindof trashy fashion
clique) who is secretly an alien who Nostrodamos prophesized would
destroy the earth.

The fun of reading Sgt Frog comes from its projection of the manic
qualities of screwball animation into comic from. For a black and
white comic, it seems bright and dynamic. Thanks in large part to the
characters' expressive design, there is a real sense of motion
conveyed through their posture and faces. Keroro in particular really
seems to be bouncing off the well, in constant motion.

The series isn't dependant on its injokes, but it does aims to win
over the anime and manga fans. Keroro is located to the Hinatas'
haunted basement, where he uses his alien technology to transform it
into a bachelor pad full of top pop culture swag.
From gags involving mosaic censoring and Evangelion rage, to chapter
illustrations warping the characters to look like Parappa the Rapper,
the series is full of anime and manga gags, often amusing beyond a
simple spot the reference chuckle. However, between a hot manga
editor as the lead's mother, and an alien who quickly becomes addicted
to Gundam models and like, it may have surfaced from pop culture
immersion and become pandering.

The series is rated teen:13+, but the age of 13 is more a median point
in the series' appeal than a minimum. A problem with the localization
of manga is the difference in what degree of sexual humor is
acceptable for what audience. There is nothing particularly explicit
and no nudity in Sgt Frog, nothing that would be rejected from a prime
time sit-com, even in these extra sensitive days, but there is a
sexual dimension to the humor in Sgt Frog. An all ages sensibility
doesn't stop the series from Keroro spying on a bathing Natsumi, or
attempting to cut off her underwear.

In many titles untranslated sound effects are a minor announce. In
SGT Frog, they are a considerable distraction. Being a loud series
where characters are full of motion and interacting with their
environment, illustrated sound effects are a prominent feature. To
have the eye continually, and intentionally drawn to indecipherable
symbols. The fact that a few are footnoted almost make the absence
work in its inconsistency.

Anime Spotlight: Space Pirate Captain Herlock
The Endless Odyssey
Volume 2: Outside Legend

Released by Geneon/Pioneer

Leiji Matsumoto, and Matsumoto based works are almost a distinct
genre. Generally one enjoys them, or doesn't. Beyond that, it is a
matter of quality. Their visual and story stylistic traits are
divisive. From his willowy women with ankle length hair, to his
gallant heroes and their short, stumpy supporters, it is one of the
more instantly recognizable styles in the world of anime and manga.
It easy to either become addicted to or avoidant of the frequently
Wagnerian melodramas, where science and logic are subverted rather
than just ignored .

Endless Odyssey continues the traditions Leiji Matsumoto's (Star
Blazers/Battleship Yamato) tradition of grand space operas. Scripted
by Satoshi Kon collaborator Sadayuki Murai (Perfect Blue, Millennium
Actress), directed by Taro Rin (Metropolis), with character design by
Nobuteru Yuuki (Escaflowne, Heat Guy J), the all star staff constructs
something that isn't the typical techno-fantasy sci-fi, but the grand
scale epic conflict of the space pirate Captain Herlock and the Noo,
primordial demons that spawn life on Earth .
Those who don't like other Matsumoto works (Star Blazers, Galaxy
Express 999, Maetel Legend) probably will not care for Endless
Odyssey, those that do will love it

Hayao Miyazaki once did an interview in which he discussed abandoning
action stories like his work with Lupin III (Castle of Cagliostro and
the like). He wasn't interested in more stories about acquisition,
the search for treasure, women and like, or reusing the overplayed
adversaries such as blatantly evil businessmen or politicians. He
also commented of the relevancy of the story of a hero of the light
risen up to defeat a returning evil. He noted that this was
Zoroastrianism, and held little relevancy to the modern audience.
Herlock's battle with the Noo may sound firmly at home in this
tradition. Instead it is the confrontation between a philosopher and
teacher and a conceptual embodiment of his antithesis.

Herlock is the prototypical hardship defined existential hero: a
standard bearer in the tradition from the Count of Monte Cristo to the
Punisher. Pitting a man whose fear has been boiled away against a
Lovecraftian menace this bind their slaves through fear fits well into
the grandeur possibility and will overpower logic Leiji Matsumoto's
universe. Somehow, it becomes believable that a man like Herlock can
hold off the universe's evil with his will and a pistol. Damn the
physics, Herlock and his ilk will fly pirate flags from their ships in
the vacuum of space.

Volume two is a text book middle chapter. Herlock has gathered
(retrieved, rescued or in once case recruited) his crew and through
various conversations is informed of the Noo's threat to Earth, mostly
high level exposition laying out the parameters of the conflict. Being
an independent contrarian, Herlocke initially rejects calls for
assistance as none of his business. The volume has fewer grand
gestures of combat or decision than the first volume, but instead
paints the deep will of Herlock and his followers.

If you've seen other Herlock incarnations, the same characters having
the same arguments again for the first time can be aggravating, but
Herlock as the mostly silent Socratic teacher who invokes thought
rather than giving straight answers can be fascinating to watch,
especially as he defies the painfully dark secrets of the universe.
While Herlock feels out the position of the yoke of Hell, the series
has built parallel arguments about the pull of government, family and
tradition.

Endless Odyssey has a dream-like to the images that bends its
intricate settings into a trance vision. The second volume doesn't
have the first staggering variety of staggings, but its end of the
line mining town and classical marble domain of a ancient foe of the
Noo are still amazing sights.

Anime Spotlight: Comic Party
Volume 1: A New World

Released by The Right Stuf International

America doesn't really have Japan's tradition of doujinshi or fan
comics. There is a strong tradition of independent comics, with its
cycles of booms and busts, but regardless of the creator's day job,
they tend to think of themselves as professionals. A community of
hobbyist comic creators never really had much traction before the
popularization of web comics.

Comic Party doubles as an introduction to the procedural and social
worlds of Japanese fan comics, and an injoke for the initiated. The
series opens with Kazuki being dragged to a doujinshi convention by
his friend Taishi, a cult leader-ish talker with schemes to dominate
pop entertainment through doujinshi. Soon Kazuki, an occasional
sketcher, is shoved in front of the oncoming train of fan comics.

Kazuki's conversation with doujinshi creators touch upon the creative
and procedural aspects of the craft such as divisions between parody
or derivative versus original, or printing rather than simply
photocopying. Some of these tracts aren't very surprising or
interesting, but it also leads into deeper conversations about the
motivation and effect of these decisions. The discussion gains weight
when talking about artistry versus popularity, and whether something
is art if no on else sees it. While nothing in Comic Party is
particularly subtle, there are many aspects of believable human
motivations.

Tangible creative energy does crackle during Kazuki's meeting with a
quiet girl that hasn't sold anything, but has produced an abstract,
well rendered and powerful and there is some sense of what drives
people.

Completing with for dominance in the series, Comic Party is a comedy
and at times a rather loud one. Not just injokes regarding the
process, and various pop culture allusions (the series opens with a
parody of To Heart, a franchise from the same creators that isn't
available domestically, there are plenty of crowded convention floors
for costume references), but personalities.

Comic Party is firmly rooted with its origins in video game dating
simulation world (from which there is a thin line to adult, which the
franchise has crossed over into, but not the in this series). In
practice this means that other than his best friend/instigator, every
character that the hero meets and interacts with is going to female,
and open for a romantic relationship. This populates the series will
plenty of cute, and likable or amusing female characters, but it also
adds distance to the perspective of the series that separates it as
parody and exploration of a true experience.

As a comedy and a dating sim, it is an exercise in extreme
personalities, except for the hero, who is bland and generally put
upon. To some degree by design, the viewer's reaction is dependant on
personal preferences. Some characters seem painful, others enjoyable
depending on viewers capacity for over cuteness, or over brashness.
Despite this, the characters are frequently well rendered. There are
plenty of fun characteristics, speech patterns, and the like which
make for great comic fodder. The best example of this cleaver
character design, the popular girl, creator of hit "Cat or Fish",
unusual "super pissed dialogue and demeanor or odd insults are
always good for a grin.

Right Stuf continues their tradition of fan friendly packing for Comic
Party. The volume is released with right to left packaging and an age
rating in a parody Comic Code seal, a bit of a mixed metaphor, but an
indication of how into the spirit of the subject Right Stuf was.

There has yet to be a great anime or manga bout the production of
anime and manga the way there has been great movies about the
production of television, cinema or newspapers (at least an anime or
manga series known it in America). Works like Comic Party, Animation
Runner Kuromi or Otaku No Video have required a spark of interest on
the part of the viewer. Comic Party continues the tradition of
spotlighting the personalities types and the passion involved, but as
an outsider the procedure isn't made to look interesting.

Gonzo In Talks For Hellboy Anime

Comics2Film reports that
among Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro's comments about more
Hellboy works was "We are in talks with Gonzo Anime for the 'Hellboy'
anime series.

Icaro Nominated For Harvey Awards

The next sets of comic award nominations were announced with the 2004
Harvey Awards. ibooks' edition of Icaro by Jiro Taniguchi and
Moebius, edited by Dwight Jon Zimmerman was nominated for Best
American Edition of Foreign Material.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Aura Battler Dunbine - Return to Byston (Vol. 5)
  
• Knights of the Zodiac - Out of Arena (Vol. 3)
  
• Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Vol. 4
  
• Mao-Chan (Volume 4)
  
• Tenchi Muyo Gxp: Academy Life Vol 2
  
• Wedding Peach - Pluie's War (Vol. 2)

Manga

• Blade Of The Immortal #88
  
• Ceres Celestial Legend Vol 3 Tp 2Nd Ed Suzumi
  
• Dark Angel Vol 2 Tp New Ptg
  
• Flowers And Bees Vol 3
  
• X 1999 Vol 14 Tp Concerto

Next Bones Project

Natsume Maya
points out that Studio Bones (Cowboy Bebop movie, Wolf's Rain,
RahXephon, Angelic Layer, Scrapped Princess) has announced that their
next titles will be Kurau Phantom Memory from Alien 9 director Irie
Yasuhiro an image of the series can be seen href="http://www.bones.co.jp/news.shtml">here

Torn Smith Talks State of Manga Industry

The Comic Journal has posted an excerpt of their interview with Studio
Proteus founder Toren Smith href="http://www.tcj.com/259/n_proteus.html">here.

The controversial pioneer predicts a future bust in the industry and
laments what he sees as a proliferation of quantity over quality.

Anime Network to Go Non On Demand

ADV's Anime
Network has announced that it will be becoming a full fledged cable
network. Anime Network has inked a deal with one of the 10 largest cable
providers in the country starting June 30th. href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com">Anime News Network reports it
will be carried by Insight Communications Cable, which serves Illinois,
Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

New Gantz Trailer

From Natsume
Maya Fuji TV's >a href="http://www.fujitv.co.jp/GANTZ/">website
for the Gantz TV anime has updated with a second trailer. Click on the
lower "play" button on the right hand side of the homepage.

Giant Robo Changes Hands

Anime on DVD reports Giant Robo
has been licensed by Media Blasters. The OAV tribute to boy piloted
giants was released on VHS by Manga Entertainment, who also initially
announced a DVD release of the title. Media Blasters also licensed the
Giant Robo parody spin-off Ginrei Specials, and Gokusen a television
serious about the school like of a Yakuza boss' daughter.

Fourth Inu-Yasha Movie

A fourth movie based on modern girl meets feudal half dog demon boy
genere mélange Inu-Yash is now being planned.

Trigun Maximum series to feature enhanced covers

Dark Horse Comics has announced Trigun Maximum, the follow up to the
smash hit manga series Trigun, will feature a special metallic ink on
the cover of the first printing of each volume. Volume one will feature
a metallic red ink and volume two will feature a metallic teal ink. This
enhancement will not affect the price of these volumes.

Trigun Maximum volume one arrives May 19.

The manga version of the sci-fi western Trigun became Trigun Maximum in
its Japanese release when it change publishers. Trigun Maximum is
currently still running in Japan.

FLCL Blue Robot Figure

Diamond will be distributing an exclusive blue version of FLCL's robot
Kanchi this June. Figures.com has images href="http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.se
tup&category=actionfigures&topic=50&show_article=129">here.

ADV Mini Releases

Anime News Network reports
ADV has announced "Ani-Mini DVDs", 1 episode trial DVDs are priced at
$7.98 and will be available on June 15th. The following titles are being
released: Azumanga Daioh, Happy Lesson, Hello Kitty & Friends, Kaleido
Star, Noir, Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat, Pretear, Princess Nine, Super Gals
and Wedding Peach.

Case Closed Release

ICV2 reports FUNimation will be
releasing Case Closed (aka Detective Conan) on DVD August 24th. The
first volume will feature episode 1-4, the second will have 53-55. They
will be available individually and as a starter set package.

Mitsuteru Yokoyama Passed Away

Manga creator Mitsuteru Yokoyama passed away on April 15th from injuries
sustained during a home fire. Mitsuteru Yokoyama's working includded
Tetsujin 28 go (Gigantor in the US), an adaptation of Romance of the
Three Kingdom, and a number of creation later brought together for the
giant robot tribute Giant Robo.

More Eva From ADV

Diamond Comic's Previews (an unofficial source for release information)
solicitations for the July time frame, "Neon Genesis Evangelion Renewal
Vol 1 DVD" which was replaced with "Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum 01
DVD"
ADV's official site responded with
the statement:
"It has come to our attention that there is some inaccurate information
floating around about an upcoming Neon Genesis Evangelion release from
ADV Films. Please stay tuned for an official statement about future
releases for this title."

ADV later announced a July 17th release for the first volume of Neon
Genesis Evangelion - Platinum Edition.

Each episode of the enormously influential Evangelion television series
has been officially revised and digitally remastered for this new
release by original creators GAINAX to create beautiful, vibrant video
and crisp, sparkling new English and Japanese 5.1 surround sound audio,
creating the ultimate Evangelion DVD experience.

Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum: 01 is the first release of seven DVD
volumes, which over the course of 26 episodes will include new cast and
crew commentary, four bonus Directors' Cut episodes and seven animatics
(moving storyboards). Each volume also includes a limited edition
collector's slipcover in an exclusive metallic finish, limited to the
first pressings only.

Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum: 01 ($29.98 SRP) is a DVD-only
release, featuring the first five episodes in both English 5.1- and
Japanese 5.1- language versions with English subtitles. Extras include:
clean opening and closing animation; Episode: 01 commentary by director
Matt Greenfield; Episode: 02 commentary by Matt Greenfield and Spike
Spencer ("Shinji"); and ADV previews. The first pressing will include
limited edition collector's slipcover packaging and profile booklets
filled with screen shoots, Japanese commentaries and character profiles.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Release Information

Manga Entertainment and Bandai Entertainment announce their joint DVD
release of the first volume of the highly anticipated anime series Ghost
in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex on July 27th. The series was
co-produced by both Manga and Bandai and created by the revered
animators at Japan's Production I.G (Kill Bill, Ghost in the Shell).
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama (Blood: The Last Vampire, Jin-Roh: The Wolf
Brigade) with music by Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop), GITS:SAC Volume 1 will
feature the first four half-hour episodes of the explosive 26 episode
sci-fi series. The complete series will be released bi-monthly and
presented on seven DVD volumes over the next year along with a
subsequent U.S. cable television broadcast on Cartoon Network.

This all-new futuristic anime series continues the story of the
acclaimed anime feature film Ghost in the Shell which was based on the
popular manga by Masamune Shirow. Female cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi
and her fellow police officers of Section 9 hunt down a host of
criminals in both the real and online worlds. In the first four episodes
Kusanagi and Section 9 must resolve a hostage crisis, hunt down a
runaway state-of-the-art killing machine, solve a mystery behind recent
android suicides and investigate a high level conspiracy involving a
mysterious computer hacker. Set in the not too distant future where
technology plays a key role in everyday life, Ghost in the Shell: Stand
Alone Complex utilizes the latest in full CG animation presenting
illustrious characters and meticulous design along with dramatic
animated action.

Encoded directly from high-definition masters, each DVD volume will be
released in two versions. The GITS: SAC Volume 1 - Standard Edition will
contain one disc featuring four thirty-minute episodes presented in
anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 English & Japanese surround
sound, English subtitles, interview with director Kenji Kamiyama,
interview with Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese voice of Motoko), trailers and
weblinks.

The GITS:SAC Volume 1 - Special Edition will contain three discs in
collectors packaging along with a Special Edition booklet. Disc one will
contain the original Standard Edition DVD. Disc two will contain four
thirty-minute episodes presented in anamorphic widescreen, English and
Japanese DTS 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo. Disc three will contain the
original series soundtrack CD. Each new DVD volume released will feature
new interviews from the production team and acting talent of the series.

"Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" has recently made its debut on
Japanese television and will begin airing in the U.S. on Cartoon
Network's late night Adult Swim block later this year. Visit
www.ghostintheshell.tv for previews, trailer, contests, information and
more.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Volume One DVD
Standard Edition: Running Time: 120 minutes
SRP: $24.95 / Barcode: 6-69198-25200 (6)
Special Edition: Running Time: 120 minutes
SRP: $59.95 / Barcode: 6-69198-25220 (4)

Upcoming ADV Releases

May 4

• Angelic Layer: Inherit The Layer (Volume 6)
  
• Legend Of The Mystical Ninja: Love Is A Powerful Weapon (Volume 4)
  
• Steel Angel Kurumi: Kurumi Complete Collection

May 18

• Kino's Journey: Warning! Curves Ahead (volume 3)
  
• Nadia, The Secret Of Blue Water: Collection 1
  
• Robotech Remastered: Extended Edition, Macross Collection 3
  
• Saint Seiya: Silver Assassins (volume 6)
  
• Steam Detectives: Case Six
  
• Soul Hunter: Complete Collection

May 25

• All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Tv: Life On The Streets (volume
  3)
  
• Final Fantasy: Unlimited-Phase 6
  
• Gravion

June 1

• Cosplay Complex
  
• Knights Of The Zodiac: The Fire Of The Phoenix (volume 4)
  
• Megazone 23 Part 1
  
• Orphen Season Two: Revenge - Revelations (volume 5)
  
• Wedding Peach: Spring Storm (volume 3)
  
  
  
• ...(also non anime Destroy All Monsters on 5/18)

Steel Angel Kurumi: Kurumi Complete Collection

Steel Angel Kurumi: Kurumi Complete Collection, a seven-disc DVD
collection containing the entire Steel Angel Kurumi anime series,
including the original Steel Angel Kurumi TV series; Encore, the OVA
that serves as a coda to the TV series; Steel Angel Kurumi 2, the sequel
to the TV series; and an exclusive bonus mini-comic from the first
volume of the Steel Angel Kurumi manga (available now from ADV Manga).

Gravion

Gravion is an exciting new anime series produced by Gonzo Digimation
(Najica, Full Metal Panic!, Hellsing), Media Factory (RahXephon) and
Lantis (Heat Guy J).

The Story:

When mankind faces an alien force with technology light years ahead of
Earth's, it may take a man obsessed with the past to save them. The fate
of the planet rests on whether the eccentric billionaire Sandman can
build a machine as great as the myths of old. His creation is a god for
the modern age, a deity forged of circuits and steel - it is Gravion!

Only a young band of orphaned misfits are born with the ability to pilot
this top-secret weapon. All life on the planet depends on how well they
can fight the Zeravire - if they can only stop fighting amongst
themselves!

Soul Hunter: Complete Collection

Soul Hunter is based on a series of popular Chinese novels and an
incredibly successful Japanese comic book and was directed by Junji
Nishimura of You're Under Arrest! fame. Saddle up your favorite flying
hippo and get ready to join Taikoubou, Sibuxiang, Kou Hiko and the
others for one of anime's grandest, scariest and most hilarious
adventures!

The Story:
Terrible, wicked spirits trod the ground searching for ways to
annihilate mankind! The wise guardians in the sky know they need a
brave, clever soldier to single-handedly send the evil souls to their
doom! Unfortunately, they chose Taikoubou! (It's nice to know the forces
of good still have a sense of humor during these dark times.)

Soul Hunter ($49.98 SRP DVD) is a DVD-only release featuring 26 complete
episodes in both English 2.0- and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with
English subtitles.

<

>Nadia, The Secret Of Blue Water: Collection 1
or Nadia, The Secret of Blue Water: Collection 1.

Inspired by Jules
Verne's classic novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Nadia, The Secret of
Blue Water was directed by Hideaki Anno, animated by GAINAX (Neon
Genesis Evangelion).

Steel Angel Kurumi: Kurumi Complete Collection ($59.98 SRP) will feature
the English-language version in 2.0 as well as the Japanese-language
version in 2.0 with English subtitles. DVD extras include the behind
the scenes feature Conversations with Angel; a historical background of
Tashio era Japan (1912-1926); a behind the scenes photo shoot with the
English voice actresses; preliminary character designs; manga
background; interviews with the cast; a behind-the-scenes look at a
recording session with Claudia Black; clean opening and clean closing
animation; commentary with the English voice actresses; ADV previews;
and more.

The Story
Obsessed with returning the Atlantean empire to its former glory, the
evil Gargoyle will stop at nothing to get his hands on the Blue
Water-the mysterious gem the young circus acrobat Nadia wears around her
neck. Nadia may be a target for Gargoyle's forces, but she's not
alone-not only has the young inventor Jean Ratlique come to Nadia's
rescue, but so has the extraordinary Captain Nemo! Climb aboard Nemo's
legendary submarine, the Nautilus, as our intrepid heroes journey from
one exotic locale to the next in their mission to keep the Blue Water
away from Gargoyle's devious clutches!

Nadia, The Secret of Blue Water: Collection 1 ($49.98 SRP DVD) is a
DVD-only release featuring more than eight hours of 20 complete episodes
on five discs in both English 2.0- and Japanese 2.0-language versions
with English subtitles. Extras include character bios; original
trailers; clean credits; and ADV previews. Also included are two
official Nadia soundtracks on CDs, for a combined total of 38 jamming
tunes!

Megazone 23 Part 1
gazone 23 Part 1.

A classic title from the eighties' "Golden Age of
Anime," the three-part Megazone 23 is a refreshing blast of intellectual
science-fiction and rousing action in the tradition of The Matrix and
Blade Runner. Megazone was anime's first successful OVA ("original video
animation") release and was used by Harmony Gold to create Robotech the
Movie in the eighties.

The Story

Street racer Shogo Yahagi's having a lousy week. The military's after
him, the government can't help him and his new set of wheels is so hot
that it may cost him his life! And that's only the beginning of his
problems; the world that Shogo and his friends have lived in for their
entire lives isn't even real, and now their only hope is an artificial
intelligence that may or may not be telling them the truth about the
fate of the human race!

August Media Blasters Release

Anime (/animation):

I'll CKBC (Crazy Kouzu Basketball Club)

Can rivals become teammates? Will teammates become enemies?
Akane Tachibana and Hitonari Hiiragi were rising stars of High School
basketball and bitter rivals on the court. In the past, the only thing
keeping each one from being the best was the other. But when Hiiragi is
transferred to Kokufutsu High school, they find themselves as teammates.
Will the two masters of the court reconcile their differences in time
for the big game against Kokutai, or will Hiiragi switch teams to
challenge his rival face to face?

1 disc, 2 episodes, 60 mins. (1 volume of 1) English/Japanese Dialogue
with English subtitles

Eight Clouds Rising

Two young men are bound by a sword that can cleave souls.
Fuzuchi Kuraki is a quiet young high school student blessed with immense
psychic powers and an ancient sword. He is searching for other magical
artifacts with the help of Nanachi Takeo, a college student with latent
powers of his own. They delve deep into the dark magic of Izumo, only
to discover the secrets buried within the birthplace of all Japanese
mythology!

1 disc, 2 episodes, 60 mins. (1 volume of 1) English/Japanese Dialogue
with English subtitles

Invader Zim Volume 2: Progressive Stupidity (volume 2 of 3)(episodes 10
- 18)

Zim's mighty need to destroy all of humanity knows no bounds.
Fortunately for Earth, he's a cosmically inept fool!
But this Invader has more to deal with than that so-called
self-proclaimed protector of our planet, Dib. The path to conquest is
paved with hazardous challenges which include all of the prickly,
meat-flavored horrors that Earth has to offer. Zim must outwit Mall
Security, endure the terror of Bloaty's Pizza Hog, and defeat the evil
of space babies.

2 discs, 9 episodes, 225 mins. + extras - English/Spanish dialogue -
English closed captions

The Twelve Kingdoms - A Great Distance in the Wind, The Sky at Dawn
Chapter Seven: Reflection (episodes 27-30)

Youko survives an assassination plot by her court advisors, but the
event leaves the young ruler shaken and questioning her ability to lead
the people of Kei. Hoping to learn more about the kingdom, Youko leaves
the palace to live quietly among her subjects. Meanwhile, the former
princess of Ho is working as a servant in the court of Kyou. Unable to
bear her change in station, she steals what she needs and escapes. Suzu
still yearns to meet with new ruler of Kei, but fate leads her instead
to Youko's lost friend Asano.

1 disc, 4 episodes, 100 mins. English/Japanese Dialogue with English
subtitles

Here is Greenwood

Meet Kazuya Hasukawa - he's just a regular teenager who wants to live a
normal, peaceful life. But when his first love marries his older brother
and moves into their house, Kazuya decides that he has to move out to
preserve his sanity! Things go from bad to worse when he discovers he's
been assigned to the strangest dorm on campus-an asylum called
"Greenwood"-where all the weirdos, outcasts, and lunatics at the
prestigious Ryokuto Academy reside.

2 discs, 6 episodes, 180 mins. English/Japanese Dialogue with English
subtitles

Manga:
Skyscrapers of Oz

Story - Yoshino Somei

Art - Row Takakura

From tailing your lover to walking your dog, no job too small!
Mari and his partner Yoichi are drop-dead gorgeous "Handymen." But they
also have a hiddenother side. Their latest job is, of
all things, to sleep with Yu, a beautiful male student! But instead Mari
finds himself rescuing Yu from an attack, then sheltering him in his own
apartment!
adults only! 1 book, 184 pages, Japanese style right to left format
5.25" X 7.375"

Viz Appoints New Vice President Of Sales

Viz, LLC, announced that it has named Joseph Morici as the company's new
vice president of sales.

From the press release:
In his new role, Morici will tap his 20 years of experience in the
entertainment industry to help continue to establish VIZ as the dominant
distributor of manga content for North American audiences. As vice
president of sales, Morici will be responsible for the overall
coordination, functional management and leadership of all of sales
activities. He will also lead a sales force in the development and
implementation of all sales strategies across a variety of vertical
markets and work closely with VIZ's nationwide network of vendors.
Morici was previously the senior vice president of sales of Metro3D,
Inc., San Jose-based a multi-platform video game developer and
publisher.

Get Backers English Dub Cast

ADV announced the last for the English language dub of Get Backers:
Director - Lowell Bartholomee
Studio - Monster Island

Leads:

Ban:Rich McDonald (ADV Debut) - Ban is one of the two main characters,
he is one-half of the Get Backers. He's approx. 18 years old. He
generally goes for a "cool" personality. He's a highly talented fighter
with a 200-kilogram-force grip which he uses to administer a
neck-grabbing attack called the Snakebite. He is also capable of showing
people one-minute-long illusions by making eye contact with them (but
never the same person twice in 24 hours, and only three times total per
day); this is referred to as the Jagan. He has a lot of pride and is
obsessed with money, which he never has. He is extremely fond of his car
but never pays for parking, resulting in its always being towed. He has
a sixth sense for when Ginji is in trouble and drops everything to help.
He is excellent at reading people and highly perceptive.

Ginji : J. Shanon Weaver (Samurai X, Soul Hunter) - Ginji is the other
half of the GetBackers, and is also approx. 18 years old. He is the
former leader of a youth gang called VOLTS which ruled the lower level
of the Limitless Fortress, a dangerous area of Shinjuku abandoned by the
government and the outside world. At that time, he was known as the
Lightning Emperor due to his ability to generate electricity within his
own body and to use that fearsome power in conflict. Now that he lives
outside the Limitless Fortress, he still has his electrical abilities,
but they are only at their peak when he is inside the Limitless
Fortress. His everyday manner is cheerful, emotive, and effusive; and he
is also generally considered the more clueless of the two. However, in
the rare moments when he becomes serious, he is perceptive, intelligent,
and focused.

Other cast members:

Hevn : Ellie McBride (Sakura Wars, Tekken)

Paul : Corey Gagne (Samurai X, Nadia)

Natsumi : Kelly Dealyn (Sakura Wars OVA 1)

Himiko : Deanna Shoemaker (ADV Debut)

Akabane : Shannon McCormick (ADV Debut)

Maguruma : Sam Ray (ADV Debut)

Shido : Omar Gallaga (ADV Debut)

Makubex ?:Andrea Skola (ADV Debut)

See href="http://www.advfilms.com/news/news.asp?c=General&i=1321">here
for more information.

Synch-Point Announces Aquarian Age the Movie English Dub Cast

Studio: Bit-Lab
ADR director :Michael Sinterniklaas (Jungle Emperor Leo, Berserk, Magic
User's Club, and
Samurai Deeper Kyo)
ADR Script: Stephanie Sheh
Producer: Shizuki Yamashita

Mayumi Fujimiya:Michelle Ruff (Chii of Chobits, Saga of
A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, Aoi of Ai Yori Aoshi, and Miki of Marmalade
Boy)

Miharu Itsukushima: Carrie Savage(Fuko of Strawberry Eggs and Rakka of
Haibane Renmei)

Misuzu Itsukushima: Jennifer Sekiguchi (Mamimi of FLCL, Fujio of I My
Me! Strawberry Eggs,
and Silky of I'm Gonna Be An Angel!)

Stella Blavatsky: Jane Alan (Megumi of Rurouni Kenshin, Maria of Sakura
Wars the Movie, and Haruka of Love Hina)

Yoko Ashray:Wendee Lee(Faye in Cowboy Bebop, Kaolla Su in Love Hina, and
Yui in Fushigi Yugi)

Reina Arcturus: Jessica Stenuis (Miyajun of FLCL and Mama of I'm Gonna
Be An Angel1)

Hokuto: Barbara Goodson (Rita Repulsa in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)

Ray Alucard: by Lex Lang (Captain Herlock of Space Pirate Captain
Herlock, Goemon of Lupin III, Sanosuke of Rurouni Kenshin, and Ry of
Initial D.)

Official Japanese Sites

From Natsume
Maya
Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu
(started on Japanese TV last week)

From Studio Gonzo
Samurai 7
Bakuretsu
Gantz

New production unit href="http://www.yamato-works.com/">YamatoWorks has announced its
original, full digital anime titled Kakurenbo (Hide and Seek). You can
view a trailer href="http://www.yamato-works.com/trailer.html">here.
To be released in the summer of 2004.
The anime will have a length of approximately 25 minutes. Direction (and
technical direction) by Morita Shuhei, character design and "world"
design (for want of a better word) by Sajiki Daisuke. Actually, it looks
like production of the anime will be performed by just two or three
people. In addition, script will be by href="http://cthulhu.hp.infoseek.co.jp/">Cthulhu.
YamatoWorks was formed in 2003 by Morita and Sajiki, members of the
animation company href="http://www.kamikazedouga.co.jp/">Kamikaze Animation

Rave Master Cartoon Network Premiere

Anime News Network has
learned Rave Master will premiere on Cartoon Network June 5th.

Live Action Cry Freeman Release

Jagged Team points out the
official Mark Dacascos
website, the live action adaptation of Crying Freeman will be
released theatrically in the US by Universal Focus this August.

Manga Entertainment Relaunches Site

Manga Entertainment has commenterated their tenth anniversary with a
newly designed site at www.manga.com

Gundam Seed Sells 1 Million DVDs in Japan

Bandai announced that they have sold over 1 million copies of Gundam
Seed on DVD, counting the first 11 volumes. The company noted that in
addiction to tradictional Gundam fans, the series sold well amoung
younger and femal consumers.

April 7th marked the 25 anniversary of the first episode of the first
Gundam series' broadcast in Japan

Upcoming Bandai Releases

June 8

Angel Tales: Sweet Transmigration

Infinite Ryvius: Retribution

Kaze No Yojimbo: Small Town Secrets

Witch Hunter Robin: Determination

June 22

Blast Off - Flight 01

Wolf's Rain - Leader of the Pack

Wolf's Rain

There is an old legend that speaks of a hidden paradise on Earth - A
paradise which only wolves can find. And while thought to have been
extinct for hundreds of years, wolves indeed still walk the Earth.hidden
among mankind. Now, a group of outcast wolves set out to find Paradise:
Kiba, Hige, Toboe, and Tsume. Each wolf is driven by their own
personality and desires, but together they are pursued by humans seeking
to quench their own thirst for power. A difficult and long journey lies
ahead, with Paradise waiting to be found.

Broadcast Premiere on Cartoon Network This Spring 2004

From BONES Studio (Cowboy Bebop Movie, Rahxephon)

Character Designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto Cowboy Bebop, Gundam 08th MS
Team, Golden Boy)

Music Composed by Yoko Kanno Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the
Shell: Stand Alone Comlex)

Directed by Tensai Okamura (Memories)

STRATOS 4

Comets are on a collision course with Earth! Sounds like just another
bad Hollywood movie right? WRONG! With impending comets threatening to
destroy Earth, an elite interceptor force known as the 'Meteor Sweepers'
are entrusted with the task of destroying these life threatening comets
before they enter Earth's atmosphere. Mikaze Honjo is a teen pilot and
part of the 'Meteor Sweepers', she and her other squadron members are
based at Shimoji Island in Okinawa. While active duty slows down, the
team likes to spend their free time managing a local ramen shop, but
just as Mikaze starts losing motivation in her work, she'll suddenly
discover a new goal in life. saving the world!

From Studio Fantasia (Cowboy Bebop Movie, Cat Girl Nuku Nuku)

Directed by Takeshi Mori (GONZO's Vandred, Meltylancer)

Character and Mechanical Designs Noriyasu Yamauchi (Agent Aika, Najica
Blitz Tactics)

All-Star English Voice Cast Featuring the 80's Talents of: STACY Q and
TIFFANY

Howl's Moving Castle Cast and Status News

From Natsume
Maya

The upcoming Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli release Howl's Moving Castle
(or Hauru no Ogoku Shiro) is now recieving a grey deal of press in
Japan.

62 year old Baishou Chieko will play Sophie. The 31 year old ever
popular Kimura Takuya (from singing/acting group SMAP) will voice the
young wizard Howl. Miwa Akihiro (a 68 year old male) will play the witch
who turns the 18 year old Sophie into a 90 year old woman. Producer
Suzuki Toshio stated that only a veteran like Baishou would be able to
play both an 18 year old and a 90 year old. Further, Suzuki pointed out
that Howl's Moving Castle will feature a handsome young man, a rarity in
Miyazaki movies - and KimuTaku is representative of handsome young men
in today's Japan, making him an easy choice for the role.

Recording for Howl's Moving Castle commenced on 12 April 2004.
Storyboards have been finished. The anime is 60% complete, with work
expected to be completed in the summer.