Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with another of Scott Green's massive weekly AnimAICN columns (Father Geek's work station at Austin's Geek Headquarters is still down... make that vaporized). I know, two in a week? How could that be? But the good folks who spend so much time on this column had some super-cool San Diego Comic-Con info to share, so here it is! I'll be concentrating on the movie stuff at the Con (of which there's a ton... but I'll have a nice, juicy bit of pre-coverage in the next few days for you folks regarding that stuff). Off to Animeland!

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Manga Spotlight: Bleach
Volume 1
By Tite Kubo
Released by Viz's Shonen Jump Graphic Novel Line

Brisk action featuring a fiery red headed guy in a black samurai kimono
battling angry spirits sure doesn't hurt Bleach, but the series doesn't
rely on the built to the fight.

Bleach lives ups to the Shonen Jump expectation, offering a host of
characters who are fun, exotic and loud, but rather than a journey to
becomes the best, incremented by progressive battles, but it appears to
be building mix of horror anthology and almost a more action driven
version of relationship drama. Kind of a supernatural action horror
school life.

The series builds with traditional material, but cleverly avoids the
obvious It's premise sounds like the setup in which a man takes Death's
role after killing the Grim Reaper. In this case the man is noble
delinquent Ichigo Kurosaki, a ruffian who can see the spirits of the
dead, to be cheap, Sixth Sense with an attitude. Death really isn't
Death, but a soul reaper (shingami/death god for Japanese mythology
fans) in the form of ayoung looking girl in samurai garb named Rukia,
and Ichigo doesn't so much kill her as assault her (he kicks her across
the room when finds her in his house), then accidentally take all her
power when attempting to assist in dispatching a hollow spirit.

As an at least temporary soul reaper, Rukia is slowly getting her powers
back and still has a few tricks, Ichigo learns that their are two kinds
of spirits: "wholes" who may wander the earth as ghosts, in which case
it is the job of the soul reaper to guide the spirit to the Soul
Society, and "hollows" who consume the living to sustain themselves, and
who the soul reapers are tasked with destroying.

Ichigo and Rukia are the perfect pair to drive Bleach's manga style mix
of the supernatural and high school exploits. Ichigo is a great teen
action hero, while Ruika flavors the series with an offbeat semi-dark
personality. Along with the supporting characters, they're wholly
likable. Both have a tangible intensity that thrives in a horror work
that is horror sometimes dark, but not over burdened.

Ichigo has a charismatic look and demeanor that carries the action.
There's something in his long, cut look that suggests that he can handle
himself, and his ability to stay on top of an evolving situation is
noticeable. There is nothing striking about him in comparison to a host
of attitude heavy manga leads, which in and of itself is striking.
There is no exhibited need to stretch the character beyond a witty,
irreverent, tough guy, so while he's a tailor made star, he's almost a
believable person.

Ruika is a new take on the death spirit character. A little sour, but
not grim, and definitely not cheerful. Rare among female manga
characters, part of her liability is that she isn't especially cute,
looking more like a feminine boy than girl. Mostly because of her
furrowed brow deadpan seriousness, when she does do something cute it's
damn cute and funny, ie drawing out the difference between whole spirits
and hollows with bunny, bear faces, flowers and hearts.

The series is also populated with a variety nice oddity accessories,
including a teddy bear that spontaneously rips and bleeds, a kindof
spring drinky-bird to adjust the memories of the living who have come
into contact with hollow spirits, or cell phone for contact with the
soul society. They underscore Bleach's balance of seriousness and camp.
There are plenty of moments of tension and danger, but there is also
recognition that the premise is a little goofy.

Over Bleach's first volume, the series is never quite what is expected,
cleverly avoiding becoming too obvious. What it leads up to is more in
the vein of personal revelation than monster busting (though it does
offer plenty of the later). It applies the Shonen Jump energy in an
unusual direction, with highly entertaining results.


This Week's Releases

Anime

Dragon Ball GT - The Lost Episodes - Reaction (Vol. 1)
Dragon Ball GT - The Lost Episodes Starter Set
Dragon Drive:Another Dimension Vol 2
Figure 17 - Memories Remain (Vol. 6)
Gate Keepers Vol 4
Hello Kitty & Friends:Timeless Tales
Initial D - Battle 6 - Asphalt Angles
Knights of the Zodiac Vol 5
Megazone 23 Vol 2
Saber Marionette R (Vol. 1)
Sailor Moon S Vol 6
Tenchi Muyo Ova Vol 4
Tenchi Universe Vol 4
Trigun Vol 6
Wedding Peach:Summer Flowers Vol 4

Also of Note:

Justice League - Star Crossed
Lone Wolf and Cub White Heaven in Hel
Zatoichi - Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman

Manga

Basara Vol 7 Tp
Battle Royale Vol 8 Gn (Of 11)
Berserk Vol 4 Tp
Blade Of The Immortal #91
Celestial Zone Vol 2 #12 (Of 12)
Comic Party Book 2 Gn (Cpm)
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Vol 7 Gn
Dark Angel Vol 3 Tp New Ptg
Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Vol 6 Tp 2Nd Ed
One Piece Vol 4 Tp
Prince Of Tennis Vol 2 Gn
Ranma 1/2 Vol 27 Tp
Sister Red 2 Vol Gn Set
Vagabond Vol 13 Tp

Lady Death Animation to be Screened At Comic-Con

After years in development (first announced in 1999), and the bankruptcy
of two of the comic character's publishers (original creators Chaos and
new holders CrossGen), ADV Film's animated adaptation of popular pale
swordswoman Lady Death will screen at this year's San Diego Comic Con.

The panel for Lady Death The Motion Picture is going to take place on
Friday July 23 at 2:30-3:30pm in Room 9.

The actual screening for it is going to be Friday night at 9-11pm in
room 5AB.

The official site for the project can be seen at www.ladydeaththemovie.com/.
Dated news concerning the movie lists Andy Orjuela and Carl Macek as the
movie's producers, with a script from Macek and animation from Korean
SunMin Image Pictures.


InuYasha Movie to Debut at Comic-Con 2004

Viz has announced that the first InuYasha movie, Inuyasha: Affections
Touching Across Time will receive its North American theatrical debut at
Comic-Con 2004, to be held July 22-25 at the San Diego Convention Center
in San Diego, California.

Viz will also be featuring a sound booth at Comic-Con give fans the
opportunity to addition for the role of an extra in an upcoming Inuyasha
DVD. The winner will record their extra part at Ocean Studios in
Vancouver, Canada and will have the opportunity to meet some of the
English language voice actors.

The DVD edition of Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time will be
released by VIZ on September 7, along with a new DVD boxed set
containing the entire first season's 27 episodes.

From Viz:

The film, based on author Rumiko Takahashi's manga about the adventures
of a half- demon dog boy, was originally released in December 2001 in
Japan to critical acclaim. Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time is
an action-filled, suspenseful story that pits Inuyasha against a
powerful demon from China named Menomaru. Two hundred years ago,
Inuyasha's father managed to seal Menomaru's evil demon father, Hyoga,
away in a tomb, but a shard from the magical Shikon Jewel freed the son,
Menomaru, allowing him to escape his imprisonment and threaten the
entire land. It now falls to Inuyasha, along with his friends, to find
away to stop Menomaru from wrecking havoc on civilization. Inuyasha:
Affections Touching Across Time offers a new and exciting storyline and
characters not previously seen in the manga titles.

The movie's official website, with theatrical schedule is online at  www.inuyashamovie.net

DC's First Manga Releases

DC Comics has posted information about the first releases of their CMX
manga line as part of their October solicitations.

Releases include:

From Eroika With Love
Land of the Blindfolded
Madara

TOKYOPOP Talks Upcoming CLAMP Releases

TOKYOPOP has sent out announcements concerning their upcoming releases
of product spotlight the work of popular team of women manga creators
CLAMP, include two art books, North Side and South Side, and bimonthly
magazine to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the collective.

Continuing to expand its impressive catalog, TOKYOPOP Inc. is thrilled
to announce the January release of CLAMP's renowned North Side and South
Side art books. The celebrated all-women creative team of CLAMP-known as
the Greatest Manga Studio in the World showcases their classic works
from 1989 through 2000 in these two gorgeous volumes.

North Side includes illustrious artwork from manga such as Magic Knights
Rayearth, Clover, Legend of Chun Hyang and Sohryuuden. Among the
crowd-pleasing highlights is an innovative section, "CLAMP in
Wonderland," which features popular characters interacting with one
another in a fairytale setting.

South Side features luscious pieces from beloved series including Man of
Many Faces, Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders, Suki, Wish, Miyuki-chan in
Wonderland, The One I Love, Shirahime-Syo and Legal Drug, as well as
original, never-before-seen CLAMP artwork. Both volumes also present
"how-to" art tutorials showing aspiring manga-ka the ins and outs of
drawing their favorite CLAMP characters.

CLAMP's unmatched list of titles has gained attention worldwide, and
their dramatic stories have won them numerous awards and a huge fan
following. North Side and South Side will be hitting bookstores
everywhere in January 2005 and sell for $19.99.

Celebrating CLAMP's 15-year anniversary as an artistic force, TOKYOPOP
will publish CLAMP No Kiseki: The Ultimate Collection, a stunning
omnibus that highlights dazzling works from the all-female manga-ka
team. The limited, bimonthly anthology will be available beginning
spring 2005, and will span 12 installments over two years.

The gorgeous, 32-page publication will feature CLAMP's most celebrated
artwork and will also include never-before-seen interviews and other
exclusive material. Each volume will be packaged with three collectible
chess pieces depicting CLAMP's most famous characters appearing in that
particular volume. Once all 12 issues are collected, fans will have a
complete chess set-CLAMP style!

Each issue of CLAMP No Kiseki: The Ultimate Collection will showcase the
popular titles that manga fans all over the world have come to cherish
from CLAMP's unmatched repertoire of work. Volume One will feature
Cardcaptor Sakura, one of the most treasured of CLAMP's classics.
Following issues will highlight such titles as Tsubasa, xxxHolic,
Clover, Magic Knight Rayearth, Angelic Layer, and of course Chobits,
their signature title that rocketed CLAMP into mainstream popularity.

Only 10,000 copies of each installment will be available nationwide. The
highly collectible nature of CLAMP No Kiseki: The Ultimate Collection
ensures that these books will sell out and become unavailable, so fans
are encouraged to get them quickly!

CLAMP No Kiseki: The Ultimate Collection will be sold exclusively at
Waldenbooks, select comic retailers and www.TOKYOPOP.com.

Late August/Early September ADV Releases

8/31

Aura Battler Dunbine: Invaders From Byston Well (Volume 8 of 12)
Azumanga Daioh: Friends! (Volume 4 of 6)
Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat: Mya! (Volume 3 of 4)
The Super Milk-Chan Show: Milk Shake (volume 2 of 4)

9/7

BASToF Syndrome: Secrets Revealed (Volume 4 of 6)
Hello Kitty & Friends: Princess Dreams (Volume 5 of 6)
Robotech Remastered: Robotech Masters Collection 2 Volume 5 (Volume
Volume 5 of 7)

ADV will be releasing pre-priced Essential Anime editions of Burn Up W
and Ruin Explorers ion August 31st.

From ADV:

Burn Up W: Essential Anime Collection

Burn Up W, better known for its babes with guns, was produced by AIC
(Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, Oh My Goddess!), directed by Hiroshi
Negishi (Amazing Nurse Nanako) and animated by Hana Pro (Ninja Cadets).

Team Warrior is no laughing matter for the criminals of Neo-Tokyo. Led
by the fearless Rio, this top-secret counter-terrorist force will stop
at nothing to preserve the peace, or at least their version of it. >From
assault by bungee jump to giant mecha destruction, Rio, Yugi, Maki and
Lilica spare no extreme in the forging of their own brand of justice.
Plagued by kidnapped virtual idols, financial woes and marginally
restrained violent proclivities, the members of Team Warrior skate the
edge of comic insanity to bring you Burn-Up W.

Ruin Explorers: Essential Anime Collection

Ruin Explorers, which will attract fans who loved Slayers, was directed
by Takeshi Mori, who also brought fans Gun Smithcats, Stratos 4 and
Nadia Secret of Blue Water. The stunning animation was done by the
talented crew at Animate (All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku) and
Asia-Do (Street Fighter II: The Movie)

Fam and Ihrie are willing to do almost anything to make a buck. So when
these debt-driven damsels discover the potential profits to be had in
recovering a particularly dangerous mystical object, it means mortal
peril for an entire civilization. Haunted by an unspeakable curse,
plagued by doomsday prophecies, plotted against by untrustworthy
traveling companions and locked in a desperate race to gain the Ultimate
Power, Fam and Ihrie are the Ruin Explorers!

Anime Network in India

IMDB reports Sony Pictures Television
International launched a 24-hour channel in India Monday dedicated
entirely to Japanese anime. The company said that the channel, Animax,
is the first of its kind in the world. SPTI said that it plans to
provide the channel free initially but that it will later charge about
$.65 per month.


Viz Releases

According to Anime on DVD's
Anime Expo convention report the Video Girl Ai anime will be released on
one volume, rather than two as Diamond Comic's solicitations suggest.
The series may or may not be a remaster, depending on licensor approval.

Basic on a manga series by Masakazu Katsura (DNA^2, Shadow Lady, I"s),
the romantic comedy follows a highschool looser desides to cheer himself
up by renting a suggestive video. When he puts the video into his
defective VCR a girl magically appears, but not as as ideal as
advertised.

Viz is also releasing the manga version of Video Girl Ai

The InuYasha: Affections Touching Across Time, the movie based on Rumiko
Takashi's supernatural adventure romance will be released with an
exclusive lenticular cover for Borders/Waldens. Early reports that the
movie would air on Cartoon Network October 23rd arose from
misconnumications regarding the post video release window. Movie is now
being planned to a Spring 2005 television airing.

Inu Yasha Movie 2 will be released on 12/20.

The 27 episode box set of collection of Inu-Yasha season one will be
release on Sepetember 7th. It will retail of $100, and $120 for a Deluxe
Version. The deluxe version will include a necklace and be limited to
15,000 copies.

The anime version of teen modern ninja fighting tournment Flame of Recca
will be collected in 4 episode volumes, retailing for $24.98, starting
October 26th. The subscription version of the Animerica magazine will be packaged with
a one episode preview DVD. The songs will won't be subtitled.

Project Arms 2nd Chapter, the continuation of the bio-tech military
action from Spriggan creators Ryouji Minagawa and Kyouchi Nanatsuki,
includes 3 episodes on the first of the four DVDs.

New English dubs will be creating for the DVD release of Rumiko
Takashi's half desperate romantic epic Maison Ikkuku. Brad Swaile has
been recast for lead role of the ronin (student who has graduated
highschool, but not passed college entrace exams) Godai due to the
original voice actor's work in a recurring role on Monk.

From Anime News Network
The manga of Yami no Matsuei be released with the English title
Descendants of Darkness.

Viz has confirmed that it will be releasing the Yami no Matsuei manga,
using both the Japanese name and the English "Descendants of Darkness"
title that the anime series is released under.

The first volume of Beet the Vandal Buster, a product of the creative
team behind the manga Dragon Quest, is set to be released in October.
The manga version of Saikano will be released over a total of seven
volumes. Despite the fact that the last volume of the seven is fairly
sexually explicit, it will not be shrink-wrapped unless retailers
themselves decide to do so.

A trailer for the anime version of Hikaru no Go, based on a popular
manga series following players of the strategy game Go was shown as Viz
booth, but Viz stated that they were only to promote the manga, which
appears in shown jump, and not an indication that Viz has licensed the
series.

New Berserk Game Shots

The Magic Box has screenshots
of Sammy's upcoming Berserk game for the Playstation 2 here. The
game looks to be taken from late in the manga series, where it takes a
more overtly supernatural tone, and its hero/anti-hero, the revenge
driven swordsman Guts collects a new set of companions.
The game will include over 70 minutes of anime clips.

Bandai Cracks Down on Piracy

Bandai Entertainment announced that it served lawsuits against several
retailers for engaging in the duplication, importation, distribution,
and/or sale of unauthorized merchandise infringing upon copyrighted and
trademarked properties at this year's Anime Expo convention in Anaheim,
California.

From Bandai's press release, the lawsuit includes

Otaku Entertainment, Inc., dba MANGA HOUSE
EJ International, Inc., dba ABCTOY4ME.COM and ANIMECIRCLE.COM
Anime Combo
MTWC Group, Inc., dba Kawaii Anime and Kawaii-Anime.com
John Lo, Inc., dba House of Anime and Houseofanime.com

Bandai also states

"The increased proliferation of counterfeit merchandise and DVD piracy
of Japanese animated properties has gone on for too long", states Ken
Iyadomi, Executive Vice President of Bandai Entertainment. "The time has
come to take a stand against the flood of cheap knockoffs and blatant
bootlegs. The vendors who sell pirated merchandise, CDs, and DVDs are
causing huge economic losses for legitimate businesses and must be
stopped."

With the full cooperation of all those who participate in the creation
and distribution of these products in Japan and elsewhere - Bandai
Entertainment aims to aggressively protect its intellectual property
rights and licenses through these actions and hopes that these lawsuits
will send a clear message to other retailers and distributors that
distributing counterfeit or bootleg DVDs and merchandise will not be
tolerated.

Consumers and retailers are urged to contact Bandai Entertainment at
support@bandai-ent.com to report other distributors suspected of selling counterfeit DVDs and merchandise.

In related news, three people were arrest in Tokyo for selling Hong Kong
produced copies of Gundam on Yahoo! Auctions.

Mainichi reports
38 Japanese anime companies will be using a new "Made in Japan"
label to fight pirated anime and video games.

RentAnime.com Opens

RentAnime.com, a Netflix like online DVD rental service launch a service to provide rental of three 3
DVDs at a time with unlimited turnover for a $19.95 monthly fee.

Kaiyodo At San Diego Comic Con

Kaiyodo, makers of many popular anime action figure lines will be making
their first official American exhibit at this years San Eigo Comic Com.

Anime lines will include Fights of the Forth Star, Neon Genesis
Evangelion, Trigun and Votoms.

Bandai and Cartoon Network Launch Video on Demand

Anime News Network reports Bandai Entertainment and Cartoon Network will be launching an "Adult
Swim Video on Demand" starting with super-hero action s-CRY-ed.

Bandai will be bringing back their www.AnimeVillage.com label in
association with the service.

Infinite Ryvius Manga From ComicsOne

ComicsOne will be releasing the two volume manga adaptation of sci-fi
anime Infinite Ryvius, released domestically by Bandai. The first
volume will be released on October.

The social sci-fi follows a large school of trainees set adrift in an
advanced space craft after their instructors were killed in a sabotage
induced disaster.

.hack//ENEMY TCG Wins Prestigious Origins 2004 Award

Bandai has announced that during a ceremony at the 2004 Origins Game
Fair in Columbus, OH, Decipher's .hack//ENEMY Trading Card Game received
the Origins Award For Best Trading Card Game of 2003.

First released in October, 2003, .hack//ENEMY TCG entered a market that
was already crowded with many other anime-based trading card game
properties. Confident that this game was different, Decipher pushed
forward with creative marketing plans including two nation-wide tours to
visit retail shops, an innovative tournament system which invited
players to "Level Up!" for great prizes and powerful promo cards, and
aggressive advertising.

Digital Manga to Release Edu-Manga and Alternative Manga

ICV2 reports that Digital Manga announced that it will be releasing Edu-Manga in 2005, a series of
graphic novel biographies narrated by the character Astro Boy. The first
five titles include Helen Keller, Albert Einstein, Mother Theresa,
Beethoven, and Anne Frank.

Project X, based on an inspirational TV series which follows the trials
and tribulations of entrepreneurs with good ideas, who thanks to
perseverance and good luck finally manage to break through and achieve
financial and personal success will also be released 2005.

Several alternative comic include Bambi and Pink Gun will also be
released.

Upcoming In Japan

From NatsumeMaya


The website for the fourth Inu-Yash Movie, "Guren no Houraijima" is
online at www.inuyasha-movie.com, and features a 10 second trailer. The movie is schedule to be
released this winter along with a Hamtaro movie.

Sweet Valerian, set to debut on Japanese TV August 1st will feature a concept and character design by
CLAMP Staff:

Character Design: Sakurai Hiroaki
Composition:Ooba Sayuri
Anime Character Design:Yamakawa Yoshik
Music: Double Oats (Abe Jun and Muto Seiji, who worked on the music for
Fruits Basket and Kodomo no Omocha)
Animation Production: Madhouse

A site for the Full Metal Alchemistic movie, scheduled to be released
next summer is online here.

Animation studio Madhouse announced that the anime adaptation of rock
manga will broadcast this fall.

The Gundam Seed Destiny site, features the sequel to the latest Gundam,
due out in October, is online at www.gundam-seed-d.net/. Staff includes:

Director: Fukuda Mitsuo
Composition:Morosawa Chiaki
Character Design: Hirai Hisashi
Mecha Design:Ookawara Kunio, Yamane Kimitoshi and Fujioka Kenki
Music: Sahashi Toshihiko
3D CG Sunrise Digital Images Department
Production: MBS and Sunrise

Another site is online here

The latest classic to be adapted into an anime is Gonzo Studios' Count
of Monte Cristo, which will be titled Gankutsuou.

Animate.tv has trailers
here and here

The Japanese release of the first volume of Gainax's follow-up to
Gunbuster has been delayed to November 26th.

Screenshots of the upcoming Japanese DVD release of an uncut version of
horror sci-fi Gantz can be seen online here and              here (Warning:
nudity)

Japanese Manga Circulation Numbers

Natsume Maya, the Japanese Magazine Publishers Association has published the
circulation number for Japanese manga periodicals in 2003:

Shonen

Monthly Shonen GanGan (which serialises Full Metal Alchemist) is around
300,000
Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday - 1,311,000
Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump (previously Rurouni Kenshin, now Naruto
etc) - 3,240,000;
Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine (Air Gear) - 3,190,000;
monthly Shonen Ace-A (Neon Genesis Evangelion) - 300,000.

Seinen

Afternoon has circulation of 140,000
monthly Ultrajump (Tenjou Tenge) has 90,000
Gundam Ace has 300,000
monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh has 250,000
monthly Young Animal has 240,000
semi-monthly(?) Young Jump (Gantz) has 1,275,000.

Shoujo manga magazines

Asuka (200,000)
Ciao (911,000)
Nakayoshi (520,000)
Hana to Yume (340,000)
Bessatsu Margaret (465,000)
Margaret (260,000)
Ribon (990,000)

Female young adult manga magazines

Kiss (240,000);
Chorus (180,000);
Judy (171,000) and
Young You (190,000)

Evangelion Creator to Appear in Live Action

Natsume Maya points out that Neon Genesis Evangelion creator and direct Anno
Hideaki's official website lists
that he has an acting role as an anime director in the live action movie
"Cha no Aji" (The Taste of Tea).  The staff of animation studio Madhouse also appear as an anime staff.


Studio Gonzo Tidbits

From Anime on DVD's report on
popular computer graphic intensive Studio Gonzo's Anime Expo panel:

The fifth volumes of direct to video OAV Yukikaze, an aviation sci-fi
about an AI augmented fighter jet that becomes self aware, has been
delayed to March 2005 due to twice as much content being included in the
last episode.

When asked about the respect of more steam punk anime, sequel to Last
Exile was suggested.

Future projects include Brave Story, a movie co-funded by Buena Vista
International with a world wide release planned for 2006. Koichi
Chigira and Range Murata are both working on the project about a young
boy that travels to an altered world / dimension to save his mother.

Six Minute Steamboy Trailer

Jagged Team points out that a 6 minute trailer of Steam Boy is online here