Father Geek here with the latest from the world of Anime & Manga...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: New Fist of the North Star
Volume 1: The Cursed City

"The Cursed City" is the first hour long, direct to video chapter in the
revival of the premiere anime bad-ass and one of the medium's most
memorable, and parodied concepts: the hulking martial artist with a
Bruce Lee shriek whose machine gun punches touch off pressure point,
causing the human body to explode. It's an amazing idea to present with
a straight face, but a long with a Mad Max post apocalyptic look, and
plenty of anger it achieves a degree of ritualized spectacle. Thugs
will die badly, and then villains will die badly. Heads will distend,
bubble and burst, blood will fly in a silently simmering tirade of one
man's rebellion, finally flaring into an aura flamed rage. It is
violence rather than action, but viewed as an outlet for anger, or with
a degree of irreverence there is something enduring about the appeal of
watching the irredeemable burst into fountains of blood and organs.

In terms of physique and ritual, Fist of the North Star plays out like
pro-wrestling interaction on a water starved dessert stage.
Melodramatic histories and grudges are resolved in confrontations
between almost costumed, muscle men who spout catch phrases and build
towards finishing moves. New Fist of the North Star seems to diverge
from the original mythos, but North Star is nothing if not reliable, and
there is still a Kenshiro dealing death.

The new twist to several times previously animated series, is the
introduction of digital animation. There are a number of well
integrated 3d effects used to flesh out the settings in architectural
constructs, swarms of motorcycle mounted raider or sight that were meant
to inspire awe, if not in the viewer, than convincingly in the
characters. Camera pans and background complement each other to add a
sense to dimension action the action. While the unnatural look of
digital animation doesn't harm the already fanciful series while the
camera flexibility adds an engaging depth

Dealing with a character that can kill with one touch, once physical
conflict is initiated means that logic and a need not to undermine the
character's ability leave little uncertainty in the fights. Not that
North Star is a series to bow o the dictates of logic, but
confrontations are fabricate in the progression of plodding advance,
rapid confrontation, explosive results. The steps don't don't put
digital animation technique fully through its paces, but it does
require, and receive more creativity it results. North Star fulfils
need to make impressive, expected, but overly familiar impact.

Anime Spotlight:
Ikki Tousen
Volume 1: Legendary Fighter

There's plenty of anime that works a fight as the mechanism for
resolving conflicts and the primary source of anticipation. Then
there's "fight" anime that strips out most of the extraneous material
and more narrowly focus on the mano y mano; generally set in a material
arts tournament/semi-organized competition. And the problem with most
fight anime: a) they generally require a predilection to the material b)
the genre that has worked hard to maintain a reputation for being dumb
and unimaginative. Almost, at best you get a love or hate series.

For younger audiences, there is a host of Shonen Jump or Shonen Jump
style adventures to feed an interest. For a teen audience, the number
has been increasingly lately.

If the action and personality are right and the material doesn't take
itself too seriously (currently unlicensed Air Master really nails this)
teen fighting anime has plenty of room for some slick, entertaining
ventures. Ikki Tousen probably isn't the best, it has been compared
disfavorably to the similar Tenjo Tenge, but it is bouncy, never dull,
beat-em-up.

Ikki Tossen's (the manga version of which is released by TOKYOPOP as
Battle Vixens) most notable feature is it's almost camp degree of t&a
fan service. The fights occasionally, but not constantly well
choreographed, yet it seems to managed the best when the combatants are
both girls.

The story follow Hakufu, a not-so-bright girl, guided by her mother, who
transfers to one of the schools engaged in a fighting system based on
the Romance of Three Kingdoms epic (a fourteenth century Chinese saga
about the end of the Han Dynasty, which, like Water Margin/Suikoden and
Journey to the West has frequently been adapted into pop culture).

For a brief, rapid paced adventure, there Ikki Tousen features an over
abundance of characters, the significance of which is lost to those
unfamiliar with Romance of Three Kingdoms. It is equitable to a story
based on Arthurian myth featuring a brief role played by a character
named Gawain. Even a few statements about his endeavors leave little
impression if the viewer is unfamiliar with the context. The parallels
becoming problematic as they are used to explain or lend meaning oblique
agendas and behavior of characters who pass through the series.

Ikki Tousen is capable, when motivated, of delivering memorable fight
scenes of a caliber you'd hope for in a work billed as specializing in
dpectiable physical combat. It works best when highlighing Hakufu's
rival Shimei. With blue hair, a eye patch, and a frilly maid-like
outfit covering, she's goofy looking character, but she exudes a
personally that builds anticipation to her fights, and she delivers with
credible, impressive battles. Partially this can be credited to her use
of a grappling fighting style, which is frequently under utilized in
martial arts action. In the face of attacks that don't look right or
exciting like jumping and punching while angling head first downward,
grappling only requires poses to be recreated, some fluidity and facial
gestures to look devastating.

It still only bears a passing resemblance to reality, especially
Shimei's addition of handcuff into the mix, but it doesn't look more
credible and interesting than Hakufu's frequently described as
amateurish moves and their soft, organ damage. The dialog drops in a few
nice lines to inform fight fans that the creators know what they are
doing, but it is really aiming and occasionally achieving rapid paced,
fanciful combat.

The absence or abbreviation of some key fights proves the action isn't
always the paramount priority of the series. Paramount appears to
establishing a look. Namely showing off the buxom heroine: T&A courtesy
of the bubbly (in personality and aspect) Hakufu. Ikki Tousen makes
an art out of shredding outer garments and a science out of revealing
bra and panties.

Despite this, it seems to attempt to achieve a female appeal. The male
characters are frequently handsome and fashionable (or attempting to be
fashionable, the large magatama beads worn to signify the fighters are
really obtrusive and too much), and there is a thread of female
empowerment (sexual predators gets swatted pretty badly)

Anime Spotlight: Ichi The Killer: Episode Zero

Released by Central Park Media

The live action Ichi the Killer is the crown on the head cgi age's grind
house king, Takashi Miike. Based on a manga series (also known as
Koroshiya 1) by Hideo Yamamoto, the movie following masochistic Yazuka
captain Kakihara, an adept at applying and receiving gut wrenching
torture, as he follows the trail of his boss' killer. Kakihara
dedication becomes obsession as he begins to learn out his query, Ichi,
a killer driven by pure sadism. Ichi isn't typical embodiment of a
sadistic killer. He's a slumping, weeping, bullied into shell shock sad
sack who does his work wearing black, padded motorcycle protection. He
is aroused by killing, and supremely formidable thanks to a deadly kick,
made more deadly by a retractable blade on the back of his foot. He's a
perversion of revenge fantasies and the geek/superhero complex: an
unstoppable killing kicking leg attached to looser who masturbates in a
small apartment over his hit targets.

At 46 minutes, Ichi The Killer: Episode Zero is good for a little more,
or a sample, depending on whether the movie has been seen. It doesn't
possess Takashi Miike's visual imagination, but it does features
instances of the humorously grotesque, good for an irreverent laugh in
distaste.

Apart from some minor points, the feature, framed by post movie/manga
bookmarks, doesn't aim to substantially expand the stories mythos. It
gets tangled in circumstance and the stories' late revelations and by
design remains non-definitive thanks to unreliable narrator telling the
story of someone with unreliable memories. With some supposition, it is
possible to parse out a slightly deeper view of Ichi, but Episode Zero
is more spectacle than character insight.

The core of Ichi's back story is a ticking countdown to when the
pressure of the bullying he receives builds to the point where his
sadism cracks out. While its awfully bad, there's been an undercurrent
on unrelenting school bullying in many recent teen anime/manga series,
and Ichi's predicament doesn't have the weight of other examples (the
recent Gantz for example). It doesn't features the pivotal flashback of
the original stories, but it doesn't present itself as a definitive
correction either. The troubles of what can be taken as likely,
especially compared to fringes of his life... what his parents do to
each other behind closed doors, the people who he later meets, to be
true, seem rather mundane, painting Ichi as an even more demented
character.

Hideo Yamamoto's original, though not without its twists or abundance of
graphic violence, is notablely straighter than Takashi Miike's
adaptation. This is visible evident in more grizzled, powerful and
conventionally well dressed than Tadanobu Asano's flamboyant portrayal.
In looks the anime follows the manga, however, it casts an ending to
the story that is different from both the endings of the movie and the
manga in a manner that less interesting, but more applicable to new
Ichi centric material.

The series blares nudity and battery, but in the form of flashes and
burst rather than sustained ogling of a hentai (adult) work.

Soundtrack Spotlight:
Evangelion: The Day of Second Impact

Released by Geneon

The Day of Second Impact is not an addition for the collections of
Evangelion fans who have already invested in prior releases, but a must
for those who enjoy Evangelion music and are looking for the perfect
Best-of-Evangelion mix. Without a doubt, it is the one Evangelion
soundtrack to own if you are going to own one Evangelion soundtrack.

With none of the exotic Fly Me to the Moon end theme remixes, and
missing some of background composer Shiro Sagisu's memorable tracks
(notablely, the Launch theme ,which might have been a better choice for
a second background track than Decisive Battle, after Angel Attack) the
collection still provides a thorough and invocative musical abridgment
of the popular series. The sound tracks covers the essentials track
with samples of the brassy back ground music, the jazz beat intro, a
standard version of the series' take on Sinatra famed Fly Me to the
Moon, orchestral pieces from Death and Rebirth, and soul rending vocals
of End of Evangelion.

Anime spotlight:
Nurse Witch Komugi
Volume One: A Vaccine For Humanity!
Volume Twi: We Need A Magical Girl, Stat!

Released by ADV Films

Despite a tradition of robust supporting characters, there aren't many
spin-offs and anime and manga. In recently years the notable ones have
been more accentuated parodies of shows that were already partially or
in whole parody works, for example Nadesico, a space-opera structured
sci-fi lead to Genkiganger III the faux-70's giant robot shows that
Nadesico character watch, or Excel Saga leading to the more risqué magic
girl take off Puni Puni Poemi.

Nurse Witch Komugi arises from Soul Taker, a dour superhero horror that
applied digital animation to produce psychedelic visuals. The odd
character out in Soul Taker's dark tone was Komugi, a fat cheeked pink
sprite who was a nurse, and a witch, ie, she fly the night sky on a
giant syringe.

Here, Soul Taker's youthful looking lanky 17 year old Komugi is a
cosplayer (hobbyist costumer makers who generally create media inspired
costumes, generally to wear at conventions), and an idol (kind of like
actor-model-what-evers, except they're most pop singers), who accepted
the role of magic girl (characters who transform into feminine
super-heroes curtosy of a chant and colorful sequence) for the costume.
She parlays this into a niche phenomenon on the cosplay circuit and
soon becomes associated with associated with a c list talent agency
(with other retrofited characters from Soul Taker).

With very sporadic foe attacks, (namely her nemesis the Magical Maid who
uses viruses to bring chaos and excitement to the world) Komugi's
mentor/mascot talking animal guides her move up in the world to become
an actress.

Nurse Witch Komugi isn't the blanket coverage of one genre, or thickly
packed spot-the-reference collage. It has less material to burn
through, and less of a point to prove.
Though far from a slow paced show, it is comparably less frantic than
comprehensive parody works. It is an exercise in less is more, allowing
it to get into the moment without needing to show off how outrageous it
can be, or how exhaustive its references are.

The series frequently spoofs anime, including a fall down funny
Gatchaman sequence or the Giant Robo-esque destruction opera finale,
where the character totally immerses herself in her famdom delusion, to
the dismay of those around her, but more of the situational humor plays
with the relationship between semi-celebrities and pop culture.

The characters are allowed to be hammy and self-aware without pounding
on the fourth wall to hammer to point, with a lead who is a real idiot
and more geeky than the series, at one point she dies and spend an
episode as a ghost making trouble for her colleges. The qualities that
make her not completely likable as a person make her a charming
character: light without being weightless, able to exercise cliches
without bowing under them

Manga Spotlight: Worst
Volume 1
By Hiroshi Takahashi

Released by Digital Manga Publishing

So far most exposure for gang or "Yankee" stories has come from
parodies: scenes who characters, generally in comedies where the hero
interacts with the Japanese equivalent of the 50's teen rough. Given
genre tenants of expression through outrageous hair, outfits and
posturing, it's a ready target. As opposed more Yazuka/organized crime
stories, even one that follows teen leads like Banana Fish, Yankee
stories tend to be less about changing a situation and more about social
jockeying: establishing an animalistic hierarchy, obtaining and
maintaining a position of power among peers. It is the chest pounding
answer to the popular shoujo social network stories. Rather than allies
and rivals in romance, it is about allies and rivals in putting people
in their place, and keeping other from knock you out of yours.

From Hiroshi Takahashi, screenplay writer for the Japanese Ring/Ringu
movies, Worst follows the ascent of Hana Tsukishima, a bulky provincial
with a shaved head who transfers to the infamous Suzuran High School in
time to take place in its Freshmen Battle fighting tournament. Hana
boards with four other thugs (established bad-asses, cold schemers, or
at least initiates into the game) in a house run by a man who looks to
be Yazuka and his swishy twin.

Though Hana has doesn't intimidating physical bulk, scarred visage or
the political finesse. Instead, he's more in the mold of an earnest
lug, or the folk tale familiar earnest farm boy out to make his way in
the world: a competent fighter who admonishes his opponent not to keep a
grudge before engaging them.

The series' focus is far about social interaction than trading blows.
Despite the prominence of physical conflict, the depiction of action is
sparse, limited to a few gut punches. The manga draws the reader into
following the reaction to social stimuli rather than the dynamic who how
punches or fighting style differ. Part of it watching the characters
navigate challenges from other violent teens, but given the
unintimidated but enthralled hero, it is also about tagging along while
he experiences something new.

The other half of the series' attention is on appearance. Fashion
becomes considered a very un-male or at least un-macho endeavor.
Here, appearance is sculpted to effect. The creator pays respect to the
fact that these characters want to be distinctive. Hair, shirts and
jewelry receive a fall work out. Not just every new character, but
every chance a character gets to change clothes is another excuse to an
eye catching exercise in design. Gather and meetings are as interesting
for what the characters are wearing as what they are saying. Augmenting
the variable aspect of design is attention to concrete pieces: facial
features and especially scars provide foundation for who the characters
are: shedding light on their personality in caricature, and firming the
variable aspects with instantly recognizable features.

As Worst has begun assembling its pieces in the first volume, it appears
to be a fun read, with plenty of potential for interesting character
configurations and relationship tetris. The staging, and especially
appearance, makes the familiar alpha male selection process something
outlandish and colorful. This is helped by the fact that the manga
doesn't take itself too seriously. It doesn't bother establish stakes,
and it appearance that the fights if not a half witted endeavor, then
something not completely though out.

Ghibli DVD Releases Rescheduled for February

Various sites, including href="http://www.twitchfilm.com/">Twitch; are reporting that
Disney's set of Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli movies, originaly
scheduled for August, will now be released February 2005 after what
was initially an indefinate delay. The releases include "My Neighbour
Totoro", "Nausicaa of The Valley of The Wind" and "Porco Rosso".

The much beloved My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of two girls who
befriend a forest spirit while dealing with their mother's
hospitalization.

Disney will be releasing the movie with a new English dub, replacing
the one with the previously available Fox release, who licensed
expired in 2004. The Fox dub was produced by Carl Macek of Streamline
Pictures (who now works with ADV), and released theatrically by Troma.

Nausicaa is Miyazaki's ecological epic about the princess of a small
kingdom in a post apocalyptic world, who explores the secrets of its
fungal forest and giant insects while trying to protect her land from
a larger empire.

The movie was previously released an infamous edited English dub,
retitled Warrior of the Wind. The manga (comic) version is currently
being re-released by Viz.

Porco Roso is an aviation adventure, set in the 1920's staring a man
with the face of a pig.

A round of Ghibli movies directed by Isao Takahata, including "Pom
Poko", "My Neighbors the Yamadas" and "Only Yesterday" had been spoken
about for a November 2004 release, but details haven't materialized.

Only Yesterday is based on a semi-autobiographical manga about an
office worker in the 80's reminiscence about her childhood in the
60's.

?My Neighbors the Yamadas is a films comprised of a series of shorts,
based on a comic strip about family live. The movie, which was
Ghibli's first 100 percent digital movie, utilized a technique of
making the animation look like it was created with watercolors.

Pom Poko is the most fantastically of the three films, telling the
story of shap shifting tanuki (raccoon dogs) as they deal with the
encroachment of human development. The release of this movie should be
interesting. Part of the tanuki lore involves the size of their
testicles, and the movie does incorporate this, but Ghibli retained
the editing and content rights on their films licensed to Ghibli, so
how this handled should be worth watching.

Star Trek Manga Preview

Newsarama; has posted a preview
TOKYOPOP's upcoming Star Trek manga anthology href="http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?
s=&threadid=19217">here, including designs by Shin-Ichi Hiromoto
(creator of STONe and illustrator of the manga adaptation of the
original Star Wars trilogy).

TOKYOPOP Announces Live Action Samurai Girl

TOKYOPOP has announced that Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina, the Teenage
Witch) and screenwriter Dan Gordon (Wyatt Earp, The Hurricane) have been
attached to a live-action feature film development project inspired by
Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School (SG: RBHS), one of its top manga and
anime properties.

The project materialized after TOKYOPOP was introduced to Hartbreak
Films, the producers of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and other quality
family series and movies. Seeking out fun, new starring vehicles for
Melissa Joan Hart, Executive Producer Paula Hart reviewed several
anime/manga properties before one in particular caught her eye. The SG:
RBHS manga called for a strong, dynamic female lead with the same
qualities for which Melissa Joan Hart is famous. They immediately began
looking for a writer who could do justice to "Ryoko," the manga's
protagonist.

"Our journey led us to Dan Gordon," Paula Hart recalled. "Dan took a few
weeks reading the material and then delivered a story that had us
sitting on the edges of our seats. It is smart, funny and terribly
exciting."

Dan Gordon describes the script as "a delicious action/comedy mix of
Clueless meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." It's the story of an
ancient Samurai warrior reincarnated as a twenty-something-year-old
sushi bar hostess. Ryoko discovers she is mankind's only hope in
destroying a coven of murderous wolverines who are hatched every 5,000
years and-if left unchecked-will destroy all humanity.

TOKYOPOP and Hartbreak Films are now in conversations with potential
studio partners for the project.

ROD TV and Gungrave on G4/Tech TV

ROD TV, the following to action anime Read or Die was be added to
G4/Tech TV's Anime Unleashed block on October 5th.

This week G4/Tech TV's Anime Unleashed will be adding Gungrave, the
mafia action based on a game besigned by Trigun creator Yasuhiro
Nightow.

Case Closed No Cancelled

Anime News Network reports
that contrary to prior reports, Cartoon Network has not decided to stop
Case Closed, the English adpation of detective manga Detective Conan
after its initial 52 episode run.

Zatch Bell To Appear on Cartoon Network

ICv2 reports that Cartoon Network has
acquired the firghts to the first 52 episodes of Toei Animation's anime
series Zatch Bell (aka
Konjiki no Gash Bell), a supernatural shounen (boy's) adventure with
some rather strange visuals, through ShoPro Entertainment. Current
plans have the series debuting on the Cartoon Network in the spring of
2005.

The manga version of the series will be released domestically by Viz.
There is no announced video distributor for the anime.

New Del Rey Manga Licenses

ListerX points out that Del Rey is
listing new manga series Genshiken 1: The Society for the Study of
Modern Visual Culture by Kio Shimoku and Nodame Cantabile by Tomoko
Ninomiya for an April release.

Nodame Cantabile - By Tomoko Ninomiya

Chiaki Shinichi is a music student on a quest to become one of the
world's greatest conductors.

Genshiken - By Kio Shimoku

A peek into the world of Japanese otaku, poking fun as it follows the
life of Sasahara Kanji in his drive for anime, manga, video games, and
pornographic doujinshi; among other things.

Release Dates
Partially from Anime on DVD

Bandai

1st Quarter we should see the possible release of Overman King Gainer,
Scrapped Princess, and Magical Meow Meow Taruto Scrapped Princess has a
limited edition planned with the possible pack-in being very large and
very cool - possibly having coolness for each subsequent volume as well.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex v.3 Special Edition will contain
an exclusive Stand Alone Complex t-shirt

FUNimation

12/7/04

Dragonball Z TV #67: Cell Games: Sacrifice

12/28/04

Tenchi Muyo GXP Vol. #8

1/18

Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. #01

Geneon
Anime

12/14/04

The Daichis -Earth's Defense Family- "Dysfunctional Heroes" (V.3)

Fighting Spirit - Test of Endurance (V.3) Last Exile - Sealed Move (V.7)

12/21

Texhnolyze - Lies & Despair (V.5)

R.O.D - The TV - "The Turning Point (V.4)

12/28/04

Gad Guard - Collections (V.4)

Tsukihime, Lunar Legend - Lunar Dance (V.2)

12/14/04

Sailor Moon SuperS - (V.5) (Signature Series) DVD

The Soultaker - (V.4) (Signature Series)

Tenchi In Tokyo- (V.6) (Signature Series)

TOKYOPOP

1/11/05

Initial D Vol. #09

1/25/06

Marmalade Boy Collection 3

Viz

1/11/05

Boys Over Flowers Vol. #09

Project Arms Vol. #12

1/25/05

Flame of Recca Vol. #2

Pokemon Advanced Vol. #07: Abandoned Ship

Pokemon Advanced Vol. #08: Jump for Joy

Zoids Chaotic Century Vol. #5

Zoids Chaotic Century Vol. #6

2/22/05

Inu-Yasha Vol. #27

3/08/05

Boys Over Flowers Vol. #10

ShootFighter Tekken Box Set

In December, Central Park Media set to release ShootFighter Tekken:
Round 3 priced at $19.99 SRP and ShootFighter Tekken: The Tough DVD
Collection priced at $49.99 SRP.

ShootFighter Tekken: The Tough DVD Collection

From the director of Blue Gender: The Warrior. Kiichi Miyazawa is a high
school student and a lethal weapon! Under his father's training, Kiichi
is on the fast track to martial arts super-stardom in the deadly Nanshin
Shadow Style. Now, Kiichi has a match with destiny. His father's
arch-nemesis and champion of World Pro-Wrestling; Iron Kiba has sent his
students to obliterate the Nanshin Shadow Style and Kiichi's dad! "Solid
fight scenes." - Newtype USA Magazine

Running time: 135 minutes
Genre: Martial Arts/Adventure
SRP: $49.99

NewType USA To Feature First Run Manga

ADV has announced that the NewType
USA magazine will feature the first run of Yukiru Sugisaki's Lagoon
Engine Einsatz Lagoon Engine Einsatz, starting in the October issue
(Vol. 3, Issue 10).

From NewType's description:

A special collaboration between the renowned artist and the top-selling
anime magazine in the English-speaking world, Lagoon Engine Einsatz
marks a first for any manga-it will be published in English before being
released in Japan. The new manga project will also include several
full-color pages in each installment, adding some unique visual flair to
the traditionally black-and-white manga pages.

An episodic adventure set in alternate worlds, Lagoon Engine Einsatz is
a mystical, mysterious, action-packed tale that will unite various
characters from vastly different backgrounds. Like any good story,
Lagoon Engine Einsatz should appeal to all types of manga fans-as well
as those new to the genre.

Lagoon Engine Einsatz is scheduled to run within the pages of Newtype
USA throughout the next year.

ADV Talks Madlax License

On September 25, 2004, while being interrogated by eager fans at the
record breaking Anime Weekend Atlanta convention in Atlanta, Georgia,
ADV Films co-founder Matt Greenfield and ADV representative David
Williams let slip that the #1 producer-distributor of anime in the U.S.
had acquired the sensational new anime series MADLAX! Further
investigation revealed that the hot new series from Bee Train (Noir,
.hack// sign,) would be released both on home video by ADV Films and
broadcast via the Anime NetworkTM.

"We've been waiting for this show ever since Noir ended," confirmed
Greenfield, who, in addition to his role as a V.P. of ADV Films, was the
writer, producer and director of the English language version of that
series. "Many of the key players for Noir were reunited for this
project, which features similar themes, equally gorgeous character
designs and even bigger and more elaborate action sequences. While I
hate to call anything the ultimate "girls with guns" anime, given the
propensity of anime producers for topping themselves, MADLAX is
definitely the state of the art as it stands, and the kind of show that
will have fans glued to the edge of their seats!"

About MADLAX

From animation studio Bee Train (Noir) and director Koichi Mashimo
(Noir, Sorcerer Hunters, Irresponsible Captain Tylor) comes an action
packed, gun-totting series full of mystery, intrigue and lots of
gorgeous music by Yuki Kajiura (Noir.)

Shocking conspiracies. Enigmas shrouded in mystery. A desperate quest.
When female gun-for-hire Madlax and student Margaret are thrown
together, they discover that their seemingly different lives share a
deadly connection, one that they must uncover and solve before the dark
forces opposing them end their lives forever. As the duo travels to the
Holy Land in their quest for the ultimate truth, will they uncover a
bond of trust between them? And will the knowledge they gain really be
what they expect? The action is non-stop in the spectacular new series
from the creators of Noir - MADLAX!

A release date has not yet been announced for MADLAX.

More Ironcat Cancillation, Some Solicitations

After last month's cancilation of many manga released from trouble manga
distributors Studio Ironcat, Studio Ironcat has cancil a smaller number
of releases in this month's Diamond Previews, the list of available
comics for speciality comic shops.

Canciled Items include:

• Hanaukyo Maid Team Vol 5 Gn
  
• Ohanaukyo Maid Team Volume 4 Gn
  
• How To Be An Angel: Angel Manual
  
• My Codename Is Charmer Volume 3 Tp
  
• My Codename Is Charmer Volume 4 Tp
  
• The Wanderer Vol 3 Tp

While a number of new titles have failed to be launch, Ironcat has made
the following title availabled again:

Di Gi Charat Volume 1 Gn

Hanaukyo Maid Team Volumes 1-3 Gns

Hyper Dolls Volumes 1-3 Gns

Nintendo Starting Anime Production?

Gamespot reports ex-Nintendo
president Hiroshi Yamauchi told Japan's Kyodo News that he would like to
take the company into movie and anime production.

New Manga Anthology From England

ICV2 reports British publisher
Boychild Productions will be creating Manga Mover, a manga anthology to
showcase new manga creators to western audiences. The first 68 page
issue witht the works of Sakura Mizuk and Tomoko Amemiya will be
available in the Unite State for $5.99.

December CPM Manga

In December, CPM Press set to release Hard Boiled Angel: Blue Angel 3,
Couple Volume 3, Full House Book 3: Discord, Yongbi the Invincible Book
3, Slayers Super-Explosive Demon Story 7: The Claire Bible, and
Geobreeders Book 3 each priced at $9.99 SRP.

Hard Boiled Angel: Blue Angel 3

Story and art by: Hyun Se Lee. Detective Jiran Ha is hot on the trail of
two serial murderers imbued with superhuman abilities. In order to stop
them, she must find a way to mimic their abilities, but when the
killers' motives come into question, Jiran must choose between doing her
duty and helping them on their quest of ridding the world of criminals.

Couple Volume 3

Story by: Jae Sung Park, art by: Sung Jae Park. Young Ho's neighbor,
Moon Yung, is a beautiful but quiet college student. But soon, skeletons
begin coming out of the closet, as Young Ho discovers that she works at
a bar, is deep in debt, and that his friend Tae Yung has a crush on her.
Despite all this, does Young Ho have feelings for Moon Yung as well?

Full House Book 3: Discord

Story and art by: Soo Yon Won. Just when things were becoming more civil
between Elle and Ryder, she catches him in a bold-faced deception that
only strengthens the animosity between them. Now, their business
agreement may come to an end and if it does, Elle will lose ownership of
Full House forever!

Yongbi the Invincible Book 3

Story by: Jeawoon Yu, art by: Jungwho Moon. Master swordsman Yongbi
Bulpe has an ancient amulet that is rumored to have mysterious powers.
The only problem is that every thief, warrior, and assassin in the land
of Murim also wants it, and will do anything...anything...to get it.
Meanwhile, Yongbi's arch-rival, Chun-Zan-Wang-Goo-Hwi, encounters a
villain even nastier than he is, the dastardly Zanwul Dae-ma, who's
spirit channeling abilities make him a deadly threat to anyone who
crosses his path, and he wants Yongbi's amulet, too.

Slayers Super-Explosive Demon Story 7: The Claire Bible

Story by: Hajime Kanzaka, art by: Shoko Yoshinaka. The demons hunger for
revenge and they want to take it out of the hide of Lina Inverse,
everyone's favorite big-mouthed sorceress. What role will Gourry's
infamous SWORD OF LIGHT have to play in this scenario? Can Amelia and
Zelgadis keep from arguing long enough to actually do some good? All
this, plus the mystery of the Claire Bible will be revealed!

Kids' WB Orders More MegaMan NT Warrior

Kids' WB has licensed 30 more episodes of the MegaMan NT Warrior anime
series, which will air in spring 2005. The first two seasons will be
shown in weekday afternoon block.

Warcraft Manwha Preview Images

TOKYOPOP's upcoming adaptation of Blizzard's strategy game Warcraft,
from Richard A. Knaak(Dramgonrealm) and Korean manwha aritst Kim
Jae-Hwan (King of Hell) has been previewed href="http://www.blizzard.com/press/tokyopop.shtml">here and href="http://www.tokyopop.com/dbpage.php?propertycode=WCT&categorycode=B
MG&page=introduction">here.

Seven Seas to Publish Original Manga

Icv2 reports Dallas Middaugh and Jason
DeAngelis the formation of Seven Seas Entertainment, a new publisher for
original manga style comics.

Full Metal Panic Completes Recordig

Anime News Network reports
voice recording and post production recording for the 51st and final TV
episode of Fullmetal Alchemist has been completed. The episode airs on
Japanese TV on October 2nd.

Diamond and Bandai to Import Japanese Merchandise

Diamond Comic Distributors will be working with Bandai to import
Japanese figures and models for North American specialty comic shop.
Lines of Gundam Seed models and Soul of Chogokindie cast figures
including Mazinger Z and Neon Genesis Evangelionhave already been
solicited in Diamond's Previews order form. The upcoming Soul of
Popynica includes figures of the motorcycle from Akira.

Manga Market

ICV2 reports the current Viz catalog
lists 1030 titles, of which approximately 320 are 2004 releases, 225 of
which have already shipped, putting the number of Viz graphic novel
trade paperbacks available to retailers at approximately 900. TOKYOPOP
representative,, as measured by product line. DC's line is #3 at around
700 titles.

ICV2 has also posted a number of opinion pieces concerning whether the
domestic manga market is becoming oversatuated

here

here

here

here

here

Appleseed Theatrical Release in March?

Anime News Network reports
this month's Previews Magazine lists a set of Appleseed mini-figures
coming to the US "Coinciding with the U.S. theatrical release of the
first-ever feature-length adaptation of Masamune Shirow's Appleseed" The
website's preorder information page does not list a release date, but
the actual magazine states that the models ship in March 2005.

A DVD release of Appleseed is expected next summer.

Broccoli Books Announces Dejiko's Adventure Volume 1

Broccoli Books, the publishing division of Broccoli International USA,
is set to release the English version of Di Gi Charat Theater - Dejiko's
Adventure Volume 1 on October 6, 2004. Di Gi Charat Theater - Dejiko's
Adventure, by artist Yuki Kiriga, is the third installment of the Di Gi
Charat Theater series. Serialized in the magazine "Dragon Jr.," Dejiko's
Adventure was the first Di Gi Charat manga published in Japan.
Di Gi Charat Theater - Dejiko's Adventure is part of the Broccoli Books
Deluxe line, which features additional bonus material that was not
included in the original Japanese edition. In addition to an original
1-page color insert and a Dejiko paper doll kit, the Broccoli Books
Deluxe release of Dejiko's Adventure will include a card list from the
Di Gi Charat Character Card Game and a questionnaire in the back that
can be filled out and redeemed for a Dejiko's Adventure sticker.

About Di Gi Charat Theater - Dejiko's Adventure Dejiko's caused plenty
of trouble with her Laser Eye Beam, but this time she's gone too far! In
an attempt to teach Rabi~en~Rose a lesson, Dejiko shoots her Laser Eye
Beam, but ends up destroying the popular Gamers store too! With the
store manager fainting of shock and the store in ruins, Dejiko, Puchiko,
and Rabi~en~Rose must find the "secret treasure of prosperity" so they
can rebuild Gamers! Be the first to witness Dejiko's countless
adventures as she fights off evil spirits, solves a mystery in a haunted
house, competes in a beauty pageant, and more! It's up to Dejiko to
revive the Gamers store and bring happiness for all!!

About Broccoli Books Broccoli Books specializes in publishing Japanese
comics, illustration books, and graphic novels. Broccoli Books is a
division of Broccoli International USA, parent company of Anime Gamers
USA and Synch-Point. More information is available at
http://www.broccolibooks.com.

Information about other Broccoli International USA divisions can be
found at: http://www.bro-usa.com http://www.synch-point.com
http://www.animegamers.com

Digital Manga licenses 3 more titles

Digital Manga's web site has
announced that the company has licensed 3 new manga titles:Tenka Musou,
Cafe Kichijouji de, and Seiyou Kotto Yougashiten.

Tenka Musou

In the 16th century, the evil Nobunaga rampages across the land in
pursuit of the "Tenka Musou." Owner of the Scroll of the Heavens,
Nobunaga must only locate the Scroll of the Earth to unleash the Tenka
Musou's limitless power. When his vicious troops arrive at simple
village, caught in the middle is Han, teen slacker and assistant to the
village baker. Han soon reveals herself as Hattori Hanzo; a skilled 18
year old ninja trapped in a 13 year old's body and sole protector of the
Scroll of the Earth. Infuriated at Nobunaga's brutality, Han vows to
take the fight to its source, seize the Scroll of the Heavens and send
Nobunaga where he belongs!

An epic series inspired by the true life events of one Hattori Hanzo,
recognized as Japan's greatest ninja and accomplished samurai. Famously
portrayed by Sonny Chiba and a source of inspiration for Quentin
Tarantino's Kill Bill!

Cafe Kichijouji de

"Irrashai!" Welcome to the most unruly cafe in Kichijouji and its
charming staff of five who have absolutely nothing in common. When
tempers rise, so do mop handles, giant boulders and repair bills. Meet
Jun, a mild mannered high school student with a sharp tongue and
superhuman strength. Tarou, a clean freak with a deadly aim in the art
of mopping. Maki, a sloppy, lazy woman chaser. Minagawa, a talented
pastry chef equally skilled in the arts of voodoo, and the impulsive,
cheerful, though desperately unfortunate Tokumi. A feast of comedy based
on the popular Japanese radio drama.

Seiyou Kotto Yougashiten

Ono has come a long way since the agonizing day in high school when he
confessed his love to handsome Tachibana. Now, some 14 years later Ono,
a world-class pastry chef and out-ed playboy has it all. No man can
resist Ono's charms (or his cooking skills!) but he has just found a new
position under a man named Tachibana. Can this be the only man who
resisted his charms, and if so, will the man who once snubbed the
"magically gay" Ono get his just desserts? And how in the heck did a
former middleweight boxing champion wind up as Ono's cake boy? Digital
Manga happily serves up the opening volume of Seiyou Kotto Yougashiten.

Anime Game News

From The Magic Box

Nintendo and Shonen Jump have announced href="http://www.the-magicbox.com/0410/game041005a.shtml">Jump! Super
Stars, an all stars fighting game with characters from popular manga
series DragonBall Z, Naruto, and One Piece amoung others.

New screen shots of the second adaptation of the Berserk manga, Berserk:
Millennium Falcon ~ The Holy Evil War can be seen href="http://www.the-magicbox.com/0410/game041003f.shtml">here

Tomy's GameCube 3 vs. 3 team fighting game Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen
3, the game is scheduled to release in Japan in November can be seen href="http://www.the-magicbox.com/0410/game041004d.shtml">here

Bandai will release Mobile Suit Gundam: Seed Destiny for GBA in Japan on
November 25, a VS fighting game with more than 20 playable characters.

Banpresto's GameBoy Advance anime action game Dragon Ball Advance
Adventure can be seen href="http://www.the-magicbox.com/0410/game041004a.shtml">here

Bandai will release Mobile Suit Gundam VS. Z-Gundam for PS2 in Japan on
December 9, for 7140 yen. The 3rd installment of the popular arcade
Gundam action combat game.

Detective Conan (aka Case Closed): Legacy of Great Empire, and action
adventure mystery game for the Playstation 2, can be seen at href="http://www.the-magicbox.com/0410/game041011c.shtml">here. The
game is scheduled to be released in Japan this winter.

Beet the Vandal Buster: Darkness Century, an RPG game based on an action
manga to be released domestically by Viz can be seen href="http://www.the-magicbox.com/0410/game041011b.shtml">here.

Asia Carrera Turns Down Live Action DBZ?

Anime News Network reports
adult film star Asia Carrera has stated in her website that she rejected
a role in the live action adaptation of Dragon Ball Z. "I hate having to
turn down cool mainstream work offers... the producers [of the Live
Action Dragon Ball Z Movie] just contacted me about being in it.".

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Game Trailer

A trailer for the Playstation 2 game based on Ghost in the Shell: Stand
Alone can be seen online at href="http://www.playstation.jp/ch/pv/asx/tgs2004/pv_psp_koukaku.asx">h
ere

North American anime distributors ADV Films, FUNimation, and Geneon have
announced plans to form a joint venture for the development and
marketing of anime.

The new joint venture will focus on developing high quality
entertainment series primarily targeted to children and young adults,
where the team can best maximize their respective resources, talent and
expertise.

The synergy of these companies is impressive as together they reach 70
percent of the Anime home video market in the United States.

Midnight Eye Looks At Anime

Japanese cinema web periodical href="http://www.midnighteye.com">Midnight Eye has devoted their new
issue to looking at anime, including looks at Mamoru Oshii's (the
theatrical Ghost in the Shell) works, Steamboy, Journey to the West and
Hideaki Anno's take on Cuty Honey.

Midnight Eye's Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp will also release their first
book, The Midnight Eye Guide to Japanese Film, in October. Anime fans
will find a chapter devoted to Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki and Isao
Takahata along with filmmakers such as "Beat" Takeshi Kitano (Violent
Cop), Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer), and Kinji Fukasaku (Battle
Royale). Hideo Nakata, director of the Japanese horror film Ringu,
writes the Foreword to the book.

Saikano to be Adapted into Live Action

Saikano, a relationship tragety about the love between a teenager boy,
and a girl who is loosing her humanity as she become a living weapon, is
being adapted into a live action movie, schedule to appear in Japanese
theatres in fall of 2005. The movie will star Aki Maeda(Battle Royale,
Gamera 3).

The manga and anime versions of Saikano are being released domestically
by Viz.

Next Anime from Super Techno Arts

Anime on DVD points out that
Anime distributor Super Techno Arts, who has been releasing
super-hero/horror action Jojo's Bizarre Adventure announced that their
second title, ninja action Shadow, will be releasing in summer 2005.
Images can be seen href="http://www.supertechnoarts.com/news/shadow.html">here

Transformers and New Gonzo Anime

Anime Nation reports Gonzo
Studios will be animating Transformers: Galaxy Force, tentatively
scheduled for next January.

The site for their upcoming Speed Grapher is now href="http://www.speed-grapher.com/">online.

Puffy Ami Yumi on Cartoon Network's New Year Programming

Anime News Service reports
that J-Pop duo Puffy Ami Yumi, who performed the theme song for Teen
Titans and who will soon appear in their own animated show, will be
appearing on Cartoon Network's New Year's count down. The material was
taped during their recent brief domestic concert tour.

Appleseed's American Premiere

Anime News Network reports
that the CGI adaptation of Ghost in the Shell Masamune Shirow's
Appleseed will make its American debut at the href="http://brattlefilm.org/bfff/">Boston Fantastic Film Festival
on October 16th at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts at
7:30pm.

Anime Merchandise

Figures.com has images of upcoming anime related figures from Yamato USA
href="http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.se
tup&category=actionfigures&topic=73&show_article=221">here and href="http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.se
tup&category=actionfigures&topic=73&show_article=222">here.

Lines scheduled for late winter 2004/early spring 2005 include:
Hellsing: Arucard, Seras Victoria, Integral Wingates Arucard, Andersen,
Yan, and Walter. Each figure stands approximately 4" and comes blister
packed with themed weaponry. SRP of $6.99 each.

Shonanbakusozoku Miniature Collectible Figures: Japanese biker gang
figures

Guilty Gear Isuka - Millia Rage PVC Statue:

Range Murata PSE Solid Collection: from the designer for Blue Sub No. 6
and Last Exile, three six minute figures.

Yujin Appleseed Miniature Action Figures: four capsule figures including
Briareos and Deunan. 4" $6.99 each

.hack//SIGN Lovable Collection Vol. 2: featuring legendary .hackers
Subaru and Black Roses

Other upcoming merchandise releases include:

Noir Resin 13" Statues of Yumura Kirika and Mireille Bouquet

Appleseed 6.25" and 7.75" include figures of Appleseed's Deunan, and
Briareos. Standing between 6.25" and 7.75", each figure features 17
points of articulation.Standing at approximately 4", the assortment of
six miniature figures include the Gugess and Hitomi B, a figure
previously released in Japan only with purchase of a movie ticket.

Berserk Miniature Collectible Figures, PVC Statues and Resin Pendants
Berserk (re-release)
3" miniatures include Birth Feast and Silence - of Guts, the
Blackswordsman; Femto; Silat; Boscone and a bust of Zodd. Beherit
Pendant is a reproduction of the demonic stone from Kentaro's manga
epic. At 1.5", the Beherit Pendant fits in the palm of the hand or hung
around the neck with the included 12" strap. Comes in both a regular, no
face version and tears version, both beautifully hand painted and
packaged in a collector's window box.

Koto's Full Metal Panic figures, available through Diamond in early 2005
can be seen href="http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.se
tup&category=actionfigures&topic=105&show_article=108">here.

ADV will be releasing four Cosplay Caps featuring head-head coverings
based on Menchi and a Puchuu from Excel Saga, Jonathan from
Kaleidostar, and Saizo from Peacemaker Kurogane.

Animated Emma Site

Victorian romance manga Emma will be adapted into an animated series
schedule to air next spring. The site is online at href="http://www.emma-victorian.com/">www.emma-victorian.com/.

More Saikano Coming in 2005

Anime on DVD and href="http://www.animenation.com">Anime Nation reports a live action
Saikano movie, pop retelling of monkey king legend with attractive men,
starring Aki Maeda and two new OAVs are scheduled for release in 2005.