Manga Preview Read or Die
Volume 1
written by Hideyuki Kurata
illustrated by Akitaro Yamada

To be released by Viz February 2007

Read or Die's Yomiko Readman is one of the true memorable anime and manga character creations of this decide and the greatest geek chick heroine. In a brilliant act of archetype splicing Hideyuki Kurata seamlessly grafted a large chested asskicker with the mousey, bookish, obsessive. Think an action hero Sandra Bullock, dressed like an eccentric librarian or grad student, with the super power to manipulate paper into bullet proof surfaces, paper planes that could support human weight, cutting edges ect.

The Read or Die manga is staged back chronologically before the anime that has already been released in North America (an OAV from Manga Entertainment and a TV series from Geneon). The manga complements rather than competes with the anime. Yomiko is beginning her work as a agent the deceivingly innocuously named British Library, meeting NeNeNe when she was a teenage prodigy novelist. For Read or Die faithful who are interested in the plot and world of the franchise, it's a must.

That said, in Read or Die, plot was always the least stable arm of a triad, behind the stronger ones of character and action. The manga clearly demonstrates how it inspired the explosive visuals of the anime. Action is big and fast, more so than many action manga series. Its on par with something like the very over the top horror action Hellsing: plenty of dark, thick lines addicting force to the impact. However, its not always as savvy as the other incarnations. Though there's little down time, it doesn't quite live up to the expectations anime viewers might have from when the anime was at its best.

The manga does have the boundless energy of the OAV, but it is a little more irreverent where the anime was unrestrained. Between Shonen Jump injokes, bondage imagery, more breast emphasis and what at times is silliness rather than imaginative oddity, ie a woman who fights with giant match sticks, the manga veers a bit juvenile. The trend is nothing to detract from the spectacle of the characters and action, it just isn't smart.

Anime Spotlight: Battle Angel Alita
Last Order
Volume 6: The Angel & The Vampire
by Yukiyo Kishiro

Released by Viz

If you're not following Last Order, track it down ASAP. Granted, its irregular release schedule, as a function of following closely behind a slowly serialized Japanese release, makes it one of the harder to track manga titles. If there were an older audience English anthology, Last Order would really explode as a title to look forward to on a monthly basis.

The original Battle Angel Alita is bound to garner plenty of notice as James Cameron's adaptation progresses. Which is appropriate. The title certainly deserves all that the recognition it receives. The first volume is a perfect quick and brutal action, if maybe over 80's influenced (expect Cameron to leave out the KISS cyborg). The second is a phenomenal sci-fi tragedy thats both intellectually and emotionally engaging. Somehow, three turned roller-ball with a Grace Jones knock-off into a breathtaking and dramatically compelling story. From there, the life of the title character continued to progress in a never predictable but always compelling life's story.

The follow-up series (a sort of alternate ending/continuation) Last Order takes a different tract. It isnt perpetually reinventing itself the way the original did. Instead, Kishiro's story telling genius adds a sharp edge to the dull genre of tournament fighting manga. Its what youve seen before in Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho, Shaman King ect. ect. with the wild sci-fi of Burrows, Asimov and Heinlein crammed into one cosmology. Add some Kill Bill style genre sampling and the only thing more exiting than the action is the size of the universe and strangeness of its denizens. Kishiro plays to the conventions of the genres, from commentators and one on one matchups, but turns up the intensity and intelligence as high as theyll go.

Volume six opens in high gear as it brings the match between the team Alita (the cyborg Alita and three warped clones) and the Guntroll Vanguard (uh, a team of space traveling guardians for war orphans, a nursery school staff on a space ship, based on fan design submissions) to its conclusion.

Any volume that opens with a spine ripping confrontation between a striking cyborg and one using a jujitsu style martial art demands a recommendation. Good, but how can you top what come next... a woman, who looks plenty like a willowy heroine of Leiji Matsumoto's space operas (kindof a Kushiro take on Maetel with flowing blonde hair and a flowing dark coat, minus the Russian fur cap). Said woman pulls out a pair of Chinese swords and engages wire style, Tsu Hark-like wuxia. The results aren't just crazy and unexpected, but its some of the best fighting you'll find in manga. Kishiro capture the dynamic flow of fighting motion and the distinct style of different fights.

Also of note, Battle Angel Alita has had a history of using homage to American comic creators, among other subjects, including Art Adams and a panache of Frank Miller from his Elektra Lives Again work, and in the spinoff Ashen Victor, Sin City. This volume nods to Hellboy creator Mike Mignola in several panels in the introduction of the Starship Cult, kindof sci-fi swami. In the cinema realm, the volume also more than nods towards Takashi Miike. Alita goes Ichi the Killer on a room full of riot-gear armed combatants. Forget blood all the walls, its body parts everywhere.

Weta Rep Talks Live Eva

SciFi Wire's interview with visual-effects supervisor Richard Taylor revealed that the studio is keen to work on the talked about live action adaptation of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Now actually achieving it as a live-action feature film is extremely difficult to imagine. Technologically, sure, it's doable. But at an esoteric, universe level, it is an unbelievably impacting and dramatic story concept. [It's got] pseudo-religious overtones, and all these wonderful motifs are woven into it. It's something that you can generate over 26 hours of animation, but trying to encapsulate that down into a feature film would be a massive challenge. But we've got the endorsement of GAINAX, the original creators, and with the right director I think it could be a very beautiful movie. I think it's a story worthy of telling. And that's my big pursuit at the moment. I've put an awful lot of energy into it.

Wave Three Miyazaki/Ghibli Covers

Ultimate Disney has images of Disney's third wave of Studio Ghibli DVD releases, including Howl's Moving Castle, Whisper of the Heart and Totoro here. Howl's Moving Castle, and Tororo are from director Hayao Miyazaki.

According to Nausicaa.net, bonus features to be included with Whisper of the Heart, a non-Miyazaki directed movie about two young artists, include

* Behind The Microphone With Voice Talent From The Film Including Brittany Snow, Courtney Thorne-Smith, David Gallagher, and Cary Elwes
* Original Storyboards
* Trailers And TV Spots

Ghibli's Next Update

From Nausicaa.net

Studio Ghibli has officially announced that their next feature film will be Gedo Senki (Gedo War History), directed by Hayao Miyazaki's son, Goro Miyazaki. The film will be an adaptation of Ursula K Le Guin's "A Wizard of Earthsea," and will be released in the Japanese theatres in July 2006.

Twitch points out that Kaiju Shakedown has a translations of Goro Miyazaki's comments about his father's ambivalence about the role here

The Studio's official site has also undergone a revamp.

News Manga From GALS! Creator

According to Manga News, GALS! creator Mihona Fujii has started a new manga called Tokyo Angels.

Witchblade Anime Site

AnimeNation points out that a site for the Gonzo produced adaptation of Top Cow's blade sprouting chick comic Witchblade is online here. The series is scheduled for Japanese TV in April 2006

TANK S.W.A.T. 01 Trailer

Anime News Network and Shirowledge point out a trailer for TANK S.W.A.T. 01, the new adaptation of Ghost in the Shell/Appleseed creator Masamume Shirow's Dominion Tank Police is online here. The OAV will be released on March 24th for 4,200 yen (US$35).

Mechandise News

Raving Toy Maniac has a pictures of Ichigo Mashimaro (aka Strawberry Marshmellow) figures, to be released in North America in April here

The series, features cutes stories about a 20 year old woman with plenty of bad habits, was in part produced by Geneon USA.

Manga Breaks Come and Go

MangaNews reports that the manga serialization of Konjiki no Gash!! (aka Zatch Bell) has gone on hiatus in Japan due to a hand injury suffered by creator Makoto Raiku.

D. Gray-man returned after its creator Hoshino Katsura was able t resume work on the title.

Gundam SEED Destiny Manga Heads to NA

Del Rey has announced that they will be releasing the five volume manga adaptation Gundam SEED Destiny, based on the anime sequel to Gundam SEED. Bandai will be releasing the anime version of the title starting in March.

The title's release is schedule to start in July.

GUNDAM SEED DESTINY (Ages 13+) takes place in the tense period just after the war between the Naturals and the Coordinators has come to a close. Although both sides have signed a treaty, tensions still run high. During a conference at a ZAFT base, an Alliance special forces team attacks and steals three new Gundam mobile suits. Forced to pursue them, Shinn Asuka of ZAFT and Athrun Zala of Orb set out aboard the new space battleship Minerva, and engage the retreating Alliance strike team in combat. But just as they catch up to the fleeing ship, the crew of the Minerva receives word of an even greater catastrophe in the making, one which will could re-ignite the brutal war between the Naturals & Coordinators!

Live Action Bokko

KF Cinema reports Battle of Wisdom, a Chinese live action adaptation of the manga Bokko is scheduled for release in 2006. The movie, directed by Jacob Cheung, starring Andy Lau follows the story of a statistician who leads the defense of a small village against an attacking army.

FUNimation C&D Notices Reveal New Licenses?

Anime News Network reports that domestic distributor FUNimation has sent out cease and desist notices to a fan translator which included currently unannounced licenses Solty Rei, Tsubasa Chronicle and Black Cat. FUNimation has not confirmed that they have licensed the titles.

Solty Rei is an action sci-fi from Gonzo (Gantz, Full Metal Panic, ect). Tsubasa Chronicle is a fantasy remix of CLAMP's universe of characters, especially Card Captor Sakura. Black Cat is a more shonen Cowboy Brbop like gunslinger action.

Satoshi Kon's Next Project

Little Harlock and Anime News Service repots director Satoshi Kon (Paranoia Agent, Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers and Millenium Actress) will next for working on the anime adaptation of a Yasutaki Tsutsu novel (there's some confusion as to whether it is Paprika).

Other contributors include:
Original Work by Tsutsui Yasutaka
Director: Kon Satoshi
Scenario: Seishi Minakami & Satoshi Kon
Character Design: Andou Masashi
Music: Hirasawa Susumu
Animation Production: Madhouse

Another Tsutsui Yasutaka adaption, of Toki wo kakeru Shoujo (The little Girl who conquered Time) is scheduled from Studio Madhouse in summer 2006. staff includes

Toki wo kakeru Shoujo
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Original Work by Tsutsui Yasutaka
Scenario: Okudera Satoko
Character Design: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
Art Director: Yamamoto Nizo
Animation Production: Madhouse

Howl Nominated For Annie Award

Howling Moving Castle, along with Madagascar and Chicken Little were nominated for the animation field's Annie Award.

Mew Mew Power Back on Fox

Anime News Network reports Mew Mew Power will be back on Fox's Saturday morning 4Kids line-up December 24th at 8:00am.

Library Manga Controversy

After a number of movements to get manga into libraries, there is now backlash in some quarters. Anime News Network points out Orange County's Local6.com's article about how parents are updated that their 11 year old daughter brought home Peach Girl, featuring drugs and date-rape, from the librarys young adult collection.

AZN Turbulence

Anime News Network reports AZN TV, the Asian entertainment network that was once the International Channel has lost its channel chief and 43 employees, including most of the senior programming, acquisition and promotional staff in Comcast layoffs.

Comcast stated "We are restructuring AZN to leverage consolidated network functions in Comcast's programming operations. As we complete this restructuring, we will continue to deliver high-quality programming for Asian Americans, and the programming and viewing experience will remain essentially unchanged."

The network has been showing anime, mostly from the Central Park Media library.

Initial D Live Action in New York

ImaginAsian announced today that its theatre will present highly anticipated Hong Kong film incarnation of the street racing anime/manga Initial D, in an exclusive one-week theatrical run. The movie opens on December 30th and runs for a full week.

"Initial D was one of the biggest hits to come out of Hong Kong this year, and we're excited that our audiences will have the opportunity to see it on the big screen, rather than waiting for the video release," said Dylan Marchetti, Director of Theatrical Programming and Acquisitions at The ImaginAsian. "With a new, uncut 35mm subtitled print and Dolby Digital EX surround sound, there's no better place than The ImaginAsian to take in this action-packed thriller."

Initial D features an all-star lineup of Asia's hottest teenage heartthrobs: Jay Chow, Edison Chen, Shawn Yue, Jordan Chan, Chapman To, and Anne Suzuki; as well as award-winning actors, Anthony Wong and Kenny Bee. From directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, the miracle duo behind the internationally acclaimed "Infernal Affairs" trilogy, this high-budget film is a perfect translation of the popular manga to the big screen.

Tickets are $10 and are available at The ImaginAsian box office, located at the theater (239 E. 59th Street, between Second and Third Avenues). Moviegoers can also purchase tickets online and view a full schedule of show times at http://www.theimaginasian.com/

Del Rey Talk Mature Line

Anime News Network reports Del Rey will be launching a mature manga line with the ninja feud epic Basilisk and athlete relationship drama Suzuka in new rated M packaging. They will be 5.5" x 8.25" trim (compared to the 5" x 7.5" standard) and ship shrink wrapped. They will retail for $13.95. Basilisk volume 1 is due in May 2006 while Suzuka volume 1 will be released in September 2006.

Sasami Trailer

AnimeNation points out that the site for Tenchi Muyo spin-off Sasami ~ Mahou Shoujo Club here hosts a streaming trailer.

Dark Horse Plans

Dark Horse Comic's April solicitations include The Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex novel volume 1: and the first volume of the Lullabies From Hell manga.

Anime News Network reports that with the cancellation of Super Manga Blast, the original, black and white What's Michael strips will be coming to an end with the conclusion of Planet of the Cats. Cannon God Exxaxion's fifth trade collection will be released on May. There are no formal plans for Shadow Star or Seraphic Feather.

Shinkai to Work on Game Animation

Anime News Service reports that anime auter Motoko Shinkai (Voice of a Distant Star, Place Promised in our Early Days) will be returning to his origins by animating the opening and ending for relationship game Haruno Ashioto -Step Of Spring-

Merchandise News

Anime News Network reports Toynami has picked up the license to release non-articulated figures based on Naruto. Boston America has gained rights to produce Naruto themed tinned mints, energy drinks, air fresheners, and lip balm and gloss.

New Film Based On Santa Inoue Manga

Anime News Service reports that Tokyo Tribes creator Santa Inoue's revenge drama Neighbor 13 is scheduled to be released on DVD on March 14. Takashi Miike produced the movie, and Puffy Ami-Yumi's Yumi Yoshimura make cameos.

Upcoming Gonzo OVA

Little Harlock reports Studio Gonzo will be releasing a direct to video OVA adaptation of Mardock Scramble by T Ubutaka
The staff includes
Original Work & Scenario: T Ubutaka
Director: Yasufumi Soejima
Main Character Design: Range Murata
Sub Character Design: Shin "Jason" Nagasawa & Kenichirou Hara & Takeshi Kumazen
Mechanical Design: Nanami Gta & Koyama Shigeto
Arms Design: Mahiro Maeda
Art Design: Yuusuke Takeda & Nanami Gta
Design Cooperation: Tei Hidekazu & Office Okada
Color Design: Shigehiro Suzuki
Motion Director: Junichi Takaoka
3D Technical Director: Junpei Mizusaki (Kamikaze Douga )
Animation Production: GONZO

Bandai Visual Enters NA Market

Bandai Visual USA (not to be confused with Bandai Entertainment, who releases Cowboy Bebop, Gundam, ect) announced that they will be launched a new prestige label called Honneamise as part of a distribution partnership with Image Entertainment.

Announced titles include the first two Patlabor movies, based on hard sci-fi mecha equiped police squad (from Mamarou Oshii amoung others)
The initial terms of the distribution agreement call for Image to exclusively release both a newly remastered standard DVD version and a limited collector's edition box set for each of two of title" The street date for both versions of "Patlabor The Movie" will be April 25, 2006, followed by both versions of "Patlabor 2 The Movie" in the summer of '06.

Mari Iijima Interview

Robotech.com has posted the first part of an interview with Mari Iijima, the voice actress who will be voicing the role of Minmay in the upcoming dub of Macross, here

Live Action Rough

Anime News Service reports that Mitsuru Adachi's swimming manga Rough is being adapted into a live action film for release next fall

Air Gear To Be Animated

Anime News Service reports Oh Great!'s (Tenjho Tenge) latest manga Air Gear will be adapted to an anime TV series in 2006.

Manga Ent. Talks Karas Release

Manga Entertainment has announced the acquisition of KARAS, the 40th Anniversary animation from Tatsunoko Productions, the creators of the original Speed Racer, Battle of the Planets, and Gatchaman series.

Originally released in Japan as a six episode OVA series, KARAS will be released as two feature-length DVDs, with the first release in April 2006. With music by Ike Yoshihiro (Blood: The Last Vampire, Dead Leaves), the creative team behind KARAS' production also worked on Wolf's Rain and Big O.

"For the production of KARAS, we challenged 3D/2D hybrid technology taking another great leap forward. From a directional point of view, we were conscious of kabuki (Japanese fighting swords) and its use in KARAS. We increased the use of insert cuts which is the Hollywood way of filming Japanese sword fighting. This blend of Japanese beauty and sword fighting in 3D animation has not yet been seen anywhere." said KARAS director Keiichi Sato.

Tokyo: a city populated by both humans and by ghostly beings. They exist in both dimensions, seen and unseen: spirits, apparitions, demons. The balance between these two dimensions has long been upheld by the city's guardian raven Karas and his masters. But that balance has been thrown into disarray as Eko, a city magnate and former Karas, has attempted to seize power and bring order to the streets through force. The entity Yurine, who represents the will of the people, stands in his way with her newly risen Karas. Now an ageless battle stretching across both dimensions and killing humans and spirits alike is in progress between the two sides and their armies. Karas is humanity's last hope.

For more information on Karas, visit: www.karas-movie.com

Kristine Sa's AnimeToonz 3 Released

Kristine Sa and DJ Jinnai's anime vocal remix collection AnimeToonz 3 has been officially released. Remixes includes songs from Inuyasha, Cowboy Bebop, Ranma 1/2, Gundam Seed, Urusei Yatsura and more.

IPod Size Anime Trailers

Right Stuf has posed iPod video formatted trailers of their anime products here

Viz Retail Interview

ICV2 has posted an interview with Viz Media's Vice President of Sales and Marketing Liza Coppola about the company's retail thinking here

Robotech Shadow Chronicles Update

Robotech.com has updated the status of the upcoming sequel to the cut together sci-fi epic, stating the the movie is the final stages of post production, with a release in the works for 2006. The statement hinted that they are still looking for a distribution vehicle.

Gin-iro No Kami No Igito Clips

Anime News Service points out that the site for Gonzo's upcoming theatrical feature Gin-iro No Kami No Igito here features a number if preview clips.

Int

erviews with Masters of the Art

Love Manga points out articles and interviews with David Taylor, author of Manga: Masters of the Art Flipped column and The Pulse looking how the process of tracking down manga creators for the book.

CPM Talks VOTOMS Releases

NEW YORK, NY (December 6, 2005) Central Park Media announced the long awaited DVD release of the anime masterpiece Armored Trooper VOTOMS as well as an exclusive pre-order campaign enabling fans to purchase the entire VOTOMS series and bonus materials at a very special price.

The story of VOTOMS spans four story arcs spread across four vastly different worlds, and throughout 2006, CPM will be releasing the chronicles of Armored Trooper pilot Chirico Cuvie in four digitally restored digipak collections, each completing one of the arcs. The sets will be released in March, April, June, and August 2006, each priced at $34.95 SRP. The ultimate Armored Trooper VOTOMS Collectors Edition DVD Set will be available in August and priced at $149.95 SRP.

Central Park Media has designed a pre-order campaign specifically for the most dedicated VOTOMS fans so that they will have a chance to own all of VOTOMS at a very special price. Those who visit CPM's VOTOMS site at www.centralparkmedia.com/votoms/ can pre-order all four volumes of Armored Trooper VOTOMS as well as the limited edition VOTOMS ammo case and bonus materials for only $99.95 and save $50.00. Each volume will be automatically shipped by its respective street date with the metal VOTOMS ammo case, which will hold all four volumes of the television series plus the bonus materials, shipping at the same time as the last volume. Orders will be accepted for this very special offer through February 7, 2006.

The limited edition VOTOMS ammo case will include a VOTOMS guide exploring the many worlds, characters, and robots of Armored Trooper VOTOMS as well as a special bonus DVD documenting the VOTOMS universe. As a final bonus, CPM will be rewarding the first 200 fans who pre-order this ultimate collection with a copy of the rare, out-of-print Armored Trooper VOTOMS Supreme Survivor graphic novel. This book will be included in the first shipment.

About Armored Trooper VOTOMS
From Ryousuke Takahashi, Kunio Okawara, and Hiroyuki Okuno, the talents behind Samurai 7, Last Exile, Ronin Warriors, Gundam 0083, Gundam Wing, and Gundam SEED, VOTOMS is a 52-episode sci-fi war drama following the personal war of Armored Trooper pilot Chirico Cuvie in the aftermath of a galaxy-wide conflict.

Viz Expands January Shojo Beat

Viz has announced that they will be expanding the contents of the January issue of the shojo (female audience) manga anthology Shojo Beat. In addition to ongoing manga series Absolute Boyfriend, Baby And Me, Crimson Hero, Godchild, Kaze Hikaru and Nana, the magazine will feature interviews with Mitsuba Takanashi, creator of the volleyball manga Crimson Hero and Novala Takemoto, author of Kamikaze Girls. It will be packaged with an illustrated 2006 calendar featuring art selections from all of the anthologys serialized manga and an Anime Guide with classic as well as new titles, up-and-coming directors, andu pcoming films.

The issue wull also announced the winner for first-ever SHOJO BEAT car contest.

Cartoon Network to Air Naruto Marathon on New Year's Eve

Anime News Network reports Cartoon Network will be having a 17-episode Naruto marathon on New Year's Eve starting at 2:30 PM EST

Mahou Sensei Negima! Sequels?

Anime News Service reports Mahou Sensei Negima! creator Ken Akamatsu (Love Hina) commented that the cast of the anime adapation of his wizard in school comedy has plans of working on the series into the future. The latest Negima TV series ended in Japan in the summer. Since then, American licensor Funimation announced they have the license to the TV anime at Anime Vegas in October.

New St. Seiya Trailer Available

Anime Nation points out Toei's St. Seiya homepage now hosts a 30 second streaming trailer for the upcoming pay-per-view St. Seiya: Hades Chapter - Inferno television series.

New Korean Manwha Publisher

Love Manga points a PW Comics Week report that states Netcomics, the American arm of Korea's Ecomix Media Company, an entertainment company specializing in manhwa, will begin bringing its titles to the U.S. Based in New Jersey, the staff of five will open the first quarter of 2006 with nine titles and will add new titles throughout the year, rounding out the number at 12 by June. Netcomics plans to release 10 titles per month in 2007

Netcomics is also looking to introduce a new business model for comics publishing and distribution in the U.S. Based on its parent company Web site, eComiX.co.kr, Netcomics will publish its translated books on its Web site, netcomics.com. Readers can then access individual chapters for a fee of $0.25 per chapter.

King of Fighters Anime Update

Anime News Service reports Production I.G.'s King of Fighters: Another Day is linked to the upcoming game KOF Maximum Impact 2, which is due in spring 2006. The show will first be arried on web distribution channel in December with GyaO following on Saturday, April 1, 2006. Animax / Kids Station is scheduled to broadcast it on Wednesday, February 22, 2006. Watch Impress has several stills from the anime here.

Vertical Updates

Vertical, who has published the award winning, hardcover translation of Osamu Tezuka's fictional account of Buddha's life, will be releasing the 7th volume is ready, and the 8tg=h will be out in a couple of weeks. The last part of the Ring trilogy, Loop and Parasite Eve will be ready soon.

The company also announced that will be under Random House distribution in 2006.

Viz Signature Line

Anime on DVD points out that cover shots have gone online that indicate that Viz will be releasing character driven thriller Monster under a new Signature line.

Publisher's Weekly has an article about the line saying

Viz Media is launching Viz Signature, a new imprint that will release a line of classic manga titles targeted to appeal to more sophisticated male and female readers.....The Signature imprint launches in February with two paperback titles: Naoki Urasawa's Monster and Golgo 13 by Takao Saito. ....Viz Media plans to feature five to six titles in its Signature imprint....Dubocq uses the terms "classic" and "literary" to describe the forthcoming books, which will also include the rerelease of Takehiko Inoue's Vagabond and Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix

Speaking of Vagabond, a fictional account of the like of famed swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, the on hiatus title is listed by Amazon to return with volume 21 on June 6th 2006.

Looking At Dub Studio

Anime News Network points out Retro Junk's article detailing the history of Ocean Group, a studio that produces English language dubs for anime here

British Ghibli Schedule

Nausicaa.net has updated their listing on the Studio Ghibli works that will be broadcast on the UK FilmFour satellite TV channel The titles being screened in January are:

Jan 01 - Princess Mononoke
Jan 05 - Princess Mononoke
Jan 07 - The Little Norse Prince
Jan 08 - Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro
Jan 11 - The Little Norse Prince
Jan 12 - Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro
Jan 14 - Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind
Jan 15 - Pom Poko
Jan 18 - Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind
Jan 19 - Pom Poko
Jan 21 - Laputa: The Castle in the Sky
Jan 22 - Kiki's Delivery Service
Jan 25 - Laputa: The Castle in the Sky
Jan 26 - Kiki's Delivery Service
Jan 28 - Only Yesterday
Jan 29 - Porco Rosso

"Pom Poko" has taken the place of "My Neighbor Totoro".

Feb 1 - Only Yesterday
Feb 2 - Porco Rosso
Feb 4 - Princess Mononoke
Feb 4 - Grave of the Fireflies
Feb 5 - The Cat Returns
Feb 8 - Princess Mononoke
Feb 8 - Grave of the Fireflies
Feb 9 - The Cat Returns

Most of the films will be shown with their English dub.

Viz Dominates Sales Charts

Bookscans sales data for the week of December 4th featured Viz manga releases in the top 13 positions of its Adult Fiction Graphic Novel category.

Titles included:
1. Naruto Vol. 8
2. Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 21
3. Bleach: Volume 10
4. Fullmetal Alchemist: Volume 4
5. Hana-Kimi: Vol 9
6. Hot Gimmick Vol. 10
7. Naruto Vol. 2
8. Naruto Vol. 7
9. Naruto: Vol. 3
10. Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 20
11. Naruto: Vol. 4
12. Naruto: Vol. 1
13. Dragon Ball Z: Vol. 23

ADV Talks Mid-January Releases

ADV Films will release the following DVDs on January 10th:
Macross: Upon The Shoulders Of Giants (1 of 7)
Shadow Skill: Brothers & Sisters In Arms (2 of 6)
Steam Detectives Complete Collection ($49.98)
Yugo The Negotiator: Russia 1 - Legacy (3 of 4)
Wedding Peach Season 1 ($39.98)

The following is scheduled for January 17th:
Area 88: Wings Of The Wind (4 of 4)
Gantz: Endgame (10 of 10)
Godannar: Nuclear Family Meltdown (3 of 7)
Gravion Complete Collection ($39.98)
Kaleido Star New Wings: Eclipe Of The Star (season 2, 1 of 6)

Macross
This deluxe package, featuring digitally-restored video and a brand-new 5.1 soundtrack, includes so many episodes, interviews, commentaries, and other extras that it takes two disks to hold it all.

For many Americans, Robotech was their first exposure to anime. That classic series, which was first aired on American TV in 1985, is a sprawling epic that showcases the complex storylines, morally ambiguous characters, and sheer spectacle that are hallmarks of anime.

Before Robotech, however, there was Macross - one of three Japanese Anime series that were spliced together with a whole new script for an American audience. The original Macross has only been available to American fans in Japanese language only with subtitles.

Now at long last ADV Films is making Macross available to a new generation of American anime fans in a deluxe package featuring the uncut digitally restored video and for the first time ever, a faithful English dub in rich 5.1 surround sound.

This watershed release is made all the more special with the inclusion of Mari Iijima, who is reprising her role as the Lynn Minmay, one of the central characters in the Macross saga. This is one of the few times a voice actor from the original Japanese cast has participated in the English dub - and by far the most important. Ms. Iijima is a professional singer-songwriter with numerous top 10 albums in Japan and has only appeared as a voice actress in limited fashion, with her only anime role being Lynn Minmay.

Synopsis: 2009. Ten years of furious conflict and frenzied construction have turned an alien wreck into a human triumph: the colossal space battleship Macross. On the day of the ship's launch, the world waits with bated breath to witness mankind's next giant leap. Hovering above the planet, though, the Zentradi, a merciless warrior race, seek to advance its agenda of destruction and conquest. When long-dormant systems aboard the Macross suddenly fire upon the alien fleet, the ship meant to preserve humanity may become its undoing. A war of attrition erupts, taking mankind across the solar system and beyond in a fight to justify its existence!

Area 88
First broadcast on Japanese television a little over a year ago, Area 88 is based on the classic manga by Kaoru Shintani with a screenplay by Hiroshi Onogi (RahXephon, Macross Zero). It tells the story of Shin Kazama, an ace pilot on the verge of a comfortable life with a commercial airline. Tricked into joining a motley crew of mercenary fighter pilots, Shins only way out is to complete the three year term or pay $1.5 million to break the contract. Truly innovative animation and heart-pounding suspense transport you to a world where every breath could be your last. At Area 88, theres no such thing as a normal day.

Gantz
Directed by Ichiroh Itano and produced by GONZO Digimation (Chrono Crusade, Full Metal Panic!), Gantz is based on the ultra-violent, totally twisted manga series by Hiroya Oku (HEN, Zero One). If anything, the anime series surpasses its source material for sheer spectacle so much so that it had to be heavily edited for broadcast on Japanese television. ADV Films has restored Gantz to its original, uncut form for its DVD release, much to peoples surprise.

Kaleido Star New Wings
Directed by Junichi Sato (Princess Tutu, Sailor Moon), Kaleido Star is a charming animated series aimed at tweens and teens, combining playful elements of childrens anime with the sophisticated vision of Cirque du Soleil. Kaleido Star combines a sense of fun and playsuch a crucial element of Sailor Moonwith a believably positive storyline that emphasizes empowerment through bravery and determination.

Synopsis: Its a blast from the past as the Fool reveals Soras journey to becoming a Kaliedo Star. But Soras glory is short lived as two new rivals appear at Kaleido Stage and steal the spotlight from Sora. As her stage time is usurped by the dashing Leon Oswald, an Asian beauty named May Wong appears and proclaims herself the next Layla Hamilton. She is certain to win a leading role, and if shes lucky, Leons attention. But they are not the only unexpected newcomers to Kaleido Stage. One little runaway will find herself in some very hot water thanks to Soras never-ending eagerness to help!

Shadow Skill: a fighting anime from the lates 90s by Studio DEEN (Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok, Getbackers).

Yugo The Negoiator
n a land of pride, betrayal and broken dreams, only the strong survive. When the Soviet Union collapsed, a 200 billion-dollar legacy was left buried in its ruins. The key to uncovering it lies in the hands of Nadenka, a young girl who possesses a mysterious Khristos ring. When Yugo is hired to bring her to Japan, he finds himself trapped in the midst of a deadly web of greed and treachery. Traveling to the frigid land of Siberia, Yugo is left out in the cold in more ways than one, as he discovers that his contractor has a sinister ulterior motive for hiring him. With the KGB hounding him at every step, things quickly turn from bad to worse as Yugo is subjected to an interrogation so cruel that even he may be forced to give in. His only hope lies at the end of a frozen path that even Russians fear to tread, leading straight into the heart of the enemy.

Steam Detectives
Based on the original manga by Kia Asamiya of Silent Mobius fame, Steam Detectives in a world powered entirely by steam, orphaned teenage detective Narutaki finds himself up against a tour-de-force of thieves, tyrants, and an arch-enemy who may yet prove more than his match! With young Ling Ling and her father's brilliant creation, a intelligent mechanical wonder named Goriki at his side, Narutaki has the misty streets of Steam City under his watchful eye. But darker things are lurking as a mystery from the past begins to unfold for our brave young hero! Part gothic, part mystery noir, part industrial-age mechanical mayhem, the adventures of the Steam Detectives is a one-way ticket on the adventure express!

Wedding Peach
Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama (Pokemon), Wedding Peach follows a group of super-powered heroines in their struggle with a malevolent harpy out to destroy love.

A Very Cebulski March At Marvel

Manga guy CB Bebulski is credited as writting three comic in March 2006's Marvel comics offerings.
Untold Tales Of The New Universe: DP7, written by Cebulski, illustrated by MD Bright. Part of Marvel's relaunch of their sci-fi New Universe properties from the 80's and descibed as "X-Men of the New Universe" in "Deadwood meets the Seven Samurai."

Spider-Man Unlimited #14, anthology title C. B. Cebulski And Joe Reitman, pencilled by David Finch And Ron Garney. Featuring the Black Cat and Dr Droom.

New Mangaverse #3 (Of 5) written by C. B. Cebulski, pencils and cover by Tommy Ohtsuka.

by Scott Green