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Column by Scott Green
Event Spotlight Kaiju Big Battel:Shpadoinkel Mania XVIII
There's something to be said for any evening of live entertainment that climaxes with a squad of banner waving bug-men surrounding a wrestling ring. As creative escapism goes, nothing beats the geek performance art of monster suit wrestling. On Friday, October 20th, Kaiju Big Battel returned to the club setting of Avalon Boston for Shpadoinkel Mania XVIII, a night where the contentions between sea monsters and infernal simians, between fruits and tubers, between animated canned food and intergalactic insects, were settled through contests of grappling in the wrestling ring. Or, to be more precise, the conflicts where advanced rather than resolved, in the context of Kaiju's running storylines. The evening commenced with a performance by Gelatine, which certainly is one way to light a cherry bomb under an event. The energy of the horror-core band was not dimmed by the wrestling ring in front of them or that they were opening to a cold audience. To fully get what is going on with Gelatine you probably need to be a bit high on the curve regarding the Japanese language, pop and historical culture, and know a thing or two about music. No claims in that respect here, and after seeing it twice, I still don't get the "Alzheimer's" bit, but regardless of the level of comprehension, Gelatine is an amazing shock to the system. For a manga reader, the Gelatine experience is akin to the rock projection of the grotesque feedback offered by a sharp horror title. The band offers the same maverick spirit of a stylized convention that burst at the seams as a result of what was pushed into it. If you've heard any of the Animetal cover collections, Geletine is slightly similar, but smart and original. A vocalist dressed in a torn school girl outfit and diaper, along with key boardist, guitarist, base player and drummer dressed as yazuka, delinquents or spirits, produce what sounds like the jagged shards of fractured anime theme music. Like Kaiju, Gelatine is an experience worth seeking out. Shpadoinkel Mania XVIII presented a five match card: Surfing chicken newcomer Tad Bradley versus the previously undefeated, slightly more seasoned Giii the Space Pirate; an astounding display of the complexity of Kaiju's newer costumes, and an opportunity for some grin or gag worthy word play, a favorite of which was the move dubbed the aloha-lo-caust Hell Monkey and The Grudyin, together known as the Apes of Wrath versus two thirds of the Sea Amigos, D.W. Cycloptopuss III and Call-Me-Kevin in the inaugural Double Danger Tandem Championship match; which offered interesting in-ring match storytelling in a manner that leveraged the predictable unpredictability of pro-wrestling Pedro Plantain tied to avenge his brother by defeating Evil Silver Potato in a weapon littered Amazon River Street Fighto; an existing storyline was advanced, making for theatrical before and after match character skits. Also featuring an appearance by the impressively athletic pixie dust wielding Pawa Ranjuru. Disco time traveler Super Wrong of the Yokusuka Jump Squadron versus Dusto Bunny of the Hero Kaiju in a match with the stipulation that the loser must switch sides to join the winner's team; in pro-wrestling terms, what would be called a comedy match, it Kaiju terms, it was marked by the participation of an inanimate stuffed bunny. Finally a championship match between current title holder Kung-Fu Chicken Noodle and an opponent of his choosing, revealed to be the previously exiled head of Team Space Bug, Uchu Chu. With the Bug retinue of Swarm soldiers, lava monster Mota Naru and the inexplicably dubbed "strangest Kaiju" beetle-man Dai Hachi Hachi, on hand, confusion ruled the engagement. As bizarre confrontations go, this one certainly lived up to the alien nature of the combatants. The iconic, box-headed villain Dr. Cube made appearances throughout the event as he contested the Space Bugs for control of an egg laid by now deceased kaiju beast Sky Deviler. The needs of both stand alone and ongoing storytelling were met in the event, whose spins and swerves, factions and rivalries served either perspective. While the simplicity of instantly recognizable roles was leveraged, an ongoing narrative was fed. Fall out from the "Somebody Must Die" event at the Anime Boston convention and from "All Out War" in Brooklyn played roles in the event. Simularly, Kaiju's website has been used to advance and glue its story lines. The appeal of Kaiju is not limited to novelty. During a match, the coordination of music, running commentary, in ring action, and the camera work used to project the event onto larger screens, happening live, makes for quite a marvel. For those of us raised to regard the knowledge that pro-wrestling is predetermined as a profound discovery (the "didn’t you know it's fake!" school of thought), rather than a neutral fact, going with the flow could sometimes present a challenge. Looking for motivation in a battle between soup and bugs might be applying an unwarranted amount of thought, and there were times where over-analysis was punished. Looking for structure or rationale in the championship melee was either a dead end, or something that will be picked up in future story progression. Looking for motivation ultimately detracted from the particular spectacle. In a similar vein, there seemed to be some excessive thought about Kaiju as a whole. Some members of the audience seemed uncertain as to what degree the concept needed to be accepted in order to get the most out the event. Not to say that people were bewildered, but there was a hint to uncertainly whether one needed to play along with the notions such as the existence of 17 previous Shpadoinkel Mania events. Fandom art is loosely defined territory. Fandom art as an enterprise is even dicier. Beyond the hobbyist and one time producers, tendencies seem to gravitate towards kitschy or forced. Especially with events like movements of video game orchestral concerts, there seems to be an uneasy aura of opportunism. Kaiju Big Battel is, and maybe should remain, a unique institution. To say that "Kaiji is fandom art done right" might imply viewing it as a model rather than as a specific work to the appreciated on its own. But in that it is a business built on passion and craft, with tuned references smart enough not to be hokey, it should be noted that Kaiju has succeeded at something others have failed to achieve. From its super-deformed cast meets Battle Royale poster art, to the inclusion of Gelatine, to the chain-saw wielding, to the verbal gymnastics of the commentary, Kaiju remains a fresh and captivating show.
Anime Spotlight: MoonPhase Volume 1 Released by FUNimation
As anime confections with troubling social stances go, MoonPhase is relatively digestible. At least in its introductory episodes, MoonPhase comes across as almost a loligoth vampire Garden State. Meaning that the underachiever who is trying to reconcile the foundation laid by the parental generation hooks up with a skitzy young vampire girl with the inclination to wear baby-doll gowns and cat ears. MoonPhase follows an out of school photographer who lives comfortably despite career failures. Though his closest associates are deeply entrenched in the paranormal, he can't observe the spirit world due to his metaphysical denseness. This gifted obliviousness leads him to take a job photographing a haunted German gothic castle. In a fated encounter, he spies a Japanese girl in a white dress perched on a turret If one was to pick an anime that best exemplifies the model of the form in the mid 00's, MoonPhase would be an appropriate selection. The loligoth aesthetic, the eased presence of the supernatural, the flexible presentation of the characters which takes them fluidly from light hearted to intense and heartfelt, and the unconventional relationship model are all factors that a considerable portion of anime viewers may appreciate. These qualities are rendered well enough that those inclined to enjoy the qualities will appreciate them in MoonPhase. But the series does little to broaden the appeal of these conceits and consequently viewers who are disinclined or lukewarm to them may not have the patience to do more than sample the work. It's an anime for anime fans. In that it is crisply animated by from Petite Cossette director Akiyuki Shinbo and occasionally clever, it is a profoundly OK anime series. MoonPhase is marked by the virtue of not being sly in its intentions. The proper but tart young subject offers a contradiction that the series seems to imagine would appeal to its viewers. The sales point is broadcast clearly in the series' opening, childishly cute "Neko Mimi Mode (Cat Ear Mode)", which bops as the girl mews and makes pawing gestures, transposed into a sequence of bizarre puns for the Japanese word for moon (the most disturbing of which is an egg laying sea turtle). The implicit contract is that if a viewer enjoys the doe cuteness, doesn't have a problem with the age disparity between the principals as their sibling-like love/hate crossed with romantic relationship develops, and will be moved sudden downpours of teary soulfulness, then the series will be golden.
Live Action Adaptation Spotlight: Cromartie High: The Movie Released by Media Blasters' Tokyo Shock
Despite the fact that Cromartie High is largely a xeno-cultural joke, North American audiences probably aren't too far off the mark in what they find amusing in the work. The original Eiji Nonaka manga plays off the Kazuo Koike/Ryoichi Ikegami works. Koike would write serious men engaged in absurd situations, such as Crying Freeman and a woman in a electrified breast plate clinched a knife fight on top of a gang's private submarine. Then, Ikegami would illustrate the scene with deadpan realism. Nonaka's joke is to take this poker faced jaw dropping excess, loop in the single mindedly macho thought pattern of a mythological template for juvenile delinquency, and transpose it all to a mundane setting. Named for baseball player Warren Cromartie, whose career included playing and managing in Japan, Cromartie High is a land of obliviousness where the dumbest of a generation of young thugs go to puff their chests, not actually get around to fighting, and generally just stewing in their own confusion. ( Following the release of the manga and anime, Cromartie finally noticed the property when the movie was being marketed, where upon he sued the makers for associating his name with miscreant behavior. The movie was consequently released with a disclaimer.) Straight faced absurdism can be a great license for flexibility. Because it remains odd, but, for the most part, not too zany, it is difficult to accuse the movie of handling Cromartie High incorrectly, especially since it remains amusing throughout. However the makers of Battlefield Baseball, writer Shôichirô Masumoto and director Yudai Yamaguchi do go a bit astray in building to a theatrical climax. The movie opens with a documentary style history of the high school through the 20th century, including the many cases in which the building was destroyed. Already, the film has trouble sticking to the tenants of the joke. It starts off with a reverent narration as period photographs of staff and students are presented on screen. As the progression gets close to the current day, the presentation speeds up and goes comical to sell the humor. The introduction sets the mood for the movie, but also hints that the effort to establish jokes will be apparent on screen. The movie begins retelling a number of jokes from the manga, including the back story of Takashi Kamiyama, concerning how the good natured and mildly intelligent, if amazingly credulous, young man found himself at the dead end school for violent trouble makers. (This particular joke was omitted from the anime). The live action feature quickly justifies itself by offering a zoo of caricatured trouble makers, with every sort of punk, thug, and reprobate dyed, tattooed, and pierced as they parade around the black board monkey house. It's worth pausing the DVD to see the depth of deadpan stooge-ery on display. These early scenes have a perfect rhythm that captures the spirit of the manga in a form unavailable to the original medium. Kamiyama's innocence, capturing the spirit of a man ready to work through the system and eventually find a wife and corporate job, is completely alien in a school that inexplicably has no teachers. He and his classmates either wander in or wander off, setting the stage for posturing chest beaters to over or under react to stimuli. The extra hook that the movie offers is that none of the actors look remotely high school age. The most extreme case of this is 40 year old pro-wrestler/mixed martial artist Yoshihiro Takayama as motion sick tough guy Takenouchi. This casting plays a similar role to the school's colorful students, the gorilla, which is an ape in the context of the movie, but man in an obvious suit, the tin can robot Mechazawa, and Freddy. The expectation is for the viewer, like the characters to fail to acknowledge what is obviously wrong. Because part of the fun with Cromartie is pretending not to see what is obvious, it is difficult to discern whether Freddy is meant to be the same joke as he was in the manga or whether there is a substitution at work. In the movie, a Japanese man (genre regular Hiroyuki Watanabe) plays the character who was originally an out of place and time Freddy Mercury. The movie labels the silent, shirtless, horse riding muscle man as a "hard guy", which is generally a proper noun referring to a particular pro-wrestling performer. The exact intension is unclear, and in some respects, the ambiguity doesn't suit the work. The trouble comes when the principal characters don Ghost Buster type painting over-alls and name themselves the Global Defense Force. Despite an iffy Exorcist parody, this pop movie send-up that extends through most of Cromartie's remainder is perfect for the writer and director's sensibilities, but it really isn't a Cromartie High joke. n fishing-line held saucer that lands and reveals an alien that looks like a mod Doctor Zaius speaking with voice of the anime veteran Kiyoshi Kobayashi (the voice of Jigen in pretty much all Lupin III), or a hilarious parody of Shaolin kung fu training montages work brilliantly, but despite stemming from some aburdism they are a different frame of comedy than Cromartie. Cromartie faithful might not be entirely satisfied with the live action movie as it stands as an adaptation. But, whether the subject is slipping on banana peels or esoteric discussions between men in pastel animal outfits, the movie certainly does offer a strange presentation of bizarre jokes. For those whose appetite for humor is wetted by the genuinely offbeat, Cromartie makes a healthy offering.
Anime Spotlight: Tactics Volumes 1 and 2 Released by Manga Video
Tactics is a little less distinctive than its premise would suggest. Many of its trappings are deliberately underplayed. Regardless of the high concept, much of the series appeal is watching the interaction between a studious and glib young scholar, his harried young maid, his handsome, slightly older butler and a young girl who drops by the residence. The hitch is that much of what they experience revolves around mythical beings. Set in the early 20th century of late Meiji Japan, the series follows Kantarou, a young man who makes his living as a novelist, writing thinly veiled accounts of experiences with the yokai supernatural world he meets following his passion as a folklorist. He's able to control demons by giving them a name. As the series opens he already has the fox girl Youko working for him. In the first episode he finds the object of his pursuit, the legendary "demon eating goblin". Given that "oni" is frequently translated as "goblin", if you follow youki mythology, "demon eating goblin" is at least a confusing translation of "oni eating tengu". Though Kantarou controls the newly named demon eater Haruka, he approaches the relationship benevolently, (though occasionally a bit mischievously) hoping to encourage humans to see the positive qualities of youki. A familiar case-based investigation approach to storytelling is initiated by troubled people coming to Kantarou, the writer fleeing his deadline conscious editor in search of stories, or traveling to see childhood acquaintances. These encounters walk the line between mythology and horror, resulting in fairytales, with dark, defined, powers at work. The anime operates with an assumption that the viewer will have some familiarity with the players of youki mythology. Frequently leaving particulars and reasons unexplained, it is an anime that is more likely to resonate if approached with some prior subject knowledge. The ecology of youki beings does present interesting facets, such as the relationships between the youki and local divinities. More often, it seems like Tactics is not invested in the dark mystery of the story depicted in a particular episode. An atmosphere that isn't always conducive to intense fright and the perfunctory personalities of the characters who are the object of the horrific situations tone down the events at hand. Instead, there is a light, but more concerted focus on the relationships between members of Kantarou's cadre. This is approached more as observation than real drama, especially in that the anime is slow to advance matters beyond implications. There is a clear homosexual subtext between Kantarou and Haruka. Factoring the manga anthology that originated Tactics into the equation, the work is not technically yaoi. However like many works of yaoi, the position of dominance in the focal relationship is a key factor in Tactics. In theory, the tall, handsome Haruka is a being far more powerful than the frail looking Kantarou, but not only is Kantarou controlling Haruka by the laws governing yokai, Haruka consciously submits to Kantarou. The work is designed to keep a viewer watching from this perspective entertained. The tension between the two character is exacerbated by Kantarou's sometimes abrasive personality. Small glances and comments, as well comical deviations from form, such as Haruka being encouraged to seduce Kantarou's female editor to allow him more time to finish a manuscript. Tactic's animation is attractive if not spectacular. It never seems to go to great lengths with complexity and motion. Color design has taken on an important role in the digital age of animation, and the prismatic illumination in Tactics make a number of dry engagements far more eye catching.
Non-Anime Spotlight: Kill Zone Released by Dragon Dynasty
Kill Zone, originally called Saat Po Long (or SPL) narrowly misses becoming a new Hong Kong action classic. A stylized cops and criminals tragedy, offering both martial arts action and intense drama , Kill Zone does a lot, and it does it quickly. The speed, fluidity and accomplishments compressed into its an hour and a half run length is one of the movie's greats assets, but the consequence is that the film introduces and asserts far more than it develops. Wilson Yip directs an all-star team cast, head lined by Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung and Simon Yam, with Hong Kong celebs and martial arts staples stepping up for supporting roles. Yam plays a detective whose career doggedly pursuing Hung's brutal kingpin is about to be cut short by terminal cancer. Yam's team is desperate to take a final crack at Hung before the reins are handed over to Yen's inspector. Simon Yam guides the tone of Kill Zone with his character's frayed professionalism. Anger and frustration crack as patience is exhausted and desperation takes over. Sammo Hung's presence commands immediate attention and instantly establishes the antagonist as a formidable force. Beyond the physical mass he brings to the role, a tailored suit covering tattoos and long graying hair tied back in a pony tale hint at a bipolar civilized savageness. Hung's ability to emote both menace and humanity round out the fascinatingly forceful personality. Donnie Yen still frequently seems like a cocky martial artist standing in the middle of a movie. Though he more often wears the role than inhabits it, he does raise above and convincingly create a character in several scenes. Kill Zone features enough action that there's no reservation calling it an action or martial arts movie. The quantity is such that the label is certainly appropriate, but the movie takes an unusual approach in building to these throw-downs, as if fists and bodies meet after very other avenue to hit out at the opponent had been exhausted. Early in the movie, the MO is chiefly cars as weapons. Depicted with smart cuts, there is a visceral pop as engineered collisions and purposeful rear-ending establish the conflict. This evolves into stylized police engagements, with a series of visually loud busts, incursions, pursuits, and more severe collars. And, that thread culminates in a staccato roof top foot chase that is more an assault than an arrest. Kill Zone is one of the first high profile wushu martial arts films to react to the popularity of mixed martial arts competitions (UFC, Pride, ect). Full range, theatrical kicks and posed striking is mixed with clinches, wrestling take downs, judo throws and jujistsu locks. Yen in the capacity of fight choreographer, and Yen and Hung onscreen compound the physicality of the fight scenes with close range twists, spins and snaps. The two hip tossing each other, rolling on the ground and smashing and cracking from the linked position adds a personal dimension appropriate for the emotions of the encounter. It adds a previously underrepresented facets to this constantly moving and changing fight. The fluid and complex motion of Yen bringing Hung to the ground and into an arm bar is as theatrical as any high kick. (Grapplers will now have their chance to nitpick about the arm position of a rear naked choke of the logic releasing an arm bar to crack a wrist. ) In a more traditional vein, Jacky Wu ( Tai Chi Boxer) as an icy assassin and Yen square off in a breathtakingly intricate confrontation. Part lethal dance, part magic trick, if you find yourself watching for the cuts you'll be stunned by how seldom they occur and the sheer quantity of motion that happens in between. While the movie is captivating, even after multiple viewings, it misses the top tier. The presentation is returning to what worked in Hong Kong cinema (both martial arts and urban crime genres), but also forward looking. However, it neither surpassed its predecessors or establishes itself as a vanguard of a new movement. The plot is engaging, but it is less nuanced and complex, and more obvious than it sets out to be. The ambiguity of destiny versus consequence isn't Julius Caesar. Working in the allotted time frame, the characters' hubris seems more like plain blindness as they collide with their fates. Complex motivations are overshadowed by courses of action that are so rudimentary that rather than establishing the characters as morally grey, the impulse is to forget about the ethics and just watch the performance. The magnetism of the actors, highlighted by the style of the direction ultimately trumps any themes the movie attempts to engage.
Evangelion Movie News
Anime News Service reports producer Toshimichi Ootsuki has relayed that the "contents" for the "1st part" of the upcoming Rebuild Of Evangelion movies is complete. Kaworu Nagisa and Rei Ayanami will be central characters in a new story that focuses on a school context before the arrival of the series' angels.
Air Gear Anime From ADV
Anime on DVD reports that ADV Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to the DVD version of Air Gear. The anime adapts the shonen manga from Oh!great, following gangs of fighting roller-bladers
Anime on TV News
From Anime News Network FUNimation has acquired the broadcast rights to Revolutionary Girl Utena and His & Her Circumstances, both licensed from Enoki Films. The FUNimation network will add Utena starting November 20th. His & Her Circumstances and Haré + Gu will be added later. Toonami Info Link reports that the Fusion Reborn and Wrath of the Dragon, the last two Dragon Ball Z movie will air on Toonami November 11th and December 5yh. A marathon of new Naruto episodes will be shown on the network November 18th.
Utawarerumono to Keep Original Name
Anime News Network reports ADV Films has opten to keep the name Utawarerumono for the anime series rather than rebrand it "Shadow Warrior Chronicles." The first volume will be called "Utawarerumono: Mask of a Stranger." Chris Oar of ADV Films said "Originally we wanted to make it as accessible to as many people as possible," adding that they decided to reverse this decision following fan-feedback. The fantasy series, based on a "visual novel" PC game, follows a man who wakes up without memories, with his face covered by a strange mask. He soon begins encountering people with animal features.
Views
Twitch has posted a translation of an interview with Paprika director Satoshi Kon here Gunoata reports R5 Central has posted a 2 part pod cast featuring Yoshiyuki Tomino's Zeta Gundam: A New Translation introduction and q&a session. Anime News Network has a write-up of the anime premiere on Japanese TV this fall here
Previews
From AnimeNation The official Japanese website for the Kabutomushi Ouji Mushiking Super Battle Movie ~Yami no Kaizou Kabutomushi~ and Oshare Mahou Love and Berry: Shiawase Mahou motion pictures is now open. The Japanese side of the official GR -Giant Robo- homepage now hosts a streaming trailer for the upcoming Giant Robo television series. Animate.tv reports that the new Giant Robo will premier online on Sg-TV (Softgarage TV) in January 2007 and on Animax pay-per-view in February 2007. Internet broadcast CATBLUE:DYNAMITE, from the producers of Urda and Dominion: Tank S.W.A.T., now hosts a streaming Flash trailer. Twitch points out that the site for Katsuhiro Otomo's live action film adaptation of Mushishifeatures Flash trailer.
Second Sgt Frog Movie
AnimeNation reports "Chou Gekijouban Keroro Gunso 2: Shinkai no Princess de Arimasu!" (Super Movie Sergeant Keroro 2: It's the Deep Sea Princess!) is now scheduled for Japanese theatres next spring.
Miyazaki Designed Clock Video
Ghibli World has posted a video of the Shiodome NTV Tower clock designed by Hayao Miyazaki here
Next Gundam Evolve CGI Work
Gunoata reports that the 15th Gundam Evolve 3D CGI short will feature a retelling Mobile Suit Gundam ep 39 ("Newtype Challia Bull").
Chinese Live Action Adaptation of Shamo
Kaiju Shakedown Soi Cheang will be directing a live action adaptation of fight manga Shamo
VOD Premiere of Nerima Daikon Brothers
Shinichi Watanabe's (Excel Saga) musical comedy Nerima Daikon Brothers will debut on Anime Network's Video on Demand service November 30, before its December 19th DVD release. Hideki, leader of the Nerima Daikon Brothers, has a dream to build a dome in his hometown of Nerima to hold a concert for his band. Together with his cousin, Mako (whom he has a crush on), Ichiro, and Pandaikon (a panda he found in his yard that resembles a daikon), they strive to make money any way they can, and in the process, rid the world of evil-doers and steal their money in the process. With help from a rental guy, Nabeshin, who rents them outrageous items that always seem to help them defeat the bad guys, the Nerima Daikon Brothers sing their way to victory but always manage to lose the money they stole in the end. Even under the investigation of Inspector Karakuri, they never fail to fight for justice the Nerima-Daikon way.
Dancougar Plans
Anime News Service reports that the upcoming "Shin Dancougar" mecha anime follow-up project will air on Japanese TV in 2007 under the name Kemono Soukikou Dancougar Nova. The main characters will be 2 male and 2 female teen soldiers. Their 4 beast machines transform from humanoid robot to Eagle, Elephant, Rhino and Liger.
Viz Launching Naruto Tour
VIZ Media, has announced a special national road show to highlight SHONEN JUMP NARUTO to fans across the country. The tour kicks off on November 4 in Atlanta, GA with subsequent stops scheduled for Bloomington, MN and Cedar Park, TX with future dates in 2007 to be announced. The event will be free to attend and information is available at www.naruto.viz.com. At each stop, a special event staging area will immerse young and older fans alike into the captivating and action-filled worlds of the popular manga and anime series. The event will feature multiple activity stations including a Ninja Academy, where visitors can learn special moves and techniques with an instructor, the Chakra Challenge, sponsored by Mattel, sneak peeks of upcoming anime episodes on a large main screen, a Bandai collectible game card area, several video game kiosks where fans can play the latest NARUTO video games from Tomy/D3P and NAMCO/BANDAI, a manga drawing area, and a green screen where fans can have their picture taken with a variety of backgrounds featured in the anime series. Upon entering, each visitor will be given a special NARUTO passport that will guide them to the various activities and after collecting passport stamps, each fan will receive an exclusive SHONEN JUMP NARUTO goodie bag filled with collectable premiums. Dates for the SHONEN JUMP NARUTO Road Tour Include: Saturday, November 4: Cumberland Mall Atlanta, GA Event Hours: 12pm – 7pm Saturday, November 11: Mall of America Bloomington, MN Event Hours: 12pm – 7pm Saturday, November 18: Lakeline Mall Cedar Park, TX Event Hours: 12pm – 7pm
Lament of the Lamb Movie Details
Anime News Network and AnimeAnime report that a presentation at The Tokyo Project Gathering segment of TIFFCOM, lists that TOKYOPOP's live action adaptation of Lament of the Lamb will shoot in Romania with a budget of USD 3,000,000. An unannounced Japanese director will be attached to the film, which Stuart Levy will produce.
Seven Seas Announces Yuri Line
Seven Seas Entertainment announced the launch of North America’s first ever “Yuri” line. Yuri is a genre of Japanese manga that focuses on girl-girl romantic relationships and is a category that has been all but overlooked by American manga publishers until now. Seven Seas will dub its new Yuri line of licensed manga: “STRAWBERRY.”
The company has already begun a foray into the Yuri genre with the upcoming manga series Kashimashi, to be released December, 2006. Kashimashi, a comedy about a boy who turns into a girl caught in an all-girl love triangle, will act as a mainstream introduction of the Yuri genre to manga fans, but will not be part of the STRAWBERRY line proper.
In 2007, however, Seven Seas will officially inaugurate its new STRAWBERRY line, which will include such titles as Sakurako Kimino’s Strawberry Panic (the manga), which will act as a sister release to the previously announced Strawberry Panic light novels; Mera Hakamada’s popular series Saigo no Seifuku (“The Last Uniform”), about the crushes and heartbreaks at a girls’ boarding school; and the Yuri-flavored occult fantasy series Tetragrammaton Labyrinth. The company will be announcing several additional Yuri licenses that it has acquired in the near future, which are also slated for a 2007 release.
Seven Seas’ new STRAWBERRY line will be printed in large 5 7/8” x 8 1/4” format.
Bandai Visual USA and Image Entertainment Announce Gunbuster Release
Bandai Visual USA Inc. and Image Entertainment, Inc. announced that the 1988 anime series "Gunbuster" will be released for the first time on DVD February 20. A favorite among anime fans, "Gunbuster" has been re-mastered in HD 24P format with newly translated English subtitles under the supervision of the original producers. The DVD set (SRP: $64.99) will contain all six episodes on 3 discs and includes a 24-page color booklet. l First-time U.S. DVD release l Newly translated English subtitles for all six episodes l Bonus clips totaling 30 minutes l 24-page color booklet l All packaged in an original deluxe art box imported from Japan The directorial debut of acclaimed creator Hideaki Anno ("Neon Genesis Evangelion," "Nadia: Secret of Blue Water," "Cutie Honey," "His and Her Circumstances"), "Gunbuster" casts pretty girls and giant robots in a moving epic of interstellar naval war and is a story of a young girl"s struggle to pilot the ultimate weapon. The first commercial success of the fan-turned-pro studio Gainax, "Gunbuster" ("Aim for the Top!") was the first anime OVA (original video animation) made by and for the "otaku generation" - a series for those who love anime. Not tied to any pre-existing manga or toy campaign, "Gunbuster" was a declaration that anime could be made for its own sake. More information will be available on the official "Gunbuster" site (http://www.bandaivisual.us/gunbuster after November 8.
Otaku And Gamer Clothing Company Urban Alchemist Launches
Former employees of Central Park Media and Be Beautiful Manga today announced the formation of Urban Alchemist, have announced an independent clothing company set to produce original shirts and accessories for anime, video game, and comic book fans. Urban Alchemist's first two shirts feature the yaoi-inspired phrases "I Want An Uke" and "I Want A Seme" and are available now. Uke and Seme are Japanese terms for passive and aggressive men heavily used in yaoi. Both are available at, www.urban-alchemist.com, for $19 each.
Production I.G Featured At The 11Th Holland Animation Film Festival
Production I.G has announced that the forthcoming 11th Holland Animation Film Festival (HAFF), will dedicate a special showcase to Production I.G. Along with the Dutch premiere of Mamoru Oshii's "Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast Food Grifters", and the screenings of "Ghost in the Shell" (1995), "Innocence" (2004) and "Kill Bill: Vol.1" (2003), the festival features a special program that will be focusing on some of I.G's less known aspects, such as promo videos and commercial films. For this reason, the program has been entitled"Production I.G in Detail". Fans of more "traditional" yet state-of-the-art animation should not miss the screening of the full first episode of "Le Chevalier D'Eon", Kazuhito Furuhashi's gothic mystery TV series currently aired in Japan on WOWOW and coproduced with Shochiku. Some titles have also been selected for the HAFF's competitive sections, being another opportunity to watch "unusual" I.G’s works: Mylene Farmer's acclaimed video clip "Peut-etre toi", Katsuhito Ishii's commercial films for "Kirin Beverages", and two of our best TV opening films: "Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd Gig" (made for Japan domestic terrestrial broadcast.ing) and the third opening from "Blood+", definitely a little masterpiece of mixed figurative styles, directed by one of I.G's most promising young animators, Naoyoshi Shiotani. Furthermore, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, President & CEO of Production I.G will be attending the event as member of the jury for the International Short Independent Films Section.
DGN Pro./DrMaster Signs Video Game Designer – Yasushi Suzuki &Amp; Announces 1st Original Manga
DrMaster Publications Inc. and DGN Productions Inc. have just signed internationally acclaimed video game designer Yasushi Suzuki (aka – D-Suzuki) for an action-packed and completely original manga publication titled – Purgatory Kabuki.
“While many U.S. manga publishers license previously published works or scramble to find American artists with a ‘manga-like’ artistic style for OEL manga, DGN Productions has turned toward Japan and strategically signed Yasushi Suzuki.” states Marketing Director and Project Lead - Shawn Sander. “Suzuki-san is an accredited conceptual designer, animator and graphic artist who is incredibly well known for his work in Japanese and American video games.” Purgatory Kabuki Synopsis: Purgatory Kabuki is a non-stop samurai action story set in the underworld or afterlife. For reasons unknown, former samurai – Imanotsurugi is obsessed with leaving the afterlife. To die in battle is a samurai’s greatest honor. Yet, now Imanotsurugi must claim 1000 swords from the fallen warriors who share residence in the dark underworld. By these and these means alone, this highly skilled blades master will be allowed admittance back into the living world. But to what end? Upon what stone purpose does he sharpen his edge? His only enlightenment comes by way of a violently powerful but utterly adorable guide named – Enishi. Demons, Oni, magical denizens, supernatural ninja clans and more are met with a smorgasbord of blades and stylish action. The result is beautifully illustrated chaos sublime! Purgatory Kabuki #1 ships 2007. Each chapter will feature color and black/white pages. Visit www.dgnproduction.com for more detailed series information. For more see www.dgnproduction.com
Be site to check out the Anime AICN - Serial Experiments Lain Contest Prizes include:
Copies of the anime from Geneon The hardcover edition of the art book Yoshitoshi ABe Lain Illustrations ab# rebuild an omnipresence in wired from Digital Manga Publishing 10" UFO doll Lain in PJs Set of 4 Lain "Limited Edition Collector's Action Dolls" Set of 2 Lain mini-lunchboxes Myth Lain Messenger Bag
