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Column by Scott Green
Detail on Anime Batman
Warner has unveiled the details of super heroes meets anime collaboration Batman: Gotham Knight. The feature is scheduled to be released July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. The original movie will also be available OnDemand and Pay-per-View as well as available for download on the same day as release date, July 8, 2008. Structure is composed on comic writers weaving six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne's journey to Dark Knight, with appearances by villains including Scarecrow, Killer Croc and Deadshot. Writer on the project include screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series), Jordan Goldberg (Associate Producer, The Dark Knight), and comics writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello are paired with animation by animator Studio 4∫C, Production I.G and Madhouse, with the work of Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka. Batman: Gotham Knight is produced by Emma Thomas (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Michael Uslan & Benjamin Melniker (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Toshi Hiruma and Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series). Batman: Gotham Knight will be available on DVD for $24.98 SRP. There will also be a 2-disc Special Edition DVD available for $29.98 SRP which contains additional bonus features. All the content from the 2-disc Special Edition DVD will be available on Blu-ray Disc for $34.99 SRP. Batman: Gotham Knight DVD will feature incredible extras including: "A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City" - A stimulating documentary covering Gotham City's most nefarious of characters, combined with a look into the symbiotic relationship Batman shares with his enemies. "Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman" - DC Universe animated original movie Audio Commentary - Featuring the filmmakers of Gotham Knight. Widescreen (1.78:1) 5.1 Dolby Digital The 2-disc Special Edition DVD will feature even more incredible extras including: "Batman and Me a Devotion of Destiny: The Bob Kane Story" - The comprehensive chronology of the remarkable life of the creator of Batman. "Batman: The Animated Series" Bonus Episodes - Bruce Timm selects his favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series. Rob Bricken has an insight response concern why brilliant animation studios have been attached to the project, but not necessarily well known animators. screen images
From the Department of Never Say Never (AKA Returning Favorites)
Heisei Democracy notes that according to Moon Phase Diary volume 14 of Trigun Maximum announced that a Trigun movie is in production. An original story by Trigun creator Yasuhiro Nightow will be scripted by Kobayashi Yasuko and directed by Nishimura Satoshi. The tagline for the MadHouse animated figure is "Vash vs. Wolfwood?! The familiar characters erupt on screen in an all-original Trigun story!" The April issue of Dragon Magazine revealed that a new television anime based the Slayers fantasy comedy/action is the works. The original story will be animated by J.C. Staff with director Takashi Watanabe at the helm. A third anime based on teen relationship comedy School Rumble, titled Third Term DVDs, will be packaged with the Japanese release of volumes twenty one and twenty two of the manga. Heisei Democracy reports that cover of the April 2008 edition of Comic Gum makes the announcement that girls fight meets Romance of the Three Kingdoms franchise Ikkitousen will be returning in a third series, entitled "Great Guardians" Also, there are rumors of more Gurren Lagann
Some ADV Back on Track
Anime News Network has found out that ADV Films Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing Mike Bailiff has sent an e-mail message to retailers to announce new shipping dates for a slew of titles that were removed from the company's website last month and then delayed. The anticipated Devil May Cry and Gurren Lagann are not listed. The explanation for Devil May Cry absence could be that the first volume has technically already been release, but not explanations for the situation have been forthcoming. 2/26/08 Project Blue Earth SOS vol. 1 Kanon vol. 2 Kanon vol. 2 + Collectors Box Kurau: Phantom Memory vol. 6 Moonlight Mile vol. 1 Tokyo Majin vol. 2 Tokyo Majin vol. 2 + Collectors Box Welcome to the NHK vol. 3 Pumpkin Scissors vol. 3 The Wallflower vol. 2 The Wallflower vol. 2 + Collectors Box 3/4/08 5 Centimeters Per Second Kanon vol. 3 Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy vol. 6 Red Garden vol. 4 3/11/08 Project Blue Earth SOS vol. 2 Project Blue Earth SOS vol. 2 + Collectors Box Venus Versus Virus vol. 3 3/18/08 Moonlight Mile vol. 2 Moonlight Mile vol. 2 + Collectors Box SVP Mike Bailiff told Anime News Network "There have been no changes in ADV's corporate structure." "There are a lot of parties involved in any anime production, and that can complicate even the best of negotiations. Frankly we had to keep quiet in the interest of resolving this situation as quickly as possible. My staff and I have been in touch with most of our retail partners, who have been remarkably patient and understanding." "I understand fans' frustration - particularly those who follow the business of anime so closely. But this wasn't a situation that could be worked out over the Internet. I just hope fans understand that we're doing what we must to get back to the business of delivering first-rate anime. That's our focus. We'll be issuing further updates as we work through this backlog and establish fresh delivery dates for additional titles."
Latest From Oshii
A trailer for Mamoru Oshii's upcoming Sky Crawlers, scheduled for theatrical Japanese release on August 2, is screening on its site. From AnimeNation and Tokyograph. Mamoru Oshii (the Ghost in the Shell movies) and Shusuke Kaneko (director of the live action Death Note movies) will be directing episodes of TV Tokyo's the Takeshi Miike supervised, 51 episode live-action sci-fi detective drama Keitai Sousakan 7. The series, which premieres April 2nd, revolves around a high school boy and his transforming cel-phone robot, and his six detective partners that fight against an internet-based criminal organization.
Freddie Highmore to Voice Imagi Studios' Astro Boy
Producer Maryann Garger and director David Bowers have announced that Freddie Highmore (The Golden Compass, August Rush, Arthur and the Invisibles, A Good Year, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Finding Neverland) has been signed for the title role in hIMAGI Studios' CG-animated motion picture Astro Boy. Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist to replace the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving father's expectations, our hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the man who had rejected him. Astro Boy will be released worldwide in 2009.
BV Picks Up Sola
Bandai Visual will be releasing the first of five volumes of fantasy romance sola on 6/10/2008. The three episode, 72 minute collection will retail for 49.99 sola was voted ëBest Anime of 2007í in Japan with over two million votes in a poll from the company Spider Networks. Also starting summer 2008, Broccoli Books will release the sola graphic novel. Yorito Morimiya is a high school student who loves to take photos of the sky. One night, he goes out to the park to take a photo of the sky as it turns from night to day, when he meets a mysterious girl named Matsuri Shihou who longs to see the blue sky. However, she is actually an immortal ageless existence called "Yaka," the Calamity of the Night, and has lived hundreds of years alone in the darkness of night. Matsuri has been involved and witnessed many tragedies throughout her long life, and now she has to face the past. Yorito and Matsuri's chance meeting unravels a story that stood still for hundreds of years... Original Plan: Naoki Hisaya (Kanon) Original Character Design: Naru Nanao (D.C. ~Da Capo~) Director: Tomoki Kobayashi (Utawarerumono, Strawberry 100% OVA version) Series Planner: Jukki Hanada (Kashimashi ~Girl Meets Girl~, Rozen Maiden series) Character Design: Makoto Koga (ARIA series) Animation Creation: NOMAD (Rozen Maiden series, Princess Be Careful!!HIMESAMA-GOYOUJIN) Packaged bonus features include *Postcard collection illustrated by Naru Nanao (Original Character Designer) and Makoto Koga (Character Designer) *Reversible DVD wrap *8-page full-color booklet© sola project All Rights Reserved. dot-anime.us, the ecommerce site operated by Bandai Visual USA, announced the launch of a new streaming video service, which will offer fans a legal option to view a full episode of Bandai Visual USA titles. The video streaming will begin in late March 2008 with the first episode of "HARUKA: Beyond the Stream of Time - A Tale of the Eight Guardians" and will be available, free of charge, for a limited time and to viewers in US and Canada only. Future titles being planned for the offer include "true tears," "Shigofumi: Letters of the Departed," and "sola."
GoLion, Teknoman from Media Blasters in May
Anime on DVD reports that Media Blaster has announced the following releases: 5/6 Kirameki Project Collection - 150 minutes - $19.99 Tweeny Witches Vol. #2 - 161 minutes - $24.99 5/13 Teknoman Complete Collection - dub only collection of the 43 episode series 1100 minutes for $19.99. 5/20 Mirage of Blaze - World of DVD Collection - 415 minutes - $34.99 5/27 Beast King GoLion Vol. #1 - 396 minutes - $34.99 (the original anime that as adapted as the lion Voltron) Strawberry Panic Vol. #2 - 150 minutes - $22.99 Speaking of Voltron, ToonZone notes that the Voltron "Fleet of Doom" movie is listed on Amazon for a February 29th limit (1000 copies) release.
TOKYOPOP Expands on Labyrinth with Anthology
Gobblin.net relays that the Jim Henson/TOKYOPOP panel at Wondercon announced a new anthology collection based on Jim Henson's fantasy movie Labyrinth. The first volume of the anthology is scheduled for March 2009, with stories featuring characters Hoggle, Ludo, the Fierys and the Junk Lady, as well as stories related to Return to Labyrinth on top. Each story will feature different creators and styles. In other TOKYOPOP/Labyrinth news Jake T. Forbes and Chris Lie's Return to Labyrinth will continue with volume 3 in November 08 and volume 4 in Fall 09, following the release of the first volume of the Labyrinth anthology. The story that Forbes will be writing for the Anthology is about Jareth and Mizumi and shows how Jareth (David Bowie's character in the movie) becomes the Goblin King.
Blood+ Promoted on Other Sony Releases
ICV2 reported that Sony is including the first episode of the Blood+ anime series (which is currently airing on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim) on several DVDs including Loch Ness Terror, which will be released on April 15th and the newly released 30 Days of Night. Blood+ will be released by Sony on March 4th in both a single 5-episode DVD (MSRP $24.98) and in a Season One Box Set (MSRP $119.95)
Figures News
Yamato USA has announced 1:15 Bubblegum Crisis Motoslave with Priss action figure will be available this Summer with a suggested retail price of $72 The Motoslave is a transforming fighting machine. And true to form, Yamato captures all the transforming action in this amazing piece which measures approximately 6.00" in motorcycle mode and 6.40" in motoroid robot mode. The package even includes a Priss action figure with a host of interchangeable parts and multiple points of articulation. Includes display base, rifle and additional interchangeable parts.Yamato USA is taking pre-orders for CREATORSí LABO #014: ARISA ANOTHER COLOR PVC STATUE PROJECT DYNAMITE #001: IKKITOUSEN - KANU, 1/5 SPECIAL COLOR VERSION Organic Hobby, Inc in conjunction with Kaiyodo, will be releasing "Revoltech Jun (Doko?Demo?Issyo)" & "Revoltech Suzuki (Doko?Demo?Issyo)" for the US market. The following two figures set to be released in Aprilí.08 with a SRP of $22.00. are: Revoltech Jun & Suzuki (Doko?Demo?Issyo), are fictional characters based on the video game Doko Demo Issyo (also written as Doko Demo Issho, meaning "Together everywhere") on the miniature game console called PocketStation. "Jun" is 5-6" tall and has 23 articulation points with 7 joint parts. "Revoltech Jun" comes equipped with interchangeable faces (3 faces), accessories (1 microphone, 1 love letter, 1 beer, 1 display base) and parts (2 special option hands for Toro, 1 sushi set & 1 mug). "Suzuki" is 5-6" tall and has 41 articulation points with 13 joint parts. "Revoltech Suzuki" comes equipped with interchangeable accessories (2 original drill, 1 indication stick, 1 text book & 1 display base) and parts. Organic Hobby, Inc in conjunction with Happinet will be releasing the G.R.O. Joe Shimamura (Color & Silver Version) in Aprilí.08 with a SRP of $165.00. The main character and leader of all cyborgs "Joe Shimamura (aka 009)" is based on the manga "Cyborg 009," created by Shotaro Ishinomori and serialized in the manga magazine Shonen Magazine and Shojo Comic in Japan. The manga was published in English by TOKYOPOP; as of 2006 it is out of print. It is the tale of nine regular humans kidnapped by the evil Black Ghost organization to undergo human experiments. The result of this tampering are nine cyborgs, each one having super human powers. The nine cyborgs band together fight for their freedom and fight to stop Black Ghost. "G.R.O. Joe Shimamura (Color & Silver Version)" are 12" tall Polyresin statues and comes in a window box with a custom base for display. Organic Hobby, Inc and Happinet will also be releasing POP Wonderland - Aliceís Adventures in Wonderland in Aprilí.08 with a SRP of $95.00. The main character "Alice" is based on a picture book know as "POP Wonderland" series. Alice is a 7" tall fully painted PVC figure and comes in a window box with a custom base for display. Danny Choo has new posts of Bishoujo Figures and what's coming up from Kaiyodo's Revoltech line DX Chogokin Macross Frontier series Gaiking: The Legend of Daikumaryu Giger Revoltech? Tetsujin 28 AV-98 Ingram 1 (Movie Version) and AV-98 Ingram 2 (Movie Version) The Target exclusive verion of Autobot Armorhide (Scout-class) Mothman vs Flatwoods Monster MINDstyle Charuca BBZ from the New York Toy Fair. More on Jun Planningís creepy Evangelion PULLIPS Range Murataís PSE figure from the CDB Super7's new UNDERWATER ATTACK SQUIRM
Hentai on Canada's Banned Import List
According to Anime News Network, the Canada Border Services Agency's October-December 2007 list named English localized hentai anime series Cool Devices and Words Worth as obscene under subsection 163(8) of Canada's Criminal Code. As such, the titles are prohibit from entering the country. Other prohibited titles on the list include Eros Comix's Domin-8 Me!, Eros Comix's Sex Warrior Isane Extreme Number 22 and 23, Eros Comix's Super Taboo XXX, Icarus Publishing's Juicy Fruits, NuTech's Five Card Episode 2 and 3, Kitty Media's G-spot Express, Japananime's Hot Juicy Teacher, NuTech's Inma Seiden: The Legend of the Beast of Lust Episode 2 and 3, NuTech's Mija "Demon of Lust" Volume 2, Kitty Media's Elufina - Servant Princess, NuTech's Bizarre Cage Act 2, NuTech's Black Mail Volume 2, and Critical Mass Video's Venus Files. The agency did rule about 15 Eros Comix titles, Central Park Media's Dominion Tank Police 1 and 2, NuTech's Imma Youjo: The Erotic Temptress Volumes I and III, JapanAnime's Legend of the Black Eye - Kokudohoh, NuTech's Kowaremono: Fragile Hearts Heaven 1 and 2, NuTech's Bizarre Cage Act 3, Kitty Media's The Hills Have Size, Anime 18's Venus 5, and Pink Pineapple's Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 as "admissible." Criminal Code Subsection 163(8) reads: "For the purposes of this Act, any publication a dominant characteristic of which is the undue exploitation of sex, or of sex and any one or more of the following subjects, namely, crime, horror, cruelty and violence, shall be deemed to be obscene.
Award Winning Anime
Via Anime News Network The Nippon Academy-Sho Association named Tekkonkinkreet the Animation of the Year award in the 31st Japan Academy Prizes. Other nominees included Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone, Summer Days with Coo, The Piano Forest, and Detective Conan: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure. Last year, The Girl Who Leapt through Time won the Japan Academy Prizes' first Animation of the Year award. Tekkonkinkreet also recently won the Grand Prix award at the Anima 2008 festival in Brussels, Belgium. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone movie won Animation of the Year for 2007 at the 7th annual Tokyo Anime Award. Other winners were: Best Director Hideaki Anno Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone Best Original Story Taiyo Matsumoto Tekkonkinkreet Best Screenplay Keiichi Hara Summer Days with Coo Best Character Design Atsushi Nishigori Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann Best Art Direction Shinji Kimura Tekkonkinkreet Best Music Yoko Kanno Aquarion Best Voice Actor Mamoru Miyano Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Death Note
Gundam Buisness
Gunota,sighting steep rise in the cost of materials as a result of high oil prices, Bandai is looking into a mark-up on the price of Gunpla (Gundam models). Bandai's PR department is quoted as saying, "The details haven't been decided but there is a change in merchandise specifications which has added cost to new parts & booklets for Gunpla and we will be repricing." A week ago, Aoi Model Shop, a blog said to be run by an employee in a hobby shop on the outskirts of Akihabara, claimed there would be a 10-20% increase in HGUC and MG kit prices beginning around May. Oil prices were cited as the reason. Furthermore, the site said it looked as though old merchandise would also be marked up as it was reissued. As with the official news, it was said there were details yet to be settled. Sankei News article regarding various Gundam merchandise coming out in the next month or so: Bandai anticipates they'll sell 10,000 Jumbo Grade Zeta Gundams (28,140 yen) by the end of March next year with their target audience of 20 to 30-year-olds. In the same amount of time, they plan to sell 100,000 Super HCM-Pro Char's Zakus (7,140 yen) and, 50,000 Gundam 00 Mascot Robo Haros (4,800 yen, target: Gundam fans and women).
NYICFF 2008 - Films In Competition
The New York International Children's Film Festival has announced its Short Films In Competition, with screenings available for ages 3-6 up to 12-18. Many filmmakers will be attending and all audience members get ballot cards and pencils to rate the films and cast their votes for the NYICFF 2008 Grand Prize winner. See www.gkids.com for tickets. The site also features a beta test for GKIDS.TV video website. The site has previews of NYICFF 2008 feature films and over 100 short films from previous festivals. New screenings have been added for New! - The Making Of Enchanted - Director's Workshop - Mar 8, 11:00 AmOwl And The Sparrow - Mar 15, 11:30 Am 5 Centimeters Per Second - Mar 15, 2:30 Pm Summer Days With Coo - Mar 16, 1:00 Pm
First Title For Dimensional Manga Announced
New graphic novel publisher Dimensional Manga is proud to announce their first release Demon Prince: Children of Gaia, Volume One, is available nationwide this week. Dimensional Manga will release the entire series in 14 volumes with 1-5 released this year. Demon Prince: Children of Gaia tells the story of The Secret Arts and its two masters Wasabi and Ren. Raised by their fathers to learn and live the ways of Kuro-Seishin (lightening and wind) and Aka- Seishin (fire and earth), they pass on their skills and knowledge to their young students. Through a tragic encounter with the Demon Lord Garuda, Wasabi and Ren gain secrets that the world has yet to know. As the aging masters lose their physical capacity, they realize something deeply disturbing that determines the fate of their students. Demon of Prince: Children of Gaia Volume 1 SRP: $11.99 Orders Taken Now Demon of Prince: Children of Gaia Volume 2 SRP: $11.99 Street Date: April 10, 2008
Game Scene
TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher of America, Inc. announced that NARUTO: Ninja Destiny, a 3D fighting game with cinematic techniques for the Nintendo DS handheld system has shipped to retailers nationwide. Featuring scenes, characters, and storylines up to the 140th episode of the hit anime series, the game improves upon the Japanese original with additional characters, content, and improved frame rate. NARUTO: Ninja Destiny offers a single-player story and versus mode, along with wireless multiplayer combat. For more, see www.NarutoNintendoGames.com. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 videos. 1Up reviews Naruto: Ninja Destiny for the Nintendo DS 1 Up also has a preview of mecha shooter Bangai-O Spirits. D3Publisher of America will be distributing the DS game in second quarter of 2008. A look at Capcom's Fate/Star Night spin-off Fate/unlimited codes Namco X Capcom fansubbed (sortof) According to Gunota, Emblem Of Gundam will cover First Gundam, 08th MS Team, War In The Pocket, Stardust Memory, and Zeta Gundam. Supposedly, the simplified combat system is deep enough to accommodate one-on-one fights between ace pilots or large scale 100 vs. 100 battles. event/screenshots Via, majoria's news, Puchi Eva pics at GPara Cover art for the Super Robot Wars' Endless Frontier Japanator looks at Armored Core
Cereal:Geek 3 Out
The third issue of 80's cartoon fan magazine Cereak:Geek. North American customers can buy it through Graham Crackers
Ancedotes for the World of Fan Art
From Canned Dogs, Doujinshi or fan-comics have long been part of the Japanese manga tradition. Recently fan games have been hitting complications. On the heels of requesting the removal Suzumiya Haruhi and Lucky Stars material from YouTube, right holder Kadokawa , Doujin circle souvenir circ has recently been asked to cease distribution of their action doujin game Suzumiya Haruhi no gekitou. The subject of a lot of recent fan work is the "Vocaloid" (singing synthesizer application software ) Hatsune Miku. Right holder Crypton has publiczed guidlines for her fan-use, which, up until recently forbad doujin games. The revised edition allows for games that do not damage the IP's images. Before the change, doujin circles Ejin kenkyuusho and Murder koubou have received a notice from Crypton to stop distribution of their doujin game Tatakae! Ore no Hatsune Miku ver 1.2. The game was about training Hatsune Miku to become a super robot pilot and protecting the peace and contained no ero (adult) scenes. Speaking of doujinshi, Pop Japan Travel has announced a new tour that will enable participant to sell their at the Comitia dojinshi sokubaikai in August. Digital Manga, our parent company, will offer translation services and print guests' books in Japanese, deliver the books to Comitia at Tokyo Big Sight and help them sell to Japanese readers. The Mind Over Manga Tour also includes three additional guided days in Tokyo, plus an option to stay in Japan for a three-day tour of Kansai.
Upcoming in Japan
From Anime Nation, new sites for upcoming anime include Golgo 13 Himitsu ~Top Secret~ Zettai Karin Children xxxHOLiC Kei Kyoran Kazoku Nikki Tetsuwan Birdy A trailer of the hard core action Mnemosyne is streaming here. A 12 episode anime based on Fumi Yoshinaga's Antique Bakery, the manga of which is released in North America by DMP, will air on Japanese TV in July. Lucky Stat's Yamamoto Yutaka will be directing the anime incarnation of Eri Takenashi's Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maiden Anime News Network reports that a manga version of Yoshiki Tanaka's space opera Titania will be running in Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius. Yoshiki Tanaka's other work that inspire manga and anime include Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Sohryuden - Legend of the Dragon Kings, and The Heroic Legend of Arslan. "moe (fiery), moe (preciously cute) action love comedy" almost all-female cast retelling of Romance of the Three Kingdoms adult adventure game Koihime*Muso: Doki-Otome Darake no Sangokushi Engi will be made into an anime series and a manga. Nobuaki Nakanishi (Bomberman Bidaman Bakugaiden, Mahoujin Guru Guru) will direct the animators at DOGA Productions or Dogakobo (Myself ; Yourself, Akakichi no Eleven) on the television project. The manga version will start in this year's volume 2 of Dengeki G's Festival! Comic magazine. Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine and Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine will mark the 50th anniversary of the two periodical with the biweekly Conan & Kindaichi. Monthly Shonen Rival will feature an untitled one-shot work by George Morikawa (Hajime no Ippo/Fighting Spirit) by magazine, Holy Talker series from GetBackers artist Rando Ayamine, card-game-based Monster Hunter Orage series by Hiro Mashima (Fairy Tail, Rave Master) and the premier of Blazer Drive from Seishi Kishimoto (O-Parts Hunter) Girls Bravo's Mario Kaneda is launching a new manga named Death/Communication in the May issue (on sale on March 26) of Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Shonen Ace magazine. Yuu Watase's Absolute Boyfriend is being adapted into a live action drama with Mokomichi Hayami (Densha Otoko, Gokusen) as the "ikemen (handsome) lover robot." The cast also includes Saki Aibu (Doraemon: Nobita no Shin Makai Daiboken - Shichinin no Mahotsukai) and Hiro Mizushima (Hana Zakari No Kimitachi E: Ikemen Paradise, Lovely Complex) Gunota reports that the Gundam 00 novelization by Noboru Kimura is going on sale April 1. On the oppisite end of "upcoming", MediaWorks' bishojo (cute girls) Shonen anthology Monthly Dengeki Comic GAO! (home of +Anima, Best Student Council, DearS, Venus Versus Virus) recently ended with its 207th issue. According to ANN, Mari Matsuzawa's Inukami!, Matsuda98's Honoka Lv. Up!, Ginyu Shijin's Baccano! 1931 The Grand Punk Railroad, Minoru Murao's Knights, Watashi-tachi no Tamura-kun, D.H.A, Hyaku-me no Kishi, Earise, Gyakuso Shojo: Owaranai Natsu Yasumi, and Nanatsuiro Drops Pure!! are ending in this last issue
Wuxia Legend in Street Fighter Movie
Twitch notes that the Chun Li focused live action Street Fighter movie will feature Kristin Kreuk as Chun-li, Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris Klein, Rick Yune, Singaporeís Edmund Chen, Black Eyed Peasí Taboo, and now Cheng Pei Pei (from Come Drink with Me to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Jade Fox). Andrzej Bartkowiak (Romeo Must Die) directs with Dion Lam choreographing the fight scenes
Worth Checking Out
An English version of Akibablog has launched G.D.H. has launched a "GON TUBE" Gonzo YouTube channel called at http://jp.youtube.com/user/GONZODOGA jaPRESS ( Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno, Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms, Pure Trance) has launched an updated site. Speaking of Patrick Macias' work, The Real Shinjyuku Violence Legend Jog's THE KILLER: HIDESHI HINO (horror manga great and swordster) AniPages Daily on Tadanari Okamoto . "The greatest filmmakers can create a transcendent experience in the viewer. Few filmmakers can do that for me, but Tadanari Okamoto is one of them. I think he's one of Japan's best artists of the last few decades, and he is by far my favorite independent Japanese animator." Ed Sizemore on The Kennedy Center's Japan! culture + hyperculture festival Manga Before Flowers - "Manga for Adults" (Part Two) Via ComiPress The Busiest Mangaka Ever: George Akiyama Comix Talk talks to Seven Seas' Adam Arnold The Flipped manga column has a new home on Comics Reporter. LA Times on geek tourist of Japan Daily Mainichi on yuri (lesbian) work. For more on the topic, see Erica Friedman's Japanator, One Piece fans site has a great set of translated Q&A's with creator Eiichiro Oda here Wood scultures from Japanís Wonderfestival. Also 9 foot tall King Ghidorah Mecha Mecha Media points out that Dark Horse has posted an extensive preview of action manhwa Shaman Warrior FramesPerSecond on Early Japanese Animation: As Innovative as Contemporary Anime (part two). The site also looks at Mechadamia 2 Newsarama has spoken to Yoshinori Natsume (Togari) about Batman: Death Mask and voice actor Crispin Freeman Canned Dogs on The problems that plague the eroge industry Subatomic Brainfreeze on Masamune Shirow flop Gundress Star Cross Anime Blog has an interesting list of top movies and OVAs Twitch has a new teaser for Soi Cheangís (Dog Bite Dog t) adaptation of SHAMO Via StarWars.com, the original trilogy as it is told in American comics versus how it is told in manga (including Return of the Jedi from the underappreciated Hiromoto-Sin-Ichi) Awesome Engine on running Cartoon Brew look at Superjail Kaiju Shadedown has an overview of the efforts to Ryu Murakami's novel Coin Locker Babies American Police Right Stuf has launched a new yaoianime retail site. The Japanese word "yaoi" has evolved into a catch-all term Western audiences often use to describe titles with canon "male/male" relationships that were also originally marketed to girls and women in Japan and Korea. Via Blog@Newsarama, artist Sean Galloway posted more of his character designs for the upcoming Spectacular Spider-Man animated series. The show debuts at 10 a.m. March 8 on The CW. Also form the blog, how to draw the Venture Bros.
