According to MoonPhase, Tokyo International Anime Fair indicates that Romanov Higa will be directing a TV series incarnation of the CGI Appleseed, called Appleseed Genesis. Romi Paku has been cast for the series.
Action-Figure reports that Kidrot and Adult Swim are scheduled to unveil a line of vinyl toys this April. These will be boxed as trading figures and retail for $7.95 each.
Kotobukiya has announced a number of releases scheduled for this summer.
The Art Of Syunya Yamashita Fine Art Busts
Angela And Shii
Kotobukiya Japanese imports
Each bust stands approximately 7 inches tall, including the highly polished podium base.
Angela
Shii
srp $79.99 each
Available in JULY
BEAT BLADES HARUKA: NARIKA 1/8th STATUE
A Kotobukiya Japanese import from the spirtual successor to Beat Angel Escalayer, Beat Blades Haruka (aka Choukousennin Haruka)
Measuring in at 7 ¼” tall (1/8th scale), this pvc statue is sculpted by Munetoshi Makio.
srp $49.99
Available in JULY
LITTLE BUSTERS! RIN NATSUME 1/8th STATUE
A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import based on the new bishoujo work from KEY, the producers of Air, Kanon, and Clannad
This figure stands almost 8 inches tall (1/8th scale), and includes bonus parts so that you can display her with cat ears…or even an impressionistic ‘cat face’ Sculpted by Ajiken of Eye-up
natsumeA4.jpg
natsumeB3.jpg
srp $49.99
Available in JULY
DOAX 2 : Dead Or Alive Xtreme 2 - Hitomi Artfx Statue
A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import based The XBOX 360 sequel to DOA XTREME
This 1/6th scale pvc figure is sculpted by Yuzo, and stands over 8 inches tall, in her seated position.
srp $72.99
Available in AUGUST
MODELLING SUPPORT GOODS
MECHANICAL CHAIN BASES 004~006
KOTOBUKIYA Japanese imports, Displays for mecha modelers and action figure collectors
The Chain Bases come molded in dark gray, and each has individual accessories. Each base is be easily assembled within minutes and will measure 6” long x 6” wide x 6 1/3” tall upon completion. Each base can be attached in four directions (right, left, top bottom), plus a vertical wall from another set can be mounted onto the top to extend the wall. The bases are perfect for displaying miniature, 1/144 scale, and even 1/100 scale mecha kits and figures
Base 004 includes one tractor, one container rack, one weapons dolly, three medium-sized containers, and two small-sized shuttles.
Base 005 includes one lift truck, three large-sized containers, and two medium-sized shuttles.
Base 006 includes one spotlight, one replacement spotlight, three small-sized containers, and two large-sized shuttles.
srp $13.50 each
Available in JUNE
MODELLING SUPPORT GOODS
TRAILER UNIT 001-002
KOTOBUKIYA Japanese imports
Each base can quickly be assembled into a 9 ¼” long trailer.
srp $19.99 each
Available in JULY
FINAL FANTASY VII GAME EDITION PLAY ARTS VOL 2
Square Enix Products Japanese imports
VINCENT VALENTINE (9 inches tall)
YUFFIE KISARAGI (7 ¼ inches tall)
RED XIII & CAIT SITH (8 1/4" long & 2 3/4" tall respectively)
SEPHIROTH (9 ¼ inches tall)
srp $24.99 each
Shocker Toys has schedule its Indie Spotlight for release in June/July of 2008, priced at $13.95 per figure and $14.95 for each Build a Figure.
The 6” Comic Book action figures Series 1 features (Jim Valentino’s ShadowHawk, Rob Schrab’s Scud the disposable assassin, Terry Moore's Katchoo of ‘Strangers in Paradise’, David Mack’s Kabuki and MTV’s The Maxx in 8”.
Series 2 is set to consist of Dick Tracy, Zombie King (Deadworld), Jack Staff, Ignacia (Wildguard) and The Tick Build a Figure.
Other characters in line up are Dr. Solar, The Lone Ranger, The Phantom, Retro Rocket, Bog the Swamp Demon, Nexus, The Moth, Earthboy Jacobus, Atomika, Robotika, Fist of Justice, Liberty Girl and much much more. The characters in the 6-7" action figure line willalso grace the new cute 2.5" mini block figures called Shockinis with an Indie Spotlight 8 character per series line up.
Shocker Toys' plans for 2008 also include Metalocalypse Dethklok action figures, GWAR action figures, Indie Spotlight Shockinis, Who wants to be a Superhero? Shockinis and 6" Feedback and the ever popular customizable, interchangeable, paintable mini shockini block figures.
TOKYOPOP has announced a multi-book publishing deal with "Korea's hottest female manga creator", Hee Jung Park. In 2008, TOKYOPOP will release Fever (March), Hotel Africa (April), Martin and John (July) and Too Long (August). Previews will be offered through TOKYOPOP's site and their MySpace
Fever: (March)
High school student Hyung-in has never been the same since her friend committed suicide. Fed up with her prestigious school and the expectations of her family, she just wants out. And, when she meets an orphan and a strange country-boy on the bus, she begins an unexpected journey into the unknown, at a mysterious place called "Fever."
Hotel Africa: (April)
Alone, in the middle of the Utah desert, lies the Hotel Africa, where anything is possible. A world of joy, heartache, and friendship has traveled through its doors. Follow along with Elvis, our narrator, as he brings the history of this desolate hotel to life, weaving tales of his widowed mother, an unlikely pair of vagabonds, and a strange hotel guest...
Martin and John: (July)
Three different stories about three different men named Martin and three different men named John...Confused? So are they...about love, relationships and especially their feelings. This collection of stories take place in different places, in different times--all about a man named Martin and a man named John, and the struggle for love between them.
Too Long: (August)
A girl who seems to attract suicide victims, a shy record store customer in love with a female employee, the star of a band who's in love with an average girl--these are just a few of the characters encountered in this collection of poignant short stories
Street Fighter Tribute Art Book And Contest
Udon Entertainment has announced that to commemorate Street Fighter's 20th anniversary in 2008, the publisher is producing an all-new full color art book - Street Fighter Tribute.
The art book will showcase a cross section of brand new artistic interpretations of the Street Fighter characters in a series of full size pin-up style illustrations. The book will launch at this year's Comic-con International: San Diego as part of Capcom's Street Fighter Celebration content.
UDON artists and other comic, video game and freelance illustrators have been invited to interpret their favorite Street Fighter characters for inclusion in this special book. Along with these invited artists UDON is sending out a widespread open art submission call to the video game fan artist community to submit artwork for possible inclusion in the tribute volume. For guidlines and rules, see here
Speed Grapher Premieres on IFC
GONZO's Speed Grapher, distributed by FUNimation in North America will begin running on IFC starting Friday, March 7 at 11:00pm ET/PT. The 24 episode anime will air in its English dubbed format.
It's been over a decade since the Bubble War, when the global economy burst. The rich got richer, and the poor were out of luck. Welcome to Tokyo, if you've got money, you can buy anything your sick mind can dream up. If you don't, you just try not to get crushed beneath the wheels. Only the wicked rule here.
Enter the Club, a secret society pandering to the ultra-rich and fulfilling their deepest desires, legal or otherwise. Sent to infiltrate the underground elite, Saiga, once a renowned war photographer now reduced to tabloid journalism, stumbles upon a depraved ceremony and discovers the ultimate beauty in Tokyo's darkest catacombs. With a tragic young girl named Kagura in tow, Saiga flees from his enemies and his own inner demons. A single kiss has ignited a chain of events that could force the entire ruling class to their knees. Smile for the camera… or perish in the glare of its lens.
Right Stuf Announces MariMite
Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and Nozomi Entertainment have announce the licensing of MARIA WATCHES OVER US (Maria-sama ga Miteru). The series, often referred to by fans as “Marimite,” will be released on DVD as “season box sets,” with Japanese audio and English-language subtitles, starting Summer 2008.
A character-driven, coming of age tale set in Tokyo, Japan, Maria Watches Over Us follows the lives of several teenage girls who attend the prestigious Lillian Girls’ Academy. As an institution steeped in tradition, one of Lillian’s most enduring customs is its “sœur” (French for “sister”) system: Older, established students mentor and befriend younger students at the all-girls school. The story is set in motion when Yumi, a new, first-year student, inadvertently captures the attention of the “Yamayuri Council,” Lillian’s student council, whose members are also the most admired, idolized and respected students on campus.
The Maria Watches Over Us anime is based upon an ongoing series of light novels – written by Oyuki Konno and illustrated by Reine Hibiki – that began in 1998 and currently spans 32 volumes. Short stories related to the series have been published in the shoujo (girls’) magazine Cobalt, and a manga adaptation is serialized in the anthology magazine Margaret. The series’ publisher, Shueisha, also produced 14 drama CDs (with radio-style plays).
The anime adaptation of Maria-sama ga Miteru encompasses two, 13-episode TV seasons, a 5-episode OVA (original video animation) as its third season, and a fourth season, currently in production in Japan.
The first three seasons of Maria Watches Over Us feature animation by Studio DEEN (Fruits Basket, Gravitation, Rurouni Kenshin), direction by Yukihiro Matsushita (Blue Dragon, Sugar Sugar Rune), and scripting by Reiko Yoshida (Aria, Boys Over Flowers, Story of Saiunkoku).
Each of the DVD box sets for Maria Watches Over Us will include the “specials” – comedic shorts that depict the series’ characters in “chibi” form – for its respective season.
Upcoming From ADV
Anime on DVD notes that AAAAnime is listing the following upcoming ADV Films. Conspicously asbcent, for unexplained reasons, is Gurren Lagann.
04/01/2008
Cutey Honey / Kekko Kamen Double Feature - $24.98
05/06/2008
Devil May Cry Vol. #2 (also w/box)
Magikano Vol. #3
Tokyo Majin Vol. #3
05/13/2008
Kanon Vol. #4
Project Blue Earth SOS Vol. #3
Welcome to the NHK Vol. #4
05/20/2008
Moonlight Mile Vol. #3
Parasite Dolls / AD Police Double Features - $24.98
Shattered Angels Vol. #1 (apparently Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora)
On the topic of ADV's UK releases, Anime News Network notes that NEO quotes ADV Films CEO John Ledford about their reluctants to pursue an ambitious UK release schedule.
Perhaps if so many fans weren't getting their anime from illegal file sharing sites or unlicensed streaming sites, we might have expanded our UK catalogue more quickly. As it stands now, however, we have a better shot at growing our business with Lace than maintaining an overseas branch.
Ashita no Joe OVA Scheduled For North America
Anime on DVD reports that the 2003 OVA version of classic boxing anime Ashita no Joe will be released in North America as Joe vs. Joe. The first of the two volume release of the six episode series will be released on April 29th for $24.99 The company released this title is new distributor AnimeWho, which is run by Tom Devine who is known as the man behind JapanAnime, an all adult anime label.
Devil May Cry Anime Success
ICV2 reports despite the disappearence/partial reappearence of ADV Film's slate of releases, the first Devil May Cry anime release is the best-selling 2008 anime DVD so far. Except for the absence of Gurren Lagann, ADV's newly announced April and May schedule marks a return to normal shipping patterns.
1. Ai Yazawa
2. Akira Toriyama
3. Takehiko Inoue
4. Mitsuru Adachi
5. Yoshihiro Togashi
5. Eiichiro Oda
7. Naoki Urasawa
8. CLAMP
8. Fujiko F. Fujio
10. Osamu Tezuka
Plans Announced For JACON 2008
JACON 2008 will take place at the Orlando Sun Resort the weekend of May 16-18, 2008.
This will mark JACON's ninth year hosting a celebration of Japanese popular culture and animation in Central
Florida. This year's guests include Tara Strong (the voice of "Bubbles" from The Powerpuff Girls,) Gregg Berger (the voice of "Grimlock" from the classic Transformers cartoon,) and Richard Horvitz (the voice of Invader Zim from the cartoon of the same name.)
Guests and programming include
TARA STRONG (Guest of Honor)
GREGG BERGER (Special Guest)
RICHARD HORVITZ (Special Guest)
SPIKE SPENCER (Featured Guest) - voice of Shinji Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelio
DOUG SMITH (Artist/Voice Actor) - Best known as the voice of Kintaro Oe from Golden Boy,
GEORGE LOWE (Voice Actor) - voice pf Space Ghost on Space Ghost: Coast to Coast
STEVE BENNETT (Media Guest) - Founder of Studio Ironcat
THE MANGA MASQUERADE: ENCHANTED KATAMARI - JACON's formal dance event
JACON will also offer the staple events that have made the convention so popular over the years: a costume contest, panels, a video game room (run and operated by Noobie Games,) an all night dance party ("Otaku Insomnia" from Wasabi Anime,) and much more. For complete details, please visit the official website at www.JACON.org.
Anime Expo 2008 Announcements
Anime Expo 2008 and Intermixi Japan Tours have announced entrants who pre-regester to attend the Anime Expo Convention, held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA, are elligable to win a trip to Japan. Anyone who pre-registers before June 15, 2008 is automatically entered.
Two (2) pre-registered attendees will win an all expense paid trip (including roundtrip airfare, hotel, excursions, some meals )
courtesy of Intermixi Japan Tours. Winners will be able to choose from the
following seasonal tours (as available):
Kame Hame Kansai Tour
Neo Tokyo Tour
Tokyo Game Show Tour
The convention is also hosting AX Idol at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE.
Winner of the AX Idol Singing Contest will win:
A Tour of Bang Zoom! Studios in Burbank, including: Studio Tour, Sitting in on Anime Recording session, a private Audition with Casting Director, and a Walla Recording Session in a real anime or game.
Recording of a demo song in the studio, produced by a professional engineer.
Winner of the AX Idol Voice Acting Contest will win:
A Tour of Bang Zoom! Studios in Burbank, including: Studio Tour, Sitting in on Anime Recording session, a private Audition with Casting Director, and a Walla Recording Session in a real anime or game.
Japanator and J!Ent note that Pine AM will be playing at the RISD Auditorium at the Rhode Island School of Design Saturday March 8th
DC Comics Lowers Cover Price For "Batman: Death Mask"
DC Comics announces that the cover price on the BATMAN: DEATH MASK miniseries has been lowered to $2.99 per issue. BATMAN: DEATH MASK is written and illustrated by Yoshinori Natsume, acclaimed creator of Toguri, who makes his American comics debut with this original Batman manga tale. Issue 1 will be released April 9.
Kawamoto: The Puppet Master Screening in UK
A major retrospective of the stop motion animation works of Kihachiro Kawamoto programmed by Jasper Sharp in conjunction with the Watershed will be shown at the Watershed Media Centre, Bristol, UK and assorted venues across the UK from Sat 15 March through Thurs 15 May.
The season is accompanied by British puppet animations from directors such as Barry Purves and Oscar-winning Suzie Templeton and Bristol-based Dave Borthwick and Peter Lord and the opening weekend features a puppet workshop for children, and a panel discussion with two of the UK's lead animators.
The program will be traveling to Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh, Sheffield and The Barbican, London.
To go directly to TicketWeb to purchase tickes click here or call
866-468-7619.
FUNimation Channel Adds New Shows to Programming Slate
The FUNimation Channel, a 24/7 digital anime network from FUNimation Entertainment & OlympuSAT, will be premiering seven new animated series, including titles from Central Park Media and Right Stuf, Inc.The debuting titles include Moonphase, Peach Girl, Suzuka, Black Cat, Shingu, Record of Lodoss War and Ninja Nonsense, the first of which begin airing this week.
For those anime fans who miss the episodes during the week, they can catch all of the episodes back-to-back in our weekend “rewind” on Saturdays and Sundays.
Game Images
Via Majoria's News, Sakura Taisen is still going, this time it's Sakura Taisen: Kimi Aru Tameni for the DS, it can be seen here
Anime style infernal strategy RPG Disgaea 3 will be released in the US, this August.
nfinity Studios is now ebook editions of all new titles scheduled to be released; available for purchase only through the Infinity Studios website. This includes Zero volume 4 and Sweety volume 3 which were originally scheduled for release in February 2008.
ebook Release Schedule:
March 1st •Sweety Volume 3
March 1st •ZERO Volume 4
March 15th •Popo Can Volume 2
March 15th •Peigenz Volume 6
April 1st •NOW Volume 4
April 1st •Adrenalin Volume 1
April 15th •Animal Paradise Volume 3
April 15th •Na Na Na Na Volumes 1 & 2
April 15th •Peigenz Volume 7
May 1st •NOW Volume 5
Fear(s) of the Dark in NA From IFC
According to Hollywood Reporter, FC has acquired the North American rights to the French animated film "Fear(s) of the Dark."
Directed by Blutch (Christian Hincker), Marie Caillou, Pierre DiSciullo, Lorenzo Mattotti, Richard McGuire and Charles Burns, the black-and-white film presents the stylized interpretations of nightmares from six graphic artists and cartoonists.
Bandai Visual USA will launch HARUKA: Beyond the Stream of Time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians Premier at Sakura-Con 2008 and host Director Aki Tsunaki.
Shedules for HARUKA related events are as follows
Friday, March 28
Opening Ceremonies
10:00AM – 11:30 AM at room 6ABC
Premier Screening (Vol.1)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (room TBD)
Guest Reception Dinner
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Grand Hyatt
Saturday, March 29
Haruka Panel (Q & A)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at room 611-614
Autograph Session
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at room 4B
Press Session
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM at room 601
Sunday, March 30
Director Panel
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at room 611-614
Closing Ceremonies
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM at room 6ABC
For Haruka Panel (Q & A) on March 29, VIZ Media manga editor Carol Fox is also scheduled to take part as well as Director Aki Tsunaki for a discussion on both the anime and manga incarnations of HARUKA.
Also, authentic reproduction cels made by Yumeta Company, the studio that created the anime, will be on display and will be first made available for purchase at Sakura-Con 2008 and will then be sold on dot-anime.us beginning late March.
Along with cels, Bandai Visual USA will also sell advance copies of HARUKA Vol. 1 DVD and the manga Vol.1, published domestically by VIZ Media, at the Broccoli/Bandai Visual Booths #314, 316, 415, and 417. A specially made HARUKA Japanese style fan will be the exclusive gift for those who purchase HARUKA DVD at Sakura-Con.
Disney to make Japanese Lilo and Stitch for TV
Yahoo reports Disney will be tailoring a "Lilo and Stitch" spin-off to Japanese audiences. The U.S. entertainment firm will team up with Japanese animation company Madhouse Ltd to produce a TV version of the animated film for the Disney Channel available on Japanese satellite and cable TV. Disney also plans to team up with Asia's top animation producer, Toei Animation Co Ltd, to make a robot adventure computer graphics cartoon to go on air this year, Toei and Disney said.
Upcoming DMP Releases
DMP has discovered that DMP is planning to release Ubukata Tow's mecha light novel fafner, Murao Minoru's manga KNIGHTS and Tateno Makoto's manga Red Angel
Worth Checking Out...
The English trailer for the live action Death Note
A preview of the manga prequel to sci-fi action series The Third is on the English language site. The manga will be released by TOKYOPOP on March 1. Volume 5 of the anime, Shadows of the Past, will be released on March 25, 2008.
Speaking of The Third distributor Right Stuf and TOKYOPOP, episode 61 of the Anime Today podcast (available through iTunes) features an interview with Stu Levy – the president, C.E.O. and Chief Creative Officer of TOKYOPOP.
In this new interview, Levy discusses how he was introduced to Japanese pop culture, the challenges of pioneering the right-to-left manga format in North America, the effects of a saturated manga market, how TOKYOPOP differentiates itself from other publishers, social networking, his company’s film and television projects, his personal favorite titles and what TOKYOPOP has in store for 2008.
