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Column by Scott Green
Batman: Gotham Knight Trailer
A trailer for the Batman: Gotham Knight anime anthology can be seen here The DVD will be released July 8th. Also worth noting, Studio 4C, one of the animation house producing shorts for Gotham Knight, has launched Area Zero Tokyo
Ponyo News
Via Nausicaa.net and Ghibli World Finalized details about Hayao Miyazaki's next feature, Ponyo on a Cliff by a Sea, are being announced by Studio Ghibli. According to a press conference, the movie will return 1 hour 40 minutes. Prior to the period immediately before its release, publicity shots of the film will be limited to still images. TV advertising will start in June. Studio Ghibli announced July 19 as the official release date. Toshio Suzuki stated "There is considerably the demand from fans to want to enjoy a movie with a fresh feeling without a preconception. It is the one of my roles to realize the thought." Of the movie itself, Suzuki said "Production is really favorable, a first for such a thing. It is rather scary. Another scary thing is director Miyazaki has clearly evolved."
Cast of Oshii's Next
Twitch has learned that Mamoru Oshii's upcoming animated film Sky Crawlers will feature a cast that includes Rinko Kikuchi (Babel), Ryo Kase (Letters From Iwo Jima), and Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill).
Charlie Wen Attached to CG ThunderCat?
We haven't been able to verify this information, but 'Grizzlor' of thundercatslair.org is saying that they have learned that Charlie Wen has been attached to design Warner's CGI animated ThunderCats movie. Wen previously worked as a concept artist for the God of War Games. The site has also started a petition to encourage Warner to cast Larry Kenney, the original 80's voice actor who played Lion-O, in the lead role.
Korean Harlock Movie in the Works
From Anime News Network The Korean production company Eight Peaks announced that they will be working with Japan's Genome Entertainment to produce a live action movie based on Leiji Matsumoto's (Battleship Yamato/Star Blazers) space opera Space Pirate Captain Harlock. Eight Peaks projects that the total production cost of the film will be in the US$100-million range, and that it will foot 20% of the bill. Matsumoto has said "This is premature. I have not given my consent to a movie adaptation."
Code Geass And Lucky Star Launched at ImaginAsian
Bandai Entertainment Inc. and ImaginAsian Entertainment announced that a special free screening of the first two episodes of the English versions of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion and Lucky Star will be held on Saturday April 26th, between 1-3pm at the new ImaginAsian Center in downtown Los Angeles near Little Tokyo. The screening will be free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. Merchandise will be available in the lobby and following each episode block there will be a brief Q&A followed by an autograph signing in the lobby with members of each series cast with a few surprise giveaways. Voice actors on hand are three renown fan favorites: From Code Geass, voice actor Steve Blum (Tohdoh) whose past credits include “Spike” in Cowboy Bebop-The Movie: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Wolf’s Rain and will star in the upcoming Bandai Entertainment release Ghost Slayers Ayashi as well as Wolverine & the X-Men as the voice of Wolverine. On hand from Lucky Star will be Wendee Lee (Konata) whose previous credits include “Faye Valentine” in Cowboy Bebop and “Haruhi” in the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Kari Wahlgren (Kagami) whose many credits include the voice of “Robin” in Witch Hunter Robin as well as Wolf’s Rain and Scrapped Princess . Lucky Star, from Kadokawa Pictures USA, dubbed by Bang Zoom Entertainment, will be released on DVD May 6th. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, produced by Sunrise, dubbed by Zro Limit Productions and Animaze, will premiere the same day as the event, Saturday April 26 th on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.
Two Day Theatrical Run for Death Note
VIZ Pictures has announced that it will team with NCM FATHOM, the entertainment division of National CineMedia, to present a special two-night multi-city debut at over 300 theatres across the United States for the live-action special event DEATH NOTE on May 20 and 21, at 7:30 pm. local time. This special two-night event includes a specially produced 20-minute feature on how the manga translates to live action as well as the first-ever interview with Director Shusuke Kaneko. Advance purchase tickets will be available from April 18th through April 20th to all subscribers of the SHONEN JUMP e-mail newsletter (sign-up is available at www.shonenjump.com). Tickets for the general public will be available starting on April 21st at presenting theatre box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. This site also lists participating theatres. DEATH NOTE is based on the hit supernatural action mystery manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The live-action film, directed by Shusuke Kaneko, known as the director of popular monster film “Gamera” series, was released in Japan in 2006 and mirrors the manga’s story of Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects who is bored out of his mind. All of that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god named Ryuk. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals mysteriously begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his one noble goal. Both Light and L believe themselves to be on the side of justice, and the two match wits trying to show exactly which of them is "good" and which of them is "evil."The Bleach anime movie Memories of Nobody will be handled in the same way June 11th and 12th
Figures News
A fourth set of prototype photos from Go Hero's Buck Rogers can be seen here Shocker Toys will be showcasing SCUD the Disposable Assassin from their Indie Spotlight Series in exclusive packaging at the New York Comic-Con. The SCUD figure will be Available at NY Comic Con (4/18-20, 2008) and on www.shockertoys.com/store/php for pre-order for attendees and non-attendees, while supplies last (limited to 400pcs). Shocker Toys will also be showcasing Indie Spotlight Series 2 which will consist of Dick Tracy, Zombie King (Deadworld), Jack the lantern, Ignacia (Wildguard) and The Tick.Sideshow Collectibles has posted previews of several upcoming releases. Son Goku and Super Saiyan Son Goku Dragon Ball Z figure will be joining the Real Action Hero line. A preview can be seen here. A Popbox Collectibles Transformers, Bumblebee electronic bust, based on the movie incarnation, is similarly on the horizon. Sideshow is now taking pre-orders for First 4 Figures' Skull Kid - Legend of Zelda (9", $109.99) and SamusVaria Suit (8" x 12" , $109.99) Kotobukiya USA has revealed the completed sculpts for all 6 of tee STARWARS Bounty Hunter Series sculpts (Boba Fett, Bossk, Zuckuss, 4-LOM, IG-88, Denger) as well the Darth Vader figure assemble from components packaged with the six. The KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import of the Boba Fett Artfx statues are available now. Upcoming releases include: IG-88 srp $ 99.99 Available in JUNE BOSSK srp $ 99.99 Available in JULY 4-LOM srp $ 99.99 Available in JULY ZUCKUSS srp $99.99 Available in AUGUST DENGAR srp $ 99.99 Available in OCTOBER Kotobukiya also announced that they will inaugurate their release of Marvel Comics merchandise with Iron Man, inspired by the original promotional one-sheet for the film. Scheduled for a November release, priced at $174.99, the 1/6th scale Fine Art Statue stands approximately 13 inches tall. The Kouei Matsumoto sculpted figure will be manufactured in cold cast porcelain and coated with metallic paint. It features LED lights in eyes, Repulsor Ray palms, and the Unibeam on his chest. Other upcoming figures include The Incredible Hulk and Punisher: War Zone. Organic Hobby, Inc will be releasing Tezuka Moderno Labo Series Leo, Sapphire, Dr. Ochanomizu & Sharaku in June for $15.00 each. "Leo" also know as "Kimba" is a fictional character originated from a Japanese anime series from the 1960s named "Jungle Emperor" (or also known in the United States as Kimba the White Lion), created by Osamu Tezuka, and based on his manga of the same title which started in 1950. It was the first color TV animation series created in Japan. The entire series of manga was first published in serialized form in Manga Shonen magazine. "Leo" is 3" tall PVC figure and comes in a clear box. The figure has a swivel joint located at the neck. "Sapphire," is originated from the Japanese manga "Princess Knight. The young Prince of Silverland Sapphire, is in reality a girl, but must pretend to be a boy in order to inherit the throne and prevent the evil Duke Duralumon from taking power. "Sapphire" is 3" tall PVC figure and comes in a clear box. The figure has a swivel joint located at the neck. "Dr. Ochanomizu" is a fictional character created by Osamu Tezuka, introduced in Episode 1: Birth of Astro Boy, where he rescued Astro from Caccitore's circus. The present head of the Institute of Science and a fearless campaigner for robotic rights. Kind, patient and good-natured, he serves as a mentor for both Astro and Uran, and would willingly give his life for either. Somewhat eccentric by nature, he tends to be excitable when faced by a scientific mystery, particularly when his opinions are questioned by his scientific colleagues. "Dr. Ochanomizu" is 3" tall PVC figure and comes in a clear box. "Sharaku" is the main character of Osamu Tezuka's manga and anime known as "The Three-Eyed One (Mitsume ga tooru)". He is a little boy who has a terrible power. On his forehead is a third eye that, if open, releases extremely dangerous mystical energy that turns him into an evil sorcerer, bent on conquering mankind, and able to summon demons and wielding a red harpoon wand called Red Condor. Sharaku is, in fact, descended from the mysterious ancient race of Three-Eyed Ones, who were responsible for constructing the pyramids and many wonders of the ancient world. "Sharaku" is 3" tall PVC figure and comes in a clear box. Organic Hobby, Inc in conjunction with CM’s Corporation will be releasing “Sentimental Journey Collection Figure (Part. 2)” (trading figures) in June with a SRP of $8.00. "Sentimental Journey Collection Figure (Part. 2)" are based on the Japanese Anime series "Sentimental Journey." "Sentimental Journey Collection Figure (Part. 2)" is a twelve piece assortment of 5-6" scale trading figures (includes secret items & duplicate). Each figure comes in a closed box along with a handy twelve piece counter display case. Yamato USA is taking preorders for Kouichi Yamazaki's TANDEM TWIN Animal Girls: Dog Bonnie. The 7" figure is scheduled to be released in Shipping August / September 2008. The next two figures in Yamato USA's Story! Image! Figure! EX PVC statue collection will be Eggplant-sama from okama’s Food Girls and Ringo Noyamano, the Masked HENTAI from Oh! Great’s Air Gear SIF EX: Food Girls – Eggplant- 10.25", 1/6 figure by Shuji Hagii (Studio Saru Bunshitsu Kasetsujo). scheduled for August / September 2008; $84.00 SIF EX: Air Gear – Ringo Noyamano, the Masked HENTAI 9.00" by Yasuhiro Uchijima (essence.) Yamato will be initiating the release of vmf (variable motion figure) large scale articulated figures with Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. One-seventh scale, Motoko stands approximately 9.00", features 16 points of articulation, interchangeable wrists, removable jacket, and themed weaponry (Seburo M-5 / Seburo C-26A with silencer), all packaged in a collector's style window box. To pre-order the figure scheduled for July/August, see here Yamato’s 1:15 Bubblegum Crisis Motoslave with Sylia action figure will be available this Summer with a suggested retail price of $74.99. Upcoming Yamato super robot releases include BAXINGAR from Galactic Gale Baxingar and DANCOUGA from Super Beast Machine God to its new revolution in action figures: The GN-U DOU (GN-U meaning “band of brave warriors”, and DOU “movement” in Japanese). Baxingar: Galactic Gale Baxingar The GN-U DOU scheduled for July / August 2008; $35.00 Dancouga: Super Beast Machine God scheduled for August / September 2008, $35.00 Kaiju Big Battel, "the world's only live monster wrestling spectacle", announced that the second vinyl figure based on their monster wrestling performance work will be Vegetius, produced by Marmit. This painted Vegetius vinyl has been officially released for pre-sale in Japan at www.marmit.co.jp.. The Vegetius vinyl is being sold for 5250 yen (about $50 U.S.) and stands approximately 11.5 inches tall. The US release of the vinyl will premiere at San Diego Comic Con in July. Pre-orders will be taken at live Kaiju Big Battel events in Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City. Figures.com looks at Kotobukiya Devil May Cry 4 Nero ARTFX Statue CollectionDX looks at Super Deformed Veritech VF-1A, CM’s Brave Gokin EX-01 Legioss & Tread (Eta) Kotaku on Guilty Gear Bridget
Anime on Blu-Ray
Anime on DVD notes some Bandai Visual USA hints. Macross Zero, the prequel OVA, will be releasing in a Japanese box set with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and 2.0 PCM 08/22/2008 for 21,000 Code Geass is also getting a Japanese Blu-ray release in 1080p via AVC with PCM stereo Japanese language.
DMP Presenting Speed Racer Manga at NYCC
Digital Manga Publishing will be presenting their restored, hardcover collection of Tatsuo Yoshida's original Speed Racer Mach Go Go Go at this week's New York Comic Con (April 18-20). Peter Fernandez, who provides an introduction to the manga, will be on hand at the DMP booth at New York Comic Con to autograph the two-book set. Autographs will be signed: Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 4:00pm Booth #1622 Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 12:30pm Booth #1541 The book retails for $39.95. Speaking of Speed Racer, SpeedRacerTheMovie.com features a 2 plus minutes HD trailer to the movie.
Fanfare / Ponent Mon Previews 7 New Manga / Graphic Novels at NYCC
Award-winning international manga and graphic novel publisher Fanfare / Ponent Mon will be at New York Comic-Con April 18 - 20 at Booth 2343, Jacob K. Javits Center, New York City. Fanfare publisher Founded in 2003, Spanish publisher Ponent Mon together with UK-based Fanfare, is aiming to introduce comic book readers to the latest graphic and story telling tendencies to come out of the alternative comics scene in Japan and elsewhere. Seven new Fanfare publications will be previewed from Japan, France and Korea, including Jiro Taniguchi's The Ice Wanderer, which was recently nominated for a 2008 Eisner Award by Comic-Con International. New Fanfare / Ponent Mon titles previewing at New York Comic-Con include: Disappearance Diary - Hideo Azuma Release date: November 2008 ISBN: 978-84-96427-42-6 Trade paperback, 200 pages Cover price: $22.99 Disappearance Diary by Hideo Azuma is a new title scheduled for a Fall 2008 release which is printed and ready for distribution. It will preview at NYCC. This autobiographical tale follows the true adventures of a successful manga artist who decides to run away from the deadline pressures and daily responsibilities of his life to become a homeless alcoholic. Winner of the Grand Media Prize, 2005 Japan Media Arts Festival. The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories - Jiro Taniguchi Release date: October 2008 ISBN: 978-84-96427-33-4 Trade paperback, 240 pages Cover price: 21.99 The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories. a collection of six short stories by Taniguchi, is printed and ready for distribution once more. The title story, The Ice Wanderer is a strong to and features Jack London as one of the characters. While not yet available in wide release due to a change in our distribution companies, The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories has already been nominated for the 2008 Eisner Awards by Comic-Con International in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Japan category.The Quest for the Missing Girl - Jiro Taniguchi Release date: November 2008 ISBN: 978-84-96427-47-1 Trade paperback, 334 pages Cover price $25.00 When 15 year old Megumi mysteriously disappears, Shiga leaves his mountain retreat to fulfill his promise to her father following his death in the Himalayas twelve years previously. But the City can be a much more hostile and dangerous place than the mountain. Multi-award winning Taniguchi brings his detailed art and fast moving script to this agonizing tale of a missing girl. Due Fall 2008 The Summit of the Gods - Yumemakura Baku, Jiro Taniguchi Volume 1 release date: Spring 2009 ISBN: 978-84-96427-87-7 Trade paperback, 328 pages Cover price: $25.00 Fanfare is continuing its commitment to publishing the award-winning graphic novels of Jiro Taniguchi with several new and notable releases. The Summit of the Gods is the latest offering from Taniguchi and is a 5-volume epic about the conquering of Mount Everest. Look for the first volume to be available in the U.S. in Spring 2009. My Mommy is in America and Met Buffalo Bill - Jean Regnaud and Emile Bravo Release date: December 2008 ISBN: 978-84-96427-85-3 Hardcover, 112 full color pages Cover price: $24.00 My Mommy is in America and Met Buffalo Bill is a first-time English edition of the award-winning French graphic novel by Jean Regnaud and Emile Bravo (Eisner nominee 2008 for "Best Short Story"). Told from a young boy's point of view, My Mommy is a slice-of-life story about a child's remembrance of his life in the French countryside and the fanciful postcards he receives from his mother, who's off traveling the world - or is she? Look for this touching and memorable book to arrive in better bookshops in Fall 2008. Korea as Viewed by 12 Creators - Various Release date: December 2008 ISBN: 978-84-96427-48-8 Trade paperback, 222 pages Cover price: $24.00 The sequel to the critically-acclaimed Japan as Viewed by 17 Creators takes the cross-cultural comics exchange to the other Asian epicenter of graphic storytelling, Korea. French and Korean creators, including Lee Doo-Ho, Vanyda, Park Heung-yong and Igort, share their impressions of Korea as both insiders and visitors for an eye-opening examination of this fast-growing, multi-faceted society. Awabi - Kan Takahama Release date: Spring 2009 ISBN: 978-84-96427-34-1 Trade paperback, 144 pages Cover price: $19.99 Awabi means "abalone" in Japanese and this second collection of short stories by Kan Takahama (author of Monokuro Kinderbook, also from Fanfare / Ponent Mon) has more of Takahama's elegant, softly stylized artwork and wry, wistful and very grown-up storytelling. The title story of life revisited in a rest home, befriending a suicide in My Life With K and dad calling a family meeting with surprising results in My Mellow Chrostmas form the core of these six stories from much lauded Takahama.
Event News
The second guest of honor announcement from Anime Expo 2008, held July3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA, was that musical duo Jyukai will be performing at the convention. Jyukai, formed in the summer of 2004 and began performing live around Osaka. On March 15th, 2006, they had their TV anime debut with the ending theme for "Fate/Stay Night." Their song, "Anata ga Ita Mori" (The Forest in Which You Were), ranked 16th on the March 27th Oricon Chart in its first week of release. Since then they have released songs for various anime and movies including the opening song for "Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy," the ending theme for "Buso Renkin," and the opening theme for the live action movie "Shin - Onna Tachigui Retsuden" directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell: Innocence). Last fall they released "Ai no Hoshi" (Love Star) and "Hanamuke no Melody" (Farewell Melody) as well as a cover of the opening and ending themes for "Ah! My Goddess: Fighting Wings," a special commemorative program for the 20th anniversary of "Ah! My Goddess." They recently released their second album, "Harvest," on December 12, 2007.Man-in-suit giant monster wrestling performance troupe Kaiju Big Battel announced the following events What: Kaiju Big Battel with special guests from CHIKARA PRO Musical Guest: DJ Clashious Clay Where: The Roxy, 279 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. 02116 When: Saturday, May 10 th. 7:00 Doors. 8:00 Show. Tickets: $20. Ticketmaster. This is an 18+ event. What: Kaiju Big Battel with special guest Chris Hero Musical Guest: Harry and the Potters and DJ Clashious Clay Where: The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St. Philadelphia, PA 19107 When: Sunday June 1st, Doors 3:00PM. 4:00PM Show. Tickets: $19.50. Ticketmaster. All Ages. What: Kaiju Big Battel Musical Guest: Ronald Regan and DJ Clashious Clay Where: Webster Hall, 125 East 11th St. Manhattan, NY, 10003 When: Saturday, June 7th. 6:00PM Doors. 7:00PM Show. Tickets: $25. Ticketmaster. This is a 16+ event The Kaiju Heroes will be ready to spring into action on May 10th at the Roxy in the heart of Boston. Then, Dr. Cube and his Posse of mischievous mutants will invade downtown Philadelphia on June 1st at the Trocadero. And if Kaiju Grand Champion, Call- Me-Kevin, can survive, he will defend his Kaiju Championship title June 7th at Webster Hall in Manhattan. Pop Culture Shock lists the anime/manga programming at the New York Comic Con here Reliable reports suggest that Fanime Con will be hosting a vast number of guests from Gainax this year (May 23-26, San Jose Convention Center). No specific names have been mentioned, but at least 15 seiyuu and designers and other staffers will be on hand– mostly revolving around Gurren Lagan. The New York International Children's Film Festival will be presenting sci-fi films, The Iron Giant (1999), Flash Gordon (1980), and TRON (1982) in NYC theaters the next three weekends. For tickets see here KID FLIX MIX and VIVA CU are coming May 3 and 4 to our Clearview locations in Bronxville and Red Bank. See here THE IRON GIANT USA, Brad Bird, 1999, 86 min In English, Recommended Ages 5 to Adult (rated PG) Symphony Space - April 19 - 11:00am. 2:00pm FLASH GORDON USA, Mike Hodges, 1980, 111 min In English, Recommended Ages 8 to Adult (rated PG) Symphony Space - April 26 - 11:00am. 2:00pm TRON USA, Steven Lisberger, 1982, 96 min In English. Recommended ages 8 to adult (rated PG) IFC Center - Sat & Sun, May 3 & 4 - 11:00am KID FLIX MIX In English, Recommended Ages 3 to 8 Bronxville Cinemas, Red Bank Art Cinemas - Sat & Sun, May 3 & 4 - 11:00am Kid Flix Mix is a "Best of NYICFF" assortment of animated and experimental shorts for ages 3-8. The program features audience and jury favorites cherry-picked from the past ten years of the festival, including works from Japan, Brazil, Germany, Israel, UK, France and Canada. VIVA CUBA! Cuba/France, Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti, 2005, 80 min In Spanish with English subtitles, Recommended Ages 8 to 16 Bronxville Cinemas, Red Bank Art Cinemas - Sat & Sun, May 3 & 4 - 11:00am Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti's lightning-paced, road-movie, fairy-tale follows the adventures of two young runaways, Malu and Jorgito, as they embark on a rollicking odyssey from the streets and schools of Havana across the length of the island by train, bus, car, motorcycle, oxcart, and on foot, in search of Malu's father. Filmed with Amelie-style whimsy and brimming with visual humor, Viva Cuba has charmed and captivated festival-goers from London to Toronto to Cannes, and was Cuba's official entry to the 2006 Academy Awards. But beneath the surface appeal of quick edits and stunning rural landscapes, the film resonates with warmth and sincerity and offers a rare window into the complex social and political landscape of Cuba as viewed through the eyes of a child. Otaku USA's Patrick Macias MONDO TOKYO + GAMERA (AMPLIFIED) + will take place at San Francisco's Other Cinema. 'Gamera, the Invincible', will be shown in glorious 16mm B/W, with live audio “enhancement” by Hans Grusel-san and the Anti-Ear and "Macias’ anecdote-rich live narration."
August CMX Releases
CRAYON SHINCHAN VOL. 4 Written and Illustrated by Yoshito Usui on sale August 27 • 5" x 7.375" • 128 pg, B&W, $7.99 US • MATUREAPOTHECARIUS ARGENTUM VOL. 6 Written and Illustrated by Tomomi Yamashita on sale August 20 • 5" x 7.375" • 192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US • TEEN DOKKOIDA?! VOL. 3 Created by Taro Achi Written and Illustrated by Yu Yagami on sale August 13 • 5" x 7.375" • 194 pg, B&W, $9.99 US • TEEN+ KEY TO THE KINGDOM VOL. 5 Written and Illustrated by Kyoko Shitou on sale August 27 • 5" x 7.375" • 208 pg, B&W, $9.99 US TEEN + KING OF CARDS VOL. 5 Written and Illustrated by Makoto Tateno on sale August 6 • 5" x 7.375" • 192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US • TEEN ORFINA VOL. 4 Written and Illustrated by Kitsune Tennouji on sale August 27 • 5.5" x 8" • 194 pg, B&W, $12.99 US • MATURE READERS THE PALETTE OF 12 SECRET COLORS VOL. 4 Written and Illustrated by Nari Kusakawa on sale August 20 • 5" x 7.375" • 192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US • EVERYONE 13 TWO FLOWERS FOR THE DRAGON VOL. 2 Written and Illustrated by Nari Kusakawa on sale August 6 • 5" x 7.375" • 200 pg, B&W, $9.99 US • TEEN SWAN VOL. 14 Written by Illustrated by Kyoko Ariyoshi on sale August 13 • 5" x 7.375" • 208 pg, B&W, $9.99 US • EVERYONE VENUS IN LOVE VOL. 4 Written and Illustrated by Yuki Nakaji on sale August 13 • 5" x 7.375" • 200 pg, B&W, $9.99 US • TEEN
'Haruhi Suzumiya' Release Plans
ICV2 reports Yen Press has announced the acquisition of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya manga series. The series is drawn by Gaku Tsugano using character designs created by Noizi Ito, who illustrated the series of 10 Haruhi Suzumiya novels. Hassler told ICv2 that (so far) Yen has licensed the first four volumes of the on-going Haruhi manga series (Vol. 5 has just been published in Japan), The company plans to publish the first volume in October and it will include both full color and black-and-white illustrations. Subsequent volumes will be released at four month intervals. Anime News Network and The Publishers Weekly trade periodical reports that Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will publish Nagaru Tanigawa's Haruhi Suzumiya light novels in English starting in April of 2009.
Viz's International Efforts
VIZ Media recently showcased a number of anime titles for the territories of North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania that this year's MIPTV licensing trade show, help held in Cannes, France, April 7 though April 11 Properties being showcased by VIZ Media and VIZ Media Europe at MIPTV 2008 include: BLUE DRAGON - 51 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Kids 6-11 BUSO RENKIN - 26 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Teens/13 and up Alchemist Warrior Tokiko Tsumura comes to Ginsei City and uses herself as bait for the homunculi, artificial life forms that lurk in the darkness to devour unsuspecting humans. Unaware of Tokiko’s intentions, high school student Kazuki Muto tries to save her and is killed in the process. Tokiko restores Kazuki’s life with an alchemic talisman called a “kakugane,” and now he fights at Tokiko’s side to save his friends. KILARI - 51 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Girls 6-12 Kilari is a happy-go-lucky 14 year-old schoolgirl. Unlike her friends, she is more interested in food and shows no interest in good-looking boys. One day, however, she accidentally bumps into Seiji, a pop idol, and develops a crush on him at first sight. Realizing how difficult it would be for her to become friends with him, Kilari makes a extraordinary decision, to become a star herself to be close to him! Thus begins her pop star adventure! NAOKI URASAWA’S MONSTER - 74 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Teens 13 and up NANA - 50 episodes x 30 minutes each, Target Audience: Mature (18 and up) VIZ Media, LLC and The Licensing Machine, a new division of Panini UK, engaged in TV, Home Video, Promotional, Merchandise, Marketing and Licensing Services announced the launch of the anime version of DEATH NOTE and BLEACH in Italy and Germany. For BLEACH, The Licensing Machine has acquired Television and Home Video rights for Italy, and Home Video rights for Germany. For DEATH NOTE, The Licensing Machine has acquired Television, Home Video and Merchandising rights for Italy, and Home Video and Merchandising rights for Germany. Finally, VIZ Media, LLC and Manga Entertainment Ltd., a division of Starz Media, LLC an entertainment company specializing in the marketing and distribution of Japanese animation, announced an exclusive DVD distribution deal for the UK and Ireland beginning in April 2008. On April 28, Manga Entertainment will begin distributing in the UK and Ireland a number if Viz's VIZ Media’s successful top selling licensed manga series. The ranges of titles include the smash hit animation series DEATH NOTE and BLEACH, as well as new series such as MÄR and BUSO RENKIN. The first title to be released on DVD under this agreement will be DEATH NOTE Vol. 1, debuting on April 28.
Sick Sad World...
Canned Dogs notes that programmer, and artist for the novelized version of Higurashi no naku koro ni (When They Cry) Ishii Meguru, age 25, has been arrested in Yokohama for having committed indecent acts with a 15 year old girl through November and December last year for a total of 4 times. Ishii Meguru is also accused to asking a female fan who posted on his blog last September to meet him at a hotel room and give him 150,000 yen (US$1500) Random Curiosity notes that the final six minutes of the third episode of CODE GEASS R2 were leaked to the internet. According to a 2ch post, one of the staff members was arrested, but the official work is that the leak was an accidental malfunction of software being installed to protected against unauthorized posts. A chart of the count of eroge (adult) games produces each year since 1983.
EON KID on DVD in August
Anchor Bay Entertainment will be releasing the DVD of the KIDS WB! Saturday morning series “Eon Kid” on August 12 with a SRP of $16.98. In a future world, Marty, an enterprising 11 year old who deals in scrap robot parts, stumbles upon an ancient Iron Fist. Unexpectedly, the Fist comes to life and attaches itself to Marty’s arm, endowing him with unknown fighting powers and at the same time putting him at the heart of a centuries-old struggle between good and evil. Now the hero’s journey takes Marty into a world of bounty hunters, battle-bots, legendary warriors and The General’s dark forces! The disc features the first five episodes of the series.
Manga Eisner Nominees
The nominees for the American comic industry's prestigious Eisner Awards have been announced. Manga related nominees include Best Short Story “Town of Evening Calm,” by Fumiyo Kouno, in Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms (Last Gasp) Best Continuing Series The Spirit, by Darwyn Cooke (DC) Best Publication for Kids Yotsuba&!, by Kiyohiko Azuma (ADV) Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books Apollo’s Song, by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical) Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Japan The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories, by Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon) MW, by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical) Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, by Naoki Urasawa (Viz) New Engineering by Yuichi Yokoyama (PictureBox) Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White, by Taiyo Matsumoto (Viz) Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms, by Fumiyo Kouno (Last Gasp) Best Writer/Artist Fumi Yoshinaga, Flower of Life; The Moon and Sandals (Digital Manga) Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team Takeshi Obata, Death Note, Hikaru No Go (Viz) Best Comics-Related Book Manga: The Complete Guide, by Jason Thompson (Del Rey Manga) Meanwhile . . . A Biography of Milton Caniff, by R. C. Harvey (Fantagraphics) Understanding Manga and Anime, by Robin Brenner (Libraries Unlimited/Greenwood Publishing) For a complete list, see Afro Samurai According to The Magic Box, Banpresto announced Super Robot Taisen Z for PlayStation 2, the latest installment of the popular robot battle SRPG series. The game will have many new characters, including Baldios, SEED Destiny, Overman King Gainer, Gravion, Gravion Zwei, Orguss and many more. The story will take place in the future similar to Super Robot Taisen Alpha Gaiden and will have a new and improved squad system. The game is currently 60% completed. Gunota reports the rest of the series list will be published next week, including one more new to SRW (described as a "very nostalgic series"). Bandai Namco announced Gundam Battle Universe for PSP, the latest Gundam combat action game with a storyline from Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ and Char's Counter Attack. New characters like Gundam F91 and Bright Hassaway will be added to the game, and it will support versus play over Wi-Fi. Gundam Battle Universe will be released on July 17 in Japan. The anime has only just premiered, but a Soul Eater game for the Wii can already been seen. A clip of the Bones anime can be seen here CyberConnect2's Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm for the Playstation 3 can be seen here (1up's PSP) Kotaku has their preview here One Piece Unlimited Cruise for the Wii, scheduled for Japanese release this summer, can be seen here Moe Moe Niji Taisen, based on Daisenryaku, offers a moe-cute version of World War II for the PSP
TOKYOPOP News
a geek by any other name has updated previous reports with a clarification from TOKYOPOP notating that Kino no Tabi has not been entirely cancelled, while Slayers volumes nine and later are no being published at this time. TOKYOPOP has announced an exclusive agreement with longtime mobile partner GoComics to bring a host of new TOKYOPOP titles to mobile phones in the coming months. The manga will be available through the mobile Internet or in the new GoComics Mobile Manga + Comics application. There will also be a stand-alone TOKYOPOP mobile Internet deck. Comics and manga can be read for free with ads, or they can be purchased individually using points-based subscriptions. For more, see www.gocomics.com/manga TOKYOPOP and Spacedog Entertainment have entered into a development deal to create original intellectual property for multi-media distribution including publishing, film, television, digital, merchandising, and game development. The first manga series produced by the partnership is eV. Created by television, film and comics writer James Farr (Xombie: The Animated Series; My Pet Robot, Shadows of Oz) and Alfa Robbi (Boneka Kematian, Go-Go F5) eV tells the story of Evie, a high school girl who receives a nanotech upgrade and becomes Earth's representative in an alien parliament. eV arrives in stores nationwide April 2008. Finally, TOKYOPOP and Blizzard Entertainment have announced their three-year publishing plan to produce twenty new stories based on Blizzard's Warcraft and StarCraft franchises. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Blizzard Entertainment’s bestselling StarCraft real-time strategy game, this August TOKYOPOP will publish the first volume of the new manga series, StarCraft: Frontline, a collection of four stories set in theStarCraft universe. StarCraft: Frontline includes "Thundergod," by renowned writer Richard A. Knaak (Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy) and Naohiro Washio, and focuses on the new Thor heavy combat walker unit that will be appearing in Blizzard Entertainment’s upcoming sequel, StarCraft II. Other artists and writers featured in this collection include Simon Furman (Transformers), Paul Benjamin (Pantheon High), Joshua Elder (Mail Order Ninja), and Ramanda Kamarga (Psy-Comm). August will also mark the debut of the first volume of the Warcraft: Legends series. Warcraft vets Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim (Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy) team up again for "Fallen," which is the first of a three-part tale. Other global talent for Warcraft: Legends includes Dan Jolley (Warriors; JSA Liberty Files), Carlos Oliveros and Mi-Young No (Threads of Time). .
MariMite Set Scheduled
Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and Nozomi Entertainment announced that MARIA WATCHES OVER US (Maria-sama ga Miteru) – Season 1 DVD Collection will be released on July 29, 2008 for $49.99. The Season 1 DVD Collection is the first of several “season box sets” scheduled for the series’ North American DVD release: •Each set will feature Japanese audio with English-language subtitles. •Additionally, each set will include the “specials” – comedic shorts that depict the series’ characters in “chibi” form – for its respective season. 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 – also referred to by fans as “MariMite” – 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).
New and Upcoming in Japan
Ener, pop star Gackt’s dog, will be getting its own anime called Love Our Planet. Tokograph reports that Singer and actress Anna Tsuchiya is taking on her second voice acting role in "Soreike! Anpanman: Yosei Rin-Rin no Himitsu," the 20th film in the Anpanman franchise. She will play the heroine, a fairy named Rin-Rin. The superhero bread children show Anpanman has run since 1988. The upcoming Space Adventure Contra will take the form of a four part OVA, scheduled for release starting in August, and a 13 episode TV series. AnimeNation notes Anime production Studio Rikka has opened its official homepage for director Yasuhiro Yoshiura’s upcoming feature film Eve no Jikan ~ are you enjoying the time of EVE? Act 01: AKIKO. The website features a trailer available in high-quality (640×480) and low quality (320×240) versions. Anime News Network reports that a trailer for Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Japanese director's cut of Highlander: The Search for Vengeance can be seen preview of their contribution to comic shop promotional event Free Conic Book Day (May 3rd). The publisher will ship a sampler of mature, experimental gekiga manga, with excerpts from Seiichi Hayashi's Red Colored Elegy, and Yoshihiro Tatsumi's Good-Bye, both due out in July, 2008.
Ocelot’s AZUR ET ASMAR Gets An English DVD in July
Twitch reports Michel Ocelot's (Kirikou) Azur and Asmar will be on a region free, Taiwanese DVD with region free, Taiwanese in late July.
Worth Checking Out...
Slate posted the photo essay The New Emperor of No-Brow-Is Takashi Murakami Japan's Andy Warhol—or its Walt Disney? Slate also looks at piracy as promotion here Speaking of Murakami, Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei took an amusing dig at the superflat artist Uniglo is marketing t-shirts with designs from manga including Shotaro Ishinomori, Osamu Tezuku, Taiyo Matsumoto, Ashita no Joe, and Golgo 13. Chloe Sevigny will be the face of the marketing campaign. Japanamerica's Ronald Kelts talks SOFT POWER, HARD TRUTHS / Anime enthrall from sea to shining sea in the Daily Yomiuri and Tom Baker talks about the discrepancy between American anime interest and DVD sales. The paper also has a piece on Daisaku Tsuru's Nacun a manga focusing on the mystery of life, with the sea in Okinawa Prefecture as its background. The very strange Masaaki Yuasa’s Kaiba, an artistic new anime airing this season in Japan. AniPages Daily weighs in here and Yomiuri Shimbun here Episode of Right Stuf's Anime Today podcast features an interview with Gonzalo Ferreyra – the vice president of sales, publishing and home video for VIZ Media. n this new interview, Ferreyra discusses how anime and manga are interconnected, plus the challenges and opportunities that arise when both anime and manga components of a series are available in the same market. OTAKU USA Podcast - Episode #3 features a talk with Stan Lee about his upcoming manga work Erica Friedman has interviewed translator designer MAD ActiveAnime spoke to the organizer of the high end anime event Zuiichi Production I.G posted a Q&A with Chevalier d'Eon director Kazuhiro Furuhashi Publishers Weekly has taken a look at CMX's release of Crayon Shinchan. The site also has a preview of Vertical's release of Osamu Tezuka's Dororo Mecha Mecha Media has a brief look at Eiji Otsuka's (Mail, MPD-Psycho, Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service) Detective Ritual (Tantei Gishiki) Rivkah (Steady Beat) on organizing manga Iwa ni Hana on Divinity in Anime, while on that topic Haruhi's in a phone booth Alt Japan on "Arklon" diecast monster toys let's anime on Prince Planet Apropos of little, I've been looking for the anime opening for Pride FC on YouTube off and on, and finally found it Paul Robertson's lots of stuff Album cover designed Black Jack
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