Father Geek here with the Second Edition of the AICN ANIME Report by Scott Green to be posted under its own byline. As usual Scott has tons of Anime ,or Manga news for you. We'll probably be publishing this column every Wednesday from now on... join us then... now on to Scott...
A large number of announcements were made at last weekend's Sakura Con in Everett, Washington. Reports were supplied by BChaney on Anime on DVD's forum, and The Fan's View report on the convention.
ADV's Fansub Line Goes DVD
ADV's Fansub line is an initialize to produce less expensive anime series that are released with shorter waits between volume, and with incentives for purchasers to acquire the series on a subscription basis.
Matt Greenfield of ADV said that VHS is "going the way of the dinosaur" because retailers feel tapes are no longer selling well, and he expects a $70 DVD player to hit store shelves by Christmas. ADV is hoping to get its entire backcatalog on DVD by either the end of 2001 or sometime in 2002.
By 2002, ADV Fansub line will switch over DVDs, since the sub VHS market is nearly non-existant. They hope that this imprint will be able to concentrate on older titles (i.e. pre-1994) where dubbing would be difficult or nearly impossible.
David Williams has unveiled their plans for the City Hunter 2 TV series. They will soon be putting up a pre-order page on the websiteto begin taking orders for the first of two 5 disc box sets to cover the entire 63 episode series. These discs will be subtitle only. The sets will come in fold out boxes similar to those used for the X-Files and other releases with a slip case. They will take pre-orders and when they reach 2000 orders we'll begin production. Each box will start out with a $124.98 SRP but the price will drop depending on how many pre-orders we have when the set is complete. This will still be under the ADV Fansubs label and will be the first ADV Fansubs DVDs.
City Hunter is about a lecherous body guard, who despite his happy go-lucky attitude has a dark past, who take cases to protect women. The series is predominantly an action series that alternates between being goofy and serious. It has some of the Lupin III/Cowboy Bebop charm.
Sakura Wars
Matt Greenfield of ADV announced that they have acquired the rights to both the Sakura Wars TV series and Sakura Wars OVA 2. The series, which is based on a line of video game RPGs for Sega systems, is set in an alternate past where steam technology fuels the world. It follows a group of girls who pilot steam-tech mecha.
Love Hina Confrimation
At the recently Sakura Con, Bandai confirmed that it will be releasing the romantic comedy Love Hina in the US, but did not clarify whether it would be releasing the television specials in addition to the regular TV series. They are also looking into the possibility of bringing out related goods, similar to what they have done with Gundam.
Current Projects
ADV will work on next the Martian Successor Nadesico movie and You're Under Arrest movie. ADV has an option on the Gekkiganger 3 OVA. Other titles in the works: Princess 9 (5 ep/DVD), Shin Getter Robo, Soul Hunter. Fans of Marmalade Boy were urged to pick up Princess 9.
Bandai Better Man, Fancy LaLa (DVD will have dub), Saber Marionette J to X, Silent Mobius and Brain Powerd in production now. All titles will come out some time in 2002 and bandaient.com will hold voting on which title the fans want to come out first.
Bandai is also working on getting Canadian distribution set up and is considering a soundtrack line.
Chivas 1-2-3
From The American Anime Dubbing Mailing List: In reference to the comments made at Sakura Con regarding the Sorcerer Hunters sequel, Matt Greenfield posted this to the AAD mailing list:
No, this isn't the Sorcerer Hunters OVAs, although I hope to get around to doing those eventually.
Sorcerer On The Rocks' original Japanese title is Chivas 1-2-3 and it's set in the Sorcerer Hunters universe. Unfortunately, there's a bit of a legal complication to using that name. Since Chivas is a registered trademark for a brand of liquor and all of the characters in Chivas have names based on drinks (Chivas, Gin Fizz, etc.,) we couldn't legally call the series by that name in North America. As for the show itself, think of Sorcerer Hunters crossed with Bastard and you've got a good idea of what this show is like.
Bastard is a swords and sorcery series in which the characters and locales were named after metal bands and musicians. To circumvent copyright issues, when Pioneer released the series in the US the names were spelled in manner true to their Japanese pronunciation.
The Sorcerer Hunter features a group of characters named after food products, a lecherous protagonist, his priest bother, his brother's muscular partner, and two girls changed into dominatrix super-beings, that traveled the Spooler continent defeating the wizards who were oppressing the common fold.
Evangelion Movie News
Manga Entertainment has reportedly signed Sachiko Uchida (Bennett) as translator on the Evangelion Movies. The project is also a subcontracted by Manga to Gaijin Producions, Amanda Winn Lee's production company, and the American voice actress is directing the project.
According to report of what Manga stated at Sakura Con jt is looking like a two disc set including both movies, set for around the end of October. The disc will also feature lots of extras including voice director commentary (English), VA interviews, director interview. He said that there will about 2 hours of extras included. He also confirmed that there will be no edits.
Voice actress Amanda Winn-Lee told Anime News Network that the Evangelion that the movies will be ready this year and that they will probably be heading to the STUDIO very soon.
Discussing extras that will be on the DVDs, Amanda told Anime News Network, "We hope to pack as many extra goodies on the DVD as we possibly can (including a director's commentary track with Me, Jason Lee (my husband and co-producer), Spike Spencer, Kendra Spencer, and Keith Burgess)," going on to state, "we also want to put tons of easter eggs in it, too."
They want to hear from you to find out what other extras you might like to see on the DVDs. If there's a particular extra you'd like to see included write to Amanda or Keith Burgess.
Gundam Plans
Bandai states that Gundam 0079, 0080, 0083 and MS08 Team will start showing on Cartoon Network starting in June (tentatively).
MS08 Team DVD will be out starting July, Gundam TV (original) will be out starting in August, and the Gundam movies DVD box, with sub/dub and DD5.1 will be out in November.
Bandai has posted a small peak of 08th MS Team on their page at here
Bandai DVD producer Charles McCarter posted the following on Anime on DVD's forum about their upcoming release of Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team:
"1. Before anyone asks, the discs will be the UNCUT version. No edits. So, please do not ask this question.
2. The discs will contain the Bonus Animation Clips found on the Japanese LD release (but not the Japanese DVD release).
3. Something I've been working on since December: Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team will be the first Bandai DVD title to have reversible covers, with each featuring a different piece of art. One side will feature the Mobile Suits, with illustrations done by mecha artist Kouji Sugiura. The other side will feature the characters of MS08, with art done by Toshihiro Kawamoto"
Unlike like other Universal Century Gundam series (the series not set in alternate time-lines ie Gundam Wing) 08th MS Team focuses on common soldiers piloting mecha rather than the super capable newtype pilots.
TV News
Bandai stated at Sakura Con, that after the debut of Gundam in June Pilot Canidate (Canidate for Goddess) is scheduled for October.
Bubblegum Crisis 2040 will be broadcast on TV this year as possibly will be Nadia on the Blue Water.
Because of a mandate by Jamie Kellner, the new CEO of Turner Broadcasting Toonami will be cut to two hours, with more changes forthcoming. For more information and commentary see CNX: Toonami Revolution
The Toonami Reactor site started airing Star Blazers episodes online on April 30th.
The CN Schedule for June 4th currently includes CardCaptors. The schedule slates American Episode 1 "Sakura's Rival" as the first to broadcast (Japanese Episode 8).
DVD Plans:
Jerry Chu of Bandai Entertainment state on Sakura Con that with the success of the Batman meets Giant Robo-esque Big O on Cartoon Network's Toonami they see a big demand for the series' June release. Other series expected to get DVD releases from Bandai are Silent Moebius, Fancy Lala, Brain Powerd and Betterman.
This May Bandai will be releasing Angel Links #1, Dark Solider D (Bandai's first live action title), and Escaflowne # 5 & 6. Crest of The Stars DVD was delayed due to source issues, but will come out in June and will be bi-monthly there after. More "value" DVD sets like Haunted Junction and Don't Leave Me Alone Daisy will be probably released in the future by Bandai, but not in the near future.
Nadia might include a Spanish language track on the DVDs
ADV is negotiations with DiC to get Sailor Moon/Sailor Moon R on DVD.
Future ADV DVDs will include more extras and possibly alternate angles, now that they've figured out the DVD authoring process.
ADV is working on a recall for the inverted audio on the Sakura Wars DVDs.
All Purpose Cultural Catgirl Nuku Nuku, a very amusing comedy about a military scientist who transfer's the brain of his son's cat into the body of a top of the line military android may be released on DVD by the end of the year. The series features popular voice actress Megumi Hayashibara (Lina of Slayers, Rei of Evangelion, many more) as Nuku Nuku, amusingly gratuitous amounts of destruction, and drinking of sun tan lotion.
A message on Anime on DVD's forum suggests that he ADV release of Arc the Lad will be somewhat shorter expected. The first two announced discs contain three episodes, but posts by ADV rep David Williams leads readers to believe that volume 3 will contain five episodes, which could likely continue through the remainder of the series, bringing this 26 episodes series in at six discs total instead of the eight discs many expected.
ADV's David Williams stated on Anime on DVD's forum that Sorcerer Hunters volume 2 on DVD will be released on 7/31. The 7 episode disc will have Japanese and English language audio tracks and English subtitles.
Simliar to Bandai, ADV is looking into getting titles distributed in Canada, but is having problems with Canadian requirement to include a French track.
Once the Evangelion movies are done Manga will be working on releases of Virus Buster Surge, Ghost Sweeper and Astro Boy. Virus Buster Surge might also include a commentary track. Back catalog titles up next for DVD include Gunbuster (possibly with a dub track), Black Jack, Giant Robo and X. Both Giant Robo and X had to wait for the region 2 release. It was also mentioned that most of the extras on the Giant Robo R2 discs will not be on the Manga R1 due to Manga's contract with the licensor. They will try to get these out by Christmas.
Gunbuster: Aim for the Top is a Gainax series that is very much the precursor to Evangelions. It features some very interesting drama, science fiction and the "Gainax bounce".
When asked about Wings of Honneamise, Keith insisted that it was a print quality issue rather than an encoding problem and thus no recall for the disc is planned. Wings of Honneamise is a personal/religious drama about an alternate earth's first space flight. Given the feature breathtaking animation and story it is a shame that the DVD video transfer was so poor.
Cowboy Bebop News
The Cowboy Bebop DVD box set is slated for a fall or winter 2001 release. It addition to what's likely to be an impressing box design, they are considering throwing in a figure or a DVD of extras (interviews, etc.), but noting has been finalized yet.
Bandai Ent. does not yet have the rights to the Knockin' on Heaven's Door, the Cowboy Bebop movie.
Kaiyodo will soon be releasing some impressive Cowboy Bebop action figures in Japan. Given Kaiyodo's relationship to comics distributors Diamond, and the popularity of Cowboy Bebop in the US, it's a pretty safe be that they will be widely available in the US.
If you have not seen Cowboy Bebop yet, its is highly recommended. It's a predominantly episodic sci-fi series that various genre by episode about a ex-ganger/thief, an ex-cop, a beautiful degenerate gambler, a very odd child/hacker, and a Welsh Corgi that attempt to be bounty hunters. The series feature the best in animation, music and voice talents.
Theatrical Releases
ADV is expect to release Gamera 2 and Spriggan in limited theatrical runs this year. Spriggan is currently schedule for a Septermber release. ADV's Matt Greenfield noted that got what he felt was a well-deserved "R" from the MPAA for its violence, which he emphasized made a show that was not for children. The feature is about a commando sent to investigate the location of Noah's Arc.
Bandai and Viz will release the Jin-Roh movie in theaters starting May 25thin New York, San Fransisco and LA. It'll open in Seattle on 29 June. Jin-Roh is a dark, distopean tale that has gather a great deal of notice and praise. They are hoping to get the Escaflowne movie in theaters by the end of the year.
Spanish Language Anime Not Doing Well
The economic downturn in the US is effecting Mexican speciality TV networks such as Televisa and TV Azteca because of cuts in local and American advertising budgets. A much smaller number of new shows will be shown in the coming season.
Televisa announced a cut of more than 2500 people in its personal, and will be choosing to re-run old shows rather than introduce new ones. The only anime show it will be airing it St. Tail. The network has the rights to a large number of anime series, but they are shying away from airing them due to controversy. Televisa still airing Pokemon, Digimon, Monster Rancher, Dragon Ball Z, Dr. Slump and Ranma 1/2. Anime has been labeled "satanic-high sexually-violent" by ultra-conservatory groups that are now in the Mexican federal government.
TVC, an cable channel owned by PCTV, the company that sells the signals of TV Cable to operator companies in Mexico, has remove anime series "Tico y sus Amigos" (Nanatsu no Umi no Tico), "La Isla del Tesoro" (Treasure Island), and "Time Quest" (Time Travel Tondekeman!). The shows have been replaced by the TV children soap opera El Club de los 7. "Supercampeones" (Captain Tsubasa J) has been moved to Saturday morning where it is the only anime being show. Anime is being replaced by teen series like Hang Out!, California Dreams, Hardy Boys, and other similars from early 90's, and will run an animated series "El Reino de Kingsley" (Kinglsey kingdom), an animated religious show.
Fox Kids still not confirm the premiere of Patlabor 2 the movie, but in some tv schedule indicate that it will premiere the Saturday 12th. The only new show confirmed by FK is Kong, a cartoon series by BKN. But, in its official page, FK announced the premiere of Digimon 02 in July. The movie of this series, named in US "Digimon the movie", is on sale on video in Mexico, season.
Thanks to César De la luz for the information.
Cover Art and Info on ABe Works
Those who enjoyed Pioneer's release of the technology thriller Serial Experiments Lain may which to check out the art and manga by one of its creators Yoshitoshi Abe. His art book, Essance, and manga (comic) one-shot White Rain are being released this May by Fanboy Inc. Cover art and information can be found at here
Macross Restoration
Robotech.com has an interview with Shin Kurokawa discussing his work in AnimEigo's restoration and upcoming release of the original Macross series at here Before and after images of the restoration can be seen at here.
According to a post on the AnimEigo mailing list, producer Shin Kurokawa confirmed that the Macross set will indeed contain the eye-catches for the show (something the majority of fans have probably never seen). Eye catches are shot sequences used when a show enters or exits from a commercial break.
Medabot on Fox Kids
A press release has shed more light of the upcoming Fox Kid's airing of Metabot. Fox Kids Network (Fox Kids) is preparing to take viewers on an outrageous high-powered robot adventure with the new animated series Medabot. Produced by Nelvana, in association with NAS/Kodansha, the series joins the Fox Kids line up this Fall, it was announced today by Maureen Smith, President, Fox Kids Network and Fox Family Channel. The action-packed anime series takes place in the technologically advanced year 2122 A.D. In the dynamic world of the future, every kid owns a high performance Medabot, a pet-robot with artificial intelligence and exclusive strength controlled exclusively by its owner. Kids compete with each other in "Robattles" that pit Medabot against Medabot in a designated ring.
For the sakes pitch: "Medabot sets the standard for robot-themed action series," said Toper Taylor, President, Nelvana Communications. "The property features over 370 uniquely different robots and the show is a thrilling ride for kids to a compelling new world where their imaginations find roots in reality."
New Gainax Anime Announced
Gainax (makers of Evangelion, Nadia, Gunbuster, ect) has announced that they are making a new anime series for Japanese television called Mahoromatic, based on the manga from Comic GUM. Anime Next has collected images of the series at here from the official site at www.akihabara.ne.jp/mahoro
Hand Maid May minor Update
When Anime News Network was speaking with Pioneer about the Akira DVD, Hand Maid May was briefly touched upon. All the official details for this title, including a release date, are expected to be announced on May 22nd
Akira Information
AIA will be releasing a Play Station 2 game based on Akira this August. The game is said to take full advantage of the three-dimensional potential of the Playstation 2 format. This will be the second game by AIA, which was founded by Yoshiaki Kanazawa. The first game was Illbleed for the Dreamcast.
Pioneer Entertainment Rep Chad Kime spoke Anime News Network with details about the inclusion of the Streamline dub on the Akira DVD as well as some of the other extras that may be included on the DVD.
Regarding the Streamline Dub, Pioneer has plans to include it on the DVD, however there is concern that doing so may force them to reduce the video's bitsream and end up losing the THX certification for this DVD. If this is the case then the Streamline dub will be removed in order to maintain the THX certification.
Unfortunately it is currently looking like they will not be able to include the Streamline Dub.
Pioneer is still in the process of ironing out the details regarding which extras will be included on the second DVD in the collectors edition. Likely possibilities include Production reports/making of features and the sound files (a making of for the soundtrack).
Interviews
Anime Jump has posted interview withs Big O dub voice actors Bob Buchholz, the villain Beck, Wendee Lee, the voice of the femme fatale Angel, and Lia Sargent, the voice of the surly female android Dorothy at http://www.animejump.com/big-o
Anime News Network has posted an interview with an interview with Kunihiko Ikuhara, Revolutionary Girl Utena creator and Sailor Moon director at http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/archives/feature/ikuhara.php
Akadot has posted an interview with seiyuu Megumi Ogata at here The voice behind Shinji of Evangelion talks about how the Japanese culture regards anime and its fans, and what it is like to be a voice actress. There is a great anecdote about the end of End of Evangelion (it's a bit of a spoiler if you have not seen the movie). They also posted an interview with Cowboy Bebop producer
Masahiko Minami at here that sheds some light about the decisions behind the show.
Interesting Online Manga Graphic Novel
Fans of anime/manga may wish to check out a very interesting, and disturbing Shockwave Flash anime/manga graphic novel called Broken Saints has been started at www.BrokenSaints.com> Apparently some well known parties are interesting in taking the series to other forms of media. If your on a modem, it's a bit slow to load, but its worth a look.
Q&A
If you have any questions sent them to sgreen@skuldo.com, I'll do my best to answer them. Here are two I received that week.
Q: Could you please update us on Hideaki Anno (creator and director of Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Will Shikijitsu ever make it to the states?; Is Karekano going to be released over here? What's Hideaki doing presently? Is "Love andPop" available over here yet?
A: The shoujo school drama, Kara Kano, about a girl who is a perfect, ideal human being at school and a wreck at home, will be released in the US by Right Stuf, the people who released Irresponsible Captain Tylor. The fact that Right Stuf is releasing it probably means that it will be a very fan friendly release in terms of price and content. The series will likely be released sometime this year.
I believe Hideaki Anno did two live action movies.
The first was "Lova & Pop", which came out a few years ago. It was about group of teen age prostitutes who works to support a pop, materialistic life style. The movie is shot on a mini digital camera. Other Evangelion alumni working include manga artist, and anime character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, who provides the cover art, and Megumi Hayashibara, voice of Rei, who provides voice work for the feature. Viz, the people who Ranma ect. expressed interest in "Love and Pop" over a year ago, but they haven't said anything about it since then.
The second was Shiki-Jitsu (The Day of Celebration) which is an autobiographical love story following a girl with "modern loneliness" and a film writer living day-by-day. The movie, set in Anno's hometown, is premiered its limited theatrical release at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography on December 7th.
As far as Love and Pop and Shikijitsu go, if there is a renewed interest in Evangelion
when the movie are release maybe we'll see them released in the US, otherwise, unfortunately,
the anime companies that would pick them up are going to regard them as low priorities.
Q: Hey, seeing as how I'm in Chicago, one of the biggest markets in the US with digital screens, when is Akira going to be released here? I'm dying to see it, but I've heard no mention of a re-release in this area. Got any info?
A: I'm pretty sure that no Chicago dates have been announced. To my knowledge New York and California are the only announced screening locations. Keep an eye on http://www.akira2001.com/
to see where it is showing.
That's it for this week! Send any Manga and Anime news to Scott Green on the AICN Space Platform somewhere over the Pacific and the world will read about it.
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