Old news

From August 2003. Evangelion 2 for PS2 is announced.


8/31/03 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved one to Previous Pennys.

The following will be released this Tueday on Region 1 DVD:
.hack//SIGN Vol. 4: Omnipotence Special Edition
Bandit King Jing Vol. 2
Full Metal Panic Vol. 3
Love Hina Again Movie
Medabots Vol. 11
Ninja Scroll TV Vol. 1
Please Teacher Vol. 3: The Honeymoon's Over
s-Cry-ed Vol. 2
Saiyuki Vol. 4
Spirit of Wonder
Yu Yu Hakusho Vol. 16: Yoko Kurama

The following CDs will be released this Tuesday:
Hellsing: Ruins Soundtrack
Serial Experiments Lain: Cyberia Mix
X TV Soundtrack Vol. 1

Beginning October 5th, Adult Swim Sunday is expanding to a full six hours. The 11pm-2am EST segment will be followed by an encore presentation of the night's programming from 2am-5am EST.


8/29/03 TV Tokyo has announced that Rockman.exe Axess (Access), the second Rockman.exe anime TV series, will debut on October 4th.

Bandai Entertainment has launched the Infinite Ryvius website at infiniteryvius.net.


8/28/03 Del Rey has revealed the other two titles in its upcoming manga launch. CLAMP's Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and XXXHolic will be joining Gundam Seed and Negima when the Del Rey manga series premieres next May.

Galaxy Anime has updated with streaming audio and video interviews with TOKYOPOP Vice President Steve Kleckner about Initial D, Tech TV Programming Director Laura Civiello, and Manga Entertainment on their future plans.


8/26/03 Super Robot Taisen: Scramble Commander will be released for the Japanese PS2 on October 30th. The strategy game pits giant robots from 19 different series including Evangelion, Gundam, Getter Robo, Raideen, Dancougar, Combatler V, and Mazinger, against each other.

According to Japanese news site Rakuga Kidou, Japanese anime production company Five Ways has declared bankruptcy.

The current issue of Monthly Shonen Ace-A Magazine apparently contains the official announcement that the Teizokurei Daydream (Vulgar Ghost Daydream) manga by Okuse Saki & Meguro Sankichi will be adapted into an anime OAV series this winter.

Canada's YTV Network will begin airing Inuyasha and Knights of the Zodiac (St. Seiya) on Friday, September 5th. St. Seiya will air one episode at 7:30 PM, repeated at 2:30 AM. Inuyasha will air two back-to-back episodes from 10 to 11 PM, repeated at 1 to 2 AM.

Apparently, the Sailor Moon R box set release from ADV Films will not contain episode 67, something people were unsure about after seeing some of the initial boxart that surfaced and indicated a missing number. According to the information provided, the Japanese licensor would not allow the episode to be in the set.

FLCL will be re-airing on Adult Swim starting on October 20th.

As part of its opening marketing blitz for the PS2 game Kingdom Hearts 2, Disney announced it would produce a Kingdom Hearts animation. There is no word on where the show will see production, but there are signs that it would be made for worldwide consumption.


8/25/03 The first screenshot of Evangelion 2 is up here. It's not much to look at.

According to Japanese fan site Popolo-Crois.com, Sony will debut a second Popolocrois Monogatari anime TV series on October 5th.

The official Dragonball Z Website has reported that new episodes of Dragonball will premier on Toonami on Monday, September 1 at 5:30 p.m. (ET, PT).

Every Friday at 6 p.m. (ET, PT) for four consecutive weeks beginning September 5, Cartoon Network will present Dragonball Z movies that have never been seen before on U.S. television. In order of appearance they are: Bardock: The Father of Goku, The History of Trunks, Cooler's Revenge, and The Return of Cooler.

A preview is up here for Miami Guns, which will be released by AN entertainment.



8/24/03 Today I added reviews for the first volume of Zone of the Enders: Dolores, i and the first volume of Neo Ranga to Other Reviews.

REMINDER: New episodes of Inu-Yasha will begin airing on Adult Swim tomorrow evening.

The following will be released on Region 1 DVD this Tuesday:
Aura Battler Dunbine Vol. 2
Countdown: Akira Saga
Darling
Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan
Eden's Bowy Vol. 3
eX-Driver Complete Collection
Gokudo Collection Extraordinaire Box Set
Gun Frontier Vol. 3
Haibane Renmei Vol. 1 (also w/box)
Inu Yasha Vol. 9
KO Beast Vol. 2: V-Darn Strikes Back!
Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful Vol. 1: Maid In Training
Mazinkaiser Vol. 1
Mirage of Blaze Vol. 2
Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol. 2
Those Who Hunt Elves 2 Vol. 1
Tournament of the Gods: Title Match
Vanilla Series: Slave Sisters
Zone of Enders Dolores i Vol. 6: Last Things Last


8/22/03 Gainax Studios has officially announced development of a sequel to the classic 1995 Neon Genesis Evangelion anime TV series. Shin Seiki Evangelion 2 will be an interactive "Evangelion World Simulator" DVD game for the Playstation 2. The game will be created by Alfa System (the design studio most famous for the award winning Playstation SRPG Gunparade March) and supervised by Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno. The game will be released in Japan this November.

8/21/03 On the International Channel, El Hazard: The Magnificent World will end on August 27. El Hazard: The Alternative World will begin September 3, airing on Wednesdays at 11 pm ET. Slayers will end on September 5. Tenchi Muyo, uncut and dubbed in English, will begin on September 12, airing on Fridays at 11 pm ET and repeating the following Sunday at 11 pm ET.

According to Kung Fu Cinema, MTV has plans to broadcast an English dubbed version of the Korean cult-hit martial arts fantasy film Volcano High ("Whasango"), a live-action adaptation of a popular Korean "manwha" comic, later this year.

Production IG is developing an anime TV series adaptation of Nonaka Eiji's Sakigake!! Cromartie Koukou manga (Charge!! Cromartie High School) for broadcast premier on October 2nd.

Nintendo has announced development of the F-Zero Falcon Legend anime TV series based on the popular Nintendo F-Zero racing game franchise. The series will debut on October 7th.

According to the Production Diary (August 20th entry, production on Tokyo Godfathers has completed.

It has confirmed that Del Rey has not licensed the Twelve Kingdoms.

According to NHK's Juuni Kokki website, Episode 45 of Juuni Kokki, to be broadcast on August 30th is to be the last epsisode in the TV series.

Pioneer's DTS release of Akira had been nominated for "Best Audio Presentation" at the 6th Annual International Recording Media Association DVD Awards, however it lost out to Minority Report at the awards presentation last night. Akira was the only Anime nominated in any category.


8/20/03 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved one to Previous Pennys.

Bandai Entertainment will present a theatrical screening of Junkers Come Here on Friday, August 22nd in its original Japanese-language format (English subtitles) as part of the Canadian National Anime Expo in Toronto. The film will be shown at the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor St. W / at Bathurst Subway Station).

According to Kung Fu Cinema, pre-production location scouting for Tsui Hark's live action adaptation of Initial D has begun for filming scheduled to begin in October.

A new Tetsujin 28 anime TV series will debut in Japan next year.

AN Entertainment has announced that Omishi Magical Theater: Risky Safety DVD 3 will be released on November 4th. A limited edition of 2500 serially numbered Risky Safety DVD collector's box will be distributed to fans for free. The free series box will be available to consumers that purchase Risky Safety DVD 3 directly from AnimeNation, and available to retailers that place wholesale orders directly with AN Entertainment through AnimeNation.

According to Yahoo Music Japan, a compilation album of Gundam Seed music will be on sale on September 26th. It will contain all op & ed songs by musicians such as T.M.Revolution, Narumi Tamae & Mika Nakajima. It will also have a special booklet and a DVD with the opening and ending clips.


8/19/03 The official Japanese Inu-Yasha website has posted a second trailer to the third Inu-Yasha movie.

ADV has announced the street date for the RahXephon BIBLE illustration book is 10/7/03. The Full Metal Panic! The Anime Mission illustration book will be released 10/21/03.


8/18/03 The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Mezzo Forte TV series is now open. Features include character designs, including two new characters, and a 1 minute long WMV sample of animation footage from the original OAV series.

According to Japanese fan site Museum K, Ghost in the Shell: Innocence will open in Japanese theaters in March 2004.

Bandai announced the launch of the official Which Hunter Robin site.

ADV has now launched a custom Najica website.


8/17/03 The following will be released this Tuesday on Region 1 DVD:
Ai Yori Aoshi Vol. 4: Truly Yours
Akiko
Banner of the Stars II Vol. 1
Dragon Ball: Piccolo Jr. Part 2 Saga Set
Junkers Come Here
Najica Blitz Tactics Vol. 1 (also w/box)
Neoranga Vol. 4
Ranma Forever Vol. 8
Saber Marionette J Ultimate Collection
Sakura Wars TV Vol. 3: Crescendo
YuGiOh Vol. 12: Match of the Millennium Part I

The following soundtracks will be released this Tuesday:
Haibane Renmei : Haibane Renmei Original Soundtrack
Heat Guy J Soundtrack
Mahoromatic : Mahoromatic Original Soundtrack

AICN is reporting that Ronny Yu, the director of Freddy vs. Jason, is currently trying to secure to rights for a live-action adaptation of Blood: The Last Vampire.

An Inu Yasha Special Limited Edition Set with the first three volumes of Inu Yasha, is due out on December 9th.

In the newest Rave Master graphic novel (#4) there is an announcement that Rave Master will be shown on Cartoon Network in 2004.


8/15/03 Stephen Norrington has announced his intentions to distance himself from "Hollywood development deals," meaning that he will not be directing the live action Akira adaptation for Warner Bros.

Ryuhei Kitamura's live action adaptation of the Azumi manga will go on sale on DVD in Japan on November 21st. The film will be released in a limited edition double disc special edition including a "Making Of" short, trailers, TV spots, and optional English subtitles on the feature.



8/14/03 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved one to Previous Pennys.

According to Japanese fan site Moon Phase, the Gungrave anime TV series will debut on Japanese television on October 6th at 1:30 AM.

The official Knights of the Zodiac website now hosts a long streaming trailer for the upcoming Cartoon Network broadcast of St. Seiya.



8/13/03 Crash Media Group Inc., A.G.E. Inc., and Sony's RED Distribution have partnered to announce the formation of Anime Crash, which promises an "exclusive internationally known Anime Crash DVD line which will be a launch-pad and showcase for animation from Japan and beyond."

According to FilmStew.com, DreamWorks Pictures has created a new film distribution sub-division titled "Go Fish," a play on the company's visual logo. Go Fish Distributions will handle foreign and independant films. The new label's first two titles will be the worldwide (exclusing Asia) distribution of Millennium Actress and Innocence: Ghost in the Shell 2.

Toei has announced that the fifth One Piece Theatrical movie will be released next March. The film doesn't have a title yet.

Best Buy will have a Limited Edition [exclusive] 2-disc version of the Ninja Scroll TV DVD. This two disc version will have a bonus CD featuring a multimedia site with downloads (the site will include wallpapers, desktop themes, and 30-second clips of songs from the soundtrack), two unreleased songs from the Ninja Scroll soundtrack and an art Gallery featuring artists' character sketches and will be priced the same as the normal version available everywhere else.


8/12/03 Today I added reviews for the second volume of Noir and all four volumes of Serial Experiments Lain to Other Reviews. I moved the rest of July's updates to Old News.

TV-Tokyo has officially announced that a Naruto theatrical movie will hit Japanese theaters in August 2004.

At the recent WizardWorld convention in Chicago, TOKYOPOP announced the acquisition of five new manga titles: Yukiru Sugisaki's Candidate for Goddess and D.N.Angel, Mink (presumably Dennou Shoujo Mink by Tachikawa Megumi), Power!! (which will be re-named "Girl Got Game" for American release), and One, by Lee Bin (possibly a Korean "manwha")


8/11/03 Madhouse Studios of Japan has confirmed that a sequel to the 1999 Jubei-chan: Lovely Gantai no Himitsu (Jubei-chan: Secret of Lovely Eyepatch) anime TV series is in the works. Madhouse Studios president Masao Maruyama confirmed at last weekend's Otakon convention that Akitaro Daichi will return to direct "Jubei-chan 2: Siberia Yagyu no Gyakushuu" (Siberia Yagyu's Counterattack) but the series will have a new character designer.

The first episode of Miami Guns will not be made available for free online download due to a contractual request from the Japanese licensor.

A CPM representative indicated that they have licensed Arcade Gamer Fubuki as well as the remainder of Blackjack. None of this was announced at the convention itself however during the CPM panel.

Gainax announced at the TBS Anime Festa they will be producing a new anime called Kono Miniku mo Utsukushii Sekai. The sci-fi love story will be directed by Saeki Shouji, with draft characters by Ditama Bow.


8/10/03 The following will be released this Tuesday on Region 1 DVD:
Beyblade Vol. 4
DNA2 Vol. 4: Crossfire
Dragon Knight: Wheel of Time Vol. 2
Elven Bride SoftCel Pictures
Hades Project Zeorymer Vol. 2: Extinction
Inu Yasha Vol. 8
Machine Robo Vol. 2
Master Keaton Vol. 2
Patlabor TV Vol. 6
Project Arms Vol. 6
Reign: The Obsession of Alexander Vol. 4
Spirit Warrior Vol. 1: Revival of Evil
Steel Angel Kurumi 2 Vol. 1
Sugar Vol. 3

The folks at Kylehebert.com have a rather exciting chat coming up with dub VA, Jen Sekiguchi, (Mamimi from FLCL) next Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 10:30p eastern/7:30p pacific. Visitors can access the chatroom right there on the site via mIRC or Java.

ADV manga announced the first volume of Full Metal Panic! will come out on September 9th and the first volume of Azumanga Daioh will come out on September 16.


8/9/03 At Otakon Bandai announced that they would be releasing Gundam Seed in 2004. Volume 6 of .hack//SIGN will be a two DVD set, and will be delayed a bit. It won’t meet the bi-monthly format. This is due to the addition of the 28th episode. The 28th episode features characters from .hack//SIGN and the .hack games. Galaxy Angels will be coming out in early 2004, which is season one and two. The Infinite Ryvius release will contain a lot of the content released on the fan DVDs that were released in Japan, including the commercials.

At Otakon Central Park Media announced most major retailers will have the Test Drive DVDs. The last Utena box in time for xmas. A creditless OP/ED for Utena will be on the last few volumes. More Gall Force is on the way. Cpm also has more Machine Robo. There is no release scheduled for Area 88 yet.

At Otakon Media Blasters announced that the first Kenshin Premium box will be in Novemeber, with one for each arc. They will have extras not included in the original release. They are working on a separate release on the box for people who already bought the series. Gunparade March will also have a special box. They no longer have the Mezzo Forte TV series.

At Otakon Pioneer announced that in 2004, the Captain Harlock OVAs will be released.

At Otakon ADV announced they have acquired Divergence Eve and Cyber Team in Akihibara. They also have the live action Shinobi film. They announced the acquisitions of Chrono Crusade, Kagura, Your and My Secret, Rise R^2, Desert Quarrel, Louie the Rune Soldier, and Blue Inferior for their new manga line. The ADV Toys will have original toys and stuff from Japan. Angelic Layer and Azumanga Daioh stuff will be coming out.


8/8/03 Cartoon Network has confirmed Dragon Ball GT will premiere Friday, October 3rd at 6:30pm EST during the Toonami programming block.

Some FUNimation news from Otakon: There will be an unedited release of Conan. Tenchi GXP is a Janurary release. Sakura Wars: Ecole de Paris will come out on a single DVD, and include the 13 minutes of extras that were on the Japanese release.

Production IG: Ghost in the Shell TV has had it's TV increase count increased to 52. IGPX will air on Cartoon Network. It consists of five 4 minute shorts. www.adultswim.com has a copy of the promo.

Right Stuf: The third volume of KO Beast will be released in October 2004. Comic Party and Gravitation will be coming out in the Spring in 2004. Right Stuf will be bringing out two catalogues now a year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. It will also be in color, and about half the size of the previous catalogue.


8/6/03 Today I added reviews for the fourth and final volume of Hellsing, the first volume of RahXephon, and Spirited Away to Other Reviews.

According to Jagged Team, Capcom has formally canceled the planned release of the 3D fighting game Capcom Fighting All-Stars for both arcade and home console release.

Leiji Matsumoto and Rintaro's new Captain Harlock OVA series is scheduled to be broadcast on October 7th at 12:53pm on Japan's Nihon TV. Originally it was going to be a TV series but it turned into an OVA due to delays.



8/5/03 According to a press release from ADV FIlms, the Super Milk-Chan DVD release has been indefinitely postponed.

According to Hugh David of ADV Films UK, the UK release of Go Nagai's The Devil Lady Vol. 1 of which was due for release on the 18th of this month, will not ship as planned. Both it and all subsequent volumes are now TBC until further notice.

Central Park Media has announced that Tomoko Taniguchi's Aquarium and Kia Asamiya's Dark Angel will be re-released on November 5th. Additionally, Record of Lodoss War - The Lady of Pharis Collector's Edition: Book One will premiere November 19th.

FoxBox now hosts online previews of Shaman King and Sonic X, each scheduled to premiere on the network September 6th.



8/4/03 Remember, FLCL and Blue Gender appear on Adult Swim tonight. Check it out. I watched the new episode of Big O, and I must say I was mighty pleased. It was a bit odd at parts, but still good watching. My one concern is, it may be my imagination, but it seems that they have a new voice for Norman. I'm not entirely sure though.

According to the current issue of GMR Magazine, published by Electronics Boutique, TOKYOPOP is in negotiations with several interested parties to bring the Japanese Initial D: Special Stage Playstation 2 racing simulation game to America.

The official Japanese homepage for Hideaki Anno's live action Cutie Honey movie is now online with only the film's logo.

The Japanese homepage for the upcoming samurai/horror anime TV series Kyogoku Natsuhiko Kousetsu Hyaku Monogatari is now online.

The Japanese homepage for the upcoming Peacemaker Kurogane anime TV series is now online with only an introductory image.

The official Japanese homepage for Katsuhiro Otomo's Steamboy is now open.

ADV is looking for translators. Applicants must be fluent in both the spoken and written language and have EXCELLENT English grammar skills. Interested individuals should email their resume to hr @ advfilms.com, or fax to 713-341-7182, ATTN: Translation. Please be sure to indicate whether you are applying to translate Japanese or Korean. US residents only, please.

TechTV Canada's request to have its programming expanded to include dramatic content (fiction) has been denied by the CRTC. As a result TechTV Canada will not be able to air Anime Unleashed, for now at least.

The first collection of anime Poster Art ever published stateside to be available as a new 112-page full-color trade paperback. Among the included titles are Akira, Dragonball Z, Lupin III, Mobile Suit Gundam, Space Cruiser Yamato, Urusei Yatsura, and twelve Studio Ghibli films.

WEP has announced on the Voltron Force website that work is in progress on a 4th Voltron TV series. The series is tentatively named named "Voltron Interactive," and said to be "a return to the classic look, yet spiffed up by today's technology and trend toward anime."

Fantasia and Bandai have informed us that Junkers Come Here, has been added as a special screening on August 9th at 12:30pm.

Toycom has announced that it is now accepting pre-orders for a limited edition transforming Escaflowne figure. The figure, which was delayed by almost two years in order to "perfect it," will ship in November to be available during the holiday season and will carry a suggested retail price of $59.99


8/2/03 Reminder: Big O Season 2 begins tomorrow night at 11est/10cst.

Cartoon Network has announced that Knights of the Zodiac, the edited version of Saint Seiya, will make its US television premiere August 30th, at 7pm EST.

With the Space Cruiser Yamato copyright dispute settled, former producer Yoshinori Nishizaki will start work on the sequel, with Matsumoto planning a series of his own.

Warner Bros. is in negotiations to acquire the rights (excluding Asia) to a Yu-Gi-Oh movie in production.


8/1/03 I moved most of July's updates to Old News.

Dragon Magazine has annouced that the TV anime Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu will be 11 episodes long. This series was originally scheduled to commence broadcast on August 4th, but the air date was recently pushed back to August 25, 2003. The rumour is that the show was originally 12 episodes long but the second episode, which involved the kidnapping of a child, and has been cut from the lineup because of the fact that there was a kidnapping in Japan just recently, thus also resulting in the delay in broadcast. The 12th episode may perhaps turn up on the DVD release, so the rumour goes.

The first Hand Maid Mai OAV was released to Japanese home video on February 18, 2003. Episodes 2 & 3 were scheduled for release on April 18th and June 18th, yet neither have been released. There is now speculation, based on Amazon Japan pre-order cancellation notices, that the production of episodes 2 & 3 have been canceled altogether.

Shochiku has officially announced development of a live action Robot Hunter Casshern movie for 2004 release. Casshan originated as a 1970s live action super hero program, turned into a 35 episode anime TV series in 1973, and was revived as a 4 episode anime OAV series in 1993.

Home