Pen Pen's Evangelion

Old news

From February 2004.

2/25/04 Tsuchida, the man who killed his family based on Evangelion thinking humans were unnecessary and that he would start by killing his family to desensitize him, was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.

According to Moon Phase, Initial D 4th Stage will premier on Sky Perfect pay-per-view TV beginning April 17th. Like the R.O.D. TV series, Initial D 4th Stage will be broadcast as two back-to-back episodes per week.

Weekly Shonen Sunday Magazine has announced that the popular golf manga Dandoh!! will be adapted into anime.

The top article of the February 24th update on Moon Phase reports that Kojima Akira's manga serial Mahoraba will be animated.

Akamatsu reports that nude butts will be covered by underwear, and exposed breasts will be covered by towels in the American version of "Negima! Magister Negi Magi," to be released by Del Rey Books beginning this May.

2/24/04 Counting Down has published an extensive interview with Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro in which del Toro states, "We are, and this may fill the fans with joy, we are in talks with a Japanese company to do a Hellboy anime series, and what it will be is it will be short thirty minute chapters, so that you can do 'The Corpse'."

Japanese satellite TV network Kids Station has opened its official website devoted to the new anime TV series Yugo, based on the popular currently serialized in Afternoon Magazine.

Hobby Japan Magazine has announced a Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Special Edition, a condensed summary of the Gundam Seed TV series featuring some new animation. The first segment of the digest version Gundam Seed will be titled "Kokuu no Senjyou" and will air as a pair of 55-minute-long TV specials on TBS on March 22 and 23.

The March 2004 issue of Newtype USA Magazine states twice that AD Vision has acquired the English language distribution rights to the current romantic "harem" comedy anime TV series Maburaho.

The Magic Box has reported a rumor that Square Enix is developing a PS2 action/adventure game similar to Capcom's Devil May Cry, staring Cloud from Final Fantasy VII.

IGN now hosts the latest trailer for this summer's Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children movie.

The following music titles will be released by Geneon:
Rave Master Soundtrack - 06/08/2004
Utena the Movie Original Soundtrack - 06/08/2004
Texhnolyze OST - 06/08/2004
Neon Genesis Evangelion OST Vol. 3 - 07/06/2004
Gungrave Original Soundtrack Uno - 07/06/2004
Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi Original Soundtrack "Pine" - 07/06/2004

Gunparade March Vol. 3 - 06/29/2004
Sadamitsu Vol. 3 - 06/15/2004
Mouse Vol. 2 - 06/15/2004
Twelve Kingdoms Vol. 6 - 06/29/2004
Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi Vol. 1 (also w/box) - 07/06/2004
Beyblade Vol. 9 - 06/08/2004
Fighting Spirit Vol. 1 - 07/06/2004
Gad Guard Vol. 1 (also w/Limited Edition Box) - 06/22/2004
Gungrave Vol. 1 (also w/box) - 07/06/2004
Last Exile Vol. 4 - 06/08/2004
Master Keaton Vol. 7 - 06/08/2004
R.O.D. the TV Vol. 1 (also w/box) - 06/29/2004
Texhnolyze Vol. 2 - 06/29/2004

2/23/04 My Internet server has been down the past couple of days. Hopefully the issue will be resolved tomorrow, hooked up the ol' 56k for now. After a year of DSL, it feels like watching paint dry. Back tomorrow with news and such, even if the process is very, very slow.

2/19/04 Japanese development studio Mastiff Games has announced plans to bring the 2002 Playstation 2 strategy game La Pucelle to America this May.
The official Japanese Bottle Fairies website has announced that a home video exclusive Bindume Yousei episode 13 will be included in the Japanese DVD boxed set. The bonus episode will not be included in the individual 4 volume DVD release.
The Nikkei Keizai Newspaper has reported that AD Vision has formed a partnership with Japanese publishing company Mag Garden. AD Vision will obtain worldwide (excluding Asia) distribution rights to manga and animation produced by Mag Garden, and will gain rights to produce merchandise based on Mag Garden properties. Mag Garden publications include Peacemaker Kurogane, Matantei Loki Ragnarok, and Jinki Extend. AD Vision will contribute 25% of the cost of the 400 million yen production budget for the Erementar Gerad anime, based on the manga of the same name by Azuma Mayumi. The Erementar Gerad anime will be broadcast simultaneously on Japanese and American television in April 2005.
ADV has opened their Official Wedding Peach Site.
WoWoW has placed the first episode of Paranoia Agent, Satoshi Kon's new TV series, online. A list of streaming providers can be found on WoWoW's site here

2/18/04 Toynami has officially announced its plans to release domestic action figures based on Inuyasha and Chobits, as well as announced a Voltron Masterpiece Edition toy. The first series of Inuyasha figures will be released in June.

2/17/04 Not exactly anime but, according to Kung Fu Cult Cinema, Toho Pictures has revealed their plans to develop the next Godzilla movie for international release. The film, which will commemorate Gojira's 50th anniversary, will have a longer than normal production schedule, double the budget of recent Godzilla films, and will have some of its special effects produced by an American production company. The film will indeed be directed by Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus, Azumi) and will reportedly star no less than ten monsters from the Gojira pantheon.
Anime on DVD has information that suggests that Zeta Gundam will be released as a boxed set on September 7th. Meanwhile, Gundam Seed will be distributed on DVD starting in teh fall.
Sony Pictures has created an official website for Memories, which was directed by Koji Morimoto.

2/15/04 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys.
From Katsucon: Bandai Entertainment panel: New license: Zentrix. Eatman, Haunted Junction and Dark Soldier D have been discontinued. Gundam F91 theatrical release end of May. 3 discs for .hack//Twilight, more .hack news possible at E3.
From Katsuocn: Media Blasters: panel has announced that they have the license for Knight Hunters Eternity, Saber Marionette R and Yakumo Tatsu. Also, some manga acquisitions. The first is Skyscrapers of Oz.
From Katsucon: FUNimation Panel: Painted Resin figures of Eclair and Lumiere, limited to 500 of each, are coming. If they sell through, expect more figures to come. High demand for the Kiddy Grade box has forced a second production run. This one will be without the hat though. Fruits Basket has some plushies coming in the next few months.

2/13/04 Troma Pictures is now selling its remaining supply of original My Neighbor Totoro theatrical one-sheet movie posters from the film's limited American theatrical release in 1993. The rare poster costs $29.95 plus $8 for domestic shipping.
Hitoshi Takagi, the voice behind Totoro and Father in the 1969-1970 and 1972 Moomin TV series, and the narrator for Galaxy Express 999 died February 11th at the age of 78 due to ischemic cardiac failure ("Kyokestusei Shinfuzen").
Geneon has officially announced the May 11th release of three new anime soundtracks:
Arjuna Original Soundrack - Into the Another World, composed by Yoko Kanno
End of Evangelion Movie Soundtrack, composed by Shiro Sagisu
Gunparade March Original Soundtrack - Spirit of Samurai, composed by Kenji Kawai
Manga Entertainment UK has confirmed that Manga Entertainment will be manufacturing and distributing the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex TV series DVDs worldwide (excluding Asia) beginning this June. Bandai Entertainment will manage the series' American television broadcast in association with the Cartoon Network.
- Dragon Ball GT Vol. 15: Generations - 05/11/2004
- Yu Yu Hakusho Vol. 23: Dangerous Games - 05/04/2004
- Kiddy Grade Vol. 3 - 05/04/2004
- Dragonball Z TV 64: Cell Games: The Games Begin - 05/18/2004
2/12/04 Gainax has opened its official Japanese homepage for Neppuu Kairiku Bushilord, one of two Gainax produced anime series scheduled to debut on Japanese television this April.
- Love Doll Vol. 2 - 04/27/2004
2/11/04 A few days late, I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys.
TOKYOPOP has officially announced the August release of six new English translated manga titles: Tramps Like Us, Abenobashi: Magical Shopping Arcade, Warriors of Tao, Et Cetera, Dream Saga, and Instant Teen: Just Add Nuts.
Viz has officially announced that the first volume of English translated Prince of Tennis manga will be available in stores this May. Tite Kubo’s popular supernatural action manga series Bleach will debut in English in June.
According to a press release, Bandai and Manga will jointly release Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex on June 27, 2004 as well as a planned TV broadcast later in the year.

2/10/04 Sci-Fi Wire has reported the outstanding news that original Ju-On stars Takako Fuji and Yuya Ozeki will reprise their roles as the terrifying ghosts Kayoko and Toshio in the American re-make that begins shooting in Tokyo this month. The film will be directed by original Ju-On director Takashi Shimizu and produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Taka Ichise (producer of Hideo Nakata's "Ring"). The film will star Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jason Behr, KaDee Strickland, Clea DuVall, William Mapother and Bill Pullman.
The Chengdu Daily Newspaper has reported that director Tsui Hark has removed himself from involvement with the live action Initial D movie because he could not reconcile his creative vision for the movie with the demands of producers Media Asia Group. Andrew Lau, celebrated director of The Stormriders and Infernal Affairs, has been hired to take over directing duties on the Chinese film.
Bandai of Japan has announced development of a St. Seiya game for the Playstation 2 game, based on the upcoming Saint Seiya: Chapter of Heaven ~ Overture anime movie that opens in Japanese theaters next week.
Atari will release a new GameBoy Advance RPG called Dragon Ball Z: Super Sonic in the US on June 29th.
The official Japanese website for the upcoming Boukyaku no Senritsu (Melody of Oblivion) anime TV series from Gainax Studios is now open.
The Tampa, Florida based Metrocon anime convention has announced that this year AD Vision voice actors Greg Ayres, Vic Mignogna, Christopher Patton and Monica Rial will attend the convention along with artists Katie Bair and Robert & Emily DeJesus.
ICv2 News has reported that the Cartoon Network will begin airing the 26 episode Duel Masters anime TV series on March 13th, preceded by a 3 episode sneak peek broadcast during Toonami on February 27th. The Cartoon Network broadcast will coincide with the American release of the Duel Masters collectable card game (CCG) on March 5th.
The official Japanese website for M.O.E.'s upcoming 8 episode long TV series Hit o Narae! (Smash Hit) now offers a 30 second long, fan-service filled streaming trailer in Windows Media format.

2/9/04 Decipher has announced that the .hack//ENEMY: Contagion starter sets and booster packs for the popular American produced collectable card game have completely sold out. The cards may still be available from wholesale distributors and retailers.
Jellybean Recordings, Inc. has scheduled the release of its second domestic J-pop/anime themes re-mix CD, Anime Toonz Volume 2: Maria Kawamura, for February 24th. Ms. Kawamura is best known for her roles as Naga the Serpent in Slayers, Ifurita in El Hazard OVA 2, Quess Paraya in Gundam: Char's Counterattack, Lachesis in Five Star Stories and Angeletta in Romeo's Blue Skies
TOKYOPOP has announced its acquisition of three new manga titles: Abenobashi Magical Shopping Arcade, based on the anime TV series produced by Gainax Studio; Dream Saga, a magical girl manga by Megumi Tachikawa (St. Tail); and the action manga Warriors of Tao.
The 2003 Sundance Award-winning Flash web epic "Broken Saints" is coming to DVD in the Fall. The producers of the 24-part/12-hour dependant, manga-inspired web-comic, received a grant from the Canadian Government permitting them to release the series on a multi-disc DVD set along with upgraded art, 5.1 Surround Sound and other new features.

2/8/04 The following will come out this Tuesday on Region 1 DVD:
Black Jack Vol. 1
Fobia
Initial D Vol. 3
Kiddy Grade Vol. 1 (also w/box)
Legend of the Dragon Kings Vol. 5
Legend of the Mystical Ninja Vol. 2
Pokemon: Journey to the Johto League Champion Vol. 7
Sacrilege
Spirit Warrior Vol. 3: Festival of the Ogres Revival
Sugar Vol. 6
Vanilla Series: Love Doll Vol. 1

2/6/04 Synch Point has officially announced its acquisition of translation and distribution rights to the Aquarian Age Saga II OVA ~Don't Forget Me~, originally released in Japan last November.
Although it's presently only one page, the official Japanese website for the Panda-Z anime TV series is now open.
FUNimation has announced a number of name changes to the American release of Detective Conan, most significantly, a title change. When it premiered in America on April 5th, Detective Conan will be known as "Case Closed." Main character Shinichiro Kudo will be known as "Jimmy Kudo," while his adopted name "Conan Edogawa" (a combination of Arthur Conan Doyle and Edogawa Rampo) will remain unchanged. Ran Mori's name will be changed to "Rachel Moore." Kogoro Mori's name will be changed to "Richard Moore." But Dr. Agasa's name will remain unchanged.
Seemingly under the radar, Right Stuf has been notified of a street date change for Synch-Point's release of I'm Gonna Be An Angel Vol. #2. Originally scheduled for 02/24/2004, it's now listed for 03/30/2004.
Dark Horse Comics has announced that it will be purchasing its long time Manga translation partner, Toren Smith's Studio Proteus.
- Birdy the Mighty: Final Force - 05/11/2004
- Legend of the Dragon Kings Vol. 6 - 05/11/2004
- Cyber City: The Decoy - 05/11/2004
- Zeguy - 05/11/2004
- Legend of the Dragon Kings Collection - 05/11/2004
- City of Sin Xtreme Series Edition - 05/11/2004
- Sin Sorority Xtreme Series Edition - 05/11/2004
2/5/04 From Animenewsnetwork.com: Suncoast employees were instructed to remove the Berserk and Steel Angel mangas, along with adult video titles Rei Rei and Countdown from store shelves. However, some stores report that other similar titles such as La Blue Girl and Blade of the Immortal have remained on store shelves. Suncoast officials were unavailable to comment on the removal.
Funimation representative Lance Heiskell has revealed to Anime on DVD that, "The first two volumes of the first DBGT saga will be released July 13. There will be 5 volumes total and then followed by the GT movie (tv special)."
Although it's presently on a single "coming soon" page, the official website for the Pugyuru anime TV series scheduled to debut on April 12th now gives visitors an idea of what the show will look like.
The current issue of Megami Magazine has revealed that the seventh Japanese Onegai Twins DVD, scheduled for release on April 23rd, will contain a new 13th episode created specifically for the home video release of the series.
The TA Group BBS has reported the first word of director Shoji Kawamori's latest anime project. Sousei no Aquarian (rough translation) will be a 52 episode futuristic combining robot mecha action series directed by Shoji Kawamori. The animation will be produced by Satelight Inc., the studio that animated the Kawamori directed anime series Chikyu Shoujo Arjuna and Macross Zero, and produced the Geneshaft and Heat Guy J anime TV series.
Image Entertainment has announced the release of a Galerians: Rion DVD and soundtrack CD. The Galerians: Rion DVD will presumably contain all 3 episodes of the full CG animation OAV series released in Japan early in 2003 in conjunction with the Galerians: Ash game for the Playstation 2.
- Detatok-o Princess Vol. 1 - 05/25/2004
- Figure 17 Vol. 5 - 05/25/2004
- Samurai Deeper Kyo Vol. 6 - 05/11/2004
- Y's Legacy Series Collection -- 05/11/2004
- Doctor Shameless - 05/25/2004
- Battle Can Can - 04/13/2004
  
  2/3/04 The Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF) has formally announced that plans for this year's convention conflict with the 2004 Republican National Convention, also being held in New York City from August 26 to September 3. All hotels in the area are already booked, and security is expected to be heightened to a point at which it would inconvenience an anime convention. The BAAF planners are considering options including changing the date of this year's convention, moving the convention location and limiting attendance in accordance with accommodations, reducing the scope of the convention, and canceling this year's convention.
  It appears that occasional anime licensor Image Entertainment has licensed the Galerions: Rion OAV (Based on the Galerians and Galerians: ASH games) and will be releasing the Galerians: Rion - Special Edition on April 6th.
  Comix Wave has announced that, starting in April, it will serialize a manga adaptation of Shinkai Makoto's Hoshi no Koe (Voices of a Distant Star) in its monthly manga anthology, Afternoon.
  - Burn Up Excess Collection - 04/27/2004
  - Final Fantasy Unlimited Vol. 5 - 04/13/2004
  - Gunsmith Cats (Anime Essentials) - 04/13/2004
  - Happy Lesson Vol. 3 - 04/27/2004
  - Kino's Journey Vol. 2 - 04/06/2004
  - Knights of the Zodiac Vol. 3 - 04/20/2004
  - Legend of Crystania Movie (Anime Essentials) - 04/13/2004
  - Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Vol. 4 - 04/20/2004
  - Nuku Nuku TV Vol. 2 - 04/13/2004
  - Orphen II Vol. 4 - 04/13/2004
  - Puni Puni Poemy - 04/06/2004
  - Saint Seiya Vol. 5 (also w/artbox) - 04/06/2004
  - Super Gals Vol. 6 - 04/13/2004
  - Steam Detectives Vol. 5 - 04/06/2004
  - Wedding Peach Vol. 2 - 04/20/2004
  - Azumanga Daioh Vol. 1 (also w/box) - 04/27/2004
  2/2/04 Young Jump Mankaku Magazine has officially confirmed that Oku Hiroya violent sci-fi action/drama manga series Gantz is to be adapted into an anime TV series.
  MTV has announced that the Heat Guy J anime TV series will be broadcast on MTV2 on Fridays at 6PM beginning February 6th. Two episodes will air every Friday, with repeats throughout the weekend. The series is apparently being re-titled "The City Guy" for its MTV broadcast.
  Sony Pictures has officially scheduled the American DVD release of Tokyo Godfathers for April 13th.
  Animation World Magazine has reported in its extended 2004 preview article that 4Kids Entertainment has licensed the Tokyo Mew Mew anime TV series for broadcast on the Fox Box programming block on American television later this year. The series will be titled "Hollywood Mew Mew" and, by implied suggestion, will be heavily altered from its original Japanese version to suit mainstream American commercial television.
  According to TVShowsOnDVD.com, Tokyo Pig is currently in DVD production and will be released later in 2004.
  According to Sankei sports, t.A.T.u Paragate is set to receive a concurrent theatrical release in Japan, Russia and Europe in November 2004.
  
  2/1/04 Along with other updates, I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys. I moved most of the January posts to Old News. I also put up a new poll (long overdue) so be sure to scroll down and vote. And I also added a fanart courtesy of Dom de Luca to the Fanart Section.
  The following titles will be released this Tuesday on Region 1 DVD:
  Captain Herlock, Space Pirate Vol. 1
  Cyborg 009 Vol. 1
  Cyborg 009: Good vs. Evil
  Cyborg 009: The Battle Begins
  Dragon Ball GT Vol. 11: Evolution
  Dragon Ball GT Vol. 12: Revolution
  Happy Lesson Vol. 1
  Heat Guy J Vol. 4
  Infinite Ryvius Vol. 3
  Inu Yasha Vol. 14
  Kikaider Vol. 4
  Last Exile Vol. 2
  Superior Defender Gundam Force Vol. 1
  Superior Defender Gundam Force Vol. 2
  
  Home