Old news

From February 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.



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.

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.



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.