Old news

From July 2003.


7/31/03 According to Animated Movies.com, DreamWorks will screen Millennium Actress in limited theatrical engagements in L.A. and New York on September 12, followed by a DVD premiere nationwide on October 28.

ADV Manga Division has been officially announced now and it will publish, art books, anime tie-in books, novels, and more.

According to a YTV newsletter, Inu Yasha, the original Dragon Ball, and Dragon Ball GT are all scheduled to premiere on the Canadian station this fall.



7/30/03 I never noticed because I don't go to my actual site, but Angelfire started having ads for pens at the top of the site. I guess they do a keyword search or something. I wonder how many hits they've gotten off it.

Tofu Records will be publishing domestic version of T.M. Revolution's latest CD "Cordinate" and the "Summer Crush" 2 disc DVD set containing live concert footage and more.

Pioneer has announced that Haibane Renmei, Heat Guy J and Mahoromatic's CD's, originally due out on 08/05/2003, are now slated for an 08/19/2003 release. Also, Pioneer has announced some DVD release date changes today. Heat Guy J Vol. 2 has moved from 09/23/2003 to 10/21/2003 while Bandai's Infinite Ryvius Vol. 1 (regular and limited edition) have been formally slated for 10/14/2003.

During Tech TV's online Anime Unleashed Chat a Tech TV representative stated that Pioneer had sold broadcast rights for Chobits to a television network other than Tech TV.



7/29/03 Today I added reviews for Wild Arms Volume 1, Zone of the Enders: Idolo, and Grave of the Fireflies to Other Reviews.

Dark Horse comics will be releasing volume one of Kentaro Miura's Berserk manga on October 15th and will retail for $13.95.

The September Monthly Comic Zero Sum states that Saiyuki Reload, a sequel of the popular TV series, will begin broadcasting this fall in Japan.


7/28/03 Although the sixth Hamtaro DVD already is scheduled for September, the fifth is yet to receive a release date. According to Viz, the fifth DVD has a Valentine's Day theme, so it will not be released until early 2004.

Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind will be released on Region 2 DVD in Japan on November 19th. The disc will include English subtitles and will feature complete storyboards, audio commentary, and theatrical trailers. There will also be two limited editions available.



7/27/03 Long overdue, I put up a new Pen Thought in the Pen Penny section and moved one to Previous Pennys.

This Tuesday the following will be released on Region 1 DVD:
City Hunter TV Season 1 Collection 1
City Hunter TV Season 1 Collection 2
Dragon Ball Z: Majin Buu Box Set
Fist of the Northstar Vol. 3
Fist of the Northstar Vol. 4
Genma Wars Vol. 3
Heat Guy J Vol. 1 (also w/box)
Lupin the 3rd The Movie : Secret of Mamo
Moonlight Lady
RahXephon Vol. 4
Rune Soldier Vol. 3
Space Pirate Mito Vol. 4
Twelve Kingdoms Vol. 1: Shadow of the Moon, the Sea of Shadow
Weathering Continent
You're Under Arrest Feature


7/26/03:

7/25/03 According to the website of actor/writer/director Richard Epcar, Epcar served as ADR director for Zentrix (Jikuu Boukenki Zentrix), listing Pioneer as the company involved.

Gamers.com is reporting that Bandai is currently producing an anime series and a Playstation 2 game based on the Gunslinger Girl manga. ADV's domestic release of the Gunslinger Girl manga is tentatively planned for early 2004.

Jagged Team has noticed the interesting fact that Disney is listed as a co-producer of the upcoming movie Innocence: Ghost in the Shell 2 on the film's official Staff Page.

The first pop-up window on the official Japanese Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu homepage and a full page ad in the current Japanese issue of Shonen GanGan magazine confirm that the Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu Final anime will be released in Japan on December 21st.


7/24/03 Viz's official response to the missing scene in Inuyasha DVD 7: VIZ did not delete any scenes from the original masters, nor will we in the future... When the episode in question was aired in Japan, episode 21 & 22 were aired as an 1 hour long special. When VIZ received the episodes from the Japanese licensor, it came as two separate episodes. The long episode was broken up into two shorter episodes, by the licensor in Japan, they decided where and how to cut the show.

Media Blasters has delayed the release of the 2 disc DVD special edition of Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus from July 29th until August 19th.

The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Massugu ni Ikou (Let's Go Straight) anime TV series now hosts a 30 second streaming Real Media trailer

Viz has announced an October 15th release date for volume one of the Hot Gimmick manga and scheduled the first volumes of Please Save My Earth and Alice 19th for October 22nd.

haibanerenmei.com, the official Haibane Renmei website, is now open.


7/23/03 Central Park Media has unveiled a new priced-down customer incentive called "The Anime Test Drive." Beginning on October 28th the first DVD volumes of Legend of Himiko, Now and Then, Here and There, Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight, Patlabor The Mobile Police: The TV Series, Maze TV Series, and The Ping Pong Club will be available in THINpak cases at a retail price of $7.99 each. Customers that enjoy the first DVD and purchase the full series DVD boxed sets, which already include a volume 1 DVD, will be eligible for a $10 mail-in rebate refund for the cost of the Test Drive Anime DVD.

The official Japanese homepage for Satoshi Kon's upcoming third anime film Tokyo Godfathers now hosts a brief teaser trailer in QuickTime, Windows Media and Real Media formats.

Studio Deen, the production studio behind Get Backers, Samurai Deeper Kyo and Meitantei Loki Ragnarok, will be adapting the adult PC game Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito (Darkness, Hat and Book Traveler) into a 13 episode anime TV series for Japanese broadcast later this year.



7/22/03 I added a review of Voices of a Distant Star to Other Reviews.

Viz LLC has issued a press release providing details of its latest three manga title acquisitions: Yu Watase's Alice 19th, Saki Hiwatari's Please Save My Earth, and Miki Aihara's Hot Gimmick.

Viz has also issued a press release announcing that the Hikaru no Go manga will be serialized in the American Shonen Jump Magazine beginning in January, and the Rurouni Kenshin manga will be published in $7.95 graphic novel volumes.

According to ZDNet Japan, the Aoi Umi no Tristia (Tristia of the Deep Blue Sea) PC game will be adapted into an anime OAV. The Tenbatsu Angel Rabbie (Divine Punishment Angel Rabbie) PC game has also been announced as having an anime adaptation in the works.

Impress Corporation has reported a brief confirmation from development studio Monolith Soft that there are plans for an anime adaptation of the Xenosaga Playstation 2 RPG series.

Anime News Network has confirmed that a short scene is missing from the 7th Inu Yasha DVD. During the missing scene at the end of episode 21, Royokan, the guardian of the forest who is corrupted by Naraku's Shikon no Tama shards, has the shards removed by Kagome. He then returns to his normal form and skips off into the forest.

Correction: Manga Entertainment is in the process of being sold and is not yet sold.


7/21/03 Yuki Kajiura, the Japanese composer best known to American fans for her musical scores for Noir and .Hack will be composing the musical score for Namco's Xenosaga Episode 2: Jenseits von Gut und Bose (Beyond Good and Evil).

TOKYOPOP has announced a partnership with RadioShack to produce domestic Initial D radio controlled cars. Beginning in September 2003, Initial D toys will be available at RadioShack retail stores nationwide.

The official Japanese CLAMP homepage has announced that two versions of the first collected volume of Tsubasa - RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE will be released on August 12th.

Japanese newspaper Digital Chosun has announced that two different Japanese/South Korean co-production anime adaptations of the popular Ragnarok Online MMORPG are in the works. One version of the anime will be a 13 episode TV series targeted at teen and young adult viewers. The second anime will be a 52 episode TV series aimed at young children viewers.

The upcoming Gunslinger Girl anime TV series now has an official website.

Manga Entertainment was recently sold to by Palm Pictures Entertainment to an as of yet unnamed buyer.



7/20/03 I added a review for volume 4 of X to Other Reviews.

This Tuesday the following will be released on Region 1 DVD: Bandit King Jing Vol. 1 (also w/box), FLCL Vol. 3 w/Box, Full Metal Panic Vol. 2, Rupan III: The Fuma Conspiracy, Saiyuki Vol. 3, X Vol. 6, and YuGiOh Vol. 11: Best of Friends, Best of Duelists.

TOKYOPOP announced the addition of Macross 7 Trash to its 2004 manga release schedule.


7/19/03 A bit overdue, I moved the rest of June into Old News. I also added reviews for volume 3 of X and volume 9 of GTO in Other Reviews.

The Birth OVA will be attached to the Battleflag of the Stars II Volume 3.

The contents of the Witch Hunter Robin boxset will include an animation cel, a t-shirt, cd soundtrack, and a shot glass.

Pioneer will be releasing the new Harlock series.

Tokypop has acquired the rights to: Ghost!, Ai Yori Aoshi - True Blue Love, Sgt Frog - Kero Gungo and Macross 7 Trash.

Rave Master will be on Toonami in 2004.

ADV will release the series Wandaba Style.

At the Comic-Con Gundam panel, an audience member reportedly asked the panelists about a Gundam series to follow SEED. Sunrise director Matsumoto Satoru responded that the new series will be Gundam SEED 2, to be released in Japan in October of 2004.


7/17/03 Pioneer has issued an official recall notice to retails requesting the return of all copies of the recently released El Hazard: The Wanderers DVD boxed set. Episodes 18-20 contained on DVD 3 will not play correctly in set-top DVD players. Pioneer is requesting that the entire set be returned. Individual consumers may call 1-800-538-3601 between now and December 31st to obtain a replacement. Corrected sets will include a "10th Anniversary" sticker to distinguish them from defective sets.

Vocalist and actress Courtney Love will be writing a rock & roll magical girl "manga" illustrated by Japanese artists Ai Yazawa and D.J. Milky. TOKYOPOP will publish Love's "Princess Ai" next year.

According to The Magic Box, Sega's AM2 development studio is nearing completion of a new Macross shooting game for the Playstation 2, set during the original Macross TV series time period.

According to the August issue of Animerica Extra magazine, beginning in 2004 the magazine will publish only translated shoujo manga titles. Revolutionary Girl Utena, Short Program 2, Steam Detectives and Video Girl Ai will all either be ending or moving to graphic novel only publication.

4Kids Entertainment and Fox Television have officially scheduled the premier of a new season of Saturday morning children's programming for debut on Saturday, September 6. The new season includes several new and returning anime series:
9:00AM Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
9:30AM Sonic X (American premier)
10:00AM Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
11:00AM Shaman King (American Premier)

During today's Bandai panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Bandai confirmed that Birth, the 25-minute prequel to Crest of the Stars, will be included in the final volume of Banner of the Stars II.


7/16/03 I took a little hiatus seeing how a friend was visiting whom I haven't seen for a few years, but now I'm back.

Mandarake, Japan's largest chain of second hand anime goods shops, opened its current "Summer Big Auction" yesterday. The international auction will close on July 26th and includes such rarities of original hand drawn illustrations from Hayao Miyazaki, Yoshihiro Togashi, Hiroaki Samura, Naoko Takeuchi, Osamu Tezuka, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, CLAMP, and many other famous artists; original production cels from anime including Evangelion, Totoro, Laputa, Gunbuster, Gunnm, Dororo, and much more.

Kim Kang Won, creator of the popular Korean "manwha" I.N.V.U. will make a rare public appearance at the Borders Northridge store in Northridge, California on Sunday July 20th at 2 PM. Ms. Kim will sit for a Q&A session, present a brief drawing demonstration, then sign copies of her book.

Cyberconnect2, the Japanese development studio behind Tail Concerto and the .Hack RPGs, has announced development of a PS2 action/fighting game based on Naruto, titled "Narutimet Hero" (a wordplay on "Ultimate Hero"). The game will be released in Japan this October.

According to Kung Fu Cult Cinema, Toho is rumored to be developing a 50th anniversary Godzilla film for 2004 release that will pit the current "evil" Godzilla against a clone of the original 1954 Godzilla.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has licensed the Godzilla vs. Megaguiras (2000) and Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) movies for bilingual American release. The films will debut theatrically in America in subtitled prints screened at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood on August 10th and 22nd respectively. Both films will then air dubbed on the SciFi Channel on Sunday, August 31st before their bilingual, widescreen DVD release.

The final graphic novel of the Chobits series will also be available in a special edition that comes with a box to hold all the volumes.

The official Japanese website for Kami Takashi Gatai Godannar (Soul of God Unite Godannar) is now open.

CPM has announced that they have acquired Alien 9: The Emulators, a single issue sequel to the original Alien 9 manga series.



7/13/03 The following come out Tuesday on Region 1 DVD: .hack//SIGN Vol. 3, Aura Battler Dunbine Vol. 1 (also w/box), Brigadoon Vol. 2, Dragon Ball GT Vol. 5 Baby: Ramifications, Dragon Ball GT Vol. 6: Baby: Preparations, Dragon Ball: Piccolo Jr. Part 1 Saga Set, Eden's Bowy Vol. 2, Geneshaft Vol. 2, GTO Vol. 9, Jubei-Chan Collectors Set, s-Cry-ed Vol. 1, s-Cry-ed Vol. 1 W/Box, and Sailor Moon Season 1 Box Set.

7/11/03 AD Vision has opened its official English language homepage devoted to King of Bandit Jing and one to Kino's Journey.

7/9/03 Nausicaa.net has confirmed that Hayao Miyazaki's classic film Kaze no Tani no Nausicaa (Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind) has been scheduled for DVD release in Japan this winter.

Gutsoon! Entertainment, the publishers of Weekly Raijin Comics Magazine, have concluded a distribution deal with Kable News. As a result of the agreement, beginning this December, Raijin Comics will be available in major retail outlets including 7-11, AM-PM, Sam Goody, Wherehouse, Suncoast, Musicland and many other stores throughout the US and Canada.

AnimationHQ will be hosting a chat session with AD Vision voice actor Greg Ayres this Saturday at 3PM PST/6PM EST.


7/8/03 With a debt of 5 billion yen, Japanese production and distribution company Groove Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection in Nagoya District Court on June 30th. Groove Corporation is the producer of anime titles including the current Scrapped Princess TV series and Hitsuji no Uta OAV series, Mao Dante, Wild 7 Another, and Genma Taisen TV series, and 6 Angels movie.

AnimEigo has signed a partnership agreement with KOCH Entertainment Distribution covering AnimEigo's entire home video catalog. AnimEigo titles will be in mainstream retail outlets throughout America and Canada.


7/7/03 Rumors of Guu being acquired by AN were debunked when the domain name that created the stir is one of several that had been previously picked up for their varied email address service.

7/6/03 The following are being released on Region 1 DVD Tuesday: .hack//SIGN Vol. 3: Special Edition, Alien Nine, Art of Fighting, Battle Arena Toshinden: Uncut Version, Cardcaptor Sakura Vol. 16, Chobits Vol. 3: Darkness Descends, Descendants of Darkness Collection, Descendants of Darkness: Demon’s Reckoning, Lupin the 3rd TV Vol. 3, Nightmare Campus Vol. 3, Please Teacher Vol. 2: Meet the In-Laws, Revolutionary Girl Utena Vol. 7: Temptation, Risky Safety Vol. 1, Sakura Wars TV Vol. 2: Overture, Venus 5, Wild Arms Vol. 5, and Yu Yu Hakusho Vol. 15: Settle The Score.

A second Comic Party series is currently in production, according to the official Aquaplus website. Currently an official title and release date haven't been announced.


7/5/03 ADV Films has acquired the anime Sister Princess.

Funimation has acquired Detective Conan.

Pioneer has acquired Texhnolyze, Gungrave, Read or Dream, and Samurai Champloo.


7/4/03 Some new title announcements from ADV from AX: Kino no Tabi, Slayers Premium, Gravion, Mahou Yuugi, Birth, Bast of Lemon, Mani Mani, Azumanga Movie, DNANGEL, Rahxephon Movie, and Nurse Witch Komugi-chan.

Media Blasters has acquired Boku no Sexual Harassment.

Bandai announced acquisitions of: hack//DUSK, Dragon Drive, Galaxy Angel 1 & 2, Gundam F91, Taruto (Magical Meow Meow), Stratos 4, Tenshi no Shippo, Zeta Gundam, Yukikaze, Wolf's Rain, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

ADV is entering into publishing manga for: Demon Palace Babylon, Cat Girl Nuku NUku, Cat Shit One, Dark Side Blues, Full Metal Panic, Kimera, Those Who Hunt Elves, Seven of Seven, Demon City Shinjuku, Steel ANgel Kurumi, Azumanga Daoih, Demon City Dunhter, raxhxephon bible, najica, gunsliger girl, to heart, figure 17, and happy lesson. They have also announced the beginning of a toy division which will release posters, shitajiki, wallscrolls, and figures.

The video gaming side of Bandai, will release a box with the last .hack game, which is QUARANTINE, to hold all four games. A Cowboy Bebop game is also in the works for PS2.

The first Kenshin boxset will be released towards the end of the year, one for each arc. They will be premium boxsets.

Tokypop announced Initial D is coming out September 16 and pushed the Inital D Trading Card game that is coming out. They also have a Vintage Manga line coming out, and Cyborg 009 will be the first title as part of this line, the classic 1968 manga.

Tokypop also announced Mahoromatic:Automatic Maiden, B'tX, Get Backers, Pitaten, Psychic Academy, A.I. I Love You, and Fruits Basket.


7/3/03 An article from Digital Spy confirms Turner Broadcasting Europe's plans to change the "CNX" network into a Toonami network beginning September 2003. Earlier this year, TV Week quoted Turner Entertainment as saying that an American edition of CNX was "on the list...but not imminent." A North American Toonami Channel is now closer with its overseas introduction.

AnimeOnDVD reports that at the AX convention the Bandai booth played trailers for: Wolf's Rain, .hack//Legend of Twilight's Bracelet, Stratos 4, and Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto. Media Blasters had a poster and trailer for Gunparade March. Also, a new acquisition of CPM is Narue no Sekai.

Yahoo! Japan is currently testing a system to distribute an original anime series online for free in partnership with Contents Japan and Sunrise. Trip Trek features English-speaking characters--with Japanese subtitles--in a collection of five-minute episodes. "Formal" distribution is expected to begin this fall, but the first four episodes are currently available for viewing.


7/2/03 After quite a wait, I put up a new Pen Thought in the Pen Penny section and moved one to Previous Pennys. I also moved most of June updates to Old News.

7/1/03 Japanese anime retail site Mangaoh Club has reported that the six Tenchi Muyo OAV series 3 episodes will be released in intervals of three months with volume 1 coming in September.

A new website devoted to the new Madhouse produced anime film Nasu - Andulusia no Natsu has a pair of downloadable Windows Media format trailers available.

ALC Publishing has announced its first translated manga publication, Rica Takashima's Rica 'tte Kanji!? is now available for purchase.

Media Blasters has launched a website for their upcoming Twelve Kingdoms series

Urban Vision has launched their official website for the Ninja Scroll TV series at ninja-scroll.com.


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