Old news

From March 2003. More Evangelion games are announced and other stuff.


3/31/03 So you don't have to look for it, you can find the page on Girlfriend of Steel 2 here.

Harper/Collins has announced the American release of a book titled Japanese Comickers. The book is an overview of current work by 14 promising comic, anime and manga artists.

Several new anime trailers were released: Sonic X, Human Scramble, Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok, D.N.Angel, and Kaleidostar.


3/30/03 I put up a Pen Thought in the Pen Penny section and moved one to Previous Pennys.

The Renewal of Evangelion site is up and running. It shows the covers of the new CD coming out and the "Evangelion Unit 1 Test-Type" DVD. Also if you search the Gainax website you can find some pics from Girlfriend of Steel 2. To find it go to the news section and scroll down until you see a picture of Kawrou, Shinji, Asuka, and Rei. Click on the text link next to it and it'll take you there. It will apparently be released in Japan on May 16th. It also apparently takes place in the "other world" from the 26th episode.

The following are being released on Region 1 DVD this Tuesday: Argentosoma Vol. 2, Betterman Vol. 6, Dai-Guard Vol. 5, Devil Lady Vol. 3: The Strengthening, G-Taste Vol. 2: Heat Wave, and Ronin Warriors OVA Vol. 1.


3/29/03 Long, long overdue I finally got around to finishing the End of Evangelion extended summary. It's very, very long. I put a brief summary in End of Evangelion DVD Review, but it doesn't do the movie justice. I went to Planet Comicon today in Kansas City. I didn't have as much funds so I didn't buy too much.

The Spirited Away DVD will not be delayed, and will be released on April 15th.

Trigun starts this Monday on Adult Swim, so remember to watch it.

The Cowboy Bebop movie sees limited release this Friday, April 4th. Also, while there are no plans for more Cowboy Bebop, Watanabe said that Spike's adventures "will probably continue at some time in the future, although I'm not sure in what form."


3/28/03 AN Entertainment has put up their offical website. The company's first release is Risky Safety.

AD Vision's new ADV Music label has announced its debut releases, scheduled for release on June 3rd, they are: Super Atragon: Metal Pulse Music Edition, All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Soundphase 4, and Onimusha 2 Soundtrack.

ADV has launched their Saiyuki website.

The Ninja Resurrection Original Soundtrack will be released on 07/29/2003 by AnimeTrax.



3/27/03 Starchild has announced that the Gameboy Advance card battle/puzzle game Azumanga Daioh Advance will be released on April 25th.

The official Risky Safety website is up.

In celebration of the 2003 National Cherry Blossom Festival the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Freer Gallery of Art Smithsonian Institution will be holding an Anime marathon this Saturday. Screened films will be Catnapped!, Escaflowne, Metropolis and an unamed "fairy tale for young and old."

The Big Apple Anime Fest has announced a nation wide voice acting contest called "Anime Idol." Contestants will be invited to audition for an part in an Anime film, with their performance judged by professionals from the Anime industry. The winner will receive numerous prizes, as well as a role in an upcoming, undisclosed Anime dub. The press relase:
The Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF) today announced the "Big Apple Anime Fest 'Anime Idol' Voice Acting Contest," a nation-wide search for new voice talents looking to break into the highly competitive world of English language anime voice acting. The winners of four regional contests will be invited to compete in the finals, to be held at BAAF 2003 in Times Square, New York City, on Sunday, August 31, 2003. Judges will include leading directors and producers of Japanese anime attending BAAF 2003 as Guests of Honor, as well as professional voice actors currently active in the field.
Preliminary auditions will be held at Anime Boston, Anime Central, Otakon, and at BAAF itself. Three regional finalists will be selected from each regional site to advance to the semi-final and final rounds in New York over Labor Day Weekend. The three winners of each regional audition will receive weekend passes to BAAF 2003 and the chance to compete for the Grand Prize.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of the action, as voice actors from around the country vie for the title of "Big Apple Anime Fest 'Anime Idol'." This grueling competition will put the talents of our contestants to the ultimate test as they strut their stuff in front of a live audience in what is sure to be the highlight of this year's Big Apple Anime Fest. Be a part of the fun and cast your vote to decide who will be this year's "BAAF Anime Idol!"
The Big Apple Anime Fest "Anime Idol" Voice Acting Contest
Grand Prize (1): The Grand Prize winner will receive 15 DVD's (a $450 value!), and earn a role in an upcoming Anime English Dub plus $500 for travel expenses, and standard voice actor pay. First Prize (1): One winner will receive 15 DVDs (a $450 value). Runners up (3): Three participants will win 10 DVDs each (a $300 value).
No Purchase Necessary for entry. Contest is open to any legally employable adult age 18 and over. Amateur performers are encouraged to apply. The prize-winning role in an upcoming anime dub will be a non-union production. The regional winners are responsible for their own transportation and lodging for BAAF 2003.
Ryoko Maebayashi, BAAF Liaison Manager, commented, “Voice acting is one of the most exciting potential careers for many anime fans. A number of anime fans have sufficient talent to bring diverse anime characters to life on the screen. However, it is tough to break into the voice-acting world. This is why BAAF has come up with the concept of the Big Apple Anime Fest "Anime Idol" Voice Acting Contest. We believe that this contest will become the gateway for anime fans to achieve their dream and passion, and we welcome everyone to give it their best shot."



3/26/03 Two of Osamu Tezuka's classic manga from the 40s and 50s will see American distribution by Dark Horse. Lost World, about a team of scientists on a planet populated by dinosaurs, will come in July. Future World, a fantastical satire of Cold War tensions, will come in two volumes in September and October.

It is rumored and possible that successful box office totals of the Spirited Away re-release could result in a delay of the April 15th domestic DVD release.

Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky will be shown at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Saturday, April 6th. This is expected to be the film's only showing.

American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre 1st Annual Festival of Anime is taking place May 12-14 this year. It's at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. It will feature several movies and episodes from several series.

Bandai Entertainment plans to roll Escaflowne back into limited engagement theater screenings starting this weekend.


3/25/03 After waiting a very long four and a half months for it's release, I finally got Berserk volume 5 and put up the review in the Other Reviews section.

A new review site for and supportive of English dubs is up here.

In June the following manga are being released from Tokyopop: The Kindaichi Case Files, Under The Glass Moon, Gravitation, Brain Powerd, Pet Shop of Horrors, and Vampire Game.

The re-release of Spirited Away has been confirmed but no number of theaters has been given.

Speed Racer Enterprises is making available an additional twenty-five sets from their "archives." Each five-DVD set includes all 52 episodes of the classic series, along with an art box.


3/24/03 An announcement was made at the recent Tokyo International Anime Fair that the next anime TV series from Studio Bones (RahXephon, Wolf's Rain) will be a samurai era drama titled Mukoh Hadan.

Ain't It Cool News has put up a look at the advance movie poster for Innocence (Ghost in the Shell 2) here.

A Barnes & Noble listing says the Hana Yori Dango manga is having a July release by Viz. The site also lists Wedding Peach and Flame of Recca.

Tokyopop's racing anime Initial D will be the subject of a new collectible card game released by Alderac Entertainment Group.

Cartoon Research has learned that Spirited Away will be re-released to 800 theatres this Friday.


3/23/03 Coming out Tuesday on Region 1 DVD this week: Berserk Vol. 5, Can Can Bunny: Lucky 7, Dragonball Z TV Box Set 7: Perfect Cell, Fist of the Northstar Vol. 1, Fist of the Northstar Vol. 2, Fruits Basket Vol. 3: Puddles Of Memories, Genma Wars Vol. 1: Divine Twins, Hello Kitty's Paradise: Learn With Love, Kimba, the White Lion Box Set 1, Kimba, the White Lion Vol. 1, Kimba, the White Lion Vol. 2, Magic Knights Rayearth II TV Vol. 1, Magic Knights Rayearth II TV Vol. 2, Magic Knights Rayearth II TV Vol. 3, Magic Knights Rayearth II TV Vol. 4, Magic Knights Rayearth II TV Vol. 5, Magic Knights Rayearth II TV Vol. 6, Magic Knights Rayearth II TV Vol. 7, Mahoromatic Vol. 2: Haunting Past, RahXephon Vol. 1, RahXephon Vol. 1 W/Box, Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection, Slave Doll, Space Pirate Mito Vol. 2, X Vol. 4, and Ys Vol. 2.

Spirited Away won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, making it the first Japanese animated feature to win an Oscar.


3/22/03 A date has been announced for the release of Maison Ikkoku on DVD. The long-delayed series will finally begin to see a domestic DVD release in eight box sets beginning July 16th.

3/21/03 I added both Sin and Blood: The Last Vampire to the Other Reviews section.

The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming "bishojo hyper battle" anime TV series Ikki Tousen, adapted from Yuji Shizaki's manga, is now up. Since the site officially opens on April 25th and the TV show debuts in July, the site currently only hosts an exciting opening Flash animation, staff credits, and the first cel art promotional image.



3/20/03 Dark Horse has announced plans to publish a 248 graphic novel edition of Osamu Tezuka's Lost World manga this July. Lost World, originally published in Japan in the late 1940s, is the first of "god of manga" Osamu Tezuka's cycle of sci-fi manga that included Metropolis and Future World.

A new 4 minute and 30 second trailer for The Animatrix has been posted to the official website of the Matrix.


3/19/03 I.C Entertainment has announced their July manga releases. Titles include Hanaukyo Maid Team, Hyper Dolls, Vampire Yui, You & Me as well as releases for their Sexy Fruit line

Sandy Frank Entertainment establishes a new company to promote the Battle of the Planets brand internationally.