Pen Pen's Evangelion

Old news

From March 2004.

3/30/04 It has been announced that the Anime Unleashed program will migrate to the G4 cable television network.

The manga creative team known as Kaishaku, the creators of Steel Angel Kurumi and UFO Princess Walkure, have announced on their BBS that there will be a third Walkure anime series produced.

Animeondvd has posted this press release showing ADV Manga's 37 new acquisitions.

3/29/04 The International Channel will broadcast Tenchi Muyo in Love, subtitled in English, at 1:00 a.m (Eastern time) on April 3rd. Tenchi Forever, subtitled, will air at 1:00 a.m (Eastern time) on April 4th. Sol Bianca, dubbed in English, will air Tuesdays at 11:00 p.m. (Eastern time) starting April 6th.

Billionaire Paul Allen has sold his interactive cable network, Tech TV to rival Comcast Corp., which plans to fold Tech TV into its G4 network, which is devoted exclusively to video games. Of particular interest to anime fans, presently there's no telling how this merger will affect TechTV's Anime Unleashed program or whether G4 will retain and continue the Anime Unleashed programing or not.

Saber Marionette creator Akahori Satoru has officially revealed that a new Saber Marionette work is in production. It's not clear if the new work is prose, radio drama, manga or animation.

The official Japanese homepage for Honoo no Shinkirou (Mirage of Blaze) has announced that a 3 episode OAV series titled "Minagiwa no Hangyakusha" will be released beginning July 28th.

Toei Animation announced plans to revive the 1976 giant robot action series Gaiking with a new TV series titled "Daiku Maryuu Gaiking Neo."

Nakamura Takashi, the creator of the anime film Tree of Palm, will write, direct, and provide character designs for an anime TV series titled "Fantastic Children" to air this October.

The staff of Kiddy Grade will reunite to produce an anime TV series titled "Uta ~ Kata."

Imagica Entertainment announced plans to produce "To Heart ~Remeber My Memories~" for television broadcast this fall. The first To Heart TV series was broadcast in 1999.

3/28/04 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys.

The following will be released this Tuesday on Region 1 DVD:
Comic Party Vol. 1
Dragon Ball GT Vol. 13: Realization
Dragon Ball GT Vol. 14: Conversion
Figure 17 Vol. 4
Gun Frontier: Gun Pack
Gunparade March Vol. 2
Heat Guy J Vol. 5
I'm Gonna Be An Angel Vol. 2
Iria: Zeiram the Animation Collection
Princess 69 Lesson 2
Rurouni Kenshin Legend of Kyoto Premium Box Set 2
Saiyuki Vol. 9
Slayers Excellent
Twelve Kingdoms Vol. 5

Geneon has announced the following soundtracks will be released on 08/03/2004
Memories Original Soundtrack (2 CD Set)
Akira
Stellvia: Sound Wave of Stellvia OST
Tsukihime Original Soundtrack 1

Captain Herlock, Space Pirate Vol. 4 (also w/box) - 08/03/2004
Demon Lord Dante Vol. 2 - 07/27/2004
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play Vol. 1 - 07/27/2004
Heat Guy J Vol. 7 (also w/box) - 07/20/2004
Lupin the 3rd TV Vol. 7: Royal Scramble - 07/13/2004

3/24/04 Sputnik 7, in association with Central Park Media, has announced plans to host the first six episodes of Armored Trooper Votoms for free online viewing beginning Wednesday, April 7th. The subtitled episodes will be available for free viewing for a limited time:
Episode 1 will be available from April 7th until April 20, 2004
Episodes 1 & 2 will be available from April 21st through May 4, 2004
Episodes 2 & 3 will be available from May 5th through May 18, 2004
Episodes 3 & 4 will be available from May 19th through June 1, 2004
Episodes 4 & 5 will be available from June 2nd through June 15, 2004
Episodes 5 & 6 will be available from June 16th through June 29, 2004
The first English translated manga volume of Red River will be released on June 2nd. The first volume of Imadoki will be released on June 9th. The first manga volume of Cheeky Angel (Tenshi na Konamaiki) will be released on June 16th. The first manga volume of Saikano (Saishuheiki Kanojo) will be released on June 23rd.
The Anime Network, ADV's all anime, video-on-demand cable TV channel, has announced that it has acquired broadcast rights to TRSI's Comic Party.

3/23/04 Buena Vista Home Video has issued an official confirmation that Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, and Porco Rosso will be released on uncut, bilingual, special edition domestic DVD on August 31st.
The official Japanese Stratos 4 homepage now hosts a 40 second long streaming Windows Media trailer for the upcoming 2 episode long Stratos 4: X-1 Return to Base OAV series. The first episode is scheduled for Japanese release on May 28th.
According to a new press release, Pseudome Studios' Mike Schwark and Ron Kaulfersch will create a full-length series based on Van Von Hunter, their comedy-filled contest entry to the recent Rising Stars contest. I for one am a big fan and you can find their online comic here.

3/22/04 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys. I also added a piece of fan art to Fan Art.
ADV Films will be releasing Akitaro Daichi's Makasete Iruka! OAV in North America early this summer, prior to its Japanese release. The North American title will be Grrl Power.
Tokyopop also announced at Wizard World that they will be teaming up with a Japanese publisher to release an original manga anthology based on the Star Trek franchise (Next Gen continuity).
Tokyopop announced at Wizard World this weekend that they have acquired the rights to the second Boys Be manga series, Boys Be... 2nd: A Guys Guide to Girls.
Corsham Entertainment has issued an official press release announcing that Japan's Madhouse Studios will animate 26 half-hour episodes of Natural Born Kittens.
Avex Mode has opened its official Japanese language homepage for the upcoming Tenjoh Tenge anime TV series. The series is sponsored by Avex of Japan and Geneon USA, suggesting a likely possibility that the series is already licensed for official English language release.
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Pugyuru TV series is now open. The animation is based on a "4 koma" (4 panel comic strip) manga comedy featuring a cast of bizarre characters and monsters.

3/19/04 Guardians of Order, Inc., in association with ADV Films, will publish RPG fan guides based on Neon Genesis Evangelion. There will be two volumes covering the original TV series and the re-released director's cuts. Both will be released this fall. The guides will feature episode summaries, character profiles, role-playing sheets and rule mechanics, with hundreds of color images.
The 2004 Tokyo International Anime Fair has revealed that Hideaki Anno, creator of Evangelion and director of the live-action Cutie Honey movie, will direct the upcoming anime series Re: Cutie Honey.
4Kids Entertainment has announced a multi-year licensing agreement with Mattel which gives the toymaker the exclusive worldwide (outside of Asia) rights to produce Shaman King action figures and accessories, vehicles, playsets, puzzles, board games, role-playing products and youth electronic and visual toys.
MTAC 4.01beta (Middle Tennessee Anime Convention) will unveil a 12-foot tall, by 14-foot wide 1:2 scale Gundam Bust modeled after Gundam Wing's Deathscythe.

3/18/04 Konami has revealed development of "Prince of Tennis: Rush & Dream," a tennis club management simulation game based on the popular manga/anime series. The game will be released in Japan this winter.
The Japanese homepage for the 2004 Tokyo International Anime Fair has revealed that official confirmations of plans to produce an Appleseed 2 theatrical movie, and an animated adaptation of Masamura Hiroshi's whimsical fantasy manga series Atagoul, will be made during a press conference scheduled for Friday, March 26th.
Trading card manufacturing company Score has announced plans to release an American Inu-Yasha Collectable Card Game (CCG) this October. The CCG will be a "core hobby product" available only at specialty stores and not mainstream, mass-market retail outlets. The initial 280 card set will be expanded with 140-card expansions every 3-4 months.
- Gravitation Vol. 1 (also w/box) - 06/29/2004 Comic Party Vol. 3 - 06/29/2004
3/16/04 Well, Angelfire has redesigned some, I'm guessing all the problems were due to some sort of messed up transition since I've had no problems since. On to the news.
Well, there's never been an official press release (since the announcement that Dark Horse Comics would released the first three Volumes) that I've seen but on the Dark Horse website you can now preorder Volume 4 so I think it's safe to assume they're going past Volume 3 and continuing the rest of the series. On a side note, the 27th Volume was recently completed. Since I haven't found this on any other site, does that mean I get a gold star??
The scrolling "News Board" section of Moon Phase reports that plans are now underway in Japan for development of new Ah! My Goddess anime. No further details are available yet.
AD Vision has officially announced its acquisition of North American home video and TV broadcast rights to the Chrno Crusade anime TV series. Like the manga, the series title will be changed to "Chrono Crusade" for its American release.
TOKYOPOP has revealed its acquisition of English language translation and distribution rights to Shin-Ichi Hiromoto's sci-fi/adventure manga serial STONe.
Young Jump Magazine has officially announced that Okamoto Lynn's manga series Elfen Lied will debut at an anime TV series this July.
ADV Toys, the new division of A.D. Vision Inc. that creates exclusive toys and collectible merchandise based upon the company's content holdings, announced its first toy, an exclusive Jonathan the Seal plush animal from the anticipated Kaleido Star anime series from ADV Films.

3/15/04 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys.
The following will be released tomorrow on Region 1 DVD:

Cinescape has reported that Corey Yeun will direct the live action Dead or Alive movie, based on the Tecmo video game franchise.
Some anime fans will be pleased to know that the Rankin Bass produced animated fantasy film The Last Unicorn officially goes on sale on American DVD tomorrow. The 1982 film was written and produced in America, but animated in Japan by Topcraft Studios, which later became known as Studio Ghibli.
The Cartoon Network has announced that Rave Master (Groove Adventure Rave) will permier on Saturday, Saturday May 1st. In August, the series will move to a weekday schedule.
AD Vision has officially announced that Toei Animation of Japan ("the creators of the program") "have decided against continuing the availability" of the first two seasons of Sailor Moon animation in North America. Both the edited, English dubbed and uncut subtitled Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon R DVDs will officially go out of print in America on April 1st. Copies will remain on sale from retailers while supplies last.
Gutsoon has revealed to subscribers of Monthly Raijin Comics that the company will cease publishing Monthly Raijin Comics Magazine and all of its graphic novels including the full color Fist of the North Star Master Edition books this June. They will be taking "time off" to find ways to appeal to a larger market.
Bandai Entertainment has announced the May release of a pair of new domestic version anime soundtrack CDs. The Wolf's Rain OST will be released on May 11th and contain all 21 tracks from the Japanese version CD. The Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex OST will contain the 16 tracks from the original first issue Japanese version CD, but will not contain the two bonus tracks from the reissued, current Japanese version soundtrack.
The Essential Anime Editions of Cutey Honey and Golden Boy will indeed by multi-disc within a single release.
AnimeonDVD.com forum users have noticed the appearance of several titles of manga listed on the website.
W-Juliet by Emura
Kare First Love by Kaho Miyasaka.
Kanata Kara (From Far Away) by Kyoko Hikawa
DV has kicked off their Azumanga Daioh site with several bits and pieces, including omake.
- BASToF Syndrome - 05/04/2004
- Legend of the Mystical Ninja Goemon Vol. 4 - 05/04/2004
- Angelic Layer Vol. 6 75 min. 6/7 29.99 05/11/2004
- Kaleido Star Vol. 1 (also w/box) - 5/11/2004
- Saiyuki Vol. 10 - /11/2004
- Slayers Premium - 05/11/2004
- Hello Kitty & Friends Vol. 1 - 05/18/2004
- Kino's Journey Vol. 3 - 05/18/2004
- Nadia, Secret of Blue Water Collection 1 (w/CD) - 05/18/2004
- Robotech Remastered: Extended Edition Vol. 3 - 05/18/2004
- Saint Seiya Vol. 6 - 05/18/2004
- Soul Hunter Complete Collection - 05/18/2004
- Steam Detectives Vol. 6 - 05/18/2004
- Cutey Honey (Essential Anime Edition) - 05/25/2004
- Final Fantasy Unlimited Vol. 6 - 05/25/2004
- Golden Boy (Essential Anime Collection) - 05/25/2004
- Gravion Vol. 1 (also w/box) - 05/25/2004
- Nuku Nuku TV Vol. 3 - 05/25/2004
  
  3/10/04 Hardee's and Carl's Jr. restaurants will offer Yu Yu Hakusho figures nationwide in their Cool Kids Meals from now until April 20th. In addition to the figures, there will also be a sweepstakes tied in to the overall promotion which will allow participants a chance to win a $2,500 shopping spree or Atari games, VHS or DVDs from FUNimation, trading card games from Score, action figures from JAKKS Pacific or t-shirts from ODM.
  Gainax has opened its webpage for the upcoming Ikari Shinji Ikusei Keikaku (Ikari Shinji Raising Project) computer simulation game.
  Japanese pop group Ali Project has revealed on its online diary that the group is now recording the theme song for a second season of the Maria-sama ga Miteru anime TV series.
  A place-holder website for Re: Cutie Honey is now online. Presumably Re: Cutie Honey is a new anime series capitalizing on the upcoming live action movie.
  Xebec, the studio behind Nadesico, Love Hina, Zoids, and many other popular anime series, has announced its latest series, Soukyuu no Fafnir [romanization may be incorrect]. Character design will be provided by Hirai Hisashi, the character designer for Scryed, Ryvius, and Gundam Seed.
  From the latest Japanese anime magazines: Sunrise is working on an anime TV series titled "Mai - HiME" for broadcast in July. Satoru (Bakuretsu Hunter, Saber Marionette) Akahori will write an anime and manga series titled "Kashimashi" for release late this summer. A third Saiyuki anime TV series will debut in April. Its tentative title may be "Saiyuki Gunlock."
  The Cartoon Network has announced its broadcast acquisition of "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi," a new animated series slated for December that features the adventures of J-Pop sensation singing duo Puffy AmiYumi.
  Geneon has announced a number of upcoming domestic anime soundtrack CDs. Neon Genesis Evangelion OST 2, Utena OST 1, and .hack//Game Music Best Collection will be available on March 16th. Hand Maid May OST 1, Last Exile OST 2, and the Love Hina Best Collection (from the Christmas and Spring Specials) will be released on April 13th.
  The official Japanese homepage for the new Tetsujin 28 Go anime TV series is now open.
  Dark Horse Comics has officially announced that the third volume of English translated Trigun manga will be Trigun Maximum volume 1, released on May 19th. The Trigun Maximum volume 1 graphic novel will be 192 pages and retail at $9.95 (slimmer and less expensive than the 350+ page $14.95 Trigun volume 1 & 2 graphic novels).
  Viz has opened its first English language series specific website, this one devoted to the forthcoming American release of the Saikano (Saishuheiki Kanojo) manga and anime.
  Sunrise Studios has created a webpage featuring the first look at "My-Hime," an anime TV series scheduled for Japanese broadcast this July.
  - Inu Yasha Vol. 18 - 06/01/2004
  - Inu Yasha Vol. 19 - 06/01/2004
  3/8/04 GameOnline has reported that Production IG will produce an anime adaptation of the popular GameCube RPG Tales of Symphonia.
  As part of its 20th anniversary commemoration, Gainax Studios has announced a new anime project titled Grapple Gear.
  TOKYOPOP has officially revealed its acquisition of translation rights to the Heat Guy Jay and Tokyo Tribe 2 (which will be re-titled "Tokyo Tribes" in America) manga series, and the Korean comic series Threads of Time.
  ADV has officially confirmed their license of the Maburaho anime series.
  
  3/7/04 I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys.
  The following will be released Tuesday on Region 1 DVD:
  Arcade Gamer Fubuki
  Birdy the Mighty: Double Trouble
  Boys Over Flowers Vol. 4
  Chobits Vol. 7: Chat Room
  Cyber City: Time Bomb
  Initial D Vol. 4
  Knights of the Zodiac Vol. 2
  Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Vol. 3
  Neon Genesis Evangelion Director's Cut Vol. 2
  Private Psycho Lesson
  Someday's Dreamers Vol. 3
  Tenchi Muyo GXP Vol. 1 (also w/box)
  Urotsukidoji: New Saga Collection
  Wedding Peach Vol. 1 (also w/box)
  
  3/3/04 Contrary to prior reports that Case Closed (Detective Conan) would premier on the Cartoon Network at 12:30 AM on Monday, April 5, the official FUNimation Case Closed website reports that the series will debut on the Cartoon Network at 12 AM on June 7th. FUNimation has 52 episodes prepared for American television broadcast. In Japan, Detective Conan has 355 episodes and counting.
  Japanese retail store Happy Market has reported that the live action Pretty Guardian Sailormoon television series will begin a new, original storyline in April that will introduce a new sailor senshi.
  Yahoo News of Japan has reported that Geneon Entertainment will distribute the Appleseed movie in America this summer with European and Asian release to follow.
  - Slave Market Xtreme Series - 06/18/2004
  - Secret Desires - 06/18/2004
  3/2/04 Sorry. For some reason angelfire hasn't been working right the past few days. I added a Pen Thought to the Pen Penny section and moved an old one to Previous Pennys. I also moved most of February news to Old News. Have a lot of news to catch up so let's get started.
  The Cartoon Network has announced a pair of major programming revisions scheduled to go into effect on April 17th. The present weekday afternoon Toonami programing will be replaced with a "Miguzi Block" that will air Teen Titans, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Totally Spies, and Code LYOKO. The displaced Toonami block will air on Saturdays from 7 to midnight and target teen and young adult audiences with series including Gundam Seed, Rave Master, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Yu Yu Hakusho, Transformers: Energon, Rurouni Kenshin, Justice League, and Megas XLR. Geez, Toonami needs to get some consistency in their schedule.
  Madhouse has officially announced that its anime TV series adaptation of the popular Tenjoh Tenge (known by fans as "TenTen") manga will premier on Japanese television this April. The anime will be directed by Toshifumi Kawase, whose previous directing credits include children's anime series Bakuten Shoot Beyblade and Dragon Drive.
  Konami has officially announced plans to develop a new hero anime multimedia project titled "Get Ride! Amdriver." The project will include an anime TV series produced by Studio Deen, a Gameboy Advance game, manga published in Coro Coro Comic Magazine, toys, and more.
  Koga Ryouichi's manga serial "Ninin ga Shinobuden ~ the Nonsense Kunoichi Fiction" (2 x 2 = Ninja Legend ~ the Nonsense Female Ninja Fiction) will be adapted into anime. The anime will be directed Hitoyuki Matsui, the director behind Ayatsuri Sakon and Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos-sou Suttoko Taisen Dokkoider, and produced by ufotable, the studio that produced the Dokkoider and Aoi Umi no Tristia anime.
  The romantic sci-fi comedy manga series DearS by "Peach-Pit" is to be adapted into an anime television series for broadcast this July.
  A report on the TA Group BBS states that an anime TV series adaptation of Yamamoto Lunlun's children's manga Marshmallow Tsuushin will debut next month.
  Gekkan Magazine reports that Kawahara Masatoshi' martial arts action manga series Shura no Toki will be adapted into an anime TV series.
  Shonen Jump Magazine has announced plans for a third Jojo's Bizarre Adventures anime series.
  NEGIMA, Volume 1: Magister Negi, by Ken Akamatsu, will be published by Del Rey on April 27th as scheduled without any alterations to the author's original artwork and text. At the suggestion of one of our leading national book retailers, copies of NEGIMA will be shrinkwrapped with a label that states: "Contains Explicit Content, Ages 16+" on the front of the book.
  ADV New Acquisitions:
  Anime: Get Backers, Mezzo TV series, and Hello Kitty Sanrio World.
  Manga: Gate, Yo-u, Gadjet, Dream Gold, Peace Maker Kurogane, Tengai Retrogical, Gamers Heaven, Ray, Enmusu, Demon Hunter (new series), Demon Prince Yoshida-kun, 50 Rules for Teenagers, Aria, Biscuit, Blue Inferior, Change Guy, Desert Coral, Fantasy Land, First King Adventures, Gadirok, Gun Parade March, Jinki Entend, Kids Joker, Lineage, Love Blossoms, Mythical Detective LOKI RAGNAROK, Pastel Green Spell, Pretty, Princess Tutu, R2, Ruler of the Land, Saint Marie, Sky Blade: Sword of the Heavens, Sweet & Sensitive Tactics, Taimashin MASHIN, The Boss, The Ruler of the Land, To Heart, Vaizard, Your & My Secret.
  The Asahi Newspaper has reported the intriguing news that Warner Brothers has acquired American distribution rights to the new Yu-Gi-Oh movie. (Apparently there is a new, second Yu-Gi-Oh film in the works as the article claims that international distribution rights were acquired while the film was in production.) Oddly, the article states that the Yu-Gi-Oh movie will be released in America and Europe this August, but there are no plans for a Japanese release.
  - Comic Party Vol. 2 - 05/24/2004
  - Boys Over Flowers Vol. 5 - 05/04/2004
  - Key the Metal Idol Complete Collection - 05/18/2004
  - Project Arms Vol. 9 - 05/04/2004
  - Dragon Drive Vol. 1 - 05/11/2004
  - Dragon Drive Vol. 1 (Limited Edition Box) - 05/11/2004
  - Big O II Vol. 3 - 05/11/2004
  - .hack//Legend of the Twilight Vol. 1 - 05/25/2004
  - .hack//Legend of the Twilight Vol. 1 Limited Edition - 05/25/2004
  - s-Cry-ed Vol. 6 - 05/25/2004
  - Galaxy Angel Vol. 2 - 05/25/2004
  Home