Anime Anime News

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ANIME
From Scott Green

Toei Animation Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange

For the first time an anime studio has become a publicly traded company.
Toei Animation, anime studio best known for Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z,
was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange last month. According to the
January 30th issue of Nikkei Kinyu Shimbun Toei Animation's group sales
will be 1,283,000 yen in the fiscal half ending in March jumping 28% year
over last year and its group net earnings will increase 290% from last
year to 148,000 yen.

80's Re-Invented, and Returning

Voltron Comic Coming in March Broken Glass Studios will be premiering a
Voltron comic this March. It will be a comic adaptation of the Go-Lion
Voltron featuring the five Voltron pilots Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, and
Sven, as well as Princess Allura, in "modern" uniform, as opposed to the
Power Ranger-esque styles. The villains will be King Zarkon and Prince
Lokar, and the vehicle Voltron might make an appearance. New details have
been unveiled on Voyager Entertainment's next Starblazers DVD installment
"Quest For Iscandar Series 1 Part III" [Episode 10-13]. The 90 minute disc
is due out in the U.S. on February 27th at an SRP of $29.95. It carries
the UPC code #769071-0003-94. Voyager reports reader feedback suggesting
extra features is going great and as a product of this Vol. III contains a
"Virtual Tour" of the space cruiser Argo and a preview for Vol. 4. The
original transformers will returning, including a product line reminiscent
of the 80's look and an all-new kids television series that premieres on
Fox Kids. "Optimus Prince and the Autobots will once again battle Megatron
and the Predacons." (Apparently Decpticons get the boot.) Fox Kids will
begin airing all-new Transformers Robots In Disguise programming six days
per week. The premise behind the series is described as "In Earth's near
future, Megatron and his evil force of energy hungry Predacons arrive with
one goal: Destruction! The Predacons' Earth-shattering conquest causes a
secret force of goodness to emerge: the heroic Autobots, led by Optimus
Prime. The Autobots have hidden their existence by taking the form of
vehicles. Now they boldly reveal their true nature to fight Megatron and
protect Earth. They are TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE! "

Ayashi No Ceres U.S. DVD Release

A Viz ad for the Ayashi No Ceres, with the English name Celestial Legend
DVD is currently running in Animerica Magazine listing a release date for
sometime in 2001. Ayashi No Ceres is a later work by Yu Watase, the
creator of Fushigi Yugi, shoujo manga/anime series. Ayashia no Ceres is
the story of a girl, who on her sixteenth birthday is order to be killed
by her grandfather when she manifests mystical powers. Viz will also be
printing the manga series.

Mononoke English Script Nominated For Nebula

The current issue of LOCUS magazine lists the preliminary nominees for the
Nebula awards (the awards given by Science Fiction Writers of America) and
under the category of "Best Script" is "Princess Mononoke by Hayao
Miyazaki and Neil Gaiman." The other scripts nominated were for "South
Park: Bigger, Better Uncut," "The Green Mile", "Galaxy Quest," "Being John
Malkovich" and "Dogma." Preliminary balloting ends 2/23, and is supposed
to narrow it down to six finalists in each category--but given that there
are only six here to begin with, that shouldn't be an issue here.

08th MS Team on Cartoon Network

Gundam: The 08th Mobile Suit Team is coming to Cartoon Network some time
in 2001, according to GundamOfficial.com. Gundam Tech speculates that s
eeing as how they also have a chronological listing of the Gundam series
right below that in the Universal Century section, 0080 and 0083 probably
won't be far off.

New Devilman Animation Info

According to Amon's Devilman Page FAQ
http://members.tripod.com/sdmike/Arts/: "Will there be a 4th Devilman OVA
to finish off the saga?" "I recently found out that the sales figures for
Amon The Apocalypse Of Devilman sold very few copies in Japan at the end
of 2000 (dont know the EXACT figure). The sales were much lower than the
consumers and copywright holders had anticipated too. In fact it was shown
that Fewture gained a larger share hold from their Devilman toy sales,
than Kodansha did from the actual OVA!! The third OVA was rushed too, and
contained a mangled plot focussing on screwed in elements from Devilman
volumes #4 & #5. The only way they could bring a 4th Devilman OVA onto the
market, would be for them to adapt it from the newly published "AMON: The
Darkside Of Devilman," or the 1987 manga "NEW DEVILMAN (Shin Devilman)."
And for this to happen, there would have to a VERY large out cry and
demand for Dynamic to make one (the kind of thing where freaked-out fans
bombard Nagai & Dynamic Pro. with emails and SA fan letters, etc)" Also,
for fans, there's more info on Devil Man toys, and pictures covers of
manga that contain the edited scenes from the original Violence Jack
manga.

Detective Conan No Go on Fox

According to TMS (Tokyo Movie Shinsha), the Japanese company who holds the
licensing rights to Detective Conan, the American cable television network
Fox Family does not currently have the broadcast rights to the Detective
Conan TV series. Detective Conan is mystery show about a 17 year old
detective who is forced to ingest a drug that makes him a child. About 1
year ago it was first reported by Animation Blast that Fox had made an
announcement about acquiring the title. Apparently a decision was made not
to pick the series up due to violence content, especially in regards to
was scens, as was speculated early on by many who have seen the series.

Latest Manga DVD Dates

Manga Entertainment has unveiled the their latest DVD release schedule on
their web site. (Pioneer's DVD date change fairly often, and are usually
unreliable.) The list includes the classic, and highly anticipated Giant
Robo, a number of titles based on the works of Masamune Shirow (creator of
Ghost in the Shell) including Appleseed, Black Magic M-66, and Landlock,
and the very new action/horror Blood. Conspicuously missing is X, the
movie based on the apocalyptic CLAMP manga that received a limited
theatrical run last year.

• FEBRUARY 27, 2001 o Street Fighter II V - Vol.1 (DVD) SRP=$29.95 o
  Street Fighter II V - Vol.2 (DVD) SRP=$29.95
• MARCH 27, 2001 o Street Fighter II V - Vol.3 (DVD) SRP=$29.95 o Street
  Fighter II V - Vol.4 (DVD) SRP=$29.95
• APRIL 24, 2001 o Appleseed (DVD) SRP=$24.95 o Black Magic M-66 (DVD)
  SRP=$24.95
• MAY 29, 2001 o Amon Saga (DVD) SRP=$24.95 o Ultraviolet Box Set (2 DVDs)
  SRP=$39.95
• JUNE 26, 2001 o Shadow Skill The Movie (DVD)* SRP=$29.95 o Tokyo
  Revelation (DVD)* SRP=$24.95 o Landlock (DVD)* SRP=$29.95 o Black Magic
  M-66 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
• JULY 31, 2001 o Psychic Wars (DVD)* SRP=$24.95 o Blood (DVD)* SRP=$24.95
• AUGUST 28, 2001
• SEPTEMBER 25, 2001 o Violence Jack (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
• OCTOBER 30, 2001 o Vampire Wars (DVD)* SRP=$24.95 o Virus Vol. 3 (Dub)*
  SRP=$19.95 o Virus Vol. 3 (Sub)* SRP=$24.95
• NOVEMBER 27, 2001 o Giant Robo Vol.1 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95 o Giant Robo
  Vol.2 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95
• DELAYED RELEASES: o NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (movie) - Coming Summer,
  2001!
  

Sailor Moon S Dates

The first two volumes of Sailor Moon S have recently been released in the
US. Sailor Moon S is a season of Sailor Moon that May interest non-Sailor
Moon fans. It is not as saccharine as other seasons, or as stereotypical
of magical girl series. It is darker and more mature, akin to the
director's later work, Revolutionary Girl Utena. The next two volume,
entitled "Sailor Moon S TV Series 3: Labyrinth" and "Sailor Moon S TV
Series 4: Birthday Blues" have been announced for the Sailor Moon S TV
series. It is due 4/10 with a retail price of for $14.98 for the 60 minute
Toonami edited dubbed VHS, $14.98 for the 70 minute dubbed uncut VHS, and
70 minute $14.98 for the uncut subtitled VHS. The second DVD Sailor Moon S
TV Series 3-4:Labyrinth/Birthday Blues will run 140 minutes, and retail
for $29.98.

ADV Release Dates

The first two volumes of the AD Police TV series, Bad Blood and Love's
Labor Lost, will both be released on 3/20. The DVD releases of Gunsmith
Cats and Sorcerer Hunters: Magical Encounters have both moved to 3/27. ADV
has sent out a press release of April releases. Bilingual DVD and dub VHS
versions of the Playstation RPG based Arc the Lad will be released 4/17.
Martian Successor Nadesico: Heavenly Bodies, Lost Universe volume 6,
Sailor Moon: Green Eyed Monster and Sailor Moon: And In This Corner -
Sailor Venus will be release 4/10. Gasaraki: From the Ashes...was on the
release, but with the comment "Date not yet verified" for its pre-book,
and release dates. Gasaraki 4 and 5 have been delayed with no new date set
and that when they do have firm dates, they'll be announced; the series is
not on hiatus. There is speculation that the delay is due to the
complicate nature of the popular series casting and dubbing. Gasaraki has
been gather a great deal of fan praise as a thoughtful series with a great
deal of military and political strategy. The combination of mecha with a
hard science fiction edge and Shinto mysticism interests many.

ADV's retro giant robot series Getter Robo has entered production, and
news on its release can be expected soon.

Project Ako DVDs

On 5/8, CPM will be releasing Project A-Ko OVA's 2, 3 and 4 on one single
disc with a running time of 180 minutes for 29.99$. Japanese and English
languages included. Special features include

• Meet the Cast
• Art Gallery
• Production Credits
• Chapter Stops
• Sneak Peeks
• Interactive Menus

Akira distribution?

According to http://www.networksolutions.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois? it looks
like Warner Brothers may be handling the theatrical distribution of Akira.
Pioneer has not commented on the subject.

Furi Kuri Sixth Story Information

The final volume of the Gainax (Evangelion, Gunbuster, Nadua) / Production
I.G. OAV Furi Kuri goes on sale in Japan on DVD format March 16th
retailing at 3,700 Yen. The 6th volume runs 30 minutes and includes
English subtitles and production extras.

Cowboy Bebop Movie Updates

The Cowboy Bebop Japanese web site been updated with news about the movie.
(Text was translate using software, so it may be a little off.) The movie
is due out this summer. Of the movie's status "'production's smoothly
progressingDetails of the content of the work remain being covered with
the veil which is ??? and is ??? though the layout work already completes,
rushes into drawing, it has been told the decision of two radio actors of
the guest character which has been completed by music in March."

The bounty that starts Spike, Faye, Jet, Ed and Ein on the case in the
movie is described as "2071. The terrorism of blasting the tank lorry on
the line the first in the expressway capital which started in the Crater
city in Mars where Halloween had been kept from in the near future was
generated. 500 total people or more to killed and injured the person.
Damage was a crime by which [it] reached from the explosive centre 1km in
surroundings, and [it] alluded to the use of BC arms or a chemical
medicine. Prizes offered by the criminal are indeed 300,000,000 Woolong
The aspect changes, is hung 4 people and 1 of the (*bibapp*) titles
annoyed by cash-hungry ?? on enormous amount of this reward, and of each
begins to run after the criminal by the arbitrary decision."

• Staff:
• Original Yadate Hajime
• Supervisor Makoto Ichiro Watanabe
• Scenario Keiko Makoto
• Character design Kawamoto Toshihiro
• Set design Shiho Takeuchi
• Art director Atsushi Morikawa
• Music Youko Kan'no
• Production Sunrise and BondsBandai visual

As previously reported Yoko Kanno has recorded 2 original songs for the
movie. Seiyuu for the 5 main characters and Staff for "Knockin On Heaven's
Door" remains virtually unchanged in the film version save new set
designer Shiho Takeuchi and Art Director Atsushi Morikawa.

Also added http://www.cowboybebop.com/0101/news/010201/assembly.html is
info and imagery from a production dinner at a Kichijoji area restaurant
in January. Assembled there were staff and seiyuu for Bebop and even a few
members of the Production I.G. camp, Kitakubo-sensei, director of Blood
The Last Vampire and Okiura-sensei of Jin-Roh. Seiyuu Megumi Hayashibara
did a sketch Just Click (another sketch can be seen By Clicking) at the
dinner which can be seen by clicking the the link in the paragraph at the
above page. The semifictional Seat Belts group which performed a good
amount of the TV series soundtrack is reunited with Yoko Kanno (images can
be had Click Here). This page has a fictional excerpt from the 'Jupiter
daily report (2043.2.5.)' on the Seatbelt band and the figure Y.K.
Apparently in the future a number of the Seatbelts' tunes are remixed and
played on pirate net broadcast.

The new characters Vincent is described as "In the prize neck from which
300,000,000 woolog was offered, it is criminal of the tank lorry blast
terrorism. In a word, [it] is being witnessed by the terrorist by Faye on
the site. --What is "Coolness" though man who was within 1km of the
explosive centre is sure to receive harm?It does not seem to be a
character by the question because it finished seeing the movie which seems
to be able to be gripped easily though an apparently simple [it] seems not
to be neither heinous criminal it be nor pleasure horrific killer. [It]
tattoos it in the hand. A crime drifts and the cruelty of moving even if
working which not is is drifted in the whole body. Does an ominous past
event make his eyes hollow?" and Electra is described as "Woman of mystery
by which [it] looks for Vincent. In ? which chases the truth of the
terrorism, the spike is frequent ?? ??????. [It] seems to appear in shape
to put on (*juraba*) on the (*moroccan*) street in Ma! rs at the time of
beginning. [It] trains for some reason or other and if it is a figure of
?????, .. though it is easy to say the beautiful woman to whom the style
is good. I wonder with what kind of drama to play the spike and Vincent
really though the race who temporizes to a social system does not at least
see." The pair seemed to described as Beauty and the Beast. Other new
characters include Rashid and Lee Samson. Rashid is described as "A man of
"People in desert" mystery in the Middle East or Africa northern part
really. MoroccoIt is understood only to come in contact at present in the
play with the spike though it is said that the Moroccan people guide of
the real existence accompanied at the ?? location hunting is a model." Lee
Samson is described as "is a man of the mystery which seems to be the Asia
the Far Eastern system to the guess from the name. The fashion is the
street considerably inclined to. [It] seems to excel in handling
computers, and there might be of the fight to Ed by the forte, too." Punch
and Judy of the bo unty hunter show will return, as will be ubiquitous
three old men. The mech designs for the movie editions of Spike, Jet, and
Faye's ships, as well as the crew's main ship, and a new, large black ship
can be seen Just Click Here

German Anime Items

After the success of MTV Italia MTV Germany has decided to start also with
anime. They will begin airing with "Goldenboy" from the 28th of march at
22:00 CET. More Information will be available soon under
http://www.mtvhome.de. RTL 2, one of the only stations, who is airing
animes like Pokemon, Sailormoon, Monster Rancher, Dragoball, will launch
th 24th of april Wedding Peach and from the 29th of may they will be show
Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne. Announced is also Ojamajo Doremi.

Triangle Session Anime TV Series Coming

As previously reported, ADV Films first announced at AX 2000 that they
were co-producing a new anime series in Japan titled Triangle Session.
Anime News Service has confirmed more details for the animation series.
The radio version ran in 1999 in a radio drama incarnation of 3 young
girls Acari, Yuuki and Nozomi who are attending music school with the aim
of becoming super idols. The 3 radio seiyuu who worked on the audio drama
will reprise their roles in the animation version and have recorded the OP
and ED themes on Feb 4th. Broadcast date is still pending but currently
the following staff are confirmed:

Director: Shin Kudou; Character Design: Fumi Muroi; Art director:
Hidetoshi Kaneko; Color design: Naoko Kodama; Animation Production:
Madhouse .