According to Anime News Service, the 13 episode Space Pirate Captain Harlock: The Endless Odyssey anime TV series scheduled to premier on Japanese television on June 27th has been indefinitely delayed due to “circumstances in regard to production.” ANS does not provide any citation regarding the validity of the news or where it came from.
Anime Expo, scheduled for the July 4th weekend in Long Beach, California, has confirmed a number of new Japanese guests of honor:
Maria Kawamura, the voice of Naga from Slayers, Quess in Char’s Counterattack, and Lachesis of the Five Star Stories movie among many others.
Hidenori Matsubara, animation director and character designer for the Ah! Megami-sama and Sakura Taisen anime, and more.
Mamiko Noto, voice actress of Kotori in the X TV series, Yoshiko of Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and numerous other characters.
Hiroaki Goda, director of all of the A!MG anime and Onegai Teacher character designer.
Toshiharu Murata, character designer on Hellsing, Eat-Man and Blue No. 6 among other positions.
Tsukasa Hojo, creator of City Hunter and Cat’s Eye.
Article provided by “Spirit of Gai”
The long dormant American branch of Japanese anime studio Studio APPP has opened and updated its American Super Techno Arts website with images, information and con reports. Super Techno Arts’ first American release, the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures OAV series, will premier in America later this year.
Source: Anime News Service
The Magic Box has reprinted the first (unimpressive) low resolution screenshots from Infogrames upcoming American produced PS2 fighting game Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors.
The Sci-Fi Channel has learned that the 10 animated Matrix shorts currently in production will premier on the official Matrix website this fall, followed by a possible DVD release. According to Sci-Fi Wire, the ten minute long 10th short film, a full CG rendered by Squaresoft, may possibly be released theatrically as well.
Source: Anime News Service
Viz has opened its official American website for their North American distribution of the impressive and disturbing live action Japanese horror film Uzumaki.
Source: Kung Fu Cult Cinema
Takeshi Miike’s latest film, Shin Jingi No Hakaba (New graveyard of Honor), is scheduled to premier in Japanese theaters next month. The film is a violent gangster movie adapted from a novel written by Battle Royale director Kinji Fukasaku. The film’s official site is available here, and a streaming Real Media trailer here.
The third and “final” film in the Tomie horror movie trilogy, Tomie: The Final Chapter - Forbidden Fruit, will open in Japan on June 29th. The official site includes a streaming Real Media trailer. The Tomie films are based on Junji Ito manga about a woman that cannot die, no matter how seriously her body is injured.
Source: Kung Fu Cult Cinema
Question:
What’s up with SoulTaker and Hellsing emulating Mike Mignola’s (Hellboy) style so much? Specifically SoulTaker, which directly rips him off with the statue crying blood in the opening. Not that Mignola is the most original artist in the world (retro gothic Kirby horror, hmmm…), but it was rather unsettling.
Manga Entertainment is now sponsoring a pair of rewarding anime sweepstakes open to all US & Canadian anime fans.
Enter the Evangelion: Death & Rebirth contest for a chance to win one of three grand prize packages consisting of Manga Entertainment’s top 10 DVD titles, a Manga Prize Pack and a copy of the Evangelion: Death & Rebirth DVD. 15 runners-up will also win a Manga Prize Pack and a copy of the Death & Rebirth DVD.
While you’re at it, take a moment to register for the Astro Boy contest as well. Ten winners will receive a limited edition Astro Boy replica production cel with background, the upcoming first 3 VHS volumes of Astro Boy from Manga Entertainment, and a selection of other great Manga goodies!
The first new Space Pirate Captain Harlock television anime in 20 years is scheduled to premier in Japan next month. The 13 episode Space Pirate Captain Harlock: The Endless Odyssey is directed by Rintaro with animation by Madhouse and will premier on Japanese satellite TV network SkyperfecTV AT-X on June 27. The series will premier on Japanese VHS and DVD on September 19th.
While Captain Harlock did appear in the Cosmo Warrior Zero television series last year, the last anime TV series to star Harlock was Endless Road SSX from 1982.
Source: Anime News Service
Although unconfirmed by other sources, Anime News Service reports that Pioneer USA has in fact licensed all of the remaining Lupin III animation from TMS that has not already been licensed by AnimEigo, Manga and FUNimation. This includes 5 movies/specials and all 228 TV episodes.
Pioneer is scheduled to officially announce their distribution agreement and reveal exactly what they will be distributing at the L!censing 2002 International trade show in New York City opening June 11th.
Japanese developer From Software, best known for their Armored Core series of mecha action games for the Playstation, has unveiled a first look at their upcoming Xbox action game Otogi. The game, set in an ancient fantastic Japan, seems equally influenced by Capcom’s Onimusha and Devil May Cry games, and Chinese fantasy kung-fu films such as Tsui Hark’s Legend of Zu. The Magic Box has reprinted screenshots and the MPG trailer for the game scheduled for Japanese release this winter.
Question:
I’m curious as to why there aren’t more anime series much like Cowboy Bebop, Perfect Blue, Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell or Ninja Scroll, to name a few. In the world of anime, there seems to be more comical series than dramas. Although these series did have their comic moments, the fact that they were very dramatic, I say, was the big factor that made them so huge. So why aren’t more dramatic anime series or even movies being produced? Is there a small market for them? Why the flood of cutesy character, panty flashing, eye bulging comedy?
Yamato Toys, the Japanese company producing the upcoming Appleseed action figure with DVD sets, has posted the first footage of the upcoming full digital Appleseed movie in Windows Media .ASX format. The short clip is little more than a technology demo, but is also noteworthy for being entirely in English, suggesting the possibility that the forthcoming movie will be produced like the 2000 Vampire Hunter D movie, in English for easy international release.
The Big Apple Anime Fest has issued a press release announcing that Yoshiyuki Tomino will attend the convention as a guest of honor. Tomino has created such influential and beloved anime series as Brave Reideen, Zanbot 3, Mobile Suit Gundam, Aura Battler Dunbine and it’s spin off Garzey’s Wing, Xabungle, and Brain Powerd.
