Archive for January, 2003

PRESS RELEASE – ANIMENATION ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST ANIME SERIES RELEASE

Friday, January 31st, 2003

ANIMENATION ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST ANIME SERIES RELEASE
Friday, January 31, 2003
AnimeNation is proud to announce its entry into the official translation and distribution of Japanese animation, more commonly known as “anime,” in the American marketplace with the acquisition of “Omishi Magical Theater: Risky Safety” (Omishi Mahou Gekijou Risky Safety). AnimeNation is committed to bringing this wonderful and charming contemporary classic to English speaking viewers with a DVD exclusive release that will appeal to casual anime viewers and attract devoted anime aficionados. Risky Safety will be the debut release from newly created AN Entertainment, AnimeNation’s home entertainment subsidiary devoted to providing Japanese animation to English speaking viewers.

ABOUT RISKY SAFETY:
Broadcast on Japanese television between October 1999 and April 2000, Risky Safety is a gorgeously visual and emotionally touching humorous drama unlike anything else ever released in America before. The Risky Safety story revolves around junior high school girl Moe Katsuragi who is first introduced deeply saddened over her perception that the boy she likes has no interest in her. At the depths of Moe’s despair, the tiny apprentice death spirit Risky appears before her, urging Moe to give in to sadness and give up her soul. Matters become confused when Moe discovers that the little devil Risky actually shares a body with the clumsy but pure hearted apprentice angel Safety. The tug-of-war over Moe’s soul between devilish Risky and angelic Safety sets in motion a funny and touching 24 episode tale of fate, love, friendship, the cosmic balance of the universe, and even a few giant monsters!

In the tradition of Buena Vista distributed anime titles including Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away, Risky Safety is an inspiring and heartwarming story suitable for family viewing. At the same time, Risky Safety includes enough elements of traditional imported Japanese anime to appeal to even the most seasoned and selective anime fan. Risky Safety is based on a comic book story created by Ray Omishi, the creator of popular and successful anime series Sorcerer Hunters. Risky Safety also features a memorable theme song performed by fan favorite vocalist Maaya Sakamoto, the singer responsible for theme songs to popular anime imports including Escaflowne, Lodoss War, Card Captor Sakura, and RahXephon. The Risky Safety animation was created by Studio A.P.P.P., the veteran Japanese studio responsible for breakthrough hit anime titles including Robot Carnival and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures. The all-star Japanese voice cast includes veteran actors Maaya Sakamoto, Kikuko Inoue, Horie Yui, Rumi Kasahara, and Yuri Shiratori.

For images and additional detail about Omishi Magical Theater Risky Safety, visit the official English language Risky Safety website at RiskySafety.com.

ABOUT THE RISKY SAFETY DVD:
AnimeNation is committed to providing discriminating anime viewers with an authentic and credible presentation of this imported Japanese series. To that end, AN Entertainment’s three volume Risky Safety DVD release will contain both English language audio and the original Japanese audio track with optional English subtitles. The subtitles will be adapted from a thoroughly researched “fansub” script- a dialogue script transcribed by devoted anime fans emphasizing translation accuracy and veracity to the original Japanese dialogue. Viewers that prefer English language dialogue will find Risky Safety immediately accessible and highly entertaining, especially supplemented with the extensive bonus liner notes detailing cultural and translation details that will be included on the AN Entertainment DVDs. The Risky Safety DVDs will also be packed with value-added bonus features including staff and cast biographies, trailers, image galleries, reversible DVD covers, and more. AnimeNation’s goal is to produce an archival, reference quality DVD release of Risky Safety that will keep viewers of all ages enthralled, and meet the high standards expected by die-hard anime fans and connoisseur of fine imported film.

ABOUT ANIMENATION:
Established in 1995, AnimeNation is one of the leading importers and retail distributors of Japanese animation merchandise in North America. Built on a philosophy of superior, knowledgeable customer service and utmost devotion to Japanese animation and “manga” comic art, AnimeNation is uniquely poised to bring appealing and high quality Japanese animation titles to American consumers with the care and attention these titles deserve and consumers demand. Risky Safety is uniquely poised to capitalize on an established consumer market anxious for original and appealing animated film entertainment. For more information, visit AnimeNation online at AnimeNation.com.

AnimeNation
13929 Lynmar Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33626

Manga Announces New DVDs

Friday, January 31st, 2003

Beside previously announced DVD releases including the Street Fighter II V Boxed Set and Rayearth OAV Collection on April 29th and Read Or Die on May 27th, Manga Entertainment has announced several new DVD tentative release dates.

Ninja Scroll 10th Anniversary Edition: June 24
New Dominion Tank Police: August 26
Orguss 02: September 30
Evangelion Movies DVD Boxed Set: October 28

Source: Anime on DVD

Production Begun on Astro Boy Movie

Friday, January 31st, 2003

Yahoo Movies has revealed that production on Columbia Pictures’ American produced Astro Boy movie is currently underway for release next year. While the film was originally planned to be a combination of live action and CG enhancement, the film is now in production as a full CG film.

Source: Anime News Network

Final Fantasy X-2 Peripherals Revealed

Friday, January 31st, 2003

Squaresoft has revealed plans to release a commemorative set of Final Fantasy X-2 hand controls for use with upcoming Playstation 2 game. The new hand controls with all of the functionality of the standard Playstation 2 hand control, are shaped as replicas of Yuna’s “Tiny Bee” guns. The gun hand controls will be released on March 13th and retail for 12,800 yen. Squaresoft will also be releasing three commemorative Final Fantasy X-2 memory cards, and a Final Fantasy X-2 Playstation 2 vertical stand.

Source: The Magic Box

Capcom Gaming News

Thursday, January 30th, 2003

Capcom has announced plans to develop a Playstation 2 adventure game based on the 3D Gregory Horror Show anime television series from 1999. The game will retain the same 3D/claymation look that the TV series used.

Capcom has also announced development of a multi-console & PC massively multi-player online RPG sequel to Ghosts’n'Goblins, titled Makimura Online.

Source: The Magic Box

Media Blasters Hiring for Horror Movie

Thursday, January 30th, 2003

Media Blasters has announced plans to produce a live-action independent horror movie. Talented actors and crew personnel for all positions interested in being involved in the project should email Carl Morano or call (212) 868-0991 Ext. 240.

Ask John: What’s So Good About Noir?

Thursday, January 30th, 2003

Question:
After finishing Noir I feel as if I missed something that would have made the entire experience a lot more enjoyable. It just seemed like the series was all about flashy action but nothing of any real substance. I honestly hate feeling as if I missed something, so was there some real big story facet that I missed that would make getting this series worthwhile, or are my arguments founded and getting this would be a waste of my time and money?

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Cartoon Network to Air Evangelion

Wednesday, January 29th, 2003

With a shocking and unexpected announcement, the Cartoon Network has confirmed plans to broadcast episodes of Evangelion, Nadesico, Dai-Gard, and Robotech during Toonami’s “Giant Robot Week” of February 24 – 28. Considering that these shows will be aired in the 4-5 PM timeslot on a network that seemingly believed it necessary to alter the title of Candidate for Goddess to “Pilot Candidate” to avoid religious suggestion, there’s no telling how much or how little especially the violence and Christian symbolism filled Evangelion will be edited for its Cartoon Network broadcast.

Source: Toon Zone

New DVD Announcements & Updates

Wednesday, January 29th, 2003

AD Vision will release the 1987 comedy OAV The Samurai on April 22nd. The 45 minute long DVD will retail for $24.98.

The Rayearth OAV series will be released on a single $29.95 DVD from Manga Entertainment on April 29th.

New Angel volume 1 from Softcel Pictures will retail for $29.98 beginning on May 13th. At 75 minute, the DVD should include OAV episodes 1 & 2.

The delayed Street Fighter DVD boxed set from Manga Entertainment originally scheduled to include the Street Fighter II V TV series and Street Fighter Alpha OAV series for $119.95 has been altered to a simple Street Fighter II V boxed set for $89.95. The set will be available on March 25th.

Source: Anime on DVD

AD Vision DVDs Delayed

Wednesday, January 29th, 2003

AD Vision has announced that the DVD versions of Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (live-action movie), Compiler, and Suikoden, originally scheduled for release on March 11, April 8, and June 24th respectively, have been delayed indefinitely.

Isane Hound Manga Licensed

Wednesday, January 29th, 2003

Eros Comics has acquired the English language publication rights to the Isane Hound adult manga series by artist Okawari. The first 24 page monthly translated comic version will be released in America in May under the title “Sex Warrior Isane Extreme.”

Azumi Trailer Online

Wednesday, January 29th, 2003

The official Toho Films website for Azumi is now online and includes a short trailer. The film adaptation of manga by Yu Koyama is directed by Ryuhei Kitamura. The official website and trailer reveal that female ninja Azumi carries a sword very reminiscent of the one used by KSC2-303 in Ryuhei Kitamura’s cult hit film Versus. The trailer also suggests that Azumi will feature the same sort of hyper-kinetic and bloody action typical of Versus. The film is scheduled for Japanese release in May.

Source: Kung-Fu Cult Cinema

Ask John: What do “Hachan” and Echan” Mean?

Wednesday, January 29th, 2003

Question:
Why does Excel call Hyatt “Hachan?” It seems to be some sort of nickname but at one point Excel refers to herself as “Echan.”

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TOKYOPOP Reveals Additional New Manga Licenses

Tuesday, January 28th, 2003

Anime on DVD has learned that TOKYOPOP has acquired the English language translation rights to Natsumi Ando’s shoujo manga Junikyu de Tsukamaete (Zodiac Detective), the fantasy manga Baby Birth written by Sukehiro Tomita with art by Haruhiko Mikimoto, and the manga adaptation of Gainax Studio’s FLCL.

The Anime Checklist Online

Tuesday, January 28th, 2003

Giuseppe Albanese has opened his Anime Check-List, a massive work-in-progress database of all anime released since 1917, including television series, OAVs including adult anime OAVs, and movies.

Source: Anime News Service