AnimeNation Anime News Blog

Media Blasters has announced release dates for a number of new titles.

The “cyber-fantasy” action OAV series Madara will premier with both OAVs on a single $29.95 DVD on May 27th.

The Knight Hunters Weiss Kreuz TV series DVD boxed set will retail for $99.95 beginning on May 27th.

The first 12 episodes of the Virtua Fighter TV series will hit DVD on May 27th priced at $39.95. The series will be bilingual, for the first time ever.

The adult anime OAV Alien from the Darkness will be released to domestic DVD on May 27th also at a retail price of $29.95.

The 26 episode Samurai Deeper Kyo TV series will debut in America on June 24th. The first DVD volume will contain 5 episodes and retail for $29.95 or $44.95 with a series box.

The 13 episode Mirage of Blaze TV series will debut in America on June 24th with 4 episodes on the first DVD. The disc will retail at $24.95 or $39.95 with a series box.

All four episodes of the Ys II OAV series will be available on a single $29.95 DVD on June 24th.

On June 24th the “If I See You In My Dreams” TV series DVD will contain all 16 mini episodes and retail for $24.95.

And finally, Seijun Suzuki’s critically acclaimed live action surreal yakuza action film Pistol Opera will debut on American DVD on June 24th at $29.95.

Digital Manga, Inc. and H.I.S. International Tours have teamed up to offer anime fans a once in a lifetime week long “otaku” vacation in Japan. The trip, scheduled for April 14-20, costs a very reasonable $1,272.00 per participant and includes round trip airfare between Los Angeles International Airport and Tokyo, hotel accommodations, food, a bilingual tour guide, a day of sightseeing famous Tokyo area cultural landmarks, and best of all, exclusive tours of the Ghibli Museum, and exclusive tours of the Madhouse & Tezuka Productions animation studios and the Yoyogi School of Animation, not normally open to the public. Reservations must be made by March 31st. For more information, visit the Pop Japan Travel homepage.

According to Anime on DVD, the Pioneer has confirmed, via a trailer on the upcoming first Gatekeepers 21 OAV series DVD, that the current anime TV series L/R - Licensed by Royal will be released in America later this year. The detective drama has received mixed reviews from fans that have seen some of it.

Last fall, French fashion label Louis Vuitton began using a new “LV” logo designed by Japanese artist Murakami Takashi. Murakami and Louis Vuitton have now collaborated on the production of a 5 minute long anime film titled “Superflat Monogram” that will screen in at least 18 Louis Vuitton stores worldwide beginning March 1st. The Alice in Wonderland style short anime film was produced by Toei Animation, including animators from the staff of Digimon. The “LV Panda” character from the Superflat Monogram is currently featured in a Flash animation on the Japanese Vuitton homepage.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo

Anime News Network has published its lists of edits and alterations made to the latest episodes of Nadesico and Dai-Gard broadcast as part of the Cartoon Network’s Giant Robot Week.

Anime News Service has published an introductory article about Tokyo Tower. The article may be especially interesting to anime fans that see Tokyo Tower appear in anime frequently.

The Magic Box has published the first amazing screenshots of Brownie Brown’s upcoming Gameboy Advance title Shinyaku Seiken Densetsu, a remake of Seiken Densetsu (released in America as “Final Fantasy Adventures” for the Gameboy), the first game in Squaresoft’s Secret of Mana/Legend of Mana series.

Question:
I saw models in a Hobby Japan issue from a show called Muv Luv. The designs were very Five Star Stories in complexity and grace, but still had the rugged looks of a Gundam, with the sort of bio-mechanic look of an Eva. What is the show about and will it be a likely candidate for US release?

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AnimeNation will be attending this weekend’s MegaCon convention in Orlando, Florida. Drop by and say hello.

Although the Kinnikuman Second Generation TV series ended on Japanese television on December 25, 2002, after 51 episodes, Toei Animation has officially announced that further episodes will be created specifically for American television broadcast. The episodes will be specifically written for, and tailored for American viewers.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo

Anime News Network has published a new interview with AD Vision voice actress Shelley Calene-Black.

Naruto now has an independent official site separate from the TV-Tokyo site.

The homepage for the upcoming fantasy adventure TV series Scrapped Princess is now online.

The official site for the AD Vision co-produced AD Police spin off OAV series Parasite Dolls is now online also. The first of 3 OAV episodes will be released in Japan on May 22nd. An American release date has not been announced yet.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo

AD Vision has opened its official English language homepage for Neo Ranga. The site includes release information, character biographies & artwork, a series overview, production art gallery, desktop backgrounds, the trailer, and two hidden sections.

Source: Anime on DVD

AIC has published one new screenshot of the upcoming third Tenchi Muyo OAV series. The latest image is a shot of Tenchi Masaki.

Source: Anime News Network

For fanatic fans and consumers with 14,800 yen to spare. Image here.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo