AnimeNation Anime News Blog

According to the New York Daily News, the Cartoon Network’s viewing audience has dropped by 15% since last year. According to the article, media analysts claim that the Cartoon Network’s concentration on its Adult Swim program has led to a decline in young viewers, significantly hurting the network’s market position and viability. It’s suggested that the Cartoon Network shifted too much attention to its late-night adult cartoon block instead of concentrating on its more profitable children’s market. “They got sidetracked and they stumbled,” the article states. The Cartoon Network has not introduced a “big hit” since 1998’s Powerpuff Girls. The network is hoping to begin a recovery with five new original programs including the Star Wars Clone Wars shorts.

The TV-Tokyo homepage now has streaming Real Media trailers available for Sonic X, Human Scramble, Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok, D.N.Angel, and the AD Vision co-production Kaleidostar.

Toshiba Digital Frontiers is currently hosting streaming trailers for UFO Princess Walkure season 2, Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos-sou Suttoko Taisen Dokkoaider, and Narue no Sekai.

The Official RahXephon movie homepage now hosts a second trailer for the film. (The one on top is the newer one.) Please be aware that the new trailer contains mild spoiler footage from the TV series.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo

AD Vision has opened its official English language homepage devoted to Saiyuki. The first Saiyuki DVD is scheduled for release on the 29th.

The Los Angeles Times has published a favorable discussion of the Cowboy Bebop movie, and an interview with its director, Shinichiro Watanabe, in anticipation of the movie’s limited American theatrical release this Friday. In a slight revision of his assertion that Cowboy Bebop was finished, made several years ago, in this interview Watanabe says, “Spike’s adventures ‘will probably continue at some time in the future, although I’m not sure in what form’.”

Source: Anime News Network

Harper/Collins has announced the American release of a book titled Japanese Comickers, an English translation of material from the quarterly Japanese periodical Comickers. The book is an overview of current work by 14 promising comic, anime and manga artists specializing mainly in esoteric, experimental and avant garde illustration artwork. The book, and Comickers Magazine itself, is targeted mainly at art students and readers interested in contemporary Japanese art and design.

Source: Anime News Network

Right Stuf’s AnimeTrax line has announced its latest title. From renowned composer Masamichi Amano (SiN: the Movie / Giant Robo / Princess Nine TV / Ruin Explorers / Urotsukidoji) comes the Original Soundtrack to Ninja Resurrection! Performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Masamichi Amano himself, this wonderful soundtrack contains 16 tracks of hauntingly powerful melodies that will tear at your soul!

The 58 minute long CD will retail for $14.98 beginning on July 29th.

According to Nausicaa.net, the American DVD version of Spirited Away will be released as scheduled on April 15th. Disney chairman Dick Cook reportedly stated last week that the DVD release might be postponed due to the film’s current theatrical re-release.

Source: Anime News Network

Question:
In various anime and manga set in early Japan, female characters often have two distinctive circular markings on their foreheads. What is the origin of this, and what is its significance?

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AN Entertainment has opened its official homepage. The company’s first release, Risky Safety, has been scheduled to premier on American DVD on July 8th. The first Risky Safety DVD is now available for pre-order from AnimeNation, and should be available for pre-order through other retailers soon.

For more information, visit the official Risky Safety homepage.

Animation HQ will host a chat session with voice actor Crispin Freeman on April 3rd at 6:30 p.m. (EST)/ 3:30 p.m. (PST).

Kyle Hebert has announced plans to begin regular chat sessions on his homepage beginning April 5th.

Source: Anime on DVD

The highly anticipated Inuyasha DVD volumes 4 & 5 will both debut on April 22nd at $24.98 each.

The fifth American season of Ranma 1/2, Martial Mayhem, will be released in a DVD boxed set for $119.98 on May 6th.

Source: Anime on DVD

AD Vision’s new ADV Music label has announced its debut releases, scheduled for release on June 3rd at a retail price of $14.98 each.

Super Atragon: Metal Pulse Music Edition
Composed, arranged and conducted by Masamichi Amano; performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic and the Versailles Orchestra.

All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Soundphase 4
Composed by Hiroki Otomo, Kenichi Fujita, Hiroshi Matsuda (of the band Southern All-Stars), with additional compositions by Junichi Kawauchi.

Onimusha 2 Soundtrack
Orchestral compositions by Taro Iwashiro, Hideki Okugawa and Toshihiko Horiyama.

Source: Anime on DVD

AICN has published 20 mini reviews of recent fantasy and horror genre films screened at the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Films, including Ryuhei Kitamura’s Aragami, Sabu’s Drive, Sion Sono’s Suicide Circle, and Shinya Tsukamoto’s Snake of June.

Question:
Do you know when Bandai will bring Love Hina Again to America?

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New York Daily News columnist Jack Mathews has confirmed with Disney chairman Dick Cook that the scheduled April 15th American DVD release of Spirited Away may be delayed if the film does well in its theatrical re-release that begins tomorrow.

Source: Anime News Network