AnimeNation Anime News Blog

Bandai yesterday issued a press release for the Blue Submarine No. 6 Special Edition DVD boxed set scheduled for release on June 3rd. Special features on the set include:

*Blue Submarine No. 6 “Digital Plus”
*Background Info on Blue Submarine No. 6 “Antarctica”
*Blue Submarine No. 6: “Antarctica” Playstation Game - Anime Footage
*Making of the Playstation Game Featurette
*Interviews include Shoji Kawamori, Mahiro Maeda, Satoru Ozawa, The Thrill, and “Antarctica” Game Creative Staff
*Cartoon Network Promo Spots Collection
*Blue Submarine No. 6 Trailer Collection
*Animerica Feature Spotlight: Blue Submarine No. 6
*Blue Submarine No. 6 Cover Illustration Gallery
*Character Encyclopedia
*Blue Fleet Background Info
*Zorndyke Forces Background Info
*Key Terminology
*Submarine Terminology
*EXCLUSIVE Music Clip: ‘Yukikaze’

According to Anime News Network, Bandai Entertainment Marketing Director Jerry Chu has confirmed that Bandai has licensed Gonzo’s current Sentou Yousei Yukikaze OAV series for American release. The five episode series is averaging one episode released in Japan per year. So far, two episodes have been released in Japan since 2002.

RSI has announced plans to re-release the Boogiepop Phantom DVD boxed set in a “Limited Collector’s Edition Ultra Box” available exclusively through Right Stuf International and Best Buy stores beginning June 17th.

The $79.99 set will include all 4 Boogiepop Phantom DVDs, the two Boogiepop Phantom Soundtracks (the Boogiepop Phantom: Original Soundtrack 2-CD Set and the Boogiepop Phantom: Music Inspired by Boogiepop and Others CD), special Collector’s Edition Collectibles such as Limited Edition Boogiepop Phantom Card Set and Pencil Boards!

Source: Right Stuf International

Psikyo, the development company behind video games including Capcom’s Gunspike, Gunbird, and Strikers 1945, has closed its video game development branch and will no longer produce console or arcade games.

SNK Neo Geo USA president Ben Herman has revealed that new installments of Samurai Spirits, Metal Slug 3D and an online version of Baseball Star are in development. Furthermore, SNK Neo Geo (Playmore) is planning to supply game software for the next generation console systems.

Capcom’s Network Biohazard / Network Resident Evil for PlayStation 2 will be renamed Biohazard Outbreak / Resident Evil Outbreak.

Source: The Magic Box

Question:
I had this notion, that you might choose to import the sort of titles that other distributors tend to neglect. In other words, titles that ought to be available to Western audiences, but have too small a target audience demographic for the other (more profit oriented ^_-) distributors to bother with. “Risky-Safety” certainly seems to be just such an anime (that won’t stop me from buying it though!).

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Viz has issued a vaguely worded official statement confirming their acquisition of the English language translation rights to the frequently requested Rurouni Kenshin manga series. The official statement announces that “Rurouni Kenshin will make an appearance in [Shonen Jump USA] Issue 7,” but regular serialization in the magazine has not been confirmed yet.

Wow! The response for Rurouni Kenshin has been overwhelming, but we should clarify a thing or two about the previous newsletter. Rurouni Kenshin will be published by Viz, but we have not yet announced how it will be published. It may be in SHONEN JUMP, it may be published as Graphic Novels–or it may appear in both. Rurouni Kenshin will make an appearance in Issue 7, however–in a feature article. Stay tuned for more details about the historical hit manga/anime.

Source: Anime on DVD

AD Vision has published four new press releases detailing information about their latest title acquisitions.

Azumanga Daioh will premier in America on the Anime Network, possibly later this year, before its home video release.

The tentatively titled Evangelion Director’s Cut will consist of TV episodes 21-26 released on two DVDs each containing three original broadcast version and extended Japanese home video version episodes. No release date for these director’s cut episodes has been determined yet.

Final Fantasy: Unlimited, the 25 episode anime TV series from Gonzo Studios, will premier on the Anime Network and on domestic DVD late this summer.

Magical Shopping Street Abenobashi, one of the most recent productions from Gainax Studios, will tentatively premiere on the Anime Network this winter, followed by a 2004 DVD release.

A streaming Windows Media trailer for the upcoming anime family film Momoko, Kaeru no Uta ga Kikoeru yo is now available online. The film should hit Japanese theaters this summer.

The film is about twin siblings Riki and Momoko. Riki’s younger sister Momoko is disabled and has trouble breathing. In the film she is slowly moved out of her special school and introduced into Riki’s primary school.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo

Many fans will remember the 4 anime music videos directed by Leiji Matsumoto, created for French pop music group Daft Punk, released in 2001. According to ICv2 News, a rumored new collaboration between Daft Punk and Matsumoto will premiere at the upcomming Cannes Film Festival in France.

Question:
Do people in Japan really talk like they do in anime? Is it common to use words like “baka,” “kuso,” “gomen nasai,” the I form “ore,” and English words and phrases?

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The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the organization that organizes and staffs the annual Anime Expo convention, has publicly denied all of last week’s accusations of misconduct and corporate interest by former SPJA president Mike Tatsugawa. In the public statement reprinted by Anime News Network, the SPJA threatens Mr. Tatsugawa with a possible lawsuit on the basis of slander.

DIC Entertainment has filed a $5 million plus damages lawsuit against Speed Racer Enterprises (SPE) claiming breech of contract. DIC licensed the TV and merchandising rights to Speed Racer, and the option for new episodes, from SPE for $779,500 plus 50% of gross receipts. Speed Racer Enterprises claims that DIC did not exert its option to license additional TV episodes. DIC claims that it did not license additional episodes because SPE withheld vital contract information in an effort to sell the episodes in question to another distributor for more.

Source: ICv2 News and Anime News Network

Eight months after the conclusion of the King of Bandits Jing anime TV series, Kodansha has officially announced plans for a Bandit King Jing OAV series titled “7th Heaven,” to be released in Japan this winter.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo

Previously unannounced, TOKYOPOP has acquired the English language publication rights to Katsu Aki’s 7 volume manga adaptation of the Vision of Escaflowne anime TV series.

Source: Jagged Team

The official Blame! Homepage has announced that the Blame! anime series will be released on DVD next month. The 40 minute long DVD, titled “Blame! Salvage Disk by CIBO” will include all 6 made-for-internet-broadcast episodes of the post-apocalyptic action/adventure, two bonus clips totaling 4 1/2 minutes, and optional English subtitles. Unfortunately, the DVD is only available for sale through the official site and is restricted to orders shipped within Japan.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo

The official Japanese Battle Royale II homepage now hosts a streaming Windows Media format full theatrical trailer for the highly anticipated upcoming live action film. Please be aware that the trailer contains scenes of intense graphic violence. The trailer links are the bottom pair on the page.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News