According to a Japanese language news report, an un-named “major American studio” is in negotiations for distribution rights to the new Japanese live action Casshern movie, along with American re-make rights. There is a possibility that Kiriya Kazuaki, director for the Japanese film, will direct a possible American remake that utilizes his internationally famous J-pop vocalist Hikaru Utada.
Source: Kung Fu Cult Cinema
In an American comic industry first, TOKYOPOP has announced plans to produce and broadcast original television ads for its manga titles on TV networks including Cartoon Network, MTV, Spike TV, G4, and Tech TV. No American comic publisher has ever produced and financed its own television commercials. Co-op comic TV commercials aired in the 1980s were financed by toy company Hasbro. TOKYOPOP’s ads will begin in May and run through September.
Source: ICv2 News
According to posts on the Japanese fan 2chan Manga BBS (post 1, post 2), the popular Genshiken manga by Kio Shimoku will be adapted into anime by Palm Studio, the studio behind the Tree of Palm anime movie and Interlude OAV series. The popular Genshiken manga serial, published in Afternoon Magazine, is the story of Sasahara Kanji’s daily life as a Japanese manga, anime and video game otaku.
A post to the 2chan Manga BBS also reports that KSS will release a zero episode of the second Guardian Hearts OAV series in September with the new two episode OAV series following this fall.
Source: Moon Phase
According to Animation Magazine, Hellboy movie director Guillermo Del Toro has stated, “We are in talks with Gonzo Anime for the Hellboy anime series.”
Source: Anime News Network
The Pacific Media Expo has announced that Shino Masanori, character designer for Gungrave, Gundam Wing & Banner of the Stars, will attend the convention as a guest of honor.
Source: Anime News Network
Media Works has announced plans to develop a series of 4 Playstation 2 action games based on the Gunslinger Girl anime TV series. The second game is scheduled for Japanese release on June 17th.
Source: The Magic Box
Question:
Wow, digisubs and super-saturation of the US anime market has made American anime “fans” into Japanese fans, just with 1/3 of the attention span. I’m kind of sad that it seems more new people are finding their “niche” genres quickly and then deciding they only like a certain type of anime and then refuse to like or watch anything outside of their chosen genre, as well as the whole new-is-good-is-trendy movement.
Unfortunately for guys like us, the “mainsteaming” of anime here never meant an otakuzation movement fusing a love of Japanese animation as a medium, art, commerical product and riveting intellectual discourse and analysis about anime, its artistic merit and social/economic/political issues concerning it. Mainstreaming meant more average Joe’s having a slightly less vague notion: from “Them Japanese violent devil porn cartoons” (thanks, Urotsukidoji) to, “That poorly-drawn kiddie crap” (Sailor Moon, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh), and a huge influx of destined-to-be-geeks who would otherwise be involved in Star Trek/Wars, video games, computers, or sci-fi/fantasy to flock to anime because it was suddenly “cool”.
So what do you think?
Yesterday’s AnimeNation News Page included an article citing a Japanese fan BBS post claiming that a Sunrise Studios representative had informed the message poster that the Inuyasha anime TV series was scheduled to conclude this September. The Japanese post is roughly translated below (apologies to Kisaragi):
Super Robot Taisen BBS
Discussion Thread about Robot Anime that is being Aired Now
#527 Name: Nanashi-san mo Watashi da - April 20th, 2004 - Tue. 19:45
Today I went to Sunrise’s explanatory meeting for job applicants. I received several pieces of information there, explained by the person in charge of the meeting.
- The rumor about Gundam Seed 2 is true. They said Seed 2 was presently in production, and that would premier next October. I guess probably the next issue of anime magazines will carry the official announcement, because they disclosed that info to us very frankly.
- They said the Inuyasha TV series would come to an end next September.
- Sunrise has gained the largest profit since their company was established because Gundam Seed has been a great hit.
This post is mirrored on the Japanese Char Only Blog website which links to the page on the official Sunrise Studios website with information about the Job Fair event from which this news reportedly originated.
Yesterday’s AnimeNation News Page article clearly stated that word of Inuyasha ending originated from a BBS post and not from any official source. Until an official statement regarding the status of Gundam Seed 2 and Inuyasha is made by Sunrise Studios of Japan, anime fans may interpret this first hand account with whatever degree of validity they choose.
WOWOW has posted some details and images from Mankatsu, a new TV series from Lupin th 3rd creator Monkey Punch that will air on the WOWOW satellite cable network starting in July with an hour long premiere episode.
Source: Anime News Network
Right Stuf International has scheduled adult anime Vanilla Series: I Love You DVD for American release on July 27th. The DVD will contain both episodes of the “Sukidayo!” OAV series and retail at $29.99.
Source: Anime on DVD
The latest ICv2 Retailers Guide to Anime/Manga, available primarily to comic and bookstore industry professionals, includes estimated lists of the most popular and best selling ongoing anime and manga titles in America. The top titles from both lists are accessible on the ICv2 website.
The official Japanese Kaleidostar homepage confirms that a Kaleidostar OAV is early in production.
Source: Rakuga Kidou
Production I.G. president Mitsuhisa Ishikawa has made a public statement revealing that Innocence (Ghost in the Shell 2) will be the first Japanese animation film ever to compete in the Cannes Film Festival, and only the fifth animated film to ever compete for best film honors at the prestigous film festival. Visit the English language Production I.G. homepage to read the full statements from Ishikawa and director Mamoru Oshii.
Source: Anime News Network
Three new anime films opened in Japanese theaters this week, two of which became the week’s top grossing films, bumping Lord of the Rings: Return of the King down to third place in weekly box-office receipts- the film’s lowest position since it opened in Japan 10 weeks ago. The new Detective Conan and Crayon Shin-chan movies, and the full digital animation Appleseed movie all debuted in Japan’s top 10 highest grossing movies for the week of their debut release. The full top 10 includes:
01. Detective Conan - Magician Of The Silver Sky (1 week in release)
02. Crayon Shin-chan movie 12 (1 week in release)
03. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (10 weeks in release)
04. Hidalgo (1 week in release)
05. Peter Pan (1 week in release)
06. Quill (6 weeks in release)
07. Appleseed (1 week in release)
08. My Lover is a Sniper (1 week in release)
09. Something’s Gotta Give (4 weeks in release)
10. Brother Bear (6 weeks in release)
Source: Anime News Network
Question:
Why is Full Metal Alchemist so good? Its been a long time since an anime had me wanting to see the next episode as soon as possible. The last series that grabbed me this much was probably Berserk, almost 4 years ago. Also, do you have any idea how many episodes the series is likely to be? They just changed opening and ending credits with episode 26 which indicates the show is now entering its third season, which seems like a sign that it may go for a while yet.
