Question:
How likely are the chances of Gonzo Studios producing more of the phenomenal Last Exile? And is it just me, or are there just very few Last Exile related merchandise? I can’t seem to find artbooks of it anywhere. The anime isn’t based on a manga series, is it?
Top Cow Comics has announced that Gonzo Studios has licensed the rights to produce a Witchblade anime series for Japanese release, based on the American comic book. Furthermore, Gonzo has arranged a publishing deal with Kodansha to have a manga adaptation of the anime also published in Japan. Apparently Top Cow has little involvement in the production; Gonzo Studios has licensed basically the title and concept of Witchblade and will create their own story for Japanese viewers based on the American concept.
Top Cow Comics will be publishing an English translation of the Witchblade manga in America. There is no clear confirmation of guaranteed American distribution for the animation.
Source: ICv2 News
The official Japanese webpage for the Sukinamono wa Suki Dakara Shouganai (“I like What I like, so Whatever!!”) anime confirms that the “SukiSho” TV anime will debut in January. The anime is based on a series of “boys love” adventure games released for the Japanese PC and Playstation 2.
Source: Moon Phase
The Yomiuri Newspaper has reported that the first Black Jack anime TV series will debut on October 11th. The adaptation of the late Osamu Tezuka’s manga will be produced by Tezuka Pro Studio and directed by Tezuka’s son, Makoto Tezuka.
Source: Anime News Network and Moon Phase
Fox Television’s Foxbox website now hosts small video trailers for One Piece, F-Zero GP Legend, and Mew Mew Power. Site visitors are urged to vote for which series will have a preview episode broadcast on September 4th.
Source: Anime News Network
Geneon has announced release dates for several new titles.
The Daichis: Earth Defense Family volume 1 will contain episodes 1-5 (of 13) and retail at $24.95 beginning December 14th.
Hana Ukyo Maid Team volume 1 will contain Hanaukyo Maid Tai La Verite episodes 1-4 and retail at $29.98 or $39.98 with series box beginning January 4, 2005.
Star Ocean EX volume 1 will contain episodes 1-5 and retail at $29.98 or $39.98 with series box beginning January 4, 2005.
Source: Anime on DVD
FUNimation has announced that the “Dragon Ball GT Movie: A Hero’s Legacy” DVD will be released on November 16th and retail at $24.98. The “movie” is the hour long Japanese Dragonball GT TV special.
Source: Anime on DVD
Media Blasters has announced that beginning with their fourth domestic translated manga release, Pilgrim Jäger volume 1, all of their manga titles will be printed from original Japanese printer films or original digital files to ensure proper ink bleed, resolution and image crispness. Many domestic manga publishers presently use scans of Japanese manga with re-touched dialogue bubbles, resulting in American editions of manga that have at least one generation of image quality degradation compared to the Japanese originals.
Media Blaster’s publishing schedule for the rest of the year consists of:
August – Skyscrapers of Oz
September – Kamunagara 1
October – Flesh for the Beast
November – Pilgrim Jäger 1
Source: Anime on DVD
The Anime on DVD Forum now hosts a tentative list of American theatrical screenings of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence through the beginning of October.
Canada’s YTV television network has confirmed for Anime News Network that Witch Hunter Robin will debut on the YTV network at 10:30pm on Friday, September 10th.
Anime on DVD now hosts a transcript of the Q&A session with J-pop group Angela, held at the recent Otakon convention.
Anime News Network now hosts an exclusive interview with Anime Expo and Pacific Media Expo (PMX) founder Mike Tatsugawa, discussing the recent first annual PMX convention.
The acclaimed Japanese live sci-fi action/drama film Casshern, based on the classic Robot Hunter Casshern manga and anime, will be released to Japanese DVD on October 23rd. The double disc set will contain optional English subtitles on the main feature, and contain a Japanese language only “making of” featurette and staff/cast interviews on the second disc. The Casshern DVD will retail at 4,700 yen.
Source: Kung Fu Cult Cinema
Unearthed Films has announced its acquisition of domestic distribution rights to Ichi-1, director Masato Tanno’s prequel to Takashi Miike’s infamous film Ichi the Killer.
Artsmagic DVD has announced plans to release the infamous Japanese shock-drama Kichiku dai Enkai (Banquet of the Beasts) in a two disc special edition featuring 45 minutes of bonus material including staff and cast interviews shot exclusively for the Artsmagic DVD.
Media Blasters will release the martial arts action film Muscle Heat, under the American name “Blood Heat,” on August 31st, Takeshi Miike’s Deadly Outlaw Rekka on September 14th, and Sogo Ishii’s samurai drama Gojoe on September 28th.
Source: Kung Fu Cult Cinema
Question:
What is the cheapest way to be an avid anime fan? I mean, I was recently interested in buying all 18 volumes of Sailor Moon, but I could only find the first volume used from Amazon.com for $60. I would also like to watch different shows, besides the ones on AdultSwim. But, I have no job (not really old enough) and almost no money. What other ways are there?
