AnimeNation Anime News Blog

AD Vision has formally announced plans to re-release Noir, RahXephon, and Full Metal Panic! next year in remastered versions utilizing Windows Media High Definition Video and 5.1 DTS Surround Sound audio. The first High Definition (HD) releases of each title will be double disc sets that include one disc presented in high definition WMV video and one disc with standard DVD quality video and remastered DTS audio. It’s not clear if the remastered DTS audio will be for the English dub track only or both the English and Japanese audio tracks.

The WMV-HD video format, not to be confused with Toshiba’s HD-DVD format or Sony’s Blu-Ray format, is compatible with personal computers using Windows Media Player version 9 or 10 and set-top DVD players that support the format. The DTS audio DVD will play on standard DVD players.

Source: Anime on DVD

The official Japanese website for the Sousei no Aquarion anime television series now hosts a streaming Windows Media trailer.

Source: Moon Phase

Geneon has announced that the first domestic DVD volume of the bishonen fantasy anime Kyo Kara Maoh! will be released on April 19, 2005. The $24.98 DVD will contain 5 episodes.

Source: Anime on DVD

Synch Point has confirmed that the 60 minute long Aquarian Age “movie” (actually the Aquarian Age OAV series) will be released in a $59.98 limited edition on February 22, 2005, and in a $29.98 regular edition on March 22, 2005.

Source: Anime on DVD

Viz has revealed that the first volumes of the English translated SOS and Times Two (AKA: X2) manga series will go on sale March 15th at a retail price of $9.95 each.

Source: Anime on DVD

DVD Vision Japan has published several new reviews:

Divergence Eve advanced review
Parasite Dolls DVD
Chrono Crusade DVD volume 2
Evangelion Platinum DVD volume 3
Go Go Anime (Documentary)
Akira volume 1 manga review
Half Life 2 game review

The Japan Times has published its critical list of the best Japanese movies of 2004. Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle placed third on the newspaper’s list. Studio 4C’s eclectic mix of animation and live action Mind Game placed fourth on the list. The live action Casshern movie, adapted from the classic Tatsunoko produced anime, was considered the eighth best Japanese produced movie of 2004.

Source: Kung Fu Cult Cinema

Question:
December is upon us and the end of the year is near. What have been the best anime this year in Japan, whether on TV or video?

(more…)

Streaming trailers are now available for the Pretty Cure Max Heart movie and Detective Conan movie 9: Strategy Above the Depths.

Sega has announced that an anime TV series based on its arcade card fighting game King of Beetle Mushiking will debut next year. The Kabutomushi Ouji Mushiking: Mori no Tame no Densetsu (King of Beetle Mushiking: Legend of the Forest People) anime TV series will premier on the TV Tokyo network in April.

Source: Rakuga Kidou

According to Anime on DVD, Geneon will release the first domestic DVD volume of Tenjho Tenge on May 3, 2005. The DVD will be available in a $24.95 disc only edition and a $34.98 special edition.

According to Anime on DVD, Toei will release all 3 episodes of the Interlude OAV series on a single $24.95 DVD on April 12, 2005.

Geneon has scheduled the domestic release of two new anime soundtracks and two J-pop CDs. All four discs will retail at $14.98 each beginning May 3, 2005.

Noir Original Soundtrack 1
Tenjho Tenge Great Disc 1
The Pillows: Good Dreams
Yoko Ishida: All of Me

Source: Anime on DVD

Viz has scheduled the release of several English translated manga debuts:

The debut volumes of Doubt!! and Happy Hustle High (AKA: H3 School) will be released on March 15, 2005 at $9.95 each
Legendz volume 1 will be released on March 15, 2005 at a $7.99 retail price
The debut volumes of Eyeshield 21, I”s, and Hunter x Hunter will be released on April 15, 2005 at $7.99 each
The debut volumes of Dr. Slump and Mar will be released on May 15, 2005 at $7.99 each
Midori’s Days (AKA: Midori no Hibi) volume 1 will be released on May 15, 2005 at a $9.99 retail price

Source: Anime on DVD

Del Rey has announced that the first English translated volume of Satomi Ikezawa’s Guru Guru Pon-chan manga will be released on July 15, 2005.

Source: Anime on DVD