AnimeNation Anime News Blog

According to a post on the Japanese 2chan message board, Geneon announced at its recent Rondo Robe publicity event that the exact number of episodes in the Hellsing OVA series has not been determined yet. The Hellsing OVA project will tentatively continue for 3 years beginning with the release of the first episode this winter. Hellsing creator Kouta Hirano will supervise the production of the OVAs. Each 35 minute episode will be released in anamorphic widescreen format.

A promotional trailer for the new Hellsing anime was screened at the event. The trailer featured references from the current storyline of the manga including references to Rip Van Winkle and Pip Bernadotte.

Source: Anime on DVD

The official Japanese website for the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children movie now hosts an “official trailer” which contains a significant amount of previously unreleased footage.

Source: Rakuga Kidou

Infinity Studios has announced that they will sponsor autograph sessions with Korean artist Ahn No Eun, the artist for Café Occult, at the San Diego Comic Con (July 14 – July 17).

A trailer for the live action pro-wrestling/tokusatsu movie Kabuto-o Beetle is now available in Windows Media format and Real Media format. The movie’s story and protagonist were created by Go Nagai, creator of Devilman and Cutey Honey.

Source: Twitch

Question:
Why is it common now to see “almost yaoi” relationships between characters? For example, X, Saiyuki, Getbackers, Gundam W, etc. all have close relationships and sometime they are so close that it even gets confusing. I know that all these anime probably with the exeption of X are all oriented for a male audience, so why? Personaly, I don’t mind these kind of relationships, but why are they now so popular?

(more…)

At this past weekend’s Metrocon convention AN Entertainment screened the dubbed first episode of Haré+Guu and revealed that the American release of the TV series will use new ending theme music. Due to a copyright dispute in Japan, the original Japanese TV series ending theme is not available for licensing. AN Entertainment’s version of Haré+Guu will use a new, instrumental ending theme provided by the Japanese licensor.

The first DVD volume of Haré+Guu will be going into replication soon for release later this year. The first of 7 DVD volumes for the TV series will be released in a disc only edition and a disc with collector’s box that includes an afro wig that doubles as a chest hair wig.

At this past weekend’s Metrocon convention AD Vision representative David L. Williams stated, without qualification, that the second season of Kaleidostar will be released in America.

AD Vision has not canceled any manga titles. Certain titles are simply on temporary hiatus or a delayed release schedule.

Production on the second Princess Tutu DVD is finished. The release is being delayed because of a “snag” with the Japanese licensor over the DVD packaging.

Mr. Williams had no comment on whether or not the American release of Elfen Lied will include the Japanese home video exclusive episode.

According to Mr. Williams, director James Cameron has “all rights” to Battle Angel (Gunnm) in America. The anime is not available in America now because Cameron has not re-released it.

Mr. Williams stressed the fact that a Japanese title being co-produced by an American company is not a guarantee that the title will be released in America. He had no comment on whether or not the new Bio-Booster Armor Guyver anime will be released in America.

The Anime Network has plans to schedule a “block” of subtitled programming.

AD Vision’s website now hosts a streaming trailer for the 1998 Shadow Skill television series. Obviously AD Vision has domestic distribution rights to the series, but has never formally announced the license.

Source: Anime on DVD

The Japanese Moon Phase message board reports several of the announcements made at Geneon’s Japanese Ronde Robe 2005 -Gate to Date- promotional event:

A high quality preview trailer for the Fate/stay night anime was screened.

A trailer for the Manglobe/Geneon production Ergo Proxy was screened.

The Shakugan no Shana anime TV series was announced. The shows’ website is now open.

Plans for an anime adaptation of popular Playstation 2 SRPG Makai Senki Disgaea were announced, along with confirmation of plans to animate Black Lagoon and To Heart 2.

The final episode of Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magical Te Z will be released on September 22nd.

Source: Rakuga Kidou

Comic book studio Top Cow now hosts a short trailer for an apparently Madhouse Studios produced anime adaptation of American comic book Aphrodite IX. Please note that the trailer contains intense graphic violence.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News

Anime News Network has uncovered more info about the New York Museum of Modern Art’s upcoming exhibit titled “Anime!!” The exhibit will cover anime from 1963 through 2005 including Tetsuwan Atom, Phoenix, Doraemon, Evangelion, FLCL, and Mindgame. An extended list of anime that the exhibition will screen is available in the Museum’s PDF list of August film screenings. The “Anime!!” exhibit will run from July 10th through September.

Harmony Gold has announced plans to re-release the uncut, remastered, subtitled Macross television series DVDs produced and originally released by AnimEigo. The series will be re-released with the original individual DVD covers and a new 9 disc collector’s box.

Source: Anime on DVD

Toy News International now hosts the first known images of Gonzo Studio’s production design art for American G.I. Joe Sigma 6 animated series.

Source: Anime News Network

Newsarama has published an exclusive interview with Shawna Gore, editor of the Dark Horse Comics’ Harlequin manga line.

Source: Anime on DVD

Viz Media has opened its official English language website devoted to the upcoming American release of the Japanese live action film Kamikaze Girls.

Source: Anime News Network