AnimeNation Anime News Blog

According to Anime News Network, Pokemon USA will take over all distribution and localization of the Pocket Monster franchise in America beginning January 1, 2006. 4Kids Entertainment will reportedly not be involved in producing or distributing “Pokemon: Battle Frontier,” the next Pokemon anime series/season broadcast on American television. According to ICv2 News, Nintendo will continue to work with Pokemon USA in developing and promoting North American Pokemon trading card and console video games.

In commemoration of the holiday season, the AnimeNation offices and retail store will be closed on Saturday, December 24th and Monday, December 26th.

Japanese entertainment news site MovieWalker has published three screenshots from the Hayao Miyazaki directed, Ghibli Museum exclusive short anime films “Hoshi wo Katta Hi,” “Mizugumo Monmon,” and “Yadosagashi.” Nausicaa.net hosts an English translation of the accompanying article.

Titmouse Inc., a Hollywood, California based animation studio that worked with Japan’s Gonzo Digimation on the Linkin Park “Breaking the Habit” music video as well as the Cartoon Network’s Megas XLR, is seeking a 2D animator that can “nail an anime style.” They need someone who can start immediately. Interested applicants should contact Keith Fay at Titmouse, Inc. by calling (323)466-7800.

Source: Anime News Network

Square Enix has opened an official website promoting its March 2, 2006 release of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, an expanded re-make of the cult favorite 1999 SRPG, and the planned 2006 release of Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria, a PS2 sequel.

Source: Rakuga Kidou

Question:
Is Heero (Gundam Wing) made of toast?

(more…)

The Ergo Proxy website now hosts a new “Half version” trailer, and a 3:30 “Full version” trailer. The series is scheduled to premier in Japan on February 25, and in America at an undetermined future date.

Source: Moon Phase

The official Japanese “kerozoro” website now hosts a streaming Windows Media trailer for the Keroro Gunso and Kaiketsu Zorori movies double feature, scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on March 11, 2006.

Source: Moon Phase

Toei has opened its official webpage for the Kamisama Kazoku anime television series based on the light novel series by Yuichi Kuwajima. The anime series is scheduled to premier next May.

The official webpage for the Shonen Omyoji anime television series is now open. The series is scheduled to premier on Japanese television next year.

Source: Moon Phase

NHK has announced plans to broadcast the 26 episode long Korean animated series “Shoujo Janggeum no Yume” beginning next April.

Source: Moon Phase

The official website for the upcoming Naruto: Narultimate Hero 3 fighting game for the PS2 now has a selection of streaming TV commercials for the game, and a 1:30 trailer for the half-hour long bonus anime OVA that will be packaged with the game.

Source: Moon Phase

The official Japanese website for the upcoming Dragon Quest VIII prequel “Dragon Quest: Shounen Yangus to Fushigi no Dungeon” now hosts a streaming Flash trailer that includes an extensive look at the cell shaded anime movie sequences in the upcoming game.

Source: Moon Phase

The official Papillon Rose New Season website has announced that the 6 episode television series will premier on Japanese television next February.

Source: Moon Phase

The Daily Yomiuri Newspaper has published an English language article about the new Black Jack anime movie. The article incorporates an interview with director Macoto Tezka, and background information on Osamu Tezuka and the creation of the Black Jack manga series.

Source: Anime News Service

Ironically, shortly after a controversy broke over manga artist Yuki Suetsugu copying artwork drawn by Takehiko Inoue, Inoue himself is now being accused of plagiarism. The January 2006 issue of Cyzo Magazine contains an article accusing artist Takehiko Inoue of having adapted photographs of NBA players into illustrations for his best selling manga series Slam Dunk. “Japanese law has examples of artists who’ve fallen foul of copyright laws by using others’ images as a reference for their own manga.” However, this case may be being blown out of proportion as Inoue is not being accused of literally copying another artist’s work. Using photographs as reference material is common practice for artists.

Source: Mainichi Daily News