Archive for September, 2006

Negima!? TV Trailer Online

Friday, September 29th, 2006

The Japanese fan site Neko to Negima! now hosts a downloadable WMV copy of a 20 second TV commercial for the upcoming Negima!? anime television series, the second Mahou Sensei Negima TV series. Left click on the link.

Galaxy Railways II Trailer Online

Friday, September 29th, 2006

The main page of the Ginga Tetsudo: Eien e no Bunkiten (Galaxy Railways: To the Crossroads of Eternity) website now hosts a streaming trailer for the upcoming second Galaxy Railways anime television series.

Source: Moon Phase

Manga Sales Trends Changing?

Friday, September 29th, 2006

According to new ICv2 research, translated manga continues to sell well in America, but sales are increasingly concentrated in a handful of high profile titles. Estimates suggest that the Naruto manga alone may be responsible for nearly 10% of all manga sales in America. Furthermore, over the past three months, sales of “non-manga” graphic novels have increased faster than sales of translated manga. This research suggests that manga may be approaching its maximum potential saturation point in America.

Tenth Anniversary Pokemon Movie Announced

Friday, September 29th, 2006

The official Japanese Pokemon Movie homepage has formally announced development of a Pocket Monster Diamond & Pearl motion picture for release next summer, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Pocket Monster franchise.

Source: Anime News Service

Gundam: Target in Sight Trailer Online

Friday, September 29th, 2006

The official Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight homepage now hosts a streaming trailer for the upcoming Playstation 3 action game.

Source: Rakuga Kidou

FullTime Anime Trailer Online

Friday, September 29th, 2006

4Gamer now hosts a high resolution 1:28 Windows Media trailer for the upcoming online soccer game FullTime. The trailer is available in a 173 MB zip file.

Ask John: Are All Anime Classics Well Known?

Friday, September 29th, 2006

Question:
My wife and I have the privileged of being host family for a Japanese college student this fall. As an avid anime fan, I was curious to find out what anime, if any, he liked watching. Much to my surprise, there were some he was not familiar with. The most shocking was that he did not know what Super Dimensional Fortress Macross was nor did he know who Lynn Minmay was. I thought Macross and Lynn Minmay were huge icons in Japan. Am I wrong in assuming this?

(more…)

Kekkaishi Footage Online

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

The official homepage for the upcoming Kekkaishi anime television series now opens with an extended Flash trailer (also available through the “arasuji” link on the main page), and hosts three short streaming Windows Media TV commercials.

30 second trailer
15 second trailer 1
15 second trailer 2

Source: Moon Phase

AD Vision Schedules New Titles

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

AD Vision has announced debut release dates for two new anime titles.

Pani Poni Dash volume 1 will contain 5 episodes and retail at $29.98 beginning December 5th.
Nerima Daikon Brothers volume 1 will contain 4 episodes and retail at $29.98 beginning December 19th.

Source: Anime on DVD

Venus Versus Virus Website Opened

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

Japanese television network TBS has opened its official homepage devoted to the upcoming anime television series Venus Versus Virus. The series is tentatively scheduled to premier in January.

Source: Anime News Service

Ringling to Offer Grants at Metrocon

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

The Ringling School of Art and Design will award three random Metrocon: Amano’s World convention attendees with grants to attend one of Ringling’s Summer Art Studio courses and provide a $75 voucher for art supplies. Registration for the drawing will be held at the con and winners must be present to win.

Ask John: Will Iriya no Sora Come to America?

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

Question:
I was wondering if the OVA series and the novel series of Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu will be available in English soon? Is there a company will be getting to release this series soon? By the way, does this anime remind you of “She: The Ultimate Weapon” also? Some ideas look the same.

(more…)

Media Blasters Announces New Acquisitions

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

Media Blasters has announced, on its homepage, its acquisition of the 13 episode Gakuen Heaven anime television series, and the live action Zebraman, Devilman, Zoo, and Kamen Rider First motion pictures.

Ask John: How Many Anime Have Been Licensed But Never Released?

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

Question:
How many anime titles have been licensed and then never released, only to have their license expire? I remember you mentioned a couple of well done 1980’s anime that this has happened to. What were some of these anime, and why do companies waste this much time and money if they have no intention of releasing something to the public?

(more…)

American Paradise Kiss Website Opened

Tuesday, September 26th, 2006

Geneon Entertainmnet has opened its official American homepage for the upcoming domestic DVD release of the Paradise Kiss television series.