AnimeNation Blog

Bandai Visual USA has formally announced domestic release plans for two current Japanese anime television series: Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed, and True Tears. Both 13 episode series will be released on 7 domestic DVDs each, only 2 months after their Japanese home video release, and only 5 months after their Japanese television broadcast.

Shigofumi will be subtitled only. DVD volumes 1-6 will contain two episodes per disc and retail at $39.99 each. Disc 7 will contain one episode and retail at $29.99. Disc 1 will be available on May 13.

True Tears will be subtitled only. DVD volume 1 will contain one episode and retail at $29.99 beginning May 27. Discs 2-7 will contain two episodes each and retail at $39.99 each.

Within the past week, as many as 37 live action and anime titles either currently distributed by AD Vision, or which ADV Films held distribution rights to, have been removed from the AD Vision homepage. In response to rampant rumor, speculation, and panic in the American fan community, an AD Vision spokesman has told Anime News Network:

We know there are a lot of rumors swirling about, and that fans are looking for assurances that ADV will continue to distribute the anime series they know and love.

We thank you for your patience.

The Mainichi Newspaper has published the first released image of Birdy from this coming summer’s Tetsuwan Birdy anime television series. Yuuki Masami’s Tetsuwan Birdy manga series was first adapted into an anime OVA series in 1996. That series was released on American DVD by Central Park Media under the title “Birdy the Mighty.”

Source: Moon Phase

Question:
Why does One Piece get no love in America? Granted 4Kids horribly murdered this series by stereotyping it as a “kids cartoon,” which it kind of is. But the content matter is a different subject, especially on a cultural level. Among the “Holy Shonen Trinity” of One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, One Piece seems to have the hardest time lifting off, even in manga sales. Bleach and Naruto have had huge underground followings even before they were released here, so what gives?

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Question:
I was wondering when might American manga publishers pick up manga that have extras like drama CDs or DVDs?

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According to new, early information from Megami Magazine, the upcoming “sexy action” futuristic mystery anime television series Crystal Blaze will be animated by Studio Fantasia, the producers of anime including AIKa, Stratos 4, and Najica. The anime will be directed by Kase Mitsuko, director of the SaiKano anime.

Source: Moon Phase Comments

The official Japanese Code Geass homepage now links to a 68 second streaming trailer for Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, the upcoming second Code Geass anime television series. The trailer is available in 500kbs and 1mb streams. Code Geass R2 is scheduled to premier in April.

Source: Moon Phase

Japanese developer Irem Software Engineering has announced plans for a PSP game and online anime series titled “Ikuze! Gen-san.” The Ikuze! Gen-san: Yuuyake Daiku Monogatari side-scrolling game will be released later this year. The anime series will premier on the Gyao multimedia website on March 24th.

Source: Moon Phase

Matsumoto Pretz’ series of Uchi no 3 Shimai (”About Three Sisters”) novels, based on the popular Japanese Uchi no 3 Shimai ~Manga de Miru Kyou no Dekigoto~ blog, will premier be adapted into an anime television series scheduled to premier on the TV Tokyo network in April.

Source: Moon Phase

Toei Animation has reportedly revealed plans for a fifth Pretty Cure motion picture in its January 28 midterm earnings report. The fifth Pretty Cure anime television series, Yes! Precure 5 GoGo! is scheduled to premier on February 4th.

Source: Anime News Network

Digital Manga’s yaoi imprint, June, has announced a promotional dust jacket offer for its upcoming release of Kei Azumaya’s All Nippon Airlines: Paradise at 30,000 Feet manga. Copies of the book will ship with the title fully spelled out. Consumers will have an opportunity to obtain a free, limited edition dust jacket for the book featuring the manga’s abbreviated pun title “ANAL” (All Nippon Air Lines). Instructions for obtaining the ANAL dust jacket are available on the June Manga website.

Question:
Neon Genesis Evangelion was a popular anime series not only in Japan but on an international scale. It boggles my mind that instead of producing a new series following the ending of “The End of Evangelion” that Gainax decided to retell the sory of Evangelion again with the “Rebuild of Evangelion” series of movies. Why hasn’t there ever been, in all this time, a 100% true sequal to the series? Why is retelling the story with new artwork and endings so popular compared to using the same resources to create a brand new series based on a post “End of Evangelion” world? Wouldn’t that serve a greater purpose than retelling a story that’s already been told in so many shades?

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Right Stuf International reports that Tai Seng Entertainment will release the 1980 first Ashita no Joe movie, under the American title “Champion Joe,” on bilingual DVD on March 25th.

Source: Anime on DVD

The animated music video created by Gonzo for heavy metal band Dream Theater’s single “Forsaken” is now available to watch on MTV’s Headbangers Blog.

Source: Anime News Network

Question:
Is there any anime that is impossible to see through legal channels, or downright missing? I was wondering if there was any obscure anime that had episodes produced, but never broadcast; broadcast once, but never released on home video; or were given a print run so small that they are simply impossible to find now.

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