Kadokawa has announced plans to re-release the Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu TV series on Japanese DVD beginning August 28th. Presumably the new release will include the series’ new episodes, such as this week’s previously unbroadcast episode 8. No word on a Blu-ray release, however.
Source: Rakugakidou
Twitch has published an early, negative review of the live action Blood: The Last Vampire motion picture.
The Chicago Tribune newspaper reports that Mr. Christopher Handley, an Iowa manga and anime fan who was arrested and charged with posession of obscene material, in this case, unspecified imported Japanese manga, in May 2006. Despite having two sections of charges against him dismissed as unconstitutional in 2008, Mr. Handley pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children and one count of mailing obscene material. As part of the plea agreement, three other counts against him were dismissed.
Mr. Handely was not charged with receiving, possessing, and mailing obscenity, not child pornography.
39-year-old Handely has not been sentenced yet, but may face up to 15 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Executive Director Charles Brownstein has said in response to the situation, “Naturally, we are very disappointed by this result, but understand that in a criminal case, every defendant must make the decision that they believe serves their best interest.” “Because the set of facts specific to this case were so unique, we hope that its importance as precedent will be minimal. However, we must also continue to be prepared for the possibility that other cases could arise in the future as a result.â€
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) spent $2400 on research to assist in Mr. Handely’s defense, and had allocated up to $15,000 for expert witness expenses. Donations to the CBLDF are gratefully accepted.
Source: Anime News Network & ICv2
Japanese retailer Rakuten reports that the fifth collected volume of Ditama Bow’s risqué comedy manga Kiss x Sis will be available on November 20 in a limited edition that includes a third Kiss x Sis anime DVD. The first Kiss x Sis OVA, “Episode 0,” was released as a premium with copies of manga volume 3 in December 2008. The second OVA, “Episode 1,” is a premium included in limited edition copies of manga volume 4, which goes on sale in Japan on the 22nd.
Source: Rakugakidou
Question:
What were Central Park Media’s best anime titles and is there any other lincensor trying to get those titles?
Viz Media has issued an official statement confirming plans to end the publication of its monthly Shoujo Beat magazine.
Yes, the final issue of Shojo Beat magazine will be the July 2009 issue which is on newsstands June 16th.
We are very proud of the past issues of Shojo Beat magazine and the efforts of the entire team. The magazine developed quite a fan base but unfortunately in today’s difficult economic climate we felt the need to place our resources elsewhere at this time.
Of course all of our great shojo manga titles previously serialized in Shojo Beat magazine will still be published and available as graphic novels under the Shojo Beat imprint from Viz Media.
Each Shojo Beat Subscriber will be receiving a free copy of the August issue of Shonen Jump magazine with the pertinent information on what their subscription/refund options will be.
Subscribers and fans of shojo manga can get the latest information on all new Shojo Beat titles and news by visiting www.shojobeat.com.
Source: Anime News Network
Wholesale distributor Alini Magazine Services reports that Viz Media’s “Shoujo Beat is ceasing publication with the July 2009 issue–subscribers will receive Shonen Jump” to fill the remainder of their subscriptions. Viz Media has not confirmed the cancellation, but has ceased accepting new subscriptions for the magazine. The monthly Shoujo Beat magazine launched in June 2005 to serialize English translated shoujo manga.
Shoujo Beat will be the fourth Viz magazine to be canceled, following Game On! USA, Manga Vizion, and Pulp.
Source: Anime News Network
Publishers Weekly journalist Kai-Ming Cha reports that the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, will present Japanese artist Hayao Miyazaki with its Berkeley Japan Prize for lifetime achievement. Miyazaki will visit California to receive the award in person on July 25, when he will also participate in a public discussion hosted by Japanese pop culture scholar Roland Kelts.
Miyazaki’s latest directorial work, Ponyo, will open in American theaters on August 14.
Viz Media’s English language publication of Naoki Inose’s book of historical analysis The Century of the Black Ships is now on sale. The new book offers meticulously researched insights from a variety of Japanese writers that voiced the anxieties of a nation headed toward a war that would eventually be fought against the United States. Beginning when U.S. Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry first sailed into Tokyo Bay with his fleet of so-called “Black Ships†in 1853 and demanded Japan open itself to the West, Japanese novelists and military analysts, along with select foreign counterparts, wrote extensively of the coming conflict, creating a massive body of works through which Japan would debate its passage into the modern global era. Many of these opinions have rarely been read outside Japan until now.
Award winning writer Naoki Inose is one of Japan’s most preeminent academics and presently serves as Vice Governor of Tokyo.
In anticipation of its summer release of King of Fighters XII on the Xbox 360 and PS3, Ignition Entertainment is now hosting a King of Fighters fan art contest. Entries are due by July 31st. Prizes include copies of the game, game consoles, and a $1,000 cash grand prize.
Sales figures reveal that the $99.99 official re-pricing of the Playstation 2 encouraged a 50% increase in consumer sales leading to the 9 year old PS2 system out-selling the PS3 this past April. Sony’s PS2, PS3, and PSP sales for the month all trailed behind sales of the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS and DSi.
Source: Yahoo! Video Games
Article provided by Daniel Zelter
Question:
Why aren’t there more Gutsoon/Raijin license-rescues? Yes, the U.S. magazine bombed, but new companies are taking a chance on the Hokuto No Ken shows and 80′s movie, FUNimation took a chance on the Baki show, and Tokyopop took a chance on the Mammotte Shugogetten manga. Those seem to be doing well enough for their respective owners, so why aren’t we getting Souten No Ken now that there’s an anime tie-in which would help sell the manga? [The fact that Universal hasn't released the anime here, even though it has the home video rights in Japan, is another thing which bugs me.] Inubaka seems to be doing OK for Viz, so Bow Wow Wata seems like a shoe-in for acquisition.
hampion RED magazine has confirmed that an anime TV series adaptation of Hiroyuki Yoshino and Kenetsu Satou’s supernatural action manga series Seikon no Qwaser. The 2006 and ongoing action series stars high school girls Oribe Mafuyu and Tomo Yamanobe and the Russian boy Aleksander Her, who has the supernatural ability to control iron, and chronicles the battle between the Japanese Eastern Orthodox religion and the “Adepts,” people with the ability to manipulate chemical elements. The manga series is known for its violence and eroticism.
Hiroyuki Yoshino has composed the screenplays for anime including Code Geass, My Otome, and Gundam Seed Destiny. Kenetsu Satou illustrated the My Hime and My Otome manga adaptations.
Source: Anime News Network
