Question:
Perhaps you can explain Bandai’s decision to kneecap their Blue Ray release of Kurokami. Blue Rays are supposed to be better than the DVD release. Bandai’s explanation leaves much to be desired.
Bandai’s overdue and long awaited DVD release of the Kurokami TV series has been rescheduled for release on February 9, 2010. Originally scheduled for a June 2009 release as a 200 minute double disc DVD release retailing at $39.98, the series will now premiere in two revised release formats.
The first DVD volume will be a single bilingual DVD containing episodes 1-6 and non-credit OP/ED retailing at $29.98.
The first Blu-ray volume will contain English dubbed episodes 1-4 and non-credit OP/ED retailing at $24.98.
Yes, you read that correctly. The Blu-ray release is dub only.
Within 4Kids’ Entertainment’s latest quarterly financial statement, which revealed a continuing revenue downturn, is the fact that the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise posted a small revenue increase during the quarter compared to the same period last year. 4Kids’ sales during the most recent quarter were down from $17.8 million last year to $7.3 million. 4Kids lost $5 million during the period, compared to a $5.3 million loss during the same period last year. Amid the losses, sales revenue for the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise was up slightly, and TV ratings for its programming block that includes Yu-Gi-Oh! episodes were up from the same time last year.
Source: ICv2
The AT-X satellite TV network has scheduled an hour long Ladies versus Butlers! (Ledi x Bato) special for broadcast on December 29, about a week before the TV series’ official premiere. The special will include a preview broadcast of the series’ first episode and, tentatively, discussion of the episode with the series’ voice actors.
Source: Anime News Network
The official homepage for the 1995 Ogon Yusha Goldran robot anime television series is now streaming a 75 second trailer for its upcoming DVD boxed set. The Ogon Yusha Goldran Memorial Box will contain all 48 episodes on 8 DVDs, non-credit openings 1 & 2, non-credit ending, a gallery of Goldran promotional materials, and the episode 1 preview. The set will retail at 33,600 yen beginning December 22.
Sharp eyed observers may notice that the Memorial Box promotional image above was illustrated by Masami Obari.
Source: Moon Phase
Gonzo’s 24 episode Shangri-la anime television series broadcast earlier this year was scheduled to be released on Japanese DVD on 12 individual DVDs retailing at 6090 yen each. Japanese retailers Neowing and Sofmap now report that the monthly release of individual DVD volumes 7-12 has been canceled in lieu of a single DVD collection available March 26 that will contain the second half of the TV series. The Shangri-la DVD Collector’s Edition will retail at 36,750. The cost of six individual DVDs would have totaled 36,540 yen.
It’s very curious if this change in release format is a response to poor consumer support for the show, a response to declines in Japanese DVD sales overall, an attempt to generate a quick lump sum cash infusion for the financially struggling Gonzo studio, or something else entirely.
Source: Anime News Network
When I read discussions comparing voice acting in anime I occasionally encounter a statement to the effect, “The English voice sounds better than the Japanese voice.” I’d like to make a clarification about that perspective. Or, more specifically, a statement about a certain interpretation of that expression because the observation itself is a bit vague in its phrasing. It’s fine and reasonable to critique a voice acting performance, but the voice actor selection for the original language dialogue is less subject to second guessing.
As of today, MGM has formally begun releasing episodes of Prince Planet, the 1966 English adaptation of the 1965 anime television series Yusei Shonen Papi, on Hulu and YouTube.
According to the Let’s Anime blog, 46 digitally remastered episodes (of the series’ 52 episode run) will eventually be released online.
Article provided by Daniel Zelter
Web video hosting site Crackle now hosts the full length English dub of Osamu Tezuka’s Metropolis movie for free online viewing.
Article provided by Daniel Zelter
The official site for next spring’s Gintama: Shinyaku Benizakura-Hen (Gintama: Benizakura Arc — A New Retelling) anime feature film now features a streaming 30 second teaser.
21 year-old Kyoto Seika University manga department student Hiroyasu Ishida has uploaded his 2:22 original anime short film Fumiko no Kokuhaku (Fumiko’s Confession) to YouTube. Ishida directed, animated, edited, and recorded the short himself. He was assisted in the creation of the backgrounds, 3D CG textures, in-between animation, and 3D modeling.
This is quite a fun little short. It has a lot of personality in its brief length.
Source: Anime News Network
The Nikkei newspaper reports that an unspecified title created by the late Shotaro Ishinomori will debut as a Hollywood produced feature film in 2012. Ishinomori is the creator of franchises including Kamen Rider, Cyborg 009, Harmagedon, and Skull Man. Reportedly Ishimori Productions has negotiated terms with an American film production company and contracts will be signed later this year.
In 2005 the Japanese investment company Itochu Corporation announced a film development deal with American company Comic Book Movies for a live action Ishinomori created film to hit theaters in 2008 (possibly Cyborg 009). No film from the partnership has surfaced yet.
Adness Entertainment’s live action Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight, a loose adaptation of the 2002 Japanese Kamen Rider Ryuki TV series, currently airs on American television.
Source: Anime News Network
Comedienne and actress Masako Ohara has revealed that she will guest star in the first episode of a new live action TV drama based on Takashi Tajima and Takahiro Kochi’s popular drama manga Tokujo Kabachi!! Kabachitare! 2. The original Kabachitare! manga was adapted into a successful live action television series in 2001. The new series about the daily lives of employees at a legal document firm will star a new cast. Sho Sakurai (Honey and Clover, Yatterman) and Maki Horikita (Always: Sunset on Third Street) will headline. The Kabachitare! 2 drama will premiere on the TBS network in January.
Source: Anime News Network
Question:
Do you think there is any chance that Valkyria Chronicles will ever get licensed here in America?
When the Japanese otaku matchmaking service Otakuma conducted a poll of users’ favorite anime between April and August of this year, the results revealed a surprising trend. Among Japanese otaku, men appear to prefer moé anime, to little surprise. However, four out of the top five shows female otaku like most are giant robot anime. The era of the Gunonna and mekajo dawns!
Males:
01. K-On!
02. Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu
03. Lucky Star
04. Gundam (all series)
05. Saki
06. Shin Seiki Evangelion
07. Maho Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
08. Hetalia
09. CLANNAD
10. Toradora!
Females:
01. Gundam (all series)
02. K-On!
03. Code Geass
04. Macross Frontier
05. Shin Seiki Evangelion / Toradora! (tie)
06. Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu
07. Lucky Star
08. CLANNAD
09. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
10. Minami-ke
Source: AltJapan
