Bandai News from Sakura Con

Bandai announced at last weekend’s Sakura Con that they have acquired the American distribution license to Chikyuu Shoujo Arjuna, commonly known as Earth Girl Arjuna. The series will be released in America under the name “Earth Maiden Arjuna.” The American release will consist of the extended “director’s cut” version that was released to Japanese home video which featured footage not broadcast on Japanese TV and a home video exclusive episode. The 12/13 episode series from early 2001 is a stunning ecological/philosophical/metaphysical action/adventure story created by Shoji Kawamori (Macross. Escaflowne) featuring music by Yoko Kanno (Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop).

The 2000 female samurai drama TV series Kaze Makase Tsukikage Ran will be released in America under the title “Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran.” The American release of Jizo Ningen Kikaider: The Animation has been delayed indefinitely in order to prioritize other higher profile releases.

In response to the successful theatrical tour of Escaflowne, Bandai is planning a limited North American theatrical release for the fourth Gundam movie, Char’s Counterattack, this fall. Char’s Counterattack and G-Gundam will both premier on the Cartoon Network this fall. The original Gundam TV series will be re-broadcast on the Cartoon Network beginning in June.

While earlier this month the Cartoon Network announced that a second season of Big O anime was now in pre-production, as of this past weekend Bandai America president Jerry Chu was not aware of any plans for more Big O animation. It remains to be seen if Bandai America was uninformed or if the Cartoon Network’s statement was made without factual support.

Bandai will be importing and reproducing a large amount of Japanese Cowboy Bebop merchandise for the American market beginning this fall, including resin busts and figures, Zippo lighters, Ein dog dishes and a plush Ein stuffed doll.

Source: Anime on DVD and Anime News Network