Saturday: September 8, 2001
Lupin III to be Released
First it's Blue Gender, and now FUNimation is bringing Lupin III to the US. Lupin III is one of the most popular series of all time in Japan (just like Dragonball), so you can bet that this series will go well also.
Lupin III is about a third-generation thief named Lupin. But he's more of the "gentleman thief" type and happens to be very smooth with the ladies. He robs from rich villains, like Robin Hood, except he and his partners in crime split the spoils among themselves instead of sharing them with the poor. Lupin is serious, yet possesses a sense for timely humor, therefore making him a character that audiences cannot resist.
FUNimation is also planning on releasing the movies for the series as well. I'll get more on this (if I can).
Article Source: SaiyanZ Rage
Friday: September 7, 2001
Xin Xin Xiong Interview
Cinescape has published a very interesting article and interview regarding the action choreography and Xin Xin Xiong's ideas on cinematic and real-life martials in relation to the new Hollywood film The Musketeer.
Article Source: Anime Nation
VHD: Bloodlust Theatrical Release Information
The Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust official site has posted an updated list of theatrical venues that will screen the 2001 Vampire Hunter D movie between now and the end of November. More theatrical venues may be added to the tour later this year.
Article courtesy of: UMJAMS
Article Source: Anime Nation
Studio Ghibli Museum to Open
The "Studio Ghibli" museum in West Tokyo is scheduled to open its doors on October 1st. Three new Hayao Miyazaki directed short films will screen exclusively at the museum: "Korota No Dai Sanpo," "Kujira Tori," and the first ever Ghibli movie sequel, "Mei and the Catbus," a new vignette featuring the characters of My Neighbor Totoro.
Source: Ain't It Cool News
Article Source: Anime Nation
New Street Fighter Game to be Released
According the the Mad Man's Cafe, the Gameboy Advance port of Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper will include all of the arcade characters, plus new characters from Capcom vs SNK 2, Yun, Maki and Eagle. Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper is scheduled for Japanese release on November 30th at 4800 yen.
Article Source: Anime Nation
Thursday: September 6, 2001
Mobile Suit Gundam to be Cancelled
According to Saiyanz Rage, the Toonami broadcast of Mobile Suit Gundam is drawing 42% fewer viewers during its timeslot than the same timeslot last year. During the same timeslot last year, Toonami was broadcasting re-runs of season 3 Dragonball Z episodes, meaning that even re-runs of Dragonball Z episodes have proven to be more popular than brand new episodes of MS Gundam. In response to these statistics, the original MS Gundam series will be permanently removed from the Cartoon Network screening schedule after it completes its initial broadcast run.
On the other hand, the midnight run on the Gundam MS 08 OAV series is drawing a 9% increase in viewership compared to the same broadcast time last year. In order to further increase viewership for this popular series, the MS 08 series will take over original Gundam's 5-5:30 PM timeslot starting October 1st.
Article Source: Anime Nation
Gundam DVD delays
According to Right Stuf the first two DVD volumes of the Gundam 0080 and Gundam 0083 OAV series are now scheduled for American release on January 22, 2002.
Article courtesy of: UMJAMS
Article Source: Anime Nation
Nine Hime price announced
AD Vision has announced that the 6 bilingual DVD volumes of Princess Nine will retail for only $19.98 each. The first volume is scheduled for release on October 23rd.
Article courtesy of: UMJAMS
Article Source: Anime Nation
Suikoden 3 Info.
According to The Magic Box, Konami has announced that strategy RPG Genso Suikioden 3 will be released on DVD media for the Playstation 2, in Japan, this December. The game will be the first 3D title in the franchise and will feature three times as many characters as previous installments, which are famous for their 108 characters. Suikoden 3 will focus on 3 main characters, though, each of different ages with different perspectives on the events of the game.
Article Source: Anime Nation
Wednesday: September 5, 2001
Inu Yasha Trailer
The short trailer for the upcoming Inu Yasha motion picture is now online in QuickTime and ASX formats at the official Inu Yasha movie homepage.
Article Source: Anime Nation
Fourth installment of the Daft Punk Music Videos Online
The Toonami Reactor website now has the fourth Leiji Matsumoto directed anime music video for Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" available in Real Media.
Source: Anime News Network
Article Source: Anime Nation
Mobile Suit Gundam Ratings
Sam from SaiyanZ Rage dug up the following: "According to a weekly report covering Aug. 20-24, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM (5-5:30 p.m.) averaged a 1.1 household rating. The time period's average during August last year was a 1.9, so it is currently running -42% behind last year's performance. 8TH MS TEAM (12-12:30 a.m.) averaged a 1.0 household rating. It's average during August was a 1.2, and compared to last year's 1.0 average, the show is performing +9% better than last year's programming.". Nielsen ratings determine the number of households watching a show; higher numbers indicate a better performance.
Article Source: Anime News Network
Ah! Megami Sama preview
Bamboo Dong has submitted a preview of what is for many fans the most anticipated Anime movie of the year, Ah! Megami Sama.
Article Source: Anime News Network
Tuesday: September 4, 2001
Tokyo Pop DVD News
In response to fan criticisms of edits made in the initial DVD volumes of St. Tail and Vampire Miyu, Tokyopop has announced plans for the following volumes of Vampire Miyu that should please hard-core anime fans. While disc 1 had 3 episodes, the episode distribution will be 4 episodes on discs two and three and 5 episodes each on discs 4-6. Beginning with volume 2 the full, original Japanese opening animation will be included on each episode, and the original, unedited Japanese language ending animation will play on each episode with English language credits to follow separately. Finally, in response to fan demands, the translation "Lava," used to identify Miyu's partner in the initial volume, will be changed to the more widely accepted and "accurate," "Larva" in preceding volumes.
Article Source: UMJAMS
Movie/DVD News
According to an "unnamed source in LA," Columbia Pictures will release Metropolis to theatres on November 9th and DVD in February 2002. Furthermore, according to this totally unconfirmed rumor, Columbia Pictures either already has or is currently negotiating for the domestic rights to the Cowboy Bebop movie for theatrical and home video release next year.
Article Source: Anime Nation
Cowboy Bebop Movie Reviewed
EX Magazine has published a very positive review of the Cowboy Bebop movie. Fans that want to avoid even the merest of spoilers may wish to skip directly to the second page of the review, which deals with the technical merit of the film rather than the plot.
Article Source: UMJAMS
Animefringe News
Online anime fanzine Animefringe has published their September issue, featuring a look at online manga, the virtually omnipresent Keroro Gunso manga, the Sister Princess life/dating sim console game, last month's Otakon convention, and the usual reviews and articles.
Article Source: Anime Nation
Capcom vs SNK Update
Capcom has confirmed the inclusion of 4 additional characters in the home version of Capcom vs SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001. Riot Blood Iori and Evil Ryu will appear in the game, along with totally "new" characters Shen Gouki and Evil Rugal. Shen Gouki and Evil Rugal are powered up hidden boss versions of Shin Gouki and Orochi Rugal.
Source: The Magic Box
Article Source: Anime Nation
Voice Actor Chat
AnimationHQ is holding a moderated chat with Voice Actress Jessica Calvello (voice of Mink, from Dragon Half, and Cutey Honey from Cutey Honey) on Saturday, September 8th at 5pm EST. Check AnimationHQ's information page for more information.
Article Source: Anime News Network
New York Anime Festival News
The New York Tokyo Anime Festival runs from October 11th through the 18th. Guests, and the movie lists are to-be-announced, but screenings, feature films, and anime parties are amongst the events listed on the organizations website: http://www.newyork-tokyo.org/
Article Source: Anime News Network
Latest on Kuromi
According to a post on our region 2 section today, an attendee at the recent Comic Market 60 in Japan talked with the folks at the Yumeta booth. Yumeta is the company that released the Animation Runner Kuromi anime directed by Mr. Daichi. Apparently two more volumes are in the works and both of those volumes are planned to be regionless, so everyone will get a chance to check it out. We're again expecting it to be subtitled, as the first volume was done that way at Mr. Daichi's request and they've gotten good overseas sales of that volume. We'll post more when there are new dates and more information.
Article Source: Anime on DVD
Saturday: September 1, 2001
Cartoon Network interested in Inu Yasha
If you haven't already heard Cartoon Network is interested in the broadcast rights to the Inu Yasha. Inu Yasha is an anime directed by the creator of Ranma ˝ TV series. Just a few week ago Viz obtained the rights for all the anime episodes of Inu Yasha, a series containing aprox. 38 episodes. The translated manga can be ordered through Viz Communication. I haven't seen or heard anything about Inu Yasha, except this anime was on the cover of the in the Animerica Magazine July issue 2001.
It has come to my attention that Viz had originally planned to release Inu Yasha on DVD late this year 2001 or early next year 2002. But due to a fortunate/unfortunate twist of events they are now shopping for possible TV broadcast on Cartoon Network.
Although the CN Reps. talk about possible TV broadcast of Inu Yasha among themselves, there is no official statement or announcement on this matter. From what I have been told the series has violence, blood and some nudity. So there is a good possibility we might see it on the Adult Swim block. This news is to far in the future, we shouldn't be discussing it right now. Reps say - they will let us know early next year (January or February), if its going to make its way to CN.
From floating information found on the net, it was also revealed early this year that CN was interested in Nadia and M.S. Nadesico. They didn't talk about any possible broadcast rights for those 2 series, so that's still up in the air. If Nadia airs on CN, it would put a permanent scar on Disney's Atlantis. None of the above information is officially announced yet.
News courtesy of: SaiyanZ Rage
Honorary Guest Announed for Anime Con
The fifth annual Sakura Con is to be held April 26 - 28, 2002 in the Seattle Airport Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Seatac, Washington. Announced as the first honorary guest is Hiroki Hayashi, whose work includes Bubblegum Crisis OVA 4, Gall Force 2, El Hazard, and Sol Bianca OVAs. He also co-directed Tenchi Muyo.
Source: UMJAMS
The official site for Yu-Gi-Oh has opened
The official site for Yu-Gi-Oh has been opened under the direction of 4Kids entertainment. The site so far includes information on the series, downloads, news sections, and some more. The premiere for Yu-Gi-Oh is set for September 15 on Kid's WB!
Source: UMJAMS
Chivas 1-2-3 Dub Cast Announced
AD Vision has announced the release of Satoru Akihori's 2 episode series Chivas 1-2-3. The release is set for the end of the year with the title Sorcerer on the Rocks. Chivas needed to be changed due to the alcohol brand Chivas, so this was a legal issue.
Janice Williams of ADV Films has announced that Shivas Scotch will be played by Jay Hickman; Gin Fizz - Monica Rial; Kiss - Hilary Haag; Genmi - Brett Weaver; Meru & Teru - Kira; Million Dollar - Emily Carter.
Source: Anime on DVD
Article Source: Anime Nation
Tokemeki Memorial 3 Announced
Konami has revealed that the Tokimeki Memorial 3 anime dating simulation game will debut on the Playstation 2 in Japan on December 20th. Similar to the technology used in the Dreamcast Blue Submarine No. 6 game, "TokiMemo 3" will utilize "the toon-rendering technology" to animate cel-shaded 3D polygon characters to provide a "realistic" 3D look to the traditional 2D style life/dating sim game genre, giving the characters much more complex animation and movements, such as lips movements. The game will also feature voice acting, complete with some regional dialect accents, and a theme song by popular J-pop vocalist Zard.
Source: The Magic Box
Article Source: Anime Nation
Shenmue 2 to be released as only the subtitled version
Cinescape has confirmed with Sega that the American Dreamcast release of Shenmue II does not have a firm release date, but is tentatively scheduled to debut in America this fall. Cinescape also discovered that unlike the American version of the first game, the American version of Shenmue II will be subtitled in English only, with no English language dubbed audio option.
Article Source: Anime Nation