Natsume Goushin Ryu 16-31 March 2003 news

16-31 MARCH 2003 NEWS

30 March 2003 (second update)

On 21 May 2003, a 12 Kokki DVD will be released containing the digest episodes 14 and 21, catalogue number PCBP-50773, price 3,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Mangaoh Club. The five volumes of the Tsuki no Kage, Kage no Umi arc only contained up to episode 13, while the first volume of the Kaze no Umi, Meikyu no Kishi arc starts with episode 15.
This month's Megami magazine (published today) reports that the TV anime D.C. ~ Da Capo ~, based on the computer game, will commence broadcast in July 2003. Source: Moonphase.
The Aquarian Age Saga II ~ Don't forget me... ~ OVA will be released on 28 September 2003. Source: Moonphase.
The Shochiku site for the RahXephon movie now has a second trailer up for download. Source: ultimatum half edition.
The Sankei Shimbun reports that Ayupan, the motif character for popular singer Hamasaki Ayumi, will star in a 3D CG anime short story, titled "ayupan ~ Fushigi no Tobira" (ayupan ~ The Mysterious Door). Source: Anime Square. To get an idea of what Ayupan looks like, see this page.
A trailer is now up on this page for upcoming TV anime KaleidoStar, which commences broadcast on 3 April 2003. You should be able to work out which part of the page relates to KaleidoStar - it's the only anime pictured there. Source: Ma-ten. I haven't checked myself whether it's the same trailer that's available on the TV Tokyo page (reported a few days ago).
Toshiba Digital Frontiers also has streaming trailers available on this page. They are, from left to right, top to bottom: UFO Princess Walkure 2nd season, Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos-sou ~ Suttoko Taisen Dokkoaida, Narue no Sekai promotion film, Narue no Sekai TV ad. Source: Magicalantique.com.

28 March 2003 (second update)

The official website for Sora no Stellvia has updated with a trailer available for download. However, I'm too busy and haven't had the chance to check whether it's the same trailer as is available at TV Tokyo. Source: Moonphase.
TV Tokyo now has a trailer available for download for the upcoming series D.N.Angel. Source: Moonphase. The series commences broadcast on 3 April 2003.
Similarly, there's a trailer available for download for the upcoming series KaleidoStar. Source: Moonphase. That series commences broadcast on 3 April 2003 as well.
Kaishaku have announced on their website that the second season of UFO Princess Walkure will be broadcast in the (northern) autumn of 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition.
The Blame! Ver.0.11 web anime is finishing up and internet distribution will stop on 31 March 2003. The DVD for the web anime is set to be released in May 2003, however, it will only be available for sale from the official website.
Volume 1 of the DVD for Shutsugeki! Machine Robo Rescue will be released on 23 May 2003, price 3,990 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama.
Bandai Visual's OVA Kagerou Ka-kun (Mayfly Ka-kun) will be released on 23 May 2003 as well, price 3,423 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama. This is more of a children's anime, and will be 30 minutes long with approximately 10 minutes of bonus material. The disc will be single layer, letterboxed with linear PCM stereo sound.
Volume 1 of the DVD for Maju Sensen The Apocalypse will go on sale on 21 June 2003, price 3,990 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama.
As previously reported on 24 March 2003, volume 1 of the DVD release of Narue no Sekai will be available on 25 June 2003 in a limited edition version and a regular version. The limited edition version will cost 7,140 yen (including tax) and the regular version 6,090 yen (including tax). For more information on volume 1, see my previous post. Release schedule for the rest of the volumes is as follows:
Volume 2 to be released 25 July 2003, first pressing will come with box.
Volume 3 to be released 23 August 2003.
Volume 4 to be released 25 September 2003, first pressing will come with box.
Volume 5 to be released 25 October 2003.
Volume 6 to be released 22 November 2003.
Cost of each volume will be 6,090 (including tax).
Source: Animate Yokohama.
Volume 1 of Wandaba Style will also be released on 25 June 2003 as well. Further, there will be limited edition available with box to hold all volumes, mini CD and design works. Limited edition will cost 7,875 yen (including tax). Regular edition will cost 6,090 yen (including tax). Volumes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be released on 25 July 2003, 23 August 2003, 25 September 2003, 25 October 2003 and 22 November 2003 respectively, price 6,090 yen (including tax) each. Source: Animate Yokohama.

27 March 2003 (second update)

More news on Shirow Masamune projects: Fuushin Shou may be published in a similar format to an artbook. The creation of a full 3D CG anime Hyakki Shou/Buden is under consideration. Hyakki Shou is the name of one of the series of booklet posters featured in Uppers magazine, the other two being Wild Wet West and Galhound. There's also possible work on a network game which has been in the works since last year. There are no present plans about working on manga. Source: Ace Tokunoh magazine.
The Azumanga Daioh Advance computer game will be released for the Gameboy Advance on 25 April 2003, price 5,800 yen. The game system takes the form of a "card battle". In the meantime, a trial version of the game for Windows PCs can be downloaded from this page (approximately 780Kb). Just click on the green button in the middle of the page to download, then unzip the file and double-click on the Azutaiken.exe file. Source: Moonphase. I'm too tired today; haven't tried the game myself.
TV Tokyo has a trailer available for download for the upcoming series Sora no Stellvia. Source: Moonphase. The series commences broadcast on 2 April 2003.
The manga version of Po Po Tan will commence serialisation in the July 2003 issue of Kodansha's manga magazine Magazine Z (on sale 26 May 2003). The manga will be by Izumi Yuujiro. Source: ultimatum half edition. The TV anime will commence broadcast on TBS in July 2003.
Kodansha's manga release list for May 2003 is now up. Source: ultimatum half edition. Among the tankouban to be released in that month is Air Gear by Oh! great (volume 1, to be published 16 May 2003, price 419 yen). Other manga include Rose Hip Rose by Fujisawa Tooru (volumes 1 and 2, to be published 2 May 2003, price undetermined), Rikujyou Bouei Tai Mao-chan by Ran/Kuroda Yosuke/Akamatsu Ken (volume 1, to be published 16 May 2003, price 390 yen), Vampire Master Dark Crimson by Urushihara Satoshi/Takase Mie (volume 2, to be published 23 May 2003, price undetermined) and Shin Fuun San Shimai Toku Lin by Kakinouchi Harumi/Hirano Toshiki (volume 3, to be published 23 May 2003, price undetermined).
Sorry, I wrote about a website for Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch yesterday, but forgot to actually include the link. I've now updated yesterday's post with the link ^_^\
I'm tired. What's new?

26 March 2003 (fourth update)

As previously reported, the Japanese edition of Intron Depot 3: Ballistics will be published in mid-April 2003. Also planned for release this year by Shirow Masamune are Intron Depot 4 and a Wild Wet West art collection. The art for Intron Depot 4 is finished and it's in the middle of translation into English at the moment (as confirmed by Toren Smith on Studio Proteus' fan feedback page). Shirow has decided that the title of the three volumes of his art which comprise his shift from analog media to digital will all start with the letter B. Thus, volume 2 was "Blades", volume 3 is "Ballistics", the title for volume 4 will be "Bullets". ~~His~~ ~~present plan is for a total of 6 volumes.~~ The art for volume 5 "Yamataiko" is largely done as well. Shirow's art from the "poster bookets" featured in certain issues of Uppers magazine will be published in a collection as well, with Wild Wet West to be the first volume. I think the title of that volume may be "Galgrease 001 Wild Wet West". (Update 27 May 2003: A total of six volumes of those booklet poster collections is planned.) The Wild Wet West series (with main character Juliona Trans) has finished in Uppers magazine with issue 7 of 2003. (The other series are continuing but I'm guessing that they'll end in about a month's time). (Edit 23 April 2003: see now my 23 April 2003 entry). As indicated by Studio Proteus on the same page linked above, the company will have the US rights to Intron Depot 4: Bullets as well as to a collection of Shirow's more adult works. Apart from paper media, the full 3D Appleseed movie is scheduled for release in the second half of this year. Source: Ace Tokunoh magazine. Release of the movie had originally been planned for the (northern) spring of 2003.
Those who've bought volumes 1 to 3 of the DVD or VHS release of G-on Riders will be entitled to apply to buy a set of three special bust figures of Yuki, Sela and Yayoi. However, I think you need to have your application post-marked by 31 March 2003, so you better hurry ^_^;; For details on how to apply, see volume 3. Furthermore, fans were allowed to vote on this page for the item they'd be able to buy for if they purchase all 7 volumes of the series. Voting is now closed and the winner is... a 1/6 scale moveable doll of Zero. That is, if you buy all 7 volumes of the DVD, you'll be eligible to buy the doll. Details about price etc will be contained in volume 7, to be released 28 March 2003.
A three volume OVA series based on the Playstation 2 game series True Love Story is to be produced by KSS, with volume 1 to be released in the (northern) summer. This July, the latest game in the series will be released, titled "True Love Story: Summer Days, and yet...". Source: Megami magazine. I can never tell with these bishoujo game-to-anime conversions whether the anime is going to be adult or not...
Picked up the Kuroboshi Kouhaku Art Collection book recently. Nice art, with cute characters and muted colours. 96 pages, with a bit over half of those devoted to Kino no Tabi. One gripe, however, is that some of the pictures are only a few centimetres in size, with at times up to eight illustrations on the one page. Overall, nice, but I wouldn't consider it a "must have".
Back on 13 February 2003, I wrote about the re-release of Urushihara Satoshi's sci-fi manga Chirality in two volumes, the first pressing of which came with a drama CD. It now looks like the contents of the drama CDs is the same as the the drama CD released by Pioneer back in 1995. Sorry for any inconvenience caused m(_ _)m I've updated my 13 February 2003 entry to correct this. Oh yeah, the new "episode" of the manga added onto this release is about 6 pages long is rendered in clearly rougher style than the slick lines of the original manga.
TV Tokyo has a trailer available for download for the upcoming series E's Otherwise. Source: Moonphase. The series commences broadcast on 1 April 2003.
The .hack//Tasogare no Udewa Densetsu website has updated with wallpapers to download. Just click on the fourth button on the right hand side, then choose from one of the five treasure chests. Source: Moonphase.
The Tenchi Muyo! website has updated with a fourth screenshot from the upcoming third instalment of the OVA series. Source: Moonphase.
The official website for Tatsunoko Pro's 40th anniversary work Karas (Crow) is now up. This will be an OVA. Source: alternative-live.
Bandai's website for the upcoming TV anime Mugen Senki Portriss (Tank Knights Portriss) is now up. Source: Moonphase. This series commences broadcast on 5 April 2003. IIRC, the anime is based on a South Korean computer game and is a joint Japanese-South Korean project.
Kodansha's e-manga website has the second chapter of the sci-fi manga Metroid available for viewing in a Flash format. Source: ultimatum half edition. The first chapter is available here.
Another official website up for Sora no Stellvia. Source: Magicalantique.com. Not much to see at present, though. This TV anime commences broadcast on 2 April 2003.
TV Aichi also has a website up for the upcoming TV anime Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch. Source: TA Group BBS. The series commences broadcast on 5 April 2003.
I notice it's been mentioned on AoD that the anime Hana Yori Dango has been licensed in the US. Great news. Great series. Make sure you all watch it ^_^
GAiNAX has announced that a Mahoromatic TV special is to be produced. For now, the tentative title will be "Mahoromatic Natsuyasumi (Summer Vacation) TV Special". Source: Magicalantique.com.
"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the US of arrogance and Germany doesn't want to go to war." :P
Yesterday was dedicated to sleep.

24 March 2003 (second update)

Promotional material distributed at the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2003 states that volume 1 of the DVD release of Narue no Sekai will go on sale on 25 June 2003. A volume will be released each month and each disc will contain 2 episodes. There'll be a limited edition version (presumably of at least volume 1) which will come with a "premium CD" with original drama, director interview, seiyuu interviews, etc. Source: Moonphase. The anime, based on the manga of the same name, is set to commence broadcast on 5 April 2003.
TV Tokyo's website for the upcoming TV anime E's Otherwise is now up. Source: Moonphase. This anime is based on the manga E's by Yuiga Satoru. The series commences broadcast on 1 April 2003. I thought I read somewhere that the rights to the manga version have been licensed to some company in the US. Is that right, or was it my imagination...?
The news of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi winning the Oscar has been and will be covered by enough people in anime fandom and beyond. No point me doing it too. I'll just point out Miyazaki Hayao's response as reported by Asahi.com: Due to the current unhappy situation in the world, he was sad that he couldn't truly rejoice at winning the award. However, he gave his heartfelt thanks to his friends who worked hard to release the movie in the US. Source: alternative-live (previously known as infoanime.com). I still prefer other Studio Ghibli works :P

23 March 2003 (third update)

Limited editions of manga to be released in the near future:
"Kare" first love, volume 4 - by Miyasaka Kaho (published by Shogakukan). To be published 24 April 2003, limited first edition will come with postcard book, price 562 yen. Regular edition will be published on the same day.
Saint Seiya Episode G, volume 1 - by Kurumada Masami/Okada Megumu (published by Akita Shoten). To be published 19 June 2003, limited first edition will come with six postcards of the Gold Saints, price 933 yen. Regular edition will be published on the same day.
Hanaukyo Maid Tai, volume 7 - by Morishige (published by Akita Shoten). To be published 5 June 2003, limited first edition will come with book of 16 illustrations, price 781 yen. Regular edition will be published on the same day.
Corokke! volume 5 - by Kashimoto Manabu (published by Shogakukan). To be published 28 April 2003, limited first edition will come with an original "kinka"(? banned good?), price 390 yen. Details for any regular edition are unknown.
Ai Yori Aoshi, volume 11 - by Fumizuki Kou (published by Hakusensha). To be published 29 May 2003, limited first edition will come with drama CD, price 1,600 yen. Regular edition will be published on the same day.
Source: ultimatum half edition and Shotenin no Tawagoto.
On Mukoh Hadan, the upcoming Warring States anime to be produced by Bones (makers of Cowboy Bebop, RahXephon etc), the promotional material handed out of the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2003 states as follows:
SAMURAI SPIRITS that soak to your BONES!
A man without his name or past saves a boy - a boy he was ordered to kill. They go on a journey together to unravel the mysteries surrounding the boy and the man's lost memories. In the meantime, they must survive through incessant waves of assassins fiercely after their lives. Their deadly struggle for self-identity begins now!
Source: Moonphase.
Sankei Web reports that Studio Ghibli producer Suzuki Toshio announced yesterday that he will not be attending the Academy Awards. It looks like this decision was due to concerns about the risks of travelling to the US at the time of US military action in Iraq. Suzuki was originally to attend the ceremony on behalf of Miyazaki Hayao in relation to the nomination of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, with Miyazaki busy working on Howl's Moving Castle. Source: Ma-ten.
The official website for the upcoming TV anime Gohouden ~ Kyousou Ibun ~ is already up. Though there's not much to see at present - just an illustration. Source: TA Group BBS.
The Studio Ghibli website has updated with details on the DVD release of Neko no Ongaeshi/The Ghiblies episode 2:
To be released 4 July 2003
Both shows will be a double layered disc, anamorphic letterboxed, with three soundtracks: Dolby Digital 2.0ch, Dolby Digital 5.1ch and DTS 5.1ch. Neko no Ongaeshi is approximately 75 minutes long and will come with Japanese, English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese Chinese subtitles. The Ghiblies episode 2 is approximately 25 minutes long and will come with Japanese and English subtitles. Bonus items include an NTV special (which was broadcast in the (northern) summer of 2002), a Ghiblies 3D "making of" video, storyboards and approximately 10 minutes of trailers.
Price 4,700 yen.

22 March 2003 (second update)

The upcoming TV anime Divergence Eve will be broadcast on AT-X in the (northern) summer. Source: Moonphase.
The next Aquarian Age work will be an OVA. To be titled "Aquarian Age Saga II ~ Don't forget me... ~", the anime will be released in the (northern) autumn this year. Planning by Broccoli, with production of the anime by Madhouse, draft character designs by Mikimoto Haruhiko, direction and character designs by Muroi Fumie. Source: Moonphase and Aniradi Network.
The upcoming TV anime Narutaru will be broadcast on Kids Station in the (northern) summer. Source: Moonphase.
Anime in the works:
Gohouden ~ Kyousou Ibun ~. A TV anime to be produced by Manseido. Sounds a bit supernatural.
Mukoh Hadan. A period piece set in the Warring States era. Production by Bones.
Godanner (tentative title). A giant robot anime. The official site is already up, though there's not much to see at present.
Mahou Shoujo Tai. A TV anime to be produced by Studio 4ºC. Pics of the mahou shoujo are available on this page.
Source: Moonphase.
The Ginga Tetsudo Monogatari (The Galaxy Railways) website has finally updated. There's a 20 second trailer and a 3 minute trailer available. Just click on the menu button and then on the movie option. The series commences broadcast in October 2003.
For fans of Marmalade Boy searching for out of print CDs, the Marmalade Boy Complete Music Collection will be released on 21 May 2003, catalogue number COCX-32230, price 3,000 yen (excluding tax). Source: Mangaoh Club.
A Raimu (Lime) iro Senkitan Special DVD Senshi no Kyuusoku (Soldier's Rest) will be released on 23 May 2003, catalogue number KSXA-24508, price 3,000 yen (excluding tax). This DVD will include clips of events, new animation, etc. Source: Mangaoh Club.
More info on volume 1 of the upcoming OVA series Guardian Hearts. To consolidate all the details, the DVD will be released 23 May 2003, catalogue number KSXA-24471, price 5,000 yen (excluding tax). That's the regular edition. The first pressing limited edition version will be released on the same day and will come with box illustrated by Amatsu Sae to hold three volumes, drama CD and character song CD. Catalogue number KSXA-24474, price 7,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Mangaoh Club.
ZDNet Japan reports that it's been announced at the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2003 that Tenbatsu Angel Rabbie (Divine Punishment Angel Rabbie), the anime based on the computer game Magical Twirler Angel Rabbie, is to be released in (northern) autumn this year. Source: Magicalantique.com.
A trial version CD-ROM of the full 3D CG independent anime URDA by Romanov Higa will be released exclusively through Comic Toranoana on 24 March 2003, price 1,000 yen (excluding tax). The CD-ROM will contain the high quality web versions of episodes 1 to 4, MPEG2 versions of episodes 3 and 4, storyboards for episodes 1 to 3, five wallpapers, a text essay on the making of the anime and an MPEG1 version of the previous work by Romanov Higa: the six minute One Day, Some Girl. For more details about the anime and how to view it, see my 7 and 12 May 2002 entries
No update yesterday because lack of sleep during the week finally caught up with me ^_^;;

20 March 2003

Finally finished reading the manga Love Hina \^_^/ Took me about a year longer than it should've, though ^_^;; I tend to start reading one manga, then stop and start reading another one before I finish the first one. I'm currently halfway through a variety of series ^_^;; Took me probably literally years to finish KOR that way. Same thing with Love Hina. Started the manga before the anime was announced. Then stopped reading for a while (some of the middle to later volumes were a chore to read) and then finished reading the second half of the final volume in a spurt these last couple of days. Interesting to see Mei appear at the end of the manga.
The official website for the upcoming "bishojo hyper battle" anime Ikki Tousen (based on the manga of the same name) is now up. However, there's not much to see at present apart from the opening Flash movie and the staff list. The website will officially open on 25 April 2003. Source: TA Group BBS. Again, the series will commence broadcast in July 2003.
That may be all for today. More internet shopping to do ^_^

19 March 2003 (fourth update)

Petit Ferret, makers of the game Po Po Tan, have announced on their website that the TV anime based on the game will commence broadcast on TBS in July 2003. Source: Moonphase. Note that the Petit Ferret makes adult computer games, though I don't know whether the Po Po Tan game has adult content, nor whether the website has adult content either. But since the anime will be a TV series, I assume it won't be adult in nature.
Media Factory has announced that the lead role of Sonsaku Hakufu in the upcoming TV anime version of the manga Ikki Tousen will be played by Asano Masumi (Saga in Chicchana Yukitsukai Sugar, Shouta in Haibane Renmei). The announcement also includes a promotional pic, which should give us an idea of what the character designs will be like. I prefer the manga designs by Shizaki Yuji ^_^;; Apart from Media Factory, it's said that JC Staff will be involved with the production. Source: Moonphase. The series will commence broadcast in July 2003 on AT-X.
Namco has announced at the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2003 that an OVA based on the game Tales of Phantasia will be released in 2004. Source: Moonphase.
AV Watch reports that the Japanese Video Association yesterday announced video sales figures for 2002. Sales totalled 324,835 million yen, 110.5% of the previous year and the first time sales have broken the 300 thousand million yen mark. This figure includes sales of video cassettes, LDs, CD related, DVD video and DVD-ROM. The number of units sold (85,209,228) also set a new record (110.7% of the previous year). The increase in sales was attributed to the proliferation of DVD video as well as the sales of two particular titles: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. The quantity of Japanese anime sold in particular rose to 185.1% of the previous year. DVD video sales now make up over 60% of total sales and the sales value of DVD videos (197, 288 million yen) is approaching the value of video cassette sales at that medium's peak in 1997 (212,078 million yen). I note that there were still 724,203 LDs sold last year (now only 0.9% of the market in terms of units sold). When DVD video sales are dissected by genre, 38.5% of the value of sales was of Western productions, while the second largest genre was general Japanese animation (as opposed to kodomo/children's anime) at 27.9% of the value of total sales. This latter figure rose significantly compared to the previous year due to sales of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. Further, the average price of DVDs seems to be falling as well. The average price for Western DVDs was 2,694.3 yen, 93.6% of the previous year's average. And the average price for general Japanese anime DVDs was 4,354 yen, 89.7% of the previous year's average. (Personally, I wonder if part of that is simply because of the shorter TV series we're seeing more low price volume 1 DVDs being released with only one TV episode on them). The average price for general Japanese anime dropped to the third-most-expensive place because the average price for Japanese dorama DVDs actually rose. Actually the genre with the most expensive average price was children's non-anime shows. As for distribution methods for DVD video sales, 46.3% of sales were through record stores, 21.5% through eletrical stores, 8.4% through video rental stores, 3.2% through convenience stores (From I''s ^_^;; ) and 2.1% through mail order. The 3.2% attributed to convenience stores is believed to have been due to sales of Harry Potter and Sen. Sales through the internet increased to 367.5% of the previous year's total but still only make up 1.9% of total sales. (Gives you an idea of how representative bestseller lists are on sites like CD Japan and Amazon Japan ^_^;; ). Source: Aniota.
JVC Music's webpage has updated with samples of music from various shows including Sakamoto Maaya's ending theme to the RahXephon movie and Kanno Yoko's OST for Wolf's Rain. Source: Aniota.
Winners of the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2003:
NOMINATED PRODUCTIONS
TV category-
     Best show: Hanada Shonen Shi
     Excellence: Inuyasha, Overman King Gainer
Movie category-
     Best movie: Millennium Actress
     Excellence: Neko no Ongaeshi, Crayon Shin-chan Arashi o Yobu Appare! Sengoku Daikassen
OVA category-
     Best show: Sentou Yousei Yukikaze
     Excellence: Lupin III Ikiteita Majutsushi, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Foreign movie category-
     Best movie: Monsters Inc.
     Excellence: Atlantis The Lost Empire, Ice Age
Director- Hara Keiichi (eg Crayon Shin-chan)
Art- Ike Nobutaka (eg Millennium Actress)
Seiyuu- Yamaguchi Kappei
Script- Ookowachi Ichirou
Character design- Fujishima Kosuke
Music- Kanno Yoko
GENERAL INVITATION PRODUCTIONS
Anime production category-
     Excellence: Ogawa no Medaka, GITS:SAC, Mizu no Kotoba
Special category-
     Techical expression: Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Bassho ~ The place promised in our early days ~
I haven't listed all winners, just the categories I thought people would be interested in. Source: Aniota.
Fell asleep yesterday. Wasn't much I wanted to post anyway :P
Reinbo Actress has posted that the voice actress for the role of Deunan in the upcoming Appleseed movie has been changed from Carla Moskeira to Miwa Asumi (Ping Pong, Love & Pop). Details are unknown.
Looks like Kogado Studio's computer game Magical Twirler Angel Rabbie is to make the translation into anime. There's already a website up for the anime, to be titled Tenbatsu Angel Rabbie (Divine Punishment Angel Rabie). Source: Magicalantique.com. I don't know whether the game was hentai, nor whether the anime will be...
Shinkai Makoto (of Hoshi no Koe fame) has announced on his webpage that he has created a full digital animation for a new song for NHK's program "Minna no Uta". The song, Egao (Smiling Face), to be sung by Iwasaki Hiromi, will be played between April and May, while staff on the anime will include Tazawa Ushio (also Shinkai's collaborator in the upcoming Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Bassho ~ The place promised in our early days ~) and this time Shinkai's younger brother (scanning and assisting with colouring). Source: ultimatum half edition.

17 March 2003 (fourth update)

No one who's wired enough to be on the internet could have failed to notice the events surrounding Iraq over the past months. It's been on my mind quite a bit recently, though I've tried avoid mention of it on this page til now (that "Frodo has failed" thing was meant as a joke!). Now comes news that it appears that US/UK/Spain will not seek a second resolution in respect of Iraqi non-compliance. War now looks inevitable (though it looked that way a long time ago anyway). The issue has inflamed passions across the globe. Among those in the anime industry who have taken a stance against a war on Iraq are Hirasawa Susumu (who composed the music for Millennium Actress) and Takahata Isao (director of Studio Ghibli movies such as the anti-war Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday and Pom Poko).
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Hirasawa is distributing MP3s of his music free on a page of his website as "Songs Against the Carnage". In a bilingual (English and Japanese) statement on the same page, the composer states "I object to a nation that is headed towards carnage while ignoring international law and I also object to the Japanese government, who neglecting their Constitution collaborates with that nation." For the full statement by Hirasawa, please visit the webpage.
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Meanwhile Takahata is one of the big names on a list of Japanese artists in the cinema and theatre industry who have signed this Urgent Appeal Opposed to a War on Iraq (163 signatories as at 10 March 2003) stating that they are ashamed of, and angry at, the Japanese government and the ruling political party for turning its back on international public opinion and imitating the position of the US government. From a *quick* look at the list, anime related names I noticed included Arihara Seiji (douga on "Tenguri, Boy of the Plains", storyboards on "Romeo's Blue Skies", anime director) and Yoshimura Jiro (photography on "Doggie March", former animation engineer).
Source: Aniota BBS.
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For now, I'll just limit myself to paraphrasing the fictionalised Okubo Toshimichi in Rurouni Kenshin TV, episode 30: I hope that the nations of the "Coalition of the Willing" bear in mind before commencing a war that `It is far more difficult to build a new nation than it is to destroy an old one.'
Limited edition digital prints from Monsters of Graphics: Millennium Actress, Vampire Princess Miyu, Pretty Sammy, El Hazard TV. Each print is limited to 50 copies, is approximately 80cm x 66 cm, weight 3.0kg, is signed by the artist and carries an emboss mark and comes with edition number and certification among other things. Only 120,000 yen each (150,000 yen for the Millennium Actress one). Source: Aniota.
The official website for Raimu (Lime) iro Senkitan has updated with information on the Director's Cut DVD release. As previously reported, volume 1 of the seven volume DVD release will go on sale on 25 April 2003, price 2,800 yen (excluding tax), duration 40 minutes. One volume will then be released each month thereafter (price 5,000 yen excluding tax each). Volume 1 will contain one episode but following volumes will contain two episodes. The DVD version of each episode will contain new scenes as indicated by the screenshots on the page linked above (note that there is some nudity). Looks like each volume will come with a mini-character CD with character song and character message, character card, post card. First pressing of each volume will also come with two Elf character "Raimu iro" version playing cards. Source: Moonphase.
More wallpapers to download from the RahXephon movie website. Source: Moonphase.
The official website for the anime D.N.Angel is now open. Not all sections are operating yet, though. Source: ultimatum half edition. The TV series commences broadcast on 3 April 2003.
The official website for the From I''s OVA series has finally updated to confirm that the release date for the second and concluding volume to the series will be released on 19 March 2003. Apart from that information, the picture gallery has updated with screenshots from part two, and the movie section has updated with a couple of TV commercials for the upcoming release. This DVD will be 30 minutes in duration, single layer, catalogue number SHPD-2, price 2,500 yen. First pressing will come with one of three cards, illustrated by anime version character designer Rinsin on the front and mangaka Katsura Masakazu on the back.
ZakZak reports that Miyazaki Hayao will not be attending the Academy Awards ceremony on 23 March 2003 as he's been working on his next movie Hauru no Ogoku Shiro (Howl's Moving Castle). Instead a representative such as producer Suzuki Toshio will attend. Source: Ma-ten.

16 March 2003

Yesterday saw the release of Kadokawa Shoten's new bi-monthly manga magazine Ace Tokunoh, price 480 yen. Source: ultimatum half edition. Among the new manga to be serialised in the magazine is the "stylish" ninja action manga Kouga Ninpou Chou (Book of the Kouga Ninja Arts) - Kai (original work Yamada Fuutarou, manga Asada Torawo). In the lead up to the release of Shirow Masamune's Intron Depot 3, the issue will also contain an interview with that artist as well as some of his art. The next issue of Ace Tokunoh will be due out on 15 May 2003 and will include a new manga series in Oshii Mamoru's Kerberos Saga, titled "The Rainy Dogs Kurenaii Ashiato (Crimon Footprints)", manga by Sugiura Mamoru.
TV Tokyo's website for the upcoming TV series Sora no Stellvia is now up. As is its website for Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch. The former anime starts on 2 April 2003, the latter on 5 April 2003. Source: TA Group BBS. Not much to see at either website at present.
Volume 1 of the DVD release of Shutsugeki! Machine Robo Rescue will hit the shelves on 23 May 2003, price 3,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Musicmarket.
On the same day, volume 1 of the DVD for Tenshi no Shippo Chu! will be released, price 5,600 yen (excluding tax). Source: Musicmarket.
Volume 2 of the OVA series Sakura Taisen (Sakura Wars) Ecole de Paris will be released on 18 June 2003. There will be a first pressing limited edition version which will come with a 12cm CD including the ED and which will cost 8,800 yen (excluding tax). The regular edition of the DVD will cost 5,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Musicmarket.
Volume 1 of the upcoming OVA series Guardian Hearts, to be released 23 May 2003, will cost 5,000 yen (excluding tax). In addition, limited edition version will be available which comes with drama CD, price 7,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Musicmarket.
A Yamamura Koji Works Collection DVD will be released on 23 May 2003, price 5,800 yen (excluding tax). This DVD will include his work Mt Head which has been nominated this year for the Academy Award for best animated short film. Source: Musicmarket.

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