1-15 MAY 2003 NEWS

13 May 2003 (second update)

  • The official website for the TV anime Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos Sou - Suttoko Taisen Dokkaida is now up. A lot of the features are still to be added, though. Source: Moonphase. The sci-fi series is set to commence broadcast in July 2003.
     
  • The official website for the upcoming OVA Makasete Iruka! has also opened, although again there's not much of interest for the Western fan, though you'll note that as of 7 May 2003, Daichi Akitaroh's still working on the storyboards. Source: Moonphase. The OVA is scheduled for release in the (northern) summer of 2003.
     
  • Updated the below two entries: Last Exile with a bit more detail and corrected the price info, R.O.D with a few thoughts of my own.
     
  • Moonphase points out that the Gallery section of the R.O.D The TV website now has pics up of Sumiregawa Nenene. Sumiregawa is a popular author (even though she's still in high school) and friend of Yomiko Readman. She appeared in the R.O.D manga and novels, but not in the original OVA series. Looks like she'll appear in the TV series, though, but now 22 years old and wearing glasses. And according to Megami Magazine, Yomiko Readman has disappeared. Just my own thoughts, but I wonder, could Nenene be wearing Yomiko's glasses? They look similar. Just like how Yomiko was wearing Donnie's glasses. And is the premise that Yomiko's disappeared so Nenene seeks out the Paper Sisters' detective agency to find out what's going on...?
     
  • Forgot to post this up yesterday: CDJapan has released details up for volume 1 of Last Exile, on sale 23 July 2003. Three versions are available: regular edition (retail price 5,800 yen), first pressing with box to hold volumes 1 to 7 (retail price 5,800 yen) and special limited edition with box, mousepad and figure of Alvis E. Hamilton (retail price 7,300 yen). Only 10,000 thousand units of the special limited edition will be produced. The Last Exile DVD release will span 13 volumes, two episodes per volume, one volume to be released each month. Update: The official website has also updated with the same info, but in Japanese. But if you go there and click on the DVD Video button, you'll find a larger pick of the Alvis figure.

12 May 2003

  • Dragon Age manga magazine has announced that Zerion, the new manga from Inoue Sora (Real Bout High School), will commence serialisation its July 2003 issue, on sale 9 June 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition.
     
  • Director Ikuhara Kunihiko has suggested on this email exchange diary (with Kawakami Tomoko) of his official website that work has commenced on the recording of BGM for a 5.1ch version of Utena. Source: Aniota BBS. A Renewal of Utena perhaps...?

11 May 2003

10 May 2003 (second update)

  • Gatoh Shoji has stated on the "Kimagure diary" of his official website that the TV anime Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu will commence broadcast on Fuji TV on 4 August 2003. Source: Moonphase. Gatoh is the creator of Full Metal Panic.
     
  • Another trailer for the final episode 5 of the full 3D CG independent anime URDA by Romanov Higa is now available for download. Source: Moonphase. Just click on the #5 link on the left hand side of the URDA page. The trailer will be available until 26 May 2003. Episode 5 itself will be available for download from 8.00am on 31 May 2003. That episode will be available for a limited time only. The high quality version will be available until 8.00am on 3 June 2003, while the low quality version will be available until 8.00am on 9 June 2003. For more details about the anime and how to view it, see my 7 and 12 May 2002 entries.
     
  • The official website for the bicycle racing anime movie Nasu ~ Andulusia no Natsu (Eggplant ~ Andulusian Summer) is now up. However, the site hasn't officially opened yet, and there's nothing to see at present other than a pic. Source: Aniota BBS. The movie will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival and then see theatrical release in Japan on 26 July 2003.
     
  • According to a post on a message board, production is underway on a sequel to the TV anime Ai Yori Aoshi. Source: ultimatum half edition. I don't have further confirmation of this.
     
  • The final chapter of the manga Nanaka 6/17 (by author Yagami Ken) will be published in issue number 24 of Weekly Shonen Champion, on sale 15 May 2003. Tankoubon volume 11 will be published on 22 May 2003, while the final tankoubon volume 12 is scheduled for released on 19 June 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition.

9 May 2003 (final update for the day)

  • The Killers official website is now officially open. Killers is a live action "omnibus movie" comprising five movies by five different directors, one of which is Mamoru Oshii (Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell etc). Source: Aniota BBS. For more info, see my 3 May 2003 entry.
     
  • The Yomiuri reports that the long version of Matsumoto Leiji's anime for French techno music group Daft Punk will have its world premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2003. Originally, the plan was to create videos for four tracks on Daft Punk's album, but later it was decided to create a long version to cater for all 14 tracks on the album. The title of this Japanese-French collaborative anime is "Interstella5555 - the 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem -". The anime is about one hour long. In the show, the four members of the rock band "The Crescendos" are kidnapped. Source: Ma-ten. Wonder when the DVD for this will come out...
     
  • The Wandaba Style anime commenced broadcast a month ago. Now Famitsu.com reports that a Playstation 2 game based on the show is set to be released in August 2003 by D3 Publisher, price 6,800 yen. This will be an adventure action game, but will also combine dance action, with players having to respond to the timing of the music. The game will include 15 new songs by the idol group Mix Juice. The game will come with an original anime DVD as well. Source: Ma-ten.
     
  • Kotegawa Yua will have a four chapter short suspense manga serialised in Shonen Ace magazine, starting with the August 2003 issue, on sale 26 June 2003. Title of the manga has yet to be determined. Source: ultimatum half edition. I still need to finish reading Anne Freaks.
     
  • Updated the Die Sterne info.
     
  • Volume 1 of the TV anime version of Scrapped Princess will be released on 25 August 2003. There'll be a first pressing limited edition "SutePRIX" version which will come with a figure, price 7,800 yen. The regular edition will cost 5,800 yen. Source: Animate. Subsequent DVD volumes of the series will be released on a monthly basis, as is usual. Sounds like there'll be "SutePRIX" version of each volume.
     
  • Furthermore, volume 2 of the Scrapped Princess manga (by Sakaki Ichiro and Yabuki Go) will be published by Fujimishobo on 1 August 2003, while the Sutepri volume will be published on 1 June 2003. Source: Animate.
     
  • CDJapan has a listing up for the first DVD box for Sora no Stellvia. No indication of any extras other than the fact that the four DVDs will come in a digipak and that there'll be a 24 page booklet. For more details on the DVD release of this TV anime, see my 23 April 2003 and 5 May 2003 entries.
     
  • A King of Bandit Jing DVD Box for the TV anime will be released on 6 August 2003, catalogue number SVZB-1501, price 18,000 yen (excluding tax). This will be a first pressing limited edition item. Containing all 13 episodes, this'll work out at only about 60% of the cost of purchasing the individual volumes. The DVDs will be housed in a digipak and will come with seven special postcards, four special stickers and an extra trading card. Source: CDJapan. Meanwhile, the upcoming OVA series will be released in the (northern) winter.
     
  • If you purchase the Marmalade Boy DVD Boxes from Animate will receive a special CD - a different CD for each DVD Box. DVD Box 2 is due out on 26 September 2003, price 30,450 yen (including tax). DVD Box 3 is due out on 26 December 2003, price 30,450 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama. Are the special CDs the only bonus item to come with those DVD boxes? As reported on 1 May 2003, Animate has suggested that those who purchase boxes 2 and 3 may be able to apply for a bonus item.
     
  • Volume 1 of Matsumoto Leiji's Submarine Super 99 will be released in August 2003, price 5,040 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama. This TV anime should've just commenced broadcast yesterday.
     
  • DVD release details for Air Master:
    Volume 1, to be released 24 July 2003.
    Volume 2, to be released 21 August 2003.
    Volume 3, to be released 25 September 2003.
    Volume 4, to be released 22 October 2003.
    Volume 5, to be released 21 November 2003.
    Volume 6, to be released 21 December 2003.
    Volume 7, to be released 21 January 2004.
    Volume 8, to be released 25 February 2004.
    Volume 9, to be released 24 March 2004.
    Price per volume 5,040 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama.
     
  • Updated: Animate Yokohama and e-Shopping! Books has the new Evangelion artbook "Shin Seiki Evangelion Gashuu Die Sterne" as being released on 15 July 2003, whereas Mangaoh Club merely states it'll be mid-July. Furthermore, Animate, e-Shopping! Books and Mangaoh Club have the price of the book at 2,800 yen (excluding tax), whereas Comic Toranoana lists it at 3,000 yen (excluding tax). ISBN will be 4-04-853652-4. For more details on the book, see my 8 May 2003 entry.

8 May 2003 (second update)

  • Mangazoo reports that CoMiX Wave, which produced Shinkai Makoto's solo effort "Hoshi no Koe", has established the label "CW Films" to market its future titles. One of those titles will be a DVD single of Shinkai Makoto's digital anime for the song "Egao" (Smiling Face) sung by Iwasaki Hiromi. The anime was created between January and March 2003. Details of the DVD:
    To be released 2 July 2003.
    Duration 21 minutes (tenative). Will contain three versions of "Egao", each 2 minutes 20 seconds long. First will be the original broadcast version, then a dorama-like closeup version and finally an animated storyboard version. The remaining 14 minutes will comprise interview with Iwasaki, interview with Shinkai and "making of" clip. The DVD will come with subtitles for the song lyrics, but I presume they'll just be Japanese subtitles.
    Price 1,500 yen.
    Source: Moonphase.
    For a bit more info on the "Egao" anime, see my 19 March 2003 entry.
     
  • Furthermore, the CW Films website has a page up for Shinkai's next feature anime, Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Bassho. That page states that the anime will be released at the end of 2003. Source: Moonphase. I think they're referring to screening of the anime, rather than DVD sale. Also, one minor point: whereas Shinkai's website gives the English subtitle for the anime as "The place promised in our early days", the CW Films website gives the subtitle as "Standing by the place that was promised".
     
  • A new Evangelion artbook will be published by Kadokawa Shoten in July 2003. Titled "Shin Seiki Evangelion Gashuu Die Sterne" (Neon Genesis Evangelion Art Collection Die Sterne), it'll contain 200 illustrations from anime magazines, video packaging etc and will be supervised by Anno Hideaki. The book will be B4 in size (IIRC that'd make it the same size as the Intron Depot books) and 122 pages. Price 3,000 yen (excluding tax). Source: Comic Toranoana.

7 May 2003 (second update)

  • Just updated the CLAMP news. Might leave it at that for today...
     
  • Akiba-k.com reports that KSS is to produce not only a "Wind - a breath of heart -" OVA, but also OVAs based the "DVD video game" Phantom of Inferno and the adult computer game Moekan (Moekko Company). Source: ultimatum half edition. The Phantom of Inferno DVD game was produced by the company Digiturbo, while the Moekan computer game was produced by the company KeroQ. Source: ultimatum half edition.
     
  • Nifty Animation Online reports that the Bandai Group is to open a Bandai Museum on 19 July 2003. The museum will exhibit famous characters from the Bandai Group, such as super sentai series, Kamen Rider, Sailor Moon, Ultraman and Gundam. This Nikkei press release from Bandai also states that there'll be a cafe and theatre. In addition, the Gundam exhibit will include Gundam cafe and Gundam shop and 8m tall "life size" bust of a Gundam. Admission to certain exhibits will be free, but other exhibits (eg Gundam) will require an entrance fee. Bandai hopes to attract 400,000 visitors by February 2004. Source: Aniota.
     
  • It's been announced on the official CLAMP website that a new manga "Tsubasa" (tentative title) will commence serialisation in issue 25 of the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Magazine (on sale 21 May 2003). Details about the manga are still a secret. Source: ultimatum half edition. Update: there's also this announcement on the CLAMP website, where the title of the new manga is stated to be "Tsubasa - RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE -". Source: Moonphase. Could be a story about parallel universes. And editor Sugawara Kiichiro hinted that the story was about the world being connected.
     
  • Aniota states that in an interview on Fuji TV on 6 May 2003, James Cameron has confirmed that work is in progress for the movie version of Battle Angel Alita. Looks like Fox has the www.battleangelalita.com domain as well.

6 May 2003 (last update for the day)

  • Someone owns too many life-sized dolls of girls. Source: Magicalantique.com. Each one of those dolls must cost a fortune...
     
  • Manga magazine Weekly Shonen Magazine has announced that the manga Kunimitsu no Matsuri (story by Andou Yuuma, art by Asaki Masashi, of course serialised in Weekly Shonen Magazine) is to be made into a live action dorama series to be broadcast in the (northern) summer of 2003. Source: Moonphase.
     
  • Marvelous Entertainment Inc. has issued a press release in relation to E's Otherwise. Included in the release is information on the DVD release of the anime: the first volume is scheduled to be sold on 18 September 2003 and it's planned that each volume will contain three episodes (approximately 80 minutes). Price has yet to be determined. Source: Moonphase.
     
  • For fans of director Anno Hideaki (Evangelion), his live action movie Shiki-jitsu will be released on DVD on 24 July 2003, catalogue number KIBF-5077, price 3,800 yen (excluding tax). Disc specifications: double layer disc, Macrovision, anamorphic letterboxed (Cinemascope), Dolby Digital 2.0ch surround sound, Japanese and English subtitles. Bonus features are scheduled to be a short 11 minute clip "Tetsudo to Shoujo" (Railroad and Girl), 8 minute "making of" clip and 5 minute alternative "end roll" using the DVD's multi-angle feature. Not certain what an "end roll" is - I presume it means there's an alternate end credits sequence which you can select using the multi-angle option. The DVD will also come with a photo booklet. The movie itself is about 128 minutes in length. Source: Aniota BBS.
     
  • DVD volume 1 of the TV anime D.N.Angel will be released on 24 July 2003. However there'll be two versions: "Peach" for girls, price 5,000 yen (excluding tax) and "Sky" for boys, price 6,200 yen (excluding tax). I don't know what the difference between the two versions is, nor why the boys' version is more expensive... Source: Musicmarket.
     
  • DVD volume 7 of PuchiPuri Yushii will be released on 25 July 2003, price 4,800 yen (excluding tax). First pressing will come with a box to hold three DVD volumes and a set of four calendar cards. Source: Musicmarket.
     
  • As reported on 26 April 2003, volume 3 of the manga Tenshou Yaoyorozu by Kinatsu Kanoto will be published on 27 August 2003, price 552 yen (excluding tax). There'll be a limited edition version available as well, with a figure (made by Kotobukiya) and 20 page booklet included, price 1,429 yen (excluding tax). Comic Toranoana now has a pic of what the figure will look like. Cute.
     
  • Looks like the five seiyuu for the main characters in the anime version of Dear Boys are to form a "seiyuu unit", ie presumably a musical group. They've now got a webpage up for this seiyuu unit. Source: Reinbo Actress.

5 May 2003 (final update for the day)

  • Starchild has announced that those who purchase first pressings of all four volumes of the Sister Princess Re Pure Stories DVDs and also the first pressing of the Sister Princess Re Pure Characters DVD (to be released 25 June 2003) will be able to apply for a set a five figurines (Rin Rin, Chikage, Mamoru, Hinako and Aria). See the pics at the bottom of the page linked above.
     
  • Episode 1 of the (presumably amateur) Coneconeco anime by Yoshida Dou is available for download here. Source: Moonphase. The main character (I don't recall seeing her name) wants a cat, but she can't afford one. Then science teacher Hirota-sensei happens to overhear her talking to friend Yuki-chan.
     
  • The Mangaoh Club shop website seems to suggest that there'll be two DVD boxes released for the anime Samurai Deeper Kyo, one for the first half in October 2003, and the other for the second half in February 2004. I don't have further details on this. Does this mean DVD box sets? Or empty DVD boxes to hold the DVDs...?
     
  • Software company minori has announced that an anime based on its "interactive novel" computer game Wind - a breath of heart - is to be created. Source: Moonphase. Not certain whether that game is an adult game or not. Looks like a bishoujo game anyway. Anime fans may recall that the opening movie for the computer game was produced by none other than Shinkai Makoto.
     
  • An OVA based on the 1997 computer game Heartwork by the software company Active is also to be produced. Source: Moonphase. I'm guessing that the game is an adult game, but I don't know for sure. I don't know whether the OVA will be adult or not...
     
  • Couldn't be bothered updating yesterday :P
     
  • A couple of days ago, bookstore Manga no Mori published a list of manga etc to be released in June 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition. Among that list was the upcoming Haibane Renmei artbook. However, whereas volume 5 of the DVD stated that the book would be published by Kadokawa Shoten in July 2003, Manga no Mori's list has the book being released on 25 June 2003, price 2,800 yen. The title of the book will be Haibane Doumei, as opposed to Haibane Renmei.
     
  • On 23 April 2003, I posted up the DVD release details for Sora no Stellvia. At that time, it wasn't clear from the Animate Yokohama listings whether DVD boxes 1 and 2 would contain volumes 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 respectively or fewer volumes. The Mangaoh Club listing now states that DVD box 1 will contain four discs, episodes 1 to 13. Catalogue number for that first DVD box will be KIBA-9901 and it'll be a first pressing limited edition item.
     
  • Steam Boy trailer up for download at this French website. Source: Aniota BBS.

3 May 2003 (final update for the day)

  • Didn't get much done today (again). Was going to subtitle, but ended up reading various manga and having a Haibane Renmei marathon ^_^;;
     
  • JIJ Web reports that Tantei Gakuen Q (Detective School Q) will be released on DVD starting August 2003, and E's Otherwise will be released on DVD starting September 2003. Source: Ma-ten.
     
  • The Kyoto Shimbun reports that the Korean 3D anime Dinga is to be broadcast by Kids Station in Japan starting 2 June 2003. Each episode is short, only about a minute or so in length. The official Japanese website is up, and a couple of clips can be viewed there. Below each screenshot on the download page are three buttons. Left button is for the biggest screen size, middle is for normal size screen, right is for smallest screen size. Dinga is a primary school student in the world of cats, who likes pizza and napping. Source: Aniota.
     
  • What if Azumanga Daioh was made into a live action dorama? Not to be taken seriously. Source: Aniota BBS.
     
  • Eiga.com has an entry for Otomo's upcoming Steam Boy anime movie. There's a small pic of a promotional poster there, too. However, whereas Bandai announced a few weeks ago that there would be simultaneous release in Japan and the US, the Eiga webpage states that the movie will be released in Japan in October 2003 and in US cinemas in November 2003. Music is by Steve Jablonsky (Hannibal, Pearl Harbour). Source: Aniota.
     
  • The Dai Ginga website - for the Dai Ginga Series Dai Yamato Hen 7 vs 7 (Great Galaxy Series ~ Great Yamato Arc 7 vs 7) anime - has a short little (four second) animation clip available for download in relation to "Space Zero" (whatever that is). Just click on the top link on the page. Source: Aniota.
     
  • The official website for the live action omnibus movie Killers is now up. This movie will be theatrically released in Japan on 14 June 2003 and will contain five movies by five different directors. One of those short movies will be .50 Woman, directed by Mamoru Oshii. Music for Oshii's contribution will be composed by Kawai Kenji (of course). You can view a trailer at the official website. Source: Aniota.
     
  • For the Evangelion fan, the June 2003 issue of Newtype (to be published in a week or so) will come with a mini artbook of Evangelion illustrations. I guess it may turn up in a future issue of Newtype USA as well...
     
  • A screensaver can be downloaded from the official website for the 24th Doraemon movie: Nobita to Fushigi Tsukai. The movie was released in cinemas back in early March 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition.
     
  • Alice 19th finished back in March. Issue number 12 of the semi-monthly (ie twice a month) shoujo magazine Shoujo Comic (on sale 20 May 2003) will see the start o Watase Yuu's new manga Zettai Kareshi (Absolute/Unconditional Boyfriend). The Shoujo Comic website has also updated with a new wallpaper to download (there's also a screensaver at the bottom of that page). Source: ultimatum half edition. Watase of course wrote the manga Fushigi Yuugi.
     
  • A bit tired on Friday.

1 May 2003 (final update for the day)

  • Animation production company Chaos Project has stated on its website that work on the second OVA series of Futari Ecchi is underway. Chaos Project also made the original OVA series. Looks like the main staff will be the same for this second series.
     
  • Chaos Project has also announced that it'll be creating a 5 minute short anime for the 26 episode TV series D.C. ~ Da Capo ~. The rest of the series is to be produced by Zexcs, so it'll be an anime within an anime.
     
  • Kids Station has announced that it'll start broadcast of the TV anime Narutaru, based on the manga by Mohiro Kitou, in July 2003. Furthermore, there'll be an preview broadcast of episodes 1 and 2 on 28 June 2003. Source: Moonphase.
     
  • As reported on 17 January 2003, the three DVD box sets of the Marmalade Boy TV series will be released on 2 May 2003, 26 September 2003 and 26 December 2003 respectively. Box 1 will contain the first 25 episodes using a digital component new master. In addition, it looks like episode will include a commentary track with contributions from the producer, Kouda Mariko (Miki) and Okiayu Ryoutarou (Yuu). The booklet included with the box will come with staff interview, "making of" info, design works and synopses. Furthermore, as reported on 14 April 2003, if you purchase Box 1 from Animate, you'll receive special limited Animate Marmalade Boy CD "Sweet Cold 1" containing a new message from Miki and Yuu and the songs "Egao ni Aitai (Miki version)", "Suteki na Serenade (Miki version)" and "Egao ni Aitai (Chu-Chu-La scat version)". Finally, animate.tv has announced that those who purchase Boxes 2 and 3 will be able to apply for a bonus item (although what that is hasn't been announced yet). I'm not sure whether this bonus item offer is only limited to Animate sales, though. Source: alternative-live.
     
  • animate.tv has announced that volume 1 of the DVD release of Matantei Loki Ragnarok will be released on 25 July 2003, price 3,000 (excluding tax) and will contain the first two episodes. Those who purchase volumes 1 to 5 will be able to apply for a mobile telephone strap (again I'm not sure whether this offer is limited to just Animate sales, though). Source: alternative-live. Update: see now 16 May 2003 entry.
     
  • ABe Yoshitoshi's Haibane Renmei artbook will be published by Kadokawa Shoten in July 2003. It'll contain colour illustrations as well as previously unpublished rough design works.
     
  • Guy Gavriel Kay's collection of poetry "Beyond this Dark House" was published in Canada in early April. Kay's writings are excellent. Just about the only fantasy literature I read nowadays. Everything else is bland in comparison. I've got all of his novels in hardback. Though I don't know about poetry. Sorry, I'm just not bright enough to appreciate that sort of stuff...
     
  • Preview for the upcoming TV anime Ultra Maniac, to commence broadcast on 20 May 2003. Click on the left hand blue button if you have a narrowband connection, the right hand button if you have a broadband connection. Source: Magicalantique.com.
     
  • It's been announced in the June 2003 issue of the new monthly manga magazine Dragon Age (on sale 9 May 2003) that the manga Chrono Crusade by Moriyama Daisuke is to be animated. Source: ultimatum half edition.

 

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