Natsume Goushin Ryu 16-30 June 2003 news

16-30 JUNE 2003 NEWS

30 June 2003 (third update)

Sorry, just noticed that I stopped mid-sentence when writing about the two anime movies Chikyu ga Ugoiita Hi (The Day the Earth Moved) and 5-tou ni Naritai (I Want to Become a 5th Grader) yesterday. What I meant to say was that you can download previews for those anime at the pages linked. For more info about the movies, see yesterday's entry.
Tired (again). Got more anime in the mail today \^_^/ Utena, Fushigi Yuugi, Saint Tail... Backlog of unwatched anime DVDs now stands at 45... -_-
An anime based on the computer game Maple Colours (by maker Crossnet) is in the works. The computer game is an adult one, I think, but the anime may well be for general audiences. Source: Moonphase. Whatever happens, it'll still be a bishoujo anime.
The Pioneer LDC database has a listing for the Ai Yori Aoshi ~ Enishi ~ Saiai DVD to be released in the lead up to the broadcast of the second TV series in the northern (autumn). That listing states that the second series will be 12 episodes long. Source: Moonphase. Further, the bonus goods to come with the preview DVD are tentatively stated to be an Aoi Santa "big pop" (I expect that means a relatively large sized carboard figure of Aoi) illustrated by mangaka Fumizuki Kou, 14 cards and of course a box to house them all. For further details on the Saiai DVD, see my 22 May 2003 entry.
Similarly, Pioneer LDC has a listing up for the first pressing limited edition Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime prologue DVD. This listing also states that this series will be 12 episodes long. Source: Moonphase. Note that the DVD is stated to be 3 minutes in length, although it's not 100% clear whether that's the entire duration of the DVD or whether that's the length of the preview for the anime. In either event, I'd think the DVD will be pretty short. Tentative plan is for the DVD to also include design work illustrations. Note further that whereas the official website for the anime states that the price would be 1,900 yen, this listing states the price will be 2,800 yen. The DVD will be letterboxed. For further release details, see my 25 June 2003 entry.
Another website for the anime movie Nasu ~ Andulusia no Natsu (Eggplant ~ Andulusian Summer). This site has two clips to download on this page. Source: Aniota BBS. The movie will be released theatrically in Japan on 26 July 2003.
The official website for the upcoming shoujo anime version of Massugu ni Ikou (Let's Go Straight) is now up. Source: ultimatum half edition. Yumeta Company, maker of Animation Runner Kuromi, has commenced production of this new anime. Massugi ni Ikou is to be broadcast in the (northern) summer. Sorry, on 27 June 2003 I wrote "autumn", but that was a careless error on my part. I should have written "summer". Over time, I've been getting sloppier than usual... My apologies m(_ _)m Anyway, hopefully this will be a quality shoujo anime. The story of high-school girl Ikuko and her dog Mametarou.
Mangaoh Club states that the six volumes of the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki 3rd OVA series will be released in intervals of three months. So if volume 1 is due out in September 2003, I guess volume 2 will be out around December. For volume 1 release details, see my 16 and 24 June 2003 entries.
The official website for the live action dorama version of Dr Kotoh - Shinryousho (Dr Kotoh - Clinc) is now open. The series commences broadcast on Fuji TV on 3 July 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition.
KTV website for the live action dorama version of Kunimitsu no Matsuri. That series commences broadcast tomorrow. Source: ultimatum half edition.

29 June 2003 (last update for the day)

Updated the news about Cambrian QTS.
I think I'll leave things at that for today. Gotta get some work done. Had a headache yesterday, so I didn't type anything up...
Any Black Jack fans out there? To celebrate the 30 anniversary of the manga, a Black Jack Box II will be released by Akita Shoten on 15 December 2003, price 15,000 yen (excluding tax). The box will comprise eight items housed in an A3 sized attache case:
Black Jack system notebook (an organiser notebook with Black Jack data file included).
Crystal with 3D silhouette of Black Jack
Rainbow base (to light up the crystal in a colourful manner).
Reproduction (monochrome) art not included in the tankoubon.
Original belt watch (or attach it to a bag or display it on a tabletop).
Reproduction full colour art (with serial number).
Black Jack 30th Special Book (commemorative book containing the first chapter and the last chapter).
Tezuka Osamu anthology - a reprint of the 1973 Black Jack special issue of Weekly Shonen Champion magazine.
On the page linked above, you'll see the crystal with rainbow base, the organiser and the belt watch pictured. Click on the pics for enlargements. Source: Aniota. More on Black Jack next time (if I have the time).
Among the upcoming DVD releases are the anime movies Chikyu ga Ugoiita Hi (The Day the Earth Moved), a hopeful story about school children affected by the Kobe earthquake of 1995, and 5-tou ni Naritai (I Want to Become a 5th Grader), about a young but physically handicapped girl Ritsuko. I'd think these are family oriented anime rather than the sort of shows that anime fans get into. Each movie is roughly 75 minutes long. Price of each is 3,800 yen. You can view promo clips on the pages linked above. Source: DVDCatalog and Aniota.
The manga Cambrian QTS (one page in Megami Magazine, and also appearing as a web comic on Megami Magazine's website) is to be adapted into a game. The official website is now up. However, note that on the left hand frame of that page is a button stating "introduction to the anime". You can't click on the button yet - it's under construction - but I wonder if that means a full blown anime is in the works as well...? Update: the "introduction to the anime" button is now gone from the site. Source: Moonphase. Cambrian QTS are a fictional prehistoric lifeform discovered to still exist in the South Pacific last year. I think the second word QTS should be pronounced "Cuties"...
The anime version of magical comedy Maburaho will commence broadcast on WOWOW in October 2003. Source: Moonphase. The manga is serialised in Monthly Dragon Age magazine.
The latest issue of Megami Magazine (to be published tomorrow) reports that the second season of UFO Princess Walkure will be broadcast commencing October 2003. Title of the second season will be UFO Princess Walkure - Jyuuni Tsuki no Yasoukyoku (December Nocturne). Source: Moonphase.
Megami Magazine has also announced the production of a TV anime titled Okusama wa Mahou Shoujo (The Wife is a Magical Girl), with character designs by Hasegawa Shinya and production by JC Staff and Amber Films Works. However, from the looks of it, this won't be a mahou shoujo anime aimed at young girls, but rather a sexy bishoujo anime. Broadcast is scheduled for next (northern) spring. Source: Moonphase.

27 June 2003 (last update for the day)

More stuff to write up, but I'll leave it for now...
A post to 2 channel states that an advance copy of August 2003 issue of the monthly manga magazine Comic Blade (officially on sale 30 June 2003) announces that the manga Peacemaker Kurogane by Kurono Nanae (serialised in the same magazine) will be made into an anime. Director will be Hirata Tomohiro (character designer for Irresponsible Captain Tylor). Source: ultimatum half edition.
CD Japan has release details for the Divergence Eve series, which will commence broadcast on 2 July 2003. Looks like there'll be six volumes. You can find the details at CD Japan. However, I'll just point out that there'll be first pressing limited edition of volume 1 (to be released 25 September 2003) which will come with box among various other items. See the link for all the details.
Volume 1 of the anime Firestorm will be released on 27 August 2003, price 4,800 yen (excluding tax), containin two episodes. Source: DVDCatalog.
Volume 1 of the TV anime Corokke! will be released on 20 August 2003, price 2,400 yen (excluding tax), containing two episodes. Source: DVDCatalog.
First pressing of volume 1 of Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch will come with a box to hold seven volumes (presumably half the series). To be released 20 August 2003, price 3,045 yen (including tax). Source: DVDCatalog.
Impress Corporation reports that sales of the Renewal of Evangelion DVD box set ranked number 18 for the week to 26 June 2003. This despite the fact that, as a box set, it's considerably expensive, and the fact that the official release of the box set was 25 June 2003. Source: Aniota. It still couldn't beat Morning Musume, though (number 3). I don't think the report states where the sales data is compiled from, though.
Toei Animation's website for the Matsumoto Leiji/Daft Punk work Interstella 5555 - the 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem is now up. I'm getting tired of typing "5" for "S" >_<
Romanov Higa has a couple of wallpapers relating to his full 3D CG independent anime URDA available for download. Just click on the "Character link". An additional wallpaper will be added each day. However, note that the wallpapers will only be up for a few days. If you need any help extracting the wallpapers from the .lzh archives, my 12 May 2002 entry may help. Source: Aniota. For more details about the anime and how to view it, see my 7 May 2002 entry. A DVD release is planned as well.
Sorry, my 25 June 2003 info about the release of CLAMP's Tsubasa - RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE - was incomplete. There'll be two editions of volume 1 (at least) published. The standard edition will be published on 12 August 2003, price 390 yen. Apparently this will be pocketbook sized. The other edition which I referred to previously will be the "aizou" (treasured) version, which will be published a few days earlier on 9 August 2003. Apparently that version will be duodecimo size, hardcover, with some colour pages and will come in a case (or box...?). Price of that version is yet undetermined. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Shueisha's female monthly manga magazine Chorus has announced that Ozawa Mari's shoujo manga Nikoniko Nikki (serialised in Chorus, of course) will be adapted into a live action dorama series. Looks like it'll start 18 August 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Furthermore, Chorus magazine has also announced that the highly-regarded shoujo manga Massugu ni Ikou (Let's Go Straight) by Kira will be made into a TV anime to be broadcast in the (northern) ~~autumn~~. (Update 30 June 2003: sorry, that should be broadcast in the summer). Source: ultimatum half edition.
Yoshitomi Akihito's manga Eat-man will finish with the September 2003 issue of manga magazine Dengeki Comic Gao! (on sale 26 July 2003). Source: ultimatum half edition.
In the advertising pamphlet enclosed with the Renewal of Evangelion DVD box set, it's stated that the Eva Best best CD album (tentative title) will be released on 24 July 2003 (same date as the release of Anno's live action movies), price 2,800 yen (including tax). Then again, the date of this release has been put back a few times in the past (and the price has increased since the last announcement), so I wouldn't take this as set in stone :P
Yahoo Japan cites a Jiji Press report that Toei Animation yesterday commenced legal proceedings against second hand store Mandarake in the Tokyo District Court for the return of a Sailormoon cel. Toei claims the cel, which it describes as "important property" was one of the items stolen from the company's warehouse in May 2002. Source: Tentative Name. See my 23 July 2003 for info about the theft.
For Sakamoto Maaya fans awaiting the release of her "Single Collection+ Nikopachi" CD, her JVC Music website now has samples of the singles which you can listen to. Source: Magicalantique.com. For release details, including limited edition version with DVD, see my 21 May 2003 entry.
(Updated twice.) The important things first. My Renewal of Evangelion DVD box arrived \^_^/ No time to watch any of it yet, though -_- But one thing people may find interesting is that the booklet which comes with it contains the original script for the live action part of episode 26 (or the second half of the End of Evangelion script). Many Eva fans will know of the "alternate version" posted on the Evaotaku website of Brendan Jamieson, translated by Bochan_Bird. Brendan states on his site that he and Bochan_Bird strongly believe that that alternate version is genuine. Well, I haven't gone through the booklet in detail, but it seems to me that it confirms the alternate version is genuine. If you haven't read the alternate version/original script before, you may find some of it quite adult. The cast of this original script are a 24 year old Asuka, 29 year old Misato, 29 year old Rei, 25 year old Touji and a 30 year old Ritsuko. There appear to be minor differences (eg none of the questions marks which Brendan mentions on his page appear in the printed script), but that may just have been GAiNAX tidying up the script for publication purposes. The booklet puts a the live action script in a bit of context by also setting out a bit of the dialogue before the live action part commences (scene 44) and a description of what scenes follow after (together with a couple of lines of dialogue). I haven't checked to see whether there's any difference between those parts and the final version of the movie. Hope that makes sense.

26 June 2003

Just a few things today. Tired, will post a couple more bits up tomorrow or Saturday.
As to the Hajime no Ippo OVA which I wrote about yesterday, the official website has now updated with release details. Title will be Mashiba vs Kimura: Shikeishikkou (Execution). To be released 5 September 2003. Catalogue number VPBY-11804, price 6,090 yen., duration 60 minutes.
As to the first pressing limited edition Mahoromatic Tokuhou Shuu DVD to be released on 26 September 2003, animate.tv reports that the bonus items which will come with the DVD will be a six card set of miniature versions of promotional posters (together with a card file) and two miniature versions of promotional cardboard figures used in record stores. Apart from containing the promotional clips for the two TV seasons of Mahoromatic as well as a promotional clip for the upcoming "Mahoromatic Natsu no TV Special", the DVD will contain the (presumably live-action) clip "Bistro! Mahoromatic" with seiyuu Kawasumi Ayako and Shimizu Ai in a "cooking challenge". Source: alternative-live. The same information can be found at the official website. Catalogue number PIBA-1387, price 1,500 yen (excluding tax).
Another website up for KaleidoStar. Source: Moonphase.
A trailer is now available for download in relation to volume 3 of the Sakura Taisen (Sakura Wars) OVA series Ecole de Paris at the official website. Source: Moonphase. Volume 3 will be released on 20 August 2003. For release details, see my 4 April 2003 entry.
Marvelous Entertainment Inc. has announced that the TV anime version of Gunslinger Girl will be 13 episodes in length, to commence broadcast in the (northern) autumn. Further it's confirmed that a TV anime version of the game Kidou Shinsen Gumi Moeken (which has character designs by Takahashi Rumiko) will be made, to be broadcast on CS. Source: Moonphase. See the 25 June 2003 news on the Marvelous website for the announcement.
Two pages of screenshots of the upcoming anime Dead Leaves, being produced by Production IG and Manga Entertainment. Source: Moonphase. You'll also find six pages of design works here. Retro reminds me of Kanchi from FLCL.

25 June 2003 (fourth update)

Scientific proof that watching anime is good for you. Well, sort of... The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) reports that a study by La Trobe University in Australia has found that children's language skills improve if they repeatedly watch animated videos. Unfortunately, the independence of the study has been called into question since the study was funded by the distributor of Disney videos in Australia. I don't know if repeatedly watching anime has improved my English language skills, but it's definitely improved my Japanese language skills ^_- Mata ne!
Inokuma Shinobu's latest manga is Toritsu Mizusho (The School of Water Business), serialised in Weekly Young Sunday manga magazine. Based on the novel by Murozumi Hikaru, the manga is about a high school geared towards teaching young people about the entertainment/night-life world (ie the "water trade") - with courses on being a hostess, manager, host, sexual services/prostitute and gay bars. You can download a Toritsu Mizusho wallpaper from Young Sunday's website, as well as wallpapers of other manga including Tetsuwan Birdy (Birdy the Mighty). Furthermore, you can download Toritsu Mizusho calendar wallpapers from Inokuma's website (currently for the months of May to August 2003). Source: ultimatum half edition. Knowing Inokuma's work, and since the manga is serialised in Young Sunday, I'd expect this manga to be at most teasing, and more comical than erotic or particularly adult. I love Inokuma's artistic style, but hate the official English titles of his manga. For example, the English title of his manga Kaze no Tachibana is "The Draft of Citrus"... -_-
The September 2003 issue of manga magazine Afternoon (on sale 25 July 2003) will come with a Kaiyodo figure of Manji from the manga Blade of the Immortal by Samura Hiroaki. Visit the link above for a pic of the figure in the top right hand corner of the page.
Volume 1 of the TV anime KaleidoStar will be released on 12 September 2003. There'll be a first pressing limited edition and a regular edition. Both versions of volume 1 will contain four episodes. Regular edition will cost 5,800 yen. First pressing limited edition will cost 7,800 yen but come with red velvet DVD case, 16 colour page liner notes, mini desktop accessory CD-ROM containing sound files and wallpapers of screenshots from episodes 1 to 4, KaleidoStage "Romeo and Juliet" ticket (either a platinum ticket with serial number or a premium ticket) and four sheets of "Sora's diary". Source: Animate. It's not expressly stated, but it's implied that there'll be a first pressing limited edition of each volume of this DVD release.
On 9 and 16 May 2003, I wrote about the limited edition first pressing SutePRIX versions of the Scrapped Princess DVD release. There'll be a SutePRIX edition of each DVD volume, a total of 12 volumes in the series. As previously reported, the SutePRIX version of volume 1 (on sale 25 August 2003) will come with a figure of Pacifica. You'd expect the second volume to come with a figure of another character, like one of her siblings. However, the WOWOW website for the anime series has announced that the SutePRIX version of volume 2 (on sale 25 September 2003) will come with a 27cm tall figure of Pacifica. You can see a pic of the large figure, and comparison to a standard DVD case on the page linked above. Source: Moonphase.
The Triangle Heart ~ Sweet Songs Forever ~ official website has made a number of updates, including screenshots of episode 2 of the OVA series (click on the thumbnails for enlargements) and three versions of the preview for download. Source: Moonphase. For release details, see my 30 May 2003 entry.
A first pressing limited edition Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime prologue DVD will be released by Pioneer on 26 September 2003, catalogue number PIBA-1416, price 1,900 yen. It'll contain a promo clip and come with a picture book with a prologue story for Tsuki-hime. Source: Moonphase. The TV series will commence broadcast in the (northern) autumn.
This week's issue of Weekly Shonen Magazine has announced that a 60 minute Hajime no Ippo OVA will be released on 5 September 2003. This boxing OVA will focus on the fight between Kimura and Mashiba. Source: Aniota BBS.
"Obi" on tankouban of the manga Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Full Metal Alchemist) by Arakawa Hiromu state that the TV anime will commence broadcast on TBS on 4 October 2003. Source: TA Group BBS.
KSS has announced changes to the broadcast times and broadcast commencement of its Happy Lesson Advance TV series. The anime will now first commence broadcast on TV Osaka on 3 July 2003. Source: alternative-live.
TV Tokyo's website for the upcoming TV anime Takahashi Rumiko Gekijo (Theatre) is now up, though there's not much to see at present. Source: alternative-live. The series will commence broadcast on TV Tokyo on 5 July 2003.
Kodansha's August 2003 manga release list is now up. Among the titles in the shonen category is CLAMP's Tsubasa - RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE -. Volume 1 will be published on 9 August 2003, price is yet undetermined.

24 June 2003 (third update)

I bought a scanner! \^_^/
A Tennis no Oujisama (Prince of Tennis) 1 Hour Special will be broadcast on TV Tokyo tomorrow. This special will consist of three parts, the first two being short stories with SD characters, the third part being titled "Bowling no Oujisama" (Prince of Ten Pin Bowling). You can view a trailer here. Source: Aniota. If I had to watch any Tennis no Oujisama, I think this would be what I'd watch ^_^
This scan from a Sponichi article has design art for the live action Cutey Honey movie. Source: Aniota. Of course, it's just design art. Don't expect the finished product to be the same.
HMV has a listing for a CD OST for a Lupin III TV special, titled "Otakara Henkyaku Dai-sakusen" (Mission to return the treasure). The CD will go on sale on 21 August 2003, but the TV special is stated as being scheduled for broadcast on NTV on 1 August 2003. Source: Moonphase.
The DVD of Bend it Like Beckham will be released in Japan on 3 October 2003. Impress Corporation reports that it'll come with original English soundtrack as well as Japanese dub. In the Japanese dub, Shiina Hekiru (Shidou Hikaru in Magic Knights Rayearth) will voice the lead role of Jess Bhamrag. Source: Magicalantique.com.
VAP now has a webpage up for the upcoming Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki 3rd OVA series. Not much to see unless you like jumping cabbits. The official Tenchi Muyo website has also been updated. However, a bit more info can be gleaned from both websites. The OVA will be presented in 4:3 standard aspect ratio and episode one will be 45 minutes long, whereas subsequent episodes will be 30 minutes long. There'll be two Dolby Digital soundtracks: 2.0ch stereo and 5.0ch. Well, the text on the official website and the VAP webpage state 5.0ch sound but the large yellow text on the VAP webpage says 5.1ch... For further release details, see my 16 June 2003 entry.
The website for the TV anime Kimi ga Nozomu Eien is now up. This anime, another one of those based on a bishoujo computer game, will be broadcast in October 2003. There'll be 14 episodes in the series. Source: ultimatum half edition.

23 June 2003 (second update)

The official Legend of the Galactic Heroes website has posted up info about the DVD release. The info provided there is generally the same as that on Animate Yokohama's listing but there's a few changes, the main one being that the individual volume releases in December 2003 will be the two movies and the OVA "Golden Wings", not the first three volumes of the Gaiden. Furthermore, if you purchase either all the DVD boxes or all the individual volumes, you can apply for something. What that something is has yet to be announced. I'll set out the official website info here, but where there's additional info from Animate Yokohama, I'll add that in:
DVD Box 1 to be released 23 October 2003, catalogue number BBBA-9081, price 50,925 yen (including tax), contains volumes 1 to 7 of the TV series (ie the first season), the two movies "My Conquest is the Sea of Stars" and "Overture to a New War" and the OVA "Golden Wings".
DVD Box 2 to be released January 2004, price 59,640 yen (including tax), contains volumes 8 to 14 of the TV series (ie the second season) and four volumes of the Gaiden.
DVD Box 3 to be released April 2004, price 66,780 yen (including tax), contains volumes 15 to 22 of the TV series (ie the third season) and four volumes of the Gaiden.
DVD Box 4 to be released July 2004, price 65,205 yen (including tax), contains volumes 23 to 28 of the TV series (ie the fourth season) and six volumes of the Gaiden.
First pressing of the boxes will come with some large playing cards. If you purchase all the DVD Boxes, you'll have a complete set of playing cards.
The series will also be released as 45 individual volumes:
Volumes 1 to 3 TV series to be released 23 October 2003, catalogue numbers BBBA-4001 to 3, price 5,565 yen (including tax) each.
Volumes 4 to 6 TV series to be released 27 November 2003, price 5,565 yen (including tax) each (the website actually states 27 October, but I think that's an error).
Volume 7 TV series to be released 27 November 2003, price 3,990 yen (including tax) (the website actually states 27 October, but I think that's an error).
"My Conquest is the Sea of Stars" movie to be released 25 December 2003.
"Overture to a New War" movie to be released 25 December 2003.
"Golden Wings" OVA to be released 25 December 2003.
Volumes 8 to 10 TV series to be released January 2004.
Volumes 11 to 14 TV series to be released February 2004.
Volumes 1 to 4 Gaiden series to be released March 2004.
Volumes 15 to 18 TV series to be released April 2004.
Volumes 19 to 22 TV series to be released May 2004.
Volumes 5 to 8 Gaiden series to be released June 2004.
Volumes 23 to 25 TV series to be released July 2004.
Volumes 26 to 28 TV series to be released August 2004.
Volumes 9 to 14 Gaiden series to be released September 2004.
First pressing of the individual volumes will come with large playing cards as well. As with the DVD Boxes, if you purchase all the individual volumes, you'll have a complete set of playing cards.
Source: ultimatum half edition.
On 20 June 2003, I wrote about October and November 2003 issues of monthly magazine Dengeki Daioh (on sale August and September 2003 respectively) coming with an Onegai Twins figure. The magazine now has a pic of the Miyafuji Miina figure which will come with the October 2003 issue. See this page. It being summer in the northern hemisphere, the issue will also come with the third instalment of the "Swimsuit Collection 2003" booklets. Source: Ma-ten.
On 9 June 2003, I wrote about Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewellery is to sell a limited edition of 50 gold Hello Kitty figurines. goo anime now has a report from Reuters Japan with a pic of the gold figurine with crystal ball.
Nikkei Net reports that Pioneer in Japan plans to sell Pioneer LDC, its wholly owned DVD/VHS production and sale subsidiary. The business will be sold to Dentsu in deal likely to be worth thousands of million of yen. The company will now concentrate on developing its audio-visual hardware, such as plasma TVs. Source: everywhere. Wonder how this will affect the Rondo Robe label and future anime from Pioneer LDC...?

22 June 2003 (early update)

On 1 July 2003, Kodansha will publish a special issue of Monthly Shonen Magazine known as Dear Boys RMX (Remix) containing 529 pages of the Dear Boys manga relating to the second half of the anime version of the series. There'll also be a poster by author Yagami Hiroki, more of "Matsukaze Masaya no Dear Boys Assist!" which is serialised in Monthly Shonen Magazine (Matsukaze voices the role of Fujiwara Takuya in the anime) and information about the Dear Boys game for Playstation 2 by Konami. Furthermore, this special edit of the manga will come with a special DVD containing a digest of the first three episodes of the anime narrated by Moritaka Mai (voiced by Kawase Akiko), discussions by the main cast of their own characters, interview with Yagami regarding the anime and what's in store for the manga, DVD VHS CD and game release information, main staff and cast profiles, demo movie of the Playstation 2 game and a clip of the seiyuu unit "Dear Boys" comprising the seiyuu for the five main characters. Price 860 yen. Source: ultimatum half edition.
On 1 July 2003 Kodansha will also publish a compilation of the mah jong manga Shoubushi Densetsu Tetsuya (Gambler Legend Tetsuya) (concept by Sai Fumei, manga by Hoshino Yasushi, serialised in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine). While it's a compilation, it couldn't possibly be a compilation of the entire manga, which is at least 23 tankoubon long. Furthermore it'll come with a special DVD. The DVD will contain episode 8 of the anime (episode 8 was only one of two episodes of the TV anime which was an original story not based on the manga) and a one day trial version of the internet mah jong game based on the series. Price 780 yen. Source: ultimatum half edition. The internet mah jong game based on the series is Shoubushi Densetsu Tetsuya@Tonpu Sou. That internet service commenced just over a week ago - it's a fee paying service, but you can play for free during the month of June if you register.
Currently listening to Neon Genesis Gabbangelion's CD "Genesis:0". Tired of listening to your usual anime CD soundtracks? Sharpnel Sound in Tokyo releases techno music with samples taken from anime, games and hentai. The music is described as "All high speed music (e.g.Gabber, Speedcore, Hardcore, HappyHardcore, gabberpop, Techno, Trance) meets Anime/Game Samples from Japan, Tokyo." Neon Genesis Gabbangelion is one of the artists under the Sharpnel Sound label, and its music is described to be "Nu-style, Gabber, real Dutch hardcore". Visit the Sharpnel Sound English website linked above for more information, including how to buy their CDs. You can view a few movie clips of a 2002 party and also download samples of music. Please note that the last page and some of the music contains language (in English and Japanese) that some may find offensive (eg Ebichu from GAiNAX's Ai no Awa Awa Hour). Please don't ask me to go into the details ^_^;; Maybe it's just because I wouldn't recognise samples from games or hentai games/anime, but don't expect all the music to be full of recognizable anime music: the otaku culture is merely sampled. Sometimes it's dialogue which is sampled, sometimes it's music. It's best to try out the music downloads available to get a feel of the music and to decide whether it's the kind of thing for you. As to Genesis:0, you can read a short review and article on main producer Nakagami Ryuta in this article by Melbourne online magazine Sleepy Brain. The Genesis:0 CD comes with a bonus small mpg clip "Visual Impact 00" set to one of the tracks. Of course, the clip is taken from Evangelion, but unfortunately it's almost literally postage stamp in size. With a title like "Genesis:0", as you can guess, tracks like "No One Can Live Alone" and "Rebirth" use samples from Evangelion. But there's other stuff like "Powerpuff Gabberz". Unfortunately, my favourite track "Blue Noah" isn't available for download for people to check out - that track uses samples from the OP for Fushigi no Umi no Nadia. It's of course a reference to the Red Noah in the TV anime.

20 June 2003 (last update for the day)

One or two other minor things to write, but I'll leave that for tomorrow.
Article on page 46 of the 18 June 2003 issue of Newsweek Japan, "From Niche to Mass". Japanese anime and manga, once considered a niche market for otaku, has blossomed into a global business. In many parts of Europe the growth of translated Japanese manga publication is in contrast to recession in other areas of the publication industry. In France, which itself has a history of the "bande dessinee", Japanese manga now makes up 12% or 260 million Euros of the market. There's been rapid growth in North America as well. Toei, which produces anime such as Pokemon and Digimon, earned 6,253 million yen or approximately 35% of its revenue from overseas operations last year. Similarly, foreign operations are now a significant part of Bandai's revenue. The president of Coamix (publishers of Raijin Comics) states that the US market for Japanese manga grew threefold from 2000 to 2002. The US market for Japanese manga is estimated to be worth US$40 million. As to anime, 60% of the animation which is broadcast in the world today (80% in Italy) is made in Japan (although of course it seems to me that Japan does outsource work to neighbouring countries, inbetweening etc). The US market for Japanese anime is estimated to have been about US$100 million in 1999 but is estimated to be about US$500 million today. The broadcasting license fee for one episode of anime has increased from about US$1,000 to about US$2,000-$4,000 (I think that's for cable TV, perhaps for the US or France). Despite all this growth in recent years, these US and European markets are still relatively small compared to the domestic Japanese market where the manga market is 520 thousand million yen (approx. US$4.4 thousand million), the anime market is 160 thousand million yen (approx. US$1.35 thousand million) and the character goods market is worth one billion yen (approx. US$8.45 thousand million). (Note that since I'm Australian, I'm referring to the Australian/British "billion", which people in the US would call "one trillion", that is - one million million).
Comparison of markets for Japanese manga:
US - 4,760 million yen
Germany - 2,500 million yen
France - 36,140 million yen
Japan - 520,000 million yen
Breakup of Toei Animation's sales:
In 1999, 8,233 million yen from Japan, 1,561 million yen from abroad.
In 2000, 9,393 million yen from Japan, 5,452 million yen from abroad.
In 2001, 8,876 million yen from Japan, 7,154 million yen from abroad.
In 2002, 11,442 million yen from Japan, 6,253 million yen from abroad.
Source: Ma-ten.
I feel I need to make an apology in respect of KaleidoStar (which I think has been licensed by ADV Films, hasn't it?). Back on 18 April 2003, I wrote that episode 1 of the series apparently used about 9,000 cels or frames. Although I stated that I didn't know much about animation standards, I wrote that that seemed like a fairly low figure to me. Now it seems it's not uncommon for a standard TV anime episode to use only about 5,000 cels or frames. That would mean the count for episode 1 of Kaleido Star was actually pretty good (I guess with the first episode of any series they try to make it a bit more spectacular to grab the viewer's attention). I've only seen a few clips of the series, no whole episodes, and it's hard to judge animation quality when viewing a small mpeg clip, but what I saw seemed pretty interesting. I'll look forward to it. (And I think the original delay in the broadcast May have been due to news reporting commitments on the war in Iraq...?) I've now amended my 18 April 2003 entry...
Back on 7 May 2003 I wrote about the Bandai Museum, which will open on 19 July 2003. The website for the museum can be found here. The museum is located in Chiba prefecture and will be open from 10am to 7pm, though the store in the museum will be open til 11pm. As previously reported, admission is free, but certain exhibits will incur a fee, ie the Gundam Museum costs 300 yen and the Bandai Character World costs 300 yen. The theatre will also charge a fee, but that will vary with the item screened. For a bit more info, see my 7 May 2003 entry.
Looks like the October and November 2003 issues of monthly magazine Dengeki Daioh (on sale August and September 2003 respectively) will each come with an Onegai Twins figure. Source: Moonphase. The manga version of the story (original story by Please! manga by Akikan) should start in tomorrow's August 2003 issue.
The Triangle Heart ~ Sweet Songs Forever ~ official website has updated screenshots of episode 1 of the OVA series. Source: Moonphase. Click on the thumbnails for enlargements. For release details, see my 30 May 2003 entry.
If you have a fan website on a Broccoli product, such as Di Gi Charat or Galaxy Angel, the company has now set up a system for authorised fan sites. For more information, read this English language article by Animaxis.
The 2 channel thread referred to in the next item states that the Comic Party OVA will be released in December 2003, IIRC. In any event, AquaPlus, makers of the computer game on which the anime is based, state that the staff are aiming at release at the end of the year. Source: alternative-live.
This 2 channel thread reports that an advance copy of the August 2003 issue of Dengeki Daioh magazine (on sale 21 June 2003) confirms that the manga Gunslinger Girl (by Aida Yu) is to be adapted into an anime. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Further, from the same 2 channel thread, the same issue of Dengeki Daioh states that the October 2003 (on sale in August 2003) will see the start of the manga versions of Godanner (by Seta Noriyasu) and Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime (by Sasaki Shonen). The Godanner anime will commence broadcast in October 2003 while the Tsuki-hime anime will commence broadcast in the (northern) autumn. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Bandai releases swimsuits for kids based on anime and tokusatsu/sentai shows. In terms of anime, there's swimsuits related to Ashita no Nadja and Sailormoon for girls and Shutsugeki! Machine Robo Rescue for boys. Source: Tentative Name.
Volume 1 of the bishounen anime Saint Beast ~ Seiju Kourin Hen ~ will be released on 25 September 2003, price 6,090 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama.
Shoujo anime Ultramaniac will be released as a DVD box. DVD Box 1 will be released 1 October 2003, price 12,600 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama.
Animaxis' English website states that Otomo Katsuhiro has announced that the theatrical release of Steam Boy has been put back from October 2003 to sometime next year. For more info, read Animaxis' article. This means that the previous US release date of November 2003 will be put back as well. I guess that's better than "pulling a Gundress" on the audience...
Bandai has a new website open for the TV anime Witch Hunter Robin. Send Witch Hunter Robin electronic greeting cards to your friends ^_^ Further, it's stated that the series will be distributed over the internet by Bandai Channel starting 10 July 2003. Episode 1 will be free, but subsequent episodes will presumably require payment of a fee. In the meantime, you can view episode 1 of Brain Powerd free. Just go to this Bandai Channel page, click on one of the ISPs listed, such as @nifty, select Brain Powerd from the list of available series, and then click on episode 1. But what I'm really looking for is a Witch Hunter Robin artbook...
No update yesterday cos headache + lots of work = bigger headache.

18 June 2003 (last update for the day)

Not much to type up, thank goodness. So I'll just mention that the Overworks website for the Playstation 2 game of Sakura Taisen ~ Atsuki Chishio ni ~ has more wallpapers for download.
A Skyhigh live action movie based on the manga of the same name by Takahashi Tsutomu (Ice Blade) will be released theatrically in Japan on 8 November 2003. Shaku Yumiko will again star in this movie. A website for the movie will open in the next week. In the meantime, however, you can view a trailer for the movie at the official website for the live action TV dorama version (which was broadcast at the beginning of this year). Just click on the green words in the yellowish window on the homepage.
Amano Yoshitaka's official website "amanosworld" is open today, where you can view some of his works, but also buy some.
TBS has announced on its Anime Festa 2003 website that the "Mahoromatic Natsu no TV Special" will be broadcast on BS-i on 14 August 2003. (Well, actually it's 1am on 15 August 2003, but it's considered late night on the 14th). Source: alternative-live.
Similarly TBS has announced that the first episode of the Chicchana Yukitsukai Sugar (Sugar: A Little Snow Fairy) Special will be broadcast on BS-i on 21 August 2003 (again actually very early 22 August ) with the concluding episode to be broadcast on 28 August 2003 (1pm 29 August 2003). Source: alternative-live.

17 June 2003 (last update for the day)

For Zoids fans, Shogakukan will release a Zoid Core Box on 24 October 2003. This will be a limited edition item of 10,000 units and will contain seven items:
Kit - reproduction version of the 1983 Zoid Mammoth.
Books - reprints of the Zoid Battle Story diorama series of five books, originally published between 1986 to 1990.
Book - the Battle Story "Prozen no Hangyaku" (Prozen's Rebellion).
Pin badge set - three pin badges with crests of the Helic Repulic, Guylos Empire and Zenebas Empire.
Big card set - the Zoids Bible: a set of 35 B5-size cards with Zoids info.
DVD - "Zoids Perfect Visual Clips" containing various ads, promo clips etc.
Special liner notes.
Price 15,000 yen (including tax). Source: Mangaoh Club. For more info (in Japanese) and images of the items, see this page on Shogakukan's website.
GAiNAX has stated on its online diary (today's entry) that a manga based on the Evangelion computer game Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2nd (Iron Maiden 2nd) - which game was released last month - will commence serialisation in Kadokawa Shoten's shoujo manga magazine Monthly Asuka, starting with the October 2003 issue, on sale 24 August 2003. Source: Moonphase. Shoujo Eva manga...? Sadamoto Yoshiyuki's shonen Evangelion manga is serialised in Kadokawa's manga magazine Monthly Shonen Ace-A.
Tired... -_- Luckily, there isn't much I want to write about ^_^
GAiNAX has announced on its Neon Genesis Evangelion website that, following the news of the live action Hollywood (and New Zealand) movie, another big announcement will be made in the (northern) summer. There's more to come in the Eva Renewal Project. Source: Moonphase. Just don't tell me they've decided to put Spike Spencer in a plugsuit and shrink him to the size of a 14 year old through the special effects magic of WETA.
KTV's website for the live action dorama series Kunimitsu no Matsuri, based on the manga by Andou Yuuma and Asaki Masashi (serialised in Weekly Shonen Magazine) is now open. The series commences broadcast on 1 July 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Vote for your favourite anime by Studio Perriot. From their oldest works to their latest ones. Results are here. Source: Aniota.

16 June 2003 (final update for the day)

I'll just leave it at that for today.
A trailer is now available for download at Sony's website for the OVA series Submarine 707R. Source: Moonphase. Just click on the blue button in the main frame on the top page. Note that there's a bit of cast and staff discussion before the trailer itself. However, since I don't have a broadband connection, I can't see a thing ;_; Haven't gotten my issue of Animage yet, so I can't tell if it's the same trailer as on the Animage DVD either. For release details of this two volume series, see my 10 June 2003 entry.
WOWOW's webpage for Onegai Twins has updated. Among the additions to the website is the statement that the series will be 12 episodes long. Source: Moonphase.
Oh no, I just realised that my news on 14 June 2003 concerning the DVD release of the Green Green TV series contained an error. There'll be 12 episodes in this series, not 12 volumes. Each volume will contain two episodes, so there'll only be six DVD volumes. There'll still be three volumes of the Green Green Character DVDs, though. For more info, see my 14 June 2003 entry (which I've now corrected). Sorry for any inconvenience caused...
News may be a bit late this week (at least) as I'm really busy at work... (and shop on the net ^_^ )
For Tenchi Muyo fans, the wait is nearly over. Volume 1 of the third OVA series will be released on 18 September 2003, catalogue number VPBV-11804, price 4,800 yen (excluding tax). 5.1ch sound. First pressing comes with Radio Tenchi CD. Source: AV Express. I'm not a Tenchi fan, but I presume Radio Tenchi is a radio drama series.

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