Natsume Goushin Ryu 1-15 September 2003 news

1-15 SEPTEMBER 2003 NEWS

15 September 2003 (second update)

Umm, the Sankei Shimbun's Osakanews.com website did have a report on the otakunisation of DenDen Town, but it's now gone, and I can't recall all of the details. Sorry ;_; Basically, it was an article similar to one I reported about previously in relation to Akihabara in Tokyo. DenDen Town is the electronics district of Osaka, but like Akihabara, the electronics stores are shutting down or moving out and moving in are the otaku stores: douijinshi etc. Source: Ma-ten. Again, sorry ^_^\
The new ED "A to Z" for the One Piece anime will be released on 12 November 2003, price 1,000 yen (excluding tax). There'll be two versions: an anime version and an artist version. The anime or One Piece Version will be in production for a limited time only (until 31 January 2004), will contain two songs/six versions, will have a One Piece jacket and first pressing will come with picture disc and trading card. The Artist Version will contain three songs/eight versions, will have the artist on the jacket and first pressing will come with a strap (eg for mobile phone etc). Source: Musicmarket.
Broadcaster JOQR's website Dream Power A&G (Anime & Game) has confirmed the rumours that an anime based on the 3D love adventure game Yumeria will commence broadcast in January 2004. Source: Moon Phase.
Pioneer's Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime website has updated with a few more screenshots of the upcoming anime. Source: Moon Phase. The series will commence broadcast on 9 October 2003.
Finished volume 3 of R.O.D manga \^_^/
And I thought my current 40 anime DVD backlog (with another 10 discs or so en route) was bad.
With Ikki Tousen being animated, that may encourage people to read the manga on which it is based. And since the Tenjou Tenge anime is still in production, people might read that manga on which that anime will be based second in time. People might see the similarity in artwork between the two and think that Oh! great (TenTen) copied Shiozaki Yuji (Ikki Tousen). To forestall all of that, I'll just point people to The_Shape's (Portuguese language) review of the Ikki Tousen manga, in which he posts up some comparisons of the two manga. Note that there's a bit of nudity. Anyway, in each case the TenTen artwork (on the top, or on the left) was published roughly at least 18 months before the Ikki Tousen artwork. Plus, with the recent publication of volume 6 of the Ikki Tousen manga, there's stuff which reminds me of an earlier Oh! great manga: Himiko-den. One or two panels in Ikki Tousen are identical to Himiko-den, others just seem very similar. But bear in mind that the Himiko-den manga was completed and published as a tankoubon even before the very first chapter of Ikki Tousen was ever serialised. So I don't want anyone saying Oh! great copied Shiozaki, okay? :)
Cosplay outfit for Anita-chan, one of the Paper Sisters from the Read or Dream manga and R.O.D - The TV -. The outfit was created by Cospa. Note that the outfit has the "holsters" (for want of a better word) on each thigh, where Anita keeps her supply of paper.

14 September 2003

More to type up but I'll have to leave it at this for now. More tomorrow.
Shueisha's website for its Jump Festa 2004 event is now up. Also included on the website are details of its Anime Tour '03, which includes works such as a special Bobobobo Bobobo movie (the TV series will commence broadcast on 8 November 2003), a special clip for the upcoming second Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kouen Mae Hashutsujo movie "UFO Shurai! Tornado Daisakusen!!" (UFO Attack! Operation Tornado!!) (to be released theatrically in December 2003), an original Naruto anime, a special Tennis no Oujisama (Prince of Tennis) movie, the Eyeshield 21 movie (Maboroshi no Golden Bowl) and a preview movie of the upcoming TV anime series Legends: Yomigaeru Ryuuou Densetsu (Legends: Legend of the Resurrected Dragon King, based on the manga serialised in Monthly Shonen Jump, I think; the TV anime will commence broadcast in April 2004). Source: ultimatum half edition. Since the Jump Festa website uses Flash, I can't provide links to the various pages. Further, I'm not familiar with these Jump Festa movies. Don't know if they're full length movies or not. I get the feeling they're not...
Most of the way through volume 3 of the R.O.D manga now \^_^/
Sponichi Annex reports that Sugimoto Aya is to play the role of the wicked Queen Beryl in the upcoming live action dorama series Pretty Guardian Sailormoon. See the Sponichi Annex report for a pic of Sugimoto. Source: Aniota BBS.
The official GiTS:SAC website has a report on an upcoming TV commercial for the Official Log guidebook and DVD, volume 1 of which will be released on 24 October 2003. The commercial will star idol Nayuta Haruka as Makoto, whose image will then be overlayed on a CG background. See the report linked above for pics. Click on the pics for enlargements. Source: Aniota BBS. For release info of the Official Log, see my 25 August 2003 entry.
The official website for the anime of Maria-sama ga Miteru is now up. Not much to see at present, but it does state that the series will commence broadcast in January 2004 on TV Tokyo. Director will be Matsushita Hiroyuki, character design by Kou, script by Yoshida Reiko. Source: Moon Phase.
Speaking of TV Tokyo, it's just set up its Anime ch.com website, from which it will distribute anime over the internet via broadband. The service will commence 19 September 2003 and downloading will be free for the month of September. After that, there'll be a monthly fee of 700 yen (excluding tax). Apart from anime to watch, there'll be wallpapers and other stuff. The service will first offer Slayers, Slayers Next, Slayers Try and Saiyuki, but other series will gradually be added. The first two episodes of each of those series will be available free during September. Source: Moon Phase.
In an interview in Nikkei characters! magazine, it's stated the upcoming Bones anime Mukoh Hadan will be a movie, scheduled for release in 2005. Source: Moon Phase. For more info about the anime, see my 23 March 2003 entry.
Nikkei characters! also reports that the Bones is working on another anime Kurau (tentative title - I'm not sure how to render the katakana). Sci-fi action TV series in which the main character will be female. Director will be Irie Yasuhiro. To commence broadcast in 2004. Source: Moon Phase.
Also from an interview in Nikkei characters! magazine, the Dead Leaves anime by Production IG, originally produced as an OVA for release in the (northern) spring of 2004, will see theatrical release in January 2004. Source: Moon Phase.

13 September 2003 (early update)

Sega has announced its Sega Prize range of toys for the first quarter of next year. You can see pics of some of them on these pages: January, February, March. Further, click on each pic for an enlargement and more detail. Among the stuff are Version 2 of the Evangelion soap dishes (to be released in January 2004), Evangelion bed sheets (January as well) and Version 2 of the Rei and Askua soft toys (available in March 2004). Source: Ma-ten.
Media Works now has a page up for its Himekuri Azumanga 2004 (2004 Azumanga Daioh Block Calendar). This will be a first edition limited edition item. This school calendar will cover the period April 2004 to March 2005. To be released 20 January 2004, preorder cutoff date is 30 October2003. A6 in size, 768 pages, price 1,500 yen (excluding tax).You can see samples of the pages of the calendar on the page linked above, but those samples are from the 2003 edition. Source: Moon Phase.
Made slight addition to what I wrote yesterday about gachapon machines.

12 September 2003 (third update)

Nikkei BizTech report on financing the production of anime (actually, while it's an article, they're also trying to advertise their Nikkei characters! magazine, which expands on the topic). Basically, the report is about the ubiquitous management committees which you see credited at the end of each anime - management committees are the most convenient method of financing the production of anime. In terms of obtaining finance from banks, the anime companies generally don't have real estate which could be given as security for loans. Rather they have intellectual property such as copyright in anime works. So since 2000 a practice of copyright mortgage financing has arisen as a means of raising funds. Of more interest (to me, anyway) is the actual cost of producing anime. An average episode of an anime made for TV (terrestrial broadcast) will require around 10 to 13 million yen in funding (roughly US$85,000-111,000 at today's exchange rate). (Actually, the report refers to each 30 minutes, but I presume that means each episode.) Thus, a year long TV anime (four seasons, 52 episodes) would require around 500 to 700 million yen (roughly US$4.3-6 million). An anime movie may cost around 100 to 300 million yen (approximately US$850,000-2.56 million). However, bigger movies such as Studio Ghibli movies, Innocence and Steam Boy may have a budget around 1 or 2 thousand million yen (approximately US$8.5-17 million). Source: Aniota. I don't know if those costs mean the amounts devoted soley to actual manufacture of the anime or whether it encompasses more. Still, I can't believe they'd spend in the region of US$100,000 on each episode of something like Ikki Tousen and still end up with something so average...
Mainichi Interactive report on the boom in gachapon machines (which dispense those little capsule toys/figures), said to be due in part to their nostalgic attraction. Two years ago, the popularity of the vending machines prompted the Japanese Toy Association to start keeping statistics on this particular market. The market was valued at 26 thousand million yen for the last financial year, (update 13 September 2003: this was up 24% from the previous year). Toy series based on the 70s-80s seem popular. Bandai's "Boku no Shogakusei (My Primary School) Series" has sold 2.4 million figures since November 2002 - that series of toys features school stationery and equipment from a quarter century ago and seem to be popular with women in their 30s. Source: ultimatum half edition.
This 2 channel post states that the manga MMR Magazine Mystery Chousa Han (Investigation Group) is to be adapted into a seven volume OVA series by Sunrise/Bandai Visual, with the first volume to be released in the (northern) winter. The manga by Ishigaki Yuuki was previously serialised in Weekly Shonen Magazine. Source: Aniota. Not confirmed.
ZDNet Japan reports that available from Animage by mail order (see the October 2003 issue - on sale a couple of days ago) is the limited edition gas blow back G33 Advance gun, as trialed by Batou in GiTS:SAC. 19,800 yen (plus 1,000 yen shipping). Comes with laser and beam light mount. Source: alternative-live. See the above report for pics. Click on the pics for enlargements.
Marvelous Entertainment Inc. has a page up for the anime version of the game Kidou Shinsen Gumi Moeyoken now. Mainly of interest for the pic of anime character designs (Takahashi Rumiko, of course) and the DVD release schedule:
Volume 1 to be released 19 November 2003
Volume 2 to be released 17 December 2003
Volume 3 to be released 21 January 2004
Volume 4 to be released 18 February 2004
Each volume will contain one episode. Price has yet to be determined. Furthermore, no mention of TV broadcast. Looks like it's an OVA series (leaving aside any possible preview TV broadcast). Sci-fi jidai-geki action. Source: Moon Phase.
The next issue of Weekly Shonen Jump will apparently announce that the anime version of Bobobobo Bobobo (based on the manga by Sawai Yoshio) will commence broadcast on 8 November 2003. Source: Moon Phase. For more info on this manga, see my 25 July 2003 entry.
Tokyo Jyoumyaku (Tokyo Vein), Oshii Mamoru's live action short documentary film about Tokyo, will be released on DVD. Part of the Roppongi Hills Exhibition, this 11 minute film provides a different view of Tokyo city. The DVD will make use of the multi-angle feature, having five angles. Music by Kawai Kenji (of course). To be released end of September 2003, catalogue number GR0001, single layer, the DVD will cost 3,150 yen (including tax). Available by mail order via this page, from the Roppongi Hills Museum Shop, at events, etc. Source: Aniota.
Those who purchased all the Wingman DVD box sets and then applied for the Wingman figure, Happinet Pictures has apologised for the delay in shipping out the figures. It's now anticipated they will ship out in late November or early December. Source: Aniota.
New Tennis no Oujisama (Prince of Tennis) website: The Prince of Tennis Goods Net. Source: Aniota.
Back on 2 September 2003, I wrote about the Manga DVDs being released by Sony on 3 October:
Sanctuary (original work Fumimura Sho, catalogue number JDD-36759, approximately 87 minutes)
Kyoufu Shimbun (original work Tsunoda Jirou, catalogue number JDD-36758, approximately 86 minutes)
Ring ni Kakero (original work Kurumada Masami, catalogue number JDD-36760, approximately 60 minutes)
Although each will only be available for sale at FamilyMart stores, Impress Corporation states that this is only a trial period, and if sales are good, the Manga DVDs will later be distributed in other stores. The report also confirms that these basically are the manga but spruced up with digital effects, voices and sound effects. Each disc will be single layer, 4:3 aspect ratio picture and Dolby Digital stereo sound. Source: alternative-live. Each will cost 980 yen and will come with soft case and postcard.
Animate Web Mail Order has more details on the Initial D Super Complete Box. Bonus items will include T shirt and team emblem sticker. I also note that the Second Stage should be 4 DVDs, not 7. Anyway, I've updated my 5 September 2003 post to incorporate those details.
More legal disputation regarding Candy Candy copyright. Animaxis has an English language article here. Saves me time ^_^
Review of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away) in the UK's Guardian newspaper.

11 September 2003 (second update)

I'm tired. I'm going to lie down. Maybe more later if I can stay awake... No promises.
gameonline reports that first pressing of the Shin Seiki Evangelion 2 game for Playstation 2 will come with a set of six postcards. Furthermore, those who preorder the game will receive a reversible poster illustrated by Sadamoto Yoshiyuki and Yamashita Ikuto. Finally those who purchase the game will be able to apply for a limited edition telephone card - I think you'll need to pay for the telephone card, though. Source: Ma-ten. The game is to be released in November 2003.
Update to yesterday's news about the Texhnolyze "secret" episodes are now up for streaming download. As before, left dark blue button for narrowband internet connections, right hand button for broadband.
Reinbo Actress suggests that the Broccoli/GAiNAX anime Neppuu Kairiku Bushilord will be a theatrical release. (Moon Phase has previously listed it as a TV anime)

10 September 2003 (third update)

Sorry, still haven't caught up with all I wanted to type up, but it's getting late. I'll try to do the rest tomorrow or when I have the time (or hope that some other news website posts it).
For the legion of CLAMP fans, three special wallpapers are available for download until 23 September 2003 only. Since the women have taken the trouble to post up a notice about the wallpapers, I'd better summarise it here (particularly since I bypassed it with the above link): the wallpapers are for private use only - do not re-post them on any website. Copyright is not waived - do not sell or distribute the wallpapers. Depending on the computer system you are using, errors may occur while using the wallpapers - neither CLAMP nor the official website (nor myself, for that matter) accept any responsibility for any loss or damage which you may suffer using them. Source: Moon Phase.
More wallpapers to download from the official website of the Playstation 2 12 Kokki game. You'll find the wallpapers on this page, this page and most recently this page. Source: Moon Phase. The wallpapers started out pretty boring IMO, but the last few are getting better. Speaking of 12 Kokki, I'd like to collect this series, but I'm waiting to see what happens with the audio issue which has spawned a number of threads on the AoD forums. And it seems a number of other titles from Media Blasters have mono sound as well. I wouldn't be surprised if fans start referring to the company as Mono Blasters. What would be nice is if Madman in Australia licensed the 12 Kokki series and then release it with real stereo sound (it'd be nice if Madman's subtitled version of Initial D undid the subtitle edits that Tokyopop did too).
Yay, I can access the animate.tv website again \^_^/ Hopefully that means that if you were previously trying to watch Gunparade March over the internet, it might now be possible. For details on that, see my 2 September 2003 entry.
Furthermore, the animate.tv site apparently has a "secret" Texhnolyze episode (Rogue 19 and Rogue 20 Degital Edit) for streaming download for a limited time. These episodes apparently will not be broadcast on TV. They're to fit in between the Rogue 18 (broadcast today) and "TV on air" episode 18 (to be broadcast 17 September 2003). At least it's supposed to be available on this page, but I can't find it. You can view a 30 minute promotion clip there at present (go to the page linked above and click on the left hand dark blue button if you have a narrow band connection, or the right hand button if you have a broadband connection) but I don't think that's the secret episode they're talking about. Source: alternative-live. Maybe it'll be available a bit later...? Or maybe, with me only recently being able to access the site again, it'll take some time to update...? I don't know this computer stuff, I give up...
BTW, the entire UFO Princess Walkure series is also available for streaming (broadband) download from animate.tv. In this case, however, only episode 1 is free. Go to this page, then click on the dark blue button within the orange coloured box.
NHK's website for Mujin Wakusei Survive (Uninhabited Planet Survive) is now up and I can now see that the last word should be "survive", not "survivor". Seven young people and a catlike robot on an uninhabited planet in a 22nd century age of space exploration. Their fight to survive now starts... Source: ultimatum half edition.
Late to update again. Busy. And I've wasted my time drivelling on about R.O.D.
The R.O.D - The TV - website has updated with DVD cover and more details for volume 1 of the DVD release. The DVD will be single layer, 4:3 aspect ratio picture, plus, as with the OVA release, it'll come with full length audio commentary by Kurata (original work), Masunori (director) and a guest. For more release details, see my 25 August 2003 entry (but remember that regular broadcast has since been put back to 8 October 2003). I think I'll have to order this and secure a first pressing copy. Then, it'll sit alongside my first pressing copies of the OVA series, first pressing copies of the OST and drama CDs, first pressing copies of the two art CD-ROMs (as one of the first 30 pre-orders, I also received a couple of cel background reproductions ^_^ ) and my first edition volumes of the R.O.D and Read or Dream manga ^_^ Oh yeah, I'll probably get the ED CD single as well: out on 18 September 2003 - first pressing come with sticker IIRC.
Yes, I love my R.O.D. And I'm in the mood for the R.O.D manga again, with its B6 size offset print, 4 colour, 2 flash colour, matt finish, coated 71.0kg paper cover and offset print, 1 colour, 59.0kg CP paper pages ^_^ As is my modus operandi, I'll read a manga for a while, put it down for sometimes literally a couple of years before finally finishing it off. A couple of years back, I read volume 1 of the manga and then just bits here and there of the following volumes. Started reading it properly again a few days ago. Getting towards the end of volume 2 now. As people would've found out towards the end of volume 1, Yomiko apparently killed Donnie Nakajima, the man she loved, and her predecessor as "The Paper". Volume 2 starts when she receives a letter purporting to come from Donnie. Yomu beki ka, shinu beki ka.
And since I've been suffering some Yomiko withdrawal symptoms recently, I've taken to listening to the R.O.D drama CD again as well. I can't say I understand the majority of it, but it's still fun, and Miura Reiko's voice as Yomiko is a delight. The drama CD mainly focuses on Nenene, Yomiko and Wendy. Nenene in the drama CD is voiced by Mizuno Manabi, whereas in the new anime series, she's voiced by Yukino Satsuki, so I don't know if a new voice in her role will sound strange to me...

9 September 2003 (second update)

A number of other things to type up, but it's late, so I'm going to sleep. G'night ^_^/
The second season of UFO Princess Walkure, Jyuuni Tsuki no Yasoukyoku (December Nocturne), will commence broadcast on Chiba TV on 3 October 2003. Source: Moon Phase.
As to Ai Yori Aoshi ~ Enishi ~, Megami Magazine says the series is scheduled to commence broadcast in October 2003, but Newtype and Animedia (the latter being published by the same company as Megami Magazine) simply say the (northern) autumn. Source: Moon Phase.
Looks like the start date for regular broadcast of R.O.D - The TV - is being put back from 1 October 2003 to 8 October 2003. Source: Moon Phase.
Also looks like terrestrial broadcast of Gadguard will stop at episode 19. Source: Moon Phase.
In the past few days, Al Qaeda has apparently issued a threat to take further action in future. Only two days to 11 September 2003, which is of course the second anniversary of the terrorist attack on New York. And as Rachel Shabi writes in her comment piece in the Guardian newspaper, only two days to the gala dinner of the Defence Systems and Equipment International arms fair, held in London. The UK apparently supplies 20% of the world market in weapons (second only to the US).
This 2 channel post reports that an advance copy of Dragon Age magazine (well, it actually went on sale today - I'm just late in typing this up) states that the Chrono Crusade anime will know commence broadcast in the late (northern) autumn. Source: Moon Phase.
Starchild has a website up for the TV anime version of Nonaka Eiji's manga Sakigake!! Cromartie Koukou (Cromartie High School). Source: Moon Phase. The series will commence broadcast on TV Tokyo on 2 October 2003.
Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday manga magazine website has a page up for the second series of the Takahashi Rumiko Gekijo (Theatre) anime, which will be the Mermaid's Forest story. The series will be 11 episodes long and will commence broadcast on TV Tokyo 4 October 2003. Source: Moon Phase.
Cinema Topics reports that the TV anime Gilgamesh will commence broadcast on Kansai TV on 6 October 2003 (well, very early 7 October 2003). Source: TA Group. But then Moon Phase points out that it'll commence broadcast on TV Shizuoka on 1 October 2003.
This week's issue of Young Magazine (on sale 13 September 2003) will see the final chapter in Takada (3 x 3 Eyes) Yuzo's manga The Booking Life. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Klockworx has a page up on its website for the Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu series. Source: Moon Phase.
Yeah, I fell asleep yesterday.

7 September 2003

Morimoto Koji's short anime film Onkyou Seimeitai Noiseman (Noiseman Sound Insect) will be released on DVD around 5 December 2003. Anime production by Studio 4ºC, animation and character design by Morimoto, music by Kanno Yoko. A sci-fi story in which a scientist develops an insect-like lifeform which neutralises sound waves. Other short works by Morimoto will be included on the DVD, and also "making of" clips such as staff interviews. DVD specs: approximately 60 minutes, Dolby Digital (5.1ch and stereo), single layer, anamorphic letterboxed. Price is 6,800 yen. Looks like the DVD is only available through Lawson stores, but you'll get a Noiseman original T-shirt (design by Studio 4ºC, US adult M size). Pre-order cutoff date is 2 November 2003. Source: alternative-live.
There's now an announcement on the Telecom Animation Film website to confirm that the anime Mujin Wakusei Survivor (Uninhabited Planet Survivor) will commence broadcast in October 2003. Source: Aniota. I still know nothing about this show, though.
Looks like the October 2003 issue of Dengeki Daioh magazine (published in August) is selling quickly despite being the largest print run of the magazine. Presumably due to the fact the issue came with a figure of Miyafuji Miina from Onegai Twins. If you want to get the Onodera Karen figure which comes with the November 2003 issue (on sale this month), best to pre-order your copy. Source: ultimatum half edition. For a bit more info, see my 11 July 2003 entry.
The show Midnight Horror School will commence broadcast on 6 October 2003. Source: Reinbo Actress. Looks more like a kodomo anime to me.

6 September 2003 (fourth update)

According to this 2 channel post, the anime Mujin Wakusei Survivor (Uninhabited Planet Survivor - not sure of the last word) will commence broadcast on 16 October 2003 on NHK. Anime production by Madhouse and Telecom Animation Film. Source: Moon Phase. I know nothing of this anime.
The TV anime of Kyogoku Natsuhiko Kousetsu Hyaku Monogatari will commence broadcast on CBC on 3 October 2003. Source: TA Group BBS.
The website for the new series of Hanaukyo Maid Tai is now up, though there's nothing to see at present other than the confirmation that the TV series won't be coming until 2004 and details of main staff. Anime production still by Doumu, character design remains by Okuma Takaharu, but director is now Nonaka Takuya. Source: Moon Phase.
During the course of the final instalment of Kodansha's interview with Sadamoto Yoshiyuki, he states that he's currently considering character designs for Tsurumaki (FLCL) Kazuya's new work. Source: Aniota.
3 September 2003 was Doraemon's birthday. To celebrate, at the official website, you can find a clock screensaver and various wallpapers to download. For the Windows version of the screensaver, click on the blue button, for the Macintosh version, click on the pink button. Source: Aniota. There's also a couple of other things on the website to celebrate the birthday, but I doubt they'd interest Western fans.
Excite Japan, Japan Vistec and Digital Hollywood are holding a Cyborg 009 competition for artists and animators. Unfortunately, only Japanese residents are eligible to enter. Make a Cyborg 009 anime (with Cyborg 009 characters as the motif, of course) using graphics software or CG anime software. Both still pictures and animation are acceptable. (I'm not sure how the two sentences are reconciled... ^_^;; ) Send in your submission together with consent to competition rules and your details (name, age, occupation, title of your submission, comments about your submission, format of your submission). Your work must be submitted on MO, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM (I have no idea what MO is...) Applications close 31 October 2003. Voting open from 4 to 30 November 2003, winners announced 12 December 2003. First prize 100,000 yen gift certificate, second prize 50,000 yen gift certificate, third prize complete set of Cyborg 009 DVDs. Source: Aniota.
Nikkei Net reports that TBS and Dentsu have announced the "TBS Super Heroes" project to revive certain TV anime series broadcast by TBS in the 60s to 70s. The plan will involve sale of character goods, events, TV broadcast and the production of a new movie. Part of the boom in nostalgic works. The male 30-50 year old audience which grew up with such TV shows will be one of the main targets of the project. The first phase of the project will involve three anime originally broadcast from 1963 to 1967: 8 Man, Super Jetter and Uchuu Shonen Soran (Space Boy Soran). The characters from the three shows will be marketed as one brand and the upcoming movie will involve characters from all three shows. Source: Aniota.
Now you can get Nike Shox basketball shoes with a Gundam theme. Bandai has announced that from 28 September 2003, the Bandai Museum will be selling a limited edition of 450 pairs of Nike Shox VC II RX-78-2 shoes, price 25,000 yen per pair. Sizes available are 26cm, 27cm, 28cm and 29cm. The main colour (of the tongue of the shoe etc) is a glossy blue, in keeping with the colour scheme of the Gundam RX-78-2 and to help give it a metallic tinge, but there's also white, red and yellow used. Comes in a RX-78-2 print box with an Earth Alliance emblem keyholder. Source: Aniota. See the announcement for a pic of the shoes and a pic of a RX-78-2 Gundam. Yeah, I can see the resemblance.
Bandai has also announced that the latest additions to its internet anime distribution lineup are Onegai Teacher and Stratos 4. Distribution started on its Bandai Channel service yesterday. Episode 1 of each TV series is free but subsequent episodes cost 200 yen each. Source: Ma-ten. As with previous series, go to the relevant page on the Bandai Channel website (here for Onegai Teacher and here for Stratos 4) and click on one of the ISPs listed, such as @nifty, then select the show you wish to watch from the list of available series, then click on the appropriate internet connection speed for the episode of your choice. Bandai is regularly adding shows to its lineup, so don't expect to point out all of them...
Many apologies for my various typos recently. But hopefully you can work out what I'm trying to write...
KSS's website for Happy Lesson has updated with release details for volume 1 of the Happy Lesson Advance Director's Cut Perfection Edition DVD. I'll consolidate all the past info here as well. To be released 24 October 2003. Volume 1 will contain only episode 1, and the new scene will involve Minaduki. There'll be a limited edition version and a regular edition. The regular edition will come with character sticker and character card for 2,940 yen (including tax). The first pressing limited edition version will come with the same character sticker and card, but also with character book and CD-ROM, price 8,190 yen (including tax). The book will be 148 pages, and will feature Ichimonji Mutsuki. It'll contain new illustration(s), Asano Ruri cosplay photos, character introduction, highlight scenes, highlight dialogue, Mutsuki recollection illustration gallery, Asano Ruri interview, serialised novel by Yoshioka Takao, staff comments, other cast members' comments on Mutsuki, animaion director's revised artwork, some sort of design works, complete storyboards for episode 1, script for episode 1. The CD-ROM "Waku Waku CD-ROM 3" will contain seiyuu comment, wallpaper collection, design works, Nagatsuki character introduction (he's the new character for this series), highlight scenes, staff comment etc. Source: Moon Phase.

5 September 2003 (seventh update)

Actually, I think I'll leave it at this for today. More tomorrow.
Got my copy of Eva Ace recently. Contents include the stuff I mentioned on 10 August 2003. At 680 yen (including tax) and roughly 250 pages, it's more expensive but much slimmer than a standard issue of Monthly Shonen Ace-A magazine. However, the paper quality is better. Cover is the same as for the homepage for the Evangelion 2 game (see below). Aside from the content I wrote about on 10 August 2003, there's info/blurb about upcoming Evangelion computer games (including Evangelion 2) the Renewal of Evangelion DVDs, the Cutey Honey live action movie and the live action Eva movie. Also a number of short, humorous Evangelion manga by various mangaka including Hayashi Fumino (who's writing the new Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2nd shoujo manga - see below), short Q&A with a number of people in the industry about Eva, a few other articles, info on various Eva goods and an Angel fortune telling section (with the cutest pics of the Angels that I've ever seen). Overall, if you didn't manage to get a copy of Eva Ace, you're not really missing anything. Then again, I'll hold on to my copy :P The back of the book did mention that a mook will be released by Kadokawa Shoten sometime in the future - tentative title is "Memorial Album". I doubt it'll be published before 2004. No idea what the contents will be.
Also got the October 2003 issue of Monthly Asuka magazine, with the first full chapter of the Shin Seiki Evangelion Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2nd manga. Starts out pretty much like the alternate universe scene in episode 26 of the TV series. Shinji and Asuka running to school, bump into new transfer student Rei, who loses her toast and accuses Shinji of peeking, etc. At school, Shinji tells Kaworu of a strange dream he had last night, of a giant of light (yeah, silhouette looks like Adam). Misato-sensei asks Shinji to visit Ritsuko-sensei at the nurse's office. Ritsuko wants to carry out a check-up on Shinji, at the request of NERV...
The October 2003 issue also came with a nice little D.N.Angel clear file. Unfortunately, since it's about B5 size, there are few papers you'd find to actually make the clear file useful. Cute illustration, though.
The AFL (Australian Football League) regular season is over and we're into the finals series this weekend. The regular season has 22 rounds. At my workplace, I took equal first place in the footy tipping competition at round 2 and went on to hold undisputed first place all the way through to round 21. But in the final round 22, in an extraordinary display of footy tipping prowess, I managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and came second to a newbie at work >_< -_- If he watched anime, I'm sure he'd be an English dub fan...
Suggestions that the 3D love adventure game Yumeria (for the Playstation 2) could be turned into a TV anime to commence broadcast in January 2004 or the early (northern) spring next year, with production by Studio Deen. Not confirmed. Source: Moon Phase. Script for the game is by Kuroda Yosuke, who has worked on many anime, such as Trigun, Tenchi Muyo!, Pretty Sammi etc. Kuroda is also part of Studio Orphee - the same studio of Kurata Hideyuki (R.O.D).
CLAMP's editor Sugawara Kiichiro states in his column that next month's instalment of Tsubasa - RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE - will contain "sugoi news". Source: Moon Phase.
The Ginga Tetsudo Monogatari (The Galaxy Railways) website has announced that the TV series will commence broadcast on BS Fuji at midnight on 4 October 2003. Source: alternative-live.
The official website for the Shin Seiki Evangelion 2 game is now open. Source: Rakuga Kidou. For now, perhaps the most interesting section would be the screenshots. On this page as well.
Manga magazine Young Animal has a website up for the Berserk manga by Miura Kentarou (on which the anime is based). Source: ultimatum half edition. There's a screensaver which you can download, though I'm not certain whether it's the same as the Berserk screensaver which was previously offered on the Young Animal website. BTW, I much prefer the Madman R4 DVD menu for the anime to the Media Blasters R1 DVD menu.
Bandai has announced that a GiTS:SAC 2004 calendar will be released. The calendar will be A2 in size, with seven all-new colour illustrations (cover plus six pages) by the main staff of the anime (ie not necessarily by Shirow). The calendar will be available exclusively from Lawson stores. To be released on or around 27 November 2003. Price 1,800 yen. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Shueisha's website for its Super Jump manga magazine is now open. The website includes a section to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the life of Kurumada Masami as a mangaka. Source: ultimatum half edition. Not all sections of the special Kurumada section are up yet, though.
The manga Futatsu no Spica is to be animated as a TV series commencing 1 November 2003 on NHK BS2. NHK's website for the anime is now up. Futatsu no Spica authored by Yaginuma Kou and serialised in Comic Flapper manga magazine. Source: TA Group BBS and Moon Phase. Middle school 3rd year student Asumi's mother is killed when a space rocket crashes to Earth. She meets the ghost of dead rocket pilot Lion-san and, upon hearing of about space, yearns to become an astronaut herself. A sci-fi fantasy about growing up and achieving your dreams.
Forgot to mention before: the 11th album by the pillows (most well known among anime fans for their music which was used in FLCL) will be released on 6 November 2003. CD Japan has the details here. Meanwhile, their latest maxi-single and three DVDs of music videos and a live show were released just two days ago.
Updated the Inital D news.
A number of people have been recently upset with Tokyopop's treatment of the Initial D R1 DVD release. It's been tricked out and sexed up in a way that would've made Tony Blair proud (well, sexed down, but why let the facts get in the way of a good sentence/dossier?) I was tossing up between buying the R1 release anyway (despite its flaws) or getting the R2 DVD release secondhand. But now, there's the Initial D Super Complete Box. This first pressing limited edition complete box will come with 14 DVDs and 7 CDs and goodies. Sugee! \^_^/ I'd been meaning to track down the CD soundtracks as well. This box will contain all 7 volumes of the 1st Stage, all 4 7 volumes of the 2nd Stage, the 3rd Stage movie, the Extra Stage OVA and the Battle Stage. CDs are Sound Files vol. 1, Sound Files vol. 2, Second Stage Sound Files, "Initial D the Movie of Super Eurobeat", movie OST, Extra Stage OST and "Super Eurobeat presents Initial D Battle Stage". Goodies are: SEB Best30 Special Nonstop Remix CD, AE86 model car (1/43 scale), original mobile phone holder and key holder with light. (Update 12 September 2003: the DVD box will also come with T shirt and team emblem sticker). Other goods are also available - I'm not sure of the details, but they include the chance to register on Avex's website to go into a draw for other items. To be released Christmas Day 2003, catalogue number AVBA-14821. However, price will be 81,905 yen. Sugee! ;_; Source: Neowing. Personally I think Tokyopop did the right thing. Finally a company has come out and given English dub fans the contempt they deserve :P
Sorry for lack of update yesterday. But as I've said before: sleep is very underrated.

3 September 2003 (fourth update)

That's it for today. Will leave the rest for tomorrow or Friday. Getting late. Besides, I got a number of manga and stuff in the mail today \^_^/
The official Ai Yori Aoshi website has updated with details of the first pressing goods if you purchase the second TV series broadcast commemmoration DVD. First pressing (catalogue number PIBA-1447) will come with, firstly 1 metre tall Aoi Santa "pop" (ie 2D figure) illustrated by Fumizuki Kou and secondly, an Aoi-chan luncheon mat. See the pics on this page. Regular edition catalogue number is PIBA-1448. Remember that the DVD is now titled "Ai Yori Aoshi ~ Enishi ~ Saiai". Source: Moon Phase. For the rest of the release details, see my 22 May 2003 entry.
The official Tenchi Muyo! website has updated. You can know the download the ending theme to the 3rd OVA series on this page. You should be able to work it out - the links are in English. However, note that the first set of links are for the ending theme. The second set of links are for the trailer. Source: Moon Phase.
The official website for the anime version of Maburaho is now up. However, there's only the one page at present and the site won't have its grand opening until mid-September 2003. The series commences broadcast on WOWOW on 14 October 2003. Source: Moon Phase.
ZDNet Japan reports that Toei Animation is distributing the Ginga Tetsudo 999 (Galaxy Express 999) anime over the internet, but on a fee paying basis. However, during September 2003, episode 1 of the TV series will be available for streaming download at 300kbps. The homepage for the internet distribution is here. You can view the free episode on this page - just click on the dark blue button which says "300K". Source: alternative-live.
TV Tokyo's website for the tokusatsu series Chou Seishin Gransazer is now up. The series will commence broadcast on 4 October 2003. Source: alternative-live. I originally thought this was going to be an anime series, but I was wrong (I also got the kanji reading wrong, and they rendered the katakana differently, but that's another matter). Don't know why the series comes under TV Tokyo's anime section, though...
As to yesterday's news about volume 4 of Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magical te, Paper Moon states that price will be 5,800 yen. I'd accept that as the recommended retail price. Toranoana sometimes sells stuff at a discount. Paper Moon also states that, apart from the Komugi-chan figure, first pressing will come with a 12 page booklet and another colour leaflet. I've updated yesterday's news.
Volume 1 of the DVD release of the TV anime Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime will be released on 10 December 2003, price 5,000 yen. It'll contain episodes 1 and 2. First pressing will come with a box to hold all six volumes in the series. Source: Toranoana, Paper Moon and Rakuga Kidou. The series will commence TV broadcast on 9 September 2003.
The Gunslinger Girl official states that the anime will commence broadcast on Fuji TV on 9 October 2003 (not the 4/5 October previously rumoured). Regular broadcast time will be at 3.28am. Source: TA Group BBS.
Amano Yoshitaka's artbook "Sumie no Sekai" (World of Ink Paintings) will be published by Bijutsu Shuppansha at the end of September 2003. Only 12,000 yen. Source: Mangaoh Club.
The first issue of Works Corporation Inc's magazine "Character Designer" went on sale on 26 August 2003, price 980 yen. A magazine dedicated to the making/designing of characters. This issue has feature articles on Toume Kei (Hitsuji no Uta), Murata Range (Last Exile), Kuroboshi Kouhaku (Kino no Tabi) among others giving the background to the creation of characters. Furthermore, the magazine will run a series of articles on ABe Yoshitoshi (Haibane Renmei). Issue two will be out on 8 December 2003. Source: ultimatum half edition. Note that this magazine is not on how to draw characters. I haven't seen the magazine itself, but I think while it may contain illustrations, the emphasis will be on text, describing the character designer's path in designing a character, the issues they consider etc.

2 September 2003 (fifth update)

Focused on product news today. Will have to leave the rest for another day (including a bit more product news).
Sailormoon fans will know that the official website tends to update around the first of the month. While not really news, the site has updated to point out that the Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon manga will be re-touched and re-released as 12 volumes with volumes 1 and 2 on sale on 22 September 2003 and later volumes published one per month. The re-release will come with new covers illustrated by Takeuchi Naoko and colour pages included. First editions will come with sticker. Price per volume 450 yen.
Kadokawa Shoten's manga release list for October 2003 is now up. After eight years, volume 3 of Yuki Nobuteru's fantasy shonen manga Vaelber Saga will be published on 1 October 2003, price 980 yen, ISBN 4-04-926233-9-C0979. Source: Source: ultimatum half edition.
Shogakukan's manga releases for October 2003 are now up. Volume 1 of Watase Yuu's new Fushigi Yuugi manga Genbu Kaiden, which, appropriately enough, focuses on the Genbu no Miko, will be published on 25 October 2003, price 390 yen, ISBN 4-04-09138471-4. Same with volume 1 of her other new manga Zettai Kareshi - to be published 25 October 2003, price 390 yen, ISBN 4-14-09138461-7. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Shueisha's manga releases for October 2003 are now up. Among the publications is volume 10 of Tenjou Tenge \^_^/ To be published 17 October 2003, ISBN 4-08-876519-2. Source: ultimatum half edition. Last few chapters have been interesting. No one draws exploding flesh and bone like Oh! great ^_^;; They may appear in volume 11 rather than volume 10, though...
WOWOW's website for the magical love comedy Maburaho (based on the novel and manga) is now open. Source: alternative-live. The blurb says it's a little bit ecchi, a little bit fushigi. 24 episodes, to commence broadcast on 14 October 2003.
The MBS website for Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Full Metal Alchemist) has updated with a trailer. Click on either the Real or Windows Media icons as is your preference. Source: ultimatum half edition. Broadcast will commence on 4 October 2003.
Tankoubon volume 5 of the manga Erementar Gerad by Azuma Mayumi (serialised in Monthly Comic Blade) will be published by Mag Garden on 10 December 2003. A limited edition version will be available for 1,524 yen (excluding tax) and will come with a Ren mini-figure. Source: Mangaoh Club.
DVD Catalog lists three "Manga DVDs" as being released by Sony on 3 October:
Sanctuary (original work Fumimura Sho)
Kyoufu Shimbun (original work Tsunoda Jirou)
Ring ni Kakero (original work Kurumada Masami)
Each will cost 980 yen and will come with soft case and postcard. Furthermore, each will only be available for sale at FamilyMart stores. I don't know what these manga DVDs are, but given the price, I get the feeling they're something like manga panels but with a bit of animation thrown in, a la the old Tomodachi Anime manga videos. Just my speculation, though. BTW, wonder if that's the Ring ni Kakero "anime" discussed in Shueisha's manga magazine Super Jump.
Volume 4 of Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magical te will be released on 21 November 2003. Price is stated to be 5,394 yen, but I'm not sure whether that's the recommended retail price. First pressing limited edition version will come with Komugi-chan costume figure (update 3 September 2003: and a 12 page booklet and another colour leaflet). Source: Toranoana. (Update 3 September 2003: standard price will be 5,800 yen.)
Volume 1 of the DVD release of Konjiki no Gash Bell!! will be released on 19 November 2003, price 2,800 yen. Source: Animate. Took a while for this series to come out on DVD.
Volume 2 of KaleidoStar will be released on 24 October 2003. Release will be on a similar basis to volume 1. There'll be a first pressing limited edition version (price 7,800 yen) and a regular edition (5,800 yen). First pressing limited edition version will come with velvet case, liner notes, mini desktop accessories CD-ROM, KaleidoStage ticket and secret "Sora no Nikki" (Sora's Diary). Regular edition will come with liner notes (although perhaps not as elaborate as the limited edition version). This will be a 16 volume release... Source: Animate.
Volume 1 of the DVD release of the internet anime Ginga Tetsudo 999 Fumetsu no Kuukan Kidou (Galaxy Express 999 Eternal Space Railroad) will be released on 19 November 2003, price 4,800 yen. First pressing will come with box to hold both volumes of the series. Source: Animate.
Volume 1 of the fourth chapter of the Inuyasha TV anime will be released on 29 October 2003, price 5,800 yen. Those who purchase all volumes of chapter four and chapter five can apply for an original figure. Source: Animate.
Live action Sailormoon section of the official website has updated, mainly with more pics.
Initial reports on R.O.D - The TV - which commenced preview broadcast on Skyperfect appear good. Animation looks good. Photos of Yomiko appear now and then. I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out, since the Read or Dream manga is a bit different. But now I'm looking forward to it. And the DVD will be out soon too. Though, as Japanese fans have mentioned, the short lag between broadcast and DVD means there's unlikely to be any re-take of scenes in the DVD release.
Fell asleep yesterday.
animate.tv has commenced internet distribution of the Gunparade March TV anime. You can find the main streaming download page here. However, good luck actually being able to view any of the episodes (the dark blue buttons down the right hand side of the page). Source: Reinbo Actress. I wonder if only people outside Japan have difficulty accessing the site.
Sony's gothic mood anime Petit Cossette will be released in the coming (northern) spring. The company is looking for a young woman 16 years or older to take the leading role and sing the ending song. Applications close 6 October 2003. Source: Reinbo Actress.
Bandai has announced that the SD Gundam Force anime (52 episodes) will be broadcast on TV Tokyo from January 2004. The series just started broadcast on Cartoon Network in the US as Superior Defender Gundam Force. Source: TA Group BBS (whose address has changed).

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