Natsume Goushin Ryu 16-30 September 2003 news

16-30 SEPTEMBER 2003 NEWS

30 September 2003 (last update for the day)

More to type up, but I've got to get to sleep.
Updated the Maburaho news. Updated the Battle Programmer Shirase info as well.
Klockworx has a website up the OVA Aoi Umi no Tristia (Tristia of the Deep Blue Sea), based on the computer adventure game by Kogado Studio. Source: Moon Phase. This should be a two volume OVA, scheduled for release in the (northern) spring of 2004.
Entertainment production company Access-A has updated its site with news of the Umetsu Yasuomi anime move Kiss and Cry in production. The movie is described as a combination of horror, action, suspense and sci-fi drama and will be a joint Japanese-US-Korean effort. Source: Moon Phase. Umetsu would be known for anime such as Kite and Mezzo Forte.
Too tired yesterday.
AIC's website for the upcoming anime Battle Programmer Shirase has updated. Not much more detail, but at least now there's a pic (of the character Amano Misao, I think - further, that's what I think the name is, anyway). This anime will tell the story of legendary computer hacker Shirase Satoshi (I think that's the name). Source: Moon Phase. The series will commence broadcast on TSS on 3 October 2003.
Klockworx has a webpage up for the upcoming anime Godannar. Source: Moon Phase. This series should commence broadcast any day now.
The Ikki Tousen official website has updated with various clips to download:
Previews for episodes 2 to 7 (click on the links on the right hand column - hopefully you'll be able to work things out, the episodes are listed in descending order)
General commercial (click on either the words "Media Player" or "Real Player", not the little graphics)
Commercial for the DVD release (click on the links to the left of the pic of the postcards)
Source: Moon Phase.
The MBS website for Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Full Metal Alchemist) has updated again, this time with a trailer for episode 1 (which will be broadcast on 4 October 2003), although I think you may need a broadband connection. The trailer for episode 1 is the one on the second row of screenshots. Source: Moon Phase.
Media Works' release schedule now states that volume 1 of the anime Tenbatsu Angel Rabbie (Divine Punishment Angel Rabbie) will be released on 23 January 2004. Originally, this volume had been scheduled for release on 4 December 2003. For more release details, see my 28 August 2003 entry. Source: Moon Phase.
Fuji TV's Astro Boy website states that next week's episode (to be broadcast on 5 October 2003) will guest star Katori Shingo from J-pop group SMAP. Source: Aniota. Those SMAP boys turn up everywhere...
Studio Deen has a website up for the upcoming anime Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito, but there's nothing to see at present. really. Source: Aniota.
A few screenshots from the upcoming Sakigake!! Cromartie Koukou (Cromartie High School) anime at Production IG's Japanese website. Source: Aniota.
News from the Tokyo Game Show 2003. Impress Corporation reports that a 3D action adventure Berserk game will be released by Sammy for the Playstation 2 next year. Tentative title is "Berserk". See a blurry screenshot of someone playing Gatts here. Source: Aniota. A Seven Samurai 20XX game is also planned by the same company for the Playstation 2, to be released in the coming (northern) winter. It's the second game featured in the above report.
TV Tokyo's website for the Gungrave anime is now open beyond just the homepage. Source: Rakuga Kidou. The series commences broadcast on 6 October 2003.
TV Tokyo has previews available for download of the following of this TV season's anime: Papuwa (commenced broadcast today), Takahashi Rumiko Theatre Mermaid's Forest (4 October 2003), Saiyuki Reload (2 October 2003), Popolo Crois (5 October 2003), Gungrave (6 October 2003) and F-Zero Falcon Densetsu (7 October 2003).
The official Maburaho website is now properly open, though some pages are still under construction. Source: Rakuga Kidou. The series commences broadcast on WOWOW on 14 October 2003. Moon Phase also points out a number of other Maburaho websites: Happinet Pictures, Klockworx page 1, Klockworx page 2 and Scitron Webcity. The last has samples of the OP and ED for the anime series for your to listen to.
TV Tokyo's website for Papuwa is now up. Source: Rakuga Kidou. The series commenced broadcast today.
TV Tokyo's website for the upcoming Avenger has updated with staff & cast details, character details and description of episode 1. Source: Rakuga Kidou. The series will commence broadcast tomorrow.
Fuji TV's websites for R.O.D - The TV - and Gunslinger Girl are now up, though there's not much to see at present. Source: Rakuga Kidou. The latter series will commence broadcast on 9 October 2003.
It's been pointed out on the TA Group BBS that although the official Ai Yori Aoshi website states that the second series Enishi will commence broadcast on TV Kanagawa on 12 October 2003, the TV Kanagawa website and various TV programs state that that station will commence broadcsat on 5 October 2003.
Shinkai Makoto has stated on his website that Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Bassho "The place promised in our early days" won't be released in 2003 as previously planned, due to workload. Now he's hoping the anime will be completed by the (northern) spring of 2004. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Volume 4 of Amano Kozue's manga Aria will be published by Mag Garden on 10 January 2004. There'll be a regular edition and limited edition. Limited edition will come with figure of Akari and Aria-shachou, price 1,524 yen. Source: Mangaoh Club. The manga is serialised in Monthly Comic Blade manga magazine.
Bandai has a website up for its Spirit of Wonder Tsuruta Kenji Wonder Box DVD and CD release. For details on the release, see my 20 and 22 September 2003 entries. There are also more DVD details up. Now here's where it gets interesting: Bandai's original product listing had six titles under the "contents" heading - presumably the DVD contents - four of those titles are familiar (ie the first and second OVA series), while the last two were titles I wasn't familiar with, so I had assumed they' be new animation: "China-san no Sakazuki" and "China-san no Gyakushuu". But then Bandai's upcoming releases page states that the new anime will be "China-san no Kyoushuu" - and that title wasn't even listed in the original product listing. Now the dedicated website for the Wonder Box states that the new anime will in fact be titled "China-san no Sakazuki" and will be 7 minutes long, but there's no mention of "China-san no Gyakushuu" or "China-san no Kyoushuu". I think it's best to leave it to a Spirit of Wonder fan to unravel this all... Personally, I think the main thing to take out of all it is that the Wonder Box should (I think) contain all the previous Spirit of Wonder anime together with a 7 minute long new short story. One thing of interest is that each DVD will have Japanese and English language dialogue and Japanese subtitles, while DVDs 1 (Shonen Kagaku Club - from the second OVA series) and 3 (China-san Short Story Collection - from the second OVA series, and including the new anime) will have Chinese subtitles and DVD 2 (China-san no Yuu-utsu - the first OVA) will have English subtitles. Strange. The only possible reason I could point to for the different subtitle options is that the first OVA (DVD 2) was released by Toshiba EMI whereas the second OVA series (DVDs 1 and 3) were released by Bandai.

28 September 2003 (last update for the day)

This diary page (sorry, not sure of the title of the page: "Default wa, Kou!!" perhaps...?) compares a TV scene of episode 28 of the recently finished Gundam Seed series with the DVD re-take scene. First, the TV scene images one and two. Then the DVD re-take scene images one and two. Artwork of the faces seems to have changed. Dialogue's changed as well. And whereas the two bishonen originally looked into each other's eyes, now it looks like they're looking at a bird... Source: Rakuga Kidou. Presumably Bandai will be releasing the DVD version in the US...?
I didn't notice earlier, but the TV broadcast details on the official R.O.D - The TV - website state that the current broadcast on Sky Perfect PPV channel 182 will be of all 26 episodes, not just the first 4 episodes. Each month, Sky Perfect will broadcast four episodes, two episodes at a time. Looking at the timetable for channel 182, it looks like the same format will apply as for episodes 1 to 4, where episodes 1 and 2 were broadcast over the first half of September and episodes 3 and 4 were broadcast over the second half. Thus, episodes 5 (Yatsura wa Sawaideiru) and 6 (Write Stuff - I'm assuming the katakana is a pun on the phrase "right stuff") will commence broadcast at 9.00am on 1 October 2003 and will probably be repeated for the first half of that month. Regular (presumably weekly) terrestrial broadcast of the TV anime will commence on 15 October 2003, as previously reported. My speculation on episodes 5 and 6: I'll try to put in a bit of spoiler protection, just in case... (highlight this area in the off chance you're actually interested to know my unsubstantiated thoughts) Although the underlying storyline appears to have been developed with episodes 1 to 4, I wonder whether episodes 5 and 6 will be rather more tangential/filler, and just deal with the Paper Sisters as they do odd jobs for, or undergo training with, the Dokusensha (presumably the message they received from the pigeon was from the Dokusensha). Nenene's running off in search of Yomiko could provide for a bit of an interlude to focus on the Paper Sisters. BTW, I don't know how (or if) the word "Dokusensha" is being translated by people, but "doku" is the same kanji as "yomi" in "Yomiko", ie "to read", "sen" means "wizard, hermit" and "sha" is the usual "company, association etc". So "Dokusensha" would translate as something like "Society/League of Literary Mystics"...? In the manga the Dokusensha, as rivals of the British Library, have special powers as well.
TV Tokyo's Gungrave website is now up, though there's just the one page at present. Source: Rakuga Kidou. The anime commences broadcast on 6 October 2003.
As pointed out on 22 September 2003, AT-X has announced its new anime at this weekend's Tokyo Game Show 2003. And that will be a 12 episode TV anime based on the "Kita e" series of bishoujo computer games. In particular, the anime will be based on the "Kita e ~ Diamond Dust ~" game, which will be released on 30 October 2003. Broadcast of the anime will commence in January 2004. People who've read Newtype Japan may notice that artwork for the game series is by Nocchi, whose illustrations have previously been published in that magazine. Source: infoseek anime.

27 September 2003 (fourth update)

The official Onegai Twins website has updated with a couple of clips for download: promotion clip for volume 1 of the DVD and promotion clip for the Onegai Series CD. Source: Moon Phase. In each case, click on the left image if you have a broadband connection or the right image if you have a dialup connection.
The TV anime version of the adult game Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito will commence broadcast on TV Kanagawa on 1 October 2003 (well, just after midnight). Source: TA Group BBS.
As a new season of TV anime approaches in Japan, people on the AoD forums are discussing what they're anticipating. Here are results from a Japanese poll conducted by blogsite Every Precious Things from 2 to 8 September 2003, with 458 respondents. Consideration of current/recent anime and upcoming anime and comments on the state of anime at present. Of the current shows, favourites seem to be Gundam Seed and Onegai Twins. For what fans in Japan are looking forward to, see graphs 11 to 15 below. Tsuki-hime seems to be the most anticipated, having an established fan base. Now the detail - firstly, to give you an idea of the type of people who responded, the first few graphs are a breakdown of details of the respondents:
First graph: gender of respondents 93% male, 3% female, 3% didn't answer the question.
Second graph: age of respondents 8% 30-34 years old, 20% 25-29 years old, 30% 20-24 years old, 34% under 20 years.
Fourth graph: 35% respondents have a webpage, 62% don't, 3% didn't answer.
Fifth graph: of those who have a webpage, 22.5% are weblogs, 8.7% are text logs (no graphics) of watching anime (feelings about the shows etc), 8.1% are logs about games, 6.6% are about CG.
Sixth graph: what anime people are currently watching 64.8% Gundam Seed, 54.1% D.C. ~ Da Capo ~, 53.9% Onegai Twins, 52.8% Uchuu no Stellvia, 40.6% Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos Sou - Suttoko Taisen Dokkaida.
Seventh graph: among people's favourite current anime 44.1% Onegai Twins, 38.4% Gundam Seed, 26.0% Uchuu no Stellvia, 25.8% Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos Sou - Suttoko Taisen Dokkaida, 24.7% Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu.
Eighth graph: favourite current anime 17.2% Onegai Twins, 10.5% is Gundam Seed, 6.3% is Last Exile, 5.5% is Sumeba Miyako no Cosmos Sou - Suttoko Taisen Dokkaida, 4.8% Air Master, 4.8% Uchuu no Stellvia.
Ninth graph: favourable impressions of current anime 81.8% Onegai Twins, 74.3% GiTS:SAC, 69.0% Last Exile, 66.5% 12 Kokki, 65.0% Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu.
Tenth graph: uninteresting current anime 24.5% Di Gi Charat Nyo, 20.5% Tantei Gakuen Q, 19.2% Asobotto Senki Gokuu, 19.0% Inuyasha, 19.0% Detective Conan.
Eleventh graph: anime which people are looking forward to in this coming season 57.6% Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime, 52.0% Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, 43.9% Gunslinger Girl, 37.3% R.O.D - The TV - (^_^), 34.9% Sakigake!! Cromartie Koukou.
Twelfth graph: most anticipated anime in this coming season 22.9% Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime, 14.2% Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, 9.4% Gunslinger Girl, 8.3% Sakigake!! Cromartie Koukou, 7.4% Full Metal Alchemist.
Thirteenth graph: reason for looking forward to an anime 72.9% because they liked the original work it's based on, 36.7% the story sounds interesting, 27.1% the settings are interesting, 23.4% they like the character designs, 11.6% they like the seiyuu. (There's also a breakup by anime, but I won't go into that).
Fifteenth graph/table: anticipated anime in a future season (after the coming one) 32 Maria-sama ga Miteru (I think this part may be number of responses, not percentage), 9 Chrono Crusade, 9 Chojushin Gravion Zwei, 8 Zoids Fuzors (Tenjou Tenge ^_^ got 2).
Sixteenth graph/table: what people want to see animated (again, I think this part may be number of responses, not percentage) 12 Air (bishoujo computer game), 12 Yotsubato! (manga by author of Azumanga), 6 Iriya no Sora UFO no Natsu (novel series), 6 Utawarerumono (adventure computer game), 6 Crossbone Gundam (wha? I'm not a Gundam fan), 6 Demonbane (adventure computer game).
Seventeenth graph: what people regard as important to their anime 58.7% character design, 39.1% settings, 36.5% seiyuu, 28.8% script, 20.5% director.
Also general responses from people. Some of the responses included concerns that the number of shows would affect quality, too much bishoujo/moe anime, the current high number of anime based on adult/bishoujo games, some wanted more robot/mecha anime, others wanted to see more original anime (not adaptations of games, manga etc), most shows don't appear interesting, art and animation quality is poor, others complained that they didn't get as much anime broadcast in their area of Japan, complaints about the price of (R2) DVDs, disappointment at the trend towards shorter series. Source: Moon Phase.
Unconfirmed report from this 2 channel post that Kawai Katsutoshi's manga Monkey Turn will be adapted into a two season (half year) TV anime to be broadcast on TV Tokyo starting January 2004. The manga is serialised in manga magazine Weekly Shonen Sunday. The trials and tribulations of Hatano Kenji as he works to become a professional speedboat racer. Information is said to come from an insert in 24 September 2003's Nikkan Sports. Source: ultimatum half edition. At least in Japan magazines with the title "Weekly" are generally published weekly. In Australia, we have the Australian Women's Weekly, which, needless to say, is published monthly... Yeah, we're a bit slow over here.
An Impress Corporation report: as part of Toei Animation's and Toei Video's Space Pirate Captain Harlock 869 Project, the two companies are joining up with Toshiba to release the Space Pirate Captain Harlock Limited Set. This limited set comprises Toshiba's new multi-drive hybrid DVD recorder RD-XS41 (but a special Captain Harlock model CH-869) and Space Pirate Captain Harlock anime DVD box set. This will be a limited edition of 869 units, price 178,000 yen. Available only over the internet, orders open 11.00am 11 November 2003 (presumably Japan time), with the goods to be released 20 December 2003. The CH-869 recorder will be black with skull and crossbones logo. Its remote control will also be black with silhouette of Captain Harlock printed on the lower half. The startup screen and GUI (in Japanese language) for the recorder will also feature the Captain Harlock theme and characters. Details for the DVD recorder: 160Gb HDD, DVD-R/RW/RAM drive, DVD-R speed is 4x (DVD-R dubbing at 24x), DVD-RW speed 2x, DVD-RAM speed 2x, Video DAC will be 10bit/54MHz, Sound DAC 24 bit/192kHz. I could write more about the specs, but I have no idea what I'm writing about ^_^;; Dimensions 430mm x 325mm x 78mm, weight 5kg. This CH-869 will not be sold separately. However, if you want the regular model of the recorder, it goes on sale 1 October 2003. Price for the regular model has yet to be fixed, but is expected to be around 150,000 yen. I'll write about the DVD box set in the next paragraph because the DVD box set will be sold separately. For more pics of the CH-869 model and the regular model, see the reports linked above. Source: alternative-live.
The DVD box set will contain the 42 episodes of the original 1978 Space Pirate Captain Harlock TV series, completely remastered, on seven DVDs, and one bonus disc. The bonus disc will contain the 1978 movie Space Captain Harlock Arcadia-go no Nazo (Mystery of the Arcadia), creditless OP and ED and other clips. Also included with the box set will be booklet and other items. The DVD box set will be available separately from the Limited Set described in the paragraph above, but not until the second half of 2004 and price has yet to be determined. When sold separately, contents are expected to be the same, although the box design may be different. Source: alternative-live.

26 September 2003 (third update)

A few more things, but I'll leave those for tomorrow.
Mangazoo has details of the story in Kon Satoshi's upcoming TV anime series Mousou Dairinin (to commence broadcast on WOWOW in February 2004). The case of the phantom killer(?, I think) in Musashino City, Tokyo. At first it appears the victim may have been the author of their own work, but things change when a second victim surfaces. The criminal, who appears to be "the roller blading shonen with the gold bat", soon attacks those around the incident, one by one. Who is the "shonen bat"? And who's the next target? Source: Moon Phase.
The Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime website has updated with designs for the main characters. Source: Moon Phase.
The official Gadguard website has wallpapers available for download for a limited time. I think two wallpapers will be put up each week, for a week only. Go to the website and then click on the words "Download page". Source: Moon Phase.
Production IG has a pic up of the upcoming TV anime Saiko Robot Kombock (to commence broadcast on 6 October 2003. It's the top pic at present. Source: Moon Phase. Looks like CG. Below that pic is a pic of the characters of Bindume Yousei (Bottle Fairy).
I note a typo for the URDA DVD back on 16 September 2003. I wrote SSBX-2-47 when I should've written SSBX-2047. I've now corrected the error.
CDJournal.com notes that the DVD of the Matsumoto Leiji - Daft Punk work Interstella 5555 - the 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem is stated by Labels to be set for release (presumably in France) on 28 November 2003. Source: Aniota BBS.
Mainichi Shimbun reports that yesterday the Tokyo High Court handed down its decision on more litigation over the Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime. President Yamashita of the court held that the production company Tatsunoko Pro held copyright over the work, since that company was the one with the responsibility for ensuring the completion of the work. On the other hand, the court distinguished this from copyright in the designs of the characters etc, which was held to reside with planning company Studio Nue. Source: Aniota. This seems to confirm the earlier decisions in the lower Tokyo District Court.
If you're going to Tokyo, note that Kinokuniya (one of the best bookshops in the world IMNSHO, at least if you're an anime or manga fan) opened its manga and DVD specialty store "Forest" in Shinjuku today. The store is said to stock 50,000 DVDs and 150,000 manga volumes. Source: Rakuga Kidou. Yum. If things work out, I could be visiting Japan again this year \^_^/
Miss out on the premium box version of the I've Girls Compilation Lament/Outflow? The two CDs "I've Girls Compilation Lament" and "I've Girls Compilation Outflow" will be released separately by Visual Arts on 30 October 2003, price 2,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Mangaoh Club. There won't be a DVD with the separate releases, though. For a link to track listings and sound samples, see my 31 July 2003 entry.
GAiNAX has confirmed on its website that its TV anime (in conjunction with JC Staff) of Boukyaku no Senritsu (Melody of Oblivion) will commence broadcast on TV in the (northern) spring of 2004. Doesn't actually say April 2004, though.
GAiNAX has also confirmed that volume 9 of the Evangelion manga will be published in the coming (northern) spring and that the limited edition version will come with Ayanami Rei action figure.

25 September 2003 (last update for the day)

More to type up but don't have the time. Maybe tomorrow.
To celebrate Matsumoto Leiji's 50 years in the business, Real Japan have a collection of Matsumoto related clips to view. Just go to this page and then click on the Captain Harlock image (or "high" or "low" depending on your connection). You'll see see a collection of clips and interviews relating to Captain Harlock, Gun Frontier, Submarine Super 99, Galaxy Express 999 and the upcoming Galaxy Railways (to commence broadcast on 4 October 2003). There's enough English signage that you should be able to work things out. Source: Aniota.
The Studio Ghibli website has updated with a few more details of the Nausicaa DVD release. It'll come with 28 minute clip about the birth of Ghibli, 6 minute promo for Innocence as well as ads for Innocence and Hauru no Ogoku Shiro (Howl's Moving Castle). BTW, Production IG's Japanese website has a few stills of the Innocence movie. Source: Aniota.
Have you got the RahXephon movie DVD, rental VHS tape and the Playstation 2 game? If so, you can enter the secret section of the official website, where you can download a screensaver(s), wallpapers and go into the draw to be one of 100 winners of RahXephon goods (I doubt they'll send stuff out of Japan, though). To enter the section, go to this page and enter the passwords. The space on the left is for the rental VHS tape password (the password appears at the end of the tape), the space in the centre is for the game (password is in the booklet) and the space on the right is for the movie DVD (password is in the booklet). Source: Aniota.
Toei Animation's website for the upcoming TV anime Bobobobo Bobobo is now up. Source: Ma-ten. Not much to see at present, though. The series will commence broadcast on 8 November 2003.
Impress Corporation reports that VAP will release the Nasu ~ Andulusia no Natsu (Eggplant ~ Andulusian Summer) movie on DVD on 21 December 2003. Furthermore, there'll be a collector's edition. Details:
Regular edition-
Catalogue number VPBV-11872
Price 4,800 yen
DVD will be single layer, running time 47 minutes, standard 4:3 aspect ratio, with Dolby Digital 5.1ch sound and Dolby Digital stereo sound. Sadly no mention of English subtitles.
Collector's Edition-
Catalogue number VPBV-11873
Price 9,800 yen
Comes with special disc and T-shirt (all in a box, of course). Special disc has storyboards (you can switch to the regular movie), a new three minute long anime, director interview, clip of an event for the screening of the movie etc. Plus, the special disc will have DTS sound (presumably for the movie).
Source: alternative-live.
Impress Corporation reports that Pioneer LDC Inc. has announced that on 1 October 2003 it shall change its name to Geneon Entertainment Inc. to accompany the transfer of shares to Dentsu. The name's components are "Gen" and "Eon". "Gen" from the verb "to generate" and "Eon" meaning "eternity" or in astronomical terms, a thousand million years. This is to signify that the company produces new entertainment and lasting value. The company's official website URL will change to www.geneon-ent.co.jp on 1 October 2003 as well. Source: alternative-live. The URL doesn't seem to work at present, though.
The MBS website for Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Full Metal Alchemist) has updated and there are three versions of ads for the series to view (although I'm presuming it caters for broadband connections). Source: Rakuga Kidou. The series commences 4 October 2003.
AIC's website for Battle Programmer Shirase (not sure how to read the katakana) is now up. The series will commence broadcast on TSS on 3 October 2003. Planning by GANSIS and AIC. Source: TA Group BBS. I assume this is an anime: it's got a character designer and mecha designer.
The anime version of Maria-sama ga Miteru is scheduled to commence broadcast on 7 January 2003. Source: Moon Phase.
Updated the Yumeria info.
At the end of yesterday's broadcast of the final episode of Divergence Eve, it was announced that a sequel series will be produced, to be broadcast next year (expected to be one season, to be broadcast in the early (northern) spring). Title of the new series will be "Misaki Chronicle ~ Divergence Eve". Source: TA Group BBS.
The official Gadguard website has announced that the additional episodes up to episode 26 will be broadcast on Animax and Fuji TV 721. Source: ultimatum half edition. Previously the Fuji TV broadcast finished at episode 19 or 20.
Too tired yesterday. And really busy with work at the moment. But I'll try to get some stuff out.
The official website for the Yumeria 3D love adventure computer game now has a page up for the upcoming TV anime version, which is to commence broadcast on BS-i in January 2004. Not much to see at present, but in commemoration of the animation, there's a special movie clip you can download, though it's a bit ecchi ^_^;; Source: Tentative Name. I don't know if the anime's gonna end up looking like that, though.
BS-i also now has a webpage up for the upcoming Yumeria TV anime. Shonen Mikuri Tomokazu has a dream of a girl fighting an enemy in a strange land. With his help, the girl is able to fight off the enemy. When he awakes, the girl (Mone) is next to him. The battle in the real and dream world has just begun. Source: TA Group BBS. Note that presently the pics of each character on the website are from the game, not the anime.
After a hiatus, the m.o.e (master of entertainment) website has updated. The pic on the homepage is of an original anime currently in production which will be broadcast next year. Character design by Oshima Miwa (who, IIRC, also did character design for Rizelmain). Source: Tentative Name. m.o.e's previous works include some of the later Koutetsu Tenshi Kurumi series and Rizelmain.

23 September 2003

Not that much to type up at present. More time to myself \^_^/ May type up a bit more later, though... For now, back to finishing off volume 4 of the R.O.D manga. Three chapters left.
Back on 19 September 2003 I wrote about CBC and MBS broadcasting specials in the leadup to the start of the live action dorama series Pretty Guardian Sailormoon on 4 October 2003. The official website has now updated with news of the special - a "making of" special, titled "Make Up!! Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon". Looks like both stations will be broadcasting the same special.
On 20 August 2003, I wrote about the release of the mook Blue Note with art by Chen Shu Fen and Ping Fan. Shogakukan Production now has a page up for the mook, with some additional details. The mook will come with ten new illustrations by the illustrator couple and publication date is now scheduled for the slightly later date of 3 October 2003. Price 2,500 yen (excluding tax). The book will be B5 in size, with 132 full colour pages. A collection of short manga stories with words by Sakamoto Yuuji and art by Chen Shu Fen and Ping Fan.

22 September 2003 (fifth update)

Anime, seiyuu and event website Anista.TV has announced that it's planning a TV anime "Loon Moon". First there'll be a drama CD release. Character designs will be by P-Alpha, who does the cute artwork on the Anista.TV website. Anime production by Rams and Aniplex (ie Sony). Source: TA Group BBS.
According to this 2 channel post, an advance issue of Shonen Ace manga magazine (on sale 26 September 2003) states that the GAiNAX anime Boukyaku no Senritsu (Melody of Oblivion) will commence broadcast on TV next April 2004. At least, that's how I read the post. 2 channel posts seem to be very brief. Source: Moon Phase. The manga of Boukyaku no Senritsu by Karakura Shinji is serialised in Shonen Ace.
The same post seems to suggest that volume 9 of the Evangelion manga will be released in the (northern) spring of 2004 and that there'll be a version available with an Ayanami doll...?
The Tokyo Game Show 2003 is on this weekend from 26 to 28 September 2003. On this page of the official website, it's stated that AT-X's new original anime to be released next year will be based on a popular computer game. Source: Moon Phase.
I wrote up release details for volume 4 of the OVA series Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magical te on 2 September 2003. The official website has now put up a pic of a trial version of the figure which will come with volume 4. Source: Moon Phase.
Two official websites up for the upcoming new anime series of Popolo Crois Monogatari (Popolo Crios Story). Looks like official title will just be "Popolo Crois". The TV Tokyo website is up here and the TMS Entertainment website is up here. Not much to see on either site at present. Broadcast will commence on 5 October 2003. Source: Moon Phase.
Morikawa Kaori is to play Sailormoon's mother Tsukino Ikuko in the live action series Pretty Guardian Sailormoon. The series will commence broadcast on 4 October 2003. Source: Aniota.
Production IG's Japanese website has character designs up for the TV anime version of Sakigake!! Cromartie Koukou (Cromartie High School). Click on the links at the bottom of the page for more character designs. Source: Aniota. The series will commence broadcast on 2 October 2003.
Impress Corporation reports that Buena Vista Home Entertainment has announced that, it has decided to drop the pseudo-stereo soundtrack from the upcoming Nausicaa DVD release, leaving the original monoaural soundtrack (and the audio commentaries). The pseudo-stereo soundtrack was developed for the DVD release, but after repeated testing it was decided that the monoaural soundtrack was superior. For other release details for this DVD, see my 26 July 2003 entry. Source: Rakuga Kidou.
The R.O.D - The TV - website has updated to announce that the start of regular broadcast of the series has been put back (yet again) to 15 October 2003 (well, actually early morning 16 October 2003). This means that if the DVD release date is not put back, then episodes 1 and 2 will be sold on DVD on the same day that episode 2 goes to air. Actually earlier, since episode 2 would air at about 2.58am on 23 October 2003.
Bandai has updated its site with some upcoming releases. Among those releases are more details on the Spirit of Wonder Tsuruta Kenji Wonder Box: the new short anime will be titled "China-san no Kyoushuu" (China-san's Homesickness). I've now updated my 20 September 2003. Larger pics of the two figures included with the box can also be seen here.
Volume 2 of the GiTS:SAC Official Log will be released on 21 December 2003, catalogue number BCBA-1762, price 5,040 yen (including tax). Same sort of deal: DVD and book enclosed in a sleeve. The DVD will be 80 minutes duration this time and is also stated to be multi-audio. DVD will contain a trailer collection and Section 9 discussion (with scenario team discussion audio track). The book is again A5 hardcover, 160 pages this time (48 pages 4 colour, 48 pages 2 colour, 64 pages 1 colour). Book contents: introduction to episodes 20 to 26, analysis of the Laughing Man case, report on the net, crime and law, scenario team long interview, cast interview and introduction to the cyberworld. This is described to be the concluding volume of the Official Log. Then again, I think in Japan, episode 26 is still said to be the final episode.

21 September 2003

The Bindume Yousei (Bottle Fairy) TV anime will commence broadcast on TVK starting 4 October 2003. Source: TA Group BBS.
Too tired. Going to sleep.
The Galgrease Poster Books have been released. I don't have my copies yet, but do they just contain basically the 4 booklet posters and 8 illustration cards? What happened to the 52 pages...? Does that mean the Galgrease 001 Wild Wet West Gashuu (Art Collection) is a separate item which is still in the works? In that case, that item's the one which will be roughly B4 in size and 52 pages. If the present release is just the booklet posters and illustration cards without any book, then: Moushiwake arimasen! m(_ _)m Sorry to everyone who may have ordered the Poster Books based on what I wrote ;_; One of these days I'll get this news right... -_-

20 September 2003 (fourth update)

Animators Bee Train (makers of Noir and .hack//SIGN) have a provisional website up. Not much to see, though. Source: Moon Phase.
Sorry, nowadays I don't keep up with anime licensing in the West as well as I used to. I note on AnimEigo's website they state that their licence for Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Ring has expired and may not be renewed. Any news on that? Anyway, in Japan the Spirit of Wonder Tsuruta Kenji Wonder Box will be released by Bandai on 23 January 2003, catalogue number BCBA-1803. This will be a first pressing limited edition box with a price to match: 22,800 yen (excluding tax). It'll contain 3 DVDs and 5 CDs (all picture-labelled), a booklet (details of each work, as well as illustrations by Tsuruta) and two reproduction figures of China-san: one a bust (approximately 9cm tall) and the other full figure (approximately 15cm tall). All done under Tsuruta's supervision. The box is illustrated by Tsuruta, of course. The DVDs will contain all the anime released to date together with a new China-san short story:
Shonen Kagaku Club (second OVA series)
China-san no Yuu-utsu (first OVA, aka Miss China's Ring)
China-san no Shukusho (second OVA series)
China-san no Wakusei (second OVA series)
China-san no Sakazuki (not sure of the title) ~~(new?)~~
China-san no Gyakushuu ~~(new?)~~
China-san no Kyoushuu (updated 22 September 2003)
Total running time approximately 145 minutes. Sound Dolby Digital stereo, standard 4:3 aspect ratio, single layer. The CDs will be:
Shonen Kagaku Club soundtrack
China-san no Yuuutsu soundtrack
China-san no Gyakushuu drama
Spirit of Wonder radio drama
China-san no Yuuutsu theme song CD single
Source: Mangaoh Club. The Mangaoh Club details also state that the DVDs will include soundtrack for a foreign edition, though there's no mention of that detail on Bandai's website. I presume that means a foreign language soundtrack, and I presume that foreign language is English. Presumably that wouldn't include for the new short story, though.
For Studio Ghibli fans, an image album for the upcoming movie Hauru no Ogoku Shiro (Howl's Moving Castle) will be released on 3 December 2003, catalogue number TKCA-72620, price 2,857 yen (excluding tax). Source: Mangaoh Club.
Volume 6 of Di Gi Charat Nyo will be released on 21 December 2003. There'll be Limited Special Edition, which will come with box to hold volumes 6 to 10, the usual playing cards (you need to collect the entire series to form a complete set), special DVD and Dejiko goods. Catalogue number BCBA-1702, price 8,800 yen. Regular edition catalogue number BCBA-1649, price 6,000 yen. Source: Mangaoh Club.
Computer crash.
Chara-Ani.com states that the six volumes of the Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu DVD release will each have a first pressing limited edition version. Each will come with character figure, SD arm slave, some kind of Bonta-kun figure (not sure what it is, but you're supposed to collect a figure from each volume to complete the set), spoken word CD and postcard(s). Mangaoh Club has details up for volume 2, to be released 21 December 2003. First pressing limited edition version: catalogue number BIBA-3782, price 8,800 yen, figure will be of Sagara Sosuke, the CD will contain another instalment of Tessa no Kanchou Nikki (Tessa's Captain's Log). Regular edition version: catalogue number BIBA-3772, price 5,800. Since it looks like the first pressing limited edition version of each volume will contain the stuff, I'm not going to report on this DVD release any more.
Animaxis.com has an English language report on manga publisher Mag Garden listing on a subsidiary board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As stated in the report, two of the titles in Mag Garden's manga stable have been animated as TV series this year: Matantei Loki Ragnarok and Peacemaker Kurogane (the latter will commence broadcast in October 2003). What's interesting is that in this Kabutocho Net business article, it's stated that it's been decided to animate three other titles as TV series. Source: Moon Phase. Hmm, I wonder what those titles will be. I recall that ADV Films recently announced licensing manga such as R^2 (rise R to the second power), Jinki Extend and Desert Quarrel, which are serialised in Mag Garden's Monthly Comic Blade manga magazine. I wonder if any of those is going to be animated?
Mangazoo, in the course of reporting about the Tetsujin 28-go (Gigantor) live action movie, also states that a live action Devilman movie is in the planning stages. Source: Aniota.
Promotion video for Nishizaki Yoshinori's anime "Space Battleship Yamato Rebirth Chapter", to be released next year. You'll see three small triangles about the row of images in the middle of the screen. Click on the left triangle for high quality broadband, on the centre triangle for low quality broadband and on the right triangle for narrowband internet connection. Joins.com reports that this anime will be a joint Japanese-Korean production. The project is worth 15 thousand million won (approximately 1.5 thousand million yen). Source: Source: Aniota.

19 September 2003 (fifth update)

Updated the Kon Satoshi news.
Toei Animation has announced that the three volume OVA based on the bishoujo computer game Interlude will be released starting in the (northern) spring of 2004. Source: Moon Phase. Previously it'd been reported that the series will be released in the (northern) winter.
A "digest" movie is up for streaming download for the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki 3rd OVA series on this page of the official website. Should be pretty self-explanatory: next to the pic of Tenchi and Ayeka, choose from either broadband connection or modem connection. Source: Moon Phase.
JVC Music has a website up for the upcoming TV anime series of Gungrave, though there's no nothing much to see at present, and no sound samples. Source: Moon Phase. The series will commence broadcast on 6 October 2003 (actually early 7 October 2003).
Kon Satoshi's first TV anime series Mousou Dairinin will commence broadcast on WOWOW in February 2004. In the meantime, a WOWOW program on 30 November 2003 will reveal some details on the upcoming series. Source: Aniota. Aniota states that Kon will direct the series. However, when Kon earlier wrote about the work (see my 1 September 2002 entry), he wrote that he'd write the story and produce it, but wouldn't direct it. Maybe things changed...?
The TV anime version of the manga Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Full Metal Alchemist) will commence broadcast on 4 October 2003. Prior to that, the official website has announced that there'll be TV special - broadcast by TBS in Tokyo on 2 October 2003 and by MBS in Osaka on 3 October 2003. Source: Source: Rakuga Kidou.
animate.tv has a preview clip available for streaming download for the three volume OVA series "True Love Story: Summer Days, and yet...". On the page linked, you'll see two dark buttons side by side at the bottom right hand corner. Click on the left hand button if you have a narrowband internet connection, click on the right for a broadband connection. For release details for volume 1 of the OVA, see my 30 May 2003 entry. The fan disc which comes with the first pressing limited edition version will come with wallpapers, screensaver, voice accessories, character compatibility analysis and mini-game. Volume 2 will be released in December 2003 and volume 3 in March 2004. Source: Rakuga Kidou.
Mecha anime Godannar will commence broadcast in October 2003 (apparently 1 October 2003). In the meantime, animate.tv has a trailer available for download. Source: Rakuga Kidou. View the trailer in the same way you'd view the promo clip for the True Love Story OVA above.
TV Station magazine reveals that the TV anime version of the adult game Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito will commence broadcast on MBS on 2 October 2003 (actually early morning 3 October 2003). Source: TA Group BBS.
CBC will broadcast a program Sailor Moon Navi (tentative title) on 27 September 2003. Meanwhile, TV Station magazine states that on 3 October 2003, MBS will broadcast a special on the live action dorama series Pretty Guardian Sailormoon. Source: TA Group BBS. I don't know if the two shows will be the same. The series itself will commence broadcast on 4 October 2003.
Kodansha has details (and covers) up for Shirow Masamune Galgrease poster book collections. See my 28 August 2003 for details. However, Kodansha confirms that the books will be A5 size, not B4, and that release date will be 20 September 2003 (ie tomorrow). Click on each cover for more details for each book, mainly ISBN.
Volume 6 of the DVD of Kino no Tabi ~ the Beautiful World ~ will be released on 19 November 2003, price 4,800 yen. First pressing will come with a radio drama CD. Source: Animate.
I thought I mentioned it before, but those who purchase all 13 volumes of the DVD release of the new Astro Boy Tetsuwan Atom TV series will be able to apply for some special goods. Source: Animate. Volume 1 will be released on 3 October 2003.
Don't know if it's news or not, but volume 3 of Macross Zero will be released on 28 November 2003, price 5,000 yen. Source: Animate.
Volume 1 of the second OVA series of Futari Ecchi will be released on 27 November 2003, price 5,800 yen. Title will be "White Lovers", I think. A two volume series, just like the first series. Source: Animate.
Volume 2 of the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki 3rd OVA series will be released on DVD on 21 November 2003, price 4,800 yen. As with volume 1, first pressing will come with a Radio Tenchi CD. Source: Animate.
The Nekojiru Gekijo (Movie) will be released on DVD on 19 November 2003, price 3,800 yen. Source: Animate.
Not news, but Media Blasters has announced that it will review those of its DVDs which have mono sound and re-author the ones which performed better in sales. This will include 12 Kokki \^_^/ I'll just wait til then. Given the number of titles which appear to have problems, I wasn't sure MB was going to tackle the problem, so credit goes to the company for dealing with it - the fact that they'll only re-author the more popular titles isn't ideal, but I can accept it's a commercial decision. Credit I believe also goes to the denizens of the Anime on DVD forums who, for the ultimate benefit of everyone, compiled the evidence and organised action to a level that the company could not ignore it.
The Seishinsha website has updated with details of the 2004 Shirow Masamune calendar Japanesque. As I previously wrote, it'll be released in mid-October 2003 and will be B4 in size with 13 illustrations. However, price is stated to be 1,600 yen (excluding tax). There's also a pic of the cover on the page linked above.
The Shingetsutan Tsuki-hime anime will commence broadcast on 9 October 2003. A week prior, a Tsuki-hime Desktop Accessory CD-ROM will be released, price 2,500 yen. This will feature over 100 illustrations, not from the anime but more from the authors of the manga anthology. Included will be wallpaper collection, calendar, clock, puzzle, screensaver etc. For Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP computers. It'll also come with a 32 page booklet. Source: Mangaoh Club.
First, the Tenjou Tenge news. Lots of news today \^_^/ Part I: it seems that the Tenjou Tenge anime will be a TV series and will commence broadcast in the (northern) spring. More details are expected in the November 2003 issue of Ultrajump magazine (on sale 18 October 2003). Source: Sa-i.
Tenjou Tenge News Part II: volume 11 of the Tenjou Tenge manga will be published on 19 March 2004. There will be a special edition which will come with a figure of Natsume Aya, just as the limited edition version of volume 9 came with the Natsume Maya figure. More details are expected in the November 2003 issue of Ultrajump magazine. Source: Sa-i.
Tenjou Tenge News Part III: if you purchase the October, November and December issues of Ultrajump magazine, you'll be able to apply for a special Tenjou Tenge poster, B2 size (515mm x 728mm). One of those posters with the glittering effect (forget what you call it). Presumably there'll be coupons in each issue. You'll then need to attach them to the sheet in one of the issues and send it in with 1,000 yen in postage. Applications must be postmarked no later than 18 December 2003. Presumably they won't ship outside Japan either (not for just 1,000 yen postage). Apart from TenTen, you can also get a poster of the manga Tengoku ~ Heaven's Prison ~ by Utatane Hiroyuki and a poster of the manga Puchimon (Petit Monster) by Nanase Aoi.
Tenjou Tenge News Part IV: as previously reported, volume 10 of the Tenjou Tenge manga will be published on 17 October 2003. To celebrate, the November 2003 issue of Ultrajump magazine (on sale 18 October 2003) will come with a special "Remixed Version Cover" for volume 10. That is, an alternative jacket which you can use for volume 10. The November issue will also feature Tenjou Tenge on the cover.

17 September 2003 (second update)

Won't update anymore today. Been a long day. I expect to be busy with work for at least the next two days and I need my beauty sleep.
If anyone wanted to buy the limited edition Tenchi Muyo! Juu Shuunen Kinen (10th Anniversary Memorial) DVD Box, Mangaoh Club has one set available for 30% off, ie 70,000 yen (excluding tax) instead of the usual 100,000 yen (excluding tax).
Jane Siberry's new album "Shushan The Palace (Hymns of Earth)" will be released on 4 November 2003. Not that this has anything to do with anime or manga...
The official UFO Princess Walkure website seems to have a separate page of the second TV series Jyuuni Tsuki no Yasoukyoku (December Nocturne) now, though it's only got the broadcast schedule up. There'll be a new character in this series - a mysterious shoujo. Source: Moon Phase. The series commences broadcast on 3 October 2003.
I seem to have forgotten to mention that the CBC website for the upcoming live action dorama series Pretty Guardian Sailormoon can be found here. The series will commence broadcast on 4 October 2003.
The Ai Yori Aoshi official website has updated with news of the broadcast schedule for the second series Enishi. First to broadcast it will be TV Saitama on 11 October 2003 (actually early morning 12 October 2003). Source: Magicalantique.com.

16 September 2003 (third update)

I'm going to leave it at this for today.
Starchild has a page up for a new TV anime to commence broadcast on TV Tokyo on 6 October 2003. However, I'm not certain of the title, since it's all written in hiragana and katakana. It seems to me it's either Saiko Robot Kombock (The Greatest Robot Kombock) or Psycho Robot Kombock ^_^;; Bearing in mind the storyline, I'm thinking it's probably the former. The story is set in 2040. Japan has made great strides in creating humanoid robots and humans and robots live together in the new Shin Musashino City (part of Tokyo). But then the mad scientist Professor K sets in motion his plan for world domination. Can our hero Ichiro, his partner robot Kombock and their friends thwart Professor K? Anime production by XEBEC. Source: Moon Phase.
The latest issue of Newtype Japan (the October issue, published about a week ago) states that the Nadesico movie, Utena movie and the Cyber Team in Akihabara movie will be re-released in a three disc DVD box set. Title of this box set will be "Gekijoban", ie "Movie Version". Very descriptive, but also very unimaginative. Anyway, it'll be released by King Records at the end of December 2003, price 9,800 yen. Jackets will sport new illustrations by the character designers for each movie. Source: TA Group BBS. Remember back on 12 May 2003 when I wrote about work on a 5.1ch sound version of Utena? Maybe this re-release will have 5.1ch sound...?
The official Stratos 4 website has updated with specs on the Special Fan Disc to be released on 21 December 2003. Firstly, it'll be a first pressing limited edition item. Disc length approximately 50 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo, single layer, 4:3 aspect ratio. Source: Moon Phase. For the rest of the details about the figure and box which come with the DVD etc, see my 13 August 2003 entry.
The third and final (I think) volume of the OVA series Guardian Hearts will be released on 28 November 2003. The official website has upated with news that there'll be a first pressing limited edition version and a regular edition of volume 3. Regular edition details: catalogue number KSXA-24473, price 5,000 yen (excluding tax), comes with postcard. Limited edition version details: catalogue number KSXA-24476, price 7,800 yen (excluding tax), comes with postcard, special drama CD and special clear box to hold 2 CDs. Source: Moon Phase.
My completely wild guess about R.O.D - The TV - is that Nenene's editor Lee will turn out to be an agent of the Dokusensha (the Chinese enemy/rival of the British Library in collecting books) and that he's been assigned to watch over Nenene in case The Paper should try to contact Nenene. Pure speculation on my part.
k-chan, sorry, still no further news about the Haibane Renmei artbook. I'm still looking out for it, though, and when I do learn more, I'll certainly post it here (right after I order it ^_^ ). But I think you would've seen a copy of the printed ad for the book stating that it was going to be published in July. And the fifth volume of the region 2 DVD said that same. So I wasn't making it up, honest ^_^;;
(Catalogue number updated 26 September 2003). The URDA DVD will be released on 27 November 2003, catalogue number SSBX-2047, price 3,800 yen (excluding tax). It'll come with a booklet, the DVD will contain all five episodes of the DVD version of URDA (with 5.1ch sound), all five episodes of the web version, trailers for the show and some of creator Romanov Higa's past works. The DVD version of the anime is said to be an upgrade and will also feature a bit of new music (in episode 1) and an additional 30 seconds of new footage. Source: Aniota. For more details on this 3D CG anime, see my 7 May 2002 entry. Also, you can view the web version on anime goo's URDA website. IIRC, episode 2 is currently available for viewing.

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