Natsume Goushin Ryu 16-29 February 2004 news

16-29 FEBRUARY 2004 NEWS

29 February 2004

I doubt I'll have time to update more today. Try again tomorrow.
Sorry, meant to write up more yesterday, but I was too tired...
This post to 2 channel states that the anime version of Shura no Toki (based on the manga by Kawahara Masatoshi) will commence broadcast on 6 April 2004 on TV Tokyo and will be 26 episodes in length, covering three story arcs. Director will be Misawa Shin, character design and chief animation direction by Hamatsu Takehiro, music by Minobe Yutaka, animation production by Studio Comet. Source: Moon Phase.
The official Panda-Z website is now open. Source: Moon Phase. The anime based on the character will commence broadcast on 12 April 2004 on Kids Station.
Weekly Shonen Sunday has announced that the title of the Konjiki no Gash Bell!! movie will be "101 Banme no Mamono". This appears to have been translated into English as "Unlisted Demon #101". Further, the movie will be released theatrically on 7 August 2004. Source: ultimatum.
Weekly Shonen Sunday has announced that a new series of the Dan Doh!! manga (by Banjo Daichi, original story by Sakata Nobuhiro) will commence serialisation in issue number 17 (on sale 24 March 2004). Source: ultimatum.
The second series of the Massugu ni Ikou (Let's Go Straight) anime will be five episodes in length, not the four of the first series. Also, would you believe that Wong of the Dokusensha in R.O.D - The TV - was modelled on German/Bayern Munich soccer goalkeeper Oliver Kahn?!
Jubei-chan 2 Siberia Yagyu no Gyakushuu (Siberia Yagyu's Counterattack) DVD Box 2 will be released on 7 July 2004, catalogue number KIBA-91016, price 11,429 yen (excluding tax). It'll comprise two DVDs contaiing episodes 7 to 13 and bonus clips. Source: Mangaoh Club.
A Takahashi Rumiko Gekijo Mermaid's Forest DVD Box will be released on 19 May 2004, catalogue number PCBE-60039, price 23,200 yen (excluding tax). Four discs containing all 13 episodes. This DVD box will be a limited edition of 5,000 sets. I don't know what bonus items will be included - another Takahashi manga as with the previous DVD box? Otherwise you can buy the four individual volumes on the same day, catalogue numbers PCBE-50800 to PCBE-50803, price 5,800 yen (excluding tax), each volume containing three episodes except volume 1 which will contain four. Source: Mangaoh Club.
Kaishaku has another new manga starting up, this time in Monthly Shonen Ace-A. It'll be titled Kaminatsuki Miko and will be start in the May 2004 issue, on sale 26 March 2004 (which also comes with Keroro Gunso (Sgt Frog) school calendar). Source: ultimatum. In the old Japanese (lunar) calendar, Kaminatsuki was the tenth month of the year, the "month with no gods", because it was believed that all the gods left to visit Izumo at that time. Kaishaku's other new manga is Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyuu Alice Rinbukyoku (Key Princess Story, Eternal Alice Rondo) being serialised in Comic Monthly Dengeki Daioh.

28 February 2004 (eighth update)

Old news, but Daily Sports reports that Studio Ghibli will be constructing "Satsuki and Mei's house" (from the movie Tonari no Totoro) for the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan. The house will be approximately 100 square metres in area, and will be built in the style of the Showa 30s era (ie mid 1950s to mid 1960s), employing the construction methods and materials of that time. Ghibli producer Suzuki Toshio stated that they are investigating moving the house after the expo has finished. Source: Ma-ten. For more info, see this post to the Miyazaki ML by Mohri Yasuhide. For more info on the World Expo, see my 1 June 2003 and 9 August 2003 entries.
The new Shin Getter Robo series will be 13 episodes in length and will be an OVA, but will be broadcast on Animax per per view commencing April 2004. Source: Moon Phase. For more details, see this post by Mazinkaizer on the AoD forums. As pointed out, this time the "Shin" kanji is a different one - it just sounds the same.
The Keroro Gunso TV anime is to commence broadcast on TV Tokyo on 3 April 2004. Source: TA Group BBS.
Looks like a TV anime based on the new manga Marshmallow Tsuushin (Marshmallow Times) by Yamamoto Lunlun will commence broadcast in April 2004. Source: TA Group BBS. They'd be kodomo manga and kodomo anime, I'd think.
Egg Inc. has announced that the Jagainu-kun TV anime will commence broadcast on MBS in April 2004. Egg Inc. is producing the anime. Sorry, I can't recall where I got this info from... ^_^;;
From the latest issue of Megami magazine: Hanaukyo Maid Tai La Verite will commence broadcast on TV Kanagawa just after midnight on 1 April 2004 (early morning 2 April 2004). The anime version of Sensei no Ojikan will be 13 episodes, as will the anime version of DearS. Source: Moon Phase.
I was re-watching R.O.D - The TV - again today and was surprised to see, in my favourite episode 6, that next to Nenene's book on the shelf was a copy of Noam Chomsky's book "American Power and the New Mandarins". Interesting to see that the producers of the anime chose to put a book by the world reknowned US linguist, dissident and anarchist in the centre of the screen. While I've never read any of his books on linguistics, personally I feel his political writings are required reading, because whether he's right or wrong, he presents a completely different view of the world to the ones which are normally presented. His books are expensive, but you can read some online here (if the link still works). Who ever thought I'd write about Noam Chomsky and three cartoon characters with super paper powers in the same paragraph? :P
Volume 1 of Matsumoto Leiji's new OVA series Dai Yamato Zero-go (Great Yamato No. 0) will be released on 31 March 2004, price 6,800 yen, duration 47 minutes plus design works. Source: Moon Phase. However, note that it'll be sold only via the official website (see this page), and that only orders within Japan will be accepted. At the website for the anime, you can view character designs for the ship's crew here and pics of the Yamato here. Anime production by Venture Soft. Dai Yamato Zero-go is to be distiguished from Matsumoto's other upcoming work, the TV anime "Dai Ginga Series Dai Yamato Hen 7 vs 7" (Great Galaxy Series ~ Great Yamato Arc 7 vs 7). Well, the latter is planned to be a TV anime anyway.
Animation production company Satelight Inc. will be attending the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2004. The fair's description of the company states that Satelight Inc. is working on a Japanese-French collaborative anime with well known French director Luc Besson. Source: Moon Phase.
New sci-fi TV anime Kenran Butou Matsuri The Mars Daybreak is to commence broadcast on 1 April 2004 on TV Tokyo. Source: Moon Phase.
To commemorate the sale of the Chrno Crusade Chapter Zero DVD, the official website for the anime has a couple of wallpapers available for download for a limited time only. Source: Moon Phase. The wallpapers are bitmaps compressed as lzh files. If you have any difficulty de-compressing the files, see my 12 May 2002 entry regarding URDA.
The official King of Bandit Jing website states that volume 3 of the OVA series King of Bandit Jing in Sevent Heaven has been put back from 21 April 2004 to 28 April 2004. Source: Moon Phase.
The official Tenchi Muyo website has updated with news that release of volume 3 of the third OVA series will be put back from 17 March 2004 to 27 March 2004. Source: Moon Phase. On the other hand, the site has put up a quiz - answer the questions correctly (they change, so I can't give you the answers) and you'll be able to download a wallpaper.
Having a problem updating this page at present. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Going to be in London on 4 March 2003? The official website for the upcoming Appleseed movie states that a "world sneak preview" of the movie will be held on that day at the ICA. While the screening is by invitation only, there'll also be a live show by Boom Booom Satellites. Check out this page for details. Source: Moon Phase.
The Mainichi Shimbun reports that on 23 February 2004 the Yamagata District Court sentenced Tsuchida Hiroyuki (23 years old, unemployed) to 14 years' gaol for the murder of his 47 year old mother (the prosecution had sought 15 years' gaol). The judge accepted the prosecution's argument that Tsuchida had been influenced by anime, in particular Neon Genesis Evangelion (which he watched while in high school) and the line in that series that "[t]he ultimate conclusion of evolution is ruin", and that Tsuchida believed that humanity was destroying the Earth's environment and was unnecessary. Tsuchida had left his job and on 25 June 2003 killed his mother by hitting her on the head dozens of times with a wooden bat or spade or shovel. Source: alternative-live. Sounds like the relevant line comes from episode 13 (the virus type Angel), and is spoken by Gendou. I can't help but think of Shonen Bat (from the currently airing Paranoia Agent)...
The Japan Industrial Journal reports that game machine maker Sammy claims that its pachinko slot machine game Hokuto no Ken (First of the North Star) is the world's biggest selling machine and that the company intends to apply to the Guiness Book of World Records in May 2004. The company had received orders for in excess of 300,000 units by the end of last year and orders are still coming in. The game features FotNS fight scenes on its LCD screen. Source: Ma-ten.
Impress Corporation has a report and pics regarding the limited edition DVD and figure packages The Prologue of Appleseed - Appleseed the Trigger Deunan version and Briareos version. Each action figure will have 13 moveable joints, with the Deunan figure being 165mm tall and the Briareos figure being 210mm tall. Although the figures are available separately, but the ones for the DVD have a special colour scheme. The 30 minute, single layer DVD will contain message from Shirow Masamune (though I assume in text), interviews with the producer and director, movie trailer, clips about the 3D CG, post recording and music, character design illustrations etc. Source: alternative-live. Click on the pics for enlargements. For release details, see my 26 January 2004 entry, but note that Impress Corporation states that the release date will be 21 March, not 24 March. The movie will be released theatrically on 17 April 2004.
The official website for the Innocence movie as a new 5:32 long trailer up for streaming download. There are three screen sizes available: small, medium and large. Source: alternative-live. The movie is out in Japan on 6 March 2004.
Meanwhile, at JVC Music's website for Innocence, you can sample some of the music by Kawai Kenji (and the song "Follow Me" based on the music of deceased Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo). Source: alternative-live. The OST is out on 3 March 2004.
Toei Animation has a website up for the OVA series Interlude (based on the computer game). Furthermore, the company's "movie room" webpage has a promo movie for download for the OVA, along with other anime. The Interlude movie is the one which has the word "Animeister" in red. Source: Rakuga Kidou. Animeister is Toei's new label. For release and broadcast details, see my 26 January 2004 and 16 February 2004 entries respectively.
Shueisha has a webpage up in relation to the limited edition version of volume 3 of manga PuchiMon (Petit Monster) by Nanase Aoi. Source: ultimatum. For release details, see my 19 Feburary 2004 entry, but I think the price of 1,890 yen is now stated to include tax.
A couple of days back I mentioned two Saint Seiya artbooks. Shueisha now as a few webpages up for those as well. There's Saint Seiya Kurumada Masami Illustrations Sora (containing illustrations by and inteview with mangaka Kurumada, price 4,500 yen including tax) and Saint Seiya Araki Shingo, Himeno Michi Illustrations ~ Hikari ~ (relating to the anime version, price 5,000 yen including tax). Source: ultimatum.
Del Rey has decided not to censor any of the images in the English translation of volume 1 of Akamatsu Ken's manga Mahou Sensei Negima! (Magister Negi Magi!), as had originally been proposed. I'd attribute that change of mind to the outcry of the denizens of the Anime on DVD forums.
A post to the BBS on Oh! great fansite Sa-i states that series composition for the Tenjou Tenge anime will be by Inoue Toshiki, character designs will be by Umehara Takahiro, sound direction by Honda Yasunori. I don't know what the source for this info is. But if correct, then all the main staff who've been mentioned in relation to the Tenjou Tenge anime to date also worked on Dragon Drive. (Update: perhaps the info came from the latest issue of Megami Magazine.)
The sci-fi and bishoujo manga DearS by Peach-Pit (serialised in monthly manga magazine Dengeki Comic Gao!) is to be made into a TV anime for broadcast commencing July 2004. This is one of those bits of news I haven't gotten around to writing about (until now). Anyway, the official website is now up here. The anime will be directed by Suzuki Akira (Happy Lesson, Raimu (Lime) iro Senkitan), character designs by Ochi Nobutsugu(?). Anime production by Doumu. Source: Chara-Ani.com. Romantic comedy: Japanese boy meets beautiful alien girl etc.
Sorry, fell asleep yesterday without updating further.
Congratulations to Terminus on getting engaged. I'd better get a wedding
invite :P
Animaxis.com as an English language report on the new manga magazine "Comic High", said to be a shoujo manga for boys. First issue is out on 2 March 2004. I dunno, although the publisher Futabasha is trying to suggest it's a first, it sounds to me like just a manga magazine with a lot of bishoujo in it...
Animaxis also has an English language report on Index Corporation's purchase of Madhouse. Note in particular that I overlooked in my 24 February 2004 post that Index purchased 67% of the shares of Madhouse, whereas since I didn't state otherwise, my post implied that it was acquiring 100%. So in reality, Madhouse will become a subsidiary of Index, but not a wholly owned subsidiary. I've updated my previous entry. Sorry for any misunderstanding m(_ _)m
The Asahi Shimbun has an English language article titled "Hollywood leaping aboard anime wave". What I found interesting was the statement that there are currently no plans to release the Yu Gi Oh movie in Japan, whereas it's to be released in the US and Europe. The last sentence also states ambiguously that NHK has 'decided to sell its new cartoon series, Osamu Tezuka's "Hi no tori" (Phoenix)'.

27 February 2004 (third early update)

Old news, but the eighth Detective Conan movie will be released theatrically in Japan on 17 April 2004. Titled "Meitantei Conan Ginyoku no Kijyutsushi/Magician (Magician of the Silver Sky)". View a Windows Media streaming trailer here. You'll see three green links, the top one has a 128k speed, te middle one streams at 250k, and the bottom one at 500k.
This probably isn't news, but I'll post it up anyway... The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that Dreamworks officials stated yesterday that Oshii Mamoru's movie Innocence will screen in 10 big cities in the US in the (northern) autumn of 2004 and that the movie will also screen in Europe within the year. Dreamworks has global distribution rights for the movie, except for the Asia region. Source: alternative-live. The movie will be released theatrically in Japan on 6 March 2004.
Okay, this ITmedia report shows that the correct spelling of the title of the robot TV anime should be "Get Ride! Amdriver". Source: alternative-live. I'll update what I wrote earlier.
In the lead up to the release of DVD volume 1 of Planet-es on 23 April 2004, the official website has a second promo clip available for download. Source: Rakuga Kidou. "Space Mission: 02" is 139 seconds long and features scenes from the first 13 episodes of the TV anime. The earlier "Space Mission: 01" is slightly longer but has scenes from only the first 7 episodes. For volume 1 release details, see my 26 January 2004 entry.
Wow, who made this Nekobus? Source: Rakuga Kidou.
As to yesterday's post about Area 88, here's a pic of the offending image, linked from the Rakuga Kidou website.
Confirmation from the Madhouse website that the Tenjou Tenge TV anime will commence broadcast in April 2004. Source: Moon Phase.
The TV anime version of Boukyaku no Senritsu (The Melody of Oblivion) will commence broadcast on TBS from late night 6 April 2004/early morning 7 April 2004. Source: TA Group BBS.
The TV anime Soreike! Zukkoke Sanningumi will commence broadcast on TV Tokyo on 4 April 2004. Source: TA Group BBS.
The manga by "Ninin ga Shinobuden (2 x 2 = Shinobuden) ~ the Nonsense Kunoichi Fiction" by Koga Ryouichi (serialised in Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh) is to be animated. Official website for the anime is here. Director will be Matsui Hitoyuki, character design by Shibata Jun, anime production by ufotable. Source: ultimatum.
(Update: title should be "Get Ride! Amdriver".) Konami yesterday announced the production of an original TV anime "Get Ride! Amudoraiba", to commence broadcast on 5 April 2004 on TV Tokyo. I'm not sure how to render the last word: Armdriver...? Until I come across an official rendering, I'm going to call it "Get Ride! Armdriver". More than just an anime, Konami plans a media mix including toys, computer game (for Game Boy Advance), music, manga (in Monthly Coro Coro Comic magazine) etc. "A new standard of robot hero animation." "Hard action mecha anime." The anime is to be produced by Studio Deen. Source: ultimatum. Sounds silly :P
The April 2004 issue of Monthly Shonen Ace-A magazine (on sale yesterday) saw the start of Yagami Ken's new manga "Arisa 2 (Arisa no Jijou)". Source: ultimatum. Yagami wrote Nanaka 6/17. The issue of Ace also comes with an Asuka "stand panel" (2D figure).

26 February 2004 (fourth update)

The manga Aoi Kuruma by Yoshimoto Yoshitomo is to be made into a live action movie. Source: ultimatum.
Otomo Katsuhiro's movie Steam Boy will be released theatrically on 17 July 2004, according to the news on the official website. Source: ultimatum.
On 23 February 2004, I wrote about the May 2004 issue of Afternoon magazine (on sale 25 March 2004) coming with an OMG Skuld (flying version) figure. The website for the magazine now has a pic of the figure.
Monthly manga magazine Magazine Z will serialise the manga version of Cossette no Shozou (Le Portrait de Petit Cossette) from its May 2004 issue (on sale 26 March 2004). The manga will be drawn by Katsura Asuka. Source: ultimatum. Volume 1 of the OVA will go on sale on 28 April 2004, with the episode scheduled for broadcast in the same month.
Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh announces that volume 2 of Azuma Kiyohiko's manga "Yotsuba to!" (Yotsuba &!) is will be published on 27 April 2004.
Issue number 15 of Weekly Shonen Sunday (on sale 10 March 2004, I think) will see te end of Takahashi Shin's manga Kimi no Kakera. Source: ultimatum. Takahashi wrote SaiKano.
On 14 February 2004 I wrote about Inoue Santa's manga Rinjin 13-go (Neighbour No. 13) being made into a live action movie. Gentosha, the publisher of the manga, now has chapter 1 of the manga up on the web so that you can get a taste of the pyscho-suspense story. Source: ultimatum.
A live-action "Hotman'04 Spring Special" will be broadcast on TBS on 14 April 2004. Source: ultimatum. Hotman is a manga series by Kitagawa Shou, which was turned into a live-action TV dorama series last year.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that opening sequence of the TV anime Area 88, broadcast on TV Asahi, has been edited since broadcast on 19 February 2004 to cut out the image of a naked woman. The concern was that the image may be subliminal in nature. Although TV Asahi denies that the opening sequence is subliminal in nature (subliminal imagery being proscribed by the broadcasting regulations of the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan), it says that it has removed the image to avoid any possible misunderstanding. Source: Magicalantique.com. Nudity may be one thing, but subliminal nudity is another ^_- This incident follows other recent doubts in relation to the flashing of the face of Fukuzawa Yukichi on the business show "Money no Tora". Fukuzawa's face appears on the Japanese 10,000 yen note. For an English language report on that incident, check out this Asahi Shimbun article.
Sakamoto Maaya's official website states that she'll perform in the Les Miserables Concert Version at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space from 2 to 20 July 2004. Source: Reinbo Actress. Presumably, just performances of the songs from the musical rather than a performance of the whole story. As in the past, she'll take the part of Eponine. But since this concert version will have three Eponines, be sure to check the cast schedule to see whether Sakamoto will have the role of Eponine for the particular performance that you're interested in.
infoseek anime reports that the second season of Godannar will commence broadcast on TV Kanagawa at 24.30 on 2 April 2004 (00.30am on 3 April 2004). It'll be a total of 15 episodes. Full title for the second season appears to be the imaginative "Shinkon Gattai Godannar!! Second Season".
The June 2004 issue of Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine, which comes with Yotsuba action figure (on sale 21 April 2004) will cost 840 yen (including tax). The May 2004 issue, which will come with a special DVD Gunslinger Girl Vol.0 (on sale 21 March 2004), will cost 780 yen (including tax). Source: Chara-Ani.com. For more details on the June issue, see my 1 February 2004 entry. For more details on the May issue, see my 19 and 21 February 2004 entries.
The June 2004 issue of Dengeki Hobby Magazine (on sale 24 April 2004, price 980 yen including tax) will come with a Lacus Clyne figure. Source: Chara-Ani.com.
Sorry I didn't type up more yesterday. Too tired. Actually, I'm tired today as well, but I'll write what I can... I'm going to be extra brief with the details as a result...
VAP has finally announced what goods those who purchase all 9 DVD volumes of Air Master and the OST CD can apply for. It'll be a set of three items: a school emblem pin badge, a sports towel and... something else... a headband(?). Basically, get all the coupons from DVD volumes 1 to 8 and the CD and stick them on the form you get with DVD volume 9 and send it in with 1,000 yen. Presumably, they'll only accept applications from within Japan...
DVD volume 6 of R.O.D - The TV - will have Yomiko on the front cover. To be released 24 March 2004, catalogue number SVWB-1666, price 6,000 yen (excluding tax). Actually with Geneon USA releasing volume 1 with box, I wonder if the region 1 release could come with the Anita figure that some stores in Japan were giving away to customers who purchased region 2 volumes 1 to 5...?
A few artbooks to be released in the near future:

Two Saint Seiya illustrations books will be published by Shueisha tomorrow, prices 4,762 and 4,286 yen.

An Ikki Tousen Visual Book will be published by Wani Books at the end of March 2004, price 2,000 yen (excluding tax). Will include episode introductions, character guide, cast interviews, previously unpublished design works etc. Looks like it'll come with a clear file as well. Order online from Comic Gum and you'll receive a special poster as well.

An Amano Yoshitaka Concept Design book will be published by Fujimishobo at the end of March 2004, price 1,800 yen. Then there's the Front Mission Amano Yoshitaka Art Collection ~ Silence ~ to be published by Square Enix on 12 March 2004, price 3,800 yen.

Source: Mangaoh Club.
I need to buy a new keyboard. This one is beginning to annoy me.

25 February 2004 (second early update)

Gotta go. More to type up, but I've gotta get to sleep.
Initial D The Fourth Stage will commence broadcast on a Sky Perfect pay per view channel on 17 April 2004. As with R.O.D - The TV -, which is broadcast on a Sky Perfect PPV channel as well, Initial D will be broadcast two episodes at a time. Source: Moon Phase.
The TV anime Kyou Kara Ma Ou (based on the Ma novel series) will commence broadcast on NHK-BS2 on 3 April 2004. Source: Moon Phase. For a bit more info, see my 8 February 2004 entry.
Looks like the title of the sci-fi anime Kenran Butou Matsuri The Daybreaker has changed (that was only a tentative title anyway). This staff message on the V Gundam website refers to the anime as "Kenran Butou Matsuri The Mars Daybreak" (the story being set on Mars). Source: Moon Phase. To commence broadcast on TV in April 2004.
The big announcement which was to be made in the Gundam Ace magazine was basically the same news announced in the Hobby Japan magazine a few days earlier, ie basically the Gundam Seed Special Edition (see my 21 February 2004 entry) and some hints about an Astray anime, without indicating what sort of format. Source: Moon Phase.
Volumes 9 to 12 of KaleidoStar will be released in a box, the Watashi no Yume ni Natte yo Box, on 28 May 2004. It'll come with velvet digipak case containing five disks (4 DVDs - episodes 27 to 39 both inclusive - and a CD), 60 pages liner notes (main staff interviews, character designs, four panel manga and glossary), soundtrack CD and the disks will be picture labelled. Price 30,600 yen (including tax). Source: Moon Phase. As was the case with volume 5 to 8, I presume volumes 9 to 12 will also be available separately.
Volume 1 of the OVA Phantom is to be released on 27 February 2004. The official website has an OP demo movie available for download for a limited time only. It's the top link on this page, ie this link for the RealVideo movie. Source: Moon Phase. For release details, see my 26 January 2004 entry.

24 February 2004 (third update)

Weekly Shonen Sunday has confirmed that the manga Dan Doh!! (by Sakata Nobuhiro and Banjo Daichi) is to be adapted into a TV anime. Source: Moon Phase. Previous reports have stated that it'll commence broadcast in April 2004.
The same page on the Shonen Sunday website also states that the Konjiki no Gash Bell!! movie is to be released theatrically in August 2004. Source: Moon Phase.
The manga Mahoraba by Kojima Akira (serialised in Gangan Wing magazine) is to be animated. Source: Moon Phase. Not to be confused with Maburaho, which is a manga serialised in Dragon Age magazine (IIRC) and also an anime and novel.
On 7 Feburary 2004 I wrote about the DVD release of Maria-sama ga Miteru. The official website has updated with pics of volume 1. First up are pics for the regular edition. On the left is the pic of the bookcase which comes with the first pressing and on the right is the pic of the DVD case jacket. Looks like the bookcase will just house the DVD. Below is the LP sized jacket for the Collector's Edition release. Source: alternative-live.
Updated the Ragnarok the Animation news.
Pesugari has a photo report of the Wonder Festival 2004 Winter event. Seven pages starting with this page. Source: Tentative Name. Most important is the figure of Shimuka from the manga Air Gear by Oh! great. Beware: some of the figures are adult in nature.
Nowadays it's quite common to see telecommunications seeking to secure content, like Comcast's bid for Disney. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports that mobile phone content company Index Corporation announced yesterday that it will purchase animation company Madhouse for 600 million yen on 27 February 2004. Index Corporation believes that the demand for animation in mobile telephones will increase in the future. The company is looking to commence distribution of anime on mobile telephones in March. Source: Tentative Name. (Update 28 February 2004: Index has purchased a controlling interest of 67% of the sares in Madouse, not 100% of the shares.)
Episode 7 of the anime TV series Chou Henshin Kosu-pureiya (The Cosmopolitan Prayers) is now available for streaming download from the m.o.e website (until 1 March 2004). Source: Tentative Name. For further info about what's available on the download page, see my 31 January 2004 entry.
Dengeki Online.com reports that the Ragnarok Online anime series will commence broadcast on 6 April 2004 at 25.30 (actually 1.30am 7 April 2004) on TV Tokyo. Official title for the anime will be "Ragnarok the Animation". Source: Reinbo Actress. Further, RBB Today reports that this will be a 26 episode series. Source: Magicalantique.com.
Interestingly, the title of episode 23 of R.O.D - The TV - is very similar to that for episode 15 of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
On 19 February 2004, I wrote about a first edition limited edition version of volume 3 of the PuchiMon (Petit Monster) manga by Nanase Aoi coming with a strap with a 5cm figure of Ringo. Comic Toranoana's page for the manga now has a pic of the figure.
Volume 5 of the manga Paniponi by Hikawa Hekiru will be published on 18 May 2004. There'll be a limited edition version available, with a A5 size, 32 page booklet included, price 762 yen. The booklet will include Paniponi 4 panel manga and short manga. Source: Mangaoh Club.
The DVD Koukyoushi Ginga Tetsudo Monogatari (Symphonic Poem The Galaxy Railways) will be released on 21 April 2004, price 2,800 yen. Source: dvd catalog.
Saiko Robot Kombock DVD Box 1 will be released on 23 April 2004 for 16,800 yen. It'll contain six DVDs with 12 episodes. Otherwise, you can buy individual volumes 1, 2 and 3 on the same day, each containing two episodes, each costing 2,800 yen. Source: dvd catalog.
DVD volume 9 of Tantei Gakuen Q will be released on 24 April 2004, price 4,700 yen. First pressing will come with a box to hold four volumes. Source: dvd catalog.
Old news, but the Tokyo Godfathers DVD will be released in Japan on 28 April 2004. There'll be a Deluxe Box containing two discs for 12,800 yen, or you can get the regular edition for 4,700 yen. The Deluxe Box will come with postcard, storyboard book and booklet and the second disc in that set will contain "making of" clip, clip on "the world of the animation director", discussion with director Kon Satoshi, 5.1ch soundtrack and art gallery, etc. Source: Neowing. Does the main feature come with English subtitles? See this thread at the Anime on DVD forums.
A DVD titled "Making of Devilman Hikari to Yami" (Light and Darkness) will be released on 21 May 2004, price 3,800 yen. The title of the DVD is descriptive of its contents. Source: dvd catalog. The movie itself is to be released in cinemas in the (northern) summer of 2004.

23 February 2004 (second update)

That's about it for today.
The Square Enix website for Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Full Metal Alchemist) states that a five volume, full colour Official Fan Book series of the TV anime is being published. The books will contain story introductions and design works, seiyuu interviews and staff discussions about production. Each A4 size, 500 yen, 32 pages. A first edition limited edition version of volume 3 will come with a binder to hold the five volumes. Source: Moon Phase. Release schedule:
Volume 1 - 30 January 2004
Volume 2 - 30 April 2004
Volume 3 - 30 June 2004
Volume 4 - end of August 2004
Volume 5 - end of October 2004.
The Ai Yori Aoshi website has updated with a pic of the goods which will come with first pressing of DVD volume 4 of the second series Enishi: a box illustrated by mangaka Fumizuki Kou to hold the first final volumes of the series, a special CD holder, calendar sheets for the desktop calendar which came with the first pressing of volume 1. First pressing will also come with four character post cards, but they're not shown in the pic. Source: Moon Phase. Volume 4 is to be released on 23 March 2004, catalogue number GNBA-1010 (first pressing) GNBA-1014 (regular edition), price 5,000 yen (excluding tax).
Love hotel Flat 25 in Iwate prefecture. Room number 119 even comes with Dance Dance Revolution game! 9,500 yen for the night, 6,500 yen for a "rest" ^_- Source: Rakuga Kidou.
The company Chuosha states that the May 2004 issue of Afternoon manga magazine (on sale 25 March 2004) will come with an OMG Skuld (flying version) figure, produced by Kaiyodo, sculpted by Bome. Further the magazine will contain some big announcement.
DVD volume 1 of the OVA Cossette no Shozou (Le Portrait de Petit Cossette) will be released on 28 April 2004. AT-X has announced that it'll broadcast the episode in April 2004 as well. Source: alternative-live and Rakuga Kidou.
Furthermore, episode 4 of Sentou Yousei Yukikaze will be broadcast on AT-X on 4 April 2004. Source: Rakuga Kidou. Volume 4 of the DVD is to be released on 23 April 2004, catalogue number BCBA-1177, price 5,800 yen.

22 February 2004 (second update)

Okamoto Lynn, whose Elfen Lied manga (serialised in Young Jump magazine) is to be animated, has a website up now. Source: Moon Phase.
Sega has announced its Sega Prize range of toys for the months of April, May and June 2004. Click on each pic for an enlargement and more detail. Same deal with Banpresto's prize goods for April, May and June 2004. Source: Ma-ten.
Animaxis has a website up for the Area 88 TV anime, though some of the site is still under construction. Source: alternative-live.
Kids Station has a website up for the upcoming TV anime version of Yugo. Source: alternative-live. The show commences broadcast in two days' time.
Impress Corporation reports that Epson is releasing an "Innocence model" home theatre projector on 25 February 2004. The projector itself is basically the dreamio EMP-TW10 model projector. It'll have an image of director Oshii Mamoru's trademark basset hound on it, and the start-up screen for the projector will have an Innocence design. Comes bundled with 16:9 projector screen, ticket to the Innocence movie, GiTS movie DVD (the re-release version to come out on 25 February 2004) and Innocence "press book". Price is 165,000 yen (3,000 yen less than the standard retail price for the EMP-TW10 projector). Available by preorder only - unfortunately the preorder period finished at the end of January 2004. If you visit the Impress Corporation page, you'll see a pic of the projector - click on the pic for an enlargement. Source: alternative-live.
animate.tv is distributing the second UFO Princess Walkure series, Jyuuni Tsuki no Yasoukyoku (December Nocturne) over the internet, but on a fee paying basis (200 yen per episode, cheaper if you purchase episodes in "packs"). However, episode 1 is free. To view, visit the last page linked above and click on the dark blue button on the right hand side, across from the screen shot (ie in the orange coloured table). A sample can also be viewed by clicking on the dark blue button under the main graphic. Source: alternative-live.
The official website for the OVA Cossette no Shozou (Le Portrait de Petit Cossette) is here. You'll find a 30 second promo clip for download by clicking on the purple box across from the "Le Portrait de Petit Cossette" banner. Source: alternative-live. Volume 1 is due out on 28 April 2004 (see my 20 February 2004 entry).
The official website for the upcoming aviation OVA Sora can be found here. Source: alternative-live. A promo clip is in the works, but for now you can download some wallpapers here. For more info, see my 17 November 2003 entry.

21 February 2004 (fifth update)

From an advance copy of Hobby Japan magazine and this post to the Char Blog comes news that there's to be a Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed Special Edition - a special digest version. The first stage of this will be Gundam Seed Kokuu no Senjyou, which will have two 55-minute-long parts, to be broadcast on TBS on 22 and 23 March 2004. Kokuu no Senjyou will have new scenes and new post-recording. Source: Moon Phase.
Finished watching the first series of the Massugu ni Ikou (Let's Go Straight) anime today. It's okay, but nothing special IMO - a bit of a disappointment. Although the stories were always going to be relatively mundane, I found them too simple and insubstantial. Hanako was a bit annoying as the ditzy female at first, but her character grew on me. Episodes 3 and 4 were an improvement, I thought, but it was a case of too little, too late. Some nice CG work at the end, though. Music by Oshima Michiru was charming and harkened to a more wholesome time, but no stand out pieces. Hopefully the second series of the anime, to commence broadcast on 27 March 2004, will be better.
On 19 February 2004, I wrote about the Gunslinger Girl Vol.0 which will come with the May 2004 issue of Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine (on sale 21 March 2004). Mangaoh Club states that rather than containing promo clips for the TV anime, it'll contain episode 1 of the anime. As previously reported, the DVD will also contain a promo clip for the Playstation 2 game as well as ads for the game.
Volume 2 of the Comic Party Revolution OVA is to be released at the end of March 2004, catalogue number AQAD-01020, price 5,500 yen. You can download a sample movie of the opening sequence for the series here (click on the green portion of the page). Source: Moon Phase. This is all old news, BTW...
RuputerFan has released the trial version of the doujin Mari-sama ga Miteru racing game MariGra (MariMite Grand Prix). To download, click on the bottom pink link on the page for the game. For 1-5 players, for Windows 98/2000/XP computers. Basically, to play, run the .exe file, then click the top right button. The game has five different stages/race courses. For each stage, you need to go around the course about five times - you get points according to which place you get in the final race standings, but there are also bonus points available for collecting the letters which appear on the race track. To operate your car, look at the html file which comes with the game. The table in the html file which show you the keyboard controls for each of the five players. (For player 1, just use the cursor keys.) The controls are shown on the table, from top to bottom: move forward, move back, turn left and turn right. While not being very prim and proper for a Catholic girls' school, you can also shoot your competitors. "Double-clicking" on your forward button will shoot forward, double-clicking on your back button will shoot backwards. Source: Rakuga Kidou. The game is expected to be completed in the (northern) summer of 2004.
Old odds and ends from Rakuga Kidou:

Pen spinning mastery.

The official Kita e ~ Diamond Dust Drops ~ TV anime website.

If your computer crashes, maybe this Spanish Flash program will help you vent your frustrations.
Old news, but Ronz TB (Ronz Trash Box) has created a short 68 second anime based on the manga Angoromoa-chan no Chikyuu Shinryaku Nikki by Imai Kami. You can download the anime here (click on the link below the five screenshots). Source: Moon Phase and ultimatum. The queen of terror Angoromoa-chan plans to invade Earth, so first she's investigating the planet and its inhabitants. Angoromoa-chan no Chikyuu Shinryaku Nikki is serialised on the CG Online website and you can buy tankoubon collections of the manga. Imai is also currently drawing the manga Needless, serialised in Ultrajump magazine.
Ronz TB also now has a promo clip up for the independent superhero anime Excelion in production. Visit his website and click on the topmost link. 6.8Mb, 56 seconds.
Impress Corporation has an article on the Converse basketball shoes "All Star Retro Doraemon Hi", which have a Doraemon comic print on them and come with a set of six colour marker pens so that you can colour the shoes to suit your own tastes. Price 14,900 yen. US sizes 3 to 9½ available. The first set of 500 pairs was released in October 2003 and sold out quickly. Then Doraemon's Bell, the official Doraemon online shop website, had 2,000 pairs available. They've sold out as well - at present you'll have to hope someone cancels their order. Source: Tentative Name.
JVC Music's website for anime music composer Kajiura Yuki states that the first maxi single of her solo project "FictionJunction YUUKA" will be released on 8 May 2004. Titled "Hitomi no Kakera", catalogue number VICL-35627, price 1,100 yen (excluding tax). This song will be the OP for the upcoming Bee Train anime Madlax, to commence broadcast in April 2004. Source: alternative-live.
Volume 3 of the manga "R^2 rise R to the second power" by Hakoda Maki was originally to be released 10 March 2004. Then it was put back to 10 May 2004. Now Mag Garden states that it'll be released on 10 September 2004. Source: ultimatum. There'll be a limited edition which will come with Kano figure, price 1,524 yen (excluding tax).
Among its April 2004 publication schedule, Hakusensha has announced the publication of Takaya Natsuki's first artbook "Fruits Basket" on 16 April 2004, price 1,680 yen (including tax). This artbook will contain all colour illustrations from the Fruits Basket manga up to 2002 and even private illustrations. Source: ultimatum. Takaya is of course the mangaka for Fruits Basket.
Further to my write-up about Kill Bill Vol. 1 yesterday, Impress Corporation has more details and pics. Firstly, the DVD will be double layer, with Cinemascope aspect ratio anamorphic picture and will come with English and Japanese subtitles. The 60 minutes of extras on the DVD will include interview with Japanese production staff, comparison of the anime part with storyboards, still picture gallery etc. The report linked above has pics of the Premium Box and its goodies. Click on the pics for enlargements. Source: Rakuga Kidou. See also Geneon's website for more details on the DVD release.

20 February 2004 (second update)

Volume 1 of the four volume OVA series Teizokurei Daydream (Vulgar Ghost Daydream) will be released on 26 June 2004, price 5,250 yen (including tax). Source: Bandai Digital Beat.
DVD volume 1 of Monkey Turn will be released on 21 April 2004, catalogue number VPBY-12031, price 6,090 yen (including tax). It'll contain four episodes and will be double layered, standard 4:3 aspect ratio, with stereo linear PCM sound. Further, it'll come with approximately 20 minutes of bonus clips (mainly discussion). Finally, first pressing of the DVD will provide a password to access the Back Stage section of VAP's website for the TV anime.
Volume 1 of the DVD release of Mezzo TV will come out on 28 May 2004, catalogue number BIBA-4170, price 2,800 yen (excluding tax). First pressing will come with box to hold all volumes. Source: Mangaoh Club.
Updated the Submarine 707R and Limeiro info.
Volume 1 of the three volume OVA series Petit Cossette will be released on 28 April 2004. CD Japan has the details here.
The concluding volume 2 of the OVA series Submarine 707R will be released on 28 April 2004, catalogue number ANSB-7071, price 6,000 yen (excluding tax). First pressing DVD will be picture-labelled. Source: Animate and Mangaoh Club.
Volume 1 of the Raimu (Lime) iro Senkitan OVA will be released on 23 April 2004. There'll be a limited edition version (catalogue number KSXA-24903, price 7,800 yen excluding tax) and a regular edition (catalogue number KSXA-24901, price 5,800 yen excluding tax). The limited edition version will come with a "talk" CD (ie with discussion on it, not music). I thought the official title was to be Raimu (Lime) iro Senkitan Jun, but Animate states that the title will be Raimu (Lime) iro Senkitan Nankoku Yume Roman. Further Animate states that this will be a two volume release, rather than the three volumes reported by Comptiq magazine last year. Additional details from Mangaoh Club.
There details have been around for a while, but I might as well post them here. Kill Bill Vol. 1 will be released on DVD in Japan by Geneon on 16 April 2004. The Japanese version is apparently more explicit than the US version. There'll be a regular edition (price 3,800 yen) and a limited edition Premium Box (price 7,600 yen). The DVD will have English language DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1ch sound and Japanese language Dolby Digital 5.1ch sound. First pressing will come with a discount coupon to watch Vol. 2 at the cinemas (presumably valid only in Japan). Further, preorders will come with a "rider suit" type DVD case (whatever that may look like). The same details apply to the Premium Box, which will also come with 1/10 scale model of a Hattori Hanzo sword, Be@rbrick figure (murder bride version), Okinawa T-shirt (L size) and 24 page full colour booklet. The Premium Box will be limited to 30,000 units. Source: dvd catalog.

19 February 2004 (last update for the day)

Back on 1 February 2004 I mentioned that the June 2004 issue of Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine (on sale 21 April 2004) would come with a Yotsuba action figure. In addition, as part of the 10th anniversary campaign, the May 2004 issue (on sale 21 March 2004) will come with a special DVD Gunslinger Girl Vol.0, which will contain promo clips for the TV anime and the Playstation 2 game based on the manga series. Source: Moon Phase.
30 April 2004 sees the release of the DVD Tsuki no Akari (The Light of the Moon) - the 2002 live action movie which starred seiyuu Shiina Hekiru. Catalogue number MXS-134, price 5,800 yen. A two disc set including movie trailers, "making of" clip, interview, staff and cast introductions. Comes with a 20 page booklet. Source: Mangaoh Club and Animate.
A fan book for the Po Po Tan TV anime will be released on 5 March 2004. Titled "Po Po Tan Doki Doki ROM Book", it'll be hardcover, B5 in size, 64 pages and will cost 3,780 yen (including tax). In addition, as the title suggests, it'll come with a CD-ROM containing desktop accessories for Windows 98/Me/2000/XP computers. The book will contain illustration gallery, interviews, design works and other info. The CD-ROM will include an Ai clock, Mai clock, Mei clock, Ai calendar, Mai calendar, Mei calendar, Unagi wallpaper changer, Ai mascot, Mai mascot, Mei mascot, puzzle (solve it and you'll get access to a wallpaper), sound collection etc. Source: Animate.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports that Toei Animation is bringing out a new line of animation which it calls GA.nime. Aimed more at adults than children, though this is not say that the content will be adults only (if you know what I mean). GA.nime will combine still pictures with music and words. You can download a sample here. First in the lineup to be released will be a DVD on singer Ozaki Yutaka on 21 April 2004. The company is aiming for sales of 30,000 DVDs. Source: Moon Phase and ultimatum.
More Mag Garden news. The company has announced that a TV anime based on the manga Tactics by Kinoshita Sakura and Higashiyama Kazuko is to commence broadcast in October 2004. Furthermore, a TV anime based on Amano Kozue's manga Aria and another TV anime (presumably based on another Mag Garde manga) will commence broadcast sometime between January to April 2005. This is in addition to the TV anime of Erementar Gerad which is to commence broadcast in April 2005. Source: Moon Phase.
Everyone in MariMite seems to wear the same outfit, I guess that's why Yumi wears lots of different ribbons. Sutareya has a Yumi ribbon comparison up for the first seven episodes. Source: Rakuga Kidou. And was that the Four Last Songs I heard Rosa Canina singing? It's been a while...
Azuma Kiyohiko has announced on his website that volume 2 of his manga "Yotsuba to!" (Yotsuba &!) is scheduled for publication in April 2004. Source: ultimatum.
The official website for Mousou Dairinin (Paraonia Agent) now has the opening and ending credits sequences available for download. Source: Moon Phase. Just enter the website and visit the Special page (ie click on bottom right hand link). Then click on the M&F building. The top link of the page that then appears is the opening sequence. The lower link is for the ending sequence.
Starchild's website for Bindume Yousei (Bottle Fairy) confirms that you only get episode 13 if you buy the DVD box set, not if you buy the individual DVD volumes. The box set is a first pressing limited edition item. Source: Moon Phase. For release details, see my 26 January 2004.
MMV has a webpage up for the anime F-Zero Falcon Densetsu. Source: Moon Phase. Pretty basic. I presume it'll mainly be updated for DVD release details.
Young Jump magazine has announced that Okamoto Lynn's manga Elfen Lied is to be animated. Sci-fi and at times bloody manga. Could be an OVA. Source: Moon Phase. So the rumours last year were true.
Sorry, fell asleep yesterday before I could update.
Is this news? The tie-up between publisher Mag Garden in Japan and ADV Films in relation to anime based on Mag Garden's manga? According to the business rag Nihon Keizai Shimbun, basically it looks like ADV Films has secured the global rights (save for the Asia region) in relation to the broadcast and sale of anime based on Mag Garden's manga. Those rights also extend to related goods. In return Mag Garden will receive royalties and funding for anime production. Furthermore, the newspaper reports that the manga Erementar Gerad (by Azuma Mayumi, published by Mag Garden of course) will be animated as a TV series, with simultaneous broadcast in Japan and the US in April 2005. Production costs of the anime will be about 400 million yen of which ADV Films will be putting up about 25% of the funds. Source: Moon Phase. Presumably this relationship starts with Erementar Gerad, rather than applying to previous anime based on Mag Garden works? Mag Garden publish such manga as "R^2 rise R to the second power", Tactics, Aria, Matantei Loki Ragnarok, Peacemaker Kurogane and Jinki Extend. Is this the start of a new level of licensing between US companies and Japanese producers?
Mangaoh Club now has a pic up of the Lilith figure which will come with the limited edition version of volume 23 of the Bastard!! manga. For release details see my 26 January 2004 and 17 February 2004 entries.
Volume 3 of the PuchiMon (Petit Monster) manga by Nanase Aoi will be published by Shueisha on 19 May 2004. There'll be a first edition limited edition version which will come with a strap with 5cm figure of Ringo. Price 1,890 yen (excluding tax). As with a number of the Shueisha figures, the figure will be sculpted by Miyagawa Takeshi. Source: Comic Toranoana.
Gakken will publish volume 1 of the magazine Megami Magazine Creators on 25 March 2004, price 933 yen. Illustrations and long interviews with popular creators. It'll come with B2 size double sided poster (featuring an original character by Komatsu Eiji and an R.O.D illustration by Uon Taraku). Source: Mangaoh Club.
The Yomiuri Shimbun has an English language article on complaints about historical inaccuracies in the live action Shinsen Gumi drama TV series.
The newspaper also has an English language review of Miike Takashi's movie Zebraman.

17 February 2004 (fifth update)

That's probably it for today...
Episode 6 of the anime TV series Chou Henshin Kosu-pureiya (The Cosmopolitan Prayers) is now available for streaming download from the m.o.e website (until 23 February 2004). Source: Moon Phase. For further info about what's available on the download page, see my 31 January 2004 entry.
TV Tokyo's Naruto website now has a trailer up for the Naruto movie, to be released theatrically on 21 August 2004. Source: ultimatum.
Everyone seems to be getting in on the internet distribution of anime episodes. Now WoWoW is distributing episode 1 of Mousou Dairinin (Paranoia Agent) free over the internet until 27 February 2004. Source: alternative-live. Here's what you do to view it. First go to this WoWoW page and select one of the ten providers at the bottom of the page, such as DreamNet. Then look around the page until you find the link to Mousou Dairinin (in the case of DreamNet, the link is the secod row from the bottom, second from the right, ie here). Then click on the green button in the bottom right hand corner of the page. Note that although viewing is free, each of the providers has different requirements. Some of them require you to have an account with the provider already. Others have the same requirement, but you may be able to sign up for a free account. DreamNet is one provider which apparently doesn't have any additional requirements at all, but the picture is only 500Kbps (others have higher quality bandwidth). Note also that I haven't tried all the providers, so you may find another one which is better...
On 7 February 2004 I wrote about a KFC promotion in the lead up to the theatrical release of the Innocence movie. Pizza Hut now appear to have a similar promotion. From 16 February 2004 to 31 March 2004, if you buy one of three types of pizza (Cheese King, Gorgeous 4 or Delicious 4) you get an Innocence promo DVD. Source: alternative-live. Contents seem to be the same as for the KFC deal. There are three Innocence clips on the DVD (among other stuff), the longest one being six minutes in length - perhaps that's the clip that's floating around the internet. Anyway, if you click on the right hand box above Batou's head in the Pizza Hut website, you'll find some wallpapers to download as well.
The manga "Hikari totomoni... ~ jiheishouji wo kakaete ~" by Tobe Keiko is to be adapted into a live action dorama series to commence broadcast on NTV in April 2004, though the tentative title for the TV series will be the shorter "Hikari totomoni..." Source: ultimatum. Autustic child Hikari enters primary school.
This news is a bit old, but Miyamura Yuko (seiyuu for Asuka in Evangelion) has announced on her official website that she will be marrying Seki Takayuki in March 2004 and they are expecting a child in September 2004. Source: Reinbo Actress.
Guy Gavriel Kay's new novel The Last Light of the Sun is due to be released in North America in March and the UK in April. So when's it coming out to Australia...?
Further to my 26 January 2004 post, the limited edition version of volume 23 of Hagiwara Kazushi's manga Bastard!! will be published on 30 April 2004, price 1,700 yen (excluding tax) and the enclosed figure will be a 11cm figure of Lilith. Source: Comic Toranoana.
Second hand store Jungle SCS is working on a new tokusatsu show, under its Gaion label. This time it'll be a three DVD volume series Evolver. Earth is under attack from the alien Ifreet and it's up to the Evolvers with their "E Device" suits to defend humanity. Volume 1 will be released in the (northern) summer of 2004. Hopefully it'll come with English subtitles, as have Jungle's previous releases. But what I really want to know is: will Justin make another guest appearance?
Just to add: CLAMP has also confirmed that the re-release of the Card Captor Sakura manga won't have any new artwork. Source: ultimatum. For a few more details, see my 3 February 2004 entry.
The official CLAMP website has confirmed the publication by Kodansha of the "Monthly CLAMP Part Work" magazine (tentative title) and its price of 1,600 yen per issue. Issue number 1 will come with CLAMP character chess piece and will focus on Card Captor Sakura. This mook series will be a total of 12 issues. Furthermore, this 2 channel post gives further details: the magazine will be roughly A4 size, and will deal with all of CLAMP's series in their 15 year history, including new manga, essays and interviews etc. Furthermore the post states that rather than coming with just one chess piece, issue number 1 will come with three chess pieces in a box - each issue will come with three chess pieces so that if you collect all 12 issues, you'll have a complete CLAMP All Character Chess Set. Source: ultimatum. That would add up to 36 pieces, though, not 32... Anyway, sale is set to commence in the (northern) autumn of 2004, but as I wrote on 3 February 2004, Books Ruhe states it'll be late September 2004.
Other CLAMP news includes the fact that there'll be 15th anniversary memorial event in Tokyo rom 1 to 11 April 2004 (original goods will of course be on sale) and the fact that a Card Captor Sakura game for Gameboy Advance will be released on 16 April 2004. (The latter is not really new news, but I just didn't bother to write about it earlier).

16 February 2004 (second update)

The Chrno Crusade website has updated with pics of the goods which will come with the first pressing limited volume 1 Mitilia edition, ie the Mauser in a hard case. Source: Moon Phase. See the bottom pic to get a sense of scale of the model gun. For release details, see my 26 January 2004 entry.
The official Komugi-chan website has announced that release of Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magical te volume 5 has been put back from 21 March 2004 to 2 April 2004. Further, whereas original reports were that the DVD would come with a mobile phone mascot of an SD Komugi figure, it's now clear that it'll come with a set of 5 mascot figures (the largest being 10cm in size) along with the pamphlet binder. Source: Moon Phase. For release details, see my 26 January 2004 entry.
Volume 1 of the Interlude OVA will be released on 25 March 2004. For release details see my 26 January 2004 entry. However, prior to this Sky Perfect TV will broadcast the episode on a pay per view basis from 6 to 14 March 2004. Source: alternative-live.
The ongoing Macross litigation. Mainichi Shimbun reports that on Friday 13 February 2004 Justice Fukuda of the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from planning company Studio Nue. Studio Nue was appealing the decision of the Tokyo High Court on 25 September 2003 in which that court held that copyright in the anime itself lay with Tatsunoko Pro whereas Studio Nue owned only the copyright in the designs of the characters etc. Source: Ma-ten.
Music website Barks states that TM Revolution's new album "Seventh Heaven" will be released on 17 March 2004 and will contain the song "Zips", the theme song for "Gundam Seed MSV". Source: Rakuga Kidou. What's Gundam Seed MSV?
DVD volume 4 of Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito will be released on 21 April 2004, price 4,800 yen (excluding tax). First pressing will come with a box to hold all six volumes, illustrated by Carnelian. Source: Chara-Ani.com.
Tohokushinsha Film Corporation has announced that Studio 4°C's first TV anime Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu will commence broadcast on the NHK Education channel on 9 April 2004. 40 nine minute episodes. Source: ultimatum.
The website for the upcoming live action Devilman movie has been renewed and a trailer is now available for download. Source: ultimatum. A lot of CG work. To be released theatrically in the (northern) summer of 2004.
Similarly, a new trailer is now available for download at the live action Casshern/Casshan movie website. Source: ultimatum. The movie will be released theatrically in Golden Week of 2004 (last week of April, first week of May).
Geneon has a website up for the upcoming TV anime version of the manga Koikaze. Direction by Omori Takahiro (Fancy Lala), music by Yoshimori Makoto and Takumi Masanori, animation production by A.C.G.T. Source: ultimatum. What's this story about? See my 27 January 2004 entry. I like the anime character designs by Kishida Takahiro, which appear very faithful to the manga designs. Actually, I have more hope that this TV series will be a good adaptation of the manga than for Tenjou Tenge... Though they may have to tone down the couple of scenes where Koushirou does a few hentai things. Personally I think Koushirou should get together with Chidori.
The manga Dan Doh!! (by Sakata Nobuhiro and Banjo Daichi, serialised in Weekly Shonen Sunday) is to be made into a TV anime to commence broadcast on TV Tokyo from early April 2004. Source: ultimatum. Manga about a boy aiming to become a pro golfer.

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