Title
Station
Date
Time
Length
Average Household Rating
Sazae-san
Fuji TV
March 16 (Sun)
18:30
30 min.
18.7
Chibi Maruko-chan
Fuji TV
March 16 (Sun)
18:00
30 min.
13.1
Crayon Shin-chan
TV Asahi
March 14 (Fri)
19:30
24 min.
11.4
Doraemon:
TV Asahi
March 14 (Fri)
19:00
30 min.
10.3
Yatterman
NTV
March 10 (Mon)
19:00
30 min.
9.3
Detective Conan
NTV
March 10 (Mon)
19:30
30 min.
8.5
Gegege no Kitaro
Fuji TV
March 16 (Sun)
09:00
30 min.
8.5
One Piece
Fuji TV
March 16 (Sun)
09:30
30 min.
8.5
Pocket Monsters: Diamond & Pearl
TV Tokyo
March 13 (Thurs)
19:00
30 min.
7.2
Yes! Precure 5 GoGo!
TV Asahi
March 16 (Sun)
08:30
30 min.
6.6
Posted By: Nightroad
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Anime Collectible Firm's Head Convicted of Tax Evasion
The Tokyo District Court has convicted Kyōko Ōkubo, the founder and president of the Cominica manufacturer of anime collectibles, of tax evasion. She was charged last November with concealing about 198 million yen (about US$1.9 million) so that her company would not have to pay 57 million yen (US$570,000) in additional taxes. Her company was best known for making figurines for the award-winning Studio Ghibli films. Ōkubo has been sentenced to a one-year prison term, suspended for three years, and Cominica was fined 14 million yen (US$140,000). The company's former legal advisor Takanobu Takehara has also been convicted and sentenced to a ten-month prison term, suspended for three years.
Cominica's website is still active, but most stores have since sold out of its products. It began in 1985 as a design firm and manufacturer of collectibles for other companies, and has worked on toys and collectibles for Zyu Ranger (adapted as the first Power Rangers series), The Nightmare before Christmas, Snoopy, and Metropolis. It also created the three-dimensional Doraemon model that was used a sample for character goods and contributed to the Ghibli Museum and Doraemon Museum's displays.
Posted By: Nightroad
Cominica's website is still active, but most stores have since sold out of its products. It began in 1985 as a design firm and manufacturer of collectibles for other companies, and has worked on toys and collectibles for Zyu Ranger (adapted as the first Power Rangers series), The Nightmare before Christmas, Snoopy, and Metropolis. It also created the three-dimensional Doraemon model that was used a sample for character goods and contributed to the Ghibli Museum and Doraemon Museum's displays.
Posted By: Nightroad
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Blu-ray prices going up, not down
Now that HD DVD's on the way out, it looks like Blu-ray manufacturers and retailers are feeling free to jack up prices. Meanwhile, prices for HD DVD decks and combo players are plummeting.The editors of TG Daily (by way of Audioholics) have been scouring the Web for Blu-ray and HD DVD player prices, and can you guess what they found? That's right: Since Toshiba gave up on HD DVD in mid-February, Blu-ray prices—which had been showing some modest declines back in December—have spiked. Take, for example, Sony's entry-level BDP-S300, a Blu-ray player that doesn't even have the latest Blu-ray profile (it's stuck with the bare-bones 1.0 spec). Back in December, the S300 (which originally sold for a whopping $600) actually fell to about $270 on Amazon; now, according to TG Daily, average prices for the player have swelled to $403. Then there's Samsung's BD-P1400, one of the first Blu-ray players to sink below $400. On January 10, the P1400 skimmed the $300 mark, according to TG Daily; now it's back up to an average price of $374.Meanwhile, prices for HD DVD decks have, unsurprisingly, been tumbling. Toshiba's mid-range, 1080p-capable HD-A30, which originally sold for $400, began the year with an average price of $254; now, it's selling for a mere $134, TG Daily reports. The entry-level HD-A3 1080i player can be had for a song: just $101, on average.Also, combo Blu-ray/HD DVD players have been showing steep price drops. As I noted in a previous post, the Samsung BD-UP5000, originally listed north of $1,000, is on sale for about $500, while TG Daily has the average price for the LG BH200 pegged at $699, down from its original $999.So, what's going on here? Didn't Sony just promise that we'd be seeing $200 Blu-ray players by next year? Maybe so, but as Chris pointed out in his post, Sony and the Blu-ray Disc Association are holding out on licensing Blu-ray technology to Chinese manufacturers, who'd more than likely flood the market with cheap (or cheaper, at any rate) players.Well, we wouldn't want that, now—would we?
Posted By: Nightroad
Posted By: Nightroad
New Street Fighter Character
Looks like there is a new character for Street Fighter 4. And may I say he looks pretty bad ass. And his name is 'El Fuerte'.
Posted By: Nightroad
Anime News
Tuesday March 11th, 2008
Crystal Blaze Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Crystal Blaze action anime television series now links to a streaming trailer. The series is scheduled to premier next month.
New Tower of Druaga Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for Gonzo's upcoming Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk anime television series now hosts a new, second promotional video. Click the "PV2" button to watch the new trailer. The fantasy anime series will premier on Japanese TV and Gyao website (for Japanese viewers only) on April 4th.
New Amuri Trailer Released
The official website for the long in development CG anime OVA series Hoshi no Umi no Amuri ~ Amuri in Star Ocean now hosts a streaming trailer in high and low resolution. Promotional footage from the bishoujo sci-fi adventure created by Yoshitomo Yonetani, the director of Gaogaiger & Betterman, first appeared online in September 2007. The first Amuri in Star Ocean OVA is scheduled for Japanese release on May 23.Amuri in Star Ocean is not related to Square Enix's series of Star Ocean RPGs in any way. The similarity of the titles is entirely coincidental.
Gotham Knight Website Opened
The official homepage for the upcoming American/Japanese Batman: Gotham Knight animated anthology film is now open. Japanese directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka from anime studios 4°C, Production I.G., and Madhouse all contribute to the production. The Batman: Gotham Knight movie will be released on July 8th.
DrMaster Acquires New Titles
DrMaster has formally announced its acquisition of translation rights to Rei Kusakabe's supernatural manga series Nephylym and Haruka Shouji's Feng Shui Academy manga, based on Midori Natsu's Fuu Sui Gakuen novels. The first volume of Nephylym will be released in September. Feng Shui Academy will debut next year.
Viz Reveals New Acquisitions
Viz Media has scheduled the domestic release of three manga titles not previously announced.Akihisa Ikeda's Rosario + Vampire supernatural romantic comedy will debut on May 13th and retail at $9.99.Youzaburou Kanari's action/adventure manga series Gimmick! will debut on June 10th and retail at $9.99.Kazuo Umezu's classic horror manga series Cat Eyed Boy will debut on June 17th in a $24.99 volume.
Moyoco Anno Halts Work
Best selling manga artist Moyoco Anno, the creator of titles including Flowers and Bees, Happy Mania, Sugar Sugar Rune, and Hataraki Man, has announced that she'll be taking an extended break from active work as an artist due to concerns about her health. Anno states that she still wants to draw manga and hopes her readers will follow her work if or when she returns.
Wednesday March 12th, 2008
TOKYOPOP Acquires Castlevania Manga
TOKYOPOP has revealed plans to publish an English translation of Kou Sasakura's two volume "Castlevania: Curse of Darkness" manga series adaptation of Konami's popular video game franchise. The first volume will be released in September.
Crunchyroll Secures 4 Million Dollar Investment by Illegally Distributing Anime
Websites including Dealipedia and the Private Equity Hub have reported that Venture capital firm Venrock has invested $4.05 million into the San-Francisco based Crunchyroll, Inc. video streaming website. The management of the Crunchyroll site uploads and provides a large amount of subtitled anime and Asian live action programing without authorization from the legal copyright owners of the programing or the consent of the translators responsible for subtitling the programing. Crunchyroll's video programing is accessible free in low quality. The site charges membership fees for access to high quality video streams.Crunchyroll reportedly does host a small amount of Asian video programing with official authorization from copyright owners and reportedly "intends to work directly with 'a select number of Japanese firms' to acquire content legally."
Thursday March 13th, 2008
Real Drive Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming RD Senno Chosashitsu anime television series, commonly known as "Real Drive," now hosts a streaming trailer. The futuristic mystery series is a co-creation from Production IG and manga artist Masamune Shirow. The series premieres in Japan on April 8.
TOKYOPOP Acquires Phantom Dream, Offers Fruits Basket Free Online
TOKYOPOP has acquired the domestic translation rights to Fruits Basket creator Natsuki Takaya's first published manga series "Phantom Dream" ("Geneimuso").To promote next week's official domestic release of Fruits Basket manga volume 19, the TOKYOPOP website will release the entire book online for free tomorrow evening. The catch is that the book will be available online for only 19 minutes beginning at 19:19 ET (7:19 PM Eastern Time).
Live Action Adaptation of Cat Street Announced
Bessatsu Margaret Magazine has formally announced the development of a live action television series adaptation of Yoko Kamio's 2005 dramatic school life manga series Cat Street. The television series will air on the NHK television network this summer."The story revolves around Keito Aoyama, a 16-year-old former child actress who stopped acting after a traumatic incident. She has closed herself off from the rest of the world for years — until she enters a school for 'stray cats,' or outsiders like herself."
Friday March 14th, 2008
Monochrome Factor Teaser Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Monochrome Factor anime television series, based on Kaili Sorano's supernatural action manga series, now hosts a short streaming teaser trailer. The anime series is scheduled to premier on April 7th.
Fist of the North Star 25th Anniversary Projects Announced
To commemorate this year's 25th anniversary of the beloved Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) franchise, three new projects have been announced.An official website has opened to announce the Hokuto no Ken: Raoh Gaiden ~ Ten no Haoh (Fist of the North Star: Raoh Side Story ~ King of Heaven) anime television series. The new anime will debut this fall, along with the "Kenshiro Densetsu" motion picture - the final film of the "New Saviour Legend" anime series that began in 2006. The "Ten no Haoh" anime will be based on Youkow Osada's 2006 manga series spin-off from Buronson and Tetsuo Hara's original Hokuto no Ken manga. Ten no Haoh details the early life of popular Fist of the North Star antagonist Raoh.Satoshi Fumihara and the other creators behind The World of GOLDEN EGGS anime series will collaborate on the production of DD Hokuto no Ken, a super deformed "gag anime" parody of Hokuto no Ken.The Muscle Musical performance art group inspired by Hokuto no Ken will also collaborate on a project to commemorate the Hokuto no Ken franchise's anniversary.
Bus Gamer Teaser Trailer Online
Animate.tv now hosts a short streaming trailer for the new Bus Gamer anime television series based on Kazuya Minekura's manga. The trailer, available for narrowband and broadband connections, does not contain any footage from the anime TV series, which is scheduled to premier on the 14th.
TOKYOPOP Acquires Goth
TOKYOPOP has acquired distribution rights to Otsu-ichi's mystery novel Goth and its one-volume manga adaptation created by Kendi Ohishi. Fox Atomic has hired video game writer J.T. Petty to adapt and direct an American live action film adaptation of the Goth novel about two "goth" teens that partner to solve six murders in their hometown.The Goth manga adaptation will hit shelves in September with an 18+ age rating and a $10.99 retail price. The original novel will retail at $12.99 beginning in October.
Posted By: Nightroad
Crystal Blaze Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Crystal Blaze action anime television series now links to a streaming trailer. The series is scheduled to premier next month.
New Tower of Druaga Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for Gonzo's upcoming Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk anime television series now hosts a new, second promotional video. Click the "PV2" button to watch the new trailer. The fantasy anime series will premier on Japanese TV and Gyao website (for Japanese viewers only) on April 4th.
New Amuri Trailer Released
The official website for the long in development CG anime OVA series Hoshi no Umi no Amuri ~ Amuri in Star Ocean now hosts a streaming trailer in high and low resolution. Promotional footage from the bishoujo sci-fi adventure created by Yoshitomo Yonetani, the director of Gaogaiger & Betterman, first appeared online in September 2007. The first Amuri in Star Ocean OVA is scheduled for Japanese release on May 23.Amuri in Star Ocean is not related to Square Enix's series of Star Ocean RPGs in any way. The similarity of the titles is entirely coincidental.
Gotham Knight Website Opened
The official homepage for the upcoming American/Japanese Batman: Gotham Knight animated anthology film is now open. Japanese directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka from anime studios 4°C, Production I.G., and Madhouse all contribute to the production. The Batman: Gotham Knight movie will be released on July 8th.
DrMaster Acquires New Titles
DrMaster has formally announced its acquisition of translation rights to Rei Kusakabe's supernatural manga series Nephylym and Haruka Shouji's Feng Shui Academy manga, based on Midori Natsu's Fuu Sui Gakuen novels. The first volume of Nephylym will be released in September. Feng Shui Academy will debut next year.
Viz Reveals New Acquisitions
Viz Media has scheduled the domestic release of three manga titles not previously announced.Akihisa Ikeda's Rosario + Vampire supernatural romantic comedy will debut on May 13th and retail at $9.99.Youzaburou Kanari's action/adventure manga series Gimmick! will debut on June 10th and retail at $9.99.Kazuo Umezu's classic horror manga series Cat Eyed Boy will debut on June 17th in a $24.99 volume.
Moyoco Anno Halts Work
Best selling manga artist Moyoco Anno, the creator of titles including Flowers and Bees, Happy Mania, Sugar Sugar Rune, and Hataraki Man, has announced that she'll be taking an extended break from active work as an artist due to concerns about her health. Anno states that she still wants to draw manga and hopes her readers will follow her work if or when she returns.
Wednesday March 12th, 2008
TOKYOPOP Acquires Castlevania Manga
TOKYOPOP has revealed plans to publish an English translation of Kou Sasakura's two volume "Castlevania: Curse of Darkness" manga series adaptation of Konami's popular video game franchise. The first volume will be released in September.
Crunchyroll Secures 4 Million Dollar Investment by Illegally Distributing Anime
Websites including Dealipedia and the Private Equity Hub have reported that Venture capital firm Venrock has invested $4.05 million into the San-Francisco based Crunchyroll, Inc. video streaming website. The management of the Crunchyroll site uploads and provides a large amount of subtitled anime and Asian live action programing without authorization from the legal copyright owners of the programing or the consent of the translators responsible for subtitling the programing. Crunchyroll's video programing is accessible free in low quality. The site charges membership fees for access to high quality video streams.Crunchyroll reportedly does host a small amount of Asian video programing with official authorization from copyright owners and reportedly "intends to work directly with 'a select number of Japanese firms' to acquire content legally."
Thursday March 13th, 2008
Real Drive Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming RD Senno Chosashitsu anime television series, commonly known as "Real Drive," now hosts a streaming trailer. The futuristic mystery series is a co-creation from Production IG and manga artist Masamune Shirow. The series premieres in Japan on April 8.
TOKYOPOP Acquires Phantom Dream, Offers Fruits Basket Free Online
TOKYOPOP has acquired the domestic translation rights to Fruits Basket creator Natsuki Takaya's first published manga series "Phantom Dream" ("Geneimuso").To promote next week's official domestic release of Fruits Basket manga volume 19, the TOKYOPOP website will release the entire book online for free tomorrow evening. The catch is that the book will be available online for only 19 minutes beginning at 19:19 ET (7:19 PM Eastern Time).
Live Action Adaptation of Cat Street Announced
Bessatsu Margaret Magazine has formally announced the development of a live action television series adaptation of Yoko Kamio's 2005 dramatic school life manga series Cat Street. The television series will air on the NHK television network this summer."The story revolves around Keito Aoyama, a 16-year-old former child actress who stopped acting after a traumatic incident. She has closed herself off from the rest of the world for years — until she enters a school for 'stray cats,' or outsiders like herself."
Friday March 14th, 2008
Monochrome Factor Teaser Trailer Online
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Monochrome Factor anime television series, based on Kaili Sorano's supernatural action manga series, now hosts a short streaming teaser trailer. The anime series is scheduled to premier on April 7th.
Fist of the North Star 25th Anniversary Projects Announced
To commemorate this year's 25th anniversary of the beloved Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) franchise, three new projects have been announced.An official website has opened to announce the Hokuto no Ken: Raoh Gaiden ~ Ten no Haoh (Fist of the North Star: Raoh Side Story ~ King of Heaven) anime television series. The new anime will debut this fall, along with the "Kenshiro Densetsu" motion picture - the final film of the "New Saviour Legend" anime series that began in 2006. The "Ten no Haoh" anime will be based on Youkow Osada's 2006 manga series spin-off from Buronson and Tetsuo Hara's original Hokuto no Ken manga. Ten no Haoh details the early life of popular Fist of the North Star antagonist Raoh.Satoshi Fumihara and the other creators behind The World of GOLDEN EGGS anime series will collaborate on the production of DD Hokuto no Ken, a super deformed "gag anime" parody of Hokuto no Ken.The Muscle Musical performance art group inspired by Hokuto no Ken will also collaborate on a project to commemorate the Hokuto no Ken franchise's anniversary.
Bus Gamer Teaser Trailer Online
Animate.tv now hosts a short streaming trailer for the new Bus Gamer anime television series based on Kazuya Minekura's manga. The trailer, available for narrowband and broadband connections, does not contain any footage from the anime TV series, which is scheduled to premier on the 14th.
TOKYOPOP Acquires Goth
TOKYOPOP has acquired distribution rights to Otsu-ichi's mystery novel Goth and its one-volume manga adaptation created by Kendi Ohishi. Fox Atomic has hired video game writer J.T. Petty to adapt and direct an American live action film adaptation of the Goth novel about two "goth" teens that partner to solve six murders in their hometown.The Goth manga adaptation will hit shelves in September with an 18+ age rating and a $10.99 retail price. The original novel will retail at $12.99 beginning in October.
Posted By: Nightroad
Boy Dies Trying A Move From Naruto
Boy dies in hospital
According to KOMO-TV, the ABC affiliate in Seattle, Washington, 10-year-old Codey Porter died at 3:35 p.m PST today. The boy was hospitalized on Saturday after suffering respiratory failure when he was buried, headfirst, in a sandbox. He had reportedly asked his playmates to bury him in order to recreate the attacks used by the fictional ninja from the Naruto anime's fictional Village Hidden in the Sand.
Porter had been resuscitated with CPR and taken to an Everett hospital and later transferred to the Children's Hospital in Seattle where he died.
A memorial fund has been set up for Porter on the Gold Creek Community Church's Web site.
I think this is a very depressing incident, but I think a lot of people who will believe that its the shows fault will try to get it out of the U.S.
Posted By: Nightroad
According to KOMO-TV, the ABC affiliate in Seattle, Washington, 10-year-old Codey Porter died at 3:35 p.m PST today. The boy was hospitalized on Saturday after suffering respiratory failure when he was buried, headfirst, in a sandbox. He had reportedly asked his playmates to bury him in order to recreate the attacks used by the fictional ninja from the Naruto anime's fictional Village Hidden in the Sand.
Porter had been resuscitated with CPR and taken to an Everett hospital and later transferred to the Children's Hospital in Seattle where he died.
A memorial fund has been set up for Porter on the Gold Creek Community Church's Web site.
I think this is a very depressing incident, but I think a lot of people who will believe that its the shows fault will try to get it out of the U.S.
Posted By: Nightroad
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Anime News
Monday March 3rd, 2008
AnimeWho Announces Ashita no Joe OVA Release
AnimeWho, a new mainstream American anime distribution label from adult anime distributor JapanAnime, has announced plans to release the 2003 "Joe vs. Joe" (Futari no Joe) OVA series on domestic DVD. The six episode boxing anime, based on the classic 1970 Ashita no Joe television series, will be released on two bilingual domestic DVDs retailing at $24.99 each. Volume 1 will go on sale April 29th.
Gurren Lagann Movie Announced
Advance details on this month's Tokyo International Anime Fair reveal that the April issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Newtype Magazine, which goes on sale in Japan on the 10th, will formally announce development of a Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann motion picture.
Hakushaku to Yosei Anime Announced
Shueisha's Cobalt Books imprint has formally announced that Mizue Tani's series of "Hakushaku to Yosei" (The Count and The Fairy) historical fantasy novels will be adapted into an anime television series.The novels follow the travels of 17 year old Lydia Carlton and young Count Edgar J.C. Ashenheart through Victorian England.
Trailer for Shina Dark Promotional DVD Online
Japanese publisher MediaWorks now hosts a webpage promoting the upcoming release of a Shina Dark anime promtional DVD. A Shina Dark music video collection DVD will be included as a limited edition premium with copies of the third volume of Bunjuro Nakayama and Yukari Higa's Shina Dark manga series, scheduled to go on sale on March 21st. The MediaWorks page hosts a streaming 90 second trailer promoting the limited edition music video DVD.An anime television series adaptation of the Shina Dark fantasy comedy manga series is now in production.
Suzuki Toshio Interview Online
Fan site Ghibli World has published a summarized transcript of a Japanese interview with Studio Ghibli producer Suzuki Toshio regarding Hayao Miyazaki's work on his upcoming film Ponyo on a Cliff.
Cartoon Network To Air Blue Dragon
Viz Media has announced that the 2007 Blue Dragon anime television series, inspired by the Xbox 360 RPG, will air on the Cartoon Network this spring.
Tuesday March 4th, 2008
Stan Lee to Co-Create New Manga
Shueisha's Jump Square Magazine has formally announced that living legend American comic book creator Stan Lee, the co-creator of Spider-Man and the X-Men, will collaborate with Shaman King creator Hiroyuki Takei on the development of an original manga short story to launch the Jump SQ.II (Jump Square Second) magazine. The first issue of Jump SQ.II will go on sale in Japan on April 18th.
Wednesday March 5th, 2008
Appleseed TV Series Announced
The homepage for this month's Tokyo International Anime Fair has revealed that a press event scheduled for March 30 at the convention will host the formal public announcement of development of Appleseed Genesis, a 3D CG anime television series to be directed by respected CG animator Romanov Higa (Catblue Dynamite, Urda). The Appleseed TV series will be Romanov Higa's second CG anime adaptation of manga by Masamune Shirow following the 2006 OVA Tank Police Dominion Tank S.W.A.T. 01.
Titania Anime Announced
Hiroaki Adachi, the manager of Wright Staff, the company that manages the business affairs of author Yoshiki Tanaka, has revealed that Tanaka's three volume series of Titania science fiction novels will be adapted into anime. Yoshiki Tanaka is the author of the Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Sohryuden, Heroic Legend of Arslan, and Ryoko's Case File novel series, all of which have been adapted into anime.
Udon Opens Street Fighter Art Contest
Udon Comics has launched a "Street Fighter Tribute" art contest to collect original fan art to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Capcom's beloved fighting game franchise. Winning submissions will be published in Udon's upcoming original "Street Fighter Tribute" art collection book, scheduled for release on July 23. Visit the Udon Blog for full submission details.
First American Death Note Movie Trailer Released
Fangoria Magazine now hosts the first trailer for the official American release of the first live action Death Note motion picture. The trailer includes English dubbed dialogue, but the film will be released in America in its original Japanese language with English subtitles. Both Death Note live action movies are presently in limited American theatrical release. An American DVD release is planned for later this year.
Thursday March 6th, 2008
IFC to Air Speed Grapher
The Speed Grapher anime television series will begin airing on the Independent Film Channel on March 7 at 11 PM Eastern.
Live Action Adaptation of Tokyo Ghost Trip Announced
An official Japanese website has opened to announce the April premier of a live action television adaptation of Hashiba Maki's supernatural manga series Tokyo Ghost Trip. The manga story revolves around two cousins, one of whom can summon spirits, and one that doesn't believe in the supernatural, who must rely on their religious/supernatural background to earn a living.
Disney to Work With Japanese Anime Studios
The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to work with Japanese anime studios to develop new animated programming for Japanese television broadcast. Disney will collaborate with Madhouse on the production of a new, original anime series titled "Stitch!", based on the Lilo and Stitch franchise.Disney is also developing "Fireball," a 3D CG sci-fi gag comedy short film, for Japanese release.The Disney-Toei produced project "Robodies," initially announced in 2006 as a television series, has reportedly developed into a short film that will air on Japan's Disney Channel this summer.
Posted By: Nightroad
AnimeWho Announces Ashita no Joe OVA Release
AnimeWho, a new mainstream American anime distribution label from adult anime distributor JapanAnime, has announced plans to release the 2003 "Joe vs. Joe" (Futari no Joe) OVA series on domestic DVD. The six episode boxing anime, based on the classic 1970 Ashita no Joe television series, will be released on two bilingual domestic DVDs retailing at $24.99 each. Volume 1 will go on sale April 29th.
Gurren Lagann Movie Announced
Advance details on this month's Tokyo International Anime Fair reveal that the April issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Newtype Magazine, which goes on sale in Japan on the 10th, will formally announce development of a Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann motion picture.
Hakushaku to Yosei Anime Announced
Shueisha's Cobalt Books imprint has formally announced that Mizue Tani's series of "Hakushaku to Yosei" (The Count and The Fairy) historical fantasy novels will be adapted into an anime television series.The novels follow the travels of 17 year old Lydia Carlton and young Count Edgar J.C. Ashenheart through Victorian England.
Trailer for Shina Dark Promotional DVD Online
Japanese publisher MediaWorks now hosts a webpage promoting the upcoming release of a Shina Dark anime promtional DVD. A Shina Dark music video collection DVD will be included as a limited edition premium with copies of the third volume of Bunjuro Nakayama and Yukari Higa's Shina Dark manga series, scheduled to go on sale on March 21st. The MediaWorks page hosts a streaming 90 second trailer promoting the limited edition music video DVD.An anime television series adaptation of the Shina Dark fantasy comedy manga series is now in production.
Suzuki Toshio Interview Online
Fan site Ghibli World has published a summarized transcript of a Japanese interview with Studio Ghibli producer Suzuki Toshio regarding Hayao Miyazaki's work on his upcoming film Ponyo on a Cliff.
Cartoon Network To Air Blue Dragon
Viz Media has announced that the 2007 Blue Dragon anime television series, inspired by the Xbox 360 RPG, will air on the Cartoon Network this spring.
Tuesday March 4th, 2008
Stan Lee to Co-Create New Manga
Shueisha's Jump Square Magazine has formally announced that living legend American comic book creator Stan Lee, the co-creator of Spider-Man and the X-Men, will collaborate with Shaman King creator Hiroyuki Takei on the development of an original manga short story to launch the Jump SQ.II (Jump Square Second) magazine. The first issue of Jump SQ.II will go on sale in Japan on April 18th.
Wednesday March 5th, 2008
Appleseed TV Series Announced
The homepage for this month's Tokyo International Anime Fair has revealed that a press event scheduled for March 30 at the convention will host the formal public announcement of development of Appleseed Genesis, a 3D CG anime television series to be directed by respected CG animator Romanov Higa (Catblue Dynamite, Urda). The Appleseed TV series will be Romanov Higa's second CG anime adaptation of manga by Masamune Shirow following the 2006 OVA Tank Police Dominion Tank S.W.A.T. 01.
Titania Anime Announced
Hiroaki Adachi, the manager of Wright Staff, the company that manages the business affairs of author Yoshiki Tanaka, has revealed that Tanaka's three volume series of Titania science fiction novels will be adapted into anime. Yoshiki Tanaka is the author of the Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Sohryuden, Heroic Legend of Arslan, and Ryoko's Case File novel series, all of which have been adapted into anime.
Udon Opens Street Fighter Art Contest
Udon Comics has launched a "Street Fighter Tribute" art contest to collect original fan art to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Capcom's beloved fighting game franchise. Winning submissions will be published in Udon's upcoming original "Street Fighter Tribute" art collection book, scheduled for release on July 23. Visit the Udon Blog for full submission details.
First American Death Note Movie Trailer Released
Fangoria Magazine now hosts the first trailer for the official American release of the first live action Death Note motion picture. The trailer includes English dubbed dialogue, but the film will be released in America in its original Japanese language with English subtitles. Both Death Note live action movies are presently in limited American theatrical release. An American DVD release is planned for later this year.
Thursday March 6th, 2008
IFC to Air Speed Grapher
The Speed Grapher anime television series will begin airing on the Independent Film Channel on March 7 at 11 PM Eastern.
Live Action Adaptation of Tokyo Ghost Trip Announced
An official Japanese website has opened to announce the April premier of a live action television adaptation of Hashiba Maki's supernatural manga series Tokyo Ghost Trip. The manga story revolves around two cousins, one of whom can summon spirits, and one that doesn't believe in the supernatural, who must rely on their religious/supernatural background to earn a living.
Disney to Work With Japanese Anime Studios
The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to work with Japanese anime studios to develop new animated programming for Japanese television broadcast. Disney will collaborate with Madhouse on the production of a new, original anime series titled "Stitch!", based on the Lilo and Stitch franchise.Disney is also developing "Fireball," a 3D CG sci-fi gag comedy short film, for Japanese release.The Disney-Toei produced project "Robodies," initially announced in 2006 as a television series, has reportedly developed into a short film that will air on Japan's Disney Channel this summer.
Posted By: Nightroad
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