≡ Category: Features | Author: Ichigo | ≅ 3 Comments
After my last day in Kyoto I caught the Hikari shinkansen to Shin-Osaka (New Osaka) station. There my friend Mori-san picked me up and drove me to his house in Kashiwara-shi, which is a city to the SE of Osaka. It’s about 30 minutes by car, and right on the Yamatoji line that runs between Osaka and Nara. His parents Ryo and Toyoko are very nice people. Ryo knows a decent amount of English, and they both speak clearly enough that I don’t have trouble understanding their Kansai-ben. Read more>>
≡ Category: Industry | Author: Ichigo | ≅ 1 Comment
Here are my notes from the ADV panel.
ADV is not going anywhere.
They separated from their business partner Sojitz, and Sojitz took a lot of titles with them. But ADV has procured a new partner, whose funding has allowed them to start negotiating for a new group of Anime acquisitions.
They have no plans to acquire any new manga for at least 12 months, although they would “like” to finish their existing ones.
ADV will continue to do dubs, as they have their own production facilities. They might have new acquisition titles by Otakon.
Blu-Ray releases are coming, but have to wait on the Japanese distributors.
≡ Category: Industry | Author: Ichigo | ≅ 1 Comment
The 2nd industry panel was a moderated panel.
Technology, Entertainment and Licensing
Ken Iyadomi – President & CEO, Bandai Entertainment
Vu Nyugen – VP Business Development & Strategy, Crunchyroll
Trulee Karahashi – Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime
Asako Suzuki – Director of Manga, CMX
Moderated by Justin Sevakis, Director of New Media, Anime New Network
Licensing is becoming more, not less, complicated. Multiple parties want approval and control rights about how things are released. The Japanese distributors have no real internet strategy because they fear the impact on DVD sales as well as piracy. Read more>>
≡ Category: Industry | Author: Ichigo | ≅ 2 Comments
We’re here at AX, and so far the con is… lackluster. But there were a couple industry panels today, the 4th, that were interesting. Here is my recap of the first.
Keynote speech by Gen Fukunaga, the President of Funimation.
The Japanese market is the most competitive Anime market in the world, because Manga drives the Anime. This is because Manga is exposed to millions of people first to determine what might be good things to animate. Read more>>
≡ Category: Features | Author: Ichigo | ≅ 2 Comments
Ok, ok. I know, I’m way behind on these updates. All I can say is sorry and jump right into it.
After NYC, we went to Philadelphia to see the birthplace of the nation, and visit Marajsky. First off, the Liberty Bell.
Read more>>
≡ Category: Anime Pulse, Ze Shows | Author: Ichigo | ≅ Leave a Comment
This week we do some reviews (gasp) and talk about stuff. We review Busou Renkin, .Hack//Roots, Hanoka and Chigo does a preview review of Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Hachiyou Shou~.
Busou Renkin – Wouldn't kick it out of bed for crackers.
.Hack//Roots – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.
Hanoka – Even if you receive it as a present, burn the Disc and piss on the ashes.
Show Notes
Music
Intro – Ashita no Kioku by Naozumi Takahashi from Black Blood Brothers
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase
News
Tokyopop Keeps the Gravitation Coming
Tokyopop will release volume 1 of the Gravitation Ex! manga on February 13, 2007.
Article on Yaoi Explosion
ICv2 has posted an article on the “recent Yaoi Explosion,” looking over all the licenses announced at last weekend’s Yaoi-con and also the challenges faced by hardcore Yaoi publishers.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Season 1 Returns to 4Kids TV
Yu-Gi-Oh! season 1 will air at 11 a.m. on 4Kids TV (via local Fox affiliates) starting this Saturday. The season debuted in 2001 on the WB network. Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters will continue to air at 10 a.m.
Afro Samurai Hits Spike TV on January 4
The five-episode Afro Samurai anime starring Samuel L. Jackson will premiere January 4 on Spike TV. It will air in Japan later next year.
Live Action Blood: The Last Vampire
Production I.G agrees to Ronny Yu’s Blood live-action remake. more…
Speed Racer a Go!
Wachowski Brothers Version of Speed Racer to Premiere Summer 2008. more…
New Street Fighter Movie in the Works
Live-Action Movie Focusing on Chun Li Due out in 2008 more…
Claymore Anime
According to Monthly Shonen Jump Magazine (not to be confused with Weekly Shonen Jump), Norihiro Yagi‘s Claymore is to be adapted into an anime TV series. No details about when the Claymore TV series will debut. Claymore is currently being released in North America by Viz Media.
Maison Ikkoku’s Godai Cast
Newcomer Taiki Nakabayashi (21) has been cast as Godai in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi‘s Maison Ikkoku. Nakabaya was chosen from over 3200 applicants, several of whom can be seen auditioning for the part in this video on the official website.
AX Launches Travel Store
Anime Expo has launched a Travel Store through IAN.com. The site offers discounted airfares, hotels, and car rentals.
Geneon Discontinues Sherlock Hound
Geneon has confirmed that they will cease distributing Sherlock Hound DVDs as of April 30, 2007.
ADV Announces January Releases
First volumes of Best Student Council, Coyote Ragtime Show, Utawarerumono, and Moeyo Ken in January 2007 more…
Bandai Channel Blocked from Foreign Access
Bandai Channel, which streams the first episodes of several anime series in Japanese, has been blocked from access outside of Japan.
Blood+ on Cartoon Network
Blood+, which is licensed in North American by Sony Pictures, is set to receive a TV broadcast on Cartoon Network. The broadcast date and schedule has not yet been announced or confirmed.
Hellsing Ultimate Website
Geneon has put up a splash page on their Hellsing Ultimate website, which includes a short trailer.
Viz Announces Bleach Merchandise Licenses
Two companies will release licensed Bleach merchandise in the US and Canada. Great Eastern Entertainment has been licensed to produce: patches, wristbands, jewelry, pins, plushes, key chains, wall scrolls, and arm, hand, and headwear. C&D Visionary has been granted a license for buttons, stickers, Lucite key chains, magnets, shoelaces, and postcards.
ROD TV on G4TechTV Canada
G4TechTV will air ROD the TV starting Monday.
Illumitoon & Westlake Acquire Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo
Illumitoon and Westlake have announced the acquisition of Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo. In May, Toei announced that it had appointed Joy Tashjian Marketing Group to handle licensing of the show. Illumitoon will release Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo in 2007.
Reviews
Busou Renkin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busou_Renkin
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6601
http://www.xebec-inc.co.jp/anime/busourenkin/
http://www.busourenkin.com/
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/busourenkin/
.Hack//Roots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack_Roots
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/hack_roots/
http://dothack.wikia.com/wiki/Roots
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6248
Hanoka
http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,3805,wgoovd,hanoka.html
http://www.rams.jp/hanoka/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6786
