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This week we have a good show. Batou and I do the news, a few listener questions, and review TOKKO and Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora. Join us and keep the Anime love strong.
Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
TOKKO – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Show Notes
Music
Intro – Nothing by dB from TOKKO
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase
News
Manga publisher claims US releases are illegal
In a statement posted to its website, Libre, the publisher of manga magazines Be x Boy and B*Boy Gold states that Be Beautiful, the yaoi imprint of Central Park Media, has been translating and publishing some of its titles without permission. Libre is asking fans to “refrain from purchasing, loaning, or sharing any and all of these illegal publications,” and has issued a cease-and-desist order against Be Beautiful.
Production I.G. Screenwriter to Visit Eastern Europe
As part of efforts by the Japanese government to promote international cultural exchanges, Production I.G. Anime Screenwriter Sakurai Yoshiki has been selected to travel to Eastern Europe to present a series of lectures. From March 19th until the 24th, Mr. Sakurai will visit Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. The lectures will be part of multiple local events designed to introduce Japanese culture and popular culture. The events were organized by the Public Diplomacy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The title of the lecture is “The Japanese Animation Industry and Working in the Industry.”
Shirow Masamune and Production I.G. Announce Ghost Hound
Production I.G. has announced its 20th year anniversary project, “Ghost Hound” (Shinrei Kari). Shirow Masamune, creator of Ghost in the Shell, is writing the anime. Other staff on the project include Ryutaro Nakamura (Serial Experiments Lain, Kino’s Journey), scriptwriter Chiaki Konada (Serial Experiments Lain, Big O), and character designer Mariko Oka (Jing: King of Bandits). The series is set to premiere on Wowow in Japan this fall. Wowow’s Japanese homepage is now online as well.
Dragon Ball MMO in the Works
Bandai Visual has announced that there is currently a Dragon Ball MMO in the works. According to reports, the game will be set in a world hundreds of years after the events of Dragonball and will feature both new and old characters, among other things. Fees and payment schedules have not been set as of yet. The game drops next year in Japan.
Miyazaki’s Next Film Announced
Hayao Miyazaki’s next movie, “Gake no ue no Ponyo” (Ponyo on a Cliff) will open in Japan in 2008. It’s about a goldfish princess who wants to be human, and a young boy modeled after what Miyazaki’s son Goro was like as a child. Studio Ghibli President Toshio Suzuki states, “70 or 80% of the stage is the sea. How will we express the sea and a wave in a freehand drawing, it’s the director’s challenge.”
Makihara files suit against Matsumoto
Matsumoto claimed Chemistry’s “Yakusoku no Basho” album lifted lyrics from Galaxy Express 999. Makihara Noriyuki sues Matsumoto, demanding proof of claims.
Twelve Kingdoms Author Interview
With the first Twelve Kingdoms novel having come out in North America, ANN just posted an interview with author Fuyumi Ono. This fantasy series is popular for its world-building, characterization and tough moral dilemmas. The Twelve Kingdoms anime, already fully released here, was also well received.
Happy Feet Director Wants to Work on Anime
George Miller, director of the Oscar-winning movie Happy Feet, is interested in anime: “The minimalist style of Japanese anime really, really intrigues me so I’d like to do one of those in collaboration with a Japanese director.” Tap-dancing anime penguins? Well… probably not.
Devil May Cry Anime Voice Cast
The Devil May Cry anime site has updated with a cast list. Included are Toshiyuki Morikawa (Isshin in Bleach, Mr. Chan in Black Lagoon) as Dante, Atsuko Tanaka (the Major in GitS) as Trish, and Fumiko Orikasa (Rukia in Bleach, Seras in Hellsing) as Lady. This will be the first time that a DMC title has featured Japanese acting.
Fruits Basket Manga Ends in Japan
It’s time for Japanese readers to say “Sayonara” to the hugely successful Fruits Basket manga, which ran in Hana to Yume (an anthology magazine) from 1999 until last November. The twenty-third and final volume will be released in Japanese bookstores this week.
Reviews
Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoshiro_to_towa_no_sora
http://www.fujimishobo.co.jp/webage/kyoshiro.html
http://www.kyoshiro-sora.net/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6809
TOKKO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokko_%28manga%29
http://www.tokko.tv/
http://www.wowow.co.jp/anime/tokko/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6276
