Category: Ze Shows

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This week we review The Twelve Kingdoms and Read Or Die. Rukia joins us and there is much wackiness.

The Twelve Kingdoms – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers/Download Now!
Read Or Die OVA – Download Now!
Read Or Die TV – Download Now!

Show Notes

Podcast Pickle Contest Winners!

Prize 1: appleorange
6 Volumes of Evangelion Manga
US DVD Disc 1 of Tactics
Signed Yaoi Fanart

Prize 2: naronto
HK DVD’s Episodes 1 – 76 of Naruto
Signed Yaoi Fanart

Prize 3: jsharp
US DVD’s Episodes 1 – 20 of Revolutionary Girl Utena
Volume 1 of Wolf’s Rain
Signed Yaoi Fanart

Grand Prize: AnimeWorldOrder *sigh*
Box Set of Tenchi Universe
Death Note Journal
Signed Yaoi Fanart

Make sure you send us a message through Podcast Pickle to verify who you are and email us a mailing address so we can send you your prizes.

News

Death Note Tops Japanese Box Office
On a World Cup weekend with below average ticket sales, WB’s Death Note film ended The Da Vinci Code’s four-week run atop the Japanese box office.

Flash: Advent Children is Popular
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children has sold over 2.4 million copies worldwide, according to a report on Square-Enix. About 1.3 million have been sold in the US, 1 million in Japan, and 100,000 in Europe.

34 NuTech Shows to Adult Source Media
Will be sold under new “Anime Erotica” line

Japanese Guests to Present FMA Premiere at AX
According to a press release from Funimation and the SPJA, Japanese guests Seiji Mizushima and Romi Paku will join Mike McFarland and Vic Mignogna to present the English premiere of the Fullmetal Alchemist movie. Between them they represent the Japanese and English directors and the Japanese and English voices of Edward Elric.

AX to Stream Events Online
Anime Expo will offer live streaming of several events, including opening and closing ceremonies, the Masquerade, and AX Idol.

What’s in an Exaxxion Edit?
Dark Horse editor Chris Warner explains the decision to alter Cannon God Exaxxion volume 5: “In the case of Exaxxion, work with very strong adult content was created in Japan long after the series began running in the States, content much stronger than what had been established when the license was secured.”

Nausicaa Vehicle Comes to Life
A flight-capable prototype of the Mehve vehicle from Miyazaki’s “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” has recently been completed by Petworks. Videos of the maiden flight can be viewed here. Am I the only one wishing they’d make a real Catbus next?

Transformers Actors Train with Air Force
When Michael Bay wants something done right, he goes all out. Actors for his live-action Transformers movie are reported to have been training with the United States Air Force to get them in touch with the military roles they’ll be playing. You can read up on what they went through here.

Reviews

The Twelve Kingdoms
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=840
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Kingdoms
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/12kokuki/
http://www.12kingdoms.us/

Read Or Die
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1989
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=819
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read_or_die
http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/ROD/media/ovaindex.html
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/b_hp/rodthetv/

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Vespaholic from Anime101 is in the house. We review Martian Successor Nadesico, Neon Gensis Evangelion, Good Witch of the West (Nishi no Yoki Majo – Astraea Testament), and Samurai 7. It’s a great show, with Ramune!

Martian Successor Nadesico – Download Now!
Neon Genesis Evangelion – Download Now!
Good Witch of the West (Nishi no Yoki Majo – Astraea Testament) – Download Now!
Samurai 7 – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
7 Samurai – Download Now!
The Magnificent 7 – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.

Show Notes:

News:

From Naruto Sneakers To NERV Sandals
Mmm, more Eva milking. You probably won’t be able to buy these NERV flip-flops unless you happen to live in Japan, but you can still admire them from afar. According to Akadot, they’ll go on sale in Japan in July.

X:Re-Mix at Anime Expo
Geneon will be selling copies of their X:Re-Mix at Anime Expo. The new X DVD boxed set includes remixed audio and re-encoded video, as well as new bonus material including the “An Omen” bonus episode. There will also be a limited edition version with a velvet cover. The set will go on sale at retailers on July 11.

Transformers Actors Train with US Air Force
Military.com profiles an Air Force Airman who helped train actors for Michael Bay‘s Transformers movie. The film will be out July 4, 2007.

ADV Films seeks AX Booth Volunteers
ADV Films is currently seeking motivated, friendly fans to lend a hand with their booth at Anime Expo 2006. For further details, contact Chris Oarr at coarr@advfilms.com. Be sure to include “Volunteer” in the subject line.

Captain Tsubasa Joins Japanese Soccer Team
Just in time for the World Cup, Captain Tsubasa‘s Ohzora Tsubasa is featured on a new bottle design for Kirin Nuda, the official drink of Japan’s soccer team. The commercial is available here.

Black Cat Crosses Funimation’s Path
Funimation announced its acquisition of Black Cat last weekend at A-Kon in Dallas.

Tokyopop Expands to Australia and New Zealand
Earlier this month Tokyopop announced that it had expanded operations to New Zealand and Australia through a partnership with Funtastic. Funtastic recently acquired Australia’s Madman Entertainment, however Tokyopop deal is independent of Madman. Tokyopop books now have official distribution channels on every continent except Antartica.

Moe Burger opens in Japan in Akihabara
Check out some pics here

Zipang Licensed
Geneon announced its acquisition of Zipang last weekend at A-Kon.

Tokyopop Expands to Australia and New Zealand
Earlier this month Tokyopop announced that it had expanded operations to New Zealand and Australia through a partnership with Funtastic. Funtastic recently acquired Australia’s Madman Entertainment, however Tokyopop deal is independent of Madman. Tokyopop books now have official distribution channels on every continent except Antartica.

New Shonen Magazine in Japan
The first issue of Leed’s Shounen Fang will be released July 19 in Japan.

Oshii on Miyazaki’s Gedo Senki
Nausicaa.net has posted an English transcript of a video interview with Mamoru Oshii in which he discusses Goro Miyazaki‘s forthcoming Gedo Senki film.

My-HiME Site Goes Live
The official English site for My-HiME launched today. Designed to resemble the website of Fuka Academy (the school where the show is set), it boasts several interesting features, as well as a brand new preview.

Reviews

Martian Successor Nadesico
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadesico
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=42
http://www.b-ch.com/cgi-bin/contents/ttl/det.cgi?ttl_c=162

Neon Genesis Evangelion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=49
http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/eva/index.html

Good Witch of the West (Nishi no Yoki Majo – Astraea Testament)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Witch_of_the_West_Astraea_Testament
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6175
http://www.project-westwitch.net/

Samurai 7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai_7
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3127
http://www.animax.co.jp/ppv/samurai7/

7 Samurai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_Samurai

The Magnificent 7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magnificent_Seven

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Another classic episode this week. Batou and I do the news and review Bleach, Naruto, Tactics and UG☆Ultimate Girls.

UG☆Ultimate Girls – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Tactics – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.

Show Notes

News

Gatchaman CG Film in Production
Imagi Animation Studios and Tatsunoko Production will produce a Gatchaman CG-animated film for theatrical release in the US. The film will be written and directed by Kevin Munroe, who is also writing and directing Imagi’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles CG movie.

Live Action Devilman Acquired
Media Blasters has picked up the 2004 Devilman live-action film. No release details are available yet.

Witchblade Acquired, Positioned for Adult Swim
Funimation has acquired the Witchblade anime, according to an announcement by Top Cow’s Matt Watkins last weekend at WizardWorld Philadelphia. Watkins also said Funimation is in talks with Cartoon Network to air the series on Adult Swim.

Ask CLAMP Online
Anime Expo has opened an Ask CLAMP form, with which fans may submit questions to be answered at CLAMP‘s panel on July 2.

New CLAMP/Sunrise Anime Confirmed
So it was true after all! A CLAMP-influenced mecha anime? I’m game for that. We described a few of the staff members (along with brief lists of the… full story »

Orange Road on Moratorium
AnimEigo has revealed that its distribution license for the Kimagure Orange Road television series, OAV series, and first motion picture will expire in late July. AnimEigo reportedly tried to renew the license, but was unable to do so. Orange Road DVDs currently in circulation will remain in circulation, but as of the end of next month, AnimEigo will not be able to distribute the series any longer.

Production I.G to Produce Guardian of the Sacred Spirit
As reported in our article about D-Rights’s investment into Geneon, Production I.G is producing an anime TV series called Guardian of the Sacred Spirit. The series will be directed by Kenji Kamiyama and will premiere on NHK in the Spring of 2007.

Tales From Earthsea To Hit Japan In July
It’s been announced that Studio Ghibli’s Tales From Earthsea (Gedo Senki) will open in Japanese theaters on July 29. For the record, it took about sev… full story »

Japan Faces Shortage Of Ramen Workers
Venturing slightly off the beaten path, Mainichi has an article about the need for more ramen workers. There’s even an online Ramen Employment Agency; it’s run by noodle expert Hiroshi Osaki, who has eaten at 14,000 different ramen joints across Japan.

New Death Note Movie Trailer
Here’s your chance to see the latest Death Note movie promo, complete with some footage of the full-CG Ryuk in motion. It recycles scenes from the pre… full story »

American Battle Royale Remake
Ain’t It Cool News reports that New Line Cinema and producers Neal Moritz and Roy Lee have plans for “an extremely hard R, serious-minded” remake of Battle Royale. There’s no director or screenwriter yet, so who knows whether this thing will get off the ground…

A Second Season of Fruits Basket?
Many a Furuba fan has wanted the Japanese to do a second season of the smash-hit shoujo series, and according to a Q&A the folks over at Animetiqu… full story

Dating A Yaoi/BL Fangirl
In Japan, a yaoi/BL fangirl might ironically refer to herself as a fujoshi, which can be translated as “rotten woman.” One Japanese man runs a quirky blog about the experience of dating a fujoshi, and Akadot has posted a few key portions of an amusing interview with him.

Reviews

Tactics
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4100
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/tactics/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactics_%28manga%29

UG☆Ultimate Girls
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4490
http://www.pc-moe.com/ug/

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This is the State of the Industry panel with representatives from many Anime Distribution companies. Rangiku was kind enough to record this for us. Everyone give props to our wonderful East Coast Correspondent.

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This is the panel with both Shimamoto Sumi, Seiyuu and for Shuzilow.ha, Animator. Rangiku was kind enough to record this for us. Everyone give props to our wonderful East Coast Correspondent.

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This is the press panel for Shuzilow.ha, Animator. Rangiku was kind enough to record this for us. Everyone give props to our wonderful East Coast Correspondent.

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This is the press panel for Shimamoto Sumi, Seiyuu. Rangiku was kind enough to record this for us. Everyone give props to our wonderful East Coast Correspondent.

Download Now

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We’ve got a great show this week. Jake from The Hadokings podcast joins us in the studio along with Bill Cosby and Arnold S. We review Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora, Dead Leaves, Witchblade and Gundam Seed. Also included is Rangiku’s report on Anime Boston 2006.

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Gundam Seed – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Witchblade – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Dead Leaves – Download Now!

Show Notes

Contest

The podcast pickle contest is going well. We’re at #4. Here are new prizes

Prize 1:
All 6 volumes of Neon Genesis Evangelion manga (donated by Rangiku).
Signed Yaoi fanart of Batou and Ichigo making out (from Erin at Ninja Consultants).

Prize 2:
Episodes 1 – 76 of Naruto on DVD (donated by Ichigo).
Signed Yaoi fanart of Batou and Ichigo making out (from Erin at Ninja Consultants).

Prize 3:
Episodes 1 – 20 of Revolutionary Girl Utena on DVD (donated by Ichigo).
Signed Yaoi fanart of Batou and Ichigo making out (from Erin at Ninja Consultants).

Grand Prize:
Entire 26 episode Boxset of Tenchi Universe (donated by Batou).
Death Note Journal (donated by Ichigo).
GITS figure (donated by Batou).
Signed Yaoi fanart of Batou and Ichigo making out (from Erin at Ninja Consultants).

News

Central Park Media Statement
Musicland’s bankruptcy cited, no mention of CPM bankruptcy

Poll: What does “Otaku” mean to you?
Funimation Picks up Full Metal Panic TSR
Funimation has acquired the third season of Full Metal Panic. Volume 1 of Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid will be released October 3. ADV Films released the previous seasons of FMP.

ADV Announces Jinki:Extend
ADV Announced at their Anime Boston panel today that they will be releasing the Jinki:Extend TV anime series. ADV already released the manga series.

Funimation Announces Beck
Funimation announced at the Anime Boston Panel, that they would be releasing BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. The series will be co-directed by Taliesin Jaffe and Chris Bevins, with Mike McFarland as music director.

Gunsmith Cats Burst, Re-Release in 2007
Gunsmith Cats Burst will be issued in the first half of 2007, according to Dark Horse’s Carl Horn. They will also re-release the original Gunsmith Cats unflipped with “80 pages of additional material not previously available in English.”

First Fruit of Appleseed 2
Famitsu Magazine has published the first image of the second Appleseed theatrical movie. The film is directed by Shinji Aramaki, produced by John Woo, and scheduled for release next year in Japan.

Media Blasters to Co-Produce New Kite OVA
At last weekend’s Anime Boston convention, Media Blasters announced plans to co-produce a new Kite OVA, possibly for release next year. The 45 minute long OVA will feature an entirely new cast and story similar to the original Kite.

Negima OVA Website Opened
Starchild has opened its official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Maho Sensei Negima OVA series.

The Pillows in San Francisco
The Pillows have added another gig to their North American tour next month: June 28 at Slim’s in San Francisco.

New My Hime PC Game Trailer Available
4Gamer now hosts a downloadable WMV format trailer for the upcoming Japanese PC adventure game My Hime: Unmei no Keitoujyu Shura. The revised edition of the Unmei no Keitoujyu game will be released on June 30th.

First Anime Evolution Guests
Kumiko Kato and ZZ will perform at Anime Evolution, August 19-21 in Vancouver.

ADV on ZVUE
ADV will make Azumanga Daioh, DNAngel, Elfen Lied, Gilgamesh, Godannaar, Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, and other titles available for download through HandHeld Entertainment’s ZVUE.com.

Tees, Totes from ADV
ADV has opened an online store with t-shirts, tote bags, and other merchandise from Azumanga Daioh, Chrono Crusade, and eight other shows.

Naruto Powers Toonami Ratings Surge
9 p.m. Saturday ratings up 111% from May 2005

Guest

Jake – The Hadokings Podcast
http://thehadokings.libsyn.com

Reviews

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6300
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanbun_no_Tsuki_ga_Noboru_Sora
http://www.hantsuki.com/

Gundam Seed
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=883
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam_seed
http://www.b-ch.com/cgi-bin/contents/ttl/det.cgi?ttl_c=119

Witchblade
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4284
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchblade#Anime_series
http://www.witchblade.jp/

Dead Leaves
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=2021
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_leaves
http://www.dead-leaves.com/

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We’ve got a great show this week. We celebrate being #7 on Podcast Pickle, shooting for #1. We review Rurouni Kenshin, Jyu Oh Sei, Ergo Proxy and Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (The melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya).

Rurouni Kenshin – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Jyu Oh Sei – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Ergo Proxy – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu – Download Now!

Show Notes

Julie-sensei sent us An-pan and Melon-pan from the Nakamura Bakery in Toronto. Mmmm Mmmm Good!
http://www.japantown.ca/nakamura/e.html

News

Live Action Princess Princess Announced
Princess Princess D, a live action television version of Mikiyo Tsuda’s bishonen comedy manga series Princess Princess, will premier on the TV Asahi network June 28th. The anime version of Princess Princess is airing now.

Babes of ADV
IGN’s Babes page continues its coverage of the “Babes of Anime” with an interview & photo-shoot featuring Taylor Hannah.
First Look at Appleseed 2
Famitsu Magazine has published the first promotional image of the second Appleseed theatrical movie, titled “Ex Machina.” The film is being directed by Shinji Aramaki and produced by John Woo. Reportedly Woo has had some creative involvement in the new movie’s story development and action scenes. According to IGN, the movie is scheduled for Japanese release next year.

Bleach Movie In December
ANN has confirmed that the much-rumored Bleach movie will premiere in Japan this December. Commercials for the film have already started airing, but not much else is known about it.

FUNimation to Distribute TOKYOPOP Video
FUNimation has announced that it is now the exclusive North American distributor for numerous home video titles licensed and formerly distributed by TOKYOPOP, including Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), Marmalade Boy, Initial D, and more.

New Kujian Anime
No Genshiken Season 2

Anime Expo Hotels Sold Out… But Not Sold Out
Rooms Still Available at the Hilton, But not at Special Rate.

New Anime Series from Kenshin Creator
Rurouni Kenshin creator Nobuhiro Watsuki‘s Buso Renkin will be adapted into an anime series this fall, according to Anime News Service. Viz Media is releasing volume 1 of the Buso Renkin manga in August.

Reviews

Ergo Proxy
http://www.anime-source.com/banzai/modules.php?name=…..0
http://www.ergoproxy.com/
http://www.wowow.co.jp/anime/ergoproxy/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergo_Proxy

Jyu Oh Sei
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyu_Oh_Sei
http://jyu-oh-sei.com/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6177

Rurouni Kenshin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rurouni_Kenshin
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=73

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Melancholy_of_Haruhi_Suzumiya
http://www.haruhi.tv/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6430

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Rukia’s in the house. In addition to our normal schtik we review Aishiteruze Baby, Kiba, Tampopo and Fate/Stay Night.

Aishiteruze Baby – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for Crackers.
Kiba – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for Crackers.
Tampopo – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for Crackers.
Fate/Stay Night – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for Crackers/Download Now!

Show Notes

News

Death Note Anime Coming in Fall
The smash hit manga Death Note not only has a movie on the horizon, but an anime as well. AnimeNation reports that it will be adapted into an anime and premeire this fall in Japan, but no word on who will be doing the animation.

Eva Unit 01 Bicycle
“Defeat Angels while riding to school!” says Akadot. This kind of thing doesn’t come cheap, though. It seems that Bandai is going to produce a limited number of bicycles based on the design of Eva Unit 01. Getting one will set you back $450–and that’s ignoring the cost of shipping.

Evangelion 10th Anniversary Box Set
Diamond Updates has the scoop on a new ADV product. Or maybe “new” isn’t the word we should be using, since the product in question is yet another Neon Genesis Evangelion box set. It seems to be scheduled to come out in August. But with “a deluxe case and a plethora of commemorative items,” not to mention a price tag of around $250, it’s obviously not aimed at those of us with tiny wallets.

Dark Horse Editor on Appleseed, Hellsing
New Appleseed Hypernotes, entire Shirow catalogue unflipped with new material

Animal Crossing Movie Image
Today, AnimeNation noticed that Dengeki Online has posted the film’s first promotional image. Just be warned that it’s an “early concept design,” so the final character artwork might be different.

CPM Signs with Consortium
Becomes book distributor’s first graphic novel publisher.

Cromartie High to End
The Cromartie High School manga is set to terminate with its final installment in next week’s release of Weekly Shounen Magazine #25, on sale May 24.

Mainstream Moe Raises Artist’s Ire
Manga artist Mimei Sakamoto rips Japan’s moe culture in an upcoming issue of Shukan Bunshun. “This fetish you call ‘moe’ is a pedophiliac fetish and is nothing more than perversion,” she says. “In other countries, they’d call what you’re fantasizing over ‘child pornography’ and you’d all be arrested.”

Yutaka Izubuchi at Anime Expo
Anime Expo has announced that mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi will be a guest of honor at this year’s event.

Maid Cafe Opens in Thailand
A maid cafe has opened in Bangkok’s Siam Square. The owner says it serves an average of 300 customers per weekday and 1300 on weekends.

Reviews

Fate/Stay Night
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5394
http://www.staynight.com/
http://www.typemoon.com/fate/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fate_stay_night

Tampopo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampopo
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/

Kiba
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6312
http://www.ki-ba.com/

Aishiteruze Baby
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3744
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aishiteruze_Baby
http://www.tms-e.com/on_air/beibe/

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