Anime Pulse

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This week heralds the return of Rukia. We review the Live Action Death Note movie #1, Samurai Deeper Kyo and the JDrama Teppan Shoujo Akane. Tune in for the wackiness.

Teppan Shoujo Akane – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.
Death Note (Live Action Movie) – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Samurai Deeper Kyo – Even if you receive it as a present, burn the disc and piss on the ashes.

Show Notes

Music

Intro – Sakasama No Chou by SNoW from Jigoku Shoujo
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase

News

One Piece Coming Back? Toei Says Maybe
According to an article from Toon Zone, there are rumours that the One Piece anime may have a chance of coming back out with a new dub. Toei stated in… full story

Viz Licenses Death Note Anime for Download
Episodes to be available “soon after they air in Japan”

We Missed Miyazakis birthday!
We’re soooo sorry. Gomenasai.

Sakura-Con Announces First Japanese Guests
Sakura-Con will welcome voice actress Kaori Nazuka, director and designer Hiroshi Nagahama, and creator and director Akitaroh Daichi to its April 6-8 convention in Seattle.

Hotels now available for AX 2007

Home

Miyazaki’s Last Film Subject Revealed?
According to an article from Nausicaa.net, the subject of Hayao Miyazaki’s last film may have been revealed. According to reports, the film may be based off of the Chinese tale “I Lost My Little Boy,” the story of a boy with a heart condition that goes on incredible adventures. As of yet, neither Miyazaki nor Ghibli Studios have confirmed the rumour.

Ouran High School Host Club Video Game Coming to Playstation 2 in Japan
Series to become a love-simulation game aimed at women

Two Live Action Movies Based on Manga Announced
De-View Magazine has announced that Satoshi Yoshida’s shonen bosozoku manga series Arakure Knight and Haruko Kashiwagi’s risque comedy manga Bra Bra Ban Ban will both be adapted into live action feature films.

Shyamalan Signs up for Avatar Trilogy
M. Night Shyamalan has signed a deal with Paramount Pictures to write, direct, and produce a trilogy of live-action films based on Nikelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. The project is unrelated to James Cameron’s upcoming film Avatar, which was also announced yesterday.

Spike TV: More Afro Samurai Ratings
Funimation and Spike TV have provided ANN with additional ratings data for Afro Samurai. Thursday’s premiere averaged a 1.1 rating for males 18-49, and 775,000 people watched the 11 p.m. airing. Including two repeats later that night, over 1,666,000 million people saw the episode.

Everythingyaoi.com Now Sells Everything Yaoi
Yaoi Press has merged its online store into a new site, Everythingyaoi.com, which claims to be “the the first store to sell all available yaoi merchandise exclusively.” In addition to Yaoi Press’s publications, the new store features material from eight graphic novel publishers, four anime manufacturers, and two video game companies.

New Naruto Start Date Announced
According to the official TV Tokyo site, Naruto’s reincarnation, Naruto ~ Shippuden! (e. Naruto ~ Hurricane Chronicles!), will be premiering on Japanese airwaves February 15. There has been no word on when the 1-hour Kakashi Gaiden special that is supposed to bridge between the old and new Naruto series will be aired.

Train Man in Hartford Next Month
Densha Otoko will screen February 9-15 at Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT.

Reviews

Teppan Shoujo Akane
http://www.tbs.co.jp/teppangirl/
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Teppan_Shoujo_Akane!!

Death Note
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Note
http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/deathnote/

Samurai Deeper Kyo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai_deeper_kyo
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1133
http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/kyo/

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This week we review, in addition to the news, Noir and Shonen Onmyouji. It’s a good time, so be sure to check it out.

Noir – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.
Shonen Onmyouji – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.

Show Notes

Music

Intro – Gecchuu! Rabu Rabu?! by Mayumi Gojo from Futari wa Pretty Cure
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase

News

Shadow Chronicles’ Hits Theaters
Funimation has announced that Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles will be released theatrically in theaters nationwide in January. The movie is currently scheduled to screen in New York, California, Texas, Massachusetts, Indiana, Michigan and Oregon. A full list of theatres can be found at the FUNimation Films website.

January Anime and Gaming Convention Schedule
Happy New Year! It’s time once again for New Year Resolutions and theOtaku.com’s Official Anime and Gaming Convention Schedule for the month of January… full story

RahXephon Film Goes HD in Japan
Media Factory will release a RahXephon DVD box set on March 23 in Japan. The series includes a High Definition version of the RahXhephon movie.

DBZ Remastered: Before and After
Funimation has a new tech trailer that demonstrates the improvements in the upcoming remastered, widescreen release of Dragon Ball Z. The remastered season sets drop on February 6.

Air Gear Episode 1 Online
IGN is hosting the entire first episode of ADV’s upcoming release of Air Gear, dubbed in English, here. ADV’s release of Air Gear is scheduled for February 6.

Watch Afro Samurai Episode 1 Now
Afro Samurai episode 1 is now available on Spike TV’s website. The show premieres Thursday at 11 p.m. Eastern.

Kurau Phantom Memory in April
ADV will release volume 1 of Kurau Phantom Memory on April 10. The title was announced at Anime Expo 2004 but had not received a release date.

Gunslinger Girl, Basilisk on IFC
Gunslinger Girl and Basilisk will debut today at 11 p.m. Eastern on the Independent Film Channel 1/5/07.

ANN Staff Opening: Video Game Critic
Anime News Network is currently seeking a video game critic. Click for further details.

Reviews

Noir
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noir_%28TV_series%29
http://www.projectnoir.com/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=407

Shonen Onmyouji
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6703
http://seimeinomago.net/web/

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Happy New Year! This week we review Itsudatte my Santa, Planetes and Shijou no Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi. It’s a great time, so tune in and enjoy this start to the new year.

Itsudatte my Santa – Even if you receive it as a gift, burn the disc and piss on the ashes.
Planetes – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Shijou no Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.

Show Notes

Music

Intro – Niji no Kanata by Yukino Satsuki from GUNxSWORD
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase

News

Gedo Senki in Australia
Quick on the heels of news that Studio Ghibli’s latest film, Gedo Senki (Tales from Earthsea) would be released in the UK, Madman Entertainment has acquired rights to distribute Gedo Senki in Australia. A theatrical release is planned for mid-2007 in both Australia and New Zealand.

Anime Boston to Host Formal Ball
Anime Boston has announced that it will hold a black-tie, invitational ball, the “Cherry Blossom Ball” at the April Convention.

Haruhi Suzumiya Voice Auditions
There is a hidden link on the English Haruhi Suzumiya website that leads to a voice actor audition page for Mikuru Asahina. The audition page includes recordings from four unnamed actresses with the option to vote for your favorite.

More Haruhi Suzumiya Auditions
Another hidden link on the asosbrigade.com website, linking to voice auditions for the part of Yuki Nagato, has been found. Episode 00 on the main page has also been updated with English subtitles for the Japanese portions.

Yet Another Hidden Haruhi Suzumiya VA Poll
Another hidden link to a voice actress poll has popped up on asosbrigade.com. This one is for Itsuki Koizumi.

Second Mushishi Movie Trailer Released
The official Japanese homepage for the live action Mushishi motion picture now hosts a second streaming trailer. The film is scheduled for Japanese theatrical release next March.

30% of Adult Manga involve “Children and Sexual Intercourse”
Manga Jouhou has posted a translation of an article from the Daily Yomiuri that reports on speculation from the Japanese National Police Agency that as much as 30% of all adult manga feature children involved in sexual intercourse. The article does not define “children” (minors, or young children) but does state that the statistic was based on a sample of 100 adult manga (out of thousands currently available).

New Anime, Official Websites and Trailers
New Pretty Cure, Skull Man anime, Dancougar Nova, The Piano Forest, Zero no Tsukaima season 2, Inukami Movie and more…

iTunes Japan Orders Available Worldwide
iTunes Japan Music Cards available worldwide from e-tailers

Keitai Shoujo Homepage Opened
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Keitai Shoujo (“Cel Phone Girl”) anime series is now open.

Bakuretsu Tenshi Infinity Announced
Game News Site EG reports that a “Bakuretsu Tenshi -Infinity-” (Burst Angel -Infinity-) DVD set will be released on Japan on March 23rd. The 10,290 yen double disc set will feature a new Bakuretsu Tenshi OAV titled “Jo & Meg’s Blues,” a digest summary of the television series, footage from the 2005 Anime Expo premier of the Burst Angel OAV, trailers, and a 60 page book.

Reviews

Shijou no Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shijou_Saikyou_no_Deshi_Kenichi
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/kenichi
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6864

Itsudatte my Santa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsudatte_My_Santa
http://www.ailove.net/santa/
http://e-tnk.net/anime_my_santa_top.html
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5979

Planetes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetes
http://www.planet-es.net/
http://planetes.bandai-ent.com/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=2654

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Here is our interview with voice actor extraordinaire Crispin Freeman. Merry Christmas everyone!

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This is a great week, with the return of Chigo! But the shows we review don't get much love. We review the Live Action Prince of Tennis, Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto and Love Love. Join us for much wackiness.

Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.
Live Action Prince of Tennis – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.
Love Love? – Even if you receive it as a present, burn the disc and piss on the ashes.

Show Notes

Music

Intro – (Love)8 by Miyu Matsuki, Sanae Kobayashi, Sayaka Ohara, Mayumi Yoshida and Kiyomi Asai from Love Love?
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase

News

Sony will Release Advent Children Limited Edition in February
Sony will release the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Limited Edition Collector’s Set on February 6. The $49.95 set will include the Final Fantasy VII: Last Order anime short, ten postcards, an English movie script, a character booklet, and all of the content from the regular Advent Children disc.

Bandai Licenses the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Episode 00 of The Adventures of the Americans Spreading Excitement All Over the World with Haruhi Suzumiya Brigade reveals that Bandai Entertainment has licensed The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

ADV Films Acquires 009-1
According to the latest issue of Anime Insider, ADV Films has acquired 009-1.

Funimation Channel in Seattle
The Funimation Channel is now available to approximately 1 million households in the Seattle area on KHCV TV 45, digital channel 44-3. The broadcast is 24 hours per day, linear.

Transformers Trailer Online
A trailer for Michael Bay’s Transformers film is now online. The film premieres July 4.

Ayakashi Samurai Horror Tales Licensed
Geneon will release Ayakashi Samurai Horror Tales – Yotsuya Ghost Story on May 22.

Haruhi Suzumiya in Gaza
According to this afpbb article, during a recent Gaza City protest against Hamas, a young girl brandished a placard with a picture of Haruhi Suzumiya that said, “Stop Killing the Children.” The protest was in reaction to a drive-by-shooting in which 3 children died.

Reviews

Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakumatsu_Kikansetsu_Irohanihoheto
http://www.irohanihoheto.jp/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6819

Live Action Prince Of Tennis Movie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince_of_Tennis_%28film%29
http://www.tenipuri-movie.jp/

Love Love?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Love%3F
http://www.nifty.com/moe/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3798

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This week we have a good episode where we do the news, review this weeks Bleach and Death Note, and review Akira and Soukou no Strain.

Akira – Download Now!
Soukou no Strain – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.

Show Notes

Music

Intro – El-Hazard Opening Theme by Seikou Nagaoka from El-Hazard: The Magnificent World
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase

News

Pre-Registration for AX is officially OPEN!
Go here to find all the info.

Earthsea Gets UK Release
While licensing problems are in the way of a North American release of Gedo Senki, UK DVD releaser Optimum will release an English subtitled, region 2 DVD for the UK market in the summer of 2007.

ANN Site Design looks horrible!

ADV Films Acquires Oh! My Goddess Season 2
As mentioned in our interview with Mike Bailiff, ADV Films has acquired the second season of the Oh! My Goddess TV series (season one was released by Media Blasters). No details regarding the cast or the release are available yet.

Coyote Ragtime Show Episode 1 Online
IGN is hosting the entire first episode of the Coyote Ragtime show here (English dub). They also have a 90-second trailer. ADV’s official website for Coyote Ragtime Show also recently went online here.

Nana 2 Opens to Decent Reception
According to Kogyo Tsushinsha, the new Nana live-action movie debuted in fourth place this past weekend, losing out to Letter from Iwo Jima, Love and Honor and Casino Royale. In other movie news, Death Note: The Last Name dropped another two notches to come in fifth this week. This marks its sixth week in theatres.

Utawarerumono Premieres on TAN
Utawarerumono: Mask of a Stranger will be available on The Anime Network’s On Demand service starting January 4. ADV will also release volume 1 of the series on January 16.

Neko Ramen Anime Announced
Japanese publisher Mag Garden has announced that Sonishi Kenji’s 4-koma manga serial Neko Ramen will be adapted into an anime television series.

Ask John – What Are The Best Erotic Manga?
What would you say is one of the best import H manga you’ve seen lately?
Read John’s answer!

Canadian Maid Cafe
A japanese style maid-cafe has opened in Scarborough Ontario. iMaid Cafe was launched by Aaron Wang, a 24-year-old student of Economics at York University.
Pictures of iMaid Cafe and its staff can be seen at the iMaid Caf website

Reviews

Akira
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_%28film%29
http://www.bandaivisual.co.jp/akira/
http://www.akira2019.com/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=375

Sokou no Strain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soko_no_strain
http://s-strain.jp/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6829

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Howdy folks. This week we record minus Chigo and Kaitar. They’re lame. We do the news and review El-Hazard and Gunslinger Girl. Check it out for good times.

El-Hazard: The Magnificent World – Download Now!
El-Hazard: The Wanderers – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
El-Hazard: The Alternate World – Wouldn’t kick it out of bed for crackers.
Gunslinger Girl – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.

Show Notes

Music

Intro – GUNxSWORD by Nakagawa Koutarou with Ondekoza from Gun x Sword
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase

News

Major Anime Art Competition
theOtaku.com is proud to announce what is, quite possibly, the greatest anime art competition ever held! Before we jump into the contest though, a … full story

Prince of Tennis, MAR Coming to Toonami
The Prince of Tennis and MAR will air on Toonami starting December 23 at 10 p.m. Eastern.

Bokurano Anime
Bokurano, a science fiction / horror manga by Mohiro Kitoh (of Narutaru fame) and currently serializing in Shogagkukan’s Ikki, will be animated by Gonzo in 2007, with two of its main staff from The Cat Returns: director Hiroyuki Morita and composer Yuuji Nomi. According to Japanese website Moon Phase, the format should be a Bokurano TV series.

Naruto Filler to End
Naruto Shippuden Starts in 2007, Movie Due in Summer more…

4Kids Cancels One Piece Production
4Kids Marketing Director Roz Nowicki has confirmed that the company will not adapt additional episodes of One Piece. 4Kids has dubbed 104 episodes of the series into English, 78 of which have aired in the United States.

Death Note Spinoff Film in the Works
A spinoff Death Note film will be produced for release in Japan next year. The previous two Death Note features have brought in almost $60 million in Japan, and the Death Note TV series is expected to air next year in America.

Blood+ Staff Interview
Production I.G’s site has an interview with three staff members who created the “unusual and arty film” that is the third Blood+ opening.

Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Second Series Announced
The official Japanese homepage for the Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni anime has formally announced plans for a second series.

Kyoto International Manga Museum Open
The Kyoto International Manga Museum opened in Kyoto, Japan on November 25th. The museum presently houses 200,000 items, making it Japan’s largest archive of manga material. The museum has a fully English translated website.

Reviews

Gunslinger Girl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunslinger_girl
http://www.gunslingergirl.com/
http://www.gunslingergirl.tv/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=2947

El-Hazard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Hazard
http://www.el-hazardonline.net/El-Hazard/index.shtml
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16

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This week we review Fancy Lala and Negima!?. We also unveil our new subscriber benefit. Listening to us record the show live! Join us as the wackiness ensues.

Negima!? – Download Now!
Fancy Lala – Wait until it hits the US and NetFlix it.

Show Notes

Music

Intro – Rock The LM.C by LM.C from Red Garden
Outro – Neko Mimi Mode by Dimitri From Paris from Tsukiyomi Moon Phase

News

Death Note Notches Fourth Week at #1
Death Note: The Last Name once again held back The Devil Wears Prada to remain the #1 movie at the Japanese box office for the fourth straight week. The only new film to reach the top ten was Toei’s Arigato, which ranked eighth.

Sergeant Frog in February
ADV will release volume 1 of Sergeant Frog in February.

Score Looking for Playtesters
Score Entertainment is looking for Quality Assurance Play Testers who can test their Bleach and Inu Yasha games. Applicants must be 18 or older.

Solid State Society to Premiere at NYCC
The North American premiere of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society will be among the anime film screenings at New York Comic Con (February 23-25 in Manhattan). Detailed schedules will be available early next year.

Tokyopop Manga Creator Coming Next Spring
Planetwide Media will release the Tokyopop Manga Creator next Spring. The self-publishing software allows users to create their own manga with Tokyopop characters, backgrounds, logos, icons, and screen shots. Planetwide currently produces Comic Book Creator, as well as Marvel Heroes and Nacho Libre editions.

Naruto Hits Cartoon Network Latin America
Naruto will debut January 1 at 22:30 on Cartoon Network Latin America. It will run Monday through Thursday.

New Naruto Series Next Year
According to an article from Animenation, Shounen Jump Japan has published an advert saying that a new Naruto anime series, Naruto~Shippuden (eg. Naruto~Hurricane Legend) will be airing in Japan starting early next year. According to reports, the anime will start following the manga more strictly than the current series has for the past two years.

Live Action Death Note Spin-Off Announced
Akadot reports that actor Ken’ichi Matsuyama who played the brilliant detective “L” in the live action Death Note movies and provides L’s voice in the Death Note anime, will reprise the role in a live action Death Note spin-off movie.

NPR: The Revenge of Japan’s Nerds
NPR (National Public Radio) has posted an article / radio show about Japanese Otaku in Japan. The article was originally broadcast on November 24 and can be listened to in its entirety (5:30). The printed and audio versions of the article are near identical. It covers Japanese Otaku at the Tokyo Game Show and also briefly mentions Akihabara, maid cafes, Train Man and other Otaku phenomenon.

Witchblade Manga to be Flipped, Unflipped
Top Cow and Bandai Entertainment will publish the same material in two different ways more…

Chew on This: Gundam Pocky
Starting December 11, Japan will be introduced to three varieties of Gundam pocky, each with its own 1/144 scale Gundam model. Bandai and Pocky maker Glico are reportedly targeting 30 year old males with the limited edition snacks.

Reviews

Negima!? – 49:00
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negima%21%3F
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6708
http://www.negima.ne.jp/
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/negima/

Fancy Lala – 64:40
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_Lala
http://pierrot.jp/title/lala/
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=491
http://www.usagi.org/~doi/lala/