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Mattel To Produce "Zatch Bell!" Toys

Date: 2005 November 14 09:57 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

VIZ Media, LLC announced that they have made a deal with toymaker Mattel to produce toys based on hit anime series "Zatch Bell!".

Read More... | Souce: VIZ Media, LLC

Hayao Miyazaki

Date: 2005 November 14 06:25 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Network, it is reported that Hayao Miyazaki’s Son, Goro Miyazaki will direct the next Studio Ghibli Movie. Goro Miyazaki has been the director of Ghibli Museum until recently. The film is to be released in summer of 2006 and other details will be released on Dec 13th. The announcement was made by Toshio Suzuki at Meiji University and he reported Hayao Miyazaki to be "fiercely against the idea."

Souce: Anime News Network

FMA DVD Out In Japan In January 2006

Date: 2005 November 11 12:29 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Some good news for FMA fans as it is reported on Anime News Service that the release of the movie "Conqueror of Shambala Gekijyouban Hagane no Renkinjutsushi - Shanbara wo Yuku Mono" is expected on the 25th of January 2006 in Japan. Sony Music announced that there will be three versions of the movie: a Complete Production Limited Edition DVD (8,925 Yen), Regular Version DVD (3,990 Yen) and UMD Video Version (3,990 Yen) will be sold. It is important to note that the limited edition version is English subtitled, contains 2 omake discs and a guide book. During its theatrical run the film drew 1.1 million in attendance, and a profit of 1.3 billion Yen. Manga sales for 12 volumes on the market has exceeded 19 million copies and of the 13 volumes of the TV anime put on the market, sales have exceeded one million units.

Souce: Anime News Service

Pretty Sammy is Back

Date: 2005 November 10 16:10 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

The magical girl Tenchi Muyo spin off " Pretty Sammy" is returning in a new super cute series. Tenchi Muyo regulars Washu and Mihoshi also look set to feature.

Souce: Sasami Club Website

FMA & Wolf

Date: 2005 November 06 10:47 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

As reported previously on Otaku News, Anime News Network have discovered, a new digital speciality station called Rapture announced at the London Expo that it will begin airing Full Metal Alchemist & Wolf’s Rain on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The official launch of the station is on the 14th of November.

Souce: Anime News Network

Kyosho Manoi Robot

Date: 2005 November 05 09:39 | Posted By:

Category > Technology > Robotics

Japanese Toy maker Kyosho have produced a robot that can be assembled by the general public. The robot has been named Manoi is able to walk on two feet and kick a soccerball. Standing 40cm high the robot is marketed as being 1/5th the size of a human and is designed by Tomotaka Takahashi, who it appears has modelled the machine after Astroboy.

Manoi retails for around 150,000 Japanese Yen, which works out at $1270 US. However unlike Astroboy he cannot fly!

Souce: Kyosho

FUNimation to Release Negima!

Date: 2005 November 02 21:45 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

FUNimation announced that they will release Negima! on DVD sometime in 2006.

Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network

Zeta Gundam Movie Premieres in Japan

Date: 2005 November 01 06:22 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Network the second movie from the Zeta Gundam Saga premiered last weekend at Japanese theatres. ‘Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation II-Lovers’ made it at the number 5 spot whilst the first movie, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation -Heirs to the Stars- opened in third spot in late May and broke daily box office records at six Japanese theaters.

The final installment of the Zeta Gundam Saga- "Love is the Pulse of the Stars" will be released to theaters Saturday, March 4th, 2006. Some official promotional material will be released and a small image of a promotional poster for Zeta 3 is hosted on the official website.

Souce: Anime News Network

Atari Europe's Bandai Christmas Line Up

Date: 2005 October 30 15:02 | Posted By:

Category > Gaming > Consoles

Fans of anime games should be pleased to hear about Atari and Bandai's Christmas game line up. They've got the following for PS2:

- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
- One Piece: Grand Battle
- Digimon World 4

Along with Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 for Nintendo DS and Ghost in the Shell®: Stand Alone Complex for PSP.

Read More... | Souce: Atari

November is Bootleg Calendar Month

Date: 2005 October 29 11:55 | Posted By:

Category > Retail

For many anime fans November is that month before Christmas where you get your giftlist ready and figure out what you're going to give to your fellow otaku. As the author of the Pirate Anime FAQ, I'd like to remind our readers that November is bootleg anime calendar month. What's this? A new national holiday! No, not really, but it's a good way of spotting the swarm of bootleg calendars that come out each year - In order to compete with legitimate calendars they start with dates two months before each year. In other words, it'll be November 2005 - December 2006. They are often advertised as this too. It's a sneaky way of beating out competition from official calendars too, since people are more likely to buy calendars with two extra months on, making the need for calendars that start in 2006, more redundant.

So if you see an anime calendar that starts in November instead of January on eBay, or from some certain retailers, then be careful, it's more likely to be bootleg one.

Souce: The Pirate Anime FAQ

Miyazaki on TCM in January

Date: 2005 October 26 23:18 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Turner Classic Movies will be airing anime films by Hayao Miyazaki in January.

Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network

Akihabara Entertainment Festival

Date: 2005 October 24 16:03 | Posted By:

Category > Events

The Mainichi Daily News has some great photos from the Akihabara Entertainment Festival. It's set to promote Japanese cultural items like anime and video games! Apparently Sony was also showing off the PS3 there too, although it's rumoured that it was not a working version, but a mock-up. Pikachu made an appearance too!

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Anime on The iPod

Date: 2005 October 21 18:30 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

The new Apple iPod can play video files and Central Park Media have announced that they are the first anime company to provide content for it. This is an adventurous move, since CPM have also started to release content on the PSP to download too. It's always good to see that anime companies are willing to experiment with new platforms to show anime.

Read More... | Souce: Central Park Media

VIZ Launches Shonen Jump Video Line

Date: 2005 October 20 22:58 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

VIZ announces plan to launch new video line featuring Shonen Jump titles.

Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network

PSP Ghost In the Shell:SAC Game Details

Date: 2005 October 20 15:40 | Posted By:

Category > Gaming > Consoles

UK fans of the Ghost In The Shell Standalone Complex Series should be pleased to hear that a game based on the anime will be released on PSP this Friday. Atari have sent us the details. The game sounds really good, not only do you get to play as the main cast members, each with different abilities, but you also get to command Tachikoma, that is surely worth the price of the game alone! You even get to train and customize them (*hums Tachikoma themetune* ^_-).

Read More... | Souce: Atari

Nana Sequel to be released in 2007

Date: 2005 October 19 07:25 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Good News for Nana fans as there are plans for a sequel to the hugely successful Live-Action which was released a couple of months ago. The filming will start next summer and Director Kentaro Otani will work along the original cast and staff. The Sequel will be released in 2007 according to the official website.
Nana the Live-Action made huge success with two two singles (Mika Nakashima starring NANA "Glamorous Sky" and Yuna Ito's "Endless Story")topping the charts, and with the 13th volume of the series bringing comic sales up to 25million copies.
It seems that the sequel will continue to expand the Nana craze.

Souce: Akadot

Get Your Voice Heard by ADV UK!

Date: 2005 October 13 08:09 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

We’ve had a message from ADV Films UK regarding the polls on its website. It seems the response has been far too low for ADV to gauge your opinions accurately; they are taking the responses seriously and significant responses will effect what they release. Launching new series in the UK can be expensive, and the choice of series can often be difficult for the British companies so ADV want to make sure they are in tune with fans requests.

We encourage every British fan to regularly take part in the polls, as well as encouraging other fans to do so especially for any series they feel strongly about.

The current poll asks which of the following series fans would like to see;
Gatchaman (known widely in it’s edited form as Battle of the Planets)
Gilgamesh
Samurai Gun
Area 88
Yugo the Negotiator

I’ve already voted for Gatchaman, Battle of the Planets was a childhood favourite and I’m looking forwards to seeing it uncut.

Souce: ADV Films UK

Evangelion Action Figures To Be Released

Date: 2005 October 13 06:53 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Network, Gainax has announced that it will release a number of Evangelion Angel Figures.

In a statement released by Gainax it was said: "As the 10th anniversary of Evangelion approaches, humanity's enemy has taken on a new form. The 'angels' have taken on a new concept and design, which Gainax and Wave announce. And so the new images begin..."

The figures are designed by Yoshizaki Mine and will be released in December for 2604 yen each (US$23) and are 14 cm tall.
For Images go to the official website.

Souce: Anime News Network

ADV UK DVD Releases for October 2005

Date: 2005 October 05 13:17 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

ADV UK have sent us their October Press release with info concerning:
- Martian Successor Nadesico: Complete Chronicles
- DNAngel volume 2
- Divergence Eve volume 2
- Gravion volume 3 (final)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum Edition 0:5
- Last Exile volume 6

Read More... | Souce: ADV UK

Gundam Art Exhibit in Japan

Date: 2005 October 04 04:57 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

For all those lucky otaku who are planning to go to Japan there will be an interesting Gundam art Exhibit called "Kitaru Beki Mirai no Tame ni," which has already been displayed in Osaka.

The Exhibit will be open from November 6th till the 25th December and will be held at the Ueno Royal Museum in Tokyo. The three main themes covered in Gundam on which the exhibit will be focused are war, evolution, and life. For pictures of items that will be exhibit visit: http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0507/14/news104.html

Souce: Anime News Network

Nana not so easy to adapt

Date: 2005 October 04 04:47 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Mainichi Daily News the director of the popular Live-action film ‘Nana’ Kentaro Onani said that it was tough to adapt from the best-selling comic book of the same name as there were too many popular scenes to choose from.

Read More... | Souce: Mainichi Daily News

IMAF 2005 Lines Up Top Speakers and New Anime

Date: 2005 September 26 17:29 | Posted By:

Category > Events

With the competition deadline edging ever close, the nice folks at IMAF have sent us some more details for their London event.

Highlights include Sweatdrop Studios, a special screening of Millennium Actress, along with the Europe Premiere of Streetfighter - Alpha Generation. Even Garnier will be their with its Manga haircare range. The IMAF is certainly worth attending to see the wonderful range of entrants.

Read More... | Souce: IMAF

Saikano Live-Action Premiere

Date: 2005 September 25 15:39 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Service, Toei Animation Co announced that the Live-Action movie of Saikano (She the Ultimate Weapon) will premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival on the 29th of October.

The Lead Actress portraying Chise, the deadly war cyborg disguised as a student is Aki Maeda who took part in Battle Royale.

The Japanese Theatrical release is set to be in February 2006. For more check out the offical website.

Souce: Anime news service

More Anime Series to be adapted into Live-Action Films

Date: 2005 September 21 06:42 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Manganews the controversial Oav ‘Boku Wa Imouto ni koi o Suru’ will be adapted into a drama Live-Action. The Story is about a guy named Yori who is in love with his twin sister, Iku. Auditions for Misc. characters have already started.
Another series that will be turned into a Live-Action is the Horror flick ‘Kami No Hidarite Akuma No migite ’ which is by Umezz Kazuo. The Main character will be played by Shibuya Asuka who is the leader of Bishoujo Club 31.

Souce: Manga News

Neo Awards - Time To Vote

Date: 2005 September 20 17:59 | Posted By:

Category > Fandom

UK Anime Magazine Neo, are currently taking votes for their first Neo Awards "the only UK awards ceremony to celebrate the best in Asian Pop Culture" which will be held on Saturday 29th October.

Neo rightly point out that what makes the awards important is that the winner of each category is voted by the fans.

To vote all you have to do is download this PDF file, print it out, fill it out and post it to the address on the form. All voting forms have to be sent in by Friday 7th October to be counted.

Please note that the form is in PDF format, so if you have problems printing the file try downloading Adobe Acrobat.

Souce: Neo

Franz Ferdinand to Provide Paradise Kiss Ending Theme

Date: 2005 September 19 22:23 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

I've had my eye on the manga for years, and when hearing the recent news of the anime being in production, well, now I've got to read the manga ASAP!

Anyway, the anime is being produced by Madhouse, and th site recently opened the music section. UK anime fans might be happy to hear British rockers Franz Ferdinand's hot single "Do You Want To", will be the ending theme for this highly anticipated series!

Souce: Paradise Kiss TV Official Website

Tokyo Games Show Cosplayers

Date: 2005 September 18 16:01 | Posted By:

Category > Fandom

With the Tokyo Games Show well under way, so are the cosplayers that have invaded the event. The Mainichi Daily News has some excellent photos of the people there, including some really good Final Fantasy Advent Children and Naruto Cosplayers.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Viz Titles for the UK Include Bleach and Inu Yasha

Date: 2005 September 17 16:37 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Viz are set to enter the European anime and manga market,partnering with Copyright Promotions Ltd they will form Viz Media B.V. Titles appearing in the press release include Bleach, Deko Boku Friends and Mar.

We at Otaku news have also noticed one title surprisingly not mentioned in the press release has already appeared on the CPLG website, with a page now listing the Inu Yasha anime.

Souce: AnimeUKNews

Popular Band Do as Infinity Breaks up

Date: 2005 September 17 06:30 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Network, the popular J-Pop band 'Do as Infinity' parted ways. The Band was responsible for various anime themes including songs for Inuyasha.

In a press release given on Sept 14, the members said that they wanted to pursue new projects and feel that breaking up is a natural step.

Vocalist Ban Tomiko (26) will record solo, guitarist Owatari Ryo (34) will continue his work singing and strumming with the band Missile Innovation, and songwriter Nagao Dai (34) will work as a producer and composer, particularly for the Avex female artist Amasia Landscape.

More details can be found here.

Souce: Anime News Network

Yoko Kanno to feature in Ragnarok Online 2

Date: 2005 September 15 06:19 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Gamespot, the famous Japanese composer Yoko Kanno will compose the music tracks for Gravity’s Upcoming online role-playing game Ragnarok Online 2.

Kanno was best known in the gaming industry for composing music for Koei's‘Uncharted Waters and Nobunaga's Ambition. She is also known as the composer behind various anime series including Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: Stand alone complex, Escaflowne and Wolf’s Rain.

The new MMORPG will be playable at the Tokyo Game Show

Souce: Game Spot

Cowboy Bebop Makes Record Sales

Date: 2005 September 03 21:33 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Cowboy Bebop sells over one million copies in the U.S.

Read More... | Souce: Bandai Entertainment

ADV To Appear On G4

Date: 2005 August 30 21:03 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Three hit anime series from ADV Films appearing on G4 this fall.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films

Taiwanese Musician Accused of Copying Anime Theme

Date: 2005 August 30 06:30 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Network, angry fans of the anime series ‘Air’ are complaining that the opening theme song of the series, ‘Tori no Uta’ is extremely similar to a track on a Cd released earlier this month by SONY BMG Music Entertainment. The Cd which is titled ‘The Best of Shaun Yu’ features a piano-only music called "Melody" which is the 14th track on the Cd. Melody is listed as an original piece composed by Yu.

Fans of Air have said that Melody is virtually identical to Tori no Uta and have accused Yu of plagiarism.

Tori no Uta was composed by Key, The issue has been brought up on the forum on Key’s Official website however there was no response or statement yet left by Key.

Souce: Anime News Network

More Details About Honey & Clover Live-Action

Date: 2005 August 30 06:17 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

More details about Honey & Clover becoming a Live-Action film.

According to the Anime News Network, Sakurai Sho (23), member of the popular J-Pop music group ARASHI, will play the lead male role as Takemoto Yuuta.

Other Cast members include: Aoi Yuu (20), Iseya Yusuke (29) Kase Ryo (30), and Seki Megumi (19).
The movie is scheduled to open in summer 2006 and will be directed by Masahiro Takada, a commercial advertisement director, making this his debut as a feature director.

Souce: Anime News Network

Naruto Airs in the US on September 10th

Date: 2005 August 28 21:21 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Tipped as the next big (and much bigger) thing, after Beyblade, Dragonball Z and Yu Gi Oh!, US viewers should take note that Naruto first starts on Saturday, 10th September @ 9pm on Cartoon Network. A total of 52 episodes (2 seasons) have been acquired, out of a grand total of approximately 150 episodes (6 seasons) have seen the small screen in Japan so far.

More information/schedules will eventually be up the official website:
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/naruto/index.html

Souce: Dexigner Design

Most Realistic Rei Ayanami Model Released

Date: 2005 August 28 18:59 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Following Japan's largest hobby event, the recent Wonder Festival, I came across possibly the most realistic model of Rei Ayanami ever, or doll to be more precise. With the high detail and that infamous lucid expression, I reckon this Rei could rival any Barbie or Bratz doll, hands down!

Read More... | Souce: Cyber-Dyne Solid

Convention Report: Ayacon 2005

Date: 2005 August 27 19:33 | Posted By:

Category > Events

Ayacon, one of the longest running UK Anime conventions, has repeated itself after a one year absence due to Amecon last year, and has certainly come back with one hell of a bang. Spanning three days from the 19th to the 22nd of August at Warwick Arts Centre just south of Coventry, this convention provided not only a bountiful selection of Anime, a masquerade and of course karaoke but also panels from a large variety of different sources, a pub quiz, two parties and even a concert from gothic j-rock group Blood. Boredom was never going to be an option...

Read More... | Souce: Ayacon

Inuyasha the Movie 3 to Screen at 15 Wal-Marts in US

Date: 2005 August 26 13:23 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Purchase your groceries and watch a hot anime movie at the same time? Previously, this may have only been possible over a computer monitor! US anime fans have the pleasure of walking into their local Wal-Mart, and viewing Inuyasha Movie 3 'Swords of an Honorable Ruler'.

This is the third of a total of four movies so far for the popular series, originally a manga by Rumiko Takahashi.

"More than 4,000 fans will have the opportunity to screen INUYASHA THE MOVIE 3 for free in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta and Seattle." AWN Headline News.

The tour takes place at selected Wal-Mart stores, and has been running from 24th August until 18th September 2005! Shoppers will also recieve bonus Inuyasha gifts. Well, now you have a real reason to do the grocery shopping for your mom!

Souce: Awn Headline News

G4 Videogame TV Acquires 3 Anime Series

Date: 2005 August 26 13:07 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Rahxephon, Cromartie High and Colorful have been acquired from ADV Films, by G4 Videogame TV. Highly acclaimed series Rahxephon will be first to premiere on the channel's late night session 'Barbed Wire Biscuit', on the 2nd September 2005.

US viewers can read up more at their website .

Souce: AWN Headline News

Is KyuuCON a Scam?

Date: 2005 August 25 17:36 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

After posting the press release from KyuuCon yesterday, it's been brought to our attention by various members of UK anime fandom that there is something fishy about KyuuCON. Firstly it appears that the venue mentioned the Plymouth Pavillions has not heard of KyuuCON or the organisers in question. The second major alarm bell is where the payments are going, into a personal bank account and not a building society account/non-profit account in the conventions name.

What's also interesting is their sudden change of heart, and the way they've just moved everything back a year. Plus this thread brought to our attention at the AyaCon Forum. At this current moment in time, based on what we have heard, we believe that KyuuCON is either very poorly organised or a cash grabbing scam, either way, we suggest you avoid KyuuCON for now.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Fandom

Howl's Moving Castle Premiere in the UK

Date: 2005 August 24 07:19 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Network the premiere of Howl’s Moving Castle in the U.K is set to be on the 2nd of September at 19:30 hrs at The British Academy (BAFTA - Princess Anne Theatre) 195 Piccadilly London, UK, to inaugurate BAFTA's London Japanese Film Festival.

A reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy at 18:30 is to be held before the screening. Tickets are £10 for the combined event for non BAFTA members. More information may be found on the BAFTA website.

Otaku will note that this is not the first screening of Howl's Moving Castle in the UK, since the first public screening was held in Cambridge and featured a Question and Answers session with Howl's original author Diana Wynne Jones.

Optimum Releasing have also launched www.howlsmovingcastlemovie.co.uk which features some lovely wallpaper in their downloads section.

Souce: Anime News Network

Press Blow Oldest Anime Claims Out of Proportion

Date: 2005 August 23 17:34 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Following on from our report of the oldest anime in Japan, it appears that it is more press hype than solid fact.

Anime expert Jonathan Clements sent us an e-mail with his take on the situation and highlights that most of the reports are merely speculative. Apparently the press have over exaggerated Matsumoto's guess into facts, currently their is very little evidence to support the claim that the film dates to 1907

Read More... | Souce: Jonathan Clements

Oldest Anime in Japan found

Date: 2005 August 20 07:03 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Mainichi Daily News, the oldest Japanese Animation film ever made was found in a Kyoto home. Natsuki Matsumoto was handed the animation film to research about its origins and determine the year it was produced.

Read More... | Souce: Mainichi

Dragon Ball Gt Special to Air on Toonami

Date: 2005 August 19 09:32 | Posted By:

Category > Anime > TV

For those of you not at Ayacon you might be interested to know that the Dragon Ball GT TV special will be premiering on UK TV tonight at 5:30 pm on Toonami. The special is set after the events of Dragon Ball GT and follows Goku’s descendant Goku Jr.

VIZ Announces Zatch Bell Clothing Line

Date: 2005 August 17 21:55 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

VIZ announces a clothing line based on hit anime Zatch Bell with Exquisite Apparel Corp.

Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network

World Cosplay Summit 2005 Winners Announced

Date: 2005 August 14 15:30 | Posted By:

Category > Fandom

Following on from our earlier story, according to the Mainichi Daily News, a fantastic costume of Sirene from Devilman has won the top individual prize, Italian Giorgia Vecchini's costume even had Sirene's wings on her head, making it a huge and elaborate competitor in the competition!

The Mainichi Daily News site also has some photos of the finalists for this years summit. The competition had regional play offs in Asia, Europe and the USA.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

AnimeToonz3 with Kristine Sa and DJ Jinnai

Date: 2005 August 14 14:38 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

Nemesis Records have sent us the details on Kristine Sa and DJ Jinnai collaborative project AnimeToonz3.

According to Nemesis Records - "DJ Jinnai has officially been tapped to remix 7 Anime related tracks for Jellybean/Sony's third installment of the AnimeToonz CD series. This marks the first time that the AnimeToonz executive producers are using a true Anime remixer. AnimeToonz 3 will be available worldwide this October 2005."

Read More... | Souce: Nemesis Records

Kamikaze Girls to Hit U.S. Box Office

Date: 2005 August 11 21:25 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

VIZ Media, LLC, has announced that they will be releasing the award winning Japanese film Kamikaze Girls theatrically in several major North American cities. The film follows others such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away (which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature), Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and most recently Howl’s Moving Castle. Kamikaze Girls will make its debut on September 9 in New York City at the Village East Cinemas, followed on September 16 at Los Angeles’ Landmark’s NuArt Theater, with additional bookings in Seattle, San Francisco and other cities.

Based on the hit novel by Novala Takemoto, which is set to be translated and released by VIZ Media in February 2006 as part of their Fiction Imprint line, Kamikaze Girls follows the adventures of two mis-matched girls, a Lolita-type named Momoko and a tough high school biker named Ichigo, whose strong personalities initially clash but eventually bind them together as they embark on a quest to find a legendary embroiderer. Starring hot young J-Pop talents Kyoko Fukada as Momoko and Anna Tsuchiya as Ichigo, the film became an immediate cult favorite in Japan with its complex, multilayered plot and eccentric and infectious brand of humor. It has also won several awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best New Actor at the Yokohama Movie Awards, and Best New Director at the Fujimoto Awards. Further information about the film can be found at the website, www.kamikazegirls.net.

Souce: VIZ Media

The New Anime Companion

Date: 2005 August 08 17:50 | Posted By:

Category > Fandom

Anime fans wanting to know more about all the various cultural references that pop up in their favorite anime can now rejoice. Anime News Network has announced that Stone Bridge Press, publisher of books about Japan, is releasing The Anime Companion 2: More... What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?, the follow-up to the popular book written by Gilles Poitras, who also writes the new volume.

Like its predecessor, The Anime Companion 2 contains glossary-style entries to help readers decipher anime's distinctive content, images and cultural motifs. Everything from city landmarks to food to clothing to historical figures is covered in fascinating detail, using illustrations anime images, film citations and numerous references to the related art of manga. With entries in both kanji (Japanese characters) and English, the book also contains maps of old provinces and current prefectures (and the 23 wards of Tokyo), making it an absolute must-have for those wanting to learn about Japan, whether they're otaku or not.

Souce: Anime News Network

Bleach for the Nintendo DS

Date: 2005 August 08 14:03 | Posted By:

Category > Anime

According to Anime News Network, the popular anime/manga Bleach is set to become a game for Nintendo DS. Sega will team up with developer Treasure, best known for the adaptation of Astro Boy on the Gameboy advance.

The game: Bleach: Souten ni Kakeru Unmei is scheduled to be released in Japan in January of 2006 and the game will play in 2D and feature two fighting planes.

Sega was previously involved in the genre with their previous release of Bleach Advance: Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society on GBA. No word yet on a state side release date. For some gameplay images visit: http://media.ds.ign.com/media/763/763827/imgs_1.html

Fans of Bleach should already know that a 3D beat 'em up is already available for the Sony PSP.

Souce: Anime News Network

London Anime Club is Next Weekend

Date: 2005 August 06 11:39 | Posted By:

Category > Events

A quick reminder to our London based readers, the London Anime Club which is normally held on the first Sunday of every month, will be on 14th August so not to clash with the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow which has an anime events run this weekend.

Souce: London Anime Club

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