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US Army Troops Get Anime Goodies

Date: 2004 October 18 17:54 | Posted By: Joe

In one of the more unusual press releases we received this week eigoMANGA have announced that they are sending anime and manga care packs to U.S. Army Troops destined for Iraq.

Apparently there is an anime club formed by the Army troops in Colorado Springs base called "A.N.I.M.E. Club". Independent media and publishing company eigoManga are asking for local otaku to donate anime and manga gifts to the anime fans in the US army.

Samurai History Papers - Quarterly Newsletter

Date: 2004 October 16 16:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

We've just got details in from Ridgeback Press, apparently they will be launching Samurai History Papers, a quarterly newsletter from Romulus Hillsborough (whose research on the history of the Meiji Restoration spans over twenty years). It focuses on the facts behind many samurai anime series, such as the Shinsengumi (central to Peacemaker Kurogane and Rurouni Kenshin).

Jonathan Clements Launches New Website

Date: 2004 October 16 13:26 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

Jonathan Clements, writer, translator, co-author of the Anime Encyclopedia, The Erotic Anime Movie Guide, The Dorama Encyclopedia and I Love My Tamagotchi (under the name of Bronwen Komatsubara), has just e-mailed with some details regarding his new website -

"Don't know if this counts as news or not, but if it does, there is much anime goodness to be found at my website, including the English version of my Afterword to the deluxe edition of Akira, the unpublished Afterword to the Anime Encyclopedia, and several anime columns from Newtype and the Sci Fi channel."

Considering how much Jonathan Clements has done in the anime industry, I think it does count as news, so go on and have a look at his website. I'm off to find Schoolgirl Milky Crisis.

Souce: Jonathan Clements

Female Anime Fans On The Rise

Date: 2004 October 12 16:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

In Japan anime has become extremely popular with young women. The Sankei News is reporting on a survey by Bandai Visual showing that while 13% of their anime titles were bought by women, female customers were responsible for 20% of all sales of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DVDs.

Certain Shonen Jump titles seem popular with girls too, including The Prince of Tennis, One Piece, Naruto and Shaman King, female fans also enjoyed selected titles from Shuueisha including Saint Seiya, Saiyuki, tactics, and Matantei Loki Ragnarok.

Apparently anime is becoming the more popular with women aged 25-35 and Bandai Visual have begun to produce new anime targeted for this demographic.

Souce: Animaxis

L'Arc~en~Ciel Otakon Concert DVD

Date: 2004 October 12 11:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Using CDJapan we've discovered that L'Arc~en~Ciel, one of the biggest rock bands in Japan are releasing a DVD of their live concert at Otakon. Titled L'Arc~en~Ciel - Live In USA - at 1st Mariner Arena July 31, 2004. The region 2 Japanese DVD is due out on December 8th 2004 and should retail for around 4300 yen (without tax). As yet no offical news of a US release.

Souce: L\'Arc~en~Ciel

ADV Cosplay Caps

Date: 2004 October 06 17:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Toys

We've just got news from ADV about some really cool headgear! Their toy deparment it seems have had some great fun producing "Cosplay Caps" based on the animal characters from their popular titles. These hats are a bit similar to the ones worn by the Digi-Charat gang. They've got Menchi and a Puchuu from Excel Saga, Saizo the pig from Peacemaker and Kaleido Star's baby seal Jonathan.

These hats are made exclusively for ADV Toys and aren't Japanese import items, they're made from a fleece type fabric. At the moment we haven't got a set release date for them, but we do know that they'll retail for $14.99

Yuri Revolution Tokyo

Date: 2004 October 05 19:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good girls at Yuricon have just sent us their press releasing detailing the Yuri Revolution event in Tokyo

"We'll be touring the anime and manga centers of Tokyo, visiting Tokyo Tower, museums and other Tokyo attractions.We'll top it all off with an all-yuri event in the home of yuri manga, the Nichoume in Shinjuku, where we can embarrass ourselves by trying to speak Japanese with well-known yuri mangaka." This is just for starters.

To attend all you have to do is get to Tokyo on April 12-17, 2005, remember you have to sort out your own flights and accommodation though.

Anime Films On The Rise

Date: 2004 October 03 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It seems that lots of American news sites have suddenly found out that anime is becoming more and more popular with the general public, especially "youth culture". These articles have all posted on-line in the space of two weeks. The recent release of Ghost In the Shell 2: Innocence seems to be the catalyst for this collection of articles, most of them mention the film, or at least the Oscar winning Spirited Away.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel have just posted an article about martial arts and anime films on the rise.

The Richfield MN Sun have an article about local teenagers creating anime inspired murals.

Michigan State University website the State News has an article about anime becoming more popular too. Similarly, the East Michigan - Eastern Echo is posting an article about anime being over looked by fans of cinema.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer is running a story about Americans discovering anime.

The Lawrence Journal World has an article about anime gaining an audience in Lawrence, Kansas and abroad.

The Daily Nebraskan also has an interesting article about anime being the driving force behind the Japanese culture craze.

Souce: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Nintendo May Produce Anime

Date: 2004 October 01 16:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

According to Animaxis, at a recent press conference former Nintendo chairman and current advisor Hiroshi Yamauchi revealed that he is urging Nintendo to expand into the anime industry.

Yamauchi plans to formally propose this during the October general management conference. Now there is speculation that Nintendo would produce their own anime in the near future.

Souce: Animaxis

Newtype USA, Volume 3, Issue 10 Out Now

Date: 2004 September 30 17:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

ADV USA have just sent us the details for the latest issue of Newtype USA. The anime/manga mazagine which is easily the best English language magazine out there.

I suggest you check out the Paranoia Agent article (Satoshi Kon can do no wrong in my book), as well as the Xebec feature. What's odd is that the press release doesn't mention that there's also a feature on L'Arc~en~Ciel too!

UK Conventions Set For 2005 And 2006

Date: 2004 September 29 18:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

It seems at almost exactly the same time, both AyaCon and AmeCon have officially announced more details regarding their next conventions!

It was announced at AyaCon 2003 that there would be no AyaCon in 2004, but now they've updated their website saying that "We are currently planning to stage our latest event, AyaCon Five, in Summer/Autumn 2005. We're aiming to make AyaCon bigger and better than ever!" As yet, they haven't revealed a venue for the convention.

AmeCon have also just updated their website. Stating that "The Convention will not be running in 2005, but will be running at Aston University, Birmingham, in 2006. Registrations for 2006 will open shortly."

Read More... | Souce: AyaCon / AmeCon Websites.

The Rise Of Madman Entertainment

Date: 2004 September 26 10:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The Age have just posted an interesting article about the accomplishments of Australian Anime DVD firm Madman Entertainment. It mentions their success with Neon Genesis Evangelion and how the founders won the Ernst & Young's Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. UK fans will also note that MVM team up with Madman now and again to co-produce DVDs, saving costs and sharing resources.

Souce: The Age

Oh My Goddess Cast Unchanged

Date: 2004 September 25 12:50 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime

Oh My Goddess fans are obviously excited about the new TV series (which has been a long time coming). We're pleased to report that there are no major voice acting casting changes.

Anime News Network and Protoculture Addicts Join Forces

Date: 2004 September 19 09:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

At Nan Desu Kan the Anime News Network announced that they are joining forces with independent anime magazine Protoculture Addicts to produce Anime News Network's Protoculture Addicts. This will be the 82nd issue of Protoculture Addicts (out in January 2005).

This is good news for Anime fans in North America (and the rest of the English speaking world too), since Protoculture Addicts has always been an excellent intelligent source of information for fans, combined with ANNs resources it means even better magazine. I look forward to reading this!

Animejin Suspended

Date: 2004 September 19 09:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

Successful UK anime website Animejin is to be suspended indefinitely.

Animejin is one of the oldest UK anime websites that is still currently running, it's been around since 1993 in print form and then in 1995 made the transition to a website. For a long while it was the primary news source of UK Anime fans on-line. Animejin also posts regular news bulletins on Usenet and to e-mail subscribers.

Ghost In The Shell hits Cinema Screens, TV, DVD, comic shops and PS2

Date: 2004 September 11 16:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just been sent a very interesting press release for the Ghost In The Shell franchise, it's well known that the movie Ghost In the Shell 2: Innocence it will be hitting US cinema screens on September 17th and that Manga Entertainment and Bandai Entertainment are jointly releasing the DVDs for Ghost In The Shell Standalone Complex series. However what they also point out is that Standalone Complex will be aired on Cartoon Network's late-night Adult Swim from early November!

The press release also mentions that Dark Horse is republishing Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga as Ghost in the Shell 2nd Edition, it features extra materials not published in previous US editions and will be printed in it's original Japanese size.

It also mentions the new PS2 game. So it looks like US anime fans will be able to get Ghost In the Shell in every single format they could want!

A Glimpse into the World of Japanese Animation

Date: 2004 September 10 15:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

A few websites have linked to a story on CGNetworks. In this article Justin Leach interviews the staff at Production I.G. (Kill Bill anime sequence, Ghost in the Shell 1+2, Blood The Last Vampire, plus loads more) about their thoughts on the Anime industry. It's well worth a read.

Souce: CGNetworks

An Interview With Monica Rial

Date: 2004 September 08 15:39 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime

Monica Rial is an energetic American voice actress who unusually works with two studios: ADV and FUNimation. This means that she gets the opportunity to play a diverse range of characters across the anime spectrum. Fan favourites include the demure death defying Hyatt in Excel saga as well as the world famous, perky and cute Hello Kitty in Hello Kitty Mystical Theatre.

I was able to interview Monica at the UK convention Amecon (a big thanks to you all for letting us interview her ^_^) where she was invited as a special guest. This is the first time that a British convention has invited a US voice actor over, and it was interesting to note the con goer's reactions. Monica was a clear hit with the fans and I was impressed at the time she took to talk to people, whether they wanted advice or to make comments or get certain limited edition items signed. The actual interview went on for over an hour and a half. Join me as we explore the wacky world of Monica Rial!

Fandom at the Canadian National Expo

Date: 2004 September 06 14:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

The Toronto Star are running an interesting article about the Canadian National Expo, the biggest event of its kind in Canada with more than 26,000 attendees. Anime fans (particularly Cosplayers) get their fair share of coverage.

Souce: Toronto Star

Anime Digital Interview Jonathan Brands from ADV USA

Date: 2004 August 31 10:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While at AmeCon I was lucky enough to score an exclusive interview with Jonathan Brands from ADV USA. It started by Jon going -

"Hey Joe! You've got a website right?"
The rest went up on Anime Digital.

Souce: Anime Digital Interview With Jonathan Brands

Robotech: Shadow Force - Rumours spreading of a forth series

Date: 2004 August 30 09:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

ICv2 have just posted a story about Robotech.com uncovering evidence of a fourth Robotech anime series in production.

Japanese research shows 7% of Otaku are anime fans, while 35% into manga.

Date: 2004 August 26 10:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

According to the results of a study released by Nomura Research Institute in Japan on the 24th, there are 2,850,000 people considered "otaku" in Japan, with a combined market power of around $2.6 billion. 35% are into Manga, 28% for Games and Idols, 7% for Anime, and 2% into PC construction.

Souce: Anime.org.uk

Back from AmeCon!

Date: 2004 August 23 15:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

I've just got back from AmeCon! Gosh, I was busy! I'll try and get a full write up done tomorrow.

The convention was popular and everyone had a good time.

Monica Rial proved to be an excellent guest, signing panties (and other things), chatting away to all the con goers and even converting a few hardcore sub only zealots to English dubs!

AmeCon 2004 Chairman Interview

Date: 2004 August 09 14:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Paul Bates over at Anime UK News has just posted an interview with Will Blewitt about AmeCon which is set to be a very large and funpacked convention. It makes a good read since it shows how mad running a convention can be!

I even get a mention in the interview because I've sent them a special printed version of the Pirate Anime FAQ to help out, plus I'm running a panel there too! So if you're going to AmeCon go to my panel, please ^_^;;

Souce: Anime UK News

ADV UK DVD Releases for September 2004

Date: 2004 July 30 16:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

It's that time of the month again, ADV UK have sent us their press release. September looks like an interesting month with the the following titles:

- Hellsing: The Collection
- Mazinkaiser vol.1
- New Cutey Honey vol.1
- Rune Soldier vol.2
- Final Fantasy: Unlimited vol.4
- Pretear vol.4
- Slayers Gorgeous

We recommend Slayers Gorgeous and Hellsing: The Collection.

Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex on TV and DVD in 2004

Date: 2004 February 11 23:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Bandai have just announced that they have joined forces with Manga Entertainment to release Ghost in the Shell Standalone Complex on DVD and TV.

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