The gentle softly spoken people over at ADV Films have sent us the details of their latest DVD release - Elfen Lied, a violent, gruesome anime, with a surprisingly cute main cast. Appropriately they're marketing it as "an orgy of violence wrapped in pink satin". This anime won't be to everyone's taste, and is sure to be used as ammunition for those complaining that anime is all violent. Combined with Gantz, it seems that ADV has recently had a more darker streak than usual.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Following on from their May 10 release of Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU ADV Films have sent us the details of the other titles they will be releasing on that day. These include Chrono Crusade Volume 5 and Cromartie High School Volume 2.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Those nice folks over at ADV Films have just sent us the press release for Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU, the DVD series follow up to the popular Full Metal Panic series, which is due to hit the US on May 10.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
ADV Films are holding an anime sale on-line on their US site, they are offering 50 to 75% off selected titles from April 1-3 only. This also includes a range other merchandise. Look out for bargains like the Excel Saga and Noir lunch boxes!
Souce: ADV Films
The folks over at ADV Films have sent us the details of their April 26 DVD releases.
They'll be releasing:
- DNAngel Volume 4
- Shuten Doji Volume 1
- Divergence Eve Volume 2
- Petite Princess Yucie Volume 4
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Category > Anime
Those nice folks from Newtype USA have sent us the details of their April Issue, which has features on Fearless Females (including the cute and shocking Elfen Lied and Gunslinger Girl), along an with interview from Seiji Mizushima the director of Fullmetal Alchemist. The free DVD includes the first episodes of Maburaho and Gravion Zwei.
Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA
ICv2 have posted an article about anime sales figures, which have gone up 7.6% using a year over year comparison with Videoscan's figures. This is interesting, mainly because of the saturated anime market and also because Videoscan tracks sales of participating retailers (which is a considerable percentage), these figures are a lot better to go on that individual retailers top ten charts, which never really present data that can be used in metrics.
Souce: ICv2
US gamers can finally stop waiting, Sony's handheld games console the PSP (PlayStation Portable) is out now! Reviews so far seem very postive. The Register has a good overview of the system from a techincal standpoint. Gamespot has a wide coverage of the US launch too.
European gamers will have to wait at least a few months before the offical launch. BBC News have more details on this.
Souce: BBC News
Those folks over at ADV US have sent us the details that many fans will be waiting for, the Full Metal Panic! Complete Collection, which is out in the space saving ThinPak format.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Category > Press Releases
eigoManga have sent us a rather strange press release. Their titles Rumble Pak and Sakura Pakk are curently competing for a nomination for an the 2005 Eisner Award. Basically it means they've submitted a form to apply for what is know as the "Oscars" of comics. Still they've put up some of their stuff to look at for free!
Read More... | Souce: eigoManga
The nice folk over at ADV Films have sent us the details for their April 12 US DVD releases:
- Saiyuki: Double Barrel Collection Volume 2
- E’S Otherwise Volume 2
- Wrath of Daimajin Volume 2
As you can see, this time around ADV are releasing lots of volume 2s.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
The people over at ADV Films have sent us the details for their US DVD of Madlax which is due out on April 12th. It's from the people that brought you Noir, so if you like your girls to have guns then this title is for you!
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
The good folks from ADV Films have sent us the details for their US DVD releases. Out on April 5th are the following titles:
- Gantz Volume 3
- Get Backers Volume 5
- Saint Seiya Volume 11
- Sister Princess Volume 4
The Otaku News Crew recommend Gantz, because it's from Gonzo and is a bit different from the normal anime fodder. We also recommend Get Backers, because Spike likes it!
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
The folks over at ADV US have sent us the details for their March 15th release dates, which are:
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum Edition: 06
- Wandaba Style Volume 2
- Petite Princess Yucie Volume 3
- Shinobi Volume 3
So there's something for everyone with this batch of releases.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Those folks over at ADV Films have sent us the details for their US DVD release of The Five Star Stories.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Category > Press Releases
The folks at Newtype USA have sent us the details about the March 2005 Issue of their magazine.
They've got some Madlax artwork on the cover that has been exclusively drawn for the Newtype USA, they've also got more coverage of Fullmetal Alchemist and Samurai Champloo, along with Maburaho and Scrapped Princess. The cover DVD has both dub and sub versions of Cromartie High School and Divergence Eve.
Newtype USA Vol. 4, Issue 3 will be available March 1, 2005.
Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA
It's press release catch-up time here at Otaku News due to the evil flu that's been lurking around most of the Otaku News Crew have been infected, the others have had to wear Bio-hazard suits! ^_-
Anyway, those nice folk over at ADV Films US have sent us the details of the insane anime Cromartie High School, which is due out on March 15th. Do you fancy the idea of going to a high school full of delinquents? Well Kamiyama somehow has been enrolled there!
ADV also have a nice limited collector's edition with the first volume of the manga bundled in and a custom series artbox to hold all 4 volumes.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
ADV Films have sent us the details for their US DVD release of A Tree of Palme, the anime answer to Pinocchio.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Russian Idol Yulia Nova and Japanese photographer Satoshi Kizu have teamed up to produce some Cosplay DVDs, which are well clearly aimed at the more mature audience. The Otaku News Crew wonder who buys these things and more importantly, why they don't bother buying Schoolgirl Milky Crisis instead! ^_-
Read More... | Souce: PCR Distributing
Those nice folk at ADV Films have sent us the details for the US DVD version of Gantz volume 2. The violent anime series that gets you asking a lot of questions about the morals of killing, life after death and also large black spheres!
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
More news from ADV Films, this time about the release of Gravion Zwei volume 1. With this title the keyword seems to be fanservice, lots of fanservice!
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
We've got the details in from the good folk at ADV Films, about their US DVD releases on March 8. They'll be releasing Chrono Crusade volume 4 and Cyberteam in Akihabara volume 3.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
The folks over at ADV Films US have sent us the details for their February 15 releases. They've got the closing of volumes Aura Battler Dubine (Volume 12) and the budget priced Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040: Essential Anime Collection Volume 3 along with Legend of Crystania: Chaos Ring.
The Otaku News Crew recommend Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, since it's a good show and at $20 for over 3 hours of anime you can't go wrong.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Some of our more avid gamer readers will be pleased to hear the details from PCR Distributing/JAST USA. of The Sagara Family, an interactive anime-style game for adults ported to English by G-Collections, like most games of it's genre, the main player has somehow found themselves surrounded by the beautiful members of the all-female Sagaras. Hmmmm, that sounds like a plot from a million other anime series we could list too! ^_-
Read More... | Souce: PCR Distributing
We've got details in from PCR Distributing Co that JAST USA has shipped dating game Little My Maid. If you're like Piro from MegaTokyo, then no doubt you'll like a dating sim or two.
Read More... | Souce: PCR Distributing Co
Those informative people at ADV US have sent us their release details for February 8th. They've got quite a few titles coming out on that day, looking through the list there's pretty much something for everyone with:
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum:05
- Get Backers Volume 4
- Mezzo Volume 3 (Final Volume)
- Wedding Peach Volume 9
- Sister Princess Volume 3
- Saint Seiya Volume 10
Normally with these releases we suggest a title or two, but because this selection is so varied, we say go with your instinct this time!
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
ADV US have sent us the details for their DVD releases on February 1st. They'll be releasing volume 3 of the popular show Peacemaker along with a live action series Shinobi.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
The people over at ADV Films US have sent us the details for a release due out on January 25th, Princess Tutu: Märchen, it's directed by Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon, Kaleido Star) and Shougo Kawamoto (You're Under Arrest! Season 2). ADV seem to be targeting the same fans who enjoy Sailor Moon and Kaleido Star with this title. So if you like your anime cute and cuddly this seems to be one for you.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
ADV Films have sent us details about their new US DVD release, the dark and cutting edge Gantz. ADV pride themselves on showing the uncut version of the show, not seen on Japanese television. If you're used to cute anime, this may not be the best title for you, if you like something at the more violent end of the spectrum, then go for Gantz! However readers should not confuse Gantz with a mindless violence anime show (*cough* we'll mention no names here), it actually tackles some issues in a thought provoking manner, the two main characters are actually killed in the first episode (and that's not a spoiler either). Gantz also has a very strong helping of fan service!
The Gantz Volume 1 DVD only has two episodes on it (we believe to licensing difficulties), however the price has been lowered to reflect that.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
We've got news in from the folks in ADV Films US, not only are they going to release Moeyo Ken: A Clash From the Past, but three other titles too:
- Burn Up!
- Chrono Crusade Volume 3
- The Super Milk-Chan Show Volume 4
So the years just started and ADV USA are churing out the titles, which is nice to see.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films US
The good folks at ADV Films have sent us the details for a DVD due out next week - Moeyo Ken: A Clash From the Past. Featuring character designs by Rumiko Takahashi (responsible for the hugely popular Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha) so it looks like one of her own productions. Moeyo Ken, is a standalone DVD (in other words 1 volume only) and is due out on Tuesday 11 January 2005.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
We've just got the details in from ADV Films US about their latest DVD release on their ADV Kid's Label - Megaman: Upon A Star. Capcom's Hero is out to save Japan against the evil mad scientist Dr. Wily! It's out today.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films US
Category > Manga
Viz have just announced the launch of Shonen Jump Advanced, it's not a game for the GameBoy Advanced, but infact a new range that "will that will present the latest cutting-edge manga stories offering titles with progressive storylines and characters to older teens and young adults". At first glance this sounds a bit like Pulp - Viz's manga anthology taglined as "Manga for Grownups" which stopped in August 2002, or perhaps Pulp Junior since it's aimed at a slightly younger audience. However like the Shonen Jump manga line these titles will be sold individually, and should not be confused with the Shonen Jump Magazine.
So keep your eyes peeled in April 2005 when title like Hunter X Hunter, I's and Eyeshield 21 start hitting the shelves.
Read More... | Souce: Viz
Category > Anime
The Associated Press have a good write up on the Success of anime in the US, it features John Ledford of ADV Films, who describes ADV as the "anti-Disney". Since it's syndicated, it appears on quite a few news sites. Well known store Wizzywig Collectibles gets mentioned too. We recommend that you check out The Sun Herald's copy of it, even if you don't live in the South of Mississippi. ^_-
Souce: The Sun Herald
ADV US have just sent us details of their January 4th line up, just as 2005 starts they'll be releasing three titles:
- DNAngel, Volume 2
- Dragon Knight: Wheel of Time
- Aura Battler Dunbine, Volume 11
Read More... | Souce: ADV US
Category > Anime
Newtype USA Vol. 3, Issue 12 Out Now
The folks from Newtype USA have just sent us details for their December issue, which is out now. It has a cover feature on Ah! My Goddess, with details on the OVAs, the movie and the TV series which is currently being produced in Japan.
Other features include details on shows like Chrono Crusade, Samurai 7, Wolf's Rain and Gankutsuou.
The Otaku News Crew recommend that you take a look at the two page feature on Howl's Moving Castle, which has some nice shots of the Ghibli artwork and we also suggest you read their Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide, since that way you'll know what to buy us for Christmas! ^_-
Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA
Shortly after sending us the details for their December 28th releases, ADV Films US sent an additional press release for Samurai X: Reflection Director's Cut. Samurai X is also known Rurouni Kenshin, a wondering samurai with a reverse blade sword. The Reflection DVD concludes the Rurouni Kenshin story.
Read More... | Souce: ADV US
Category > Toys
ICv2 have the details for the late spring 2005 releases from Yamato USA. They'll be releasing a Mizuho in Space Suit Resin Statue from Please Teacher. For Capcom fans there's Morrigan & Lilith Collectible Miniature from DarkStalkers.
Love Hina fans can expect Naru, Mutsumi, Motoko, and Shinobu PVC statues from the Love Hina Again OVA. They'll also be be releasing figures from Guilty Gear, Read Or Die (aka ROD) TV, Iron Leaguer, and Cyber Formula.
Souce: ICv2
Following on straight their December 14 details ADV US have sent us the details for their December 28 Releases.
They've got Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum:04, Robotech Remastered: New Generation Collection 2, Volume 7 (which is the final volume of this series), Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Volume 2 under their Essential Anime Collection range and Volume 8 of Wedding Peach.
The Otaku News Crew recommend Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Volume 2 since it has 9 episodes of the shown on for $19.98, even if Sylvia looks amazingly like Ifurita from EL Hazard! Failing that, you can never really go wrong with some Evangelion.
Read More... | Souce: ADV US
The good people over at ADV US have just sent us the release details for December 14. They've got quite a few titles coming out that week with:
- Get Backers Volume 3
- Mezzo Volume 2
- The third and final volume of New Fist of the North Star
- Saint Seiya Volume 9
- Sister Princess Volume 2
Get Backers is probably the most popular title out of this bunch of releases. Although it does depend on what your tastes are with anime others might enjoy Fist of the North Star more.
Read More... | Souce: ADV US
Category > Manga
ICv2 are reporting an interesting trend with Amazon.com's manga best seller list. Apparently Yaoi is three of the top five, four of the top ten and six of the top fifteen manga titles. ICv2 point out that these sales are only on Amazon.com as the American Bookscan list doesn't not match with these sales figures, with only Del Rey's Tsubasa Volume 3 appearing at the top of both lists.
ICv2 speculate that people purchasing Yaoi prefer the privacy and relative anonymity that on-line reatilers offer and that the two main Yaoi publishers Digital Manga and CPM Manga don't have the marketing clout or number of titles compared to other publishers with titles at the top of the graphic novel lists.
Souce: ICv2
Category > Manga
eigoManga have just sent us a press release for their latest pseudo manga for girls. It's a bit odd, because they've sent it to us almost a month late. Their pseudo manga is called Sakura Pakk and is out now.
Read More... | Souce: eigoManga
The people over at ADV US have just sent us the release details for December 7. Peacemaker Volume 2, the 3rd and the final volume of Aquarian Age, plus live action TV show Mutant X volume 5 will all be hitting the shelves in time for the holidays.
Read More... | Souce: ADV US
Category > Retail
Recently it seems that anime and manga have become so cool that the American advertising industry have decided to use either real anime or adverts done in an anime style.
Anime News Network have made us aware that Nike are now airing adverts loosely based around Bruce Lee's Game of Death. The advert has NBA Star Lebron James facing Kung Fu Basket Ball challenges in a pagoda. The anime segments produced by Studio 4°C were originally intended only for Japan, but the advertising agency and Nike like them so much that they decided to air them in North America too.
Yesterday the Otaku News Crew also found details on Yahoo News about Asian themed restaurant chain Benihana who have just released an anime inspired commercial. After watching the Benihana commercial we thought it wasn't news worthy alone however it goes well in context with the Nike commercial.
Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network
Category > Anime
Although it's old news, I'm sure many of our readers are not yet aware that Stone Bridge Press have published a new book by anime and manga guru Fred Pattern, - Watching Anime, Reading Manga. The book has 63 articles covering all aspects of anime from fandom and the industry, it also has articles on the first ads in America to current day mainstream hits like the anime sequence in Kill Bill and anime inspired live action films like The Matrix. If you want to know more be sure to check OnlyPubjab.com's write up.
Souce: Stone Bridge Press
The guys over at ADV Films USA have sent us the details for Cyberteam in Akihabara: Cyberteam Genesis. The series is available from November 16th, it follows a group of school girls and their cybernetic pets, and subsequent efforts to combat evil using magical powers.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
A press release from Geneon Animation USA has announced the immenent release of Star Ocean EX on DVD. The series, based on a game for the Sony Playstation, follows Claude Kenni, a crewmember on the spaceship Calnus, who is transported to an unfamiliar alien world and attempts to unlock the secret of a mysterious sattelite, will be available from January 4th.
Read More... | Souce: Geneon Animation
Category > Manga
Recently we ran a press release about Seven Seas producing original manga. Now their site Gomanga.com is live. So far they've got details of four titles on their site - Amazing Agent Luna, Blade for Barter, Last Hope and No Man's Land.
Read More... | Souce: GoManga.com
Reuters are running a story about Nintendo's new American advertising campaign costing $40 million for it's largest product launch. The whole campaign is aimed at more "mature" audience with the tagline of "Touching is Good."
Print ads will appear in men's magazines Maxim and Blender, with a woman holding a DS saying "How to Score! ... Start listening to her needs, playa!".
TV ads are scheduled for ad slots in-between episodes of South Park too.
Souce: Reuters
Category > Retail
Newtype USA have just sent us the details of a cool subscription offer. They'll be offering Cosplay Caps along with the 40% off subscription rate for 12 issues brining each issue down to $7.50
Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA
ADV have announced that they will be releasing the sixth and final DVD for Azumanga Daioh, titled "Azumanga Daioh:Graduation!" It looks like one very amusing title has come to an end. Oh, they'll be releasing the Aura Battler Dunbine: Terror from Byston Wells! (that's Volume 10) on November 23rd as well.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films