The Anime Times

Hakugei � Legend of the Moby Dick

2005-11-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

Hakugei � Legend of the Moby Dick: Ahab Awaits (Vol.1 Screener) :: ActiveAnime.com :: Where Anime News and Reviews Matters: "This science fiction adaptation of the classic work Moby Dick by Herman Melville takes the audience into the distant future where instead of hunting whales, Captain Ahab salvages giant abandoned spaceships that have been nicknamed �whales� for their hulking presence in the ocean of outer space. A fascinating rebirth, the same mysterious allure of sea adventures applies to those of space. The live fast, get rich, and die young attitude of the �whale hunters� is the dream of everyone to strike it big and live out the rest of their days in lazy splendor.

This volume introduces the universe of Moby Dick and sets up the story with just enough detail to let the audience know that there will be much unraveling of mysteries to follow in later episodes. Lucky Luck, the young narrator, wants to join Captain Ahab�s crew and become a glorious whale hunter himself. In his trials to be accepted he meets all of the eclectic crew members who make this tale worth telling. On the first hunt, they find a pod containing an android who serves to further complicate their lives with his unknown past. An interesting setting for this tale, there is much left to be discovered in this series.

The Legend of the Moby Dick is animated in the classic style of earlier shows, so don�t expect any innovations there. The main focus here is to futurize (as in surpassing modernize) the widely-known story. It�s fun to see a new mysterious interpretation which is the real draw of the show."

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Check Out Takeshi's Racer

2005-11-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

Toon Zone - Your Source for Toon News!: "Anime studio Production I.G. has made an impressive name for itself. They launched a new era of animation technology in Japan with Ghost In The Shell, which not only managed to top the U.S. Billboard Video Sales charts, but also brought digital compositing and digital animation into play in Japan. They used their success not only to animate a legacy of fan-favorite anime titles ranging from the totalitarian dystopia Jin-Roh to the absolutely insane Dead Leaves, but also used it to spawn sub-studios such as Xebec and BeeTrain. They've even done work for US partners ranging from Cingular to Quentin Tarantino. They've shown they have serious skills, some good ideas and are willing to work with other people. So when Cartoon Network and Toonami announced they would produce an original anime series, no one was surprised that I.G. was the studio they chose."

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Elfen Lied Vol. #4

2005-10-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> Elfen Lied Vol. #4: "The mysterious organization protecting humanity from the deadly power of the Diclonius is faced with the devil's bargain. Will they unleash #35, the deadliest mutant yet, to hunt Lucy down? Or will they risk letting the notorious killer slip through the cracks? Things have never been easy for the young misfits at the heart of this battle, but they've never had it harder than this.

As Kohta learns how Nyu's past is inextricably tied to his life's greatest tragedy, he may find that protecting her means destroying himself. Even those who have already lost pieces of themselves to this brutal fight have more to lose. As Nana goes from hunter to hunted, and Bandoh from lawman to outlaw, the shadow of death creeps closer. And what of the man who the diclonius call 'Papa'? How far will Kurama go?"

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news anime manga drawing anime

Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence

2005-10-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

Review: Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence: "Mamoru Oshii's Ghost In The Shell (1995), based very loosely on a manga of the same name by Shirow Masamune, was to become one of Japan's most successful feature anime exports of all time. Its blending of stylised fight sequences and humanist philosophy in a dystopian cyberpunk setting made it one of the most important influences on, amongst other things, the Wachowski Brothers' The Matrix (1999). Even today, Ghost In The Shell stands up to the competition - until, that is, it is set alongside its next generation sequel, Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence, which, though scrupulously backwards-compatible with the original, makes it, and everything else besides, seem entirely redundant."

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news anime manga drawing anime

Blogcritics.org: Anime 101: Sub or Dub?

2005-10-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

Blogcritics.org: Anime 101: Sub or Dub?: "Sub or Dub? This question often arises much debate among anime watchers. Most people have a preference, rather to watch the show with subtitles or watch it dubbed.
I usually watch the English dub first and then watch it subbed to catch some of the edited things and jokes. The dub has to be really bad for me though to watch it subbed right away.
I have never taken any Japanese classes; but after watching subtitles for while you can pick up on words and their meanings.
Here are some recognizable words (If anyone sees misspellings, please correct me!):
Nani - What?
Oswari - Sit! (when commanding a dog)
Chibi - Small, Runt
Ohio - Good Morning
Neko - Cat
Inu - Dog
Bento - Boxed Lunch
Senpai - senior (ex/1: just starting high school everyone is your senpai. ex/2: Starting a new job and someone is teaching you the ropes, he/she is your senpai. In other words, not only people older than you but people with more experience regardless of age.)
Kouhai - Opposite of senpai; junior
Feh - Hmph!
Hikari - Light
Matte - Wait
Hiaku - Hurry up"

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news
anime
manga
drawing anime

The Age of Aquarius?

2005-10-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Kyouta has a dream of making his band, T.L. Signal a big success. But strange events soon draw him in to a world he didn't even know exists � and a psychic battleground where he will be a key player! Originally adapted from a popular collectible trading card game, Aquarian Age features stunning animation from the renowned studio MADHOUSE (Chobits, X).

For centuries, five supernatural factions have waged war for supremacy over mankind, with legend prophesying that one day the Aquarian Age will begin, and only one group will reign supreme! Now Kyouta's dreams of becoming a pop idol must take a backseat to his destiny when he and his girlfriend Yoriko unwillingly become embroiled in the conflict, as both may hold the power to turn the tides of war in favor of whichever faction can control them! Can love conquer all? "

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Goddess Anyone?

2005-10-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Review: "Kosuke Fujishima's much-beloved long-running manga about a decent young man who wishes for , and gets , a real goddess as a girlfriend sees its third anime incarnation in this new TV series. Long-time fans of Fujishima's work will love this series for how faithful it remains to the manga, while newcomers will find a light-hearted and enchanting take on anime romantic comedies. Those new enough to the hobby to be unfamiliar with Ah! My Goddess might not recognize it as such based solely on this volume, but this is one of the prototypical ,harem anime titles; its original OVA release back in 1993 probably deserves almost as much credit (or blame, depending on how you look at it) as Tenchi Muyo for getting that subgenre rolling. Unlike most recent harem series, though, AMG never descends into the crass exploitation which all too often mars the value of such series. This is as clean and gentle as anime romantic comedies come; those looking for fan service or racy humor are watching the wrong series."

Lupin the 3rd

2005-10-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

WarCry� Network: "For the uninitiated, Lupin the 3rd is the world's greatest thief. He steals stuff, sometimes aided, sometimes hindered, by a rotating cast of characters. It's usually very funny, but the plot is incredibly good, and it's not afraid to mash things together, such as a serious scene followed by a goofy extended chase sequence. It's not a particularly tense show and there's never the question of whether Lupin will pull off whatever outrageous theft he's plotting. It's a question of how he'll do it. In Crisis in Tokyo, he's after some rare photographic plates. Insanely valuable, of course, but also of interest to just about everyone. The race is on!

Inspector Zenigata is after Lupin again, to the surprise of no one familiar with Lupin the 3rd. The inspector races onto a plane to chase the world's greatest thief, only to find himself victim of a staged crash and playful fireworks display put on so Lupin can taunt him. Well, he also wants to steal what Zenigata is carrying, but Lupin does take a real joy in tweaking Zenigata. The Lupin-in-his-underwear chase that follows will surely please Lupin's female admirers, and all this is before the opening title card even shows."

NTUSA October '05

2005-10-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

Animation Insider - NTUSA October '05 "The most popular moving pictures magazine currently available, Newtype USA, is gearing up to deliver a huge cover story on what is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated domestic releases of the year. And while profiling a computer animated film such as Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, the magazine is still sure to cover just about every other key anime program and manga release for the fall season. The Newtype USA October issue is as jam packed with extra materials as it always is, with exclusive interviews, collectable inserts, and a free DVD featuring only the latest anime releases:
Out of the ruins of Midgar, the reluctant hero emerges once again. Cloud Strife, the beloved spiky-haired star of the hit PlayStation RPG Final Fantasy VII, has finally returned in a stunning new CG animated film, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. To celebrate, Newtype USA has a beautiful collectible cover along with an in-depth feature including an exclusive interview with the renowned director Tetsuya Nomura. This is a must-have issue for the millions of Final Fantasy fans, as well as anyone who needs to know more about this hot new movie. "

"Mermaid Flesh Eater"

2005-10-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

WarCry Network: "When a person consumes the flesh of a mermaid, they receive ever-lasting life. But rather then a blessing, immortality is a curse. Hundreds of years ago, a young fisherman named Yuta ate the flesh of a mermaid and ever since he's had to watch his friends and family die away with time. Mermaid Forest is a blend of Yuta's past and present as he joins forces with a woman who shares his curse named Mana. Together they quest for a way to break the curse so they can live and die like normal people."

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

eigoManga Joins Devil's Due

2005-09-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

eigoManga joins Devil's Due Publishing in release of Rumble Pak: "eigoMANGA Ltd. and Devil's Due Publishing, Inc. have announced the release of RUMBLE PAK vol.1 (OCT052934 E) an on-going, 64 pgs, B&W comic book series, beginning this December.

Previously released through eigoMANGA's own label, the on-going series will start with the latest line-up of original manga created by eigoMANGA STUDIOS and contributing artists.

We're excited to be bringing such a large offering of manga into the DDP fold. We've been looking for a way to offer a steady stream of manga to both comic book shops and bookstores, and found the perfect partner in eigoMANGA, said Joshua Baylock, president of Devil's Due, in a press release. I think it will be two-fold. For eigoMANGA, they will feel the company is amplifying its publishing and distribution capabilities. This should give retailers even more confidence in eigoMANGA product.

For Devil's Due, they will see that we are finally moving into the manga market, although slowly, and adding even more diversity to our company line-up."

I Think I'm Turning Japanese

2005-09-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Turning Japanese - Film - Entertainment - smh.com.au: "Akira was the pebble that started the anime avalanche. Then there were the brilliant Ghost in the Shell and Princess Mononoke. By the time Spirited Away won the best-animated-feature Oscar in 2003, the Japanese studios had long forged a reputation for magnificent, thought-provoking animation that challenged anything coming out of Hollywood.
Sydney will be anime central in October. Spirited Away director Hayao Miyazaki's latest hit, Howl's Moving Castle, is screening here in the Japanese and English versions, the latter voiced by Billy Crystal and Lauren Bacall. Reelanime features a hit parade of anime films such as Millennium Actress, Escaflowne, the astonishing Ghost in the Shell and its mesmerising sequel, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. The Animania Festival has everything from anime to manga comics and karaoke. Anime is also part of the Supanova Film Fan Festival, which includes voice actors from the cartoon Dragonball, as well as John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings)."

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Anime News Network - Press Release

2005-09-29T20:06:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Press Release: "Los Angeles, CA � September 28th, 2005 � AAA Anime, Inc., one of the largest distributor of Japanese animation, manga, and related merchandise in North America has announced today an exclusive hobby and specialty retail market distribution arrangement with leading Japanese �JPOP/JROCK� music record company, Tofu Records. Effective beginning September 29th, 2005, AAA Anime will assume administration over all of Tofu Records retailers accounts and distribution services to the anime and specialty market in a move that will significantly increase both the awareness and availability of �JPOP� and �JROCK� music in North America.

Tofu Records is the leading music label for Japanese (�JPOP� and �JROCK�) music in North America., Tofu Records represents well known Japanese Platinum recording artists and bands such as L�Arc~en~Ciel, T.M. Revolution, Nami Tamaki, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, and POLYISCS. Tracks from these best selling artists are prominently featured in some of today�s hottest anime properties on television including Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Naruto, and Full Metal Alchemist.

�Anime and Manga have both become very significant representations of Japanese pop culture in North America and we�re very excited to be able to increase the availability of JPOP and JROCK to the American audiences. Tofu Records has done a tremendous job and we are honored to represent such a recognized global brand,� states Richard Tong, CEO of AAA Anime, Inc. "

How's About A Gothic Lolita?

2005-09-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

Toon Zone - Your Source for Toon News!: "You know, what with Gothic Lolita tea parties at various anime cons, Gwen Stefani openly chilling with Harajuku-district Gothic Lolitas in her music videos and manga like Godchild, Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase, and Doll all getting picked up for distribution in the States, it seems like it's a safe bet that what started as a little fashion trend in the hip districts of Tokyo is making its way over here. Not sure what that has to say about the people who are into it (I mean, the word lolita is right up in the name of the genre, so I'm not even going to try to parse what it has to say about the people who are into it, both as observers and as participants), but I've got to say it does make for some cool-looking clothes, manga and anime. One such cool-looking and genuinely entertaining 'GothLoli' anime is La Portrait de Petit Cossette, an Aniplex/Geneon project directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, whose background includes other GothLoli works like Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase."

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Anime Encyclopedia

2005-09-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Special review: "While anime in its modern form has only been around for approximately the last 40 years, animation in Japan extends back over twice as long, as this work proves. In the early days of anime, independent animators worked vigorously to produce what eventually would pave the way to Astro Boy in 1963. In the 1980s, a boom of independent studios and a dramatic influx of money produced some of the most diverse anime series ever.

The Anime Encyclopedia includes information about animation in Japan dating back to 1917, with pictures from productions as early as 1924. The bulk of information concerns titles from 1979 onward, but many earlier anime series also grace the pages of the Encyclopedia."

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Killer Cosplay

2005-09-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Review: "The first volume of HMT was most noteworthy for its utter lack of originality and creativity. The second volume doesn't fare any better. This is not to say that it isn't occasionally entertaining; the whole sequence set in Comake in episode 5 is actually rather funny and Ikuyo's menacing laugh is always good for a chuckle. The lack of effort in coming up with something fresh and different is so obvious, though, that some of the characters actually joke about it in one episode � but even that doesn't come across well. The only element in this volume that is in any way clever is the cosplay costumes worn by the maids and Taro in the Comake piece. These are not just generic cosplay outfits, as are seen in most other anime dealing with cosplay; they represent major, identifiable characters from at least seven prominent anime titles likely to be familiar to American fans. (There's probably actually eight titles represented, but I could not place who Sanae was supposed to be.) The biggest hoot, and possibly the most endearing moment in the series so far, comes from seeing who Taro is portraying. It's a costume that viewers probably will not see coming, but he just looks so right in it."

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anime
manga
drawing anime

Anime News Network - Review

2005-09-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Review: "There comes a time in some animators' lives when they realize that the only way to enjoy working on a lame show is to stop taking it so seriously. Maybe that's what happened in Star Ocean EX, where an entire episode is devoted to a comical giant robot rampage (plus some recaps), and the snappy exchanges between characters become more entertaining than the epic battles they get into. This adaptation of the hit video game continues to lack any semblance of originality, pulling out every cliche it can think of. Outside of the main quest, however, there's some light comedy that brightens up an otherwise dull series. Maybe there's some hope yet."

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Giant Robots - Evil Threat!

2005-09-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Toon Zone - Your Source for Toon News!: "Giant Robots. Who wouldn't want one? A robot the size of a skyscraper would be cool, but a ten-foot tall robot would be nice too. For one thing, it would be easier to take care of and hide in case you're ever chased by the police all over the city. Plus, it wouldn�t talk much, so you wouldn�t be annoyed by a sarcastic sidekick every ten minutes. But what happens when people use their giant robots for evil? "

Aeon Flux - Hot Babe Hotter DVD

2005-09-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

MediaGab - Aeon Flux: "A full-blooded, American Anime
Aeon Flux. It exists within its own genre and nearly is its own genre. It is what I like to term 'American Anime.' That is, that there is an obvious inspiration taken from Japanese style animation. However, this is not Japanese. This interesting hybrid is the brainchild of one Peter Chung.

Being American, this animation is more realistic looking, the characters looking less like anime and more like animated real people. The style strikes me as American too, all clean lines and sleek though utilitarian functionality.

Aeon Flux is a complex, quirky, and very weird animation that tells the tale of two nations, Bregnia and Monica. At some point, these nations became estranged from one another and a border wall armed with automatic guns now clearly seperates them. It is vaguely like East and West Germany during the cold war. Matters were made worse when Bregnia is forced under the control of a new and strange leader, Trevor Goodchild. The motives and desires of Trevor are unusual in the extreme."

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anime
manga
drawing anime

Anime, the Next Generation

2005-09-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Wired News: Anime, the Next Generation: "It wasn't that long ago that finding Japanese animation in the United States was quite a challenge.
You'd have to check the back corner of your local comic book store, where you'd find half a dozen 30-minute videos for $40 each. And the only anime on television was a heavily edited version of the shojo (young girls') show Sailor Moon.

Times have changed. As of this month, there are more than 3,100 anime DVD titles on shelves. By title, they account for nearly 7 percent of all DVDs. In 2005 alone, 473 anime DVDs have been released from 20 different publishers.
Anime also continues to make inroads on the airwaves, both network and cable. Kids' programs like One Piece and Shaman King are some of the most popular on Fox's after-school toon lineup. And more grown-up fare like InuYasha fills out Cartoon Network's highly rated, late-night Adult Swim programming block. "

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Geneon Partners with Musicland

2005-09-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

Geneon Partners with Musicland for First-Ever National Mall Tour with Fan-Favorite Yoko Ishida :: ActiveAnime.com :: Where Anime News and Reviews Matters: "LONG BEACH, Calif. � Geneon Entertainment, a leader in introducing anime to the United States, announced today that it is partnering with Musicland to produce the Anime Fusion tour, a national mall tour featuring Japanese singing sensation Yoko Ishida. Yoko is well-known among anime fans as the voice behind the theme songs of many best-selling anime titles. She will perform in Suncoast and Media Play locations throughout the country along with the Para Para dancers, who embody the dance craze unleashed by the red-hot Para Para Paradise videogames."

Inu-Yasha - Secret of the New Moon

2005-09-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

"BACK FROM THE GRAVE
As Kagome tries to keep up with her social life and school in modern times, she constantly has to split her time with the search for the Shikon Jewel in Inuyasha's. When Kagome, Inuyasha, and Shippo come across a young girl who tells them her village is plagued by spider-demons, Inuyasha reluctantly agrees to help. But there's a problem. During certain periods of the moon cycle, half-demons lose their supernatural powers, becoming fully human for a night. And that night has arrived! The other two episodes are about a witch stealing Kikyo's ashes by desecrating her grave. If she carries through with her plans, Inuyasha might have to face the priestess that ensorcelled him a second time!

This show is very clever. I was really intrigued by the circumstances of what really happened the day Kikyo bound Inuyasha to the sacred tree 50 years ago. Both sides have their own version, each thinking the other betrayed them. It makes me want to know what really happened. I thought the love story that comes to light between the two was touching. This anime is way above average and owes that not only to the great animation but also the awesome stories of Rumiko Takahashi! Excellent show!"

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Blood Anime Becomes Game

2005-08-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Blood Anime Becomes Game News Story From 1UP.COM: "If you've seen Production I.G's 2000 anime short film Blood The Last Vampire, you'll soon you'll be able to see a brand-new anime TV series based on the universe entitled Blood+ - and then a bit later a the Blood+ game on both your PSP and PS2.
When the original film was released in 2000, Production I.G followed up with not just one but two PlayStation 2 games. These were basically choose-your-own-adventure books brought into anime form. Filled with big-budget animation and original stories, the two volume game should've been a hit in Japan and beyond, but they made the volumes 15-30 minutes long and priced at $60 a piece. Most people bailed out of the deal."

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

QTK ANIME'S "DARK-N-LIGHT"

2005-08-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

Here's some "homegrown" manga from QTK. They're just getting warmed up... So we'll be keeping an eye on them...^_^

QTK ANIME'S First Graphic Novel - DARK-N-LIGHT :: ActiveAnime.com :: Where Anime News and Reviews Matters: "August 25, 2005 - QTK ANIME has been in business since 2003. Writer and artist Keita Browne created the company along with her sister Quiana and close friend Tiffany. The idea stemmed from their love of Anime and Manga. After attending their first convention in Rosemont, IL in April 1998, they were determined that they would leave their own individual mark in the Anime and Manga industry. From there, Quiana, Tiffany, and Keita decided to take some initiative and start up their own Manga publishing company. Together they used the first letters of their names to create a trendy name for the company, Q.T.K. ANIME (Quiana, Tiffany, and Keita).
Since the company's conception in 2003 QTK ANIME has added many artists and writers to their staff. Currently in 2005, QTK ANIME will be publishing their arsenal of Manga-styled comics including genres in romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and drama."

Dark-N-Light, a 116 page Manga styled graphic novel, will be available August 2005 in selected comic book stores in the Midwest, or directly from QTK ANIME for $7.99.

For more information, contact QTK ANIME by phone 708-207-1773 or e-mail at info@QTKANIME.com

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

"U.S. Teenage Girls Prefer Japanese Heroes"

2005-08-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

AlterNet: WireTap: U.S. Teenage Girls Prefer Japanese Heroes: "Usually, the publication of a new comic book is not news.
But, gadzooks! The July launch of 'Shojo Beat' comic book for young women is up there with the latest Harry Potter sequel as one of the year's biggest publishing stories.
A thick, square-bound magazine published by Viz, Shojo Beat collects six English-language manga (Japanese comic books) and publishes them in monthly installments and distributes them at retail outlets such as Wal-Marts and bookstores--territory long ago lost by American comics. Manga are among the most vital sector of U.S. publishing, showing double-digit growth for the past three years. In the U.S., manga is a $110 million a year industry, but in Japan the manga market grosses approximately $4.7 billion each year."

Yes, it seems the ladies are in the manga "drivers seat"....kinda scary ^_^

Mark

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Gunparade - "What are they thinking?"

2005-08-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Review: "Where does 'proper' manga stop and doujinshi begin? That's not a question that the Gunparade March Anthology addresses, but it's certainly relevant, as many of the contributors in this volume are doujin specialists. Throw them in with artists from other fandom-related disciplines, like gaming, collectible cards, and even some who do actual manga, and the result is a product that fluctuates between sharp humor and near incoherence. Squeezing over 20 artists into 160 pages may not have been the smartest idea, and with many of them being no more than highly accomplished semi-pros, it's like a glimpse into the rising-but-stuck-halfway stars of manga. Are you sure you want to pay $10 for this?"

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Japan's Oldest Anime - Found In Kyoto

2005-08-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

I found this in the Mainichi News.

MSN-Mainichi Daily News: National News: "KYOTO -- A researcher has received a Japanese animation film made shortly after 1900, probably the oldest of its kind in the country.
Natsuki Matsumoto, an expert on iconography at the Osaka University of Arts, and animation historian Nobuyuki Tsugata of the same school believe that the film was made about 10 years before another animation in 1917, which has been deemed Japan's oldest.
The film was discovered in a Kyoto home and later handed to Matsumoto. After examining production techniques and projectors found along with the film, he concluded that the film was probably the oldest of its kind in Japan.
Tsugata said that animation films were first made around 1907 in the United States and France, suggesting that the animation film found in Kyoto was made using original techniques.
The 35-millimeter, celluloid animation film consists of 50 frames stuck together with paste. It depicts a boy in a sailor suit who writes Chinese characters, 'katsudo shashin' (moving picture), takes off his hat and gives a salute.
Pictures of the boy are printed on the celluloid frames in black and red ink.The creators of the film remain unknown.
Matsumoto and Tsugata plan to jointly publish details about the film in the bulletin of the Japan Society of Image Arts and Sciences. (Mainichi)"

Pretty cool, I thought...

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news
anime
manga
drawing anime

Otakon 2005 - Tokyopop

2005-08-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

More "Rising Stars" of Tokyopop are breaking on to the scene. Here's an update from Otakon 2005 this weekend.

Anime News Network - Otakon 2005 - Tokyopop: "TOKYOPOP Representatives: Rob Valois and Lillian M. Diaz-Przybyl

While Tokyopop had no new licenses to announce, they did have one new Original English Language title to announce. "My Cat Loki", a new series by Bettina Kurkoski, winner of the Rising Stars of Manga 2 competition, will be released by Tokyopop in 2006.

They also re-iterated recent license announcements, including titles like Beck, Loveless, Dazzle (Hatenko Yugi) Sakura Taisen, The World Exists for Me (The World of S&M) and Rozen Maiden.

The single volume manga Smuggler, by Shohei Manabe, the creator of Dead End, will be released in January."

Stay tuned for more...

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga Tokyopop

Oktakon - "Cosplay Invaders"

2005-08-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hey look!! It's Inuyasha...

Getting animated about cartoons - baltimoresun.com: "Dez Fitch showed up as Lei-Lei, a blue-skinned zombie who is controlled by her sister.

Connor Albers was No Face, a mute who wears a black robe and has the power to transform air into gold.

And Brandon Connolly came dressed as the martial-arts expert Rygoa Hibiki.

Fitch, Albers and Connolly were among thousands of fans of Japanese animated characters who arrived yesterday for the 12th annual Otakon, a three-day event at the Baltimore Convention Center. Otakon is expected to draw more than 20,000 people.

Fitch, Albers and Connolly came dressed as their favorite characters who appear in Japanese films, comic books, video games and TV cartoon series. The characters have spawned a genre known as Japanese anime, which has spread from Japan to the United States and other parts of the globe.

Yesterday, people dressed as animated characters spilled onto the streets around the convention center. Traffic on Pratt Street came to a crawl as some motorists slowed down to gawk and others honked their horns and stopped to snap pictures with their cell phones. Some pedestrians seemed stunned as they were approached by the assortment of strangely costumed characters."

Otakon is ON!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

FMA Director - Guest of Honor at PMX

2005-08-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is going to be one awesome event! And it just keeps getting better...

Anime-Cons.com: News: Article: "(Los Angeles) The Pacific Media Association (PMA) has announced the appearance of Mr. Seiji Mizushima at Pacific Media Expo during Labor Day weekend, September 3-5, 2005 at Long Beach Convention Center.

Seiji Mizushima is one of the hottest directors in Japan these days. The popular show, 'Shaman King', has been featured on both FoxBox and 4Kids TV, along with a line of toys being released by Mattel and a video game being released by Konami. The 'Fullmetal Alchemist' TV series, released in the US by FUNimation Productions, has been a runaway hit on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The manga was recently announced by Viz Media and a second title of the video game series was recently released by Square Enix. Mr. Mizushima also directed the theatrical version of 'Fullmetal Alchemist'. Since its July 28th release in Japan, the movie has consistently been in the top five films in the country. Mr. Mizushima has also worked on other well-known titles, including 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', 'Dai-Guard' and 'Slayers Next'.

Mr. Mizushima will be joining other Guests of Honor at PMX, including manga artist, Daisuke Moriyama, the creator of the popular manga and anime title, 'Chrno Crusade'; voice actress Naoko Matsui, who has worked on 'Martian Successor Nadesico', 'Mobile Suit Gundam Wing', 'Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ', and 'Silent Mobius'; funny man Rex Navarrete, one of America's most successful Asian-American comedians; and artist Masaki Asai (APSY), one of Japan's most famous toy modelers. Mr. Mizushima will also be bringing over items representing his work for donation to the City of Hope Charity Auction, hosted by Pacific Media Expo. The proceeds will benefit the City of Hope Pediatrics Unit as part of the Heroes for Hope campaign."

I can't wait!!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Inuyasha "Hits The Streets"

2005-08-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

The North American release of “INUYASHA THE MOVIE 3: SWORDS OF AN HONORABLE RULER” is coming Sept. 6. VIZ Media has outdone themselves again with this promo...

Anime on DVD: "(New York, NY– August 16, 2005) – “INUYASHA THE MOVIE 3: SWORDS OF AN HONORABLE RULER” is being given a highly visible and very unique send off to retail. It will launch as a theatrical title for thousands of lucky fans before going to the small screen via DVD on September 6. In an effort to break through the clutter of the straight to DVD and Anime market, VIZ Media looked to Revolution Marketing (www. revolutionmarketing.com) to create a buzz worthy of one of the top titles in the very hot Anime category. Revolution Marketing’s answer is a 15-city world premiere mobile theater tour that launches in Seattle, WA on August 24.

In a joint effort with VIZ Media, Revolution Marketing has developed a 92-seat, state-of-the-art, mobile movie theater that will travel to one Wal-Mart in each of 15 cities, allowing the big-box giant the never-before-seen opportunity to host a theatrical premier of a DVD title they will then be selling.

“We had never seen a direct to DVD title benefiting from a true theatrical release,” said Andrew Klein, President, Revolution Marketing. “We came up with a mobile theater tour because it brings the big screen theater release concept directly to the retailer carrying the DVD title. Where else could you see a movie, leave the theater, go buy it, take it home and watch it again. This is a truly unique concept, that I think you’ll see other production companies borrow in the future."

Sounds like it's going to be a HUGE success. Way to go VIZ and Revolution Marketing!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Tokyo no Radio - Launched Today!

2005-08-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

This came in on the newswire this morning. What a cool site! If you are at the Otakon this weekend, be sure to stop by their booth. You might get yourself on Central Park Media's new DVD!

Anime News Network - Press Release: "TOKYOnoRADIO.com
Underground punk/indie/garage/ska/etc CDs from Japan

Otaku Unite! director Eric 'Eiffel' B. has decided to take advantage of his knowledge of Japanese underground music for fun and profit (well, just barely, check out our prices)! Launching this weekend to coincide with Baltimore's Otakon, TOKYOnoRADIO is starting out with 38 titles from underground Japanese artists of various genres. This number will increase greatly over the coming months as we strive to become the internet's #1 source for Japanese specialty music. Your stereo will be ours.

The Otaku Unite! DVD is on its way to a retail outlet near you in the first quarter of 2006 courtesy of NYC's Central Park Media. Cosplayers who plan on attending Otakon this coming weekend have the opportunity to appear on the DVD by stopping by the Central Park Media booth and getting your picture taken. The best costumes will be featured in a photo gallery on the DVD."

And, yes I know this is not excactly anime related. Just thought I'd share...

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

FLCL - A Sound Decision

2005-08-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Sound Decision - The Pillows: "History lesson: when Geneon issued the second FLCL soundtrack about a year ago, there was no third soundtrack and, since the miniseries wrapped up six years ago, certainly no plans for one. But once the sales figures were in, the combined success of the two FLCL discs compelled Geneon to A) drag the Pillows over here for a concert tour and B) make another FLCL soundtrack.

Three CDs for 150 minutes of animation...sound a little crazy to you? Maybe, but before you accuse FLCL of doing its best Evangelion impression, behold: vocals! Believe me, I was skeptical when I saw 'Sad Sad Kiddie - 3:12' and recalled 'Sad Sad Kiddie - 2:03.' But Sawao Yamanaka's 'hang ten' 'tude makes all the difference. From 'Nightmare' to 'Funny Bunny,' these are brand new songs, which is more than we could say for Evangelion remix #82."

And the CD is kiwi green. Looks tasty.

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Pacific Media Expo - Special Guest

2005-08-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

This is going to be an awesome event. I will be there, so be sure to look for me.

Anime News Network - Press Release: "The Pacific Media Association (PMA) has announced the appearance of Mr. Seiji Mizushima at Pacific Media Expo during Labor Day weekend, September 3-5, 2005 at Long Beach Convention Center.

Seiji Mizushima is one of the hottest directors in Japan these days. The popular show, 'Shaman King', has been featured on both FoxBox and 4Kids TV, along with a line of toys being released by Mattel and a video game being released by Konami. The 'Fullmetal Alchemist' TV series, released in the US by FUNimation Productions, has been a runaway hit on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The manga was recently announced by Viz Media and a second title of the video game series was recently released by Square Enix. Mr. Mizushima also directed the theatrical version of 'Fullmetal Alchemist'. Since its July 28th release in Japan, the movie has consistently been in the top five films in the country. Mr. Mizushima has also worked on other well-known titles, including 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', 'Dai-Guard' and 'Slayers Next'.

Mr. Mizushima will be joining other Guests of Honor at PMX, including manga artist, Daisuke Moriyama, the creator of the popular manga and anime title, 'Chrno Crusade'; voice actress Naoko Matsui, who has worked on 'Martian Successor Nadesico', 'Mobile Suit Gundam Wing', 'Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ', and 'Silent Mobius'; funny man Rex Navarrete, one of America's most successful Asian-American comedians; and artist Masaki Asai (APSY), one of Japan's most famous toy modelers. Mr. Mizushima will also be bringing over items representing his work for donation to the City of Hope Charity Auction, hosted by Pacific Media Expo. The proceeds will benefit the City of Hope Pediatrics Unit as part of the Heroes for Hope campaign.

For more information on Pacific Media Expo go to http://www.PacificMediaExpo.com or by sending E-mail to Information@PacificMediaExpo.com.

I'll see you in Long Beach!!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

"Great Balls 'O Fire"

2005-08-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

dOc DVD Review: Pom Poko (Heisei tanuki gassen pompoko) (1994): "Despite the fact that it was the top draw at the Japanese box office on 1994 and the product of revered animation director Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbors the Yamadas), Pom Poko has largely gone unseen in America, even among fans of Takahata and his partner, Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke). I wish I could say it's because the story, about a group of raccoons fighting to protect their woodland home from encroaching real estate developers in 1960s Tokyo, is steeped in Japanese myths and fables that wouldn't necessarily translate to the Western market. But I'd guess it has more to do with simple anatomy.

You see, Pom Poko isn't really about raccoons at all. Though the animals are labeled as such in the subtitles and English dub, the stars are really tanuki, a raccoon-like animal that, according to Japanese folklore, has been gifted with magical powers. Tanuki are said to be able to shape shift, transforming themselves to look like humans, other animals, or even inanimate objects. According to the Ghibli resource site nausicaa.net, the creatures are also believed to have large testicles, said to bring good fortune (they're known as 'golden balls'). Ceramic tanuki statues are sold in shops in Japan, and they always feature the oversized testicles. "

Many anime fans assumed Disney would never release Pom Poko. I commend them for the rather... ballsy decision to do so without changing a frame. It will be interesting to see what people make of it.

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

"Hating Things South Korean"

2005-08-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

MSN-Mainichi Daily News: WaiWai: "Japan seemed to have developed an enormous love affair for things Korean over the past couple of years, but now a manga has appeared on the market to suggest that things have not quite been as they looked on the surface, according to Shukan Shincho (05/11-18).

'Kenkanryu,' the manga whose title translates directly as 'Hating Things South Korean,' became a bestseller the moment it went on sale on July 26, topping charts run by Amazon Japan and other online bookstores.
'Our first print was 30,000 copies and we have already ordered a second printing of 70,000 copies. It's already a 100,000 copy print,' a spokesman for Shinyusha, publisher of the controversial book, tells Shukan Shincho."

Byon Jil-il, managing editor of the Tokyo-based "Korea Report," says he is not surprised that a book like this has come onto the market.

"Even I thought the South Korean boom that started with (Korean TV drama) 'Winter Sonata' was too much. The resistance to this boom has deep roots," Byon tells Shukan Shincho. "This manga has effectively tapped into this sentiment. And I think that's why it's selling so well." (By Ryann Connell)

Kim chee anyone?

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Drawing up battle lines !

2005-08-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

Cartoonist Yoshinori Kobayashi, pictured holding a copy of his magazine, has cast Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi as the villain in the row over visits to the Yasukini shrine. Koizumi is a symbol of wishy-washy Japan, he says.

Manga Artist Strike Back!!!

The Standard - Drawing up battle lines - Focus Section:On the book jacket, he gazes out with steely self-confidence in his white kimono, his distinctly uncool red-framed glasses the only hint of the social isolation that brought him this far.
Sixty years after the end of World War II, one of the best-selling books touching on Japan's controversial history is the work of a cartoonist - or manga man - Yoshinori Kobayashi.

Employing a masterful balance of wit and understatement, Kobayashi is again taking his unapologetic and provocative defense of Japan's past to a wider audience.

This time, he is campaigning on behalf of Yasukuni shrine, the sanctuary to Japanese war dead at the center of tensions with the two countries that suffered most under its wartime occupation - China and South Korea."

One view, however, that has won him some friends on the left is his fear that Japan is becoming, both culturally and economically, too much like the United States.

In my opinion...being controversial is something artists have always done well...How far will our friend Yoshinori go? Stay Tuned!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Anime artist a big draw

2005-08-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

The Somerville News: Anime artist a big draw: "by Olivia Blanco Mullins

Tall, thin, and with black hair that plays tag with his shoulders, his clothes hang loosely from his body. The glasses and stern look in his eyes give away a maturity that seems unnatural of the comic book fan he is. Or maybe they reveal the businessman he may become.

Somerville resident Michael Terraciano, more commonly known as Mookie, gave two panel discussions at the Anime Boston, a Japanese animation conference held April 9-11 that attracted more than 3,000 fans. Mookie is invited to comic book conferences across the East Coast; he has a book deal on the way; and his web comic is getting 8,500 hits a day. But he doesn’t want to get his hopes up yet.

Since April of 2002, Mookie has drawn and written about Dominic Deegan, a small town seer whose life changes as he tries to rid himself of a curse. Mookie’s fans, including people from across the U.S., Europe and Asia, have watched Dominic Deegan become more than a comic hero. In the past few months, Mookie began selling t-shirts with the main character and is thinking of making more merchandise available. Next September, Keenspot.com, the host of his web comic, will publish a book with the first hundred strips of Dominic Deegan. Mookie will receive a share of the profits, free ex"

Mookie's cartoon can be found on the web at http://www.dominic-deegan.com.

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

tags - news anime manga drawing anime

Interview - Peach-Pit

2005-08-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

These ladies are so close, you'd think they were twins...

Anime News Network - Peach-Pit: "Even though this quiet duo of girls are relatively new to the manga scene, they've already acheived great success with titles like DearS and Rozen Maiden. Both have already been made into anime series, and there's even a DearS game for the Playstation 2. Getting their humble start from doujinshi, they quickly developed a huge following with their gorgeous artwork and their cute characters. It's a wonder that such a shy group of artists can make such loud and outgoing characters!

(Note: While Peach-Pit is definitely two girls, they're so close that they even clamoured to answer the questions together and finish each other's sentences, so all answers are written as one voice.)"

Click on the link above for the rest of this facinating interview.

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

news anime manga drawing anime

Naruto's Invading!

2005-08-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Press Release: "Worldwide Sensation Naruto Makes Cartoon Network Debut in September
U.S. Debut of Popular Anime Series on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. (ET, PT) during
Cartoon Network's Action Block, Toonami

Naruto, the global hit anime series centering around Uzumaki Naruto, a rebellious ninja in training, makes its U.S. debut on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. (ET, PT) during Toonami, Cartoon Network's high-rated action block. The series has already acquired a huge fan base in the U.S. through DVD sales and bootleg tapes, having first aired in Japan in 2002. Its debut on Cartoon Network will mark the first time the series has been shown in English."

I can't wait to check the dub on this....should be interesting

Mark
The Anime Times

news anime manga drawing anime

Anime with "ZING"

2005-08-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Animated visitors expected for 'Anime-zing': "Anime has become a worldwide phenomenon. The anime market earns close to $1 billion annually, not even counting revenue from action figures, toys and video games based on anime characters and franchises.
One of the last places anime hasn't hit it big is in the United States. Though anime is catching on here, too, a new exhibit opening Saturday at the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda, 'Anime-zing: The World of Japanese Animation,' hopes to help it along.
'Hopefully, this will open people eyes as to what's out there and get people into it,' says Diana Dretske, collections coordinator and curator of 'Anime-zing.'"

That's right friends....$1 Billion dollars a year!!! And growing!!!
That'll put some "zing" in your stride...

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

news anime manga drawing anime

Mysterious Play - Vol. 7

2005-08-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting review. It's funny when you set your expectations. Anything can happen...

Anime News Network - Review: "

Review:
A few months ago, when it first came out, I reviewed the first volume of Fushigi Yuugi dubbed, and mentioned that while a few characters (namely Miaka) and the English screenplay were a little weak, it would probably improve with a few volumes.

I won't be making that prediction again"

Mark
The Anime Times

drawing anime anime manga news

Anime-Cons.com: News: Article

2005-08-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

Anime-Cons.com: News: Article: "Burnaby, BC - Anime Evolution (AE 2005) is primed to be Vancouver's premiere Asian entertainment event where industry and audiences are able to interact directly in an informal setting. This three-day Japanese Animation Convention, expected to draw over 2,000 people, will bring together art, animation, video games, TV, film and music in a celebration of Asian popular culture and multimedia. All are welcome to attend the event, which draws largely on Vancouver's local talent pool of gifted actors and artists, as well as film and animation studios, comic book publishers, and game developers. Festivities take place August 19-21, 2005 at Simon Fraser University's Burnaby Campus. Events take place at various locations on campus and the convention runs 24 hours a day."

This one is from Anime-Cons....a day late

Mark
The Anime Times

drawing anime anime manga news

Anime News Network - Review

2005-08-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Review: "If you've never seen Grave of the Fireflies, you're missing a true classic. A 1988 double feature with My Neighbor Totoro, this is Studio Ghibli at its finest: a tragic, touching story of two youngsters trying to survive during War-stricken Japan.

Years ago, when I was just getting onto the anime scene, it was a running joke that Central Park Media would eventually dub Grave of the Fireflies. Ignoring their brief agreement with Manga Entertainment to share dubbed projects, CPM's English Language versions were and still are consistently sub-par. It truly boggled the mind what their talentless dubbing staff would do to this fine film.

Now that they finally have released a dubbed version (produced for bilingual DVD purposes), I have to admit that it could have been a lot worse.

While other films have told the World War II story through the eyes of children (AD Vision's 'Rail of the Star', Streamline's 'Barefoot Gen', and 'Who's Left Behind?', to name a few), none have so successfully captured the horror and despair as Grave of the Fireflies. Some Japanese people have told me that older relatives cannot even sit through the film, since it is just too emotional and comes too close to real life. This is an anime that you can show to anyone, should you need to prove that not all anime is gory violent oversexed Akira spin-offs."

Mark
news anime manga drawing anime

Anime Evolution - AE 2005

2005-08-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Press Release: "Burnaby, BC - Anime Evolution (AE 2005) is primed to be Vancouver's premiere Asian entertainment event where industry and audiences are able to interact directly in an informal setting. This three-day Japanese Animation Convention, expected to draw over 2,000 people, will bring together art, animation, video games, TV, film and music in a celebration of Asian popular culture and multimedia. All are welcome to attend the event, which draws largely on Vancouver's local talent pool of gifted actors and artists, as well as film and animation studios, comic book publishers, and game developers. Festivities take place August 19-21, 2005 at Simon Fraser University's Burnaby Campus. Events take place at various locations on campus and the convention runs 24 hours a day."

Sounds like fun, if you're in Canada....eh?

Mark
The Anime Times

Something to Howl About?

2005-08-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

Anime Articles - theOtaku.com: "Thank you so much Mr. Miyazaki. You have succeeded, once again, in creating another wonderful piece of entertainment. Howl's Moving Castle is a lovely story ever so loosely based on the equally lovely book, similarly titled "Howl's Moving Castle" by Diana Wynne Jones. But that's not what I'm here to talk to you about. I'm here concerning the morals in the film. So, off we go to find truth in the world of Howl's Moving Castle.

Well, let us start with the simple one. Greed is something you don't want to fall subject to. This is embodied by the rather large and rubberized looking Witch of the Waste. If you paid close attention, you would know that, at one point in time, Howl had been in love with her. Then, discovering that she wasn't all that she cracked up to be, he left her. Later on then, when the Witch had been reduced to a blithering old woman, and she was asked by Sophie if she had ever been in love, the Witch responded "Yes, and I still am." Whoa, there is one big tip-off there. She still loves Howl, and with Sophie being in love with him, and more than likely vise-versa, there was no chance of them getting back together. That's why she wanted his heart, and she nearly killed him because she wanted him to be hers and only hers."

I love a good triangle...

Mark
The Anime Times

drawing anime anime manga news

Making a case for anime

2005-08-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

Exhibits make a case for anime art's place: "Anime is not always what it seems.
You may think it's cartoony junk, and, indeed, there is some difference of opinion in the art world on the worth of anime art. However, an interesting conjunction of exhibitions in Louisville -- Julian Opie prints at the Speed Art Museum and local anime art at the main branch of the public library -- suggest this art form requires more introspective consideration.

When the 'Animecon 05' convention concludes with a reception at 5 p.m. Thursday at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library, Jessica Atchley, 16, will be there. The Butler High School student, who has been developing anime art since the fourth grade, has several images in the show, which will remain on display at the library through Sept. 30.

She said she will be wearing a prosthetic, metal-like arm she made like that worn by Edward Elric, the main character in 'Full Metal Alchemist,' a Japanese-made film that has spun off anime art, games, music and manga, or comic books.

Costume is a big part of get-togethers celebrating the art form that the hippie gang from the '60s may recall as Astro Boy cartoons and that their grandchildren know as Pokemon.

The one-day Louisville anime convention, with workshops and a costume contest, is aimed at those 13 to 18. In this country anime is often identified with children, teens and young adults, but in Japan and elsewhere it transcends age boundaries, though it is not always considered legit in high-art circles.

"I know a lot of artists, art professors look down on it," said Marty Edlin, 42, a master of fine arts graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago and supervisor of Metro Arts of Louisville, where he and 15 other instructors teach art, including anime. Many of the artists represented in the library show were taught by Edlin.

There will always be skeptics. I for one, beleive that the anime phenom will continue to thrive and grow in our culture.

Mark
The Anime Times

drawing anime anime manga news

Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum: 03

2005-08-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

What does motivate Misato???
I digress... ^_^

Anime News Network - Review: "The Eva pilots settle into business as they begin handling missions against the Angels as a trio. As they soon discover, though, not all of the Angels strike directly or with physical might, but that makes them no less dangerous. Meanwhile Misato gets promoted, Ritsuko must deal with the legacy of her mother, and Commander Ikari is off to the South Pole to retrieve something which may ultimately prove important to his plans and those of SEELE, the secret organization behind NERV. Just when things finally seem to be going well, one of the Evas goes berserk during a test!

No brainer...get it!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Aquarian Age on DVD

2005-08-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

I hear the Aquarion Age DVD comes with a great booklet inside that gives bachground 411 for the game and the CCG.

Anime News Network - Review: "For many ages three powerful but secretive organizations have operated on Earth: WIZ-DOM, Arayashiki, and Darklore. During the Age of Aquarius the alien Erasers invade, sparking a fourth organization,E.G.O.,to arise and unite the other three in defeating their common foe. Peace lasts for only a short time, however, before the interdimensional Polestar Empire invades on a mission of conquest. Once again representatives of each of the four organizations must gather and come up with a way to defeat the new invaders.

For an excellent review, click on the ANN link above...

Mark
The Anime Times

Initial D - The 4th Stage!

2005-08-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

Action-packed anime at its stylized best - INQ7.net: "A balance between realism and stylization is one of the major qualities of Initial D: Fourth Stage, the newest series that ANIMAX shall bring soon to the tubes of anime lovers around the country. The anime and manga focuses on the world of Japanese street car racing, where all the action is concentrated in the mountain passes--called toge--and never in cities nor urban areas, and the drift racing style is emphasized in particular. The manga is competently drawn by famous artist Shuichi Shigeno, who started publishing the manga in 1995, featured in the Japanese publication Kodansha's Young on a weekly basis.

Set in the late 1990s, the first installation of Initial D followed the adventures of Takumi Fujiwara, an 18-year-old lad who helps his father run a tofu shop by delivering every morning to a hotel over Mount Akina in Gunma Prefecture using his father's Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX. Driving through the mountain pass every morning to deliver tofu for five years developed Takumi's
skills in drift technique driving and has transformed him to become a mighty force on the road that is not to be ignored."

Alright race fans, fasten your seatbelts for this one!!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

When Nerds Collide ??

2005-08-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a funny one..

Anime News Network - Shelf Life - When Nerds Collide: "Sometimes, real life is a lot more interesting than fantasy,even if it's scripted and animated. That's part of what makes Genshiken one of the best shows out this year. Sure, it doesn't have super villains or masked heroines, but it has something even better: realistic people doing ordinary things. Extremely faithful to the original manga, the series follows a college club named the Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Genshiken for short. The first volume focuses on the club's three newcomers: Sasahara, a shy freshman who still isn't comfortable declaring himself a nerd; Kohsaka, a super gamer geek who looks every bit a dashing, normal, non-otaku pretty boy; and Saki, a mundane, who's in love with Kohsaka but loathes his fandom. Between all of the characters, there's probably at least one person who reminds you either of someone in your life, or yourself. From trips to doujinshi shops to the raging crowds at ComicFest, the adventures of the club members are an undeniable riot. Serving almost like a documentary on fans, Genshiken spends just as much time delving into the ins and outs of Japanese fandom as it does looking at the gaps between otaku and, the mundane. Full of jokes that strike darned close to home and captivating characters to deliver them, Genshiken is an absolute must see for any fan of anime, manga, or games.

Within minutes, it rose to the top of my list of favorites, and you'd be doing yourself a hearty disservice by not checking it out.

Mark
The Anime Times

VIZ Media Announces...

2005-08-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

VIZ MEDIA TO RELEASE MANGA AND ANIME SERIES FOR ZATCH BELL!

Anime News Network - Press Release: "San Francisco, CA, AUGUST 4, 2005 - VIZ Media, LLC. (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive manga and animation licensing and publishing companies, announced today the forthcoming releases of the manga and anime series for ZATCH BELL!. The first two volumes of the manga series will debut in August with a rating of "T" for teens and have an MSRP of $9.99 each. Limited quantities of the second volume will also include an exclusive promotional card from the ZATCH BELL! collectible card game. The first volume of the anime series will debut on home video and DVD in November and feature 4 episodes retailing for $19.98.

ZATCH BELL! first debuted in Japan in the Shonen Sunday manga anthology, published by VIZ Media’s parent company Shogakukan, and quickly established a dedicated following. A collection of related video and trading card games followed, as did a hit anime series from Toei Studios which aired on Fuji TV. In North America, the animated series currently airs on Cartoon Network in the United Sates.

Sound good? Let me hear from you and I'll post a review. I've always liked VIZ Media. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.

Mark
The Anime Times

"Wizard World" Chicago

2005-08-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be going to the WW event in Chicago this weekend, you may want to take a day extra and go to Wauconda. What's in Wauconda,you ask?? Check this out...

News - Vernon Hills Review: "'Anime-zing: The World of Japanese Animation,' will open Aug. 13, 2005, at the Lake County Discovery Museum at Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda.
The exciting new exhibit explores the world of Japanese animation, known as anime.
Explore this pop culture phenomenon through an interactive exhibit that includes anime clips, original production art, collectibles and more.
Through an interactive journey, visitors will trace anime's history and cultural roots, learn about its creators and fans and delve into its various genres. Learn about Japanese storytelling and the art of anime through popular shows and movies such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Ghost in the Shell, Sailor Moon and Speed Racer, which are all featured in the exhibit.
'Anime-zing' exhibit highlights include various traditional Japanese art prints and vintage postcards, a replica of the cat bus from My Neighbor Totoro, and a wall mural of modern day Tokyo. Visitors also can discover what goes on behind the scenes of anime production at Mastodon Productions, Inc. This special studio allows guests to try their hand at creating an anime character and being a voice actor.

I like the studio idea, maybe it'll catch on...

Mark
Tha Anime Times

Anime Award Winner - Lindsay Cibos !!!

2005-08-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Over the last month, we have recieved 100's of questions from aspiring artists. Today I recieved a personal response from Lindsay Cibos!!! She was kind enough to provide some advice for you "rising stars".

So it is with great pleasure, we post this reply from Lindsay...

-Practice, practice, practice! I can't stress this one enough. As a self-taught artist, I can tell you from experience that the best way to improve is to just keep drawing and never give up.

-Observe your surroundings! Draw everything! Draw from real life. The curtains in your house. The clothes you're wearing right now -- including all those wrinkles and textures. Your hands. Draw them many times, in many different positions. Learn how the human figure works.

Go to the mall andbring a sketch book. Try drawing the people that walk by. It takes time to get used to doing quick gesture drawings, so if you find that they move too quickly, there's other options.

Have your family members and friends model for you so you can draw them. Buy one of those fashion magazines and start with that.

-Try to stay away from tracing or copying off other artwork. It may be a good starting place to get a feel for the style, but try to go beyond this as soon as possible, or you'll only become a good copier. And what's the point of drawing something that's already been drawn?

-Art classes available at school (both high school and college level) should give you a good foundation of the basics: line, proportion, depth, color,design, etc etc. To reiterate, your best bet is practice and dedication. That is what will help you improve the most.

There's no magic tricks or secrets to drawing,it's just something you learn over time from repetition and practice.If you want to be the best artist you can then most important thing you can do is devote yourself to your work. This might mean putting down that new video game you bought in order to give yourself a few hours every day to spend improving your drawings. But if you have the desire to become a skilled artist, it's worth it!

Best regards,
Lindsay Cibos
www.jaredandlindsay.com

Thanks Lindsay!!! You guys are the best. For more on Jared Hodges and Lindsay Cibos, be sure to visit them at www.jaredandlindsay.com

Mark
The Anime Times

Tel Aviv - Anime Con

2005-08-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

Haaretz - Article Underground: "From Tokyo to Tel Aviv, anime magic enchants fans

By Sara Miller

Israeli Libat Rosenstock, 17, speaks perfect English. Of course she does. She learned it from Japanese films.

Not just any Japanese films, mind you. Her English came from speed-reading the subtitles on the anime cartoons she devours.

Anime, for those not in the know, is Japanese animation. You've probably seen it around - huge-eyed characters with tiny mouths and elfin features, often taking on dragons or evil sorcerers with their fantastical magic powers, or massive, lethal samurai swords.

Anime has a lock on so many young Israelis that a satellite channel now broadcasts the animated films round the clock.

And when hundreds of fans gathered at Israel's first national anime convention at the International Convention Center in Tel Aviv on Sunday night, the air had a decidedly teen feel to it:

The noise is quite overwhelming, most it coming from a stage at the far end of the room, on which three young men are performing. They're obviously a hit, most likely because what they turn out to be playing are the theme tunes from popular anime cartoons. Below them, a hundred or so people are singing along - in Japanese. It sounds very impressive."

Thanks to Sara Miller for the article. It's great to see the international flavors of Anime!

Mark
The Anime Times

"Samurai Gun"

2005-08-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

In case you enjoy the Cowboy Bebop series, here's something from ADV films...

Toon Zone - Your Source for Toon News!: "Cowboy Bebop's stylish bounty hunters generated one of the largest and most devoted followings in anime history. This lesson was not lost on studio executives, who have been trying for some years to come up with the next Bebop, and although wave after wave of new anime titles continue to crash upon these shores, most would agree none succeeded. But the latest effort, Samurai Gun, is nearly on target.

Originally a manga serialized in Young Jump Comics, the show was produced jointly by Avex Mode and ADV Films--and it would be interesting to learn what creative input ADV provided. It is the story of ace gunslingers who fight for justice in tumultuous late 19th century Japan. The setting is right out of The Last Samurai, but this time the hero is only half Caucasian. His team is reminiscent of the Galaxy Rangers, with their nearly identical costumes and reliance on trusty sidearms to right society's wrongs. The slick animation, varied characters, and noirish atmosphere do somewhat recall Bebop, but with less humor and, so far, not quite the same depth. Still, the show is intentionally mysterious, and it is only by the third episode that the pieces really start to fall into place, so I'm sure it has a lot of growth ahead."

Samurai Gun Vol. 1 will be in stores Aug. 16 from ADV Films.

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Tokyopop Means Business

2005-08-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

TOKYOPOP - NEWS - Press Room: "Los Angeles, CA (July 28, 2005) -- In support of its strategy for continued international growth, the TOKYOPOP Group has bolstered its worldwide finance and accounting infrastructure by announcing the addition of two key personnel to its Tokyo and Los Angeles offices.
TOKYOPOP U.S. has appointed Cary Tan to the role of V.P. & Controller. In this capacity, Cary will oversee the company's U.S. accounting systems, financial reporting and outside royalty reporting. Tan comes to TOKYOPOP with more than 18 years of progressive hands-on financial and managerial experience. With an impressive background that includes posts at Veritami Inc. and Crown Bolt, Tan most recently served as Vice-President of Galleria, Inc., where he supported company growth by negotiating an impressive increase in bank credit facility from $30MM to $82MM over a 4-year period.
TOKYOPOP K.K. has named Cathy Liu to the position of Group Finance & Administration Director. Liu also comes to TOKYOPOP with a wealth of financial industry experience which include crucial financial posts at Hitachi, Toyoichitsusho Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi. Most recently, Cathy served as Controller at The Hudson Software Co. LTD., where she headed International Business Development Planning while overseeing the company's worldwide operations. In her new role at TOKYOPOP, Cathy will manage all accounting and financial reporting for the Japan operating entity and holding company.
'We couldn't be more pleased to have found Cary and Cathy for these important roles,' said TOKYOPOP Group CEO Stuart J. Levy. 'This is a tremendous time of growth for our company, and we are confident that these executives have what it takes to assist us in expanding our worldwide operations.' "

Can Tokyopop get ANY bigger?....I think so....^_^

Mark
The Anime Times

George Lucas - Get My Foot Into Anime

2005-08-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

CNN.com - George Lucas' latest project(s) - Aug 2, 2005: "LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- Think George Lucas is going to take it easy now that he's completed his final 'Star Wars' trilogy? Think again.
Lucas revealed Monday that he wants to bring the wonders of 3-D animation to Asia, produce television shows much more cheaply than the rest of the industry, and make sure that his Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) effects house doesn't lose its famed camaraderie and creative spunk.
'I put all of my resources into pushing the evolution in an industry that is notoriously backwards and I enjoy pushing that envelope,' Lucas told an audience of thousands during an hourlong Q&A at the Siggraph computer graphics confab at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
'I'm lucky enough that there is never a blank canvas in front of me,' Lucas mused. 'I have hundreds of projects that I want to do but I am running out of time.'
Lucas is producing his upcoming series 'Clone Wars' in 3D animation and building a facility in Singapore to 'use the amazing artistic talents in the Asian community,' he said. 'A lot of (Asia) is still trying to move into the 3D age. I set up a plan to speed up the process and to build up the community there. I also look at this as a way to get my foot into anime,' he said."

As much as I love ILM/Lucasfilms, etc...I would love to see George Lucas looking for American talent. What about it George???

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Addictive Anime: LINDSAY CIBOS & JARED HODGES

2005-08-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

This is a repost of a great Newsarama interview with a very special artist, Lindsay Cibos (of JaredandLindsay.com). Some of you have seen this before. But with the release of their new book "Digital Manga Workshop" I thought you might want to see it again...

NEWSARAMA - RISING STARS OF MANGA V: LINDSAY CIBOS & JARED HODGES: "Based on a Grand-Prize winning entry in TOKYOPOP's Rising Stars of Manga competition, Peach Fuzz tells the story of a lonely nine-year-old girl named Amanda and her pet ferret, Peach.

Who's fuzzy.

Peach Fuzz is the creation of Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges. Their past works include the Anime CG Tutorial CD (a how-to handbook on anime style CG artwork), hundreds of private commissions for various clients, and illustrations for Guardians of Order's BESM D20 Edition Book. Both Cibos and Hodges reside in Florida and, ironically enough, share a studio with two pet ferrets (Momoko and Elf) just outside of Orlando.

The first volume of Peach Fuzz was released in January of this year and they're currently hard at work on the next volume. We sat down with Lindsay Cibos for a chat about Peach Fuzz and TOKYOPOP's Rising Stars of Manga contest.

'Peach Fuzz is an amazingly cute series that takes readers into the mind of a very peculiar pet,' TOKYOPOP editor Carol Fox told Newsarama. 'It has a very wide appeal--kids love it, of course, but I'm an adult and Lindsay and Jared's humor cracks me up every time. And there's been interest from niche groups, too: Ferrets magazine did a piece on Peach Fuzz when it came out. It's actually illegal to keep a ferret in a couple of U.S. states, which I think adds a certain mystique. But the story itself is universal.

You can click on the link to get the whole interview. Way to go Jared and Lindsay!
There is more incredible artwork at their website http://jaredandlindsay.com , be sure
to pay them a visit!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

In The News!! Time Magazine!!!

2005-07-31T23:12:00.000-07:00

Check this...
Time Magazine - We ( us Anime Fans) are getting more "spotlight"!!!

TIME.com: 5 Top Anime Movies on DVD -- Aug. 08, 2005: "Posted Sunday, Jul. 31, 2005
Since the 1960s, kids of all nations have enjoyed the quests and antics of Astro Boy, Robotech and their TV kin. But in its feature-film form, anime (Japanese animation) boasts a graphic artistry as potent as Disney's or Pixar's--or Goya's or Bosch's. Here, some anime for the ages.
PERFECT BLUE SATOSHI KON, 1997
A cute 'n' sexy pop singer decides to become a movie actress, then realizes she is being stalked by a fan who loves her a leetle too much. An adult thriller inspired by the giallo suspensers of Italian director Dario Argento, Perfect Blue deftly translates the live-action shock style into lurid-luscious anime visuals while mulling the notion that celebrity is a stroke of good luck punishable by death. Have creepy fun with Perfect Blue; then move on to Kon's Millennium Actress, another, gentler mix of suspense and movie lore. It's an anime tribute to live-action Japanese films, from delicate family dramas to the Godzilla epics of a devastated Tokyo.

There's more to come!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

The Good, The Bad, The Anime

2005-07-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Ms. Answerman: Sky High: "Soreyuke! Gedou Otometai (Akahori Gedou Hour - Rabuge)
Who wouldn't want to see two women living together and fondling each other for no apparent reason? Let's throw in the fact that their night jobs as super heroes don't pay the bills, so they moonlight as horrible comedians who never get a laugh! Seriously though, the first half of this episode was like watching a train wreck where the passengers come running out while on fire and continue to run around until they die. The second half, as strange as it is, is COMPLETELY different from the first half. A family of girls, who are descendants of generic bad guys in masks, want to be evil. They try to use magic to do bad but end up doing good on accident. It's enjoyable in that ,thank the gods the first half is over, sort of way, but it doesn't make up for the fact that the episode was mind-numbingly bad at worst and tolerable at best.

I'll pass on this......anyone else??

Mark
The Anime Times

Underground Anime!! in Saudi Arabia????

2005-07-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

You are NOT going to believe this!!! I just saw this in AI.

Animation Insider - 'ArabNews' Covers Anime: "A Growing Sensation": "ArabNews, the first Saudi English-Language daily newspaper, recently published an article detailing the popularity and influence of Japanese animation on today's youth... today's Arab youth. This leading English Language news source in Saudi Arabia published an informative piece by contributor Razan Baker about how Japanese animation is not just a hot topic in North America, but how 'anime' (Japanese animation) and 'manga' (Japanese comics) are also increasingly accepted in the Middle East as well. Although jokingly mentioning that Japanese animation fandom can influence 'career choices' as well as force people to become 'rabid collectors,' the article take a serious look at how anime is finding its way to the Arab world.
For those of you animation fans who thought that anime was only interesting to those in the Americas, selective parts of Europe, and Australia
. think again. The availability of anime in the Middle East is vastly insufficient for the growing interest, the ArabNews article (entitled: 'Japanese Animation a Growing Sensation Among Youngsters') notes, as over the past few years, just as the mediums general interest has risen in the West, so has interest risen (however incrementally) in the Middle East. Baker of ArabNews writes: 'For the past few years, young and old alike have become more interested in watching and collecting Japanese animations. Although owning them has become a hard task [...] fans still find ways"

That's right!!! Fans STILL find ways!!!....^_^

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Great IGN interview with Berserker_Kev

2005-07-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here is another great interview with IGN staffer Kevin Hall..

IGN: FAQ Writer of the Month Berserker_Kev: "July 29, 2005 - The unheralded heroes of the gaming world, FAQ writers trade their late nights for bragging rights simply to say that their walkthroughs, their secrets, their perfect paths through what seem like impossible missions work best. But what rewards do they get for slaving away endless hours counting pixels and polygons? Is it simply the knowledge that their sleepless nights will eventually help gamers in desperate need of achieving 100% of a game?

IGN says 'ballocks' to this thankless job. That's why our editors have decided to honor FAQ and guide writers of outstanding caliber, persistence, and talent; it isn't a simple, 'Thank you, here's $50' -- we at IGN want to get to know the men and women behind the FAQ, what motiviates them to persist and create great works without expecting anything in return. For their trouble, our honored IGN FAQ Writers will get a game of their choice and as well as other promotional goodies.

Click on the link to get the whole interview...it's worth it!!

Mark
The Anime TImes

Asian myth melds with anime and violence to create endless war

2005-07-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

OK , I know this is not exactly Anime, but I'd be sure to check this out if you're in San Diego...

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features -- Asian myth melds with anime and violence to create endless war: "Though it may not have attracted much attention among the gothic vampires in leather and the bikini-clad, sword-wielding babes at the recent San Diego Comic-Con, the 15-foot green dragon drifting above the costumed crowd did manage to spur some dialogue.

That dragon was part of a marketing campaign to fill seats for 'Chrysalis: Rapechild,' produced and directed by Esther Emery in association with Sledgehammer Theatre and opening tonight at St. Cecilia's Playhouse. The Comic-Con crowd many of them young pop-culture junkies also happens to be the target audience for Nick Green's world-premiere play. The mythic tale of war draws from pop media in a story that's part graphic novel, part kung fu movie, part Quentin Tarantino bloodfest and part comic satire.
'We're selling the violence, the elements of modern media, that this is going to be like your favorite anime character,' said Emery, 26. 'I want to entertain people using the language of the culture I belong to.'

War, novel, bloodfest.....he he he...

Mark
The Anime TImes

Venice International Film Festival

2005-07-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Venice International Film Festival Lineup Announced: "Most of the line-up for the 62nd Venice International Film Festival has been announced. While there are no Japanese movies of any sort in competition for the prestigious Golden Lion, there will be several films screened out of competition, as well as one very special award for Hayao Miyazaki.

Earlier this year it was announced that Hayao Miyazaki would be presented with a special Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at this year's festival. As a part of the special event honoring Miyazaki, the festival will screen Nausica of the Valley of the Wind, Porco Rosso and On Your Mark.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will again be screened this year, however this time it will be screened in it's 90-minute entirety. Last year only the short 30-minute version was screened.

In addition, there is a full special retrospective on Japanese Cinema from 1926 to 1978 called 'the secret history of japanese cinema.' However the festival has yet to announce the retrospective's line-up, it is unknown if any animation will be featured.

The only other Japanese film currently known to be included in the festival will be Takashi Miike's Yokai Daisenso remake.

If you're in Italy...this might be a great stop..

Mark
The Anime Times

Mid-Western Anime???

2005-07-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

I saw this in the DesMoines Register....thought you might enjoy it...

DesMoinesRegister.com: "The small city of Grimes and the big business of Japanese animation - unlikely as that combination may seem - is a reality as Grimes is now home to The Right Stuf International, a multi-million dollar company that is a publisher and a distributor of the art form known as anime.

The Right Stuf was listed in 1999 on Inc magazine's list of the 500 fastest growing private companies. Its sales grew from $237,000 in 1994 to $2 million in 1998. Today, it has annual sales of $10 million.
The company purchased the 76,000-square-foot building that was the site of Faribault Foods' Mrs. Grimes packing and distribution warehouse after it closed last year. On July 1, it moved its headquarters into the building surrounded by a residential area just a few blocks north of Highway 44.

The Right Stuf president, Shawne Kleckner, is a native Iowan who developed his business in the metro area and chooses to remain in Iowa, even though he says airline travel between the company's Japanese office and Des Moines isn't always as convenient as he would like.
The relocation of his company from 3101 104th St. in Urbandale gives the 16-year-old firm room to grow, which based on past history, is likely.

'To be in this facility is exciting, given that we started in a closet with a couple of products,' Kleckner said.

The company has a dual mission. It is a fulfillment house that now sells about 15,000 titles via catalogs, mail, phone and fax orders and the Internet. It distributes its own products and those of other publishers and ships wholesale and retail to all parts of the world.

You might want to check these guys out. Who'd a thunk it?... in Iowa?

Mark
The Anime Times

CPM Makes MTV List!!!

2005-07-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Manganews Forum - PRESS RELEASE: Central Park Media Proud To Share In Recent Anime Press Coverage: "New York, NY (July 7, 2005) - Central Park Media is proud to announce that its anime releases as well as the acclaimed directors who created these works were mentioned by a number of high profile national and international media outlets in their coverage of the anime industry over the past weeks.

One of the most prominent of such articles was a cover story in Business Week highlighting the work of anime’s legendary creators and producers including Osamu Tezuka (creator of “Black Jack”), Hayao Miyazaki (whose Studio Ghibli produced “Grave of the Fireflies”), Katushiro Otomo (creator of “Roujin Z”), and Mamoru Oshii (director of “Patlabor - The Mobile Police” & “Urusei Yatsura Movie 2: Beautiful Dreamer”). With such top talent behind each of these releases, it is not surprising that they are among Central Park Media’s all time bestsellers.

In addition, the critically acclaimed “Grave of the Fireflies” was included on MTV’s list of Japan’s most groundbreaking animated films and placed second on Anime News Network’s list of the top 25 favorite anime titles. These are just the latest of a lengthy list of kudos for this powerful anime classic.

"Grave of the Fireflies" is awesome!! Who's surprised? Just look at the "who's who" that produced it.

Mark
The Anime Times

Ready, Set, Panic!!

2005-07-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Press Release: "Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU is only the latest face of the Full Metal franchise, which includes the original prose novel, two successful manga series, and the first hit anime series ADV Films brought to America in 2003. But whereas the first Full Metal Panic! anime series was a sci-fi drama with bits of comedy mixed in, this new series doesn’t even pretend to be serious! Featuring more explosions, more high school drama, and a batch of hilarious new characters, FUMOFFU really is a whole new Panic!

Directed by Kouichi Chigara (Gate Keepers, Phantom Quest Corps), Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU reintroduces anime’s favorite odd couple: the popular (if fiery) Kaname, and Sosuke, the teenaged commando sworn to protect her – from high school? Sosuke has a little trouble telling friend from foe, but you can count on Kaname to set him straight! FUMOFFU features loads of slapstick humor, leavened by romantic misunderstandings and the occasional round of gunfire.

The third installment in the FUMOFFU series will be here...September 13....no it's not Friday..I checked.

Mark
The Anime Times

Dave Spafford Interview

2005-07-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Animation Insider - Animation's Home Page for News and Reviews: "Ian Failes of vfxblog.com recently had the opportunity to interview professional animator Dave Spafford of Spafford Animation Inc. about his work on the feature film 'House of D.' The interview offers a great look behind-the-scenes of the film's opening titles and outstanding 'flipbook sequence' as well. Additionally, Ian Failes interview with Spafford covers in-depth the conflict between CG and hand-drawn animation.

I'm a CG kinda guy, but check out the interview...this guy is awesome!

Mark
The Anime TImes

More on AOL's JPOP Channel

2005-07-25T23:43:00.000-07:00

AnimeNation News: "AOL Adds Japanese Pop Radio Station
The AOL Radio Network has announced the launch of its Japanese pop channel. Bringing together Japan's most popular hip-hop, rock and dance music, the Japanese Pop station features a diverse playlist of hit J-pop artists including Hamasaki Ayumi, Hikaru Utada, Puffy AmiYumi, Yuki, Orange Range, Crystal Kay and many more. AOL Radio's Japanese Pop station is available for free all the time at AOL.com and aolmusic.com.

It took forever waiting for it to load....JPOP can't be that popular??

Enjoy!!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime TImes

VIZ Media and Tokypop in Germany???

2005-07-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Anime On DVD Community Forums: On a side note - VIZ and Tokyopop (Germany) cooperation: "Cooperation of SHUEISHA Inc., VIZ Media and TOKYOPOP GmbH on the German-speaking market

SHUEISHA Inc. (Tokyo), VIZ Media (San Francisco) and TOKYOPOP GmbH (Hamburg) have reached an agreement to form a strategic partnership for future publishing and marketing of new SHUEISHA properties on the German-speaking market.

SHUEISHA wants to implement their multimedia-strategy, which has been very successful in Japan, in Europe as well. Together with VIZ Media they looked for a publishing partner to walk that road with them. Kenji Yasaka, general manager of SHUEISHA's international department, comments: 'The visions of TOKYOPOP GmbH about the future of manga were to our liking. After coordinating with our american subsidiary VIZ Media we agreed, that -- based on the larger strategy of VIZ Media for the European market -- further development of the German market and a strengthening of SHUEISHA's properties will best be realized working with TOKYOPOP GmbH.'

TOKYOPOP GmbH plans to publish not only manga titles like BLEACH, PRINCE OF TENNIS and DEATH NOTE, but YA novel series of SHUEISHA as well. The new business strategy will have no effect on the publishing of titles that have already been licensed by other German publishers, though.

'This new partnership with the leading manga publisher of Japan is a great opportunity for this new company of ours,' says Dr. Joachim Kaps, managing director of TOKYOPOP GmbH. 'We are looking forward to working with these great properties, and we will gladly contribute to helping them become great successes on the German-speaking market.'

The Global Domination continues...

Mark
The Anime Times

Samurai Champloo - Smell the Sunflowers?

2005-07-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

You really need to check this out..

MediaGab - Samurai Champloo - Volume 3: "....and the journey continues. -from SP777, a lot older than 13.
First of all, let me say even though it takes AWHILE for the situation to get back around to the 'samurai who smells of sunflowers'. The episodes ARE entertaining none the less...

1st episode...very interesting and you wonder if Mugen will make it in time to save Jin & Fuu, but the scene with Mugen and the warrior-priests after the burnt *ahem* 'magic-grass' incident is a scene that will live on in my memory. TOO damn funny.

2nd episode...this one is centered on Mugen & his fight with a street killer and I thought it was interesting what Mugen learned to do in the end..or MAYBE he had always known.

3rd episode...this one is centered on Jin [now one of my many favorites..as he falls into the category of cool & calm like Sesshoumaru of the 'Inuyasha' series & Ryuho of 'Scryed', anyway...]. This was a very serious & compelling story and you can't help but hope that Jin helps the woman trapped in the situation that's she in because of her husband...and being the closet-romantic, I was hoping Jin would 'get the girl'.

4th episode...now called the 'flashback' episode, now DON'T knock it UNTIL you've watched it. Yes, I know we've seen flashback episodes that were considered a waste of time in other animes. But this one is funny because it is centered on Fuu's diary and her thoughts on the journey thus far and the men she travels with, much to the annoyance of the two men she travels with ..who just want to know more about 'samurai who smells of sunflowers'.

Bottom line...personally, I found nothing boring about this part of the series and I liked the way the creators have the episodes flow into one another, instead of each one being stand-alones, so if you want action...

OMG!!..
What an excellent post by MediaGab...!

Mark
The Anime Times

Neon Genesis Evangelion

2005-07-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

ADV Films.com: "HOUSTON, July 21, 2005 August might signal the end of summer, but it's a time of new beginnings in Newtype USA, the premier anime magazine in the English-speaking world! The hotly anticipated Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days begins its run as the exclusive manga insert, marking its English-language debut. Based on a popular PC and PlayStation 2 game released only in Japan, Angelic Days takes the angst-ridden Eva pilots and sets them in a lighter, brighter world, where choosing the right girlfriend is more important than saving Earth from unimaginable threats.
Along with the new manga comes a sexy double-sided centerfold poster featuring favorite characters from the smash-hit anime Samurai Gun. But the most exciting extra is the free DVD, packed with three full episodes of the hottest shows, including a first look at Samurai 7, GONZO's far-future retelling of Akira Kurosawa's renowned film, along with beloved classic Gatchaman and historic adventure Otogi Zoshi.
And those are just the bonuses! The issue itself is packed with features on all the latest shows, including six pages on Fullmetal Alchemist, with a look back at what's happened so far and a look ahead at what's to come. Other must-read features include a creator profile of Makoto Shinkai, the visionary behind the critically acclaimed The Place Promised in Our Early Days; and a sneak peek at Blood+, the thrilling new series from Production I.G.

Looks like the folks at ADV are cranking it up for the fall season!!

Mark
The Anime Times

AOL offering J-POP tunes!!

2005-07-24T00:29:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Press Release: "New York, NY July 22, 2005 .With the growing popularity of Japanese pop culture in the U.S. in video games, animation (anime), sports, fashion, movies and music, the top-ranked AOL Radio Network today announced the launch of its exclusive Japanese Pop station. The station was added to the roster by popular demand after the successful May launch of AOL Radio's Video Game Scores station, which features original music scores from popular video games, many of which are Japanese.

It's not surprising that the demand for popular Japanese music is so great, said Mike Spinella, a music director for the AOL Radio Network. The influence of Japanese culture is everywhere in U.S. as a result of popular video games and anime; and now we see it in everything from Gwen Stefani's Hirajuku Girl entourage to the popularity of baseball stars such as Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui. The AOL Radio audience is extremely music-savvy and always seeking out new genres of music to explore. We're excited to respond to the multiple weekly e-mails we�ve received by offering the Japanese Pop station.

Bringing together Japan's most popular Hip-Hop, Rock and Dance music, the Japanese Pop station features a diverse playlist of hit ,J-POP artists including Hamasaki Ayumi, Utada, Puffy AmiYumi, Yuki, Orange Range, Crystal Kay and many more.

For your listening pleasure...

Mark
The Anime TImes

TOKYOPOP - NEWS

2005-07-24T00:14:00.000-07:00

TOKYOPOP - NEWS - Press Room: "Los Angeles, CA (July 19 2005) -- The Jim Henson Company has partnered with TOKYOPOP Inc., the #1 publisher of manga in the U.S., in an exclusive manga publishing deal to bring three of its fantasy titles to fans. Most notable among them is MirrorMask, the feature film from Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman due for release on September 30th of this year. TOKYOPOP's MirrorMask prequel manga series will be plotted by Gaiman, the award-winning writer of the highly successful Sandman comics as well as the novels Good Omens and Coraline. Also included in the deal will be all-new original graphic novel series for the immensely popular properties The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
The MirrorMask prequel will tell the story of the princess' escape from the Dark Palace and how she came to acquire the MirrorMask.
TOKYOPOP also plans to release a sequel manga to Labyrinth, which first hit the big screen in 1986, remained a fan favorite over the years and also served as an inspiration for MirrorMask. Its manga version will follow a 13-year-old Toby as he journeys back to the Labyrinth to assume his role as the heir to the Goblin Kingdom. Manga writer Jake Forbes will write this series.

I love these gus at Tokyopop!! They are at the top of their game for sure...

Mark
The Anime Times

"Howl's" Review!!

2005-07-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

QCTimes.com - The Quad-City Times Newspaper: "Strange and beautiful, 'Howl's Moving Castle' is the latest anime offering from Hayao Miyazaki, whose movies 'Spirited Away' and 'Princess Mononoke' have become classics among anime fans.
Although children certainly could see this movie, it's not exactly what American audiences might think of when they consider family fare. Anime is very strange and unpredictable compared to our children-focused animation. So, if you haven't seen much of this cinematic genre, then it may seem pretty strange until you get used to the idea that you never know what may happen.

I liked the Witch of Waste, maybe because I just like Lauren Becall's voice.

Mark
The Anime Times

It's Not Anime: It's Japanese Animation

2005-07-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Asia Pacific Arts: It's Not Anime: It's Japanese Animation: "It's Not Anime: It's Japanese Animation
by Bryan Hartz
An encomium to an era gone but it's influence still finely felt, the diverse range of animators in Before Anime provides a bit of background into a hazier period of animation that would beget spiky-haired ninjas and risqu� sailor-suits.
Just in time for the drooling fanboys over at the annual Anime Expo in Anaheim comes the fascinating 'Before Anime: Japanese Animation 1925-1946,' an assemblage of pre-war anime -- or Japanese animation -- works. The surging popularity of anime here in the states would lead one to concoct a certain measure of characteristic features of the prototypical anime, such as, say, overwhelmingly cute and homicide-inducing talking rats, or generously endowed Japanese cyborg babes. The otaku, Japanese for anime veteran, will be shocked to find such carefully drawn characters absent from the earlier works of Japanese animators.
A disclaimer for otaku: these short films are not introduced with pop vocal theme songs. There are no nurses with laser beams here, okay? No space heiress with three vaginas fucking a horse with tentacles wearing a ... well, you get the idea. Substituting for the vicissitudes of the ani-porn plot is, happily, good ole' fashioned storytelling values and a rare insight into the seeds of Japan's multi-billion dollar anime industry. 'Before Anime' is a must for the anime completist, and also an exceptional introduction and education for the cineaste into the history of what is currently the nation with the highest amount of animation auteurs. That the tradition of Japanese animation stretches back as far as the mid-'20s should come as no surprise to enthusiasts, but those who consider Tezuka Osamu the originator of Japanese cartoons will be amazed to see the advanced display at such an early eon.

This is an excellent article I found from Bryan Hartz. He also has a series of articles about the AX...not just for kids.

Mark
The Anime Times

Yugo the Negotiator

2005-07-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

ADV Announces September 6 Releases :: ActiveAnime.com :: Where Anime News and Reviews Matters: "ADV is proud to present the second volume in the innovative new anime series Yugo the Negotiator Pakistan 2: Honor, available everywhere anime DVDs are sold September 6. The unusual series is garnering a strong response from the otaku community.

Yugo the Negotiator is an anime tour of the world's hot spots, where terrorism is hatched and kidnappings are commonplace. Our hero is not a dashing spy or unstoppable soldier, but a globe-trotting negotiator whose mastery of multiple languages, psychology, and iron will set him apart from all others in his trade.

Based upon the original manga by Shinji Makari and Shu Akana, Yugo the Negotiator breaks into a fresh new genre of anime by featuring a highly realistic storyline and setting. Sometimes, a strong wit and a sharp tongue are the deadliest weapons a soldier can wield."

The artwork is sweet, the storyline is ok, but why negotiate? Just go get the DVD Sepetmber 6.
Your reviews are welcome here!!

Mark
Anime Times

Canadian Cosplay Challenge

2005-07-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Canadian Cosplay Challenge: "The Canadian Cosplay Challenge is open to Canadian citizens who wish to show off their costuming abilities in a friendly competition. As citizens of a country not recognized by the World Cosplay Summit, this is your chance to shine!
From all the entries, the top five in each category will be selected by visitors using an online voting system. Once the top five have been determined, our judges will decide who is the best in each category! Winners of each category will receive a certificate of recognition, an anime prize pack, and the title of one of the best cosplayers in Canada!

Now, I'm not a Cosplayer. But if you're from Canada...this is for you!! Take off eh???

Mark
The Anime Times

Tokyo Pop - Lucas Films

2005-07-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Akadot - Tokyo Pop, Publisher of Manga in the U.S., Launches a Publication Business in Japan: "Tokyo Pop, publisher of Japanese manga in the U.S., has undertaken a publication business in Japan. Having secured the right to handle movie-related publications from Hollywood studios, they will produce comic-style books aiming for an annual sales of 50 billion yen.
With a tie-up with Lucas Films, the first venture in this new-type publication will be 3 works based on the Star Wars series (picture). The 3 publications will be released on the 21st of this month. The style of the books, called 'cinemanga' is an invention of the company, with still shots from movie scenes pieced together to resemble panels from a manga. With the promotional effect of the Star Wars movie to be released this summer, sales are expected to exceed 300,000 copies - raking in a total of 20 billion yen.
Tokyo Pop has purchased the right to publish translated versions of Japanese manga, and publishes approximately 400 titles annually. For the future, they are looking into strengthening their ties with the U.S. movie industry, and expanding on their sales of books based on movie content (i.e., information and plot) in Japan and Europe.

I wonder if the Manga will be out before the movies DVD??

Mark
Anime Times

Anime Network Makes New Deals

2005-07-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

Anime Network Inks Five SVOD Deals :: ActiveAnime.com :: Where Anime News and Reviews Matters: "HOUSTON, July 19, 2005 � Anime Network, the first cable channel in North America dedicated to anime, is pleased to announce five new carriage deals for its subscription video-on-demand service (SVOD).

BendBroadband, Click! Network, Massillon Cable TV, PrairieWave Communications and Sunflower Broadband have signed on to carry the service. These newest affiliates join Cablevision and Cox Communications Inc. in Anime Network�s SVOD offerings, increasing the number of providers to 15 that carry the on-demand content throughout the United States and parts of Canada.

With thousands of half-hours of programming already in its library, Anime Network continues to bring out new top titles and classic hits. This summer Anime Network is proud to feature the highly anticipated series Elfen Lied; a story where innocence and evil collide in the mind of one woman with supernatural powers. Also airing this summer for the first time on American television is the classic series Gatchaman and the original Japanese version of the live action hit horror movie Dark Water.

This is just the beginning.....big ups to Anime Network

Mark
The Anime Times

The Anime Biz

2005-07-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

The Anime Biz: It's transforming Japan's $100 billion entertainment industry. Can Anime become the next big export?

Yumeta Co. hardly screams big business. The animation studio, producer of Beyond the Stream of Time, a TV cartoon about a time-traveling high school girl, is based in the Tokyo suburb of Kiyose, an hour or more by train from the city center. On arrival, you'd be forgiven for thinking you're in the wrong place. There's no sign on the door. Inside the cramped, nearly windowless building, the company's 30 or so jeans-clad staffers busily draw by hand the thousands of frames necessary for cartoons. They work quietly, pausing only occasionally to sharpen a pencil or skip a track on their iPods. 'It's a lot of work, but that's how we do it in Japan,' says Chief Executive Satoshi Yamaguchi.

Yet Yumeta's humble establishment is part of a business that has achieved plenty of fame at home and abroad: anime. This is the realm of iconic Japanese cartoons in which doe-eyed characters with waiflike faces have fantastic adventures that inspire devotion in millions of fans. (Indeed, the reason Yumeta's building bears no sign is that some fans are so rabid that they rifle through the garbage in search of discarded drawings.) Box-office receipts and DVD sales from anime films are expected to reach $5.2 billion globally this year, according to trade group Nasscom. And games, toys, and the myriad marketing tie-ins to anime characters and films represented some $18.5 billion in Japan alone, according to Digital Contents White Book, an industry guide. What's more, the images that roll out of Japan's studios inspire everything from Hollywood blockbusters to high fashion. Anime 'has been hugely influential,' says John Lasseter, executive vice-president and creative chief at Pixar Animation Studios (PIXR ), which produced The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. The influence is all the more extraordinary when you consider that the outside world sees so little of what Japan comes up with. 'The Japanese have been the largest animation producers for years, but 99% of the stuff stays in Japan,' says Lasseter.

Did you hear that? 99% of the stuff stays in Japan!!! We only get 1%???
I truly believe that as Anime/Manga gains more popularity here in the US, we will be able to tap into this awesome entertainment. Not only Made in Japan, but from local artists here in the good 'ol US of A.

Mark
Anime Times

Tenchi Muyo Release

2005-07-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Tenchi Muyo OAV 3: "Over a decade after the first Tenchi Muyo! anime was made, fans are finally getting the chance to see their favorite characters again. Recently released in the US by FUNimation, the 6-episode series brings back all the same wacky hijinks and silly antics that so many anime fans grew up with. Naturally, we figured this would be the perfect time to restart our monthly features again. After all, what better subject than the fan favorite Tenchi Muyo?

We will also be posting updates to FUNimations release of Tenchi Muyo. If you have any comments you'd like to add, feel free...

Mark Alderwood
Anime Times

'The Boondocks'

2005-07-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

Animation Insider - 'The Boondocks' Adult Swim Debut Scheduled: "Cartoon Network has recently announced their plans to air the original animated television series The Boondocks as based on the hit comics strip by Aaron McGruder, on October 2nd, 2005, on the incredibly popular late-night programming block Adult Swim. Certainly the best place on television for animation geared towards a more difficult to reach demographic, Adult Swim welcomes McGruder's work in moving-picture form with open arms. Adult Swim, known for airing off-beat comedies with tongue-in-cheek humor and action titles with undying heroes, will soon be the new home for another interesting Cartoon Network original.

Nice to see CN supporting the Anime world. We need more programming like this.....thanks Cartoon Network!!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Awesome Review - Lady Death

2005-07-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Anime on DVD: "ADV Films

Oooooh, this disc is a really fun one to have on hand during long trips. Lady Death, while not selling within the anime market, sold extremely well in the comic book arena, where they were glad to have their lovely angel of death come to life in glorious... well, no one uses celluloid these days. What makes me even more pleased than they were is this disc, the first in a LONG time from ADV Films' music division! This is a masterful piece of epic fantasy music, rivaling some of my favorites such as Legend (Tangerine Dream). I am stunned at how atmospheric this album is, and no matter what you thought of Lady Death: The Motion Picture, I strongly recommend purchasing this at your first opportunity. A full, beautiful orchestra delivers in the hands of Bill Brown, who pulls a choir into the mix in a dreamy representation of hellish battles and heavenly beauty.
Where I took it: Its a long plane ride from Houston to South Carolina.
Where it took me: I never did see Lady Death: The Motion Picture. However, I got to make my own movie in my head, and it was one hell of a movie!
Standout track: The Endless Graveyard - This final track on the album was luscious. This was everything I want other epic discs, like the God of War soundtrack, to be and so much more.
Skip-it track: I didn't have a track I didn't enjoy."

Sounds good. Thanks for the review by Lauren Goodnight of Animeondvd.com. Keep 'em coming...

Mark
The Anime Times

Leader of the Manga Revolution - Press Release

2005-07-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network - Press Release: "Comic-Con-San Diego, CA (July 2005) – TOKYOPOP, America’s number one graphic novel publisher and Leader of the Manga Revolution, is psyched to announce the debut of Psy-Comm. Creators Jason Henderson (Sword of Dracula), Tony Salvaggio and Rising Stars of Manga artist Shane Granger team up to give fans a precognitive look into the corporate sponsored wars of tomorrow where genetically altered combatants are treated like celebrities. For fans of science fiction combat and super powered humans Psy-Comm promises to be a unique hybrid combining the best elements of both genres.

In the not-too-distant future, sovereign nations have been replaced by corporate city-states. War is entertainment and the stars are psychic commandos, known as 'Psy-Comms.' Trained from an early age, these gifted soldiers have honed their abilities to lethal perfection. In the corp-state of Electromedia, a young man named Mark Leit is destined to become the greatest Psy-Comm of all time. But a tragedy from his past, and a desire for redemption, will cause Mark to abandon everything for which his life has stood. In the eyes of his partner and best friend, Mark’s decision will be the ultimate act of betrayal.

'I’m personally really excited about Psy-Comm, ' says TOKYOPOP editor Bryce Coleman. 'It’s a cool new manga property on an epic scale. '

I'm Psyched!!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Halo The Movie

2005-07-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Halo The Movie - Animation Talk News: "Halo, one of the latest video game phenomenons in recent years, will now become a theatrical film. Halo 2, which was released November of last year, sold a record 6.8 million copies worldwide. Microsoft, manufacturer of the Xbox and owns rights to the Halo franchise, has set its sight on Hollywood to take this game from the silver screen to the big screen. Microsoft executives and representatives went to several major studios in early June. Most studios were not so thrilled about the idea for several reasons.

First of all, Microsoft, which is nautorious for strict deals, wanted $10 million up front and 15% gross of profits. With these dealing terms many studios rejected the project for the sheer fact of the asking price. On top of financial burderns a movie studio would have, Microsoft also wanted full creative control of the film. Those two together turned off many studios. Another reason many studios were afraid of taking on the film is the history of game to movie films. The only film based on a game to make over $100 million was Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

WE want Arnold!!!!!! That's the way to get the movie made!!!!

Mark
Anime Times

Buzzzzzz - Check it out Ladies

2005-07-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

TOKYOPOP - NEWS - Buzz!: "
Comics That Draw Girls
'The shojo manga trend here dates to 1998 when TOKYOPOP began publishing the popular shojo comic 'Sailor Moon.' Two years later, Cartoon Network picked up the series on which it was based. TOKYOPOP is encouraging homegrown talent with its semiannual Rising Stars of Manga talent contests, launched last year. Each contest yields about 1,000 entries, many of them from women in their teens and young 20s. The winners are compiled into an anthology and sometimes signed to book deals. This year, TOKYOPOP will publish 8-10 shojo manga written and/or drawn by American women, including Peach Fuzz, about a ferret descended from royalty, and Bizenghast, about a schizophrenic girl living in an abandoned mill town.'"

This will be something to keep up with. Sailor Moon is on the rise!!!
Let's go American women!!

Mark Alderwood
Anime Times

TOKYOPOP - NEWS - Buzz!

2005-07-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

TOKYOPOP - NEWS - Buzz!: "
Girl Power Fuels Manga Boom in U.S.
'The success of TOKYOPOP, founded in 1996 by Stuart Levy, started with Sailor Moon, a manga series and a cartoon about a 14-year-old girl with magical powers. Although manga has been produced in Japan for more than 50 years, Mr. Levy said that TOKYOPOP generally prints material from the last five. The company recently published Princess Ai, a new series created in part by rock singer Courtney Love that is somewhat based on her life.' "

The trend continues....I wonder what they'll do about Michael Jackson?? But seriously folks, Tokyopop Rocks!!!

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Summer Manga Releases

2005-07-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

Animation Insider - Summer Key Manga Releases: "Good Summer ReadingThe manga distribution industry has grown to a massive licensing and publication force over the past two years; and with the anime distribution industry's top companies as well as other comic companies joining into the fray, the number of titles available to manga fans in particular have been sharply increasing. Titles released throughout the summer will come from the media giant Tokyopop, to the recently established DR Master Publications (formerly Comics One), to A.D. Films' ADV Manga publication branch, and several other companies. The way in which animation and comic fans get their beloved manga (Japanese comics/graphic novels) or even manhwa (Korean comics/graphic novels) has become greatly diversified."

This is good news, the more......the better.

Mark
Anime Times

Coming Soon! Chrono Crusade: Hellfire

2005-07-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

Anime Advanced DVD - DVD Database - News, Reviews, Previews, and more...: "HOUSTON, July 6, 2005—ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, is pleased to announce three exciting new titles set to hit the streets on August 2nd – Chrono Crusade 7, Najica Blitz Tactics Complete Collection, and Sister Princess 7!

CHRONO CRUSADE: Hellfire

Seventh and Final Volume of the Hit Series

She’s the nun-with-a-gun who captured America’s heart and never let go. He’s the demon sidekick that’s devoted to her. Together they’ve made Chrono Crusade one of the most popular action series of the year, and on August 2nd their animated quest comes to a climax in Chrono Crusade: Hellfire, the seventh and final installment in the hit DVD series.

Chrono Crusade is based on the original manga series by Daisuke Moriyama, a best-seller published here in the States by ADV Manga. Directed by Yuu Kou and produced by the notorious GONZO Digimation (Full Metal Panic!), Chrono Crusade’s holy heroes are elite exorcists sworn to stop a steady onslaught of demons crossing over the the human world of America in the 1920s.

Do you really think this will be the last one??

Mark Alderwood
Anime Times

Touch - Short Film Coming!!

2005-07-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Nausicaa.net News // Latest News // Nausicaa.net: "July 14, 2005 New Short Film to be Released in September
According to an article in Sports Houchi (in Japanese) a new short film by Studio Ghibli will be theatrically released in Japan on Sept. 10, together with 'Touch', a live-action film which is based on a famous manga. (There was also a TV anime series of 'Touch', which was quite popular).

The short film is titled 'Sora Tobu Toshi Keikaku (A Flying City Plan),' directed by Yoshiyuki MOMOSE with music by capsule.

Momose and Studio Ghibli have worked on two music cllips for capsule. Similar to the previous two clips, 'City Plan' is in 'retro future' style.

There is no dialogue in the film.

You can see a part of 'Portable Airport,' the first music clip by Momose and capsule here. (Windows Media)"

Are we going back to "silent" movies? Duhh.....no dialogue????

Mark Alderwood
Anime Times

"Attention Final Fantasy Fans"

2005-07-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Anime News Service - The World's Source For Anime News: "6-16-05 (5:21AM EST)---- Final Fantasy: Advent Children Update
FF7AC Reunion has information Square ENIX's coming OVA adaptation of the FF7 game: Final Fantasy: Advent Children. JUMP #29 (on sale from 6/20) will include a spread on some of the special edition goods including baseball cap and key ring. Of note is a rather low res digicam shot of the spread which nonetheless contains some of the first screenshots of the animation"

I want my baseball cap and ring....(he he he)...just kidding

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

"May the force be with them"

2005-07-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

Anime News Service - The World's Source For Anime News: "6-15-05 (8:04AM EST)---- Tokyopop Begins Publishing Business In Japan
Already a factor in European and American markets, Tokyopop has now officially announced the launch of it's publishing division in Japan. The new venture kicks off with commitment to introducing Hollywood related material in manga / cinemanga format. The current goal will see the release of about 10 seperate titles, generating sales of around 500 million Yen annually. 3 Star Wars cine-manga books will be the first released under the imprint on the 21st this month. Sales of around 200 million Yen are expected on this property alone. "

This may be the only way Hollywood gets to "represent"...

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Anime Banned in China?

2005-07-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

Anime News Service - The World's Source For Anime News: "6-14-05 (5:16AM EST)---- China Could Ban Foreign Animation Broadcasts To Boost Domestic Industry
State run news agency Xinhua reports China could ban foreign-made cartoons from prime time television once the quantity and quality of domestic cartoons reach a certain level, Chinese language newspaper reports quoted officials at the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television as saying Wednesday. The ratio of foreign-made cartoons to domestic ones had already been set to 4:6, said an official at the agency's cartoon department, who refused to give her name. Japanese and American content currently composes the bulk of televised animation in China. "

What??? Sounds like the Great Wall extends to cartoons, too...

Mark Alderwood
The Anime Times

Anime South 2005 Information

2005-07-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

Anime South 2005 Information @ Anime-Cons.com: "The first anime convention in northwest Florida will be held on November 18-20, 2005 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The convention is at the beautiful beach resort city of Destin, Florida. It is part of the Emerald Coast, named for its crystal clear aquamarine colored ocean. The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is arguably the most luxurious hotel on the most beautiful beach in the United States (as ranked by The USA Today for the past 5 years). This 2,400 acre resort boasts 73 holes of championship golf, 13 tennis courts, the country's largest charter fishing boat fleet, 3 indoor and outdoor pools, a private beach, a full service spa, 2 whirlpools, scuba diving, and unparalleled shopping centers. With over 32,000 square feet of meeting space, the Hilton Sandestin Beach is more than qualified to hold a convention of this size. There is enough space for 3 video rooms, multiple panel/gaming rooms, an Artists' Alley, a large Dealers room, and a huge Main Events room. This is one convention that should not be missed."

This is just too much fun!! Need to go to Artist Alley, for sure!!

Anime Times

Look's like MomoCon is Rockin'

2005-07-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

Anime-Cons.com: News: Article: "MomoCon announces 2006 dates
ATLANTA, GA. - July 7, 2005 - Anime O-Tekku of Georgia Tech is proud to announce the return of MomoCon, Atlanta's free anime/gaming/webcomic themed convention, March 18-19 2006 at the Georgia Tech Student Center in the heart of downtown Atlanta. MomoCon 2006 is happy to celebrate its second year with even bigger and better events all open to the public and free of charge.
MomoCon encompasses all facets of Japanese animation, video gaming, board/card/RPG gaming, live-action role-play, costuming, and more. Confirmed events for 2006 include: anime showing rooms, live-action showings, a free-play console gaming room (stocked with a 200+ game library for numerous current and vintage gaming consoles), open gaming areas, gaming company demo teams, an Artist's Alley, a Dealer's room, an arcade (complete with 8-lanes of bowling and billiards tables), and a late night dance featuring DJ Inubito"

This should be killer!!!!

Mark

Man I hope These Guys don't get loose...

2005-07-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is some killer stuff.....check the pics.

deviantART: Thief_M++Ragnarok++ by ~samavan: "Daily Deviation

The Androids Lust by ~Love-and-mascara is clearly inspired by H.R. Giger's works, yet she gave it a very personal twist with an obsessive level of detail."

I love Giger.....mix it up a bit

The Anime Times

Welcome to the World of Anime !!

2005-07-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

We hope to bring you the best news and information about the World of Anime.

We would love to here from you. Just press the comment button below and introduce yourself.

The Anime Times