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Welcome to our News archive for August 2008 - to see this month's news please click on the button below.
 


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27th August 2008

New Manga Licenses!

Manga Entertainment have today issued a press release confirming several new licenses!  The new titles announced are CLAMP's popular fantasy series xxxHolic (vol 1, 27th October), the two-episode Christmas story Itsudatte (Always) My Santa (1st December) from Love Hina creator Ken Akamatsu, supernatural drama Ghost Hunt (vol 1, 26th December) and sci-fi thriller Jyu-Oh-Sei (26th December).  xxxHolic and Ghost Hunt will be released in half-series box sets in the same way as Manga's previous releases of Bleach and Naruto, whilst Always My Santa and Jyu-Oh-Sei look to be single volume releases.

  Not included in Manga's press release but mentioned on their newsletter is the forthcoming release of Black Blood Brothers Box Set, which is due on 10th November.

Source: Manga Entertainment
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27th August 2008

New Anime Allnighter

Sci-Fi London has announced an Autumn mini-event, The Oktoberfest, which is due to have an Anime Allnighter!  The Allnighter will feature Hellsing Ultimate, Strait Jacket and the 'anime inspired' Dead Space: Downfall plus more to be announced, and is to be held on Friday 3rd October.  Tickets go on sale on 1st September, priced at £25 each.

However, we're in a dilemma, as the Oktoberfest will also hold a Zombie Allnighter which will feature the hilarious live-action manga adaptation Tokyo Zombie and the superb-looking Japanese zombie actioner Chanbara Beauty.  Unfortunately they're the same night, and the prospect of Chanbara Beauty's sword wielding bikini-clad zombie exterminators is kind of drawing us in...

For more details on both, click here.

Source: Manga Entertainment
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25th August 2008

Hellsing Ultimate Clips!

Those nice bods at Manga Entertainment have sent us through clips of their forthcoming anime horror Hellsing Ultimate!  The series is a high budget remake of Hellsing which follows the original manga far more closely, to check it out click on the following links:

Clip 1 - Low / High
Clip 2 - Low / High
Clip 3 - Low / High
Clip 4 - Low / High
Clip 5 - Low / High
Clip 6 - Low / High

Source: Manga Entertainment
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24th August 2008

Japanese Publishers to Launch European Operation

Two of Japan's largest publishers have announced plans to launch a European arm in Autumn 2009.  Shueisha and Shogakuken are planning to initially launch in France, an subsequently expand to the UK, Spain and other European countries.  At the moment many of Shueisha and Shogakukan's manga titles are released by the likes of VIZ in the UK, so it will be interesting to see if the Japanese companies will continue to sublicense titles to them.

Source: AnimeNewsNetwork
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11th August 2008

Ayacon Returns!

After an absence of several years, the fondly remembered anime convention Ayacon will return next year.  As a consequence Amecon will be taking a break until 2010, although a teaser at this year's closing ceremony suggested that the organisers may be doing something Amecon related next year.  Ayacon was last held in 2005, and the announcement of its return was greeted with loud cheers.  Further details will no doubt be released over the coming months, but it's sure to be popular so keep an eye on www.ayacon.org.uk for updates!

Source: Amecon
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11th August 2008

Amecon News Roundup

Amecon - the UK's largest dedicated anime event - has been and gone this weekend, and there's some interesting news tidbits to report in its wake.  So here's goes:

ADV Films - No new licenses as you would expect considering their recent troubles.  However, ADV did confirm their boxset releases for the rest of the year and have mentioned that they would consider releasing some series straight to boxset depending on how well their forthcoming E's Otherwise set does.  Also said that they hope to complete the release of series that have stopped on one or two volumes from the end.

Beez - First up are the licenses, Beez have confirmed that they have acquired the rights to the highly anticipated Gurren Lagann and also the Ninja Scroll-esque film Sword of a Stranger.  There will also be simultaneous worldwide Blu-Ray releases of several titles including Gunbuster vs Diebuster and Katsuhiro Otomo's Freedom, and Beez are finalising the plans to launch the Bandai Channel online streaming service here.  There may more information about the Bandai Channel at the October Expo, and Beez confirmed that they would be looking into releasing the Blu-Ray titles on DVD as well.  Also on the way is a My Hime boxset, and Beez confirmed that they were interested in Lucky Star and were considering a Blu-Ray release Royal Space Force Honneamise.

Manga Entertainment - Their panel got cancelled at the last minute so no license news.  However they did mention to us the possibility of a special Halloween themed release party for Hellsing Ultimate.  Presumably this would take the same form as previous release events at HMV in London and Manchester.  More news when we get it.

MVM - Had three licenses to announce, having acquired Desert Punk, Solty Rei and Romeo X Juliet from Gonzo.  MVM said that they were standing back from digital and Blu-Ray releasing for the time being, and also that because of FUNimation's purchase of huge amounts of anime licenses, they would be looking back at some older series that they had previously overlooked.  Whilst most of these series will be from the last couple of years, MVM mentioned that even older series like Slayers would be considered.  They are even considering branching out into live-action Asian film distribution, but only as a sideline to their anime business.

A more full and in-depth article about Amecon will be coming very soon so keep your eyes open!

Source: Amecon
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6th August 2008

Utawarerumono Singer Songwriter Dies

Eri Kawai, composer and singer of music for several well known anime series, has passed away at the age of 43.  Kawai had been suffering from an unspecified illness since earlier this year, and lost her fight on Monday.  Fans will know the multi-talented artist for music on Utawarerumono, Crayon Shin-Chan, Strange Dawn, Aria, Air, Tales of Symphonia and Romeo X Juliet.

Source: AnimeNewsNetwork
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6th August 2008

Anime DVD Pirate Arrested

Police in Northern Japan have swooped on the house of an unnamed company worker who has allegedly been selling pirated anime DVDs through auction websites.  The 37 year old man was tracked down and arrested on suspicion selling copies of premium DVD boxsets for cut-down prices through the Wanted Auction website.  The sets in question included the ¥72,000 (£360) Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Box Set and the ¥50,000 (£250) Dragon Ball GT Series Box Set, which he sold for as little as ¥4000 (£20).  The arrest comes as Japan continues to take a tougher stance on anime piracy and could signal similar actions against pirates who sell fake goods through other auction sites.

Source: AnimeNewsNetwork
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6th August 2008

Tekkonkinkreet Wins Eisner Award

Most people will know it from the acclaimed anime film of the same name, but now the manga Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White has won a prestigious Eisner award in America.  The manga series, which is collected into a single volume by VIZ, won the award for Best US Edition of International Material at the US comic industry's annual awards ceremony.  It was the only Japanese manga title to win an award at this year's event.  ‘We are extremely honoured to have Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White recognized by the comics industry with this notable award’, says Alvin Lu, Vice President, Publishing, VIZ Media.  ‘Taiyo Matsumoto has won international critical acclaim for his honest and unflinching depictions of young peoples’ lives and for his unique, immediately recognizable art style that blends both Japanese and European influences.  We invite everyone to explore this award-winning series now available in a gorgeous omnibus edition from VIZ Media!’.  The manga is available now in a single collected volume costing £17.99.

Source: VIZ Media
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5th August 2008

Buso Renkin Clips

Those nice people at Manga Entertainment have given us some clips of their forthcoming series Buso Renkin!  The series is based on the manga of the same name from Rurouni Kenshin creator Nobuhiro Watsuki and its focus on alchemy and supernatural battling against inhuman foes will appeal to fans of series like Fullmetal Alchemist and D.Gray-Man.  Check out the clips below to see what it's like:

Clip 1 - High / Low
Clip 2 - High / Low
Clip 3 - High / Low
Clip 4 - High / Low

Source: Manga Entertainment
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5th August 2008

New Takahashi Anime Shorts

A new exhibition of Rumiko Takahashi's art has opened in the Tokyo district of Ginza.  The exhibition focuses on all of Takahashi's major works, including Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2, Maison Ikkoku and Inu-Yasha, and features brand new artwork alongside some of Takahashi's original art from each series.  However, the most interesting thing is the inclusion of three new anime shorts based on her works, each of which feature characters that have not appeared in anime for years.  There are new Ranma 1/2 and Inu-Yasha shorts on show, as well as an opening sequence featuring Ataru and Lum from Urusei Yatsura, Ranma from Ranma 1/2 and Inu-Yasha and Kagome from Inu-Yasha.  You can view the opening video here!

Source: AnimeNewsNetwork
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5th August 2008

Acclaimed Manga Author Dies

Manga author Fujio Akatsuka has died from pneumonia at the age of 72, after several years battling ill health.  Akatsuka is not that well known in the West, but in Japan he was an acclaimed author of comedy manga who pioneered four panel gag manga.  He was also responsible for one of the first 'magical girl' series - Himitsu no Akku-Chan - as well as the hugely popular family comedy Tensai Bakabon.  Akatsuka received a was given a Literary Giant award in 1997, and his earnings from his manga put him in the same league as Inu-Yasha creator Rumiko Takahashi and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto.

Source: Aintitcoolnews
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5th August 2008

New Manga from Death Note Creators

The duo behind the worldwide smash hit manga Death Note are due to launch a new manga series next week.  Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata's new series is called Bakuman and is described as 'explosive', although little else is known about it.  The first chapter is in the next issue of the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump which is out on 11th August.

Source: AnimeNewsNetwork
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5th August 2008

New Gentleman's Alliance Cross Manga

Despite ending the Gentleman's Alliance Cross manga in June, Arina Tanemura has announced that the story has not in fact finished.  A new 30 page side story will appear in October's issue of Ribon Magazine (on sale in Japan 3rd September), and it now seems that more may come in future.

Source: AnimeNewsNetwork
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5th August 2008

Out Yesterday

A handful of new releases at the start of August:

Dogtanian The Movie (Revelation)
Lupin the Third - Secret of Mamo (Manga)
Space Adventure Cobra - The Movie (Manga)
Tales From Earthsea Single Disc Edition (Optimum)

Source: Various
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5th August 2008

July News Roundup

  • ADV Films US have lost a host of titles to their rivals after the Japanese licensing company Sojitz decided to transfer the rights to numerous major series from ADV.  The financial strife that ADV have suffered this year appears to be the major factor in their decision, but it casts even more doubt on the company's long term health.

  • However, ADV's bad fortune is good news for FUNimation, to whom Sojitz transferred the distribution rights for its titles from ADVFUNimaton also picked up the rights to several ex-Geneon titles which had been in US release limbo following that company's demise last year.

  • ADV Films UK felt the knock-on effects of their parent company's strife in America and announced that the licenses lost in the US had also been lost in the UK.  This meant that a number of titles had been pulled from the schedules until further notice, including Welcome to the NHK and Guyver The Bioboosted Armour.  There was a hint that ADV UK would try to re-acquire some of the licenses or sublicense them from FUNimation.

  • After a couple of months of uncertainty Manga Entertainment announced that they would give a limited theatrical run to the excellent The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

  • The prestigious Barbican cinema in London is to host a season of Osamu Tezuka films in September.  The season marks the 80th anniversary of the late director's birth, and includes a display of artwork alongside a series of his TV and movie works.

  • New UK anime events were announced, including the Charity Cosplay Cafe in Hove, the next Bristol Cosplay Club Nights and a new North London Anime Club!  See our Events Diary for further information.

  • American anime voice actor Mike Kleinhenz died of a heart attack at the age of 56.  He was a veteran of ADV anime dubs, and most famously voiced characters in Excel Saga and Full Metal Panic!.

  • Leading Japanese publisher Kodansha have opened a US subsidiary to release their manga properties in the West.  This move will apparently not affect their titles already being released through Western companies like Del Ray and Tokyopop.

  • Beez announced the extras for their forthcoming Wolf's Rain Definitive Edition.  The premium boxset will include the entire series in a faux-leather book and will also include the CD soundtrack plus a hefty book of production artwork and storyboards.  It's out in September, priced £89.99.

  • The second Death Note live action film, Death Note: The Last Name, was given a very limited theatrical run.  A DVD release is announced for October.

  • On related news an official UK website for the Death Note live action films is launched by 4Digital Media.  The website confirmed a December release for the live action Death Note spin-off film L: Change the World, and you can check out the site here.

  • Tokyopop have announced that they have acquired two new manga series by the author of the hugely popular Fruits Basket.  The two series, Phantom Dream and Tsubasa: Those With Wings, are due out next year.

  • Bandai in America have announced that they have acquired Mobile Suit Gundam 00, the latest series in the epic Gundam franchise.  Also announced were My Otome Zwei (the second follow up to My Hime) and the comedy series Hayate the Combat Butler.

  • ADV Films have announced that they will reissue Battle Angel Alita on DVD in the US for a limited time.  The DVD has been out of print for years.

  • FUNimation have expanded their Youtube Channel and are aiming to show full episodes of series like Kiddy Grade, Mushishi and Slayers through it later this year.

  • The American Anime Expo took place, drawing in a mind-boggling 43,000 attendees.

  • Japanese authorities have been taking a stronger stance on anime piracy.  So far they have forced the Japanese video streaming website Nico Nico Doga to remove fan-made videos that included clips from licensed anime, and prosecuted three men for illegally uploading episodes of various anime to a file sharing program called Share.  The three men have all received 18 month suspended jail sentences.  Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also looking into the effect on Japan of overseas anime piracy, and there is a move afoot to change the Japanese law that expressly allows downloads of copyrighted material.

  • Hayao Miyazaki's latest film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea predictably opened at number 1 in Japanese box office charts.

  • Veteran Japanese anime director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli Isao Takahata is reported to be working on his first new film since 1999's superb My Neighbours the Yamadas.  Goro Miyazaki, son of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, is also working on a new film following his directorial debut with Tales from Earthsea.

  • A new series of the excellent Slayers anime began in Japan.  The series is called Slayers Revolution and is the first TV incarnation of the anime since Slayers Try in 1997.

  • The manga of School Rumble finally ended in Japan after six years.

  • A US company has acquired the rights to create an American comic based on Vampire Hunter D.  The series is still in the pipeline but is due to be called Vampire Hunter D: American Wasteland.

  • Online promos for Takeshi Miike's live action adaptation of the classic anime Yatterman and Disney's new anime Lilo & Stitch spin-off have been released.  In other movie news, the man behind A Scanner Darkly has snapped up the rights to do a live-action Cowboy Bebop film, and VIZ Media have launched their own production subsidiary to handle live action anime adaptations.

  • Japanese scientists have named a newly-discovered protein after the Pokémon Pikachu, it's called Pikachurin.

Source: Various
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