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Welcome to our News archive for January 2007 - to see this month's news
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Speed Grapher Coming to UK We can't remember this being announced as a UK license before, but MVM's PR company are listing Speed Grapher vol 1 as a 2nd April release for the company. The series follows a former war photographer who gets the bizarre ability to destroy anything he photographs after barely escaping from a secret society with his life. Oddly the series is one of FUNimaton's titles in the US, but MVM must have snapped this one up before it could be farmed out to FUNimation's new UK distributor Revelation Films. Worth keeping an eye open for. Source: MVM |
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Revelation Look to the Past Following US distributor FUNimation's decision to use Revelation Films to release their catalogue in the UK, a re-release of two of their biggest titles has been reported. Revelation plan to re-release the popular Fruits Basket and the first eight volumes of Fullmetal Alchemist in March, bringing both series fully under their label. MVM enjoyed much success with both series before FUNimation switched UK distribution to Revelation, but the new license-holders seem keen for a fresh start. From a fan's point of view it is great to see a price cut (all of Revelation's anime DVDs retail at £15.99 each), but it will be interesting to see how well these sell considering many already own them and a Fruits Basket box set has only just hit the shelves. However, if you don't already have them now is the perfect time to check them out. Source: Pinnacle
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More Clips! A double header this time with a further look at both Le Portrait de Petite Cossette from MVM and Noein from Manga Entertainment. Both titles are amongst the most anticipated releases of the first quarter of 2007, and are released on 5th and 19th of February respectively. Le Portrait de Petite Cossette Noein
Clip 2:
High Res /
Low Res Source: MVM
/ Manga
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First Look at Noein! The time-bending sci-fi series Noein is one of Manga Entertainment's main releases in 2007, and they have provided us with a clip of volume 1! Click on the link below to view, and look out for the DVD's release on 19th Feb: Source: Manga
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Yet More MVM Clips! MVM are really spoiling us with clips at the start of the year, this time round we have a trio of clips of the creepy Le Portrait de Petite Cossette, which is out on the 5th February:
Clip 1:
High Res /
Low Res Source: MVM |
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Manga Release Budget Taster DVD Following ADV Films' cut price Bento Box DVD, which features the first episodes of four of their leading series, anime fans are due to get another budget anime treat. This time round it's Manga Entertainment, who release The Manga Anime Showcase DVD on 19th February for the jaw-dropping price of £3.95. The DVD is exclusive to HMV, and features not only full episodes of Noein, Heat Guy J and Otogi Zoshi but previews of Tactics and the live action Tokyo Zombie plus a host of trailers, a preview of the forthcoming PlayStation 2 game Naruto Ultimate Ninja and a five minute trailer of the animated (but not anime) follow up to the film Hellboy. An absolute bargain and an absolutely essential purchase! Source: Manga
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Viz Issue Challenge to Fansubbers Following similar moves from the US arms of ADV Films, Manga Entertainment and Bandai, major distributor Viz Media have decided to launch an anime download service. However, the way they have approached it is very different. Other companies release anime for download in tandem with their DVD releases, but Viz are launching downloads of their new acquisition Death Note far in advance of the DVD. The plan is to release episodes shortly after their Japanese TV screening, bringing the anime in subtitled form possibly before the series has even finished its Japanese run. This directly challenges the scruples of fansubbing groups (see glossary) who traditionally exploit the time period between the Japanese screening of an anime series and its US release. This move will be a blow for 'ethical' fansubbers, those who stop their translation and free distribution of an anime series when it has been licensed in their home language, particularly if it is widely adopted. It will be interesting to see how this develops, especially as it is very likely that UK companies will start to look at download services this year. Before long we may begin seeing simultaneous US/UK download releases... Source: ICvC |
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There Can Be Only...errr...five? In a wonderful mix of nationalities to rival the original film (in which a Scotsman played an Egyptian with a Spanish name and a Frenchman played a Scotsman in a film directed by an Australian), a new anime film based on the American franchise Highlander has been produced by a Hong Kong company and directed and animated in Japan! Highlander Vengeance is the fifth feature-length outing for the immortal clansman and focuses on periods not covered by either the films or TV series. The anime credentials for the film are impressive - producers Imagi International have signed up legendary animators Madhouse to bring it to life, and anime veteran Yoshiaki Kawajiri directs. Kawajiri directed the classic anime film Ninja Scroll, so he'll be no stranger to supernatural sword fighting and we have quite high hopes for the film. Considering it has been picked up for US release on 5th July by Manga Entertainment we wouldn't be surprised to see a UK release on the cards. One to look out for. Source: ICv2 |
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New MVM Clips! MVM have followed Manga Entertainment in releasing clips for one of their new shows! In MVM's case it is the highly entertaining Saiyuki Reload vol 1, which is out now: Source: MVM |
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New Manga Clips! Manga Entertainment set off the year with a bang with the release of several clips of forthcoming releases Otogi Zoshi vol 3 - Burning the Past and She, The Ultimate Weapon Another Love Song! The DVDs both hit the shelves on 29th January priced at £19.99 each, but for the time being feat your eyes on these clips: Otogi Zoshi vol 3 She, The Ultimate Weapon Another Love Song OVA Source: Manga
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MCM Midlands Expo tickets now available to buy!
The online MCM Expo ticket store is now online for the purchase of
fast-track tickets for £8 each. Click
here to be taken to the online store. Source: MCM
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The New Manga Collection? Anyone who has been keeping their eyes on our Release Schedule in the past week or so has probably noticed two DVD re-releases from Manga Entertainment. The two in question are Street Fighter II The Animated Movie (19th Feb) and Golgo 13: The Professional (26th Feb), two films that were amongst Manga's earliest forays into DVD. Manga appear to be putting a lot of effort into these DVDs, and have confirmed that Street Fighter II will be uncut and will contain the Japanese dub absent from from the original release. Golgo 13 will not only contain both English and Japanese dubs, but also a UK exclusive 'Clementary' - a commentary from Anime Encyclopaedia co-author Jonathan Clements! Hopefully these will be the first of many such re-releases, there are plenty of early Manga releases that would really benefit from such treatment so we're keeping our fingers crossed. Meanwhile, reviews will come as soon as we've had a chance to see the new DVDs - anything that gives us a legitimate excuse to watch Chun-Li in the shower is fine by us... Source: Manga Entertainment |
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New Issue The latest issue of the UK's leading anime monthly, Neo Magazine, hit the shelves today. Features include a focus on some new anime, games, manga and Asian films on their way in 2007, as well as a look at the latest anime on telly in Japan and the continuation of Jonathan Clements' superb History of Manga. Don't miss it! Source: WHSmith |
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Manga Launch Fortnightly Magazine! Anyone who has been watching Channel 4 recently may have seen an advert for Manga Force, a new fortnightly magazine from Manga Entertainment. The magazine is will contain plot synopses, filmographies and behind-the-scenes information on a range of Manga titles, but the big draw is the DVD that comes with each issue. The DVD contains a classic Manga Entertainment title, including the likes of Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Macross Plus, Blood The Last Vampire and End of Evangelion. It's a great selection that's not to be sniffed at, and goes a long way to justifying the £8.99 per issue price tag (although issue 1 is £2.99). Interestingly there are due to be 50 issues so it remains to be seen which films will grace the magazine after those named above. Issue 1 is out now (complete with Ghost in the Shell), for more information and for subscriptions check out www.mangacollection.co.uk Source: Channel 4 |
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More Anime with DVD Monthly DVD review magazine DVD Monthly once again have an anime episode on their cover-mounted DVD this month. This time the episode in question is MVM's excellent Saiyuki Reload, so if you want to see what the series is all about, pick up the magazine! Source: WHSmith |
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