Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Anime Feature Explores La Vida Robo
Let it not be said that Japanese director Mamoru Oshii acts on impulse. Having warped minds some nine years ago with his lush and enigmatic anime classic, "Ghost in the Shell," he's used the ensuing time to whip up an even more surreal and violent follow-up, "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence," being released by Dreamworks-owned boutique Go Fish on September 17th. Set in a world where humanity has merged with technology to such an extent that the two have become indistinguishable, "Innocence" starts out as a simple whodunit, but soon evolves into a vivid inquest into the fate of the human soul. IFC News' Dan Persons spoke with the director.

DP:We get to see a bit of the home life of your main protagonist, the detective Batou, and discover that he keeps a basset hound. Since you're such a big fan of the breed yourself, does this mean you've found a kindred spirit?
MO:He's my alter-ego, in many ways.

DP:How do you identify with a cyborg?
MO:We have many similarities in all different aspects. Our likes and dislikes are alike, as well as our view towards humans and humanity in general. The biggest similarity between us would probably be the fact that we both own dogs. He finds his humanity, or "body," in his dog.

DP:This is a big point for you, that this man, who's more machine than flesh and blood, still maintains his soul. Other science fiction looks at the merger of human and tech with no little fear, yet you don't seem to be disturbed by the idea.
MO:All forms of life -- human, animal, robot -- are equal. We don't need an anthropocentric humanism -- humanity has reached its limits. We have to broaden our horizons and regard life from a larger perspective.

PD:And that perspective includes the possibility that all of us, at some point, may become indistinguishable from ambulatory toasters?
MO:We must accept it as an inevitable fact, and learn to live with it

i got this news from
[url=http://www.ifctv.com/ifc/insiderNews?CAT0=5827&NID=8647&CLR=orange&BCLR=FF6600/]

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Monthly Kenshin
VIZ TO BEGIN PUBLISHING RUROUNI KENSHIN MANGA MONTHLY BEGINNING OCTOBER 2004

Samurai graphic novel is a consistent national best seller


San Francisco, CA, September 13, 2004 – VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime for North American audiences, has announced that in response to overwhelmingly positive fan support and strong sales, the popular RUROUNI KENSHIN manga title will be published on a monthly basis beginning with Volume 7 available October 2004.

RUROUNI KENSHIN, with story and art by Nobuhiro Watsuki, has remained a consistent best seller since the first volume. Each of the 6 volumes has repeatedly occupied the top spot on the Nielsen BookScan list of best selling graphic novels and recently Volumes 3,4 and 6 appeared for several weeks on USA TODAY’s Top 150 Best Selling book list.

RUROUNI KENSHIN centers on the adventures of a wandering samurai in Meiji-era Japan, just as the country began to reluctantly open its doors to Western influences in the mid-19th century. KENSHIN has attracted legions of both male and female fans from a variety of age groups with its accurate historical detail, compelling characters, battles and romantic comedy.

“The decision to step up the publication of the KENSHIN title is a direct reflection of the favorable impact of fan support and reader interest. We are gratified to see so many fans embrace RUROUNI KENSHIN,” said Yumi Hoashi, vice president of SHONEN JUMP. “The ongoing impressive sales figures for the title, combined with growing national interest in the entire graphic novel genre, make this a perfect time to offer RUROUNI KENSHIN to readers on a monthly basis.”

In the first monthly edition of RUROUNI KENSHIN, Volume 7, Kenshin is challenged to a duel by Saitô Hajime, Captain of the third unit of the Shinsengumi revolutionaries, now an officer of the law known as “Fujita Gorô”. The challenge will force a reawakening of Kenshin’s past and the beginning of something that will involve the future of the new Japan.

RUROUNI KENSHIN is part of the SHONEN JUMP Graphic Novel line, known as the world’s most popular manga. Each Graphic Novel title under the SHONEN JUMP brand has the unique style and voice of its creator. All of the manga in SHONEN JUMP are presented in right-to-left format, just as they are in Japan. The format allows the panels to be displayed as the artists intended, and increases the authenticity and fun for
the reader. The SHONEN JUMP Graphic Novel line includes DRAGON BALL, DRAGON BALL Z, YU-GI-OH!, YUYU HAKUSHO, ONE PIECE, NARUTO, BLEACH, THE PRINCE OF TENNIS, HIKARU NO GO, WHISTLE!, BEET THE VANDEL BUSTER, SAND LAND, KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC and SHAMAN KING . In partnership with Shueisha, Inc., the Japanese publisher of Weekly Shonen Jump, VIZ, LLC brings the best of Japanese comics to American fans.

About VIZ, LLC

Founded in 1986, VIZ is a multi-media entertainment company specializing in Japanese entertainment properties for U.S. audiences. VIZ offers an integrated product line including magazines, graphic novels, videos, DVDs and audio soundtracks. Each month, VIZ publishes three magazines – ANIMERICA, ANIMERICA EXTRA and SHONEN JUMP; over 20 graphic novel titles, including ALICE 19th, BOYS OVER FLOWERS, DRAGON BALL Z, FUSHIGI YÛGI, GUNDAM, INUYASHA, RANMA 1/2, and YU-GI-OH!; and distributes home video for BOYS OVER FLOWERS, HAMTARO, INUYASHA, POKéMON, PROJECT ARMS, and ZOIDS.

Based in San Francisco, VIZ is one of the top five comics publishers in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Shogakukan and Shueisha Inc., two of the top publishers in Japan. VIZ is the leading publisher of manga for English speaking audiences, serving a growing market of dedicated fans of all ages. Estimating a core audience of nearly 15 million fans, the company holds more than a 50% market share of Japanese comics in the U.S. With some of the most innovative products in the industry, VIZ has expanded its offerings to its loyal fans through web sites such as www.animerica-mag.com, www.shonenjump.com, and its corporate site, www.viz.com.

Contact VIZ, LLC at: 655 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1612; Phone: (415) 546-7073; Fax: (415) 546-7086; Web site: www.VIZ.com

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Expty ADV Artboxes
ADV Films has decided to sell empty artboxes for some of its series. The artboxes are available exclusively from TRSI or from ADV's website. Currently available are Angelic Layer, Excel Saga, Final Fantasy Unlimited, Full Metal Panic, Noir, Sakura Wars TV, Saiyuki 1 and Saiyuki 2. Currently ADV has not decided what other arboxes will be made available
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legato and kuroneko [song of trigun]
legato: It seems Mr. Kuroneko was born.
kuroneko: Meow
l: It seems Mr. Kuroneko is happy.
k: Meow
l: It seems Mr. Kuroneko is sad.
k: Meow
l: It seems Mr. Kuroneko has itchy feet.
k: Meow
l: ...
l: He has fleas
k: Meow
l: *bang* [gunshot]
l: ...
k: Meow
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Tuesday, September 14, 2004

moive anime
Konjiki no Gash Bell: 101 Banme no Mamono falls from top 10 (again), Kamen Rider Blade Movie enters at #4


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Japanese box office rankings for the weekend of September 11th and 12thThis Week Last Week Title Country Week#
1 N/A Resident Evil: Apocalypse USA 1
2 N/A The Village USA 1
3 1 Van Hellsing Japan 2
4 N/A Kamen Rider Blade: Missing Ace / Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger: The Movie Japan 1
5 2 Ninja Hattori Kun The Movie Japan 3
6 N/A Swing Girls Japan 1
7 3 Lovers China 3
8 4 Fahrenheit 911 USA 5
9 5 Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban USA 12
10 6 Naruto Movie Japan 4


Kamen Rider Blade: Missing Ace and Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger: The Movie (Special Investigation Taskforce Police/Detective Ranger) are two seperate Sentai movies shown as a double feature. Kamen Rider is one of Japans oldest and most prolific Sentai properties, with manga and anime adaptations
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D.N.Angel Release Announced
D.N.Angel Release Announced (2004-09-13 18:49:27)
ADV Films has announced that the first volume of D.N.Angel will be released on November 9th. It will be available as a stand alone release for $29.98 and with the artbox for $39.98. Source: Anime on DVD
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YU-NEE-MONEY
Yu-Gi-Oh! Box Office Slide (2004-09-13 18:45:30)
Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Movie's box office slide continued this weekend, from 23rd to 33rd overall. The movie also had its number of theatres cut from 1103 to 445 and averaged $378 per theater, the lowest per theater average in the top 100 box office movies. The movie earned $168,287 over the weekend, bringing its box office total to $19.6 million
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