NEWS: New Anime Titles on Animax in 2008
| ||
| ||
Posted by Maku Jiyan Maritinesu at 6:16 PM 0 comments
Categories: Current Affairs
Le Chevalier D'Eon Named "Anime of the Year"
Although this news does not surprise me one bit, American anime industry trade publication "Anime Insider" recently voted Le Chevalier D'Eon as "Anime of the Year" for 2007. You certainly can't go wrong with Production I.G doing the animation and Rurouni Kenshin OVA director Kazuhiro Furuhashi helming the project.
However, what I've always considered to be Chevalier's strongest point is its plot, combining accurate historical detail with a supernatural twist, which builds up to an unexpected climax. Add excellent character development and voice acting, it's one of the finest anime to come out in 2007. For those of you who have been subtly convinced by an acquaintance who has dismissed the anime as merely "swords and spells", you are certainly missing a lot. If you want intelligent anime fare, watch Le Chevalier D'Eon.
Other releases that were ranked "Best" by Anime Insider for 2007 include the following:
BEST DVD ANIME FEATURE: Afro Samurai (Kudoes to actor Samuel L. Jackson for recognizing anime as an excellent vehicle for storytelling!)
BEST SERIES ON DVD: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
BEST ANIME SERIES ON TV: Astro Boy
BEST DUB: BECK (FUNimation)
~~~~~~~~~~
Japan's Best Anime for 2007
Japanese anime fans have come out in droves to vote in a readers' poll for the anime which they consider the BEST for 2007. Here are the Top 20 Best Anime for 2007.
1. Code Geass
2. Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann
3. Lucky Star
4. Death Note
5. Kanon 2006
6. Claymore
7. Baccano!
8. Darker Than Black
9. Dennou Coil
10. Minami-ke
11. ef - a tale of memories
12. School Days
13. Nodame Cantabile
14. Seto no Hanayome
15. Seirei no Moribito
16. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
17. NANA
18. Myself, Yourself
19. Sola
20. Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei
~~~~~~~~~~
The Cast of Dragonball Live Action Movie
To those who have read the previous blog, nope, that bit of news was not a joke! Yes, it is true that 20th Century Fox has greenlighted the production of a live action Dragonball Movie.
According to a news report in Anime News Network, actor Chow Yun-Fat has confirmed to the Hollywood trade paper "Hollywood Reporter" that he will be playing Master Roshi in the film.
Who are the other members of the cast? Justin Chatwin plays Son Goku. James Marsters (Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer) is Piccolo. Phantom of the Opera star Emmy Rossum plays Bulma. Jamie Chung is Chi Chi. Eriko Tamura of Heroes plays Mai. Rounding up the cast is Korean pop star Joon Park as Yamcha.
The film is scheduled to be released on August 15 this year.
~~~~~~~~~~
Gunslinger Girl ~ Il Teatrino Premieres
Season 2 of the critically acclaimed anime Gunslinger Girl, entitled Gunslinger Girl ~ Il Teatrino, premiered this month, garnering mixed reviews from fans, including yours truly.
I must admit that the story about child assassins is still enough to keep me glued to the sequel. However, if you are looking for the same high quality of art as in the first season, you'll be disappointed. The art is a lot simpler to say the least. In Season 1, Henrietta looked absolutely adorable. But for Season 2, she looks...well...ordinary? Then, there's the matter that the producers decided to hire different voice actors instead of the seiyuu from Season 1. Rather jarring transition to say the least.
To those who need visual proof, the first pic is of Henrietta from Season 1. The pic below it is from Season 2. Can you see the difference?
PHOTO CREDITS © 2002-2005/2007 Yu Aida/MMP · Mediaworks · "GUNSLINGER GIRL" PARTNERSHIP. Licensed by FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
~~~~~~~~~~
First Production Stills of CGI Gatchaman Film Released
If you're a huge fan of the Gatchaman series, IESB.net recently featured an interview with director Kevin Munroe, who previously helmed the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
However, the main draw of said interview were the first production stills from the film itself and it looks awesome. Of course, no character designs yet. Still, it certainly looks like Gatchaman is intending to surpass Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
Not convinced? CLICK HERE FOR PRODUCTION STILLS..
Posted by Maku Jiyan Maritinesu at 1:16 AM 0 comments
Categories: Film
1. Piracy will remain a HUGE problem in the Asian region. This is simply because anime distributors still do not realize the fact that the U.S. is not THE market in the world. Anime distributors and intellectual rights protectors have been running after violators in Asia, but are there any efforts being done to meet the high demand for anime in this region? NOTHING! So please, before you blame fansubbers for ruining the anime market, distributors should do a marketing survey of the region. You'll be surprised. Although the average anime fan buys pirates, they would still choose to buy originals...IF IT IS AVAILABLE AND REASONABLY PRICED.
2. The "Dubs vs Subs Debate" will continue to rage on not just in 2008, but beyond. It remains to be seen when all anime fans will realize that, whether they be Pro-Sub or Pro-Dub, in the eyes of the great anime gods, one of them being Osamu Tezuka, EVERYONE is created equal.
3. Constant vigilance will be observed against fans who don't have the common sense NOT to copy what they see in anime. One is reminded by how quickly anime producers canceled the airing of the final episode of School Days, after a Japanese teen hacked her father to death, lest copycats surface. Then, there's the serial killer running around in Sweden or some other European country, who's been leaving notes saying "I am Kira" in the crime scenes. I know people take anime seriously, but this is ridiculous.
4. Long-running anime series will continue to be HUGE hits among the fans. But one has to wonder how long the creator and the writers could stretch the storylines any further. I mean, just look at Naruto. Will it take another 100+ episodes of Shippuuden before Naruto is able to beat some sense into Sasuke's revenge-addled brain? And how about Detective Conan? I truly pity Shinichi Kudo that he is unable to enjoy the perks of teen life (namely girls!) because, after so many, many years, he still remains stuck inside Conan Edogawa's diminutive form. There's also Luffy and the Going Merry gang in One Piece. I won't be surprised if they decide to quit searching for the One Piece and decide to join The Amazing Race instead. Oh, the pairings that could result, although I already foresee that neither Nami or Robin would want to pair up with Sanji (He's stuck with Zoro! He he he!). As for D-Grayman, I really, really doubt if Allen Walker will be able to find Marshall Cross Marian this year. Thankfully, I don't have that problem with Bleach. I'd probably watch Bleach until Ichigo becomes a doddering old Shinigami.
5. Anime producers will come to realize that they are trying the patience of anime fans by creating shows out of ongoing manga, but leave them hanging after 13 to 26 episodes. So, expect new seasons of Alice Academy, Code Geass, the much delayed Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Claymore, Gunslinger Girl, and, yes, Jigoku Shoujo, although I don't know how they could bring back Ai Enma after that neat closure in Season 2. Oh, please don't let the new Hell Girl be that creepy kid Kikuri! And to those who are sure to ask about it in the "Comments" section, the premieres are for JAPAN, not on Animax. Your chances of watching these anime on Animax will be in 2009 at the LATEST.
6. American film producers will continue to turn to anime for future big screen projects. Of course, you have the highly anticipated movie version of Speed Racer. Actor Tobey Maguire is producing the movie version of Robotech. There's also the CGI animated feature Gatchaman. I've heard that the Slam Dunk movie is in post production in Taiwan. But the movie project that is giving me the hives is the big screen version of Dragonball. It's hard enough imagining veteran actor Chow Yun-Fat playing a funny pervert like Master Roshi, but Emy Rossum as Bulma??? After watching The Phantom of the Opera, my skin breaks out in goosebumps at the thought of Bulma singing "That's All I Ask Of You" to Goku. Urrgggh!
Posted by Maku Jiyan Maritinesu at 12:58 AM 0 comments
Categories: Current Affairs