Friday, January 25, 2008

NEWS: New Anime Titles on Animax in 2008


XXXHOLiC © CLAMP, Kodansha, Production I.G.


First, the GOOD NEWS!! After a few days of wheedling, begging and groveling, I was FINALLY able to convince a hardworking Animax representative to share with you some of the titles that the network will be airing this year.

Here are just some of the anime you can expect to hit your TV screens this 2008…

OOKIKU FURIKABUTTE

After getting everyone's adrenalin high with soccer, racing and basketball, it's baseball mayhem this time as pitcher Ren Mihashi discovers that it's difficult to be a member of a High School baseball team wherein your grandfather is not the manager. Yep, family connections really don't help if you want to become an ace pitcher.

ORIGIN ~ SPIRITS OF THE PAST ~

This is the only anime movie that is definitely scheduled to air this year. In this futuristic thriller, humanity has destroyed the Earth's environment, and the few survivors were forced into a deep sleep. Three hundred years later, a young boy named Agito discovers the sleeping girl Toola, who may be the Earth's savior.

LA CORDA D'ORO ~ PRIMO PASSO ~

I know for a fact that La Corda D'Oro ~ Primo Passo ~ is scheduled for airing this April in the Philippines. I don't know about other countries though. Join newbie violinist Hino Kahoko as she competes against top musicians in her exclusive music school in this delightful shoujo romance/comedy.

XXXHOLIC

Fans of the mangaka circle CLAMP are sure to be very happy with the premiere of xxxHolic. It tells the story of Kimihiro Watanuki who possesses the ability to see evil spirits. Determined to rid himself of this accursed gift, he meets with a mysterious woman named Yuuko. However, Yuuko demands that he work for her in her shop and take on the strangest errands until he has earned enough to acquire her services.

AYAKASHI

If you love horror anime as much as I do, don't fail to watch Ayakashi, which features three chilling Japanese horror stories. I highly recommend that you don't miss the third story arc, entitled "Bakeneko" ("Ghost Cat"), because the animation style is radically different from what you're used to watching. "Bakeneko" is the story arc that started off the critically acclaimed anime series Mononoke, which I'll be reviewing next week, together with the voice actor's blog.

SERGEANT KERORO (KERORO GUNSO)

Now, this is one anime I'm definitely looking forward to, simply because it's going to be quite a challenge to do in English for the Animax voice actors. This hilarious anime is about a group of frog aliens from the planet Keron who have been ordered to invade and conquer the planet Pekopon (a.k.a. Earth). Watch Keroro, Giroro, Tamama, Kururu and Dororo as they try in vain to accomplish their mission while doing household chores and assembling the latest Gundam models.

NODAME CANTABILE

Still want more classical music with your anime viewing fare? The hugely popular anime Nodame Cantabile will be premiering on Animax as well. Follow the trials, tribulations and triumphs of Shinichi Chiaki and Megumi "Nodame" Noda as they strive to be acknowledged as a brilliant conductor and pianist, respectively.

EMMA: A VICTORIAN ROMANCE SECOND ACT

To those of you who have been left heartbroken with the conclusion of the first season, now you can follow Emma's adventures in the Second Act of this romantic drama. One month has passed since Emma left London in order to end her relationship with William Jones. She has established herself in the estate of the Molders family, and found herself catching the eye of stern, but kind-hearted (Not to mention handsome!) footman, Hans. Meanwhile, back in London, Eleanor Campbell is ever more determined to win William's heart. However, little does everyone know that the fates are conspiring to bring Emma and William back together again.

SHOUNEN ONMYOUJI

I am very, very sure that a good friend of mine, who is allergic to the word "LICENSED", would be pleased to know that Shounen Onmyouji will be airing this year, especially since she was left hanging at Episode 9. Follow the misadventures of Abe No Masahiro and his diminutive sidekick Mokkun as he struggles to break away from the stigma of being the grandson of the legendary onmyou priest, Abe No Seimei, and earn the right to become his grandfather's successor, if not exceed him.

DARKER THAN BLACK

Listed as No. 8 in Japan's list for Top Anime in 2007, Darker Than Black will be premiering on Animax. Join Hei and his team of agents as they try to unravel the mystery of the impenetrable Hell's Gate and the powerful humans known as "Contractors" who have appeared as a result of the Gate's influence.

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After the good news, here are some NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS. Let's just enumerate them.

1. To those who won't stop asking "when", the above titles have NO DEFINITE SCHEDULE YET. Instead of constantly asking "when", do you see that "PROGRAMS" tab on this page? Please just monitor the schedules for the dates when these anime will premiere. SCHEDULES ARE ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

2. There is a possibility that the phrase "TERRITORIES APPLY" will apply to some of the titles above. This means, that some anime may premiere in one country, but not in other countries. For example, I know that Glass Fleet is presently airing in SEA, but it's not airing in the Philippines. Same also applies for the much-complained-by-India-viewers Colourcloud Palace and Le Chevalier D'Eon. When this happens, you can expect the anime to be aired in your country AFTER it has aired in a particular territory or, WORSE, will NOT be aired at all. Licensing and airing rights is the MAIN REASON when this occurs, so please don't go into mob riots and yell "Damn you!" as some of you diehards had done in the respective forums. For heaven's sake, BE PATIENT AND WAIT! I don't think there's any reason for any of you to curse.

3. I DID NOT include in the list above FOUR anime that were supposed to be aired last year, but are hopefully going to be aired this year. Unfortunately, I don't have the permission to reveal those particular titles. All I can say is that one is a series that is presently ongoing in Japan (No, it's not about ninjas!), two are quirky high school comedies, and the last is about weird samurai.

4. Sorry, Full Metal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa is definitely NOT INCLUDED in the line up that was given to me. However, there is a strong likelihood that you will get to watch BOTH Seasons 1 and 2 of God (?) Save Our King! (Kyou Kara Maou) this year as well.




Friday, January 18, 2008

Latest Anime News January 2007

PHOTO CREDITS © TOW UBUKATA ¡V Production I.G/Project Chevalier 2006

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)

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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

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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.

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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.

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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..





Fearless 2008 Anime Forecast


Bleach © Tite Kubo, Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo, Viz Media.

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!

MAY YOU HAVE A PROSPEROUS 2008!!