Tuesday, March 25, 2008

3rd Hell Girl series is called Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae!

The third season of the horror anime has finally received its name! Hell Girl’s officials had just recently announced that their latest installment will be called Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae! Staying true to its style of the second season where they embedded the Japanese word for “two” in its title, this upcoming new series will also have its own “three” in its title :D

Stay tune for the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2008 as they will then feature the character voices Mamiko Noto (Ai Enma) and Masaya Matsukaze (Ren Ichimoku) and creator Hiroshi Watanabe at the event on March 30th 2008! :D

Jigoku Shoujo official website: http://www.jigokushoujo.com/news.html

Pokemon 11th Movie Trailer Released!

Yes, my Pokemon masters, you may take your eyes off your NDS for a while, for a new Pokemon movie trailer had recently been released!



Pretty slick eh? :D This latest installment of the Pokemon movie franchise (11th Pokemon movie) is entitled Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Giratina and the Sky’s Bouquet: Sheimi (劇場版ポケットモンスター ダイヤモンド&パール ギラティナと氷空の花束 シェイミ). Get ready to watch our all-time favorite duo, Ash & Pikachu, going head-to-head against many Pearl & Diamond’s Legendary Pokemons @ Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Regigias and Shaymin! Hidden in all these fights, comes another sinister Pokemon enemy called Zero, with a diabolical scheme to take over the world! (don’t they always?) :D

Be sure to catch ‘em all… I mean, catch the movie coming your way on July 19th, 2008 in Japan! (for the English version fans: have patience & wait till 2009 kkthxbai) :D

Official movie website: http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/

Winter Sonata to be Animated!

I’ll tell you a quick story: back in 2002, the Winter Sonata fever didn’t only swept Philippines of their feet, it went to SWOOP the entire Japan as well, including many other Asian countries :D Coming back to today, here’s the latest scoop: The fever is not over yet — the Korean love drama Winter Sonata (冬のソナタ) is coming back once more, only this time it’ll be in anime version! More details will be announce soon at the upcoming Tokyo International Anime Fair 2008, but the big news for now is that the lead actor of the drama, Bae Yong-Joon, is reprising his role to voice as Kang Joon Sang, the main character in the anime version! Will Choi Ji Woo comes back to voice Jung Yu-Jin, the lead female character in the anime? — We hope so too! So anime fans, if you were an avid follower Winter Sonata back then, you’ll be in a treat when this anime comes out soon! :D

Oh, still here? Need another good news? Psst.. this anime version is not just set to be a TV series, but there’s also plans for a movie of it too! :D

Source: http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2008031890210758.html

Doraemon: Japan’s 1st Official Anime Ambassador


Original sauce here.

Many thanks to firedauz for the article.

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TOKYO (AFP) — Japan’s newest ambassador might be among the most listened to in the diplomatic corps, even if he has no ears himself.The foreign ministry announced Friday it was appointing the cartoon cat Doraemon as the nation’s first “anime ambassador,” in Japan’s latest effort to promote its soft power through its animation industry.

Doraemon — or at least a person dressed as the earless, blue-and-white cat — will receive his official assignment letter from Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura in a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, officials said.

The character will appear in films to be shown in Japanese missions overseas, talking about the country’s lifestyle and customs.

“By appointing Doraemon, we hope people in other countries will understand Japanese anime better and deepen their interest in Japanese culture,” said Yuko Hotta, a foreign ministry official.

Created by a cartoonist under the penname Fujiko F. Fujio, Doraemon is the main character in an animation series that is among the most popular in Japan and widely known in much of Asia.

The friendly cat travels back to the present from the 22nd century to help out a schoolboy by lending an “anywhere door,” which allows people to travel wherever they please.

The government has been trying to turn growing worldwide interest in its anime cartoons, manga comics and cuisine into political capital with a campaign promoting “Cool Japan.”

Last year, Japan launched the International Manga Award for foreign artists. The first winner was Hong Kong’s Lee Chi Ching.

Latest Doraemon film opens #1; Kurosagi movie follows behind at #3



a8394-3.jpgDoraemon: Nobita to Midori no Kyojin Den, the latest movie about Fujiko F. Fujio’s manga robotic cat, opened at #1 at the Japanese box office (March 8–9) with US$5,033,049 on 344 screens (Box Office Mojo). Eiga Kurosagi (Kurosagi the Movie) also opened this past weekend, but at #4 with US$2,817,974 on 315 screens. This is the theatrical version of the live-action television drama adaptation of Takeshi Natsuhara and Kuromaru’s manga. The story centers on a man named Kurosaki who becomes a “Kurosagi” (black egret), or someone who swindles other swindlers.

All three of the previous weekend’s manga-related movies fell but remained on the chart. The ninth film adaptation of the Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga and television anime series took in US$1,073,276 on 293 screens in its second weekend. One Piece: Episode of Chopper + Fuyu ni Saku, Kiseki no Sakura was #6 according to Kogyo Tsushinsha, but #7 according to Box Office Mojo. L change the WorLd, the live-action Death Note spinoff starring Ken’ichi Matsuyama (NANA, Sexy Voice and Robo, Detroit Metal City), fell again from #2 to #7 in its fifth weekend, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha. Box Office Mojo lists it at #6 with US$1,096,085 on 317 screens to add to its US$26,119,424 total. Finally, #8’s Chō Gekijōban Keroro Gunso 3: Keroro Tai Keroro - Tenkū Daikessen de Arimasu!, the third Keroro Gunso or Sgt. Frog movie, earned US$699,789 on 163 screens in its second weekend to add to its US$1,889,350 total.

Source: Kogyo Tsushinsha

Image © Fujiko Pro, Shogakukan, TV Asahi, Shinei, ADK 2008

Spring 2008 Anime List

Let us see what’s in store in the new anime season

First Air Date/Time (Japan Time)

Show Title Station Episodes
03/07 –:– St. Seiya The Hades Chapter-Elysion Sky Perfect! PPV 3
03/09 24:00 Koharu Biyori Part III AT-X 1
03/14 26:30 BUS GAMER KBS Kyoto 3
03/24 12:00 Ikuze Gen-san GyaO 24
03/31 26:15 Hoshi no Umi no Amuri TV Kanagawa 1
03/31 06:40 Chi’s Sweet Home TV Tokyo Network
04/02 18:00 Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s TV Tokyo
04/02 27:38 Junjou Romantica TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting 24
04/03 23:02 Kyou Kara Maou! 3rd Season NHK-BS2 39
04/03 23:32 Allison to Lillia NHK-BS2 26
04/03 25:25 Macross FRONTIER MBS
04/03 25:25 xxxHOLic Kei TBS 26
04/03 25:55 To Love-Ru TBS 26
04/03 26:00 kure-nai Chiba TV
04/04 18:00 Kirarin Revolution Season 3 TV Tokyo
04/04 25:15 The Tower of Druaga ~the Aegis of URUK~ TV Kanagawa
04/04 26:30 Amatsuki KBS Kyoto
04/04 –:– Itazura na Kiss TBS
04/05 09:00 BLUE DRAGON Shichi no Ryu TV Tokyo Network
04/05 10:30 Kanokon AT-X
04/05 24:30 D.C. II S.S.~Da Capo II Second Season~ TV Kanagawa 13
04/05 25:35 Kamen no Maid Guy Chiba TV
04/05 26:00 BLASSREITER TV Kanagawa
04/06 08:30 Internet Ghost PIPOPA TV Tokyo Network
04/06 09:30 Onegai My Melody Kirara TV Tokyo Network
04/06 10:00 Zettai Karen Children TV Tokyo Network
04/06 17:00 Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 MBS/TBS Network
04/06 24:00 Wagaya no Oinari-sama. Chiba TV
04/06 25:30 Nabari no Ou TV Tokyo
04/06 25:30 S-A ~Special-A~ Chiba TV 24
04/06 26:00 Neo Angelique Abyss TV Tokyo
04/07 07:30 Hakkentai Kennai Suki! Shimajirou. TV Tokyo Network
04/07 18:00 Soul Eater TV Tokyo Network
04/07 18:25 Fire Ball TokyoMX TV
04/07 25:00 Vampire Knight TV Tokyo
04/07 26:00 Monochrome Factor TV Tokyo
04/08 17:30 Uchino 3 Shimai TV Tokyo Network
04/08 24:59 RD Sennou Chousashitsu Nippon TV Network
04/08 25:15 Crystal Blaze Chiba TV 12
04/08 25:29 Himitsu ~Top Secret~ The Revelation Nippon TV Network
04/10 24:00 Kaiba WOWOW 12
04/10 24:45 Toshokan Sensou Fuji TV 12
04/11 25:23 Golgo 13 TV Tokyo
04/12 25:00 Kyouran Kazoku Nikki TV Kanagawa
04/12 26:05 Nijuu Menzou Musume Fuji TV
04/19 00:00 Penguin Musume Heart Chou! Animelo/Niko Niko Douga
04/– 07:30 Sugar Bunnies 2nd Season TV Tokyo
04/– 08:30 Penguin no Mondai TV Tokyo Network

Sunday, March 16, 2008

INTERVIEW: SCOTT EVANS: The Challenge of Being A Voice Actor

Scott Evans with his anime counterpart Van from Gun X Sword.

[PHOTO CREDITS: © 2005 AIC • Team DannChester/ Gun Sword Partners]


When Scott Evans joined the team of Animax VAs, he had a monumental task ahead of him. He was put in the unenviable position of being the replacement for Darren Pleavin (a.k.a. Louis), who is much loved by the channel's viewers. However, Scott took it as a challenge, and at present has been playing lead roles, which include Hanamichi Sakuragi in Slam Dunk, Van in Gun X Sword, and Ovan in .Hack//Roots. (Check the program sked for this shows.) Get to know a little more about Scott in this interview…

What prompted you to decide to become a voice actor? Did you get formal training and for how many years?

I’m trained as a sound engineer. When I came back to Hong Kong to live, I had the opportunity to work with various dubbers and voice-over artists throughout Hong Kong. It struck me as a challenging and exciting job, one that had more creative outlet than just sitting in the studio control room. I learned how to dub and act by exposing myself to more talented people than me, and really trying to get better and better. Being a musician for the past 16 years, I’m no stranger to having a microphone in front of me, and it felt like a natural progression to go from the mixing desk to the dubbing table!

You joined the Animax voice talents when you took over the role of Sano in Law of Ueki from the original voice actor who portrayed the character. Given that Animax fans have a tendency of being overly critical, did you feel any pressure in taking over a part that was played by one of the early voice talents of Animax?

You’re definitely aware of the fact that people are going to notice. The people who enjoy anime are fairly discerning, so you know that there are going to be people out there who don’t like the fact that one of the voices in their favourite show has changed. I also took over the role of Yamcha in Dragon Ball from the same voice actor, so I had two pairs of shoes to fill. It’s very much a part of the industry though. Not just dubbing, but regular television as well. Actors have lives too, and sometimes that means moving on and creating new opportunities.

Among the characters you have voiced for Animax, who is a) your favorite, b) the most challenging you've ever done, and c) the most memorable, and why?

(A) I would definitely have to say Hanamichi Sakuragi has been one of my favourite characters up to date. The rest of the characters in the show are pretty straight forward, very much in the style of most of the anime sports shows. Hanamichi is completely off the rails though. Laughing, crying, screaming and completely unaware of his limitations. That makes it pretty fun. (B) He would also be the most challenging character that I’ve ever had to play. Mainly because all that screaming and laughing is very hard to keep up in an 8-hour day. He’s a particularly difficult character to dub because he’s so unpredictable too. We may have a script, but it’s not always possible to write down exactly what he’s doing. So some scenes require more takes than others, just because I have to watch what he’s doing a few times before I can actually do it. (C) Train Hartnett from Black Cat would have to be my most memorable character because it was the first time I got to play the main character in a series.

I received a lot of positive feedback from anime fans (I personally thought you were fantastic!) about the way you performed the stirring monologue in that scene from Gun X Sword wherein Van came close to losing his sanity in that abandoned town (with those church bells). How did you prepare yourself – both acting-wise and mentally – for that heavy scene?

Acting-wise, I approach most scenes pretty much the same way. As a dubber, it’s important to take cues from the original Japanese version. They were, after all, the original actors in the scene. So being aware of the mood and scope of the scene helps to give an authentic performance that people find credible. It also helps to understand the show in a larger context than just the episode you’re working on. This reduces character twists from taking you by surprise and allows you give a consistent performance throughout the scene, the episode and ultimately the whole series. The emotional side is quite different though. If you’re doing a scene like the one you mentioned in Gun X Sword, you want to put more of yourself into it. It’s obviously very important to try and feel the way the character feels to the best of your ability. But I may deviate slightly from the original Japanese version in order to give the best performance I can in my own style. I think with the really emotional stuff, being yourself is the key to coming across as convincing to the audience. Anime fans are pretty smart, they can tell when you’re displaying genuine emotion or not.

Hanamichi Sakuragi of Slam Dunk is also quite a challenging character to play. Did portraying this well-loved anime icon present any problems for you and how did you overcome them?

Hanamichi presents daily problems in terms of just being able to make my words fit his mouth! That’s definitely what I find so fun about the character though. I’d say the challenge is just working with the director to make each performance as funny, energetic and fast-paced as the original. He’s by no means the only character in the show though, so I guess not accidentally spitting on my colleagues while in the middle of a trademark Hanamichi tirade would be the second challenge!

In your opinion, why do you think that considerable attention is now being given to voice actors compared to past decades? Do you feel any pressure from a much divided anime "fandom" who can't seem to get along on which is better – subtitled or dubbed anime?

I think the companies behind the really famous animation shows over the decades realize that the people watching are actually interested in the people portraying their favourite characters. Voice acting used to be considered a fairly lowly position to have in the animation process, and only recently have the more famous voice actors been given the credit and exposure that their talent deserves. As far as the divide over the “Subtitle VS Dubbing” debate, I think it’s just important that people have a choice. There’s always going to be people who want to keep everything as it was originally created, and that’s important. But I think dubbing a an anime into another language allows the viewer to see the anime a way that’s a bit closer to the original experience, in terms of having someone act the scene to you, instead of reading subtitles. As long as people have the choice, I think everyone will be happy.