[OT]Anime/Game News
miko
It was revealed at the recent Neko Con that Viz, the current distributors of
Pokemon on VHS and DVD, has acquired the rights to the second season of
the animated Pokemon series. Warner Brothers, the current network to air the
show, has yet to
announce a similar acquisition of the second season.
Anime Song Battle Planned For End Of The Year
The Nippon Hoso TV station will be putting on the concert, "The 20th Century
Anime Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red-White Song Battles)" on December
27th at the Nippon Budoukan Hall. The concert will feature well known voice
actors/actresses, older
experienced seiyuu, and other musicians. The seiyuu will discuss anime titles of
the 20th century, and sing popular anime theme songs. Hosting the event
will be Akihisa Souguchi (host for Nippon Hoso's Ani-Game Paradise), co-hosting,
will be Maria Yamamoto. Among the seiyuu to appear are: Rika
Matsumoto (Japanese voice of Ash
in Pokemon), Mayumi Iizuka (Japanese voice of Misty in Pokemon), and Yuko
Miyamura (Japanese seiyuu of Asuka in Evangelion). The show will
appear on TV December 28th.
Pokemon Yellow has set Nintendo's record for the fastest selling game. The
record was previously held by Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the
Nintendo 64. In the two weeks since its release on October 18th the over a
million copies of the cartridge have been sold. There were more than
280,000 preorders of the game. The special Gameboy Color package with Pokemon
yellow sold more than 80,000 units. With Pokemon Yellow and the
movie have clearly added fuel to the Pokemon rage. One can probably expect
similar sales for Pokemon Stadium for the Nintendo 64 when it is
released next spring.
Princess Mononoke Final 2nd Opening Weekend Figures The final box-office figures
are in for The Princess Mononoke during it's 2nd opening
weekend in limited release in North American theaters. This week the the film
was added to 30 screens. Ticket sales for Friday through Sunday show the
film has grossed $384,220 on 38 screens, averaging about $10,131 a theater, this
has boosted it from the number 33 spot to the number 24 position on
the Daily Variety Movie chart. Total American gross to-date for the Princess
Mononoke is $592,844.
The online chat with Hayao Miyazaki on Thursday, November 4th confirmed that
Disney does not have the DVD rights to the Miyazaki films. DVD rights
were not included in the contract drawn up in 1996. There had been some talk
that Princess
Mononoke might be Miyazaki's last film due to his age, 58. While he cannot put
forth the amount of work he was able to in previous films, he and his chief
animator Ando Masahi are working on pre-production for a film for with an
expected 2001 release.
New Yamato Movie Hinted
In the Japanese magazine Seiron's December issue, novelist Yoshimi Ishikawa
announces he and Leiji Matsumoto are now working on a new Space
Cruiser Yamato movie which they are planing to release in the year 2001.
According to Ishikawa, the story is set in the 29 century A.D. For those not
familiar Yamato is better known as Star Blazers to Western Fans.
Yamato Toys
Liberty Planet is rumored to be producing new Space Cruiser Yamato toys. A 3
foot long Yamato (est. $650), a 22 inch long Cosmo Zero (est. $390)
and a 12 inch Yuki Muri figure (est. $240) are rumored to be in the works.
Parasyte, the manga series by Hitosi Iwaaki is being made into a Hollywood live
action movie by Angry Films, in conjunction with Jim Henson Pictures
(which is also doing the Astro Boy animatronics). Parasyte is a grime and
sometimes gruesome manga series in which parasites from outer-space land in
Japan and begin assimilating humans by burrowing into them and infesting their
head. The manga tells the story of a parasite
force to take over the left hand of a high school student. The human and
parasite fight and destroy fully-assimilated parasites. Parasyte manga is
currently
being released by Mixx Entertainment.
Sony plans to release a special Rurouni Kenshin 3-CD "Premium Collection"
box-set Dec. 18th with an extremely limited 1st pressing of 5,000 units. The
set will list for 5,631 Yen and is packaged in a special multi-layer tray
encased in outer box. Each disc in the set features a unique super picture label
illustration. The 1st disc includes
popular opening & ending themes from the TV series. The 2nd disc collects best
selections of BGM tracks used in the TV series & movie. The 3rd disc
features music from the "Tsuiokuhen" OVA series that is exclusive to this set.
Nintendo of Japan has issued an apology to those who have reserved Pocket
Monsters Gold & Silver for Gameboy in Japan. As mentioned earlier, due
to the Taiwan earthquake, Nintendo will only able to supply 1.8 million copies
of the game on the sale date of Nov. 21, 1.2 million copies short of the
original forecast. Another 600,000 copies will ship to retailers on Dec. 1, and
another 2.6 million copies will ship to retailers by the end of the year,
making a total shipment of 5 million copies (2.5 millions for each version).
Koei's Dreamcast historical war simulation game, Nobunaga Ambition Retsu Style,
is out in Japan on Dec. 16, listing for 9800 Yen. The DC version will
have two additional scenarios, making up a total of 9 scenarios.
Sega of Japan has pushed back the release of Shen Mue Chapter 1 for Dreamcast
from March to April 2000.
Sony's PSX RPG, Alundra 2,will feature over 10 mini games, divided into 3
categories: action puzzle, action / shooters, and action fighting. Games in the
action fighting category let the fight boss characters that have been previously
defeated.
Alundra 2 is scheduled for release in Japan on Nov. 18.
At the recent Neko Con convention, Toshi Yoshida of Viz clarified the company's
plan for DVD releases. Ranma 1/2, specifically the OAVs, Key the
Metal Idol, and Please Save My Earth, including the Japanese language track that
was not released on the VHS version, will be released on DVD starting
in the first quarter of 2000. There are no plans to release Video Girl Ai
because the rights-holder, Victor Entertainment, will not allow an American
release
of the series until after a Japanese release. This does not
mean that there will never be an American DVD release of Video Girl Ai. There
was a similar arrangement with Slayers, but there are now currently plans
for a domestic DVD release of the series.
Further Information On Upcoming Sakura Taisen Projects. As mentioned a few weeks
back at the recent SAKURA PROJECT 2000 event held at
Tokyo Kousei Nenkin Kaikan Hall, it was announced that a new Sakura Taisen TV
series will air next year. Production is to be handled by studio
Madhouse. In addition, 6 Sakura Wars OVA volumes will be out at the end of the
year. A new Sakura Wars
Movie is in the works as well for a release sometime within 2000. This project
will be a joint effort by Sega and Kadokawa Shoten. The producer of the
motion picture will be Toshinori Otsuki (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Nadesico). The
"Sakura Wars" will also be on stage in the live-action world this
summer. An upcoming theatrical play, Kayou Show (Popular Songs Show), will
feature the entire voice cast from Sakura
Taisen playing their respective roles on stage.
And of course there are 5 new Sakura Wars Games planned:
Sakura Wars (ported from Sega Saturn) Dreamcast (Release: Spring)
Sakura Wars 2: Don't You Die (ported from Sega Saturn) Dreamcast (Release:
Summer)
Sakura Wars 3: Is Tomoe Burning? Dreamcast Ohgami Ichiro Funtoki (Record of
Ohgami Ichiro's Struggles) Dreamcast (Release: January)
Sakura Wars GB Gameboy (Release: Spring)
The setting has been determined as Paris for Sakura Wars 3, also a new character
is
expected to appear in this game.
Sunrise Interactive's Mobile Suit battle-sim, Sunrise Heroes, for Dreamcast, is
expected to be out in Japan on December 2nd. The game will retail for
6800 Yen and features many M.S.'s from animation studio Sunrise's popular Mobile
Suit series', such as Gundam, Votoms, and Gaogaiger.
Sega / Sanrio will be releasing a Hello Kitty puzzle game for Dreamcast called
Hello Kitty's Lovely Fruit Park. The game will sale for 2800 Yen.
Media Factory's Gameboy version of Columns GB was released in Japan on Nov. 5th.
This version features a number of characters from Tezuka
Productions, including Kimba The White Lion, Astro Boy and Black Jack. There are
12 characters total and a new Puzzle Mode in this version, where
the player can engage in puzzle games.
In Tecmo's Monster Farm Battle Cards GB[known as Monster Ranch to US fans] for
Gameboy players search for monster cards in dungeons, while
fighting enemies, there will be chances to win rare monster cards by defeating
bosses. You can exchange cards via the link cable. During battles
players pick 3 cards to use.
The big announcement that came out of Neko Con in Virginia Beach, Virginia was
Right Stuf's announcement that they will be domestically releasing the
Gainex series Kareshi Kanojo No Jijou (Kare-Kano or His and Her Situations). The
series which gained domestic notoriety through its direction by Anno
Hideaki (Evangelion and
Gunbuster) is a shoujo character-driven style high school romance story, that
focuses more on the characters and realism than romance. Jeff Thompson of
Right Stuf speculated that the series would be difficult to translate because of
its sparse language, but well worth the effort. Right Stuf expect to release the
series at some time in 2000. It was also stated that Right Stuf's other series,
Irresponsible Captain Tylor, and Kimba the White Lion are destined for DVD
releases.
Toshi Yoshida of Viz announced that there will be a pause in the release of new
Ranma 1/2 videos until February 2000. Viz plans to release Ranma 1/2
and Key the Metal Idol on DVD but there are no plans to release Video Girl Ai,
because they did not receive the DVD rights to the OAV series.
Bandai is set to release SD Gundam Episode 1 for WonderSwan on Dec. 29. The game
is a war SIM ported from the first SD Gundam title for the
Nintendo Famicom. Over 50 Gundam characters are expected to appear in this game.
Nippon Ichi's Opera RPG Little Princess Marl 2 for PSX is out on Nov. 25th in
Japan. This sequel takes place 14 years after the original, the heroine of
Marl 2 is the daughter of the princess from the 1st. In this game the characters
are to be designated more detailed animation during the operas.
Heavy Gear Animated Series in the Works
Sony Pictures Family Entertainment, producers of American animated series that
include Buy Guy & Rusty the Boy Robot and Men in Black will be
producing animated series based on the mecha pen and paper tactical RPG by Dream
Pod 9 turned video game Heavy Gear. Sony has begun production
of 40 episodes to be aired in fall 2000 on the Bohbots Kids Network. Heavy Gear
set in the year 6132, on a planet called Terra Nova. With the
exception of faster-than-light travel, the game
creators focuses on realism, both in the mechanics of the mecha and gameplay as
well
as the politics of the story. The animated series' storylines will focus on the
pilots of the combat mecha, "combining heroic dogfighter pilots and the
dynamics of Japanese
mechanical warriors". According to Dream Pod 9's website, "It will also deliver
a tremendously rich storyline that lies beneath the action of Heavy Gear:
politics, love, religion and unexpected mysteries as well as unexpected enemies
all play their part in the saga of Heavy Gear." Sony Pictures Consumer
Products has the rights to make toys and other products based on the series
including apparel, publishing, electronics, back-to-school, collectibles, food,
and gifts and novelties.
In Yuke's / ASCII's upcoming Dreamcast title Berserk, you of course play the
hero, Gutts, who is accompanied by the healing spirit, Bart. The character
Lina joins later in the game. She can see monsters and objects that other party
members can't. Gameplay-wise, you can hold the attack button to charge
up your sword and use the heavy attack which slices most enemies into pieces.
Players preferring to blow their enemies into pieces instead can utilize
Gutts' powerful wrist cannon. There are many button trigger events spread
throughout the game, players will need to press the action buttons at certain
times, or face unforeseen consequences. For instance, Gutts
stumbles onto a land trap, you'll need to press the action button immediately to
escape the trap, or fall in.
Vampire Hunter D / Final Fantasy IX character designer, Yoshitaka Amano, has
said that FFIX will occur in a more middle aged fantasy world, similar to
Final Fantasy I-V. This game will be in full 3D, using little or no pre-rendered
CG backdrops.
Square is offering a special Chrono Cross Clock those who reserve the PSX RPG in
advance of it's Nov. 18 release in Japan.
Square's upcoming Playstation RPG Vagrant Story will feature character designs
by Yoshida Akihiko. The game occurs in a middle aged European
Kingdom, Reamonde. The main hero, Ashley Riot is a special agent graduated from
the VKP academy, accused of murder, he becomes a Risk Breaker
(criminal). Other characters include
Sydney Losstarot: the suspect murderer who accused Ashley,
Romeo Guildenstern: lord of the knights of Valendia,
Duke Bardoroa: a retired war hero,
Callo Merlose: a female VKP information analysis.
Vagrant Story uses a new battle system, Target
Dom. During battles, when the enemies fall inside your range of attack, you can
select to attack different parts of their bodies.
Sony Computer Entertainment of America announced over 1 million Playstation
consoles sold over the last two months (since the PSX was dropped to
$99). Sony expects to make over one billion dollars on sales of Playstation
related items for this year. Total North America sales of the PSX exceeded 21
million units by October 1999.
A year long promotion for Sakura Taisen begins in Japan on January 6th. The
Dreamcast title Flower Class Battle Columns 2 is out on that date listing for
5800 Yen. The game will have a communication battle mode, where users can battle
others over the internet.
Tommo will release the U.S. version of NEC HE's DC RPG Seventh Cross with the
new name: Seventh Cross: Evolution, the game is out Nov. 27th.
Nintendo's Gameboy RPG Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition has sold over 1
million copies in North America, after its second week of release,
making it the fastest selling Nintendo title of all time.
The PC port of Final Fantasy VIII will feature a special Chocobo raising mini
game which you can play as a stand alone. The game is a port of the
PocketStation mini game from the PSX version of FFVIII.
Square's Chocobo Dungeons 2 is expected out in the U.S. in January, Saga
Frontier 2 is expected out in February.
Sunsoft's new Playstation Strategy RPG, Koukuroearpo: Eternal Eye, is slated for
a
Dec. 2nd release in Japan. Game story is written by the Final Fantasy 1-3
scenario writer, with character designs from the creator of Atelier Marie. Long
ago, the world entered a great dark age of fear under the rule of the Goddess of
Destruction. 6 heroes, The Clan of Eyes of Red Light: The
Koukuroearpo, defeated and sealed away
the goddess by the power of Jade Mapets, and restored peace to the world.
Hundreds of years pass, the Knight Commander Vohres of the Cross
Kingdom is summoned by Runa, attempting to revive the Goddess. The hero, Ruka,
last descendant of The Koukuroearpo, finds a treasure map of the
ancient Goddess's Runa Kingdom and embarks on an incredible quest. The game uses
a new Mapet Battle System, the Koukuroearpo can create living
mapets (puppets) by inserting a jade stone inside the mapets' bodies. There are
24 types of jade, each with different attributes or elemental power. By
combining different jades together, you can tweak and customize the power of the
mapets.
Info provided by ANIME NEWS.