Father Geek here with the latest posting from Scott for our regular weekly column on Manga & Anime. As always its a thorough edition covering everything you need to know about the industry. Sooo grab a big mug of your favorite cool drink, relax and prepare to surf on down thru the worlds of Anime & Manga in...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Anime Spotlight: .hack//Legend of the Twilight Volume 1: A New World

Released by Bandai Entertainment

.hack is one of those big synergy launches that rarely work as well as their architects would have hoped. The idea has succeeded brilliant with the younger audiences properties (Pokemon or Yu Gi Oh) bound by simple high concepts (monsters fighting) spread across video games, collectable card games and animated shows, but .hack is probably one of the few of these shotgun blast properties for an older audience that has been imported.

.hack is a generous twist on the modern student is mystical world genre. Instead of an using an Oz, Narnia (or an anime terms Gaia, Cephiro or a one off of ancient China or warring states Japan) through the looking glass, the mystic world in question is "The World", an immersive, wildly popular fantasy massively multiplayer online role playing game. This allows modern social structures and issues to be projected onto a setting with the trapping and flexibility of fantast The franchise follows the players of the game through a series of video games, anime, later collectable card games and manga.

The slightly confusing twist is that there is no "The World" being played or sold in our world. In only words it is games in which you play as a person who is playing an online game. On your Playstation, you interact with prescripted game characters who in the story are other gamers playing characters, read prefabricated message boards and the like.

.hack//Legend of the Twilight (for those who have followed the franchise, also known as hack//Tasogare no Udewa Densetsu, .hack//udeden, .hack//The Legend of the Twilight Bracelet or .hack//dusk') is the second .hack anime series. Its predecessor .hack//SIGN was a tense emotional series that explored the cause and effect of people devoting much of their life to the game, often with people more involved with aspects of human interaction within the game. Comparatively, Legend of the Twilight is lighter (characters who are troubled, but not dour), more action oriented (characters go on questions fight monsters and the like), and considerably cuter. With a few exceptions among the veteran player character, design is softer, rounder, and more child like (the term chibi is thrown around by many fans). The characters more resemble the semi-iconic characters of the games the themselves than SIGN's more anime look.

Like its predecessor mundane problems weigh heavily on the characters, and a mysterious malfunction within the game is creating real danger. Shugo and Rena are a brother and sister separated by being assigned to different parents after their parents' divorce. Rena suggests to her brother that they could spend time together playing the "The World", and by luck or destiny, each wins a contest to receive one of the newly reseeded retired character templates Kite and Black Rose (Legend works as stand alone entity, but the significance of these characters is tied to the .hack games). Shugo and Rena soon find themselves involved with the strange happens within The World, potential dangerous aberrations its coded operating principles.

Legend of the Twilight's cast is surprising likable. While not fascinating in and of themselves, and so far generally predictable, they work well in the context of the plot such that after a few episodes it is easy to empathize them, wish them well, and become engrossed in their exploits. In Shugo and Rena, as well as the supporting cast, nothing is overplayed. Given the tendencies of people to increase the volume of online personalities, the character may actually be a bit underplayed. No one is shrill or hyper-exaggerated hammer a point: a nice feature in an anime series aimed at a slightly younger audience. For example a buxom werewolf (kindof a dog girl as opposed to the typical cat girl) who shows Shugo some attention without being on top of him, a goofy "rare hunter" does her floppy covetous routine by being quirky and surprisingly competent rather playing being the obnoxious clown.

Visually, The World is eye catching, and tangibly enthralling. With its fantastically designed cities, dungeons, and outlands, it looks like the kind of place some could become addicted to exploring. Especially with Legend of the Twilight's more iconic looking character design it captures the feel of a video game, without the constriction of modern limitations in the medium. Several of the episodes deal with the world building aspects of the game, creation of landscape, and special events such as cherry blossoms or seasons festivals

The social landscape of The World, along with its inside baseball structure and politics are a consistently interesting aspect of the .hack anime. There is a clearly illustrated range of attachments between players and between players and the game, with people seeing it as "just a game", and people who have begun to invest themselves in their gaming lives.

The new dimension of the players who aren't just self appointed protectors of the system, but employees of its creators adds new insight into the workings of the world. The .hack anime series certainly play into the appeal of a shared universe works. Not just cross overs that fun to pick out, but revelations that good for the franchise/connected stories addicted wouldn't want to miss out on.

Anime Spotlight: PuniPuni Poemy

Released by ADV Films

Puni Puni Poemy is a sick, sick two episode spasm. The DVD is rated "this perversity is 17+", which it more or less deserves. It is hard to think of Excel Saga as inhibited, but this two episode direct to video followup shows that the path into the land of wrong can go further. While not particularly mean spirited or biting (aspects of Excel Saga outdo Poemy on these fronts), it is the grand champion of outrageous button pushing. From turning the creepy doe eyed fawning supporting character's adoration into full blown lesbian lust (think CardCaptor Sakura's Tomoyo), to dialing up the manic energy to the point where the heroine can't sit through school without jack hammering pencils into her own thighs, to a Sailor Moon type magic girl who must gut her mascot to transform into her alter ego, Puni Pun Poemy find new graphically obscene ways of sinking its fangs into anime conventions.

The series opens with a death match between various Sailor Moon and magic girl clones. The winner, via spine crushing sharp shooter is Poemi.

The soon to be latest incarnation of Poemi is the daughter of Nabeshin, the afro and leisure suit clad alter of director Shinichi Watanabe who, along with his wife and Aibo robot dog, is killed and crucified by a zoot suit wearing alien with a pendulum appendage that suspiciously resembles a hairy testicle (such is the sophistication of Puni Puni Poemi's humor).

Alone in the world, after having spent some time between scenes living in a tent, Poemi is taken in by her adoring classmate Futaba. Futaba is one of the younger members of the Aasu sisters, a family of seven girls in age ranging from 3 to 28, all wildly exaggerated anime stereotypes (the large chested in particular is very noticeable exaggerated, though the dominatrix and the toddler well for themselves too), who also protect the world from evil(to which they periodically pledge to a succession of portraits of gape jawed ancestors).

Poemi's guest for. well, being a magic girl. leads her into a trip throughanime parodies ranging from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Stands to a city destroying giant robot made of recognizable pieces of famous robots. This is high octane geek humor, full of blink and you missing cameos (not to mention randomly inserted sexual humor).

The in jokes do begin to implode in the convolutions of their self reference. Director Shinichi Watanabe is back as Nabeshin, Excel Saga theme song singer Yumiko Kobayashi plays Poemy who occasionally refers to herself as Kobayashi, and the two constantly ping ponging against the fourth wall. Part of the joke is that no one can understand what Poemi is talking about, but when she starts yelling about the director, and appearing with Yumiko Kobayashi's agent dressed in a frog suit, it begins to seem that the creators are having a joke at the expense of the viewer. (Watch through the end credits)

Heavily parody based comedies like tricky PuniPuni Poemy can be a tricky proposition when taken out their native context. There's always going to be danger of the adopted audience being left behind. Animated series like the Simpson, South Park or Family Guy going to be funny if you're not American, but if you're not immersed in the culture, you're going to missing many of the jokes. Fortunately PuniPuni Poemy features densely packed humor, much of it is universal or recognizable to an anime fan, but there is also a high quotient of linguistic and cultural humor that inevitable will be lost to most domestic viewers.

Fortunately, the humor has a great success rate. It is a real visceral experience. Between the rapid pace of the slapstick actions and speech (this looks to be another torture rack to dub) it is a comedic assault on the senses. Often the humor is lowbrow shock. It can be clever at times, but is low brow clever. There's plenty of sexual innuendo (it probably isn't innuendo when it so blatant), and its hard to think of another fart jokes outside some very shonen anime.

For the most part, PuniPuni Poemi doesn't seems to be intent of pushing boundaries than being insightful, or even mean spirited. There is a line of thought that seems to be introduced late in the work, that it is outrageous screwed up and sexually perverted because that is what anime fans want to see. Or at least it teases that viewer about this possibility. As the second episode goes along Poemi throws a fit, taking out her anger on various aspects of pop culture Babylon: slackers, paid daters, porn video game addicts and the like. The path spirals into catalogue of fetishism, before hitting a montage of traditional and new created the visual metaphors for sex. At this point, nearing the end of its aloted time, the series seems to look around after having run full force into a wall, and almost makes a statement. Maybe in the final "Catharsis Blast" attack it was trying to say "what the hell were thinking for making, and you wanting to see it", but it seems much to be a final gasp for breath.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Arjuna - The Complete Collection
• Azumanga Daioh - The Animation
• Burn Up Excess - The Complete Edition
• Buttobi CPU: I Dream of Mimi ~
• Cleopatra DC
• Descendants of Darkness - Anime Test Drive
• Elf Princess Rane
• Happy Lesson - Mama-Lama-Ding Dong (Vol. 3)
• Harlock Saga
• Infinite Ryvius - Change of Command (Vol. 4)
• Inu-Yasha - Shattered Memories (Vol. 17)
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Volume 3
• Kaze No Yojimbo - A New Face in Town (Vol. 1)
• Madonna (Anime)
• Maetel Legend
• My My Mai
• Revolutionary Girl Utena - Anime Test Drive
• Roujin Z
• Saikano - Girlfriend (Vol. 1)
• SD Gundam Force - Heroes United (Vol. 3)
• SD Gundam Force - Unknown Dangers (Vol. 4)
• The Slayers - Anime Test Drive
• Witch Hunter Robin - Fugitive (Vol. 4)

Manga

• Animerica Extra May 2004 Vol 7 #5
• Battle Angel Alita Vol 3 Tp 2Nd Ed Killing Angel
• City Hunter Vol 5 Tp
• Excel Saga Vol 6 Tp
• Hot Gimmick Vol 4 Tp
• Nausicaa Of Valley Of Wind Vol 3 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Neon Genesis Evangelion Vol 2 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Please Save My Earth Vol 4 Tp
• Raijin Comics #45
• Ranma 1/2 Tp Vol 10 2Nd Ed
• Short Program Vol 2
• Usagi Yojimbo #75

Televised TOKYOPOP Ads

ICV2 reports that TOKYOPOP will be adviriting running a televised advistiment compain for its manga May through September on networkgs including Cartoon Network, MTV, Spike TV, G4, and Tech TV.

Among the properties to be advertised are Saiyuki, D.N.Angel, Tokyo Babylon, Princess Ai (Courtney Love's series), and Tokyo Tribes.

Next Round of Disney Ghibli Releases

From Nausicaa.net and Jagged Team Disney has tentatively planned releases of Ghibli's "Pom Poko", "My Neighbors the Yamadas" and "Only Yesterday" for a November DVD release. All three movies are written and directed by Isao Takahata rather his internationally better known Ghibli colleague Hayao Miyazaki.

Only Yesterday is based on a semi-autobiographical manga about an office worker in the 80's reminiscence about her childhood in the 60's.

My Neighbors the Yamadas is a films comprised of a series of shorts, based on a comic strip about family live. The movie, which was Ghibli's first 100 percent digital movie, utilized a technique of making the animation look like it was created with watercolors.

Pom Poko is the most fantastically of the three films, telling the story of shap shifting tanuki (raccoon dogs) as they deal with the encroachment of human development. The release of this movie should be interesting. Part of the tanuki lore involves the size of their testicles, and the movie does incorporate this, but Ghibli retained the editing and content rights on their films licensed to Ghibli, so how this handled should be worth watching.

CLAMP 15 Anniversary

From Natsume Maya, popular manga creator team CLAMP has launched a website to commemorate their fifteenth anniversary at www.clamp15th.com CLAMP will be launching a year long monthly "CLAMP Nokiseki" with character illustrations, highlight scenes, character introductions of their past world, and along with previews of upcoming works, essays, and interviews.

Issue 1 will be published on 22 September 2004, price 1,600 yen (including tax).

The schedule includes:

• Volume 1: Card Captor Sakura
• Volume 2: Card Captor Sakura, Clover, Watashi no Suki na Hito (The One I Love)
• Volume 3: Tokyo Bablyon
• Volume 4: Magic Knights Rayearth, Angelic Layer
• Volume 5: CLAMP School Detectives, 20 Mensou ni Onegai!! (Man of Many Faces), Gakuen Tokkei Duklyon
• Volume 6: RG Veda
• Volume 7: Chobits, Wish, Suki. Dakara Suki
• Volume 8: X
• Volume 9: X, Miyuki-chan in Wonderland, Shira-hime Shou
• Volume 10: xxxHOLIC, Gouhou Drug
• Volume 11: Tsubasa, Shin Shunka-den
• Volume 12: Tsubasa

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence at Cannes

Director Mamoru Oshii's GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE has been selected to compete for the coveted Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes International Film Festival. Over 1300 titles were submitted for competition at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, with only 18 making to the official competition.

This marks the first time ever that this honor has been extended to an animé film, and only the sixth time that an animated film of any kind has been chosen for competition at Cannes. The animated films that have been nominated in the past are "Dumbo" (1947), "Peter Pan" (1953), "Fantastic Planet" (1973) and "Shrek" (2001). "Shrek 2" (2004) has also been selected for competition in this year's festival.

Mamoru Oshii responded that he was extremely proud to have his film earn this distinction, stating, "I am very grateful to the Cannes Film Festival for honoring me and my film in this way. I am proud to be in the company of all the nominees. The inclusion of 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence' is further recognition of Japanese animation-anime-as an important movie genre, standing alongside all other genres. The only drawback is having to wear a tuxedo, but I know that's part of my job as a director."

"Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence" is the story of a solitary cyborg who desperately wants to hold on to what's left of his humanity in a world where the worth of the human soul is fading almost into obscurity.

Production IG's English site is here

Dream Work's Go Fish division site can be seen here

FUNimation licenses Spiral

FUNimation announced at Sakura-Con that they had licensed the anime series Spiral, the first volume of which is expected to be released in November. The series follows a young genius and piano virtuoso who investigates the mysterious disappearance of this brother.

New Gundam SEED, To Bump Off Inu-Yasha?

Anime News Network and AnimeNation reports that there are rumors that Sunrise Studios has announced that the final episode of Inu Yasha will be broadcast in September and the long running series will be replaced by a new season of Gundam Seed. Gundam Seed 2, which is said to start next October seems likely, but the end of Inu-Yasha, which originated on Japanese message board post claiming to have inside information has been put into doubt.

PS2 Gunslinger Girl 2 Announced

Magic Box has images of a second Playstation 2 game based teen assassin anime/manga Gunslinger Girls here. The game will be released in Japan June 17th.

Casshern Coming to America?

According to Kung Fu Cinema and AnimeNation a Japanese language news report, an un-named "major American studio" is in negotiations for distribution rights to the new Japanese live action Casshern movie, along with American re-make rights. There is a possibility that Kiriya Kazuaki, director for the Japanese film, will direct a possible American remake that utilizes his internationally famous J-pop vocalist Hikaru Utada.

ADV Licensing News

An Anime on DVD forum posts reports that ADV announced at the Sakura-Con anime conventintion that the company had licensed Parasite Dolls and Petit Purie Yucie. Parasite Dolls had been previously been announced by ADV, then by Urban Vision, and now by ADV again.

Geneon Licensing News

Anime on DVD reports Geneon announced at Sakura Con that they had licensed eX-Driver the Movie and Requiem From The Darkness (Kosetsu Hyaku Monogatari).

Inu-Yasha RPG Images

Magic Box also has images of Bandai's PlayStation adventure + RPG Inu Yasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask scheduled to release in US in Q3 2004 here

Mezzo and Kite Updates

From Natsume Maya, like a number of recent anime series, Mezzo DSA, the follow up to Kite and Mezzo Forte, which will be released domestically by ADV, will be partially reanimated for its home video release. In relation to episode 3, director Umetsu Yasuomi states that the karaoke scene will have about ten cuts will have things added or re-drawn. There'll also be a slight change to the tempo and other aspects of the opening credits sequence.

From Natsume Maya talks some of the aspects of anime quality. A standard half hour episode of TV anime will contain 200 cuts, if OVA 300 cuts. Episode 1 of Mezzo TV had 458 cuts. Takami Yoshio, director of Toei Animation and Laterna, visited Australia (first Perth, then Brisbane) in late March, he suggested that the lower funding which Japanese animators had (compared to US animators) in the early days of animation lead to Japanese animators using an increased number of cuts. He did go on to refer to the fact that Japanese cartoons had less actual animation than US cartoons - for example, Japanese animation had less shots showing the full body of characters but rather employed close-ups so that there would be less changes from cel to cel (ie less to animate).

As to the live action Hollywood version of A Kite, Umetsu (who directed the OVA) is reported as stating that he doesn't know details about the characters, scenario etc because they have been left to director Rob Cohen. However, he believes it'll be a film noir with lots of gun action.

June ADV Releases

June 8th

• Aura Battler Dunbine: Battlers of Byston Well (volume 6)
• Azumanga Daioh: Festivals! (volume 2)
• Happy Lesson: Mama Mia! OVA (OVA follow up to TV series)
• Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat: Nyo!
• Wedding Peach: Spring Storm (volume 3)

June 15th

• Bastof Syndrome: The Hacker (volume 2 of the Korean animated Be A Stranger To Fear)
• Hello Kitty & Friends: Summer Of Fun
• Legend Of The Mystical Ninja: Treachery & Allegiance

Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat: Nyo! (the children's version of Gamer's Mascot Di Gi Charat)

Comprised of 48 six-minute episodes, Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat is a loosely-structured tale of a young princess named Dejiko who devotes her time to making people happy. A cast of friends and other characters are along for the ride, of course. Throughout the title, the emphasis is on great fun, and on an ever-growing series of in-jokes.

The anime series Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat began with the manga artist Kage Donbo's artwork of a small, big-eyed catgirl and her dubious sidekick, a floating yellow blob. These two soon became the mascots of the popular chain of stores in Japan, "Gamers," which specializes in gaming and anime merchandise. The public instantly fell in love with the mascots and today Dejiko's face is probably one of the most recognizable characters ever created in the world of anime.

The Story... Princess Dejiko has a mission: to make everyone on her planet happy. Whether she comes across a sleepy baker, a famous film director, a time traveler or a starving artist, Dejiko and her friends are always ready to help. But will the evil Deji Devil find a way to stop her? Will his sidekick Piyoko ruin Dejiko's career as an actress? Will Dejiko ever be able to tell her friends that she's really a princess?

NewType USA Vol. 3, Issue 5 (May 2004) Contents

The cover story of May issue of NewType USA will be Gundam SEED, and include a primer on the lastest entry in the Gundam franchise. Feature articles include Kaleido Star (including a DVD with the first episode), Kaleido Star, and Panda-Z. Title coverage include Chrono Crusade, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Hikaru no Go, SAMURAI 7, Comic Party, and Sergeant KERORO

Upcoming Geneon Releases

Anime to be release July 6th:

• Ai Yori Aoshi -ENISHI- V.1 - Fate
• Fighting Spirit - The First Step (V.1)
• Gungrave - Beyond the Grave (V.1)
• Lupin the 3rd - Royal Scramble (V.7)
• Sailor Moon TV "S" DVD BOX, Thin-Pack - "S" DVD Box Set DVD ($99.98 )

Signature Series Repriced Released for July 13th

• Gate Keepers - The New Threat (V.4)
• Sailor Moon S - TV Series - (V.6)
• Tenchi Muyo OVA - (V.4)
• Tenchi Universe Collection - (V.4)
• Trigun - (V.6)

Soundtracks to be released July 6th:

Ai Yori Aoshi -ENISHI- Original Soundtrack - "Pine"

Gungrave Original Soundtrack uno - "righthead" (arrenged by jam guitarist Tsuneo Imahori of Trigun, Texhnolyze, Arjuna) Lunar Legend Tsukihime Original Soundtrack 1 - Moonlit archives CD Neon Genesis Evangelion - Original Soundtrack III (includes 12 remixes of Fly Me to the Moon amoung its 34 tracks)

Ai Yori Aoshi -ENISHI- V.1 - Fate

Second season of the fan-favorite series, Ai Yori Aoshi Two exciting years have passed since the reunion of Kaoru and Aoi. The newest member of the Sakuraba household is Taeko's cousin, Chika, who just started high school. Her frank questions and surprising sexiness have Kaoru in a bind. Later, a tennis outing for everyone leaves Kauru impressed with Aoi's grace as well as her charming outfit. Finally, the gang hears mysterious noises in the mansion and suspect that it's haunted. Leave it to Taeko, the resident occult specialist, to solve the mystery!

Fighting Spirit - The First Step (V.1)

Based on one of the best-selling sports manga in Japan by Jyoji Morikawa, Hajime no Ippo, Fighting Spirit was animated by Madhouse (Trigun, Chobits, Texhnolyze) and directed by Satoshi Nishimura (Trigun, Street Fighter Alpha)

Ippo Makunouchi's gentle spirit and lack of confidence make him an easy target for the bullies at his high school who regularly beat him up. Then, he's rescued from a beating by Takamura, a larger-than-life professional boxer who inspires Ippo to learn the art of boxing. After passing one of Takamura's outrageous tests, Ippo attempts to join the Kamogawa Boxing Club, but Chief Kamogawa refuses to believe Ippo has a fighter's spirit and requires Ippo to spar with Miyata, an extraordinarily talented and skilled boxer. Can Ippo even survive the first round?!

Gungrave - Beyond the Grave (V.1)

Created by YASUHIRO NIGHTOW (Trigun), Animation by MADHOUSE (Animatrix, Tokyo Godfathers, Trigun, Texhnolyze, X) Armed with "CERUBERUS," his twin handguns, and a coffin filled with heavy weapons on his back, Beyond the Grave returns, cloaked in darkness and smelling of the grave on his deadly mission of vengeance! For Brandon Heat, death doesn't matter. Driven by his need for revenge, he returns from beyond the grave to cripple Millennion, the huge mafia organization that uses undead monsters as its enforcers. His ultimate goal will be to destroy Harry MacDowel, the leader of Millennion and, at one time, Brandon's best friend...

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Volume 3 Released

Super Techno Arts hasannounced that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Volume 3 has begun shipping to wholesalers. The expected street date is 4/27/2004.

Adventure 6 - The Mist of Vengeance

As they travel towards Egypt, thick fog envelopes Jotaro and his comrades, leaving them no choice but to seek refuge in a nearby town. Once they arrive, the companions stumble across a strangely mutilated dead body lying on a street corner. An old woman arrives on the scene with the police, and offers to let them stay at her hotel for the night. There, Polnareff encounters N-Yah, a beautiful and mysterious young woman on a deadly quest of her own.

Adventure 7 - Justice

Polnareff becomes a living puppet under the control of N-Yah and her incredible Mist of Death Stand, "Justice." The group battles its way out of the hotel, only to find themselves surrounded by legions of the dead. The towering Justice seizes Polnareff in her deadly grasp and shrugs off Kakyoin's attempt to free him. All seems lost when Jotaro falls prey to a bizarre sneak attack, leaving him vulnerable to N-Yah's control as well.

Episode 7 marks the last of the digitally animated prequels. The rest of the episodes in the series were created first and feature traditional cel animation. Unfortunately, the delays on V3 have pushed back the schedule for V4-6; the street dates for those are TBA.

Kaleidostar OAV Confirmed

According to the web page for circus anime Kaleidostar, a new OAV is in production. The original Kaleidostar anime is being released domestically by ADV.

Third Rising Stars Winners

TOKYOPOP announced that winners of the third Rising Starts of Manga talent competition are:

Nathan Maurer (Age 22), a musician/artist from Goleta, California, is the Grand Prize winner for his entry, "Atomic King Daidogan." In addition to the $2,500 cash prize, Nathan will receive a commemorative trophy and an exclusive opportunity to pitch his full-length manga series to TOKYOPOP's creative executives.

"I'm still pretty much reeling from the announcement. I know it's cliché, but I can honestly say that the day I got the call was the best day of my life, no exaggeration," Maurer admitted. "'Daidogan' was the most fun I've ever had writing and drawing comics, and to be rewarded for it is just unbelievably exciting."

Karaoke box employee Felipe Smith (Age 25) from Los Angeles, is the Second Place winner, and will receive $1,500 and a trophy for his work, "Manga."

Whitney Leith (Age 16), a high school student from Chubbuck, Idaho, has taken the Third Place prize, with $1,000 and a trophy for her work, "Cupid's Folly."

The following Runner-Up entries have each earned $500 and an honorary plaque:

. "A Little Rain" by Sarah Ferrick (Age 15) from Huntington Station, New York

. "Moonlit Magnolia" by Alex Jeon (Age 24) from Alexandria, Virginia

. "The New Little Mermaid" by Yang Fan (Age 26) from Seattle, Washington

. "Dorothy Needs Needles and Knives" by Iain "Zombieboy" Gill (Age 25) from Anaheim, California

. "Life Remains" by Irene Flores (Age 21) and Ashly Raiti (Age 21), both from Lompoc, California

. "Doors" by Christy Lijewski (Age 23) from Freeland, Maryland

. "Ozymandias" by Aldin Baroza (Age 39) of North Hollywood, California

TOKYOPOP congratulates all of the winners of its third Rising Stars of Manga competition. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com to learn more about these talented creators and take a look at the news about the fourth competition slated to begin June 1, 2004.

Ten winning stories will appear in an anthology to be published July 6th

Japanese Anime Boxoffice

In a week with a number of high profile anime theatrical debuts, Anime News Network posted last week's top 10 box office take:

• 01. Detective Conan - Magician Of The Silver Sky (1 week in release)
• 02. Crayon Shin-chan movie 12 (1 week in release)
• 03. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (10 weeks in release)
• 04. Hidalgo (1 week in release)
• 05. Peter Pan (1 week in release)
• 06. Quill (6 weeks in release)
• 07. Appleseed (1 week in release)
• 08. My Lover is a Sniper (1 week in release)
• 09. Something's Gotta Give (4 weeks in release)
• 10. Brother Bear (6 weeks in release)

ADV Unveils Site Redesign

ADV Films has updated their official site at www.advfilms.com

Upcoming CPM Releases

Anime to be released July 6th:

• Cyber City: The Vampire
• Gall Force: New Era
• Hyper Speed Grandoll
• Patlabor TV Vol. #09

Cyber City: The Vampire From Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, The Animatrix Episode: Program). Genetics researchers are turning up dead, drained of blood, with fang wounds on their throats. Is this the work of an old-fashioned vampire, or has science created a new monster to terrorize the Cyber City?

Patlabor The Mobile Police The TV Series: Volume 9 From the director of Ghost in the Shell. After a disastrous target practice, Noa leaves on her own to prove her worth as a policewoman. Before she knows it, she's hot on the trail of a thief. Can Noa defeat a dangerous criminal without the aid of her giant robot suit?

Gall Force: New Era From the director of Armitage: Dual Matrix. Catty is an android who spent her life observing humans in the futuristic Bespio City. When a mad artificial intelligence awakens to destroy all human life, she is the only force that stands between humanity and extinction.

Hyper Speed Grandoll From the screenwriter of Photon. Mad science runs in her family, but Hikaru has always been an ordinary girl. It's a dream come true when she discovers that she's really a super-powered alien. With her hyper-speed battle mecha, the Grandoll Armor, she is humanity's last hope against a hideous alien invasion.

Toycom Figures News

Toycom will be releasing a third set of PVC figures based of Masamune Shirow's Intron Depot art book. Raving Toy Maniac has images of the 3-4 inch figures including Anju, Moca, Misty, Mirage, and Chara, and the Diamond Distributors exclusive The Professor Sora here. The figures will be shipping in Late Summer 2004, with a suggested retail price of $5.99 each.

Toycom has announced new series of Berserk mini PVC figures. This third series will include Black Swordsman (two versions: Silence and Birth Feast), Femto, Silat, Boscone and a Zodd bust. Raving Toy Maniac has images here

Toycom's APPLESEED Commemorative Action Figures, based on Masamune Shirow's manga and its anime adpations can be seen at Figures.com here Briareos and Deunan will be late this summer for a SRP of $24.99 each.

Anime Characters Honored

Anime News Network reports Kasugabe city has announced that Crayon Shin-chan will soon become a citizen of the city, while an Astro Boy Currency will be distributed in the Takadanobaba area of Tokyo's Shinjuku. The currency is not being distributed by city officials, but rather a committee formed of local merchants and students with the purpose of supporting local community activities. The money will only be accepted at participating stores and will be supplied freely to local volunteer organizations. Shin-chan isn't the first Anime character to be honored in this manner, Astro Boy was made a resident of Niiza last year.

Fifth Floor Productions Launches Hanami Anime Festival

Fifth Floor Productions, a new company promoting cultural and educational events, proudly presents Hanami Anime Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's 23rd Annual Sakura Matsuri Festival.

Hanami Anime Festival will showcase anime (Japanese animation) heralding the arrival of spring, as well as celebrating the blossoming of the sakura (cherry blossoms). Screeners include popular titles such as Sailor Moon, His & Her Circumstances, Magic Knight Rayearth, and the critically acclaimed film Spring and Chaos. All screeners will be shown at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Auditorium and are recommended for ages 13 and up.

"We, at Fifth Floor Productions, are both honored and excited to participate with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's 23rd annual cherry blossom festival, Sakura Matsuri, and to bring anime to such a great event," said Mel Villafuerte, Programming Director for Fifth Floor Productions. "The art and tradition of the Japanese culture can be appreciated and shared through the art form of anime, which is recognized worldwide as a unique Japanese artistic expression."

Hanami Anime Festival 2004 Line-up

Spring and Chaos (Ihatov no Kenso: Kenji no Haru) ~ This is a biopic on the life and work of one of Japan's most loved poet and children's author, Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933). Miyazawa's world comes to life in this dramatic and allegorical masterpiece by acclaimed anime writer-director Shouji Kawamori (Macross and Vision of Escaflowne). (TOKYOPOP, 57 min.)

Fruits Basket (Furuba) ~ Episode 8 16-year-old Tohru Honda must keep the Sohma family secret or else! In Episode 8, Tohru is asked to see the family doctor, Hatori, where he reveals the tragic story of a man who dreamt of spring. Director: Akitaroh Daichi (FUNimation, 24 min.)

His & Her Circumstances (Kare Kano) ~ Act 8: Her Day/More Beautiful Than Peach Blossoms For Yukino success and popularity is everything, but when Arima arrives, her high pedestal is tumbled. In Act 8, a romantic surprise reveals Arima's true feelings, as he recalls first falling in love with Yukino under the blossoming cherry trees. Director: Hideki Anno (The Right Stuf International Inc., 24 min.)

Magic Knight Rayearth (Mahou Kishi Rayearth) ~ Episode 1: Daybreak Umi, Fuu and Hikaru make a wish beneath an enchanted cherry tree, to remain friends forever, but their friendship is tested in ways they never expected. Director: Keitaro Motonaga and Toshiki Hirano (Manga Entertainment Inc., 22 min.)

Magic User's Club (Mahou Tsukai Tai) ~ Episode 1 High school wouldn't be complete without after-school clubs, even magical ones! In Episode 1, the Magic User 's Club must deal with a skyscraper-sized cherry tree in the middle of Tokyo. Director: Junichi Sato (Media Blasters, 24 min.)

Pretear (Shin Shirayuki Hime Densetsu Pretear) ~ Episode 4: A Promise Made Under the Sunlight 16-year-old Himeno wants a happy life. But when the Princess of Disaster intends to destroy the Leafe-the life force of the world-nothing is normal! In Episode 4, Himeno and the seven Knights of Leafe search for the demon larva in the scariest of places-Himeno's backyard! Director Kenichi Tajiri and Kiyoko Sayama (ADV Films, 24 min.)

Sailor Moon R (Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R) ~ Episode 51: A New Transformation! Usagi Powers Up! Serena is your average 14-year-old girl: she loves sweets, sleeping, and having fun with her friends. But she's also Sailor Moon, protector of Earth. In Episode 51, Sailor Moon and her friends, the Sailor Scouts, are enjoying the blossoming cherry trees when the aliens Ail and Ann unleash a deadly Doom Cherry Tree monster! Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara (ADV Films, 22 min.)

Visit Hanami Anime Festival at www.geocities.com/fifthfloorproduction

Event: Hanami Anime Festival at the 23rd Annual Sakura Matsuri Date: Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2, 2004 Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Place: Brooklyn Botanic Garden Auditorium (Brooklyn, NY) Admission: Free with general admission to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. (Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.)

ADV Films Announces Sister Princess Cast

The main crew are...

• Director: Scott McClennen
• Studio: Industrial Smoke & Mirrors
• Translator: Masumi MacLeod
• ADR Script: Tiffany Grant

Annnnd the voices are...

• Wataru - Voiced by Braden Hunt Even though he was the best in his class, he didn't get into his high school of choice because all the answers on the computer-graded exam were misaligned. He is then transported, against his will, to "Promised Island" to attend the Stargazer School where he soon finds he has thirteen sisters.
• Karen - Voiced by Hilary Haag The heroine of the series, the piano-playing Karen is gentle, sweet and lovable. And not to mention, she loves her brother very, very much.
• Kaho - Voiced by Cynthia Martinez
• Mamoru - Voiced by Kira Vincent Davis
• Sakuya - Voiced by Monica Rial
• Marie - Voiced by Sasha Paysinger
• Shirayuki - Voiced by Jessica Boone
• Rin Rin - Voiced by Nancy Novotny
• Chikage - Voiced by Shelly Calene-Black
• Haruka - Voiced by Tiffany Grant
• Yotsuba - Voiced by Luci Christian
• Aria - Voiced by Mariela Ortiz
• Hinako - Voiced by Serena Varghese
• Mami - Voiced by Christine Auten
• Yamada - Voiced by Greg Ayres
• Jeeves - Voiced by John Swasey
• Akio - Voiced by Chris Patton
• Minai - Voiced by Mark Laskowski
• Dream Girl - Voiced by Kim Prause

Japanese Sites

Mankatsu (from Lupin III creator Monkey Punch)

Live Action Initial D News

MonkeyPeaches and Jagged Team report that a number of casting decisions have been announced for the live action adpatation of street racing anime and manga Initial D.

Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou will play the hero Takumi, Anthony Wong will be his father, and Edison Chen will be Takumi's rival.

Tsui Hark was to have directed the movie, but left the project.