Father Geek here with another week of Asian Film and Anime News from Darius25 and his Asia-AICN crew. Battle Royale is all the talk now as it battles for distribution in various markets around the world. I (Father Geek) have been lucky enough to see this motion picture uncut and take my word for it it is phantastic to say the least. Like Harry and Tom Joad I was expecting an explotation film like some of the "B" kung Fu houses produce, or at the best a Troma type product, buuuuuut NOOOOOOOOOO I saw a 1st class study of violence and terror and what it can do to us all, even the most innocent. Top of the line production values and surprisingly complex performances from all the children make this a truely great film going experience. This crossed my desk this morning:

This is probably worthless to you but I'm currently living in Japan and just because it was never mentioned, Battle Royale is based on a Japanese comic. From what I've heard the movie is nowhere near as gory and blood-filled as the comic. Apparently the movie really backed off from that as compared to the comic.

I have to admit that I haven't seen the movie because obviously over here it's not in English and I don't know Japanese that well yet. However, every politician and his grandmother has openly stepped out against it, including the Prime Minister. Granted, with his 78% DISapproval rating his opinion doesn't mean that much, people here need something to harp on about and give the appearance of accomplishing something with the economy in the shape that it's in.

Maybe it's a spectacular film and if you've seen a screening then it's moving in the right direction, but if the Japanese as a whole have their way, it probably won't get far from here.

Son Goku

Father Geek back with one more bit on BATTLE ROYALE. Its being whispered in cigar smoked rooms out in tinseltown that Artisan Digital Media is seriously looking into the rights on this flick. They're checking their balls as I write... Just the kind of afterhour's talk you might run into in The Grand Havana Room over a glass of Merlot and a fine Central American Churchill cigar... that's all.

Asia-AICN

Hey all, I hope you're having a good week. This is usually the slow season of the year so there's isn't that much news to cover. We still managed to cover some good Indian and Japanese news, and hopefully Scott will have some great Anime news for us aswell. Now here's the latest from Asia.

INDIA

- A special appeals court in Bombay has listened to producer Bharat Shah's request and has ordered the release of Shah's film, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (Secretly and Quietly). The film's negatives were seized by the police when it was revealed that it may have been produced by the Indian Mafia. Bharat Shah was arrested for having connections to the Mob and is still behind bars. The court is allowing the film to be distributed by someone other than Bharat Shah. So finally, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke may be released after all its troubles, possibly in March. The film stars Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee and is directed by Abbas-Mustan.

- The long-delayed film, Sambandh (Bond), will finally be released in March under the title Yeh Pyar Hi To Hai (This is Love). The film was directed by Lawrence D'Souza and was shelved nearly 2 years ago. Now, for reasons unknown, the producer have decided to release this film to recover back any costs. Yeh Pyar Hi To Hai stars Saif Ali Khan (who has seen better days), Atul Agnihotri (he's practically retired and is moving on to direction), and Pooja Bhatt (who hasn't appeared in a film in 3 years).

- Rumours state that Rani Mukherjee has opted out of director Vikram Bhatt's Tumko Meri Kasam (Swear On Me) due to a scheduling conflict. The dates allocated to Bhatt are conflicting with the dates that Rani has given to Mansoor Khan for his new film. If this rumour is true than Bhatt may have to replace Rani with another actress to appear in his film, opposite Aftab Shivdasani.

- Amitabh Bachchan has contributed to the soundtrack for one of his upcoming films titled All the Best. Bachchan sang the title song for the film, which also stars Akshay Kumar, Sushmita Sen and Paresh Rawal. The film will be released later on in the year.

- The story for one of actor Hrithik Roshan's upcoming films, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage (I have Started to Like You), has leaked to the press. The film reunites him with his Kaha Na Pyaar Hai (Say You Love Me) co-star Amisha Patel. Patel plays a wild girl growing up in prison for children when she meets a young student (Hrithik Roshan). Roshan reforms her, and the pair fall in love, leading to conflicts between Roshan's parents and Patel's gangster brother. The film is a typical Bollywood romance with some action added in. Supposedly, the film concludes with some Matrix-like action sequences, which were also featured in Roshan's last film, Mission Kashmir. Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage releases in August.

- Actress Rakhee Gulzar has joined the cast of director Suneel Darshan's Ek Rishta (One Relationship), opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The pair had a string of hits in the late 70's and have not worked together for over a decade. They will play parents to Akshay Kumar and Juhi Chawla's characters in the film. Ek Rishta also stars Karisma Kapoor and Mohnish Behl and is set to release this summer.

- Director Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai (The Heart Wants You) is slated to release this August. This unusual love story (for an Indian film) about three guys after a middle aged woman, stars Dimple Kapadia, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna.

- Director David Dhawan's next comedy has finally been set for release on April 6th. Jodi No. 1 (Duo No. 1) was supposed to be released in January and was pushed back to an early spring release. The comedy stars Sanjay Dutt and Govinda as a couple of con-men who get set to swindle a rich man's family.

CHINA / HK

Sorry but there is no HK news this week as "AccSpy" wasn't able to report in. But don't worry, he'll back soon with (hopefully) lots of good news.

JAPAN

The following was reported by "Pigmon":

- Here's a follow up to last week's news about the next Godzilla film. I finally talked to a Toho guy and (after getting drunk) he told me that the main villains in the next Godzilla film will be King Gidorha, Mothra and surprisingly, Baragon!! Unfortunately Radon couldn't make it in this outing. Also, director has hired the Gamera series' VFX team to work on this one.

- Seijun Suzuki, another Japanese master of action/cult films, will direct a film for the first time in 8 years. It is going to be remake of "Koroshi No Rakuin". The film is already in production and is trying to participate at Cannes this year. It will be released in Japanese theatres this fall.

- "Satorare", the new film by Motohiro (director from "Bayside Shakedown" and "Space Travellers"), got a great impression from the audience during its first test screening. The strange thriller is about a guy whose inner thoughts could be heard by anyone in close proximity. I missed this screening but I'll see it in 2 weeks and will follow up on this film at that time.

ANIME

From Scott Green

Toei Animation Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange

For the first time an anime studio has become a publicly traded company. Toei Animation, anime studio best known for Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z, was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange last month. According to the January 30th issue of Nikkei Kinyu Shimbun Toei Animation's group sales will be 1,283,000 yen in the fiscal half ending in March jumping 28% year over last year and its group net earnings will increase 290% from last year to 148,000 yen.

80's Re-Invented, and Returning

Voltron Comic Coming in March Broken Glass Studios will be premiering a Voltron comic this March. It will be a comic adaptation of the Go-Lion Voltron featuring the five Voltron pilots Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, and Sven, as well as Princess Allura, in "modern" uniform, as opposed to the Power Ranger-esque styles. The villains will be King Zarkon and Prince Lokar, and the vehicle Voltron might make an appearance. New details have been unveiled on Voyager Entertainment's next Starblazers DVD installment "Quest For Iscandar Series 1 Part III" [Episode 10-13]. The 90 minute disc is due out in the U.S. on February 27th at an SRP of $29.95. It carries the UPC code #769071-0003-94. Voyager reports reader feedback suggesting extra features is going great and as a product of this Vol. III contains a "Virtual Tour" of the space cruiser Argo and a preview for Vol. 4. The original transformers will returning, including a product line reminiscent of the 80's look and an all-new kids television series that premieres on Fox Kids. "Optimus Prince and the Autobots will once again battle Megatron and the Predacons." (Apparently Decpticons get the boot.) Fox Kids will begin airing all-new Transformers Robots In Disguise programming six days per week. The premise behind the series is described as "In Earth's near future, Megatron and his evil force of energy hungry Predacons arrive with one goal: Destruction! The Predacons' Earth-shattering conquest causes a secret force of goodness to emerge: the heroic Autobots, led by Optimus Prime. The Autobots have hidden their existence by taking the form of vehicles. Now they boldly reveal their true nature to fight Megatron and protect Earth. They are TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE! "

Ayashi No Ceres U.S. DVD Release

A Viz ad for the Ayashi No Ceres, with the English name Celestial Legend DVD is currently running in Animerica Magazine listing a release date for sometime in 2001. Ayashi No Ceres is a later work by Yu Watase, the creator of Fushigi Yugi, shoujo manga/anime series. Ayashia no Ceres is the story of a girl, who on her sixteenth birthday is order to be killed by her grandfather when she manifests mystical powers. Viz will also be printing the manga series.

Mononoke English Script Nominated For Nebula

The current issue of LOCUS magazine lists the preliminary nominees for the Nebula awards (the awards given by Science Fiction Writers of America) and under the category of "Best Script" is "Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki and Neil Gaiman." The other scripts nominated were for "South Park: Bigger, Better Uncut," "The Green Mile", "Galaxy Quest," "Being John Malkovich" and "Dogma." Preliminary balloting ends 2/23, and is supposed to narrow it down to six finalists in each category--but given that there are only six here to begin with, that shouldn't be an issue here.

08th MS Team on Cartoon Network

Gundam: The 08th Mobile Suit Team is coming to Cartoon Network some time in 2001, according to GundamOfficial.com. Gundam Tech speculates that s eeing as how they also have a chronological listing of the Gundam series right below that in the Universal Century section, 0080 and 0083 probably won't be far off.

New Devilman Animation Info

According to Amon's Devilman Page FAQ http://members.tripod.com/sdmike/Arts/: "Will there be a 4th Devilman OVA to finish off the saga?" "I recently found out that the sales figures for Amon The Apocalypse Of Devilman sold very few copies in Japan at the end of 2000 (dont know the EXACT figure). The sales were much lower than the consumers and copywright holders had anticipated too. In fact it was shown that Fewture gained a larger share hold from their Devilman toy sales, than Kodansha did from the actual OVA!! The third OVA was rushed too, and contained a mangled plot focussing on screwed in elements from Devilman volumes #4 & #5. The only way they could bring a 4th Devilman OVA onto the market, would be for them to adapt it from the newly published "AMON: The Darkside Of Devilman," or the 1987 manga "NEW DEVILMAN (Shin Devilman)." And for this to happen, there would have to a VERY large out cry and demand for Dynamic to make one (the kind of thing where freaked-out fans bombard Nagai & Dynamic Pro. with emails and SA fan letters, etc)" Also, for fans, there's more info on Devil Man toys, and pictures covers of manga that contain the edited scenes from the original Violence Jack manga.

Detective Conan No Go on Fox

According to TMS (Tokyo Movie Shinsha), the Japanese company who holds the licensing rights to Detective Conan, the American cable television network Fox Family does not currently have the broadcast rights to the Detective Conan TV series. Detective Conan is mystery show about a 17 year old detective who is forced to ingest a drug that makes him a child. About 1 year ago it was first reported by Animation Blast that Fox had made an announcement about acquiring the title. Apparently a decision was made not to pick the series up due to violence content, especially in regards to was scens, as was speculated early on by many who have seen the series.

Latest Manga DVD Dates

Manga Entertainment has unveiled the their latest DVD release schedule on their web site. (Pioneer's DVD date change fairly often, and are usually unreliable.) The list includes the classic, and highly anticipated Giant Robo, a number of titles based on the works of Masamune Shirow (creator of Ghost in the Shell) including Appleseed, Black Magic M-66, and Landlock, and the very new action/horror Blood. Conspicuously missing is X, the movie based on the apocalyptic CLAMP manga that received a limited theatrical run last year.

· FEBRUARY 27, 2001 o Street Fighter II V - Vol.1 (DVD) SRP=$29.95 o Street Fighter II V - Vol.2 (DVD) SRP=$29.95

· MARCH 27, 2001 o Street Fighter II V - Vol.3 (DVD) SRP=$29.95 o Street Fighter II V - Vol.4 (DVD) SRP=$29.95

· APRIL 24, 2001 o Appleseed (DVD) SRP=$24.95 o Black Magic M-66 (DVD) SRP=$24.95

· MAY 29, 2001 o Amon Saga (DVD) SRP=$24.95 o Ultraviolet Box Set (2 DVDs) SRP=$39.95

· JUNE 26, 2001 o Shadow Skill The Movie (DVD)* SRP=$29.95 o Tokyo Revelation (DVD)* SRP=$24.95 o Landlock (DVD)* SRP=$29.95 o Black Magic M-66 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95

· JULY 31, 2001 o Psychic Wars (DVD)* SRP=$24.95 o Blood (DVD)* SRP=$24.95

· AUGUST 28, 2001

· SEPTEMBER 25, 2001 o Violence Jack (DVD)* SRP=$29.95

· OCTOBER 30, 2001 o Vampire Wars (DVD)* SRP=$24.95 o Virus Vol. 3 (Dub)* SRP=$19.95 o Virus Vol. 3 (Sub)* SRP=$24.95

· NOVEMBER 27, 2001 o Giant Robo Vol.1 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95 o Giant Robo Vol.2 (DVD)* SRP=$29.95

· DELAYED RELEASES: o NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (movie) - Coming Summer, 2001!

Sailor Moon S Dates

The first two volumes of Sailor Moon S have recently been released in the US. Sailor Moon S is a season of Sailor Moon that May interest non-Sailor Moon fans. It is not as saccharine as other seasons, or as stereotypical of magical girl series. It is darker and more mature, akin to the director's later work, Revolutionary Girl Utena. The next two volume, entitled "Sailor Moon S TV Series 3: Labyrinth" and "Sailor Moon S TV Series 4: Birthday Blues" have been announced for the Sailor Moon S TV series. It is due 4/10 with a retail price of for $14.98 for the 60 minute Toonami edited dubbed VHS, $14.98 for the 70 minute dubbed uncut VHS, and 70 minute $14.98 for the uncut subtitled VHS. The second DVD Sailor Moon S TV Series 3-4:Labyrinth/Birthday Blues will run 140 minutes, and retail for $29.98.

ADV Release Dates

The first two volumes of the AD Police TV series, Bad Blood and Love's Labor Lost, will both be released on 3/20. The DVD releases of Gunsmith Cats and Sorcerer Hunters: Magical Encounters have both moved to 3/27. ADV has sent out a press release of April releases. Bilingual DVD and dub VHS versions of the Playstation RPG based Arc the Lad will be released 4/17. Martian Successor Nadesico: Heavenly Bodies, Lost Universe volume 6, Sailor Moon: Green Eyed Monster and Sailor Moon: And In This Corner - Sailor Venus will be release 4/10. Gasaraki: From the Ashes...was on the release, but with the comment "Date not yet verified" for its pre-book, and release dates. Gasaraki 4 and 5 have been delayed with no new date set and that when they do have firm dates, they'll be announced; the series is not on hiatus. There is speculation that the delay is due to the complicate nature of the popular series casting and dubbing. Gasaraki has been gather a great deal of fan praise as a thoughtful series with a great deal of military and political strategy. The combination of mecha with a hard science fiction edge and Shinto mysticism interests many.

ADV's retro giant robot series Getter Robo has entered production, and news on its release can be expected soon.

Project Ako DVDs

On 5/8, CPM will be releasing Project A-Ko OVA's 2, 3 and 4 on one single disc with a running time of 180 minutes for 29.99$. Japanese and English languages included. Special features include

· Meet the Cast

· Art Gallery

· Production Credits

· Chapter Stops

· Sneak Peeks

· Interactive Menus.

Akira distribution?

According to http://www.networksolutions.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois? it looks like Warner Brothers may be handling the theatrical distribution of Akira. Pioneer has not commented on the subject.

Furi Kuri Sixth Story Information

The final volume of the Gainax (Evangelion, Gunbuster, Nadua) / Production I.G. OAV Furi Kuri goes on sale in Japan on DVD format March 16th retailing at 3,700 Yen. The 6th volume runs 30 minutes and includes English subtitles and production extras.

Cowboy Bebop Movie Updates

The Cowboy Bebop Japanese web site been updated with news about the movie. (Text was translate using software, so it may be a little off.) The movie is due out this summer. Of the movie's status "'production's smoothly progressingDetails of the content of the work remain being covered with the veil which is ??? and is ??? though the layout work already completes, rushes into drawing, it has been told the decision of two radio actors of the guest character which has been completed by music in March."

The bounty that starts Spike, Faye, Jet, Ed and Ein on the case in the movie is described as "2071. The terrorism of blasting the tank lorry on the line the first in the expressway capital which started in the Crater city in Mars where Halloween had been kept from in the near future was generated. 500 total people or more to killed and injured the person. Damage was a crime by which [it] reached from the explosive centre 1km in surroundings, and [it] alluded to the use of BC arms or a chemical medicine. Prizes offered by the criminal are indeed 300,000,000 Woolong The aspect changes, is hung 4 people and 1 of the (*bibapp*) titles annoyed by cash-hungry ?? on enormous amount of this reward, and of each begins to run after the criminal by the arbitrary decision." Staff:

· Original Yadate Hajime

· Supervisor Makoto Ichiro Watanabe

· Scenario Keiko Makoto

· Character design Kawamoto Toshihiro

· Set design Shiho Takeuchi

· Art director Atsushi Morikawa

· Music Youko Kan'no

· Production Sunrise and BondsBandai visual

As previously reported Yoko Kanno has recorded 2 original songs for the movie. Seiyuu for the 5 main characters and Staff for "Knockin On Heaven's Door" remains virtually unchanged in the film version save new set designer Shiho Takeuchi and Art Director Atsushi Morikawa.

Also added http://www.cowboybebop.com/0101/news/010201/assembly.html is info and imagery from a production dinner at a Kichijoji area restaurant in January. Assembled there were staff and seiyuu for Bebop and even a few members of the Production I.G. camp, Kitakubo-sensei, director of Blood The Last Vampire and Okiura-sensei of Jin-Roh. Seiyuu Megumi Hayashibara did a sketch Just Click (another sketch can be seen By Clicking) at the dinner which can be seen by clicking the the link in the paragraph at the above page. The semifictional Seat Belts group which performed a good amount of the TV series soundtrack is reunited with Yoko Kanno (images can be had Click Here). This page has a fictional excerpt from the 'Jupiter daily report (2043.2.5.)' on the Seatbelt band and the figure Y.K. Apparently in the future a number of the Seatbelts' tunes are remixed and played on pirate net broadcast.

The new characters Vincent is described as "In the prize neck from which 300,000,000 woolog was offered, it is criminal of the tank lorry blast terrorism. In a word, [it] is being witnessed by the terrorist by Faye on the site. --What is "Coolness" though man who was within 1km of the explosive centre is sure to receive harm?It does not seem to be a character by the question because it finished seeing the movie which seems to be able to be gripped easily though an apparently simple [it] seems not to be neither heinous criminal it be nor pleasure horrific killer. [It] tattoos it in the hand. A crime drifts and the cruelty of moving even if working which not is is drifted in the whole body. Does an ominous past event make his eyes hollow?" and Electra is described as "Woman of mystery by which [it] looks for Vincent. In ? which chases the truth of the terrorism, the spike is frequent ?? ??????. [It] seems to appear in shape to put on (*juraba*) on the (*moroccan*) street in Ma! rs at the time of beginning. [It] trains for some reason or other and if it is a figure of ?????, .. though it is easy to say the beautiful woman to whom the style is good. I wonder with what kind of drama to play the spike and Vincent really though the race who temporizes to a social system does not at least see." The pair seemed to described as Beauty and the Beast. Other new characters include Rashid and Lee Samson. Rashid is described as "A man of "People in desert" mystery in the Middle East or Africa northern part really. MoroccoIt is understood only to come in contact at present in the play with the spike though it is said that the Moroccan people guide of the real existence accompanied at the ?? location hunting is a model." Lee Samson is described as "is a man of the mystery which seems to be the Asia the Far Eastern system to the guess from the name. The fashion is the street considerably inclined to. [It] seems to excel in handling computers, and there might be of the fight to Ed by the forte, too." Punch and Judy of the bo unty hunter show will return, as will be ubiquitous three old men. The mech designs for the movie editions of Spike, Jet, and Faye's ships, as well as the crew's main ship, and a new, large black ship can be seen Just Click Here

German Anime Items

After the success of MTV Italia MTV Germany has decided to start also with anime. They will begin airing with "Goldenboy" from the 28th of march at 22:00 CET. More Information will be available soon under http://www.mtvhome.de. RTL 2, one of the only stations, who is airing animes like Pokemon, Sailormoon, Monster Rancher, Dragoball, will launch th 24th of april Wedding Peach and from the 29th of may they will be show Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne. Announced is also Ojamajo Doremi.

Triangle Session Anime TV Series Coming

As previously reported, ADV Films first announced at AX 2000 that they were co-producing a new anime series in Japan titled Triangle Session. Anime News Service has confirmed more details for the animation series. The radio version ran in 1999 in a radio drama incarnation of 3 young girls Acari, Yuuki and Nozomi who are attending music school with the aim of becoming super idols. The 3 radio seiyuu who worked on the audio drama will reprise their roles in the animation version and have recorded the OP and ED themes on Feb 4th. Broadcast date is still pending but currently the following staff are confirmed:

Director: Shin Kudou; Character Design: Fumi Muroi; Art director: Hidetoshi Kaneko; Color design: Naoko Kodama; Animation Production: Madhouse .

Darius 25 back to say goodbye. Remember, if you have information regarding any film industry in Asia, please contact our Asia-AICN offices at atshrivas@home.com. See you all next week.

- Darius25