Father Geek here presenting another installment of the Asia-AICN column. Lots of ANIME news from Scott Green, along with coverage of the Hong Kong Academy Awards by accispy and Korean film news from 18nom. As usual our Asian desk editor Darius25 has indebth coverage of Bollywood, including the pleasent surprize that ABCD (American Born Confused Desi) has finally been released. I first saw this wonderful film 6 months ago at the Texas Screenwriter's Conferience and Film Festival. It was Harry's and my favorite, most fun film of the festival I am thrilled someone finally put it into a wider release. Look for it, probably at your local arthouse or campus threater. It may be confused with American Desi a lighterhearted film on the same subject. They are both well worth the effort to see, but ABCD is a far better film.

Asia-AICN

Hey All. Are you looking forward to this weekend's big night? Keep your fingers crossed as CTHD actually has a chance of being the first foreign film to win the Academy Award. I'll still be happy if Traffic wins it - as long as Ang Lee wins for Best Actor and Tom Hanks DOES not win for Best Actor. Anyway, my rambling's done, we have a pretty cool column this week including news on a mega epic from India, Andy Lau's next film, the nominations of the HK Film Awards, and the Korean blockbuster "The Foul King". Here's the latest from Asia.

INDIA

- Producer Sanjay Khan is about to make a retelling of the classical Indian epic Ramayana (about the life of Lord Rama of Hinduism). Instead of using Ramayana as a title, the film will use the name "Maryada Purshottam" (I believe the title is in the Sanskrit language; I have no idea what it means, perhaps somebody could explain the meaning in the talkbacks below). This film will be the most expensive Bollywood film to date and will feature an all-star cast of thousands. Signed so far are Hrithik Roshan (as Rama), Amitabh Bachchan (as Lord Dasharat, Rama's father), and Jackie Shroff. The film will be shot in places all over the world (a bold move for a period piece) and its SFX will be handled by a London-based group who handled Gladiator's effects (I hope they don't use the same CGI as the one used for recreating the Coliseum). The producers wish to complete the shooting of the film within 6 months of its launch date (tentatively set for November). The project is still in its beginning stages right now and I don't think we'll see the finished product till sometime next year or maybe even 2003.

- The shooting for director Satish Kaushik's Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai (I Want to Say Something) is now complete. The film is the launching pad for actor Tushar Kapoor, son of megastar Jeetendra. Kareena Kapoor is paired opposite Tushar in the film. It is set to release on May 25th.

- Director Manoj Agarwal is all set to make a film for producer Sibte Hasan Rizvi. This new project will star Govinda, Sonali Bendre and Raveena Tandon in the lead roles. Meanwhile, post-production on Agarwal's latest film, Pyar Diwana Hota Hai (Love is Crazy) which also stars Govinda, is nearly complete and is all set to release on April 27th.

- Director M. S. Sathyu has announced that his next film will feature Puru Raj Kumar and Urmila Matondkar in leading roles. The film, which does not yet have a title, will head into production this summer.

- Actress Amisha Patel has opted out from director Satish Kaushik's Badhai Ho Badhai (Congratulations) due to date problems. Kirti Reddy has replaced her now in the film, which stars Anil Kapoor (who's also the producer).

- Some new stills were released from the film Radheshyam Sitaram (the names of the title characters). The comedy stars Aishwarya Rai and Sunil Shetty in dual roles playing a couple of thieves (Radha and Shyam) and a couple of cops (Sita and Ram) who mistakenly switch identities.

Click here to see the fabulous Ms. Rai (the one on the right, along with actress Guddi Maruti): Its Right Here

Here's another pic with Ash and Sunil Shetty (who's in full getup - looks like he's coming from a KISS concert): Just Click Here

- The new release last week was the film, American Desi (also known as ABCD - American Born Confused Desi?). Much praised by our very own Head Geek and Father Geek ( Click Here for That Story), the film stars newcomer Deep Katdare as a normal Westernized guy who gets in touch with his culture when he moves to a University mainly populated by Indians. The film follows Kris (Katdare) on his many encounters with us crazy people ("eat some Nan, yaar". FYI, a Nan is a baked flatbread much like Roti) and his quest to get a hottie (Purva Bedi). I can't really criticize the film (as I have not seen it) but I will say that it looks very good from the trailers. The film did score pretty well with Indian audiences and all in all, if you like romantic comedies then you'll find American Desi a pleasant experience at the movies.

Father Geek Note: ABCD and American Desi are two completely different films, although both concern the lives of South-Asians in America. ABCD is a drama that takes a serious perspective on the meaning of cultural identity for immigrants. 'American Desi' is a romantic comedy that offers a more humourous view on the issue. Seek out both of the films, especially ABCD. My comments in the linked story are for AMERICAN BORN CONFUSED DESI.

CHINA / HK

Here's the usual report from "AccSpy":

- Andy Lau and Takashi Sorimachi are now in HK busily shooting "You & I (aka Full-time Hitman)". It seems now Takashi and Andy have switched their parts. Takashi plays "Todd", a subtle assassin who is intending to quit while Andy plays the villainous "O", an over-the-top assassin who tries to replace Todd as the best in town. Here are some shots from the location. They are shooting a scene in which Takashi's dressed as a reporter for his assignment, when Andy, in a Bill Clinton mask, challenges Takashi by stealing his job (killing the target before him).

Click here to see a picture of Andy Lau: This Is It

Here's Takashi Sorimachi: Click Right Here

And here's Andy Lau in a Bill Clinton mask:Go Here

- Besides Andy Lau and Takashi Sorimachi, Simon Yam (this year's HKFA nominee for "Juliet in Love") and Kelly Lin ("Martial Angels", "Conman") have also joined the cast of "Full-time Hitman".

- Simon Yam and Sam Lee("Gen-Y Cops") will join Edison Chan and Amanda Strang's teen romance "Tree of the Bayou (lit. title)". Here's some stills from the shooting in Japan:

Edison Chan and Amanda Strang:Just Click

Edison Chan with crew: Click Here

- Producer Manfred Wong ("Young & Dangerous series", "Stormriders") will remake 1984's romantic tragedy "Everlasting Love", which was also penned by Manfred himself. The film had featured a breakthough performance from Andy Lau and introduced the then-newcomer Irene Wan. The new version will star Daniel Chan ("Feel 100% II") and Qin Hailu, who just won this year's Best Actress award from HK Film Critics Society.

- The 20th Annual HK Film Awards will be held on April 29th and a total of 16 awards will be presented this year. The nominations were announced yesterday by last year's Best Actor and Best Actress, Andy Lau and Halena Law Lan. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" achieved a record-breaking 16 nominations in 15 categories, "In the Mood for Love" also swept 12 nominations while both Film Critics Awards' Best Picture "Durian, Durian" and Tsui Hark's comeback feature "Time & Tide" bagged 6 nominations each. Among the actors, actress/singer Candy Lo surprised everybody with total of THREE acting nominations including a best supporting actress nom. for "Time & Tide" and by competing against herself in best newcomer category with her performances from "Twelve Nights" and "Time & Tide". Candy Lo is the third actor who has achieved this 3-noms-in-the-same-year record besides Chow Yun-fat and last year's Cecilia Cheung. Francis Ng also got two noms in both best actor and best supporting actor categories while Chow Yun-fat won his first nomination since 1994's "Treasure Hunt". Here's the complete list of nominations:

Best Picture:

CTHD

Durian, Durian

In the Mood for Love

Jiang Hu: The Triad Zone

Needing You...

Best Director:

Fruit Chan (Durian, Durian)

Ang Lee (CTHD)

Johnnie To, Wai Kar-fai (Needing You...)

Wong Kar-wai (In the Mood for Love)

Wilson Yip (Juliet in Love)

Best Actor:

Chow Yun-fat (CTHD)

Andy Lau (A Fighter's Blue)

Tong Leung Chiu-wai (In the Mood for Love)

Tong Leung Kar-fai (Jiang Hu: The Triad Zone)

Francis Ng (Juliet in Love)

Best Actress:

Sammi Cheng (Needing You...)

Maggie Cheung (In the Mood for Love)

Qin Hailu (Durian, Durian)

Michelle Yeoh (CTHD)

Zhang Ziyi (CTHD)

Best Supporting Actor:

Eason Chan (Lavender)

Cheng Chen (CTHD)

Roy Cheung (Jiang Hu: The Triad Zone)

Francis Ng (2000AD)

Simon Yam (Juliet in Love)

Best Supporting Actress:

Cheng Pei Pei (CTHD)

Gigi Leung (A War named Desire)

Candy Lo (Time & Tide)

Teresa Mo (And I Hate You So)

Rebecca Pan (In the Mood for Love)

Best Newcomer:

Edison Chan (Gen-Y Cops)

Candy Lo (Time & Tide)

Candy Lo (Twelve Nights)

Qin Hailu (Durian, Durian)

Siu Ping-lam (In the Mood for Love)

Leehom Wang (China Strike Force)

Best Cinematography:

Christopher Doyle, Mark Li Pin-bin (In the Mood for Love)

Kwan Boon-leung (Lavender)

Keung Kwok-man (A Fighter's Blues)

Jingle Ma, Chan Kwok-hung (Summer Holiday)

Peter Pau (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Best Art Direction:

Willian Cheng (In the Mood for Love)

Cheung Sai-wan (Summer Holiday)

Tin Muk (Durian, Durian)

Yee Chung-man, Poon Chi-wai, Wong Bing-yiu (Lavender)

Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Best Costume Design:

William Cheng (In the Mood for Love)

Ng Lei-lo (Lavender)

Ng Lei-lo (Tokyo Raiders)

Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Yu Kar-on (Gen-Y Cops)

Best Fight Choreographer:

Lee Chung-chi (Gen-Y Cops)

Alien Sit (Tokyo Raiders)

Stanley Tong, Alien Sit (China Strike Force)

Xiong Xin-xin (Time and Tide)

Yuen Wo-ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Best Editing:

Willian Cheng (In the Mood for Love)

Chung Wai-chiu (A Fighter's Blues)

Kwong Chi-leung (Tokyo Raiders)

Marco Mak (Time and Tide)

Tim Squyres (Cruoching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Best Sound Effects:

Eugene Gearty (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Hui On, Yu Ka-luk, Martin Chappell (Time and Tide)

Paul Pirola (China Strike Force)

Tsang King-cheung (Double Tap)

Tsang King-cheung (Gen-Y Cops)

Best Original Score:

Tan Dun (CTHD)

Michael Galasso (In the Mood for Love

Kim Pui-tat (Summer Holiday)

Ng Lok-shing (Lavender)

Tommy Wai, Jun Kung (Time and Tide)

Best Original Theme Song:

A Love Before Time - performed by Coco Lee (CTHD)

In the Line of Love - performed by Sammi Cheng (Needing You...)

Lavender - performed by Kelly Chen (Lavender)

The Night Won't Come Again - performed by Eason Chan (Twelve Nights)

Waveflower - performed by Richie YEN, Chan Hing-cheung, Wang

Kwang-leong (Summer Holiday)

- The teen romantic comedy "Feel 100% II" topped last weekend's HK box office. The film earned $2.5 million HKD in Saturday and Sunday and easily won over two new films which opened two days earlier: Korean comedy "The Foul King" and drug war epic "Traffic" - both debuted no.2 and no.3, respectively. I should mention that the version of "The Foul King" released in HK is dubbed, which features the voice of none other than the "King of Comedy" himself, Stephen Chau. "Billy Elliot" slipped to no.4, while "Hannibal" was at no.5 - the film has now grossed $8.5 million HKD so far.

KOREA

Here's 18nom's report #2:

Annyong! 18nom here, checking in for the second time. Here we go.

The Foul King. The wrestling comedy from Korea opened at the No.2 spot in Hong Kong past weekend. Director Kim Jiwoon(Quiet Family) helmed pic was dubbed by the one and only, Stephen Chow. (Will he ever make it to Hollywood like his famous former counterparts did?) This is the second time Korean film opened at one of the top slots in HK's box office. Shiri has the honor of being the very first Korean film. (BTW, Foul King was ranked second in the domestic box office receipt of 2000.)

Park Joonghoon. The thuggish cop Woo from "Nowhere to Hide" will have a weighty supporting role in Jonathan Demme's upcoming "The Truth About Charlie". Mr. Park costars with Thandie Newton, Tim Robbins and Mark Walberg. This isn't the first time that NYU-schooled Park has starred in the stateside. His first Hollywood picture was "American Dragons" in which he shared the spotlight with Michael Biehn a la Rush Hour style. Known mainly for his comic roles, Joonghoon Park still has considerable box office clout in Korea.

Grand Bell Awards.

The Korean version of Academy Awards ceremony will be held from April 20th to April 25th. The longest-running film ceremony in Korea was almost abolished in 1994 when some committee members (actually a majority of them) were bribed and gave the Best Picture award to a picture that was unilaterally crucified by critics and audiences (hehe, "Shakespeare in Love" anyone? - D25). There is a saying in Korea that demonstrates perfectly: Guilty if poor and Not Guilty if rich.

That's it for me, folks. Will return next week with more Korean cinema news.

18nom

ANIME

From Scott Green

Toonami Ratings Surge CNX Revolution learned that http://toonzone.net/cnx/ Cartoon Network's anime block Toonami is continuing its powerful kids ratings trajectory, charting record year-to-date growth for all targeted demographics.

Through its exclusive action-driven schedule, Toonami has doubled its teen 12-17 ratings (1.6) while delivery is up 132 percent to an average of 255,000 teens, from the same period last year. Toonami is also tracking number one among males 12-17 in rating (2.0, up 67 percent) and in delivery (166,000, more than double last year) among all ad-supported cable supported networks. Among all teens, Toonami ties with MTV for first place in rating for its time period.

Toonami also has grown 43% over last year ratings with kids 9-14 (2.0), and 38% with boys 9-14 (2.9). Delivery for these target audiences also grew across the board; 67% both with kids 9-14 (339,000) and with boys 9-14 (255,000). Among the individual programs, top-performing Dragonball Z at 5 p.m. has averaged a significant 5.8 rating with boys 9-14 year-to-date. In fact, Dragonball Z is number one in its time period among boys 9-14, teens 12-17 and males 12-17.

Pioneer Licenses Soul Taker

With Canadian RPG makers Guardians of Order's announcement , best known for the generic anime RPG system "Big Eyes, Small Mouth" of a line of guide book based on Pioneer releases Fushigi Yugi, Serial Experiments Lain, NieA_7 and Soul Taker, as well as McFarnlane Toy's unveiling of their second 3D Animation From Japan action figure line, which include Akira from Akira, Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell, Tenchi Masaki from Tenchi Muyo, Naomi Armitage from Armitage III and Soultaker from Soultaker, there is no question that Pioneer has licensed Soul Taker for a US release. The series will no air in Japan until this April.

The fact that ADV has indicated that it will be releasing the newly acquired series Senkaiden Houshin Engi , loosely based on a Chinese myth about a young warrior named Taikoubou charged with sealing 365 demons, as Soul Hunters is bound to cause confusion.

Big O re-runs scheduled to Toonmai by CN

Toonami/CN has decided to air all the 13 episodes of the new anime Big O.Big O has been scheduled for re-runs. The re-run will start on Tuesday, April 24 @ 5:30 pm. Since there are uneven number of episodes(13), Toonami may have something up their sleeve.

Starting on April 2nd. Big O will air 2 times on Toonami at 5:30 PM and 7 hours later the next new episode of Big O will be broadcasted at 12:30 AM EST/PST. That means the new episodes will be aired at night 12:30 AM first, then the same episode will be aired at 5:30 PM.

The re-runs will also air during the mid-night run at 12:30 AM, replacing Tenchi In Tokyo. But due to Toonami Movies broadcasting every Friday, the night re-runs will start a few days earlier. To be exact the mid-night re-runs for Big O will start Thursday, April 19. Still no word if Big O will air uncut during the mid-night run. The first airing will start April 2nd.

"Mahou-yugi Padodo" anime

AIC, best known for Tenchi Muyo, and El Hazard has announced their first fully digital animation, "Mahou-yugi Padodo". Character design will be done by manga artist Kiyohiko Azuma (author of Azumanga) and the manga version by Yoshitaka Yoshino is currently serialized in AIC comic Love. It is expected to be a very cute anime series will many merchandising tie-ins in Japan.

ARMS Anime

The cyber-action. manga series ARMS from the periodical "Weekly Sundya" is about to be released as an anime series in Japan directed by Takaya who is famous for works such as "Shin-Getter", and the script is by Aya Yoshinaga who is well known for "Cowboy Bebop" and Junichi Miashita famous for "Conan". Tomus Entertainment will supervise production.

Ryo Takatsuki who was said to have unrecoverable injury on his arm, recovered miraculously. However, it was actually because of a machine called ARMS. The name of that ARMS was the beast of destruction, Javawock. It had unbelievable power and became stronger each time it fought. However, there were others that also had the power of ARMS. Hayato Niimiya that has the ARMS of knights in his left arm, Takeshi Tomoe that has the ARMS of white rabbits in his legs, and Megumi Kuruma that has the ARMS of queen of hearts in her eyes.

Twilight of the Dark Master DVD

Twilight of the Dark Master will be released on DVD by Urban Vision on June 12th. It is being described as the "first anime video to be released in the US before its Japanese dedut." Powerful, grotesque Demons and beautiful, noble Guardians have battled for Earth - the everlasting gift of the one great Mother, creator of all life. A deep hatred eternally burns between Demon and Guardian; the Guardians knew the Demons' thirst for blood and power would destroy humanity and the world itself. Eons later. Neo-Shinjuku, 2089 - few Demons or Guardians remain to continue their epic war. Humans rule the Earth, with no real memory of the monstrous Demons or angelic Guardians. Yet, deep within the dark underworld of the city, the supreme Demon is still alive and plotting, once again, to overtake mankind. Only one Guardian is left to do battle, and the fate of the human race hangs in the balance.

Twilight of the Dark Master's elaborate story will transport you to a world of sleek design, lavish imagery and exotic characters along an exhilarating spiral of events. Special features include Exclusive Footage of the Animation Director/Character Designer at Work, Original Artwork Galler and Remastered in 5.1 audio.

Newly licensed?

Anime on DVD http://ww.animeondvd.com has learned that St. Luminous Mission High School is being dubbed in English. Originally released on DVD in Japan in 1998 and 1999, the St. Luminous Mission High School series is oft-requested as it's a Pioneer title. At the time, Pioneer Japan was placing English dubs on their discs, such as Hakkenden (offered now in a new box set), but Luminous wasn't dubbed, so it couldn't be included. According to the new box set information, this 13 episode series will contain the English dub. Of course, a region 1 version is now even more likely, presumably from Pioneer US, but this is the first indication that the title may indeed be licensed.

Interesting Cartoon Network Project

Wired is reporting: "The Cartoon Network has decided to create full-immersion worlds that work in conjunction with video games, in hopes of developing a core audience of users who would spend much of their time online. "The harsh reality is that the networks and their Web divisions don't see each other as friends, because in reality they are competitors," said Sam Register, creative director of Cartoon Networks Online. "We are looking at developing and building a persistent gaming world."

WIRED said: "Register said his network's online operations have been forced to immediately operate in the black, causing them to develop a revenue stream before unveiling new content. Currently, they are also developing an enhanced television channel that will broadcast Japanimation movies that allow users to interact with the world created by the filmmaker."

WIRED says: "For designers, the true development of interactive television will result when it goes mobile, allowing users to constantly visit the worlds created by content providers through their wireless devices. Sapient, a technology infrastructure company, wants to bring together the enhanced television experience Microsoft hopes to develop with the interactive worlds being built by the Cartoon Network and PBS. That would allow users to access television on multiple wireless devices. "The point of interactive television differs from enhanced television," said Mellie Price, vice president of Sapient. "Interactive television is a suite of services that offers as a point of interaction through the television. But it's also the place from which several other access points need to emerge." For the full article see http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,42227,00.html

Magic Soldier Riui 1st Episode Recorded

The new fantasy genre Anime TV series featuring a number of staff who have worked on shows such as Slayers and Orphen, Magic Soldier Riui completed voice recording of the first episode on March 11th, it begins running on WOWOW on Tues. April 3rd at 18:30.

Kiki DVD Some information has started to appear regarding the June 8th Japanese release of Kiki's Delivery Service. According to the Ghibli http://www.ntv.co.jp/ghibli/info_y2/index.html page, it will contain Japanese and English 2.0 (presumably the Disney mix and not the Streamline one) as well as English subtitles. Extras seem to include storyboards, a 30 minute making of and a 4:45 trailer for their 2001 new theatrical movie for 4700 yen.

On the rec.arts.anime.misc newsgroup, John Andersen has posted a e-mail he recieved from a "very reliable source" at Buena Vista concerning both the upcoming Kiki's Delivery Service and Laputa: Castle In The Sky DVD releases.

Quoting from the newsgroup post:

"Please be patient, we are working toward a DVD release in North America for KIKI's and LAPUTA. I do not have firm dates yet but hopefully sometime near the end of this year/beginning of next".

Japanese TV Top Ten Anime

The Anime News of the World website released a list of the top ten anime programs on Japanese TV for the month of February

1. Oja-Majo Doremi (Useless, Witch Doremi)

2. Chikyu Bouei Kazoko (Earth Defense Family)

3. Gear Fighter Dendou

4. Inuyasha

5. Chikyu Shoujo Arjuna (Earth Girl Arjuna)

6. Hunter x Hunter

7. Argentosoma

8. Daa! Daa! Daa!

9. One Piece

10. Hiou Senki (Record of Hiou's War)

Crest of the Stars Delay

Anime on DVD learning the Bandai's sci-fi/culture series Crest of the Stars has been delayed. As was previously known, volume 1 was delayed from March to May 15th. Naturally the May 1st date for volume 2 wasn't going to last. Both volumes will now ship on 5/15. The series is based on a series of very famous Japanese science-fiction novels by Morioka Hiroyuki that starts of as a tale of human boy sent to live with a conquering alien race.

Sailor Moon R the movie re-scheduled?

Sailor Moon R movie will not air at 5:00 PM during Toonami on Friday, March 16, 2001. Instead the movie is tentatively re-scheduled to air during Toonami on Friday, May 18, 2001 at 5:00 pm (e/p). The movie was re-scheduled because Cartoon Network is trying to obtain final approvals from the publisher, to air the movie during Toonami. This is the first time Sailor Moon R the movie will broadcast on Cartoon Network so Cartoon Netwrok is making sure they do not infringe upon any copyrights and trademark laws. There is a good chance that "Sailor Moon S", the second Sailor Moon Movie will not air on Friday, April 13th 2001.

Kodoma No Omocha Second Half DVD Release

The second half of the 102 episode Kodoma No Omacha anime, broadcast from April 1996 by TV Tokyo is finally headed to DVD conversion in Japan. Each of the planned 12 volumes will reportedly go on sale at the reasonable price of 3800 Yen. A special storage box will be available for those buying the special version of the 1st volume with postcard and stickers in vol. 2-3. Kodoma no Omocha is a about the hyper active, child actress daughter of a very eccentric writer, is known for both over the top humor, and thoughtful drama. It would be a good show for American children if we didn't have some many hang-ups about what children should watch. It has a lot for lessons without being After School Special-preachy or talking down to the audience, and has a lot of more adult humor for older audiences (for example the child actress calls her driver/manager her pimp because doesn't know what it means, but thinks it sounds right). The series has a small cult following in the US.

Spanish Language Patlabor and Digimon Report

From César De la luz:

Just to report that Patlabor the mobile police, finally was premiered last Monday 12th. Opening and closing credits and songs in Japanese (except introduction by a narrator), character names remained original, un-edited, good Spanish dubbing. As the soccer fans says "Es un golazo!!!"" (It's a goal!!). Fox Kids in Spanish comments in their FAQ section comment that will premiere in June new episodes of Digimon, but it seems to be the Digimon 02 series.

Star Ocean Anime

The consul RPG game Star Ocean is being made into an anime series. The series entitled Star Ocean EX, starting in April on TV Tokyo network.

New Details on Funimation Licenses

Anime Nation received some interesting but very tentative details on Funimation's plans for Dragonball, Blue Gender and Yu Yu Hakusho. Beginning with the Dragonball Z "World Tournament saga," which premiers on home video in May, the DBZ home video releases will be simultaneously released on VHS and DVD. Episodes 14-19 of original Dragonball will hit home video sometime in June. August is set as the tentative release date for Dragonball Z movie 4, and movie 5 is currently scheduled for release in October. Blue Gender will come to home video on VHS and DVD in late June, in an uncut version only. The Yu Yu Hakusho TV series will be debut on home video early this fall (September or October most likely) on VHS and DVD in TV edit and uncut versions.

In Blue Gender a man put into cold sleep in hopes that a cure will be found for the disease that afflicts him is re-awakened to find that the world is at war with genetically engineer insects known as Blue. It is praised more for its strong plot and characterizations than as a source of mecha vs bugs action. Yu Yu Hakusho is a Dragon Ball-esque fighting anime that starts off humorous, but gets more series as the one-on-one fights progress.

Akira Contest

The official Akira web site is running a contest to give for tickets to the New York showing of the movie at Their Site. One of the hosts for this premiere screening will be our own HARRY JAY KNOWLES.

Inu Yasha Movie Coming?

A report fro "Hono" of www.sessho-maru.com on alt.fan.r-takahashi claims that an Inu Yasha movie was announced for an early 2002 release. Even if the rumor is false Inu Yasha is a series worth pointing out. The Inu Yasha tv series start last year. It is based on the manga series by Rumiko Takahashi of Ranma ½ fame. The series tells the story of school girl who finds a portal from her grandfather's shrine to the era of warring states where she meets a boy who is half dog demon named Inu Yasha. It takes place both in the past and in the present. Stories range from fantasy adventure, to fairy tale-esque, to romantic comedies, to modern horror stories. Those who have seen the series praise it, but comment that some of the darker stories and scenes have been toned down from their manga version. Viz, who releases the manga series in the US, and who release Takahashi's other works has express great interest in acquiring the series to release in the US.

List of New anime this spring

AniHabara http://east.sakura.ne.jp/aniba/aninews/japan/ has put together a list of the new anime shows starting this spring on Japanese TV: RUN=DIM (Apr.1 6:30, TV TOKYO); Super GALS! Juran (Apr.1 8:30, TV TOKYO); Digimon Tamers (Apr.1 9:00, FUJI); Commet-san (Apr.1, 9:30, TV TOKYO) ; Kidou Tenshi Angelic Layer (Apr.1 17:20, TV TOKYO); Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu (Apr.3 18:00, TV TOKYO); Star Ocean EX (Apr.3 18:30, TV TOKYO); Mahou Senshi Liui (Apr.3 18:30, WOWOW[free]); Sister Princess (Apr.4 24:45, TV TOKYO); Shin Shirayukihime Densetsu Preetia (Apr.4 18:30, WOWOW[free]); Woody Woodpecker (Apr.5, 18:00, TV TOKYO); Gene Shaft (Apr.5 18:30, WOWOW[free]); Noir (Apr.5 25:15, TV TOKYO); Haja-Kyosei G Dangaioh (Apr.5 24:44, TV ASAHI); Dennou Boukenki Webdiver (Apr.6 18:00, TV TOKYO); Z.O.E Dolores,i (Apr.6 26:30, TV TOKYO); Taiho Shichauzo (Apr.7 17:30, TBS); Arms (Apr.7 24:50, TV TOKYO); Go Go Itsutsugo L.a.n.d (Apr.14 7:00, TBS) ; Parappa Rapper (Apr.14 18:30, FUJI); Gakuen Senki Muryou (May.8 18:30, NHK BS2); Comic Party (UHF); Koutetsu Tenshi Kurumi 2shiki (UHF); Hanaukyo Maid-tai (UHF) ; The Soul Taker -Tamagari- (Apr.4 23:00 WOWOW[charged]); Galaxy Angel (Apr.7 24:30, Animax); Super Models (Apr.16 20:00, Kidsstation); Angela Anaconda (Apr.30 20:00 Cartoon Network); Figure17 Tsubasa and Hikaru (May.27 22:00, AT-X).

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