Hi everyone! Quick report until the show gets going in an hour. The opening ceremonies only started 40 minutes late. Amazing! The theater is huge, with middle and upper balconies. Maybe space won't be a problem this year, yeah right. The first big announcement is there will be 2 Anime Expos next year! In addition to the regular long here in the LA area over the July 4 weekend, there will be an Anime Expo on the Labor Weekend in NY, NY in Times Square! Big Apple Anime beware. So there will be AIkon, AX, Otakon, and AX-2 for the major con summer season now!
Opening ceremonies was hosted by a real time generated CG of the AX mascot who was voice synched in real time. The guest came up, including the beautiful Kikoko Inoue, who this reporter got to sit behind just 2 rows while waiting for her to go on stage. I've hopelessly enthralled now.
The big event of the opening ceremonies was a live dubbing session of an anime I believe is called Galaxy Angels. Kikoku Inoue, Tomoko Kawakami (Utena's VA), and Ieyeas Daison (the guy in Mac plus, I forget his name), and 4 students voice acted performed beautify. Inoue was using her Panther like voice, Kawakami in a Noelle type voice.
All in all, everything ran smoothly.
Some other notes, Right Stuf has some codes to order stuff earlier. You can order Boogiepop Phantom DVD set($79.96) by 7/31 and be in the first shipment using the code AX-01. You can order Tylor OAV set($71.99) and be in the first shipment using code AX-02. Buy and 2 Anime TRax titles and receive $3 off using code AX-03.
Well, this was a quick lunch update. Now do I be responsible and go to the Right Stuff Panel or Inoue's press panel? Gomen Chris! I have to see my megami again. I'll try to hit at least part of it.
Pioneer panel
Pioneer confirmed the AMG movie and mini AMG. AMG is planned for the end of 2001. A bonus on the AMG movie will be a mini goddess episode. DTS is unlikely. 16:9 may be possible. THX.
Niea_7 will be 4 vols bi monthly, as well as Hand Maid May. Gatekeepers is 8 vols and will include alternate OPs as extras. IT may have an insert.
Soul Taker is early 2002. It will be different from the broadcast version as the creator was unhappy due to barely meeting production TV schedules.
Pioneer has Vandread, for around Jan 2002. They have an option on the 2nd season
They will be coming out with Armitage Dual Matrix, which is an all digital production. OVAs may come out after this.
Mihoshi special will come out
Sailor Moon Vol3 should have OPs. Reason for the zoom is they have using the TV masters, and not the LD masters.
CCS. Pioneer getting other eye catches. vol 5 in sept, 6 in nov. 4 and 7 in Jan. They would not tell who is the problem that kept vol 4 delayed. A bonus will be given in vol 4. They would not confirm 2nd movie or Tomoyo Video Memorial.
Magical Project S still delayed of dub. They was watching ADV's City Hunter 2 on the viablibitly of releasing sub only dvds.
El Hazard uses the FY style boxset
Other Boxsets coming out this Christmas, are Trigun (199.98, no Chromium with a box for all 8 vols). New Lain Boxset (no cd, no lunchbox, new box with Abe art). Tenchi Universe boxset. Sailor Moon Movie Boxset. Hakkenden Box set 54.98. 3 DVDs in a triple Alpha.
Don't ask about Sailor Stars until after SuperS.
Animetronic is dead. Pioneer has a Music Rights lawyer now.
Problems with Sherlock Hound. The Japanese and English tracks don't sync They are trying to fix.
Right Stuf
Nothing apparently. I didn't go. Heard Karekano not until Spring 2002. Tylor OVAs on schedule.
Media Blasters
Media Blasters has Berserk. Urban Vision the day before still thought they were in the running, but Media Blasters has had it for 5 days. They paid quite a sum for it.
Other acquisitions: Ys 1 and 2(they will have to redo music and effects track for the english dub), Kurugane Communication(15 min ep, 6-8 eps a dvd), Mezzo Forte in Nov, Devas Day(an AIC OAV), and Gokuro. Also Level C and Fortune Quest.
THey have the Kenshin specials. Best Battles, and characters dvd
They have 2 more titles from Bandai Visual. One classic, one more recent.
There's a possible Kite sequel.
MTT TV will be Volume 4. THe back of the dvd case will say eps 1-4 of the tv series.
Kitty titles do well, and we may see them on the Spice channel possibly.
Oh, on Media Blasters. The rest of Mahou Tsukaitai will NOT have clear cases.
Kikuko Inoue Press Panel
Ah, the reason I actually really asked for press. I have to really thank Chris for giving me this opportunity to represent the site. This is my only moment of weakness. Tomorrow will be lots of press panels, though the Media Blaster and Manga Entertainment Panel is scheduled at the same time. I will go to Media Blasters panel since I met Queen and found out 5 titles will be announced. Note, none of the Mahou Tsukaitai DVDs will be clear case after volume 1.
Inoue arrived about 20 minutes late to her press release, so each of us could only ask one question, though I did sneak one in at the end. Pictures will be available sometime after I get back from the convention (still using film, gomen ;_;)
Here is a quick summary of the questions at the press session. This is paraphrased heavily. Questions from other press people are included.
Question: How is gaming voice acting different than anime voice acting?
Answer: Fundamentals are the same. You use a large than life voice for game acting.
My Question: How do you choose roles?
Answer: For voice acting, schedule and personal time play a large role. I am very happy to take roles.
Question: How did you become Belldandy. How did you approach it?
Answer: There is two ways to get roles. One is to audition. The second is if the creators, director, and staff of the anime want you. For Belldandy, the staff chose her to bring out the goddess due to her kindness.
Question: How did you become a seiryuu?
Answer: I originally wanted to be a middle school teacher. One day at college, I had to teach middle school class and they did nothing I said. They played badminton in class. I gave up. I then saw a rerun of an anime I liked as a child called, Attack #1(a volleyball anime). I still enjoyed it as a adult. I viewed it as a gift from heaven. I wanted to give happiness and excitement to other people.
Question: What anime do you watch?
Answer: Any that I have a role in. I also like mahou shoujo, especially sailor moon. (Author's note: Inoue played Sailor Aluminum Siren in Sailor Stars)
Question: What is your favorite character?
Answer: I view all my characters as my children, so I cannot choose a favorite child.
Question: What roles are coming up?
Answer: I am playing Esmeraldes in Cosmo Warrior Zero. I have to audition for it.
Question: How did the applause at the opening ceremonies of AX feel?
Answer: First I felt surprise that so many people in America knew I was. I feel that its a team effort of the entire anime team who got me to where I was.
Note: Inoue uses -pyong at the end of her sentences, when being interview on the radio in Japan. This is similar to Fushigi Yuugi's No da, and Digi Charat's -pyo, and -nyu
Note: Inoue feels like she was a fish in her previous life, yet she eats fish. This was brought up at a guest dinner the night before.
My question: Did you bring Wendeyan with you?
Answer: How do you know about Wendeyan?
My Answer: A friend told me.
Answer: Inoue brings out Wendeyan, a little plushie dog she keeps in her bag. She refers to Wendeyan as her friend. (Pictures later)
Note: She had to teach me how to properly pronounce Wendeyan's name
Press Panel Ends
Kikuo Inoue Guest of Honor Panel
Sings AMG OP acapella. Audience claps out beat for her. People take out lighters.
Question: What colleagues do you hang out with?
Answer: Aya Hisakawa(kero-chan's seiryuu), A good friend. Hisakawa-san has her own garden at home and brings vegetables to Inoue-san.
Question: How was it like playing Li Shaoran's mother in CCS movie 1.
Answer: That staff got scared of me since I was playing such a strict role.
Question: What's something funny, you do?
Answer: At home, I will say Sailor Moon's punish moon phrase to my 3 year old daughter.
Question: How did you get the Belldandy role?
Answer: It was thanks to my roles of Kasumi Tendo(Ranma), and Electra(Nadia). The directors wanted me to combine the kindness of Kasumi with the will of Electra. That became Belldandy.
Note: She then sang a song called Cotton boy. She also sang the OP to Sailor Moon.
Question: Why do your colleagues call you oneisan ("big sister")?
Answer: This was thanks to my role of Kasumi Tendo, since I played the elder sister. Hibiki and Akane's seiryuu would call me oneisan, and it carried over.
Question: Do you use any of your character's catch phrases in real life?
Answer: Currently, I want to use a phrase by my character Melissa from Mahou Sensei Riui. (I forget the phrase).
Question: I hear you want to be a banana, why?
Answer: I want to be like a banana, because a banana is a hard working fruit, and it nutritious yet easy to digest. Do you think I'm crazy?
End of session
I don't win an autograph ;_; My life is over.
ADV Films
ADV Panel
INSANE ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Acquisitions - I may repeat stuff we already know
Kurumi TV
Sakura Wars TV
Sakura War 2 OAV
Sailor Moon first 2 seasons subtitled, uncut. being held up currently by material availability
Puni Puni Poemi
Chivas 123(Sorcerer Hunters on the Rocks)
Your Under Arrest Mini Specials
Zone of the Enders OAV and TV
Sin 2
Urotsukidoji series
Aura Battler Dunbine series
A new Cutey Honey TV series (not Cutey Honey Flash, but a completely new series)
Rune Soldier
Neo Ranga
Power Stone
Nadia will be on TV
ADV broke ground on a 3rd dubbing studio
Those Who Hunt Elves has started he mastering process.
Slayers OAVs and Movie were being held up due to rights. problem is now solved. Movies will be first. A new 3rd Slayers OAV series is being worked on.
No decision on Nuku Nuku TV, and Bluee Seed OAVs
Princess Nine will not have a DD5.1 Japanese track. Apparently the Japanese version is cut, so it wouldn't sync.
GOlden Boy. Soon maybe. A Goldenboy 2 series is possibly in the works.
Excel Saga Translation is under the way
Miyuki-chan in Wonderland will be a problem due to it being 30 minutes. Retailers don't like that.
YUA Movie Theatrical in planning. Maybe for Nadesico movie also
Orphen English dub differences due to working with Activision.
Problems with Generator Gawl English dub won't happen again.
Anime Track Sound label. over 100 titles. Within 6 months start. 4-5 released a month
There will be major announcments at Comic-con International.
Bandai Entertainment
Crest of the Stars - no more Comchoice. Will replace disc if you email support@animevillage.com August Bimonthly resume schedule no plans yet on Seikai no Senki and Saikai no Danshou
New Cowboy Bebop Movie trailer shown! No news on acquisition.
Possible Cowboy Bebop on TV
Brain Powered and Silent Mobius dubs in production for DVD released
SMJ->X same release as SMJ. SMJ->X next year
First Gundam TV DVD will have original Japanese OP as extra. July 23 5pm for First Gundam on CN
12 am for MS08th afterwards 0080 and 0083 also
Pilot Canidate in Fall
Love Hina early next year. Only have TV eps 1-24 so far.
New title acquisition
Tsukai Kagi Ran
Kikdaidar
Jin-roh relase next year
Escaflowne movie Theatherical starting the San Francisco Bay Area on Sept 21. DVD next year
Char's Counter Attack being worked on for DVD.
Bandai will start a Classic TV line with Giant Gorg and SPT Layzner(?). subbed only
Viz
Viz got Inu Yasha. They are gonna shop it around TV most likely first, so home video release will be a while. THey think its 52 eps. Inu yasha movie in Japan in Dec.
Ranma TV Season One boxset in Nov. Ranma Season 6 eps are shuffled into arcs for dvd releases apparently.
MI dub could be continued if the MI dvds, when released, sell well.
VGAi will not have edits, and is a boxset now around Nov/Dec.
Viz Manga News
They got the Bastard!! They are gonna experiment with a 64 page format.
Chiho Saitou will do a few original covers for Animerica Expo. First in August, it will be a baseball cover with Utena and ChuChu. She will also do a Halloween cover.
Viz is looking for a X/1999 replacement for Animerica Extra, and they want your suggestions. Email them. FInd an email address on their web site. Viz has pretty much lost everything they have with Clamp. So no X/1999, no X vol 7. THey are trying to get a new contract. X Vol 7 was all ready to go.
Viz is gonna try to some unflopping experiments for manga.
Synch Point
Jojo's Bizzare Adventure has been acquired. Their licensor wants them to get it out by the end of the year, but they may not be able to do it, since they are still ramping. Oh, its OAVs 1 and 2
Synch Point runs Studio Pierrot's english web site.
They are only doing the commercial for Gamers for DigiCharat
Tenshi Ni Narumon will have an additional special subtitle track on the dvd. No idea on details.
Tomoko Kawakami (noelle's Jap VA) and Diana Kou(Noelle's english VA) did several noelle line together, thought Diana was only kinda mimicing Tomoko.
I asked about FLCL manga's panel, and if they would be overlaid. They said they have a possible solution. No details. They sent it to several authoring places, that kinda said back to them, "WTF?"
AnimEigo
YUA TV dub being worked on at Coastal Carolina. 4 eps per DVD. YUA OVA's will be part of the TV release. First 4 TV eps are based on the OVA's, with slight differences. AnimEigo will possible include both 4 OVA's and first 4 TV on 1 DVD.
KOR will be preorder, with DVDs coming out 6-9 months later for retail.
Macross TV looks like Sept 2001.
2nd Miyu DVD is wrapping up soon. The estimate a total of a one month slip from the original schedule
UY2 boxset shipping now. UY3 boxset to ship within 2 months. Mastering almost all done. There will be a lag after UY3. They will do the movies and ova's next, and work on some other titles.
They have hired a 2nd DVD producer who has 2 more assistants.
Shin abused heavily during panel
Central Park Media
Somehow this turned into a discussion about porn laws, and how Japanese companies operated due to La Blue Girl and the Utena licensing issue.
The Slayers DVD audio will most likely not be fixed due to economical reasons. They would want around 1200 preorders to do it.
They have been trying to renegotiate for the further Utena TV eps now for 2 years.
The subcontracts with Image and NuTech expire this year. That includes Votoms. Except director cuts of stuff to be re-released by CPM.
CPM will redo La Blue Girl, and is co-producing La Blue Girl 2, which should be out around 2nd Quarter 2002.
A title announced was Yakin Byota(sp?)
Titles show on their trailer video were:
Angel Sanctuary
Detonator Orgun
Garaga
Night on the Galactic Railroad
Legend of the Dragon Kings Under Fire
Now and Then
Utena movie.
Tokyopop
DVD Related Items
St. Tail will be released at the end of Aug on a bimonthly release schedule. 3 eps on each DVD, for around 15 DVDs! Email them people! Even the Japanese LD release had 4 eps.
Spring and Chaos should be ready in 2-3 weeks.
Vampire Princess Miyu, first end of Aug bimonthly. 8-9 DVDs at 3 eps each. $29.99
Manga Related Items
Paradise Kiss, Planet Ladder, and Mars appears Nov in Smile.
Dragons Knights, Corrector Yui Coming
Kodomo no Omocha, which will be released as Popstar Kodacha, in Dec.
Marmalade Boy in Nov.
Both Kodacha and Marmalade Boy will be unflipped. The first 5 issues will be comic, then switch to graphic novel for the rest.
Gundam Wing titles include Battlefield Pacifist, Endless Watlz, and G-Uniy.
Second volume of Clover in Sept.
Sorcerer Hunters graphics novels to be sped up to every 3 months.
Most graphic novels will be sped up to 2-3 months between releases.
Sound Tracks
The have FF10, FF4, and Chrono Trigger in addition to Trigun Spicy Donut, BGC2040, and Miyu.
Tokyopop will start a J-Idols line, featuring Japan's Most Beautiful Women. 3 DVDs will be released in Sept. Yuka, Kyoko Fukada, and Race Queens. Will include photo galleries, music videos, virtual dates, video messages, behind scenes footage, and personal profiles.
More stuff to be announced at Comiccon
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