BEBOP Remixed!

By: BRIAN THOMAS
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2005

Some readers still complain that I include animation produced outside Japan in Anime Avalanche, even after I point out that the term "anime" was in use in Japan long before any Japanese began producing animated cartoons. Well here's more weight thrown on my argument. For years, Manga Entertainment has been one of the most respected video labels importing Japanese animation to the USA. A couple years ago, they even got involved in co-producing the anime series GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX, setting up distribution deals to the Cartoon Network and via DVD along with partner Bandai and parent company Anchor Bay. Now they're at it again, putting into production a new series called IRON KID, which is set to debut in about a year. Taking place 100 years after a war between humankind and robots, IRON KID tells the story of the resurrection of a powerful warrior to stand against the tyrannical robots. For more info, you can dial up www.ironkid.net.

It certainly sounds like anime, right? At least, it fits the popular concept of what anime is all about. And yet, IRON KID will not be Japanese animation, but a CGanime series created by Korean companies Daiwon and DesignStorm, along with Spain's BRB Internacional. The lead writers will be two Americans and one Spaniard. Now, is anyone out there still prejudiced enough to believe that IRON KID should not be covered in this column?

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

I missed out on buying most of the original run of this series, and kept failing to set the DVR to catch it on Cartoon Network, so this upgraded DVD series is doubly welcome around here.

(O) COWBOY BEBOP REMIX Volume 1 (Bandai) This classic favorite series about interplanetary bounty hunters gets remastered and remixed in Dolby 5.1 for this new edition, along with commentraks by the Japanese voice cast. Episodes 1-5, plus commentraks, interviews and more.

NEW DVD RELEASES

Here's a rundown of the constant stream of anime comin' at ya on DVD from around the world:

(O) AREA 88 Volume 2: A Lonely Crossing of Paths (ADV) Episodes 4-6. Shin's jet is shot down, and a new female pilot shakes up the base. Includes interviews, aircraft specs and more.
(O) ARMITAGE III OVA (Geneon) Episodes 1-4. A Mars police detective investigating a murder uncovers the existence of robots that can pass for human, then learns his partner is one of them.
(O) BEST OF HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Season One (Brentwood) UMD
(O) BEST OF HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Season Two (Brentwood) UMD

(O) BRATZ: Rock Angels (Fox) The dolls all the little girls want more than Barbies come to animated life, start a teen fashion magazine, and start a shallow rock band in London you know, promote all the worst values to preteen girls. With bonus episode, music video, video game preview and lots of promos.
(O) BURST ANGEL Volume 3: East Meets West (Funimation) Episodes 9-12. This lively volume involves chaos at an arranged marriage, a hacked computer, terrorists hijacking a train and a giant insect trashing the city! With commentrak, audio drama and more.
(O) CASE CLOSED: The Phantom Thief Kid (Funimation) A famed burglar announces his intention to steal a priceless pearl. Can Conan stop him?
(O) CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CARTOONS (Treeline/Digital 1 Stop) Yep, it's way too early for Xmas.
(O) DRAGON BALL Z: BIO-BROLY THE MOVIE (Funimation) Super Saiyan Broly was killed in battle with Goku and his sons. But not permanently! In this feature, an evil wizard reincarnates the supervillain to help Lord Jaguar conquer Earth, which might turn out to be a big mistake all around, come to think of it.
(O) ESCAFLOWNE THE MOVIE: Ultimate Edition (Bandai) A sword & sorcery favorite in a 3-disc special edition with storyboard track, isolated score, interviews, CD soundtrack and more.
(O) FULL METAL PANIC? FUMOFFU Volume 3: Full Metal Fervor! (ADV) Episodes 7-9. Sousuke and Kaname are roped into the school's lightweight rugby team.
(O) GALAXY RAILWAYS Station 2: His Father's Son (Funimation) Episodes 6-10. A mad bomber attacks the railway. With commentrak and more.
(O) GENSHIKIN Volume 2: Model Citizens (Media Blasters) Pretty young Saki is a bit bewildered as the girlfriend of a certified otaku, but gets caught up in the world of model kits.
(O) GRAVITATION OVA: Lyrics of Love (Right Stuf) With a new album deadline looming, Shuichi hits a writers block.
(O) GUNDAM SEED MOVIE 2: The Far-Away Dawn (Bandai) Old friends Kira and Athrun are put on opposing sides in a war.
(O) GUNDAM WING: Endless Waltz (Bandai) What happens after the wars are over and the Gundams are no longer needed? Time to dump them all into the Sun! But before that can happen, a terrorist colony strikes, calling the mecha-warriors back into action. Includes the theatrical film version and the 3-OVA episodes version.
(O) HAMMERBOY (Central Park) In a post-apocalyptic world, a young boy fights to protect an alien princess from traitors while returning her to her homeland. Some are already calling director Ahn Tae-geun the Miyazaki of Korea. With music video and more.
(O) INITIAL D Volume 13: Battle of the Souls (Tokyopop) Episodes 37-39. A dangerous mountain road race, plus outtakes.
(O) JIN-ROH (Bandai) A 1998 political action thriller set in an alternative Japan, based on a story by Mamoru Oshii (GHOST IN THE SHELL), now in a 3-disc special edition, including interviews, booklet, CD soundtrack and more.
(O) MARS DAYBREAK Volume 1 (Bandai) During an economic depression in a Mars colony, a young man finds himself on the run from a crew of pirates. Also available in a limited edition in a tin case that includes a soundtrack CD and magnet frame.
(O) MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED MOVIE 2: THE FAR-AWAY DAWN (Geneon) Old buddies Kira and Athrun find themselves on opposite sides in war.
(O) NIGHT SHIFT NURSES: Clinical Confessions (Central Park) Anime 18 presents an S&M adventure.
(O) OTOGI ZOSHI Volume 4: Modern History (Media Blasters) A group of reincarnated souls joins an heiress in search of her missing brother.
(O) PEACEMAKER Volume 7: Decision (ADV) In the series finale, the rebels plot to burn Kyoto, but walk into a trap. Meanwhile, Susumu runs up against a female ninja.
(O) POOH'S HEFFALUMP HALLOWEEN MOVIE (Buena Vista) Spook season in the Hundred Acre Woods. With games, recipes, DVD-ROM content and more.
(O) RAMBO Volume 3: S.A.V.A.G.E. Island (Lions Gate)
(O) RAMBO Volume 4: Up In Arms (Lions Gate) Eleven episodes each of the 1986 cartoonized version of Sylvester Stallone's violent action trilogy.
(O) RUNE SOLDIER Complete Collection (ADV) Entire 6-disc fantasy adventure in a thinpak set.
(O) SHADOW STAR NARUTARU Volume 3 (Central Park) Episodes 8-10. While developing a psychic link with her alien friend, Shiina learns a terrible secret.
(O) SHURA NO TOKI: Age of Chaos Volume 6 (Media Blasters) Episodes 23-26. More samurai action, plus outtakes.
(O) TENCHI THE MOVIE 3: Tenchi Forever! (Geneon) Ayeka and Ryoko track down the missing Tenchi in an alternative Tokyo where he's never met them.
(O) TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON: A New Beginning (Paramount) The Autobots evacuate a planet threatened by a black hole. But is it really the end? Or Is It? Isn't it more like a kind of beginning in a way? Like a new beginning? For everyone? Hm... I wonder... Oh well.
(O) WEEBLES: Sharing the Fun! (Paramount) The Playskool toys in CGanime adventures aimed at pre-schoolers. In case you forgot, they wobble but they don't fall down, producing waves of raw jealousy in those of us who do, indeed, fall down.
(O) YU-GI-OH!: The Final Face-Off (Funimation) Special hockey episodes.

And be sure to check back next weekand every weekfor CINESCAPE's Anime Avalanche! And check in every Tuesday for the latest DVD Shopping List!

Anime Avalanche (© 2005 Brian Thomas) is our weekly animation column. Brian Thomas is the author of the massive book VideoHound's DRAGON: ASIAN ACTION & CULT FLICKS, available now!

Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at DVDShoppingList@cinescape.com.