CGanimals still on top

By BRIAN THOMAS     May 06, 2006

Viz Media and the Cartoon Network have teamed up to create Toonami Jetstream, a new broadband service that will provide on-demand, full-length streaming episodes of a number of hit animé and action series, including acclaimed hit series NARUTO and SAMURAI JACK. In addition, users will also be able to watch full-length episodes of series like HIKARU NO GO, MÄR and THE PRINCE OF TENNIS that are not currently offered on U.S. broadcast or basic cable television. These free (ad supported) programs launch July 17 with new content added weekly. Other titles in the pipeline include IGPX, MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR and the new ZOIDS GENESIS.

And now, we open our Prize Closet once again. We have two copies BARBIE DIARIES to give away, courtesy of Lions Gate. To enter to win a prize, you must send us an email containing your name and valid mailing address to psycho@psychotronic.info and put "SMOOTH OPERATOR" in the email subject line.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Now, only in theaters:

(O) ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN (Fox)
(O) THE WILD (Disney) To everyone's surprise, these two CGanime features stayed in the top ten over last weekend, taking position 7 and 9, respectively. Is THE WILD surviving simply on the strength of tickets sold to families who already saw ICE AGE 2? Could be. Or maybe we've gotten to the point where viewers will select an animated feature on an equal level with live-action movies, and the market will support more than one cartoon at a time.

NEW DVD RELEASES

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

(O) ANIMATION RUNNER KUROMI 2 (Central Park) Further adventures of a anime studio grunt. Includes featurettes, interviews and more.
(O) BABY FELIX & FRIENDS Volume 1: His Magic Bag of Tricks (First National) Felix the Kitten in 5 episodes, plus ten stickers. BANNER OF THE STARS Complete Collection (Bandai)
(O) THE BARBIE DIARIES (Lions Gate) "Fab friends, big dreams and a rockin' adventure." Find out what Barbie does when she's not starring in remakes of fairy

tales. Includes outtakes, bloopers, games karaoke and music video. Also available in a gift set with diary. Delayed from January.
(O) BEST OF BORIS & NATASHA Volume 1 (Classic Media) Adventures featuring Rocky & Bullwinkle's arch enemies.
(O) BEST OF ROCKY & BULLWINKLE Volume 1 (Classic Media) Moose and squirrel engage in 3 adventures over 16 chapters.
(O) CHAINS OF LUST (Central Park) A woman is trapped in a taboo underworld of passion in this Anime 18 release.
(O) COWBOY BEBOP REMIX Volume 5 (Bandai) Includes bonus episode, interviews and music clips.
(O) DR. KATZ PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST Season 1 (Comedy Central) Comic Jonathan Katz stars as a befuddled shrink whose sessions with patients (voiced by comic guest stars) are interrupted by his demented adult son. All six episodes on one disc, plus commentraks, bonus shorts and bits from SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATER and more.
(O) DRAGON DRIVE Complete Collection Set 1 (Bandai)
(O) GANKUTSUOU: The Count of Monte Cristo Chapter 4 (Geneon) Acts 13-16. The Count creates a delicious sandwich.
(O) G GUNDAM Anime Legends Complete Collection 1 (Bandai)
(O) GLUP (Image) Spanish CGanime feature in which a girl becomes in a magical land when she wanders into a garbage dump.
(O) MICHEL Volume 1: Beware the Black Hammers (ADV) A kid on the run hides out on an island of fairies.
(O) MY-HiME Volume 2 (Bandai) Episodes 5-8. Her life as a HiME, caring for her brother, and just being a teenager begins to take a toll on Mai.
(O) ROBOTECH REMASTERED Extended Edition 3 (ADV) Everyone hopes that a wedding between Earth and Zentraedi pilots will bring peace. Episodes 25-36 on two discs.
(O) SABER MARIONETTE J to X (Bandai) Sequel series brings overwhelming new emotions to Cherry, Lime and Bloodberry which impede their ability to deal with a new enemy. All 25 episodes on 6 discs.
(O) UFO ULTRAMAIDEN VALKYRIE Volume 2 (ADV) Valkyrie is pursued by the Interstellar Pirate Guild, a shape-shifting alien and a gang of cat girls. Includes interviews, featurettes and more.

UMD CORNER

(O) FAMILY GUY: Freakin' Sweet Collection (Fox) 5 episodes and featurette.
(O) IKKI-TOUSEN Volume 1: Legendary Fighter (Geneon)
(O) SILENT HILL: EXPERIENCE (Konami) Comics, game video clips, music tracks and an interview with the movie director.

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 (© 2006 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.