Animejin News - 10th September 1999

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ECTS report
===========

ECTS, Europe's annual interactive entertainment trade show has just been
held, and a few forthcoming releases of interest to anime fans were
revealed: 

Jade Cocoon
This game from Japanese developer Genki, has animated cut-scenes produced
by Studio Ghibli, with character designs by Hayao Miyazaki himself. The
game has been described as a cross between a traditional RPG and Pokemon.
The English version has been produced by new US company Crave
Entertainment.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
The first two games in Namco's Ace Combat series were just air combat
simulations, but innovations for the third in the series include
characters, an ongoing story, and most importantly, lots of anime
cut-scenes (reminded me of Macross Plus).

Other anime-ish Japanese games on show that are lined up for a UK release
included Final Fantasy VIII, Star Ocean 2, Saga frontier 2, Legend of
Legia, Master of Monsters and Chocobo Racing. 

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X/1999 Theatrical Premiere
==========================

The date of the premiere of X/1999, Manga Entertainment's next theatrical
release, has been set at 15th October as part of the Leeds International
Film Festival. Details of other showings are yet to be announced. 

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Current UK anime release schedule
=================================

Unfortunately, the Ghost in the Shell DVD from Manga Video has missed it's
October release date due to authoring problems, and because of Christmas,
can't now be released until February. On the plus side, Astroboy and
Rayearth are back on the schedule.

All of the following dates are subject to change. 

Out Now       : Legend of Crystania - Resurrection of the Gods' King (A),
                Yotoden (A)
13th September: Fist of the North Star TV vol. 5 (M),
                Fist of the North Star TV vol. 6 (M)
4th October   : Slayers - Explosion Array (A), Sakura Wars (A),
                Sonic The Hedgehog - The Movie (A)
11th October  : Fist of the North Star TV vol. 7 (M), Perfect Blue (M)
15th October  : X/1999 (M - Theatrical)
November      : Fist of the North Star TV vol. 8 (M) 
December      : Fist of the North Star TV vol. 9 (M) 
January       : Fist of the North Star TV vol. 10 (M) 
February      : Astroboy vol. 1 (M) 
21st February : Ghost in the Shell (M - DVD) 
March         : Rayearth vol. 1 (M) 

(A)=ADV Films, (M)=Manga Entertainment, (P)=Pioneer Anime, (V)=MVM

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