Animejin News - 12th July 2002

This is the 205th irregular bulletin comprising the latest news section
from Animejin - an independent, non-profit UK anime (Japanese animation)
website. Please visit us at http://www.animejin.org.uk. All feedback
welcome. 

PLEASE NOTE: I am moving home soon. If anyone needs to know my new
address, please contact me.

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Manga Entertainment press release
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<begin quote>

                     MANGA ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT:
                          MASAMUNE SHIROW'S
               URBAN CRIME FIGHTING MECHA MASTERPIECE

                             APPLESEED

                          on DVD 22/7/02

Based on the successful international comic book series by Masamune Shirow,
Manga Entertainment presents a high-octane race against time where the
future of a civilisation hangs in the balance

After the devastation of World War III, the scattered governments of the
world have engineered a modern utopia - a refuge governed by artificially
created half-human, half-robot Biodroids. Life in Olympus is carefully
controlled and monitored - and some of their human populations have had
enough. A dedicated band of terrorists plot to destry Gaia, the central
computer, and restore freedom to mankind. After a daring raid of a high
security facility, they have the weapons and information they need to
complete their mission - including the key to the end of Gaia. Will they be
stopped before they ruin the dream of paradise?

Appleseed takes us into the explosive world of the extra Special Weapons
and tactics squad of the Olympus police force, as they battle against those
who would destroy their utopia.

DVD FEATURES: Commentary Track: Jonathan Clements (co-author of the anime
encyclopedia) in conversation with Larissa Murray (the voice of Dunan),
English Audio 5.1, Japanese Audio 2.0, English Subtitle Option, Photo
Gallery, Chapter Selection, Manga trailers.

<end quote>

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Columbia Tristar news
=====================

I recently attended a press screening of Metropolis at which I had the
opportunity to question a representative of Columbia Tristar UK about their
future anime-related plans. The important news is that she confirmed that
they are planning a UK release for the Cowboy Bebop movie. A theatrical
release is still uncertain, but a VHS/DVD release should be out early next
year at the latest. No other releases are planned (rumours connecting them
with the Cowboy Bebop TV series are unfounded).

With regards to Metropolis: the forthcoming DVD is a two disc set featuring
an anamorphic widescreen transfer, English, Japanese and Russian
soundtracks, subtitles in English (original translation), English
(theatrical version), Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Hindi, Icelandic,
Hebrew, Bulgarian, Turkish, Danish or Swedish, a 'making of' documentary,
filmmaker interviews, trailers, 2 animation comparisons, 'History of
Metropolis', photo gallery and filmographies. It even has its own website
at http://www.metropolisdvd.co.uk. 

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Current UK anime release schedule
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All of the following dates are subject to change.

Out now:       Generator Gawl vol. 1 (AD), Gasaraki vol. 1 (AD),
               Gunsmith Cats (AD)
22nd July:     Metropolis (CB), Appleseed (MD)
8th August:    Generator Gawl vol. 2 (AB), Gasaraki vol. 2 (AB)
19th August:   Shadow Skill (MD)

Forthcoming:   Fist of the North Star (MD),  End of Evangelion (MD),
               Patlabor 1+2 (MD), Samurai X: The Movie (AD), Slayers (AD),
               Ninja Resurrection (AD), Samurai X (AD), Burn up W (AD),
               Sin: The Movie (AD), Dirty Pair Flash (AD),
               Excel Saga (AB), Sakura Diaries (AB), Fruits Basket (FB),
               Yu Yu Hakusho (FB), Oh My Goddess Movie (VB),
               Lupin III: Secret of The Twilight Gemini (FB)

(A)=ADV Films, (M)=Manga Entertainment, (V)=MVM, (F)=Funimation,
(C)=Columbia Tristar, (T)=VHS tape, (D)=DVD, (B)=Both

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This document is Copyright Jonathan Weeks. It may be freely distributed for
non-profit purposes, providing it is not altered.

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