Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Anime at the Leeds Film Festival
The Leeds International Film Festival has published its programme for this year, revealing a few items of interest to anime fans, including two UK premieres. In the festival are showings of Cowboy Bebop ( http://www.leedsfilm.com/filmpage.asp?filmId=149), Tamala 2010 ( http://www.leedsfilm.com/filmpage.asp?filmId=325), Interstella 5555 ( http://www.leedsfilm.com/filmpage.asp?filmId=557), and a Kai Doh Maru / Blood: The Last Vampire double bill ( http://www.leedsfilm.com/filmpage.asp?filmId=483). The festival runs from 2nd - 12th October, with all the anime showings during the 4th October weekend.
Monday, September 22, 2003
The Cat Returns premiere at London Film Festival
Hot on the heals of Spirited Away, Optimum Releasing are bringing Studio Ghibli's latest feature, The Cat Returns to the UK as part of the London Film Festival next month. It will be shown on 25th October at the Odeon West End (Leicester Square). Details are on the LFF website at http://www.lff.org.uk/films_details.php?FilmID=43
Friday, September 12, 2003
More Miyazaki movies due soon
The website Anime Digital has reported ( http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/news/20030910.html) that Buena Vista Home Entertainment have issued a press release announcing the UK release of two classic Hayao Miyazaki movies. Both Castle in the Sky and Kiki's Delivery Service are given a release date of 27th October.
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Kiddy Grade heading to the UK
MVM confirmed to me today that Funimation have acquired the UK rights to the TV series Kiddy Grade, and will be releasing it through them in the UK next year.
In other MVM news, the remaining Urusei Yatsura movies will be released monthly starting in October, the first volume of Serial Experiments Lain should be out in November, and Fruits Basket is penciled in to start in February. They will not be releasing anything at all in December or January.
Toonami replaces CNX
Toonami is the name under which Cartoon Network broadcasts cartoons for an older audience. It has previously been a four hour daily segment on Cartoon Network and more recently CNX, but as of this week it has become a stand-alone channel, replacing CNX. Anime on Toonami consists of Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT, Gundam Wing, Tenchi Muyo and Outlaw Star. Outlaw Star is notable as it is show uncut in a late night timeslot.
Friday, September 05, 2003
Official UK Spirited Away website launched
Optimum Releasing have opened an official UK website for Spirited Away at http://www.spirited-away.co.uk. In case you need reminding, the movie opens in the UK next week in 50 cinemas nationwide.
Metropolis on Sky Premier
The anime movie Metropolis has appeared in the listings for Sky Movie Premier. The first showing will be on 28th September and the last on 31st October. It is being shown alongside Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
ADV launches Hellsing website
From an official press release:
"LONDON, UK, 1st September 2003-ADV Films today announced the launch of www.advfilms.co.uk/hellsing, a brand-new, content-rich website dedicated to the succesful new horror title Hellsing. Volume 1, Hellsing: Impure Souls is already available in stores, and volume 2 - Hellsing: Blood Brothers will be released on the 22nd September 2003."
"Inside ADV's official Hellsing website, you will find a vast assortment of information, and other delights, that are sure to whet your appetite for Hellsing as thoroughly as a vampire that's just stepped into a blood bank. Among the items you'll find at your disposal are character biographies, episode overviews, weapons specifications, galleries, and exclusive downloadable Hellsing items. The Hellsing Organization is at your disposal, so browse through her archives at your leisure."
"In addition, ADV's web development team reports that the site includes a number of "omake"-hidden "Easter Egg" special features...but you might need Vampire vision to find them!"
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Colorful! press release
ADV Films have sent me a press release for Colorful!
"LONDON, UK, 1st September 2003-ADV Films today announced the 20th October 2003 release of Colorful!, a hilarious and sexy animated romp available in the U.K. for the first time. Screening audiences for the title have laughed themselves silly at Colorful's brand of politically incorrect, sacred-cow-tipping humor, which takes particular aim at the randy idiocy of the human male."
"Based on Torajiro Kishi's manga of the same name, and originally aired as part of the Japanese late-night television program "Wonderful," Colorful! was directed by Ryutaro Nakamura (Sakura Wars, Serial Experiments Lain) and produced by TBS. Here in the UK it screened on Sky's music channel Scuzz."
"The Story:
Two horny college slackers and a beautiful professor. A frustrated TV reporter. A sexy track star and her tempted coach. And a high school girlzilla that's the size of the Empire State building. Colorful! contains over 50 vignettes of men, women, and the pursuit of... well, you'll just have to see. From hotties on subways and perverted cabbies, to panty-obsessed video geeks, sexy mall babes, and the furry phenomenon, Colorful! is a strange, deranged, racy and hilarious dose of animated Viagra! (And if live action is more your style, check out the behind-the-scenes documentary that shows the twisted, demented cast and crew that bring Colorful! to vivid life!)"
"Colorful! (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, including both English- and Japanese-language versions, and English subtitles. Extras include the aforementioned Behind-the-Scenes documentary, as well as clean opening animation, clean closing animation, original Japanese artwork, a Colorful! trailer, actor bios and ADV Previews."
Full Metal Panic volume 1 press release
ADV Films have sent me a press release for Full Metal Panic volume 1:
"LONDON, UK, 1st September 2003-ADV Films today announced a 20th October 2003 release date for the first volume of the hotly anticipated anime series Full Metal Panic! ADV Films is releasing Full Metal Panic! Mission 01 as an uncut Region 2 DVD with content identical to its Region 1 counterpart."
"Deftly combining mecha combat, martial arts, international criminal intrigue, high-school politics and a dash of teen romance, Full Metal Panic! was enthusiastically received by viewers in Japan. The creative staff behind Full Metal Panic! is extraordinarily strong. The series was directed by Kouichi Chigara (Gate Keepers, Phantom Quest Corps) and produced by GONZO Digimation (Hellsing, Blue Sub No. 6)."
"The Story:
On the surface, Kaname Chidori appears to be a normal, popular high school student. The problem is, she doesn't realize just how popular she is. Unbeknownst to her, a group of terrorists believe she possesses the special powers of "the Whispered," and they're out to kidnap her. Enter Sousuke Sagara, a young, hotshot agent from the stealthy anti-terrorist organization Mithril. Will he be able to protect Kaname without her finding out what's really going on? Or will he just drive her crazy as he tries to fit in as her awkward, gung-ho, war-crazed classmate?"
"Full Metal Panic! Mission 01 (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, including four complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include a reversible cover; a fold-out poster with in-depth background information printed on the reverse; clean opening and closing animations; production sketches, Japanese piracy warnings; and ADV Previews."
Monday, September 01, 2003
New anime on Fox Kids.
Fox Kids have announced ( http://www.foxkidseurope.com/press_release.cfm?articleid=16341), their aquisition of three new shows, including two anime titles: Sonic X and Shaman King. There is no indication yet of when they will be broadcast.
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