Anime Central 2003
Friday Industry s
Company Representative: Sakurai Susumu, editor
Mr. Sakurai Susumu of Raijin Comics held the first Industry at Anime Central.
Having only premiered their weekly manga publication earlier this year, Raijin had no new licenses to announce. Mr. Susumu did ask what kind of titles the audience would like to see published in the future. Mr. Susumu mentioned that a number of manga artists are now drawing political stories in the same vein as First President of Japan.
It was explained that Raijin Games and Anime, or "Fujin" was folded into Raijin not because of poor sales but because printing costs were too high and the staff resources can be best managed with one publication.
Coming out in Japan soon is voice actor, although Gackt has already acted in the live action movie Moonchild.
graphic novels:
June: First of the Blue Sky, Slam Dunk, The First President of Japan
July: Grappler Baki
Raijin graphic novels will be released at prices "comparable to other US releases."
Studio Representative: Stephen Tang
Pioneer's at Anime Central was slightely delayed as singer Yoko Ishida's concert ran late. While waiting for Ms. Ishida, Mr. Tang held a Q&A session.
Once fully underway, the had one major announcement, Pioneer had licensed all 12 episodes of the Someday's Dreamer's TV series that aired in Japan this winter. At this time there is no release date announced, although a 2004 release is probable.
With regards to the Mahoromatic year end specials, Pioneer is currently negotiating for the right to release them. The two year end specials feature a look back at the season, using footage from the season but featuring new vocal material.
Pioneer's release of anamorphic. It was also explained that some of the edits to the TV series occurred because there had already been a lawsuit in Europe regarding some of the trademarks used in the series.
All Pioneer slipcase boxes for future titles will be limited edition boxes. This contrasts the corporate philosophy of other companies such as Haibane Renmei was shown alongside the first Japanese volume to illustrate this point.
The pencil board.
Following this, Mr. Tang re-iterated a number of releases:
Volume 1 comes out on June 6th.
Studio Representative: Saki Yamashita
Synch-Point reiterated their licenses of the DigiCharat Movie and the Aquarian Age may be optioned, but that they currently have "no plans" regarding this or any other title.
The second volume of FLCL, due out on July 22nd.
Explaining Synch-Point's slow DVD release schedule, Ms. Yamashita stated that the delays were due in part to their limited production staff, but also because of their rigorous quality checking process. To their credit, to date, there have been no complaints of any defects on any of the Synch-Point DVD releases.
Synch-Point/Anime FLCL 3 and box a month before it's general release date.
Studio Representative: Keith Burgess
Manga Entertainment had no licensing announcements to make, but Manga does hold the option to Read or Dream. According to Burgess, "We would be kinda stupid if we didn't [license it].”
The 10th Anniversary release of dub Gunbuster because they don't feel that it needs a dub and they do not want to risk the possibility of a bad dub on such a classic.
On the other hand, if they re-do Memories, remains significantly too expensive for any North American Anime studio to license.
Mr. Burgess noted that the 10th anniversary of Ghost in the Shell is quickly approaching, but did not mention any preparations yet for the film's anniversary.
bookmark/share with:
back to archives