Former Ocean actor Gerard Plunkett can currently be seen in the cult favorite film Snakes on Plane, playing the snobby, British businessman Paul. Thanks to Brent Long for this news item.

Ever since Cartoon Network gave the greenlight to producing a full IGPX TV series, Production I.G. has been posting regular updates to show the step by step process of creating the series. The newest report is written by Eric P. Sherman of Bang Zoom! Entertainment to give you a glimpse of the recording process with veteran voice actors and Hollywood film stars. Thanks to Brent Long for this news item.

Cartoon Network’s [adult swim] website has been update with a Behind-the-Scenes video featuring Johnny Yong Bosch dubbing his character Renton Thurston for the series Eureka 7. While watching you can also spot writer/director Tony Oliver, associate producer Mami Okada, and recording engineer Marco Bustos. Thanks to Brent Long for this news item.

Bang Zoom! Entertainment is opening their doors to potential future voice actors by holding three one day training sessions to show attendants the ropes. The 8 hour one day classes in the Burbank, CA area will be held on the Saturdays of Sept. 16th, Oct. 14th, and Nov. 4th for $299. Those wishing to sign up can check out the form here. Veteran VAs Lex Lang and Sandy Fox will be instructing the class.

(more…)

August 11, 2006

                                                                                                           
The Epic Adventure Begins!
“NOEIN VOLUME ONE” PREMIERES ON DVD FROM
MANGA ENTERTAINMENT
Five Ground-Breaking Episodes From the Acclaimed Anime Series
Invade Our Dimension October 17th, 2006
Chicago, IL – Time bends… Space folds… Adventure abounds! From the number one rated anime series on the Bandai TV Channel in Japan comes Noein Volume One from Manga Entertainment, an IDT Entertainment company. One of the most innovative anime productions ever, with over 6000 cels shot per episode – twice the average for a normal TV animated series – Noein (or To Your Other Self) Volume One on DVD presents the first five installments starting October 17^th with the down-to-earth SRP of $19.98. Pre-book is September 6th.
As described by director Kazuki Akane (“Geneshaft,” “Escaflowne”), “Noein” is the anime genre’s “Stand By Me.” In the near future, a violent battle takes place between the dimension La’cryma (protector of humanity) and dimension Shangri-La, bent on the annihilation of all space-time. A group known as the Dragon Calvary is dispatched through space and time, searching for the only thing that can stop the invasion: the Dragon’s Torque. In the present, twelve-year old Haruka and her friend Yuu are contemplating running away from home when they meet a member of the Dragon Calvary named Karasu (Crow). He believes that Haruka possesses the Dragon’s Torque - and claims to be Yuu from fifteen years in the future…
Public response to Noein has been tremendous, with the ratings 1.5 times greater than the previous record-holder for #1 rated anime show in Japan. Fan reviews on Anime-Source.com have been similarly enthusiastic, with raves including “superb,” “…an amazing series,” and “…by far this is the greatest anime this season!”
Noein Volume One on DVD features the first five exciting installments:
1.Blue Snow   2. Runaway    3. Hunted       4. Friends       5. And Then…
Not only will consumers receive an “extreme value” with five episodes housed on one disc – the average anime DVD contains four episodes at a substantially higher SRP – but can also thrill to the following value-added bonus features:

• Widescreen presentation (1.78:1), enhanced for 16×9 TVs
• Behind-The-Scenes: On Location with Actors and Directors (14:35)
• Two Alternate Openings
• Textless Opening and Ending
• Original Japanese Promos

Noein Volume One
Pre-Book Date: September 6th, 2006    Street Date: October 17th, 2006
Cat. #: M2063      ISBN: 0 1313 82063-9 8  Not Rated
Running Time: 157 minutes; 25 minutes extras    SRP: $19.98
English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo; Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo;
Close-Captioned; with English Subtitles
Manga Entertainment Inc. specializes in the production and distribution of Japanese animation for theatrical, DVD and home video release worldwide. Manga’s cutting-edge film collection also features Asian live-action, cult, pop-culture and international animation. The Manga film library is marketed and distributed in the U.S. through Anchor Bay Entertainment, a subsidiary of IDT Entertainment. Manga is headquartered in Chicago and has offices in London and Tokyo. www.manga.com
Manga Entertainment is an IDT Entertainment company.  IDT Entertainment is a vertically integrated entertainment company that develops, produces, and distributes proprietary and licensed entertainment content.

Active Anime has an audio interview with Texas actor Chris Ayres up, covering his recently announced ADR Director duties on ADV’s upcoming Narima Daikon Brothers.

NINJA NONSENSE: THE LEGEND OF SHINOBU DVD 3: NINJAS ON FIRST

Pre-book date: 10/3/2006 - Street date: 10/31/2006
Approximately 80 minutes, Dolby Digital Stereo, Color.
Genre: Comedy

DVD (English, Japanese, English Subtitles, English On-Screen Translations)

Catalog#: RSDVD8063
Suggested Rating: 15+
ISBN: 1-57032-823-4
UPC#: 7-42617-8063-2-2
SRP: $29.99

It’s Super Explosive Pervy Ninja Insanity in Right Stuf International’s latest release: NINJA NONSENSE DVD 3: NINJAS ON FIRST!

Take the comedy of SOUTH PARK, combine it with one totally cute (and naive) ninja-girl trainee, a horde of ninjas under the perverse tutelage of her headmaster: a strange, yellow, spherical, pudgy… creature… named Onsokumaru, and you get the craziest, most hilarious anime show ever created!

Onsokumaru is stuck to his arch-nemesis, Miyabi! It’s starting to look like the only way to detach him might be… a Miyabi strip show?! Next, the men want to play baseball, so the girls should take their sissy games someplace else! At least, that’s how Onsokumaru feels… The only way to settle this dispute is with a baseball match, girls versus boys! And then, Kaede’s school is having a festival, complete with a haunted house! What costume would be best for Shinobu? Cat-girl? Erotic imp?

Shinobu’s got a new pet: a 15-foot tall monster plant! When ninjas, butterflies and cats start going missing, all fingers point towards Shinobu’s “cuddly” friend… Then, at last, the infamous hot springs episode! Onsokumaru is foaming at the mouth for a chance to see some skin! Miyabi’s stationed magical guardians around the women’s bath… but where there is a ninja will, there is a ninja way! Finally, poor Kaede is sick. It’s a good thing Shinobu and Onsokumaru are around to take care of her! Of course, Onsokumaru has his own agenda - like hitting on Kaede’s mom!

BONUS DVD CONTENT INCLUDES:
Reversible Cover, Interview with the Japanese Cast Part 1, TV Spots 10-14, Textless Closing, Right Stuf Trailers, Scene Access, English Audio, Japanese Audio, English Subtitles & On Screen Translations, PLUS a 10-page print booklet featuring Happy Doodles from the Japanese Staff, Liner Notes, Japanese Production Journals and more!

BOOGIEPOP DVD THINPAK COLLECTION
(BOOGIEPOP PHANTOM TV SERIES + BOOGIEPOP AND OTHERS LIVE-ACTION MOVIE)

Pre-book date: 10/3/2006 - Street date: 10/31/2006
Approximately 518 minutes, Dolby Digital Stereo, Color.
Genre: Science Fiction / Thriller

DVD (5.1 and 2.0 English*, 2.0 Japanese, English Subtitles, English On Screen Translations)

Catalog#: RSDVD2019
Suggested Rating: 15+
ISBN: 1-57032-752-1
UPC#: 7-42617-2019-2-9
SRP: $49.99

The ground breaking horror series returns just in time for Halloween!

Based on the best-selling Boogiepop novels by Kouhei Kadono and seen on TV, Boogiepop is a brilliant masterpiece of a psycho-thriller that delves into the darkest depths of the human condition and exposes it.

This new Boogiepop Thinpak Collection contains both the original 13-episode anime cult phenomenon Boogiepop Phantom TV series as well as its live-action counterpart movie Boogiepop and Others to form a perfect package for horror fans.

ABOUT THE BOOGIEPOP PHANTOM TV SERIES:
Since its initial release, the large underground popularity of the Boogiepop Phantom TV series has vaulted it to the rare status of legendary anime cult phenomenon. The series combines amazing animation techniques of Studio Madhouse (TRINITY BLOOD / TEXHNOLYZE / DEATH NOTE / NINJA SCROLL / VAMPIRE HUNTER D) with direction by Watanabe Takashi (SLAYERS / IKKI TOUSEN / SHAKUGAN NO SHANA) and screenplays by Sadayuki Murai (MILLENNIUM ACTRESS / PERFECT BLUE / STEAMBOY) to produce a mind-bending story combining the stylistic nature of Serial Experiments Lain or Texhnolyze with the episodic nature and dark twisting plotlines of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction.

Five years ago, a string of grisly murders shook the city to its core and now the rumors have begun once more. Boogiepop… Everyone knows about Boogiepop: meet her one dark night and you are taken. People tell each other the stories and laugh; no one believes that she can possibly exist in this day and age. Still, strange things are going on and the darkness is taking many forms. Something is out there. Are you safe?

ABOUT THE BOOGIEPOP AND OTHERS LIVE-ACTION MOVIE:

With scenario work by Sadayuki Murai (BOOGIEPOP PHANTOM / PERFECT BLUE / COWBOY BEBOP) and directed by Ryu Kaneda (VIDEO GIRL AI / SHENMUE), Boogiepop and Others is the quietly chilling tale of ten high school students whose lives are all intertwined in a twisted and deadly web of secrets.

The cold dead of night is a dangerous time to be near the Shinyo Academy. Girls have begun to mysteriously disappear without a trace, and the school is alive with rumors. Some say the girls are just runaways, but with each new disappearance, a lingering fear grows ever stronger - fear that a shinigami… the very spirit of death… is prowling through the streets of the city. They say you never see it coming… a lone whistle splits the dark silence, and it suddenly appears behind you to steal your soul…

BOOGIEPOP PHANTOM TV SERIES BONUS DVD CONTENT INCLUDES:
Line Art Gallery, Producer Notes, Character Notes, Music Videos for the Opening and Closing Songs, Original Fruits Music Video, Original Boogiepop Music Video, Five Original Japanese Promo Trailers, Ongoing English Producer’s Commentary, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 English Audio, Dolby Digital 2.0 Japanese Audio, and English Subtitles.

BOOGIEPOP AND OTHERS LIVE-ACTION MOVIE BONUS DVD CONTENT INCLUDES:
Two special featurettes with close to 50 minutes of behind the scenes footage and interviews with the Japanese cast and crew! History of Boogiepop, Director’s Commentary, Storyboards, “Boogiepop in Yubari” Premiere Featurette, “Making of Boogiepop” Featurette, Cast and Staff Bios, Original Boogiepop Trailers, Right Stuf Trailers

*=The Boogiepop and Others Movie is 2.0 Japanese Audio with English subtitles only

GRAVITATION TV SERIES DVD THINPAK COLLECTION

Pre-book date: 10/3/2006 - Street date: 10/31/2006
Approximately 325 minutes, Dolby Digital Stereo, Color.
Genre: Drama / Romance

DVD (English, Japanese, English Subtitles, English On Screen Translations)

Catalog#: RSDVD2015
Suggested Rating: 13+
ISBN: 1-57032-813-7
UPC#: 7-42617-2015-2-3
SRP: $59.99

Right Stuf International is proud to announce a complete DVD Thinpak collection of the Gravitation TV Series! Based on Maki Murakami’s best-selling graphic novel series, Gravitation has been hailed as one of the best romantic titles of all time by Anime Insider, and has been seen by TV audiences across the nation on channels such as The Anime Network, Imaginasian TV, and Comcast’s Anime Selects!

All Shuichi ever dreamed about was following in the footsteps of his pop idol, Ryuichi Sakuma and the band Nittle Grasper. Together with his best friend Hiro, Shuichi’s formed a band called Bad Luck and they’ve even managed to get signed to a major recording label! Unfortunately, the studio deadlines are looming and Shuichi still hasn’t finished the lyrics for any of the songs. What he needs is a little inspiration… but he’s been running a little low in that department lately. While Hiro recommends finding a girlfriend, fate has other things in store for him…

Walking through the park late one night, Shuichi’s latest lyrics flutter away and land at the feet of a stunning stranger that takes his breath away. Unfortunately, that mysterious stranger happens to be the famous novelist Eiri Yuki, who completely crushes the young singer by telling him he has “zero talent”. Now, Shuichi’s so annoyed that he’s managed to finish his song just so he can find and confront Yuki once again. But, are his actions really motivated by anger, or has he actually fallen in love?

Contains the entire 13 episode series!

BONUS DVD CONTENT INCLUDES:
US Gravitation Debut Trailer, Textless Opening and Closing, Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper Profiles, Art Gallery, Liner Notes, ASK and BL Support Files, Eiri Yuki Unmasked!

Graphic of cover is located at:
http://www.rightstuf.com/outgoing/sleeves/rsdvd2015.jpg

MAPLE COLORS DVD

Pre-book date: 10/3/2006, Street date: 10/31/2006.
Approximately 60 minutes, Dolby Digital Stereo, Color.
Erotic Drama

DVD (English/Japanese Audio, English Subtitles, English On-Screen Translations)

Catalog#: CMDVD6962
UPC#: 7-42617-6962-2-0
Suggested Rating: 18+
SRP: $29.99

The new transfer student, Yoshijiro, fits right into class 2-B - the biggest collection of rejects, losers and weirdoes the Academy has ever seen! But his loser status is about to be upgraded to top dog. On his very first day, he manages to feel up his new teacher, have sex with a busty brunette in the bathroom, and even catch a peepshow with the school slut as she goes all the way with her latest boy toy!

But this newly elevated stud is about to meet his match in the bossy, blonde-haired beauty Mirai. Not only does this hot little firecracker carry around a baseball bat, but she isn’t afraid to use it! She orders Yoshijiro to rally all the students of 2-B in order to prove that they’re more than just useless losers. How? He’s going to have hot, wild sex with every girl in the class until they’re willing to join Mirai’s cause!

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
Art Gallery, Outtakes, Original US Maple Colors Trailer, Scene Access, Critical Mass Video Trailers, 2.0 Dolby Digital Japanese and English Audio with Regular and “Soft” Subtitles for on screen translations.

Graphic of cover is located at:
http://www.rightstuf.com/outgoing/sleeves/cmdvd6962.jpg

FUNimation has updated their FUNi Films website with a list of theaters which will be showing the Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa film before the DVD release in September. Most showings will take place on August 25th and 26th with several more to be decided soon.

FUNimation Acquires “Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles” Feature Film from Harmony Gold 

Fort Worth, TX, August 2, 2006 — FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation and the market share leader for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States, announced today that it has acquired rights to the feature film “Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles” from Harmony Gold. In the agreement, FUNimation acquired home video, broadcast and theatrical rights to this movie that delivers the continuation that fans have been anticipating for 20 years.

“Robotech is the series that introduced an entire generation to anime,” said Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO of FUNimation. “It captured fans with its tremendous storylines and great storytelling. The Robotech series also ended on a cliffhanger that left fans waiting for 20 years. FUNimation is very excited to be part of the team that will bring expectant fans the ending they have been waiting for in Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles.”

“While I watched over Robotech for the past twenty years, we were met with boundless enthusiasm from fans and companies alike,” explained Frank Agrama, executive producer and CEO of Harmony Gold. “Robotech has a timeless quality that will live on forever. Then when I met this enthusiastic leader named Gen from FUNimation, I knew he had the right energy to help us take it twenty more years into the future.”

Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, is the latest exciting chapter of the Robotech saga. A heroic cast of returning characters, led by Scott Bernard and Vince Grant, fight to end a decades-long struggle against an enigmatic alien race known as the Invid. However, the mysterious disappearance of the legendary Admiral Hunter will unfold in a treacherous mystery that could tear apart our young heroes and threaten their very survival!

Tommy Yune, director of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, explains, “Beneath the mesmerizing science fiction and anime world of Robotech, lies a palette of endearing characters that have become a part of the lives of countless fans. We couldn’t leave their story unfinished. It’s about time for Robotech to open this new chapter and more!”

Featuring the voices of Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), the animation of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles also takes a generational leap into the future through a technological marriage of CG graphics beautifully composited with vibrant anime characters. The heightened production values showcase high-definition video, 5.1 digital surround sound, and an incredible musical score performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. FUNimation plans to release the Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles DVD on November 21, 2006.

About Harmony Gold:
Harmony Gold has been active in the production, acquisition and distribution of quality programming worldwide since its inception in 1983, producing some of the television industry’s classic and history-making programs. Visit harmonygold.com or robotech.com for additional information.

About FUNimation Entertainment:
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR), is the leading company for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States. The company’s most recent initiative is the FUNimation ChannelSM, a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation or any of its properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or jeff.dronen@funimation.com.

Voice actor Jeff Winkless passed away June 26 due to a brain tumor. While he’d been living and working in the Chicago area for the last five years, he did many roles for Streamline Pictures during the 90s, including the demonic Kato in Doomed Megalopolis and vampire count Magnus Lee in Vampire Hunter D. Thanks to Brent Long for this news item.