Kadokawa Pictures USA has started their first in, no doubt, a series of amusing ways to promote their licensing of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. It appears (and this is the wee hours of the morning) to be Patricia Ja Lee cosplaying as Haruhi as she promotes her plans to conquer America. This isn’t uncommon to see in Japan, but fairly rare in the US to take this kind of promotional route. Bandai Entertainment will be distributing the series on DVD and ### ##### will be dubbing it in ######.

 Haruhi Ed. Note: You can’t tell them who is dubbing it yet, that’s my fun!

Update: We can now reveal that Bang Zoom! Entertainment will be dubbing the series and have updated the cast page.

FUNimation recently announced that they would be re-releasing the Dragon Ball Z series episodes into sets. The episodes are being remastered and then converted to 480p 24frames with enhancement for HD. Naturally, the idea of cropping a fullscreen image into widescreen is going to cause a fuss amoungst the fans. So FUNi has put together a handy FAQ answering questions regarding the upcoming season sets, cropping issues, and the need to re-dub various moments to attempt to have a consistent dub over the 291 episodes.

NEW YORK, NY (December 19, 2006)  New and old anime fans alike will want to expand their collections when Central Park Media  re-releases and re-prices four of its classic anime DVDs on February 27, 2007.  The titles that will all be priced at just $9.95 SRP include Darkside Blues – the supernatural, action adventure film from the creator of Vampire Hunter D, Knights of Ramune – the entire 6-episode sci-fi series on one DVD, Odin: Starlight Mutiny – the sci-fi epic from the producer of Star Blazers, and Munto – the adventures of a psychic schoolgirl who must find the courage to save the world. 

The order date will be January 30, 2007 and the street date will be February 27, 2007.  All of these releases will contain English and Japanese language tracks with English subtitles.

Darkside Blues

From the creator of Vampire Hunter D!
Great for fans of Dark City and Queen of the Damned!

In the gothic landscape of the future, the Persona Century Corporation owns the world. Resistance is suppressed with lethal force, and the last rebels hide in a lawless freezone known as Darkside. But now, Darkside has spawned a new leader, a dark mystic with awesome pyschic powers.

DVD Features: Character Profiles, Trailers, English & Japanese with English Subtitles

Knights of Ramune

From the screenwriter of The Slayers and Photon!
Includes all 6 episodes!

DVD Features: Character Sketches, Character Profiles, Knights of Ramune Trailer, Additional Trailers, English & Japanese with English Subtitles, extensive DVD-ROM features

Odin: Starlight Mutiny

The year is 2099, and reckless space cadet Akira Tsukuba has landed his dream job as the pilot of the spaceship Starlight. He’s in for the adventure of his life when the crew rescues a beautiful amnesiac. Lured by the psychic call of a paradise planet, she leads the Starlight into a realm of genocidal robots! Now, Akira must face his worst nightmare for the chance to find paradise itself!

DVD Features: Trailers, English & Japanese with English Subtitles

Munto

DVD Features: Japanese Trailer, Previews, English & Japanese with English Subtitles

About Central Park Media
Central Park Media is a 16-year-old Manhattan-based independent video and book publisher focused on Japanese and Korean animation and graphic novels.  Central Park Media has been a leading supplier of anime in the United States since 1990, and a major publisher of manga since 1994.  The company currently manufactures and distributes animated video programming under several label names, including U.S. Manga Corps, Be Beautiful, Software Sculptors and Central Park Media, as well as live-action Asian feature films under its Asia Pulp Cinema label. 

With exclusive rights to hundreds of graphic novels, the company has become a leading North American publisher of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa.  Among CPM’s fan-favorite graphic novel titles are Lee Hyun Se’s Nambul (the best-selling manhwa in Korean publishing history), and Kia Asamiya’s Dark Angel.  Under its Be Beautiful imprint, the company also publishes popular yaoi manga such as the best-selling Kizuna: Bonds of Love (the best-selling yaoi title in Japanese publishing history).  Visit www.centralparkmedia.com, www.cpmpress.com and www.bebeautifulmanga.com for more information.

For high resolution, downloadable artwork and information, please visit CPM’s electronic press kit at www.centralparkmedia.com./cpmdb/presskit.cfm .

Arsene Lupin the Third, a.k.a. “The Wolf” to some older anime fans, has transformed from a little-known Japanese iconic character into a late-night Cartoon Network star in America since The Castle of Cagliostro was first released in 1991. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), Lupin the III: The Castle of Cagliostro has recieved an upgrade from the initial 2000 DVD edition with a brand new video master and DVD extras. Now new and old fans alike can enjoy this “Green Jacket” Lupin tale as Lupin searches for the legendary counterfeit-money printing-plates hidden within the Castle of Cagliostro and attempt to save Clarisse d’Cagliostro from her fate of marrying the evil Count Cagliostro. (more…)

Maple Colors from RightStuf’s Critical Mass Video label introduces us to a 2-episode OVA hentai based on a game from Crossnet. Yoshijiro Saku has transfered to a new Academy, but his fellow classroom 2-B peers are a colorful crowd, made of the rejects, weirdos, and losers of the school. Professor Sakamoto teaches the unruly students of 2-B and has just gained Yoshijiro as a new student when a new problem arises: spunky Mirai Aoi races out with a baseball bat to save a fellow student from some bullies. When Yoshijiro steps in to keep Mirai from hurting them, both students end up facing expulsion unless they can rally 2-B’s class into order to beat the theatrical club. (more…)

Released simultaneously world-wide from Geneon Entertainment comes the Japanese “girls with guns” film Cool Dimension: Innocent Assassin. Teaming Godzilla: Final Wars director Yoshikazu Ishii and Princess Blade action director Kenji Tanigaki, Cool Dimension brings together three leather-clad female assassins following orders in a live-action Yasuomi-Umetsu-styled (KITE/Mezzo Forte) version of Charlie’s Angels. J-idol-turned-actresses Yoko Mitsuya and Mitsuho Otani along with actress Mika Shigeizumi are on a mission to eliminate a dangerous man before he goes public with his information or a rival assassin group finishes the job first. (more…)

Neon-g has returned once again with another addition to the Ninja Vixens series, Ninja Vixens: Vixen Dropouts. Continuing the proud Japanese ninja girls tradition, Vixen Dropouts is a comedy title in the same vein as National Lampoon’s Animal House featuring the characters of N-class showing how the bottom-of-the-barrel ninja vixen student body can be just as good as the elites. Vixen Dropouts features a colorful cast with j-idol Nozomi Fujikawa, Japanese AV actress Miyu Inaba, Japanese AV actress and singer Airi Miyazawa, actress Yuka Nakatani, and actor Takashi Taniguchi in the role of a lifetime: playing a really ugly woman. (more…)

New York, NY ─ December 8, 2006 ─ The trailers have been submitted, the voting has ended and the anime community has spoken. The winning team of Kaneva and Central Park Media’s Otaku Invitational is Twilight Musuko with their trailer for Revolutionary Girl Utena, The Movie.

Held on Kaneva’s Hardcore Anime channel – one of many web Channels on Kaneva.com, a growing social entertainment world – contestants from around the global anime community competed to win their very own Central Park Media library. Each participant made their own trailer promoting Central Park Media’s fall lineup, choosing from a variety of series. In the end the four members who make up Twilight Musuko pulled away from the pack, winning by just 12 votes.

Central Park Media and Kaneva.com congratulate the winners of this one-of-a-kind event, and thank all of the contestants for their enthusiastic participation!

Anime fans can continue to join and participate in Kaneva’s Hardcore Anime Channel featuring:

• All trailer submissions from the Otaku Invitational
• A growing collection of Anime series trailers (nearly 100)
• User-generated Anime music videos and fan art
• An industry news blog
• Online contests and sweepstakes
• Message boards

About Kaneva:  The online social entertainment world,  Kaneva is a “canvas” enabling anyone to showcase and share their passions through the easy creation of Profiles and web Channels that include a wide range of media as well as online interaction opportunities and community. Kaneva also gives its members the ability to share media and interact with people in 3D – in a totally modern 3D Virtual World, providing the next generation interactive entertainment experience. To learn more visit www.kaneva.com.
About Central Park Media:
Central Park Media is a 16-year-old Manhattan-based independent video and book publisher focused on Japanese and Korean animation and graphic novels.  Central Park Media has been a leading supplier of anime in the United States since 1990, and a major publisher of manga since 1994.  The company currently manufactures and distributes animated video programming under several label names, including U.S. Manga Corps, Be Beautiful, Software Sculptors and Central Park Media, as well as live-action Asian feature films under its Asia Pulp Cinema label. 

With exclusive rights to hundreds of graphic novels, the company has become a leading North American publisher of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa.  Among CPM’s fan-favorite graphic novel titles are Lee Hyun Se’s Nambul (the best-selling manhwa in Korean publishing history), and Kia Asamiya’s Dark Angel.  Under its Be Beautiful imprint, the company also publishes popular yaoi manga such as the best-selling Kizuna: Bonds of Love (the best-selling yaoi title in Japanese publishing history).  Visit www.centralparkmedia.com, www.cpmpress.com and www.bebeautifulmanga.com for more information.

For high resolution, downloadable artwork and information, please visit CPM’s electronic press kit at www.centralparkmedia.com./cpmdb/presskit.cfm .

Bang Zoom! Entertainment has produced a sequel to their first [adult swim] video following the Behind-the-Scenes dubbing process of Eureka 7. Making an appearance are Johnny Yong Bosch (Renton), Stephanie Sheh (Eureka), The Ninja, Mami Okada (Assoc. Producer), Eric P. Sherman (President), and Lisa Marie Cizneroz (Exec. Assist.). We will spare you of the “b-movie flyer” also sent along.

In the continuing series of Japanese ninja girls, we find Ninja Vixens: Devilish Angels from Neon-g. Third in an ongoing-yet-unrelated series, Anju earns the title of “Ninja Vixen” with a vengeance. Having defected from her clan, she takes up jobs for money and hustles the stupid theives in the Japanese countryside. It is this latter tendency which creates a chance meeting with Yuki, a homeless soul looking for a friend and teacher to make her more than a shell of a woman. Ninja Vixens: Devilish Angels brings back the humor found in Flame of Seduction along with the arousing talents of actresses Miki Shigeyashu, Minako Tsuge, and Japanese AV idol Chika Kawamura to present a light-hearted story with action. (more…)

The second title for Neon-g is Ninja Vixens: Crimson Blades which continues the “Ninja Vixen” tales of babes, blades, and beauty. Completely unrelated to the first film, we begin anew in the days of ninja clans as the rogue ninja Shinobu fullfils her debt to the village chief who saved her from dying on the streets. Not having the benefit of a couple known Japanese AV stars in the lead roles, Ninja Vixens: Crimson Blades attempts to focus more on story and action to draw you into the battle between two lovers and the forces putting them at odds against each other. (more…)

Anchor Bay Entertainment and Manga Entertainment present the January 23rd DVD release of Tactics: Volume 3 featuring Episodes 11 through 15 of this incredible series. Tactics: Volume 3 is produced by Studio Deen (SPIRITED AWAY, FRUITS BASKET, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, READ OR DIE, and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM). AnimeOnDVD.com says that “The quality of the animation, the very well-paced script and the overall production quality of the release is just great.” Tactics Volume 3 has an SRP of $24.98, with pre-book on December 13th.

• Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1), enhanced for 16×9 widescreen TVs

• Original Japanese TV Commercials

• Original Japanese Merchandise Ads

• English and Japanese Language: Dolby Surround 5.1

• English and Japanese Language: Dolby Surround 2.0

• Still Gallery

• TV spots

• Original Music Video “Premonition Infinity”TACTICS VOLUME 3

TO HEART, VOL. 1: NEW FEELINGS
Vol. 1 of 4
Pre-Book: 1/30/2007
Street Date: 2/27/2007
Runtime: Approximately 100 minutes, Dolby Digital; Stereo, Color
Genre: Drama / Romance
Suggested Rating: 7+

Format: DVD (English, Japanese, English Subtitles, English On-Screen Translations)
Catalog#: RSDVD0701
ISBN: 1-57032-844-7
UPC#: 7-42617-0701-2-9
SRP: $19.99

Anime producer The Right Stuf International is pleased to announce the release of To Heart, Vol. 1: New Feelings on February 27, 2007. Based on one of Japan’s most popular games, To Heart follows childhood friends Akari and Hiroyuki, and their classmates, as they deal with life’s everyday – and not-so-everyday – dramas. This tale of love, relationships and friendship has been a fan favorite since its 1999 Japanese television debut, and perceptive American fans may recognize the series from its numerous “cameos” in the best-selling Comic Party anime.

Available to U.S. audiences for the first time ever, Right Stuf’s release of To Heart features a complete video restoration of the entire 13-episode series.

In To Heart, Vol. 1: New Feelings:

Episode 1: “A Brand New Morning”
For as long as Akari can remember, she and Hiroyuki have always been friends. But with time, everything changes, and her feelings have turned into something more. As a new semester of high school begins, will the two childhood friends come closer together, or drift further apart?

Episode 2: “After School Incident”
Childish An Hour, Japan’s most popular rock band, is coming to town - but the concert’s completely sold out! Or is it? Masashi has managed to pick up two tickets, but deciding who gets to go turns into an unexpected test of friendship.

Episode 3: “In a Sunny Spot”
The quiet girl with the raven-colored hair… Serika Kurusugawa is a silent mystery. She’s the only member of the school’s Occult Club, her voice is soft as a whisper, and she doesn’t speak with anyone at school. What could this enigmatic girl possibly want with Hiroyuki?

Episode 4: “Shining Moment”
Small but full of spunk, Aoi’s dream is to fight in the Extreme Martial Arts Tournament! She’s even trying to start up an Extreme Club at school, but no one will give it a chance. She begins to lose hope.. but Hiroyuki might be able to help her discover what she’s truly fighting for.

Bonus DVD content includes:
Reversible cover, translation notes, line art gallery, character bios, scene access, Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo audio for English and Japanese Dialog, English subtitles, plus English on-screen translations.

Cover image (large) is located at:
http://outgoing.rightstuf.com/sleeves/rsdvd0701.jpg

COUNTDOWN CONJOINED

Pre-Book: 1/30/2007
Street Date: 2/27/2007
Runtime: Approximately 60 minutes, Dolby Digital; Stereo, Color
Genre: Erotic Drama
Suggested Rating: 18+

Format: DVD (English, Japanese, English Subtitles, English On-Screen Translations)
Catalog#: CMDVD0705
UPC#: 7-42617-0705-2-5
SRP: $29.99

Four of the most unusual and erotic tales ever animated, Countdown: Conjoined comes from the mind of Hiroyuki Utatane, the director of the notorious Cool Devices, a series that pushed the boundaries of adult anime in the United States. Now available for the first time with English audio, Countdown Conjoined is also completely uncut and digitally remastered.

In Countdown Conjoined:
Alimony Hunter: When sexy, young Jun runs meets the busty Chizuru, she sees an opportunity for one hot night! Plus Chizuru’s got a cute stepson that may serve as a dessert for her main course!

Seek: When rescuing a princess doesn’t provide a heroic adventurer with the stimulation he’d hoped for, he looks to find it in the princess herself! However, this little lady might be more stimulation than he’d bargained for..

Virgin Road: Young, blushing bride Akemi is busily preparing for her impending wedding, but she needs the proper send-off.. and who better to do that than Jun!

A Play on History, Hooligan Boy: When a madman begins to abduct the city’s luscious ladies, Mai and her gay robotic partner Kuma are there to put a stop to it! But can they resist the lure of the madman’s incredibly tempting technologically-enhanced body?

Special features:
Art gallery, staff comments, scene access, U.S. trailer, Critical Mass Video trailers, English and Japanese Dolby Digital audio with English subtitles, plus English on-screen translations.

Cover image (large) is located at http://outgoing.rightstuf.com/sleeves/cmdvd0705.jpg

ANN has an interview with Los Angeles’ Patrick Seitz done at Anime USA earlier this year.