It hasn’t been announced as licensed for US distribution yet, but clips of an English dub for Toei’s magical girl series Pretty Cure have surfaced, apparently taken from German TV.

Toon Zone has put up an interview with Vancouver actor Kirby Morrow, touching upon everything from Inuyasha to Stargate: Atlantis.

UK newspaper The Guardian has posted online their Sept. 14th interview with accliamed director Hayao Miyazaki in time for the UK release of Howl’s Moving Castle. This is Mr. Miyazaki’s first interview in 10 years. Of interest, Miyazaki adds his own take of watching Howl’s with the original Japanese and new English dub.

Disney releases Miyazaki films in two formats: a subtitled version for the purists and a dubbed extravaganza for the popcorn crowd. Howl’s Moving Castle is no exception. It features the voice of Billy Crystal as the obstreperous fire demon and Lauren Bacall as the Witch of the Wastes. This is fine, says Miyazaki, because Bacall is “a fabulous woman” who brought something to the role that home-grown actors couldn’t. “All the Japanese female voice actors have voices that are very coquettish and wanting male attention, which was not what we wanted at all.”

In any case, he adds, who is to say that a subtitled print is any more authentic? “When you watch the subtitled version you are probably missing just as many things. There is a layer and a nuance you’re not going to get. Film crosses so many borders these days. Of course it is going to be distorted.”

And on the merchandising and editing of their work.

The Disney deal suits him, he explains, because he has stuck to his guns. His refusal to grant merchandising rights means that there is no chance of any Nausicaa happy meals or Spirited Away video games. Furthermore, Disney wields no creative control. There is a rumour that when Harvey Weinstein was charged with handling the US release of Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki sent him a samurai sword in the post. Attached to the blade was a stark message: “No cuts.”

The director chortles. “Actually, my producer did that. Although I did go to New York to meet this man, this Harvey Weinstein, and I was bombarded with this aggressive attack, all these demands for cuts.” He smiles. “I defeated him.”

iFilm has a put up a trailer for Geneon‘s upcoming release of the Viewtiful Joe anime, featuring samples of the English cast.

Central Park Media‘s Peter Tatara has announced a new contest involving their license of former Dark Image Entertainment title Outlanders. Starting Sept. 23rd, fans will be given the chance to view a scene from the OVA and vote on who you liked best in the roles. Five lucky voters picked at random will recieve a copy of the DVD due to be released Feb. 7th.

There is currently no word on whether Central Park Media will also include the older Animaze, iNC dub from 1993 when the DVD is released.

Update: Peter has confirmed for us that the new CPM DVD will only contain the original Japanese track and the new English dub. The original English master was in “unusable condition” and could not be repaired enough to be included.

Angie Beers
Sean Broadhurst
Leda Davis
Carol Anne Day
Lucas Gilbertson
Maizun Jayoussi
Maureen Jones
Gerald Matthews
Cheryl McMaster
Scott Roberts
Mariette Sluyter
Ryan Stockert
Jeffrey Watson

(Cast was not credited with characters.)

Directed by Teri Snelgrove
Adapted by Gabrielle Gulko
Produced by The Ocean Group
Recorded at Blue Water Studios

Doki Doki School Hours Vol. 1 is due out from Geneon Entertainment on November 08 and will retail for $34.98 with a collector’s box, and $24.98 without.

AnimeOnDVD has posted an interview with Funimation actress Caitlin Glass.

ADV Films has revealed the cast list for its upcoming release of the Shadow Skill TV series:

Elle Ragu – Luci Christian
Gau Ban – Greg Ayers
Faurink Maya (Folli) – Christine Auten
Kai Shink – Chris Patton
Jin Sutra – Mike McFarland
Iba Sutra – Marty Fleck
Kyuo Lyu – Hilary Haag
Vai Low (Scarface) – John Swasey
Caravan Master – Jason Douglas

Directed by John Swasey
Adapted by Boaz Dror

Updated:
Piano
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Cowboy Bebop

Toonarific conducted an interview with Vancouver newcomer Maryke Hendrikse not too long ago, where she talked about her background, voice acting, and a bit about playing Lunamaria Hawke in Gundam Seed Destiny.