Animejin 2
Issue 2, January 1994
All articles contained in this document are copyright their respective authors. Permission is granted to reproduce any articles herein for non-profit purposes only, provided that the articles remain intact, the authors are correctly credited, and TWO copies of the relevent publication are received by Animejin.
This document contains the text portions only of Animejin 2. For a complete printed copy of any issue, send 1 pound (UK) or US$3.00 cash (everywhere else) for each copy to Animejin, stating your name and address and which issue(s) you require.
All comments, suggestions and submissions will be gratefully received.
Address all correspondence to:
Animejin,
65 The High,
Streatham High Road,
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or
Jchan@swallow.demon.co.uk
- Jonathan Weeks (editor)
Contents
- News: Four exclusives this month!
- Newtype Review: Whats happening in Japan by Peter Evans
- Contaminated: Fun with Simon, Jim, Steve and Dave
- Reviews: Jonathan Weeks and Kanji Bates peruse the latest releases
- Anime Expo: A guide to the biggest US Anime convention by Richard Steele
- Producing Anime: How it's done by Scott Frazier
- AV Shop: A Guide to the VCR market by Jonathan Weeks
- Kenichi Sonoda: Yeah, I know this was in Animehem, but I found a better trascription and I'm short of material
- Anime Pulse: Just a small sample from the avalance of response to issue 1
[2] NEWS
The Overfiend is Back!
After months of waiting and tentative hyping via Mangazine, the release of Urotsukidoji 3: 'Return of the Overfiend' has been announced - from Kiseki Films! Unfortunately, the news broke just as I was going to press so no details are available.
Nuku-Nuku comes to Britain
A new company named 'Crusader Video' have announced the English release of 'Cat Girl Nuku-Nuku' in February. Episodes 1, 2 and 3 of the series will be released on one tape for "less than 15 pounds". To quote the press release:
Crusader Video is an independent British company that wants to concentrate on the gentler side of anime, especially in regards to the more surreal and comedic aspects of the industry. Because Crusader is producing it's own dubs for the UK market, the fan can expect to hear highly trained actors performing in their own UK dialects, instead of just another hastily marketed US import.Crusader video is also a very fan orientated company which regards input by the buyers of anime as the most important consideration in terms of producing titles. While other companies continue to churn out any old product to a starved anime market, Crusader Video hopes to produce a quality dubbed title to set the standard for the rest of the industry within the UK.
Through Nuku-Nuku, Crusader Video hopes to open the door for more female fans of the medium to enjoy anime. As well as introducing Japanese Animation to the younger members of society not old enough to buy the current titles on offer.
By expanding the market in such a way, we hope to see Japanese animation become more readily acceptable to the general public, as well as increasing the chances of anime being broadcast on mainstream television.
If sales of Nuku-Nuku are relatively high then the fans can expect a steady supply of anime from Crusader Video. Due mainly in part to it's good relations with the KSS corporation, who are more than willing to assist Crusader Video in future endeavours. As well as our commitment to bringing the best in anime to the UK.
Those Annoying Aliens reach Britain
Anime Projects, the UK distributor for Animeigo, have announced the release of Urusei Yatsura in the UK. Initial plans are to release the first and third movies in January and February, with other tapes to follow if these prove successful. Both movies will be priced at a reasonable ú12.99 each.
Pioneer launch in US
Pioneer LDCE have officially announced their entry in to the US anime market with the English release of Tenchimuyo in December. This is to be followed up with the release of other Pioneer material, namely Green Legend Ran, Moldiver, Kishin Heidan and The Hakkenden over the course of 1994. Dubbing is by L.A. Hero, and initial releases will be on bilingual CAV laserdiscs. VHS releases will follow, but no decision has been made as to whether these will be the subtitled or dubbed versions. Serious consideration is being given to releasing material in the UK as well.
Pioneer are a major Japanese hardware manufacturer known for understanding the fan market better than most, who have only recently moved into the Japanese software market. Tenchimuyo was their first anime release, and proved an immediate success, with a second series due for release next year.
The BBC 'discovers' anime
One of the most interesting attendees at the Birmingham Contaminated convention recently was a BBC film crew, shooting footage for a documentary on 'Manga' to show as part of BBC2's 'DEF II' slot on December 20th. A brief chat with their researcher proved worrying, as she obviously knew nothing about anime whatsoever. The same crew was also spotted at the recent 'Wicked City' showing in London, filming interviews with fans. The documentary is designed to coincide with the BBC screening of Akira in Christmas week.
Alert fans will also have spotted an anime series currently being screened by the BBC! Yes, every Tuesday on Children's BBC you too can enjoy The Moomins! OK, so it may not have quite as many cute girls as you'd expect, and it may be seriously lacking in the mecha department, but it is Japanese!
Manga Entertainment News
The latest issue of Mangazine, MEL's promotional newsletter arrived in late November. A number of forthcoming releases were announced:
The Guyver
A 12-part series about a boy who stumbles across a mysterious device that turns him into a superhero.
Rumik World : Fire Tripper
First in a three volume series based on short manga stories by Rumiko Takahashi (available in English from Viz Comics).
The Professional : Golgo 13
Movie based on the long running manga by Osamu Dezaki about a mysterious international assassin.
Roujin Z
If you've ever wondered what Katsuhiro Otomo has been getting up to since his success with Akira, this is one of the answers.
Adventure Kid
Based on a Manga by Toshio Maeda (the creator of Urotsukidoji). In the original, the voice of the female lead was played by a well- known Japanese adult movie actress!
Urotsukidoji 3
"This is the one you've all asked for, and it's here at last!...We don't have a release date yet, but rest assured - it's coming!"
The official release schedule for December to March now looks like this:
December: Crying Freeman 3, Doomed Megalopolis 3
January: Rumik World: Fire Tripper
February: Golgo 13:The Professional, Crying Freeman 4, Doomed Megalopolis 4
March: Rumik World:Laughing Target, The Guyver 1, Dangaio 1
Looking further ahead, May will see the release of 'Battle Angel', the animated version of the popular 'GUNNM' manga by Yukito Kishiro, currently available in English from Viz Comics under the title 'Battle Angel Alita'.
On the unofficial front, MEL claim to have acquired the UK rights to 'Patlabor' and 'Mobile Suit Gundam'. Also, loitering at the 'unconfirmed rumour' stage are 'Cream Lemon' and 'LA Blue Girl', two soft-porn anime series.
London gets Conned
AUKCON, London's first ever anime convention, will be held on 19th February 1994 at the Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn. The con is sponsored by Anime UK magazine, and will feature a video program, dealers room, fan room, talks, and possibly even a guest from Japan.
The resurrection of Robotech
The classic TV series Robotech to be re-released in full in the UK. Video Gems have been sitting on the UK rights to many Harmony Gold titles for several years, since long before the current anime boom, and are set to take advantage now that the market has arrived.
US Devilman goes ahead
Contrary to last issue's announcement, the US release of Devilman by Dark Image Entertainment has, after a delay, gone ahead. Don't ask me to explain it though, because even my most informed sources haven't a clue what happened.
Birthday boy gets burned!
A.D. Vision head Matt Greenfield has decided to celebrate his birthday in style on January 16th, with the US release of 'Burn Up'. This edition will contain a bonus portfolio of artwork not included in any Japanese release, and will retail for $29.95. A.D. Vision have also announced that, in common with other US companies, they are going to start dubbing their releases into English.
Oo, ah, err...
The US's longest established anime company Animeigo are to release an English subtitled version of the popular OAV series 'Ah, My Goddess' next year. They have decided (after consultation with Kosuke Fujishima, the original artist) to change the title to 'Oh, my Goddess'. Both a VHS and laserdisc release are planned, and possibly even an English dubbed version.
Viz go shojo
Viz communications have announced the first English language publication of a shojo (girls) manga title. Promise by Keiko Nishi is a series of romantic short stories that emphasise complex character relationships over the non-stop action of shonen (boys) manga. Promise will be released in an 80-page black and white square-bound edition, and goes on sale February 1st price $5.95
[2] December Newtype Review
by Peter Evans
[Peter Evans' article arrived by fax, so a text version shouldn't exist. Fortunately, the last two pages were such bad quality that I had to type them up anyway, so here they are. Please refer to a printed copy for the full article. - J.]
...
1999 does not look like a fun time to be alive. 25 minutes of hard rock and 3 minutes of anime. (Secret bonus: CLAMP's "X" is supposed to be hitting the cinemas in 1995. Stay tuned!)
Super Dimension Century Orguss O". Giant robots and flying things. 6 parts and lovely Mikimoto characters!
Shu-Shu-Trian. 3 pretty sisters who fight evil. It's TV and great fun!
Elementors. Takeshi Okazaki's manga is coming to life, expect the OAV to appear in Autumn 1994.
This month's art of is Reiji Matsumoto's The Cockpit and is full of wonderfully drawn aeroplanes, pilots' costumes and the likes.
What a surprise. Julian Lennon is the Face this month. Coo's theme song.
Music by Nick Wood! Yippee!
Next Month:
V Gundam, Aa Megamisama, Sailor Moon R, Slam Dunk, Godzilla vs Ultraman OAV! 1994 calendar (Suezen, CLAMP, Haruhiko Mikimoto, Mamoru Nagano, Kia Asamiya, ???) The indispensable 1994 Animationary. Kia Asamiya and Yuzo Takada special! On Sale December 10.
The model section this month has one or two interesting kits: 1/6 scale Salior Venus and Sailor Jupiter that someone scratch built. Amazing! Ryoko, Aeka, Mihoshi and Sasami 1/8 scale resin cast. 6500Y (Sasami 4000Y)
Adverts Time!
Sonic Soldier Borgman 2 (second) volume 3 "Lonely Prologue" December 1.
Mamono Hunter Yohko - Super Music Clip. 7 Songs. VT Dec. 21, LD Feb. 1, 30m, 4800Y. And the clips are deeply worrying, especially number 3 (SD!). Aya Hisakawa songs.
Patlabor 2. December 17. Vista size LD + VC. 115m 9800Y BELL-642 and BES-975. Complete with colour booklet.
Victory Gundam 3. VT 11/22, LD 12/17. Another 100m of robots, can you handle it. Can you afford to collect all 13 of them at 9800Y each. One a month until the end of time.
Tatsunoko Hyper Collection Series 1 - Science Ninja Team Gatchaman 2. LD Box set 52 eps., 1300m. 13LD and 65000Y PILA-1183. On sale Jan. 25.
Tenchimuyo! Ryo-oh-ki's Christmas. The perfect present for your boyfriend if he is a fan. If he isn't then he's probably brain dead from too much Dragonball. wake him up to the real world with a dose fo beautiful aliens! 8 songs and 4 mini-drama. PICA-1024, 3000Y Seasonal availability only! On sale Nov. 25.
Crusher Police Dominion. "Detective Charles Brenten ~ N.P. Black Rain ~". December 17. Annapuma + Unipuma! I can't wait, can you? (review / synopsis available, together with competition details!)
Giant Robo - part 4. January 21 on sale! 45m, 7800Y LD: BEAL-498 and VT: BES-688.
Eightman After - 4. VT 11/22, LD 12/17. BES-889, BEAL-594 4800Y and 29m
Story of Seven Cities. 2 parts, April 21 and June 22 respectively. 29m 5800Y CD OST Feb. 21.
Plastic Little. Special Pure Animation. Story by: Kinki Yoshimoto and Satoshi Urushihara. 1994 Jan 21. 45m VT:7800Y LD:6600Y Image sound track Jan. 21. (Elsewhere, there is mention of a book: Satoshi Urushihara Cell Works. 2000Y A4 + Poster. Fantastically cute!)
1994 New Year SME animation festival. 5 dates, Jan 29 in Tokyo! Guests, Special Film Show, Let's Go, go ikimasho!
Pioneer LDC adverts: The Hakkerden (new series) Part 1 "Yorei" November 25. 30m CAV, PILA-1194 (PIVS-1267) 4800Y. Tenchimuyo 2 "Galaxy Police Mihoshi Space Adventure" Tenchimuyo Sound File - Video Clip! Magical Princess Pretty Sami! Kishin Heidan 7. The final battle had begun!! It looks likely to be real messy too!
Super Dimension Century Orguss O2 part 1 on sale Dec. 5, 30m 4800Y BES-591 or BEAL-631. Part 2, 1994 Feb. Haruhiko Mikimoto character designs! Niki-Niki pin up of Nataruma. Lovely 17-year-old with dark blue hair. Too many youngsters in today's films. The Hero Riin is just 17, and his girl-freind Toria is only 15!
Goddess Family Club album: "Taian" 11/21 on sale PCCG-246 9t, 3000.
Urusei Yatsura - Oh no, are you a die-hard fan? Can you afford 330000 for 50 discs, 218 episodes and 5070 minutes. (IN a language you can't understand?) It's big, it's bad, it weighs about 30 kg, and it can be yours from Christmas Day!
AA megamisama 4 "Evergreen Holy Night." JSVA-22103, JSLA-22103. 30m CAV 5300 21 Dec.
Space Adventure Cobra. 9 VT box set. Only 3000 will be made: 49500 for 897m. All new Computer Art Jacket designs. Original illustrations and Telephone Card!
Shooting Star Gakusaver 2! Nov. 26. It's 9800 for 60m of humorous digs at giant robot anime! not seen a robot practising sumo? Well that's in volume 1. KIVA-169, KILA-75.
Super Cat Girl Nuku-Nuku 2nd series. Dec. 22 start, KIVA-190, KILA-95 30m 5800 Phase 5 & 6 are March 24 and May 21.
Fantasia. Maron-Chan . CDS KIDA-67 1000. High quality OAV 26 Nov. (I G Tatsunoko, same people as Gakusaver.) 30m 5800 KILA-77, KIVA-175.
Fortune Quest. 4 Parts. 9 Oct., 10 Jan., 10 Mar., 10 May. (LD Jan., Mar., May., July.) Each part 30m 5800.
Musekinin Kancho Tyler fans. If you buy S8 or L8 you get a wonderful poster of Justy Ueki Tyler. If you buy the CD (11/26 KICA-170, 3000 MF4 "Gadeninsui", you get Azarin-Chan! And S9 or L9 for Yuriko Star looking cute! Yay! I bet you just can't wait.
Compiler FX Plasma. CD KICA-169 2500 Nov. 26, FX 2 - March 21. Hyper Quality Video:"Compiler 1" Feb. 23, "Compiler 2" April 21.
Ranma OAV series 2 "Scramble Christmas." 30m PCLE-4 (PCVE-10146) Decmber 17 on sale! Part 1 was pretty good, it sold out in a large number of places on the day it came out. The wholesalers didn't have enough stock! Series in 6 parts: Feb., April, June, August for the remaining 4.
Please excuse me while I trot off to try and join Yoyogi Gakuen! Courses starting in April are: Animator (2y), Anime AV Operator (2y), SFX (2y), Junior Novel author (1y), Art (1y), OAV Director (2y), Computer Anime Game (2y), Comic - pro (1y), Visual Illustrator (2y) TV ?? (2y). Tokyo interviews: 11/21, 12/5. Drop me a line if you need to know more.
This original text is copyright 11 November, 1993 by Peter Evans / Studio Hell City, and may not be printed copied of distributed in any part or form without the permission of the author.
Disclaimer: We, the writers, naturally, reserve the right to be wrong, incorrect and grossly inaccurate. Particularly in the rendering of names, titles and the like into Romanji (English Text) While wo do strive for accuracy, we are not perfect. We cannot be held responsible for any life threatening consequences arising from the use or mis-use of the information in this article.
[3] CONVENTION REPORTS
Simon Devey: Contanimated
or
The time I actually got a room in the New Cobden.
I'll start by just warning those who aren't used to my writing style that this isn't going to be a blow by blow account of the con, more a personal observation of the weekend, so read on.
I arrived at the New Cobden direct from work, prompting a few sarcastic comments from those already assembled in the bar - this being because I was still (unusually for me) wearing a shirt and tie.
My first thought was for food so Leigh Williams and I decided to take a trip down to the local drive-thru McDonalds in his recently restored MkII Land Rover - nice job Leigh.
One food trip later and the bar once again called - I'd registered and checked in earlier but had still not seen any anime, the bar held a stronger attraction.
Most of the next hour was spent in the afore-mentioned bar as I was too knackered to move very far from it's comfortable surroundings and besides, I was waiting for J.M. to arrive so that I could hand over the Dirty Pair pencil case that I'd bought him back from Tokyo (yes suckers, I've been).
When the rest of the 'posse' had arrived we once again decided to head off in search of food. And find it we did, we found what must qualify as the greasiest chips in the country sold be a chippy not 200 yards from the hotel.
I think (I'm writing this sometime after the event) that I went to bed relatively early on the Friday night, which brings me nicely round to Saturday morning.
Saturday morning meant my first breakfast at the New Cobden (last year I had to suffer the pitiful handouts at the New Norfolk up the road) and a decent breakfast it was too (lovely actually John, should you ask)!
Saturday morning also meant that the dealer's room was open. I must have been the only person not spending money that morning, the reasons for this being two-fold. Firstly, I didn't have any and secondly, having only just returned from Japan, I couldn't justify paying UK price. Wait until you go out there and you'll see what I mean!
With Saturday came my first snippets of Anime, most notable of which was the Battle Angel anime, something to add to my collection when I get round to it. I just wish I'd managed to get a seat for it at the con.
I'd made other plans for Saturday afternoon, firstly a trip into Birmingham (city of my birth incidentally - glad I moved away if my cousin's education is anything to go by) to by some new tapes and secondly a trip to Birmingham University for a photography seminar.
Plenty of pics of scantily glad women later I returned to the hotel to find a collection of souls contemplating the obligatory curry trip. Still being new to curries - don't ask unless you want my full medical history - I made a bad choice and didn't finish mine. Needless to say the Rick Cowling finished it for me!
Saturday night meant only one thing - Jim's live action all-nighter. Twenty minutes into the first film and I realised that although I could vaguely hear the soundtrack my eyes had long since failed to see anything other than the insides of my eyelids so I decided to retire - prompting a call of "you wimp, sir" from Jim.
Sunday was a bit of a non-event for me, as I had to rush home to put the clock back (or was it forward) on my video in order to tape the film I'd set it for!
Well, overall comments about the con:- I personally didn't think that it had the same atmosphere as A.D. 3 or even ConTanimeT. My own feeling on this is that as anime fandom grows in this country it will become fragmented with the 'old school' perhaps forming cliques and even perhaps developing a snobbish attitude towards the average Manga Video fan. I hope this doesn't happen but who can tell. Are the Manga Video fans the future of anime in this country?
Right, now to end on a happier note by wishing everyone a happy new year and I'll see you at either the AUK event or A.D.4.
Jim McLennan: No Sleep 'Til Monday
or
"It's eight hours to breakfast, we've got half a box of videos, it's dark, and I'm wearing a very loud shirt. Hit it..."
Rather than run out a con-report that probably repeats the same stuff already adequately covered by someone else (hi, Simon!), thought I'd concentrate on the night-shift, since I became deeply familiar with the hours from midnight to 6 a.m over the course of the weekend. The whole event now takes on the aura of a distinctly dubious dream six hours sleep in 2 1/2 days does this to memories but as far as I recall, it went something like this:
The whole idea was a "seemed like a good idea at the time" one. After the success of 'City Hunter' at AD3, it was logical to expand on, and so I offered to run not one, but two all-nighters for Cont-anime-ted, since there was just so much good stuff to show. So I lugged up my beloved video-tapes to Brum by coach; the journey reminded me of precisely why I generally take the train.
After a couple of drinks (non-alcoholic; it was going to be a long enough night even without depressants), Friday night began with 'Holy Virgin vs. The Evil Dead', which I think it's fair to say delivered the goods to a decent sized crowd. However, after that, someone suggested 'Jetman', and the audience evaporated like Ranma fans threatened with cold water. The brave individuals who remained didn't actually have to suffer that, they instead got an episode of a TV show about three schoolgirls with a cute line in secret identities fighting a prince on a flying carpet, who had a tendency to be cruel to puppies. Yeah, that's what I thought. On a schoolgirl roll, we followed this with 'Sukeban Deka', unquestionably the best schoolgirls- with-killer-yoyos movie ever made. By the end of that, we'd hit five a.m. and the audience had dwindled to about three; I bribed them to go home by offering them copies of the rest of the night's program, and went to bed to grab my first three hours of sleep.
Saturday night's show got off to a bad start. I'd carefully booked an alarm call for 00:15, in plenty of time for the 00:45 start, but the...silly people...at reception put their clocks back an hour several hours early and so the call failed to appear. At one a.m, I was awakened; "Aren't you supposed to be showing stuff?".
Stumble in, put on 'Saviour of the Soul', an episode of 'Dairanger', then the highlight the Japanese domino toppling show. 960,000 dominoes, lined up in ultra-intricate patterns. Several questions come to mind: a) Where did they find the room? - they looked to be covering several billion yen's worth of real estate - b) What about earthquakes?, c) How did the commentator manage to talk non-stop for 45 minutes about dominoes? and, perhaps most crucially, d) Why bother? However, the whole thing was so totally hypnotic that the only person who left the room really HAD to go, as he was running one of the other all-nighters!
At about 5 a.m, I decide it's time to get down, and show undeniably the most dodgy piece of material at the con (those that were there, know; those that weren't can just wonder!). Two minutes later, a viewer wanders in from a coffee hunt and says "There's two policemen standing at reception". You have never seen a stop button fumbled for so rapidly. We decide to watch music videos, while my paranoia subsided, until we discover they were really just security guards.
After that video nasty finished, we all felt in need of some light entertainment (though we were probably still better off than the people at the anime all-nighter, who had just sat through 'Grave of the Fireflies'). So one rapidly altered schedule later, it was 'Heroic Trio', a saga of babes, babies, bullets and, er, bmagic. This seemed to go down very well, so is probably in line for a showing - at a more civilised hour! - at Anime Day 4. Thanks to the clock changes, we still had an hour to kill, so I finally cracked and put on some anime, albeit in the form of more fan pop promos. Some of these definitely deserve wider exposure, notably the fandub and Iczer-fixated version of 'La Isla Bonita', so I'll be sluggin' for a better slot for these at some future con.
And that was it; from there, went straight to the dining-room, and redefined 'The Big Breakfast'. Would I do it again? Hell, yes. But next time I'll remember not to wear contact lenses for sixty hours straight! Pass the vacuum cleaner...
Steve Whitcher:
Contanimeted 1993 was the second anime convention to be held at the New Cobden Hotel Birmingham, and it showed. The convention was much better than last year, there were three projection video rooms, and had more non-video events.
The non-video events are particularly welcomed by those of us who have been in fandom for several years, and suffer from the "I have watched that before syndrome". When you are new to the game, conventions are all about watching anime, but as your collection builds up, you seem to watch less and less anime at cons.
There were quite a few new faces at Contanimeted, presumably from Manga Video's efforts in the field of anime, but there were also quite a few faces missing, for reasons best left unsaid.
It was a friendly con, and I am left wondering whether this was the last "small" con before the anime explosion. Now that the BBC has "discovered" anime the explosion could be just round the corner.
The two memories that I have taken away from the con were the Masquerade and Helen McCarthy's talk on the American conventions.
The Masquerade didn't have that many entries, but it did have quality Sandokan Solomon who won, should have received a prize not only for quality, but also for quantity as over the con he wore four different costumes.
Helen's talk on the American cons, wasn't that well supported. This was strange considering the turn out for Helen's talk the previous day (which may have something to do with the presence of a BBC filming crew). It was however a good talk, Helen's enthusiasm for anime is very contagious, and when she talks to a small group it feels like she is talking to you, rather than a group.
To sum up it was a fairly good con, but for my money Anime Day is a better con.
Dave Kirwin:
Once again I found myself in Brum for another DeathROWCon.: "Contanimeted 2". This proved to be better than the first; the art room wasn't always (seemingly) locked, and there was a games rooms, abet computer games, but still interesting. The auction troubles of last year were well heeded and it took place in the larger of the three video rooms. There was a costume parade in which although the 'usual' people came in fancy dress, we did have one unusual costume!.......
On the whole, 80% of the time I was talking or drinking with those who admit to knowing me and the remainder of the time catching choice anime: Weathering Continent, Ah My Goddess, Irresponsible Capt. Tyler and Battle Angel were all most enjoyable and no doubt the other arranged showings were. Perhaps I'll get round to watching some anime when I go to a Con.!! Still, the dominos amazed me (those who stayed for the late showings will know what I mean), and quotes that seemed to float from every corner of the Con. (Rick - "Panorama", Sandokan - "Donkey"!)
Sunday saw many a sayonara and vows that we will continue to hassle each other with letters and videos and that AD94 isn't really that TOO far away, so soon we'll all get drunk...erm, I mean enjoy more anime, more friends and more laughs again.
[4] Reviews
Crying Freeman 3/Doomed Megalopolis 3
Manga Video. ú8.99 ea.
Crying Freeman 3 is the latest in a series of six OAVs making up the animated version of the popular manga by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami. Anyone expecting the dynamic art and pacing of the manga here is going to be disappointed, as this is the one element that has not survived the transition to film. The plot and characters remain intact however, with enough sex and violence to keep the Manga fans happy.
Doomed Megalopolis is another multipart series, this time based on a series of novels, with a historical setting of 1920s Tokyo. The animation and direction here are more fluid than Crying Freeman, but the plot is perhaps a little weak. This is made up for in the design of the film, which shows a good eye for detail and accuracy.
Both releases are competently dubbed, though MEL still have room for considerable improvement on this score. If you enjoyed the earlier parts of either of these series then you won't be disappointed, but neither tape stands well on its own.
- Jonathan Weeks
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II, Volumes 1&2
Kiseki Films. ú10.99 ea.
Sequel to the immensely popular 1982 Japanese TV epic Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, Kiseki Films Limited UK release of the six-part OAV series Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II (my, what an original title....) is a strange creature - unlike many of its Manga Entertainment Limited counterparts, Macross II has virtually no gratuitous violence, or overtly sexual overtones (unless you count some prime examples of the notorious 'Gainax bounce'). But one only has to look at all-time classics such as My Neighbour Totoro, Wings of Honneamise and ( ahem ) Samurai Pizza Cats to see that neither of these are necessary to make enjoyable anime.
But bearing this in mind, Macross II is by no means an outstanding example of Japanese animation, and should be viewed with the intention of experiencing 50-odd minutes of escapism, by 'gorging' on the aesthetically pleasing art-style and superb (almost cinema-quality) animation.
What's interesting to note is that if Macross II wasn't dubbed, I would find it far more appealing (mainly, I confess, for the art); as I would not have to endure such an ill-suited and badly performed English dub, which only serves to draw one's attention to a storyline that is sorely outdated, lacking in ingenuity, and filled to the brim with clichÇs and heavy doses of dÇjÖ vu for those fortunate - or even unfortunate - enough to of seen the original series.
Worth buying if you're a fan of sci-fi 'soap operas', or someone who'd just like to see the demise of MEL's monopoly.
- Kanji T. Bates
Otaku no Video
Animeigo/Anime Projects ú12.99
This latest subtitled release, contains both episodes of the series on one tape. 'Otaku' means fanish, or obsessive, so the title translates as 'Fan's Video', or 'Fanish Video', depending on which way you look at it. The films are basically a fictionalised account of the history of the Gainax studio interspersed with 'interviews' with some typical otaku (fans). Along the way, there are countless in-jokes and silly references to just about every anime you can think of.
Realising that western fans are going to be lost without them, Animeigo have included copious notes detailing all the references they could work out. This is a highly entertaining film, but you need to know a lot about anime to appreciate most of it. It's also good to see that the high prices that stifled Anime Project's previous releases haven't been applied here.
- Jonathan Weeks
[5] ANIME EXPO
A Fan's Eye View
by Richard Steele
Last year marked the second time I have attended Anime Expo and was the third year that the convention has been held. First titled AnimeCon, Anime Expo is the largest anime convention on the west coast of America. Held every year on or about the 4th of July, Anime Expo is one of the most exiting events a fan of anime will ever experience. After spending one year as a fan and one year as a gopher I have become familiar with this convention and the dedicated people who help to put it on. This year I am an officer in a branch of Cal Animage, an anime fan organisation with branches at several universities here in California. Through my association with fellow club members, many of whom are now serving as staff for this years convention, I have been able to observe first hand all of the hard work that goes into hosting one of these conventions. In this article I hope to share with anime fans overseas at least some of the wonderful memories I have of the convention and to get them better acquainted with all the different events that go on throughout the convention.
The first thing I wish to mention about Anime Expo are the Guest of Honour. Most conventions try to secure the appearance of special guests from Japan to engage in discussions with the fans, sign autographs and so forth. Anime Expo is no different. However, the calibre of guests at Anime Expo has been incredible. This year they are looking forward to the appearance of Scott Frazier, Hiroyuki Kitazumi, and Haruhiko Mikimoto.
Scott Frazier is the most prominent American working in the anime industry in Japan today. Mr. Frazier was the first American to work in production, be a directors assistant, teach or work at an animation school, and create his own studio (TAO Corp). I was lucky enough, along with quite a few other fans, to meet Mr. Frazier last year at Anime Expo 93. Mr. Frazier is an energetic and personable fellow who seemed to enjoy the convention atmosphere a great deal. The talks he hosted on the state of the industry today were informative and interesting. When I first saw the list of confirmed guests this year I was glad to see Scott Frazier's name at the head of the list.
Hiroyuki Kitazumi is a character designer of great renown having worked on all of the following projects: Z Gundam, Gundam ZZ, Char's Counterattack, Digital Devil Story, Dragon Century, L-Gaim, Dunbine, Iczer-3, Megazone 23 Part III, Legaciam, AD Police Files, His Name is Gold, Dunbine, Genesis Survivor Gaiarth, Greed, and a few characters in Scramble Wars, Moldiver and Bastard!!. With so many great titles to his credit Mr. Kitazumi is a great addition to the list of guest for Anime Expo 94.
Haruhiko Mikimoto. What can I say about the man who has created such characters as Noriko Takaya, Lynn Minmay, and Eve? Nothing except that Mr. Mikimoto is currently one of the most sought after character designers in anime today. His credits include Gunbuster, Macross, Macross II, the movie Macross Do You Remember Love?, High Speed Jecy, Gundam 0080, and Eve from Megazone 23. He is also working on his own manga series for Newtype magazine called Marionette Generation.
The Guests of Honour, and other guests, usually spend their time alternating between discussions about their particular fields of expertise, signing autographs, attending the Guest of Honour brunch in which fans get to share a table with their favourite members of the anime industry, and simply wandering the convention and meeting fans on a more casual basis.
In addition to panel discussions by the Guest of Honour there will be a feature on computer animation. Details are still sketchy but it looks to be an intriguing experience for both fans of computer animation and the just plain curious. There will also be gaming, involving both role-playing and wargaming, parties, a meet the guest reception, and many other fun activities.
One thing that makes this convention particularly exiting are the wonderful costumes worn by many of the guests. It's hard to walk through the dealers room without bumping into Hikaru Ichijo (Rick Hunter), Captain Harlock and Emeraldas, Ranma, or a plethora of other popular anime characters. I myself was dressed as Rig Veda from Explorer Woman Ray. If you are going to attend you should consider attending in costume. There will be a costume contest and masquerade along with other group activities put on by the convention staff for those of you who attend in costume. But even if you don't feel free to drop by the masquerade and marvel at the work that some fans have put into recreating their favourite anime characters.
Another aspect of the convention is the art and modelling show. Showcasing work by talented artists and modellers, the art show is my favourite part of the convention. Much of the art on display will be up for auction, giving a fan chance to won a piece of unique art that will never be duplicated anywhere else. The quality of the work is outstanding and a portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to charities around the world. There will also be a modelling contest with prizes to be announced. Last year's grand prize was a Knight of Gold vinyl model from Five Star Stories which stood assembled at over four and a half feet tall.
There will be 35mm and 16mm film programs with theatre seating and stereo surround sound. Last year Gunnm premiäred to a packed house and this year promises to be no less spectacular with prints donated by major studios both in the United States and Japan. In addition to the film program two of the hotels television channels will be broadcasting anime twenty-four hours a day throughout the length of the entire convention.
Now we come to what many fans consider the high point of Anime Expo. The dealers room. Bigger than a football field, the dealers room will be packed with every conceivable thing a fan might wish to spend his hard earned money on. Laser discs, models, posters, compact discs, videos, cels, toys, Ranma bath salts, anything and everything related to your favourite shows can be found in the dealers rooms for excellent prices. Many major companies will be represented such as Books Nippon, Pony Toy, most of the major subtitling companies, along with individual collectors and merchants wishing to peddle their wares. Tables in the dealers room run $200.00 a piece and come with two attending memberships. Outside the dealers room proper can be found the "Artist's Ghetto" where aspiring artists can ply their trade selling original illustrations and commissioned works.
For the past three years Anime Expo has been held in the San Francisco bay area in Northern California. It may seem like a considerable distance to fly for a three day convention but before writing it off Anime Expo on account of the distance involved you should consider all the other fine attraction that Southern California has to offer. First of all, Anaheim Convention Centre is just a stones throw from Disneyland. In fact, if you wanted to put in an extra day and see Disneyland this would be an excellent opportunity. Other amusement parks such as Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Tours are also within easy driving distance of Anaheim. In addition to amusement parks Southern California has to offers many other interesting diversions for tourists, you could visit Venice Beach, Hollywood, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, or many other exciting places in and around Los Angeles. And considering the time of year the weather should be beautiful.
I hope I have been able to convey to you at least a small fraction of what Anime Expo is. For fans of Japanese animation a more enjoyable time could not be had anywhere at any price and I encourage any fan of anime to consider attending. If you ever get a chance to visit the United States and you are a fan of anime let me encourage you to visit Southern California and attend Anime Expo.
Admission until January 15th will be $30.00. After that and until March 15th admission will be $35.00. Until June 1st, which is the last day to buy pre-convention memberships, the price will be $40.00. Admission at the door will be $45.00. Membership dues can be sent to:
Anime Expo 94
2425 B Channing, Suite 684
Berkeley, CA 94704
USA
Accommodations for Anime Expo 94 will be handled by the Anaheim Mariott hotel. For hotel reservations call area code (714) 750-8000. Be sure to mention Anime Expo to get the special convention rate.
[6] PRODUCING ANIME
The process as explained by Scott Frazier in an Anime Expo panel
transcribed by Helen McCarthy
Of course, it all starts with a story - perhaps a novel, a manga, or just the outline of an idea. The team of artists who will turn the idea into reality then has to be found - a director, chara and other designers, art director (in charge of backgrounds, etc.), camera crew and principal staff and introduced to the idea; or the person with the idea might approach a production company to put together a team for them. It's often better to work with an established team who've handled other projects together, rather than with a bunch of artists who don't know each other's working methods and styles.
A long series of meetings begins; to read and discuss the story, to find sponsors to get the money together so that the project can go ahead, and to develop the ideas. What mood or style do they aim for? Is this story going to be cute, funny, sad, violent, cheerful, crazy or what?
The storyboards - known as 'A conte' - are started, perhaps by the director, or by a team of special artists, and the designers, animators and other key staff meet to fix the look of the designs - characters, uniforms, mecha and so on. The Art Director makes up the background boards, which 'set' the colour range of the whole production universe. The director looks at all this work and makes sure that the 'look' of the production is headed in the right direction.
Now it's the turn of the senior key animators to decide frame by frame, exactly what happens on screen. The director, producer and even sponsors may also sit in on these meetings. Then the animators get to work on the layouts basic ideas for the scene, how big is each chara in the frame, what are the movements, is it night or day, and so on. After a check by the director, the layouts go to the key animators to draw the key, or most important, frames for each scene - usually the beginning and end of each action. The director checks these, ensures the basic movements are right, and has any necessary changes made.
Now the animation supervisor draws corrections, so that the inbetweeners, who will draw the intermediate frames between each key frame, can get every detail right. This is the stage where the 'look' of the chars throughout the film is finally fixed. The inbetweeners clean up the extreme drawings and ink the inbetweens, working from the key animators' timesheets, which tell the cameraman what cels to shoot in each frame and how many cels are need for each scene. All this work is then checked by the inbetweens checkers.
The backgrounds are started at the same time as the inbetweens process, so they will be ready when the cels are completed. As soon as all the inbetweens and key frames are finally checked and approved, the cel department starts work. Cel painters trace down all the animation onto cels, clean up the lines, and paint the cels. These are checked again for colour balance and accuracy of drawing before the director does a final check.
The backgrounds are now laid up under the cels to make sure everything 'works' together - the colour balance, the flow of action, and so on. The director decides on what lenses, filters and so on will be used to create the effect he wants - all the camera details. The whole package - cels, backgrounds, detailed instructions and those all-important timesheets - can now be handed over to the camera company for shooting.
After shooting, the film is sent to the lab for processing and the cels and backgrounds go back to the production company. When the rushes come back, they are checked to ensure everything is OK. Now it's the turn of the voice actors. Sometimes the film is spliced into one reel and sent over to the voice studio, sometimes the cast starts work on small sections, a bit at a time. If schedules or budgets are tight they may not even work from the film, but from small sections of animation roughly assembled. Mouth movements are approximate, rather than precisely lipsynched. After the post-recording edit and cleanup, the next stage is to dub on the music track and sound effects.
The final rush is made and checked; then, if there are no problems, film prints are struck and the production process is finished. Another anime production is ready to go out to the TV studios, video duplication company, or cinema.
[7] AV SHOP
A VCR Overview
by Jonathan Weeks
As we all know (and grumble about endlessly), the US and Japan use the NTSC system to encode all their video signals which is incompatible with the PAL system used by most other countries, including the UK. All is not lost, however, since there is a large range of equipment available with some form of NTSC compatibility built in. A dual-standard VCR is fast becoming standard issue for the serious anime fan, so for those of you in the market to but one, here's a run down of what's available.
PANASONIC have always provided the best range of dual-standard VCRs, but unfortunately their latest budget machines offer only NTSC playback and not the full compatibility of their previous models. Their new mid-range has yet to be fully released though, so the old models are still widely available. For those with truly expansive wallets, the NV-W1 conversion VCR is still available, but be warned that this is a 'world- standard' deck only designed to be compatible with broadcast formats and can't therefore handle the NTSC 4.43 signal that most dual-standard VCRs produce in NTSC mode.
SONY and PHILLIPS are two new contenders in the market, as they have both included NTSC playback in their latest ranges, including some of their budget models. AIWA have trumped everybody though, with their 'Multi Digital Converter' machines, which include a true NTSC to PAL converter in them. Unfortunately, as you'd expect from such cheap prices, the quality of the converter in these machines is very poor indeed.
The range of purpose built multi-standard decks available has always been large, but until recently was decidedly unaffordable. These days you can pick up a basic model for around ú350, and a stereo one for around ú600. However, you'll probably need a multi-standard television or monitor to go with it if you do decide on this route, since the circuitry to allow a PAL TV to take an NTSC picture is often not included.
All the machines in the table below are at least dual-standard (PAL/NTSC 4.43 compatible). VCRs that only offer 'NTSC playback on PAL TV' are not included (there are too many!). Prices are manufacturer's recommended retail prices.
[Please refer to a printed copy for the table]
The cheapest good quality 'NTSC playback on PAL TV' VCR is the Sony SLV-225 at ú280. I can't vouch for the performance of any of these machines, but the Aiwa HV-M15 looks good value as long as you don't mind the absence of a tuner, and the NV-SX1 with its stereo capability gets my vote as a second deck for all you tape traders out there.
If you have trouble finding a stockist for the Aiwa machines, their sales department should be able to point you in the direction of your nearest supplier. Their telephone number is 081-897-2425. The latest Aiwa price list is dated October 1993, and some changes may have occurred since.
Additions and corrections will be gratefully received.
[8] SONODA KEN-ICHI
Transcribed by Helen McCarthy
Sonoda Ken-ichi was so much in demand at the AnimeExpo that I couldn't get an interview with him. However, the question and answer session at the end of his talk proved very interesting.
Q: What inspired you to create Riding Bean?
A: I'd always been very interested in American movies, especially the action classics, and I wanted to make something along the same lines. When the chance to do such a project came along I did my very best and worked hard to try and participate in that kind of story.
Q: Will there be a RIDING BEAN 2?
A: Artmic and Youmex, who sponsored the project, aren't on the best of terms now. As long as that feeling continues, RIDING BEAN 2 is unlikely to appear in the near future!
Q: What IS Bean Bandit?
A: He's one very well-built brother!
Q: Are any of your comics being translated into English at present?
A: Currently, no. However with GUNSMITH CATS, my current project, there are some moves towards possibly animating it, and if it was animated there is a strong possibility that it would be translated into English.
Q: You've used Chicago in your previous work - will the city be involved in future projects?
A: GUNSMITH CATS is based in Chicago and it will go on being based there for the longest time - it is about Chicago and the people in the city. For the future, since I don't know whether or not I'll be doing any number of animation projects it's hard to say - but I would like to present Chicago in the animated format.
Q: One of the new projects you're working on is a manga of the game BATTLETECH. Do you have any problems creating ideas in an already set world?
A: Let me explain what the thing in DRAGON magazine is really all about. I only do the character illustrations for the article. All the mechanical designs and such are done by Kawamori-san, who designed the mecha for MACROSS and such. I don't actively contribute to the writing of the story, and as a result I haven't really been frustrated in a creative sense about trying to break new ground in that medium.
Q: You've worked in both animation and comics - which do you like better. Which offers you more freedom?
A: Certain freedoms and constraints are involved with both. Since I do everything in the comics, it's a lot more direct - I can get all of my ideas across and there is a lot more freedom. However, in animation you can get ten times as much impact in motions and passions about the work involved to the audience. I'd love to try to get back to animation and put together an animated film.
When I first start trying to do a comic book, I start with imaging, visualising what I want to create in an animated film in my head. From there, I take it down into comics. I try to write what I have in my head into comics - it's a lot harder to do that, unfortunately.
The idea, of course, is to try to get it out of my head straight into animation, but since constraints are involved with trying to animate your products - other people, budgets, schedules and such - that doesn't happen. It's frustrating. Often I think how wonderful it would be if I could just take a reel of film out of my head!
The biggest constraints on my doing animated projects is lack of money and time. This lack of time and money is also one of the biggest reasons why Japanese animation is going through a recession now, but I really don't want to abandon hope and still want to stay in it in the hope that things will work out in our favour again.
[9] Anime Pulse
This section was earmarked for use as a letters page, but unfortunately nobody sent any letters for me to use (sob). However, Steve Whitcher submitted the following article, which contains a lot of interesting points and should hopefully spark some sort of debate.
Why are Anime and Manga so much of a cult thing, and why are they largely a male-only thing?
by Steve Whitcher
Most of the public think that people over the age of 17 who watch "cartoons" are weirdos, why is this?
I have to agree, there are a few Otaku, but there are a lot of us that are what the public view as normal. Anyway, what is wrong with being different? Shouldn't people need to be less judgemental?
I am a fan of comics, Anime and Sci-fi, some people are very surprised when they find out what I do in my spare time. I also know that some people haven't come out yet. My attitude is to be proud of what you are!
Anime and Manga are a break from reality, and to be honest we all need a break from today's reality. Some people watch soaps after a hard days work, I read manga.
Currently, anime hasn't been marketed to a wide enough target audience. Manga video has only just started to release non-violence/sex anime, and the UK public have only seen what they have released. Thus, anime is associated with being a cult thing.
It may be a difficult image to break, there is nothing wrong with anime being a cultish thing. But some people may want to avoid something that is cultish.
I don't think that Manga Video deserve all the slagging off they get from the fans. They are the only people who have put their money where there mouth is. It isn't surprising that they have concentrated on the violence and sex anime market, as it sells.
However, it is strange that anime sells to a much wider audience in Japan. In the UK where the darker, gritty violent anime has been marketed, it has attracted the Heavy metal/biker/comics/rpg type people. It's a case of the style available finding a market.
This is what has happened in Japan and to a lesser extent in America, publishers are more in-tune with possible market wants. AnimEigo and Viz etc. are selling to a wider range of customers. More anime styles have been marketed, with softer, cuter styles finding a profitable market.
Until we have anime designed to appeal to other markets, anime in this country will be a male thing. I wonder how much research has been done on what women think of anime and what they would want from anime?
Women need to escape from reality as well as men as the lovey-dovey stories that appear in women's magazines prove.
Whatever people say about Manga Video they have made huge advances in anime, they have made it sell! It now has it's own little space in the video shop, and they have proved in the UK that cartoons written for an older audience do sell. Hopefully another company will follow them releasing some more of the wide range of style available.
We are the ambassadors of anime, and we can get what we want released in the UK. To achieve this we have to prove that there is an audience for anime. This can be done either by telling Manga Video and others what we want, or by educating the public about what anime is about. So go out and tell them.
