Forum Buzz
By da Original S Man & asagiri2040

11/5/03 Edition

Important News

System Update: 2nd Annual AOD Holiday party donation update
The local Social Coordinator fairy has let it be known that there will be a $10 cover, payable at the door. The party will be "reservation only" with a form to fill out coming soon. Now, if you would like to help make this little shindig an even bigger party, LadyFae has setup a Paypal account for those will to donate a few extra bucks so that the party has deeper pockets on what it can provide. Further details can be found within the link below.

A special reminder to all who wish to join the forums, be sure to check out:

And now, onto the forums...

Saikano!! (She, the Ultimate Weapon) coming from Viz
We knew that it had been licensed. We knew that Geneon did not have it. And finally, the news is out! Via an official press release, Viz, LLC, announced the acquisition of both the anime and manga for Saishuu Heiki Kanojyo, also known variably as SaiKano; She, the Ultimate Weapon; and My Girlfriend, the Ultimate Weapon. The fan response has thus far been generally worrisome, given Viz’s past track record, although the company has been on a nice upswing in recent months so a quality release is likely. Still, Viz’s lack of song subtitles has been a constant thorn in fandom’s side, so be sure to let them know you want ‘em!

Geneon’s new title announcements
From a small new comic convention in Las Vegas comes some big licensing news from Geneon. Gad Guard, one of the latest series from fan-favorite GONZO; Ikki-Tosen, happy fighting and fanservice; Demon Lord Dante, some recent Go Nagai horror anime thought to have already been licensed by Media Blasters; and the big one: Hajime no Ippo. It’s lengthy, it’s about sports, and it’s got a large number of fans. All in all, it’s been another exciting round of announcements with something for (almost) everybody to love!

Ayacon '03 takes the UK by storm
Ayacon took place over this weekend in the UK.. and to many's surprise: there's news to report for all those UK fans. A slew of new titles are coming, the reps present have been forthcoming of what they're trying to do in the near future, and the BBFC looks to have had a change of heart for something in anime. It's a pretty big change compared to previous years.

Most Anticipated Releases for November?
“Milliardo_Peacecraft” asks AoD: “Out of all the releases coming out in November which ones are you anticipating the most?” There are a lot of boxes and LE sorts of releases coming this month which are on many peoples’ lists, as well as the final volumes to a few fan-favorite series. So, what’s on your just-can’t-wait list?

Blackjack vol. 1 is that the 6 episode ova?
In response to some queries regarding the upcoming release of Blackjack, CPM’s Justin Sevakis was kind enough to de-lurk and clarify some things. All 10 OAV episodes are going to be released, at 2 episodes per disc (keep in mind that the episodes are each 50 minutes long). The discs will be bilingual, and the dubbing will apparently be kept “as consistant as possible” (only the first 6 episodes were previously dubbed).

Urusei Yatsura box #6 pre-orders being taken
Just as the title to this particular Buzz item suggests, AnimEigo is now taking preorders for the sixth (of an eventual ten) Urusei Yatsura box sets. Sure, it’s a bit of a slow release, but some fans are still hanging in there. Now that’s dedication!

So um… Jungle Emperor Leo…
A bit of an under-the-radar release, Media Blasters’ recent release of the Kimba the White Lion movie has made its way into the homes of Tezuka fans. Proper widescreen, although letterboxed (the R2 was anamorphic), but a nice release nevertheless. It’s a standalone film, apparently, which may entice more people to give it a shot.

R1 Bits and Pieces
Just a few of those threads that slipped through the cracks, or simply ones that also deserve a mention. Read on, brave one!

Geneon Music Febuary Releases
To repeat an earlier news posting: Last Exile OST 1, Chobits Character Song Collection, and Fruits Basket OST "Memory for You". They continue to surprise many with the active hunt for albums for their own titles and ones released onto DVD by other companies. If you click on "Feedback" on PioneerAnimeMusic.com, you'll notice that you can mention which soundtracks they have currently coming which you can celebrate and ones in Japan you'd like to see.

DVD Covers for the Week
After a banging last week, we're falling short this side. It'll change like the tide soon enough.

The Legend of Manga Heaven
Waldenbooks is having a "Buy 4, Get 1 Free" sale through Nov. 10th... It.. Is... Evil.. No joke, completely the work of the devil. So now that you've been warned, go empty out your piggy bank and grab some titles. Didn't GTO, Chobits, and Love Hina just finish? Time to take advantage if you skipped them before now. Chii? Chii!

ADV Manga

ComicsOne

Dark Horse

Gutsoon! Entertainment

IC Entertainment

TOKYOPOP

Viz

Recommendations Rundown
With so many DVDs being released lately, it’s tough to keep up on just which ones are worth your time and which ones are simply worthless, huh? Well, that’s just what the Recommendations forum is for! Find out if a show fits your particular tastes, do your best to educate others as to the pluses and minuses of the latest releases, or beg for help in deciding just how you’re going to afford to eat and pay the rent while keeping the collection growing!

Learn if Black Heaven is the show for you while the TRSI bargain bundle is still available! Decide if Saint Seiya is worth the time and money commitment! Help “bahamut727” figure out if the X TV series is worth his time or not! Let everyone know why Kino’s Journey is something to look forward to! Tell “Air of Benevolence” why Ranma ½ is a must-have! And more! How come I must know the direction of relieving!

Manga to practice with: Best to start, and where to buy
Another of the "expanding your knowledge" type from the audience. "JPOnion", like so many, is looking for some practice manga and books which would help along those lines. And to no surprise, there are many different ones out there for people to choose from. It may look daunting at first, but it's very informative.

Ghost in the Shell: INNOCENCE Official Japanese Site
The Official GitS 2nd movie website is up and boy does it look pretty. Heavy of the flash, easy on the eyes. A couple of clicks will get you the preview trailer (jaw dropping) and various artwork appears in the initial rotating links splashpage. Hopefully more to come very soon.

Toycom to release Mimiru & Subaru .hack//SIGN figures
Shown at Toy Expo 03, Toycom will be release 6" "action figures" of Mimiru & Subaru as the first wave of their ".hack//SIGN Lovable Collection". The figures come out in December and will retail for $11.99. Now if we just had them releasing BlackRose and Kite figures...

The End of Big O
13 episodes in season 1. 13 episodes in season 2. Possibly another 26 episodes if Cartoon Network takes up the season 3 option. At 13 episodes, many were upset at the ending. At 26 episodes, many are more satisfied. But will the adventures of Roger & Co. end so easily or are we destined to see Big O one more time?

Final Fantasy: The Threads
It's been a major FF week on the forums. 12 is pushed back. X-2's website is online. Two PSO titles are going "classic". And "Online" looks to be claiming souls already.

The Matrix: Revolutions
Years of work & careful scripting has brought us to the end of The Matrix trilogy. November 5th celebrates the global launch of the final piece. Can Neo take down the Matrix, and army of Agent Smiths, and someone on the outside? Comments have started up and it'll only get louder in here when the film is seen by many.

Forum Acronyms
More out of fun & knowledge, the locals have complied a list of the regular acronyms you will see on the forums. But any regular reader should already know some of these. Can you think of an issue without "AYA" listed somewhere? ;-)

Popping the big forum question...
A wide selection to choose from this week. You can tell SkinnyCat is curious to ask what has never been asked before.

Super Angry School Girls Pummels Pervert
Filling in the karma moment, a "sexual predator" in south Philly got his butt handed to him by a group of Catholic school girls. It looks likes someone's fantasy has gone a rye.. unless he was a masochist and begging for it. ;-)

Quote of the Week

"Turning to the dark side does have its perks. Plus the Dark Side never expects more than 40 hour per week with plenty of tea and coffee breaks...." - evilarrex

When not stopping trouble (or starting it) on the AoD Forums, S-Man can be found working on the database project at Crystal Acids and asagiri2040 can be found not updating his Rising Sun Alternative website. Manga reading list for the moment: Boys Over Flowers 1 - 2, Tuxedo Gin 1 - 2, and PLANETES. More to come, no doubt. Written to Jason Mraz's The Remedy (I Won't Worry).