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Welcome to the ANIMEfringe NewsRoom

In this new section, you will find all kinds of new stories affecting the Anime scene. Much of the news is ANIMEfringe-exclusive news, directly from Japan. This new page also features a list of upcoming release dates for North America. Please send us any comments or questions. We'd love to hear feedback.


"Mugen no Ryvius Online" Episode 3 Now Playing!
08/16/00 - Mysterious Murder in Space?

Along with a list of hidden secrets in all of the previously aired internet anime Mugen no Ryvius : Illusion, is the third episode of the comedy-filled mini series; with a small love-triangle-comedy opening act by Kouji, Aoi and the mysterious lady Neeya from space vessel Ryvius.

For more information concerning this series, visit TV Tokyo's official Mugen no Ryvius website at:
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/mugen/news.html


Replay Members Get Anime Magazine
08/14/00 - SamGoody Replay Frequent Buyer Program Really Pays

The August 2000 Replay: The Newsletter put out by the Musicland Corporation is a special anime issue which may just help boost anime awareness to those unenlightened. Featuring a DragonBall Z cover, A Brief History of Anime by Patrick Macias, and tons of box cover scans and info bytes, the book makes for an great collector's item.

Interesting still is the fact that the newsletter came polybagged with CPM's Record of Lodoss War: The Grey Witch #1 manga and a AltaVista/SamGoody.com Free Internet Access CD. Just another reason why SamGoody, On-Cue, Media Play, and Suncoast retail stores are leading the domestic anime revolution.


Sakura Taisen Mobile Service
08/08/2000 - The ST Romance Continues

Following the successful i-mode (aka "Mobile Web") service "Sakrua Taisen Keitai Club", Sega Enterprises announces the opening date for their second i-mode Sakura Taisen service - "Sakura Taisen Renbun Roman" (aka "Sakura Wars Love Letters Romance") starting September 1st.

Members who subscribe to this service will be introduced to an entirely original Sakura Taisen storyline written specifically for this online service and given the chance to pick from a wide range of occupations for their character in this on-going game. By exchanging mails back and forth with the members of "Teigokukagekidan" (the secret Imperial strike team that Sakura is a part of) and other characters in the game, players will be given the chance to control the flow of the storyline and relationships between each character in the game. Replies from members of the "Teigokukagekidan" varies each time depending on the letter you sent. The service will cost its users 300Yen each month.


Gonzo Introduces "Vandread"
08/07/2000 - Gonzo's New Manga-Turn-Anime Series

From the maker of "Ao no Rokugou" (aka "Blue Submarine") and "Melty Lancer", a brand new sci-fi series is scheduled to make it's debut on the WOWOW channel starting October 3rd in Japan. The new series "Vandread", originally a manga series by Mori Takeshi (published on the monthly manga magazine Dragon Jr.) will be partially made up of computer generated graphics.

Similar to the storyline of Gall Force, the new science fiction adventure is about two different planets located near the center of the galaxy and the on-going conflict between the male-only planet "Taraaku" and the female-only planet "Mejeeru". Benefitting from these big wars are three male pirates - Hibiki, Bato and Duero.

For more information concerning this series, visit their official Japan site at:
http://www.vandread.com/

A preview movie in RealVideo format is also available online under the preview section of the official site (also featured on the Special CD released by NewType).


"Doraemon" 30th Anniversary
08/04/2000 - Japan's Favorite Kid Anime Turns 30!

One of Japan's longest lasting anime series (with over twenty movies besides the long running TV version) will be celebrating it's 30th anniversary with a two CD soundtrack - "Dora - Can" containing all the theme songs used in this classic anime series about a robotic cat from the future. Released late last month on the 20th of July, the special CD package will also include original illustrations from the creators of the series over the years.


"Digimon GPX" the Ride Follow-Up Information
08/03/2000 - Digimon Cast Lineup

Additional information concering the Digimon ride: Digital Monsters that will be featured in the interactive ride in the Sanrio Puroland Theme Park are: Agumon, Gabumon, Tentomon, Piyomon, Parumon, Teirumon, Patamon, Gomamon, Buimon, Hawkmon, Arumajimon and Pikodebimon. For a direct link to the offical page containing pictures of the Digimons mentioned above, visit Toei Movie Group's Japan site at:
http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon02/entry.html


Card Captor Sakura on PSX
08/01/2000 - CCS Hype Continues

Like many popular anime series, Card Captor Sakura will be joining in with a game title of its own on the Playstation game console. Entitled: "Tetris with Card Captor Sakura - Eternal Heart", the CCS game will be priced at 5800Yen and is scheduled to be released on August 10th. Expect to see some new artwork from CLAMP on the game cover and on the backgrounds within the game.

Here's an extra bit of information for CCS collectors: the third illustration collection "Illustration Collection - Cheerio! 3" for the anime version of the CCS series, featuring artwork used in some of the Japan anime magazines, original artworks and interviews from the staff members of the CCS Project, is expected to hit the shelves in Japan on August 31st with a price tag of 1800Yen.


"Ah! Megamisama" & "éX-Driver" Join Forces
07/31/2000 - OMG Movie Update

Bandai Visual announces their new partnership with the OMG Movie Production Committee in the up-coming OMG movie scheduled to be released on October 22nd. An extra premium clip from the new anime series "éX-Driver" will be shown back-to-back with the OMG movie as the first part of a special treat for the loyal fans of the OMG series. The second part of the treat? For the first 30,000 fans who purchases their tickets for the October OMG movie in advance starting August 25th, each will receive a collectable cellphone strap with their purchase.

A Playstation game inspired by the "éX-Driver" series is also in the works, expected to be out this Fall.


Blue Submarine on PSX
07/31/2000 - From Anime to SLG

Like many of the anime series, a video game version of "Ao no Rokugo" (aka "Blue Submarine")is scheduled to be out on September 28th, from Gonzo, Bandai Visual and Toshiba EMI, makers of the popular full digital animation series.

The double disc "Ao no Rokugo Antarctica" game for the Playstation platform consists of both SLG (Simulation) and ADV (Adventure) mode, characters from the original anime series are all expected to appear in the game with high quality graphics. A special limited edition video - "Ao no Rokugo Digital Plus" in DVD and VHS format is already on sale, featuring detail information on the new characters and new mechanical designs which will be used in the "Cinematic Simulation" game this September.


"Mugen no Ryvius Online" Episode 2 Now Playing!
07/28/2000 - "Infinite Ryvius" Story Continues in Cyber Space

The long awaited episode two of the online mini animation series "Mugen no Ryvius : Illusion" (also known as "Infinite Ryvius") is now available online free of charge. It had been close to three months after the last episode of the original series was aired on March 22nd this year. Four episodes in total were expected to be released through "Ryvius" official website on TV Tokyo's web server in Flash 4 movie format (with four different versions to fit various connection speeds). For more information on the original or web format of this series, please visit TV Tokyo's official website at:
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/mugen/news.html

The mini series features most of the cast from the TV anime series in a brand new environment and a storyline that is entirely separate from the original.

* To gain access to the online movies, choose "Online Anime" from the left panel then choose one of the episodes shown.


Oh! My Goddess the Movie
07/28/2000 - Release Date & Time Revealed

"Kimi no youna Megamini, zutto sobani itehoshii..."
(I would like you to stay beside me, forever... like the Goddess that you are...)

With these few simple words, Morisato Keiichi reveals his true feelings to the Goddess of his life - Belldandy once again... What makes these words so different from those he already said in the OVA series? This time, these words won't be heard from the videos at home, but on the big screen. Twelve years had passed since the debut of Fujishima Kousuke's "Ah! Megamisama" (aka "Oh! My Goddess") manga series. And now, years after the ending of the OVA and the "Mini-Goddess" series, Keiichi and Belldandy will meet again.

Through the hands of Matsubara Hidenori, the characters featured in the movie edition will look far more mature compare to the previous OVA releases few years back. New characters are expected to appear in the movie (apparently, meaning the four new members of the Motor Club), one of whom will take center stage is the new mysterious member of the Motor Club who has what it takes AND the intention to pull Keiichi away from Belldandy's arms! As the new girl inches her way toward Keiichi during the welcome party for the new members, Belldandy suddenly breaks the glass in her hands and rushes out of the room... was it out of jealous? Or was it something else? What is going to happen between Belldandy and Keiichi?

"Ah! Megamisama ~ Otasuke Megami Jimusho ~" is scheduled to be released on October 21st in Shochiku theatres all over Japan. For more information, visit Shochiku's OMG movie site at:
http://www.shochiku.co.jp/cinema/megamisama/index.html


Parasite Eve Theatrical Showing in US
07/28/2000 - Angelika Theatre in downtown Houston showing film

Like many of the major cities in the US, people living around the downtown Houston area were given the chance to enjoy yet another bit of Japanese culture through the theatrical release of "Parasite Eve". Made in 1996 (released in Japan theatres back in 1997), the two hours long real life action-horror film was based on the original novel written by Sena Hideaki. Though it has the same title, the movie version is much closer to the original story in the book than the Playstation version in terms of storyline. And in the story, the main focus was on the events that happened long before the portions that were mentioned in the Parasite Eve game, the life of Nagashima Seimi, wife of Japan Biologist Nagashima Toshiaki and the first ever host of the Mitrocondria Virus.

* Did any of you in the Houston area see this movie? If you did, we would love to a first person review of the movie from you! ^_^ Write to any of our staff members if you were lucky enough to be there!


"Digimon GPX" the Ride
07/25/2000 - Sanrio Puroland Theme Park, Japan

Starting July 20th, "Digital Monsters" fan in Japan will be able to enjoy a new ride / 3D show at the Sanrio Puroland Theme Park inside the "Yume no Time Machine" building. Twenty one different creatures from the anime series are featured in the twenty three minutes pod racing ride, dressed in racing suits. For those of you who are going to visit Japan soon and would like to know more about the ride, visit Sanrio Puroland's Japan official site at:
http://www.sanrio.co.jp/spl/spl.html

An English version of the page is also available at the following location, with road maps, pricing informations and other useful informations:
http://www.sanrio.co.jp/english/spl/spl.html


Fujishima Rise Again with "éX-Driver"
07/25/2000 - "éX-Driver" Debute

The famous artist Fujishima Kousuke from "Ah! Megami Sama" (aka "Oh! My Goddess"), "Taihou Shichauzo!" (aka "You're Under Arrest") and of course the world famous "Sakura Taisen" series, rises to stardom once again with his involvment in the brand new OVA anime series "éX-Driver". Different from his usual style as an active player in anime productions, this time manga and anime master Fujishima Kousuke will take a backseat role in the production of "éX-Driver", as the Planning Director and Character Planner ("Character Planner" in Japan Animation productions generally means the person who's responsible for the original character design in both artistic view and in terms of their personalities, backgrounds and so forth that these characters have)

The story of "éX-Driver" take place in the near future, when cars are no longer driven by humans, but by computers equipped with Artificial Intelligence systems. And as our world today, computers aren't always reliable as they should be... And whenever these AI-driven vehicles go beserk, the beautiful female dual - Miss Endou and Miss Sakaki of the "éX-Driver" team will be dispatched, to stop these wild metallic monsters the old fashion way - High speed chase on the open road!

The first volume of "éX-Driver - Report One : AI VS RECIPRO" had just been recently released on July 25th in Japan.

* For more information check out the "éX-Driver" Official Japanese Website at:
http://www.ex-d.co.jp/


DiGi Charat Returns
07/21/2000 - Digiko on the Move! (again)

One of Japan's most favorite mascot inspired and created by the creators of the Gamers Magazine returns with a brand new mini series. Entitled: "DiGi Charat Summer Special 2000", the cute characters from the anime series DiGi Charat will be back with a total of four brand new episodes starting August 22nd on the Japan TBS network. And as part of the tradition, the opening theme song - "Cutie" will still be sung by famous female artist Okui Masami as it was in its previous season. And as the first part of the pre-release promotional campaign, the CM areas onboard all the trains running the "Seimu" line will be filled with DiGi Charat commercials to prepare the general public for the release of the new DiGi Charat Summer Special coming late August.

A new mini game - "Kurukuru Pettan" featuring Digiko and new character Piyoko for Windows System is also available for online purchase via the DiGi Charat site for the price of 600Yen.
http://www.broccoli.co.jp/service/index.html


Sakura Taisen TV
07/12/2000 - Bandai Visual 3rd Quarter Anime Lineup

Emotion Corperation (of Bandai Visual) had recently announce the release of the third installment of the "Sakura Taisen" anime series in DVD and VCD formats starting September 25th. Although it will be the third installment to the Sakura series, the storyline of the TV series, previously aired in Japan in the Spring season will be entirely separate from the two previously released OVA series.

The story of the TV series will start from the very beginning when Shinguji Sakura first arrived at Tokyo. Various minor changes in the plot are also expected. The TV series will be consisted of a total of 25 episodes, with only one episode in the first volume and three in each of the preceding volumes.


NA Release Dates: August 1 - October 31
Date: Title: Company: Format:

Aug 01 Blue Submarine 6 Vol.3: Hearts Bandai Bilingual DVD
Aug 01 Cowboy Bebop Vol.11: Boogie Oogie Fancy Bandai Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 01 Cowboy Bebop Session 4 Bandai Bilingual DVD
Aug 01 Outlaw Star Vol.13: Labyrinth of Despair Bandai Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 01 Silent Mobius Vol.6: Dark Destiny Bandai Sub VHS
Aug 01 Jubei-Chan Vol.1: A Legend Reborn Bandai Dub VHS, Bilingual DVD
Aug 08 Bubblegum Crisis 2040 Vol.7: Cataglysm ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 08 Sorcerer Hunters' Revenge Vol.4 ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 08 Spaceship Agga Ruter Vol.1: Troublemaker Anime 18 Dub VHS
Aug 08 Fushigi Yugi Vol.16: The Last Page Turned Pioneer Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 08 Slayers Try: Box Set I Software Sculptors Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 08 Slayers Try Vol.4: Touch and Go! Software Sculptors Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 08 Shamanic Princess: The Talisman Unleashed US Manga Corps Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 08 Maison Ikkoku 21: Hot Springs Holiday VIZ Sub VHS
Aug 15 Ranma 1/2 AGMA 6: Breaking Point VIZ Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 15 DragonBall Z Vol.37 Androids: Assassins FUNimation Dub VHS
Aug 15 DragonBall Z Vol.38 Androids: Invincible FUNimation Dub VHS
Aug 15 Sailor Moon Super S Movie: Black Dream Hole Pioneer Dub VHS, Bilingual DVD
Aug 15 Genocyber: The Collection US Manga Corps Bilingual DVD
Aug 22 Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin) OVA Vol.1: Trust ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 22 Slight Fever Syndrome Vol.2 Kitty Sub VHS
Aug 22 Apocalypse Zero Battle 2 Media Blasters Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 22 Cleopatra DC Media Blasters Sub VHS
Aug 22 Rurouni Kenshin TV Vol.2: Battle in the Moonlight Media Blasters Bilingual DVD
Aug 22 Sol Bianca - The Legacy Vol. 2: Separation Pioneer Dub VHS, Sub VHS, DVD
Aug 22 Ranma 1/2: Martial Mayhem 8: To the Victor, the Spoils VIZ Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 22 Ranma 1/2: Martial Mayhem 9: Battle: Fois Gras VIZ Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 29 Magic Knight Rayearth OVA Vol.1 Manga Video Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 29 Imma Youjo: The Erotic Temptress Vol.4 Critical Mass Sub VHS
Aug 29 Irresponsible Captain Taylor OVA Collection 2 Right Stuf Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Aug 29 Kimba: The White Lion Vol.9: The Civilized Jungle Right Stuf Dub VHS
Aug 29 Kimba: The White Lion Vol.10: Disaster! Right Stuf Dub VHS
Aug 29 Professional: Golgo 13 Urban Vision Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 01 Ranma 1/2 Martial Mayhem Vol.10: Swimming With Psychos Viz Dub VHS
Sep 01 Ranma 1/2 Outta Control 11: You Bet Your Dojo Viz Sub VHS
Sep 05 Outlaw Star DVD 1 Bandai Bilingual DVD
Sep 05 Brain Powered Vol. 5 A Mothers Love Bandai Sub VHS
Sep 05 Cowboy Bebop Session 5 Bandai Bilingual DVD
Sep 05 Cowboy Bebop Vol. 12 Brain Scratch Bandai Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 12 Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 DVD 1 ADV Bilingual DVD
Sep 12 Lost Universe DVD 1 ADV Bilingual DVD
Sep 12 Lost Universe Vol.2: Flushed Into Space ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 12 Masquerade: Eternal Life Anime 18 Dub VHS
Sep 12 Maze 2: Ultimate Rage Software Sculptors Dub VHS
Sep 12 Photon Vol.3: The Emperor Strikes Back U. S. Manga Corps Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 12 Slayers Try Vol.5: Pandemonium! Software Sculptors Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 12 Cardcaptor Sakura Vol.1 Pioneer Sub VHS, Sub DVD
Sep 15 Maison Ikkoku Vol.23: On Thin Ice VIZ Sub VHS
Sep 19 Maze Software Sculptors Bilingual DVD
Sep 19 Key The Metal Idol Vol.2 VIZ Bilingual DVD
Sep 19 Pokemon Vol.21: The Po-Ke Corral! VIZ Dub VHS, Dub DVD
Sep 19 Pokemon Vol.22: Hang Ten Pikachu VIZ Dub VHS, Dub DVD
Sep 19 Slayers (TV Series) DVD Collection Software Sculptors Bilingual DVD
Sep 19 Tenchi Universe Vol.4: Time & Space Adventures Pioneer Bilingual DVD
Sep 22 Gundam Wing Operation 3 Bandai Bilingual DVD
Sep 22 Gundam Wing Vol.4 Bandai Dub VHS
Sep 22 Gundam Wing Vol.5 Bandai Dub VHS
Sep 26 Imma Youjo: The Erotic Temptress Collector's Box Set Critical Mass Sub VHS
Sep 26 Imma Youjo: The Erotic Temptress Vol. 5: The Extent Of Their Collections Critical Mass Sub VHS
Sep 26 Kimba: The White Lion Vol. 11: Claw's Revenge Right Stuf Dub VHS
Sep 26 Kimba: The White Lion Vol. 12: The Monster! Right Stuf Dub VHS
Sep 26 The Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA Collection 3 Right Stuf Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 26 Virtua Fighter TV Vol.1: Chinatown Brawl Media Blasters Dub VHS
Sep 26 Virtua Fighter TV Vol.2: Behind the Battle Media Blasters Dub VHS
Sep 26 Gasaraki: The Summoning ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 26 Sakura Diaries Vol.3 ADV Dub VHS
Sep 26 Magic Knight Rayearth Vol.10: Sleep Media Blasters Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 26 Magic Knight Rayearth Vol.11: Dream Media Blasters Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 26 Parallel Dual! Trouble Adventure Vol.1: Visions Pioneer Dub VHS, Sub VHS, DVD
Sep 26 Trigun Vol.4: Gun-Ho Guns Pioneer Dub VHS, Sub VHS, DVD
Sep 26 Patlabor 2 DVD Manga Video Bilingual DVD
Sep 26 X Manga Video Sub VHS
Sep 26 Magic Knight Rayearth OVA Vol.2 Manga Video Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Sep 26 Goku II: Midnight Eye Urban Vision Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 03 Blue Submarine 6 Vol 4 Bandai Dub VHS, Sub VHS, DVD
Oct 03 Vision Of Escaflowne Vol 1: Dragons And Destiny Bandai Dub VHS, Bilingual DVD
Oct 03 Cowboy Bebop Vol.13 Bandai Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 03 Jubei-Chan Vol.2: Heart of Steel Bandai Dub VHS, Bilingual DVD
Oct 05 Ranma 1/2, Outta Control 12: Eat, Drink, Man-Who-Turns-Into-Woman VIZ Sub VHS
Oct 10 Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Vol. 8: Contagion ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 10 Generator Gawl Vol. 1 ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 10 Slayers Try Vol.6: A Hero Descends? Software Sculptors Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 10 Spaceship Agga Ruter 2: Sweet Release Anime 18 Dub VHS
Oct 10 3x3 Eyes Vol.1: Immortals Pioneer Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 12 Ranma 1/2, Martial Mayhem: Nightmare On Happosai Street VIZ Dub VHS
Oct 17 Record of Lodoss War TV DVD Central Park Bilingual DVD
Oct 17 Vampire Hunter D Urban Vision Bilingual DVD
Oct 24 Martian Successor Nadesico Vol. 6: Between Heaven & Hell ADV Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 24 Flint, the Time Detective 1: Blast From the Past (Eps 1-3) Right Stuf Dub VHS, Dub DVD
Oct 24 Flint, the Time Detective 2: The Power of Good (Eps 4-6) Right Stuf Dub VHS, Dub DVD
Oct 31 Rurouni Kenshin TV Vol. 3 Shadow Elete Media Blasters Bilingual DVD
Oct 31 Rurouni Kenshin TV Vol. 4 False Prophet Media Blasters Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 31 Blackjack Manga Video Bilingual DVD
Oct 31 AngelCop: The Collection DVD Manga Video Bilingual DVD
Oct 31 Magic Knight Rayearth OVA Vol.3 Manga Video Dub VHS, Sub VHS
Oct 31 Amazing Nurse Nanako Vol.2: Fire Cracker Pioneer Dub VHS, Sub VHS, DVD

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