Afro Samurai 2

There’s a little bit of additional news on Afro Samurai 2: It’s going to air as an ‘original movie event’ on SPIKE TV (like the series) in January 2009. Samuel L. Jackson, who voices Afro will be joined by Lucy Liu (of Charlies Angels fame) and Mark Hamill (of the good Star Wars movies).

From MovieWeb:

Lucy Liu will give voice to Sio, a beautiful, seductive and sadistic mastermind plotting to destroy Afro Samurai. Liu is the star of several Hollywood blockbuster action-adventure films including Charlie’s Angels and Kill Bill and has joined the cast of the ABC drama Dirty Sexy Money. Liu can currently be heard as Master Viper in the animated film Kung Fu Panda.

Additional casting includes Mark Hamill as Bin, Sio’s manservant and protector…best known as the young hero Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy…

We’ll have more details on Afro Samurai 2 when we find out more!

School Rumble, Season One is over, but school is still in session with sneak peeks behind the scenes in School Rumble, Extra Class!

Plot Summary

Ever wonder what happens before or after an episode? Apparently someone has and has collected all those random, odd moments. Catch a gander at the girls as they soak in some hot springs. Or watch as Yakumo discovers she can see more than the average high schooler. Be amazed at Class 2-C as they relive their time as Neanderthals.

Class isn’t over yet, and it’s time for a little fill in the blanks!

Review

Extra Class is a cute addition to the series, but isn’t necessary to understand the series. It’s an extra, a bonus for diehard fans of series. The OVA has its moments where the laughs are quality, but its nothing compared to the first season of the anime.

Conclusion

Both “episodes” of Extra Class are filled with randomness only a fan of the series would understand. There is no further development, nor forthcoming explanations, yet it’s entertaining for those who want just a little more School Rumble in their lives.

Rating

School Rumble, Extra Class gets 3 outta 5 Hammies!

Retail Info

• Publisher: Funimation
• Release Date:June 17, 2008
• Retail Price: $19.98
• Number of discs:1
• Episodes: 1-2
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Language: English, Japanese
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Ok, these ‘live action anime’ announcements seem to be happening with a lot more frequency. iFMagazine.com just unleashed some news regarding a live action version of one of our favorite anime series…Cowboy Bebop:

When asked about other projects he (producer Erwin Stoff)  is currently working on, Stoff, let slip some very juicy news about a very beloved anime franchise.

“I‘m developing COWBOY BEBOP for Fox, but doing it as a live-action film, so I’m working on that at the moment,” Stoff tells iF. “I’m really excited to be working on it, and it’s in the really early stages. We just signed it the other day.”

Special thanks to Scott at Anime AICN and ANN for the tips!

How do you feel about a live action, Hollywood-style Cowboy Bebop film? Who do you think should be in it? Who should direct?

PREMIER JAPANESE FASHION DESIGNERS COME TO THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL AS GUESTS OF HONOR

The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced designers from Baby, The Stars Shine Bright - Japan’s premier Lolita fashion brand - will participate in its 2008 event as Guests of Honor. Baby, The Stars Shine Bright designers Miho Satoh and Masumi Kanoh will attend the New York Anime Festival to speak about the history and philosophy of their brand, welcome fans to a special Baby, The Stars Shine boutique, and even enjoy a cup of tea with NYAF attendees during a Baby, The Stars Shine Bright tea party. All this will occur at the New York Anime Festival, an anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture convention from the creators of New York Comic Con, that takes place September 26th through the 28th at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

Born on the streets of Japan, Lolita fashion adopts child-like charms and details from periods such as Rococo France and Victorian England. The Lolita look is full of knee-skimming skirts, pintucks, petticoats, and blouses edged in lace. Developing since the 1970s in Japan, Lolita fashion is now rapidly gaining a wide following worldwide.

“We’re very honored to have Baby, The Stars Shine Bright take part in the New York Anime Festival,” NYAF Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “NYAF is a celebration of all that is part of Japanese pop culture, and Lolita fashion is a dynamic part of what’s on the cutting edge — and Baby, The Stars Shine Bright is largely responsible for getting it there.”

Baby, The Stars Shine Bright was founded as a boutique in Shibuya, Tokyo in 1988 by husband and wife team Akinori and Fumiyo Isobe. Baby, The Stars Shine Bright has since grown into an international phenomenon with fans around the world and stores as faraway as Paris. The brand has collaborated with numerous famous icons including Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Japanese pop star Nana Kitade. Anime fans and followers of Asian cinema will no doubt recognize Baby, The Stars Shine Bright as the clothing line at the center of the feature film Kamikaze Girls.

Baby, The Stars Shine Bright designer Miho Satoh was born in Tokyo, enjoyed handicrafts since she was young, and started studying clothing design as a high school student. Even now, after joining Baby, The Stars Shine Bright, she continues her studies in clothing design. Designer Masumi Kanoh was born in Miyagi, Japan. She’s always loved cute things and discovered Lolita fashion in junior high school. She joined Baby, The Stars Shine Bright right out of university.

Further information about Miho Satoh and Masumi Kanoh and the Baby, The Stars Shine Bright events at the New York Anime Festival will be available at newyorkanimefestival.com in the coming weeks. Tickets to NYAF are on sale now at newyorkanimefestival.com.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL

The New York Anime Festival takes place September 26-28, 2008 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con. The New York Anime Festival showcases the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explores the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life. NYAF’s partners include Bandai Entertainment, BookExpo America, Dark Horse Comics, Del Rey Manga, Kinokuniya Bookstore, New York Comic Con, Samurai Beat Radio, Subway Cinema, TheOtaku.com, and TOKYOPOP. Further information can be found at newyorkanimefestival.com.

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS

The New York Anime Festival is operated by Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading events organizer. In 2007, Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and organized by 39 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2006, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,052 million on turnover of £5,398 million.

PROLIFIC JAPANESE VOICE ACTRESS TO ATTEND THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL AS A GUEST OF HONOR

The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced famous Japanese voice actress Rie Tanaka will appear at its 2008 event as a Guest of Honor. Ms. Tanaka is most known around the globe for voicing Lacus Clyne in the anime series Gundam SEED, Chii in Chobits, and Suigintou in Rozen Maiden. The New York Anime Festival, an anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture convention from the creators of New York Comic Con, takes place September 26th through the 28th at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

“We’re excited to welcome Ms. Tanaka into or show,” NYAF Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “She’s given voice to some of the most popular and enduring anime characters in recent years, and we know she has an eager fanbase wanting to meet her in America.”

While Ms. Tanaka is most known for her roles in Gundam SEED, Chobits, and Rozen Maiden, she has contributed her voice to characters in over 50 animations, with some standouts including Simca in Air Gear, Yomi in Azumanga Daioh, Sei in Burst Angel, Hiroko Matsukata in Hataraki Man, Monica Lange in Macross Frontier, Tomoe Marguerite in My-Otome, Saki in Steel Angel Kurumi, and Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke in Strike Witches. In addition, Ms. Tanaka is also the voice behind songs featured in many of the series she’s worked on including Azumanga Daioh, Burst Angel, Chobits, and Gundam SEED.

Beyond question-and-answer and autograph sessions, Ms. Tanaka will perform a selection of her songs at the start of NYAF’s World Cosplay Summit Masquerade — a costume contest with prizes including a trip to Japan. Tickets to NYAF are on sale now at newyorkanimefestival.com.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL

The New York Anime Festival takes place September 26-28, 2008 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con. The New York Anime Festival showcases the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explores the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life. NYAF’s partners include Bandai Entertainment, BookExpo America, Dark Horse Comics, Del Rey Manga, Kinokuniya Bookstore, New York Comic Con, Samurai Beat Radio, Subway Cinema, TheOtaku.com, and TOKYOPOP. Further information can be found at newyorkanimefestival.com.

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS

The New York Anime Festival is operated by Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading events organizer. In 2007, Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and organized by 39 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2006, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,052 million on turnover of £5,398 million.

VIZ Media is stepping up their presence in Hollywood:

Based in Hollywood, VIZ Prods. will be run by Jason Hoffs, a former production exec at Amblin and DreamWorks, who most recently had his own producing deal at Sony.

VIZ effort is another recent example of publishers, from the New York Times to vidgame companies such Capcom, becoming proactive in exploiting film projects hatched from their content.

“Properties like ‘Naruto,’ ‘Bleach,’ ‘Death Note,’ ‘Vampire Knight’ and ‘Monster’ are just a few properties that show the massive appeal of manga to many different demographics, and we have an almost endless pool of titles to draw from,” Hoffs said.

- VIZ Media Enters Movie Business, By Michael Fleming, Variety.com

What do you think? Are we going to start seeing Bleach, Naurto and Death Note live action anime films?

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Anime series will be featured on Playstation 3 Video Network! Here’s a brief quote, in case you don’t want to read the whole thing:

Additionally, SCEI will be introducing original exclusive content such as Xam’d: Lost Memories, an anime series developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, delivered in SD and HD.

Here’s the official release from Sony:

PLAYSTATION®Network’s Video Delivery Service to Offer Movies and TV Shows for Purchase and TV Shows for Purchase and Rental Through PLAYSTATION®3 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)

New service to expand entertainment offering of PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP giving consumers downloadable content when and where they want it.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today launches the company’s new video delivery service on PLAYSTATION®Store for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems in the United States. Consumers will have the ability to download full-length movies, television shows, and original programming accessible through the PLAYSTATION Store on PLAYSTATION®Network. With nearly 300 full length movies and more than 1,200 TV episodes, many available in both standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD), PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service makes PS3 the ultimate entertainment platform and enhances PSP’s status as a portable entertainment marvel. PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service will become available later this evening.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) will initially make available to consumers content for video rental and electronic sell-through from top movie studios including: 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate Entertainment, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros. Entertainment as well as titles for rent from The Walt Disney Studios and a wide-ranging menu of popular titles from a variety of television partners.

“PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service capitalizes on the superior value and entertainment potential of PS3 and PSP – not only for gaming enthusiasts, but also for the millions of consumers looking to buy the best, most versatile solution for their home entertainment system,” said Jack Tretton, President and CEO, SCEA. “The collaboration of Sony’s film, TV and entertainment business units, coupled with our hardware and content offerings, provide consumers with entertainment experiences unlike any on the market.”

The video delivery service will have full integration in the PLAYSTATION Network, utilizing the same login, wallet management, and user interface of the newly revamped PLAYSTATION Store. Video will be categorized, for example, by top rating, alphabetical order, television shows, and movies and content is also fully searchable, for example, by title, producer, studio and cast. In addition, PS3’s progressive downloading means users can view content shortly after the downloading process begins. Background downloading is also a feature of PS3, allowing users to access other platform features such as gaming and other XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) content while a video is downloading to their consoles.

20th Century Fox’s “Alvin and the Chipmunks”, Lionsgate’s“3:10 to Yuma”, MGM’s “Rocky”, Paramount Pictures’ “Cloverfield”, Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man”, and Warner Bros. Entertainment’s “10,000 B.C.” are a few of the titles available for electronic sell-through on the video service at launch. Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” will also be available for rent. Additionally, SCEI will be introducing original exclusive content such as Xam’d: Lost Memories, an anime series developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, delivered in SD and HD.

Consumers who rent a movie from the video delivery service have 14 days to watch the content. Once content playback is started, consumers have a full 24 hours to enjoy their rental. Pricing for rental movies at launch ranges from $2.99 to $5.99, and pricing for purchased movies ranges from $9.99 to $14.99. Sony has also adopted Marlin Digital Rights Management technology, an open industry standard for protecting and managing digital content, to provide consumers with flexible access to their content while ensuring digital rights are protected. Usage rules of the video download service will allow content for purchase to be shared on multiple activated devices including PS3 and PSP systems per PLAYSTATION Network account, depending on the type of content purchased by the user.

One of the biggest value propositions of PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service is the ability to transfer digital content onto the PSP from the PS3. For the initial electronic sell-through or rental price, consumers can also transfer content onto multiple devices. The connectivity between PS3 and PSP platforms provides a seamless solution for those looking for entertainment experiences on their own terms – on the go or in their living room – all with a new-found freedom of not having to worry about TV schedules, movie listings or viewing on a desktop PC.

About PLAYSTATION®Network

The PLAYSTATION®Network is an emergent entertainment network aimed at digitally delivering innovative content and fostering community for a worldwide audience. The PLAYSTATION Network is the gateway to the PLAYSTATION®Store, PlayStation.com, and Sony Computer Entertainment America’s upcoming service PlayStation®Home. In addition to offering new and original forms of entertainment, the PLAYSTATION Network supports free and community-centric online gameplay, communications tools, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and PLAYSTATION®3 connectivity. As of June 2008, the PLAYSTATION Network has more than 10M registered accounts worldwide.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its digital services PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Toonami Jetstream, which is hosted by Cartoon Network and Viz Media is now streaming the first episode of the anime series Kiba. Unfortunately, their website has several usability issues. The biggest on for me is that you can’t easily copy/paste the url of any specific show since it’s a Flash site. but if you’re searching for some free (and legal) anime to watch, check it out.

Here’s the Toonami synopsis of Kiba:

“A troubled you man, Zed is transported to a luch, dangerous world where he discovers that he can use magic as a powerful Shard Caster.”

Thanks to ANN for the tip!