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...until we have 14 year olds piloting mecha to save the world. (Okay, the Eva aren't mecha exactly, but that's one of my favorite series.)

I, too, didn't really see the connection between the anime and the manga market today which is primarily being driven to new heights by the Shoujo segment of the market. It seems to be a pretty flimsy and misinformed association. Evangelion definitely deserves to be recognized for its significance to the anime market, though. Especially considering it the cost of licensing the show was astronomical at the time, and the title helped catapult AD Vision to the forefront of the anime publisher list.

ADV does have some really nice sales every once in a while - they are having one for christmas right now. Wonderful prices on a lot of their boxsets.
http://www.advfilms.com/track/sales.asp?id=holiday
But seriously, quit whining about it. You had your chance to download the fansub before they licensed the show, so if you were slow, or they licensed mid season, tough tits. I would hope by the end of (or at least by 5 episodes in), you could determine whether or not you enjoyed a series enough to support those who bring it here by actually purchasing it (or just stop watching). Don't complain about high prices, just look harder.

ADVision never has a big booth at Otakon. They let Suncoast handle sales for them in the Dealer's Room, and they participate in Industry Panels at the event. Dave Williams, one of the producers for ADVision, was there, and mentioned Otakon in his blog yesterday, along with links to the torrents for Madlax and Godannar. You'll need this codec to view these.

ADVision recently made a MADLAX trailer available on BitTorrent.

Why oh why does this remind me of Wandaba style?

I'd like to know more about the "aEgis robots" mentioned in the article. I wonder if this is a spinoff of the Aegis naval weapons system (Some kind of super-duper anti-air targeting/firing system) technology that US/Lockheed sold to S.Korea a few years ago?

South Korean troops deployed in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil used two aEgis robots mounted with rifles between November 2004 and February 2005 for surveillance, along with mine-detonating robots.

Sounds cool. Personally, I hope these Aegis robots look something like this.

Basically, i don't see how their legal defense would go. "we only provide links to the torrents" would be suprnovas, but isn't loki a tracker?

"we're not the ones downloading, we're just facilitating."

Since lokitorrent doesn't host the copyrighted file, but rather provides a way to communicate with the person that does, that's not really a good analogy. A tracker is more like the phone company in a sense. The phone company, much like a tracker, provides a way for two or more parties to communicate, it doesn't provide or contribute to the conversation. You don't see the phone company being charged with criminal conspiracy when two or more of their customers use their lines to conduct illegal activities do you?

I think what the MPAA is doing is wrong. If they were going after the providers of, or those who knowingly download, the copyrighted material, that would be one thing. But, to go after the tracker sites instead seems cheap.

Also, why is their first response a threat to sue if they don't shutdown their site? They could have just sent the site owner a letter listing all the things they held copyright on and asked them to remove them and put a mechanism in place so that their materials are not permitted to be posted in the future. Much like how ADV Films dealt with anime torrents sites that were listing/tracking the anime they licensed. Granted, several of the sites relocated their servers to countries that do not recognize copyright laws, but the remaining ones just removed the offending links and/or torrent files (with the exception of several sites that decided that it was too much trouble to address the long-term problem and shutdown their site). This seems a more ethical and cost-effective solution in my opinion.

Like our favorite irate 5-year-old, Super Milk Chan would say, YOU DUMBASS! I have gotten two of them working, because of using Google. now, see that little white bar at the top? Right under where it says Microsoft Internet Explorer (no doubt that you are using IE like all the other idiots)? Good. Now click there, and push the DEL key. Now, follow along here. Type:

h-t-t-p-:-/-/-w-w-w-.-g-o-o-g-l-e-.-c-o-m

and search for things like [hint]tux http server zope[/hint].. Maybe even for good measure, try [ahem] searching the archives on mail.zope.org to find some people who have already answered your question.

This is why the phrase RTFM was invented. Had you bothered looking, you could saved a few people some time holding your hand and teaching you how to find information for yourself. Sucka!

While looking at the photos I kept thinking that somebody has been watching the Angelic Layer anime series, or reading the manga series.

AL is more or less the same thing except your control your doll (robot) with technology assisted telekenesis.

Casshern (aka: Casshan Robot Hunter)

Trailer Here (Warning: Japanese Page and Quicktime Format) DVD of Original Anime Series Here

One down, one to go.

I think it's true with anime, too -- the growing popularity over the past few years has made a number of anime pop up which, honestly, aren't all that worthy, to reference the Miyazaki quote.

I feel sorry for ADV Films.

Same deal with me. I recently moved and decided I didn't need cable that bad. I just watched Farscape at my girlfriend's apt.

I know there's not much chance you'll see this since you posted AC but you might want to cancel your satellite now and spend the money on the DVDs. Season 3 is being released now from advfilms.

ADV Films and Pioneer Animation have huge chunks of the new anime coming to the states also. I think ADV alone has something like 300 discs planned for release this year alone.

The series Rahxephon has been picked up by AD Vision. For those that don't know, it's a series similar to Eva. The series is just finishing up its run in Japan, but it's almost impossible to find the subs now. I'm always hoping someone like Cartoon Network or Sci-Fi will pick up some of these better Mini-Series. That's the problem though, they like stuff like DBZ that they can rerun to death.

... Except, of course, that the number of anime releases by a major studio can likely be counted on one hand. (I'm thinking Akira and the the upcoming commercial release of the Cowboy Bebop movie, as well as the various implementations of Fuzzy Seizure Rodents.) In fact, with the exception of Manga (a relatively small company with few, although some major, licenced titles) and Pioneer (who tend to be overpriced to begin with, IMHO), the domestic anime companies tend to avoid using Macrovision or regioning at all unless it's stipulated in the license - in fact, this is the official policy of ADV, the largest US anime translator/distributor.

So... well the /. stance on the MPAA may well be hypocritical... enthusiasm for anime releases is rarely an example of such. ^^

Actually, ADV have more redeeming qualities to them than just not being an MPAA member. I own a couple of their DVD's, which imported from the USA - so at first, I was expecting them to give me a load of trouble in my (region 2) DVD player.

However, as I soon found out, the discs were region 0 (as in, no region coding) and I were able to watch (and rip, cough cough) them all with a minimum of fuss. I don't know if ADV still sells their DVD's w/o region coding, but if they do, more power to them.

If anyone cares, the discs were Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 1 through 4 and the first Slayers movie (which is even funnier dubbed than subbed fsr).

Actually, ADV have more redeeming qualities to them than just not being an MPAA member. I own a couple of their DVD's, which imported from the USA - so at first, I was expecting them to give me a load of trouble in my (region 2) DVD player.

However, as I soon found out, the discs were region 0 (as in, no region coding) and I were able to watch (and rip, cough cough) them all with a minimum of fuss. I don't know if ADV still sells their DVD's w/o region coding, but if they do, more power to them.

If anyone cares, the discs were Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 1 through 4 and the first Slayers movie (which is even funnier dubbed than subbed fsr).

Actually, ADV have more redeeming qualities to them than just not being an MPAA member. I own a couple of their DVD's, which imported from the USA - so at first, I was expecting them to give me a load of trouble in my (region 2) DVD player.

However, as I soon found out, the discs were region 0 (as in, no region coding) and I were able to watch (and rip, cough cough) them all with a minimum of fuss. I don't know if ADV still sells their DVD's w/o region coding, but if they do, more power to them.

If anyone cares, the discs were Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 1 through 4 and the first Slayers movie (which is even funnier dubbed than subbed fsr).

Actually there are a few misconceptions about the release: -There are two box sets currently available for order. The Robotech: The Macross Saga (DVD 1 and 2 + bonus DVD) and the Complete Macross Saga Collection. The Robotech series is the one that most children grew up watching here in the states, while the Macross Saga is the series that originally aired in Japan. Robotech is actually an adaptation of the Japanese version Macross, and the stories are slightly different (I won't ruin it with spoilers, BUT VERY DIFFERENT ENDING!) -The Robotech DVD's (put out by ADV) are completely UNREMASTERED (no remaster of video or audio). So all the original bad audio and film scratches are there. They are just flat copies from the original tape put together by Macek and Harmony Gold. These are English Dubbed with a few silly song clips in other languages (see here). - The Macross DVD's (put out by Animeigo) are completely REMASTERED (both video and audio). They are quite beautiful in the rework (see here). BIG DIFFERENCE. However, they will be released only in Japanese with English Subtitles. - Also, the entire Robotech Saga will run you close to $100 after tax. The entire Macross Saga will run you $250 if you preorder it. Yes, I'm a fan. The only man somewhat proud to have a Lisa Hayes 12" doll to keep him warm at night.

Now that the series is coming out on DVD almost 1 a month, it's exciting to see that the release date of DVD #7 is May 29, 2001 (a little known fact, find it here: ADVfilms. The date for the next one has been released even before the April 17th release date of #6 has approached! I'm excited, but then again these DVDs are poor quality compared to other DVDs, but that's another story.

---

--Ty

I have been and continue to be impressed with the quality and selection of anime that ADV releases in the US. Adding this classic to the mix is yet another example of ADV's excellence. I have so far enjoyed just about everything that I have seen come from them, from Evangelion (which, IMHO, they did a pretty good job with the dubbing) to the Kenshin OVAs (a.k.a. Samurai X...no flame wars about the title change, please) to Nadesico (which, IMHO, the English dub is actually better than the original Japanese dub).

Keep up the good work ADV. And please, please, please, please, PLEASE get the rights to the US release of FLCL.

Disclaimer: please, no dub vs. sub debates and other various flame wars from this. This is my opinion. It doesn't have to match yours. ^_^

Hmm... you're using just American animated movies as a criteria, right? I dare you to watch the Rurouni Kenshin OVA series and then tell me "The Iron Giant" was even a top five contender :) (The second part to this will be released in November) This is the best storyline I have seen in an animated movie ever (well, it's not exactly a movie but it's not a tv show either... it's sorta inbetween). It's certainly not for kids, though--this much will be apparent two minutes into the first part :) I don't think we take animation serious enough to do it right.

Hmm... you're using just American animated movies as a criteria, right? I dare you to watch the Rurouni Kenshin OVA series and then tell me "The Iron Giant" was even a top five contender :) (The second part to this will be released in November) This is the best storyline I have seen in an animated movie ever (well, it's not exactly a movie but it's not a tv show either... it's sorta inbetween). It's certainly not for kids, though--this much will be apparent two minutes into the first part :) I don't think we take animation serious enough to do it right.

Toonami stopped playing Robotech because it wasn't being watched (see this interview, question 8). But don't let it get you down; Animeigo has picked up the rights to release Macross (the first of three series that was altered to make Robotech), and ADV is apparently going to be releasing Robotech. Both releases on DVD.

Alan Zabaro

I have my Neon Genesis Evangelion 0:1 dvd, which has no listing for region code on the packaging. I then pleasently discovered, its region free! It's put out by ADVfilms. Anyone else have something similar?

Regarding Reboot on the Toonami lineup, I recently was happy to notice that A.D. Vision will be publishing the Reboot and Shadow Raiders series on CD (see here at 07-05-2000 Resistance is Futile). They must have licenced them from Mainframe. A.D. Vision is a big publisher of Anime videos.

I may even have been partly responsible. At the 1999 V-Con, I talked to Adria Budd, who worked on a number of the Reboot Season 2 & 3 scripts and was executive assistant to either Ian Pearson or Gavin Blair (I forget which). She was also the modeler's inspiration for the adult Andraia. Anyways, I asked if there were any plans for releasing Reboot on DVD and she said there weren't. I suggested Mainframe might want to check out Anime producers like AnimEigo or A.D. Vision because:

• There's a fair amount of overlap between Reboot and Anime fandom
• North American anime publishers are used to licensing and redistributing properties that have been developed by third parties for television distribution.

Regarding Reboot on the Toonami lineup, I recently was happy to notice that A.D. Vision will be publishing the Reboot and Shadow Raiders series on CD (see here at 07-05-2000 Resistance is Futile). They must have licenced them from Mainframe. A.D. Vision is a big publisher of Anime videos.

I may even have been partly responsible. At the 1999 V-Con, I talked to Adria Budd, who worked on a number of the Reboot Season 2 & 3 scripts and was executive assistant to either Ian Pearson or Gavin Blair (I forget which). She was also the modeler's inspiration for the adult Andraia. Anyways, I asked if there were any plans for releasing Reboot on DVD and she said there weren't. I suggested Mainframe might want to check out Anime producers like AnimEigo or A.D. Vision because:

• There's a fair amount of overlap between Reboot and Anime fandom
• North American anime publishers are used to licensing and redistributing properties that have been developed by third parties for television distribution.

<spoiler>
WARNING, don't read unless you don't want the series spoiled for you.
</spoiler>

I have to disagree with you on the last two episodes. They were VERY well done, and IMHO is a very beautiful ending to the story. Well it's not neccisarily an ending per say, because of the situation. Everything from episode 1 is referenced in the last two episodes and if you watch it very carefully it will explain almost everything that takes place.

The main character along with everyone else goes into the project that was mentioned under the very first episode. However they only show the main character's story because it would be way to complicated to do everyone else. There is no real ending because you have to make that up yourself, but what is certain, "instrumentality" does take place and Ikari Shinji does complete it. What you do realize however that the story doesn't really end there, you needed to see the movies because that will pick up all the pieces of the puzzle and put them all together. Death and Rebirth is the first one, and End of Evangelion is the redone episodes's 25 and 26. There you will see that after going through the process he comes back to earth from Eva 1, because Rei is the body they use to enter the eva, and with the help of Karou it is made possible. He comes back to earth because of his love for Asuka.

The movie license has been acquired by Manga entertainment and should be out (hopefully) this year. Check their web site at http://www.manga.com. Also be sure to check out ADV's site for the DVD release at http://www.advfilms.com.

Hope this clears everything up

• Ayashi-no Seles
  • Ayashi.net
• Bubblegum Crisis
  • Bubblegum Crisis page
  • Tokyo 2040: Rare and Useless Pages
• Neon Genesis Evangelion
  • Neon Genesis Evangelion site
• A.D.V. Films
• AnimEigo
• Anime Grapevine
• Anime Hideaway
• Anime International Company
• Anime Marriage Prospects
• Anime Nation
• Anime On DVD
• AniPike
• AniSound
• Ex
• OX-11 ("Gall Force: The Web Page")
• U.S. Manga Corps

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

I'm glad someone here brought this up. ^_^

If you are looking for some Anime resources on line, here is a short list off the top of my head:

- EX
This is a review site that reviews a ton of Anime, Anime Music, Manga(comics where a lot of Anime comes from), and other stuff(games, books, etc that are Anime related). One of the oldest and longest running online Anime e-zines.

- Hitoshi Doi's Seiyuu Database
Hitoshi's exploits as a Seiyuu(a voice actor/actress) are legendary and his database shows it. If there was a piece of animation made in Japan and there was a speaking role in it, it has been cataloged here. Great for crossref-ing your favorite actress!

Conventions(there are a bunch...to list them all would kill me ^_^)
- Anime Expo
Southern California con. Quite possibly, the "high profile Anime con" where a lot of the domestics and some of the Japanese companies make announcements.

- Anime Central
Chicago area con. Great con for those of us who live in the center of the country. ^_^;

Business...
- A.D. Films
Domestic distributor of stuff shows like Evangelion.
- Anime Village
Domestic distributor of stuff shows like Cowboy Bebop.
- Pioneer Anime
Domestic distributor of shows like Tenchi.

Finally....
- Anipike
An ambitious attempt to catalog all of the Anime content out there on the web. Has an interesting "Last Exit" column that showcases the best(and the worse) of Anime Online. This site is great to find anything and everything Anime.

Give Devil Hunter Yohko a try. It's an older six-part series from A.D. Vision, but it's very funny and pokes fun at the whole magical girl genre.

One of my favourite scenes is in part three, when the star of the show, Yohko, is doing her obligatory speech before her transformation sequence. The monster she's facing attacks her during the speech, and she yells out, "Hey! I only had one more line to go!"

Another good scene is in the first part, when she's having a swordfight with an evil vampire queen. The queen slashes her sword across Yohko's chest, tearing her dress and revealing a generous amount of cleavage. Yohko looks down, then narrows her eyes at the queen and says in a very unimpressed voice, "Don't you think that was a bit much?"

All geeks like anime, at least the Sci-Fi stuff. If you are a geek and don't like Sci-Fi there is something wrong with you.

Some great movies/videos are:

Battle Angel Alita
Ghost in a Shell
Bubblegum Crisis (Orig & 2040) (I recommend 2040)
Cowboy Bebop
Evangelion
Spriggen (not released in english yet)
Serial Experiments Lain (turns on all geeks, who can not like a chick who upgrades a computer until there is no room left in her room? bahwahahaha. This is a mind trip series.. all about existing on an alternate universe... the Wired (the Internet), cool eh?)

Some Mangas(comic books 17-18+) are: (please don't buy these for your young geek friends/family members)

Appleseed (very cool!)
Ghost in a Shell (cool also)
Alita (9 volumes!)

Anything by Shiro Masamune is highly recomended, not sure if girl geeks will like it, some are graphic.
Places to buy:
www.dvdexpress.com
www.reel.com
www.advfilms.com
www.animevillage.com

for more info on a series and anime go to Anipike

-Ben