Forum Buzz
By da Original S Man & asagiri2040

12/3/03 Edition

Important News

System Update: Feedback/User Title Changes
For the moment, the "Feedback" system has once again been taken offline until the bugs can be worked out. In addition, Chris has changed the current user title "rankings" to a simple system of 0-24: Newbie, 25-1999: Member, 2000-3999: Senior Member, and 4000+: Veteran Member. Current titles with the older names will convert as they enter the new limits.

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

And now, onto the forums...

Kiddy Grade and Tenchi Muyo!: GXP release info
The ever-helpful Lance Heiskell of FUNimation took a moment to clarify some release details regarding two of FUNi’s 2004 releases. Each show will be released over 8 discs, with one disc being released every 6 weeks. Each disc will be priced at FUNi’s standard price point of $24.95 per disc. There will be an empty Kiddy Grade box later, without cap, and possibly with new artwork. More on-disc extras are in the works. There’s also a lot of complaining going on about price and space and such as a result, so go check it out!

First Marmalade Boy Collection due in April
After a long wait and much speculation, we finally have a date: April 27, 2004. The first of 4 3-disc collections from TOKYOPOP will street that day with a $99.99 price point. Needless to say, there are more than a few fans who are quite ecstatic about the news, although the newest questions center around quality (with 6/7 episodes per disc) and materials (as the current Japanese release was done using a new set of masters).

InuYasha Limited Edition Box Set Question
Some fans have received their copies of the LE InuYasha set due this month from Viz, and discovered for the first time the true nature of the packaging. Rather than being a tin, as initially touted, the set is actually a brick inside a thin cardboard box, much like the Maison Ikkoku sets. This news had been circulating for a while, although no official announcement was made. Another issue is that the calendar, while neat, was packaged inside the box, resulting in extra empty space. However, it should be noted that this is a special holiday sort of item, and that larger sets are most likely forthcoming.

Prétear volume 1 and Angelic Layer volume 2 M.I.A.
Fans were eagerly awaiting a couple of discs to be watched during that post-Thanksgiving meal downtime, but the discs were a no-show. Missing official street dates for the first time in a long time, ADV’s 11/25 releases of Angelic Layer v.2 and Prétear v.1 were mysteriously absent from B&Ms and online retailers everywhere, with some retailers having rescheduled dates and others being left in the dark. Holiday crunch? Or something more?

R1 Bits & Pieces
Will there be an Ai Yori Aoshi full box set? Probably not. Is Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magikarte coming to the US? Yes. Will the Tenchi Muyo!: GXP dub include the past Tenchi VAs reprising their roles during cameo appearances? Maybe. What’s FUNimation releasing in March? A lot. Which anime titles are widescreen? Also a lot. What anime titles did you get this month? That’s three in a row.

R2/R3 Upcoming DVDs
Just as a quick note of some upcoming titles. You're Under Arrest the Movie is anamorphic and includes DTS/DD5.1 Stereo for the Korean release. Daft Punk's Interstellar 5555 gets a snazzy LE version which includes a 12 track CD of tunes from the internet exclusive Daft Club. And Cutie Honey is coming to DVD with the option of one big box or three single volumes to grab.

ADV UK announce new licenses
"Danj" noticed that the ADV UK website has updated its listed of new licensed titles. Amoung the list are 11 new or confirmed titles of the 21 on the list. It looks like the UK will see the Sakura Wars OVA collection in one grab of a case and then be able to start collecting the TV series.

Haibane-Renmei V.2 Pencil Board Replacement Program
Despite the DVDs being labeled with a "Limited Edition" sticker, some copies do not contain the pencil board goodie which was suppose to come with the DVD. So, to correct this error Geneon Ent. has setup a toll-free phone number for all fans missing the item to call. You do not need to show proof-of-purchase, just call (888) 228-2094 and leave your mailing information. The offer will be available through Jan. 30th, 2004.

Azumanga Daioh Cast Guessing Game Contest
Round 3 is already underway with just one cast member left. Known cast members include Jessica Boone as Chiyo-chan, Kira Vincent-Davis as Osaka, Christine Auten as Sakaki (fun fact: Christine & seiyuu Yuu Asakawa have both played Priss in BGC2040 and Sakaki in AD), and the pair of teaching rivals Yukari & Nyamo are voiced by Luci Christian & Monica Rial.

Galaxy Angel cast list
"drakh" managed to get his hands on the cast list for Galaxy Angel which is coming out in 2004 from Bandai. The Ocean Group's cast reflects a diverse mix of regulars & relative newcomers for the cute series. Besides, how can you not want to hear Jocelyne "Komugi" Lowen as the lead character Milfeuille Sakuraba?

Fans Take On...
And here's a new feature for the English Track! Every month, your two friendly ET moderators will pick a particular voice actor to be spotlighted as the AoD VA of the Month. An anchored thread in the ET will be devoted to all sorts of discussion about that VA: your favorite roles of theirs, favorite lines... favorite foods, even! Heck, why not? And maybe even that particular VA will be around to offer up some words of wisdom or mischief. And, at the end of the month, an article will be written up to compile your thoughts. The ever-popular Monica Rial has agreed to be the first victi... err, nominee, so go check it out!

DVD Covers for the Week
Bigger Kiddy Grade image.

Argento Manga
Light week from the holidays.

Dark Horse

Del Ray

Gutsoon!

TOKYOPOP

Viz

Manga Recommendations

Recommendations Rundown
“SaebaSang” asks a dangerous question: is Love Hina or Ai Yori Aoshi better? “GrantM” is looking to live life on the edge, and asks about shows that aren’t hentai but do include a particular hentai-associated aspect (or aspects, if you will). Returning to the realm of safe recommendations, “Air Of Benevolence” is looking for some good shounen shows and “Njr Scrawl” needs help deciding between Witch Hunter Robin and Wolf’s Rain. And many more! Yours may be the deciding comment or criticism that turns someone on to a show, or turns them away, so go and post! No way, get off my way, know where we are going… Zone of the Enders!

Females with Cat Ears?
Intresting. Did you know where the Japanese indulgence for girls with "cat ears" came from?

Second Annual AOD Holiday party: December 13th
Party. Boston. 7p-11p. Historic Omni Parker House Hotel. 10 greenbacks at the door. Must reg to go. 'nuff said.

Burn-Up Scramble TV: few new details
Rio, Maya, Lillica, and Yuuji are back again for another TV series from AIC. But the designs have changed a bit more than some expected. Details are still coming in day to day but the AIC poster shows that everyone is basically being revamped & colored for the newest release.

Christmas Wallpapers
A slow but building collection of links has popped up for X-Mas/Holiday related material. Wallpapers are the main goal but anything winter holiday is welcome. Who will cover your desktop? The ladies of Noir.. Aoi-chan.. or the classic of Asuka from Evangelion?

Tenchi Muyo! 3 OVA Preview Ep. 15
AIC's other very active project, Tenchi Masaki is gaining some more girls and trouble for the 15th episode in the ongoing series. The past and his future are going to meet very soon, but will he finally choose a girl to marry?

Japanese SAQ (Seldom Asked Questions)
Manga junky "Kiril" has a thread about the lesser asked questions about Japan. Ever wondered why train drivers wave at certain points or how the post office came up with the "T" logo? Do you know why just about every TV station can't start on the hour and instead a few minutes before or past the hour/half hour? Answers inside.

Creator of Calvin and Hobbes profiled
CleverScene.com's James Renner has taken on an intresting task: Bill Watterson. Creator of the popular "Calvin & Hobbes" and possibly the most reclusive comic strip in modern society, James explores much of who Bill was and maybe why he decided to stop at the peak of fanfare.

Questions for the Week
The eVil reign of asking the known & unknown is back yet again.

Gymgoers wary of camera phones
As camera phones become more popular, so does the chance to use them in ways that society frowns upon. Gymgoers now, Congoers later? Keep an eye out for a low lying phone looking at ya.

Quote of the Week

"Pfft.. It's all about MayuMayu and Ayu. Up with waitress uniforms!" - weasl

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. Fly, yes. Land, no. And holidays suck for taking away alot of news & people to have fun with.