I am Octavio Soto with your Animatrix NewsLetter for the months of late April through June. Well, I have heard some little details about Anime Central. It had a huge crowd, around 10,000 or more attended. Too bad I couldnít be there. I am sure I missed out on some great events and some partying. But I wasnít at home, I went to Mexico. I went and had some fun, meet some cute girls and enjoyed the nightlife. I had one beer, two beers, three beers, four beers, five beers, six beers, seven beers, eight beers, nine beers, ten beersÖÖÖ Awww I am so drunk remembering about it. LOL. Can somebody bring the anti-hangover pill? Alright, had a blast not only in Monterry, but also in Durango. Didnít get to do all that much but I wish I could one day meet the best in both worlds of Chicago and Durango. God, please give me the one day soon. Well, summer is also here and we will soon experience the heat wave. And what better background I pick out for a kick ass summer.? Finally, I like to wish my sister a happy birthday this month. She turns 19. Thatís enough, go to the news. Enjoy and stay cool through the hot and steamy summer.ÖÖ
L8R

ENTER THE NEWSÖÖ..THE ANIMATRIX NEWSÖÖ.
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>From AnimeNewsService.com

4-28-03---- Boston Globe Piece: Anime Brings New Style To Classic Genres
In the wake of the city's fist anime convention a few weeks back, The Boston Globe has published a new article entitled "Anime brings new style to classic genres".

4-29-03---- Tokyo Mint Announces Mitsune In Purple
Tokyo Mint Announces ìMitsune Konno in Purpleî Sixth in Love Hina Series 
Tokyo Mint has announced that the sixth statue in its Love Hina line will be the Mitsune Konno in Purple Statue, which is being pre-solicited in May for shipment in October. Mitsune Konno polls near the top of the Love Hina character list, and this larger (1/6 scale) rendering in a dramatic pose and striking outfit make this a strong entry in the line. The exclusive North American Tokyo Mint edition size for the Mitsune Konno in Purple Statue will be only 600 pieces. Each statue displays beautifully on a wooden base, and comes carefully packaged in an attractive color box (Japanese packaging with Tokyo Mint edition labeling). MSRP will be $129. 

4-29-03----Tokyo Mint Statue Schedule
Hereís an update on the statues currently solicited by Tokyo Mint with ship dates. 
Statue Name Ship Date 
Naru Narusegawa in Bikini December, 2002 
Shinobu Maehara in Bath Towel June, 2003 
Aoyama Motoko with Sword July, 2003
Naru Narusegawa in Pink August, 2003 
Naru Narusegawa in Bath Towel September, 2003 
Mitsune Konno in Purple October, 2003
Note: There will be two additional Love Hina statues from Tokyo Mint shipping November and December, 2003, which will complete the Tokyo Mint Love Hina statue series.

4-30-03---- New Astroboy Animated Series To Kids WB
Variety reports Kids' WB has picked up the new Astro Boy series that is currently airing in Japan. Sony Pictures Television, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Tezuka Productions are responsible for the new production. The show has no set airdate in the US expect that it will premiere sometime during the 2003-2004 season.

4-30-03---- Yahoo: Disney To Acquire Howl's Moving Castle - "Probably"
Yahoo has made a reference that Disney will "probably" pick up Howl's Moving Castle and it will have a limited release sometime in 2005. 

5-1-03---- Peter Chung Talks Anime
This Onion Article reveals Peter Chung's impressions regarding his work on Reign and in the anime industry in general. 

5-1-03---- Think Your Anime Toys Are Rare And Expensive?
A 100 million yen AstroBoy figurinewill be exhibited from the May 1 in Yokohama Takashimaya department store. It is the heart of a ruby to the pupil of a diagram - Astroboy(Atom) made to 18-carat gold with jewelry, such as a diamond, a ruby, and emerald, is exhibited by the eighth floor gallery of Yokohama Takashimaya from May 1. This work is exhibited by the "ASTROBOY-Atom perfect search exhibition", and height is about 1/14 of thing. Although this is an article not for sale, it is said that a price is an equivalent for 100 million yen. Atom exhibited is the weight of 102.72g, and the height of 97mm. With a base, 18 -carat gold is inserted in a diamond, and a head and trousers, the ruby is inserted in a black diamond and boots at the body portion, and emerald shines to a belt. The used jewelry is 10.89k of diagrams, 10.68k of rubies, and 1.70k of emerald. Though it is small, if it is elaborate and a chest is opened, 0.54k of heart type rubies is stored. Moreover, a head and both arms can be moved. This Atom that shines is exhibited during the holding by the twelfth at a museum corner.
Source: Thanks to Yukio-san for translation | http://www.kanagawa-np.co.jp/news/nw03050132.html

5-21-03---- ADV To Produce Live Action Evangelion Feature Film
In an announcement sure to make waves in the entertainment industry, ADV Films President and CEO John Ledford today publicly confirmed industry rumors that the firm has acquired the rights to produce, and has already begun development of, a live-action feature-film based on the Japanese animated television series "Neon Genesis Evangelion," a multi-million dollar worldwide franchise and perhaps the most influential anime title in the history of the art form.The project is a collaboration between ADV Films, Gainax and Weta Workshop, Ltd.

5-23-03---- Disney Introduces Disposable DVD's
>From the Reuters News Service: 
LOS ANGELES -- This disc will self-destruct in 48 hours. That is the warning the Walt Disney Co. will issue this August when it begins to "rent" DVDs that after two days become unplayable and do not have to be returned. 
Disney home video unit Buena Vista Home Entertainment will launch a pilot movie rental program in August that uses the self-destruction technology, the company said Friday.
The discs stop working when a process similar to rusting makes them unreadable. The discs start off red, but when they are taken out of the package, exposure to oxygen turns the coating black and makes it impenetrable by a DVD laser.
Buena Vista hopes the technology will let it crack a wider rental market because it can sell the DVDs in stores or almost anywhere without setting up a system to get the discs back. 
The discs work perfectly for the two-day viewing window, saidFlexplay Technologies, the private company that developed the technology using material from General Electric.
The technology cannot be hacked by programmers who would want to view the disc longer because the mechanism that closes the viewing window is chemical and has nothing to do with computer technology. The disc can be copied within 48 hours because it works like any other DVD during that window. 
Buena Vista did not disclose pricing plans but said the discs, dubbed EZ-D, would be available in August in select markets with recent releases including The Recruit, The Hot Chick and Signs.

5-23-03---- Disposable DVD Controversy
Just days after Disney's revelation to market disposable DVD's, those with enviromental and other concerns have launched several campaigns to have the technology dropped before it's really even take hold with in the commercial sphere. One such effort at Working For Change outlines concerns and provides a form letter to which interested parties can attach their signature and voice their own concerns to Disney.

5-23-03---- Disposable DVD's - Anime Viability
A brief anonymous headcount to various contacts across the American anime industry has revealed that while this week's news is being discussed in some quarters, besides the obvious possible library offerings out of Disney the feesibility of fans seeing Anime On Disposable DVD's, is not likely with the format not curretly being considered as a method of distribution at the present time.

5-26-03---- Massive Quake Hits Northern Japan - RattlesTokyo
According to the Hi-Net data map at this link an M7.2 earthquake struck near Iwate-ken (SendaiCity) around 6:25pm. According to reports, the quake could be felt as far away as Hokkaido in the north to Kansai in the west and 300km south in Tokyo where buildings were shaken rather strongly.

5-27-03---- US Government Gives BAAF Exclusive World Anime Party Stature
The Big Apple Anime Fest (BAAF) today announced that the United States Government has officially proclaimed the Big Apple Anime Fest to be the sole authorized World Anime PartyÆ. The United States Patent and Trademark Office formally confirmed that Big Apple Anime Fest Corporation is the sole and exclusive owner of the registered service mark, "World Anime Party" in conjunction with any anime or manga-related fan convention or film festival. BAAF's Festival Director, Victor Eisenberg, laughed when asked why BAAFis called the "World Anime Party." "Let's see," he responded. "First of all, the Big Apple Anime Fest is global, with people coming from all over the world. Secondly, it's all about anime and manga. Third, everybody who comes here, parties like crazy all weekend long. So, I guess it's called the 'World Anime Party' for a reason!" On the federal side, President George W. Bush was unavailable for comment. "He's busy with more important issues," said an unidentified spokesperson, "so don't bother him now." As a result, at press time it was unclearwhether or not the President was planning on attending BAAF this year. "We're always hopeful," said Eisenberg. "We hear he used to party hearty himself, so he'd be well received by our fans, I'm sure." 

5-28-03---- Otohime Mitsumi Swimsuit Statue Unveiled By Tokyo Mint
Tokyo Mint has announced that the seventh statue in its Love Hina line will be  the Otohime Mitsumi in Swimsuit Statue, which is being pre-solicited in June for shipment in November. This is the first statue featuring this popular character, and puts the Love Hina statue line ìback on the beach,î where it began with the sold-out NaruNarusegawa in Bikini Statue last December. The bird playfully pulling the towel up off the title character adds a second element to this statue, increasing its desirability and collectiblity. This is a 1/8 scale cold cast resin statue, delivered complete and fully painted. The exclusive North American Tokyo Mint edition size for the Otohime Mitsumi in Swimsuit Statue will be only 600 pieces. Each statue displays beautifully on a base of sandy material, and comes carefully packaged in an attractive color box (Japanese packaging with Tokyo Mint edition labeling). MSRP will be $149.

5-28-03---- Cosplay Comes to Wizard World Chicago 
In the years that Wizard Entertainment (the people behind Anime Insider and Wizard: The Comics Magazine) has run Wizard World Chicago genre entertainment convention in the country with 42,000 attendees wanted to hold a masquerade contest, and with our 2003 show its finally going to happen. Wizard World Chicago 2003, held from August 8 to10 at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, will be awarding prizes including rare DVDs, video games, T-Shirts and more in a number of categories in their first ever cosplay contest will be held the evening of Saturday, August 9th. Winners and entrants will have their photos run in the next issue of Anime Insider, and on the anime-insider.com website. Contest rules and information will be available by Monday June 9th on the Wizard World Chicago page of http://www.wizarduniverse.com/.

5-29-03---- Pryor & Associates To Serve Anime Network PR
Pryor & Associates, LLC has been named the agency of record for A.D. Vision, Inc.'s new Anime Network, the nation's first all anime programming cable network. Charged with orchestrating media coverage for the start-up channel venture, Pryor & Associates begins representation of the Anime Network immediately. The announcementwas made today by Jeff Pryor, Founder and CEO, Pryor & Associates. 
"Anime has seen phenomenal growth here in the US in just the past few years," said Pryor in making the announcement. "A.D. Vision, Inc. is uniquely positioned to launch this network, as its ADV Films is the nation's largest producer-distributor of anime programming and its monthly Newtype USA magazine, covering the worlds of Japanese animation and comics, or 'manga', provides a strong promotional platform from which to drive consumer demand for the Anime Network. In this age of cross-platform marketing, the Anime Network comes to market with solid advantages that we believe will help speed its roll-out and support significant consumer exposure, presenting an attractive channel opportunity for cable operators and MSOs looking to grow their young male subscriber base." 
Anime is the term used to describe a uniquely Japanese style of animation, recognized by its distinctive aesthetic, the complexity of its characters, its elaborate, highly serialized stories (as opposed to the stand-alone nature of much of American animation) and its often biting satirical humor. The Anime Network's programming features anime series and feature films in four genres -- action, science fiction, martial arts and comedy -- including such popular titles as "Noir," "Spriggan," "Neon GenesisEvangelion," "Gasaraki," "Kimera," "Samurai X," "Excel Saga" and "Those Who Hunt Elves." Currently available to digital cable subscribers in the Philadelphia area, central and northern New Jersey and other markets, the Anime Network is in late-stage discussions with MSOs in several additional areas; further carriage announcements are forthcoming.

5-29-03---- South Korean/Japanese Animation War Brewing?
The Korea Herald has an article today on an apparant competition gathering steam in the respective Animation industries of Japan and South Korea.

5-29-03---- Anime Goings On At Cannes
The U.K.'s Guardian Newspaper has an article sourced with some behind the scenes news from Cannes.

5-29-03---- Anime Included In Bravo Animation Special
According to CNN, presumably soemtime this summer after August: 
Another two-hour special, "The Animated Century," chronicles 100 years of cartoon films ranging from Disney classics to Japanese anime. 

5-31-03---- Anime Gets A New Medium: Gameboy Advance Cartridges
4 Kids Entertainment (NYSE: KDE) announced today the debut of GBA-TV, an exciting new application for the estimated installed base of 12 million Game Boy(R) Advance systems.
GBA-TV cartridges containing cartoon episodes play on Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP systems in the same manner as video game cartridges. Special proprietary technology developed by the 4Kids Entertainment subsidiary, 4Kids Technology, Inc., enables kids to watch the cartoons contained in the GBA-TV cartridges on their Game Boy Advance. The technology enables the Game Boy Advance to function as a personal video player with the Game Boy controls allowing the viewer to Pause, Resume, Stop, Rewind and Chapter Search each of the television episodes on the GBA-TV cartridge. There is no need to buy any adapter. 4Kids intends to roll out GBA-TV cartridges at retail in the 4th quarter 2003. Each GBA-TV cartridge is expected to retail for under $20 and feature two television episodes from popular animated kids programs such asPokemon(R), Kirby: Right Back At Ya!(TM) and Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) 4Kids has set the upcoming E3 Expo (May 14-16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center) to debut content from the first GBA-TV shows. 
"There will be more than games to the Game Boy Advance," said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. "GBA-TV will be an exciting, new way in which kids can enjoy some of today's best animated entertainment. We are delighted to join with Nintendo in enabling Game Boy Advance, the top portable video game system, to also serve as a portable video player." "4Kids Entertainment has developed a new and valuable dimension to Game Boy Advance with the launch of GBA-TV," said Peter MacDougall, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Nintendo. "Now kids can watch their favorite cartoons and play their favorite Game Boy video games anywhere, anytime." GBA-TV is a trademark of Nintendo. All Rights Reserved. Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP are registered trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc.

6-5-03---- Lucy Liu On Kill Bill
Courtesy Daniel: 
>From the 6/5 IMDB People News: ...Lucy Liu is warning sensitive fans to avoid her new movie Kill Bill - because the dramatic violence will make them physically ill. The Charlie's Angels babe stars alongsideUma Thurman in cult director Quentin Tarantino's long-awaited fourth film, and predicts audiences will either flee from the cinema or vomit in their seats when they watch the extreme action - even if she thinks the violence is artistic. She says, "It's so violent. People will leave the movie theatre or get sick in the movie theatre. But there's so much violence that it becomes not numbing, but almost comedic. There's a scene where there's so much violence that the color of the film goes into black and white, so that the blood looks like oil. It's cinematic, it's art. You can take it to a different level, and show what violence is, in such a heightened manner that you don't think of it as violence anymore, you think of it as a language. If you go to Kill Bill, you know there's going to be violence - that's your option." 

6-9-03---- Interstella 555 Trailer
A report and review from Cannes courtesy AICN has included this link to a trailer of Daft Punk/ Leiji Matsumoto's Interstella 555.

6-10-03---- G-Fest 2003
Fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy films will be gathering July 18-20, 2003 at the Radisson Hotel, 75 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois for G-FEST X. 
Special guests include Noriaki Yuasa, director and special effects director of the original Gamera films; actor Carl Craig ("Jim Morgan" in "Gamera vs. Viras"); actor Robert Scott Field (Android M-11 in "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah"); and Yoshikazu Ishii, Godzilla director/Godzilla exhibits assistant producer. 
G-FEST X will also show "Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack," "Battle In Outer Space," "Gamera 3: Revenge of Irys" at the Pickwick Theater. Several more films will be shown at the Radisson Hotel. 
G-FEST X will also have a huge dealers room where conventioneers may purchase movia memorabilia, toys, model kits, books, posters and photographs from their favorite monster film. 
G-FEST X will also have art, model, coloring , costume, video and trivia contests. 
Weekend admission is $29 for adults, $10 for youths 12 and under and children under 5 are admitted free. 
Daily admission is $15 for adults, $10 for youths and childrenunder 5 are admitted free. The films at the Pickwick Theater are $5 for adults and children. The convention is open to the public. 
For additional information, log onto http://www.g-fan.com/.

6-10-03---- Big O Future On Cartoon Network
TV Week has broke out with a major scoop on Cartoon Network's future with The Big O TV series to return this August to Adult Swim. According to the article, this will be the first instance where CN served as co-producer on an anime project. The original 13 episodes which had aired before in an earlier timeslot and edited form will return un edited supplemented by 13 new additional episodes. Finally according to TV Week's research series success could relay to some action on a standing option towards the order of 26 additional episodes.

6-10-03---- Adult Swim Strong Competitor With American Late Night Talk
As referenced below, a new TV Week article has published within some CN analysis of Nielsen ratings data from the May 2003 sweeps which deserves a mention of it's own: 
During the May sweeps, for example, in the 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. period, Adult Swim delivered an average of 249,000 young men 18 to 24, compared to the 121,000 and 183,000 that "The Late Show" and "The Tonight Show," respectively, delivered in the period, according to Cartoon Network's analysis of Nielsen data. 
When it came to men 18 to 34 watching during the sweeps, Adult Swim had 421,000 in its pool, while Dave and Jay had 351,000 and 553,000, respectively.

6-10-03----2 Fast 2 Furious  Director Cites Anime
In Hollywood it's the summer of car chases and high speed road action or so it would seem. An article examining that aspect of this summer's cinema releases has been posted in Southern Florida's Sun-Sentinel.South Florida itself serves as the steamy backdrop for Universal's JDM heavy street racer sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious. The Sentinel scored the following quote by the film's director John Singleton: 
"I started thinking in terms of other media like Japanese anime movies and video games like GranTurismo," Singleton explains. "It was thinking about, through that, how to make it exciting by the way that I shot it and, also, by the juxtaposition of certain images, like going from the eyes to the speedometer to the tailpipes to the zooming. In that way, you have some type of montage that makes a speed gestalt." 

6-10-03---- New Transformers Series CN Bound
Hasbro announced yesterday that a new Transformers series, TransformersEnergon is currently in the works. The series will premiere in early 2004 on Cartoon Network. 
Read the full story from the following source link provided by Michael: 
http://www.animationinsider.net/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=7&t=1224

6-12-03---- Tecmo Game News
New developments on the Dreamworks Fatal Frame movie can be found at http://www.jaggedteam.com/bin/shownews.cgi?id=2784, and information on actual Tecmo Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball bikinis for sale can be found at http://www.jaggedteam.com/bin/shownews.cgi?id=2783.

6-12-03---- Biloxi Casino Restaurant's Anime Namesake - First Anime Inspired American Eatery?
Poker Magazine has in a new article highlighting a Restaurant edition to an American Casino in Biloxi,Mississippi. The BeauRivage will add the Ann Mae Japanese Restaurant at the end of the month. According to the piece: 
Another new casino dining offering is Ann Mae, the Japanese restaurant at Beau Rivage that will open at the end of the month. The restaurant, which replaces Ta.ke Ma.ku, is a verbal take-off on "anime," a hot style of Japanese animation. 

6-14-03---- Spike TV Gets Halt
Florida Today has an article on the decision of a Manhattan judge on Thursday granted to American Director Spike Lee's recent petition, ordering Viacom to stop using "Spike TV" as the new name for its TNN network, pending a trial on the issue. 
The main topic aside the Florida Today piece goes on to cite famous Spikes and perhaps a sign of how far anime has penetrated into the mainstream, Cowboy Bebop's own Spike Spiegel gets a mention in print.

6-14-03---- Daft Punk Animated
Reuters News courtesy Billboard Magazine's James Martin has scored some new details from Cannes on the Daft Punk / Leiji Matsumoto collaboration "Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem." 
Each "movement" of this silent film is accompanied by a track from the duo's 2001 Virgin album, "Discovery." "The project was born in 2000, when we flew out to Tokyo with an hour of music and our own script," Bangalter says. "Leiji gave us a warm reception, and after listening to the music, he came on board immediately. Three years later, our dream has come true." 
Previewed at this year's Cannes Film Festival, "Interstella 5555" was released in 30 French theaters May 28 and has secured cinema distribution in Japan,Russia, Portugal, and the Baltic states. EMI plans to release a DVD of the film in December.

6-16-03---- Anime Music Program Tonight
The popular weekly anime soundtrack radio show, "Adventures in Anime Music" (http://www.adventuresinanimemusic.com ) will be simulcast on the web through the show's web site at 10PM EST tonight (7PM Pacific). Local listeners in the NY/MA/CTtristate area can tune in to WQQQ-FM at 103.3-FM to hear this weekly show. 
Hear a variety of your favorite orchestral anime soundtracks on this weekly program, which is broadcast LIVE (not a jukebox) and hosted by radio personality Mark Weiss. 
Our new feature, "A MIDI Moment" which airs 15 minutes into the show and features 1 unique anime theme song or BGM, performed specially on our in-studio Kurzweil K2500RS orchestral synth/sampler. This is a special treat, and an exclusive feature on Adventures in Anime Music! The showmay be heard on the web at http://www.adventuresinanimemusic.com/ by clicking LISTEN NOW on the menu and then choosing your stream preference under Live Streams. Archival broadcasts may also be heard by selecting the link at the top of the Listen page. 

6-18-03---- Senator Hatch Favors Destroying Computers Involved In Illegal Downloading Remotely
The Washington Post reports today, Utah Senator and chair of the United States Congress Senate Judiciary Committee said Tuesday he favors developing new technology to remotely destroy the computers of people who illegally download music from the Internet.

6-18-03---- CN Original Animation Budget Gauged At $500,000,000 Over 5 Years
In advance of CN's American Adult Swim debut of their first ever Japanese co-production The Big O and option on 26 additional episodes we found the following quote particularly interesting in regards to how much monetary raw material is present within the production machine there. Drawing from the same Indian Television article referenced below comes the following quote from Turner Entertainment Network senior VP Ian Diamond: 
"Cartoon Network globally has in fact set aside an amount of $500 million over a period of five years for the creation of original animation..." 

6-20-03---- Lucas Gives Animation Section Green Light
The San Francisco Chronicle has details on the launch of George Lucas' Lucasfilm Animation division to be dedicated to producing computer-animated feature films. The core of the new firm will be drawn from Industrial Light And Magic's Animation section and headquarted at the San Rafael office. 
Anime fans may be particularly interested in the above news following reports originating in the Japanese press (specifically The Daily Yomiuri) from 3 years ago that Lucasfilm was to possibly co-produce a 30-minute animated feature with animation start-up Anime World Osaka. To be titled "Chiisana YoseiMirun" (The tiny fairy Mirun), the animation was reported to run in U.S. theaters and air as a 30-minute television series in Japan. The Osaka-based firm was to produce original pictures (designs) for the project and provide production capital (estimated at 2 billion Yen) which Lucas Film would then animate. The Star Wars director himselfwas reported to serve as executive producer on Mirun. 

6-20-03---- Attention Cosplayers: G4TV Needs YOU!
The USA's first all gaming television network, G4TV needs a few dedicated cosplayers to be part of television history by participating in G-Phoria, a celebration of everything gaming. The show will be videotaped in Hollywood on the evening of Wednesday, July 30th , and will air on the G4TV network on Friday, August 8th. The evening will include live performances by major musical artists, Glow award presentations, game demos, celebrities, special surprise appearances and more. If you are interested in being considered to attend G-Phoria as a cosplayer, please send G4TV an email along with a picture (if possible) of yourself in costume.18 and over only please. 
eMail to: cosplay@G4TV.com 

6-23-03----Stripperella=Anime?
As the Reuters Headline reads, Blonde Bombshell Pamela Anderson Lee lands in her own TNN animation series in a matter of weeks in the USA.

6-24-03---- Apple Unveils G5
Now we know there alot of Mac users out there, and more than a few cranking out anime specifically. Steve Jobs of Apple has officially unveiled the company's G5 platform, which for the time being at least seems to be a real contender performance wise to exisiting PC technology.

END OF NEWS>>>>>>>>SEE YOU NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHSÖÖ.