Ghost in the Shell is based on a popular manga series created by Shirow Masamune and was turned into a feature film in 1995 that went on to become an international smash hit. It was followed by a theatrical film sequel in 2004, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, which was also directed by Mamoru Oshii. The VIZ Cinema marathon will also screen three feature-length film re-cuts including “The Laughing Man,” that features a separate, self-contained storyline based on the Stand Along Complex anime TV series, produced in 2005, as well as “Individual Eleven,” and “Solid State Society, two features based on the second season of the anime television series that was produced in 2006.

Ghost In The Shell (Original Version), July 3rd and also July 5th
(Directed by Mamoru Oshii, 1995, 85min, Digital, English Subtitles)
In 2029 A female government cyber agent and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of “The Puppet Master,” a computer virus capable of invading cybernetic brains and altering its victims’ memories. This is the acclaimed sci-fi action masterpiece that proclaimed a new era of anime and helped to define the cyber-punk genre.

Ghost In The Shell 2.0 (CGI version), July 3rd and also July 5th
(Directed by Mamoru Oshii, 2008, 85min, Digital, English Subtitles)
This is a new, visually enhanced version of the classic original movie.

Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence, July 3rd
(Directed by Mamoru Oshii, 2004, 100min, Digital, English Subtitles)
This is the gripping sequel to the original Ghost in the Shell film.

Ghost In The Shell Stand Along Complex: The Laughing Man, July 4th and also July 6th
(Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, 2005, 106min, Digital, English Subtitles)
The feature film adaptation of the Stand Alone Complex series, re-cut to tell the story of a police battle with an evil computer hacker.

Ghost In The Shell: Individual Eleven 161, July 4th and also July 7th
(Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, 2006, 161min, Digital, English Subtitles)
A feature-length OAV feature with a new self-contained story, adapted from Stand Alone Complex: Second Gig, the second season of the Ghost in the Shell broadcast series.

Source VIZ Cinema

Shocker Toys has the rights to develop, manufacture, market and sell designer figures called “Mallows” based on characters from the four series. Mallows is a new toy line created by Shocker Toys and comprised of 5” marshmallow themed figures. The figures feature up to 10 points of movement and up to 7 interchangeable parts. Mallows are available themed or in blank, black or white, do-it-yourself versions.

Attendees of American International Toy Fair in New York City at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, February 14-17, can see like figures on display at the Shocker Toys booth (#4924) located in the new Action Figure aisle in the lower level of the Javits Center.

Source Funimation

Homecoming: 8:30pm

A fearless teen trains to become a ninja while battling the demon who lives inside of him. Sequel to “Naruto,” a popular anime series. In the opener, Naruto returns to his home place after two-and-a-half years and receives his first assignment.

The Akatsuki Makes Its Move: 9:00pm

Naruto and Sakura challenge Kakashi to a survival test to show off their skills.

The Results of Training: 9:30pm

Naruto’s years of training pay off in a battle with Kakashi.

The Jinchuriki of the Sand: 10:00pm

An aerial battle takes place between Deidara and Gaara; Kankuro assembles troops to fight Akatsuki.

Source: Disney XD

The Little Prince tells the story of a philosophical little boy who hops from planet to planet and acquires simple truths along the way. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s once developed the concept for a 1980s anime TV series.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, La Fabrique d’Images, India’s DQ Entertainment, Germany’s ARD and Italy’s RAI Fiction are all in the mix for the production of the project.

In addition, Method and game producer MK2, via their MKO joint venture, will create a videogame tie-in.

PGS Entertainment has pre-booked the series on television stations such as France 3, WDR (Germany), RAI (Italy), TV2 (Denmark), TV2 (Norway), ABC (Australia), MTV3 (Finland) and TSR (Switzerland).

Source: Variety

At last night’s premiere of Summit Entertainment and Imagi Studios’ Astro Boy in Los Angeles, L.A. Looks, a leader in mass market professional styling products, announced its partnership with the CG animated film feature film, coming to theatres this Friday, October 23.

Over 1,600 people attended the high-profile event, including Astro Boy voice-cast members Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, and Eugene Levy. L.A. Looks street team members buzzed around the Hollywood premiere, handing out samples of its newest spiky launch, Power Spikes Gel, with $1.00 coupons for L.A. Looks products.

L.A. Looks’ participation at the premiere is part of a series of Astro Boy related initiatives. The first event took place on October 17th and 18th with 50 advance screenings nationwide, where fans were invited to have their hair styled like Astro Boy. Summit Entertainment and Imagi Studios in partnership with L.A. Looks set up shop outside theaters, styling hair in Astro Boy’s signature “spiky” look. With the brand’s newest product launch, L.A. Looks Power Spikes, stylists will show movie goers how to get Astro Boy spikes with L.A. Looks!

To further support their campaign, Los Angeles and Chicago Sunday newspapers on October 18th and New York newspapers on October 23rd, included L.A. Looks coupons and an Astro Boy trick-or-treat bag. The coupons offer $1.00 off any L.A. Looks full-sized gel and the eye-catching Halloween bag will feature a step-by-step guide on how to achieve the “Astro” hairstyle using the new L.A. Looks Power Spikes Gel. The cross-promotion between L.A. Looks and Astro Boy will continue in March 2010 with the release of the Astro Boy DVD.

Source: LA Looks

Moviegoers will stir and quake from their individual D-BOX MFX theatre seats as D-BOX Motion Code(TM) moves audience members during action-packed scenes of flight and unbelievable speed. Astro Boy is a thrilling, animated tale of a robotic hero full of adventure, humor and heart.

D-BOX Motion Code(TM) technology, which debuted in movie theatres in April 2009, has been gaining momentum and is currently featured in seven movie theatres in North America. D-BOX’s motion technology is designed to enhance the movie experience, creating an incredibly realistic, immersive experience with motion effects that work in perfect sync with the onscreen action.

Each individual seat is equipped with adjustable intensity settings that offer moviegoers a custom experience. With motion effects embedded in each movie, frame by frame, by talented D-BOX Motion Designers, movement primarily occurs during action scenes while the seats remain still during quieter, more dialogue-driven sequences.

“It’s been an incredible year for D-BOX and we have had the opportunity to work with some of the most highly regarded Hollywood studios,” said President and CEO, Claude Mc Master. “This new agreement with Summit Entertainment is the first for D-BOX and our second animated film to feature our motion technology. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer yet another film with D-BOX Motion Code for our younger fans and are pursuing our theatrical expansion while getting great content for our supporting theatres.”

We are always looking to embrace new ways in improving the theater-going experience,” said Richie Fay, President of Domestic Distribution, Summit Entertainment. “D-BOX is a unique product that is sure to connect movie-goers with the action on screen.”

Astro Boy is a CGI animated feature film directed by David Bowers based on the iconic Astro Boy character created by Japan’s legendary Osamu Tezuka. Featuring the voices of Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland and Nicolas Cage, Astro Boy, set in futuristic Metro City, is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Dr. Tenma (Cage). Powered by positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy (Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly.

Embarking on a journey in search of acceptance, Astro Boy encounters many other colorful characters along the way. Through his adventures, he learns the joys and emotions of being human, and gains the strength to embrace his destiny. Ultimately learning his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to understand what it means to be a hero.

Source: D-BOX

Inspired by the classic Chinese novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” KOIHIME MUSOU was originally launched as an adult visual novel and PC strategy game and grew in such popularity that it branched off into a Playstation 2 game title as well as into a series of manga books as well as the highly popular and well received Anime.

This title will be available in subbed and dubbed formats and available in all territories, except the following: Japan, France, Belgium, China, Luxembourg, Andorra, Monaco, Taiwan and Hong Kong

KOIHIME MUSOU Synopsis:
Towards the end of the Han Dynasty, the world is in the throes of chaos and disorder. In a time when strength is needed, a hero is secretly sharpening her skills as a warrior of justice: her name is Kanu Unch? Kan’u will put her life on the line; test her strength and power, fighting to protect those in need. Together with Chi Ekitoku, they make a vow as sisters to forge down this path of justice, awaiting whatever fate has in store for them.

Source: Marvelous Entertainment

Disney XD is a new basic cable channel and multi-platform brand that showcases a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. New dubbed episodes of NARUTO Shippuden will premiere on the network.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja in training, wants to be the best ninja in the land. He’s done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO Shippuden begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks—except him. Sakura is a medic ninja, Gaara has advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi… well, he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, and Naruto quickly regains his focus when he learns that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru and that the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. The more Naruto finds out about Akatsuki’s sinister plot, the more he realizes that nothing in his world is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

“Disney XD is a growing destination for our key demographic, boys 6-14, and we’re looking forward to bringing the adventures of NARUTO Shippuden to our lineup,” says Tracy McAndrew, Director, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens and has sold more than 92 million copies to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for teens, and NARUTO Shippuden rated ‘T+’ for older teens), is one of VIZ Media’s most successful properties and has captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America. NARUTO is a co-production of TV TOKYO, VIZ Media parent company Shueisha Inc., and Pierrot Co., Ltd.

“We’re very pleased to partner with Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group to bring NARUTO Shippuden to U.S. television audiences this fall,” says Bill Germain, Director of Programming Sales, VIZ Media. “With Disney XD as its new broadcast home base, NARUTO Shippuden is poised to take viewers, both new and old, to unprecedented levels of ninja-excitement!”

Source: VIZ Media

An all-star line-up of industry judges in film, cartoon animation, games and comics include top artistic talent from companies such as Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Studios, 2K Boston, Ubisoft and Turbine. Winning entries will be on display in the Artist Market area at GameX, October 23-25 in Philadelphia.

Artists are invited to create an original steampunk-themed artwork and submit their art entry online by Saturday, October 10, 2009. Presented by Steam Gear Lab, the GameX Steampunk Art Competition will award one Grand Prize Winner, one 2D Winner, one Digital 3D Winner, and one Physical Construction/Sculpture Winner. The contest Grand Prize Winner and three finalists will receive a combined total $10,000-worth of art tools, software and technology from contest sponsors Alienware, Wacom, Pixologic ZBrush, 3D Coat, Digicel and Faber-Castell.

Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy fiction usually set in Victorian or Edwardian era England, with prominent elements of science fiction or fantasy. Steampunk is influenced by the style of 19th century scientific romances by authors such as Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle and Mary Shelley. Steampunk is often represented by alternate history-style presentations of technology, such as dirigibles or digital mechanical computers.

Notable examples of Steampunk in media include filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s anime films such as Howl’s Moving Castle and Laputa: Castle in the Sky, the comic book series League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the Disney animated film Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and a slew of video games, such as Final Fantasy VI, Space: 1889, Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends, Damnation and numerous other popular films, books and games.

Ahren “Professor” Gauthier of Steam Gear Lab, states “As part of the steampunk community in the U.S., we are determined to share and promote the knowledge, innovation and talent of deserving steampunk artists and enthusiasts. GameX is offering something special for steampunk fans and practitioners alike to enjoy and experience.”

Artists entering the “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” will have their original work seen by top industry judges, including Amy Bond, principal at Bondepus Graphic Design; Todd DeMelle, director of concept and production art, Turbine; Craig Elliott, visual development artist, Universal Pictures; Ahren “Professor” Gauthier, Sociologist of the Strange Prof. with Steam Gear Lab; Mike Haynes, manager of art for Red Storm Entertainment/Ubisoft; Dave Inscore, studio art director for Big Huge Games; James E. Lyle, freelance cartoonist and illustrator; Jason Manley, president of Massive Black, Joey “Dr. Grymm” Marsocci of Steam Gear Lab; Chris Merritt, art director with Universal Studios; Joe Pearson, art director and writer; Gabriele Pennacchioli, animator and character designer for DreamWorks Animation; Stephen Silver, character designer, Silvertoons; and Nate Wells, Art Director for 2K Boston.

Fiona Cherbak, vice president of business development for GameX, offers “We are pleased to welcome such an esteemed line-up of art professionals as judges for the ‘GameX Steampunk Art Competition.’ This content provides an opportunity for professional and amateur artists alike to show off their design skills and artistry in a truly unique and fantastical style that has become increasing popular in recent years. Steampunk as a genre has grown out of traditional literature into an entire universe of intense imagination, artistic and technical innovation and experiential culture.”

The “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” Grand Prize package features a special steampunk “mystery” item contributed by Steam Gear Lab, an Alienware 21.5 inch OptXHD monitor, and a Cintiq 12 WX Interactive Pen Display from Wacom. Alienware OptX is ideal for latest-generation games and high-def movies, delivering an intense and immersive entertainment experience. At just 4.4 pounds, the new Cintiq 12WX combines the advantages of a wide-format LCD monitor with Wacom’s patented, professional pen technology to provide all the advantages of direct pen-on-screen input in a low profile, lightweight design.

Three “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” finalist winners will each win a Wacom Intuos 4 pressure-sensitive tablet, while all four “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” prize packages include a selection of software, including Digicel Flipbook Pro 6, Pixologic ZBrush 3.1 and 3D Coat, plus numerous prizes from Faber-Castell.

Twenty art entries will make it to the finals and be displayed on the GameX online contest page, while the four winning works will be on display at GameX, October 23-25. Deadline to enter is Saturday, October 10, 2009. Winners will be announced by Tuesday, October 20, 2009. Learn more about the “GameX Steampunk Art Competition” contest prizes and entry guidelines at: www.gamexpo.us/expo/artcompetition.

Yasuo Yamaguchi, executive director of the Association of Japanese Animators, in an interview with CNN, that the current industry scenario has, for the record, never looked so terrible since the end of the second world war. The revenues coming from advertising have dropped though it was just three years ago that the industry has reached the peak of its profits to about $2 billion a year.

At this rate, we may never get to see new heroes and villains being born because the creators would be too afraid to invest in a new story and new set of characters. Their entry- level animator jobs were also taken over by outsourced hands from the Philippines and South Korea. And the fact that fans can just download from the internet instead of actually buying original anime merchandise, like manga and video animations, doesn’t help their plight one bit.

This is evident when Yamaguchi also added, “The spread of free Internet downloading is having a deadly effect.”

The world population is getting younger and it should have been good news to the animation industry because this means more following. But, as it turns out, it only got new watchers, not buyers. P2P sharing sites and torrent downloads had spiked in activity since more and more people have learned how to exploit them. And although people who are sharing the “good stuff” always remind the downloaders of the online piracy credo, “If you can buy it, buy it, and then share it,” the freeloaders are just too happy to be leeching without impunity.

One could actually argue that the real cause of the recession should be the one to be blamed, not the free downloaders. However, in our current situation, the recession is already a given, and determining its root would require a long and arduous, not to mention loathsome analysis which we should leave to the experts. We, simple and fun- loving anime enthusiasts that we are, are presented with a chance to stop something that aggravates the situation because, in the first place, we are the problem. Maybe a little less downloads per week to a gradual stop? It’s just like quitting smoking.

Japanese animators stick to the traditional method of animation, unlike in other countries where advanced technology has made it easier to make the drawings move. And one can only imagine the hardships they have to go through to keep their grip and stroke steady so they can continue to draw for hours in a given business day. Now imagine those hands failing to continue because the animator is too hungry to go on.

But don’t worry yourself too much. Right now, the big animation studios like Toei are still secure. It’s only the small production houses who are going down, anyway. They’re also asking the government for a helping hand to keep their own hands on their pencils and their pencils on the sketch pads. Oh yeah! Remember the famous car company in the US, General Motors? They were really big, too, you know? And they have also asked for financial aid from their government. Now they are bankrupt.

So the next time you actually browse the net in search of the latest manga release or the latest anime episode, and before you actually decide to embrace piracy for the nth time, think of it as adding an even darker hue to the already bleak future of anime. You will find that it will all be too easy to press the “download” button, and so difficult to do the right thing.

Ranma 1/2. Ranma Saotome is a high school student who’s arranged to be married to Akane Tendo by their fathers so they can inherit the Tendo’s Dojo. Though secretly in love with each other, the people around them who are either infatuated with Ranma or Akane just wouldn’t give them up without a fight. To make things even more complicated (or funnier), many characters in this anime turn into an animal, except for Ranma who turns into a girl, when they’re doused with cold water and can only turn back into the normal form with hot water. This anime has everything that a teen is looking for in a series: action, comedy, romance and a little bit of suggestive content, if you know what I mean.

Dragon Ball Z. Let’s face it, Son Goku has been a part of our formative years. With almost all the letters of the alphabet augmented to its title, the series was enough to kill most of our spare time during our childhood so we think it’s quite reasonable enough for this anime to make a cut into this list. This is based on the Chinese myth of the Journey to the West with a little bit of futuristic content to it. Though it did not quite focus on the development of the characters, Dragon Ball has banked on in-your-face action and explosive fight scenes to capture its audience.

Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto’s aspiration to become a Hokage and to retrieve his rogue shinobi friend, Uchiha Sasuke still has everybody scrambling over the internet and stores for the latest manga releases and animation episodes. What drives anime fanatics crazy are the complex characters, cool techniques, awesome fight scenes and the gripping storyline. If the creator of this series could end it with a bang, Naruto could even rise above its current “rivals”, such as Bleach and One Piece, and its predecessors.

Yu Yu Hakusho/ Ghost Fighter/ Poltergeist Report. This epic battle against evil has made its name (or names) particularly because it followed a similar formula that the Dragon Ball series has used: intense fighting action. And what better way to showcase action than to plot good versus evil in an arena, video game- team coop style. Several series have followed suit afterwards like Flame of Recca, but Yu Yu Hakusho takes it to another level or, in its case, to another dimension. Though the creators released a corny anime movie based on it, we still gotten over how cool it would be to have a powerful energy burst come out of your finger tips.

Rurouni Kenshin/ Samurai X. This is probably the most serious anime to make it to this list since it is set in a real era in Japanese history and has political references. The story’s about a legendary samurai, Himura Kenshin who vowed not to kill anyone ever again due to his tragic past and who has found a new family in the Kamiya Kashin Dojo. However, even after the war and chaos has ended, other samurais of the previous era still believe that everything has to be settled through the sword. Kenshin reawakens his deadly “Hittokiri Battosai” side to protect his friends as well as to atone for all the sins he has committed in his past. We all love it when this small, gentle, red- headed guy suddenly turns into the feared slasher that for a time, watchers of this movie have fantasized that they all have dark sides to them just waiting to be unleashed.

So, you’re this anime wiz and you have very violent reactions towards our top five picks. We really can’t blame you, but we would love to hear from you unless, of course, you’d suggest including Winnie the Pooh or Mickey Mouse in the list. Clearly, something would be very wrong with you there.

This anime, created by Masamune Shirow, portrays the world in the future, wherein humans are already able to procure cyborg body parts and organs to enhance their performance and increase their longevity. It features the hybrid Kusanagi Motoko, a member of a top secret division of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission, otherwise known as Section 9. More commonly known as “Major”, due to her rank in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, Kusanagi leads a special unit of cyborg law enforcers to solve high- tech organized crimes. She answers to no one save for Lt. Col. Daisuke Aramaki, chief of Section 9, because of his tact in decision-making and wisdom.

The most prominent feature in this anime is the concept of the cyber brain. The futuristic setting of the series suggests that almost all of the human population have been implanted with the cybernetic brain which grants them the ability to communicate through the web in their minds. It’s a breakthrough because it did not only keep the memories of a person and copy the infinite information- storing capabality of the organic brain, it was also able to preserve the human “soul” or psyche, thus the title “ghost in the shell.”

As they carry out their missions, the members of Section 9 do not only kill and arrest in stealthy fashion. They also have conflicts to resolve within themselves and with other members of the group. The Major maintaining a segment of her spinal cord still organic is symbolic of trying to keep even a small part of her still human. There’s also Batou, second in command after the Major, who, despite his already cyborg upper body, is still buying exercise equipment, which, according to the creators, is his way of reminding himself of his humanity. We also have Aramaki and Togusa keeping their organic bodies, proving that they do not need enhancements to do something significant.

With the use of the cyberbrain, it was possible for the characters to gain more control of human thought processes and conditions, like trying to recall something or going under a coma, since it’s almost just like fixing a computer. However, this easier access and control over the mental processes in humans has been exploited by most terrorist acts in the story; crimes which are backed up by their twisted social ideologies. This is the reason why Section 9 does not only combat the criminals by using brute force.  The members also engage the enemies in thorough debate to challenge their existing philosophy and set of values, which, in many times has also affected and altered the way they view things.

Ghost in the shell also probes the possibility of creating the perfect Artificial Intelligence in the form of the “Tachikomas”. These are actually Section 9’s light mobile tanks used to assist the members in completing their covert operations. They are “perfect” in the sense that even if they are just AI without the foundations of a real organic brain, they are capable of evolving mentally by being curious about everything like little children and also formulate inferences after acquiring sufficient information. They can also express their feelings and emotions and are able to exhibit individuality, which tells us that the human psyche could also be artificially produced.

If you’re really into all of these convoluted psychoanalytical concepts or just in search of something profound, the Ghost in the Shell series is definitely your type of anime. However, we would recommend that you watch only a moderate number of episodes a day or you’re going to need a cyberbrain implant afterwards.

“Halo Legends,” which will officially debut at a panel presentation today at Comic-Con International in San Diego, is being produced by Microsoft’s 343 Industries and features creative direction from anime pioneer Shinji Aramaki, director of the critically acclaimed “Appleseed” and “Appleseed EX Machina” anime features, and Mamoru Oshii, director of the landmark “Ghost in the Shell” movies, with additional production from Joseph Chou of J-Spec Pictures. The compilation will include a series of short stories that explore different times, themes and characters from the “Halo” universe and will be distributed globally by Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. company. Influential studios that are part of the project include the creators behind some of the most popular and celebrated anime to come from Japan, such as “The Animatrix,” “Cowboy Bebop,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Ghost in the Shell,” “Dragon Ball” and more.

“The opportunity to work with talents such as Shinji Aramaki, Mamoru Oshii and others from some of the greatest anime studios is a very rare opportunity for Microsoft,” said Frank O’Connor, “Halo” franchise development director and provider of story and creative direction for 343 Industries. “We’ve seen the world through Master Chief’s eyes, and we’ve experienced facets of the universe through a variety of literary prisms, but now we get to watch new tales unfold in really rich, visually dynamic ways. I think anime fans and ‘Halo’ fans alike are in for a real treat.”

Set hundreds of years in the future, the “Halo” series of games and novels chronicle mankind’s struggles against an alien collective known as the Covenant. The Covenant is scouring the universe for relics it believes will lead it to a new life and is destroying civilizations and planets that stand in its way. The most prolific hero from the fiction is a super soldier or Spartan known as Master Chief, who is the main protagonist in the original trilogy of Xbox and Xbox 360 “Halo” titles. In the trilogy, Master Chief discovers that the Covenant is intent on activating a series of mysterious ring worlds known as “Halos,” which would ultimately exterminate life throughout the universe. He becomes mankind’s champion in a race against an unrelenting enemy in its most desperate hour. Through The New York Times best-selling novels, comics and additional Xbox 360 games such as “Halo Wars” and the upcoming “Halo 3: ODST,” the universe has grown and tales of other heroes have emerged.

“‘Halo’ and its characters are a very natural fit for anime,” said Aramaki, creative director for the “Halo Legends” project. “As a fan of the ‘Halo’ universe, it is an honor to work with Microsoft and my very talented peers from other studios to create this collection.”

Studios involved in the “Halo Legends” project include Bones Inc., Casio Entertainment Inc., Production I.G, STUDIO4 Degrees C and Toei Animation.

– Bones. Founded in 1998, Bones has become one of the top animation studios in Japan in less than a decade. The studio is best known for its incredible body of work on mega-hit franchises such as “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Sword of the Stranger” and “Eureka Seven.”
– Casio Entertainment. Casio Entertainment was founded in 2004 and is renowned for its visual effects work on the movie “Dai Nipponjin” (”Big Man of Japan”), which was officially invited to the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2008 Asian Film Awards. Casio Entertainment is also known for its computer-generated animation support work on several top Japanese video games.
– Production I.G. Production I.G has produced a number of acclaimed feature films, original video animation, TV shows and video games. For their storytelling and quality of animation, “Ghost in the Shell,” “Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade” and “Blood: The Last Vampire” have earned critical accolades in Japan and all around the world. “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence,” directed by Mamoru Oshii in 2004, was the first Japanese animation feature ever to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes.
– STUDIO4 Degrees C. STUDIO4 Degrees C is one of the top animation studios in Japan. Founded by the industry veteran Eiko Tanaka and acclaimed animation artist Koji Morimoto, it has become globally known for its uncanny ability to marry the spirit of high art with mainstream anime aesthetic. STUDIO4 Degrees C is known for works including “The Animatrix,” “Tekkonkinkreet” and “Batman: Gotham Knight.”
– Toei Animation. Toei Animation, established in 1956, is the oldest animation studio in Japan. Toei has produced the largest number of global hit TV anime series for kids, such as “Dragon Ball,” “Digimon,” “Sailor Moon,” “One Piece” and many more.

The complete “Halo Legends” collection will be distributed by Microsoft partner Warner Home Video, which will have more to announce on its release and distribution plans soon.

“As a leading entertainment distributor and a company identified with premier anime content, we’re very pleased to be working with Microsoft on ‘Halo Legends,’” said Amit Desai, vice president, Family, Animation and Partner Brands Marketing, Warner Home Video. “The combination of the talent involved and the ‘Halo’ brand ensure the collection is something consumers are really going to enjoy.”

A preview of select “Halo Legends” episodes will first debut on Xbox LIVE, the largest gaming and entertainment network in the world, starting this fall through a new experience called Halo Waypoint. Launching in fall, Halo Waypoint will be a new destination for “Halo” fans on Xbox LIVE around the world. It will inform fans of the latest “Halo” news and activities, and grant access to content ranging from podcasts, trailers and screenshots, to exclusive video footage you won’t find anywhere else. It also will provide a new challenge for “Halo” gamers with a career system and player rankings tied to both in-game and out-of-game accomplishments related to “Halo.” In addition to the limited, early episode premieres, Halo Waypoint will debut several behind-the-scenes videos that chronicle the making of “Halo Legends.”

More information will be shared about “Halo Legends” today at a panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego. The “Halo” franchise panel will be hosted by O’Connor, moderated by Chou, and will feature guests Aramaki; Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, president of Production I.G; and Tanaka, president of STUDIO4 Degrees C. The panel takes place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. PDT in Room 6BCF of the San Diego Convention Center. “Halo Legends” panelists will sign autographs at the Microsoft Xbox 360 booth in Hall G #5225 from 6 to 7 p.m. There also will be a signing at the Warner Bros. booth Hall F #4329 on Friday, July 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with O’Connor and 343 Industries’ managing editor Kevin Grace on hand to answer questions about the project. In addition, the first trailer for “Halo Legends” will debut exclusively tonight on “GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley,” airing at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT on Spike TV.

PONYO is a wondrously imaginative retelling of the timeless Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid,” and offers the adventures of little fish-girl named Ponyo, whose father happens to be a great sorcerer of the seas. Trapped in a jar during one of her escapades, she washes ashore where five-year-old Sosuke releases her and renames her Ponyo. In an effort to stay close to her new friend, Ponyo tries to transform herself into a human, causing a great imbalance between their two worlds. A subtle message of the unfathomable threads that connect all forms of life is woven artfully throughout this enchanting film.

PONYO FILM COMIC, Vols. 1-2 — Rated ‘A’ for All Ages — MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $11.50 CAN — Available August 4 — Vols. 3-4 — Available August 11, 2009
From the Academy Award-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Already a box-office success in Japan, the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo (voiced by NOAH CYRUS) and her quest to become human features an outstanding roster of voice talent including CATE BLANCHETT, MATT DAMON, TINA FEY, CLORIS LEACHMAN, LIAM NEESON, LILY TOMLIN, BETTY WHITE and FRANKIE JONAS as Sosuke, a young boy who befriends Ponyo. The official 4-volume film comic of PONYO re-tells the film’s story with vivid full-color frames.

PONYO PICTURE BOOK — Rated ‘A’ for All Ages — MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $23.50 CAN — Available August 4
The colorful and easy-to-read PONYO on the Cliff by the Sea Picture Book is a fabulous hardcover edition that will appeal especially to younger readers. The book uses the vividly colored animation cel art from the feature film combined with simplified text to retell the story of Ponyo and her adventures in the human world.

The ARt of PONYO — Rated ‘A’ for All Ages — MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN — Available August 11
A comprehensive soft cover edition that features striking watercolor and pastel concept sketches and layout pages from the film, as well as interviews with production principals and the complete screenplay to give an inside look at the entire creative process behind PONYO.

Ani-Monday showcases new content including the recently launched season two of the popular “Gundam 00″ series from Bandai Entertainment. This joins a lineup geared towards anime fans and enthusiasts, including “Gurenn Lagann,” “RaveMaster” and motion comics based on the popular “Street Fighter” series. The Chiller anime block will air popular, blood-thirsty titles including “Blood: The Last Vampire”, “Ninja Scroll” and episodes of “Descendants of Darkness.”

“Ani-Mondays have become appointment viewing for anime lovers, now entering its third year on Syfy,” said Thomas Vitale, Syfy’s senior vice president, programming and original movies. “With more anime programming coming our way and an opportunity for cross-promotion with the new programming block on our sister channel, Chiller, we are very pleased that this summer is shaping up to be an exciting one for our viewers.”

“Starz Media and Manga Entertainment are blessed to have a deep and loyal fan base for anime and such a terrific partnership that allowed us to renew and expand our relationship with Syfy and now, Chiller,” added Marc DeBevoise, Starz Media senior vice president, digital media, business development and strategy. “Anime fans — new and old — will now have an unmatched opportunity to enjoy their Mondays.”

Doraemon has been around for quite some time – December of 1969 to be exact. His recognition as a Japanese ambassador of the animation style and culture of the anime is attributed to the popularity of the franchise spawned by this character from a simple Japanese manga. For those not in the know, Doraemon is a robotic cat who traveled back from his time in the 22nd century to help a lost schoolboy Nobita Nobi. The rest as they say is history.

As far as history is concerned, Doraemon has a rich background indeed. The character was created by Fujiko F. Fujio (Hiroshi Fujimoto) and it spawned about 1,344 original stories which were archived into forty-five volumes. The volumes are in the Takaoka Central Library in Toyama, Japan.

Doraemon normally has the answers for everything and generously gives help to Nobita. If we magnify this relationship by a thousand fold, we would get a capable leader who can solve all the problems of his subjects. This would be the first premise should Doraemon become a leader. And well, he will be the first robotic cat to be the ruler of a state. It can be an interesting case study of what happens in a society when its leader has the answer to all the problems of its people.

However, Doraemon is at best an enabler. He may be able to teach moral lessons such as integrity, honesty, truthfulness and camaraderie – but most of the time Nobita and his other friends learn about these virtues the hard way by enduring mistakes. Doraemon has no hard hand when it comes to discipline. Whatever the people wants, the people may get. That’s a scary thing because absolute freedom often equates with chaos.

But on the bright side, should Doraemon become the head of state – suspension of disbelief notwithstanding – the society he supervises can expect an immediate and drastic boon of science and technology. Over the years, the manga and television episodes of Doraemon have explored a variety of sci-fi possibilities ranging from environmentalism, endangered species, wormholes, dinosaurs, and even the flat Earth theory. Doraemon also introduces a lot of gadgets which may look silly but are highly innovative and pragmatic at best.

However, while the promises of advanced science progress are very enticing should we have a blue robotic cat as the head of state, it is scary what could happen if the whole world can get everything they want. It is similar to everyone winning the lottery prize – with each person ending up with loose change. It will be a very chaotic setting just in case and with the global recession already gripping the entire world, we can’t afford any more trouble.

Although the thought of Doraemon as the head of state is a very adorable one, it can raise questions about the credibility of such a leader who will instantly bend to the whims of all people. Not to mention, how can the macho guys learn to respect a blue robotic cat as their leader. There is tons of promise for such an advanced leader but the world will never be ready – so stay as an anime ambassador, Doraemon.

Oscar-winning animator and Academy governor John Lasseter will host the July 28 tribute, the 14th installment of the Academy’s Marc Davis Celebration of Animation series. The evening will feature clips from several of Miyazaki’s films and a conversation with the master himself. A singular and inspirational force in the world of animation, Miyazaki writes, directs and storyboards his own feature-length animated films, overseeing every detail throughout production.

Miyazaki received the Animated Feature Film Oscar in 2002 for “Spirited Away” and a nomination in the same category in 2005 for “Howl’s Moving Castle.” His other features include “Castle in the Sky,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Porco Rosso” and “Princess Mononoke.”

The “ANIME!” exhibition, which includes items from several of these works by Studio Ghibli, will be on view in the Grand Lobby Gallery for one hour following the tribute.

Setting the stage for the tribute will be the July 17 screening of “Spirited Away,” a fantastic tale of a young girl, Chihiro, and her parents, who stumble into what appears to be an abandoned theme park, but is actually a bathhouse for gods, witches and spirits, where humans are not welcome. The film exemplifies Miyazaki’s ability to balance sometimes violent realities with a sense of childlike wonder and enchantment; it became the first animated film from Japan to win an Academy Award.

The “ANIME!” exhibition will be open in both the Grand Lobby and Fourth Floor galleries starting at 6:30 p.m. and following the screening until 11 p.m.

Tickets for “Spirited Away” and “A Tribute to Animation Master Hayao Miyazaki” go on sale starting June 25 and are $5 for each event for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased online at www.oscars.org, in person at the Academy box office or by mail. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

“ANIME! High Art — Pop Culture” will be on display through Sunday, August 23. The Academy’s galleries are located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, and regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. The galleries will be closed for the Independence Day holiday weekend, July 3 through 6.

But let’s further the notion of science fiction. After all, this genre of literature and entertainment talks about the improbable not the impossible – so we have an iota of actuality to work in. What if Gundams actually exist?

Well, judging by how the world is moving along, it is easy to see that these mobile Gundam suits will be used immediately and exclusively for war. I mean, if you have those immense firepower at your disposal, wouldn’t you use them to give your bitter enemies a taste of shock and awe? Gundams are so powerful that they can shift the balance of power in the world – and eventually countries will start developing their own. It will be the new nuclear weapon. So let’s be a little creative. If Gundams would truly exist, let’s think of other ways in which they can actually benefit the world. Here are alternative and out-of-the-box possibilities for the usage of Gundams if they truly exist.

Let’s set our sights immediately on the life-size Gundam monument in Japan and see the buzz it has generated for months. If Gundams would truly exist then they can be used as tourist attractions – places where fanboys and fangirls can meet and profess their love for the mobile suit endlessly. It can spark an economy revolving around character licensing merchandise of the Gundam and sell their wares there. But of course, that would entail parking the Gundam and rendering it useless, not to mention the absurd costs it would take to develop an actual unit, so this one is for the dreamers in fanboys and fangirls.

But if a Gundam is actually operating yet cannot be used for warfare, a possible alternative would be to give it enough storage capacity and turn it into the personal carrier of the head of state which owns it – sort of a re-imagined version of Air Force One, or more bluntly, a glorified mascot of the country. That would be good for the morale of its citizens, but not so much on the taxes used to probably create that mobile suit.

Since we are in the discussion of mascots, a Gundam can be used as a personification of an urban legend/cultural icon such as Paul Bunyan, the giant lumberjack of North America. Gundams can be used as a huge repair bot for damaged bridges and the likes. Like the military, the Gundam can be used for humanitarian purposes such as helping out rescue operations during storms, blizzards, hurricanes, tsunamis – those intense natural phenomena which leave humans helpless as can be. Moreover, a Gundam can be an advocate for global warming in the exceptional scenario where it is to be powered by solar panels.

In all actuality, if such technology for a Gundam exists and deliberations for Congress or similar bodies of government are needed to pass its budget, I’m very sure that humanitarian reasons will be used as justification. But sadly, in all likelihood, this mammoth mobile suit will definitely used for warfare – so let’s be careful if we wish for a Gundam to be more than a figment of our imagination.

With Chris Nahon (of Kiss of the Dragon fame) at the director chair, Blood: The Last Vampire is the English adaptation of the popular Japanese anime film. Gianna (Daisy, My Sassy Girl) will portray the main antagonist, Saya, a 400-year old undercover vampire slayer during the Vietnam war era.

Rounding up the cast are Koyuki (The Last Samurai), Michael Byrne (Gangs of New York), Colin Salmon (Punisher: War Zone), and Allison Miller (TV’s Kings). Cory Yuen (Transporter 3, Red Cliff) is in charge of stunt choreography while Chris Chow handles the screenplay. It is produced by Bill Kong and Abel Nahmias.

Blood: The Last Vampire is an anime film produced by Production I.G and Aniplex released on November 2000 in Japan theaters. Hiroyuki Kitakubo was its director. It was adapted from a single-volume manga sequel written by Benkyo Tamaoki. The original anime also spawned a fifty-episode anime series entitled Blood+.

The story is set in the American Yokota Air Base located in post-WWII Japan, a few months before the beginning of the Vietnam War. Its main protagonist is a girl named Saya, who hunts hematophagous bat-like creatures called chiropterans for a secret organization known as the Red Shield. Saya hunts chiropterans using a katana.

Here are two trailers for the film. The first one is the original Japanese anime movie from the year 2000 and the next one is the live-action adaptation due this summer:

With their roots firmly entrenched in the art of calligraphy, Chinese people know a thing or two about the intricacies of ink and paper. However, it wasn’t until more recently during the 20th century when the Chinese people really took wings to start having its own brand of animation amidst their experience in global politics and in the economy.

It is to be noted that the zoetrope was invented first in China in 180 AD by a certain Ting Huan. The zoetrope, for animation historians, is a nifty device which creates the illusion of movement throught the rapid succession of static pictures – the beginnings of animation. Ting Huan’s creation hung over a lamp and it was only until 1834 when its modern prototype was perfected by the British William James Horner.

As for the modern animation scene in China, its early beginnings were inspired by productions in the early 1920s carried out by the Russians (known for their montage film tradition), the Germans, the French, and the United States of America. One of the first animations to land in Shanghai was a US production called Out of the Inkwell.

This spurred the first batches of Chinese animation which had support from commercial entities. The noted Chinese animator Wan Laiming created the first Chinese animation in 1922 for the Shuzendong Chinese Typewriter. This was to be followed by the 1924 animated short Dog Treat. Likewise, a Shanghai tobacco company created the animation short New Year.

The celebrated Wan Laiming formed a team with his brothers Wan Guchan, Wan Chaochen and Wan Dihuan to work under the Great Wall Film Company. Here was where they created the pioneering ten-minute Chinese animated short entitled Uproar in the Studio. Even this early at the evolution of their animation, the Wan team believed that these shorts should not be confined in entertainment – rather they can be used to advance advocacy, education and thought.

China’s early success with animation went hand in hand with the development of Hollywood and such pioneers as Walt Disney and Warner Brothers. The first US animation series which landed in China’s shore were Popeye and Betty Boop.

In 1935, China upped the ante by producing the first animation with sound: The Camel’s Dance. Four years later, Disney’s classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released and became a huge influence in China. It became the inspiration for a 1941 feature length film Princess Iron Fan. This was not only an artistic success but also a test of the fortitude of the animators of China because it was released during the troubled times of the World War II and the Second Sino-Japanese War.

The story of Princess Iron Fan was loosely adapted from the popular Chinese folk tradition tale Journey to the West. Specifically it focused on the fight between the dreaded Monkey King and Princess Iron Fan’s vengeful fan which was needed to dispel the flames of her beloved village.

Princess Iron Fan is the first animated feature to be shown in Asia. It took three years of development through the combined collaborative efforts of 237 artists supervised by the Wan Brothers. It also went past 20,000 frames and had a budget of over 350,000 yuan. The movie’s effects were fascinating because it inspired the Japanese animator Tezuka Osamu and the Japanese navy to create their own feature-length animated film Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warriors.

This point at the development of China helped blaze a trail for Asian animation. But the more interesting part is that it was only the beginning for China. Here is an excerpt of the iconic animation Princess Iron Fan: