comic-con 2002

by sumir on 08/09/2002 12:19:48 -0700

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Panelists: Bill Flanagan, Toshi Yoshida, Carl Gustav Horn, Jason (editor of Shonen Jump I think.)

Mr. Flanagan spoke for most of the panel and started off by thanking the audience for getting up "early" and coming to their panel. The panel itself focused on three areas: manga, video, and Shonen Jump, AKA the hottest new product of Viz.

The following manga titles were announced during the panel:
 

	Bastard: It's a violent fantasy manga about a guy who becomes buff/cool whenever he receives a kiss from a virgin. The title describes the protagonist. It should be available now.
	Cinderalla (collected): A work of Junko Mizuno that carries an 18+ label due to nudity and themes, it's got a unique, cutting-edge art style that I've heard described as "the Power Puff Girls on acid". It's definitely cute yet dark and adult at the same time. Of note is the fact that Junko Mizuno involved herself in the localization process. She picked the paper and did the lettering following an English translation. I highly recommend checking out the graphic novel as it's something different. It's available now.
	Hamtaro: Ok, if you don't know what this is, you may as well stop reading this article. Viz is not only going to be publishing issues of the manga, but it will also be releasing an origami book, punch-out play book, trading card game and some sort of electronic game. Considering its popularity, I'm sure there will be other Hamtaro merchandise from Viz. Some stuff should be out really soon, with a lot more to follow in the upcoming months.
	Battle Angel Alita: Last Order (aka GUNM): This is something I will definitely be picking up because I loved the original Battle Angel (GUNM) series so much. It basically delves into the back-story regarding Alita by exploring an "alternate ending" to a certain scene during the course of the manga. (No spoilers here!) It should be out in September.
	Project Arms: Project Arms is about a high school kid who one day finds out that he and some others have special nanomachines that essentially allow an individual to become a fighting machine. This one comes highly recommended from my friend Shaun.
	Blood: The Last Vampire (1-shot): The graphic novel for Blood will reveal more of the back story of the mysterious girl from the anime. The setting is no longer 1960s but rather the modern era. Look for this one in October.
	Uzumaki (first two vol. are currently available now and Viz plans to continue publishing): This is a horror genre title, the art itself is scary. I think it'd be worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre; I will admit I am not. 3rd volume should be out in October.
	Orochi: Oldie but goodie of the horror genre, it's from the 70s, starts in October.
	Chicago-in Animerica Extra (I think): The panel described it as "Frank Miller meets shojo". Shojo is more or less "girl's manga" I plan on checking this out when it's released in October.

Also of note are the Spirited Away film comic and art book in October as well. There will also be an art book of Fushigi Yugi released in that month as well.

On the animation side for Viz:
 

	• Inu Yasha: A story mixing elements from modern Japan and feudal Japan, by the creator of such series as Urusei Yatsura (Lum), Maison Iku, and Ranma 1/2. Prepare to spend some serious cash as it is set for 3 episodes a DVD retailing for $24.99 per each DVD starting in November. The panel mentioned that they will probably add more episodes per DVD in the future. The panel also hinted that they were in talks to possibly air the series on "cable TV". (Cartoon Network anyone?)
	Trouble Chocolate: An uh, weird anime that appears to be similar to Excel Saga in that it spoofs many other anime/manga series. Like Excel Saga, it appears to be completely random. It's something I will definitely watch. The 20 episode series will be released on 5 DVDs starting in October.
	Great Dangaioh: A mech/giant robot television series, it's due out in November with 4 episodes per DVD.
	Project Arms: It's the anime series of the manga, also recommended to me by my friend Shaun. Look for it in October, also at the rather expensive price of $24.98 per disc, with 3 episodes per DVD.
	Zoids: This one is for the kids, as indicated by it occupying the timeslot immediately after Hamtaro on Toonami. Viz plans on continuing their release of dub-only DVDs for this series.
	Hamtaro: It's the anime sensation that is sweeping the nation with incredibly strong ratings on Cartoon Network/Toonami. It'll be out on VHS/DVD starting in October with 3 episodes per tape/disc.

Also of note is the release of Ranma 1/2 DVD boxset, but beware as there are apparently problems with the release. (Episodes 22 and 23 apparently have no Japanese audio; instead those episodes have 2 English audio streams.)

The new darling of Viz currently is, of course, Shonen Jump billed as "The World's Most Popular Manga", which is quite true. Many, many, popular manga series such as Ruroni Kenshin, Initial D, Slam Dunk, Dragonball, Naruto, One Piece, as well as tons of others got their start or appeared in WSJ. The American edition of the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump, Viz is betting that there are people will enjoy reading right to left with translated sound effects. The material should be uncensored, according to the panel. It should be noted that the editors and publishers of Weekly Shonen Jump are directly involved in the production of the American Shonen Jump. It'll have a cover price of $4.95 or so for about 250-300 pages of material and it launches in November. Unlike WSJ, it's just monthly, hence the name change. I hope they can keep a good pace by going monthly as their direct competitors, Raijin are going for a weekly format. It'll be interesting to see how each of these magazines performs in the market.

In selecting the titles for Shonen Jump, the staff basically went through the history of WSJ and selected what they thought would be good series to bring to America. The magazine is looking to target those in the 13+ age group, and though it essentially contains no new manga (unlike Raijin), it will have interviews and artist articles.

The titles are:
 

	Dragon Ball Z
	Yu-Gi-Oh!
	Yu-Yu Hakusho
	Shaman King
	Naruto
	One Piece
	Sand Land

You can learn more about the titles and artists involved at the official SJ website.

All in all, with Shonen Jump, it looks as though Viz will have a successful rest of the year.

- Jonathan

Index
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