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Next meeting is Saturday, January 19 (remember that date), 2001, from 1pm to 11pm. Remember, 3rd Saturday of the month. Thank you kind folks who brought munchies in November. Cookies, chips and a few sodas are on hand for next meeting. Dinner break is 7-8pm. Back rooms are off-limits except for the women's lounge. On the schedule is the new Babylon 5 Rangers movie (playing on SciFi channel that night), whatever 4th season REBOOT I managed to tape off Cartoon Network before it stopped playing, also some videos from Amy, from Diana, maybe some DVDs from Matt, and I have some Hong Kong movies on DVD.

Recommended anime shopping: Nikaku Animart, 615 North 6th Street, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 971-2822, (website - www.nikaku.com) for anime CDs, LDs, books, posters, etc. Send a long SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) for their latest catalog. I (Laurine White) have Japanese CDs for sale: RED - music soundtrack album from STEAM BOY DETECTIVE and BLUE, a drama album, same anime series, $10 for the set; ULTRAMAN ACE double CD set ($15); SFX GRAFFITI-ULTRAMAN - 4 CDs for $20; SHADOW SKILL original music soundtrack double CD set, very nice music for $15. I also have a non-commercial copy of DRAGONS FOREVER for $2.

Convention News: Fanimecon 2002 will be April 26-28, 2002 at the Santa Clara Westin & Convention Center. Guests include Hiroyuki Yamaga and Takami Akai. Hotel rates are $99 for single and double occupancy, $109 for triple and quad. Make reservations at the hotel's central reservations office at 1-888-627-8045, and mention Fanimecon 2002 convention discount rate. Registration was $35 until January 1, 2002; I don't know what registration is now; make checks payable to "Anime Resource Group". Contact address is FanimeCon 2002, PO Box 8068, San Jose, CA 95155-8068. Website is www.fanime.com Dealers contact Andy Scheffler at dealers@fanime.com

Yaoi-Con 2002 - October 18-20, 2002 in San Francisco, attendees must be at least 18 years old. Convention rates are $40 (thru 30 April 2002), $50 (from May 1, 2002 to September 18, 2002), $60 at the door. The convention is at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, 1500 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco 94109; convention rate is $110 per night.
For info - www.yaoicon.com Email - yaoicon@moonkingdom.com

San Diego International Comic-Con is August 1-4 at the San Diego Convention Center. For info, visit the website at www.comic-con.org or write to: Comic-Con International, PO Box 128458, San Diego, CA 92112-8458.

WonderCon - the Oakland ComicBook Convention, is April 19-21 (the week before Fanime) at the Oakland Convention Center and Oakland Marriott at City Center, Oakland. For more info, check the WonderCon link at www.comic-con.org/index.html
Project: A-Kon 13 - May 31-June 2, at the Hyatt-DFW Airport between Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas. $35 attendance fee for the weekend (checks payable to Phoenix Entertainment), send to Project: A-Kon, 3352 Broadway Blvd #470, Garland, TX 75043. Guests include Scott Frazier, Helen McCarthy, Steve Kyte, PN Elrod, Edward Luena, Antarctic Press, Studio Ironcat, Radio Comix & more. More info at www.a-kon.com or email to info@a-kon.com

AggieCon 33 SF Convention - March 21-24 at the Memorial Student Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, Guest of Honor Neil Gaiman, with 24 hour anime, gaming, masquerade, dealers, art show. For info - http://cepheid.tamu.edu

Zentertainment News: David Dobkin will direct Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in SHANGHAI KNIGHTS (Shanghai Noon 2), which starts shooting early '02. The action is set in London, where our heroes foil a plot aginst both China and Britain. // The SciFi Channel will be making a 6-hour miniseries based on Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea novels. // New Line Cinema plans to make BLADE 3. // Universal may actually make the Watchman movie! David Hayter (X-Men, Hulk screenwriter) wants to direct, based on his own script. // An upcoming syndicated series, FLATLAND, will star Dennis Hopper, Francoise Yip, Liam Waite (& others) as Americans who in 2010 become prisoners in a dimension where ancient China still exists. The 22-episode series will be partially shot in Shanghai. It's been described as "Matrix meets Crouching Tiger."

www.animenewsnetwork.com News - Bandai has ended its AnimeVillage.com, but you can find updates, info and news about upcoming projects at www.Bandai-Ent.com. Bandai America opened the "Bandai Shop at Action Theater" at San Francisco's Metreon Entertainment Center. The shop has Gundam action figures, Bandai's home video series, and Bandai's Anime Collector series toys. Bandai has announced the release of the RONIN WARRIORS (Yoroiden Samurai Troopers) tv series on DVD on April 23. The episodes will be uncut. It is unknown whether Bandai will release the 3-part OAV series as well. // AnimEigo will release Kimagure Orange Road tv series on DVD. The 12-DVD box set, including the 48 episodes + liner notes, will be available only through pre-order, for $240 + $10 S&H. The subtitles have been revised.

More Zentertainment: Billie Lou Watt, who dubbed the voices of Astro Boy and Kimba for the 1960s series shown in America, passed away in September. // Steam Boy was a film project that Katsuhiro Otomo worked on several years after AKIRA. The film was put on hiatus in 1998. Now Production I.G. and Sunrise plan to animate the film for release in Japan. The animation will include a lot of CG graphics. // If you're interested in analysis of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture, check out this website: www.animeresearch.com // BARON is an upcoming anime movie from Studio Ghibli. It's a spinoff from WHISPER OF THE HEART (Baron was the cat doll in that movie) and will be directed by Hiroyuki Morita. Aoi Hiirage will illustrate the BARON manga. // Guardians of Order will be publishing anime fan guides for Fushigi Yugi, Dual, NieA_7, and Armitage III. Their guides for Lain and Trigun have been delayed to February and May, respectively.

Even more Zentertainment: Urban Vision will release VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST (that's the new movie, not the old one) on video and DVD in February, in English only. DVD special feature include storyboard, theatrical trailers, image gallery, and "behind the scenes". // DreamWorks plans to remake the Japanese horror film, THE RING, starring Martin Henderson, Naomi Watts, David Dorfman, Amber Tamblyn, Rachael Bella and Brian Cox. Martin Henderson appears in John Woo's WINDTALKERS, the release of which was originally scheduled for last June, postponed to November, and now delayed to next June. What idiots to treat a John Woo movie this way! I'd much rather have seen this than the overblown PEARL HARBOR.

www.aint-it-cool-news.com News - In BULLETPROOF MONK, Chow Yun-Fat will play a Tibetan monk who accepts a western student, played by Sean William Scott. John Woo will co-produce the film. John Woo plans to direct a period drama, THE LINE, also to star Chow Yun-Fat. // Donnie Yen has been busy. He plays Snowman in BLADE 2, opening early in 2002. He'll have a sword fight with Jet Li in Zhang Yimou's upcoming film, HERO, set during the reign of the first Chinese emperor over 2000 years ago. // There are two upcoming SAMURAI JACK movies, one animated, one live action. The live action film will be directed by Brett Ratner and written by series creator Tartakovsky. I shouldn't have to tell anyone that SAMURAI JACK is that great animated series on Cartoon Network. // A South Korean financier has acquired the rights to Bruce Lee's image and plans to use his computer-generated likeness in a new movie, DRAGON WARRIOR (news from Variety).

www.animetourist.com News - There is a rumor that Manga Entertainment now has the rights to distribute the 3-part OAV series, READ OR DIE, based on the manga by Kurata Hideyuki. Someone at the BAAS summer barbecue was giving high praise to this series, about a substitute teacher and secret agent for British Libraries special ops. A plot for world domination is based on notes written in rare books. Manga may also have the rights to the OAV, KAIDOHMARU from Production IG. The OAV, based on a myth, is set in Heian period Japan over 1000 years ago. The OAV was released in Japan in December. Check the animetourist website for links to READ OR DIE and KAIDOHMARU websites.

Diamond PREVIEWS (www.diamondcomics.com) for November 2001 for delivery in January '02 (except as noted). Comics - Dark Horse is releasing USAGI YOJIMBO: GRASSCUTTER II trade pb, b&w, $15.95, on February 6. USAGI YOJIMBO #54 features the return of Lone Goat and Kid, b&w, 24 pages, $3, art & story by Stan Sakai. DARK HORSE EXTRA #43 features an AstroBoy poster. This is a promo item, maybe available at your local comicbook store. GUNSMITH CATS: MISTY'S RUN trade pb, by Kenichi Sonoda, collects issues 8-11, 176 pages, b&w, $15. Marvel releases its Marvel Mangaverse line, issues #1 of NEW DAWN, AVENGERS, FANTASTIC FOUR, GHOST RIDER, PUNISHER, SPIDER-MAN, X-MEN, ETERNAL TWILIGHT, priced mostly at $2.25. ELEKTRA & WOLVERINE: THE REDEEMER #3 (of 3) has cover and fully-painted illos by Yoshitaka Amano. Antarctic - HOW TO DRAW MANGA #11, b&w, 32 pages, $4.95; HOW TO COLOR FOR COMICS: a guide to computer coloring, color, 64 pages, $10, also in Deluxe CD edition for $25.

Comicsone.com - STORM RIDERS GN #2 by Wing-Shing Ma, WILD 7 GN #2 by Mikiya Mochizuki, each b&w, $10. CPM Manga - SLAYERS SUPER EXPLOSIVE DEMON STORY #4 and SLAYERS SPECIAL #2, each b&w, 32 pages, $2.95. Crusade - SHI: THROUGH THE ASHES by Billy Tucci, Ana Ishikawa aids in the 9/11 rescue efforts, b&w, 24 pages, $3 (profits go to the Red Cross). Fanboy - WHITE RAIN #1 byYoshitoshi ABe, 2 girls with no memories must get out of a mazelike building, 40 pages, $5. Tokyopop - KODOCHA #1 (of 5) by Miho Obana, a child star tries to solve the problems of all those around her, b&w, 48 pages, $2.95. Zines - INQUEST GAMER #82, special anime gaming issue, $5 from Wizard Entertainment. JADE SCREEN #3, $7.95, features an interview with Sammo Hung + news on the HK movie scene.

T-shirts - Gundam Saga on black, 100% cotton, L-XL, $17. Thundercats Logo on black, 100% cotton, L-XL, $17. Action Figures - Bruce Lee The Dragon Lives, 4 different 7" articulated figures, $10 each. Mazinger A.D. 1901 11" articulated figure, $39 (March). Misc. - Final Fantasy X posters ($6) and wall scrolls ($18) with cool artwork. Other anime wall scrolls will be available for Gundam 08MS, Sol Bianca, Parallel Dual, Fushigi Yugi, $20 each. Samurai 3000 Ninja Sword, 36" total length with sharp edge, $166.

Videos & DVDs: Pioneer Feb releases - Adventures of the Mini Goddess Vol 1, 100 minutes, DVD $30, dub video $25; Betterman DVD $30. Pioneer January release - Vandread Vol 1: Enemy Engaged, 100 minutes, DVD $30, dub video $25; G-Savior Vol 1 live action Gundam, 80 minutes, DVD $30. AD Vision - Sorcerer on the Rocks Vol 1 DVD $25, 60 minutes. Urban Vision - Strange Dawn Vol 1, DVD $30, dub video $25. Synch Point - FLCL Vol 1 (#1-3) DVD $30, 60 minutes; I'm Gonna Be an Angel Vol 1: Earth Angel (December), 125 minutes, DVD $30. Bandai - Love Hina DVD $30 & DVD set 1, $35 (February). US Manga Corps - Now & Then, Here & There, 125 minutes, DVD $30, dub video, $20. Rhino Home Video - Beast Wars DVD $20, vol 1 & 2 videos, $10 each; Battle of the Planets vol 3 & 4, 50 minutes each, DVDs $20, video $10 each; Transformers Season #1 16-episode box set, DVD $90, video $60.

Diamond PREVIEWS for December 2001 for delivery in February '02 (except as noted): Comics - Dark Horse (and Studio Proteus) brings ASTRO BOY manga to America for the first time; Vol 1 trade edition, by Osamu Tezuka, 224 pages, b&w, size 7"x4.5". DC Comics - JLA: SHOGUN OF STEEL, in another universe Krypton explodes and a rocketship with a baby lands in 14th century Japan, story by Ben Raab, art by Justiniano, one-shot 64 pages, $6.95. Wildstorm's 3rd PacRim title is ROBO DOJO. #1 (of 6), 40 pages, color, $3.50. The brightest young minds enter the MegaMecha Science Academy to develop "robojin". Antarctic - BATTLE GIRLZ #1 by Rod Espinosa, mecha pilots fight evil across the universe, b&w, 24 pages, $3; HOW TO DRAW MANGA #12, layout, b&w, 32 pages, $4.95; LEGACY: First Inheritance Vol 1 trade edition by Fred Perry, a group of heroes leave their powers to twins Joe & Vicky, color, 6"x8", 144 pages, $17. Colburn Comics - Samurai Guard #4 by Kirk Abrigo, an elite team defends Bushido Island against ninja and magic, color, 32 pages, $2.95, issues 1-2 $2.50 each.

Comicsone.com - WILD 7 #3 GN $10, STORM RIDERS #3 GN $12. CPM - LET'S STAY TOGETHER FOREVER #1 by Tomoko Taniguchi, rock and roll shoujo series, b&w, 32 pages, $2.95. Crossgen - THE PATH PREQUEL by Marz, Sears, Smith & Atiyeh, monk takes divine weapon to avenge his warlord brother's death, color, 48 pages, $2.95, monthly. Crusade - SHI: Year of The Dragon trade eollection by Tucci, Ana battles drug addiction and the murder of her best friend by yakuza, color, $10. Ironcat - Vampire Yui Vol 4 #1, b&w, 32 pages, $2.95. Neko Press - Art of Foo Swee Chin Vol 1, 2 stories by a Singapore artist, b&w, 24 pages, $2.95. Radio Comix - FURRLOUGH #110, the only monthly furry comic, with more epic adventures, b&w, 32 pages, $3. Tokyop - COWBOY BEBOP #1-2 (of 4) by Yukata Nanten, b&w, 32 pages, each $2.95; RAGNAROK #1 (of 4) by Myung Jin Lee, Fenris the wolf is reincarnated as a sorceress, b&w, 48 pages, $2.95; COWBOY BEBOP COMPLETE ANIME GUIDE #1, 100 pages, $12.95. Viz (for this title only) - THE BIG O #1 (of 5) by Hajime Yadate & Hitoshi Ariga, b&w, 48 pages, $3.50.

Zines - WIZARD ANIME INVASION #2, Battle of the Planets cover by Alex Ross, $5. GIANT ROBOT #24, Asian pop culture zine, 88 pages, color, $5. PROTOCULTURE ADDICTS #70, 72 pages, $4.95. Misc. - Best of Pioneer Entertainment card sets, 72-card set with TriGun, Tenchi Muyo, Armitage III, Lain, Gate Keepers and more. Action Figures - Barbie (Young Buddha) Princess of China, yes, it's Barbie as a Manchu Princess, $25. Shi & Tomoe Action Figures, $8.50 each. Bandai Anime collector Figures Series 1 - Big O with Roger Smith, Dorothy and Big O, $20 (someone gave me this cool set for Christmas!). Samurai X/Rurouni Kenshin set of PVC figures, 7" nonarticulated, $12 each (May). Wall Scroll - Battle of the Planets, $15. Games - Alderac - Legend of the 5 Rings: Way of the Samurai source book, $25.

DVDs/Videos - Bandai - Jin-Roh Wolf Brigade DVD, 102 minutes, $30. Manga Entertainment - AstroBoy New Adventures 1-2, dub videos, $15 each. Columbia - Metropolis, directed by Rintaro, based on a Tezuka manga, DVD $28 (March). Pioneer - Sherlock Hound Case File 1 (Miyazaki) DVD, 125 minutes, $30. Urban Vision - VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST, 103 minutes, DVD $30, dub video $23. CD soundtracks - Final Fantasy X $15, Godzilla Vs Megaguirus (Michiru Ohshima) and Iron Monkey (the American release soundtrack, not the original HK release) $12.98 each,
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End of January 02 Anime Sacramento Newsletter
Posted with permission from Laurine White
http://www.sacramentoanime.com