I just wanted to let everyone know that I have started a new program in my store called The Comic Collector's Club.  The Comic Collector's Club includes not just comics, but also manga and will allow you to subscribe to your favorite manga series and receive them quickly and hassle free.  Members of the club also receive other discounts and benefits. Benefits include:

    * First chance at purchasing variants when we receive them at heavy discount.
    * Extra discounts on compilations books.
    * Special sales for members only on back-issues, books, and other merchandise.
    * Regular Newsletters alerting you to second printings, newly announced variants, and other latest news.

All that is required to join the Comic Collector's Club is to sign up for a subscription for one or more title through our store. You will receive invoices and shipments on a schedule that you can choose (Weekly, Bi-Weekly, or Monthly). All shipments will be sent via First Class Mail and come bagged and boarded (if they are comics). In addition, shipping will be free if for invoices over certain amounts (depending on your shipping choice)

If you are interested in joining the club, you can find more information on the program and join here. If you have any questions or suggestions please don't hesitate to contact us.

Much to the excitement of many, myself included, Anime Boston has announced that Nobuo Uemastu will appear at their 2010 convention.

"We are pleased to announce that Nobuo Uematsu will appear for Anime Boston 2010, April 2-4th at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel Boston.

Now the founder of SMILE PLEASE and Dog Ear Records, Uemastu is known for composing many renowned works from Final Fantasy, Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon as well as from the Guinsaga anime."

According to Anime!Anime!, an anime movie of Mizuki Shigeru's manga "Mizuki Shigeru no Tono Monogatari" will be premiered on April 24th, 2010 at Tono City Museum.

Tono Mongatari manga official website

Tono Monogatari was originally a Japanese folklorist Yanagida Kunio's classical literature based on the oral traditions of Tono city. It's about Yokai such as Tengu, Kappa, and Zashikiwarashi. Mizuki Shigeru started the serialization of the manga series in 2008 when he was 86 years old.

Source: Anime!Anime!

From: myanimelist.net

The independent animator Kousuke Sugimoto began streaming a high-definition version of his 208-second "The TV Show" animated music video on the YouTube website on Monday. He had posted a standard-definition version on December 2.

Sugimoto is a 26-year-old filmmaker who self-taught himself animation about five years ago. Sugimoto's previous work include the computer graphics from Nightmare's "REM" music video, 10 seconds of animation for the SMAP x SMAP variety television program, the 37-second "Dōga Sentai Anime Soldier" opening animation for the M-on TV! music program, the animation in Tsushimamire's "Hyper Sweet Power" music video, and the animation in ketchup mania's "Please Marry Me" music video. (In the linked page, place your cursor over each image to see an animated sample.) Takayuki Manabe contributed the music for "The TV Show" video's soundtrack.

Source: Anime News Network

When the Xbox 360 Version of Star Ocean: The Last Hope was brought to North America, they changed the character battle portraits from anime to CG. Take a look at the images below to see the difference: http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2009/120609a.html

The PS3 version of Star Ocean: The Last Hope International will give you the option to choose between anime and CG character portraits, depending on your personal preference.

As mentioned in past updates, the game will feature both Japanese and English voice acting, and an array of language subtitles in Japanese, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Along with the language options there is an improved battle system, tweaked menus and additional characters.

The game is scheduled to release worldwide in February 2010. For Japan the release date is February 4; for North America it is February 9; and for European audiences it is February 12. Hop over to Square Enix's site for info on the game.

Source: Rpgamer.com

Digital Manga Publishing has announced their partnership with Harlequin Enterprises Limited and SOFTBANK Creative to bring Harlequin manga to eManga.com. 

"Beloved by readers the world over, Harlequin has shipped 5.8 billion
novels worldwide since its inception. In 1998, Harlequin Enterprises
Limited began licensing their novels to Japanese publishers,
culminating in the creation of Harlequin manga, which are drawn by
various shojo mangaka, and geared towards teenage and adult women.
Now, twenty of these titles will be available through eManga.com for
rental alongside Digital Manga's own rental library. These twenty
titles have never before been available in their print manga form in
the US, until now.

The first of the Harlequin manga titles available for rental will be:
Millionaire Husband written by Leanne Banks and illustrated by Kanako
Uesugi, Prisoner Of The Tower written by Gayle Wilson and illustrated
by Karin Miyamoto, The Sheikh’s Reluctant Bride written by Teresa
Southwick and illustrated by Ayumu Asou, Word Of A Gentleman written
by Lyn Stone and illustrated by Tsukiko Kurebayashi, Married Under The
Italian Sun by Lucy Gordon and illustrated by Mayu Takayama and Sale
Or Return Bride written by Sarah Morgan and illustrated by Kazuto
Fujita."

The nominations for the 37th annual Annie Awards have been announced and Hayao Miyazaki has been nominated in the Directing in a Feature Production category and Joe Hisaishi received a nomination in the Music in a Feature Production category for Ponyo.  Miyazaki has previously been nominated for directing Howl's Moving Castle and writing it and the film itself was nominated in the Best Animated Feature category.  However, it did not win any awards.  Spirited Away on the other hand won in every category for which it was nominated.

Kamishibai Performances and Workshops by YassanKamishibai ("paper dramas") are a form of performance popularized in Japan in the early twentieth century by traveling performers who bicycled from town to town, dazzling children and adults alike with exciting tales illustrated with colorful pictures. Today Yassan, one of its foremost practitioners, comes to the Freer to celebrate the work and legacy of Osamu Tezuka with a series of performances and workshops.

Performances:
Friday, Dec. 4, 12 & 2 pm
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 am & 1 pm
Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 am & 3 pm

Films
The Fantastic Adventures of Unico
Saturday, Dec. 5, 3:45 pm

Tezuka on Television
Princess Knight
Marvellous Melmo
The Three-Eyed One
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 pm

Friday, Dec. 4, 12:30, 2:30 & 3:30 pm
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11:30 am, 1:30 & 2:30 pm
Sunday, Dec. 6, 11:30 am, 3:30 & 4:30 pm

Throughout the holiday season
10 am - 4 pm
Freer Conference Room Year after year our popular attic sale offers unique
Asian-inspired gifts at deep discounts!
Tibetan Artisans Trunk Show
Friday, Dec. 4 - Sunday, Dec. 6
10 am - 5:00 pmSackler Gallery Shop
Handmade jewelry, jackets, and toys crafted by artisans in Tibet in cooperation with
the Dropenling Handicraft Development Center are offered at this trunk show.

Thanks to D.C. Anime Club for the forwarding the information.

For more information on the event, click here.

Funimation has announced that it has hired Chris Moujaes as Director of Original Entertainment.  According to the company, Moujaes will head it's new co-production initiative and will be focused on the acquisition and development of original anime titles based on major intellectual properties.

In an interview for Collider.com, Zac Efron addressed his possible involvement in a film adaptation of Death Note by saying:

"I love Death Note, and we were, kind of, working on it right now. You know, it's not…it's definitely not something that would be coming up soon. [Turns to Me and Orson Welles director Richard Linklater] What's the classic answer, Rick? 'It's not on the front burner.' No, no, it's something that was … I feel like, regardless of whatever I say, it's going to [interpreted by the media to] be my next movie. No, it's not. It was an idea. Who knows? I had a meeting on it."

Dark Horse has announced that it has teamed up with the clothing label The Hundreds to create two limited T-shirts featuring new art from Stan Sakai.  The shirts will be released this coming Saturday and only 200 of each design will be available.  They can be found at The Hundreds' Los Angeles and San Francisco.  Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai will be at the Rosewood location in LA from 11 AM to 12 PM to sign copies of the latest issue of the comic.  The first 25 people through the door will also receive a signed copy of the first full color Usagi Yojimbo graphic novel, Yokai.

"Usagi Yojimbo is the long running comic set in 17th century Japan,
with anthropomorphic animals replacing humans, featuring the lovable
rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi, who wanders the land as a shugyosha
(student warrior on a pilgramage) occasionally selling his services as
a yojimbo (bodyguard). Usagi Yojimbo is one of the most celebrated
ongoing comics, adored by critics and fans of all ages for the last 25
years."

Funimation has announced via it's blog that they have posted more free episodes online on its own website, YouTube, and Hulu. 

http://funimation.com/video:
    * Ah! My Goddess Dub 14-16
    * Big Windup! Dub 9-10
    * Coyote Ragtime Show Dub 7-8
    * Devil May Cry Dub 5-6
    * Heroic Age Dub 25-26
    * Magikano Dub 1-4
    * Red Garden Dub 1-4
    * Shin-chan Dub 1-4
    * Soul Eater Dub 1-4
    * When They Cry - Higurashi Dub 15-16
    * Casshern Sins Sub 1-2
    * Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Sub 31
    * Sands of Destruction Sub 9-10
    * Sgt. Frog Sub 31-32
    * Slayers Evolution-R Sub 1-2

http://youtube.com/funimation:
    * Ah! My Goddess Dub 1-4
    * Slayers Try Dub 1-4
    * Soul Eater Dub 1-2
    * Coyote Ragtime Show Dub 1-2
    * Murder Princess Dub 1-2
    * Ergo Proxy Dub 1-4
    * Heroic Age Dub 5-13
    * Ikki Tousen Dub 1-2
    * Baccano! Sub 1-6
    * Bamboo Blade Sub 1-10
    * Devil May Cry Sub 1-10
    * Romeo X Juliet Sub 1-24
    * Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Sub 29
    * Gunslinger Girl: OVA Sub 1-2
    * Ikki Tousen Sub 1-8
    * XXXHOLiC Sub 1-18

http://www.hulu.com/network/funimation,/url]:
    * Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood JPN 29

Hikaru Utada's website has announced that she is holding a concert tour in at least eight US and UK cities in January and February.  The tour will visit:

January 15    - Honolulu, HI
January 19    - Los Angeles, CA
January 21    - Seattle, WA
January 24    - San Francisco, CA
January 30    - Las Vegas, NV
February 2    - Chicago, IL
February 5    - Boston, MA
February 8    - New York, NY
February 12 - London, UK

Most venues have begun selling tickets.

JapanFiles.com has announced that they are releasing Hangry & Angry's new CD "Sadistic Dance" on December 15th.

"The new album from the duo (portrayed by Rika Ishikawa and Hitomi Yoshizawa)
contains 10 tracks, including the new single “Top Secret,” plus remixes of
tracks from their mini-album “Kill Me Kiss Me,” and a special “h&A Death
Tracks” version of Morning Musume’s hit “The PEACE!” which was first
performed at Hangry & Angry’s live performance at Sakura-Con earlier this
year.

The USA release will be identical to the Japanese regular edition, featuring
the complete 20-page Japanese booklet. JapanFiles is offering free shipping
to all customers who order the CD in advance of the December 15 release
date.

JapanFiles released Hangry & Angry’s mini-album “Kill Me Kiss Me” earlier
this year, which also contains the original Japanese-language booklet."

Funimation has announced that it is streaming the first nine minutes of Evangelion 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone.  In addition to the stream on it's own site, Funimation has also put the clip on YouTube in high definition.

Funimation also announced that it is streaming the first four dubbed episodes of Soul Eater. 

"A Retrospective of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime

Begins this weekend on 11/13

Films: Introducing Astro Boy, Marine Express, Prime Rose, Tezuka's Short Films, and The Film is Alive: Osamu Tezuka Filmography

Plus, a panel discussion with authors Frederik Schodt, Helen McCarthy, and Natsu Onoda Power!

1050 Independence Ave. SW
202.633.1000 Metro: Smithsonian"

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that 20 films have been submitted for possible Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature this year, setting a record.  Ponyo and Astro Boy are among those submitted.  Since more than 16 films were submitted to the category, the academy will allow up to five nominations instead of the standard 3.

Viz Cinema has announced that it will be presenting Gurren Lagann: The Movie 1: Childhood's End and Gurren Lagann: The Movie 2: The Lights In The Sky Are Stars at their theatre in San Francisco.  They will be showing subtitled for two nights only, November 17th and 18th.  Fans interested in catching the double-feature each night can recive a discount.  More information is available at http://www.vizcinema.com/

Cartoon Network in the US has scheduled Bakugan Battle Brawlers in its 7 PM timeslot on Saturday.  If the anime series remains in that time slot, this will be the first regular scheduled anime on the network on early Saturday evening since Toonami ended last year.

New People in San Francisco has opened the Tokyo Creators Market, an extensive exhibit of work by several visual artists from Japan.  Junko Mizuno and Kim Songhe are among the features artists. 

"The TOKYO CREATORS MARKET opens Saturday, November 21st and runs through the beginning of the next year inside NEW PEOPLE’s SUPERFROG Gallery, a bright and spacious 2,000 square foot exhibit space located on the venue’s 3rd floor. The exhibit is free and additional information is available at http://www.superfroggallery.com. Preceding the opening, a special sneak preview party is held on Friday, November 20th at 6pm to 8pm by invitation only, with appearances by Junko Mizuno, ON ZA LINE, and Kim Songhe flying from Tokyo. To receive an invitation, sign up for an e-mail newsletter at www.newpeopleworld.com.

To complement show’s opening and entice those with early holiday shopping in mind, NEW PEOPLE and Bazaar Bizarre S.F. present the NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE Vol.1. Ten vendors in kiosks stationed throughout the building will offer works from a mix of Asian and Western artists influenced by Japanese pop culture. The special all-day, all-floor vertical art village takes place – for one-day-only – on Saturday, November 21st from 10:00am to 8:00pm. NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE will also have the sneak preview on November 20th at 6:00-8:00pm by invitation only.

Before departing, visitors are also invited to explore the TOKYO CREATORS GARDEN, a serene and sunny brand new emporium on the 2nd floor that is inspired by the work of artists and craftsmen from Japan. Visitors may browse the many pieces on display or just relax in the colorful environment."

This has been to me a very interesting debate. There are a lot of people out there who feel that Cosplay in general should be exclusive to Asian and people with smaller body frames. I found this interesting article on why American's should not cosplay. What do you think? You can record a voice message and send it to podcast@anime-bliss.com Your comments will be played on the show.

Article link: http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#2AvJET/www.morbidoptimism.com/asc.html/topic:Anime

Streaming episodes of One Piece on http://www.onepieceofficial.com will now begin appearing 1 hour earlier at 8 PM CST on Saturday Nights.  The change in release time is due to the end of daylight savings time and will keep the online broadcast at 1 hour later than the original broadcast in Japan.

The December issue of Monthly Manga Town has announced that the magazine will continue to run new chapters of Crayon Shin-chan until the March issue which will ship in February.  Yoshito Usui died in September from injuries sustained from a fall at the Arafune mountain, which left the the future of the manga in doubt.  The magazine had planned to end the series this month when they published the last two installments that had been submitted by Usui before his accident.  However, several new pages were discovered allowing the magazine to extend the series another 3 months.

The DC Anime Club has announced that they are collaborating with Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan to present a screening of Metropolis on Friday, November 13th at 6:30 PM.  The screening will take place on the Lower Level of the Lafayette Center III at 1155 21st Street, NW Washington, DC. 

"Kenichi and his detective uncle, Shunsaku Ban, leave Japan to visit Metropolis, in
search of the criminal, Dr. Laughton. However, when they finally find Dr. Laughton,
Kenichi and Shunsaku find themselves seperated and plunged into the middle of a
larger conspiracy. While Shunsaku searches for his nephew and explanations, Kenichi
tries to protect Tima (a mysterious young girl), from Duke Red and his adopted son
Rock, both of whom have very different reasons for wanting to find her.

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required. RSVP to jiccrsvpfall09@embjapan.org.

Seating is limited and granted on a first come, first served basis."

JapanFiles.com has announced that they will be releasing girugamesh's new album "NOW" in the US on January 4th. 

"The USA release will contain the same jacket art and
Japanese-language booklet as the Japanese regular edition. Pre-orders begin
today and all pre-orders receive free shipping.

The USA releases of girugamesh's last two albums "Girugamesh" and "MUSIC"
have sold over 4,000 units combined in America. Girugamesh's full digital
catalog is available at the JapanFiles Digital Music Store, and digital
downloads of the new album will be available on December 16, 2009 (same day
release as Japan)."

JapanFiles.com has announced that they are expanding the catalog at HelloStoreUSA with new tour goods from many bands.  They have also announced pre-sales of Hangry & Angry "Sadistic Dance" Limited Edition CD/DVD.

"After multiple sellouts and increased demand from fans worldwide,
HelloStoreUSA has added new tour goods from Morning Musume, Berryz Kobo,
Buono!, C-ute, Melon Kinenbi, and Aya Matsuura. Item pre-sales are available
only until November 15 to make sure customers receive their goods in time
for the December holidays.

Photobooks are available for the first time at HelloStoreUSA featuring:
Ai Takahashi
Airi Suzuki
Eri Kamei
Koharu Kusumi
Maasa Sudo
Maimi Yajima
Momoko Tsugunaga
Natsumi Abe
Reina Tanaka
Rika Ishikawa
Risa Niigaki
Risako Sugaya
Sayumi Michishige"

JapanFiles.com has announced that HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR will be appearing and performing at Sakura-Con 2010.

"Japanese rock band HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR returns to the
USA with a new vocalist and heavier sound. HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR will play a
live concert at Sakura-Con 2010 and attend autograph and Q&A sessions for
fans during Sakura-Con’s three-day event in Seattle, WA on April 2-4, 2010."

Florida Supercon has announced that their 2010 convention will take place at the Doubletree Miami Mart Airport Convention Center in Miami Florida June 18th - 20th.

"Over 30 guests have already been lined up for FSC 2010, including Comic Book guests: Bill
Sienkiewicz, Dennis Calero, Dick Giordano, Joe Jusko, Clayton Henry, Fred Van Lente, Allen Bellman, Georges Jeanty, Pat Broderick, Kristen Sorra, Derec Donovan, Tom Gordon III, Pat Bastienne, Rob Hunter, Alex Saviuk, Terry Cronin, Pat Martin, Ricky Carralero, Ralph Cabrera, Greg Kirkpatrick and Media guests: Lloyd Kaufman (Troma Entertainment), MC Frontalot (Musical Guest), Brittney Karbowski (Anime Voice Actress), Christopher Smith (Anime Voice Actor), Dana Snyder (Voice Actor), plus the cast of Peanuts/Charlie Brown: Brad Kesten (Charlie Brown), Angela Lee-Sloan (Lucy) and Stacy Heather Tolkin (Sally)."

Five of the major Japanese movie and anime companies are collaborating on a countermeasure initiative against domestic and overseas internet piracy.  The Content Overseas Distribution Association will automatically search for videos that were posted online without authorization and demand that site administrators remove the materials.  TOHO, Studio Ghibli, and Sunrise are among the companies involved in the initial effort and the association is exploring the possible involvement of commercial broadcasters and record companies.

The initiative will begin by monitoring for 10 to 15 specific titles, such as Ponyo and Mobile Suit Gundam 00 in the middle of November.  They then plan to begin to expand to cover more titles.

The DC Anime Club in collaboration with Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan have announced a screening of Mushishi on Friday October 30th at 6:30 PM.  The showing is part of a new film series based on both Anime and Manga. 

"Mushi are ethereal organisms comprised of and related to the source of all
life.  Their very existence is enough to spur on supernatural phenomena. Ginko is a Mushi-shi, one who investigates and counteracts the ill-effects of mushi encounters/infestations. As Ginko wanders from town to town learning more of the Mushi and helping those in his wake; we learn of the fate that brought him into his present circumstances. 

Free candy will be given to kids and adults alike in costume during this event. 

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.  RSVP to jiccrsvpfall09@embjapan.org. "

Dark Horse has announced the arrival of a second Domo Qee mystery-box assortment.  The first assortment that was offered earlier this year was a sell out.

"“This was Dark Horse’s first attempt at a mystery-box type of release,” product development head David Scroggy remarked, “and we are gratified by the response. We didn’t want to repeat ourselves, so we came up with a whole slate of brand-new designs for series two. It is an extension for those who bought into the first series, and a jumping-on point for newer fans.”

Dark Horse’s association with Domo, who is the mascot of Japanese television network NHK, began with limited-edition flocked vinyl figures. A set of these in 8-inch size was released initially and sold out. A followup 5.5-inch series received a similar response. Next is a new release of limited editions in 4-inch size, hitting stores this November."

Pacific Media Expo has announced that director Shinichi Watanabe will appear at the event.  "Nabeshin" is best known for directing Excel Saga, Puni Puni Poemy, The Wallflower, Tenchi Muyo GXP, and Nerima Daikon Brothers among others.  He has also voiced an exaggerated version of himself in many of these series.

PMX will take place November 6th - 8th in Los Angeles.

Bandai Visual's first Blu-ray disc for Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn will have simultaneous overseas releases on March 12th.  The disc will include Japanese and English dubbing as well as English, French, Spanish, and Chinese subtitles.  Advance sales of the disc will begin on February 20th when the first episode begins it's two week premiere review run in theaters in Japan.  Sony will also begin distributing the anime on it's PlayStation Store on that day.

Yasuo Iwata passed away on Saturday due to lung cancer at 67.  He played a number of roles but is best known for playing Nanbutsu Isasaka on Sazae-san.  He was the third person to assume the role of the character.

Frank Marshall, the co-producer of the North American version of Ponyo, has revealed on his Twitter that the DVD will be out in March.  The film is still showing in some American theaters and is quickly approaching the $15 million US mark.

Zenkaikon has announced that their final guest for the 2009 convention will be Reni Mimura.  They have also announced that addition of two new events, Iron Artist: Zenkaikon Edition and the Beatles Rock Band Sing-Off.  Finally, they announced that there is a registration cap for this years attendance of 1,500 attendees per day. 

Zenkaikon will take place November 7th and 8th at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in King Prussia PA.

ICv2 reports that Upper Deck has licensed the rights to produce a Hello Kitty collectable card game starting next March.  The trading card game will reportedly feature collectible miniatures and stickers.  The release of the game is planned for next year.

Viz Media has announced that Naoki Urasawa's Monster is now available via the iTunes Store in the US and Canada.  The first two dubbed episodes are now available and each new episode will become available on iTunes the day after it airs on SyFy in the US.

“We’re excited to make Naoki Urasawa’s MONSTER available on iTunes,” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “Tension and suspense reach new heights and nothing is as it seems as Dr. Tenma plays a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a vicious serial killer. Audiences won’t want to miss even a single episode of this thrilling new series.”

Dark Horse Comics has announced that Mike Mignola's Hellboy and Derard Way's The Umbrella Academy are both now available on the iPhone.  The first issues of both series are available through the iTunes Store with subsequent issues coming soon.  Hellboy: Seed of Destruction is $0.99 per issue or $3.99 for a bundle of all four issues.  The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite issue #1 is available for free with the other 6 issues available for $0.99 each, or a bundle of all 6 issues for $4.99.

Zenkaikon has announced that the Robotech Convention Tour will be making it's final stop at Zenkaikon.  This stop will include the Robotech creators from Comico, Eternity, and DC reuniting for the first time in decades.

""To wrap up this year's tour and to kick off the 25th Anniversary of Robotech,
Harmony Gold and Zenkaikon have assembled a diverse list of Robotech guests for a
blowout!" says Harmony Gold's Kevin McKeever and Tommy Yune.

Robotech Guests:

* Robert Axelrod - voice of Rico in Robotech: The Macross Saga
* Gerry Giovinco - co-founder of Comico, artist and letterer - Macross / Robotech:
The Macross Saga
* Chris Kalnick - inker of Robotech: The Macross Saga, Robotech Masters
* Mike Leeke - penciler of Robotech: The Macross Saga
* Rich Rankin - inker of Robotech: The Macross Saga, Robotech Masters, Robotech: The
New Generation
* Bill Spangler - writer of Robotech: The Malcontent Uprisings, Invid War, Return To
Macross
* Neil Vokes - penciler of Robotech: The Macross Saga, Robotech Masters, Robotech:
The Graphic Novel
* Tommy Yune - director of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles"

There will be a variety of panels and activities sponsored by the tour.

JapanFiles.com and Sakura-Con have announced that Dazzle Vision will be their musical guest at next years convention.  

"Dazzle Vision is:
Vocals - Maiko
7-String Guitar - Yu
5-String Bass - Takuro
Drums - Haru (formerly of Goofy Style)
 
Popular in the Japanese indie scene for their hard rock sound and Maiko's alternating melodic/death-voice vocals, Dazzle Vision was formed in June 2003, and has held their current lineup since May 2008.

Dazzle Vision released their first album "Origin of Dazzle" in November of 2006. Their second album "Camellia Japonica" was released in April 2007, followed by an 11-city tour of Japan. After selling out of the first presses of "Origin of Dazzle" and "Camellia Japonica," their third album "Crystal Children" hit #1 on HMV's pre-sale chart and #2 on Tower Records pre-sale chart prior to its official release in November 2008."

Sakura-Con 2010 will take place April 2nd - 4th at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle Washington.

The anime version of Naoki Urasawa's Monster debuts tonight on the SyFy Channel, as part of SyFy's Ani-Monday programming. You'll kinda have to take my word for this, since SyFy Channel hasn't bothered to update their website to announce this new addition to their anime line-up.

If you have cable and your cable provider broadcasts SyFy, you can check out the first two episodes tonight at 11 pm, and see two new episodes every Monday. Missed an episode? You can check out the rebroadcast the following week on SyFy's sister channel, Chiller.

If you're not already familiar with this award-winning manga suspense series from the creator of Pluto and 20th Century Boys, you're in for a treat. But just so's you know, the "monster" of Monster is not literally a "Where the Wild Things Are" type critter. "Monster" refers to a cold-blooded, manipulative murderer who leaves a trail of death and deception wherever he goes.

The hero of Monster is Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a young, idealistic Japanese doctor who has made a name for himself in Germany as a neurosurgeon. Dr. Tenma's skills help him to save the life of a young boy who was near death from a bullet wound, but Dr. Tenma later discovers that he may have saved the life of a killer.

Get a taste of what's in store by visiting http://monster.viz.com/ to see the trailer and learn more about the story and the characters of this suspense-filled series.

Don't get SyFy? Not to worry. You can purchase and download episodes of Monster from iTunes starting on October 13, 2009. The DVD box set of Monster will be hitting the stores on December 8, 2009 and is available for pre-orders now.

Source: http://manga.about.com/b/2009/10/12/naoki-urasawas-monster-anime-debuts-on-syfy-channel.htm

Dark Horse has announced a new art collection for fantasy and comic artist Charles Vess.  Drawing Down the Moon: The Art of Charles Vess collects decades of his work and is scheduled for release on December 23rd.  The hard cover edition will be full color and 200 pages.  Charles Vess is a three-time Eisner Award winner and has worked on titles such as Jeff Smith's Rose and Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

Funimation has announced the dub cast for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Reprising their roles from the first series:

Edward Elric – Vic Mignogna
Winry Rockbell – Caitlin Glass
Roy Mustang – Travis Willingham
Lust – Laura Bailey
Envy – Wendy Powell       
Gluttony – Chris Cason
Maes Hughes – Sonny Strait
Fuhrer King Bradley – Ed Blaylock
Riza Hawkeye – Colleen Clinkenbeard
Jean Havoc – Mike McFarland

New Cast Members:
Alphonse Elric – Maxey Whitehead
Scar – J Michael Tatum
Isaac McDougal – Bryan Massey

Maryland's Wicomico County Public Schools plan to remove the first volume of Dragon Ball from Pittsville Elementary and Middle School's library after a county council member showed what he called "sexual" content in the volume.  According to council member Joe Holloway, a mother told him that her nine-year old fourth grader borrowed the book from the library.  Halloway said during Tuesday's council meeting that "In cartoon format, [the manga volume] depicts nudity, sexual contact between children and sexual innuendo among adults and children."

This is not the first time this type of objection was made to this series.  In 1999, a Dallas parent complained about "borderline soft porn" images of "naked boys and girls" in Dragon Ball Z comics he bought for his 4 year old son at Toys R Us.  Toys R Us removed the manga from all stores in the middle of November of 1999 according to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Viz edited the images in subsequent printings.

Hiroya Oku's Gantz manga is slated to be adapted into two live action films starring Kazunari Ninomiya and Ken'ichi Matsuyama.  Filming is set to begin next month and is currently expected to end next April.  The leads have already been undergoing training and practicing action sequences.  The films are currently planned to open in the winter and spring of 2011.

Funimation has confirmed that it will be releasing the uncut episodes of Strike Witches on DVD as well as subsequent subscription or download to own digital releases.  However, Funimation has changed the uneditted episodes they were streaming on their site to the editted versions.  They said that this was due to "the feedback we received from some of our fans following its streaming launch on www.funimation.com"

The DC Anime Club has announced a Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament will be held on October 17th at the Martin Luthur King, Jr Memorial Library in Washington, DC.  Sign up for the tournament will start at 2 PM and the age range for the tournament is 13 and up.  The event will be free and open to the public.  It is sponsored by TMODE.

Kodansha has confirmed that it is establishing the Kodansha USA Publishing Company in New York City to directly publish and sell manga in the US.  The new impring will launch with Katushiro Otomo's Akira and Masamune Shiro's Ghost in the Shell, both formerly published by Dark Horse Comics.  Kodansha USA will begin by focusing on Kodansha's back catalog but original publishing is one of their future plans. 

Funimation began streaming uncensored versions of episodes 3 and 4 of Strike Witches this past weekend.  These particular episodes contain nudity that was not broadcast during their Japanese premiere.  When Bost TV, Crunchyroll and Youtube simulcast these episodes, they streamed the censored Japanese broadcast versions.  The uncensored versions were eventually released on DVD in Japan. 

Funimation requires viewers to enter their age before they can view the episodes.  They plan to release the series on DVD in early 2010.