In today’s update: Studio Ghibli’s next film unveiled, Air Gear anime announced, Steve Jobs sues Moetan Nano for copyright infringement (oh, if only), a review of the newly-launched Studio Deen staff diary, Cleavage eroanime announced, a look inside the School Days artbook, first glimpse of the Wonder Festival 2006 winter catalog, and figure releases from Alter, Max Factory, and Bome. Biased plug: If you don’t read this update, you’re probably missing out on something.

In today’s update: Studio Ghibli’s next film unveiled, Air Gear anime announced, Steve Jobs sues Moetan Nano for copyright infringement (oh, if only), a review of the newly-launched Studio Deen staff diary, Cleavage eroanime announced, a look inside the School Days artbook, first glimpse of the Wonder Festival 2006 winter catalog, and figure releases from Alter, Max Factory, and Bome. Biased plug: If you don’t read this update, you’re probably missing out on something.

Media Side

  • HD is proudly the last media outlet in existence to report that Studio Ghibli’s next film will be Ged Senki, aka Tales from Earthsea. For those unfamiliar with the property, the Earthsea triliogy was penned by author Ursula K. LeGuin in the late 1960’s and early 70’s and is considered one of the seminal works of 20th century fantasy literature aimed at young adults. This is KICKIN’ RAD news as far as I’m concerned and I eagerly await further developments, which will be appearing (perhaps daily?) on the Ghibli project blog.
  • It’s hard to follow that scoop with anything that won’t be underwhelming by contrast, and Shonen Magazine’s announcement of an Air Gear anime series (based on the Oh! Great manga by the same name) certainly fails to elicit much excitement. After the garish technicolor abortion that was the Tenjou Tenge anime I can only hope Air Gear is farmed out to a good studio and not to Avex’s fifth string sweatshops.
  • The second short audio commercial for the Comiket release-scheduled Moetan Listening CD is online at Toranoana’s official page for the item. Once again, no English. At least the new “Secret Story” doesn’t resort to crappy machine translation… In other Moetan news, Moetan Nano will also be released at Comiket 69. The site’s tagline says it all. I have to hand it to the Moetan folks; their marketing dollars are well spent, even if their translation dollars are not. As anyone familiar with the world of English education in Japan knows, actually learning English ranks far down on the scale of priorities for most of those who study it.
  • There’s a trailer online today for the newest installment in the Saint Seiya saga, The Hades: Chapter Inferno.
  • Studio Deen has launched a weblog, perhaps modeled after similar efforts by ufotable and AIC A.S.T.A. Let’s see how it stacks up so far:
      Studio Deen Blog, By the Numbers

    • Detailed chronicles of neighborhood cats: 3
    • Exclusive scoops on the progress of the Fate / stay night anime: 0

    Final evaluation: ganbatte, Deen-chan!!

Ero Side

Hobby Side

  • [eg] brings us our first glimpse of the Wonder Festival 2006 winter incarnation of mascots Wonda and Reset, presumably the illustration that will adorn the official catalog as well. With Comiket on the immediate horizon it’s tempting to let events beyond the turning of the year slip into the subconscious, but this is the path of mortal (pocketbook) danger…
  • On Sale Today
  • Hobby Net has updated pictures online for Yujin’s SRDX Yukino and Iroha PVCs, although the latter still pales in comparison to what Amazon has to offer in the way of images.
  • A batch of new April 2006 trading figure releases includes this Gyakuten Saiban set from Amada Insatsu Kakou, and these Capcom Fighting Jam and Justice Gakuen sets from Capcom. I’m guessing right now that Felicia will be the most popular of the lot.
  • Akibajin gets up close and personal with Megahouse’s Portrait of Pirates Nami ver. 2 PVC, on display yesterday at various Akihabara retailers.

Do you think Ghibli is well-suited to tackle the Earthsea trilogy? It’s been a long time since I read them, but harking back I’m left with the impression that the tales were a bit darker than Ghibli’s usual fare…

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