Broadcast and Model News
If Tenchi, Gundam Wing, and Dragonball Z weren't enough, then the Cartoon Network will try to win you over with yet another new anime series. They'll be airing the 4 part OVA series Blue Submarine No. 6, beginning on Saturday July 8th at 11:00 AM. The CG animation in this show ranges from simply spectacular to somewhat jarring in its integration with the more traditional style of animation also found in the series. Nonetheless, Gonzo did a wonderful job overall with the show, making for quite a visual treat. Saturday mornings seem to be shaping up quite nicely for anime with both Card Captor Sakura and Blue Submarine No. 6. It comes on before noon, but that's okay since we'll already be up for Cardcaptors, right? If you would rather be lazy and can't wrap your mind around the idea of getting up that early, you can always just buy the DVDs or VHS tapes courtesy of Bandai.
On the figurine front, not only is the Master Grade Gundam Sabazi on its way, but a number of other Gundams have been announced by Bandai. The MG Gundam RX-78-2 Version 1.5 and the RX-79 (G) from 08th MS Team will be released along with Sabazi, all three being Master Grade models. Some Universal Century Gundam models have also been released, these being Rick-Dias, Quebly Mark II, and Hi-Zaku. Bandai also has a few new releases and new upcoming models from their super deformed series. Recently released are the 100-Shiki, Airmaster, Epyon, Heavy Arms, and Tallgeese. The Ez8, Turn-A, Wing Zero custom, Gundam X, and Dom will be released in the in the near future. Bandai has also announced a few more additions to their action figure lineup as well, with the Zeta Gundam, the Wing Gundam, Gundam Zaku, Xabungle and Dunbine scheduled for release soon. The last bit of model new is about the venerable GM die cast metal figure which will be available later this summer, but be warned, it will put a hole in your pocket.
Well, since all you Europeans don't get the Cartoon Network and are probably planning your conquest of North America to get a hold of our TV stations and anime, I'll give you some good news. Takahata Isao's incredible tale Grave of the Fireflies (Die Letzten Gluehwuermchen for our German friends) will be shown on I Germany, a German / French culture network, airing on June 12th. Grave of The Fireflies is one of the most heart-wrenchingly powerful movies I have seen and is well worth checking out. If you're interested in seeing what the film is all about, check out our review of it here or the first page in our collection of screen shot galleries here.
Finally, Viz has announced that the July issue of Dragonball Z will ship with a special poster. The issue (Part 3, #6) will contain a poster featuring Vegeta, Goku, Piccolo, Yamcha, Tenshinhan and other popular characters. It won't be available separately, so if you're interested be sure to pick up this issue of the manga.
Moridin's news radar sure has been working overtime lately. Thanks for tracking all this stuff down and sending it in!
Links:
