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Bandai Publicizes New Anime at Toy Fair
posted on by Christopher Macdonald
Bandai Entertainment sent out a press release this weekend announcing a number of titles that they are launching at the American International Toy Fair 2003
Excerpts from Press Relese:
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
A property with a legendary history of more than 20 years in Japan, the Gundam series has returned with more action, drama and Gundams in Zeta Gundam. Along with the new Zeta Gundam series comes an intricately designed line of 4.5-inch action figures with more than 14 points of articulation, 4.5-inch deluxe figures with more than 20 points of articulation, 7.5-inch action figures with more than 25 points of articulation, battle scarred figures and action figure model kits with unique articulation and action. The Zeta Gundam series, directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, will be released on DVD later this year. Bandai has assembled an all-star cast for this new series including character designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko; mecha designers Kunio Okawara and Kazumi Fujita; and art director Junichi Higashi.
The Zeta Gundam series begins seven years after the defeat of the Zeon army during what has now become known as the ‘One Year War’. An elite Federation military force, the Titans, must prevent further uprising of space colonies orbiting the Earth. The tragic destruction of an entire space colony at the hands of fascist-like Titans threatens to undermine peace between the Earth and those living in space. The world is once again on the brink of war and the future of humanity is at stake!
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam consists of 50 thirty-minute episodes. The timeline is as follows:
o Universal Century 0079 - Mobile Suit Gundam TV series)
o Universal Century 0079 - Mobile Suit Gundam 08th MS Team (OAV)
o Universal Century 0080- Mobile Suit Gundam-War in the Pocket (OVA)
o Universal Century 0083-Mobile Suit Gundam-Stardust Memory (OVA)
o Universal Century 0087-Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam TV series)
o Universal Century 0092-Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (Theatrical Feature)
s-CRY-ed
In line with Bandai's commitment to bringing top anime to the forefront of home entertainment, the company has just announced the acquisition of one of the hottest anime properties of the year, s-CRY-ed. Animated by animation powerhouse Sunrise studios (Cowboy Bebop, Argento Soma) -The story takes place in a desolate world devastated by a mysterious environmental catastrophe. While the city has been rebuilt, the catastrophe has caused some humans to undergo genetic mutations granting them unique powers. These enhanced humans are known as Alters. The star of the series is Kazuma, an Alter whose freedom is being threatened by a secret organization called ‘Holy’. His fight for freedom will consume humanity and Alter alike! The series will feature a plethora of DVD extra materials including textless opening/endings, special clips, footage, trailers, exclusive interviews and commentary from producers and creative staff from the show including Goro Taniguchi (Infinite Ryvius), director; Yousuke Kurodo, scriptwriter; and Hisashi Hirai (Infinite Ryvius), character designer.
.hack//SIGN
First there was anime, then versatile action figures, and now Bandai is jumping into the world of virtual gaming with its new anime series, .hack//SIGN. The series made its North American television debut this month on the Cartoon Network and is accompanied by a concurrent launch of the video game, .hack//INFECTION (part I) for PlayStation®2. This runaway Japanese hit series, presents “The World,” an engulfing, futuristic gaming environment where players log-on to test skills in virtual adventures and battles. Follow Tsukasa (character designs by famed illustrator Yoshiyuki Sadamato), as he searches for a way out of “The World” after being stuck while logged-in. The .hack//SIGN limited edition DVD with collector's box will include an exclusive “Grunty” plush doll, t-shirt, original CD soundtrack, postcard set, stickers, and a free .hack//INFECTION (part I) demo game. In addition, subsequent volumes of this best selling series will feature both a limited edition release bundled with an original CD soundtrack and a standard DVD release.
Kikaider
As a follow up to its string of hits on the Cartoon Network, Bandai Entertainment will bring Kikaider, one of Japan's most renowned animated properties (based on the live action works of Shōtarō Ishinomori) to North America this summer 2003.
Kikaider is a human-like robot tasked with the protection of his creator's son and daughter. Tune in to see if this robot gifted with human emotions can protect Dr. Komyoji's children and battle against the evil Dr. Gill and his army of androids…the suspense never ends!
Excerpts from Press Relese:
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
A property with a legendary history of more than 20 years in Japan, the Gundam series has returned with more action, drama and Gundams in Zeta Gundam. Along with the new Zeta Gundam series comes an intricately designed line of 4.5-inch action figures with more than 14 points of articulation, 4.5-inch deluxe figures with more than 20 points of articulation, 7.5-inch action figures with more than 25 points of articulation, battle scarred figures and action figure model kits with unique articulation and action. The Zeta Gundam series, directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, will be released on DVD later this year. Bandai has assembled an all-star cast for this new series including character designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko; mecha designers Kunio Okawara and Kazumi Fujita; and art director Junichi Higashi.
The Zeta Gundam series begins seven years after the defeat of the Zeon army during what has now become known as the ‘One Year War’. An elite Federation military force, the Titans, must prevent further uprising of space colonies orbiting the Earth. The tragic destruction of an entire space colony at the hands of fascist-like Titans threatens to undermine peace between the Earth and those living in space. The world is once again on the brink of war and the future of humanity is at stake!
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam consists of 50 thirty-minute episodes. The timeline is as follows:
o Universal Century 0079 - Mobile Suit Gundam TV series)
o Universal Century 0079 - Mobile Suit Gundam 08th MS Team (OAV)
o Universal Century 0080- Mobile Suit Gundam-War in the Pocket (OVA)
o Universal Century 0083-Mobile Suit Gundam-Stardust Memory (OVA)
o Universal Century 0087-Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam TV series)
o Universal Century 0092-Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (Theatrical Feature)
s-CRY-ed
In line with Bandai's commitment to bringing top anime to the forefront of home entertainment, the company has just announced the acquisition of one of the hottest anime properties of the year, s-CRY-ed. Animated by animation powerhouse Sunrise studios (Cowboy Bebop, Argento Soma) -The story takes place in a desolate world devastated by a mysterious environmental catastrophe. While the city has been rebuilt, the catastrophe has caused some humans to undergo genetic mutations granting them unique powers. These enhanced humans are known as Alters. The star of the series is Kazuma, an Alter whose freedom is being threatened by a secret organization called ‘Holy’. His fight for freedom will consume humanity and Alter alike! The series will feature a plethora of DVD extra materials including textless opening/endings, special clips, footage, trailers, exclusive interviews and commentary from producers and creative staff from the show including Goro Taniguchi (Infinite Ryvius), director; Yousuke Kurodo, scriptwriter; and Hisashi Hirai (Infinite Ryvius), character designer.
.hack//SIGN
First there was anime, then versatile action figures, and now Bandai is jumping into the world of virtual gaming with its new anime series, .hack//SIGN. The series made its North American television debut this month on the Cartoon Network and is accompanied by a concurrent launch of the video game, .hack//INFECTION (part I) for PlayStation®2. This runaway Japanese hit series, presents “The World,” an engulfing, futuristic gaming environment where players log-on to test skills in virtual adventures and battles. Follow Tsukasa (character designs by famed illustrator Yoshiyuki Sadamato), as he searches for a way out of “The World” after being stuck while logged-in. The .hack//SIGN limited edition DVD with collector's box will include an exclusive “Grunty” plush doll, t-shirt, original CD soundtrack, postcard set, stickers, and a free .hack//INFECTION (part I) demo game. In addition, subsequent volumes of this best selling series will feature both a limited edition release bundled with an original CD soundtrack and a standard DVD release.
Kikaider
As a follow up to its string of hits on the Cartoon Network, Bandai Entertainment will bring Kikaider, one of Japan's most renowned animated properties (based on the live action works of Shōtarō Ishinomori) to North America this summer 2003.
Kikaider is a human-like robot tasked with the protection of his creator's son and daughter. Tune in to see if this robot gifted with human emotions can protect Dr. Komyoji's children and battle against the evil Dr. Gill and his army of androids…the suspense never ends!
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