The DAOS!
Issue Seven: The Otaku Buzz--Fall 2007

Greetings friends and fans of the DAOS! I James Kyoya-Sama will be reporting a very special issue of the Deviant Art’s Otaku Spot. We are going to be talking some of the hottest news that otakus all over the world are blogging and gabbing about!

We will be having no reviews this week, since I am a lazy bum, and would rather get onto the good stuff. Upcoming releases will be at the end though.

The Things Otakus Are Gabbing About
1) Adult Swim’s Biggest Comeback Ever: DEATH NOTE on TV!
2) The Return of Evangelion!
3) NEW Kingdom Hearts Games!
4) Geneon and ADV engaged and estranged all in one month!
5) The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya--And all the drama that comes with her.
6) Declared College Major: Anime!
7) The Anime DVD’s you need to watch NOW! (After reading and this issue anyway.)
8) Animes We CAN’T WAIT, to be released on DVD.

Because I’m awesome, and I like to leave the best for last, I’m starting backwards..

The Animes WE CAN’T WAIT to be Released on DVD

1) The Funimation’s Version of One Piece-- We the angry and disappointed fans of Once Piece have been excited to hear about the acquisition of the series from 4Kids to its new home at Funimation. As a result, we now sit in waiting for the newest episodes that have been totally redone. Expect the new DVD’s in 2008, and the newest redone episode to begin showing on Cartoon Network in the middle of this month (September) starting from episode 140 (Where 4Kids, the previous distributor left off.)

2) Ouran High School Host Club--Every Bishonen fan girl was recently excited to discover that Funimation also acquired one of the biggest series in the fansub circles. The bad news is that they won’t be out on DVD until 2008. The good news for us guys who have to cosplay, is that we can cosplay like the Hosts for at least another year before we have to go back to our Naruto outfits that are now sitting in our closets. (Or hopefully, are at the Dry Cleaners being cleaned after a convention season of excessive wear..)

3) Code Geass-Leouch of The Rebellion--So while fansubbers are chomping at the bit for the second season of Code Geass to be released in Japan, we in the states have been patiently waiting for the release of the first season of Code Geass on DVD which was won by Bandai. While we have to wait for this one also to make its debut in 2008, there have been rumors of a TV release for Code Geass. However, there has been no confirmation, so we’re just going to have to keep watching the anime news websites and keep hoping for something soon!

4) Lucky Star-- The series that has taken the time slot and the fanbase of “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” are now saddened with the recent end of Lucky Star’s first season in Japan. While there are no current plans for a second season, and there has been no talk of a license in the US either, we are just stuck in limbo waiting for any hints of news. I know, it’s not satisfying, but I’ll keep watching and in November when I come back, I’ll hope to have a little bit more for you!

5) Naruto Shippuden--Oh man.. Don’t even get me started about this series. Unfortunately, because Viz Media has not licensed Naruto Shippuden yet, we are going to be waiting for quite sometime before this series comes over the ocean. And at the rate that Cartoon Network is debuting the current episodes of Naruto, don’t expect to see Shippuden until 2009.. If not later than that. So all you anti-Naruto cosplayers, you’ll be seeing cosplay groups for a long time to come.

6) Bleach: The Bount and Arrancar Arcs--One of the biggest downsides to longer anime series, is that they not only take longer to complete, they also take longer to license, dub, and put on DVD shelves. While Viz Media currently owns Bleach up to Episode 70, that’s as far as they’ve got so far. So for now, we are just going to have to take what we are getting right now, and if you are watching on the fansubs, please just watch and don’t sell em’ okay?

And for those of you who have no idea about these other two arcs, here is the non-spoiler version: The Bount Arc, (Episodes 65-110) is a filler series that was designed to give the original creator Tite Kubo some time to draw and create the manga chapters to continue the story that takes place immediately after the Soul Society/Rescue Arcs. (The episodes currently playing on Cartoon Network) The Arrancar Arc (Episodes 111 to the present) is straight from the newest manga being released in Japan, continuing the story where it left off. (With a few transition episodes to make the Bount/Arrancar arcs smoothly transition into each other.)

7) BACCANO! -- The JAPANESE anime series that talks about AMERICAN bootlegging during the 1930’s Prohibition era has been all the current talk in the anime world right now. However, I do not have anything awesome to report, except that the series is gaining huge reviews and huge acclimations from fans in Japan. With it’s mix of 1930’s style and grace and alchemy in the quest for eternal life, you have the perfect setting for an anime series that is about to become a big hit in the states when it does become licensed. But again, I have no awesome news on that for now. I will be watching though.

8) Romeo x Juliet-- The modern anime retelling of the tragic love story from the original mind of William Shakespeare has been all of the rage not only in the fansub circles, but the anime world as well. Set in an alternate universe of Verona, you kind of already know the story. But, with a mix of an awesome soundtrack, 2D and 3D awesomeness that would be expected from Gonzo Studios (Trinity Blood, Afro Samurai) and it’s ability to keep fans interested in a story that most otakus hated having to read as a student in school, it’s going to be hard to convince English teachers here in the US to let their students watch this series instead of reading the book. And if anyone can get their teachers to do so, let us know how you did it!

The Anime DVD’s you need to watch NOW! (After reading and this issue anyway.)
So Miss Red Rose and I have a built two separate lists for what you should check out. While we agree on some, you will be quick to notice the difference between her and I in our tastes of anime.. Oh just read on anyway..

Picks:

1) The Story of Saiunkoku--An old-school Asian twist on modern feminism. With some super hot bishies for women to enjoy, and humor for the guys who have to sit and watch it with their girlfriends.

2) Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles-- If you haven’t caught onto this series, you should, and fast. If you were the world’s biggest fan of “Cardcaptor Sakura,” you best get in on this series!

3) Mushishi-- If you haven’t fallen in love with this series either, then you need to check this one out too. If you’re also a Roy Mustang fangirl, you better buy it.. (Ginko, the main character, is voiced by Travis Willingham, the English VA of Roy Mustang in FMA)

4) Glass Fleet--This series doesn’t come out until October 16, 2007. But I saw a preview of the first episode and I can’t WAIT to check it out! Revolution, death, sword fights and other awesome stuff like that? Count me in..

5) 5cm Per Second--All fans of Makoto Shinkai (Voices of A Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days) Have to check out this movie. It has been reviewed to be the best movie that Shinkai has done ever. And after seeing most of the artwork for it, I am just chomping at the bit to see what this movie has to offer! Look for it on shelves in November of this year!

6) Red Garden--Dead chicks that aren’t dead and are converted into zombie killers so they can regain their souls and go to heaven? Sounds like a great series to me!

7) Welcome to The NHK-- An otaku anime series, based off a manga, which was created by an otaku.. Okay parents, this is what happens when you don’t let your children go out and cosplay! Although, I wish I had the massive anime and manga collections that that main characters in the series have on their shelves. Gosh, their collections would put us to shame otakus.

8) Shonen Onmyouji--If you haven’t checked this series out either, you need to. This series is great for those who are looking for something to watch between fansubs of Naruto, or is great for young otakus because there isn’t a lot of blood, guts, or swearing in this series. A family-friendly anime, but still with enough substance to leave you older otakus interested.

9) Nerima Daikon Brothers--This is an awesome little gem that I recently came to check out! This series is SOOOOO FUNNY!!! You just have to check it out, cause it’s just all too much to talk about in one little paragraph.

10) Innocent Venus-- I have only watched the first volume. But this series is AWESOME!!! With all the awesome artwork and 3D and 2D blending. Any emo/mecha (Gundam Seed Destiny) series fans would love this anime for sure! So check it out!

Picks
While I agree with all the titles that my co-writer has listed above, let me add these.

1) Phantom Memory Kurau-- While it does have an emo tone, this series will captivate you and make you think about all those people you hold dear in your life.

2) .Hack/Roots-- LOVE IT!! I played the games and I love them!!

3) Shin Chan-- This is where Miss Red Rose and I seriously differ in our tastes. I LOVE SHIN CHAN! Yeah the artwork takes anime back almost 25 years, but the premise and the comedy behind this series are super awesome. You can check out episodes on Cartoon Network, and on their On Demand service as well.

4) Wings Of Rean-- While I don’t like to watch a lot of mecha series because they all look the same to me, Wings of Rean, mixes mechas and dimensional time plane traveling. Two things, I’ve always been a fan of.

5) Fate/Stay Night-- Great soundtrack and great character design! Now add that to fans of the video game and you have an awesome show in the making!

6) Witchblade-- Hot chick that can transform into a hotter badass demon-killing chick.. Yessssss…..

Declared College Major: ANIME?!
So check this out, the anime and manga arts are so huge in Japan, that Tokyo University is in the process now of actually starting a school of anime and manga! And you can actually receive a B.A in the Animation Arts! Even though the school is currently only providing the major as a graduates program (To get a Masters or PHD), imagine what kinda awesome classes they are going to have! All I can say, is that: I WANNA BE AN ANIME MAJOR TOO!!! **Seriously considers moving to Japan**

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya--And all the drama that comes with her.

Just when you thought the series was finally going to see an end, and fans would stop dancing at random to the catchy ending theme song. Oh, no.. The tales of Haruhi and her S.O.S Brigade have just begun with the announcement of the second season of the TV series to come in 2008. To quote Kyon: “Yay.. Just do whatever you want.”

That means for another two years, we otakus will be hearing the song over and over again at every otaku gathering we attend. So just, get used to it. And if it were possible to learn how to do the entire Hare Hare Yukai dance, now would be a good time to learn how to do so. For if you wish to cosplay this series, you will definitely have to perform this dance at least once.

Wanna learn how to do the Hare Hare Yukai dance?
You can see the screencaps here: [link]
And you can check out the full video of the anime dance here: [link]

Geneon and ADV, engaged and estranged all in one month!

** Turns on the Days Of Our Lives Theme Song**

In August of this year, fans were being treated to a special treat with the announcement of the wedding merger between Geneon USA (Kyo Kara Maoh, Ergo Proxy) and ADV Films (Best Student Council, Air, Ah My Goddess), two distributors of anime series here in the U.S. The plan was for ADV to take over Geneon’s sales and advertising of titles that were on Geneon. This single handedly would make ADV one of the biggest North American distributors of Japanese anime series to date. This wonderful wedding merger was to take place on October 1, 2007.

However, this past week, Geneon and ADV both told the anime community, that they were not going to get married after all. Geneon would be instead go back to being in control of it‘s own titles and advertising. While there was no detailed reason as to why the merger fell apart, this was not very good for Geneon who was getting ready for the merger. With Geneon laying off 20% of their staff to accommodate the merger, this now leaves the company a little short in staff. Job openings anyone?

**Turns off the Soap Opera music and goes to look on their website for job openings.**

New Kingdom Hearts Games!!!

While I am still sadly on the first Kingdom Hearts game, all of the video game otakus and artist have been talking about the THREE, YES 3, new KH games.. And because I am working on the first game still, I’ll just list the details here..

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (PSP)
- Single-Player Adventure Game
- Features: Terra, Aqua, Ven, Master Xehanort, Sora & Riku
- Oylmpus Coliseum & Sleeping Beauty are Confirmed Worlds

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS)
- Single & Multiplayer 3D Adventure Game
- Playable Roxas & Org. XIII Members (Axel, Saix & Xigbar)
- New Characters inc. 14th Org. Member?? (Female)

Kingdom Hearts: Coded (Mobile)
- Single-Player Game (inc. Puzzle Elements)
- Set between Kingdom Hearts 1/2
- Features Destiny Islands & Traverse Town

For all the trailers and summary information, hit the KH Ultimania website here: [link]

The Return of Evangelion!
Unless you have been living under a rock for the last year almost, then you have probably heard this by now. If you have been living under a rock, it’s okay. Allow me to be the first to tell you:

THERE ARE FOUR NEW EVANGELION MOVIES COMING OUT!!!!
*Jumps with joy and dances in delight**

Now the bad news is, that the four movies, are currently being shown in Japan, and there is no current news of a release to the US. But I am watching every day for news of the release. The first three movies will be an alternate retelling of the TV series, featuring new scenes, settings, backgrounds, and characters and newly available 3D CG technology. The fourth film will present a completely new conclusion to the story. Another intention of the movies are for them to be much more understandable and accessible to non-fans than the original TV series and movies were. (And anyone who has watched the End Of Evangelion, is still probably wondering what the heck was going on at the end and what the result of our beloved Shinji and Asuka was.)

In a translated press release from earlier this year, Hideaki Anno, the creator of the Evangelion series stated the following about the four new Evangelion movies:

“Many different desires are motivating us to create the new "Evangelion" film.

The desire to portray my sincere feelings on film. The desire to share, with an audience, the embodiment of image, the diversity of expressions, and the detailed portrayal of emotions that animation offers. The desire to connect today's exhausted Japanese animation [industry] to the future. The desire to fight the continuing trend of stagnation in anime. The desire to support the strength of heart that exists in the world.

”Eva" is a story that repeats.

It is a story where the main character witnesses many horrors with his own eyes, but still tries to stand up again. It is a story of will; a story of moving forward, if only just a little. It is a story of fear, where someone who must face indefinite solitude fears reaching out to others, but still wants to try. We hope that you look forward to the four new retellings of this story.

In closing, it is also our job to provide a service to our customers. Although it seems obvious, we aim to create a form of entertainment that anyone can look forward to; one that people who have never seen Evangelion can easily adjust to, one that can engage audiences as a movie for theatres, and one that produces a new understanding of the world.”

Regardless, we’re all chomping at the bit. In Japan, the film, on its opening weekend, took first place at the Japanese box office, with some 236,158 spending 280 million yen (about US $2.4 million) to watch it. This income can be considered unusual, considering the film was played at only 84 theaters in the country). The film's official news feed at Bandai Channel reported full houses and applause from the fans at the film's theatrical premiere on September 1, 2007. Rumors have it, that in each theatre, they had to have a standing only section because so many people went to see the movie. And they said that Evangelion is too old.

Adult Swim’s Biggest Comeback Ever: Death Note on TV!

Just when Miss Red Rose and I were getting ready to talk about Cartoon Network’s history of anime shows and how the network was losing touch with it’s anime fans, they throw us the biggest curveball on the planet. They will now return to the top of the TV anime scene with it’s announcement that they will be showing the voiceover version of Death Note on the infamous Saturday at 12 midnight spot on Adult Swim.

In other words: Death Note, the biggest underground anime series to date, is now going mainstream… So what does this mean for those otakus who have been fans from the very beginning? Well a couple of things, the biggest thing is that there will be more Death Note cosplayers at anime conventions and more mature anime will be reaching the masses of otakus who watch nothing but Bleach and Naruto. Love those fans mind you, but a little bit of diversity in your anime love doesn’t hurt either.

We also have to take note to those who have watched the series in Japanese first, IT WILL SOUND DIFFERENT. The guy who plays Light, is the guy who played Quatre in Gundam Wing.. (And any kid who was watching Cartoon Network for Dragonball Z, saw this show right before DBZ. It has been credited as a mainstream introduction to Mecha animes. Unless you started your mecha loving with Evangelion.)

And yes, the rumors are also true to a live-action movie based on the adventures of L the Detective! It is based on the cases that L worked on before the Kira case that ended in quite an interesting turn of events.. (No spoilers I promise!) No word on when it is coming out yet, hopefully I’ll have more for you all in November!

So here is the official dates and times: MARK YOUR CALENDARS OTAKUS!!!
TV Release: Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim
When: October 20th, 2007
Time: 12am midnight
DVD Release: November 20, 2007

Okay otakus, that’s all the hot news from me! I won’t be back until November, when I will be talking about the super awesome gifts that otakus need to get for their fellow otakus for this holiday season! Thanks for all your support, we look forward to seeing you next week when Miss Red Rose will be back in the writers desk telling you guys all about COSPLAY!!! Just in time for Halloween!

Take care Otakus!
James Kyoya-Sama

Oh, all this news can be checked out at our favorite websites:
Anime News Network [link]
Wikipedia [link]
The Otaku.Com [link]

Upcoming Releases: Remember that all release dates and actual prices vary from seller to seller, so remember to look around okay? Good Otakus..

Upcoming DVD Releases for 09/25/2007
AIR Volume 2, ADV Films
BECK Mongolian Chop Squad Volume 3, FUNimation Entertainment
Bleach Volume 6, VIZ Media
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo Volume 5, Illumitoon Entertainment
Desert Punk Volumes 1 & 2 (re-release), FUNimation Entertainment
El-Hazard OVA 2 Collection, Geneon Entertainment
Ergo Proxy Volume 6, Geneon Entertainment
Freedom Volume 2, Bandai Visual USA
Hikaru no Go Volume 10, VIZ Media
KamiChu! Complete Collection, Geneon Entertainment
Karas: The Revelation (also in complete collection set), Manga Entertainment
Naruto Volume 16, VIZ Media
Ranma 1/2 Season 3 Box Set, VIZ Media
TEKKON KINKREET (DVD and Blu-ray disc), Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Box Set, FUNimation Entertainment
The Third: The Girl With the Blue Eye Volume 2, The Right Stuf International
Utawarerumono Volume 6, ADV Films
Voltron Box Set 4, Media Blasters
Witchblade Volume 1 (also w/box), FUNimation Entertainment
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files Seventh Set, FUNimation Entertainment

Upcoming Manga Releases for 09/25/2007
Dragon Eye (G.novel 2)
Ghost Hunt (G.novel 9)
Kagetora (G.novel 7)
Le Chevalier d'Eon (G.novel 2)
Pastel (G.novel 8)
School Rumble (G.novel 7)
Tekkonkinkreet - Black & White (G.novel 1-4 of 4)
The Wallflower (G.novel 13)
Berserk (G.novel 19)