A N I M E N E W S N E T W O R K ' S ANIME VOICES PA #92 // CONTENTS 4 Letter From The Editor

PROTOCULTURE¯:paKu]-PROTOCULTURE ADDICTS 5 “Page 5” Editorial Issue #92 ( May / June 2007 ) 6 Contributors’ Spotlight 98 Letters SPOTLIGHTS NEWS 7 Anime & Manga News 92 Anime Releases (R1 DVDs) 94 Related Products Releases 96 Manga Releases 14 LE CHEVALIER D’EON Obsessed by her murder, possessed by her soul MANGA PREVIEW By Bamboo Dong 20 PAPRIKA By Justin Sevakis 26 THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME By Jason Green ANIME STORIES 42 45 009-1 SampleANIME file WORLD By Miyako Matsuda 66 The 10 Best (and 5 Worst) Anime- 48 GINTAMA Based Video Games Ever... In No By Miyako Matsuda Particular Order By Brian Hanson 50 HELL GIRL 68 Hollywood Hustle By Miyako Matsuda The Odds Your Favorite Live-Action Anime 54 OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Movie Will Ever Hit Your Local Multiplex By Miyako Matsuda By Zac Bertschy 56 SHONEN ONMYOUJI REVIEWS By Miyako Matsuda 58 TEMPO IBUN AYAKASHI AYASHI 71 Live-Action Movie By Miyako Matsuda 72 Books 60 THE WALLFLOWER 73 Manga By Miyako Matsuda 83 Anime

Le Chevalier D’Eon © Tow Ubukata • Production I.G. / Project Chevalier 2006. Dragon Eye © 2005 Kairi Fujiyama / Kodansha Ltd. All rights reserved. 3 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ LETTER FROM THE EDITOR A N I M E N E W S N E T W O R K ' S Recently, with the 20th anniversary of the magazine getting quite close, I was reflecting on the motivations PROTOCULTUREPROTOCULTURE¯:paKu]- ADDICTS behind the creation of the magazine. I was thinking about my original objectives, wondering if I had suc- ceeded to accomplish all that I wanted to do. More importantly, I was wondering if the magazine was Issue #92 (May / June 2007) fulfilling the expectations of our readers? In the beginning, Protoculture Addicts was simply a fanzine and all I wanted was to have fun and share my E d i t o r i a l S t a f f enthusiasm for anime. After a few years, around issue #16, I decided to dedicate myself full-time to the Publisher / Advertising magazine. I didn’t want to do an entertaining magazine, but a magazine about entertainment. I wanted it to be a professional magazine that approached the subject seriously, without being a dry and austere aca- Christopher Macdonald [CM] ( [email protected] ) demic publication. I wanted it to be informative, like a Time Magazine for anime, and yet still reflect our enthusiasm for the subject. I wanted the readers to discover the multiple facets of anime, introduce them to Editor-in-chief / Production Manager as many titles as possible, and make them not only appreciate its entertainment value, but also reflect on Claude J. Pelletier [CJP] the richness and depth that can be found in some anime. I wanted a magazine that would be simple and ( [email protected] ) accessible both in its content and look. It was not always easy to conciliate all those aspects. Managing Editor Of course, if you ask the average fans what kind of magazine they want, they’d tell you they want a 200-page Zac Bertschy [ZB] free magazine, stacked with poster and DVD inserts, that will keep them informed about all the new anime Associate Editor shows even before they air in Japan! That’s a level of expectations that obviously no magazines could meet. Bamboo Dong [BD] A print magazine (which is usually monthly or bimonthly) cannot compete with the internet to offer up-to- Contributing Editor / Translator date news about the latest anime series—that’s the job of websites like Anime News Network—so we don’t Miyako Matsuda [MM] even try to keep up with the latest shows in Japan. I believe that most sensible fans simply want intelligent and balanced reporting and that’s exactly what we are trying to provide. We could have removed the news Assistant Editor section entirely (why duplicate the excellent work of ANN?), but we must not forget that PA is read by a Valérie Cools [VC] large variety of different people, so we kept a reduced news coverage (as well as the list of DVD and manga Interns releases) for the readers who are not heavy internet users and would rather get their news from a print Natalie Khor, Steven Thach, Gary Thompson magazine. For those who read the news online, we tried to make the news more interesting by offering a more condensed and analytical format where we present the most important news of the moment with a C o n t r i b u t i n g W r i t e r s commentary that places them in perspective. Jason Green, Brian Hanson, Carl Kimlinger [CK], In a similar way, the “Anime Story” section was originally designed to provide background information and Briana Lawrence [BL], Theron Martin [TM], Carlo Santos [CS], Justin Sevakis synopses in order to help readers understand the stories of the anime series they were watching “raw” (in Japanese only). In those days, that was usually how fans were watching anime in club meetings. Of course, L a y o u t that type of article was made obsolete with the greater availabilitySample of commercial releases file in English and large internet distribution of fansubs. Over time, the Anime Stories have evolved, and now they simply Claude J. Pelletier, Istvan Pusztai (cover, 14-29) introduce readers to new anime titles (not necessarily the most recent), giving a quick overview of the story, some background information (character profiles, cast & staff, etc.), as well as a short review. How- C o v e r ever, we always try to give those articles a spin, a special touch. We don’t want to write the same type of Provided by ADV Films. Le Chevalier D’Eon simple plot synopses that anybody can read in every anime blog. We always try to see an anime or movie © Tow Ubukata • Production I.G. / Project Chevalier 2006. under a different angle, where we not only tell the readers what we found interesting in that particular title, but also what else we could learn through it or what type of reflection it can initiate. We want the readers to, S p e c i a l T h a n k s like us, try to see beyond the entertainment value of a specific title. It does not always work well, but at least Jason Alnas, Anne Armogida, Jeff Bowring, Bob that’s what we are trying to do. Brown, Kevin J. Carney, Evelyn Dubocq, Susan All in all, I think we succeeded in meeting and keeping the original objectives of the magazine. I am quite Hale, Lance Heiskell, Erik Jansen, Bill Lai, Osamu satisfied with it. The magazine has high-quality content and, with the essential support of Anime News Maseba, Chris Oarr, Peter Payne, Tamara Shumate, Eddie Stemkowski, and Richard Tong. Network, have finally obtained an enjoyable and more colorful look. However, there’s always more work to do. Recently, Anime News Network ran a poll asking their readers “Do you read PA?” and from the results How To Reach Us I am drawing two conclusions. First, 30% of the respondents said they were not reading PA either because they felt it was not interesting for them or because they were simply not reading any print magazines P.O. Box 143, Station B (favoring the internet instead). Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, we cannot please everyone. But Montreal, QC, Canada, H3B 3J5 we will continue to work harder and hopefully they will eventually try the magazine and like it. Secondly, P.O. Box 507

50% of the respondents said they don’t know the magazine or can’t find it easily. Despite our success, we ○○○○○○○○ Champlain, NY 12919-0507, USA are still reaching only a fraction of our potential readership and therefore we must also work harder in www.protoculture-mag.com promoting the magazine. Letters & Comments: For now, please enjoy another great issue! [email protected]

PA #92 // ANIME VOICES PA —Claude J. Pelletier, Editor-in-chief

4 PA #92 // ANIME VOICES ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ S U B S C R I P T I O N “PAGE FIVE” EDITORIAL Six (6) issues: $30 US/Can (in Canada add $1.80 GST; in Quebec add $4.19 GST & PST) Recent Trend In Anime Hero Characters: Where Are They Headed? or $45 US overseas. For First Class / Air Mail subscription add $10 in the USA and $35 Over the years, as we’ve introduced many anime shows to you in this magazine, I have noticed a recent overseas. Send check or money-order to one trend in the behavior of anime characters. On the one hand, the storylines in science fiction and mecha of the addresses above. Payment by credit shows are still very traditional, showcasing male characters who are trying to do the right thing, striving for cards & PayPal available from the web site: www.protoculture.ca/PA/PASub.htm. For justice and often trying to protect the girl they care for. But on the other hand, in the ever-complicated inquiries email to [email protected]. society in which we live today, it has become difficult, if not almost impossible, to be a hero. This tends to be increasingly reflected in today’s anime. D I S T R I B U T I O N In the past, information traveled far less than it does today, and hence the majority of people could live in In Canada: Cosmix ((514) 744-9494), Disticor ((800) 668-7724), Marché Clandestin ignorance of many facts concerning society and their environment. But now, thanks to the Information (www.mcanime.com), Middleman Media ((416) Technology (IT) revolution, through the advent of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices, few 203-2926), Sci-Fi Anime (www.sci-fi-anime.ca), Snap! ((416) 588-4006). In U.S.A.: AAA Anime facts remain hidden for very long anymore. As a result, people eventually realize that nothing is black and (www.aaaanime.com), Anime Nation (www.animenation.com), white in our society, and this is truly apparent in anime shows. When I was growing up, many shows were Complete Strategist ((212) 685-3880), Diamond (www.diamondcomics.com), Disticor ((800) about boys (sometimes girls) who wanted to be warriors. They were willing to fight for justice and do good 668-7724), Kinokuniya (NY: (212) 765-7766, SF: things for others, and they sincerely believed that they were creating a better world for everyone. Back then, (415) 567-7625), Made In Japan (www.madeinjapan.us), the times depicted in anime were hard, but a bit simpler. These days, however, we are beginning to see Nikaku Animart (www.nikaku.com), Right Stuf (www.rightstuf.com), Robert’s Anime Corner more and more characters who aren’t willing to be warriors. Why is that? Store (www.animecornerstore.com), RPV ((714) 671-1270). In England: Esdevium (011 Indeed, what is a hero, or a heroine? Is it simply someone who tries to do the right thing? In more tradi- 44 125226116). For more information: tional anime, life is defined in a Manichaean way, as “good vs. evil”; in those shows, so-called “good” hero www.protoculture.ca/PA/PADis.htm or email to characters battle against “bad guys” and often kill them. But can’t these heroes also be seen as assailants? [email protected]. It’s becoming increasingly clear that “good” and “bad” are relative notions. On what grounds can we really L E G A L I N F O R M A T I O N define justice? This is especially difficult when we all know that real wars and conflicts often take place Protoculture Addicts is a bimonthly magazine because of territorial disputes and financial interests, and not because of justice. Therefore, it’s only a dedicated to Japanese animation and manga and matter of time before we ask ourselves: “Are those characters really doing the right thing?” The definition of is published by: Protoculture, Inc. justice has become uncertain today, and the more recent shows clearly reflect that fact through their main Protoculture Addicts is ©1987-2007 by characters’ behaviors. Protoculture, Inc. • No part of this magazine can be reproduced without permission from the pub- These days, we see characters who avoid taking responsibility for others, because judging good and evil lisher, except for review purposes. Sample file today only works on the individual level. Believing you’re doing the right thing is difficult enough; how can Protoculture Addicts acknowledges that the you know if your personal justice applies to others? Therefore, it’s my impression that anime characters copyrights and trademarks of the materials men- tioned or pictured herein remain the property of today have had to become more pragmatic than ever before, just to survive in this complicated and uncer- their respective owners and does not seek to tain world. The fighting theme in the past was simple: the shows focused on the hero’s efforts to kill the bad infringe on their rights. Whenever possible, copyrights of the pictured products are listed at guys. But today’s shows offer insight into both sides of the story, including the “villains.” In fact, oftentimes the bottom of each page and they are used here both “good” and “bad” characters are beautiful and good-looking, so that fans can feel empathy towards solely for information, promotion or review pur- both. All recent Gundam series and other science-fiction shows certainly make me aware that times have poses (what is know as “fair use”). • All rights to articles & artwork revert to their respective writ- changed, as I witness these characters’ physical and psychological suffering, which often goes along these ers & artists upon publication • Contributors are lines: “I didn’t want to become an assailant, but I ended up becoming one against my will! What should I do responsible for their views which are not neces- sarily those of Protoculture Addicts. to mend my ways and redeem myself?” More and more shows focus on characters who walk along the Legal deposit at Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales winding, uncertain roads of life, with ever-complicated twists and turns. Another recent trend of Japanimation du Québec & National Library of Canada, 2007. shows seems to consist in using the background of the end of Edo Era (mid-19th century before the Meiji Printed in Canada • ISSN 0835-9563 Restoration in 1868) and the Meiji Era, such as shows like Gintama, and Tempo Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi. This reminds viewers that Japan was once a very chaotic place, but that somehow, despite all the sorrow and I L L U S T R A T I O N S ’ C R E D I T S uncertainty, people survived, just as they do today. Animage #331: 106, 188; #335: 58-59; #336: So, let us see how these anime characters will continue to evolve in future shows. After all, alongside these 60, 181; #340: 3, 26, 64; #341: 23, 118-122, ○○○○○○○○ 131-32; #342: 89; #344: 100, 135; #345: 77; suffering male characters, we’re also starting to see stronger female characters who are giving more com- #347: 58. Kinema Jumpo # 1435: 61. All other fort to all viewers. In spite of the decline of heroism—or maybe because of it, anime still rocks and is in illustrations come from promotional artwork, cover art or directly from the animation. good shape! —Miyako Matsuda

5 JUSTIN SEVAKIS

Justin Sevakis graduated from New York City’s School of Visual Arts film program in 2003, but his career in anime started well before that. Starting with publishing of a zine for his local anime club in Detroit, Justin broke off and co-founded one of the more prominent groups of the mid-90’s VHS fansub community while still in high school. For Justin, this was far preferable to being involved in a school activity, where he’d be forced to socialize. Upon graduating high school, Justin founded Anime News Network, partially because he knew he’d be bored out of his mind at the college he got into, and partially out of frustration at how hard it was to separate fact from rumor in the early days of the interweb. Eventually he moved to New York City and, after two years, gave up Anime News Network. After a short break, Justin got a job in the industry, as a video editor at anime distributor Central Park Media. Justin spent 3 1/2 years at CPM, working on everything from the most disgusting hentai to Grave of the Fireflies. He currently works as Manager of Strategic Development and Programming at ImaginAsianTV, where he is active in licensing of programming (including anime) for the fledging cable channel, as well as developing its new home video and theatrical distribution lines. Despite getting burned out occasionally, he still loves anime (though he’s much pickier now), and writes “Buried Treasure”, a column on older and more obscure anime, for Anime News Network. In his spare time Justin works on a novel, which he expects will be released shortly after hell freezes over. Despite being generally misanthropic and featuring an abrasive sense of humor, he nonetheless ends up spending too much of his time with friends and accomplishing absolutely nothing. Other hobbies include foreign movies, international cuisine (eating, not cooking) and horribly nerdy pursuits like video compression and restoration. He still lives in the anti-social capital of the world, New York City. Sample file & OTHERS

An intern at Proto- Being a child of Miyako Matsuda culture Addicts was born in Shi- the 80s, Jason since December monoseki City (Ya- 2006, Valerie Cools Green was raised maguchi prefec- has a degree in En- on a steady diet of ture, Japan) and glish-to-French Voltron, Robo- was raised in the translation, and is countryside, read- tech, and Speed currently finishing ing ‘60s girls manga magazines, dreaming a master’s thesis on shounen manga at Racer reruns, but of living outside Japan like those manga Concordia University. When she isn’t juggling it was a chance viewing of Fist of the North characters. During her teenage years she was with words, or looking after her grouchy pet a big British rock music fan (Queen, Yes, Star in 1994 that turned him into an addict. rabbit, she’s usually reading, losing at video 10cc) and learned English through their lyr- games, or experimenting in the kitchen. The Despite his fandom’s blood-soaked origins, ics. A big movie fan and history buff, she rest of the time, she’s an active member of an these days he’d much rather settle down hopes to travel to many places in the world amateur theatre troupe. She enjoys playing with a nice romantic comedy, and can of- to see historical sites, but, having no money nasty roles onstage for the same reason she or time at the moment, she satisfies her cu- ten be seen telling people why Maison loves twisted anime or manga characters: they riosity by watching movies and traveling have the best lines. Ikkoku is the greatest manga of all time. shows on TV.

PA #92 // ANIME VOICES / CONTRIBUTORS SPOTLIGHT PA

6 PA #92 // NEWS / ANIME & MANGA NEWS ANIME & MANGA NEWS

Geneon Titles Available on Vuze Fans eager to check out some of Geneon’s most popular titles can now do so without leaving their desks. In partnership with Azureus Inc., a company well known amongst many fans as the developers of the Azureus BitTorrent client, Geneon will be offering several anime series available for paid download from Vuze.

The current lineup includes anime series like Lupin III, including the unaired episode “To Be or Nazi Be,” Gankutsuou, GUNxSWORD, Ayakashi, and Last Exile. The first episode of each series will be available for free. Subsequent episodes have a rental fee of $0.99, and are active for 30 days after purchase, or two days from the point in which the user starts watching it. The files can only be viewed from one computer. Users also have the option of purchasing the episode for $1.99, which allows them to view it at many times ✛ as they please, on up to three computers.

The video service was first launched earlier in the year and allows users to share and download a variety of content. Video providers range from individual users to companies like Nelvana, Starz, and Central Park Media.

Besides Geneon titles, other anime series available on Vuze include Astro Boy, from Starz, and Central Park Media properties like Maze, Descendents of Darkness, Animation Runner Kuromi, and others.

Manga Downloads Increasing in Popularity The era ofSample the printed manga filemay someday draw to a close. Although small groups of manga fans have already embraced the convenience of being able to download manga pages to their computers, PDAs, cell phones, and PSPs, most still opt for the old-fashioned satisfaction of being able to hold graphic novels in their hands.

Still, the number of people who are slowly switching over to the convenience of electronic manga is increasing. The Internet research firm, Infoplant, recently conducted a survey of 5,400 people via their cell phones to measure the popularity of downloading manga to

➬ a computer or cell phone in the Japanese market.

A staggering 91.8% of the people surveyed knew that manga downloads existed, and 40.2% had actually downloaded manga titles in the past. Interestingly, out of those, 43.6% of the downloaders were women, versus only 34.4% men. And, out of those women, 61.7% were 19 or younger.

Although it seems that the convenience of downloading manga is still primarily used by commuters and the younger generation, the possibility for growth looks promising. The majority of the people surveyed (over 60%), said that they had plans to download manga in the future.

7 Controversy Erupts Over Nymphet Manga Release

Heated debates erupted reflected the country’s “cultural nuances and wacky and often on many online anime bizarre sense of humor.” forums in late May, most The letter continued on to acknowledge concerns from fans who of which seemed to deemed the material inappropriate for children. DeAngelis also center around a contro- mentioned that he was going to have an open dialogue with versial manga title called vendors to discuss the controversy. Nymphet. Licensed for North American release Several days later, Seven Seas announced that they were going by Seven Seas Enter- to cancel the release. This statement was accompanied by tainment, the manga, another letter from DeAngelis, this time retracting his statement originally titled Kodomo defending Nymphet’s contents: no Jikan, was scheduled I sat down and read the series carefully in Japanese, to be released later this and what I found in volumes two and three were very year. Penned by Kaworu disturbing… So much so, that I now have to retract Watashiya, the story centers around a 3rd grade elementary some of what I said in my first letter where I tried to classroom and stars a girl named Rin Kokonoe who is madly in defend the content, because certain scenes in the love with her 23-year-old teacher. Over the course of the manga, subsequent volumes are indefensible and she makes several sexual advances towards him, such as asking inappropriate, in my opinion… So, my primary reason him to pick her panties off the floor, or wriggling suggestively for canceling Nymphet is due to my recent realization on his lap. that later volumes in the series cannot be considered Although the series is popular in Japan, its questionable contents appropriate for the US market by any reasonable caused alarm amongst retailers, many of whom refused to stock standard. the title. The title was officially placed on hiatus on May 24, DeAngelis also answered a few concerns that were raised by accompanied by a letter posted on the Seven Seas website by fans, such as how he thought the cancelling of Nymphet would president Jason DeAngelis. In it, he addressed the controversy affect the manga market, and the possibility of future acquisitions surrounding Nymphet’s contents, saying that the title is “not of moe titles. There are currently no plans to release the series considered pornographic by any means” in Japan,Sample and merely in anyfile form, whether online or in print.

Viz Scrambles Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat Lineup

In June, Viz Media announced “SJ Evolution”, a reworking of Shojo Beat will also see some changes to its lineup; notably, the lineup of titles in their popular Shonen Jump and Shojo the comedy romance Honey and Clover will join the anthology Beat manga anthologies. In July, the comedy manga Bobobo- in August, replacing Nana, the magazine’s flagship title. Also bo Bo-bobo, which has been released a single volume one- entering the fray is Haruka (an shot graphic novel in America already (and previewed in the abbreviation of Harukanaru Toki no Naka De), a romantic adventure series pages of the magazine itself), will be added to the lineup. based on a bishounen dating game. Exiting the premises are Shaman King, which will accelerate Haruka takes the spot previously held its graphic novel release to a bi-monthly schedule, and another by the family comedy Baby & Me, unannounced title that will vanish in November, to be replaced beginning in October. Nana and Baby by a new title that has also not been revealed as of press & Me will both continue to see release time. The November announcement coincides with Viz’s as graphic novels, likely at an “Naruto Nation” campaign, which will see three volumes of accelerated pace a’la Shaman King. the ninja action series released monthly.

PA #92 // NEWS / ANIME & MANGA NEWS PA

8 All News compiled & reported by Anime News Network. For more news check www.animenewsnetwork.com.