We've all heard the rumors since spring/summer 2008, so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that Fox is making a live-action film adaptation of anime classic Cowboy Bebop. However, the part that has caught a lot of people by surprise is the official casting of Keanu Reeves in the lead part of Spike Spiegel.

What's really interesting is that, despite the casting of Reeves (who doesn't have the most sparkling acting resume), most of the upper-level staff who worked on the original anime will be producers and consultants for the Hollywood film. Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe, Sunrise President Kenji Uchida, and original script supervisor Keiko Nobumoto are associate producers on the film, while animation studio Sunrise and their former producer Masahiko Minami will be production consultants.

While we all know the potential of Hollywood studios to ruin beloved franchises, the team selected to help with production seems like they can really steer the film in the right direction. Reeves is of course the most pressing problem for most anime fans, but his casting isn't a kiss of death on the film – after all, The Matrix was great, and Keanu was front and center for that one. If he is directed well, and the film is made with a love for the original anime intact, this can truly be a step in the right direction for Hollywood anime adaptations. That said, I remain cautiously optimistic about it. What do you guys think?

[via Anime News Network]

Remember a while back, when IMAGI announced that they would be creating a CG-animated remake of everybody's favorite super-powered kid: Tetsuwan Atomu, better known by Americans as Astro Boy? In the coming attractions before popular kids movie Madagascar 2, IMAGI showed off the first trailer for the upcoming film, displaying the first direct footage that we've seen so far. Moviefone's got the video, in shiny HD format as well as streaming video for anybody so inclined.

The CG in the film looks pretty competent, and the aesthetic style seems perfect to bring in a good family crowd, but I have some doubts about the accuracy of the movie. Primarily, the character designs have absolutely no resemblance to Tezuka's originals. I understand the goal of "Americanizing" the franchise to better sell it to a mainstream audience, but really? Tezuka? The "god of manga"? His character designs really don't need very much change. Still, I think that the plot (at least from Moviefone's summary) is looking to retain much of Tezuka's original message about humanity amongst all of the superficial changes made by the scriptwriter.

What do you think of the trailer? Sound off in the comments.

[via Anime News Network]

Leonardo DiCaprio, producer of the upcoming two Akira and one Ninja Scroll Hollywood adaptations, told MTV's Splash Page that he was "not really" interested in acting in the two projects. There you have it: Say goodbye any rumors of a DiCaprio portrayal of Akira's main character Kaneda.

In addition, DiCaprio spoke briefly about his own anime fandom and plans for the films, telling MTV:

“We’re waiting for the final draft of the script [for Akira] I’m a big fan of Japanese anime — that and another project called Ninja Scroll we’re trying to get developed and made into a movie, and I know there a lot of loyal fans out there of the project and die-hard fans, so we’re going to try to do the best job we possibly can and we’re not going to make the movie until the script is in the right shape.”

I'm quite glad to hear that DiCaprio is an anime fan, so hopefully he's not just "in it for the money." (But let's face it, there's some mad money in making an Akira movie.) Still, I was really hoping for DiCaprio to play Kaneda. As long as Appian Way can pick up some other big name actors for the projects, they might be able to sell these potentially-otaku-only titles to a large, mainstream audience. Anybody else as crazy excited as I am over the prospect of these Akira movies?

[via MTV Splash Page]

ICv2 reports that Warner Bros. has purchased the rights to create a live action film based on Yoshiaki Kawajiri's 1993 anime film Ninja Scroll. The original movie was one of the very first anime seen by many modern fans of the medium. Alex Tse, writer of the Watchmen script, is slated to write the screenplay for the film. According to a report from Variety magazine via the Anime News Network, Appian Way, the production company owned by Leonardo DiCaprio, will be co-producing the feature with Warner Bros. DiCaprio will not be playing a role in the film.

For those paying attention, you will know that Appian Way and Leonardo DiCaprio are also the ones behind the upcoming two film adaptations of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga Akira. And, for those of you keeping count, that makes seven live action anime adaptations in the works or released. What's your opinion on this 90's classic getting the Hollywood treatment? Are these live action films expanding or diluting American anime fandom?

[via Anime News Network and ICv2]

(Ack! I accidentally titled this episode 005 for nearly a week. Sorry for the error. This is actually episode 006.)

In this special episode, straight from the 2008 New York Anime Festival, I interview prolific voice actors Tony Oliver, Kyle Hebert, and Steve Blum. All three of them worked on Gurren Lagann (ADR Director, Kamina, and Leeron respectively), but they've also played characters from Robotech, Eureka Seven, Dragonball Z, Cowboy Bebop, The Big O, and even Toonami!

On a more technical note, I'd like to extend a special expression of thanks to Kyle and Steve, since when the room we were in didn't have power (hence making my laptop useless), they used their iPhones to record the interview. The recording used in the podcast is from Kyle's phone, so you have him to thank for saving this interview. Okay, funny story: This post's picture (left to right: Tony, me, Kyle, Steve) was actually taken by voice actor Bill Rogers, who I only recognized AFTER I had asked him for the picture. Thanks Bill!

As usual, show notes and supplementary links are after the break.

Direct Download - RSS Feed - iTunes - Email



[0:00:00] Opening Song: "R.O.D Theme" by Taku Iwasaki (R.O.D. OVA opener)

[0:00:17] Quick little intro segment explaining the background info about the interview. Skippable if you read the description for the post.

[0:01:13] Interview starts. I ask each of them about general things like if they're anime fans, how they got into voice acting, and what their favorite part has been about working on Gurren Lagann.

[0:10:23] Now I begin asking specific questions for each actor, including stuff about script "purity" and changes in the industry with Tony, Dragonball Z acting with Kyle, and Toonami with Steve.

[0:24:47] A couple more general questions before we finish up. These include favorite characters, preference for heroes or villains, and a request for some lines spoken in character.

[0:33:41] Ending Song: "H.T." by Tsuneo Imahori (Trigun opener)

[1:22:42] Outro

Links:
New York Anime Festival

Starting August 25th, Xbox Live users will be able to register to vote thanks to a partnership between Microsoft and activist organization Rock the Vote. This new service aims at getting more young people interested in politics by providing them access to Rock the Vote’s public service announcements, a special presidential forum, and various political polls. The service will be promoted by Xbox at both of the upcoming Republican and Democratic conventions. There, Microsoft will reinforce the parental controls and guidelines surrounding its console and the Xbox Live service.

“Xbox is a natural partner to help us reach out to youth voters,” says Heather Smith, executive director of Rock the Vote. “To realize our goal of registering 2 million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are, and there’s no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.”

[via Gamasutra]

According to iFMagazine.com, Twentieth Century Fox has signed the rights for a live-action film adaptation of the 90's sci-fi anime classic Cowboy Bebop. Producer Erwin Stoff discussed his approach to the film, making sure to stress his "enormous admiration for [Bebop's] creators" and note that "our first and foremost concern is going to be a real degree of faithfulness to the tone of the movie."

In case you haven't been paying attention, that brings the tally of anime-turned-Hollywood-movies to six: Akira, Astro Boy, Cowboy Bebop, Dragonball, Ghost in the Shell, and Speed Racer. Think you can deal with Hollywood's take on all of these classic franchises? In my opinion, any new attention for our favorite anime is good attention, and for that reason, I'm glad to see a fantastic title like Bebop brought to the big screen. If the American moviegoing public is lucky, this one might even be good.

What do you think about another anime being brought to American movie screens? Sound off in the comments for this post.

[via Anime News Network]

Yesterday, Microsoft announced that their PC gaming hub, Games for Windows Live, is now moving to a completely free business model. This move will remove the distinction between the Gold and Silver membership tiers and will hopefully alleviate some of the negative stigma that has been surrounding the service since its release.

In the wake of this announcement all eyes now turn to Microsoft’s console equivalent, Xbox Live, in the hopes that it will be undergoing a similar adjustment. However, in the absence of a direct competitor – such as Steam on the PC – and the fact that Microsoft continues to turn a profit from the service, any change that drastic seems highly unlikely.

[via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

It's not like anyone was expecting good things from the Dragonball movie. After all, basing a high-speed, action-packed Hollywood movie off of an anime about guys beating each other up is definitely not a surefire way to create a meaningful, award-winning film.

So, even though the newest poster for Dragonball looks just as disappointing as we would have expected, I'm still sure that everybody here at Ani-Gamers will be seeing it. On opening day.

[via Anime News Network]

Just months after announcements of such films as the live-action Akira, Dragonball, and CGI Astro Boy, and mere weeks before the release of the Wachowski Brothers' Speed Racer live-action film, Dreamworks and Steven Spielberg have revealed plans to helm a computer-generated film adaptation of Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga (not the 1995 anime film).

Plans are still vague, but the little that is known includes that Spielberg will have some sort of part in the film (direction or production is unspecified). The screenplay will be written by Jamie Moss (Street Kings, Last Man Home), and Ari Arad (Spiderman 1-3, X-Men, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man), among others, will produce.

So, what's your opinion of this development? Do you think that Ghost in the Shell and Akira can establish themselves as serious contenders amongst such shallower films as Speed Racer, Dragonball Z, and Astro Boy? Could Spielberg possibly mess this up!?
[via Variety]

I'm not sure what has gotten into developers, but if you hadn't noticed, in the past few couple of weeks, there've been several new accommodations on the Xbox Live Marketplace and Playstation Store as, well, Map Packs. Some are free, some aren't free, and some aren't even out yet. In chronological order (according to availability), here's the latest updates on Bungie and Infinity Ward's purchasable offerings.

Not too long ago, Bungie decided to go ahead and treat the more casual players (and cheaper players) of Halo 3 to a less expensive price tag to their previous map pack...and by less expensive, I mean absolutely free. After several months, it's finally been offered as a free download on the Xbox Live Marketplace. So, I'm sure if you had Halo, you probably already downloaded it (unless you bought it when it was released). Even so, that only means that there is just another bucket of downloadable content creeping around the corner...

That was quite a while ago, however, and for now, the spotlight is on Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat, as their map pack compiling not three, but four new maps was released on April 4th for voracious players to drool all over. These include: Broadcast, set in the television production studio and parking lot of the 'Charlie Don't Surf' level in Call of Duty 4. Chinatown is a direct remake of the classic Call of Duty 2 map, Carentan, but in the foggier, grittier, and certainly darker ambient of Chinatown. Creek, which is perhaps Call of Duty 4's most colorful map, is set outside [by a creek] in a large, wide open combat ravaged village with scarce cover spots, and might I say, it looks beautiful. The final map is called Killhouse, a desolate training warehouse with several cover spots, not all of which are entirely safe.

What? Another map pack? I'm afraid so. See, it's clear the only reason the original Halo 3 downloadable map pack was offered free of charge was to clear out the way for their new Legendary Map Pack consisting of another three maps for the Halo junkies to have their frag fests on. These include: Ghost Town is a medium sized, broken down ruin near the town of Voi ideal for small, to medium game types. Avalanche, one of the larger maps, has players freezing their armors in this mountainous frozen region, ideal for larger team battles and multi-team game types. Its final installment, Blackout, is an abandoned drill platform that monuments human frailty [?] -- I'm not sure what they mean by that, but what you should know is that this is a remake of Halo 2's "Lockout" it's safe to say veterans can rejoice. Loudly.

One more thing that I found laughable is the trailer for Halo 3's new map pack...well, two things...

First laughable material: Ever played World of Warcraft and cared enough to watch Blizzard's trailers? It's vividly clear that we've got Bungie borrowing the trailer style of Blizzard and using it for their own release. Why? I'm not sure, but if I had to guess, I would probably say it's to hype people up more, even though it's just maps.

Second laughable material: Its theme is very peculiar. It seems very off-the-beaten-path, yet it feels somewhat Halo while being significantly off. Death, ancient battles, scars, and darkness were some of the more notable keywords amidst all these maps and the trailer; the reasons why could be speculated, but I'm not going to do so here.

Are these maps worth the money, or should we all just wait until they are offered free of charge? Maybe, maybe not -- but I've given you what you need to decide if you want one, the other, both, or even neither!

[news data via Bungie / Kotaku]

At this year's Game Developer's Conference, Microsoft made the announcement of their new "Community Arcade," a segment of the vaunted Xbox Live Arcade platform. With Community Arcade, Microsoft is giving true power to tiny, independent (and often one-man) development groups, who can now create a game, upload it for free to the Community Arcade, and allow any Xbox 360 owner with access to XBLA to download it (still for free).

Game developers will be able to build profiles called "creator profiles" to track their games, but players will have a significant say in the process as well. In order to regulate content, creators will tag their games with labels like "violence" and "language," but players will later be able to tag and peer-review the games themselves.

While some demos are out right now for players to try out the new Community Arcade games (such as Walaber's "Jelly Car"), Microsoft has not yet announced an official launch date for their revolutionary "YouTube of games."

[via Joystiq]

Skyllus vBi, a player on the pro gaming Team vBi, is feeling the pain of celebrity. After creating a popular Halo 3 video, Skyllus was given in-game "Recon Armor," which is only held by Bungie employees and occasional Live members. Of course, the kind people of Xbox Live wanted some o' dat Recon Armor for themselves, and Skyllus has reported three hacks on his account in the last 3 months.

However, the newest hack Skyllus is fighting off has been compounded by Live's unhelpful customer service. Unable to return Skyllus's lost account to him, Live customer service kept him waiting for hours and then informed him that there would be an investigation into the hack. Wonderful.

It's a shame that this sort of thing happens. Someone gets rewarded for a job well done, he receives something as trivial as a suit of armor, and still there are people who will take advantage of him because his name and Gamertag are well-known. Despicable.
[via Joystiq]

Media: Manga
Genre(s): Drama, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction
Manga-ka: Tadashi Kawashima (story) and Adachitoka (art)
Number of Volumes: 14+
Licensed? Yes (Del Rey)

Recently released by Del Rey, Alive is an interesting and twisty little sci-fi horror. The first volume sets up the reader for the story to come, and its unanswered questions and odd occurences leave the reader wanting more.

Around the world, people are mysteriously committing suicide by the thousands. However, in one Japanese high school, even more troubling things are occuring. A teenager named Kano finds out that he has somehow been infected by the "suicide virus," but hasn't died yet. When he and his friend Megu find their friend Hirose (a victim of bullying) on the roof of their school, with the bodies of his tormentors lying bleeding all around him, they begin to realize that there is more going on here than meets the eye. Later, Kano discovers a strange group of people, who have emerged since the uprising of the virus. They call each other "comrades," use supernatural powers to kill people...and Kano is one of them. Alive follows the stories of Kano, Megu, and Hirose, among other minor characters, as they cope with the death all around them and seek to discover the truth about the deadly suicide virus.

While Alive begins with a fascinating concept, a "suicide virus" that causes people to commit suicide willingly, it trails off a bit into territory that is better left untouched. A little bit of Serial Experiments Lain and a touch of Boogiepop make this series quite a read for the suspense and mystery fan. The primary fault with the writing, however, is its unnecessary use of humor in very serious situations. Characters like Kano's older sister (the high school nurse) will punctuate the otherwise very intense mood with pervert jokes, fanservice, and other forms of crude humor. Finally, the series seems to be trying to include action within the suspense and horror genre of the manga. (Using the "comrades" and their strange powers, along with Kano's ability to use the same powers) It is hard to tell where this might take us, but hopefully it will be blended into the more suspenseful mood held up through most of volume 1.

The art in Alive utilizes an interesting style. Adachitoka prefers to go for expression rather than detail in his characters, leaving many things undetailed in order to achieve a more expressive, interesting visual style. His backgrounds and other non-human work, however, is detailed, and maintains a dark atmosphere. Toning is dark and helps the mood a lot, while there are many good uses of visual effects like the "shaken" effect in which the drawing is copied and then altered to give a shaken effect. Adachitoka has mixed successes when it comes to character designs. A select few characters, mostly the "comrades," look perfectly creepy, while Kano's sister and the big-lipped design she is given is sickeningly overdone. Overall, there's not much to complain about when it comes to art. Even when Adachitoka makes his characters less detailed, they still feel real and emotional enough for you to connect with them.

Del Rey's extras in volume 1 are pleasing as always. In addition to some very nice notes from the writer and author, there are plentiful translation notes in the back of the book. Also in the back is a collection of short light comics, or 4koma, involving the characters of Alive. These are all comedy, and hence out-of-place in the dark world of Alive. Of course, it doesn't help that they're not particularly funny either.

I first heard about Alive at AnimeNEXT, during a Del Rey press conference as they reviewed their upcoming releases. When it was first described, I pictured a truly dark and disturbing manga along the lines of such classics as Lain and Boogiepop. Instead, it is at once a dark, bloody story, and a light school life comedy. It's a dissapointing read, but Alive volume 1 will get you interested in a potentially great story that is standing on the edge of a building, waiting to fall off. Will it choose to throw itself off into the death that is mediocrity, or will it turn back and become something original?

Art:		2.5		Average: (2.667 stars)
Plot:		2.5
Overall:		3.0

Release Quality: 3.5

It seems that somebody is following Doug Lowenstein's advice, as Microsoft has recently announced a game development contest called the Games for Change Challenge for college students to make games with real-world significance. They have chosen the touchy subject of global warming for the topic. All games must be made in Microsoft's XNA Game Studio Express program, and the winners might even be used with Xbox Live Arcade or Games for Windows Live Arcade.

This is a great decision on the part of Microsoft, and I'm very interested in seeing some of these games. How do you think someone would incorporate global warming into an interesting game?
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