Tuesday, 28 June 2016
May 1990 Pt.6 Nippon Shuppan Hanbai USA INC
Having just found
paperwork (sorry hard copies) from Nippon Shuppan Hanbai USA INC .(Books Nippan)
buried among reams of correspondence in a few tightly packed surviving boxes, finding more fragments
from May 1990 for you the reader to ponder over.
It was about this time
I joined the B.N.A.F.C. (Books Nippan Animation Fan Club) that gave
you discounts on what the company was selling [much like Manga video
did in the UK later in the 90's].
My Membership of Books Nippan Animation
Fan Club Paid $12 (invoice 04.18/1990) - Membership Card 05/90 to
06/91.
I had seen their advertisement
in April's issue of 'Protoculture Addicts' fanzine of their
subtitled Japanese Animation on VHS 'GUNBUSTER Vol. 1' and '
DANGAIOH' a first for Anime to the direct-to-home American market,
to be released January 1990 by U.S. Renditions.
[NOTE: According the
internet (post 2000) GUNBUSTER Vol. 1 was released in March 1990. But
I can not confirm this.]
U.S. Renditions was the
Special Projects Division of
Books Nippan, the American branch of Nippon Shuppan Hanbai, the only
UK connection being the shop in London 'Books Nippon' that I knew of at the time.
The B.N.A.F.C. Had a
leap in membership from about 1000 to 4000 members in just a short
space of time, that triggered a re-organisation of their
mail-ordering department to harmonise to meet the new demand for
goods.
Looking at BOOKS
NIPPAN's Newsletter #8 - (copyright Shinji Aramaki IDOL/ARTMIC
1985) Previous newsletters were originally to come out Yearly. Can
you imagine waiting 12 months or more for News and feedback from a
distributor of Anime, that's breaking into a new market!?
[NOTE: U.S.
Renditions Update “Work continues on the new English subtitled
videos for 1991. The original U.S. Renditions production team along
with new translators Toshfumi Yoshida and Trish Ledoux (Editors of
ANIMAG Magazine) are currently (late 1990\early 1991) projecting an
April 1991 release for 'GUNBUSTER Vol. 2', and APPLESEED, GUNBUSTER
Vol. 2 which contains episodes 3 & 4 will also have the “Science
Classroom II” which was cut out of 'GUNBUSTER Vol. 1' due to length
of time considerations.]
[NOTE: Sometime during June or July will be the
Release of 'GUNBUSTER Vol. 3 and Black Magic M-66. ( There are
currently other projects being discussed for FALL 1991 release.).]
Sunday, 12 June 2016
May 1990 Pt.5 Round-up \ overview
We
still had a few on-going
Manga comic-books and
Anime based comic-books that could be still found “On the racks”
in May of 1990, such as:-
#20
of 'AKIRA' (1-38)
#33
of 'Lone Wolf and Cub' (1-40)
from First comics,
#17 of Outlanders.
(1-33)
from Dark Horse
Comics.
#6 of Dominion. (End of
1-6)
from Eclipse Comics.
#4 of COBRA (1-12)
#6
of 'Baoh',
(1-8)
#3 of HOROBI: Part One (1-6)
from
Viz Comics.
GRAPHIC-NOVELS STILL ON
SALE IN THIS MONTH:
What's
Michael?
Appleseed
Book #1
Dirty
Pair – Biohazards
from
Eclipse Comics
LUM
Vol #1
from
Viz Comics.
[Note:
You still had #2
of
Lensman
#4 of 'Leiji
Matsumoto's Captain Harlock',
#15
of 'Robotech II – The Sentinals Book One'
from
Eternity Comics.
Saturday, 4 June 2016
May 1990 Pt.4 Animag 10
With all my efforts on
giving the reader the whole view over time, of my journey with the
start of the UK's Anime & Manga Fandom getting the facts of the
dates historically correct has been paramount and a driving force.
With this in mind, the printing of Animag #10 in1990 looks to be May
of that year going by the advertisements of 'Horizon' (Dirty Pair
-May, Markalite (the magazine of Japanese Fantasy) Issue #1 JUNE
1990, SF2. (San Francisco Science Fiction) - The Garage Kit Network
(model shop) with its 20% off that ends on 15th. July, and Stargate
(model shop) at Project A-KON JULY 28 – 29.
[NOTE: my conclusion of
when Animag #10 was printed does not tell the reader when in the UK
I picked this issue up, it may have been a year later, in March of
91.]
What follows is a very
brief overview and reappraisal, of this issue that is centred on
Science Fiction and Japanese Mecha, all but one small article on a
four part OVA soon to be relesed (at the time) entitled Mosaica
(giving its full title Heroic Armor Mosaica) a fantasy, about a
young warrior called Wu Talma (U-Taruma) who make a stand against the
murderous conquest that has befallen the land, in the hopes of
awakening the ancient giant warrior to aid him.
[NOTE: Mosaica's full
title Heroic Armor Mosaica was supplied by a member of the Jarod Nandin's Vintage Anime Fans group on Facebook, very little in English is found about this 4
part OVA]
Contents Page
Featuring Articles on
'Space Cruiser YAMATO; Gundam F91; Iczer 3; A-KO the Versus; Mosaica;
'Gall Force'; Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam; and Mobile Police Patlabor.
Editorial by Trish
Ledoux.
Trish's editorial gives
us an insight into the love of a language and Japanese culture in
this popular medium of animation, and even her remembering – back
in those days “the days when you watched everything, when all
animation was new and wonderful and you embraced it with equal
favour” seeing so many shows that were produced and aimed at
Japanese high school boys (aged from 10 to 18) that was an out-let
counter to what Japanese society expected with “tales that relied
upon the sadly overused
revenge-seeker-whose-loved-one-has-been-slain-by-the-bad-guys
storyline”.
NEWS on up and coming Anime.
(remember this was the internet of its day.)
NEWS on up and coming Anime.
(remember this was the internet of its day.)
NEWS on up and coming Anime.
(remember this was the internet of its day, this was who information traveled.)
More NEWS.
NEXT ISSUE.
Back cover Ad. and the pricely cost of £2.95 for the issue.
Advertisement of
popular items.
Advertisement of
popular items.
Advertisement of
popular items.
Advertisement of
popular items.
Advertisement of
popular items.
Well you have scrolled
down from the Contents Page and passed all the Ads, as for the
articles you will need to hunt down the Magazine (I did say it is a very
brief overview - you now have the internet and e-bay).
Monday, 30 May 2016
May 1990 Pt.3 Anime Hasshin
What next arrived by
post was “The Rose” the Newsletter of Anime Hasshin number 21,
and what follows is a brief overview, with Special Features – Hayao
Miyazaki spotlight & Nausicaa, Interview With Rob Gibson (writer
of the Harlock comic-books), Minky Momo, A Winter's Tale, Patabour,
Lupin III, Totoro – Kiki & Eriko Songs.
Front cover:
“Totoro, Nausicaa & friends” Fan-Art by Kevin O'Connell
'Editorial' Lorraine
Savage reports on the benefits of money saved by using bulk mail in
the US, “as this issue is a whopping 22 pages long!” Canadian
membership & renewal prices were raised by $2 to cover the
postage of the heaver issues of “The Rose” as the bulk mail did
not apply to Canada, however back issues and synopsis packs remain
the same. Two more synopsis packs have been added, and a NEW Flyer
“that you may pas around to tell your friends about us”.
Lorraine adds “Miyazaki
fans should enjoy this issue, but we do have a lot of other good
stuff besides.”, and that there seems to be a renewed interest in
starting up a NEW APA (Amateur Press
Association).
Lorraine also reports
on the sightings of the AKIRA movie in: Tulsa OK; Lakewood &
Columbus OH; West Los Angeles CA; Pittsburgh PA; Autin TX (but at the
time of writing – had no news as to its next schedule, and that it
hasn't reached New England). The club's bulk order of 'Madox-01'
arrived very quickly “My cheers to AnimEgo.”, and She noted the
standing ovation for musician\writer Kitaro who wrote the music for
'Queen Millenia' while in New England as part of his World tour -
“His breath-taking drum piece shook the house”.
The company 'General
Products' that a few of Anime Hasshin members had dealt with, voiced
their concerns and complaints.
Lorraine Savage would
“like to meet a lot of you” as she attends the Conventions in
Indianapolis (ConJunction) in June, and in August at the San Diego
Comic Con.
In the NEWS section
I see an interesting statistic from Eclipse Comics - Eclipse reports
that its typical readership is 18 to 24 years of age, but its readers
of Japanese comics in translation are 15 to 20 years old.
On Page 4 you will find
that the Interview With Rob Gibson (writer of the Harlock
comic-books) was by Lorraine Savage who gives us an insight in to an
American adaptation of a well loved Anime
As part of Page 5 David
Merrill writes about Lupin III's origins “The Exploits of Arsene
Lupin” from the French stories of the Victorian age.
On Page 8, the two
paged article By John Ott on 'The Return of Nausicaa' was very well
done, adding the technical notes about how the Manga art work was
printed in different sizes affecting its detail and look have you a
keen eye when re-reading the Manga.
On Page 10, John Ott
provids another two paged article, this time centring on Hayao
Miyazaki - Animator, Animated Film Director, and Manga Artist.
Page 12 has an article
written by James Troutman entitled “Around in Minky Momo's Dreams”
a Magical girl TV show from the mid 80's, with its happy ends for its
captivating characters in an action adventure that on occasion has
some good social satire & symbolism for a kids TV show.
A Manga Review on Page
13 by Widya Santoso on the Japanese Manga (non-translated) “Winter
Story” - Written by Hara Hidenori & Published by Young Sunday
(Volumes 1 to 5 – as of May 1990). The story of 3 students and tier
time just before getting in to the Universities that they want, and
not of their families, as well as dealing with the feeling of
friendship and love.
On Page 14 we would see
an Anime Film review of the 'Patlabor Movie' by Tsao Sheng-Te. Tsao
reminds us that in 1989 Hayao Miyazaki's animated feature “Kiki's
Delivery Service” was topping the box-office charts and in stark
contrast the Science Fiction Movie of Patlabor, “is very different
to the OVA in that it is deadly serious.”, and with the character
designs by the popular artist Akemi Takeda (Orange Road, Urusei
Yatsura). The reviewer notes how much more in-depth and fleshed-out
the characters are compared to the OVA series. With a compelling
action, a terrific soundtrack, and an excellent (but complicated)
story, He Ends by saying “it certainly ranks as one of the best
animated features ever done.”
A Manga Review on Page
15 by Kevin O'Connell on the Japanese Manga (non-translated) 'Dragon
Half' that was first published in 'Dragon' Japan's popular
role-playing game magazine (RPGs that you need Dice and Pen &
paper for).
[NOTE: The manga was
created by Ryūsuke Mita and serialized from 1988 to 1994. The two
episode anime OVA series was adapted from the Manga in 1993.]
A Manga Review on Page
15 by James R. Winchester on the Japanese Manga (non-translated)
'Laughing Salesman'
You will still find
Information on other Clubs, Fanzines, Computer Bulletin Boards, APAs
(Amateur Press Association) ,
Classifieds Ads, addding to this will be Personal Ads (were you can
ask for Pen-Pals)Conventions, Businesses, mini synopses, Japanese
vocabulary lessons. and a Members list. With plenty of Fan Artwork
that were all done in a strong Black ink
[Note: A synopsisis
a brief summary or a condensed statement of the major points of a
subject (be it Anime or Manga in our case) giving a general overall
view, without opinion or review.]
[Note: APAs (Amateur
Press Association) is a fanzine of sorts featuring fiction, art, and
topics of interest, written & distributed between the same 20 or
so people, who photocopy their work and then mail it to a CM (Central
Mailer) who then on a bi-monthly basis redistributes it]
Thursday, 26 May 2016
May 1990 Pt.2b Special Correspondence
By the end of May, once
again a thrust for knowledge, and the feeling to connect with a force
that for Me drove part of Anime & Manga Fandom especially from
over here in England (UK), it was a delight to receive a letter from
'Studio Proteus' sign by Toren Smith.
For those of a later
generation of Fans Toren Smith of 'Studio Proteus' scouted Manga in
Japan for a north American English speaking audience back in the 80's
and 90's, His company translated the Manga and then in conjugation
with comic-book publishers & distributors brought them to a wider
western market. Companies like 'Dark Horse', 'Eclipse Comics', and
'Viz International'
Having someone hand
pick a wide selection of Manga gave us the mark to set other manga
by, and by chance or design many of them were made in to Anime OVAs
and films too (greatly helped viewing all those raw Un-subtitled
Japanimations that we all had acquired!
[NOTE: 'The Venus Wars' was published from April 1991 – May 1992 The Venus Wars issues 1 – 14 and The Venus Wars II 1 – 15 from June 1992 to August 1993.]
[NOTE: 'Lost Continent'
was published I believe from September 1991 over to May 1992 - Lost
Continent #1-6 , but I would need copies of these comic-books\manga
to prove these dates.]
[NOTE: 'Dirty pair – A
Plague of Angels' was published was published I believe trimonthly
from August 1990 to August 1991 Dirty Pair III A Plague of Angels 1-5
but I would need copies of these comic-books\manga to prove these
dates.]
[Special Note: Does
anyone know of the projects in England that Studio Proteus was
involved in?]
Having the power of the
Pen has given Me another unique memento that I will always treasure,
and even thou I never met him Toren is sorely missed from over this
side of the pond.
TorenSmith (April 12, 1960 to March 4, 2013)
Tuesday, 24 May 2016
May 1990 Pt.2a Special Correspondence
Special Correspondence.
It was not my intention
to mimic the speed of witch information travelled in the 80's and
90's, with Newsletters, Fanzines, Magazines, and Journals, that only
took a few months to make there way across from North America and
Canada to the UK (as so much printed martial was
Bi-monthly\Trimonthly), it was also the age of Letter writing by post
to other Fans and Businesses.
The Blog continues....
Taking the addresses
that the Japanese Embassy had given me I must have sent out a couple
of Letters, and now years later (about 25 or so) I find to my
astonishment a reply from KODANSHA Ltd.
Not only was this a
reply from Japan's big publishing house KODANSHA Ltd, in relation to
my inquiries about the animated feature film AKIRA, but a reply from
Ken Tsunoda (Associate Producer of the AKIRA Committee).No doubt
fuelled by my love of the manga AKIRA by Katsuhiro Otomo.
Sometimes we make our
own unique mementos, with little thought of the future, having at the
time only a thrust for knowledge.
[NOTE: May 7th.1990
“in the near future, you can see the movie AKIRA,” - “in
English theather”, it would be London a première January 25th.
1991 and then the rest of the UK – Edinburgh April 24th.
- 27th. - May 16th. - 17th.
Leicester]
[NOTE: That as of
24/05/2016, I have as yet to find more details on Channel 4's ' The
Media Show' introduction to Japanese comics and animation in and
around June or July of 1990.]
[NOTE: I did get the
VHS video of the 'AKIRA Production Report' from the American
distributor of the AKIRA movie STREANLINE PICTURES, but that is for
another time.]
Tuesday, 31 March 2015
May 1990 Pt.1 Anime V magazine.
Anime V - New Video
Magazine, Published by Gakken Co., Ltd. (学習研究社)
Consisting of 140 pages (including the front & back
covers), #5 May 1990 (Vol. 53).
Sadly
this is the only Anime magazine I still own from May 1990, so lets
see what LaserDiscs
and
VHS video
tapes were in focus at this time, what OVA's were sharp and pleasing
to the eye!
This short pictorial
introduction is used as an example to briefly show you the contents
and style of this Japanese Anime Magazine “Anime V ”, it
is not intended as full digital copy, but a historical glimpse.
The front Cover!
Animation College......
A retrospective on the
OVA's
of the year before! '89 OAV Best 10. (a A5 matt colour
booklet).
Yoroiden Samurai
Trooper: Kikôtei densetsu (the first OVA after the TV series had finished in March of 1989), Known to American viewers as Ronin Warriors, is on the right hand-side. Left and to the Top is "Bernard" a Zeon a mobile suit pilot from the OVA " Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket" - the first Gundam OVA , arguably the best spin-off after the forth Gundam film.
On the right hand-side the OVA "Aim for the Top!" better know in the West as "Gunbuster" its last volume of episodes 5 & 6 released in July of 1989.
On the right hand-side the OVA "Hades Project Zeorymer".
1. AV98-ingram from Patlabor, 2.....? 3. Gunbuster, 4. the "Alex" Gundam RX-78NT-1, 5.....?
Well it's the Contents
page! Figure it out for
yourself.
?
?
A-ko The VS Battle 1 Gray Side.
The Hakkenden (THE 八犬伝 Za Hakkenden)
?
The New Items.
The New Items.
The New Items.
??
?
?
Takegami
OVA No. 7 of Bubblegum
Crisis - "Double Vision"
OVA 'Sol Bianca'
Home entertainment
systems. (VCRs)
LENSMAN – Galactic
Patrol (episode 1 on sale 21st. of April, the next 5
episodes to be released on the 21st, 1 per month) [On Air
Series, not OVAs ]
The two logos that
appear are for the distributor “Pony Canyon” - the “PC” &
the “paw”.
The 25-episode series
aired from October 6, 1984 to August 8, 1985 in Japan – according
to online sources?!
OVA 'Sol Bianca' , OVA 'Hi-speed Jecy', Majin
Eiyûden Wataru.?
Fan Art.
?
OAV's - Gall Force, Hades Project Zeorymer, Iczer 3, Dangaio, AD Police.
Space battleship YAMATO.
As
I can not myself translate the Japanese details of the contents of
this magazine, are solely from the few English words and the
recognizable animation stills, and illustrations (that suited me
just fine back in the 1990's).
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