Anime Today interviews producer and director Jonathan Klein!
Posted on: Friday, April 13, 2007
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Episode run down:
For this episode, we’ll be joined by the vice president of New Generation Pictures, Jonathan Klein, who will be talking to us about getting into the anime business, as well as some of their latest releases including Ergo Proxy and Hellsing Ultimate.
Chad’s come in from the cold to start out the episode with his rundown of What’s Hot in the world of anime and manga. See if you can guess whether the plot is real or not in Uso Deshou, and then we’ll have Shawne with a Downpour of Deals on Del Rey manga and books. Then listen in on the first of three parts of Jonathan’s interview.
Catch up on the latest contests with Rich and Nick and then join Kris and Judy as they talk about this year’s hanami and the blossom forecast in Japan. In part two of Jonathan’s interview, we’ll discuss his latest projects Ergo Proxy and Hellsing Ultimate. Marie tackles the lush and beautiful Funimation release, Origin: The Movie, followed by Judy-sensei talking about cherry blossoms in the Mini Japanese 101 lesson. The final part of our interview with Jonathan Klein brings us to his opinion of the future of the anime industry and how fans can influence it. Taking us out this episode are a few customer reviews from our online store at RightStuf.com.
Jonathan Klein
Jonathan Klein is the vice-president, co-founder and co-owner of New Generation Pictures, Inc., a company that has been translating, subtitling and dubbing anime for such major companies as Geneon, Bandai, Urban Vision, Central Park Media, The Right Stuf and TOKYOPOP. During the last Nine years, New Generation Pictures has worked on more than 250 different projects for both U.S. and international release. Jonathan's work has mainly been as the producer of both English dubbed and subtitled versions for anime, including; Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate, Gun x Sword, Kamichu, R.O.D the TV, DearS, Daphne in the Brillant Blue, The Melody of Oblivion, Ghost Talker Daydream, Ikki Tousen, I My Me! Strawberry Eggs, NieA Under 7, Amazing Nurse Nanako and many other titles. Jonathan also directed the English language versions of Haibane Renmei, Texhnolyze, Melody of Oblivion and Anime Insider Magazine “Best Dub of 2004”, Paranoia Agent. His current project is directing the English language version of Ergo Proxy for Geneon. Besides anime, Jonathan has also directed several video game projects for Square Enix and Namco, including Time Crisis 4, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, and Romancing Saga and several other games that he hopes he can talk about by the time of this convention. Beyond working as producer and director, Jonathan's responsibilities also include scriptwriting, script adaptation and even working behind the microphone as a voice actor. Jonathan has voice acted in such shows as Ergo Proxy, Rumiko Takahashi Anthology, Kamichu, Girls Bravo, Gun x Sword, Burst Angel and Beck. And for the last 10 years he was a columnist for the Japanese movie magazine, Roadshow where he wrote about the business of the Hollywood film industry. This is his first time attending Anime Next.
New Generation Pictures:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Generation_Pictures
Anime News Network: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=10
Jonathan Klein:
Anime News Network: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=5066
What's Hot?
Fourteen years have passed since the “Hammer of Eden,” a natural disaster of apocalyptic proportions flooded more than 90% of the Earth’s land and nearly decimated the entire human race. The survivors form a New United Nations with an idealistic goal: the creation of a world unbound by the bonds of race and religion. However, there are those who disagree with the organization’s diplomatic mission. And when the one man in command of the few remaining nuclear subs decides to mold the world according to his own views, one family could be torn apart and the fate of mankind could be at stake! The new aquatic, military adventure Tide-Line Blue makes its North American DVD debut on May 15th!
As a boy, Argentum was a poison tester for the royal family. Later, he developed immunity to toxic substances and, along the way, he also became a master chemist with the ability to cure any illness. When he returns after a long absence, he is assigned to be the princess’s bodyguard. But any potential relationship between the two will have its limits: Argentum’s very touch has become poisonous. Is this something they can overcome? Find out when Tomomi Yamashita’s manga Apothecarius Argentum, Graphic Novel 1 is released on May 16th.
Meek and mild-mannered Rokuro Okajima is a young businessman stuck in middle-management hell. That is, until a group of violent mercenaries transform his seemingly innocent business trip into a full-blown hostage situation! Now he’s under their gun, and his former employers want him dead. From Madhouse comes one of this year’s most highly anticipated action series! It’s sink or swim when Black Lagoon, available with standard or limited-edition packaging, debuts on May 22nd.
Are you a time traveler, an ESPer or an alien? If not, you’re boring! Well… at least that’s what Haruhi Suzumiya thinks! A cute, but exceedingly eccentric, high school girl, she’s not the kind to open up to others very easily… but when she meets Kyon, a typical high school guy, everything begins to change! Become a member of her “SOS Brigade” when The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya makes its much-anticipated debut on May 29th.
The Chunin Exam continues and squad mates Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura face their deadliest challenge yet: Deep in the Forest of Death, they must battle rival genin to collect the scrolls of Heaven and Earth! It’s no easy task, but is there an even darker force at work? Something evil is afoot, and it’s after Sasuke! Find out what happens next, when the Naruto Uncut DVD Box Set 3 is released, in both regular and special editions, on May 29th.
It’s time for the Sports Festival, and everyone’s having fun! Except for Hiroyuki. He’s oddly detached and talking with others only seems to agitate him. What could be the cause of his strange behavior? Clumsy, terrified of dogs and constantly comparing life to her favorite manga, Rio keeps running into Hiroyuki. Is it fate that keeps bringing these two together? And there’s something… different… about Kotone. She’s a shy, beautiful girl with flowing lavender hair, but no one goes near her or is willing to even talk about her. What could she have done to be so completely shunned by the rest of the world? Make new friends and discover the anime that’s a fan favorite on both sides of the Pacific: To Heart, Vol. 2: Finding Courage will be available on May 29th!
Save 25% or more on these titles by preordering them from RightStuf.com at least 10 days before their street dates. Get another 10% off by joining the Got Anime purchasing club for Frequent Buyers.
Shawne's Specials and A Downpour Of Deals!
Every week I retire to the lair on Thursday to consider my next step towards total world wallet domination. The marker pens fly on the whiteboard with figures and dates, and sinister plans. I think I have everything mapped out in a massive savings onslaught beginning this week and running until... Well... July or so.
Counter springtime showers with the kind of downpour that's always welcome: Take 33% off the retail price of ALL manga and books published by Del Rey – from the latest volumes of Eternal Sabbath, Genshiken, Negima!, Nodame Cantabile and School Rumble to pre-orders of hot new manga releases such as Le Chevalier d'Eon, Parasyte and Princess Resurrection!
From now until April 18, take 33% OFF the retail price of ANY Del Rey product - current or preorder! What a great way to catch up on a few series, or try something new!
Just use the reusable coupon code DOWNPOUR when you check out through RightStuf.com!
Members of our Got Anime purchasing club can stack their membership discount for even more savings! This means you have the potential to save up to 40% OFF! Check out www.gotanime.com for details on how you can start saving today! Or, when placing your order, add a membership and start taking advantage of the savings with your first order.
Not sure which products are included in the sale? Just click on the "Del Rey Downpour" graphic on the upper right hand corner of our main webpage. A listing will pop up of all the great titles that are eligible!
Now, you might also want to check out the weekly specials - there are some great deals in there, includng some bundles I wanted to mention that you might want to grab!
I’ve broken up the classic Urusei Yatsura TV series into 5 DVD bundles at $99.99 each. This is a savings of $149 on each bundle, or, if you pick up the whole series, a savings of almost $750!
But wait - there’s more! I have also bundled up the 6 Urusei Movies in a bargain bundle for $67.99, and the 6 Urusei OVAs into a bundle for just $47.99! If you already have pieces of the show, I have placed the singles into the bargain bin, you can grab them there to fill out your collection.
Speaking of the bargain bin - you might want to browse this area next time you’re at the site. Great specials and deals, some items as low as 99 cents! Here’s a quick direct link - www.rightstuf.com/bargains.
We’re off a bit from the normal sale schedule, with the Del Rey savings ending next week - and Thursday continues the savings onslaught - make sure to check the site April 19 to see what the Dark Lord has in store for your wallet.
See all of Shawne's Weekly Specials!
Check out the Bargain Bin!
Right Stuf Contests and Updates
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Congratulations to the winners of our most recent Gravitation giveaway: Eddie N of Melbourne, Florida and Bilenda F of Corpus Christi, Texas! Each of you just won one of the latest plushies: Shuichi in his dog suit!
Next up, we have a new contest for the Gravi fans, and if you’ve been looking for a fun way to tote around your gear, you may be in luck: We’re giving away three Gravitation bags featuring “Suitcase Shuichi”! Stop by gravitation.rightstuf.com and click on the contest link for your chance to win. Just be sure to get your entry in soon. The winners will be announced on our May 11th podcast!
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Check out our newly re-launched site for Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars at shingu.rightstuf.com. The thinpak will be “landing” at RightStuf.com and retailers near you on April 24th, but right now, you can find out more about the series, download new wallpapers and avatars, and – of course – enter our new SHINGU contest! Play our SHINGU match game for your chance to win the entire series on DVD with the exclusive first-run art box and T-shirt! (PLUS, five runners-up will also receive SHINGU t-shirts!) Time’s running out for this contest, so go to shingu.rightstuf.com before April 27th to get your entry in! We’ll be announcing our winners on the NEXT episode of Anime Today!
Also, be sure to stop by official Shingu forum on AnimeOnDVD.com: Tell us why you like and recommend Shingu, and you may be eligible for a Shingu-inspired treat!
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The Anime and Gamer's Guide with Kris and Judy
Guide to Cherry Blossom Viewing:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011.html
2007 Cherry Blossom Forecast:
http://www.excite.co.jp/season/sakura/
Marie's DVD Review: Origin
It’s not very often that a film manages to successfully blend together a feeling of exotic art with all the hallmarks of a heart-pumping action flick, but when it does, there’s nothing quite like it. The latest film to succeed in this rare category is Gonzo’s Origin: Spirits of the Past, and if you’ve been looking for a feast for your eyes to go with that bowl of popcorn, than look no further.
Origin opens quietly with a bit of backstory explaining the arrogance of man and the revenge of the forest painted on dreamy backdrops of lush greenery. The exact nature of that revenge becomes clear as the animation and action suddenly kick into high gear and the movie explodes on the screen. A protected forest growing on the moon bursts to life, molding itself into great dragons of vines, leaves and flowers that burrow deep into the moon’s surface and out the other side before hurtling down into the Earth’s atmosphere to take on the humans there…
It doesn’t go well for mankind.
Now 300 years later, the fractured moon hangs in the sky surrounded by an asteroid belt of its own debris. Water on earth has become scarce, and humanity has split into three main factions. There are the Ragna, who still war with the forest; the Zruids, who have taken the forest’s side and jealously guard its precious water resources; and the denizens of Neutral City, who live in-between Ragna territory and the jungle and attempt to live in harmony with both. One of the citizens of Neutral City is Agito, a brash young boy whose attempt to steal some of the forest’s water results in a surprising discovery when a blinking red light leads him to an ancient machine and the girl frozen within. Her name is Toola. She’s been asleep for 300 years… and may hold the secret to restoring the world.
With its naturalistic themes, delight in industrial technology, and insistence on presenting both sides of the conflict, Origin resembles a cross between a Miyazaki movie and a Tezuka film generously layered with Studio Gonzo’s trademark slick animation. Gonzo’s touch particularly shines through in the machines, ranging from long winding trains to giant spider-like cannons to gears big enough to move a mountain. Despite their fantasticalness, each one has sort of a “real” quality about it that gives it weight, and you could easily picture any of them existing outside of their digital canvas.
The sets are also a site to behold. When we are first introduced to the town and forest, it's by way of a fantastic vertical race from the heights of the city down mountain trails and ladders into the depths of the forest. There’s a real feeling of scale and permanence, which can be rare especially in movies, where you only have an hour and a half to tell the story.
Everywhere you can see the extraordinary attention to detail and background, and not just in terms of animation. Everything that makes up Origin’s world, from the distinct clothing styles of the different factions to precious drops of water being collected on a dirty glass pane, adds a feeling of depth to the movie. You get the idea that there’s more to explore than could be ever covered in 90 minutes. Possibly the best example is actually the supporting cast. While Toola and Agito are the undeniable stars, it’s the other characters that lend a sense of rich, vibrant communities surviving despite the odds. Despite their relatively short time on screen, each one is remarkably fleshed out, and I’m confident they could easily carry movies of their own.
But while Origin is undeniably a work of care and art, and it’s worth watching for the opening sequence alone, it’s also worth recognizing that it has plenty of chase scenes, battles, and explosions to balance it out. It’s a perfect theater flick, and I wish I’d been able to catch it when it was making the film festival rounds last fall.
Assuming you’re not lucky enough to have a Japanese theater playing near you, I’d suggest gathering up a group of friends to watch Origin: Spirits of the Past on as big a screen as you can get your hands on. And when you do watch, make sure you stick around through the end credits. Not only are there a couple of extra scenes, but Origin rounds itself out with one of the most beautiful ending themes I’ve heard this year.
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