Not much has been said on the newsgroups yet about AnimeExpo, which seemed to be a fairly big success. ANN has gathered all the facts for you that we could find, but as more people catch up on sleep and start remembering what they were doing, we may run an update.
AnimeExpo, held every year in Anaheim, California, had an impressive guest list this year, including Hiroshi Hamasaki (animation director, Midnight Eye Gokuu I and II, Biohunter, new Vampire Hunter D), Sachiko Kamumura (Character designer, City Hunter TV, Heroic Legend of Arslan, Mama's a Fourth Grader), Hisashi Abe (Character Designer, Petshop of Horrors, Xebus, animation director on new Vampire Hunter D), Mika Akitaka (Mecha designer, Gundam Zeta, Gundam 0080, Gundam 0083, Nadesico, creator of Galaxy Fraulein Yuna), Toshihiro Kawamoto (character designer, Cowboy Bebop, Gundam 0083, Gundam 08th MS Team), Kazuko Tadano (character designer/animation director, Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon R TV & movie), Hiroyuki Ochi (director/creator/character designer, Sol Bianca II, Armitage III), Yoko Kanno (composer, Escaflowne, Macross Plus, Cowboy Bebop), and Hiromi Matsushita (animation director, Sailor Moon, original Vampire Hunter D, Guyver, SD Gundam, Granzort, Wataru I & II).
Pioneer confirmed the release of the TV series Trigun in eight volumes, starting in February. AnimeVillage announced forthcoming DVD's of Cowboy Bebop and Outlaw Star. A dub of Escaflowne is also being produced for release next February (which is being shopped around to TV stations) but we may see a DVD release before that. Manga Entertainment announced the rights to the much-saught-after Evangelion movies. The figure Gainax was asking for the license was supposedly astronomical, but apparently Manga was able to swing a deal. No word yet on previous rumors that Manga may ask ADV to dub the movies with their cast. AnimEigo had a surprise announcement this weekend: Through a deal with Harmony Gold, the original Macross TV series will see a subtitled DVD release (as well as VHS)! AnimEigo's Robert Woodhead has confirmed that the episodes will be seen "uncut, unedited, and digitally remastered". The boxed set containing all 36 episodes will be a limited edition run (with sign-up sheets available on their web site), but no word on whether there will be an individual tape volume release like Kimagure Orange Road will have. ADV announced a few new titles, namely the recent TV shows Sorcerous Stabber Orphen and Shin Getter Robo. ADV also has the rights to the live action Parasite Eve movie (based off the same novel as the Playstation RPG from SquareSoft), Tokyo Blue Police Branch 22, and Dragon Blue, all of which are live action as well. Viz Communications announced their aquisition of their second live action title, Hideaki Anno's live action project Love & Pop. Viz also acknowledged the problem with the subtitled version of Video Girl Ai and promised to replace all copies with the omitted scene.
