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Anime Lane
gundam wing news from www.pojo.com
05.23.01 It's been a while since we've had some good updates on the Gundam site. We are working on getting some new webmasters in here to get things kicking again.
04.19.01 Here's something kind of cool. Here's a list of the most popular videos. Take a look at the Top 10:
Weekly charts for the nation's most popular videos as they appear in the April 14, 2001, issue of Billboard magazine. (Compiled from a national sample of sales reports)
1. ``Meet The Parents,'' Universal Studios Home Video.
2. ``Remember The Titans,'' Walt Disney Home Video.
3. ``Silence Of The Lambs,'' MGM Home Entertainment.
4. ``Lady And The Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure,'' Walt Disney Home Video.
5. ``Farscape Premiere - I E.T.,'' A.D.V. Films.
6. ``Gladiator,'' DreamWorks Home Entertainment.
7. ``Gundam Wing: The Movie - Endless Waltz,'' Bandai Entertainment.
8. ``Playboy: The Complete Anna Nicole Smith $450 Million Playmate,'' Playboy Home Video.
9. ``Playboy: Girls Of The Hard Rock,'' Playboy Home Video.
10. ``Dinosaur,'' Walt Disney Home Video.
Okay ... who bought #7, and who bought #'s 8 & 9?
04.10.01 The Chicago Daily Herald ran this News article today about the Mobile Suit Gundam Invasion Tour 2001:
Young fans flock to play hottest Japanese import
By Cass Cliatt Daily Herald Staff Writer
"Mobile Suit Gundam" is the way of the future, Gundam fans said Friday.
Despite the rain, residents from throughout the Chicago area - young and old - made their way to the Wal-Mart parking lot in Rolling Meadows to pay homage to their Japanese animation hero.
Rolling Meadows is one of about 25 cities that is hosting a stop on the Mobile Suit Gundam Invasion Tour 2001, which continues its presence today and moves on to Naperville for a single-day stop Sunday.
"It's basically the future of the world," said 12-year-old David Gordon of Palatine, who leads a Gundam fan club.
He stood outside in a T-shirt, oblivious to a chilly wind as he devotedly played video games attached to a 53-foot trailer that featured the models, action figures, costumes and other items related to the Gundam saga.
"We're always trying to build robots, and this is basically robots piloted by humans," Gordon said.
Gundam, a product of Japanese Anime that has developed a large following similar to the Pokemon craze, is a set of series based on a boy who is the pilot of the innovative weapon Mobile Suit Gundam.
There are separate action figures for young children, but what has spawned the craze among adults is the complex model kits that are put together to make action figures.
Young Lee of Chicago stopped by the Gundam trailer and said her 4-year-old son gets models handed down from his 13-year-old cousin.
"We were shopping at Wal-Mat and he spotted the trailer and shouted "Gundam!" Lee said. "He can't even read, but he recognized the pictures" on the trailer.
A guide in a space outfit shows visitors displays in the trailer, including the "Gundam fans' Holy Graille." It's a case of 3-foot model figures that cost $200 - if residents can find them in the U.S. >>
04.04.01 - Hey everyone, I'm the newest staff member here, Douglas. I've actually been working for Pojo for under a year now, and Dragon Ball has gotten boring, so I work here too. I'll be bringing another staff member by the name of Kenny Wong with me, and according to the person who referred me to him, he is Gundam. I'll bring updates with me later, bye ^_^.
03.16.01 The high-style Gundam F91 saga will be released March 25 on DVD in Japan, 10 years after the original was released on video. The DVD will come in two versions: a 115-minute theatrical edition and a 120-minute complete edition. The complete edition will include an eight-page color booklet, trailers, promotional footage, and TV commercials.
Gundam F91 was released in 1991 and reunited the creative team behind Mobile Suit Gundam in an attempt to break away from the plot constraints of the One-Year War saga. While critically panned at the time, it nonetheless introduced string characters like Seabrook Arno and Cecily Fairchild. - Kit Kiefer
Pojo Gundam Site News: Dr. Core and Nightingale have decided to move on, and are no longer working on section of Pojo.com. In the few month they were here, they did a phenomenal job of keeping up with the latest news. Thanks guys, and good luck!!! - Pojo
03.07.01 - As reported previously on February 6, 2001, Bandai (U.S.A.) will unleash the State-wide Mobile Suit Gundam Invasion (formerly known as 'Gundam Wing Interactive Tour') between March and October 2001, a nation-wide promotion tour which aims to promote the Gundam saga via model-making workshops and presentations on the history of Gundam and anime. - Nightingale
03.06.01 - A new limited edition Gundam merchandise will be sold exclusively at the upcoming '20th Century Toy Museum' Exhibition (March 22 to April 2, 2001) to be held at the 6th floor of Daimaru Department Store in Kyoto, Japan:
- Limited version 1/144 Kado-Senshi RX-78/C.A. Casval's Gundam chogokin action figure (¥4900), featuring custom colour scheme as shown in Sega Saturn's Giren's Greed: Blood of Zeon video game.
This release will be similar to last year exhibition's special release, the 1/144 Kado-Senshi RX-78-3 G-3 Gundam (¥4500; out of production), which feature unqiue coloring scheme previous shown in Bandai's MSV illustrations. - Nightingale
03.02.01 - News round-up for March 2 (lots of them :) :
Bandai releases the following "Mobile Suit in Action" Gundam action figure series in Hong Kong:
- RX-75 Guntank, featuring transparent head cockpit, movable shoulder cannons, arms and torso (¥1500 at HK$75);
- MSM-09 Dom (special edition Okawara's Illustration version, featuring color schemes by Kunio Okawara originally for Gundam 0079 movie's posters; ¥1000 at HK$60).
Also, Gundam Perfect Web (Japan) previews the lineart for the upcoming 1/100 Master Grade RX-78GP03S Gundam Dendrobium Stamen (featured in Gundam 0083 OVA; ¥3500) to be released in April 2001. Beside the fully extendable 'folding arms', the MG GP03S will also include a previously unreleased Core Fighter / Core Block Syetem which can dock with the MS.
Moreover, GPW also previews the linearts for the following 1/144 HGUC models - both featured in Gundam (0079) animations - scheduled for April-May release:
- RGM-79 GM (04/2001; ¥700); and
- RX-78-2 Gundam (inc. a separate Core Fighter; 05/2001; ¥1000)
Production for the original 1/144 HG Gundam will be terminated this month in anticipation of the new HGUC version.
On this month's new books, Hobby Japan releases Gundam Weapon: Char's Counterattack Special Edition (ISBN4-89425-246-5; A4 size, 136 pages; ¥1500), a compilation of modelling works and conversions featured in the previous issues of Hobby Japan magazines featuring 1/100 Master Grade nu-Gundam, Sazabi, and other MG conversions / GKs of mechas from Char's Counterattack motion picture. It is now available in Hong Kong at HK$120 (US$15.42).
Also, Kadokawa Shoten (Japan) releases PS2 Mobile Suit Gundam G-Graphix 0079 (ISBN4-04-70706-1; ¥1400), a compilation of CG graphics and artworks featured in Sony PlayStation 2's Mobile Suit Gundam (0079) video game. It is now available in Hong Kong at the airpost price of HK$170 (US$21.85). - Nightingale
03.01.01 - Previously available as imports from Hong Kong, Bandai's "Mobile Suit in Action" (MSiA) RX-78-3 G-3 Gundam action figure is now available for Japanese markets at ¥1000. - Nightingale
03.01.01 - From Pojo Magazine Editor, Kit Kiefer:
While much was made at Toy Fair about Bandai's new Mobile Suit Gundam games for the PlayStation 2, don¹t forget about Capcom¹s upcoming Gundam video game.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation Vs. Zeon for the Naomi / Dreamcast features two-a-side fighting and lets you define play modes and roles. You can play on the Federation side or the Zeon side and in Cooperative mode or Battle mode, with your choices determining whether the second player or the game¹s character will be your ally or enemy.
The game works such that you win the battle when the enemy's War Potential Gauge drops to 0. As long as there¹s something left in the tank according to the War Potential Gauge, you can give a downed allied-force mobile unit a shot of reviving gauge energy, no matter how many times it¹s been defeated.
Federation Vs. Zeon has 12 stages and 11 playable characters (six from the Federation and five from Zeon). During battle, characters are controlled by four buttons: Shoot, Fight, Jump and Target. You can combine the buttons for special attacks and maneuvers. Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation Vs. Zeon will be released in Japan later this spring.
02.28.01 - Gundam Perfect Web (Japan) previews the 1/100 Master Grade MSN-100 Type-100 (featured in Z Gundam TV series; ¥4500) to be released in March 2001. Beside the fully gold-plated body, the model's moveable frame structure makes it possible to exchange thruster backpack with 1/100 MG RX-178 Gundam Mk-II!
Also, Bandai's latest SD Gundam GGeneration-F's model, MAN-08 Elmeth (¥400) is now available in Japan and Hong Kong at HK$25. - Nightingale
02.25.01 - To commorate the U.S. TV broadcast of Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz OVA last year, Bandai re-issued the 1/100 HG Wing Gundam Zero Custom: Special Operation Type (¥3000), which is identical to the regular 1/100 HG Wing Gundam Zero Custom model except all white body parts (wing binders, head, arms and legs, shoulder panels) are coated in a flat-silver. It is now available in Hong Kong for HK$170 (US$21.85).
Also, Bandai has released its latest "Mobile Suit in Action" (MSiA) Gundam action figure series exclusively manufactured for Japan's Hyper Hobby magazine:
- MS-09/C.A. Dom (Char's Aznable's Custom) (¥1400)
- MS-06Fs/G.Z. Zaku II Commander Type (Garma Zabi's Custom) (¥1400)
These mail-order only releases are exclusive to Hyper Hobby's readers inside Japan. - Nightingale
02.23.01 - Mediaworks (Japan) releases Gundam Models Manual 5: Mobile Suit Gundam - The One Year War Special Edition 3rd: "Encounters in Space" (ISBN4-8402-1765-3; ¥1500), the 3rd and final of a three-volume compilation of modelling works featured in the previous issues of Dengeki Hobby magazines inc various One Year War MS models and dioramas. It is now available in Hong Kong at the airpost price of HK$150 (US$19.3). Also, Kadokawa Shoten (Japan) releases Newtype 100% Collection: Turn-A Gundam (vol.2) (ISBN4-04-853317-7; ¥2800), the 2nd and final of a two-volume Turn-A Gundam TV series reference guide, covering erisode 28-50 including episode guides, chara and mecha illustration / analysis and other features. It is now available in Hong Kong at the airpost price of HK$300 (US$38.56).
Also, Bandai's 1/100 Master Grade MS-07B3 Gouf Custom featured in The 08th MS Team OVA (inc. 1/20 Norris Packard figurine; ¥3000) is now available in Hong Kong at HK$170 (US$21.85). - Nightingale
02.20.01 A few of us Pojo.com & Pojo's World Staff were fortunate enough to attend Toy Fair 2001 in New York Last week. Here's a detailed Gundam Report from Pojo's Magazine Editor Kit Kiefer:
Cartoon Network will be airing 75 episodes from four Gundam sagas starting this spring – Mobile Suit Gundam, 08th MS Team, War In The Pocket, and Stardust Memories – and Bandai will be making toys, model kits and figures for all of them.
The announcement of Cartoon Network’s ambitious plans for Gundam was surprising on multiple fronts: First, it was surprising that it was made by Bandai at Toy Fair, and then it was surprising because Cartoon Network had previously stated it wasn’t interested in some of these series, particularly the 23-year-old Mobile Suit Gundam.
While Bandai didn’t say if Cartoon Network would be airing the recently prettied-up version of Mobile Suit Gundam, certainly that version’s existence played a part in CN’s decision.
While MSG has the most miles on its clock, the remaining three series aren’t exactly low-mileage, either. The newest of the bunch is Stardust Memories (1996), followed by War In The Pocket (1991) and 08th MS Team (1989). Still, the series have aged well and have retained much of their power, and among them they pretty much cover the One-Year War start to finish.
But will North American audiences care about the One-Year War? For Cartoon Network and Bandai, that question carries with it some substantial risk.
In fact, 2001 is full of risks for Bandai, a traditional company whose normal idea of risk is releasing a Power Rangers vehicle that doesn’t transform into an armored dinosaur.
Risk No. 1 is Bandai’s commitment to anime series that are big hits in Japan but have yet to establish themselves stateside. Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Pilot Candidate, Escaflowne, and Big O get action figures, as Bandai tries to keep these series to itself and away from niche manufacturers like Palisades that are making deep inroads (not to mention money) in the growing specialty market.
Risk No. 2 is Bandai’s gamble that American Gundam fans will be just as crazy about model-making as Japanese Gundam fans.
Bandai will be releasing model kits featuring mobile suits from all the Gundam sagas, from Mobile Suit Gundam to Gundam Wing (henceforth grouped together by Bandai under the “Mobile Suit Gundam” name). There will be five levels of kits available, with suits from the various sagas featured at every level.
The five-inch Level 1 kits ($8.99) feature 65 multicolored parts and more than 18 points of articulation. Wing Gundam, Shenlong Gundam, Gundam Deathscythe, Gundam Heavyarms, Gundam Sandrock Tallgeese, Vayeate, Mercurius, Epyon, and Tallgeese II will be available in March.
Add two more points of articulation and five more parts and you have Level 2 kits ($14.99). Wing Gundam Zero, Altron Gundam, Gundam Deathscythe Hell, GM Command RGM-79G, GM Command RGM-79GS, Z’Gock EMSM-07/E, and Zaku FZ MS-06FZ will also be released in March.
Also at $14.99 are the Level 3 kits, which have more than 80 pieces and 25 points of articulation. Releasing from March through June are Gundam Heavyarms Custom, Gundam Sandrock Custom, Tallgeese III, Serpent Custom, RX-78 Gundam, RX-75, RX-77-2, MS-06S Char’s Zaku, MS-07B, YMS-15, MSM-03, MS-18E, Wing Gundam Zero Custom, Gundam Deathscythe Hell Custom, Gundam Nataku, RX-79 (G) Gundam, RX-79 (G) Gundam Ez8, RGM-79 (G) GM, MS-06J Zaku II, MS-07B3 Gouf Custom, Geelgoog-J MS-14JG, RX-78 Gundam NT-1, RGM-79 (G) GM Sniper, MS-07H8 Gouf Flight Type, MSM-07 Z-Gok, MSM-03/C Hygog, and Rick-D
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