WHAT I WANT: Burst Angels

I've been looking forward to this one ever since I saw an article about it in NewType magazine. Bakuratsu Tenshi (Burst Angels) is not exactly the kind of anime that I am usually interested in. The whole "girls with guns" genre is usually hit or miss with me. For instance, I was never really impressed with the Dirty Pair anime, although I did like the Adam Warren version of the comic. But I was kind of impressed with Noir, but I think I liked it because it focused more on atmosphere than on the usual fan service. Judging from this article and a trailer I recently saw, Burst Angels looks like something of a Cowboy Bebop meets Dirty Pair meets Fullmetal Panic. And the character designs are not just hot, they are also pretty cool-looking. So I'm betting it will be fun on all kinds of levels. Volume 1 is due out May 10.

Satoshi Kon on NPR and Cartoon Network

There is a story on NPR reviewing Satoshi Kon and his eerily awesome anime TV series, Paranoia Agent. You can now listen to the review online.

And if you don't want to get the Paranoia Agent DVD you can start watching it on Cartoon Network starting May 28 at midnight, right after Samurai Champloo. Sweet.

Finally, some news on Afro Samurai

From AnimeNation:

The November 2004 report that Afro Samurai would be developed as a TV series for American release has now been confirmed. Actor Samuel L. Jackson will provide the voice for the protagonist of the Gonzo animated series Afro Samurai. The five episode series will air on Spike TV next year.

Production I.G. News

Of course I have to bring up any news from my favorite animation studio, Production I.G. So, here you go. From AnimeNation:

Production I.G. has officially announced development of an anime motion picture adaptation of CLAMP's Tsubasa - RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE manga series. The XXXHolic ~ Manatsu no Yoru no Yume (XXXHolic: Dark Dream of Summer) motion picture will be released this August as a double feature with the Tsubasa Chronicle ~ Tori Kago no Kuni no Himegumi (Tsubasa Chronicle: Princess of the Country of the Bird Cage) motion picture. Both films will be animated by Production I.G.

More Ghibli from Disney

From Anime News Network:

Walt Disney is set to release Pom Poko and My Neighbors the Yamadas on August 16th.

The movies, both directed by Isao Takahata, will be the first Takahata directed Ghibli films released by Walt Disney in North America. Takahata's Grave of the Fireflies is availabel from Central Park Media, and some of his pre-Ghibli work, such as Panda Go Panda, is available from other companies.

Last April it was reported that My Neighbors the Yamadas, Only Yesterday, and Pom Poko were to be released in November of that year.

You can also see a casting list for the movies here.