Gunota Headlines
Friday, December 30, 2005
MS Gundam: Climax UC
The upcoming PS2 game turns out to be an action title from the team who did Never Ending Tomorrow and Encounters In Space. Universal Century anime from UC 0079 through UC 0123 (Gundam F91) are confirmed. V Gundam mecha were intentionally excluded because it was felt that the 30 year gap between CCA and F91 presented a large enough problem in terms of the differences in MS performance. But it was hinted that some will be included as secret units. In addition to the main game, a Chronicle Mode allows one to be various non-main characters and a Progress Mode enables you to play through the various eras of the UC as an original protagonist. Other details mentioned were that the size of the game will surpass Encounters In Space and there'll be a card collection element (defeat an enemy, collect the card they drop). 90% complete at present.
HMV posted some details regarding the Limited Edition version.
CD 1 - BGM songs by Shigeaki Saegusa and Gackt
CD 2 - Movie "Mobile Suit Gundam" drama CD
DVD - Trailer to all 3 movies
The above information is subject to change so stay tuned.
Yahoo! Shopping lists "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY OST IV" will be available on Feb 15 for 3045 yen. It comes with 30 songs, mostly from the last coul of the show.
The previously mentioned "SEED DESTINY SUIT CD Vol. 9 - Athrun Zala x Infinite Justice Gundam" will come out on Jan 25 for 1575 yen.
It is only in Japanese, but IT Games has a 3 page review of the most recent Haro Ichiza game for Nintendo DS. The review itself contains plenty of game images.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
DiscStation now lists "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam - A New Translation Review" will be available on March 1. Two version will be available, the Limited Edition version for 3900 yen and regular version for 3300 yen. The Limited Edition version will come with a DVD and cover jacket illustrated by Naoyuki Onda.
Oricon posted their second round of year-end ranking articles, including one covering the best selling DVD's in Japan for the period 2004/12/6 through 2005/11/28. The top 10 anime DVD's were listed as follows:
1) Mr. Incredible (aka The Incredibles) - 743,360 copies sold
2) Howl's Moving Castle - 708,265 copies sold
3) Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (regular edition) - 209,759 copies sold
4) Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (limited edition) - 202,793 copies sold
5) Shark Tale Special Edition - 172,878 copies sold
6) Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: Heirs To The Stars - 138,215 copies sold
7) Finding Nemo - 136,185 copies sold
8) Shrek 2 Special Edition - 130,726 copies sold
9) Steamboy (regular edition) - 109,332 copies sold
10) Lilo & Stitch 2 - 107,381 copies sold
The 2005 newcomer artist sales ranking chart also has High And Mighty Color at #4 and Hitomi Takahashi at #12.
Lalabit Market announces a replica of Aina Sahalin's pendant watch, as seen in the 08th MS Team OVA, will be available in March for 26,250 yen.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Kadokawa's website lists Hisao Tamaki's "Z Gundam: Heirs To The Stars", Kotoni Shiroishi's "Z Gundam II: Lovers", and the first volume of the Wings Of Rean adaptation all coming out on February 25th.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Tamashii Web presents all 13 of its streaming promo movies to the public for viewing.
This month's Gundam power rankings in Gundam Ace.
Top 30 Male Characters
1) Kira Yamato - SEED DESTINY
2) Char Aznable - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
3) Athrun Zala - SEED DESTINY
4) Amuro Ray - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
5) Kamille Bidan - Zeta Gundam
6) Quattro Bageena - Zeta Gundam
7) Ramba Ral - MSG/The Origin
8) Shinn Asuka - SEED DESTINY
9) Anavel Gato - 0083
10) Rey Za Burrel - SEED DESTINY
11) Mu La Flaga - SEED DESTINY
12) Kai Shiden - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
13) Yzak Joule - SEED DESTINY
14) Kou Uraki - 0083
15) Rau Le Creuset - SEED
16) Heine Westenfluss - SEED DESTINY
17) Auel Neider - SEED DESTINY
18) Dearka Elsman - SEED DESTINY
19) Yazan Gable - Zeta Gundam
20) Lowe Guile - SEED DESTINY Astray
21) Domon Kashu - G Gundam
22) Heero Yuy - Wing
23) Garrod Ran - Gundam X
24) Duo Maxwell - Wing
25) Uso Evin - V Gundam
26) Shiro Amada - 08th MS Team
27) Apolli - Zeta Gundam
28) Bernald Wiseman - 0080
29) Gates Kappa - Zeta Gundam
30) Hathaway Noa - CCA
Top 30 Female Characters:
1) Lacus Clyne - SEED DESTINY
2) Lunamaria Hawke - SEED DESTINY
3) Sayla Mass - MSG/The Origin
4) Cagalli Yula Athha - SEED DESTINY
5) Haman Karn - Zeta Gundam/Portrait Of A Young Comet
6) Emma Sheen - Zeta Gundam
7) Four Murasame - Zeta Gundam
8) Murrue Ramius - SEED DESTINY
9) Stellar Loussier - SEED DESTINY
10) Meyrin Hawke - SEED DESTINY
11) Elpeo Ple - Gundam ZZ
12) Fa Yuiri - Zeta Gundam
13) Lalah Sune - MSG
14) Meer Campbell - SEED DESTINY
15) Cima Garahau - 0083
16) Flay Allster - SEED
17) Crowley Hamon - MSG/The Origin
18) Aina Sahalin - 08th MS Team
19) Sara Zabirov - Zeta Gundam
20) Mirai Yashima - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
21) Fraw Bow - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
22) Chan Agi - CCA
23) Talia Gladys - SEED DESTINY
24) Roux Rouka - Gundam ZZ
25) Shiho Hahnenfuss - SEED DESTINY
26) Reccoa Londe - Zeta Gundam
27) Tifa Adill - Gundam X
28) Asuna Elmarit - Ecole du Ciel
29) Ple Two - Gundam ZZ
30) Lila Milla Rira - Zeta Gundam
Top 30 MS:
1) Strike Freedom Gundam - SEED DESTINY
2) Zeta Gundam - Zeta Gundam
3) Hyaku Shiki - Zeta Gundam
4) Akatsuki - SEED DESTINY
5) Freedom Gundam - SEED DESTINY
6) Destiny Gundam - SEED DESTINY
7) Infinite Justice - SEED DESTINY
8) Qubeley - Zeta Gundam
9) Acguy - MSG/The Origin
10) Zaku II - MSG/The Origin
11) Nu Gundam - CCA
12) Gundam Mk-II - Zeta Gundam
13) Dom - MSG/The Origin
14) Gouf - MSG/The Origin
15) Gundam - MSG/The Origin
16) Sazabi - CCA
17) Legend Gundam - SEED DESTINY
18) DOM TROOPER - SEED DESTINY
19) GOUF Ignited - SEED DESTINY
20) Rick Dias - Zeta Gundam
21) Wing Gundam Zero - Wing: Endless Waltz
22) Kämpfer - 0080
23) Z'gok - MSG/The Origin
24) Providence Gundam - SEED
25) Char Zaku II - MSG/The Origin
26) Guncannon - MSG/The Origin
27) Asshimar - Zeta Gundam
28) Gaplant - Zeta Gundam
29) Gaia Gundam - SEED DESTINY
30) Strike Rouge - SEED
Forgot to mention this, but currently Bandai and Dengeki are working on MSiA Galbadly Beta ver. Titans Test Team and MSiA Marasai ver. Titans Test Team. The release date and price are unknown at the moment. These MSiA will be available through Dengeki Mail Order.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
The official Zeta III site finally got updated with some clickable contents. Some of the update are:
- Once again Lawson convenient stores will be taking orders for Zeta III tickets. This time around, people who reserve a ticket through Lawson will receive all 3 Zeta trilogy posters. The price is 1950 yen.
- The main casts are listed as Nobuo Tobita (Kamille Bidan), Shuichi Ikeda (Char Aznable), Yoshiko Sakakibara (Haman Karn), and Bin Shimada (Paptimus Scirocco).
- The site also confirms the movie will be 99 minutes long.
10th Anniversary MG kit
To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of MG kits, Bandai will be releasing "MG RX-78-2 Gundam MG 10th anniversary model". The kit will be based on the very first MG kit, the MG RX-78-2 ver1.0 with different colors. Decals are designed by Katsumi Kawaguchi (aka Kawaguchi meijin). The kit will be available in Asian countries except for Japan this December.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Moon Phase's miscellaneous notes site reports that Comic Gum's February issue says that Sunrise has greenlit a 3rd Gundam SEED work. No other solid details so far. The news has yet to be mentioned on their main site or their upcoming anime chart.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Sony Music Online Japan has audio clips from T.M. Revolution's "Under:Cover", his self-cover album commemorating the 10th anniversary of his debut. It consists of songs voted on by 40,000 fans from the 21 singles and 8 albums he's done since his first single, "Dokusai -monopolize-", was released in May 1996. All the fans who voted will be credited by nicknames chosen when they sent in their ballot. The limited edition version comes with a bonus CD and the album will be out on January 1st.
Bandai Museum's site announces that the Gundam Cafe will be closing on January 15th. Something new is being planned to take its place but no other details have been made available. Since the Bandai Museum opened on July 19th, 2003, the Gundam Cafe has served Gundam-themed food and drinks. A "Last Shooting" farewell party will take place the evening of January 14th.
The official site for the Keroro Gunsou/Kaiketsu Zorori movie has a full length trailer for the double-bill.
Bandai Namco Holding now has a press release outlining their newly reformed North America operations.
Group companies are:
- Bandai America - Toys
- NAMCO BANDAI Games America - Game software
- NAMCO CYBERTAINMENT INC. - Amusement facility
- NAMCO AMERICA INC. - Business machinery & tools
- NAMCO NETWORKS AMERICA INC. - Development and distribution of mobile contents
- Bandai Entertainment - Production, marketing, copyrights, management for movies, animes, etc
On the other news, Bandai Visual adjusted their sales forecast. The continuing strong sales of SEED DESTINY and strong reservation orders for the upcoming 0083 5.1ch DVD and Zeta II DVD were stated as reasons for the upward adjustment.
ITmedia put up a short article for the last Zeta movie. Nothing surprising as the plot will unfold like the TV series. Zeta III will be 99 minutes long.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
This month's Hobby Japan has a questionnaire asking readers what they'd like to see as an entry in the Extended MSiA line. Mecha lineart for the following MS were shown as candidates: Guncannon, Z'Gok, Gelgoog, Gyan, Hyaku-Shiki, Nu, God, Wing Zero (TV & EW versions), Master, X, F91, Sazabi, NT-1, GP01, GP01fb, Gundam Ground Type, EZ-8, GP02, GP03S, Gerbera Tetra, V, V2, Shining, Tallgeese, Double X, Aile Strike, Freedom, Justice, Strike Freedom, Infinite Justice, Gouf Custom, and Crossbone.
And a Hambrabi is also planned for the HCM-Pro line in the Spring.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
From Bandai Visual:
Zeta II Lovers special DVD will contain Tomino interview and footages of stage appearances at various theatres during its opening premiere.
MS IGLOO - The brand new OVA will consist of 3 episodes, which will be released on bi-monthly pace.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Now available online. The Gundam-relevant contents are on the lean side this month:
Haro Ichiza: Gundam Mahjong DS
Hobby info
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Over on the official site's movie section. In the background, Rina Aiuchi's theme song can be heard.
Play-Asia.com has this strategy game listed on their site with March 2nd release. Perhaps this week's Famitsu will have some info later.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Oricon put up an article about the top 10 highest selling anime theme songs of the year. The story notes that the trend of anime songs breaking into the music charts top 10 has been increasing since 2000 but, compared to last year, the number of such entries in 2005 was a big leap:
2000 - 8
2001 - 12
2002 - 18
2003 - 28
2004 - 24
2005 - 37
And the top 10 selling anime singles for the period covering 2004/12/6 through 2005/11/28:
1) "Asterisk" by Orange Range - 628,329 copies sold (Bleach)
2) "Gekkouka" by Janne Da Arc - 321,977 copies sold (Black Jack)
3) "Sukiyanen, Osaka/Oh! Enka/Mugendai" by Kan Johnny 8 - 238,826 copies sold (Nintama Rantaro)
4) "Link" by L'Arc~en~Ciel - 235,751 copies sold (Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa)
5) "Pride" by High And Mighty Color - 223,208 copies sold (Gundam SEED Destiny)
6) "vestige" by T.M. Revolution - 176,028 copies sold (Gundam SEED Destiny)
7) "Metamorphoze" by Gackt - 156,709 copies sold (Zeta Gundam: Heirs To The Stars)
8) "Kimi Wa Boku Ni Niteiru" by See-Saw - 156,172 copies sold (Gundam SEED Destiny)
9) "Kuroge Wagyuu Joushio Tanyaki 680 Yen" by Ai Ohtsuka - 149,134 copies sold (Black Jack)
10) "Wings Of Words" by Chemistry - 140,969 copies sold (Gundam SEED Destiny)
The latest Yahoo! Shopping Evolve Clip For Web is available.
A 2-page spotlight is up at the Yahoo! Gundam Hobby Collection page: 1, 2
The content online now reflects the announcement earlier in the week regarding Wings Of Rean's presence in the game. There's also more screenshots showing off the high-speed action, combination attacks, and the upgraded game system.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
The Daily Yomiuri Online put up an English article about toy manufacturers targeting the older male demographic. Though it's been online for a month, Bandai and Gundam are cited in particular so it's worth a read if you missed it.
On Bandai TV's site, the latest edition of Funnel B, a weekly streaming video series showcasing the company's merchandise, features the MG Zeta ver. 2.0. Simply click on the picture on the lefthand side of the page with the tiny MG Zeta image in it.
Jbook has some small promo pics from the 4th episode.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Seen in a promo poster at the Moe Yo! Akibajin Blog.
Famitsu reveals that the Nanajin from Wings Of Rean will also appear in Another Century's Episode 2.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Game Watch put up an article with promo pics about MS Gundam 0079: Card Builder hitting arcades in Japan today.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Rakuten's Be-J Shop lists UC Arms Gallery Vol. 2 as containing:
RX-78 beam rifle
RX-77 beam rifle
RX-79[G] beam rifle
RGM-79SC beam rifle
RX-79[G] 100mm machine gun
RX-79[G] 180mm cannon
Tamashii Web's Streaming section has a promo movie focusing on early entires in their Gundam Fix Figuration line. They also updated their Special section with coverage of the first UC Arms Gallery weapons set a few days ago.
MS Saga official site
The official site for the American version of Gundam: True Odyssey can be found here.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Not Gundam-related, but Sunrise is working on a new robot series called "Zegapain". Staff members are:
Director : Masami Shimoda
Chief Writer : Mayori Sekijima
Original Character Design : Hiroyuki Hataike
Character Designer : Akehiko Yamashita
Main Mecha Designer : Rei Nakahara
Saturday, December 10, 2005
The free net stream of ep1 "Uninvited One" is underway (with 7 hrs left as this article is being written). The official site now has the release dates for the rest of episodes:
Ep 2 "The King of Hojo" - April 21, 2006
Ep 3 - May 19, 2006
Ep 4 - June 16, 2006
Ep 5 - July 21, 2006
Ep 6 - August 18, 2006
Made by Cospa and available through Biglobe site, Wings of Rean T-shirts will be avaiable on late December priced at 3045 yen.
With less than 3 months away from the premiere, Zeta III site is online now taking over Zeta II.
Friday, December 09, 2005
The official site got a new look as it prepares for the "Apocalypse 0079" OVA series. The site also mentions the first 3 episodes will be available at DVD rental stores starting March 24. The "Apocalypse 0079" will take place during the last part of OYW from Oliver May's point of view.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
GamePro.com has a brief hands-on look at the American version of Gundam: True Odyssey, with screenshots.
Media Create lists SD Gundam Gashapon Wars for the Gamecube as #9 its first week out, selling 28,382 copies. Based on the data at Supreme Games for other Gundam-related GC games, Gashapon Wars' sales put it squarely between Pilot's Locus and Gundam Vs. Z Gundam.
Though it hasn't been announced for screenings at the Bandai Museum yet, NTT-X Store lists the 4th episode of MS IGLOO coming out on April 26. The title is given as "Apocalypse 0079: I Saw The Ocean In Jaburo's Skies".
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Anime On DVD posted a press release from Del Rey announcing the licensing of Masatsugu Iwase's Gundam SEED Destiny manga adaption. The first volume goes on sale in July.
Rakuten's Be-J shop has shots of the GFF Guncannon/Guncannon Mass Production Type.
GFF-Maniax also put up a small gallery of pics from World Character Convention 21, featuring the GFF Blue Destiny, GFF Guncannon, and Lord Of Byston Well Virunvee.
Monday, December 05, 2005
As pointed out on AnimeOnDVD, Bandai Entertainment seems to be putting their 1/1 Gundam F91 head up for auction.
A pic of the artbox that comes with the limited edition of Vol. 1 can be seen at AAA Anime.
The latest staff column shows director Imanishi, Kishiyama from Bandai, and mecha designer Izubuchi recording the audio commentary for episode 10. Even though Izubuchi was not a staff member for 0083, Imanishi chose him so they can talk about mecha.
