Wednesday August 20, 2008

Anime Iowa 2008

Alison, Nick and myself at the Anime Iowa Right Stuf and Nozomi panel.

More Anime Iowa 2008 photos.

Monday April 21, 2008

Anime Today Forums

Just launched on Friday: Anime Today Forums

Thursday April 17, 2008

ANIME TODAY Interviews VIZ Media VP Gonzalo Ferreyra

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Gonzalo Ferreyra – the vice president of sales, publishing and home video for VIZ Media– to episode 64 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Ferreyra discusses how anime and manga are interconnected, plus the challenges and opportunities that arise when both anime and manga components of a series are available in the same market.

Also in Episode 64:

• Chad tells listeners “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga.
• Just back from the Tokyo International Anime Fair, Shawne shares his photos and impressions of the event.
• Stan Dahlin, founder, guest relations and events chair of Kawaii Kon 2008, previews the event, which takes place on the weekend of April 18-20 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
• L.B. Bryant, the webmaster of Otaku Review, reports on Sakura-Con 2008’s industry panels and musical guests, plus shares details about his interview with actor/director Todd Haberkorn.
• Shawne reminds listeners about the last days of “The Savings You Seek” on DVDs and more from FUNimation.
• Rich and Nick remind listeners about the contest for the first two volumes of the Del Rey manga Fairy Tail and about updates to the official site for The Third: The Girl With the Blue Eye.
• Marie checks out the Clamp Double Feature, a two-disc set that includes Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom and xxxHOLiC: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
• Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com release, Echo Park by advantage Lucy.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 64 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Tuesday April 01, 2008

ANIME TODAY Interviews Del Rey Manga Associate Publisher Dallas Middaugh

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Dallas Middaugh – associate publisher for Del Rey Manga – to episode 63 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, two-segment interview, Middaugh discusses his career in the publishing industry, the start of Del Rey’s manga imprint, the state of the North American manga industry and its relationship with manga fans, Del Rey’s upcoming collaboration projects with Marvel Comics (X-Men and Wolverine) and Dean Koontz (Odd Thomas), and what Del Rey Manga has in store for in 2008, including Faust and the launch of Fairy Tail, a new title from Hiro Mashima (Rave Master)

Also in Episode 63:

• Chad tells listeners “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga.
• Rich reminds fans about the last three days of the “Spring Cleaning Clearance” at RightStuf.com.
• Kris and Judy have “spring break” on the brain and talk about visiting onsen in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of the contest for Dragon Ball Z video games on several game platforms and kick off a new contest for the first two volumes of the Del Rey manga Fairy Tail.
• Marie checks out the new anime Tweeny Witches.
• Judy-sensei teaches listeners onsen-related words in this episode’s installment of Japanese 101.
• Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com release, Time Machine RK by Rocket K.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 63 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Saturday March 08, 2008

ANIME TODAY Talks Manga With TOKYOPOP’s Stu Levy

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Stu Levy – the president, C.E.O. and Chief Creative Officer of TOKYOPOP – to episode 61 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Levy discusses how he was introduced to Japanese pop culture, the challenges of pioneering the right-to-left manga format in North America, the effects of a saturated manga market, how TOKYOPOP differentiates itself from other publishers, social networking, his company’s film and television projects, his personal favorite titles and what TOKYOPOP has in store for 2008.

Also in Episode 60:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime and manga.
• Shawne reminds fans about the “Bebop ‘n’ Bargains” on titles from Bandai Entertainment.
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of the contest for a New York Anime Festival souvenir package and unveil a new contest for Dragon Ball Z video games on several game platforms.
• Marie checks out Mine Yoshizaki’s Sgt. Frog manga.
• Judy-sensei talks about “coming and going” in a new Japanese 101 lesson.
• Judy-sensei gets sentimental in the newest Japanese 101 lesson.
• Listen to musical clips from the recent JapanFiles.com release, Greetings from Tokyo by Ketchup Mania.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 61 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Sunday February 17, 2008

ANIME TODAY Interviews Anna Morrow, the Voice of “Honoka” in THE THIRD

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Anna Morrow – the voice of “Honoka” in THE THIRD: THE GIRL WITH THE BLUE EYE – to episode 60 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Morrow talks about how she recently got her start in the world of anime voice acting, her first big role as the heroine and the lead character of THE THIRD, and what sets “Honoka” apart from all the other characters she’s played.

Also in Episode 60:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
• Shawne reminds fans about the “Sensational Savings” on titles from Manga Entertainment.
• Kris and Judy talk about Valentine’s Day and White Day in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles contest and remind listeners about the contest for a New York Anime Festival souvenir package.
• Marie checks out the shoujo fantasy manga Shugo Chara by Peach-Pit.
• Judy-sensei gets sentimental in the newest Japanese 101 lesson.
• Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com.
• Marie fields a listener’s question about manga for younger teen (and “tween”) readers.
• Listen to musical clips from the recent JapanFiles.com release, Go on by Swinging Popsicles.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 60 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Friday February 01, 2008

ANIME TODAY Interviews FUNimation Founder & C.E.O. Gen Fukunaga

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Gen Fukunaga – the founder and C.E.O. of FUNimation Entertainment – to episode 59 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, 45-minute interview, Fukunaga discusses the challenges of the current North American anime marketplace, the move toward online distribution and packaged anime collections, the advantages of having an in-house dub studio, and FUNimation’s plans for the rest of 2008.

Also in Episode 59:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
• Shawne reminds fans about the “Super Savings” they can find on select ADV Films titles.
• Kris and Judy talk about Japanese slang in a new installment of the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
• Marie discusses the anime adaptation of The Twelve Kingdoms.
• Rich and Nick announce the winner of the Viz Pictures contest for a Love*Com gift pack, remind listeners about the contest celebrating the new TV season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and kick-off a new contest for a New York Anime Festival souvenir package.
• Judy-sensei teaches a crash course on anime slang in the latest Japanese 101 lesson.
• Chad Diederichs joins us for a preview Katsucon’s 14th annual convention, which takes place on the weekend of February 15-17, in Washington, D.C.
• Listen to musical clips from the recent JapanFiles.com release, Fresh Cuts From Japan CD 2.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 59 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Sunday January 06, 2008

ANIME TODAY Looks at the Year in Anime With Chris Beveridge of AnimeOnDVD.com

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Chris Beveridge – the founder and webmaster of Anime On DVD (AnimeOnDVD.com), – to episode 57 of ANIME TODAY.

In this “anime year in review,” Beveridge shares his thoughts about 2007’s biggest anime stories, industry trends in licensing and packaging, the future of high-def anime and what fans can look forward to in 2008.

Also in Episode 57:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
• Shawne reminds fans about the final days of Right Stuf’s BIG New Year’s Clearance sale.
• Dustin Phillips, chairperson of Ohayocon 2008, previews the signature events, panels and more that await for those attending the eighth annual convention in Columbus, Ohio.
• Kris and Judy talk about new video games, available in Japan and in North America, that can help anime fans keep their New Year’s resolutions in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of our contest for Geneon Entertainment “Volume 1” gift packs and kick off a new contest for a Love*Com gift pack from Viz Pictures.
• Marie recommends the Hell Girl anime.
• Judy-sensei starts 2008 with a new Japanese 101 lesson.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 57 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Friday December 21, 2007

ANIME TODAY Interviews VIZ Media’s Wendy Shimamura

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Wendy Shimamura – associate product manager for VIZ Media’s Home Entertainment division – to episode 56 of ANIME TODAY – to episode 56 of ANIME TODAY.

In this all-new interview, Shimamura discusses the highlights of VIZ Media’s 2007 anime releases, its download-to-own products and Toonami Jetstream project, next-generation formats, growing the shoujo anime market, the challenges facing the anime industry and what’s coming up in 2008.

Also in Episode 56:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
• Shawne provides an update to the “12 Days of Anime” – a second “Bundle of Anime Joy”(!) – with an assist from the Right Stuf Glee Club. (Remember: The promotion only lasts through midnight on December 25, 2007.)
• Kris and Judy share a list of Japan’s “hot products” for 2007 in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of the Anime Today and Nozomi Entertainment MySpace contest and remind listeners about the contest for Geneon Entertainment “Volume 1” gift packs.
• Marie recommends the manga Her Majesty’s Dog by Mick Takeuchi.
• Judy-sensei teaches about “New Year’s” greetings in the latest installment of Japanese 101.
• Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 56 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Tuesday December 11, 2007

Right Stuf's ANIME TODAY Interviews Writer, Director & Voice of SPEED RACER Peter Fernandez

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome actor, writer and director Mr. Peter Fernandez – the voice “Speed” and “Racer X” in the classic 1960s Speed Racer anime – to episode 55 of ANIME TODAY.

In this all-new interview, conducted just before the New York Anime Festival, Mr. Fernandez discusses getting started in the entertainment business, how adapting and directing anime has changed over the years, his roles in the new Speed Racer live-action movie and animated series, and why the Speed Racer story has an impact on audiences.

While Mr. Fernandez is best-known to anime fans as an actor and as the writer and director for Speed Racer, he also wrote, directed and performed in a variety of dubs for classic programs including Marine Boy, Star Blazers, Ultraman and some of the Godzilla films, was responsible for ADR work for live-action films such as A Fist Full of Dollars, and even more recently directed the animated series Courage the Cowardly Dog for the Cartoon Network.

Also in Episode 55:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime and manga.
• Shawne – and the Right Stuf Glee Club – chime in with the details of this year’s “12 Days of Anime,” which lasts through midnight on December 25, 2007.
• Kris and Judy discuss the rules foreign visitors now encounter when entering Japan in the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of the Viz Pictures’ Gackt: Greatest Filmography and Ping Pong contests, kick-off a new contest Geneon Entertainment “Volume 1” gift packs, and remind listeners about the Anime Today and Nozomi Entertainment MySpace contests.
• Marie checks out Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 55 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Wednesday November 21, 2007

Right Stuf's ANIME TODAY Interviews New York Anime Festival Organizers John McGeary & Peter Tatara

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome two of the organizers of the upcoming New York Anime Festival (NYAF) – Vice President and Show Manager John McGeary and Programming Manager Peter Tatara – to episode 54 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview and preview of the show, which will take place on the weekend of December 7-9, 2007 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, McGeary and Tatara share why they feel it is important to offer professional events alongside fan-oriented programming, talk about their extensive guest list and share details about NYAF-exclusive premieres, the World Cosplay Summit masquerade competition, musical performances, the maid café and more.

Also in Episode 54:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
• Shawne kicks off the holiday season with a new sale, “Be Quick Like a Ninja,” that gives customers 30% off almost everything at RightStuf.com.
• Kris and Judy talk about Japanese customs that surround the giving of gifts between friends in a new installment of the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide.”
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of the contest for weekend passes to the New York Anime Festival and remind listeners about the contest celebrating Viz Pictures’ DVD releases of the two Gackt: Greatest Filmography video collections and the film Ping Pong, as well as the contest celebrating the launch of the official MySpace pages for Anime Today and Nozomi Entertainment..
• Marie checks out the anime series Mushishi.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 54 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Tuesday November 13, 2007

Right Stuf's ANIME TODAY and ASTRO BOY Director Fred Ladd Talk Early Anime and Live-Action Adaptations!

Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Mr. Fred Ladd – the pioneering TV producer responsible for the English adaptations of early U.S. anime hits, including Astro Boy, Gigantor and Kimba the White Lion – to episode 53 of ANIME TODAY for the second installment of a new, in-depth interview.

This time around, Mr. Ladd discusses his favorite projects through the years, his involvement in bringing Sailor Moon and Tobor the 8th Man to North American audiences, his thoughts on Hollywood’s planned, live-action adaptations of classic anime properties and his current projects.

Also in Episode 53:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime.
• Shawne shares details about the “Book It to RightStuf.com” sale on manga and more from TOKYOPOP.
• Rich and Nick announce the winners of The Taste of Tea and Hula Girls contests, announce a new contest celebrating Viz Pictures’ DVD releases of the two Gackt: Greatest Filmography video collections and the film Ping Pong, remind listeners about the ongoing contest for weekend passes to the New York Anime Festival, and unveil a new contest to launch the new MySpace pages for Anime Today and Nozomi Entertainment.
• Marie takes on Yoshiki Nakamura’s comedic shoujo manga Skip Beat.
• Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com.
• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download episode 53 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes!

Friday October 26, 2007

Right Stuf's ANIME TODAY Interviews Astro Boy Director Fred Ladd!

Right Stuf, Inc. kicks off its third year of podcasting by welcoming Mr. Fred Ladd - the pioneering TV producer responsible for the English adaptations of early U.S. anime hits, including Astro Boy, Gigantor and Kimba the White Lion - to episode 52 of ANIME TODAY.

In the first half of this new, in-depth interview, Mr. Ladd discusses his start in the radio and television industry, how Japanese animation was discovered by the West, the challenges of bringing Astro Boy to U.S. audiences and how the success of Astro Boy influenced the animation that followed it on both sides of the Pacific.

Also in thie Episode 50 of ANIME TODAY:

• Chad tells listeners "What's Hot" in the world of anime and manga.

• Shawne shares details about the "Spooky and Spectacular Savings" to be found on DVDs from FUNimation and AN Entertainment.

• Morgan Kollin, chairperson of Detroit, Michigan's YoumaCon, previews the games, guests and events planned for the convention's third year, during the weekend of November 1-4, 2007.

• Marie reviews the manic anime comedy of School Rumble.

• Rich and Nick remind listeners about the ongoing contest celebrating Viz Pictures' live-action releases of The Taste of Tea and Hula Girls and unveil a new contest in conjunction with the New York Anime Festival for weekend passes to the event.

• And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Ready to listen in? Download Episode 52 now!

Meet other ANIME TODAY listeners, submit your suggestions for future episodes and more at the official ANIME TODAY forums at AnimeOnDVD.com.

Just joining in? Learn how to subscribe or even check out the Anime Today Archive episodes - complete with regular and extended show notes!

Improving Navigation

In today's podcast, we mention that we've added menus to the site to improve navigation. Below you'll find a couple examples of these. The online store's most popular categories are now always within reach on the main site, and even Anime Today has one to make jumping to the episodes easier.

Thursday October 25, 2007

Continuing the Sneak Peak

We're actually going to be talking briefly about some of the features of the new web site in the episode of Anime Today that will be posted tomorrow. One of the sections that we're all extremely happy with is the new Nozomi Entertainment area. The latest releases are featured on the front page of their section, and all the series sites are in a detailed index so that you can quickly see which ones have wallpapers, avatars, screenshots, and all the other extras that we love to pack into these sites.

All the trailers that we've posted have been encoded at a higher quality than we've posted them at before, and they look stunning. The trailer feed also works great with iTunes, and we've tested it with iPods, iPhones, and Apple TVs (and in HD they look even more stunning).

Right now, its looking like the new site will be officially launched on Tuesday (if everything goes as planned).