Anime Box Office & News: Pokémon, Macross, and More
Pokémon and Princess Mononoke continued to perform well at the American box office this past weekend. Pokémon: The First Movie, now in its fourth week of release, earned $2,343,365, bringing its total domestic gross to an impressive $80,771,180. This knocked the film down to sixth place on the Daily Variety movie chart, demonstrating its sustained popularity.
Meanwhile, Princess Mononoke, in its second week of wide release (and sixth week in limited release), grossed $212,161. This boost lifted the film from the #26 spot to #25 on the charts. To date, Miramax's limited release of Princess Mononoke has earned $1,937,984, a testament to the film's dedicated fanbase and the power of word-of-mouth.
A New Chapter for Macross: Macross 3D
Big West has announced a new Macross OVA project, tentatively titled Macross 3D, slated for release next year. Production will be handled by GONZO, with a truly impressive team assembled. The project boasts Shōji Kawamori overseeing story concept, mechanical design, and executive direction. Takeshi Mori will direct, with Dai Satōh penning the script. Character designs are by Sonehachi, while Kazutaka Miyatake is responsible for mechanical designs and art production design. This suggests a significant evolution for the iconic franchise.
Pokémon Gets a Third Movie in Japan
Nintendo of Japan has confirmed that development is underway on the third Pokémon movie, titled "Emperor in the Crystal Tower." Fans in Japan can expect to see the film in theaters this summer, promising a new adventure for Ash and Pikachu.
Pokémon Card Pulled Due to Controversy
In a surprising announcement, Nintendo of America revealed on Thursday that a Japanese-language Pokémon card will be discontinued. The reason? A symbol appearing next to the Goldbat and Ditto characters has been identified as potentially offensive to Jewish groups and Holocaust survivors. The symbol, known in Japan as a "manji," represents good fortune and is associated with Buddhist temples and predates the Nazi use of a similar-looking image. Nintendo's decision demonstrates a commitment to sensitivity and cultural awareness.
Petshop of Horrors Gets a Home Video Release
Urban Vision has acquired the rights to the classic horror series, Petshop of Horrors. The first volume is scheduled for release on March 28th. The series will be released in double-episode volumes. The English dub will retail for $19.95, while the English subtitled version will be priced at $29.95. This is exciting news for fans eager to revisit Count D'Arque's unique collection of floral-themed horrors.