Anime

Geneon keeps pushing Lupin into new distribution channels; Anime News Network reports that the Akimbo video-on-demand service is the latest player to be peddling Lupin. The service requires Windows XP or Vista, Roxio Venue, and Windows Media Player 10 or higher for computers. Specific settop boxs for televisions can also deliver the service.

Geneon pushes further into digital distribution by offering titles via Xbox Live. No word yet on pricing, availability, etc.

Anime News Network is reporting that Geneon will be distributing Lupin via BitTorrent. No word yet on pricing other than they will be giving away the first episode for free. Geneon will be using the Vuze video service; Vuze requires digital rights management software from Windows XP or Vista, as well as Windows Media Player 10 or higher.

While I'm not wild about it being restricted to Windows only, that is OS of choice for most of the downloading nation. Will this revitalize the franchise in the US? It certainly couldn't hurt.

While it does not reveal any details about this year's special, the soundtrack is set to be released on 2007 August 01. Spotted by a member of the LupinTheThird.net forums, you can pre-order it at CD Japan months in advance.

Hot Shot News (Japanese) is reporting that the Toho Gifu theater will be showing Cagliostro for six days starting on November 11. If you are lucky enough to be in Japan, go see one of the great classic films.

Find them both on my blog. Currently one other Lupin item you might be interested in on there also. Check back often if you like as I will be slowly but surely posting pics of my Lupin toys and generally rambling on about things.

Enjoy!

From Hot Shot News!, there is going to be a Seven Day Rhapsody game released for Japanese cell phones. Not many details beyond that, but it is interesting to see this decades old franchise pushing the boundaries of new media and marketing.

Wonder if they will put a version of the game in the DVD release...

Via Anime News Service (likely by way of Hot Shot News and other Japanese sources), Mitsui & Co. Ltd., TMS Entertainment and Nippon Television Network Corporation will be releasing Lupin TV specials to the i-mode and EZWeb phone services starting 2006 August 7.

It is official; Hot Shot News has posted the time and a small official description and pics of the 2006 special.

No solid date from NTV yet, but they have posted a small message that the special is coming in September.