Presentation PA #53

ARE YOU READY FOR DIGITAL ANIME? We knew it was coming, for things can change in any industry. We started reading interviews in Japanese anime magazines about the transition from traditional anime cel work to digital. The first digital anime TV program, GEGEGE NO KITARO (KITARO THE PHANTOM) was shown in October 1998 and made a lot of Japanese viewers confused. They even phoned the TV station to complain about it! Digital anime might become a matter of fact from now on... Only time will tell about its success. It will depend on the evolution of softwares and if the "Cel Crisis" will continue (Fuji Film Co., Ltd. is no longer producing cels for anime since October 1998). Shows like AO NO ROKU-GO (BLUE SUBMARINE #6) are full digital anime and are supposed to make you see "the future and progress of computer technology". Progressive?! I suppose that we should be embracing this progress, but still, many fans seem to prefer traditional works (personally, I do hope that there will be choices...). We cannot deny the fantastic changes that are being brought on by computer graphics (like the monster in MONONOKE HIME). It will be quite interesting to see the changes in the anime works of the next few years. Technology is wonderful, but still, the basic of anime is a good story, enjoyable for all (it's only entertainment, after all...).

Also, since that POCKET MONSTER incident in December 1997, I started seeing warnings at the beginning of anime programs. They say "Please turn the light on brightly in your room before viewing...". According to Friday Magazine, there were 685 children who had to go to the hospital, so we understand why TV-Tokyo is so nervous! Special effects are great, but be careful, right? So enjoys your shows in your brightly lit room!

Miyako Matsuda

The year 1998 was a pretty good year for the Japanese animation. We have seen lots of new shows and a new anime releaser came into operation. In fact, I believe that the coming of Bandai (AnimeVillage.com) on the North American market is the most important event in the history of anime on this continent. It really shows that the Japanese companies are starting to consider us, North American, as a market.

For us, at Protoculture, it was a rather difficult year, because lots of little problems (computer bugs, weather, health trouble, etc.) conspired to create delays in our production and many of our other projects (distribution of manga and video in French) have also encountered many delays. It is rather frustrating. However, if I look at the issues we have released this year, I am quite satisfied. It certainly could have been better, but we have produced a magazine that I am proud of. I am particularly happy with our contents, which is diversified and rich in information: Fushigi Yuugi, Macross 7, Gundam 0083, Rurouni Kenshin and Marmalade Boy. We might have produced only five issues this year, but it includes two special issues (the 10th Anniversary Special and the Mecha Special) with more pages and more color. And of course, we have celebrated our 10th Anniversary, which makes us the oldest North American anime magazine still in publication. Those ten years represent lots of work. This year in particular, I don't think that we would have made it without the help of our increasing number of collaborators and without the support of our readers. In the darkest moment of an illness or the busiest moment of a rush, it is so great to feel that there are people that appreciate our work.

You will have probably noticed that the last three issues (this one and PA# 51-52) have been published much closer to each other than we usually do. No, it is not because we switched to a monthly schedule, but simply because we worked very hard to catch up on our production schedule. We were successful, since this issue is ALMOST on time and I promise that next issue will not be late (unless a cataclysmic event occurs).

Despite all our hardships, this year ends pretty well: we were able to finish this issue within a month (I admit that some corners were cut round) and we survived (barely) the deadline (damn computer!), the kidney stone that was torturing me since the end of the summer was finally eliminated, many good things happened in our personal lives, etc. This is really an happy ending. We hope that you enjoyed our magazine in 1998 and we wish you (and us) the best for 1999. The last stretch of the millenium!

Our first issue for 1999, number 54, will be dedicated to many of Go Nagai's works (particularly Grandizer) and to several of the most recent shows (Devilman Lady, Shin Getter Robo, Anime Complex, Bugglegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 and Shin Vampire Miyu).

This issue offers articles on MARMALADE BOY (12 pages), an interview with Mari Iijima (voice of Minmay in Macross and J-Pop singer), and the BORGMAN OVAs (6 pages). It also features Anime World articles (on Steve McClure conference about J-Pop and "Anime Under Fire" Part 10), four Anime Stories (Lupin III: Tokyo Crisis, Nadesico The Movie, Slayers Gorgeous and Hyper Police), and our usual news & reviews! Enjoy!

Claude J. Pelletier