Here is the final trailer for the Japanese release of the CG animated Astro Boy movie from Imagi. Whether you speak the language or not, the trailer is pretty clear and easy to follow, and really makes the movie look great. You can tell that the Japanese marketing is more focused on the story instead of the action. Be warned, however, because seeing this trailer after seeing the English trailer might just give away a lot of the movie! Watch out for spoilers!
The Japanese release features the voices of Aya Ueto as Astro and the legendary Megumi Hayashibara as Cora. Also listed as part of the cast are Atsushi Abe (Zane), Mika Kanai (Widget), Shinichiro Miki (Sparx), Kenta Miyake (Robotski), Kenji Utsumi (Ham Egg), Takaya Hashi (President Stone), Rikako Aikawa (Freezer), Yasuyuki Kase (Chief Heckler), Tomohiro Nishimura (Dr. Ochanomizu), Nami Miyahara (Sludge), and Kousei Tomita (Hige-oyaji).
Monday, August 31, 2009
Astro Boy Movie Japanese Trailer
Give Black Jack some Color
Black Jack has never been known as a colorful fellow, but that shouldn't stop you from trying to add a splash of color to his story.
The cover designer for Vertical's English language release of the Black Jack manga has opened up a contest to anyone for cover submissions. Pick your colors, lay them out, and you could win yourself a copy of every single volume of Black Jack.
You can read more on Jacket Mechanical, and get a look at what's been done so far on Black Jacket Mechanical. Contest closes September 7th, so get coloring!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Astro Boy Movie Final Posters
Take a good look at this, the final North American theatrical poster for the Astro Boy movie coming this October from Imagi. It's a cool scene featuring many characters.
And this is the final poster for the Japanese release of the film.
Sources: BSC - Teaser Trailer.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wired goes behind the scenes with Astro
How awesome is Wired Magazine?
You have got to check out this incredible article on Wired.com covering the upcoming Astro Boy movie by Imagi. Included are some enlightening production images of the film's process, including preliminary models and sketches.
Plus, we've got this excellent render of Astro with his arm cannons. I know a few readers are going to go crazy over this shot.
But what sticks out most to me is this quote from director David Bowers.
"The first time we met, (Nicolas) Cage went into incredible detail about the '60s version, including the very specific sound Astro's feet make when he walks," Bowers says. "So we went to the Tezuka archive and found the sound effect, and we use it a little bit in our movie as an homage."Yeah. All of you people out there complaining about Nicolas Cage being in this movie can now go ahead and get real. Nic Cage gave us fanwank.
You can read "Astro Boy Gets the Hollywood-Blockbuster Treatment" on Wired.com or click the link below for a loosely archived version of the article and the unique pictures originally presented with it.
Astro Boy—the beloved '60s Japanese anime series—is launching on the big screen on October 23! Woo ... wait a minute. Haven't we been here before? The Technicolor hemorrhage that was Speed Racer recently taught us that anime doesn't necessarily benefit from the Hollywood-blockbuster treatment.Continue reading "Wired goes behind the scenes with Astro"...
Astro Boy, however, promises to be different. For starters, it's not live-action; it's CG produced by Imagi Studios, Hong Kong's version of Pixar. The company's founder, Francis Kao, not only secured the movie rights but also hired the son of Astro Boy creator (and god of manga) Osamu Tezuka as a creative consultant. "I was encouraged to expand on the universe," says the flick's director, David Bowers. "But at its core the movie is still faithful to the original." Case in point: Our favorite rocket tyke sports a windbreaker and slacks (good-bye red undies and go-go boots), but his original powers (x-ray vision and turbo butt) remain unchanged.
Even Nicolas Cage, who voices scientist Dr. Tenma, was a stickler for accuracy. "The first time we met, Cage went into incredible detail about the '60s version, including the very specific sound Astro's feet make when he walks," Bowers says. "So we went to the Tezuka archive and found the sound effect, and we use it a little bit in our movie as an homage." We hear that.
Behind the Scenes Slideshow
Get ready for Astro Boy. They call him the Mickey Mouse of Japan, and this fall American audiences will get a chance to see the iconic anime character on the big screen in an English-language movie.
The film, set for an October 23 release, features a big-powered voice cast, including Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) along with Samuel L. Jackson, Charlize Theron, Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Eugene Levy, and Donald Sutherland.
But make no mistake: Astro Boy himself is the star. Created by Osamu Tezuka as a manga comic book character in1951, the boy robot hooked more fans when he starred in a 1963 TV series. Inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame in 2004 and immortalized on Japanese postage stamps, Astro Boy, complete with a high-crested haircut, jet-powered boots, and mighty cannon arms, commands center stage in director David Bowers' adaptation.
Here's a look at Astro Boy in the making.
Production designers developed the film's look by borrowing from architect Isamu Noguchi. His abstract works inspired the filmmakers to use simple shapes that they then brought to life through advanced computer lighting, texturing, and modeling techniques.
This pencil sketch captures the essence of Astro Boy as imagined by director David Bowers, who made Hugh Jackman's animated rat movie Flushed Away.
Renderings were produced by Hong Kong-based animation outfit Imagi Studios. Founder Francis Kao said, "We worked very closely with Tezuka Productions and with the creator’s son, Macoto Tezka, to ensure we got everything right.”
Cartoon characters with saucer-shaped eyes didn't start with anime. In the course of prepping the film, Bowers learned that Tezuka was influenced by Disney's Pinocchio character.
The sickly green background is no surprise: Astro Boy inhabits a world in which pollution has ruined Earth's atmosphere.
Animators for Astro Boy drew inspiration from 19th-century woodblock artist Katsushika Hokusai, whose landscapes eliminated visual clutter in favor of a stripped-down image.
Hot Toys' Astro Vinyl + Collectible Figures
A good detailed look at non-final versions of the exciting products from Hot Toys based on the Astro Boy CG movie can be found here.
Shown at the right, we now know that the diorama figure is 12.5 inches tall, has some limited articulation, and is made of vinyl. This figure is looking like a real winner.
And here are the specs for the other product, the fully articulated Astro Boy collectible figure.
- Approximately 9 inches tallThe final products are subject to change, but these shots really show off that they are on the right track and set to do some great things with the Astro Boy movie license. Continue reading "Hot Toys' Astro Vinyl + Collectible Figures"...
- Over 22 points of articulation
- 2 sets of interchangeable posing hands
- Open chest with positive "blue" energy inside
- Battery-operated illuminated eyes for X-ray vision mode
- Interchangeable arm cannons
- Interchangeable rocket boots
- Figure display base featured with Astro Boy movie logo.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
And I shall call it... Mini Manga
Ever wish you had more room to store and display your ever expanding collection of manga? Well, you could get a new book shelf, but here is a much more unique solution to the problem. Just buy smaller manga! Much smaller!
This extensive collection of manga volumes by Osamu Tezuka includes titles such as Black Jack, Phoenix, and Jungle Emperor, and each book is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand while still being readable.
This set includes 200 comic books measuring at 50mm x 68mm. There is even a bookcase to hold them all. 
You can purchase the Osamu Tezuka Mini Manga Collection at Japan Trend Shop for the price of $1,113 US. It's a lot of money but it's a cool collectible and a quick, easy way to obtain a bunch of Japanese Tezuka manga all at once. They've even got a video showing a person reading one of these tiny books.
Mr. Bigglesworth not included.
Astro Bread
Here is an interesting find. It's a commercial for what seems to be some kind of bread in China, and there is an Astro Boy movie promotion going on.
This was uploaded on YouTube by tongmanhongz. Through the miracle of Babelfish, we can translate the Chinese text description into English and open the door towards more information!
The big prize on 4th 3 night of Osaka Atongmu roam the travel company “the hand tomb to govern the insect museum” the admission ticket two prizes to limit the quantity collects the Atongmu model coverall three prizes in October, 2009 brand-new Atongmu CG animation big movie ticket GardenOh yeah! I can't wait for the Atongmu CG animation! Then I will use the hand tomb to govern the insect museum!
Clearly, the translation is slightly inelegant. Amusing though. Continue reading "Astro Bread"...
