 |
Michael Brady (left), the English-language voice of Crusher Joe, joined Steve Bennett (right) of Studio Ironcat for the Virginia company's Katsucon panel. Brady was on hand to celebrate Ironcat's upcoming release of the original Crusher Joe comics that led to the anime. Bennett thanked fans for their support, asked the audience what titles they would like to see - and then got all choked up when they mentioned some titles that just might be in Ironcat's sights. |
| The "state of the union" message that really mattered to Katsucon fans was delivered by artist Fred Perry. Gold Digger supporters got their annual chance to surround Perry and grill him on his plans for his characters. A few wondered if the Gold Digger crossover with Ninja High School, pioneered by Perry, would continue. Others wanted to know where Perry was taking his characters. Perry told them just enough to keep them interested in the coming year's releases. |  |
 |
The anime series that get the biggest play in Japan - and among cutting-edge fans in America - tend to be television series instead of the made-for video OAV releases that were popular a few years ago. Animator Scott Frazier said that's because most anime product is now made for TV. In turn, the TV shows are packaged on tape and sold in Japan. Frazier said it's as if the televising of an anime series is an advertisement for later release on tape. To further sell the tapes, producers are spicing up the mix with added scenes. And, Frazier said the Japanese industry is going to keep a close watch on the U.S. release of Mononoke Hime to see if that film is successful in America. |
| Finally, Trish Ledoux (left) and Toshi Yoshida of Viz Communications had a hint about Inu-Yasha, the newest manga series from creative stalwart Rumiko Takahashi. That series about a demon and his human friend is ready to go into anime production, needing only a time slot for a Japanese broadcast. When Inu-Yasha is filmed, Viz hopes to be able to pick up the rights to the anime and release it in the U.S. |  |
 |
Katsucon Day 1 |
| Katsucon Day 2 | |
| Katsucon Day 3 |