I can't wait to see how this film turns out. It might get the Oscar for best foreign film, or at least some other award for "most aptly named film."
Today's roundup is none too happy, we've got cancellations, suicide talk, and licenses of a small OVA. But, on the bright side, there are also details of Haruhi season two forthcoming within.
Grabbing a title from its manga line, Viz will be releasing a complete collection of the two OVAs at the end of March. From what I've read of I"s Pure, the series was an interesting romantic comedy that was strongly grounded in reality, but I am only three volumes in, so not a lot of development has happened. For the MSRP of $30, though, I'll gladly pick this one up.
In the preview for the March issue of Newtype Magazine, they've promised some "big announcement" for The Disappearance of Suzumiya Haruhi. Some are worried that it'll be another non-news announcement, like Haruhi's hairstyle is different. To be honest, a few years away from having last seen the anime, I have to admit there's no huge draw for me to this title any more. That doesn't mean I don't want to see this, but the passion for Haruhi has died away. Perhaps a re-watch will relight the flame.
It's no surprise that the economy is affecting people all over the world, and Japan is well known for its increased rate of suicide, so this news doesn't surprise me one bit. The companies have to cut people, which in turn puts more pressure on those who are left, leaving everyone in despair. So leave it to a retired policeman, Yukio Shige, to patrol one of the most famous suicide spots in Japan, where he'll try to talk down people who are up there and are thinking of killing themselves. He's an impressive man, I must say.
It looks like the rights for the series never made it out of Japan, according to Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream). It's too bad to hear, although I have no idea how Aronofsky would handle a more action-oriented story, but I can assure you that it would've been gritty. Perhaps in a few years they'll be able to get the rights, but give up hope on this one for now.
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