ANIMATED SHORTS SPECIAL EDITION: INSIDE THE WITCHBLADE ANIME

[MattBrady]

ANIMATED SHORTS SPECIAL EDITION - WITCHBLADE GOES ANIME & CN RESPONDS TO LICENSING ALLEGATION.

by Steve Fritz

As many comic book fans know, one of Top Cow’s major titles is Witchblade. It’s just reached its 100th issue in its decade-or-so of existence. At one time, it had a live action TV series for, at least as far as this guy’s concerned, way too short of a time.

Now the series is about to enter a very bold, new arena. An anime based on the comic just debuted in Japan, and should be coming to the U.S. next year. To top it, the animation doing the series is one of the Far East’s best, Gonzo (Samurai 7, Blue Submarine No. 6, Last Exile, Gantz and Full Metal Panic among many, many others).

“I’ve been a big fan of Gonzo and their anime for years now,” says Matt Hawkins, Top Cow’s Chief Operating Officer and President. “So when the opportunity came up to work with them on Witchblade it was a no-brainer. They are one of the best anime companies in the world.”

“Gonzo was introduced to Top Cow to see if there was some possibility of adapting one of their characters into anime,” recalls Eric Calderon, VP of Creative Affairs at GDH International, Gonzo’s holding company. Witchblade was an instant and easy fit.”

From the looks of things, the series is taking off. Major otaku sites are already singing the praises for the show. They love the mature content and, naturally, the way the visual elements have been adapted to anime conventions.

Still, when the series finally comes to the U.S., don’t be surprised if American comic book fans scream their heads off. The star of the anime isn’t the hard living, hard drinking, permanently single Sara Pezzini, detective in modern day NYPD. Instead, we get 22nd Century single mom Masane Amou, who has a teenaged devil for a daughter. From the sounds of it, about the only things the two women have in common is the Witchblade…and the demons and other creatures they have to go up against, of course.

“[The changes are] No more radical than what we’ve done with other Tales of the Witchblade story arcs,” says Hawkins. “The beauty of the Witchblade is that the weapon itself is a character and is passed throughout time. We’ve introduced many different Witchblades, although we have focused the majority of our efforts to the modern day wielder Sara Pezzini. But even that is changing in the comics with issue 100. We get a new wielder. The story here takes place slightly in the future so works in with our overall Witchblade continuity just fine.”

“The anime Witchblade is a completely original storyline,” says Calderon. But we worked with Top Cow to insure that the core mythology was followed and that the rules so carefully set in the US comics would not be broken.

“The reason we decided to create a new story line is that it's very important for Japanese creators to feel a deep sense of creative commitment and ownership. They tend to work better if they're allowed to build something from the ground-up and have a vast amount of creative freedom.

“Masane is unsure of herself and struggles with the mixed feelings of having the Witchblade. Also, she isn't a trained police officer like Sarah. Masane is just a single mother with no job. She constantly worries about her young daughter Rihoko, who is ironically very independent and confident. This contrast of her weakness with the Witchblade's mysterious nearly unlimited power is what makes this combination interesting!

“One of the very interesting things we learned from the Japan side was the level of sexuality that is acceptable to the Japanese versus what is acceptable to the US,” says Calderon. “Lots of images in the US comic would not be acceptable by Japan and at the same time, some of the ideas that Japan had would not be acceptable for broadcast in the US! Witchblade is obviously a sexy character, so trying to make this work and still be OK for broadcast around the world was a constant challenge.”

Overall, the graphic images that came across this desk show Gonzo’s high standards for character design are in top form. Considering their past work, one also shouldn’t be surprised if the action sequences are also top notch.

Both Hawkins and Calderon are both satisfied with what they’ve seen.

“Obviously we love it!,” says Calderon. “This is a real breakthrough in that it's the first time a famous American comic has been adapted into a truly cool Japanese animation! I think fans will really be happy with our pace, story line, and character design. Japanese fans are already reacting positively to the show even though the awareness of the character is not so strong in Japan.? We really think this will open new opportunities for Japan to adapt more US comic characters into cool anime shows!”

And to finish it off, both Top Cow and Gonzo have recently also added FUNimation, one of the top distributors of anime in the U.S., to handle the DVDs.

“FUNimation's acquisition philosophy involves hand picking the top titles and series from Japan,” says FUNimation president and CEO Gen Fukinaga. “These titles and series are all driven by very strong content that has universal appeal. Witchblade is a perfect example of how strong content drives great anime. Here we have a successful comic book series from the United States that has also had a successful run as a live-action series, and it is now transformed into a gorgeous anime series.

“Witchblade already has a very strong following in the United States. GONZO has done a beautiful job with the animation and the look and feel of the show, and we are looking forward to bringing this series to the U.S. market.”

As it stands, FUNimation has announced the DVDs should start coming out in 2007. There are rumors on other web sites the series might air on Adult Swim. The network neither confirms or denies this as of press time. After all, FUNimation is also in the process of launching its own all-anime TV network this month.

More on this series as the story develops.

CN COMMENTS ON LICENSING CRITICISM

For the record, Cartoon Network promised a response regarding the allegation, reported last Wednesday, June 21’s Animated Shorts, that they are dropping DC-based series for licensing reasons. The response came in Friday, June 23rd. It’s short and simple, so here it goes:

"We will continue to develop original projects through Cartoon Network Studios and other producers,” said a network spokesperson. “In addition, we will seek acquired programming from our long-term partners Warner Bros. Animation and other producers and distributors."

To be honest, this makes perfect sense. After all, they already announced they are airing the Marvel/ Lion’s Gate Fantastic Four TV series due some indefinite time in the next year. Last I looked, Marvel still isn’t part of Time Warner. They are also bringing in Japan’s #2 anime series, Bleach, this Fall to Adult Swim (they already have the #1 series, Naruto), and Viz controls the licensing on both of those.

NEXT COLUMN(S): The Lou Scheimer Interview is well on its way. Also, Google gets toons? Gotta go. I’m off to see Monster House. Heh heh…

[panicbxmb]

i totally forgot how exaggerated anime chicks could get, haha.

i actually have faith in it though, if Gonzo are animating it!

[Spaz_Monkey]

Yikes! Looks like the Witchblade ain't the only weapon she's packing!

[Batman1983]

So a soft-softcore comic gets made into a softcore anime...

[wjclark01]

Let me get this right - Nothing in the comic is in the animated series? No Sara? None of that fun stuff that we Witchblade fans have supported for all these years?

This Blows.

Really Blows.

And it's disrespectful. Someone at Top Cow sold us out. And now we're suppossed to like it?

Riiiight. I would like a Witchblade animated series that at least resembles the freakin' comic I've been buying. You want my support - respect us first.

First Superman-Brainiac Attacks now this. Not my week.

[Fats Tuesday]

Seen some of the episodes. The animation is very good! Now if only I understood a word of Japanese......

[Squashua]

Wow, the Witchblade sure does add... enhancements.

[Frankfurt]

I just hope we get all the same extras and merchandise the japanese get in their DVDs (with multiple covers and so on) and stuff like artbooks, guidebooks and etcetera.

Originally Posted by wjclark01

Let me get this right - Nothing in the comic is in the animated series? No Sara? None of that fun stuff that we Witchblade fans have supported for all these years?

This Blows.

Really Blows.

And it's disrespectful. Someone at Top Cow sold us out. And now we're suppossed to like it?

Riiiight. I would like a Witchblade animated series that at least resembles the freakin' comic I've been buying. You want my support - respect us first.

First Superman-Brainiac Attacks now this. Not my week.

Yeah, because every Witchblade bearer looks the same, and we don't have Tales of Witchblade showing completelly different art styles, bearers, plots and situations, right?

OH WAIT.

By the way... The plot and writing in the anime so far is better than 90% of the Witchblade comics (only the Ron Marz run is better), and way, way better than the live-action tv show. You don't see a series about a believable single mom and her daughter every day.

Oh, but i guess you're one of those kids that don't care about the writing, since you whine about pointless issues like that.

You fail. Go back to your corner, buddy.

[Xeero]

I'm a huge Witchblade fan and at first was disappointed that Sara wasn't going to be the lead, but as a fan, you gotta remember there was ALWAYS more than one Witchblade bearer and I'm willing to see the directions of this anime.

I'm just mad that I just got spoiled that Sara isn't going to be holding the Witchblade after issue 100!!!

Oh, and once again, if you ever opened up an issue of Witchblade, you'd notice that there's not an ounce of sex/softcore in it besides some revealing pics of Sara. The comic is very story-heavy since issue one, and mostly now that Marz is writing.

[MajorPain]

Seen a few of the episodes already and there great, no it might not have the same characters from the comic but they have the heart and feel that came from it.

Of course they added there own little things to the mix but its really good, if you have a chance check out the first episode, its really neat.

[askanison77]

if anyone is dissappointed that this isnt respecting the source material then i say this. In order for mainstream comics to break into the wonderfully successful and growing anime market there will have to be some sacrifices. If you want to make an omellete you gotta break a few eggs.

soon all types of properties will cross over and writers/creators will soon be more trusting to stay closer to source material.

[LunarDaydreamer]

I'll be honest, I really dont care for the comic whatsoever, but Gonzo Digimation are absolute quality and i'm really looking forward to the anime.

Shame the comic doesn't look or sound as cool.

[Ventrex]

"We will continue to develop original projects through Cartoon Network Studios and other producers,” said a network spokesperson. “In addition, we will seek acquired programming from our long-term partners Warner Bros. Animation and other producers and distributors."

To be honest, this makes perfect sense. After all, they already announced they are airing the Marvel/ Lion’s Gate Fantastic Four TV series due some indefinite time in the next year. Last I looked, Marvel still isn’t part of Time Warner. They are also bringing in Japan’s #2 anime series, Bleach, this Fall to Adult Swim (they already have the #1 series, Naruto), and Viz controls the licensing on both of those."

It may make perfect sense business wise to seek out new products but they didn't answer the question - Was JLU and other DC shows canceled because they cost too much to air?

As for Witchblade, I'm into anime so I'll check it out.
Is there two withblades or do the mother and daugther share one?

[Bakema NL]

Blegh, exactly the type of animation I can't stand, I'll pass on this one.

[PoisonElf]

Originally Posted by Ventrex

It may make perfect sense business wise to seek out new products but they didn't answer the question - Was JLU and other DC shows canceled because they cost too much to air?

As for Witchblade, I'm into anime so I'll check it out.
Is there two withblades or do the mother and daugther share one?

There's one real Witchblade, but multiple immitation ones, which makes for some really sweet character designs and action.

This show is a lot more interesting to me than the comic so far.
Nicely paced too.

It's a more mature anime, but then again, most of them are.
However, if people can get past the whole "omg she has boobs" thing and give it a shot, they'll really enjoy it.

[Livewire2nd]

This show kinda runs like a female Version of the Guyver. Also my Opinion of Gonzo is bad, they have a Habit of doing needless Fanservice which I can't really stand unless it drive the story and it rarely ever does. The Gonzo Writing staff is also 90% piss poor talent.

[botcherby]

I've been following this series... I'm on episode 4 and I must say this is a must watch series!!! its got a very nice kinda cowboy bebop feel to it, which is represented by a few characters... and the storyline really takes you in, very sweet story between the witchblade weilder and her daughter...

of course the series has the typical old man perverts etc etc, but thats what makes this series great... and also the villains that have shown up thus far are friggin' cool

action is great and very well animated

[Ranma]

[The Rich]

It's a decent Anime, the story is a bit wacky though. Got this a few months back from my peeps and such. It's a start though since it's better then the live action witchblade stuff.

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by Ranma

Thanks for sharing the file with us. - s

[kalorama]

Originally Posted by panicbxmb

i totally forgot how exaggerated anime chicks could get, haha.

Compared to how she's sometimes been drawn in the comics, that's practically tasteful and restrained.

[samnoir]

I'm just curious which sexually suggestive elements were acceptable by the Americans but not the Japanese! I mean given some of the adult anime coming out of Japan, I am suprised that there are certain standards that can be shown in America that can't in Japan.

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[delltechdude]

I personally love the new series, wild designs, interesting stories, youtube does a lot to show off the new show. If you were/are a fan of the Tales of the Witchblade series this is most definitely for the fans. Can't wait for it to come to dvd, subbed, never dubbed for me though lol.

[Ventrex]

Originally Posted by sfritz

Thanks for sharing the file with us. - s

I second that - Thanks. It clears up my confusion.

I didn't know her hair changes color when she uses the Witchblade. I though the picture below was of the mother and daughter but it actually only the mother.

[IconRed]

Okay, the breasts on the Witchblade woman don't look good. They look like two grapefruits glued onto her chest. Sorry, but why can't the character be sexy and not look like a freakish blow up doll?

Yancy Butler was a great Sara P. I'm still sad that she couldn't overcome her personal demons because the Witchblade series was a fun show that depicted a strong, sexy, intelligent, real woman who isn't a feminist's nightmare like this anime freak.