Pokemon cover! I choose you! I was too old to get into Pokemon when it started, but I know that a lot of Poke-kids got into anime because of Pokemon. “Anime – Gotta collect them all!” Here’s 8 pages of the Pokemon feature that fully introduces Pokemon to the novice. The Editor’s page has a picture of the Pokemon Volkswagen Beetle.
After reading this, I had no idea that the game was first, then the manga and then the anime. I like that they interviewed a retailer to get her perspective on how the game was being played at her store. Really good question and answers. You need read this. There are two Pokemon interviews with the Japanese producer Takemoto Mori and English actor Eric Stuart who voices the characters Brock, and Team Rocket’s James and various Pokemon like Squirtle. Fascinating note: He’s a professional singer who has toured with Ringo Starr, Lynyrd Skyyard, Jethro Tull, Hall and Oats…and Chicago.
Highlights from this issue:
- Did you know that Columbia House did a monthly anime subscription service? Free preview and low introductory price to get you in and then you get charged one new title for $19.99 (plus shipping and handling) every 4 to 6 weeks.
- “Keep the Anime Mayhem coming! Future videos include the killer robots from Patlabor: Mobile Police and the lethal vixens of the Legend of Lenmear!
- Ad for CNANime – Canada National Anime Expo 1999. Their guests include Mari Iijima, Apollo Smile, Crispin Freeman. Check out the exchange rate. $99 hotel Canadian dollars or $69 US dollars.
- Who knew that Tokyopop created Sailor Moon novels? Read the review of the 130 page novel retelling of the first three episodes. Written by Stu Levy. I sense a subtle jab in the piece when they state “…since this is written at a second- or third-grade reading level”
- Bandai Entertainment ads are looking a lot better in style. This one is for Saber Marionette R and Jagain. The characters look super creepy with their open mouth smiles.
- I think Media Blasters is ahead of ADV on the “Anime That Time Forgot” tally now with Princess Rouge – Legend of the Last Labyrinth. Also check out Media Blasters new logo in this ad.
- A dichotomy of ads: Pioneer’s “Anime For Your Funny Bone” next to Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue
- Check out the Y2K mention in the NekoCon-R ad.
- Hyper Speed GranDoll is this month’s Anime That Time Forgot from CPM
- Remember to visit Japanimation Station on AOL. Keyword: Japanimation
- The anime fan art gallery focus this month is Tennis and Pokemon.
- Check out what anime was airing in 1999. Starz/Encore’s Action Channel has started to show anime.
On page 99, my dad (upper-right hand corner), me (second row, far-left), and my brother (bottom row, far-left) were all published; it was such a great day, walking into Suncoast, opening the magazine, and seeing it! all three of us were there, and the person behind the counter bought a copy and had us sign by our drawings. Fond memories! <3