Okay, I don’t normally really blog about shows’ plots and things like that, but some rumors are circulating about the contents of episode 6, and it reminded me of something I find very odd about episode 5. Definite spoilers for 5 follow, and possibly spoilers for 6, so hit the jump at your own risk.

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Who needs the Code Geass dub trailer when you’ve got the entire first episode online? And of course, it’s also airing tonight on adult swim at 1:30am.

Just, y’know, in case you forgot.

Bandai Entertainment’s sneaky marketing people are at it again– check out the Bandai Entertainment website, which promises a giant announcement in about 20 minutes and also has a little history of BE. The announcement is also being made at Kawaii-Con in Hawaii by BE president Ken Iyadomi. What will it be?

Actually I’ve already heard along the grapevine, and people, this is big. Keep reloading and I will let you know as soon as I can. Did I mention this is BIG? Yeah.

Meanwhile we’re doing a bit of a Q&A while waiting for technical difficulties to be resolved– the Geass manga is probably going to be released in August, around when they start releasing the DVDs of the anime. He doesn’t know what kind of editing Geass will get on Adult Swim, but probably nothing too dramatic. (Probably just the table-humping…)

Just asked about the Eureka Seven movie, which they actually co-produced, so while they haven’t set anything official they would most likely be involved in the movie’s release in North America.

Someone just asked if Bandai Visual USA’s bad rep with fans in the US causes any trouble for Bandai Entertainment, which Rob Napton (who’s hosting the panel, did I mention?) says isn’t really the case– though both companies get questions for the other.

We has Geass DVD specs! There will be limited edition version of each disc, the first of which includes a box, the soundtrack, and the first manga, plus a sound episode CD and the first two discs for $74.98 There is also a bundle pack which will come with the first two discs (9 episodes) and a box for $39.99, and the regular edition will also be $24.98 per five-ep disc. The rest of the first season will come out in two-disc, 9-episode chunks.

And we finally have sound, huzzah! Which means we move into trailers, eh. Geass first, then Lucky Star. You know how Lucky Star comes with a t-shirt with the uniforms? Yeah, the rest include the cheerleader outfit, male and female uniforms, school swimsuit, etc.

Moving on…Ghost Slayers Ayashi, which premiered at Sakura Con. It’s being released with a really fancy collector box, and they also have the manga of the series (new announcement!) starting September 2nd. The collector box will come with the manga and a 16-page guidebook and the first ten episodes. Similarly, there will be a bundle box release for $39.98 with the first ten, and then you can also buy the DVDs individually for $24.98 for five eps.

In the meantime, one of the announcements has already been leaked: it’s Gundam 00, which isn’t terribly surprising, but still spiffy to hear. They’re also working on a TV broadcast.

And the next big announcement is…Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Sorry ADV! Yes, I’m serious, Bandai Entertainment has snatched away the Gurren Lagann license. They’ll start releasing it in July, August, and September, three months in a row. It will also be sub-only for that release; a dub version will be released in 2009. Here is a teaser site for TTGL, btw. And the actual, official site too. Don’t worry; I’ll get to questions about whether they’ll use the same cast/dub and what kind of release they’ll be doing.

Three 9-episode chunks for Gurren Lagann; no license for the movie just yet. For the dub they’re starting completely over, so you can scrap those ADV dub cast lists entirely. The sub version will probably be fairly bare-bones, with more special features and stuff available for the dub version. Nothing concrete for possible digital distro for the series.

Yarrrr! That’s pretty much it. I kinda spaced on most of the Q&A because it’s mostly not very new.

The official Code Geass website now has an announcement about the leak of six minutes of Code Geass R2’s third episode. They claim that the leak was NOT from a Sunrise employee but an accident from when they were testing an online broadcasting service– the Bandai Channel. (Which makes rumors of an arrest a little…odd. Cover up or mistake?)

Anyway, they apologize for all the confusion and difficulty (and delay of legitimate online airing, which they’re hoping will cut down on the illegal downloading). And the most important info: the third episode will air on April 20th as planned.

Word on the streets (and/or Random Curiosity) is that the final six minutes of the third episode of Code Geass R2 (set to air on April 20th) has been leaked to the internet by a staff member, who was subsequently arrested.

Now rumors are floating about that the episode might not air on the 20th after all, or that some of it might even be remade. I am officially reloading Sunrise’s official website regularly waiting for an official announcement of some kind.

Yes, indeedy: the same day that Code Geass is set to premiere on Adult Swim, Bandai Entertainment has announced that they’ll host a free screening of the first two episodes of both Geass and Lucky Star at the ImaginAsian Theater in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to selling swag in the lobby, they’ll also be doing some giveaways, and voice actors will be on hand for autographs: Wendee Lee and Kari Wahlgren (Konata and Kagami, respectively, from Lucky Star) and Steve Blum, who plays Tohdoh in Geass.

The screening’s free but first-come-first-serve, April 26th from 1-3pm. Alas, I won’t be there, so I’ll just sit here and be jealous of whoever does go.

• Title: Code Geass ~Lelouch of the Rebellion~ R2
• Studio: Sunrise
• Genre: Mech/Drama

Ratings (out of 5):

• Story: ♥♥½

• Animation: ♥♥♥
• Characters: ♥♥♥♥
• OP/ED Themes: ♥♥♥½
• Overall: ♥♥♥ (I’m confused, but I’m so in love.)

Thoughts:
Anyone who’s been reading this blog long knows that I adore Code Geass for its fun characters and crazy over-the-top soap opera plot. Season two promises to have more of the same, starting with an enslaved bunnygirl Kallen, a mysterious new younger brother named Lolo (Roro/Rolo/Loro/whatever), and a restless, memory-altered Lelouch.

I’m a little confused about this memory-altering thing. I mean, Suzaku hasn’t turned Lelouch in, and I can fathom that. But Shirley hasn’t either; has her memory been altered too? Why does Lelouch have a brother now? Where’s Nunnally? What the fuck?

Yes, it all adds up to delicious insanity, if you ask me. And if you didn’t catch season one, don’t worry; the first ep of R2 will get you up to speed pretty easily. And handily enough, the first episode of R2 mirrors the first episode of season one almost perfectly in content, as many other people have pointed out so far. If it wasn’t for Euphie’s awesomeness in s1, I might even suggest that the first season might become unnecessary. (But Euphie WAS awesome, so s1 remains epic.)

So, to sum up: if you liked season one of Geass, you’ll definitely want to score you some R2. If you didn’t watch Geass, now’s a great time to start. And if you hate Geass, you suck! ♥

A press release announcing NYCC’s anime-related guests and events is being circulated. First up is T.M.REVOLUTION, aka Takanori Nishikawa, who you may know for performing on the soundtracks of Rurouni Kenshin, Gundam SEED, and Gundam SEED Destiny.

Need more? How about some premieres? Code Geass, Lucky Star, Victorian Romance Emma, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Amuri in Star Ocean will all premiere at NYCC.

I’m willing to bet that the premieres of Geass and Lucky Star will be dubbed; Emma is a sub-only release to begin with so there is no dub. For The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, I have no idea; ditto for Amuri. (If you noticed that all of these premieres are Bandai Entertainment except for Amuri and Emma, bonus points for yoU!)

The rest of the press release is right here.

Thank god for nebs66 or I’d have missed this completely: not only is Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion airing on Adult Swim starting on April 26th, it will also air online at Adult Swim Fix the evening before the TV broadcast.

Spiffy. I might actually get around to watching it! (Hey, I’m usually asleep at 1:30am, okay?)

Bandai has officially announced that Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion will start airing on Cartoon Network on Saturday, April 26th at 1:30am. The slot is currently held by Blood+, which ends on March 22nd. During the interim they’re going to air episodes 12, 13, 25, and 26 of Cowboy Bebop, apparently.