More Anime Movies This Summer

The feature length anime adaptaion of the fairy tale “The Clever Princess” entitled Princess Arete, opened in Japanese theaters on July 21st. Produced by Studio 4C, the studio behind Spriggan and Memories, the film has a look very similar to Production IG’s Popolocrois Monogatari, and features Houko Kuwashima (Kirika of Noir, Yurika in Nadesico) performing the voice of Princess Arete. The official Japanese Arete Hime homepage features film stills and a long theatrical trailer in Real Media format.

Sham Neko, the latest film written and directed by Monkey Punch, creator of Lupin III, is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on October 6th.

Azumanga Daioh will graduate from manga to a theatrical short film this Christmas. The manga is actually a series of humorous 4 panel comic strips about the daily lives of a group of Japanese high school girls, created by Kiyohiko Azuma, character designer for Battle Athletes and Pretty Sammy. Azumanga Daioh is currently one of the most popular comic strips in Japan.