AKIRA

Tetsuo Shima is a member of a small biker gang in Neo-Tokyo. Because of his size, Tetsuo is considered the weakest member of the gang. From time to time, the others will pick on him, treating him like a kid. One night, while chasing a rival gang, Tetsuo is determined to show the others that he is a valuable member of their group. Skillfully manuevering around obstacles, he alone chases down the enemy. As he speeds on, a strane looking child appears in front of his bike. Trying to avoid the child, Tetsuo wrecks his bike and severely injurs himself. As his friends arrive, Tetsuo and the strange looking child are taken by a heavily armed military force. What's going on in Neo-Tokyo, and what part will Tetsuo play in these strange events? Very few know the truth...

GALAXY ANGEL - TV

The work of an angel is never done--there are dogs that need walking, rooms that need to be cleaned, and all sorts of work to be done. Oh well, such is the life of a Galaxy Angel. Supervising director, Ryo Mizuno (Lodoss War) comments that for Galaxy Angel, they first created interesting characters and then created the fictional world around them. Who are the characters? Meet Mille Fille, an overly optimistic, hot blooded girl who is of times a troublemaker and too quick to action (but most people don't mind because she's just so cute); Vanilla H, a shy girl who only speaks when spoken to, but when given orders she does her utmost to carry them out; Ranfua Framboise, strong-willed and tough on the outside but actually quite shy; Mint Blamanche, with a baby face and cat ears, she's quiet, gentle and really cute but also quite business savy; and Forte Citroen, a very cut-and-dried type of person whose hobbies include carrying a whip, shooting off missiles, and collecting firearms. Direction on Galaxy Angel is by Morio Asaka and Yoshimitsu Ohashi, character designs are by Mariko Fujita, and mecha designs are by Takeshi Takakura. Galaxy Angel: on-air in Japan Saturdays @ 12:30 a.m. on ANIMAX.

NAJICA - TV

In the future, due to great movement of the Earth's crust, 17% of the planet's landmass is now underwater and the economic state of the world is in chaos. The heroine of our story, 27-year-old Najica Hiiragi, is a perfumier by trade who can distinguish over 500 different scents. But that's just her day job--Najica is also a special agent of a secret organization who's been ordered to live with a genetically engineered hybrid human called ZZZ. Why? Well, you'll have to watch the anime to see, won't you? Direction is by Katsuhiko Nishijima (Agent Aika, Megami Paradise); character designs and animation direction are by Noriyasu Yamauchi (Vampire Hunter D, Labyrinth of Fire). Najica: on-air in Japan in July.

CUTEY HONEY - TV

The curvacious android created by Professor Kisaragi is back! Go Nagai's popular manga, first serialized in Shonen Champion 28 years ago, has reappeared in many different media including animated television series, theatrically released movies, an OAV series, and even a new manga created by Go Nagai himself, but the latest format for Cutey Honey will be rendered in full 3D computer graphics. A pilot show is currently in production, based on the design you see here. Animation production is by Griots and Masashi Sakamoto; Hiroyuki Kitakubo (Blood) produces; CG production is by the Sasahara Group; CG direction is by Masashi Sasahara; and creature designs are by Yasushi Nirazawa, Cutey Honey.

COSMO WARRIOR ZERO - TV

The legendary Captain Harlock returns to TV in this new story based on the works of Leiji Matsumoto (Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldas, Harlock Saga). In the 30th century, in order to maintain a peaceful existence, humans have given in to a coexistance with the mechanized "machine people" who have traded their humanity for an extended life by replacing their human bodies with machine replacements. For Captain Harlock, champion of the human spirit, this just won't do, and he sets out to fight for a new future. But the people of the outer galaxy, none too eager to give up their lifestyle, force the Earth federation to send Warrior Zero--who doesn't even know what Harlock is wanted for--to capture the infamous space pirate. Directed by Kazuyoshi Yokota with animation production by Vega Entertainment. Cosmo Warrior Zero: on-air in Japan Fridays @ 3:10 p.m. on Skyperfect TV's Anime Theater X.

ABENOBASHI MAGICAL SHOPPING DISTRICT - TV

The latest anime project from Studio Gainax (Nadia, Neon Genesis Evangelion) is the currently in production Abenobashi Mah Shtengai ("Abenobashi Magical Shopping District"). Sashi Imamiya and Arumi Asahina live in the Abenobashi shopping district in Osaka. One summer day the two girls are transported to the parallel universe, Maho Shotengai ("Magical Shopping District"), where common sense is far from being common. Sashi and Arumi are a comical pair lost in a bizarre and wacky alternate world. Will the two ever make it home? Direction is by Hiroyuki Yamaga (The Wings of Honneamise), the series is written by Yamaga and Satoru Akahori (Sorcerer Hunters), with animation direction by Tadashi Hiramatsu (Kareshi Kanojo no Jijo); animation production is by Madhouse and Gainax. Abenobashi Maho Shotenga: animated TV series.