Iron Man: The Anime Series

HaiTien78 said:

I don't think its so much as "intended for Japanese audiences" but rather taking the lore and putting a Japanese spin on it and have it appeal to both regions.

That sounds pretty close, although I'd say Marvel initially came up with the premise and then consulted and contracted Madhouse, with Ellis writing the whole thing. Ellis probably over saw some of the production that went on already, he's probably calling some of the shots. So by the time a few episodes make it here during the production stages I'd say Ellis has probably already approved of at least some of them. But from what I can tell from SDCC it looks like it'll be a simultaneous release.

Although the localization of the lore is curi'ous in itself. Since its been proven in the past that Japan loves Marvel for what it already is, so why was it necessary? I mean I'm glad its something unique and different for once (funny that it happens to be a Marvel multiverse tale), but I don't think a drastic localization (more so Wolverine's part) was necessary for it to be successful in both regions.

Click to expand...

NEW YORK--As part of the company's aggressive strategy to grow the exposure of its character franchises in international markets, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is partnering with Madhouse - one of the top Japanese animation studios in the world - to create brand new characters inspired by the Marvel Universe for the Japanese market.

Working closely with Marvel, Madhouse will produce cutting edge Japanese anime series based on Marvel's world-renowned character library for the Japanese market. The characters will be adapted visually, using the unique style of Japanese anime, and their back stories and histories will interweave the local culture and history of Japan, with an eye toward making their mythology more relevant to the Japanese audience. This collaboration will result in a completely new character base, which will eventually cross-over into the current Marvel Universe.

Click to expand...

Madhouse is currently in production on the first of four new series (12 x 30 minutes), which are scheduled to launch in spring 2010. The initial series will feature characters including Iron Man and Wolverine, among others, and Madhouse will ultimately look to adapt the entire Marvel Universe, creating in essence a whole new character base for Marvel.

“We are incredibly excited to have this full collaboration with Marvel to create a completely new world that has never been done before in the Marvel Universe. This will be the first time there will be a full Japanese anime style for Marvel, and the Madhouse creative team is fully engaged to bring this to a worldwide audience,†said Jungo Maruta, president and CEO of Madhouse Inc.

The Marvel anime series will debut on ANIMAX, the first and largest 24-hour network dedicated to anime.

Click to expand...

MrMonk said:

From the original press release:





Animax is Japan's satellite anime network. I'm sure we'll get them eventually, but we'll get them in fansubs first.

The underlined part is what scares me.

Click to expand...

HaiTien78 said:

I read it already and I interpreted it as putting a Japanese spin on the lore that can apply to both markets and not "Intended just for Japanese".

And doesn't Animax air in English in various countries? I have the channel on my TVU and Dish, and its dubbed in English.

Click to expand...

MrMonk said:

I believe it does in Australia and Asia. Unsure. I know neither the UK or US have the channel though.

I'm not saying it's just for the Japanese. Just that they're the primary audience in consideration.

Click to expand...

Punk said:

HOLY. CRAP. :buttrock::buttrock::buttrock::buttrock::buttrock::buttrock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_ej7ZlS2oQ

Click to expand...

HaiTien78 said:

I've already heard rumors from the Marvel booth that the plot involves Wolverine not even being a mutant. Because like I said already its been proven that Japan loves Marvel for what it already is, they don't need it adapted to their culture for it to be a hit.

Click to expand...

Quark said:

So the concept was to give a generic anime dude claws and the name Wolverine?

Click to expand...