Valkyria Chornicles: The Gallian Story / 戦場のヴァルキュリア GALLIAN♦CHRONICLES Preview in Tokyo Anime Fair 2009

The most awaited adaptation of Valkyria Chornicles strategy game into anime is now available on preview. SEGA seeing success of Tales of Abyss anime adaptation decided that Valkyria to be second vehicle in diversifying their product.

"The game is set in Europa, a fictional version of Europe, in 1935. Because of its abundance of ragnite ore, which can be refined into a powerful fuel, the neutral nation of Gallia comes under attack from the East European Imperial Alliance, which is itself engaged in a war with the Atlantic Federation."



Valkyria Chornicles received critical acclaim from gaming community and SEGA smells big money here so few months ago they announced an anime adaptation of the game. The production team also decided to soften the game's original hard edged water coloured art to appeal to more female fans (readers can see the original game character design at the bottom of this entry). The series also will be more focused on daily lives of the characters, the massive battles will be just background canvas for the narrative instead of main plot point. The Japanese VA cast were retained from game.

The interest of anime fans has been considerable, the thread in big AnimeSuki forum has reached 20 plus pages which is pretty impressive for something is not on air yet.



"An anime adaptation had recently been announced, scheduled for 2009 under production by Aniplex's A-1 Pictures. The series would be directed by Yasutaka Yamamoto and written by Michiko Yokote. It will air on Animax from April 2009. The theme song will be performed by Catherine St. Onge, as winner of the Animax Anison Grand Prix competition, under her chosen moniker of HIMEKA; the original score for the anime will be composed and conducted by the game's composer Hitoshi Sakimoto."




Michiko Yokote is force behind famous Genshiken, Cowboy Bebop and Blood Plus anime series will be penning script for the works. This has increased my expectation for well written and rich story here. Frankly, I haven't play the game so I do not know what to expect. Looking at the big money injection and talented staff behind this, I expect it to be above average at least.



Official Site

Soon to be aired on April 2009.

Anime still struggling to make $$$ in USA

In a recent interview for pop culture news site ICv2.com, TokyoPop founder and CEO Stuart Levy describes his company's initial strategy in 1998 to harness what he calls "the three C's: content, community and commerce." A decade later, he and others in Japan's U.S.-targeted pop industries have been wildly successful at mastering the first two--content and community--but are struggling mightily to complete the triangle.

In addition to the shelves of manga and anime at U.S. bookstores and libraries, and the fan conventions held each weekend, you can now see original sketches, production cels and anime screenings at highbrow venues such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, the Pacific Asia Art Museum in Pasadena, Calif., and the Japan Society in New York.


Source

A discussion outlined difficulties of making anime and its related products saleable in USA( world largest consumer market despite the current economic crisis). A markedly pro industry and somewhat anti piracy article (hint: fansubbers) in content, nevertheless it talks about dilemma of US industry to realize profit despite able to create subculture of anime and people willing to go far for the genre.

The collapse of ADV USA and Geneon USA are stark reminders of grim reality on anime industry for English speaking communities which some pundits felt went wrong in its strategy somewhere. Creativity and passion need time to nurture but to turn both into $$$ need more subtle yet tactile approach.

It remains to be seen if commercial gods will decide to favour this industry or not.