AnimeVision

Fans of School Rumble rejoice - a 3rd series of the high scholl comedy has been given the go-ahead in Japan, although it may not be quite as easy to get your hands on as the other two - the show's website (Japanese) has announced that it'll be released as two DVDs bundled with limited-edition versions of volumes 21 & 22 of the manga. Volume 21 is slated for release on 17th July. The new series has the same creative staff as the first two, although the LE nature of the release possibly puts a question mark over whether it'll get an English-language release.

A little footnote in the history of UK anime that won't be a surprise to those of you who ave been following recent events. Along with many other people, I received an email late last night from Hugh David, ADV UK's head PR honcho, confirming the closure of ADV International. If you've been to pretty much any UK convention in the past few years, Hugh and the crew from ADV UK will be familiar to you, from industry panels, con booth giveaways, cosplay judging, and any number of other appearances - these guys were never slow to get involved and prove they were as much a part of the fan scene as they were part of the "corporate" side of the anime business. From today, ADV UK is no more, victim of the contracting-out of their work to new UK reps Lace Digital Media.

While not wanting to knock LDMS before they've even gotten started, Hugh and the others at ADV UK will be missed, as they were for so long part of the face of UK anime. To them I say: I wish you all the very best in the future, and hope that the UK's other releasing companies have the good sense to pick up the services of at least some of you - it would be a shame for your knowledge and enthusiasm to go to waste. Hopefully in one way or another, we won't have seen the last of you.

MVM are releasing the first volume of Black Lagoon on 10 March - and unless Geneon get themselves reorganised soon, we'll be getting the final volumes before those pesky Americans do. How often can we say that?

To tide you over until then, we've got a few preview clips to whet your appetite. I hadn't seen any of the show before these landed in my inbox, but I have to say they've certainly got my interest up. We'll hopefully have the review of volume one posted next week.

Clip One | Clip Two | Clip Three | Clip Four