Hmmm...

[bzarcher]

www.animenewsnetwork.net

Gonzo Studios of Japan has officially announced plans to animate a G.I. Joe OAV based on the famous Hasbro toy franchise. No additional details are mentioned, but the press release does state that Gonzo intends this work to continue the momentum started by the production of the Linkin Park music video "Breaking the Habit" in moving Gonzo Studios into the international children's entertainment business.

Now, admittedly, Linkin Park is /never/ a good endorsement, but Gonzo did do a very badass job with Hellsing.

Put me down as officially curious about this one.

Comments

[gearhead.livejournal.com]

Gonzo in general is to never be underestimated.

Hellsing is one of their works, but as I recall, Soultaker, Gungrave, Vandread, the opening credits for Suikoden 3 and several other shows are also on their list.

Gonzo, in all honestly, has taken over the torch for high-quality animation (typically) that you used to see from houses like TMS and AIC before its mojo went south and never came back. Hellsing is TYPICAL for their good work.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

I'm mostly just using Hellsing as point of reference because it's A) Probably the most common Gonzo product for people reading this to be aware of and B)closer in requirements of animation and theme to G.I. Joe than the rest. :D

Still, them's some big shoes to fill...

[gearhead.livejournal.com]

Had to say.

The animation level for GI Joe came and went in fits and starts. I dare say Gonzo would be able to do a BETTER job... if whoever is handling the licensing turns them loose.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but I think there's a level of base character art and feel that people will be expecting. If they can't match that....

Plus, 20 years of nostalgia is a hard bill to pay.

[bredmold.livejournal.com]

Gonzo does good animation... I haven't been paying attention to who actually writes stuff, but I stopped watching Bakuretsu Tenshi after episode 6 or so, because it was so badly written.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Yeah , the writing will make a big difference, too. And their occasional habit of going above the creator's intentions in a very bad way. (Last 4 eps of Hellsing, anyone?)

[avylin.livejournal.com]

Linkin Park is a far cry better than most popular crap available today.

I wonder what the anime will be like, though... I can't imagine it'd be anything but an American-aimed production, so I wonder how that will affect things.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

They're certainly better than Nickleback, but I can only think of two of their songs I actually like. OTOH, true, better than most.

We'll see how it all goes.

[ptika.livejournal.com]

Children's entertainment is kinda a step down isn't it? Especially if it's '80s toy-promotion cartoon retreads. Sorry, but while I was a huge fan of the Larry Hama comics, the G.I. Joe show did nothing for me. All I remember is:

"COBRALALALALALALA!!!"

Also, Hellsing was good for the first few episodes, but the animation quality was never that great. Gonzo's done better - I wouldn't take Hellsing as the best example.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

We'll see. :D It would be a breakthrough into the market if they can make it stick.

As to Hellsing, it may not be their best animation, but it probably is their best example of military-themed animation, I think.

[gigerlicious.livejournal.com]

GONZO is also the firm that has allegedly landed the Transformers: Cybertron gig. Not surprising that Hasbro wants to roll with the same company for a Joe flick.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

Are they? I hadn't heard that.

Well, this will definently be interesting.

(BTW: You seen Alternator Tracks or Dead End up there? I can't find any in Columbus for love nor money.)

[gigerlicious.livejournal.com]

Hasbro made a general statement about GONZO taking over at OTFCC, though I've seen nothing official, likely because it's still in early production.


Dead End has begun to have sightings all over the country. I know specifically of at least two Columbus TF fans who've found it in the last month. Tracks has zero US sightings so far, but in-box photos have surfaced suggesting Tracks are on the the boat already and should be in stores soon.