Japan's "King of Comics" Passes Away

Ishinomori Shoutaroh, one of Japan's most famous manga artists, died on 28 January 1998, at the age of 60.
While perhaps not a household name to American anime fans, Mr. Ishinomori was referred to as the "King of Comics," secondary only to the legendary Tezuka Osamu (the "God of Comics.") Ishinomori created such series as CYBORG 009 (SAIBO-GU 009) and the immortal MASKED RIDER (KAMEN RAIDAA) series.
In the U.S., he is probably best known as the author of MANGA NIHON KEIZAI NYUUMON (CARTOON GUIDE TO THE JAPANESE ECONOMY), which used manga to explain economic issues. He was awarded a prize in 1988 by the Japanese Cartoonists Association for the work. It has also been translated into English.

1938		Onodera Shoutaroh (later renamed Ishinomori) born in Miyagi Prefecture 25 January
1955		Ishinomori debuts in Manga Shonen with A SECOND-CLASS ANGEL (NINKYUU TENSHI)
1956		Ishinomori graduates from Sukenuma High School
1966		SABU AND ICHI'S DETECTIVE STORY premieres in Shonen Sunday (later Big Comic)
		CYBORG 009 animation film premieres 21 July
		Ishinomori wins 7th Kodansha Manga Award for CYBORG 009 and MUTANT SUB
1968		Ishinomori establishes Ishinomori Pro.
		CYBORG 009 television animation premieres 5 April
		SABU AND ICHI'S DETECTIVE STORY television animation premieres 3 October
		Ishinomori wins 13th Shogakukan Manga Award for SABU AND ICHI'S DETECTIVE STORY and JUN
1971		MASKED RIDER manga premieres in Bokura Magazine (later Weekly Shounen Magazine)
		MASKED RIDER live-action series begins
1974		Ishinomori directs FINGER 5's GREAT ADVENTURE
1988		Ishinomori wins 33rd Shogakukan Manga Award (Seinen Category) for HOTEL and CARTOON GUIDE TO THE JAPANESE ECONOMY
		Ishinomori wins 17th Japan Cartoonists Association Grand Prize for CARTOON GUIDE TO THE JAPANESE ECONOMY
1990		HOTEL live-action series begins
		Ishinomori wins 6th Nippon Sake Grand Prize
1998		Ishinomori passes away of heart failure 28 January

MONONOKE'S theatrical release in US announced.

Miramax Films announced plans to release PRINCESS MONONOKE in theaters across United States this summer. Studio Ghibli director Miyazaki Hayao has called PRINCESS MONONOKE (MONONOKE HIME) his last feature film. Last year, Mononoke became the only film in history to earn 10 billion yen in Japanese theaters, and it is still playing over thirty weeks after its 12 July premiere. Miramax, a Walt Disney subsidiary, will release the film through its genre film division Dimension Films. Miramax has also been releasing SHALL WE DANCE?, a live-action film which was also part of the 1996 Tokuma-Disney distribution agreement. The Japanese newpaper Houchi Shimbun printed an unconfirmed report on 10 January that Mononoke will premiere late July in America in over 2500 theaters, while the Sports Nippon newspaper reported on 17 January that Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are under consideration for voicing the English version.

KIKI'S home video release in US announced.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Disney's home video subsidiary, announced the scheduled release of KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (MAJO NO TAKKYUUBIN) in the United States. As part of last year's agreement with the Tokuma Group, Buena Vista will release this 1989 film on video this 22 September. KIKI was the fourth film Miyazaki Hayao wrote and directed under Studio Ghibli. Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds, Janeane Garofalo, and Mathew Lawrence will dub the English version. The Japanese newpaper Houchi Shimbun also printed an unconfirmed report on 20 January that the Disney-owned American network ABC will air Kiki on broadcast television as early as this spring.