Posts Tagged ‘guardians of luna’

Earlier this week, a press release went out from Funimation announcing that they had signed on as distributors for the upcoming anime movie Guardians of Luna. Created by California based Cybergraphix Animation, the press release vaguely hinted at a fantasy story but drew much more attention to the names attached: Michael Reaves has signed on as story editor (writer for Batman: The Animated Series), Cindy Yamauchi will be doing the character designs (animation director for Black Lagoon and Gungrave) and the animation will be created by Japanese studio APPP (Golden Boy, Kurogane Communication, Risky Safety). It was originally speculated that this was the first result of Funimation’s new original programming initiative but they have since clarified that the two are actually separate.

In the last couple of days, I’ve had the chance to trade a few emails with CEO of Cybergraphix and Executive Producer of Guardians of Luna, Avi Melman, to get more details. I’ve been able to confirm that the movie is planned to be a dual language release full anime movie and manga series. While the writing is still in its very early stages, the team is hoping to have a script finished and ready for pre-production by March 2010. When I asked about the possibility of simultaneous release, Melman told me that it was still too early to know about that though there was mention of plans for a TV series depending on the reception of the movie.

The press release earlier this week set up what seems to be a fantasy story; can you elaborate on it a bit and share what the basic story will be in Guardians of Luna?

Avi: The basic story involves an ancient race of shape-shifters who were wiped out millennia ago by humans. Their spirits remain, and their collective souls have infused an aged elm with great power. Fast-forward to an industrial-futuristic cityscape where ancient texts have revealed this powerful secret to the city’s architects, and whose current heir uses the city’s vast resources to try and tap this power. The spirits, who defenses are limited to a weakening barrier, call upon the last of their descendants to help protect the power source.  The problem is that these four ‘Guardians’ have an uphill battle not only to put aside their differences and come together as a force, but to learn more about the powers that have been awakened within them.

In the planning stages, were you always intending to have the series become a dual language release for both sides of the Pacific? When did APPP join as the animation staff?

Avi: In the very early stages, I don’t think we had considered the potential for release in Japan, but as we progressed, it became a key territory, particularly with the anime style involved. APPP joined us in 2007 when we collaborated on a 90-second advance promo for Guardians of Luna. The connection between our studios grew from that, and we have been developing the project further with them.

How much involvement and input will you have as a producer of the series regarding the look and style of the anime as its being produced next year?

Avi: While it was a decision as producer to allow APPP to manage the look and direction of the anime, I will be involved in day-to-day design approvals. It’s important to ensure all of the elements of story and design merge into one strong, unified production, so I will be doing my part to help that along.

It was also announced that a manga is being created as well. Can you share any information about who is behind that side of the story yet?

Avi: The details of the manga are still up in the air, so I can’t quite elaborate on it yet. But I hope to provide more details soon.

The official website for the movie has already been opened but doesn’t contain much more than a subscription box for updates. Stay tuned through 2010 as the movie starts entering its new production phase. If you want to get a very general idea on the feel of the series, there is a demo reel available on the Cybergraphix Animation website. In the short movie that plays, the first few seconds feature some werewolves that, I think, will give fans an idea of where the movie is starting from though it’s likely going to become very different as it evolves into its final product.

Updated 10:14am: Replaced image

Original Press Release below Cut

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