Japanese film distributor Toho has released its schedule for next year and it includes Steamboy, Katsuhiro Otomo's first feature length directorial project since his breakthrough film Akira in 1988.   Although the film was rumored to be ready for release in 2003, its appearance on the Toho schedule seals the deal, since historically there have been few deviations from the Toho list. A retro science fiction epic set in Victorian England (see 'Otomo's Steamboy Anime'), Steamboy is the most expensive animated film in Japanese history with a budget of some 2.4 billion yen (roughly $20 million).  With more than 180,000 drawings and 400 CG cuts, Steamboy is sure to be one of the most elaborate animated features of 2003.  And given Akira's reputation in the U.S., Steamboy appears likely to get some sort of theatrical release here.