A.D. Vision, Inc. (ADV), announced a new alliance with Comix Wave Inc., one of Japan's top anime and manga management and production companies.  The purpose of the alliance is to promote and popularize Comix Wave's creative talent and holdings.  ADV has already acquired the North American rights to a Comix Wave anime production, Voices of a Distant Star, by Makoto Shinkai, whose work on the film earned him the award for 'Most Valuable Newcomer' at the Tokyo Anime Fair 21 in February of this year.  Comix Wave manages more than 50 of Japan's top manga artists and illustrators.  ADV will help Comix Wave penetrate the U.S. market by using its position to expand Comic's Wave's artists' recognition within the American fan base.  ADV will also help Comix Wave create merchandise and related media from the Comix Wave artists' works and intellectual properties.  This August ADV will sponsor a panel at the San Diego Comic-Con International featuring Comix Wave artist Masami Esaka.

 

In addition to its extensive list of anime offerings ADV has recently expanded its efforts in related fields.  The company is publishing the stunning U.S. edition of Japan's number one anime magazine, Newtype (see 'Newtype USA Bows At Cons'), and its alliance with Comix Wave could easily lead to other publishing ventures.  ADV's other major initiative this year involves an extensive schedule of CD collections of anime soundtracks.  Twelve disks in ADV's 'Animetracs' series have already appeared and the company has the rights to another120 music disks.  ADV's alliance with Comix Wave is a further indication that the Houston-based anime company is seeking to broaden its base.