With the San Diego Comic-Con International kicking off Wednesday night with an anticipated 75,000+ attendees expected for the weekend, the Acura Tennis Classic tennis tournament in town, and opening weekend at the Del Mar Race track, hotel rooms in San Diego are at an extreme premium this week, with Superbowl-style pricing.

In the latest example of corporate synergy at Time/Warner, the Cartoon Network and DC Comics have entered into a partnership in which DC Direct will produce, market and distribute new collectibles featuring characters from the Cartoon Network's growing library of animated favorites.

The Anime News Network in association with a group of anime and manga publishers has announced a new initiative to bring hope to kids with cancer.

Bandai America is offering participating retailers a free Navia Drapt (pronounced 'Nav-ia drapp') demo kit.

Duel Masters , the new multi-media anime property from Wizards of the Coast, will be ubiquitous at this year's San Diego Comic Con International with toys, magazines, comic books, and video games.

Media Blasters is preparing to release the complete DVD collection of the Samurai Deeper Kyo anime.

Viz LLC. has announced that the American theatrical premier of the first InuYasha movie will take place Friday, July 23rd at the 2004 Comic Con in San Diego.

ADV Films has announced that it will release Aquarian Age: Awakening on September 14.

Kaiyodo, one of the most innovative and inventive of the major Japanese toy companies, is preparing its first official full exhibit at an American trade show.

Attendance at Anime Expo took a major leap in 2004 as the total number of attendees went over the 25,000 mark.