Private company | |
Industry | multimedia entertainment |
---|---|
Fate | Liquidation |
Successor | Section23 Films AEsir Holdings Valkyrie Media Partners Seraphim Digital Sentai Filmworks |
Founded | August 17, 1992; 26 years ago (original)[1] April 12, 2013; 6 years ago (relaunch) |
Founder | John Ledford Matt Greenfield David Williams |
Defunct | September 1, 2009; 9 years ago |
Headquarters | Houston, Texas, United States |
Products | Anime Manga Magazines Films TV Series Direct-to-video projects Merchandising |
Parent | Independent (1992–2009) Sentai Filmworks (2013–present) |
Website | None |
A.D. Vision (known simply as ADV and also referred to as ADV Films) was an American multimedia entertainment studio that served as the largest American and British anime distributor in the late 20th to early 21st centuries.[2] Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ADV Films was formed in 1992 by video game fan John Ledford and anime fans Matt Greenfield and David Williams. The company spent the next 17 years in the fields of home video production and distribution, broadcast television, theatrical film distribution, merchandising, original productions, magazine and comic book publishing. In 2002, most of ADV Films' back catalog were used to program its new channel, the Anime Network.
For over 15 years, ADV released successful anime titles. Among them are Neon Genesis Evangelion, Robotech, RahXephon, Full Metal Panic, Azumanga Daioh, Elfen Lied, Gantz, Red Garden and Le Chevalier D'Eon.[2] The company maintained offices in North America, Europe and Asia. In addition to North America, ADV Films distributed their home media releases in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany.[3] With declining fortunes in the mid-2000s due to low sales, ADV collapsed and eventually liquidated their assets in 2009.[4]Section23 Films, Sentai Filmworks, AEsir Holdings, Valkyrie Media Partners and Seraphim Digital; which became subsidiaries of AEsir Media. Ledford, Greenfield and Williams continue to work for these companies as mentors and creative consultants and most of ADV's back catalog were re-licensed by Discotek Media, Media Blasters, Sentai Filmworks, Maiden Japan, NIS America, Nozomi Entertainment, Viz Media, Ponycan USA, Aniplex of America and Funimation. As of 2019, in addition to owning the rights to the ADV Films brand name, Sentai Filmworks now distributes later releases such as Mezzo DSA on DVD,[5]Kino's Journey on DVD[6][7] and SD Blu-ray[8] and Elfen Lied on DVD[9][10] and Blu-ray.[11]
- 1History
- 2Divisions
- 3Magazines
History[edit]
Venus Versus Virus Manga Download
The former A.D. Vision building at the Plaza Southwest complex in Greater Sharpstown, Houston, Texas, seen in a 2009 photograph.[12]
John Ledford, a native of Houston, started a Japanese video game and video console import business in 1990. He was introduced to anime when he watched My Neighbor Totoro at his friend's suggestion.[13] At the time, Matt Greenfield, born in San Francisco, ran a local anime club called Anime NASA, which also included classmate David Williams.[1] After consulting with Ledford, Greenfield joined him and Williams to found A.D. Vision, which officially opened for business on August 17, 1992.[1][14] Ledford contacted Toho about optioning the rights to license Devil Hunter Yohko. Shozo Watanabe, the general manager of Toho's Los Angeles office, expressed concern that A.D. Vision would not be able to handle the distribution of the film. Unable to find another distributor, Toho convinced A.D. Vision to license the series.[1][13] That December, Devil Hunter Yohko became the first title to be released by A.D. Vision.
In 2007, Japan's Sojitz announced that Japan Content Investments (JCI), an investment group run by Sojitz, Development Bank of Japan, and film distribution company KlockWorx, planned to contribute money to A.D. Vision, in return for equity in the company. Ledford was to remain the majority shareholder and CEO. JCI subsidiary ARM also planned to contribute money for ADV to use in acquiring new distribution licenses. The investment was to ADV Films to raise its output of new anime titles, which had dropped in 2006, back to previous levels or above. In return, ADV planned to assist Sojitz with the acquisition of North American and European content for importation into Japan. According to ADV, they also reportedly had 'big plans' for its manga line.[15]
Distribution of Geneon properties[edit]
In August 2007, a notice was sent to retailers stating that ADV Films would be taking over the distribution, marketing, and sales of Geneon properties in the US as of October 1.[16] In preparation, Geneon United States laid off most of its sales division; however, in September the distribution deal was canceled.[17] Dentsu confirmed that the distribution deal was canceled through a press release on September 21, 2007 with no reasons given except that Geneon and ADV were 'unable to reach a mutual agreement.'[18]
Sojitz partnership[edit]
In June 2006, ADV Films entered into a partnership with the Japanese Sojitz Corporation. This was done as a means of acquiring more titles in the Japanese market.[19] From this point on, virtually all titles that ADV acquired were with Sojitz's help. However, in January 2008, ADV mysteriously removed a large number of titles from their website.[20] All the titles removed were titles acquired since the Sojitz collaboration including Gurren Lagann, which had test disks sent out with dubbed episodes. As of May 2008, Gurren Lagann was licensed by Bandai Entertainment. ADV Films made booth appearances at the Anime Central 2008 convention, but they canceled their planned panel.[21] In July 2008, Funimation announced the acquisition of thirty of these titles.[22]
The titles removed from ADV's website are as follows: 009-1, 5 Centimeters per Second, Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy, both the film and television adaptions of the Key visual novel Air, Best Student Council, Blade of the Phantom Master, Comic Party Revolution, Coyote Ragtime Show, Devil May Cry, the 2006 live-action horror film Ghost Train, Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor, Innocent Venus, Jing King of Bandits: 7th Heaven, Jinki: Extend, the 2006 anime remake of yet another Key visual novel, Kanon, Kurau: Phantom Memory, Le Chevalier D'Eon, Magikano, Moeyo Ken, Moonlight Mile, Nerima Daikon Brothers, Pani Poni Dash!, Project Blue Earth SOS, Pumpkin Scissors, Red Garden, Tokyo Majin, UFO Princess Valkyrie, the first anime of Utawarerumono, Venus vs. Virus, The Wallflower, Welcome to the NHK and Xenosaga.
Sentai Filmworks partnership[edit]
On October 20, 2008, it was announced that ADV had entered into a licensing arrangement with new licensor Sentai Filmworks. The highlight of the new partnership was that ADV would be distributing the anime television adaptation of the popular visual novel Clannad, also they acquired the distribution rights to Koharu Biyori, Mahoromatic, Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful (both were previously licensed by Geneon), Tsukihime (previously licensed by Geneon), Pet Shop of Horrors (previously licensed by Urban Vision), and Jewel BEM Hunter Lime (previously licensed by Media Blasters).[23] After the dissolution of ADV, Section23 Films has now distribution rights for Sentai.
Central Park Media acquisitions[edit]
Following the May 2009 bankruptcy and liquidation of Central Park Media, ADV Films acquired the North American rights of Grave of the Fireflies and re-released it on DVD on July 7, 2009.[24] This Studio Ghibli work was their only theatrical film whose North American distribution was not controlled by Disney until GKIDS' release of the 2011 film From Up on Poppy Hill. ADV Films also acquired the licenses of multiple other CPM titles as well.
Liquidation and dissolution[edit]
On September 1, 2009, ADV announced that it was liquidating its assets,[4] including intellectual properties, its distribution arm and the Anime Network to four companies: Seraphim Studios, AEsir Holdings LLC, Valkyrie Media Partners LLC and SXION 23 LLC.[25] The impact of this sale on the company's plans to license and release new titles, is still not fully known, but the ADV brand name and logo have been retired. Anime News Network has reported that Seraphim Studios, Valkyrie Media Partners and SXION 23 are all corporations registered (initially filed) by Griffin D. Vance IV, who was ADV's senior vice president of business and legal affairs.[26]
The following companies all acquired assets from A.D. Vision:
- Sentai Filmworks is the licensor company for acquiring Japanese anime into the North American market.
- AEsir Holdings has licensed rights to most of ADV Films' former library of titles (some titles are licensed directly by Sentai Filmworks).
- Seraphim Studios acquired Amusement Park Media, ADV's production studio, and it was renamed Seraphim Digital Studios.
- Valkyrie Media Partners acquired the Anime Network. The network continues to operate as before the sale.
- Section23 Films is a distributor and marketing company of Switchblade Pictures, Sentai Filmworks, Maiden Japan, and AEsir Holdings.
That day, major retail website Robert's Corner Anime Blog contacted Mike Bailiff, formerly of ADV Films and now heading up Sales and Marketing at Section 23 Films. Bailiff revealed that 'Section 23 has acquired all of ADV's former licenses and most of the staff' including 'everyone at ADV that mattered.'[27]
In addition to the new companies that were created from the remains of ADV, Section 23 also took over distribution of Switchblade Pictures. The company focuses on low-budget J-horror and pink cinema titles and its DVDs had also previously been distributed by ADV. No one is quite certain as to the exact relationship of Switchblade and Section 23. The executives listed on all Switchblade titles differ from those on all other Section 3 releases, and several industry insiders have been led to believe that 'Switchblade is someone else's baby'. However, when the registration of the company was found, it was revealed that Ledford had helped register the company.
On September 18, 2009, the anime review site iSugoi.com posted a full podcast devoted to the shutdown of ADV, analyzing that ADV hadn't really shut down and the new companies such as Section 23 were basically ADV selling itself to itself: that it was not a shutdown but a drastic rebranding and restructuring. The report went on to say that Section 23 was, for all intents and purposes, the direct successor-organization to the old ADV company name, and that ADV split its assets such as the Anime Network into the other three companies to take advantage of several legal loopholes. The podcast report concluded with the assertion that Section 23, and the umbrella of associated companies ADV split into, could effectively be thought of as Neo-ADV (referencing how in Mobile Suit Gundam, when the Principality of Zeon was defeated, its remnants reorganized into Neo Zeon).[28]
On October 19, 2009, rival distribution company Funimation posted an online Q&A video panel hosted by events manager Adam Sheehan. When asked about ADV going out of business, Sheehan's response was the following:
ADV isn't out of business. ADV did remaster itself, as you might call it, and change itself into multiple different companies (Section 23, etc.), holding different parts of its brands, of its marketing, so [it's] still around..the best way I would describe it is to think of it as Voltron: if it turned back into the five lions, so it's not the one Voltron robot anymore, so the ADV logo is no longer around, but the lions and all the properties are still around.
— [29]
Ken Hoinsky, Managing Founder of MX Media LLC, a translation and localization company contracting with most major anime distribution companies (FUNimation, Viz, Bandai), appeared on the October 29, 2009, Anime News Network podcast: in it he said that his company also contracts with Section 23, but that he also collectively refers to the allied companies that ADV split into as Neo-ADV.[30]
Another new company associated with Sentai Filmworks is 'Maiden Japan'. While Sentai Filmworks is responsible for licensing new titles, both Section 23 and Maiden Japan serve as distributors for it. Since ADV's fire sale, Ledford, Greenfield and Williams moved on to work for new projects at Section 23 and Maiden Japan, respectively. Technically, Maiden Japan is 'associated' with Switchblade Pictures.
Gainax lawsuit[edit]
In August 2011, A.D. Vision sued Gainax over Gainax's refusal to accept an option payment for the perpetual live-action rights to Evangelion, including the planned live-action film; ADV charges that by refusing to accept payment, Gainax broke the contract and is asking for the rights and legal fees.[31]
Divisions[edit]
ADV Films[edit]
ADV Films was the home video publication arm of A.D. Vision based in Houston, Texas, specializing in publishing anime and tokusatsu videos, as well as other live-action material. In 1996, ADV Films opened its UK division, and diversified into the realm of live-action television series, such as Andromeda, and Japanese films.[citation needed]
The first title to be licensed and released to video was Devil Hunter Yohko. They were the first North American anime licensee to use all-digital video mastering and transfer (specifically D2 digital video tape), and soon began acquiring an extensive library of titles. Initially, titles were released to video with the original Japanese language track and English subtitles added. A few years later, they began dubbing releases to English using their own voice actors. ADV started out using a nearby production studio as their recording facility, but after a few years they were able to open up their own production and recording facility in Houston, as well as a second studio in Austin, Texas. The studios were named Industrial Smoke & Mirrors (IS&M) and Monster Island, respectively. Monster Island closed down permanently in early 2005 and IS&M became known simply as ADV Studios. In their later years, ADV Studios began offering their services for other companies, which led to their name being changed to Amusement Park Media.
ADV Films offered a program called Anime ADVocates, which provided free screening material and other promotional content to nearly 3,000 anime clubs in North America.[32] To qualify for the program, the club had to be sponsored by a local high school, college, university, or public library and have at least 10 members. Member clubs were also asked to participate in surveys about the content they received.[33] However, in November 2007, ADV Films put the program on hiatus, then on January 18, 2008, ADV Films announced that the program was being suspended indefinitely due to amount of resources the program needed. The company continued to offer anime clubs screening permission for its titles prior to its reorganization.[32]
As of July 2008, ADV Films and ARM Corporation transferred the licenses to over 30 different shows into the hands of fellow anime distributor Funimation. Those rights included the home video, broadcast, digital, and merchandising rights in North America and other regions.[34]
Since then, former ADV titles have since been re-licensed by other companies such as Funimation, Aniplex of America, Sentai Filmworks, Media Blasters, Discotek Media, Nozomi Entertainment, Maiden Japan, Viz Media, NIS America, and Ponycan USA.
Anime Network[edit]
Anime Network was a cable channel in North America dedicated to anime. The network launched in North America in late 2002 and was marketed to multi-system operators (MSOs) as both a stand-alone 24-hour linear network and as a VOD programming service.[35] The Anime Network was the United States' first all-anime cable TV network. On January 4, 2008, Anime Network officially announced that the traditional 24/7 service would cease operations.[36]
The Anime Network exists now as a web site with an Online Player and user forums, as well as a VOD channel operating on many cable and satellite operators, including DirecTV, Dish Network, Cox, Time Warner, Cablevision, Charter and many more.
The network carried a variety of older ADV titles including Ushio and Tora, Rahxephon, Angelic Layer and more, in addition to many new shows from Sentai Filmworks including Clannad, Clannad After Story, Appleseed, Special A, Tears to Tiara, Sin: The Movie and many more. Anime Network also airs many shows from Right Stuf International's Nozomi division, such as Maria Watches Over Us and Aria, as well as many titles from Enoki Films, including Revolutionary Girl Utena, Demon Lord Dante, and Cosmic Warrior Zero. The network's website does not currently stream the Right Stuf titles, but all of the Enoki shows are available on its online player. Anime Network also carries Japanese films as well, apart from anime.
ADV Manga[edit]
ADV Manga was ADV's division for the licensing and distribution of English translations of Japanese manga. The division was launched in 2003, with a strong list of titles and an ambitious plan for growth within the United States manga market. However, ADV Manga canceled many of their titles in late 2004 and 2005. In late 2005, they began a more scaled-back release, concentrating on monthly released of a few titles, as well as releasing several acclaimed one-shots. In 2006, ADV Manga released the 6-volume Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days series and in 2007 the company resumed releasing several popular titles that had been on hiatus, including Yotsuba&! and Gunslinger Girl.[citation needed]
At Anime Expo 2006, manga publisher Tokyopop announced that it had obtained the licenses for three titles formerly licensed by ADV that had been cancelled: Aria, Tactics, and Peacemaker Kurogane.[37] Meanwhile, Yen Press has acquired the rights to Yotsuba&![38][39] and Azumanga Daioh.[40]
ADV Music[edit]
ADV Music was the music publishing division which focused on distributing anime and movie soundtracks. Launched in 2003 after ending their partnership with The Right Stuf International in AnimeTrax, their initial releases included the soundtracks for Super Atragon, Cat Girl Nuku Nuku and Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny.
ADV Pro[edit]
ADV Pro was the company's anime production studio. They have worked on such in house productions as Lady Death and Mutineers' Moon. John Ledford stated that ADV Pro had been 'reactivated' and was working on Mutineers' Moon,[41] however, with the shutdown at ADV Films, this plan had been cancelled.
SoftCel Pictures[edit]
SoftCel Pictures was the branch of the company that specialized in the release of hentai anime titles on VHS and DVD.[42] The first product released was Legend of Lyon Flare. This division was shut down in 2005 after spinning off from ADV, and most of its titles were acquired by Critical Mass, the hentai division of The Right Stuf International. In 2017, SoftCel was relaunched and Section23 Films distributes their catalog.
Happy Carrot[edit]
ADV started the Happy Carrot branch in 2008 to release hentai anime titles on DVD, replacing SoftCel. This branch released a total of four titles between 2008 and 2009, two were reissues of VHS titles and two were new titles. Following the 2009 closure of ADV, the label has been defunct.
Magazines[edit]
Newtype USA[edit]
Newtype USA was the US edition of Japan's Newtype magazine. The first issue was published in November, 2002.[43] A.D. Vision (ADV) contacted its advertising partners to let them know that the February 2008 issue of Newtype USA was the last issue of the magazine. The magazine contained material it translated from the Japanese release as well as articles from American writers.[43] It was expected to have 50,000 copies in for its initial circulation.[43]
PiQ[edit]
PiQ premiered in May 2008 as a replacement for Newtype USA.[44][45] It was published by PiQ LLC, a now-defunct subsidiary.[46] The magazine had a broader focus and expanded coverage of topics beyond anime and manga.[47][48]PiQ retained much of the editorial staff and freelance writers that once worked on its predecessor, as well as the its 15,000 subscribers.[47][48] In June 2008, after only four issues had been published, PiQ was canceled and its offices abruptly closed down. The July 2008 dated issue, which had already been released when the announcement was made, was the magazine's last issue.[49][50]
Foreign distribution[edit]
ADV Films established international divisions in the United Kingdom and Germany to directly release their properties there. They also released titles that were not originally licensed by ADV Films in North America, such as Chobits, Gad Guard, Hellsing, Last Exile, Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden (because of ADV's close relations with Gainax because of Neon Genesis Evangelion), and Rurouni Kenshin. Because of ADV's large number of titles, its UK division also became the largest anime distributor in the UK from the early 2000s until 2009. However, it faced competition against Manga Entertainment UK and MVM Films. Its German division was not as successful as the UK division since the majority of titles licensed by ADV US were already licensed by other anime distributors. Following the collapse of A.D. Vision, the fate of the titles released by A.D. Vision's international divisions remain unknown, although it is possible that local distributors would pick up the titles, such as Manga Entertainment & MVM Films in the United Kingdom, and Animaze Germany and Nipponart, Kazé Germany, etc. in Germany. However, Devil May Cry, Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor, and Ah! My Goddess (season 2) were re-licensed by Manga Entertainment (UK), Welcome to the N.H.K. was re-licensed by MVM Films (UK), and Chobits was re-licensed by Kazé Germany in Germany.
Business[edit]
A.D. Vision's success was noted across its divisions in a variety of ways. In 2004, A.D. Vision's film unit achieved $150 million in annual sales and the company had licenses for 1,000 manga books and published the magazine Newtype USA.[51]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abcdHung, Melissa (August 2, 2001). 'Tooned In To Anime'. Houston Press. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
- ^ ab'ADV Acquires Feature Film 5 Centimeters per Second'. Westmount: Anime News Network. June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
- ^'A.D. Vision, Inc'. ADVFilms.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
- ^ ab'A.D.Vision, Inc. Concludes Series of Asset Transactions'. Anime Network. September 1, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^'Mezzo: Complete Collection'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Kino's Journey: Complete Collection'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Kino's Journey: Complete Collection'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Kino's Journey: Complete Collection [Blu-ray]'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Elfen Lied: Complete Collection'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Elfen Lied: Complete Collection + OVA'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Elfen Lied: Complete Collection + OVA (Blu-ray)'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Districts'. sharpstowndistrict.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
- ^ ab'Why Grow Up?'. Forbes. September 6, 2004. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'Anime Boston 2006: Guests: Industry'. Anime Boston. Retrieved March 11, 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ^'Japanese Investment Bulks Up ADV'. ICv2 News. June 27, 2006. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
- ^'ADV Takes Over Geneon's Sales, Marketing, Distribution'. August 24, 2007. Archived from the original on August 27, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
- ^'ADV Films, Geneon USA's Distribution Deal Cancelled'. September 20, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2007.
- ^'Geneon USA Withdraws Appointment of Anime DVD Distribution Business to A.D. Vision'(PDF). September 21, 2007. Archived from the original(PDF) on November 15, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
- ^'ADV Teams up with Sojitz - News'. Anime News Network. June 27, 2006. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'ADV Films Removes Titles from Website - Update - News'. Anime News Network. January 30, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'Anime Central 2008'. Anime News Network. May 20, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'Your Comic Book, Fantasy, SciFi, Horror & Anime Source - Mania.com'. animeondvd.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
- ^'ADV Films to Distribute Anime for Sentai Filmworks (Update 2) - News'. Anime News Network. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'ADV Adds Grave of the Fireflies, Now and Then, Here and There - News'. Anime News Network. May 5, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'A.D. Vision Inc Sells ADV Films Assets, Anime Network, Amusement Park Media'. Anime News Network. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'ADV Films Shuts Down, Parent Transfers Assets to Other Companies (Update 4) - News'. Anime News Network. September 1, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^Robert (September 1, 2009). 'Robert's Anime Corner Blog: ADV Films Shuts Down - Section 23 Films Takes Over Title Distribution'. Animecornerstore.blogspot.com. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^'iSugoi Podcast - Episode 19 - Episode 19 Synopsis: This episode, we discuss the death and rebirth of A.D. Vision'. Archived from the original on September 24, 2009.
- ^'FUNimation Entertainment'. YouTube. September 19, 2006. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
- ^'That Ken-Do Attitude - ANNCast'. Anime News Network. October 29, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
- ^'AD Vision Inc. Sues Gainax Over Live-Action 'Evangelion' Movie Agreement'. Crunchyroll. August 13, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
- ^ ab'ADV Suspends Anime ADVocates Club Program Indefinitely'. Anime News Network. January 18, 2008. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
- ^'About!'. Anime ADVocates. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
- ^'Funimation Picks Up Over 30 Former AD Vision Titles'. Anime News Network. July 4, 2008. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
- ^'Anime Network Now Available on Monthly Subscription with Shaw Video on Demand'. highbeam.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
- ^'Anime Network's 24/7 Linear Service Discontinued'. Anime News Network. January 5, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
- ^'Tokyopop - Anime Expo 2006'. Anime News Network. July 3, 2006. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^Koulikov, Mikhail (February 7, 2009). 'New York Comic Con Yen Press'. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
- ^'Yen Press » YOTSUBA&! by Kiyohiko Azuma'. Yen Press. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
- ^'Yen Press to reissue Azumanga Daioh manga'. Anime News Network. April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on April 4, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
- ^'John Ledford'. Anime News Network. May 30, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^SoftCel Pictures on IMDb
- ^ abc'A.D. Vision to publish English version of Kadokawa Shoten's Newtype'. highbeam.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
- ^'PiQ'. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
PiQ Magazine will be available on newsstands and sent to subscribers in mid-March 2008.
- ^'Newtype USA to Cease Publication'. Anime News Network. January 9, 2008. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
- ^'Franchise Tax Certification of Account Status for PIQ LLC'. State of Texas. January 28, 2008. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2008. Click Officers and Directors Information to see PIQ LLC
- ^ ab'A.D. Vision's PiQ Mag to Cover More than Anime, Manga'. Anime News Network. January 20, 2008. Archived from the original on January 29, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
- ^ abChristopher Butcher (January 18, 2008). 'First Look: ADV's new PiQ Magazine Media/Vendor Kit'. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
- ^'Freelancers Report that PiQ's July Issue Is Its Last'. Anime News Network. June 14, 2008. Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2008.
- ^'The last issue'. PiQ. June 14, 2008. Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2008.
- ^'Japanese Animation Catching on in U.S.'highbeam.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
External links[edit]
- A.D. Vision on IMDb
- A.D. Vision at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- SoftCel Pictures at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Happy Carrot at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A.D._Vision&oldid=904895696'
Blade of the Phantom Master | |
Genre | Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction |
---|---|
Manga | |
Written by | Youn In-wan |
Illustrated by | Yang Kyung-il |
Published by | Daewon C.I. (South Korea) Shogakukan (Japan) |
Demographic | Seinen |
Magazine | Young Champ (South Korea), Monthly Sunday Gene-X (Japan) |
Original run | 2001 – 2007 |
Volumes | 17 + 1 Shin Angyo Onshi Gaiden |
Anime film | |
Directed by | Jōji Shimura Ahn Tae-kun |
Produced by | Bunsho Kajiya Shukichi Kanda Yang Jee-hye Lee Sang-don Lee Dong-ki |
Written by | Youn In-wan |
Music by | Kow Otani |
Studio | Oriental Light and Magic Character Plan |
Released | December 4, 2004 |
Runtime | 87 minutes |
Blade of the Phantom Master (新暗行御史Shin Angyō Onshi, 신암행어사Sin Amhaeng-eosa), translated as 'New Secret Royal Agent', is a serial Japanese-Korean manga and anime film created by Youn In-wan and illustrated by Yang Kyung-il. The series takes place in a world reminiscent of ancient Korea, and follows the Korean-folktale-inspired adventures of Munsu, one of the few remaining guardians against corruption and tyranny, as he seeks to find those responsible for the destruction of his country.[1] It was serialized from 2001 to 2007 in South Korea (as Shin amhaengosa)[2] and in Japan (as Shin Angyō Onshi),[3] and was adapted into an animated theatrical-release film in 2004 in a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Japan and South Korea.[4] In 2007, an English-language version of the film was released in the United States by ADV Films (licensed for $130,000[5]) under the title Blade of the Phantom Master.[6] In 2008, the anime became one of over 30 ADV titles transferred to Funimation.[7]
- 1Plot
- 4Media
Plot[edit]
Blade of the Phantom Master takes place in the fictional land of Jushin, modeled after feudal Korea. In Jushin, there once lived secret government agents called the amheng osa (or angyō onshi in the Japanese version), who traveled the countryside in disguise. Age of empires 3 + expansoes download. They were charged by the king with finding and punishing corrupt government officials, and bringing justice to the country's citizens.
At the start of the series, Jushin has been destroyed, fractured into numerous fiefdoms and kingdoms, many of which are ruled by corrupt and tyrannical warlords. Blade of the Phantom Master follows the adventures of one of the remaining amheng osa, Munsu, as he continues to wander the countryside and deals with the chaos caused by Jushin's fall.
Though initially episodic in nature, it becomes apparent as the series progresses that Munsu's travels are not random. In truth, Munsu is searching for the man responsible for assassinating his best friend, the king of Jushin, an act that led to the fall of the country.
But as Munsu grows closer to reaching his goal, he encounters old friends and comrades from his past, some who have since switched their allegiance to his enemy. Through them, it is revealed that Munsu was not always an amheng osa and is himself partly responsible for the king's death and subsequent fall of Jushin.
In addition to the overarching plotline, the series also uses the exploits of Munsu and his companions to retell various Korean folk stories.
Amheng Osa[edit]
In Blade of the Phantom Master, amheng osa bear bronze medallions, given to them by the king and emblazoned with between one and three horses. The greater the number of horses, the higher the rank of the amheng osa. Amheng osa of first mahai rank have one horse emblazoned onto their medallions, which allows them to wield basic magic to fight ordinary soldiers. The most powerful medallions feature three horses, and allow the bearers, third mahai (Korean: 삼마패, 三馬牌), to perform summonings and regenerate injuries.
Despite being made for use by amheng osa, the mahai medallions will also work for normal people, so long as their convictions and willpower in executing justice are sufficiently strong. Hong Gildong, for example, successfully wielded a fourth mahai medallion. After the fall of Jushin, both first and second mahai medallions were rendered useless; only third and fourth mahai medallions still functioned.
Amheng osa are also prohibited from having families, but they are allowed a single travel partner called a 'Sando', who doubles as a bodyguard. Sando tend to be individuals of great fighting prowess or intelligent beasts.
Characters[edit]
- Munsu (文秀/문수)
- The anti-heroic protagonist of the series, former military general, and a third mahai amen osa from the fallen kingdom of Jushin. Despite the common perception held by Jushin's former citizens that amen osa are virtuous and bearers of justice, Munsu usually comes across as somewhat amoral and does not believe in helping people who refuse to help themselves. When he does help others, his methods almost always involve excessive bloodshed, lying, torture, and other questionable acts.
- Munsu suffers from a curse that resembles asthma, which can only be alleviated by the inhaler-like charm he wears around his neck. This curse originates from during the Jushin period, where he convinced Aji Tae to switch the curse which was originally suffered by his lover Kye Wol Hyang unto him in hopes of relieving her pain. However, this was ineffective; not only did she die in the end while he retained the curse, Munsu actually fell directly into Aji Tae's scheme. In volume 11, Munsu confessed to Wonsul that despite claims that he was her killer, the truth was that Kye Wol Hyang killed herself by running into his sword while he was holding it right into her heart. He blames himself for her death and believes that he is her killer. When asked by Hong Gildong, he refused to deny that he was her sister's killer although his life was at stake. He went against the entire Hwalbindang after consuming a special drug that removed his asthma for a period of time, and managed to kill most of them. However, the drug had negative side effects when it wore off, and conveniently Aji Tae appeared while Munsu was at his most weak and wounded moment. Seeing his sworn enemy, his condition worsened and he started vomiting more blood, falling into a more critical state. Munsu swears that he will not die despite reality and that he will find Aji Tae in the end.
- Before passing out, he asks Bang Ja to use an acupuncture needle from his pocket in order to prevent his death, but as soon as Bang Ja did it, Munsu's heart stopped beating. Everyone lost hope and believed that he was dead; however, after a few days despite the humid weather, Munsu's body did not decay. Later it was discovered that the needle contained mandrake extract and Munsu was affected with the infamous hallucinogen, allowing him to escape death. But being affected by the mandrake's poison means he will forever live in a fake world of his most desired dreams where he happily living with his loved one. Volume 11 shows the most treasured moments in Munsu's life and more about his past, including his relationship with Kye Wol Hyang.
- After waking up from his dream-world, Munsu realizes that the mandrake extract has cancelled out his curse and he realizes that he only has a few more days to live. Munsu calls in favors from his allies and launches a massive attack on Aji Tae's castle. Although Munsu is victorious in killing his nemesis, he succumbs to his ailments and dies. In the last chapter, Munsu is reunited with his lover and friends in the afterlife.
- Sando/Chun Hyang (山道/春香/산도/춘향)
- A beautiful girl with prodigious fighting skill. She acts as Munsu's 'Sando', or bodyguard. When she was kidnapped by a corrupt lord who wanted to make her his personal bodyguard, her lover embarked on a futile quest to become an amen osa. He died in the process, but not before making Munsu aware of her plight. After Munsu frees her, she decides to become his bodyguard in memory of her dead lover, and takes the title 'Sando' as her new name.
- Despite her fearsome natural fighting ability, Sando is quiet and shy, with a high moral stance. As a result, she is often in conflict with the amoral Munsu over his questionable methods. She has made it clear that if he ever becomes truly evil, she will no longer protect him. She also has a great fear of heights, and will refuse to cross bridges set over deep mountain gorges or valleys. Munsu finds this extremely peculiar, seeing as to how she often leaps several stories into the air during combat.
- Together with Munsu and Bang Ja, Sando helps fight corruption. Although she is still hesitant about Munsu's methods, she learns to trust him, and Munsu in turn relies on her more than ever.
- Later in the series, she is defeated in combat and leaves Munsu in shame to pursue greater strength. She learns the power of using her 'ki' from a friend of Aji Tae, attaining the strength she desires. She becomes devastated after she hears about the 'death' of Munsu from Aji Tae and he manipulates her into becoming his latest bodyguard.
- When Munsu storms the castle to kill Aji Tae, she originally fights him, chopping off one of his arms. However, Munsu is able to help her remember their memories and friendship. Together, they fight Aji Tae, and Sando is the one who kills him. When Munsu dies in the castle, Sando grieves.
- After the two-month time-skip, it is revealed from Bang Ja's letters that Sando has parted ways and is still using her fighting skills to extinguish evil.
- Bang Ja (房子/방자)
- Munsu's unwanted but good-intentioned servant. Once the servant and apprentice of a first mahai onshi, his former master released him from service after Jushin's destruction. When his master and his sando were later killed in a rebel uprising against a corrupt lord, Bang Ja began roaming the country as a thief. He believes that amen osa should be virtuous and heroic, which is why Munsu's behavior often shocks him.
- He is a third-rate Magician who summons animals to do his bidding, and he deeply takes his role as a Bang Ja seriously. This often leads to his being manipulated and bullied by Munsu, who often beats him or sends him on inane/impossible errands.
- He was responsible for the main death of Won Hyo. After Sando left the group and Munsu almost died, Bang Ja used Yuui Tae's acupuncture needle on Munsu so that he lives. Bang Ja finds it difficult that Munsu is in a coma state situation that he is a lifeless body. After Yeongsil received the false information about the Mandrake cure, Bang Ja and Yeongsil traveled together to an icy mountain encountering Sando. Having joined Aji Tae, Sando attacked Bang Ja and Yeongsil. In order to save his life, Yeongsil injects Bang Ja with a drug that makes Bang Ja appear dead. Fortunately, Bang Ja recovers when he hears Munsu's voice.
- In the battle at Aji Tae's castle, Bang Ja helps Munsu create a diversion. After Aji Tae's defeat and Munsu's death, Bang Ja writes a letter to Munsu, recommitting himself to fight for the ideal world that Munsu had talked about.
- Kye Wol Hyang (桂月香/계월향)
- Is Munsu's deceased lover and sister of Hong Gildong. She is Munsu and Hae Mo Su's childhood friend. She has an illness that resembles asthma, which can only be alleviated by the inhaler-like charm he wears around his neck.
Munsu couldn't stand and watch Kye Wol Hyang suffer so he asked Aji Tae to perform a ritual to pass Kye Wol Hyang's illness to Munsu.
- Later it is known that Kye Wol Hyang committed suicide but Munsu still blames himself for her death even when Hong Gildong asks for the truth.
- Won Sul (元述/원술)
- A master swordsman from Jushin, who was once a subordinate of Munsu. However, when Jushin fell he began serving Aji Tae, growing Yang Gwi Bi, a plant with narcotic properties, to ship to the west in exchange for weaponry. His weapon, Saruhyondo, is a sword with a blade forged from his killing 'ki', or killing intent. Aside from being impossibly sharp and hard, the blade is also extremely mallaeble, re-shaping itself into any killing form Wonsul can imagine. As it is made of pure killing ki, the blade is also invisible to the naked eye. Wonsul can manifest the blade so long as he has something to act as a hilt, such as a stick or his signature dragon's head sword hilt.
- While working for Aji Tae, Wonsul was defeated and killed by Sando, while temporarily confused by her possession of Aji Tae's lucky charm. His death, however, proved temporary, as he was later resurrected by Aji Tae. Now effectively a zombie of sorts, Wonsul retained his mind and skill, but his body was like a living corpse, continuing to decay. Furthermore, his re-animated form proved extremely hard to kill, since it was already technically dead - even when decapitated, he still remained conscious and fully aware. He went on to serve as Munsu's sando in Chun Hyang's stead. When Munsu went against the Hwalbindang, Wonsul remained by his side. As their battle with the Hwalbindang comes, Aji Tae made his appearance, upon which Wonsul requested that the former end his state of living death. At first Aji Tae appears to oblige, disintegrating Wonsul's body. However, Aji Tae then states that so long as even part of his body remains intact, he wants Wonsul to remain alive, and 'see everything through to the end'. At this, Wonsul's head, the only remaining part of his body, begins to cry.
- Later, when Munsu recovers from his mandrake-induced coma and prepares for a final battle with Aji Tae, Wonsul is dispatched to attack. Despite having been turned into an immense, grotesque mass of flesh (he is initially mistaken for one of Kaidaiten's demons), Munsu recognises his old friend and grants Wonsul his wish, exploding a nearby ammunition dump and engulfing the monstrosity in the blast. Back in his fortress, Aji Tae comments that Wonsul is finally dead.
- After Munsu's death, Won Sul jokes with Munsu in the afterlife.
- Aji Tae (阿志泰/아지태)
- A former scholar from Jushin and the man Munsu holds responsible for the destruction of the country. Many of Munsu's former allies and comrades have since switched their loyalties to Aji Tae, having been coerced by his power or duped by his charisma. His motives and purpose remain unknown. He possesses a large range of magical abilities, among them the ability to resurrect the dead, explode people with a mere glance, shapeshifting, and teleportation.
- During the Junshin period, Aji Tae was General Munsu's second-in-command. At that time, he was smaller in size and sported short black hair and glasses. Despite his innocent exterior, however, the Jushin Aji Tae was already convinced of the inferiority and unworthiness of mankind, and was already plotting his conquest of Jushin.
- As of volume 15, he has succeeded in conquering most of the former Jushin territories, having gathered together a formidable force of supernatural allies. This includes the resurrected Kaidaiten and its demon brood, an army of undead, black magic practitioners from the West, and Munsu's former bodyguard Sando.
Venus Versus Virus Subtitle Indonesia 2017
Series origins[edit]
Much of the premise for and characters of Blade of the Phantom Master were drawn from the classic Korean tale, The Legend of Chun Hyang. Youn said many Korean readers of the comic did not like his dark portrayal of the light-hearted classic tale, and he was sometimes told he had 'bad taste.' He explained that Blade of the Phantom Mask used the original, lesser-known version of The Legend of Chun Hyang, which is far more tragic, as its basis. He sought to not only draw on the beauty of the original novel, but also to arrange its message to fit modern times.[8] Youn also drew upon other classic Korean stories, such as Amhaengeosa (Secret royal inspector), and historical figures like Heo Jun for inspiration.[9]
The model for Munsu was the historical figure Park Mun-su, from Korea's Joseon Dynasty period. According to Youn, he was originally a military officer in charge of training the army, and was active as an amen osa for only one year. However, his legacy was considerable, including not only seeking and punishing corrupt officials, but also stopping the invasion of the Korean peninsula by foreigners and saving the king from a coup d'état.[10] Sando is based largely on Ju Non-gae, a figure from the Japanese-Korean Seven-Year War. Following the capture of Hanyang (now Seoul) by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's troops in 1592, Non-gae avenged the death of her lover, a soldier, by willingly giving up her life to cause the death of a Japanese general. The holiday Uiambeolje commemorates her spirit of patriotic self-sacrifice.[11]
When developing the idea of using a story about amen osa, Youn said he worried that Japanese readers might find the idea too foreign. He later learned that Japan had similar people, called mito koumon, in its history, and eventually found that many places around the world had individuals of similar positions in their own histories. He felt this universality of such heroes who seek out and report corrupt government officials showed that good and evil don't differentiate between countries, races, or cultures.[12] Youn admits to being influenced his portrayal of amen osa by Richō Angyōki (李朝暗行記), a Japanese manga by Natsuki Sumeragi. While a bit embarrassed at being so affected by a foreigner's portrayal of Korean history, he was impressed and surprised by the manga's historical accuracy.[13]
Media[edit]
Comic[edit]
The Blade of the Phantom Master comic was serialized from 2001 to 2007. In Japan, the series ran from April 2001 April to September 2007 as manga in Monthly Sunday Gene-X.[3] It was also published as manhwa in South Korea's Young Champ. The work was collected into 17 graphic novel volumes, which were published by Shogakukan in Japan and Daiwon C.I. in South Korea.[9] As of 2005, these collections have sold over 2 million copies between the two countries.[14] Translation of the comic from Korean to Japanese was provided by Manabu Okazaki.[15] Many chapters included special author's notes to give background on Korean folktales and historical figures referenced in the story, and to explain instances in which the author chose to deviate from generally accepted fact in his portrayals. For instance, in volume 4, Youn provided information on Hwanung, a sage from the Korean legend, Dangun Shinhwa. He feared his portrayal of Hwanung as a summoned creature dressed in S&M gear might cause misunderstandings among readers of the comic, and explained that his development of the character in the comic was influenced by interesting but unsupported statements from the internet, whereas the Hwanung of legend holds a very high status in Korea, on a par with 'that of Jesus Christ in Western society.'[16]
Japanese editions of the comic volumes also included omake-style humorous shorts detailing a variety of Youn and Yang's cross cultural and comic writing adventures, entitled 'From Korea - Hello!!'Youn and Yang maintained their residences in Incheon, South Korea throughout most of the writing and publication of the series,[17] often requiring the services of translators for dealings with their Japanese editor, Akinobu Natsume, especially early on, and necessitating multiple business trips to Japan.[18] Youn studied Japanese and his proficiency improved as the comic progressed. He admitted, however, that it 'took two hours while staring at a dictionary' to read his first Japanese-language fan letter.[19]
Japanese editions of volume 8 of the comic were packaged with a bonus booklet entitled Osa-logy. It contained a short side story by the series authors, plus humorous comic shorts by guest authors and artists. Contributors included Airi Kawauchi (河内愛里 Kawauchi Airi), Minoru Murao, Itō Shin (真伊東 Shin Itō), and Kazuhiko Shimamoto. Also included were interviews between author Youn and actress Yoon Son-ha, and between Youn and the manga authors CLAMP (creators of The Legend of Chun Hyang, among other titles). A guidebook entitled Amenosa, This Reality and Mission (アメンオサ、その真実と使命 Amenosa, sono shinjitsu to shimei, 공식 가이드북) was also published, containing color art galleries by artist Yang, plus story summaries and character data.[20][21] A 'gaiden'-style volume of two side stories was also released for sale.[22][23]
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Since its original releases in South Korea and Japan, the comic has been licensed and published in French as Le Nouvel Angyo Onshi by Pika Édition,[24] in Hungarian as Árnybíró by Mangafan,[25] in German as Shin Angyo Onshi by Carlsen Comics,[26] in Thai as Dtòo Laa Gaan Tá-mil Chà-bàp Pí-sèt (ตุลาการทมิฬ ฉบับพิเศษ) by Vibulkij,[27] in Indonesian as Shin Angyo Onshi by Level Comics,[28] and in Chinese by Jonesky (Hong Kong)[29] and Sharp Point Press (Taiwan).[30] No English-language adaptations have been published or announced as licensed.
Animated film[edit]
In 2004, Japanese studio Oriental Light and Magic and Korean studio Character Plan collaborated to create an animated film adaptation of the comic, entitled Phantom Master: Dark Hero from the Ruined Empire. The project represented the first time Korean and Japanese creators had ever collaborated on an animated film, and funding was shared by sources from both nations.[4] It was distributed by The Klockworx in Japan and Cinema Service in Korea. The film was co-directed by Ahn Tae-gun and Jōji Shimura, and produced by Yang Jae-hye, Lee Sang-don, Bunsho Kajiya, Lee Don-ki, and Shukuchi Kanda.[31] It featured a musical score from composer Kow Otani and theme songs performed by BoA.[9] Vocal tracks were recorded in both Korean and Japanese, though Korean actor Ji Sung's narration was retained in its original language for the Japanese release and augmented with native subtitles.[9] Character Plan president Yang Jee-hye said his company was able to learn new skills and technologies, both of which have been maintained during Japan's long history of film-making, from Oriental Light and Magic, who completed about 70% of the work on the film.[32]
Phantom Master: Dark Hero from the Ruined Empire was shown at the Sixth Bucheon International Animation Festival, 6 November 2004, in Bucheon, South Korea, at which it served as the opening film.[33] It was released into theaters simultaneously in Japan and Korea on 26 November 2004,[9][34] and had an encore run at the Seoul Ani Cinema for three weeks beginning 17 February 2005.[14] Its North American debut was at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 15 July 2005, where it was shown in Korean with English subtitles.[4]ADV Films released the movie to DVD in North America in 2007, with a choice of Japanese or English audio and optional English subtitles. The movie has also been locally released in Poland as Ostatni Strażnik Magii by Vision Film's Anime Gate imprint[35] and in Russia as Povelitel' Prizrakov (Russian: Повелитель призраков, lit. Lord of the Ghosts) by MC Entertainment.[36] The film was re-released on DVD by Funimation Entertainment on June 30, 2009 under the title Blade of the Phantom Master: Shin Angyo Onshi with the ADV movie trailer for the film as a special feature. The film features the English language track and the Japanese language track with English subtitles.
The film is an adaptation of early comic chapters, covering the stories of Munsu's desert encounter with Mong Ryong, his subsequent quest to free Sando, and one of the pair's early adventures together.
Webtoon[edit]
On November 18, 2017, this work is rebooted and started serializing to Naver three times a week. Because this comic is rebooted, it reconstructed the coloring and the cut arrangement newly in the webtoon style.[37]
References[edit]
- ^Kim, Tae-jong (2004-11-24). 'Animations heat up local screens'. Han Cinema: The Korean Movie and Drama Database (archived from the Korea Times). Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^'Official Website' (in Korean). Daiwon, C.I. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
- ^ ab'Shin Angyo Onshi' (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on 2001-08-19. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ abcDoyle, Jonathan (2005). 'Phantom Master: Dark Hero From Ruined Empire'. Fantasia Fest Official Website. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-30/adv-court-documents-reveal-amounts-paid-for-29-anime-titles
- ^'ADV Films announces Venus vs. Virus, Blade of the Phantom Master for Nov. 13'. Press Release. ADV Films. 2007-09-14. Retrieved 2008-06-10.[permanent dead link]
- ^'Funimation Picks Up Over 30 Former AD Vision Titles'. Press Release. Anime News Network. 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2001-07-18). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 1. Shogakukan. p. 137. ISBN4-09-157001-1.
- ^ abcdeYoon, Hyun-ok (2004-11-02). 'Simultaneous screening of New Secret Royal Commissioner in Korea and Japan'. Han Cinema: The Korean Movie and Drama Database (archived from Korean Film Council). Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2001-12-17). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 2. Shogakukan. p. 104. ISBN4-09-157002-X.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2001-12-17). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 2. Shogakukan. p. 52. ISBN4-09-157002-X.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2001-07-18). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 1. Shogakukan. p. 60. ISBN4-09-157001-1.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2003-04-19). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 5. Shogakukan. p. 119. ISBN4-09-157005-4.
- ^ ab'The Seoul Ani Cinema releases 'New Royal Secret Commissioner' again'. Korea Culture & Content Agency. 2005-02-14. Archived from the original on 2009-01-13. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2001-12-17). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 2. Shogakukan. p. 222. ISBN4-09-157002-X.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2002-10-19). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 4. Shogakukan. p. 119. ISBN4-09-157004-6.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2002-04-19). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 3. Shogakukan. pp. 209–211. ISBN4-09-157003-8.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2001-07-18). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 1. Shogakukan. pp. 190–193. ISBN4-09-157001-1.
- ^Youn, In-wan (2001-12-17). Shin angyō onshi (in Japanese). 2. Shogakukan. pp. 220–221. ISBN4-09-157002-X.
- ^'Amenosa, sono shinjitsu to shimei' (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^신암행어사 공식 가이드북 (in Korean). Daiwon, C.I. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^'Shin Angyo Onshi Gaiden' (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^신암행어사 외전 (in Korean). Daiwon, C.I. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^'Official Website' (in French). Pika Édition. Archived from the original on 2008-05-27. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'Official Website' (in Hungarian). Mangafan. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'Official Website' (in German). Carlsen Comics. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'Official Website' (in Thai). Vibulkij. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'Official Website' (in Indonesian). Elex Media Online (Level Comics). Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^'Official Website' (in Chinese). Jonesky. Archived from the original on 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'Official website' (in Chinese). Sharp Point. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'Phantom Master~Dark Hero from the Ruined Empire (Shin_am_hang_eo_sa)'. Korean Film Council. 2004. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^Kim, Tae-jong. 'Co-productions open doors to overseas markets'. Han Cinema: The Korean Movie and Drama Database (archived from Korea Times). Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^Suh Jung-bo (2004-11-02). 'The Phantom Master opens the PISAF 2004'. Han Cinema: The Korean Movie and Drama Database (archived from donga.com). Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^Paquet, Darcy. 'Commercial releases in 2004'. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^'Official Website' (in Polish). Vision Film. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'Official Website' (in Russian). MC Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-05-07. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^'신암행어사' (in Korean). Naver Webtoon. 2017-11-18.
External links[edit]
- Blade of the Phantom Master (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Shin Angyo Onshi (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
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