The possibility of future Gundam broadcasts on the Cartoon Network had been strongly alluded to by Bandai at recent conventions, a speculated date for the original series being as soon as early next year, but specific details on Gundam airings were sketchy and tentative at best. An article in the November issue of Toyfare magazine, however, has shed some new light on the issue. Toonami's creative director is quoted as having said that Bandai "really insisted" on having Mobile Suit Gundam shown immediately following the broadcast of Gundam Wing, such that the Universal Century continuity is introduced to American viewers right from the beginning of things, at the start of the One Year War. This will "open the door for several series to come," including the Gundam 0080 and Gundam 0083 OVAs among others, Toonami's creative director adding, "When MS 08th Team comes on, it will be the greatest animated thing we've ever shown."

In response to Gundam Wing's huge success on the Cartoon Network, and in anticipation of further success with upcoming North American Gundam broadcasts, a special issue of Animerica will soon be released focusing exclusively on the Gundam universe. This special issue, titled Animerica Special #1: The World of Gundam, will serve as a comprehensive reference guide to the series, from its various animated incarnations to the many model kits based on them. The issue will ship on November 22nd and retail for $4.95. For further details, take a look at the full press release here.

The original release of Bubblegum Crisis on DVD wasn't without its problems, complaints on multiple aspects of the set, from the oversized packaging to a number of technical glitches, being commonplace. Unfortunately, the first re-release of the series, selling the DVDs individually in standard DVD cases, only solved the packaging issue as the discs themselves were identical to the original release, right down the same technical glitches. The many cries of unsatisfied BGC fans didn't fall on deaf ears though, since AnimEigo and Multimedia 2000 will now be releasing a remastered version of the set, complete with new content not seen in the original DVD release.

Titled Bubblegum Crisis DVD MegaSeries, the set will not only feature the Knight Sabers battling the corporate evil of MegaTokyo through all eight episodes of the series, spread across three discs, but will also include a fourth disc titled Hurricane Live!. This fourth DVD will contain the 13 music videos, featuring the rocking tunes of Priss and the Replicants, compiled from the first two VHS volumes of BGC. For the full press release on the details of this set, click here.

For those that already own the original DVD release of this series, a trade in plan of sorts is being offered by Multimedia 2000. Here's the official word on the subject:

If you send us your three old discs, then you can have the new MegaSeries 4 pack for $39.95 + shipping and handling. That's opposed to the $69.95 that it normally costs. If you wish to do this, you can send us a check with your discs. Shipping and handling is $6.95, so the total is $46.90. You can send them to:

Multimedia 2000 / BGC Upgrade
2017 8th Ave. 3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98121

When compared to the cost of picking up the new MegaSeries at one of many online retailers who offer discounts off retail price, this reduced cost is only marginally lower if at all. As such, it may be wise to simply hold onto your original discs and pick up the new four disc set in addition to them.

Wrapping things up on a release dates note, ADV has sent out a press release detailing two new DVD releases. First up, the second volume of Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 is scheduled for a December 5th release and will retail for $29.98. Also set for release on December 5th at $29.98 is the second volume of Martian Successor Nadesico. Read more on each volume here.