The Cowboy Bebop movie: Knockin'On Heaven's Door opens Apr 4 in the US. Many have already seen it via fansubs. The US release is of course dubbed, which turns many anime fans off since dubbing is usually done badly and somehow doesn't gel with the style of animation.

Nonetheless it's an excellent movie. Good stand-alone plot that doesn't require any prior knowledge of the series and great animation. The Kanno Yoko soundtrack is fantastic, as usual. If you're looking for a good way to blow $10, look no further ^_^

Here's a LA Times article about the film, the series and the director Watanabe Shinichiro. Watanabe-sensei's also directing some episodes of The Animatrix.

The tr�s-cool English version of the official Japanese website, with an interview with the director Watanabe Shinichiro.

The a-lot-less-cool official American movie website by Sony Pictures

Speaking of anime movies, I can't wait to see the RahXephon movie. Not after having savoured the series with it's labyrinthine plotlines, good direction and compelling characters. Definitely not an Eva clone, and rewards those who stick with the series!

From the trailers it looks like there's a lot of footage from the TV series but I suspect the movie is a kind of prequel. It looks like there'll be plenty of spoilers if you haven't seen the series yet.

The solution, of course, is to watch the series.

RahXephon Movie site (in Japanese only :p)