Variety is reporting that Dreamworks has acquired the rights to create a live action movie based on Masamune Shirow’s Ghost in the Shell property, and plans to make the movie in 3-D. Avi Arad (Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk) and Stephen Paul, who brought the project to Dreamworks, are set to produce. According to Variety there was a spirited bidding war with Universal and Sony also interested in acquiring Ghost in the Shell but “Steven Spielberg took a personal interest in the property and made it happen at Dreamworks.”

Spielberg told Variety, “Ghost in the Shell is one of my favorite stories, it’s a genre that has arrived and we enthusiastically welcome it to Dreamworks.” Dreamworks’ head of production Adam Goodman added: “Ghost in the Shell is a property that epitomizes 3-D live action motion picture possibilities.

If all this enthusiasm and high-powered backing translates to the film getting made, it should benefit sales of the Ghost in the Shell manga (published here by Dark Horse) as well as sales of the various Ghost in the Shell anime series (and features), which are mostly available from Manga Entertainment (Dreamworks has the Ghost in the Shell II: Innocence feature)

The Afro Samurai Uncut DVD was released by Funimation this week.  We have our order in and are hoping to have it in our wharehouse soon.  This will be the first actual DVD that we will be listing and selling on our site but it won’t be the last.  We will never be the main destination for all things Anime but being huge Anime fans ourselves we would like to build up a presences wherever it makes sense.  You can pre-order your copy of the DVD at http://www.youbuynow.com/category/Afro_Samurai_Figures

On a sadder topic, the Afro Samurai action figures, which were set to be released in October from DC Unlimited, have been pushed back until next year.  We aren’t sure of the reason behind the delay yet but if you were counting on these figures anytime soon, you are out of luck.

In an effort to compete with Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, SCI FI Channel is launching a new Anime block on their network called Ani-Mondays.   It is set to launch on June 11th at 11 PM with the US broadcast premier of Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society.  That movie isn’t going to be available until July 3rd so it’s a pretty impressive start to their new endeavor.  As someone who doesn’t get any of the Anime only channels, I am excited to hear that another network will be giving Anime the attention it deserves.

YouBuyNow isn’t just for action figures anymore!  Over the next couple of months you are going to see some big changes and improvements to our store.  We are already known for action figures, prop replicas and unique collectibles but will be expanding into t-shirts, graphic novels, statues, busts, and Anime.  That’s right, not only can you get your favorite Anime action figures at YouBuyNow.com, you will also be able to get your Anime fix!  Keep an eye out on our site for more details.