Got out a few minutes ago. Meeting was a bust (I saw GenSao, but nobody else
I recognized; and the area outside the room was no good for people waiting
around to meet).

Quick points:

* Pioneer outlined their release schedule for the next few months; Dual in
  September; edited Tenchi VHS starting in October (these are supposed to
  be labeled as being for kids 7+, as opposed to the 13+ on the rest of
  Tenchi; they're also supposed to have "as seen on CN (or Toonami)" bit
  on them, and new artwork. This should prevent the anticipated problem
  of parents picking up tapes containing more than they thought their kids
  would see. Many other series I didn't have time to write down (Phantom
  Quest Corps as a single volume, SM Supers, Key, Sol Bianca, Black Heaven,
  3 x 3 Eyes [delayed till November?]), FY boxset 2

* Tenchi on CN is supposed to air Universe, Shin, OAV. Pioneer has no idea
  how CN will handle introducing the audience to the idea of three storlines
  with one name; that's up to CN. No word on uncut version one way or the
  other.

* New Tenchi merchandise will be produced to tie in with the airing on CN;
  some is supposed to be on display at Pioneer's booth (I seem to recall
  mention of a Ryo-Ohki backpack, and maybe a return of the plush
  Ryo-Ohkis)

* Sometime in the next week, substantial price drops on DVDs. IIRC,
  something like $15 for bigger name series (DBZ, Tenchi) and $20
  for many others. I didn't write down exact date or names w/ new
  prices, so don't quote me on this)

* because of a switch in some company needed for producing DVDs, Pioneer
  has fallen 6 weeks behind in getting stuff to the company. So some
  items have been pushed off the schedule until the current backlog can
  be dealt with:
	+ Lain DVD boxset (in Lain lunchbox?)
	+ EH DVD boxset
	+ Akira re-release on DVD (will probably take a year after Pioneer
		gets caught up and everything together; Pioneer wants to push
		for Akira to get a theatrical release, and maybe on TV?);

* Question about Pretty Samy DVDs: these will be dealt with after the
  EH boxset is out; no decision yet on how the release will go, but
  since Mihoshi Special introduces the Pretty Samy concept, Mihoshi
  Special would be included with the PS OAVs

* Pioneer hasn't heard anything about production of new Tenchi or EH
  episodes; also hasn't heard about any problems in relationship between
  Pioneer LDC and AIC

And, ugh, many things I left out. Panel went a little smoother this year -
nobody trolling, though there were some fans who kept pressing their
issue. But generally OK.

Others who were there, add info or correct my errors.

Alan Zabaro