More April Release Dates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR FIRST VOLUME OF AZUMANGA DAIOH
HOUSTON March 18 2004?ADV Films the #1 producer-distributor of anime in the U.S. today formally announced an April 27 2004 street date for the first volume on DVD of Azumanga Daioh an acclaimed anime series that premiered in early 2002 in Japan.
The popular Azumanga Daioh manga series was released by ADV Manga late last year with the fourth and final installment being released April 20 2004. Attributing to its widespread popularity the manga is uniquely designed with four-panel vertical strips which give it a distinctive and appealing look and make it easier to read.
To reflect the concept of the manga each episode of the Azumanga Daioh anime consists of several loosely related character-driven segments many of which adapt Azuma?s original strips. Produced by Genco (Serial Experiments Lain) and JC Staff (Excel Saga) Azumanga Daioh follows the day-to-day adventures of a comical group of high school girls and their equally eccentric friends and teachers.
The Story: In Miss Yukari?s English class every day is an adventure. First off there?s the teacher herself. A bit of an airhead she may have graduated from high school but she sure hasn?t left. And with the arrival of not one but two transfer students ? one ten-year-old prodigy and one space cadet ? it?s going to be an interesting year. It?s going to be a full year too. Between handling enormous assignments dodging murderous volleyballs and enduring endless rivalries summer vacation should serve as a welcome break for the weary student ? unless your teachers come with you! Get ready a serious lesson in laughter! Crack open those books and don?t forget to pack your lunch for the first side-splitting volume of Azumanga Daioh!
Collector?s Edition Available: The first volume of Azumanga Daioh will be available in the standard single DVD and in a custom series art box sized to hold the entire six volume series plus this collector?s edition also includes the first two of five limited edition character collector?s pins. The third character pin will be packaged with volume three the fourth in volume five and the fifth in volume six.
Azumanga Daioh Entrance! (SRP $29.98 DVD; $39.98 Collector?s Edition) is a DVD-only release containing five complete episodes. It includes both English-5.1 and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and clean closing animation; production sketches; ADV Previews 12-page booklet with translator notes Japanese staff comments and an art study on Chiyo.
FIFTH VOLUME OF AURA BATTLER DUNBINE
AN ANIME CLASSIC COMBINING SWORDS AND SORCERY TANKS HORSES MOTORCYCLES BIPEDAL MECHA AND MORE ADV Films today announced an April 20 release date for Aura Battler Dunbine: Return to Byston Well the fifth volume of the 49-episode anime classic.
First broadcast in Japan in the mid 1980?s Aura Battler Dunbine is widely considered one of the finest and most significant titles from the ?golden age? of televised anime. Conceived by Yoshiyuki Tomino (creator and director of Gundam) and based on Tomino?s novel Wings of Lin Aura Battler Dunbine has long been celebrated not only for its exciting plot and extraordinary mecha designs (by Studio Nue of Macross fame) but also for the series? emphasis on strong and detailed characterization and the consistently excellent quality of its animation (produced by Sunrise Animation).
Stateside critics have been overwhelmingly appreciative of ADV Films? release of the landmark anime series since the first volume hit stores in July calling it ?a lost treasure of the 80s? for U.S. audiences (Ain?t It Cool News); and ?the kind of show that reinvigorates me into watching more anime? (Anime on DVD).
As befits the title?s extraordinary production pedigree Aura Battler Dunbine is a rich and complex tale mingling a fantasy-inspired setting with an anachronistic blend of technologies and spicing the mixture with extensive elements sourced from ancient folklore of the British Isles.
The Story: The flames of war burn ever brighter! While Show Zama and Garalia attempt to make their way back to Byston Well the crew of the Zelerna are pursued by Bern Bunnings and Drake Luft?s latest recruits from Upper Earth. Meanwhile Elmelie escapes from Laas Wau in an ill-conceived plot to join up with Neal and the others.
Aura Battler Dunbine?the stuff that legends are made of. An epic one-of-a-kind adventure created by Yoshiyuki Tomino (Gundam) which dives headfirst into a rich fully defined world to create one of the most unique anime experiences ever envisioned.
Aura Battler Dunbine: Return to Byston Well (SRP $19.98) is a DVD-only release containing four complete episodes. Includes both English 2.0- and Japanese 2.0-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: a production portfolio; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.
KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC: OUT OF THE ARENA
THIRD VOLUME OF HIT FANTASY-ACTION SERIES ADV Films the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation in North America today announced an April 20 2004 release date for the third volume of Knights of the Zodiac the 40-episode version of the 1980s classic fantasy-action anime series Saint Seiya. ADV Films will release Knights of the Zodiac: Out of the Arena on DVD and VHS.
Edited for broadcast by DIC Entertainment Knights of the Zodiac premiered in August on the Cartoon Network?s Saturday night line-up to great fanfare. The Knights of the Zodiac is being released simultaneously with the ADV Films? release of the unedited Saint Seiya series which is based on a manga by Masami Kurumada and produced by one of Japan?s top animation studios Toei Animation (Digimon Sailor Moon Dragon Ball).
The Story: Now that the Black Knights have stolen the gold cloth from Princess Sienna?s tournament there?s no more time for games. The only way the Bronze Knights will get it back is to fight for their lives. Only this time more than a tournament trophy is at stake -- the fate of the Earth rests on who emerges victorious! To succeed the Bronze Knights will have to face their greatest enemy yet ? evil doppelgangers armed with the same powers as themselves. This is the match that shows who has the real star power!
Knights of the Zodiac: The Out of the Arena (SRP $14.98 DVD; SRP $9.98 VHS) contains four complete episodes in English 2.0. Closed captioning is available on VHS and DVD releases. Includes ADV Previews.
MAGICAL SHOPPING ARCADE ABENOBASHI FOURTH VOLUME ADV Films has set an April 20 2004 street date for Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi: There?s No Place Like Home the fourth volume and finale to the runaway hit anime series that blends thrilling action slapstick comedy and a tad of family drama with uproariously clever parodies of anime video games and any other pop culture target that stumbles into its crosshairs.
The Story: All the world-hopping eye-popping role-swapping non-stop madness has come down to this?the fantastical final volume of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi! And the action and mystery don?t let up until the last satisfying minute! First Sasshi and Arumi go to war?both figuratively and literally?as they face off in a contest of wills over the prospect of returning home all while dodging bombs bullets and more than a few militaristic bullies. Then it?s off to a ?Holly-weird? episode that lets the crazy Hollywood references fly! Suddenly our homesick duo runs smack dab into a revelation that could change their lives forever. If our intrepid heroes manage to find their way home things may never be the same for them again. The magical journey?s end is in your hands?in the oh-so-revealing wrap-up of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi!
The series is the latest creation of GAINAX the mega-talented production studio that revolutionized the anime industry in the nineties with Neon Genesis Evangelion and in the early 21st century with FLCL. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi was directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga (Neon Genesis Evangelion Wings of Honneamise) and co-produced by Madhouse (Vampire Hunter D Trigun Ninja Scroll etc.).
The critical response to the first volume of Abenobashi (released in December) has been overwhelmingly positive and expectations are high that this series will be a winner in 2004. ?Fans looking for the next funny thing shouldn't go any further than this great series. A bit late for one of the best series of 2003 Abenobashi is sure to be a big series for 2004? raves Anime News Network.
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi: There?s No Place Like Home (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release containing three complete episodes in English- language 5.1 Japanese-language 2.0 with English subtitles; anamorphic widescreen. Extras include: AD Vid Notes?; outtakes; commentary with Jessica Boone Luci Christian and John Gremillion; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV Previews.
Collector?s Edition Available! The first volume of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is also available as a collector?s edition which includes a custom series art box sized to fit the entire series ($39.98 SRP).
WEDDING PEACH: PLUIE?S WAR ADV Films the #1 producer-distributor of anime today announced a street date of April 20 2004 for the second volume of Wedding Peach Pluie?s War.
A charming magical girl series championing the power of love over evil Wedding Peach is based on a manga by Sukehiro Tomita (Sailor Moon) Nao Yazawa and Tenyu with animation produced by KSS known for other bright vibrantly animated comedies such as Happy Lesson Oh My Goddess! and To Heart. The stellar staff also includes Pokemon films? Director Kunihiko Yuyama and Character Designer Kazuko Tadano of Sailor Moon fame.
The Story: The mystery of the Saint Something Four continues to unravel as our three heroes are once again called upon to save the world from Raindevila?s wicked plans. Sleep monsters time demons and evil fortunetellers are summoned one by one to wreak their havoc on the world. And as if that weren?t enough there are still all those cute soccer boys to chase! But in perhaps his cruelest move yet Pluie launches an even more diabolical plot of his own one that very well might drive a wedge between Momoko Yuri and Hinagiku forever. Can the power of love prevail to save this precious friendship?
Wedding Peach ? Volume 2: Pluie?s War (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including six complete episodes in both English and Japanese language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and closing animation a reversible cover and ADV previews.
Collector?s Edition Available! The first volume of Wedding Peach is also available as a Collector?s Edition which includes the Volume 1: Love Wave DVD an attractive custom series art box to house the entire series inflatable beach ball featuring character art and a bonus DVD filled with extras (SRP $39.98).
Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 (Archive on Sunday, April 18, 2004)