February Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY HOME VIDEO RELEASES
Kino?s Journey: Idle Adventurer; Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda Season Three Collection Three; Saint Seiya: Personal Feuds; Slayers: Gorgeous; Steam Detectives: Case Four
HOUSTON February 3 2004?ADV Films the #1 producer-distributor of anime today announced February 24 2004 release dates for
Kino?s Journey: Idle Adventurer Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda: Season Three Collection Three; Saint Seiya: Personal Feuds; Slayers: Gorgeous; Steam Detectives: Case Four.
Kino?s Journey: Idle Adventurer The first volume of Kino?s Journey is an inventive and original anime series by director Ryutaro Nakamura famed for his clever intriguing Serial Experiments Lain. Kino?s Journey tells the story of the young adventurer Kino who travels the world on Hermes a talking motorcycle spending no more and no less than three days at each stop. Throughout their travels Kino and Hermes are observers of new cultures witness to both the differences and the similarities of peoples around the world.
Destination is a state of mind. Travelers not only find themselves in a variety of locations and geographic phenomena but they also bear witness to the whims of culture and the skewed effects of subtle circumstance. Kino is such a traveler. Sitting astride Hermes an internal combustion companion Kino searches for life?s answers life?s questions and the myriad of interpretations connected to them. A wielder of cutlery firepower and a piercing tongue Kino is ready to embark on a journey unlike any other. Drift along for the ride.
Adapted from Keiichi Sigsawa?s bestselling novels this stylish thought-provoking tale promises to grab hold of the audience?s imagination challenging expectations and stereotypes as it focuses on the discovery of beauty in things not beautiful.
Collector?s Edition Available! Kino?s Journey: Idle Adventurer the first volume of the series will be available in two versions as a standard DVD and as a collector?s edition which includes the DVD an exclusive Kino?s Journey mini license plate collectible and a custom art box sized to fit the entire series.
Kino?s Journey: Idle Adventurer (SRP $29.98 DVD; $39.98 Collector?s Edition) is a DVD-only release including four complete episodes. Includes both English 5.1- and Japanese 2.0-language versions and English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and closing animation; production sketches; and ADV Previews.
Running Time: 100 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Street Date: 2/24/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
Collector?s Edition $39.98
Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda Season Three Collection Three episodes The third home entertainment release from Season Three of Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda is a top-rated nationally syndicated weekly sci-fi/action program starring Kevin Sorbo.
Based on writings of the legendary writer producer and creator of the enormously successful ?Star Trek? series franchise Gene Roddenberry the series is produced by Andromeda Productions Ltd. in association with Tribune Entertainment Company and Fireworks Entertainment Inc.
The Gemini Award-winning Saturn Award-nominated Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda features heroic stories thundering action and breathtaking special effects. A testament to the show?s popularity Kevin Sorbo was named one of the ten most bankable stars in national syndication for two consecutive years.
Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda: Season Three Collection Three episodes:
?The Unconquerable Man? (Episode 310)
More than 300 years ago Captain Dylan Hunt?s friend and crewmember Gaheris Rhade tried to kill him. Their fight ended with Dylan frozen in time at the edge of a black hole. Now in a strange twist of time and alternate realities Rhade takes Dylan?s role? as Captain of the Andromeda!
?Delenda Est? (Episode 311)
The Andromeda is under attack! A mysterious invisible enemy is using incredible amounts of energy to wreak havoc onboard the ship. Rommie sets off alone to fight but is captured. Dylan and Tyr find her? strapped into the strange aliens? power source as part of their weapon.
?The Dark Backward? (Episode 312)
The increasingly mysterious Trance desperately searches through scenario after scenario?living each one fully?trying to find some way to save Dylan and the crew from a deadly intruder she knows is coming. But even someone like Trance who can foresee many possible futures is no match against an enemy? who is moving backward through time.
?The Risk All Point? (Episode 313)
A magnificent new High Guard ship the Crimson Sunrise is sabotaged and destroyed. Hundreds of life pods are floating through space each one full of crewmembers escaping the destruction. Dylan and the crew want to save them all. One of the pods carries a dangerous saboteur. But which one?
Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda: Season Three Collection Three (SRP $39.98) is a DVD-only release on two discs containing four complete episodes (episodes 310 to 313). Presented in anamorphic widescreen in English 2.0 audio and closed captioning. Extras include: Meet the Cast: Lisa Ryder (?Beka?); Behind the Scenes: Production Design; Laura Bertram?s Gags and Bloopers; design/conceptual art gallery; Andromeda TV promos; and ADV previews.
About Tribune Entertainment: Tribune Entertainment a subsidiary of Tribune Broadcasting Company is involved in the production and distribution of an extensive slate of television programming. Programs distributed by the company include the weekly action adventure hours ""Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda"" starring Kevin Sorbo ""Mutant X"" and ""BeastMaster""; game show strip ""Family Feud""; weekly ""Soul Train"" and ""U.S. Farm Report"" series; and numerous telefilms and television specials. Recently Tribune Entertainment acquired the exclusive domestic distribution rights to Hearst Entertainment's program library. The deal includes more than 250 movies-of-the-week and feature films as well as approximately 1000 episodes of live action series including the returning first-run lifestyle programs ""B. Smith with Style"" ""Famous Homes & Hideaways"" ""Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls"" and ""Pet Keeping with Marc Morrone."" For more information on Tribune Entertainment please visit the company's web site at
http://www.tribtv.com.
About Fireworks Entertainment: Headquartered in Toronto and operating internationally with offices in Los Angeles London and Dublin Fireworks develops produces acquires and distributes an extensive slate of feature films and television programs throughout the world. The Fireworks library includes the action-hour series Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda and Mutant X Relic Hunter starring Tia Carrere the children's programs 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd and Caitlin's Way both for Nickelodeon Black Hole High for NBC/Discovery Kids and the upcoming mini-series produced by BLT Productions in association with Fireworks and Miramax A Wrinkle in Time. Fireworks feature films include Rat Race Who is Cletis Tout? Hardball and the award winning films The Believer and An American Rhapsody. For more information on Fireworks Entertainment please visit the company's web site at
http://www.watchfireworks.com.
Running Time: 200+ minutes
Street Date: 2/24/04
Format SRP
DVD $39.98
Saint Seiya: Personal Feuds Saint Seiya: Personal Feuds is the fourth volume of the mythic fantasy-action series whose classic story of heroes and villains good versus evil has captivated audiences around the world.
Saint Seiya is based on a manga by Masami Kurumada and produced by Toei Animation the animation studio that gave anime fans Digimon Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball. The DVD release of Saint Seiya is the uncut and uncensored version of the Knights of the Zodiac anime currently airing on the Cartoon Network. In January 2004 ADV Films released the first DVD and VHS volumes of Knights of the Zodiac acquired from DIC Entertainment a leading producer and distributor of children?s entertainment.
After the death of Ikki the rest of the Bronze Saints are left scrambling to pick up the pieces. Docrates has not only come to steal the Golden Cloth but blinded by rage he is also plotting to kill Seiya. Called into action by the evil Pope Arles Docrates will stop at nothing?even going so far as to attack Saori and the Kido Foundation itself. Meanwhile the evil Pope has even crueler plans for the Bronze Saints and the entire world. Hijackings kidnappings pirates ghosts hired henchmen and a slew of vile vendettas? the Saints will have to return to their roots to fully understand the magnitude of the perils that lie ahead. And one of them will even have to face his old master.
Saint Seiya is based on a manga by Masami Kurumada and produced by Toei Animation the animation studio that gave anime fans Digimon Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball. The DVD release of Saint Seiya accompanies the popular airing of Knights of the Zodiac an edited version of the title on the Cartoon Network.
Saint Seiya: Personal Feuds (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including five complete episodes; English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 audio with English subtitles. DVD features include: ?The Mythology of Saint Seiya?; the original opening animation; and ADV Previews.
Collector?s Edition Available!
Saint Seiya: The Power of the Cosmos Lies Within the series? first volume is available in a Collector?s Edition which includes a custom art box sized to hold the first four volumes of the series (SRP $39.98).
About DIC Entertainment: DIC Entertainment is a leading children?s entertainment company with more than 3000 half-hours of programming in its prolific library ranked as the largest independent library of animation. DIC has also amassed a family of domestic and international broadcasters who air DIC programming in Europe Asia Latin America Africa and Australia. Some of DIC?s popular properties include ?Sailor Moon?? and such new shows as ?Strawberry Shortcake?? ?Super Duper Sumos?? ?Liberty?s Kids?? and ?Mary-Kate and Ashley In Action!?.? More than 25 million children watch DIC?s popular programs each week. DIC is a full service studio with production development distribution home video marketing and licensing departments.
Running Time: 125 minutes
Age Rating: 15+
Street Date: 2/24/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
Slayers: Gorgeous Slayers: Gorgeous is the fourth movie tie-in (after Slayers: the Motion Picture Slayers: Return and Slayers: Great) to the fan-favorite anime series Slayers the action-comedy starring odd couple Lina Inverse and the buxom Naga the Serpent.
Lina Inverse and her sidekick Naga the Serpent are happily enjoying lunch when the entire town ducks under cover before an invasion of Marlene Culvert and her legion of bloodthirsty dragons. The cause of the invasion? Marlene is in a feud with her father the king over her allowance.
Lina leaps into action to defend the village against Marlene her tetrad knights and her dragons but her dependable Dragon Slave spell fails her. Right when she thinks she has won the real battle has just begun.
Slayers: Gorgeous ($19.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release. Available in both English 2.0- and Japanese 2.0-language versions and English subtitles. Includes Slayers: Gorgeous trailer and ADV previews.
Running Time: 60 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Street Date: 2/17/04
Format SRP
DVD $19.98
Steam Detectives: Case Four Steam Detectives is a thrilling detective series whose gothic retro animation is reminiscent of graphic art detective classics such as Dick Tracy and Batman.
The villains of Steam City are back at it again! First Crimson Scorpion has an ingenious plan to steal a pair of priceless black diamonds by seducing Detective Onigawara. Then Ling Ling?s crafty sister Lang Lang is determined to be ?an angel in black? for a sick little girl fulfilling her last wishes... even if it kills her!
Nothing compares however to the death and destruction that Knight Phantom wreaks when he goes on an underwater rampage in a stolen submarine! Can Narutaki stop this dastardly plan before Steam City is engulfed in a sea of flames?
Steam Detectives is the creation of the legendary manga artist Kia Asamiya (Martian Successor Nadesico Silent Mobius) who in recent years has been working in the U.S. on graphic novels and sketches for such titles as X-Men Star Wars and Batman.
Steam Detectives: Case Four (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including four complete episodes. In both English 5.1- and Japanese 2.0-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: a tri-fold insert with an interview with creator Kia Asamiya; Japanese voice actor comments; production sketches; original Japanese opening animation; clean closing animation; Steam Detectives trailer; and ADV Previews.
Running Time: 100 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Street Date: 2/24/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
About ADV Films: In 1992 ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation (?anime?) by combining unique titles outstanding production values and efficient large-scale distribution. Today ADV Films is the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market with the firm?s holdings including such premier titles as ?NOIR? ?Sailor Moon? ?Hello Kitty?s Paradise? ?RahXephon? ?Robotech? ?Full Metal Panic? and ?Neon Genesis Evangelion.? In addition ADV Films? product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming including live-action science fiction programs ?Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda? ?Mutant X? and The Jim Henson Company?s ?Farscape? and classic science fiction such as the updated ?Gamera? trilogy. ADV Films? parent company A.D. Vision Inc. also publishes Newtype USA the premier anime and manga monthly magazine; operates Anime Network? broadcasting anime and anime-related programming via digital cable 24 hours a day; and publishes ADV Manga a line of Japanese and other East Asian comics illustration books graphic novels and more. Headquartered in Houston Texas with additional offices and distribution across four continents ADV Films is fast becoming an international multi-media entertainment powerhouse.
Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 (Archive on Wednesday, March 03, 2004)