5 New ADV Release Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SAKURA WARS TV: OPENING NIGHT

FIRST VOLUME OF THE 25-EPISODE TV SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE MAY 27 2003; TIES IN TO POPULAR SAKURA WARS OVA VIDEO GAMES

HOUSTON February 28 2003?ADV Films today announced a May 27 2003 release date for Sakura Wars TV: Opening Night first volume of ADV?s DVD release of the title. ADV will release Sakura Wars TV: Opening Night as a DVD only and in a special edition including a custom art box sized to hold the entire series.

Well known for its enthusiastic genre hopping including robot combat musical theatre romance a dose of history lesson and more the Sakura Wars franchise?including video games OVAs and this television series?has proven an enduring fan favorite.

The Story:
It is the 1920s and Japan is under attack by demonic invaders. The government has designed sturdy albeit steam-powered robot armor suits for the impending battle but only young ladies with the proper combination of virtue and spirit can pilot the robots successfully.

Enter young Sakura arriving in the Imperial Capital from the countryside to join the Imperial Flower Combat Troop. She has the qualifications to be a fine robot pilot but she?s surprised to learn that this secret Defense Force has a cover story as a musical theatre troupe?and they take their cover jobs very seriously indeed. It?s costumes line readings and robot combat galore as Sakura struggles to learn the ropes learn her lines and do her part to save the nation!

Special Edition available!
ADV Films is releasing Sakura Wars TV: Opening Night in two editions: as a disc in a standard DVD case or in a Special Edition including the disc and its case plus an exclusive custom art box designed to hold all of the Sakura Wars TV volumes.

Sakura Wars TV: Opening Night (DVD only $29.98 SRP; Special Edition $39.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release containing five complete episodes. It includes both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. DVD extras include production sketches clean opening and closing animation a printed booklet with background information and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS SET RELEASE DATE FOR CASSHAN: ROBOT HUNTER FEATURE

ALL FOUR OVA EPISODES EDITED INTO A SINGLE FEATURE; TO BE AVAILABLE MAY 13 2003

HOUSTON February 28 2003?ADV Films today announced a May 13 2003 release for Casshan: Robot Hunter a production which combines all four OVA episodes of the follow-up to the enormously influential Casshan: Robot Hunter television series.

Directed by Hiroyuki Fukushima (Speed Racer Gatchaman) from a screenplay by Fukushima and Yasuomi Umezu (Angel Cop Megazone 23) ADV?s release continues an extraordinary pedigree with stateside production by the legendary Carl Macek (Robotech Doomed Megalopolis).

The Story:
Enslaved by an army of rebellious super-robots originally designed to help civilization avert a complete ecological cataclysm mankind's only hope is CASSHAN a legendary hero who wages a solitary war to defeat these NEOROIDS and restore the Earth to its rightful order. Ironically Casshan's father is the same scientist who engineered the race of super androids now threatening to destroy all of mankind. On a crusade to clear the name of his father Casshan must sacrifice his own humanity in order to attain the powers he needs to defeat mankind's powerful enemies. But Casshan?s power does not come without a price. Haunted by the memories of his murdered mother and forced to deal with a super robot that has absorbed and now manipulates the consciousness of his father Casshan must put aside his own emotions and fight to preserve the survival of the human race. An extraordinary tale of science fantasy and social relevance CASSHAN is a story of man's best laid plans paving the way to potential destruction. Animation filled with bold action pure adventure and remarkable depth.

Casshan: Robot Hunter ($24.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release in English. Includes ADV Previews.

ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR NEO RANGA: THE RIGHT OF KINGS

THIRD VOLUME OF INTRIGUING ANIME SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE MAY 27 2003

HOUSTONFebruary 28 2003?ADV Films today set a street date of May 27 2003 for the release of Neo Ranga: The Right of Kings the third volume of the critically acclaimed anime series.

Directed by Jun Kamiya (Blue Seed) Neo Ranga was widely celebrated on its original Japanese broadcast for the quality of its design and backgrounds for the title?s use of music and for an intriguing and original plot. U.S. fans looked forward to the title?s release for some time and have not been disappointed by ADV?s treatment. Fan enthusiasm led this week to the launch of a dedicated Neo Ranga website.

The Story:
It?s fun in the sun for the Shimabara sisters on the island of Kyushu. The locals have even planned a festival to honor Neo Ranga. But when sinister forces awaken another old god all plans for fun fall to the wayside. And this ancient god isn?t the only thing trying to tear down the town?

Meanwhile anti-Ranga sentiment is on the rise. In Tokyo ugly rumors have started to spread that Neo Ranga is no god but a devil! With the National Defense Force and the U.S. Army standing by what kind of welcome will the girls receive on their return? Will they be able to convince the people that Neo Ranga is truly good? Will they show themselves to be true kings? Get ready for a gripping showdown as the girls go up against criminals politicians and gods alike!

Neo Ranga: The Right of Kings (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release containing eight 15-minute episodes. Both English- and Japanese-language versions are included along with English subtitles. Extras include production sketches translator notes clean opening animation clean closing animation and ADV previews.

RELEASE DATE SET FOR DAI-GUARD: THE BOTTOM LINE

SIXTH AND FINAL VOLUME OF HIT SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE MAY 27 2003

HOUSTON February 28 2003?ADV Films has set a street date of May 27 2003 for the U.S. release of Dai-Guard: The Bottom Line. The sixth and final volume of the series The Bottom Line includes episodes 22 through 26 of the thrilling humorous critically acclaimed animated series directed by Seiji Mizushima (Generator Gawl Slayers).

The Story:
So far; so good. The DAI-GUARD pilots have beaten back the enemy. They?ve saved mall after mall from certain destruction. They even found time for a tune-up. But the battle for the human race is about to enter its final stage and all of humanity is one breakdown from defeat. Can our trio of heroes go the distance? Who will be left standing and how much will their insurance rates go up? Will they be given a heroes? welcome? Or will they have to work overtime holidays and weekends? The only way to find out is to watch. The final episodes of Dai-Guard are in your hands!

Dai-Guard: The Bottom Line ($29.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release containing five complete episodes. It includes both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. DVD extras include production sketches clean opening animation clean closing animation and ADV previews.

RELEASE DATE SET FOR VARIABLE GEO OVA COLLECTION

RACY EXCITING THREE-EPISODE OVA TO BE AVAILABLE MAY 27 2003

HOUSTON February 28 2003?ADV Films has set a street date of May 27 2003 for the U.S. release of the unique and thrilling Variable Geo a collection that includes all three episodes of the OVA directed by Toru Yoshida (Black Magic M-66) with designs by Takahiro Kimura.

The Story:
The action is sudden and fierce. The TV cameras are close behind. With every match beautiful winners inch closer to the grand prize ? gorgeous losers strip naked before an audience of billions.

Harmless fun? Not quite. Black magic oozes from every pore in the tournament?s public facade. Variable Geo is about more than the opponent in the arena. It?s about the reach of an international conglomerate the genius of well-paid scientists the bond between best friends and what it truly means to be alive. It?s about one powerful woman?s burning desire to achieve life everlasting and defeat the one opponent that stalks us all.

Variable Geo ($19.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release containing all three episodes of the OVA. It includes both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. Includes ADV Previews.

Posted on Friday, February 28, 2003 (Archive on Friday, March 28, 2003)