Release Dates: Neo Ranga Black Lion Medabots

ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR BLACK LION

A TALE OF 16TH CENTURY WARFARE 21ST CENTURY WEAPONS AND NINJAS FROM LEGENDARY ANIME CREATOR GO NAGAI

HOUSTON December 4 2002-ADV Films today announced a street date of March 4 2003 for the DVD release of the Go Nagai film Black Lion a dark and thrilling look at the violent struggles of late 16th century Japan.

The real-life Nobunaga Oda (1534-1582) attempted to unite the warring clans of Japan in a brutal campaign that included the systematic eradication of dissidents including Buddhist monks in part through the use of imported flintlock firearms. Nagai?s anachronistic retelling of the tale posits a much more powerful array of weaponry and fearsome ninja combat to boot.

The Story:
From Go Nagai creator of Devilman and Cutey Honey comes a savage tale of betrayal vengeance and other-worldly forces. The year is 1580 and Nobunaga Oda is working to consolidate his power over Japan. In his army are weapons of great destructive power: rapid fire machine guns lasers missiles and most frightening of all the reputedly immortal ninja Ginnai Doma. Like a sentence of divine wrath he hunts down and destroys dissident monks ninjas and others wherever they may be. With the clans on the brink of destruction a single ninja accepts the impossible task: kill the immortal Ginnai.

Black Lion (SRP $24.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. Extras include Black Lion trailers and ADV Previews.

ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR NEO RANGA: A GOD IS RISEN

FIRST VOLUME OF INTRIGUING ANIME SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE MARCH 4 2003

HOUSTON December 4 2002-ADV Films today set a street date of March 4 2003 for the release of Neo Ranga: A God is Risen first volume of the eagerly-awaited anime series. This volume will be sold in two editions: as the DVD and its case only or the cased DVD plus a custom art box sized to hold all of the individual volumes of the 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 have looked forward to the title?s release for some time.

The Story:
Across the ocean on the tiny island kingdom of Barou something wakes an ancient god-Neo Ranga-from his slumber. He is drawn to Tokyo and nothing?s going to stop him as he searches for Minami Ushio and Yuuhi three beautiful sisters who are unwittingly linked to him. But instead of rolling out the red carpet the military rolls out the weaponry and things start to get nasty.

As Neo Ranga goes on his rough-and-tumble crush-and-crumble romp through the city the mystery grows. Is he a vehicle for corruption or is he simply uncovering what already dwells within the city? Is he a messenger with a warning for humankind or just a big boy out for a good time? Can Ranga defeat the military?s fully-loaded ACE robot and the power-mad pilot who?s out to blast him to bits? When they?re forced to confront him - and each other - will the people of Tokyo actually learn anything from all this? And what?s behind Ranga?s mysterious eyes?

Neo Ranga: A God is Risen (SRP $29.98 DVD; $39.98 DVD plus custom art box) is a DVD-only release containing eight 15-minute episodes. Both English- and Japanese-language versions are included along with English subtitles. Extras include clean opening and closing animations the original Neo Ranga trailer production sketches and ADV Previews.

RELEASE DATE SET FOR MEDABOTS: LOVE AND MEDABOTS

EIGHTH HOME-VIDEO VOLUME OF THE TOP-RATED ABC FAMILY SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE MARCH 4 2003

HOUSTON December 4 2002-ADV Films has set a street date of March 4 2003 for the home video release of Medabots: Love and Medabots the eighth volume of the must-see ABC Family animated series. ADV plans concurrent release of both VHS and DVD versions of Medabots: Love and Medabots.

Medabots directed by Katsuhisa Yamada (Battle of the Planets Devil Hunter Yohko) is a major franchise in Japan with sales of comic books toys video games and other licensed merchandise in the millions. In America television ratings are strong and merchandise from major vendors such as Hasbro Topps NTD Apparel and Serious USA is selling briskly.

The Story:
The love bug is on the loose and it?s biting Medabots and Medafighters alike. How can you help but fall head over heels for the charming piano teacher Miss Mimosa? Her admirers are coming out of the bushes but who?s the one special man she has her heart set on? Then Ikki and Erika take Metabee to the zoo and discover that all the animals are stuffed with penguins! It?s a massive breakout as they rescue the wilting penguins from the clutches of the Rubberobo Gang. Afterwards take to the air as Ikki and Metabee help Femjet overcome a fear of flying brought on by an accident during an aerial acrobatics display. Finally Koji and Ikki renew their rivalry over Karin at a costume party. And when the Rubberobo Gang crashes the party with their Medabot Mantaprey Koji?s fear of insects is at last explained. Don?t miss four exciting action-packed all new episodes of Medabots!

Medabots: Love and Medabots (SRP $19.98 DVD; $14.98 VHS) includes episodes 32 through 35 of the highly-rated ABC Family children?s television series. DVD-only extras include character descriptions a Medabots A to Z special feature and ADV previews. In English.

Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 (Archive on Saturday, January 04, 2003)