Angelic Layer 1 3 Other Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR ANGELIC LAYER: DIVINE INSPIRATION

CLAMP STUDIO?S FIRST SHONEN TITLE COMBINING MIND-CONTROLLED ROBOT COMBAT AND AN ORPHAN HEROINE; COLLECTOR?S EDITION AVAILABLE

HOUSTON July 25 2003?ADV Films today announced an October 14 2003 release date for the first volume of the startling anime series Angelic Layer. With its offbeat combination of mind-controlled robots and junior high school tragicomedy Angelic Layer was an instant success on its 2001 Japanese release and U.S. fans are expectantly awaiting its stateside appearance.

Much of Angelic Layer?s hit status can be attributed to its production team. Based on a manga from the all-female studio CLAMP (Chobits Rayearth Tokyo Babylon) Angelic Layer was animated by BONES the animators of the highly acclaimed RahXephon and Wolf?s Rain.

Collector?s Edition Available: Angelic Layer: Divine Inspiration will be available in two versions: as a DVD only and as a collector?s edition which includes the DVD a free t-shirt offer (multiple sizes available!) and a custom series art box sized to fit the entire series.

The Story:
The moment small town girl Misaki Suzuhara arrives in Tokyo she is thrust into the excitement of Angelic Layer?a high-tech fast-paced game where dolls called Angels are controlled by the thoughts of their operators also called Deus.
Twelve-year-old Misaki a middle school freshman now living with her aunt quickly makes friends with others who are as interested in Angelic Layer as she is. Misaki builds her own Angel Hikaru and begins competing in battles where will and determination count for far more than size and strength.
Will Misaki get the hang of Angelic Layer quickly enough to avoid defeat? Who is that mysterious man who keeps popping up anyway? And what is really the deal with Misaki?s mom? Watch the first four fun-filled episodes to see how Misaki fares in battle and deals with life in the big city.

Angelic Layer: Divine Inspiration (SRP $29.98 DVD; SRP $39.98 Collector?s Edition) is a DVD-only release including four complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: original Japanese art; voice actor commentary production sketches; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV Previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR FULL METAL PANIC! MISSION 04

FOURTH VOLUME IN WELL-RECEIVED SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE OCTOBER 14 2003

HOUSTON July 25 2003?ADV Films today announced an October 14 2003 release date for the fourth volume of the acclaimed anime series Full Metal Panic! The title deftly combines mecha combat martial arts international criminal intrigue high-school politics and a dash of teen romance with buyers and critics alike responding strongly.

Reviews of the first volume of Full Metal Panic!?released June 10?have only fanned enthusiasm. ?Full Metal Panic! definitely has something for everyone?. Now I understand all the fan hype behind FMP?? raved Phantasmagoriaonline.com.

The buzz around the title has been fanned by the appearance of the Full Metal Panic! manga the first volume of which appeared in serial form in Newtype USA magazine and which has recently been announced as forthcoming in its entirety from ADV Manga.

The Story:
Suit up! There?s plenty of AS (?Arm Slave? ? human-controlled armored suit) action in this newest installment of Full Metal Panic! When tempers flare between Sergeant Major Mao and Captain Testarossa there?s only one way to settle the score: an AS duel. The stakes are high the price of failure a fate worse than death?a naked lap around the track on the Mithril base. Later even high-schoolers Shinji and Kaname get a turn behind the controls of an AS!

But the summer fun grinds to a halt when Sousuke is called away for a top-secret mission at his old stomping grounds where painful memories threaten to bury him alongside his fallen comrades. Will he make it out alive? Don?t miss a minute of the non-stop action that charges forward with both barrels blazing!

Full Metal Panic! Mission 04 (SRP $29.98 disc only) is a DVD-only release including three complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include production sketches; clean opening and closing animations; Japanese piracy warnings; and ADV Previews.

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR KING OF BANDIT JING: VOLUME THREE

THIRD VOLUME OF THRILLING ANIME ADVENTURE TALE TO BE AVAILABLE OCTOBER 14 2003

HOUSTON July 25 2003?ADV Films today announced an October 14 2003 release date for the third volume of the King of Bandit Jing series. Directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (Orphen Kiki?s Delivery Service) King of Bandit Jing is based upon a manga of the same title by Yuchi Kumakura detailing the adventures of Jing a youthful and charming Robin Hood-esque bandit who travels from town to town stealing valuables and hearts in equal measure. Along for the ride is his randy wiseacre albatross companion Kir who?s constantly getting the pair into difficulties.

The Story:
The Bandit King and Kir stumble upon more adventures and intrigue than they can imagine! Follow them as they trek the globe in search of exotic treasures and fend off enemies along the way!

?Don?t Drop the Por Vora?
Our heroes are on a quest to find the Systema Solari but first they must deliver a dangerous cargo of two Por Vora. Trouble is waiting for them at every turn but that won?t stop Jing from coming out on top!

?The Musical Island of Coco-Oco?
Tag along with Jing and Kir as they hop aboard a train to a strange island that holds a treasure claiming to ?tremble lovers? hearts.? After a disagreement Jing and Kir go their separate ways to explore but are reunited once they rescue a new friend. Will they leave with the treasure they came for or something even more valuable?

?The Lullaby of the Por Vora?
Jing and Kir find themselves in Bluwari home of the Por Vora and their guardian Elixir whose life is dedicated to protecting her charges. Seems idyllic but when the sanctuary is violated by evil-doers can the King of Bandits save this poor girl by literally stealing her doomed fate?

King of Bandit Jing: Volume 3 (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release including three complete episodes. Includes both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. Extras include: original art clean opening and closing animation and ADV Previews.

Collector?s Edition Still Available!
Volume 1 of King of Bandit Jing is available in a handsome collector?s edition which includes the DVD and a custom series art box sized to fit the entire series (SRP $39.98).

ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR NEO RANGA: GHOSTS OF DAYS GONE BY

FIFTH VOLUME OF INTRIGUING ANIME SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE OCTOBER 14 2003

HOUSTON July 25 2003?ADV Films today set a street date of October 14 2003 for the release of Neo Ranga: Ghosts of Days Gone By the fifth 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. Neo Ranga: Ghosts of Days Gone By continues the second season of Neo Ranga which was produced in Japan due to overwhelming public demand.

The Story:
They say justice never sleeps and in this gripping chapter of the Neo Ranga saga the Shimabara sisters certainly have enough keeping them up at night. Caught between cruel conspirators and obtuse officials hammered by the violent tides of public opinion the girls give in to more personal ghosts that tear at the conscience?s core.

The rift in Yuuhi?s heart threatens to spread to her family during Christmas a holiday for which she bears a deep hatred. Ushio triggers bitter memories from Haseoka?s troubled past which he must confront to save her future. But nothing thus far has prepared the sisters for the biggest shock of all?the mystifying return of their long-lost brother Masaru. Is it really him?or something taking advantage of their greatest weakness?

Neo Ranga: Ghosts of Days Gone By (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 art gallery translator notes clean opening and closing animation a Neo Ranga trailer and ADV previews.

Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 (Archive on Monday, August 25, 2003)