8 New ADV Release Dates Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SAIYUKI: THE GODS OF WAR

SEVENTH VOLUME OF ACCLAIMED ANIME SERIES IN STORES JANUARY 6 2004; COLLECTOR?S EDITION WITH EXCLUSIVE PREMIUM AVAILABLE

HOUSTON November 25 2003-ADV Films today announced a January 6 2004 release for Saiyuki: The Gods of War seventh volume of the thrilling humorous wildly entertaining 50-episode anime saga.

He is powerful enough to grant divinity to demons that become his loyal subjects.

He is strong enough to waltz into Houtou Castle and steal the Seiten Scripture out from under Gyokumen Koushu?s nose.

He is Homura the Prince of War.

And he is hell bent on forming an army in the Lower World capable of overthrowing the heavens. Accompanied by his fellow gods Shien and Zenon it seems nothing can stand in his way-and now he?s after Sanzo?s Maten Scripture!

The Saiyuki series is the latest manifestation of the 16th-century Chinese novel Xiyouji (Journey to the West) by Wu Cheng-En which tells a time-proven story of a band of eccentric travelers bound for adventure. In the Saiyuki tale a pistol-toting monk and his three eccentric companions are assigned the task of traveling to India from China to quash the resurrection of a sinister demon encountering a few unsavory characters and experiencing a smattering of mishaps along the way.

ADV Films? release of Saiyuki is based on a manga by Kazuya Minekura and directed by Hayato Date.

Collector?s Edition Available!
Saiyuki: The Gods of War is available in two versions: as a standard DVD and as a collector?s edition which includes a custom art box sized to fit the last six volumes of the series. As a special bonus to fans the Collector?s Edition comes packed with a Saiyuki pencil board created exclusively by ADV for this DVD set!

Saiyuki: The Gods of War (SRP $29.98 DVD; $39.98 Collector?s Edition) is a DVD-only release containing four complete episodes. Includes both English 5.1- and Japanese 2.0-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include a Saiyuki trailer; production sketches; cultural background notes; original Japanese opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR FULL METAL PANIC! MISSION 06

SIXTH VOLUME OF HIT SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE JANUARY 6 2004

HOUSTON November 25 2003-ADV Films today announced a January 6 2004 release date for the sixth volume of Full Metal Panic! the anime series that has overwhelmed both fans and critics with its intoxicating combination of side-spitting comedy and thrilling action putting it on the fast track to becoming a modern classic.

Things are steaming up! We open on a hot bath with three hot babes: Sergeant Major Mao Captain Testarossa and Kaname. The lovely sergeant major exposes her past-and then some!-when she tells the story of how she first met Kurz and Sousuke. Funny how little has changed since then?

Meanwhile the Tuatha de Danaan is racing full steam ahead to the Pacific island of Berildaobu. Terrorists have taken over a U.S. chemical weapons dismantling facility and taken the island residents hostage. Mithril?s entire Special Response Team and the de Danaan are committed to the mission but sudden shifts in the power structure threaten to tear the crew and the ship apart. With hidden agendas and splintering loyalties at work can Mithril pull together and get the job done?

Full Metal Panic! which was directed by Kouichi Chigara (Gate Keepers Phantom Quest Corps) and produced by GONZO Digimation (Hellsing Blue Sub No. 6) successfully mixes mecha combat martial arts international criminal intrigue and high-school politics with a final dash of teen romance to make this series an irresistible treat for viewers.

Reviews of the previously released volumes of Full Metal Panic!-released earlier this year-have fanned enthusiasm for the title. ?Full Metal Panic! is a top-notch series that blends the laugh-out-loud humor of Love Hina and the gut-punching action of Gasaraki? enthuses Phantasmagoriaonline.com. Further escalating the buzz surrounding the title ADV Manga?s release of the first volume of Full Metal Panic! manga debuted strongly on its September release shooting straight to the number seven spot on the national graphic novel bestseller list.

Full Metal Panic! Mission 06 (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release including three complete episodes. Includes English 5.1- and 2.0-language versions and a Japanese 2.0-language version with English subtitles. Extras include a reversible cover; a fold-out poster; production sketches; clean opening and closing animations; Japanese piracy warnings; and ADV Previews.

ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR LEGEND OF THE MYSTICAL NINJA: GOEMON THE GOOD

FIRST VOLUME OF ANIME TIE-IN TO HIT VIDEO GAME TO BE AVAILABLE DECEMBER 30 2003

HOUSTON November 25 2003- ADV Films today announced a street date of December 30 2003 for the Legend of the Mystical Ninja: Goemon the Good first volume of the zany anime tie-in to the immensely popular Nintendo video game from Japanese game-maker Konami.

A god of unparalleled evil lurks at the edge of the Game World. This vile creature Makuamuuge declares a revolt against the Game World and sends his loyal and steadfast foot soldiers into the Human World to unleash his master plan. Only by twisting the very nature of the Human World can they bring about the total victory of evil. Confronted by a worthy adversary they are forced to resort to ever more malicious tactics. The fearless and noble Goeman from Game World's lost city of Edo the protector of all that is good may have the strength the will and the sweet rice balls to prevail over this insidious threat.

The series stays loyal to the colorful characters and wacky sense of humor that attracted so many to the game while introducing a storyline that will appeal to all game players. Using a television as a portal the brightly coiffed Goemon hero of both the game and the series crosses from the game world to the human world to save humankind from an invasion of the video game world?s most undesirable citizens.

Legend of a Mystical Ninja is a unique anime series that ties together themes of friendship and family against a backdrop of action and comedy that will bring in game and anime fans alike.

Legend of the Mystical Ninja: Goemon the Good (SRP $19.98) includes five complete episodes. In both English 2.0-language version and Japanese 2.0-language version with English subtitles. Includes ADV Previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR ANGELIC LAYER: IDOL WORSHIP

THIRD VOLUME OF CLAMP STUDIO?S FIRST SHONEN TITLE DUE OUT JANUARY 6 2004

HOUSTON November 25 2003-ADV Films today announced a January 6 2004 release date for the third volume of the remarkable and original series Angelic Layer a shonen anime revolving around fighting action figures in thrilling tournament competitions. But in a twist that could only come from the series creators the all-female studio CLAMP (Chobits Rayearth Tokyo Babylon) the lead character of Angelic Layer is not the typical shonen adolescent boy but a young girl freshly arrived in Tokyo.

?Miracle Rookie? Misaki and Angel Hikaru continue to battle it out on the Layer but at the Kanto Regional Games the competition is tougher than ever and players are disqualified after only one loss.

Misaki gets singing lessons from popular idol Ringo Seto and learns lessons of a different kind from the ambitious Fujisaki sisters. And ?Kindergarten Kid? Hatoko reminds us that age and size don?t matter in these contests.

What does it really take to be an idol on the Layer? Do Misaki and Kotaro really make a date? And what does Sai mean about Hikaru?s weak point? The next four episodes heat up as contestants strive to advance to the semi-finals. Do your best Misaki!

Angelic Layer: Idol Worship (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: clean and opening closing animation production artwork voice actor commentary character profiles a mini poster and ADV previews.

Collector?s Edition Available: The first volume of the series Angelic Layer: Divine Inspiration is also available 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.

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SECOND VOLUME OF PRETEAR

VOLUME TWO OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FANTASY ANIME SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE JANUARY 6 2004

HOUSTON November 25 2003-ADV Films today announced a January 6 2004 release date for the second volume of Pretear the enchanting fantasy anime series created by Kaori Naruse and noted anime fantasy creator Junichi Sato (director of the first series of Sailor Moon and creator of Kaleido Star).

The title cleverly combines elements of the age-old fairy tales Cinderella (the heroine has a new family complete with a new stepmother and stepsisters) and Snow White (she finds friends and romance in seven handsome knights) under the umbrella of mahou shoujo anime.

Himeno Awayuki should be happy. Her family is rich. And when Himeno merges with a Leafe Knight she transforms into an all-powerful superhero: the Pretear! But a discarded lipstick leads Himeno to learn that her archenemy Fenril Princess of Disaster was once the human Takako and the previous Pretear. Worse Hayate-Himeno?s current love interest-spurned Takako and turned her to evil! Devastated Himeno loses her Pretear abilities.

Sensing Himeno?s weakness Fenril begins toying with the Knights-and nearly kills Sasame. Things look dire until Hayate declares his feelings for Himeno. Then to everyone?s amazement Himeno discovers how to be the Pretear again!

Unfazed by this setback Fenril sends Transport Demons into the Awayuki home. The Leafe Knights and Himeno race to protect her family. Unfortunately Mawata Himeno?s stepsister succumbs to despair and the Knight Sasame loses hope. When the Princess of Disaster is finally found she has a few cards up her sleeve-and secrets to reveal.

Pretear: Volume 2 (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release including three complete episodes. Includes English 5.1- and Japanese 2.0-versions with English subtitles. Extras include: ?Behind the Anime?; production sketches; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

Collector?s Edition Available! The first volume of Pretear will be also available as a special collector?s edition which includes the DVD and a custom art box sized to fit the entire series (SRP $39.98).

RELEASE DATE SET FOR SLAYERS: GREAT

MOVIE TIE-IN TO POPULAR SLAYERS FANTASY-ADVENTURE SERIES IN STORES JANUARY 6 2004

HOUSTON November 25 2003-ADV Films today set a release date of January 6 2004 for Slayers: Great the third movie tie-in (after Slayers: the Motion Picture and Slayers: Return) to the fan-favorite fantasy-adventure anime series Slayers.

Slayers: Great brings back odd couple Lina Inverse and the buxom Naga the Serpent to entertain fans with more (mis)adventures that are equal parts action and comedy. The movie is based on a manga by Hajime Kanzaka (Lost Universe) and directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (King of Bandit Jing Orphen).

All Laia Einburg wants for her golem-making father Galia and her equally ambitious brother Huey is to end a long running feud. But her world gets turned upside down when short-stature Lina Inverse and overly endowed Naga the Serpent save Laia from a rampaging golem.

A grateful but smitten Galia asks Lina to be a model for his work. Not to be outdone Huey makes a similar request to Naga. The results are towering remote-controlled golems in the image of our favorite sorceresses! Huey gets all the proportions right but Galia?s taste is just weird. Adding insult to injury Galia turns Lina into a magical battery pack!

Officially Lords Haizen and Granion commissioned these golems for a contest to determine the ruler of the city of Stoner. But the lords are secretly planning to use the golems as prototypes for an army of conquest! Can Lina and Naga save the city from tyranny?

Slayers: Great ($19.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release. Available both English 2.0- and Japanese 2.0-language versions and English subtitles. Includes Slayers: Great trailer and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR CITY HUNTER TV '91

THREE-DISC COLLECTION OF FOURTH SEASON OF TELEVISION SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE DECEMBER 30 2003

HOUSTON November 25 2003-ADV Films today announced that City Hunter TV '91 a subtitled Japanese-only collection of all 13 episodes of the legendary long-running anime series? fourth and final season will be available in stores December 30 2003. City Hunter an international hit for its thrilling action and bawdy humor is centered on the (mis)adventures of .357-packing professional bodyguard/clean-up man Ryo Saeba known as City Hunter. Though a talented operative City Hunter is burdened by an overactive sex drive which always seems to get in the way of his missions!

It may not be over till the fat lady sings but Ryo Saeba would rather make music with a beautiful woman. And mokkori is the sweetest music of all to City Hunter?s ears. At least until his partner Kaori strikes a sour note with her trusty 100-ton hammer. Then there are the various thugs crooks and just plain not nice people that want to put a permanent end to Ryo?s life. How?s a guy supposed to get any satisfaction out of his work with all those distractions? The streets of Shinjuku have never been safer-or more deadly. It?s City Hunter?s last stand in City Hunter TV ?91!

The City Hunter franchise has generated millions of dollars in revenue worldwide with comic books movies a television series and other merchandise all enjoying strong viewership and brisk sales. The City Hunter manga series by Tsukasa Hojo sold millions of copies every week in Japan while the television series scored big ratings all over the world. City Hunter also spawned a hit film starring international movie star Jackie Chan.

City Hunter TV '91 (SRP $44.98) is a DVD-only release including 13 complete episodes on three DVDs. In Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Includes City Hunter trailers and ADV Previews.

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR EDEN?S BOWY: EDEN?S FALL

SIXTH AND FINALVOLUME OF THE BEAUTIFUL HAUNTING ANIME FANTASY TO BE AVAILABLE DECEMBER 30 2003

HOUSTON November 25 2003-ADV Films today announced a December 30 2003 release date for Eden?s Bowy: Eden?s Fall the concluding volume of the acclaimed anime fantasy series noted for its multilayered complexity and wide-ranging appeal. Eden?s Bowy is based on a manga by Tennoji Kitsune and was directed by Tsukasa Sunaga (Southern Cross) with character designs by Kazui Hiroko (Ranma ½ Oh! My Goddess!).

In the end the prey must turn and face his hunter. And the end is now. Yorn and Spike are locked in a final showdown. Yulgaha bombs Yanuess crippling the floating city and sending it on a collision course with?Yulgaha! An energy core ruptures freeing millions of angry souls whose only thought is to destroy Eden. And a city in the sky begins a terrifying trip to certain doom.

Fenice and Sakura. Witto and Hairra. Konyako Nyako and Oltran. The old warrior and Elisis. Rumesavia and Yorn. When heaven falls and the dust clears who will be left standing? When hate rages across the land who will save the human race from destruction? And when the moment comes to make a terrible choice will the God Hunter choose destiny?or the unknown future?

Don?t miss the thrilling conclusion of Eden?s Bowy!

Eden?s Bowy: Eden?s Fall (SRP $29.98) 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 original Japanese opening; Eden's Bowy trailer; character profile insert; mini poster; and ADV Previews.

Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 (Archive on Thursday, December 25, 2003)