Final Fantasy: Unlimited 2 Other Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES STREET DATE FOR FINAL FANTASY: UNLIMITED?PHASE 1

FIRST VOLUME OF 25-EPISODE VIDEOGAME TIE-IN SERIES IN STORES OCTOBER 28 2003; COLLECTOR?S EDITION AVAILABLE!

HOUSTON August 12 2003?ADV Films today announced an October 28 2003 release date for the first volume of Final Fantasy: Unlimited the companion anime television series to the popular Final Fantasy role-playing video games. The initial volume includes four complete episodes and is loaded with extras.

In addition to its tie-in to the spectacularly successful video game franchise Final Fantasy: Unlimited?s production team speaks to the quality of the title. Final Fantasy: Unlimited is directed by Mahiro Maeda one of the most acclaimed anime directors in Japan. Maeda was recently hand-picked to direct two of the animated shorts included in The Animatrix the anime side project based on the hit feature film The Matrix.

Producers for the series are SQUARE TV Tokyo (NOIR) and Dentsu (Princess Mononoke Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) with animation produced by Gonzo Digimation animators of Hellsing Full Metal Panic! Zaion and several more of anime?s most popular recent titles.

Collector?s Edition Available!
ADV?s release of Final Fantasy: Unlimited?Phase 1 will be available in two versions: as a DVD in its standard case or as a collector?s edition which includes the DVD a custom series art box sized to hold the entire series and a FREE t-shirt offer?pick your size!

The Story:
Welcome to Wonderland! The gateway to another world appears suddenly one day and with its coming awaken two mysterious beasts of astonishing power. The monsters appear to destroy each other and then vanish?leaving behind only the inexplicable pillar of darkness and the unanswered questions of the natural world.

Twelve years later the twin children of two scientists who disappeared on this so-called Day of Conjunction go on a hazardous quest in search of their lost parents. Boarding a phantom subway Ai and Yu travel to Wonderland a chaotic world of amazing beauty and thrilling danger. Accompanied by Lisa an enigmatic woman they meet on the train and Kaze a brooding stranger with a demon-summoning gun the twins begin an incredible journey that will lead to the mysterious heart of Wonderland.

Set in the fantastical world popularized in the Final Fantasy games FF:U is an epic adventure of stunning visuals and fast-paced action.

Final Fantasy: Unlimited?Phase 1 (SRP $24.98 DVD; $39.98 Collector?s Edition) is a DVD-only release containing four complete episodes. Includes both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: voice actor/actress commentary; production sketches; key animation backgrounds; preliminary FF:U illustrations; reversible cover printed character booklet; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR RAHXEPHON?ORCHESTRATION 6: ARIA

AN OCTOBER 21 2003 RELEASE FOR THE SIXTH VOLUME OF THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ANIME SERIES

HOUSTON August 12 2003?ADV Films today officially announced an October 21 2003 release for RahXephon 6?Aria sixth volume of the extraordinarily beautiful and complex anime series that captivated millions in Japan and has been released in the U.S. to a veritable storm of fan excitement and critical acclaim.

RahXephon was created and directed by Yutaka Izubuchi (Gasaraki the Gundam franchise) and produced by Bones (Angelic Layer) Victor Entertainment (Noir) and Fuji TV (Astro Boy Battle of the Planets). The RahXephon series debuted on Japanese TV in 2002 and became an immediate sensation with fierce action and the multilayered complexity of the plot and characters drawing in viewers by the tens of thousands.

Called a visual ?masterpiece? by Anime News Network RahXephon is enjoying strong sales and extraordinary critical response in the U.S. Phantasmagoria Online raves ?RahXephon is without a doubt one of the best mecha series that has ever been produced.?

The Story:
As TERRA?s obsessive new commander begins a massive build-up for a final assault on Tokyo Jupiter Ayato?s former friend Mamoru attacks Nirai-Kanai in his own Dolem seeking revenge for Hiroko?s death. Meanwhile a mysterious new cadet has suddenly appeared within TERRA?s ranks a cadet with a hauntingly familiar face. Confronted with his destiny Ayato must make a terrifying choice: to reclaim the RahXephon or sacrifice everything he holds dear. But even with the RahXephon can he stop the horror that is about to happen? Too many of his friends are about to die in the shocking sixth volume of RahXephon!

RahXephon 6?Aria (SRP $29.98 DVD) includes both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Aria includes four complete episodes of the title and extras: the finale of the English voice actor interviews; production sketches; clean closing and opening animation; and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR CITY HUNTER TV: SEASON 2 COLLECTION 1

FIVE-DISC COLLECTION TO BE AVAILABLE OCTOBER 28 2003; A SUBTITLED JAPANESE-LANGUAGE RELEASE AT 800+ MINUTES!

HOUSTON August 12 2003?ADV Films today announced an October 28 2003 release date for City Hunter TV: Season Two Collection One. The subtitled Japanese-only collection includes more than 30 complete episodes of the legendary long-running Japanese animated television series. City Hunter is centered on the (mis)adventures of .357-packing professional bodyguard/clean-up man Ryo Saeba known as City Hunter. For all his abilities City Hunter is burdened by an active libido?which always seems to get in the way of his missions!

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 graphic novel (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.

The Story:
The City Hunter: a legendary name in the Japanese underworld and with good reason. He?s the best there is. He?s Ryo Saeba?troubleshooter expert marksman and inveterate womanizer. Ryo will take any case so long as the client is a pretty woman and she?s willing to pay his price... a night of bliss at a local hotel. Unfortunately his headstrong partner Kaori is always around to keep Ryo?s overactive libido in check with a friendly tap from her 100-ton hammer. Still no matter the odds a woman in trouble can count on City Hunter for help. The bad guys might as well give up now!

City Hunter TV: Season Two Collection One (SRP $89.98) is a DVD-only release including 32 complete episodes on five DVDs. In Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include City Hunter TV trailers and ADV Previews.

Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 (Archive on Friday, September 12, 2003)