6 New ADV Release Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR FULL METAL PANIC! MISSION 03

THIRD VOLUME IN HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2 2003

HOUSTON June 30 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 2 2003 release date for the third volume of the acclaimed anime series Full Metal Panic! Deftly combining mecha combat martial arts international criminal intrigue high-school politics and a dash of teen romance Full Metal Panic! was enthusiastically received by viewers in Japan. Stateside excitement is running high as well with the manga Full Metal Panic! which was published in Japan before the release of the anime appearing in serial form in Newtype USA magazine. 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 creative staff behind Full Metal Panic! is extraordinarily strong. The series was directed by Kouichi Chigara (Gate Keepers Phantom Quest Corps) and produced by GONZO Digimation (Hellsing Blue Sub No. 6).

The Story:
A young boy flies into a psychotic rage passing through customs and Mithril flies into action. Is he some sort of brainwashed terrorist? Or is he something even more dangerous and sinister? Hidden away in Mithril?s secret research facility Captain Testarossa and Lieutenant Commander Kalinin attempt to find out. Has someone done experiments to fit the boy for the mysterious Lambda Driver?

Suddenly their research grinds to a halt when an armed group attacks reducing the facility to a burnt-out shell. With Kalinin injured and missing in action Captain Testarossa turns to the only person who can help her: Sergeant Sousuke Sagara. Little do they know that waiting in the shadows is their biggest enemy yet ? and we?re talking really really big! All-new enemies all-new mecha and all your favorite heroes are all here in full force!

Full Metal Panic! Mission 03 (SRP $29.98 disc only) is a DVD-only release including four complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include clean opening and closing animations; Japanese piracy warnings; and ADV Previews.

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

SECOND VOLUME OF THRILLING ANIME ADVENTURE TALE TO BE AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2 2003

HOUSTON June 30 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 2 2003 release date for the second 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 bird companion Kir who?s constantly getting the pair into difficulties.

The Story:
The Bandit King along with his sidekick Kir stealthily weave their way through one adventure after another! Trouble seems to find them at every turn but will they be clever enough to evade the danger that awaits them?

?The Little Girl from Technicolor Town?
Jing and Kir find themselves on a whirlwind rescue mission in the Technicolor Town of Pompier to save a young girl placed on the auction block after being transformed into a sculpture masterpiece. The evil Drambuie wants to make her a part of his art collection but not if Jing and Kir have anything to say about it!

?The Eternal City of Revaiva (Part 1)?
Jing and Kir embark on yet another adventure as they meet Vermouth a young girl who needs their help on her mission to discover eternal life. Unbeknownst to them the hunter Pernod and his partner China Lilet are close at their heels hoping to get their hands on the treasure first.

?The Eternal City of Revaiva (Part 2)?
Jing Kir and Vermouth arrive at the city of Revaiva unknowingly leading the meddling duo Pernod and China Lilet there as well. They meet King Cointreau who believes Jing?s fate is to be their next king. But Jing foresees lurking danger and takes matters into his own hands.

King of Bandit Jing: Volume 2 (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release including three complete episodes. Includes both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. Extras include: production sketches clean opening and closing animation DVD credits and ADV Previews.

Collector?s Edition Available!
A Collector?s Edition is also available including the King of Bandit Jing: Volume 1 DVD and a custom series art box sized to fit the entire series (SRP $39.98).

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SAIYUKI: STORMS

FOURTH THRILLING VOLUME OF ACCLAIMED ANIME SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2 2003

HOUSTON June 30 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 2 2003 release for Saiyuki: Storms third volume of the thrilling humorous wildly entertaining 50-episode anime saga.

The first iterations of the Saiyuki tale which was inspired by the 16th-century Chinese novel Xiyouji (Journey to the West) by Wu Cheng-En were animated in the late 1960s; ADV Films? release of Saiyuki is based on the manga by Kazuya Minekura and directed by Hayato Date.

The Story:
When the members of the Sanzo Party are forced to camp out during a storm the closed atmosphere brings out the horror of long-buried memories. The tangled pasts of Hakkai Gojyo Sanzo and Goku are fraught with murder lies and a bloodthirsty quest for vengeance.

As a demonic evil encroaches we begin to discover the questionable aspects of our heroes? pasts?and why the past is a continuous dark cloud hanging over their future. With demon exterminators Crowmen and a city where men are immortalized in stone?before they die?this is one exciting volume in the Saiyuki saga.

Saiyuki: Storms (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only bilingual (English/Japanese with English subtitles) release containing four complete episodes. Extras include a Saiyuki trailer; production sketches; cultural background notes; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR ORIGINAL DIRTY PAIR: PROJECT EDEN

THE ORIGINAL GIRLS WITH GUNS ARE BACK IN THEIR FIRST FULL-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE; TO BE AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 9 2003

HOUSTON June 30 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 9 2003 street date for the feature film Original Dirty Pair: Project Eden packed with zany action-filled police adventure.

Boasting a stellar pedigree?the Dirty Pair brand includes numerous anime series as well as successful manga and comic adaptations on both sides of the Pacific?and a proven and rewarding combination of excitement mayhem and sexy heroines Project Eden was an instant classic upon its late-1980s Japanese release.

The Story:
Agerna is a planet rich in Vizorium the one mineral necessary to space travel. So when a series of mysterious attacks on mining operations has the governments of the world pointing fingers and blaming each other the World Welfare & Works Association naturally sends in their top agents to investigate. But are the lovely angels up to the task of stopping a mad scientist bent on taking a long dormant alien race to its final evolutionary form? Throw in a thief who?s hunting a bottle of World War II-vintage wine and it?s a safe bet that nobody on the planet is safe. It?s more chaos more mayhem and even more destruction than ever before as the Dirty Pair take on their wildest case yet!

Original Dirty Pair: Project Eden (SRP $24.98) is a DVD-only release of the full-length motion picture including both English- and Japanese-language versions of the title and English subtitles. Includes ADV Previews.

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR RAHXEPHON 5?SYNAESTHESIA FIFTH VOLUME OF THE SERIES

A SEPTEMBER 9 2003 RELEASE FOR THE FIFTH VOLUME OF THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ANIME SERIES

HOUSTON June 30 2003?ADV Films today officially announced a September 9 2003 release for RahXephon 5?Synaesthesia fifth 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. Please note that this title is a compression of the volume?s full title which is longer than most retailers? inventory software will permit. The complete title which is used on packaging is RahXephon?Orchestration 5: Synaesthesia.

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. On U.S. shores RahXephon in enjoying strong sales and extraordinary critical response.

The Story:
As the Mu?s grip on the city of Tokyo tightens Ayato now finds himself pursued between two worlds with close friends on both sides seeking to destroy him. Even after all he has experienced thus far the newest shocks he receives are the most terrifying of all. The secret power source of the Dolems is about to be unveiled and that secret will haunt him to the grave. In order to live he must be prepared to sacrifice anything? even the life of a friend. The blood of the innocents will flow in the fifth horrifying volume of RahXephon.

RahXephon 5?Synaesthesia (SRP $29.98 DVD) includes both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Synaesthesia includes three complete episodes of the title and extras: original Japanese cover art the ?Fate of Katun? music video an interview with Hiroki Kanno production sketches; clean closing and opening animation; and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR YOKAI MONSTERS: ALONG WITH GHOSTS

LAST IN SERIES OF THREE NOT-TO-BE-MISSED LIVE-ACTION FILMS PACKED WITH TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SPIRITS FIGHTING THE DEMONS THAT THREATEN HUMANITY; AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 9 2003

HOUSTON June 30 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 9 2003 release for Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts the last of three breathtaking and delightfully strange 1960s Yokai Monsters theatrical features slated for release on ADV Films? Rubbersuit Pictures imprint.

Featuring a cast of scores of ?Yokai??benevolent spirits that permeate Japanese folklore and which were hinted at in the Academy Award-nominated Hayao Miyazaki film Spirited Away?the Yokai Monsters titles were produced by studio Daiei makers of such classic titles as Daimajin and the Gamera series.

The Story:
When a little girl named Miyo finds incriminating evidence against Kanzo a corrupt clan leader she is forced to keep one step ahead of the henchmen who are trying to get the document back. In a not-so-smart move these criminals murder Miyo's grandfather on sacred ground and unleash the curse of the Yokai (Spirit Monsters). Miyo sets off to find her long-lost father who should recognize her when she presents a special pair of dice. But Kanzo takes Miyo and her father hostage and forces the girl to wager the father's life in a game of chance. It all comes down to a roll of the dice and only the Yokai Monsters know the outcome!

Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts ($19.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release. In Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include: U.S. trailer; original Japanese trailer; and ADV Previews.

Posted on Monday, June 30, 2003 (Archive on Wednesday, July 30, 2003)