7 New ADV Release Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR NOIR: CLOAKS AND DAGGERS

SIXTH VOLUME OF THRILLING SMASH-HIT ANIME ACTION SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 16 2003

HOUSTON July 3 2003?ADV Films today announced a release date of September 16 2003 for NOIR: Cloaks and Daggers the sixth gripping DVD volume of the widely acclaimed huge-selling anime thriller.

The series which premiered in Japan in 2001 was directed by Koichi Mashimo (Dirty Pair Dominion). Viewers praise NOIR?s spectacular animation the use of music its exotic settings (largely in western Europe) and an enduringly complex storyline based on a relationship between a duo of female assassins who cannot trust one another but who need each other to survive. Critics have favorably compared NOIR to such genre-defining live-action suspense films as The Professional and La Femme Nikita; Phantasmagoria Online raves ?NOIR is a series that grips you tightly and doesn?t let go.?

The Story:
With a bullet to the head the truth is revealed. Friends become foes; partners become enemies. The twisted weave of the fabric of fate becomes a shroud of death as Mireille and Kirika find themselves facing their most deadly challenge. Gun against gun knife against sword the path they have followed brings them to the slaying grounds. Now the choice must be made. To what or whom do their real loyalties lie? The answer unfolds in the sixth stunning volume of NOIR!

NOIR: Cloaks and Daggers (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release including four complete episodes. The DVD offers both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: an interview with Aya Hisakawa (the voice of ?Chloe? on the original Japanese track); production sketches; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

RELEASE DATE SET FOR SORCERER HUNTERS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

ALL TWENTY-SIX HILARIOUS ACTION-PACKED EPISODES IN ONE COLLECTION; IN STORES SEPTEMBER 16 2003

HOUSTON July 3 2003?ADV Films today set a release date of September 16 2003 for Sorcerer Hunters: The Complete Collection a compilation of all 26 zany episodes of the fan-favorite fantasy series on four DVDs. The Sorcerer Hunters series is based on a manga by Rei Omisha and Satoru Akahori the scriptwriter of Magical Shopping Street Abenobashi.

The Story:
A rose with a whip a leather-clad dominatrix a muscleman a mystic and a guy named Carrot who really takes the cake. (In this world heroes are hard to find.)

In the magical Spooner Continent five would-be heroes are sent by a powerful goddess to keep sorcerers in line. Named for various pastries these gorgeous girls and handsome guys may be sweet but they pack a seriously nasty punch.

There are the two sisters: Tira a bookish rosy-haired beauty who transforms into a busty lusty whipcracker with a toss of her cape; and Chocolate a sweet treat who can turn into a garrote-wielding dominatrix in the wink of her devilish eye. Joining these sexy siblings are Gateau a muscle-headed he-man; and Marron a delicate but powerful young mystic. But the wild card in the bunch is Carrot?a crazed hormone-driven degenerate who would rather chase fair maidens than fight power-mad sorcerers and whose beastly nature often gets the better of him?literally.

Sorcerer Hunters ($59.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release on four discs containing all 26 episodes of the series. It includes both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. DVD extras include: character biographies original trailers and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SUPERGALS!: GALS GOTTA HAVE HEART

FIRST VOLUME OF THIS FUN-FILLED ANIME SERIES AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 16 2003

HOUSTON July 3 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 16 2003 release date for the first volume of the popular shoujo anime series SuperGALS! Without losing any time for shopping high-school gossip and teen romance the SuperGALS!?the three hippest girls in Shibuya?keep their eyes out for adventure in the first five episodes of the initial volume GALS Gotta Have Heart.

Collector?s Edition Available!
ADV?s release of SuperGALS!: GALS Gotta Have Heart will be available in two versions: as a DVD in its standard case or as a special collector?s edition including the DVD and a custom series art box sized to hold every volume of the series.

The Story:
They?re smart they?re hip and they?ll shop ?til they drop. Allow us to introduce the super chic SuperGALS! the sharpest pack of high school escapees to ever roam the streets of Shibuya.

But watch out for their leader Ran Kotobuki. When this rebel GAL sets her sights on something she?s an irresistible force that even the most immovable object can?t defy. With no plans of taking up the family business of police work it?s Ran?s mission to make the most of every moment. With the help of her best friends Miyu and Aya and the hindrance of two confused guys Rei and Yuya Ran always gets what she wants. Well?almost always.

Whether she?s battling crime fending off stalkers or sticking up for her friends Ran never quits. She?ll tell you herself: she?s the world?s greatest gal! But be warned: if you mess with Ran or any of her friends it?s at your complete and utter peril! That?s an ironclad rule for GALS!

SuperGALS! GALS Gotta Have Heart (SRP $29.98 DVD; $34.98 Collector?s Edition ) is a DVD-only release including five complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: ?The SuperGALS Explain It All? segment explaining the series? cultural references; a poster insert with cultural and character notes; production sketches; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV Previews.

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR BLUE SEED: BEYOND

ALL THREE EPISODES OF OVA SEQUEL TO THE TELEVISION SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 23 2003

HOUSTON July 3 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 23 2003 release date for Blue Seed: Beyond the OVA sequel to the Blue Seed television series based on the popular manga by Yozu Takada (3x3 Eyes). Blue Seed: Beyond brings the television series? characters to this side of the Pacific for a thrilling action-packed battle against a new form of the evil shape-shifting monsters the Aragami.

The Story:
A renegade scientist in San Francisco has found a way to create a new creature known as a Neo-Aragami without the power of Susanoo. When these monsters start to terrorize California the U.S. turns to the old members of the Terrestrial Administration Center (TAC) for help. All your favorites from the original series are here: Matsudaira Kome Yaegashi and Takeuchi. And now a mysterious new girl has appeared on the scene?Valencia an American who like Kusanagi has the power of Mitama?and she may have eyes for Momiji?s boyfriend.

Blue Seed: Beyond (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release containing all three episodes of the OVA. Includes both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and closing animation; Omake theatre; and ADV previews.

ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR RUNE SOLDIER: MONSTERS AND MAYHEM

FOURTH VOLUME OF HILARIOUS ANIME ADVENTURE SAGA TO BE AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 23 2003

HOUSTON July 3 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 23 2003 release date for Rune Soldier: Monsters and Mayhem fourth volume of the anime adventure tale combining fantasy magic comedy and epic quests in one irreverent package. Rune Soldier was created by Ryo Mizuno the mind behind the acclaimed Record of Lodoss War anime.

The Story:
Strange deeds are afoot in the country of Ohfun. On the western border an army has begun to gather in secret. Whispers of names from an old conflict keep getting louder not to mention rumors of monsters? and of a magician who may be growing them in secret.

But between Merrill?s impending marriage to a rich heir and a vacation spoiled by a giant lake serpent there?s no time to spare for justice. Still when the adventurers come across an actual monster farm in the ruins of an old estate they decide a little house cleaning is in order?even if it means making a mess!

Rune Soldier: Monsters and Mayhem (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release including four complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. Extras include: interactive ?Gunning for the Guardian? game; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SAILOR MOON: SEASON TWO UNCUT

NEVER BEFORE AVAILABLE IN U.S. ADV FILMS RELEASE INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY CENSORED CONTENT; IN STORES SEPTEMBER 16 2003

HOUSTON July 3 2003?ADV Films today announced a September 16 2003 release date for Sailor Moon: Season Two Uncut a huge DVD collection of the uncensored original source for the breakout U.S. children?s hit Sailor Moon. In this English-subtitled Japanese-language release ADV Films has returned to the original masters which include mature content that was excised from the U.S. children?s release and the original graphic title treatment. The result is a far more sophisticated series with significantly broadened appeal for mature anime fans. The release (1000 minutes total running time) is on eight DVDs in two cases which are in turn packaged in a handsome high-quality (?hard?) foil-stamped custom art box.

The second season of Sailor Moon was directed by noted anime fantasy creator Junichi Sato (creator of the forthcoming ADV co-production Kaleido Star) with character designs by Kazuko Tadano (Wedding Peach).

The Story:
Based on a manga by Naoko Takeuchi Sailor Moon is the story of a teenage girl who meets a magical cat who gives her super powers. She becomes the leader of a team of brave girls known as the Sailor Warriors. Sailor Moon has long been justifiably renowned for the strength of its plot its direct and honest treatment of romance and in this uncut version a realistic and unflinching acceptance of death as a possible consequence of a righteous fight.

Sailor Moon: Season Two Uncut (SRP $149.98) is a DVD-only release on eight discs in Japanese with English subtitles. DVDs are in two four-disc cases packed in turn in a high-quality (?hard?) foil-stamped custom art box. Includes a printed episode guide and ADV previews.

SPECIAL EDITION OF LEGENDARY ANIMATED HORROR FILM DOOMED MEGALOPOLIS TO BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER 30 2003

FIRST-EVER U.S. DVD RELEASE OF CLASSIC OVA SERIES IN THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE

HOUSTON July 3 2003?ADV Films today set a street date of September 30 2003 for the special edition of Doomed Megalopolis including the first-ever U.S. DVD release of the original Japanese version of the seminal horror masterpiece.

Produced by one of Japan?s premiere animation houses Madhouse Studios (Ninja Scroll) this special edition will also include the English-language adaptation by Carl Macek (Robotech Lady Death) and an interview with supervising director RinTaro (Metropolis Captain Harlock).

A classic struggle between good and evil Doomed Megalopolis takes place in the context of a devastating earthquake that destroyed much of Tokyo in 1923. The tale posits an alternate cause for that destruction putting a supernatural spin on the actual event.

The Story:
The powerful mystic Kato?s obsession with conquering Tokyo awakens the long-dead spirit Masakato the legendary guardian of Tokyo. Unable to stand alone against Masakato?s power the calculating Kato uses an innocent woman as an unsuspecting pawn in the hope of producing an offspring capable of challenging Tokyo?s mystical protector. But Kato never counted on the effect that a team of unlikely heroes would have on his sinister plans. Nor could he anticipate the destruction his spells would cause to millions of innocent citizens.

Doomed Megalopolis: Special Edition (SRP $29.98) is a DVD-only release containing all four parts of the title: ?The Haunting of Tokyo? ?The Fall of Tokyo? ?The Gods of Tokyo? and ?The Battle for Tokyo.? Includes both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: Interviews with Kyusaku Shimamuna and supervising director RinTaro; video history segments; and ADV Previews. Doomed Megalopolis includes graphic violence and is recommended for mature audiences only.

Posted on Thursday, July 03, 2003 (Archive on Sunday, August 03, 2003)