ADV Films Announces September 14 Release Dates

HOUSTON, July 14, 2004?ADV Films, the #1 producer-distributor of anime in the U.S., today announced its September 14, 2004 street dates. GRAVION: UPGRADE ADV Films announced a September 14, 2004 street date for the DVD release of Gravion: Upgrade, the third and final volume of this explosive series. The enthralling anime series produced by Gonzo Digimation (Full Metal Panic!, Hellsing), Imagica (Azumanga Daioh) and Lantis (Heat Guy J) is sure to please fans who love giant robot action. Here Comes Robotic Mayhem on Cruise Control! This is one robot war like no other ? because this giant gravity-powered god known as Gravion is on autopilot! With the Zeravire aliens becoming more lethal with each fierce battle, the Gran Knights powering the mighty Gravion are going to have to fight harder than before with a new weapon ? the White Steel Fang! Gravion: Upgrade (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: exclusive static cling decals, design sketches, insert with an extra Gravion story, Japanese music videos, clean opening and closing animation and ADV previews. Collector?s Edition Available! The first volume of Gravion is also available as a Collector?s Edition, which includes the Volume 1: Divine Steel DVD, a custom series art box sized to fit the entire series and exclusive Gravion window clings featuring different characters (SRP $39.98). Volume: 3 of 3 Running Time: 100 minutes Age Rating: 13+ CAT: DGV/003 UPC: 702727059520 Pre-Book Date: 8/17/04 Street Date: 9/14/04 Format: DVD SRP: $29.98 KALEIDO STAR: FALL FROM GRACE ADV Films announced a street date of September 14, 2004 for the DVD release of Kaleido Star: Fall From Grace, the fourth volume of this incredible anime series. Kaleido Star, the new series from renowned Japanese director Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon) and studios GONZO and HAL Film Maker, combines playful elements of children?s anime with the sophisticated vision of talented acrobats from the big top. This highly anticipated series tells the story of an orphaned girl?s journey to independence and performing stardom with the support of her new circus family. Sora thinks she?s getting a break from the Kaleido Stage, but Kalos demands she star in a traveling circus. Out of nowhere a record company shows up to sweep Sarah away, Kalos? past is coming back to haunt him, the Fool turns over the death card and the Kaleido crew plans a mutiny. Could this mean the beginning of the end for Kaleido Stage? Kaleido Star: Fall From Grace (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including five complete episodes in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and closing animation, a mini character poster, a bonus Kaleido Star character standee, production sketches and ADV previews. Collector?s Edition Available! The first volume of Kaleido Star is available as a Collector?s Edition, which includes the Volume 1: Welcome to the Kaleido Stage! DVD, an attractive custom series art box to house the entire series, a 3-D graphic lenticular card featuring the top three characters and a colorful mini cardboard stage (SRP $39.98). Volume: 4 of 6 Running Time: 125 minutes Age Rating: 12+ CAT: DKS/004 UPC: 702727070327 Pre-Book Date: 8/17/04 Street Date: 9/14/04 Format: DVD SRP: $29.98 About ADV Films: In the 12 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation (?anime?) for the North American market and has also developed a leadership position in the UK. With best-selling titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon, Robotech, Full Metal Panic!, Hello Kitty and Azumanga Daioh, ADV Films' extensive catalog is fueling the popularity of anime around the globe. ADV Films' library also includes popular live-action science fiction programs such as The Jim Henson Company's Farscape, the nationally syndicated Gene Roddenberry?s Andromeda and the Saturn Award-nominated Mutant X. Parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., encompasses a multitude of complementary media divisions, spanning publishing, television, licensing and merchandising and continues to expand into new areas. Its Anime Network? is America's first and only television network dedicated to bringing anime and anime-related programming to consumers nationwide via digital cable 24 hours a day. The company has two publishing arms: Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine, and ADV Manga, dedicated to publishing graphic novels. Most recently, the company formed ADV Toys, creating exclusive toys and collectible merchandise based upon the company's extensive original content holdings. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.advfilms.com. -30-

Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 (Archive on Saturday, August 14, 2004)