ACF 1266: Retrospective of 15 animation films from Studio Ghibli coming to IFC Center NY

Kiki's Delivery Service

Studio Ghibli RetrospeciveAll 15 Films from 1984 to 2009

Where: IFC Center, 323 6th Ave, NYC

When: December 16, 2011 - January 12, 2012Multiple Shows Per Day

GKIDS brings a complete retrospective of films from Japan's famed Studio Ghibli animation studio to the IFC Center this winter. Don't miss your chance to see some of the greatest films of all time on new 35mm prints, including the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service, and North American Premieres of Only Yesterday and The Ocean Waves.

Films will be presented in both subtitled and English language versions (where available), with subtitled versions playing 6:00 pm and later.

Complete information including lineup, film descriptions and showtimes here.

ACF 1263: Sentai Filmworks acquires rights for GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

Sentai Filmworks, with understandable pride, has announced the acquisition of distribution rights for the critically acclaimed animation masterpiece GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES.  The movie is based on the semi-autobiographical retellings of survivor Nosaka Akiyuki and directed by Iaso Takahata (co-founder, with Hayao Miyazaki, of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli, the studio that performed the animation duties for the film).

I saw the film years ago on an English language promotional preview DVD from Central Park Media, which has been out of business for a couple of years now. It's a fantastic film, but my opinion is that it's definitely suitable only for children that are at least 10 to 12 years old. The subject matter -- siblings struggling to survive in the horror that was Japan as World War II ended -- is way too serious and disturbing for those younger than that.

Here's what Sentai has to say about their upcoming release:

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES has been universally hailed as both an artistic and emotional tour de force, with famed critic Roger Ebert calling the feature “An emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation” and stating that “it belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made.”  Sentai Filmworks is extraordinarily honored to have been given the privilege of handling the digitally restored version of one of the art of animation’s true crowning achievements.

Digital distribution of GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES will begin through many outlets this winter, and a DVD of the digitally restored master will be in stores next year.

Synopsis: As the Empire of the Sun crumbles upon itself and a rain of firebombs falls upon Japan, the final death march of a nation is echoed in millions of smaller tragedies.  This is the story of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, two children born at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and now cast adrift in a world that lacks not the care to shelter them, but simply the resources.  Forced to fend for themselves in the aftermath of fires that swept entire cities from the face of the earth, their doomed struggle is both a tribute to the human spirit and the stuff of nightmares.  Beautiful, yet at times brutal and horrifying, it is a film that perhaps only the animated medium could render without completely overloading human senses, transforming the fog of war and the screams of the dying into what Ebert calls “visual poetry.”

ACF 1261: Animated thriller LOUPS=GAROUS now on sale

Section23 Films has announcedthe release of the animated thriller LOUPS=GAROUS: The Motion Picture, on both DVD and Blu-Ray.

Title:                 LOUPS=GAROUS

Running Time:   98 min.

Age Rating:       TV 14 (V)

Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Street Date:      11/29/2011

Format:             DVD

SRP:                $29.98

             Title:                LOUPS=GAROUS BLU-RAY EDITION

             Running Time:  98 min.

             Age Rating:      TV 14 (V)

             Language:        English & Japanese with English Subtitles

             Published by:   Sentai Filmworks

             Distributed by: Section23 Films

             Street Date:     11/29/2011

             Format:            BD

             SRP:               $39.98

SYNOPSIS: After a virus claims millions, most live in the safety of a closed-off world, relegating themselves to an on-line existence. But when a young girl decides to brave life outside the virtual world, she finds a group of friends—and a killer. Someone is hunting and violently murdering children. Who? And why? And is she the next target? Get plugged in to this year's most riveting animated thriller, the cyber-shocker Loups=Garous!

ACF 1259: Section23 Films announces its January 2012 slate of releases

Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its January slate of releases, including THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS, The devilishly fun anime will be released on both DVD & Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks.

Product details, in order of release:

AND YET THE TOWN MOVES COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Run Time:         300 min.

Street Date:      1/3/2012

Format:             DVD

Language:         Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:                $49.98

SYNOPSIS:  Hotori Arashiyama loves mysteries, but there's one she just can't solve:  Why does the solution to one problem inevitably seem to lead to another?  Like how when Hotori has to start working at the Seaside Maid Café after school to pay off a debt and her friend Toshiko fortunately knows exactly how a Maid Café should be run.  Which is fortunate since Hotori has no clue.  Except that, unfortunately, Toshiko has no interest in working at the café, UNTIL she discovers that Hotori's childhood friend Hiroyuki is a regular.  Which SEEMS fortunate.  Except that Hotori doesn't know that, while Toshiko likes Hiroyuki, Hiroyuki secretly likes Hotori, while Hotori secretly has a crush on…  No, no more spoilers!  But if that's not enough drama, there's work, angst with a certain math teacher, table tennis between her classmates, her younger brother versus the school's bad girl…  And yet, even though everything seems like it's going to crash at any moment, somehow Hotori's life keeps going hilariously forward in AND YET THE TOWN MOVES!   

AKIKAN! COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Run Time:         350 min.

Street Date:      1/10/2012

Format:             DVD

Language:         Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:                $49.98

SYNOPSIS:  Hobbies are often a great way of meeting new people, but how could Kakeru Diachi, who collects rare juice cans, have ever suspected that he'd meet a fascinating new girl when he attempted to DRINK her?  Naming her Melon, because she's got great melon… soda, Kakeru quickly learns that she's an Akikan - a beautiful girl who's also a special can created to fight other Akikans in a strange experiment to determine what kind of container is better: steel or aluminum!  Will becoming involved in this ridiculously twisted research project gone amuck complicate Kakeru's life incredibly?  Of course it will, but because Melon's steel body needs carbon dioxide to breathe, he's now stuck with her since she's too CO2 dependent!   And when his wealthy, attractive, best childhood friend Najimi gets HER own aluminum Akikan, the trouble really begins!  For once, it's not what's inside that counts as battling beverage containers run wild in AKIKAN - The Complete Series!  

PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Run Time:         650 min.

Street Date:      1/17/2012

Format:             DVD

Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:                $69.98

SYNOPSIS:  She's a hot Goth vixen with a love-jones for swords, chainsaws and mace balls. And it's a good thing she's handy at using them all because every zombie, vampire, mummy and demon spawn is gunning for her. But weapons aren't the only thing Princess Resurrection has going for her. She's got a team of ass-kicking darksiders right beside her-a pint-sized android maid, a half-werewolf hottie, a sexy high school vampire, a wicked-cute little sister and a young boy she brought back from the dead. Fighting evil was never this sexy. Or this much fun! All new dub featuring the voices of Shelley Calene-Black and Blake Shepard!

THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Run Time:         300 min.

Street Date:      1/24/2012

Format:             DVD

Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:                $59.98

SYNOPSIS:  Keima is a dating sim champion. Cute girls are rendered powerless by his irresistible game playing techniques. Too bad things aren't that way in the real world. That is, until his tempting game playing causes a real live-and very bubbly-cute-demon hunter named Elsie to materialize! Now Elsie wants Keima to help her free hot girls from sneaky demons who secretly possess them. Rack up the love points with the devilishly fun anime The World God Only Knows!

THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Run Time:         300 min.

Street Date:      1/24/2012

Format:             BD

Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:                $69.98

SYNOPSIS:  Keima is a dating sim champion. Cute girls are rendered powerless by his irresistible game playing techniques. Too bad things aren't that way in the real world. That is, until his tempting game playing causes a real live-and very bubbly-cute-demon hunter named Elsie to materialize! Now Elsie wants Keima to help her free hot girls from sneaky demons who secretly possess them. Rack up the love points with the devilishly fun anime The World God Only Knows!

EF ~ A TALE OF MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Run Time:         300 min.

Street Date:      1/31/2012

Format:             DVD

Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:                $59.98

SYNOPSIS:  One Christmas Eve, Hiro Hirono helps Miyako, the victim of a purse snatching, and discovers that she goes to the same school he does. To the dismay of his childhood friend, Kei, Hiro starts hanging out with Miyako. But Kei is not about to let a new girl in Hiro's life take him away from her, and sets out to prove that she's the only one for him. When Renji Asou meets Chihiro Shindou at an abandoned train station, he doesn't notice anything unusual at first.  But he soon discovers that she suffers from a rare form of amnesia and can only remember things for thirteen hours.  Chihiro dreams of writing a novel, but her amnesia has made it an impossible task.Now, however, Renji is determined to help her fulfill her dream. Emotionally charged, beautifully animated and now available for the first time with an all-star English cast. Don't miss one of anime's masterpieces: ef ~ A Tale of Memories!

EF ~ A TALE OF MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY

Published by:    Sentai Filmworks

Distributed by:  Section23 Films

Run Time:         300 min.

Street Date:      1/31/2012

Format:             BD

Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles

SRP:                $69.98

SYNOPSIS:  One Christmas Eve, Hiro Hirono helps Miyako, the victim of a purse snatching, and discovers that she goes to the same school he does. To the dismay of his childhood friend, Kei, Hiro starts hanging out with Miyako. But Kei is not about to let a new girl in Hiro's life take him away from her, and sets out to prove that she's the only one for him. When Renji Asou meets Chihiro Shindou at an abandoned train station, he doesn't notice anything unusual at first.  But he soon discovers that she suffers from a rare form of amnesia and can only remember things for thirteen hours.  Chihiro dreams of writing a novel, but her amnesia has made it an impossible task.Now, however, Renji is determined to help her fulfill her dream. Emotionally charged, beautifully animated and now available for the first time with an all-star English cast. Don't miss one of anime's masterpieces: ef ~ A Tale of Memories!

ACF 1254: South Korean animation double feature coming to MAD

Aachi and Ssipak + A Coffee Vending Machine and Its Sword

When: Friday, December 2, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Where: The Museum of Arts and Design

2 Columbus Circle, NYC

$10 general / $7 members and students

Purchase tickets here, or call 1.800.838.3006

Aachi and Ssipak

Directed by Jo Beom-jin

With the voices of Yeong Hyeon, Gyu-hwa Lee and Gyu-hyeong Lee

South Korea, 2006, 90 minutes, Digital Projection

Synopsis: In the future, life is literally a pile of feces. With Earth’s resources completely depleted, only human waste is left as a fuel source. Diaper gangs and black markets vie for control of “Juicybars,” highly addictive fruit bars given as compensation for defecation. In this new landscape of limited resources, the anti-heros of Aachi and Ssipak battle against the Diaper Gangs for control over the “Juicybar” supply. Highlighting the originality in story and technical ability found in Korean animation, "Aachi and Ssipak" presents a fresh and original take on the animated feature.

ACF note: Aachi and Ssipak was my personal number one pic as the most extreme, most outrageous Asian film of all time in the special 15th anniversary issue of Asian Cult Cinema magazine (Number 57, First Quarter 2008). It garners a 4 out of 4 star rating, my highest recommendation. Don't miss this screening!

Aachi and Ssipak will be shown with:

A Coffee Vending Machine and Its Sword

2007, Dir. Hyung-Yun Chang

South Korea, 2007, 30 minutes, Digital Projection

Synopsis: After being slain in battle, Jin Yeong-yeong, a swordsman who was called Murimjeilgeom (Best Martial Sword), finds himself reincarnated. This time it's as a coffee vending machine.   After the new steel warrior experiences love-at-first-sight with Hye-mi, a sympathetic girl who enjoys drinking wine. Jin Yeong-yeong must discover his place in the new world he inhabits.

ACF 1247: VIZ releases BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK in multiple formats and downloads

© Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, Pierrot © BMP 2008

VIZ Media has announced the release ofthe latest BLEACH feature film – BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK. The movie isavailable on DVD and Blu-ray, is rated ’T’ for Teens, and carries an MSRP of$19.98 for DVD (U.S. / CAN) and $24.98 for Blu-ray (U.S / CAN). BLEACH THEMOVIE: FADE TO BLACK offers with both English and Japanese dialogue options aswell as bonus features including production art and the original theatricaltrailers.

The film is also available for Download-to-Own (DTO) for only $9.99 andfor Download-to-Rent (DTR) for only $4.99from digital partners including on iTunes (www.iTunes.com), Amazon Instant Video, and Zune on XboxLive. DTO and DTR availability for PlaystationNetworkis forthcoming,

In this newest supernatural adventure, a strange disturbance in theWorld of the Living sends Ichigo and Kon to the Soul Society, where the Seireitei has beendevastated by an explosion of reishi and Rukia is missing. Stranger still, noneof the Soul Reapers remember Ichigo, and they think he’s the one responsiblefor the destruction. Now on the run, Ichigo is forced into a lonely battle inorder to find Rukia and stop the real culprits!

The BLEACH animated film and TV series arebased on a smash hit manga (graphic novel) series created by Tite Kubo, and follows theadventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts.When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigoencounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now,he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured soulsfind peace.

BLEACH is a tremendously successful multimediaproperty internationally. The manga has been licensed to more than a dozencountries and has sold over 50 million copies in Japan alone. In North America,the manga has been a sales hit and the popular animated series (both rated 'T'for Teens) is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada. This success has further spawned an array ofrelated video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise.

Formore information on BLEACH, visit www.bleach.viz.com.

ACF 1236: Sentai Filmworks licenses comedy series A-CHANNEL

Sentai Filmworks has announced the acquisition of A-CHANNEL, a cutting edge, slice of life comedy series based on the popular four panel comic by bb Kuroda.  Helming the task of adapting the four panel strip into linear story are director Manabu Ono (Transformers: Cybertron, Dragonaut, Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere,) and lead writer Tatsuhiko Urahata (Strawberry Panic, Murder Princess, Monster).

Animation director and character designer Masakatsu Sasaki (Saki, Erotic Torture Chamber) adapts Kuroda’s designs for the animation medium while music is in the hands of Satoru Kousaki (Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya),

A-CHANNEL will be available digitally through many outlets and on subtitled DVD next February.

Synopsis: Toru and Run have been best friends forever, so when Toru learns that she’s managed to get into the same high school as Run, she runs to tell her… only to find Run in a compromising position with yet another girl, Yuko.  Needless to say, that makes things a bit awkward at school, with Toru fending off those who might be interested in Run while Yuko and their other girlfriend, Nagi, have to deal with Run’s own penchant for drama.

But it’s not all angst all the time, and as the school year progresses the four girls and their many classmates find time to laugh, play and figure out how to handle unexpected problems life likes to throw at them.  Like bugs in the house, accidentally giving each other horrible haircuts, freezing up at karaoke or forgetting to put your underwear on in the morning.   When it comes to learning about the real world, there’s always something ‘educational’ to be found in A-CHANNEL!

ACF 1234: Anime Network to stream UN-GO online starting November 13th

Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network has announced the acquisition of the all new detective/mystery anime UN-GO, for their streaming service, Anime Network Online.

Director Seiji Mizushima (Eureka Seven, Slayers Next) and studio BONES (No.6, Xam’d: Lost Memories) invite you to witness the never ending struggle of a failed detective and his quirky assistant to unravel mysteries, solve cases, and finally get a little recognition in UN-GO.

Starting on Sunday, November 13th, the series will begin streaming online at 3 PM Eastern with a new episode available every week. Each episode will also be available on the free, ad-supported Hulu service, as well as the Hulu Plus subscription service, within 24 hours. Distribution on additional services and platforms will follow in 2012.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Shinjurou Yuuki: The Last Great Detective...or the "Defeated Detective", depending on who you ask. With a love of mysteries and a knack for solving them, the young man's prodigious talents have made him the target of some less than savory people in a near future Tokyo. What's worse, his fellow policemen are not even on his side! With only his quirky assistant Inga, Yuuki must evade friend and foe alike in order to finally prove that he's the best in UN-GO!

WHERE:

Anime Network Online: www.theanimenetwork.com
Hulu and Hulu Plus: www.hulu.com/network/anime-network

RELEASE SCHEDULE:

Sundays at 3 PM Eastern, starting November 13th on Anime Network Online; available on Hulu and Hulu Plus within 24-hours.

All 11 episodes will be available to Guest Users.

ACF 1230: UN-GO will soon be available through digital outlets; home video release coming in 2012

Sentai Filmworks has acquired UN-GO (pronounced An Go,) the eagerly awaited new series from Fuji TV’s prestigious noitaminA animation block and mega animation studio BONES.

Loosely inspired by a collection of detective stories by Japanese literary giant Ango Sakaguchi, the all star production transposes the action to a gritty near future, post war Tokyo, and is helmed by director Seiji Mizushima (Full Metal Alchemist, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Daiguard) with a storyline by his Full Metal Alchemist collaborator Shou Aikawa (Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma, Martian Sucessor Nadesico, Ghost Slayers Ayashi).

In yet another unique twist, character design duties will be split between illustrator pako (Rental Magika) and Loveless and Earthian manga creator Yun Kouga (Mobile Suit Gundam 00). 

UN-GO will soon be available digitally through many outlets, with a home video release next year on DVD and Blu-Ray

Synopsis: He pursues his job as the ‘Last Great Detective’.  Others call him the ‘Defeated Detective’.  What’s certain is that he’s Shinjurou Yuuki, a young man with a passion for mysteries and a talent for solving them that has made him the target of dark forces now stirring within the sinister underworld of a near future Tokyo.  That could prove lethal, given that not even the other ‘good guys,’ including the police, are exactly on Shinjouro’s side.

Fortunately Yuuki’s not completely on his own, and with the aid of his uniquely talented associate Inga, he’s ready to cut a swath through the veils of secrecy that have been laid before him.  Get ready for mind against matter and a lot of cloak and dagger as the ultimate battle of clue and deduction begins in UN-GO!

ACF 1220: Anime Network to Stream Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls Online

Anime Network to Stream Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls Online 

 

Anime Network has announced that they will begin streaming the slapstick comedy Magikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls, in Japanese with English subtitles on Anime Network Online. 

 

Adapted from Minato Soft's popular visual novel, directed by Keitaro Motonaga (Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka, School Days,) with story supervision by Katsuhiko Takayama (And yet The Town Moves, e.f. A Tale of Memories,) the 12-episode series centers around a city where samurai ancestry runs deep, a tightly knit group of girls who suddenly find themselves with two new members, and a ton of new problems. 

 

Starting on Friday, November 18, Anime Network will kick off the online release with the first two episodes going live at 12 PM Eastern. A new episode will be available every week there after. Each episode will also be available on the free, ad-supported Hulu service, as well as the Hulu Plus subscription service, within 24 hours. Distribution on additional services and platforms will follow in 2012. 

 

ABOUT THE SERIES 

 

It’s one thing to honor your ancestors and keep old traditions alive, but there IS such a thing as taking it to a ridiculous extreme. In Kawakami City, having a samurai ancestor and enormous ‘fighting spirit’ isn’t just an interesting fact, it’s a huge part of how you end up being ranked on the social totem pole. That, in turn, rolls over into the school curriculum. Fortunately, that’s something the local kids like Yamato Naoe have learned to deal with by forming into small ‘bands,’ (that’s the samurai type, NOT music.) However, while the delicate sexual balance of Yamato’s group seemed fine when there were three girls and four boys, the sudden addition of two MORE girls starts to send everything spinning out of control! Seven’s a band of samurai and nine is a riot as boys, girls and naked blades all come together in Majikoi ~ Oh! Samurai Girls! 

 

WHERE: 

 

Anime Network Online: www.theanimenetwork.com

Hulu and Hulu Plus: www.hulu.com/network/anime-network

RELEASE SCHEDULE:

Fridays at 12 PM Eastern, starting Nov. 18 on Anime Network Online. Available on Hulu and Hulu Plus within 24-hours. 

All 12 episodes will be available to Guest Users.

ACF 1219: PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETERNAL DIVA feature-length anime coming November 8th

© LEVEL-5/Team Layton 2009. All Rights Reserved

 VIZ MEDIA TO RELEASE ANIMATEDFEATURE FILM
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETERNAL DIVA

BasedOn The Popular Nintendo Video Game,

Tea-LovingArcheologist And Polymath Sets Out To Solve

HisToughest Puzzle Yet!

VIZ Media will release a new animefeature-length film, PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETRENAL DIVA, on DVD November 8th.The movie is based on the highly popular PROFESSOR LAYTON series of video gamesfor the Nintendo DS and will be suitable for All Ages. The DVD features bothsubtitled and dubbed English dialogue options, and will carry an MSRP of $19.97U.S. / $19.98 CAN. 

Professor Layton, a true English gentleman, renownedarchaeologist, and the world’s greatest amateur super sleuth,embarks on his most daring adventure yet when he receives a letter from his oldstudent, the famous opera diva Janice Quatlane. She is set to perform at thelegendary Crown Petone Opera House and invites him to attend as her specialguest. Meanwhile, a spate of disappearances hits London. Two young school girlsare the latest victims and the Professor suspects it’s related to themysterious occurrences at the theatre. The Professor and his loyal assistantLuke travel to the Opera House to solve their toughest puzzle yet, the mysteryof Eternal Life!

“PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETERNAL DIVA combines plenty of action andmystery with intriguing puzzles and a healthy dose of fun English wit to makefor an inviting whodunit sure to captivate a wide audience,” says Brian Ige,Vice President, Animation. “The many puzzles that made the original Nintendo DSvideo game a hit are also present throughout the new feature film, and viewersare allowed time to formulate their own solutions to the riddles andbrainteasers before Professor Layton provides the final answer. We invite newand established fans alike to join the fun as the Professor searches to solvethe mysteries of Eternal Life hidden at the Crown Petone Opera House!” 

The PROFESSOR LAYTON video game series is one of the most successful Nintendo DSexclusive titles. In addition to the popular movie, which was released in Japanin 2009, the property features five games developed by Level-5 for the NintendoDS as well as two more game titles for the Nintendo 3DS. The games each featurevarious puzzles and mysteries that must be solved in order to advance to thenext level.

More information on PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETRENAL DIVA, is available at www.VIZ.com.

ACF 1215: Paranormal thriller PHI-BRAIN ~ KAMI NO PUZZLE acquired by Sentai Filmworks

Sentai Filmworks has acquired the new paranormal thriller series PHI-BRAIN ~ KAMI NO PUZZLE from famed director and manga creator Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon, Sergeant Frog, Pretear, Aria,) and legendary anime studio SUNRISE (Mobile Suit Gundam, Cowboy Bebop, Sorceror Hunters, Dirty Pair, Escaflowne.)  Based on a treatment by ‘Hajime Yatate,‘ a collective name for the Sunrise staff, and with script supervision by Mayori Sekijima (Najica Blitz Tactics, Plastic Little, Sol Bianca, Clamp School,) the 25 episode series will feature character designs by veteran animator Youhei Sasaki and music by Akio Izutsu.

PHI-BRAIN ~ KAMI NO PUZZLE will soon be available digitally on Anime Network Online, followed by many outlets other outlets. 

Synopsis: Kaito Daimon would be a completely average high school student except for one thing: he’s a ‘demon’ at solving puzzles.  Kaito’s so brilliant, in fact, that when he’s asked to take some ‘special’ tests of his unique ability, he immediately suspects that the test itself is a test.  Kaito suddenly finds himself caught up in a lethal Philosopher’s Puzzle made by the sinister group POG, a murderous maze of trap upon trap, where failing to solve the secret correctly will result in death!

Fortunately, Kaito’s skills prove up to the first test, both for himself AND his childhood friend Nanoha, who is also caught up in the deadly scheme.  But now that he has been designated as a Solver, he is pulled into a new life where he must travel the world with other Solvers, attempting to solve the latest deadly riddles left by POG.  There’s a new conundrum around every corner and each deception could lead to death, but once a riddle has been posed, you can count on Kaito to unfold, unravel and unlock it in PHI-BRAIN ~ KAMI NO PUZZLE!

ACF 1216: Anime Network to Simulcast Phi-Brain ~ Kami No Puzzle

In news related to the Sentai Filmworks announcement covered in ACF 1215, broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network has announced the acquisition of the all new action/puzzle anime Phi Brain ~ Kami No Puzzle for their streaming service, Anime Network Online.

Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon, Sgt. Frog) and animation studio Sunrise (Cowboy Bebop, Big O) introduce a world rife with mystery, one where nearly everyone seeks the ultimate puzzle to solve, and where the deadliest game must be played to find the ultimate truth in Phi Brain ~ Kami No Puzzle!

Starting Friday, November 4th, Episodes 1 to 5 will be released daily online at 4 PM Eastern to catch up to the release of Episode 6 on Wednesday, November 9th. New episodes will be available every Wednesday. Each episode will also be available on the free, ad-supported Hulu service, as well as the Hulu Plus subscription service, within 24 hours. Distribution on additional services and platforms will follow in 2012.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Kaito Daimon is a puzzle solving machine. So much is his mastery over all that is perplexing, that he suddenly becomes entwined in a lethal game of Riddle Me This. The contender? A deadly Philosopher's Puzzle, the creation of a sinister group named POG. Along with his "friend" Nanoha, he is pulled into a world of mysteries, where failing to find the solution could mean taking his last breath. Solving the puzzle is only the beginning of Kaito's problems in Phi Brain ~ Kami no Puzzle!

WHERE:

Anime Network Online: www.theanimenetwork.com
Hulu and Hulu Plus: www.hulu.com/network/anime-network

RELEASE SCHEDULE:

Wednesdays at 4 PM Eastern on Anime Network Online;
available on Hulu and Hulu Plus within 24-hours.
Ep 1 - Friday, 11/4
Ep 2 - Saturday, 11/5
Ep 3 - Sunday, 11/6
Ep 4 - Monday, 11/7
Ep 5 - Tuesday, 11/8
Ep 6 - Wednesday, 11/9
Ep 7 - Wednesday, 11/16
and so forth...

All 25 episodes will be available to Guest Users.

ACF 1208: "MASHIROIRO SYMPHONY ~ The Color of Lovers" licensed by Sentai Filmworks

  

Sentai Filmworks announces the acquisition of MASHIROIRO SYMPHONY ~ The Color of Lovers, the anime adaptation of the hit game franchise from visual novel developer Pallete, which has already spawned three manga spinoffs and a series of drama and music CDs. Produced by Manglobe, the 12 episode series will be scripted by Team RIKKA and directed by Eiji Suganuma (Sasameki Koto, Ninja Cadets.)  Adaption of the intricate original designs by Tsubasu Izumi (Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka, ef: a tale of memories) will be handled by Toshie Kawamura (The World God Only Knows, Yes! Precure 5, Precure All-Stars,) who will also serve as the animation director. 

MASHIROIRO SYMPHONY ~ The Color of Lovers will be available digitally soon.  The home video release will follow next year on subtitled DVD.

Synopsis: When boys suddenly get into places where they’ve never been allowed before, some girls tend to get upset.  So when the decision is made to merge the elite Yuihime Girls' Private Academy and the coeducational Kagamidai Private Academy, everyone wants to take extra care in avoiding trouble while bringing the two Privates together.  Therefore, rather than just sticking the Kagamida boys into the Yuihime girls all at once, a plan is concocted in which a group of test males will be inserted into the Girls’ Private Academy first.

Thus it is that poor young Shingo finds himself being thrown as a sacrificial lamb to the lionesses of Yuihime, who aren’t exactly waiting for him with open arms.  Will Shingo manage to survive the estrogen soaked death pit that is Yuihime?  Can the girls learn to be more receptive to the boys?  And just how long until something involving panties will cause emotions to flare, sparks to fly and the battle of the sexes to explode?  It’s a desperate battle to turn discord into making sweet music together in MASHIROIRO SYMPHONY ~ The Color of Lovers!

ACF 1203: THE WORLD ONLY GOD KNOWS licensed by Sentai Filmworks

Sentai Filmworks has acquired the eagerly anticipated anime series THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS, which was first revealed to massive applause at the 2011 Anime Weekend Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia on September 30, 2011.  Based on the super-hit manga by Tamiki Wakaki, the 24 episode series is helmed by Trigun and Flame of Recca vet Shigehito Takayanagi, who is directing from scripts supervised by Read Or Die creator Hideyuki Kurata (Excel Saga, Kamichu) and character designs adapted from Wakaki’s originals by Akio Watanabe (SoulTaker, Nurse Witch Komugi-chan.)  Original music is provided by Transformers Armada composer Hayato Matsuo (Hellsing Ultimate, Streetfighter Alpha.)

THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS is currently available digitally.  DVD and Blu-Ray releases of the first 12 episodes are scheduled for January 2012, with Season 2 to follow later in the year.

Synopsis: Keima Katsuragi can score with any girl he wants… provided that she’s not real.  A legendary master of Japanese “dating Sims,” often referred to by other players as the God Of Conquests, Keima is a classic nerd in real life and isn’t even all that interested in girls with more than two dimensions in the first place!  Unfortunately for Keima, his personal preferences cease to be of any importance when he accepts a challenge to what he THINKS is an internet game, only to discover that he’s actually made a deal with a demon!

And not just any demon, this is Elsie, a not particularly competent young female demon who’s been charged with recapturing runaway spirits that prefer to hide in girls hearts, where they can only be driven out by the girls falling in love.  Now Elsie’s got Keima by a collar and he’s got to get the girls or die trying!  Romance and dating are the highway to Hell in THE WORLD ONLY GOD KNOWS!

ACF 1196: Anime Network streaming TOWANOQUON mini-series

Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network recently began streaming the 6-part science fiction mini-series Towanoquon, in Japanese with English subtitles on Anime Network Online.

From studio BONES (Eureka Seven, No. 6) and director Umanosuke Iida (Hellsing, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team) comes a futuristic thrill ride you'll never forget, where humans waking up with amazing powers are hunted down by an organization bent on their eradication, with only one idealist as their shield against destruction.

The series began streaming online on Thursday, October 13t., A new part will be available every two weeks. See the Release Schedule below. Distribution on additional services and platforms will follow in 2012.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

No man, not even a superhuman, can stand alone against a faceless adversary.In futuristic Tokyo, a new breed of humans, known as Attractors, awaken to find themselves prey to Custos, a sinister organization of cyborgs.  However, strength lies in numbers and hope for survival grows from the emergence of a leader: Quon, an idealistic youth with the power to heal.  Along with the speed demon Yuri, psi-voiced Kiri, telepath Tei and teleporter Takao, the Attractors only chance to survive is to unite and fight back - HARD.  The best names in epic, superhero sci-fi anime come together to produce a new kind of legend: TOWANOQUON!

WHERE:

Anime Network Online http://www.theanimenetwork.com

RELEASE SCHEDULE:

Starting Thursday, Oct. 13th at 1 PM Eastern
Part 1 - 10/13
Part 2 - 10/27
Part 3 - 11/10
Part 4 - 11/24
Part 5 - 12/08
Part 6 - 12/22

Requires Subscription

ACF 1194: BROKEN BLADE to be availabe online and on DVD & Blu-Ray

Sentai Filmworks has announced acquisition of the eagerly awaited anime title BROKEN BLADE, an epic new series of animated films based on the international manga bestseller from Yunosuke Yoshinaga (Rampage).

Created in six 50 minute installments, the mega production is helmed by Chief Director Tetsuro Amino (Macross 7, Shiki, Jewell BEM Hunter Lime,) and Director Nobuyoshi Habara (DNAngel, Negima!, Fafner) working from screenplays by screenwriter Masashi Sogo (Bleach, Gantz, Samurai X/Rurouni Kenshin). Music duties for the blockbuster production will be handled by Yoshihisa Hirano (Death Note, Beyblade, Ouran High School Host Club).

Digital distribution of the first 50 minute installment of BROKEN BLADE set will begin this October on The Anime Network and through many other outlets. The home video release will follow in 2012 with releases on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Synopsis: In Cruzon, children are born with the ability to control quartz. This power allows them to levitate simple objects—or control enormous and complex mobile battle suits called Golems.  But when an ancient Golem is discovered during the height of a brutal war, a young king and his beautiful queen turn to Rygart Arrow. Though an “un-sorcerer”, Rygart can miraculously pilot this ancient and powerful weapon.

But in war, school friends can turn into bitter enemies and allies have suspicious motives. Strap yourself in, power up, and prepare for the heavy metal mecha action of BROKEN BLADE!

ACF 1193: Sentai Filmworks has acquired TOWANOQUON

 

Attention fans of fans of dark heroic action:

Sentai Filmworks has acquired TOWANOQUON, a spectacular new series of animated features from anime powerhouse BONES.  Produced by a literal all-star lineup of creators, the first film in the series is directed by Umanosuke Iida (Hellsing, Mobile Suit Gundam MS 08 Team, Mighty Space Miners,) with script supervision by Saizo Nemoto (Kikaider, Tokyo Majin 2). Character designs are by Toshihiro Kawamoto (Cowboy Bebop,  Wolf’s Rain, Golden Boy), and music is in the legendary hands of Kenji Kawai (The Ring, Dark Water, Skycrawlers, Pat Labor, Ranma ½, Blue Seed & Sorcerer Hunters.)

Digital distribution of the first TOWANOQUON feature will begin on the Anime Network this month, with DVD and BD releases to follow next year.

Synopsis: No man, not even a superhuman man can stand alone if the adversary he faces is powerful enough; and as a new breed of human called Attractors slowly begin to awaken in a Tokyo of the future, they find themselves the prey of a sinister and faceless secret organization called Custos.  But there is strength and safety in numbers and a leader is emerging among the Attractors, a young man with healing powers named Quon, who knows that the only way for the Attractors to survive is to join together and hit the cyborgs of Custos back. Hard.

And with allies like the super-speeded Yuri, psi-voiced Kiri, telepath Tei and teleporter Takao, he’s beginning to form the army to do it!  Anime, superhero and epic sci-fi come together as a who’s who team of Japan’s greatest animators join forces to produce an all new legend: TOWANOQUON!

ACF 1184: U.S. theatrical premiere of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS set for NY Comic Con

© 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 Shippuden © NMP 2008

 VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES

THEATRICAL PREMIERE OF

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS

JapaneseNARUTO Voice Actress Junko Takeuchi

To Attend Special Premiere Event HeldDuring

2011 New York Comic Con

VIZ Media will complement its presence at the 2011 New York Comic Con with the exclusiveU.S. theatrical premiere of the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN feature film, NARUTO SHIPPUDENTHE MOVIE: BONDS (English subtitled), on Saturday, October 15that 7:00pm at the New York School of Visual Arts Theatre. A special pre-show redcarpet event featuring Japanese voice actress JunkoTakeuchi, who provides the original voice for Naruto, will take place at thetheatre beginning at 6:00pm.

TheSchool of Visual Arts Theatre is located at 333 West 23rd Street, withinwalking distance of the Jacob Javits Convention Center where the 2011 New York Comic Conwill take place October 13th–16th. Seating is on afirst-come/first-served basis. Comic Con attendees can secure free tickets tothe premiere at VIZ Media’s Booth #932. Check a schedule posted at the VIZ Media booth forthe designated times for free ticket giveaways!

The first 200 attendees in line forthe premiere will receive a NARUTO plush toy. Premiere attendees will also receive a special VIZMedia Heroes Of Anime gift bag with anamazing assortment of goodies, including the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™: Ultimate Ninja Impact™ video game for the PSP(courtesy Namco Bandai), NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Collectable Card Game packs (courtesyBandai America), NARUTO keychains (courtesy Great Eastern), and other assortedcollectibles.

“Junko Takeuchi is one of the mostrespected voice actors in the Japanese anime industry and we’re honored towelcome her as a very special guest of honor for this theatrical premiereevent,” says Candice Uyloan, Director, Marketing. “NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THEMOVIE: BONDS is the second feature film in the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN story arc andNaruto and his friends must face down a dangerous new airborne menace in thislatest action-packed adventure. Don’t miss this fun event which is sure to be amust-attend for every anime and action film fan during New York Comic Con!”

InNARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens), a group of mysterious flying ninja have arrived fromoverseas to launch a sudden attack against the Hidden Leaf Village, leavingbehind a wake of destruction. The group is revealed to be the “Sky Ninja” fromthe Land of Sky, a nation thought to have been destroyed by the Hidden LeafVillage long ago. To save their village, Naruto and his friends set out to stopthis new threat. During the course of the mission, Naruto crosses paths withSasuke, his friend who has parted ways from the Leaf Village.

More information on NARUTOSHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS is available at www.Naruto.comand www.VIZ.com/naruto-shippuden-movie-video.