Latest Anime DVDs and Blu-ray from FUNimation
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith
The following Region 1 anime DVD and Blu-ray titles are now available from FUNimation Entertainment…
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Part 1
SRP $49.98 (DVD), $54.98 (Blu-ray)
Official Site: fullmetalalchemist.com
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD faithfully recreates the story first told in the classic manga by Hiromu Arakawa and featured in Square Enix’s Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine.
Edward and Alphonse Elric’s reckless disregard for alchemy’s fundamental laws ripped half of Ed’s limbs from his body and left Al?s soul clinging to a cold suit of armour. To restore what was lost, the brothers scour a war-torn land for the Philosopher’s Stone, a fabled relic which grants the ability to perform Alchemy in impossible ways.
The Elrics are not alone in their search; the corrupt State Military is eager to harness the artifact’s power. So too are the strange Homunculi and their shadowy creator. The mythical gem lures exotic alchemists from distant kingdoms, scarring some deeply enough to inspire murder. As the Elrics find their course altered by these enemies and allies, their purpose remains unchanged – and their bond unbreakable.
Episodes 1-13
2 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
English Subtitles
Episodes 1 and 10 Commentary
Textless Songs
Trailers
4 Collectible Postcards
Running Time: 325 Minutes
Rating: TV 14
Blu-ray Features
Audio: Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
KENICHI: THE MIGHTIEST DISCIPLE- Season Two, Part Two
SRP $49.98
Official Site: funimation.com/kenichi
Kenichi’s a lot tougher than he used to be – living in a dojo with six martial arts masters will do that to you. But thanks to his reputation as a skilled fighter, the guy’s got more problems than ever. Ragnarok’s ranks are fractured, and some of the gang’s toughest brawlers have joined forces with Kenichi and the Shinpaku Alliance! Unfortunately, the deadliest of the Eight Fists have no interest in switching sides. Odin is out for bloody vengeance after a bloody confrontation with Kenichi. In the years since that fateful day, both have trained with their masters to be the best- but only one of them can be the mightiest disciple!
Everything Kenichi has learned will be put to the test as the final battle with Ragnarok begins!
Episodes 39-50
2 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
English Subtitles
Textless Songs
Trailers
Running Time: 300 Minutes
Rating: TV PG
THE SLAYERS EVOLUTION-R
Available June 1st
SRP $59.98
Official Site: funimation.com/slayersrevolution
The magical mayhem of the THE SLAYERS REVOLUTION continues in THE SLAYERS EVOLUTION-R! With the original cast of Slayers back together for the first time in over a decade, Lina Inverse and her crew are reunited and doing what they do best- saving the world by almost destroying it!
Lina’s gang and their new ally Pokota are hot on the trail of the Hellmaster’s jar! It’s no ordinary piece of pottery: it holds the soul of Rezo the red Piest. Opening the vessel and resurrecting Rezo is the only hope Pokota has of saving his kingdom’s people. With masked assassins, headless knights, and shifty Xellos in the mix, one thing is cetain- destruction is guaranteed!
Uncut Episodes 14-26
2 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
English Subtitles
Textless Songs
Trailers
Run Time: 315 Minutes
Rating: TV PG
SOUL EATER- Part Three
Available June 1st
SRP $59.98
Official Site: funimation.com/souleater
As students of the Grim Reaper at Death Weapon Meister Academy, Maka is a Meister and Soul is her Weapon – literally. When they take on the supernatural forces of evil, Soul transforms into a razor-sharp scythe and Maka wields him in battle. He gets deadlier with every defeated soul he consumes and each victory strengthens their bond – but Maka, Soul, and their classmates might not be ready to face the darkness headed their way.
After 800 years, the witch Arachne has returned to spin a web of wickedness, leading an army of ghoulish minions in a war against Death Weapon Meister Academy. As demons from the past rise amid betrayal and madness, Maka and Soul are definitely in for the fight of their lives. But, hey – luckily for the fate of the world, they’re a freakin’ lethal team!
Episodes 27-39
2 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
English Subtitles
Soul Eater Late Show
Episode 30 Commentary with Todd Haberkorn, Cherami Leigh and Jamie Marchi
Textless Songs
Trailers
Running Time: 315 Minutes
Rating: TV 14
BECK: COMPLETE COLLECTION (S.A.V.E.)
Available June 1st
SRP $29.98
Koyuki Tanaka was feeling the rut, though he’s only a teenager. Between the sheltered and stifling grind of school and the girls that spend their time not noticing him… Every day was just another day of being a total nobody. Enter Ryusuke: a local rock n’ roller haunted by a shady reputation. Together they form Beck, a dynamic band that just might be the salvation of the stagnant music scene. Sure, it’s going to take hard work and obsession to make it, but there’s something special in the sound. If the guys can stay true to their vision, the world awaits. Music can change your life, sometimes against your will. Just remember… When it’s live, anything can happen.
4 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
Running Time: 625 Minutes
Rating: NR
WITCHBLADE: COMPLETE COLLECTION (VIRIDIAN)
Available June 15th
SRP $49.98
Based on the popular comic book by Top Cow Productions.
Sought by the greed of Men since the dawn of Humankind, but only bestowed upon the woman whose fate it forever scars – The Witchblade. Is it the Righteous Sword of God, of the Hand of the Devil Himself? Now a new bearer has been chosen and she must discover the answers for herself. As she stands on the brink of destiny, she is forced to seek the balance between ecstasy and ruin…
Masane Amaha is a woman on the fringe of society, bouncing rootless from town to town with her daughter, Rihoko. She struggles to build a life for her family, with no memory of the past and no clue as to what the future holds. But upon their arrival back in Tokyo forces conspire to separate parent from child, unleashing the fury of the Witchblade. The young mother will find herself conscripted into the service of the Doji Group and hunted down by the emissaries of the NSWF, all while seeking to balance the weight of this forced duality.
5 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
Running Time: 600 Minutes
Japanese cast interviews
A tour of Top Cow Studios with Marc Silvestri
How to create a comic book the Top Cow way
The Witchblade forged – parts 1-3
Top Cow Studios tour outtakes
Coloring a comic book page
The early days of Image Comics
The Top Cow staff talks about comics
Experiences in Japan / other Top Cow franchises
Crossing into other media
Textless songs
X: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Available June 15th
SRP $49.98
Based on the series from the international manga powerhouse CLAMP.
Kamui stands alone at the crossroads between salvation and Armageddon. Destiny demands that this tormented young man decide the fate of a world he no longer belongs in. Torn between rival orders of superhuman warriors, the time has come for Kamui to choose his side. Either he fights with the Dragons of Heaven – fights to save civilization and the two friends he swore to always protect, or he must draw swords alongside the Dragons of Earth and deliver a death blow to the human race. Whatever his choice, there will be consequences. Friends will change. Friends will die. Life will never be the same. There’s a last time for everything. That time is now.
4 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
Running Time: 625 Minutes
Interview with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Original Japanese trailer for episode 0
Textless songs
Trailers
HEROIC AGE: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Available June 22nd
SRP $59.98
Long ago, the advanced Tribe of Gold vanished from the vast universe. In the void left by their departure, the tyrannical Tribe of Silver ascended to rule, forcing mankind – the Iron Tribe – to the brink of extinction.
Now humanity wanders the cosmos in search of a savior. Prophesy has foretold of one who will labor for their freedoms, and on a planet of ruin, a champion is found. A feral boy named Age holds the destiny of their species in his hands and the untold power of the Tribe of Hero within.
4 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
Running Time: 630 Minutes
Textless songs
Trailers
GUYVER: THE COMPLETE SERIES Blu-ray
Available June 22nd
SRP $54.98
Resurrected from the pages of the original manga!
A world controlled by a sinister brotherhood who hide their fangs behind masks of humanity, known as the Chronos Corporation. While investigating a mysterious explosion near his school, Sho Fukamachi happens upon the Chronos Corporation’s greatest weapon: a techno organic suit of bio armor known as “the Guyver.” But Chronos is determined to conceal their secrets at any cost. Sho soon finds himself relentlessly pursued by its army of horrific bio-monsters. With nowhere to run, Sho is forced to call upon the fearsome power of the Guyver and rip his opponents limb from limb in a desperate struggle for survival.
Experience this all new production of this sci-fi anime legend in the most complete rendition of Guyver ever animated. Dare to discover the horror that lies beneath!
3 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
Running Time: 650 Minutes
Episode 1 commentary with Guyver fans Rod Peters & Jack Glauser
Episode 13 commentary with Lowell Bartholomee (Tetsuro) & Charles Campbell (ADR Director)
Episode 23 commentary with Chris Patton (Sho) & Charles Campbell (ADR Director)
Episode 26 Commentary with Chris Patton (Sho), Lowell Bartholomee (Tetsuro) & Charles Campbell (ADR Director)
Manga to cnime comparisons (Episodes 1-26 with choice of English dub or Japanese with subtitles)
Production Sketches (10-minute slideshow with music)
Clean opening animation
AFRO SAMURAI: The Complete Murder Sessions Blu-ray
Available June 22nd
SRP $39.98
Afro Samurai. A relentless brother wielding an ice cold soul and a jones for revenge. His path is long and violent, and the entire journey so far is now yours to witness.
First, the legendary series – AFRO SAMURAI. As a kid, he saw his father slaughtered. Now a man, Afro walks to the mountain where destiny waits on high. The perpetrators must atone, and they’re gonna get what they deserve. Nothing Personal – It’s Just Revenge.
The saga continues in the Emmy-winning AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION. Afro is forced back into the game by a beautiful and deadly woman from his past. She won’t quit until Afro is schooled in the brutal lessons he dealt those who stood in his way. One Brother. One Path. One Thousand Deaths.
2 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
Running Time: 325 Minutes
Interview with the creator Takashi Okazaki
RZA music production tour
In the booth with the voice talent of Afro Samurai
Animation production (GONZO studios in Japan)
Character commentary by Eric Calderon
Afro in depth: Exclusive insight into the world of Afro from the creator Bob Okazaki
Afro Samurai East Meets West Part 1: GONZO Studios interviews and behind the scenes
INITIAL D: PROJECT D, FOURTH STAGE- PART 2
Available June 29th
SRP $59.98
Official Site: funimation.com/initiald
Project D hasn’t lost a race yet, but the pressures of competing are starting to take a toll, and the team’s spotless record and growing reputation are in serious jeopardy. Downhill specialist Takume struggles with a major confidence crisis when a mysterious Impreza has its way with his Eight-Six. Meanwhile, uphill ace Keisuke fights to control his reckless intensity in the face of his brother’s expectations. Both drivers know that cool nerves of steel can mean the difference between a fiery crash and a first place finish. For Project D to stay on top, they’ll need to get their eyes back on the road and focus on what they do best – going faster than everyone else.
Uncut Episodes 13-24
2 Discs
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Audio: Japanese Stereo, English 5.1 Dolby Surround
English Subtitles
Running Time: 325 Minutes
Rating: TV-PG
Textless songs
Trailers
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit funimation.com.
