Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: another-anime.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for the new horror anime series ANOTHER.
© 2012 Yukito Ayatsuji/ [Another] Production Committee

Sentai Filmworks is ghoulishly pleased to announce the acquisition of ANOTHER (アナザー, Anazaa, 2012), the eagerly awaited new anime series that dares to ask the question: What do you do when your classmate’s school locker is a locker in the morgue?

Based on the hit novel by Yukito Ayatsuji, the 12 episode series joins the manga, written by Ayatsuji and illustrated by The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya’s Noizi Ito, and the forthcoming live action feature film (due Summer 2012) as part of the latest hit horror franchise to erupt from Japan. Tsutomu Mizushima (BLOOD C, KOBATO, XXXHOLIC) directs from series composition by Ryo Higaki (MORIBITO-GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT) while Yuriko Ishii (PERSONA – TRINITY SOUL) adapts Ito’s original character designs for animation.

Mei Misaki was cute, athletic and one of the most popular girls in her school. Why should a little thing like death change that? Now, 23 years after Mei’s mysterious demise, a new transfer student discovers that not only is his school’s student body one corpse short of a full roster, but that some secrets never leave high school. And what’s more, all of this may somehow be tied into his own family past.
Continued…

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/fairytail (Japan), funimation.com/fairy-tail (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Combo Pack art for FAIRY TAIL: PART 3. Photo courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Fairy Tail Guild
Production Committee: Hiro Mashima/ Kodansha/ TV Tokyo

FUNimation Entertainment will release the Blu-ray/DVD Combo set of the action/adventure anime FAIRY TAIL: PART 3 (フェアリーテイル, Fearii Teiru, 2009) on January 31st. Based on the hit manga by Hiro Mashima (each new manga volume published since 2007 has debuted in the Top 5), the long running series is co-produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, and directed by Shinji Ishihira. The third Blu-ray/DVD Combo set contains episodes 25-36.

The guild-on-guild mayhem continues as Fairy Tail struggles to fend off Phantom Lord – whose Element 4 must be defeated in order to disable a massive magic cannon aimed at guild headquarters! With a never-surrender attitude, Natsu and his friends push their powers to the limit to protect Lucy and save Magnolia from total annihilation!

Then, Erza’s tortured past returns to haunt her when estranged friends ambush a well-deserved vacation. Her team tracks them down to a looming tower where a possessed wizard close to Erza’s heart puts them in a sinister game of life or death!
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: zero-tsukaima.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for FAMILIAR OF ZERO F. © F Tsukaima Production
Committee © 2012 Yamaguchinoboru Media Factory / Zero

Sentai Filmworks waves its magic wand and announces the acquisition of yet another eagerly awaited new anime series: FAMILIAR OF ZERO F (ゼロの使い魔F, Zero no Tsukaima F, 2012). Continuing the story introduced in the previous hit anime and manga series created by Noboru Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi himself handles the series composition, with director Yoshiaki Iwasaki (BEST STUDENT COUNCIL, LOVE HINA, HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER) taking charge of the new 13 episode series, while Eiji Usatsuka’s original character designs are adapted once again by Masahiro Fujii (DREAM EATER MERRY, HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER.)

Get ready to join spell challenged Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière, whose luck with magic is so poor that she’s earned the nickname “Zero,” and Saito Chevalier de Hiraga, the unfortunate human Louise accidentally summoned while attempting to conjure up a familiar, in a set of mystifyingly mystical misadventures so mind-boggling mayhem prone that even the experienced staff of the Tristain Academy of Magic will end up wondering if they could possibly be real!
Continued…

Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

Key art for POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S. © 2009 Ichiro Sasaki

Entertainment label Maiden Japan has announced the license of the action comedy series POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S (神曲奏界ポリフォニカ クリムゾンS, Shinkyoku Sookai Polyphonica Crimson S, 2009). Although based on the same light novel series as a previous POLYPHONICA series created by Ichiro Sakaki (released in North America by Sentai Filmworks), CRIMSON S is a newer and completely different series, set at a much earlier timeframe in the franchise chronology. Director Toshimasa Suzuki (HEROIC AGE) heads the all new creative team, while composition of the series is in the capable hands of Kenichi Kanemaki (PRETEAR, HELL GIRL).

POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S will soon be available through many digital outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD in spring 2012.
Continued…

First Episode of Production I.G. Series Available to Stream Now in US and UK!
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: lag-rin.com (Japan), vizanime.com/lagrange (US)
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Key art for LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE. Image courtesy of VIZ Media.
© 2012 Lagrange Project

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, excites anime fans with the announcement of the U.S. online simulcast premiere of the brand new series, LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE (輪廻のラグランジェ, Rinne no Raguranje, 2012), on VIZAnime.com the company’s own website for free anime, as well as on the free, ad-supported Hulu service and in high-definition on the Hulu Plus subscription service. The first episode (subtitled) is available now with new installments scheduled to debut each Sunday!

In addition, Kazé SAS will be the official partner in the United Kingdom for the simulcast of LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE. Episode 1 is now available on anime-on-demand.com, with new episodes debuting every Sunday.

LAGRANGE – THE FLOWER OF RIN-NE just launched on Japanese television on January 8th, and is produced by Studio XEBEC (BROKEN BLADE, MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO, FAFNER), created by the famed animation studio, Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL S.A.C., SEHGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS), and directed by Tatsuo Sato (MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO, NINJA SCROLL: THE SERIES, STELLVIA). The robots are designed in collaboration with Nissan Motor Co., LTD’s creative team, chosen from more than 60 designs from an internal Nissan design competition.
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Arrietty fends off a threatening insect. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Production Details for the Studio Ghibli Animated Feature
Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia), disney.go.com/arrietty (US)

The animated feature ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) was another smash hit for Studio Ghibli, topping the Japanese box office for 2010. Based on Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers, ARRIETTY is now being released theatrically in two major English language markets; Madman Entertainment will open the film in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, and Walt Disney Studios will release it in North America as THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY on February 17.

The following English language press notes for ARRIETTY are courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
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The main characters of the new supernatural anime, INU X BOKU S.S. © 2012 Cocoa Fujiwara/ Square Enix

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: inuboku.tv (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Sentai Filmworks takes a supernaturally tinged twist as the company unveils its most recent acquisition, the supernaturally charged suspense drama INU X BOKU S.S. (妖狐×僕SS, Inu Boku Siikuretto Saabisu, 2012). Based on the hit manga of the same name by Cocoa Fujiwara (dear), the 12 episode mystical drama marks episodic director and storyboard artist Naokatsu Tsuda’s (LEVEL E, SQUID GIRL, BENTO) first turn as a series director, supported by series composition from Saizo Nemoto (TOWANOQUON, TOKYO MAJIN 2) and character designs adapted from Fujiwara’s originals by Haruko Iizuka (SISTERS OF WELBER).

INU X BOKU S.S. will debut on digital platforms and television starting in early 2012 to be followed by DVD and Blu-Ray later in the year.
Continued…

Complete Series Streets January 31st
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: phantom-r.jp (Japan), funimation.com/phantom (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Combo Pack art for PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009
Nitroplus/ Project Phantom.

On January 31st, FUNimation Entertainment will release a Complete Series Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack of PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (ファントム ~ PHANTOM OF INFERNO ~ , 2009).

A young man with no memories fights to salvage his humanity when he’s forced into a life of murder by a dangerous crime syndicate called Inferno. The organization gives him a new name, Zwei, and molds him into a perfect killing machine, a meticulous instrument of death created to obey his masters’ every deadly command.

Zwei’s not the only puppet controlled by Inferno; Ein is a girl as beautiful as she is brutal and as lethal as she is lost. While mafia violence escalates around them, the two assassins grow closer, and Zwei begins the struggle to reclaim his past and save Ein from a blood-soaked future.

The PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack contains episodes 1-26.
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: hichika-ichika.com
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for WAITING IN THE SUMMER. © 2012 I＊Chi＊Ka/
Summer Town Production Committee

Sentai Filmworks is very proud to announce the acquisition of the eagerly awaited new anime WAITING IN THE SUMMER (あの夏で待ってる, Ano Natsu de Matteru, 2012), which is already drawing considerable buzz due to its re-pairing of several already highly successful creative partnerships.

Legendary anime writer Yōsuke Kuroda (EXCEL SAGA, HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD, PUNI PUNI PEOMY) reteams with his PLEASE TEACHER!/PLEASE TWINS collaborator, original character designer Taraku Uon (READ OR DIE TV and OVA), while director Tatsuyuki Nagai (TORADORA, HONEY & CLOVER II) reunites with his TORADORA/ANO HI MITA HANA collaborator, character designer Masayoshi Tanaka (also HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD), to produce a unique 12 episode anime series that takes a rather different view of the classic teen romance genre.

Lights! Camera! Teen Angst! When a group of friends decide to make a movie over a long summer holiday, they end up learning a little about filmmaking and a lot more about each other and themselves. What begins as a simple way to avoid the summer doldrums quickly turns into something much more complex, intimate and revealing, as the maturing relationships between the members of the young cast take on new, and sometimes very unexpected, turns.
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Get Your Passport Today for Chance to Win Tickets to the Red Carpet Premiere Event in Los Angeles
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release
Official Site: am2con.org
Special Thanks to Chase Wang

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS will
screen at this year’s AM² convention. Pre-register now
for a chance to win two tickets to the film’s red carpet
premiere. © 2011 Hiromu Arakawa/ Hagaren the Movie

2012′s highly-anticipated animation, music and manga convention in Southern California, AM² (June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hotels) continues to bring more fun to fans with the screening of the long-awaited FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS (鋼の錬金術師 嘆きの丘（ミロス）の聖なる星, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Mirosu no Sei-naru Hoshi, 2011) to this year’s event! Passport purchasers will also have a chance to attend the official premiere event in Los Angeles on January 20, 2012.

Passport purchasers will be automatically entered into the AM² Pre-Registration contest to potentially win two (2) tickets to the FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS Red Carpet Premiere Event. It will be a night of entertainment for fans of the popular FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST franchise featuring an opportunity to walk the carpet, movie presentation, and a Q & A with both the Japanese director Kazuya Murata and the US Director Mike McFarland as well as members of the US voice cast including Vic Mignogna and BONES president, Masahiko Minami.

“We are working hard to bring you (the fans) the best in anime, manga and music entertainment from Asia”, states Chase Wang AM² representative, “Whether you are a casual or hard-core fan, we hope you will joins us for this truly amazing and fun fan event filled with anime, manga, j-rock, j-pop, cosplay and more!”
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A tiny girl befriends a young boy in the Studio Ghibli animated feature THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. NYICFF will have a preview screening in NYC
before the film opens nationwide in the United States. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Source: GKIDS Inc. press release
Official Event Site: gkids.tv/intheaters
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US)

NYICFF (New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival) is thrilled to present a special preview screening of Studio Ghibli’s THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), based on Mary Norton’s classic children’s book The Borrowers. Co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Miyazaki protégé Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is a gorgeous and entertaining treat – a beautiful story, sumptuously animated with all the loving detail, warmth, and humanity we have come to expect from Studio Ghibli’s finest works. THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is currently certified 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

The screening will take place at 1:00pm on Saturday, January 21st at Symphony Space in New York City. This event is expected to sell out, so advance purchase is highly recommended.
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: jcstaff.co.jp/maho-shokai
Special Thanks to David Williams

The magical anime series SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS will soon be available for
streaming and DVD. © 2002 Norie Yamada/ Kadokawa/ PNDTK/ TV Asahi

Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of the anime classic SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS (魔法遣いに大切なこと, Maho Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto, 2003). Based on the hit manga by Kumichi Yoshizuki and Norie Yamada (originally released in North America by Tokyo Pop,) and with script supervision by co-creator Yamada, the twelve episode series was directed by Masami Shimoda (BOYS BE, 11 EYES, POLYPHONICA) with character design adaptations by Michinori Chiba and Nobue Yoshinaga.

When can flunking a spelling test cause major problems? When you’re learning how to use magic, of course! And that’s exactly the situation fifteen-year-old Yume Kikuchi finds herself in when she travels to Tokyo to begin her apprenticeship as a licensed magic user. Unfortunately, Yume’s a country girl in the big city for the first time and there are a lot of new-fangled ideas to get used to.
Continued…

Official Site: bgata-hkei.com (Japan), funimation.com/b-gata-h-kei-yamada-s-first-time (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Limited artbox design for YAMADA’S FIRST TIME- B GATA H KEI.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Yoko
Sanri/ Shueisha Inc. B-Gata H-Kei Project

On January 31st, FUNimation Entertainment will release a Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack of B GATA H KEI – YAMADA’S FIRST TIME (B型H系 Bii Gata Etchi Kei, Type: B; Style: H, 2010).

The anime, from director Yusuke Yamamoto (SGT FROG, WELCOME TO THE NHK), is based on the manga series of the same name published by Shueisha. Both follow Yamada, a boy-crazy school girl with distracting daydreams about future bedmates – but before she can get this saucy sex life underway, she realizes she first needs to lose her virginity! She knows to whom she will bestow this prize: her classmate Kosuda. However, a successful seduction of Kosuda is more difficult than this lusty teen had counted on.

The B GATA H KEI – YAMADA’S FIRST TIME Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack contains episodes 1-12. The limited edition also comes packaged in an artbox.
Continued…

Source: Anime Network press release
Official Site: breakblade.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Toni Brown

Promotional art for BROKEN BLADE. Image courtesy of
Section23 Films. © 2010 Yunosuke Yoshinaga/ Flex Comix,
Broken Blade Production Committee

Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network and Comcast Cable are starting 2012 off with a bang, coming together to bring our fans a tale of war, magic, and ancient mecha: BROKEN BLADE (ブレイク ブレイド, Bureiku Bureido, 2010)!

Throughout January and February, Anime Network is inviting BROKEN BLADE viewers to enter to win ten limited edition DVD/Blu-ray and English cast autographed poster sets. For more information, visit theanimenetwork.com/brokenbladecontest.

BROKEN BLADE, published by Sentai Filmworks and distributed by Section23 Films, is 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). BROKEN BLADE tells the story of Rygart Arrow, who defends Cruzon by piloting an ancient and powerful Golem.
Continued…

The tiny borrower Arrietty lives beneath the floorboards of mansion in the Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY.
Image courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Discover a Secret World Within Our Own
Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia)

Australian theatrical poster for ARRIETTY, courtesy of
Madman Entertainment. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

The Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) will open in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, courtesy of distributor Madman Entertainment.

Madman will screen ARRIETTY in both English language and Original Japanese language versions with English subtitles. The English language track was recorded in the UK and features a different voice cast than will be heard in the upcoming US release (entitled THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY) from Walt Disney Studios. The UK cast includes Saoirse Ronan (THE LOVELY BONES, HANNA) as Arrietty, Tom Holland as Sho, Olivia Colman (HOT FUZZ) as Homily, Phyllida Law (UNLEASHED, THE WINTER GUEST) as Sadako, Luke Allen-Gale (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER) as Spiller, Mark Strong (SHERLOCK HOLMES, GREEN LANTERN) as Pod and Geraldine McEwan (MISS MARPLE, WALLACE & GROMIT) as Haru.
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: starchild.co.jp
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for MOURETSU PIRATES. © 2011 King Record Co.,
Ltd.

Prepare to be boarded by stellar entertainment on a galactic scale as Sentai Filmworks announces the impending escape of the rollicking, hit space opera MOURETSU PIRATES (モーレツ宇宙海賊, Mooretsu Paireetsu aka BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES, 2011)!

What happens when Teen Chic meets Pirate Technique? Find out when Director Tatsuo Sato (MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO, NINJA SCROLL TV, STELLVIA) returns to the familiar waters of comedy and interplanetary adventure and deftly steers the bestselling Mini-Skirt Pirate (Minisuka Uchuu Kaizoku) novels by Yuichi Sasamoto (VENUS WARS, Ariel) on a course to become an all new 26 episode anime masterpiece, while Noriyuki Matsumoto’s brilliant original characters designs are adapted for animation by the team of Akira Yasuda (TURN A GUNDAM) and Hiroshi Takeuchi (BIG O, XENOGLOSSIA.) There’s plenty of pillage and yo-ho-ho-ing ahead in the most plunder-full adventure epic of the year!

MOURETSU PIRATES will simulcast premier on Crunchyroll starting January 7, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Additional digital outlets and TV broadcast will follow starting in February with DVD and Blu-Ray to follow.
Continued…

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: hagaren-movie.net (Japan), funimation.com/fullmetal-alchemist-the-sacred-star-of-milos (US)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski

Promotional art for FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE
SACRED STAR OF MILOS. Image courtesy of Eleven
Arts Entertainment. © 2011 Hiromu Arakawa/
Hagaren the Movie 2011

FUNimation Entertainment, in conjunction with Aniplex Inc. and Eleven Arts Inc., announced that its animated feature film FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS (鋼の錬金術師 嘆きの丘（ミロス）の聖なる星, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Mirosu no Sei-naru Hoshi, 2011), produced by BONES, will be presented at a red carpet premiere at the Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles, CA on Friday January 20, 2012.

It will be a night of entertainment for fans of the popular FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST franchise featuring an opportunity to walk the carpet starting at 8:00pm and see the movie presentation at 9:00pm. A Q&A will follow with both the Japanese director Kazuya Murata and the US Director Mike McFarland as well as members of the US voice cast including Vic Mignogna and BONES president, Masahiko Minami.

Tickets for the premiere screening are currently on sale at downtownindependent.com. The first 100 tickets purchased will include an autographed limited edition event poster.
Continued…

Humans and robots learn to coexist in the anime film TIME OF EVE. © 2010 Yasuhiro Yoshiura/ DIRECTIONS, Inc.

First-ever Digital Platform Release in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Source: DIRECTIONS, Inc. press release
Official Site: timeofeve.com (Japan), timeofeve.com/e (English)
Special Thanks to Ann Yamamoto

Japanese poster art for TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE. © 2010
Yasuhiro Yoshiura/ DIRECTIONS, Inc.

DIRECTIONS, Inc. and STUDIO RIKKA are proud to announce the immediate availability of Yasuhiro Yoshiura’s TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE (イヴの時間 劇場版, Gekijoban Ivu no Jikan, 2010) on the iTunes Store in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This release marks the anime film’s digital platform premiere outside Japan.

TIME OF EVE (イヴの時間, Ivu no Jikan) launched as 6 episodes from August 2008 through September 2009 on streaming platforms worldwide. The series quickly gained a devoted following as word spread about the sheer artistry of the visuals, and the tightly woven coming-of-age story about friendship, family and confronting society’s norms. The series exceeded 3 million views in Japan alone and sold out of the single-episode limited edition DVD release.

TIME OF EVE: THE MOVIE brings together the 6 episodes with new footage and a revelatory new ending, plus a new theme song by hit J-pop unit Kalafina (Sony Music Entertainment). The film is about two high school boys, who grapple with their own humanity in a world where people are serviced by androids distinguished from their masters only by the halo-like rings above their heads.
Continued…

A young boy named Shawn (right, voice of David Henrie) is astonished when he visits the garden and discovers Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler),
a tiny person who lives hidden with her family under the floorboards of the house where he’s staying, in Disney’s release of the
Studio Ghibli animated feature, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Anime Film Opens February 17, 2012
Source: Walt Disney Studios press release
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US)

US poster art, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. © 2010
GNDHDDTW

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (SPIRITED AWAY, PONYO) comes THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series The Borrowers.

Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts.

But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger.
Continued…

Logo for BLUE DRAGON: TRIALS OF THE SEVEN SHADOWS, the new anime series now available on on VIZAnime.com and Hulu.
Image courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2008 BLUE DRAGON PROJECT/TV TOKYO

Anime Series Based on Popular Xbox 360 Videogame Comes to North America on VIZAnime.com and Hulu
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/bluedragon (Japan), vizanime.com/blue-dragon-seven-shadows (US)
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media has announced the launch of BLUE DRAGON: TRIALS OF THE SEVEN SHADOWS (BLUE DRAGON 天界の七竜, Blue Dragon Tenkai no Shichiryuu, 2008), the second season of the hit fantasy adventure series BLUE DRAGON (both rated TV-14), available now on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own website for free anime, as well as on the streaming content provider Hulu. Episodes 1-5 are available now, and 2 new episodes will debut each Friday.

The BLUE DRAGON series is based on the exclusive Xbox 360 videogame of the same name, developed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of FINAL FANTASY, and features character designs by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling Dragon Ball series of manga (published in North America by VIZ Media).
Continued…

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: funimation.com/x (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Cover art for X: THE COMPLETE SERIES. Photo courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © Clamp · Kadokawa Shoten/ TV
“X” PROJECT

On January 3rd, FUNimation Entertainment will reissue the supernatural anime X: THE COMPLETE SERIES on DVD as part of their Anime Classics line.

Based on the series from the international manga powerhouse CLAMP, the X (エックス, Ekkusu, 2001) anime was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (NINJA SCROLL, VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST) with animation by Madhouse (BLACK LAGOON, DEATH NOTE).

X: THE COMPLETE SERIES contains episodes 1-24 plus the episode 0 OVA, X: AN OMEN (エックス- 前兆, Ekkusu- Yochoo, 2001).
Continued…

THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS Available on January 24th
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

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

Also scheduled for January are EF ~ A TALE OF MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION on DVD and Blu-ray, and DVD editions of AKIKAN! COMPLETE COLLECTION, AND YET THE TOWN MOVES COMPLETE COLLECTION and PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD and Blu-ray specs, and cover art for all of these titles.
Continued…

Promo art for the new anime film FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS. Image courtesy of Eleven Arts Entertainment.
© 2011 Hiromu Arakawa/ Hagaren the Movie 2011

Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: hagaren-movie.net (Japan), funimation.com/fullmetal-alchemist-the-sacred-star-of-milos (US)
Special Thanks to Shun Ohara

Cineplex Entertainment, Eleven Arts and FUNimation Entertainment are bringing FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS (鋼の錬金術師 嘆きの丘（ミロス）の聖なる星, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Mirosu no Sei-naru Hoshi, 2011) to the big screen exclusively at participating Cineplex theatres across Canada on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 12:55pm and Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 7:30pm local time.
Continued…

The twelve episode anime series SAMURAI GIRLS will be released on DVD next month in the United Kingdom.
Image courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Akira Suzuki, Niθ, Hobby Japan/ Hyakka-Ryoran Partners

Disc Streets January 30th
Official Site: hyakka-ryoran.tv (Japan)
Source: The Associates press release

UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 2010 Akira Suzuki, Niθ, Hobby Japan/ Hyakka-Ryoran
Partners

The complete twelve episode anime series SAMURAI GIRLS (百花繚乱 サムライガールズ, Hyakka Ryoran Samurai Girls, 2010) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) in the United Kingdom by Manga Entertainment on January 30, 2012.

Based on the popular Hobby Japan light novel series of the same name— written by Akira Suzuki and illustrated by Niθ— SAMURAI GIRLS was produced by the animation studio Arms Corporation (QUEEN’S BLADE, ELFEN LIED, HIMAWARI!) and directed by Kobun. The series aired in Japan on TV Kanagawa and Chiba TV from October 3rd to December 19th, 2010.

The story SAMURAI of GIRLS takes place in Japan in the early 21st century, in an alternate reality where the Tokugawa Shogunate has remained in power. In this reality, student councils are tasked with oppressing schools. Yagyuu Muneakira is a high school student who rebels against his student council with the help of girls who’ve had the names of famous samurai heroes passed on to them.
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The Decepticon Starscream schemes in the CGI animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME, coming to DVD and Blu-ray in March 2012.
Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc.

4-Disc Blu-ray Collection Packed With 96-Page IDW Graphic Novel Streets March 6, 2012
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Tom Chen

Cover art for TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST
SEASON DVD Set. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory.
© 2011 Hasbro, Inc.

Prepare to experience the world of TRANSFORMERS PRIME like never before with perfect picture visuals and the purest digital sound available when the entire first season of the award-winning CGI animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME arrives in stores everywhere in North America on March 6, 2012 in a deluxe 4-DVD set and a Limited Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray collection from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios.

Both the DVD and Blu-ray collections of TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON boast all 26 action-packed episodes (including the 5-part miniseries DARKNESS RISING) and special bonus content. For a limited time only, TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Limited Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray contains a 96-page IDW graphic novel based on this hit series.

Fans and collectors can pre-order the DVD release of TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON today! The Limited-Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray Collection (featuring the 96-page IDW graphic novel) is available for preorder exclusively on Amazon.com or ShoutFactoryStore.com.

Delivering a new level of heavy metal action and family entertainment for all ages, the limited edition Blu-ray collection is priced to own at $64.99 SRP. The deluxe 4-DVD set is sold separately and has a suggested retail price of $29.93.
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Promo art for the new anime film FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS. Image courtesy of Eleven Arts Entertainment.
© 2011 Hiromu Arakawa/ Hagaren the Movie 2011

Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: hagaren-movie.net (Japan), funimation.com/fullmetal-alchemist-the-sacred-star-of-milos (US)
Special Thanks to Shun Ohara

Eleven Arts and FUNimation Entertainment are bringing the feature length sequel film to the popular FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST anime franchise, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS (鋼の錬金術師 嘆きの丘（ミロス）の聖なる星, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Mirosu no Sei-naru Hoshi, 2011), to more than 100 theater screens across North America in January 2012.

Read on for the current list of US theaters and screening dates for the film.
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HEADMASTERS, SUPER-GOD MASTERFORCE and VICTORY in 13-DVD Box Set, only from ShoutFactoryStore.com
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Tom Chen and Scott Neumyer

TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION is now available
for pre-order from ShoutFactoryStore.com. Photo courtesy
of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc.

Early happy New Year 2012! Fans and collectors can finally bring home TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION DVD box set from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro.

This is the rare Japanese trilogy that followed the popular “Generation 1” animated series. Available for the first time in North America, this 13-DVD box set is fully loaded with over 42 hours of entertainment, including all episodes that originally aired from the three Japanese series — HEADMASTERS, SUPER-GOD MASTERFORCE and VICTORY — each with their original Japanese audio tracks, English subtitles, and an art gallery.

TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION DVD box set is finally available exclusively at Shout! Factory’s official online store and shipping to customers beginning January 2, 2012. The set can be pre-ordered now at ShoutFactoryStore.com.
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A theatrical retrospective of fifteen animated films from Studio Ghibli will begin a North American tour December 16th in New York.
Posters for Studio Ghibli films from 1984-2002 courtesy of GKIDS. HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE and PONYO posters courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
© 1984-2008 Nibariki

New 35mm Prints of 15 Titles to Screen at IFC Center from December 16 to January 12
Source: GKIDS Inc. press release
Official Movie Site: gkids.tv/intheaters
Special Thanks to Sara Groves, Eric Beckman and Dave Jesteadt

GKIDS, a distributor of award winning animation for both adults and family audiences, is bringing a complete retrospective of films from Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli to the IFC Center in New York (323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street) from Friday, December 16 to Thursday, January 12. The run will include US premiere theatrical engagements for several titles.

All fifteen Studio Ghibli feature films produced between 1984 and 2008 will be presented, including Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award winning SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, CASTLE IN THE SKY, PONYO, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, and KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE. Newly-struck 35mm prints of the films will be shown in both subtitled and English dubbed versions.

Following the IFC Center engagement, the retrospective will tour to major US and Canadian markets, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Toronto, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, and other cities, throughout the first half of 2012. GKIDS is also planning limited releases of select Studio Ghibli titles, many of which have never been released theatrically in the US, beginning late 2012.
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Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/fairytail (Japan), funimation.com/fairy-tail (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Combo Pack art for FAIRY TAIL: PART 2. Photo courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Fairy Tail Guild
Production Committee: Hiro Mashima/ Kodansha/ TV Tokyo

FUNimation Entertainment will release the Blu-ray/DVD Combo set of the action/adventure anime FAIRY TAIL: PART 2 (フェアリーテイル, Fearii Teiru, 2009) on December 27th. Based on the hit manga by Hiro Mashima (each new manga volume published since 2007 has debuted in the Top 5), the long running series is co-produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, and directed by Shinji Ishihira. The second Blu-ray/DVD Combo set contains episodes 13-24.

Across the Fiore kingdom, wizards join guilds and make their pay by filling magical needs – but one guild has a reputation as the roughest, rowdiest, most dangerous of all: Fairy Tail!

In the midst of a mission to break the curse over Galuna Island, Natsu and the gang face a band of deranged mages trying to resurrect the monstrous demon Deliora. Gray’s determined to put the freeze on the sinister plan in a frigid battle with a rival from his past – even if it takes his own life!

Back in Magnolia, the city becomes a warzone after sorcerers known as Element 4 destroy Fairy Tail headquarters and kidnap their beloved rookie, Lucy. A bone-crunching, skin-charring fight between fire and iron erupts when Natsu squares off against another Dragon Slayer wizard!
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FUNimation Channel Video-On-Demand is now available from Armstrong Cable. © 2011 FUNimation Entertainment.

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: funimation.tv
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski

FUNimation Channel, a partnership between Olympusat, Inc. and FUNimation Entertainment, is the market leader in providing fans in the U.S. direct access to an exclusive portfolio of anime movies, series and specials to TV, mobile and broadband customers alike. FUNimation Channel is currently available in approximately 20 million TV households in the U.S. and is available on AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, Verizon, and others.

The FUNimation Channel has now launched its Subscription Video-On-Demand Package on Armstrong Cable. The package combines standard definition and select high definition product sampling with proven transactional and subscription levels of service for this extremely attractive demographic. Each product drives usage to the next, creating a path to capture a wider audience while maximizing revenues.
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