Onedozero8 to premiere Dead Leaves and Paranoia Agent
The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London has published the programme for the eighth Onedotzero film festival (
http://www.onedotzero.com), that will take place there from 28th May until 6th June. Onedotzero always includes some items of interest to anime fans, and this year is no exception, with the programme including the international premieres of Dead Leaves (
http://www.ica.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13247) and Paranoia Agent (
http://www.ica.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13249).
ADV Films May press releases
ADV Films have sent me their press releases for May. COnfirmed for release on 17th May are Samurai X: The Collection, You're Under Arrest: The Mini-Specials, Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Phase Two, Pretear volume 2, King of Bandit Jing volume 3, and Noir volume 7. Here is the full text for the new stuff:
ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SAMURAI X: THE COLLECTION
THE COMPLETE SAGA OF RUROUNI KENSHIN IN FOUR DISCS - A UK EXCLUSIVE!
LONDON, UK, 16th April 2004 - ADV Films today announced the 17th May 2004
release of Samurai X: The Collection, the complete set of OVA and
motion-picture releases that encompass the story of the lethal and mysterious
samurai warrior Rurouni Kenshin.
The thrilling story arc of Kenshin's troubled life includes the DVD releases
Samurai X: Trust, Samurai X: Betrayal, Samurai X: The Motion Picture and
Samurai X: Reflection. Together, these tell the saga of Kenshin from his
blood-soaked origins, to his career as the Hitokiri Battousai, to his life as
a wanderer seeking redemption, finally returning home. For the first time
anywhere, all four stories are available together in one unique package.
Samurai X: The Collection (RRP £49.99) is a DVD-only release, featuring 4
discs, all including both English- and Japanese language versions, and English
subtitles. Extras across the four discs include historical background notes,
character profiles, screenwriter notes, clean closing animation, production
sketches and interviews with the original Japanese voice cast and ADV
Previews.
Running Time: 300 minutes approx. BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 17/05/04 Cat#: DSX/100
Format: DVD RRP: £49.99
ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MINI-SPECIALS
FAN-FAVOURITE COMEDY COP SERIES SPIN-OFFS AVAILABLE 17TH MAY 2004
LONDON, UK, 16th April 2004 - ADV Films today announced a release date of 17th
May 2004 for YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MINI-SPECIALS, the series of comic
spin-offs from long-running comedy cop series You're Under Arrest.
A long-running and hugely successful international franchise, spanning manga,
OVAs, TV series and now comedy shorts, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST follows the
adventures of mismatched lady cops Miyuki and Natsumi working out of their
Tokyo precinct. THE MINI-SPECIALS are a series of sketches allowing the
characters more room outside of the tv plots, and letting us all have a laugh,
as much at their expense as those of the hapless criminals they deal with!
The mean streets of Tokyo are that much safer when the ladies of Bokuto Police
Station are on patrol! When the fun-loving and free-wheeling Natsumi teams up
with the mechanical wizard Miyuki, criminals don't stand a chance. From
booby-trapped handbags to exhibitionists from beyond the grave to geriatric
gearheads, you'll be rolling on the floor with laughter at these 20
mini-episodes. Will they be able to protect their undergarments and co-workers
from the depredations of an army of Tokyo's oversexed peeping Toms? Can
Natsumi's finances hold out until her next paycheck clears? Chaos ensues and
neither speeders nor sneaks stand a chance as Miyuki and Natsumi show that
crime doesn't pay!
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MINI-SPECIALS (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release
including 20 mini-episodes. The DVD offers both English- and Japanese-language
versions, with English subtitles, and ADV previews.
Running Time: 150 minutes BBFC Rating: 15
Street Date: 17/05/04 Cat#: DYA/001
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99
MVM news
MVM have made a few changes to their current release schedule, mostly in order to keep up with their Australian counterparts:
The May releases have been put back a week to 10th May, and will now include Armitage III - Polymatrix.
The first volume of Kiddy Grade will now be release on 7th June. Further volumes will follow monthly.
Psycho Diver Soul Siren and Golgo 13: Queen Bee have swapped places, now due on 7th June and 5th July respectively.
.hack release confirmed
I have received confirmation of the UK release from Bandai of .hack//SIGN. The first two volumes of the series will be out on 26th April, both priced at £19.99 and certificate PG. There is currently no news on when any further volumes may be released.
New Astroboy series on CBBC
With minimal ceremony, the BBC have started broadcasting the new 'Astroboy' TV series on the digital channel CBBC. The series is included as part of the 'Animadness' slot on weekday afternoons at 3pm.
.Hack//SIGN heading for the UK
News about Bandai's UK DVDs is difficult to get, but episodes of the anime series .Hack//SIGN have started to appear on the BBFC website (
http://www.bbfc.co.uk), so it's a safe bet that the series will be released at some point in the near future. This release will accompany the .Hack video games which are being currently being released.
MVM Confirm April Releases
MVM have confirmed their April releases: Bio Hunter (cert 18, £17.99), Fruits Basket volume 1 (cert PG, £19.99), Serial Experiments Lain volume 3 (cert 12, £19.99) and Sailor Moon volume 10 (cert U, £15.99). All four are DVD only release due out on Monday 5th April.
