FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


HOUSTON, January 11, 2012— Entertainment label Maiden Japan has announced the license of the action comedy series POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S. 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.)

To bring law and order you need police, to make music you need musicians, and to make the former using the latter, you need a Dantist! Ever since he was visited by a mysterious spirit as a boy, Phoron’s wanted to become one of the elite battle bards who watch over the continent of Polyphonica. Yet even though he’s mastered the basic skills for singing the Commandia spells and operating a One-Man Orchestra, he’s been unable to summon the required spirit companion because of a promise he made to that first spirit: to sing only for her. But that silence is shattered and Phoron’s musical meanderings are over when his supernatural partner suddenly returns, intent on finalizing the ’contract’ they made twelve years ago! Which would be great except for one thing: she’s not just any spirit, but the dreaded Corticarte, the Crimson Annihilator! But what the heck, sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and duet! Get ready for a musical partnership with more than its share of discord and a distinctly martial beat in POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S!

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


About Maiden Japan:
Maiden Japan is a new and upcoming distributor of Japanese animation in North America, with a rapidly growing roster of releases that includes such hot new titles as GLASS MAIDEN, HIMAWARI!, RAY and PAPILLON ROSE. A sister company to live action Shock film specialist Switchblade Pictures (ATTACK GIRLS SWIM TEAM VS. THE UNDEAD, ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA, SIREN), Maiden Japan’s digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network and YouTube.

About Section23 Films:
Section23 Films provides home video marketing and distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings. With its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the market today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOUSTON, January 16, 2012— Sentai Filmworks is ghoulishly pleased to announce the acquisition of ANOTHER, 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 MELANCHOLOY OF HARUHI SUZIMIYA’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. What is the secret and how does it all connect? And even if Kouichi does figure it out, will that knowledge help save him? As the school bells toll a deadly dirge and students begin to die, things that were never properly buried come back to haunt the high school of the damned in ANOTHER!


ANOTHER will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on DVD and Blu-Ray scheduled for later this year.


About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.

S'more Entertainment Adds Galaxy Express 999 TV Anime
posted on 2012-01-16 21:30 EST

1st U.S. subbed DVD release planned for Leiji Matsumoto, Rintaro's space opera classic

Arny Schorr, owner of the North American anime distributor S'more Entertainment, confirmed on Monday that his company acquired the Galaxy Express 999 television series from Toei Animation. The classic 1978-1981 television series from director Rintaro adapts Leiji Matsumoto's space opera manga of the same name. S'more Entertainment is planning the first American DVD release for the series with English subtitles, but the release date has not be been set yet.

The story follows Tetsuro, a young orphan, as he travels through the galaxy on a space-train accompanied by a mysterious woman named Maetel in the hopes of obtaining a cybernetic body. The train stops at many planets along the way, often leading to adventures for the two.

Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu have been streaming the television anime series outside Japan since 2009. The original manga also inspired a 1979 film that Viz once licensed in North America along with its sequel Adieu Galaxy Express 999. Discotek released the first Galaxy Express 999 film on DVD in North America last year.

When asked if he would license more anime, Schorr said, "We'll see how it goes. The DVD business is pretty much [going down], and we picked [another anime, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo,] up because it was unique and it was broadcast, and yet nobody's done complete releases."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOUSTON, January 17, 2012— Sentai Filmworks has announced the licensing of LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER!, the wild new anime series that takes the classic sit-com premise of ‘a bachelor being forced to adopt three young children and discovering a whole new outlook on life’ and turns it completely on its head! Based on the series of novels by Tomohiro Matsu and the subsequent manga series illustrated by Yuka Nakajima, the 12 episode series is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki (LICENSED BY ROYALTY, RENTAL MAGICA, ARC THE LAD,) while series composition is handled by veteran Naruhisa Arakawa (STEEL ANGEL KURUMI, DNANGEL, BLUE SEED) while key animator Takashi Mamezuka (INFINITE STRATOS, EDEN OF THE EAST,) takes up the task of adapting Nakajima’s original designs.

Whoever said little girls grow up in the most delightful ways wasn’t Yuta Segawa! He wasn’t happy when his sister married a man who already had two children. But given that Yuri raised Yuta by herself after their own parents’ deaths, what kind of brother would Yuta be if he didn’t take in their THREE children when Yuri and her husband Shingo’s plane disappears? Of course, the fact that Yuta’s only a nineteen year old college student, living in a tiny apartment, and the fact that he’s now living with three GIRLS, two of whom aren’t related by blood and one of whom is only five years younger than he is, is bound to cause some issues. Especially when the eldest girl, Sora, is harboring a secret crush on him and would be quite happy if Yuta’s social life revolved around the ‘family,’ while middle sister Miu is starting to make noises about ‘older men’ as well. And did we mention that it’s a really, REALLY small apartment? Add the girl Yuta actually likes, Raika, as a smoldering fuse and the question isn’t IF Yuta’s home sweet home is a powderkeg, but rather one of when and how often! Some family ties bind, others may need restraining orders in LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER!

LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER! will be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD scheduled for later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires High School DxD

Flower Mound, TX – January 18, 2012 – FUNimation Entertainment announced today that it has acquired the broadcast, home video, merchandising, mobile and streaming rights to the anime series, High School DxD. The anime is based on the Japanese light novel series by Ichiei Ishibumi. FUNimation plans to release the series on DVD and Blu-ray. FUNimation will simulcast the series on Mondays at 4pm CT.

Series synopsis:
Issei Hyodo is your average perverted high school student whose one wish in life is to have his own harem, but he’s got to be one of the unluckiest guys around. He goes on his first date with a girl only to get brutally attacked and killed when it turns out the girl is really a vicious fallen angel. To top it all off, he’s later reincarnated as a devil by his gorgeous senpai who tells him that she is also a devil and now his master! One thing’s for sure, his peaceful days are over. In a battle between devils and angels, who will win?

Visit www.funimation.com/high-school-dxd for more information.

This will be a remastered anamorphic transfer

English dub, English sub, Japanese language

For Immediate Release

DAILY LIVES OF HIGH SCHOOL BOYS ACQUIRED BY NIS AMERICA FOR A NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL RELEASE!

Santa Ana, CA (January 24, 2012) – NIS America is proud to announce the acquisition of Daily Lives of High School Boys (working title; Japanese title: Danshi Kokosei no Nichijo), a slice-of-life comedy detailing, literally, the daily lives of high school boys, for a North American retail release. The title was originally created by Yasunobu Yamauchi and is currently available on SQUARE ENIX ―GANGAN ONLINE‖ in Japan. The anime version of Daily Lives of High School Boys is produced by SUNRISE. NIS America will release the retail version of Daily Lives of High School Boys in its fan-favorite sturdy premium packaging...

FUNimation Acquires Additional Rights to Haganai

Flower Mound, TX – January 28, 2012 - FUNimation Entertainment announced today at Ohayocon that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, merchandising, mobile and streaming rights to the anime series, HAGANAI (Boku wa Tomodachi Ga Sukunai). FUNimation plans to release the HAGANAI series on DVD and Blu-ray. Watch full episodes on www.funimation.com.

Series synopsis:
Kodaka Hasegawa has just transferred to St. Chronica's Academy and he's having a hard time making friends. With his naturally blond hair and fierce looking eyes, people constantly mistake him for a delinquent. One day, he runs into his bad-tempered loner of a classmate, Yozora, while she's talking to her imaginary friend, Tomo. Since neither of them have any friends, they decide to form a club and start recruiting some. Little by little, lonely classmates join their club to learn how to build friendships through cooking together, playing games, and other group activities. But, with so many misfits, will the club members really be able to get along?

Additional information may be found at: http://www.funimation.com/haganai

Interestingly, that movie came out the same year as Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOUSTON, January 30, 2012— Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its license of PSYCHIC SQUAD (Zettai Karin Children) where, once upon a time, there were three little girls – who were all considered national security risks and a danger to the human race! The 52 episode series is based on a manga by Takashi Shiina (Ghost Sweeper Mikami) with direction by Keiichiro Kawaguchi (Hayate the Combat Butler, Nyankoi) and music by Kotaro Nakagawa (Code Geass, Inu x Boku SS).

They’re cute, adorable and three of the most powerful Espers the world has ever seen: Kaoru, the brash psychokinetic who can move objects with her mind; Shiho, the sarcastic and dark natured psychometric able to pick thoughts from people’s minds and read the pasts of inanimate objects like a book; and Aoi, the most collected and rational of the three, who has the ability to teleport herself and the others at will. So what to do with these potential psychic monsters in the making? Enter B.A.B.E.L., the Base of Backing ESP Laboratory, where hopefully “The Children” and others like them can become part of the answer to an increasing wave of psychic evolution. It’s a win-win solution… Unless you’re Koichi Minamoto, the overworked young man stuck with the unenviable task of field commanding a team of three pre-teen girls! Will Koichi survive the experience? Will the PLANET survive the experience? Find out as the girls get meta-physical in PSYCHIC SQUAD!


PSYCHIC SQUAD will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD scheduled for later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOUSTON, February 1, 2012— Sentai Filmworks proudly announces the licensing of the fan-favorite GET BACKERS,the anime where anything that’s been taken can be returned to its rightful owner by the Get Backers – Ban & Ginji. The 49 episode series was produced by STUDIO DEEN (Hell Girl, Rurouni Kenshin) with series composition by Akemi Omode (Rurouni Kenshin, Kyo Kara Maoh!) and character designs by Atsuko Nkajima (Hakuoki, You’re Under Arrest).

Whether it’s a favorite stuffed animal, a priceless painting or even your last shred of hope, if someone’s taken it from you, Ban and Ginji will get it back. They’re the Get Backers, an expert “recovery” service. And they’ll retrieve what’s been stolen, no matter what it is or who took it. Of course, with Ban’s special “Evil Eye” and Ginji’s lightning strike capability, they’ve got a head start on the crooks. No job is too big, no job is too small. At least not until they pay off their tab at the local coffee shop. It’s 49 episodes of non-stop action. It’s the Get Backers Complete Collection – don’t let anyone take yours!


GET BACKERS will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on bilingual DVD scheduled for later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Rights to Pretear

Flower Mound, TX – February 2, 2012 - FUNimation Entertainment announced today that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, merchandising, and streaming rights to the complete 13 episode anime series, Pretear.

Series synopsis:

A sixteen year old girl is struggling to adjust to a new step-family when seven guys appear on the scene revealing that she possesses a special magical power. Shying away from the strange group, she later joins them when a monster places her friend’s life in jeopardy. Without training, she must prove herself capable to take up the sacred duty of the Pretear. They must resolve their differences and work together to defeat the evil princess intent on destruction.

Additional information may be found at: http://www.funimation.com/pretear

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


HOUSTON, February 3, 2012— Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its licensing of THE BOOK OF BANTORRA, the action-packed anime where the story of your life is a book - literally! Based on the light novels written by Ishio Yamagata and illustrated by Shigeki Maeshima, the 27 episode series is directed by Toshiya Shinohara (Black Butler, Inuyasha movies) with character designs by Masaki Yamada (Tiger & Bunny, Appleseed: Ex Machina) and music by Yoshihisa Hirano (Death Note, Broken Blade).

In another time and place, on a world of pain and sorrow, when someone dies, their soul doesn’t go to Heaven or Hell – it becomes a book. A book that reveals the deceased’s innermost secrets… and can be read by anyone. Protecting these priceless treasures is the elite organization known as the Armed Librarians. It’s their job to keep the books and the knowledge within them safe from those who would misuse or destroy them. It’s a tough, dangerous job, so Chief Librarian Hamyuts Maseta recruits only the best and the brightest psychics to join her team of expert fighters. But will they be good enough to stop the fanatics of the Church of Drowning in God’s Grace from wrecking vengeance on the entire world? Only time will tell, but that book hasn’t been written yet. Welcome to the Library of Bantorra, where the past is an open book.


THE BOOK OF BANTORRA will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on bilingual DVD scheduled for later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


HOUSTON, February 6, 2012 — Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce its license of PLANZET, a science fiction tale of invasion and human struggle and survival. The creation of writer, director and character designer Jun Awazu, the movie is presented by industry innovator CoMix Wave (5CM Per Second, Hoshizora Kiseki) and has been featured at festivals such as the 14th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival and SIGGRAPH Asia 2010. CGI is directed by Shin Miyahara (Karas: The Prophecy) and music is by Shingo Terasawa with the main theme being sung by Chitose Hajime (Blood+).

In 2047, an unknown, alien life-form descends upon the Earth, destroying all the major cities in one fell swoop. The survivors unite and build a Diffusor to stop the Februus, the invaders the military would later codename the FOS, and a temporary peace is achieved. Jump forward to 2053, the present. PLANZET: The final plan, Plan Zed, to retake Planet Earth. A last, desperate counterattack against the enemy. Hiroshi Akishima, soldier in the Planetary Defense Forces Alliance, would like nothing better than a shot at the aliens responsible for his father’s death six years ago. However, the new offensive requires the Diffusor to be dropped, leaving the entire planet terribly vulnerable once more. Will humanity regain the stars or lose everything in the final, ultimate gamble?


PLANZET will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on DVD and BD scheduled for later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like High School of the Dead, Towanoquon, Samurai Girls, Guin Saga, Needless and Angel Beats as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23Films, The Right Stuf and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network, Android Market and YouTube.