FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


HOUSTON, November 14, 2013 — You can never go home again. Or can you? Find out in Maiden Japan’s latest acquisition: Myself; Yourself.This 13 episode series about the long journey home is directed by QZo (A Bridge to the Starry Skies) and features character designs by Tomoya Hiratsuka (Shin Koihime Muso) and series composition by Go Zappa (NAKAIMO ~ My Little Sister is Among Them!).

Before his family left the town of Sakuranomori, Sana Hidaka said farewell to his best friends, thinking that he would never see them again. Five years later, however, he finds himself returning to Sakuranomori to finish high school while living alone in an apartment owned by his parents. Can the threads of friendship severed by time be mended? Will his friends even recognize him? Or have the changes in their lives as they’ve grown from children to teenagers made them into different people, pushing them even further apart? For Sana and his best bud Syusuke, it will be strange enough. But with Nanaka, Aoi and Syusuke’s twin Syuri all being girls, things are going to get even more complex. That’s to say nothing of the sometimes shocking secrets that his four friends know through having lived them, and that Sana will only discover in crossing the minefield of lost years. What once was can never be exactly as it was in treasured memories, but what could be may become even more precious as life moves inexorably forward. The past becomes the future as the flames of friendship rekindle in MYSELF; YOURSELF.

Maiden Japan will be distributing Myself; Yourself in conjunction with home video distributor Section 23 (Clannad, High School of the Dead, Appleseed,) on subtitled DVD and in digital formats.

About Maiden Japan:
Maiden Japan is a new and upcoming distributor of Japanese animation in North America, with a rapidly growing roster of new and classic titles that includes such hot releases as TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0, VAMPIRE PRINCESS MIYU TV, BLACK MAGIC M-66 and PATLABOR. A sister company to live action Shock film specialist Switchblade Pictures (ATTACK GIRLS SWIM TEAM VS. THE UNDEAD, ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA, SULTRY ASSASSIN: NINJA BRAINWASH), Maiden Japan’s 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 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.

Showing in Theaters in US this January.

Opportunity to receive Exclusive anohana item "Letters from Menma"
Please contact your theater for complete details

http://www.AniplexUSA.com/anohanamovie

Anohana the Movie: The Flower We Saw That Day is COMING SOON to the U.S.! Don't miss this film that has touched the hearts of many in Japan.

Get the latest info at: www.AniplexUSA.com/anohanamovie

#anohana movie was originally a recap, but the staff decided to make it a tale that occured after the TV series with also a part in the past

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



SANTA MONICA, CA (November 22, 2013) – On their Live Show this Friday, Aniplex of America has announced their plans of bringing the heart-warming tale of Anohana The Movie: The Flower We Saw That Day to U.S. theaters next January. The movie will be presented with English subtitles. The film will be distributed by ELEVEN ARTS in select theaters. Details on theater listings and screening dates will be announced at a later date. Aniplex of America has also announced that those who attend the showings will receive an exclusive item called “Letters from Menma” featuring a replica of the letters which “Menma” wrote to her friends in the film along with some flower seeds the viewer can plant. These items will be available in limited quantity and will be available while supplies last.

The Anohana the Movie is a movie adaptation of the anime series with the same title. It depicts a tale of 5 childhood friends who have drifted apart from one another following the death of their mutual friend, Meiko “Menma” Honma. These friends come together once again when “Menma” appears before one ofthem as a ghost and tells him that she cannot pass on to the afterlife unless she is granted one last wish.

Brought by the highly acclaimed studio A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, Oreimo 2), the Anohana the Movie moved the hearts of 3 million viewers all across Japan when it was released in theaters this past August and topped 1 billion yen (roughly US $10 million) after 2 months.

“I am very happy to be able to bring such a beautiful film to the fans in the U.S.,” said Hideki Goto, President of Aniplex of America, “so many people in Japan, not just anime fans, have loved this movie and cried because they were so moved. This movie succeeds in making its viewers remember something from their childhood and feel nostalgic. I think fans in the U.S. will need to bring a box of tissues with them when they come to the screenings.”

About AnohanaThe Movie: The Flower We Saw That Day

Are your “friends”from back then, still your “friends”now? This is a story of one summer miracle. Due to a tragic accident during their childhood that took the life of one of their friends, 5 friendsgrewapart from one another. One summer day“Menma,”their friend whopassed away,appears before them.She tells them that she must have a wish granted in order to pass on to the afterlife.But, she cannot remember what that wish is. The friends meet once more to figure out how to help “Menma.”Time that stood still begins to slowly move oncemore…Why did “Menma”come back?

For details on the film, please visit: www.AniplexUSA.com/anohanamovie

December 13, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea announced for North American retail release and Hulu streaming!

Santa Ana, CA (December 13, 2013) – NIS America is thrilled to announce its acquisition of Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea for the North American market. The title is currently available for viewing on both Hulu and Crunchyroll. A retail release is also planned for the title, with launch details to be announced at a future date. For more information on streaming the show, visit Crunchyroll.com and Hulu.com.

Here we go again...

Nagi no Asukara (Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea)

NIS America has added Nagi no Asukara on Hulu. It should just be a matter of time before they officially announce the license like The Eccentric Family. The series is currently simulcasting on Crunchyroll. This will be the first series that NIS America has gotten from Showgate.

http://www.hulu.com/nagi-no-asukara

12 Days of Anime – Day 2 – Home Video Announcements

Posted by Michelle on 12/14/2013 at 9:00am

It’s day 2 of our “12 Days of Anime” countdown. Many of you have seen the simulcasts for The Devil is a Part-Timer, Hetalia: The Beautiful World, and Senran Kagura; but, you’ve been left wondering if/when the home video release will come out. Well, wonder no more! Here’s some news:

The Devil is a Part-Timer

Arguably one of the most popular simulcasts of the spring 2013 season, The Devil is a Part-Timer will release on Blu-ray and DVD in summer 2014!

synopsis:
Foiled by a hero when he’s inches away from conquering the world, the devil finds himself in modern-day Tokyo. With no real-world skills to speak of, the devil is forced to make ends meet flipping burgers at a fast food joint! To stall any further plans of world domination, the hero tracks the devil’s trail and takes on the lowly tasks of a telemarketer.

Click here to watch the subtitled episodes on our site.


Hetalia: The Beautiful World

The boys are back and will be hitting shelves on DVD in summer 2014! If you’re not familiar with the show, here’s a quick synopsis for you.

synopsis:
The Allied guys and Axis boys are back in Hetalia: The Beautiful World! It’s Season 5. As in high-five! And when we high-five, a tiny kitten appears with a wee banjo! And he’s playing a song about a cupcake and it’s freaking adorable! But then Prussia shows up and yells at the kitten. But the kitten doesn’t get sad, because, dude… Claaaassic Prussia.

Looks like it’s gonna be a rainbow-riffic summer! If you want to catch up on the subtitled version, you can click here.


Senran Kagura

These ninja ladies are bouncing onto shelves on Blu-ray and DVD in summer 2014!

synopsis:
Curvy Asuka and her girlfriends are typical high school students – except that they’re secretly learning the ways of the ninja! Get an education in action-packed naughtiness and sexy slapstick fun, as Asuka’s gorgeous gang takes on the hardest-hitting – and hottest – fighters in town!

Click here to watch the subtitled episodes on our site.


So, that’s Day 2 of our countdown. What did you think? Do you want more? Well come back tomorrow to see what we’ve got!

12 Days of Anime – Day 6.5 – A Certain Magical Announcement
Posted by Michelle on 12/18/2013 at 3:10pm

We’re sneaking another little surprise in the mix for our “12 Days of Anime” countdown–a magical surprise!

If you’ve been paying attention to the Subscription Schedule on our site, you may have noticed that A Certain Magical Index Season 2 has quietly made its way on there. We’re going to lay to rest any speculation and announce right now that we’ve got the home video rights for A Certain Magical Index II AND A Certain Magical Index the Movie.

A Certain Magical Index II will be streaming 2 episodes per week for our Subscribers starting January 14th, and for non subscribers on January 31st. You’ll be able to watch the episodes on http://funimation.com/a-certain-magical-index.

We do not currently have a confirmed released date on these titles; however, as soon as we do we’ll let you all know!

So, what do you think? Are you looking forward to more Index?

If you aren’t already an Elite Video Subscriber, for a limited time you can sign up for 30-day FREE trial! Just go to http://funimation.com/subscribe for more info.

HOUSTON, December 19, 2013 — What do you get when you add a mage who’s a zero to the unlikeliest of heroes? Trouble with a capital “T” inSentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: Familiar of Zero Season 1. This 13 episode fantasy is directed by Yoshiaki Iwasaki (Best Student Council) and features character designs by Masahiro Fujii (Dream Eater Merry) with scripts and series composition by Takao Yoshioka (Demon King Daimao) and music by Shinkichi Mitsumune (Rozen Maiden).

Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Valličre’s name is so long and her spell-casting skills are so poor that everyone at the Tristain Academy of Magic just calls her “Louise the Zero”. Louise’s humiliation only increases during an important second year test, where the other students summon up dragons and other mythological creatures as their familiars, and she inexplicably summons Hiraga Saito, a totally normal teenager from Tokyo. Now she’s stuck with him and Saito’s stuck with the lousy life of being a familiar. Except, maybe there’s more going on than meets the eye, because Saito’s not prepared to accept the social inequities that Louise and other aristocrats consider the status quo, and he may not be quite as normal as everyone thinks. And the reason Louise is so bad at magic might just be that she hasn’t figured out what she’s good at yet. In fact, they might even have the makings of a great team. If they can learn to stand each other first, that is! Will familiarity breed contempt? Will combining two negatives result in a positive? The answer will be spelled out, enchantment by enchantment, in FAMILIAR OF ZERO!

Familiar of Zero Season 1 will be available soon through select digital outlets and on bilingual DVD & BD.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks celebrates its 5th Anniversary as one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2013


SANTA MONICA, CA (December 19, 2013) – Starting 2014 with brand new titles, Aniplex of America Inc. has announced today that they will be simulcasting two highly-anticipated shows for this winter anime season: Nisekoi and World Conquest Zvezda Plot. Both titles are set to start streaming in January just hours after its original broadcast in Japan. Both titles will be produced by animation studios that have produced multiple hit anime series including popular Aniplex of America titles. In addition to their streaming plans, Aniplex of America is also planning on a home video release of these titles. Details about the physical releases will be announced at a later date.

About Nisekoi: From animation studio SHAFT, the studio that brought the world the Monogatari Series and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, comes the new animated series Nisekoi. From the popular manga with the same title, Raku Ichijo is an average high school student who also happens to be the sole heir to the head of a Yakuza Family. Ten years ago, Raku made a secret promise with a girl he met. They promised one another that they will “get married when they reunite.” Since then, Raku never let go of the pendant the girl gave him. But one day, a beautiful girl named Chitoge Kirisaki transfers into Raku’s class. Raku’s relationship with Chitoge is less than civil as they hate each other’s existence. But, by a weird turn of events, Raku and Chitoge agree to be fake lovers. Although his heart is really interested in his classmate Kosaki Onodera, Raku must continue pretending to be Chitoge’s boyfriend. How far will you go for a love so truly fake? Which girl holds the key to Raku’s pendant and to his heart?

About World Conquest Zvezda Plot: From the studio that produced Sword Art Online and Blue Exorcist, A-1 Pictures brings a brand new original title this winter. World Conquest Zvezda Plot features an all-star production staff including Director Tensai Okamura (Blue Exorcist, Darker than Black), Character Designer Keigo Sasaki (Blue Exorcist) and writer Meteor Hoshizora (TYPEMOON). World Conquest Zvezda Plot follows a little girl by the name of Kate Hoshimiya as she reveals her plans for the future. Along with a colorful cast of characters, Kate Hoshimiya will shock everyone as she achieves something nobody has been able to achieve before, WORLD DOMINATION. What did it take to conquer the world? How was Kate Hoshimiya able to execute a plan so magnificent, so frightful and so glorious? Is this part of the Zvezda plot? All will be revealed in the new show, World Conquest Zvezda Plot.

For the Nisekoi Teaser Page, visit: www.AniplexUSA.com/nisekoi
Full website for Nisekoi coming soon at: www.NisekoiUSA.com
For more information on World Conquest Zvezda Plot, visit: www.AniplexUSA.com/zvezda

Published on Dec 31, 2013

Sword Art Online II, 2014 Activated
Sword Art Online Official US page: SwordArt-OnlineUSA.com

HOUSTON, January 2, 2014 - It's a hell of a dirty job, but some demon's got to do it in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Hozuki no Reitetsu. This 13 episode underworld comedy is directed by Hiro Kaburaki (Kimi ni Todoke, My Little Monster), with character design by Hirotaka Kato (Eyeshield 21, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's), series composition by Midori Goto (Loups-Garous) and Animation Production by WIT Studio (Attack on Titan).

There are hard jobs and jobs that seem outright impossible, but in the end, the most difficult job in all creation probably belongs to Hozuki, Deputy Chief to the Great King Enma. Because the Great King spends all his time sitting in judgment on the recently deceased, it’s up Hozuki to keep the dark half of the afterlife running smoothly, which would be hellishly complicated even if Hell wasn’t constantly short on good help. Fortunately, Hozuki’s not the typical bureaucratic hothead you’d expect to find heading a department of infernal affairs. Fiendishly clever and determined enough to dedicate multiple lifetimes to a task (though not necessarily his OWN lifetimes), he’ll get the job done even if it means breaking a few unbreakable rules and running rings around Hell’s normal operating procedures. As for patience… well, Hell hasn’t frozen over quite yet, so the verdict’s still out on that, but he doesn’t suffer fools lightly, let alone damned fools. After all, that Highway to Hell isn’t going to get paved with just good intentions, so if someone has to suffer for all eternity, Hozuki’s damned sure that it’s not going to be himself in HOZUKI NO REITETSU!

Hozuki no Reitetsu will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

HOUSTON, January 3, 2014 — Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce itsnewest acquisition: Engaged to the Unidentified.This 12 episode series about the suddenly atypical life of a very typical teenager is directed by Yoshiyuki Fujiwara (GJ Club) and features character designs by Ai Kikuchi (Rainbow – Nisha Rokubo no Shichinin) with series composition by Fumihiko Shimo (Clannad), music by Jun Ichikawa (C3) and sound direction by Kazuzou Hamano (Shin Koihime Muso: Otome Tairan).

Meet Kobeni, your typical, completely normal high school girl. She’s good at cooking, poor at sports and lives with her freewheeling mother and her older, eccentric sister, Benio. The only thing unusual about Kobeni is that she can’t remember her childhood due to an accident when she was small. But everything changes on her 16th birthday with the arrival of a fiancé she didn’t even know she had! Hakuya, a quiet, pokerfaced boy, and his little sister Mashiro are moving in and Kobeni’s normal life is over. Mashiro’s intent on making her the perfect wife for Hakuya; Benio, is intent on Mashiro; and Kobeni? Well, she’s more than a little confused, but struggling to build a good relationship with Hakuya. But since he’s moved in, Kobeni’s memory is beginning to return, and she’s becoming increasingly convinced that Hakuya isn’t even human, but a dog that saved her life the day of the accident. Is Hakuya really a dog? Or is he something else? Will Kobeni ever discover the truth about her fiancé? Or her sister’s proclivities? Find out in Engaged to the Unidentified!

Engaged to the Unidentified will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow in 2014.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chronicles of the Going Home Club announced for North American retail release and Hulu streaming!

Santa Ana, CA (January 7, 2014) – NIS America is thrilled to announce its acquisition of Chronicles of the Going Home Club for the North American market. The title is currently available for viewing on both Hulu and Crunchyroll. A retail release is also planned for the title, with launch details to be announced at a future date. For more information on streaming the show, visit Hulu.com and Crunchyroll.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES LICENSE ACQUISITION OF MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT ANIME SERIES AND DEBUT ON NEON ALLEY

Anime Fantasy Action Series About A Wandering Warrior And A Fallen Prince Launches This Month On VIZ Media’s Innovative 24/7 Anime Channel Neon Alley

San Francisco, CA, January 8, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, opens 2014 with the announcement of the mid-season Neon Alley debut of MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT on Friday, January 17th at 10:30PM (PST). The 26-episode fantasy/action anime series is rated ‘TV-14’ and new installments will debut every Friday.

VIZ Media has also acquired the North American home video and web streaming rights for MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT and plans to release the complete series on DVD and Blu-ray in 2014.

MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT is based on a bestselling collection of Japanese fantasy novels by author Nahoko Uehashi. The anime series tells the story of Balsa, a nomadic warrior who has vowed to atone for eight deaths in her past by saving an equivalent number of lives. On her journey, she saves a fallen prince who carries the burden of a sacred spirit – one who has the power to save the world and bring new life to a broken empire. But, she must first protect the Prince from those who would do him harm – including his own father, the Emperor, who has ordered his assassination!

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s innovative 24-hour English-dubbed linear anime channel that is available for general web access as well as for the Xbox 360® and Xbox LIVE® and the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) gaming system and the PlayStation®Network. Fans can also take advantage of the platform’s Video-On Demand “Catch Up” option which offers the flexibility to watch shows such as MORIBITO anytime. The “Catch Up” option also allows viewers to search for specific content by individual series or by latest additions.

“MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT is the latest addition to the Neon Alley anime roster and we are very excited to kick off 2014 with this critically acclaimed action packed adventure that was developed by the famed animation studio Production I.G.,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “Balsa and Prince Chagum embark on a dangerous quest to discover the Prince’s mysterious connection to a legendary water spirit with the power to destroy his kingdom, or save it. Tune in every week for new episodes and also look forward to the forthcoming release of the series on DVD and Blu-ray later this year!”

“Working with VIZ Media is truly a pleasure, and as the group continues to expand Neon Alley, we are pleased to look into our library and make more quality titles available,” comments Mr. Yuma Sakata, President and CEO, Dentsu Entertainment USA.

Neon Alley’s diverse programming schedule includes a mix of action, adventure, sci-fi, supernatural, fantasy, and horror anime, all uncut and dubbed into English and presented in HD (when available), for a low monthly subscription rate of only $6.99.

For more information on Neon Alley, please visit www.NeonAlley.com.

For more information about other anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit: www.viz.com.

For more information about Dentsu Entertainment, please visit www.DentsuEntertainment.com.

One Piece Sets Sail for Thriller Bark
Posted by Michelle on 01/17/2014 at 3:04pm

Flower Mound, Texas (January 17, 2014) – FUNimation® Entertainment announced today it has acquired the U.S. home video rights to Season Six of the action adventure anime series—One Piece. Season Six contains the Thriller Bark Saga, spanning Episodes 337 – 384, and will be released in four installments throughout 2014. That’s not all for One Piece news, though.

FUNimation® Entertainment has also announced the return of the popular One Piece Collection series. Picking up where the series left off, One Piece Collection 9 will contain Episodes 206 – 229 and retail for $34.98 MSRP. Expect to see more of these, as One Piece Collections will continue to be released on a regular basis.

Upcoming Releases
One Piece Collection 9
Episodes: 206 – 229
Release Date: 4/15/2014

One Piece Season Six, Voyage One
Episodes: 337 – 348
Release Date: 5/13/2014

This extremely popular series is based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda and follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of Straw Hat Pirates. The series is currently into its 628thepisode. Fans can watch the simulcast episodes Saturdays at 9:00 pm EST on onepieceoffical.com and funimation.com/onepiece.

HOUSTON, January 20, 2014 – Powerful magicians run rampant in the streets, and one more is about to enter the fray in Sentai Filmworks’ latest acquisition, Magical Warfare. This 12 episode magical action series is directed by Yuzo Sato (Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge, Kaiji)) with series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Miss Monochrome, Princess Resurrection), art direction by Jirou Kouno (Phi Brain, Amnesia) and animation production by the iconic Madhouse Studios (High School of the Dead, Ninja Scroll).

The last few years haven’t been easy for Takeshi Nanase. His parents are remote and distant, his little brother seems to despise him and even his relationship with Kurumi, his so-called girlfriend, isn’t exactly romantic in nature. In fact, for two years the only real high point in Takeshi’s existence has been studying the Japanese sword-fighting technique of Kendo, and that’s unlikely to be something that will have any practical application in the real world. Or so he thinks until he discovers an unconscious girl in an unknown uniform in the school hallway. Rushing the damsel in distress to the infirmary, he suddenly finds himself being held first at gunpoint and then in the middle of a battle as he attempts to defend the girl, Mui Aiba, from a group of teenagers using what appears to be magic! But as shocking as learning that magic is real may be, what’s even more stunning is the revelation that Takeshi’s been changed into a magician himself! Okay, so maybe those sword lessons are going to be relevant after all! When the worlds of the mystical and the mundane collide, anything can happen in MAGICAL WARFARE!

Magical Warfare will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

HOUSTON, January 21, 2014 – Worlds collide as an iconic Nitroplus mascot gets her day in the sun in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Soni-Ani: SUPER SONICO THE ANIMATION. This 12 episode romp in girl band wonderland is directed by Kenichi Kawamura (Rozen Maiden, Ninja Scroll), with scripts by Yousuke Kuroda (S-CRY-ed, BTOOOM!), art direction by Yoshito Takamine (Gurren Lagann, Broken Blade) and animation production by WHITE FOX (Persona 4, The World God Only Knows).

When Sonico wakes up every morning she sees big things on the horizon, but when she gets up gravity takes hold and she can focus on what’s directly ahead of her for the day. And that’s a good thing, because Sonico is more than just an attractive girl with a really huge set of… er… headphones. She’s also an incredibly busy young woman who somehow juggles modeling and working at her grandmother’s bar while attending college AND performing lead vocals and playing the guitar in the all girl band Fastest Speed In Space. How she manages to squeeze it all in is as big a mystery as how she manages to squeeze into some of her outfits or paint her toenails without falling over, but somehow she always stays balanced and abreast of the situation. Well, most of the time, anyway, and when her workload does get a little top heavy, she can count on her fellow musicians Suzu and Furi for a little stabilizing influence. Get ready for the bounciest adventure ever as this three girl band shakes, rattles, rolls and takes Tokyo by storm in Soni-Ani:: SUPER SONICO THE ANIMATION!

Soni-Ani: SUPER SONICO THE ANIMATION will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks celebrates its 5th Anniversary as one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

HOUSTON, January 22, 2014 – Time to bring out the smoking gun and work some serious courtroom magic in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Wizard Barristers. This 12 episode supernatural action thriller is directed by Yasuomi Umetsu (Mezzo DSA, Galilei Donna), with scripts by Michiko Itou (HENNEKO, Day Break Illusion) and animation production by Studio ARMS (Elfen Lied, Queen’s Blade: Rebellion).

When the laws of magic are broken, someone’s got to enforce them, and that duty falls to the deadly men and women of the Police Department’s Section 1. However, even the most malevolent mage has a right to a fair trial, and defending those craven mavens and nefarious necromancers in court is the job of the Benmashi, the Wizard Barristers. It’s a tricky profession, requiring both arcane ability and a judicious sense of jurisprudence, and at just 17, Cecil Sudo is not only the youngest Benmashi at the Butterfly Law Offices, she’s the youngest one ever! That won’t stop her in her duty to defend the alleged adepts and prestidigitating perps, but it’s going to mean long hours burning the midnight brimstone, summoning up summaries, parsing phrases with paranormal paralegals and cutting deals with opposing counsels from hell. And when a young Benmashi starts to discover that her OWN potential to charm is more magical than she realized, there’ll be hex-tra incentive to start working wonders outside the courtroom as well as in it! Prepare to be beguiled as the most enchantingly Adept Attorney ever makes her case in WIZARD BARRISTERS!

Wizard Barristers will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

HOUSTON, January 23, 2014 – An unforgettable, life changing moment is sealed with a simple kiss in Sentai Filmworks’ latest acquisition, Sakura Trick. This romantic slice-of-life comedy from original creator Tachi is directed by Kenichi Ishikura (ef: tale of melodies, Hidamari Sketch) with music by Ryosuke Nakanishi (Majikoi – Oh! Samurai Girls, Kuroko’s Basketball), character designs by Kyuta Sakai (Humanity has Declined, Strawberry Marshmallow) and animation production by Studio DEEN (Fate/stay night, Rozen Maiden – Zurückspulen).

Haruka and Yu have always sat next to each other and they’ve been best friends forever… well, since they were just girls in junior high anyway. But on their first day of Senior high, they’re stunned to learn that the new seating plan has them on opposite sides of the classroom! And since everyone knows that long distance relationships don’t work unless the parties involved put extra effort into it, they decide they need to do something extra special to make their friendship “different.” However, deciding to kiss each other awakens a whole new level of feelings, and it doesn’t help that some of their classmates seem to be ‘involved” in similar circumstances. So what’s a girl to do when her best girl friend is suddenly seeming more like a girlfriend? It’s a life lesson that the school curriculum isn’t normally prepared to teach, except maybe in French class, but our two young heroines are about to get a private education you’ll never forget! Come learn about the bird and the... er… birds, as two young girls learn to deal with the pros and cons of intramural osculation in SAKURA TRICK!

Sakura Trick will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

As for SRW, working on it now and will have it done in next couple of weeks but I believe it is a March/April date around.

HOUSTON, January 24, 2014 – History’s greatest figures take up arms in a war for the ages in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Nobunaga the Fool. This 24 episode sci-fi fantasy epic is directed by Eiichi Sato (Slayers Next, AD Police) with series composition by Shoji Kawamori (Macross Zero, Aquarion), original character designs by Yone Kazuki (Hakuoki, Hiiro no Kakera) and animation production by Satelight (AKB0048, Bodacious Space Pirates).

It was once said that time and tide will wait for no man, but that was before the legendary heroine Jeanne d’Arc had a vision of a Deliverer – a champion who could save the future of the planets connected by the Dragon Stream. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance as, at the order of King Arthur and in the company of Leonardo da Vinci, Jeanne travels from the West to the East in search of their long awaited savior. But will Nobunaga Oda be the kind of man they are expecting? Or will history’s greatest heroes find themselves choosing not a liberator, but a destroyer? Or is Nobunaga’s role that of the Fool from a deck of Tarot, the wild card whose purpose is to invoke change, at whatever cost? Expect the unexpected as super-technology and giant robots collide with samurai warriors and a pantheon of characters drawn from across history wage the ultimate battle against the forces of Chaos in NOBUNAGA THE FOOL!

Nobunaga the Fool will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

About Sentai Filmworks Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.