ADV UK DVD Releases for November 2004

Date: 2004 October 19 18:01

Posted by Joe

Those nice chaps over at ADV UK have sent in their November release details. The following titles are all due to hit the shelves on the 15th November:

- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Perfect Collection - Limited Edition
- Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi volume 1
- Mazinkaiser vol.2
- Go Nagai's New Cutey Honey: Collection 2
- Rune Soldier volume 3
- Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Phase 5
- Slayers Excellent
- Conduct Zero (live-action)

With this selection we recommend picking up Neon Genesis Evangelion: Perfect Collection, after all it is Eva and it is a revolutionary series. Perhaps it'll make a great Christmas present for the otaku in your life? Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is also worth a looking at especially since it's another Gainax title.

Full Story

Press release as follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS TO RELEASE NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: PERFECT COLLECTION – LIMITED EDITION

ECLUSIVE UK DESIGN BOX SET OF COMPLETE TWENTY-SIX EPISODES OF ACCLAIMED TELEVISION SERIES AVAILABLE 15th NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004—ADV Films today announced a 15th November 2004 release date for Neon Genesis Evangelion: Perfect Collection, the limited edition box set of the enormously influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Featuring exclusive packaging unique to the UK, this set collects all already-available eight discs in the series The Anime Encyclopaedia described as "the most critically successful TV anime of the 1990s". Featuring in Animation Magazine's list of the "top ten animated releases no fan should be without", Wired Magazine said "Evangelion might just represent our next evolutionary strides", while Total DVD described it simply as "The Best Anime Series Ever"!

The Story:
Neon Genesis Evangelion is the story of a reluctant young hero, called upon to pilot an immense robotic weapon in battle against alien invaders in the year 2015. As the remnants of the human race cower in subterranean cities, a deadly war is being waged on what is left of the planet. On one side are the mysterious beings known as Angels; on the other, the special agency NERV and mankind's last hope, the awe-inspiring Evangelions. Piloted by a special team of teenage warriors, these giant bio-mechanical humanoids are the only thing that can withstand the force of the Angels' defense fields long enough for the pilots to tackle the invaders themselves in hand to hand combat! With the lives of every soul on the planet at stake, these few youngsters must reach down deep inside themselves to find the strength and courage necessary to meet the Angels head on in a desperate attempt to save mankind.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Perfect Collection – Limited Edition (£89.99 RRP) includes the complete 26 epsiode run in both English and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Includes ADV previews, clean opening animation; clean closing animation

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: PERFECT COLLECTION – LIMITED EDITION
Running Time: 650m approx.
BBFC Classification: 12
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DEV/BX1
Format: DVD
RRP: £89.99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE SET FOR MADCAP COMEDY MAGICAL SHOPPING ARCADE ABENOBASHI

DEBUT OF NEW GAINAX COMEDY CLASSIC AVAILABLE FROM 15TH NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 15th November 2004 release date for Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Volume 1: Sasshi, I Don't Think We're In Osaka Anymore! Fusing thrilling action, slapstick comedy and a bit of family drama with uproariously clever parodies of anime, video games and any other pop culture target that stumbles into its crosshairs, the series is the latest creation of GAINAX, the mega-talented production studio that revolutionized the anime industry in the nineties with Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the early 21st century with FLCL. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi was directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Wings of Honneamise) and co-produced by Madhouse (Vampire Hunter D, Trigun, Ninja Scroll etc.).

The Story:
"Bein' human, havin' your health…that's the most important thing." - Arumi Asahina

Try telling that to twelve-year-old Sasshi Imamiya. He's lost his home, lost the toy collection that defined his very geekdom, and he's about to lose his best friend, Arumi. Reality is closing in on him. That is, until they discover that their neighborhood shopping district is actually a portal to a series of parallel existences. As they try to fight their way back to the real world, they'll face menacing mushrooms, big-breasted space pirates, killer kung-fu fighters, a tripped-out transvestite, a sorcerer who seems to be in some sort of midlife crisis… and that's just the beginning! They say there's no place like home, but this ain't exactly Oz, and it sure as heck ain't Kansas! Put the kids to bed, leave Toto with the neighbors and get ready to dive into the madcap, whacked-out world of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi!


Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Vol.1: Sasshi, I Don't Think We're In Osaka Anymore! (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, containing four complete episodes presented in widescreen anamorphic format, and includes English 5.1-language and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: exclusive twelve-page color booklet, voice actress commentary, AD Vid-Notes™; clean opening and closing animation, and ADV Previews.


Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Vol.1: Sasshi, I Don't Think We're In Osaka Anymore!

Running Time: 100m approx.
BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DMSS-001
Format: DVD
RRP: £19.99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR MAZINKAISER VOL.2: A FIRE BLAST FROM THE PAST!

FINAL VOLUME OF OUTSTANDING RETRO-STYLED OVA TIE-IN TO CLASSIC MECHA SERIES MAZINGER Z AVAILABLE FROM 15TH NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 15th November 2004 release date for the final volume of the Mazinkaiser OVA series, the latest tie-in to legendary director Go Nagai's mecha classic Mazinger Z.

Nagai, an elder statesman in the world of anime and manga, is the renowned creator of such anime touchstones as Getter Robo Grandizer, the Devilman series, New Cutey Honey (also released by ADV this month) and The Devil Lady. His Mazinger Z was the first-ever anime or manga robot piloted by a human and the title is credited with launching the super-robot era of 1970s anime. Mazinkaiser has since its 2001 release in Japan earned richly deserved kudos as a stylish old-school update on the giant robot genre.

The Story:
Kouji Kabuto may have met his match in his evil nemesis Dr. Hell. As fast as the young warrior and his team can defeat the onslaught of the evil mechanical horde, Dr. Hell is developing new weapons to take over the world! The whole Photon Team is at risk from being infected by the sinister hybrid parasite or just flung into the heart of Mount Fuji! Could it be the end of Mazinkaiser and Venus Ace? Find out in the final battle to end all battles against the evil plots of Baron Ashura and the malevolent Dr. Hell. It's unto the breach with blistering battle action and enough photon power to set the world on fire!

Mazinkaiser Vol.2: A Fire Blast From The Past! (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, including three complete 16:9 anamorphic widescreen episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras include technical specs, original Japanese artwork, production sketches, original Japanese opening, clean closing animations, and ADV Previews.

Mazinkaiser Vol.2: A Fire Blast From The Past!
Running Time: 90m approx.
BBFC Classification: 12
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DMK-002
Format: DVD
RRP: £19.99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR GO NAGAI'S NEW CUTEY HONEY: COLLECTION 2

FINAL DISC OF UPDATED SEXY ACTION CLASSIC OUT 15th NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 15th November 2004 release date for the DVD release of New Cutey Honey: Collection 2. This final volume contains four complete episodes, and debuts complete & uncut on region 2 DVD.

Legendary manga and anime creator Go (Mazinkaiser, The Devil Lady) Nagai revisits here his classic 70s series Cutey Honey, now enjoying a further revival in Japan courtesy of a live-action theatrical release adapted by director Hideaki (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gunbuster) Anno. This 8-part series picks up Honey's story a decade after the end of the first series, but takes a more mature approach to the storylines and visuals.

The Story:

From the Legendary Go Nagai (Mazinkaiser, The Devil Lady, Devilman) comes Cutey Honey, the ultimate instrument of justice in the battle of good versus evil! In a futuristic world where evil comes in all shapes and sizes, she is the ultimate warrior. CUTEY HONEY is a one woman S.W.A.T. team whose android chassis is capable of changing at will into a dazzling array of hard-hitting hardbodies each with its own unique set of skills, weapons, and other impressive physical attributes!

New Cutey Honey: Collection 2 (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, containing four episodes in English and Japanese language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include an Actress Interview, The Honey's Live, Recording Session, Cutey Honey trailers, and ADV previews.

New Cutey Honey: Collection 2
Running Time: 120m approx.
BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DC-002
Format: DVD
RRP: £19.99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR RUNE SOLDIER VOL.3: A TRUE CHAMPION

ROLLICKING FANTASY ADVENTURE-COMEDY CONTINUES ON 15th NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 15th November 2004 release date for the DVD release of Rune Soldier Vol.3: A True Champion. This third volume contains four complete episodes, and debuts complete & uncut on region 2 DVD.

The talented crew behind this animated version of the original manga by Ryo Mizuno (RECORD OF LODOSS WAR) include writer Katsuhiko Chiba (Gundam Wing, Outlaw Star, Inu Yasha), animator-turned-director Yoshitaka Koyama (Dirty Pair Flash, Dragon Ball Z – the Movie 3), character designer Kazunori Iwakura (Burn up Excess, Slayers Great), animation director Takashi Wada (the upcoming Azumanga Daioh) and prolific composer Kenji Kawai (Dai-Guard, Zaion: I Wish You Were Here, Ghost In The Shell, Patlabor and the Ring movies). The varied humour will be appreciated as much by sitcom fans as role-playing aficionados, running the gamut from verbal wit to slapstick.

The Story:

It looks as though it's going to be a long, hot, uneventful summer for Louie and the gang. To make ends meet, Louie takes a side job as a porter, which his friend Ila takes full advantage of. Then it starts… snowing? Later, Ila gets a letter from the magician responsible for the weather, so she convinces the team to seek him out. Unfortunately, the forces of nature have other ideas! And as if jobs weren't scarce enough, Melissa's rival, Isabel, now has a champion and a team of her own! Demented demons, carnivorous camellias, and petulant priestesses – it's all in a day's work for the heroes of Rune Soldier!

Rune Soldier Vol.3: A True Champion (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, containing four episodes in English and Japanese language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include clean opening and closing animations, and ADV previews.


RUNE SOLDIER VOL.3: ADVENTURE FOR DUMMIES
Running Time: 100m approx.
BBFC Classification: PG
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DLR/003
Format: DVD
RRP: £19.99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR FINAL FANTASY: UNLIMITED – PHASE FIVE

FIFTH VOLUME OF VIDEOGAME TIE-IN SERIES AVAILABLE 15th NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 15th November 2004 release date for the fifth volume of Final Fantasy: Unlimited, the companion anime television series to the popular Final Fantasy role-playing video games. Phase Five includes three complete episodes and is loaded with extras.

In addition to its tie-in to the spectacularly successful video game franchise, Final Fantasy: Unlimited's production team speaks to the quality of the title. Final Fantasy: Unlimited is directed by Mahiro Maeda, one of the most acclaimed anime directors in Japan. Maeda was recently hand-picked to direct two of the animated shorts included in The Animatrix, the anime side project based on the hit feature film The Matrix.

Producers for the series are SQUARE TV Tokyo (NOIR) and Dentsu (Princess Mononoke, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), with animation produced by Gonzo Digimation, animators of Hellsing, Full Metal Panic!, Zaion and several more of anime's most popular recent titles.

The Story:
Danger at every turn! Navigating through the ocean puzzle is no piece of cake. When Cid is turned into a frog, he finds his piloting skill – not to mention his credibility with the crew – has severely dropped. And Oscar's meddling leads to the resurrection of a long-dead foe. Will the challenges never end? But nothing so far has prepared the group for Ai's sudden disappearance in the Sea of Wonderland. Whisked away to a realm where the ocean floats above the sky, she meets a mysterious boy clothed in garments made from Flying Water. Who is he? And why is the Earl so desperate to capture him? Ai, Yu, Lisa, and their allies will have their courage – and patience – tested as they push through, but hope and perseverance keep them afloat. You won't want to miss a minute of the fantastic action and stirring drama in Final Fantasy: Unlimited!

Final Fantasy: Unlimited—Phase 5 (RRP £19.99 DVD) is a DVD-only release, containing three complete episodes. Includes both English- and Japanese-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: voice actor commentary; production sketches; key animation backgrounds; reversible cover; ADV previews and more!


FINAL FANTASY: UNLIMITED – PHASE FIVE

Running Time: 75m approx.
BBFC Classification: U
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DFF/005
Format: DVD
SRP: £19.99



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SLAYERS EXCELLENT

OVA VERSION OF FAN-FAVOURITE SLAYERS FANTASY-ADVENTURE SERIES AVAILABLE 15th NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 15th November 2004 release date for Slayers: Excellent, the OVAs spun off from the fan-favourite fantasy-adventure anime series Slayers.

Slayers: Excellent brings back odd couple Lina Inverse and the buxom Naga the Serpent to entertain fans with more (mis)adventures that are equal parts action and comedy. The movie is based on a manga by Hajime Kanzaka (Lost Universe) and directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (King of Bandit Jing, Orphen, the upcoming Detective Loki).

The Story:
When Naga torches a tavern to get Lina's attention, the local townspeople demand that they make restitution by rescuing villagers lost in a labyrinth! Then, after seeing no profit in protecting the pampered Sirene Fitzmeier, Lina arranges a kidnapping to teach her a lesson. Unfortunately, she hands Sirene over to the wrong kidnappers! And, formal fashion designer Tatjana Dayward and unisex clothing maker Marty Lenford discover Naga and set out to make her the next fashion craze!

Slayers: Excellent (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, including both English and Japanese 2.0 versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: voice actress interviews, Slayers trailers and ADV previews.


SLAYERS EXCELLENT
Running Time: 90m approx.
BBFC Classification: 12
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DSL/006
Format: DVD
SRP: £19.99



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR HIT KOREAN COMEDY CONDUCT ZERO

SMASH HIT KOREAN HIGH SCHOOL COMEDY MAKES UK DEBUT 15th NOVEMBER 2004

LONDON, UK, 18th October 2004 - ADV Films today announced an 15th November 2004 release date for the UK DVD premier of Conduct Zero, the first of a number of hot Korean titles that ADV Films have planned for release.

First-time director Cho Geun-Shik's tale of love, fists and high school in the 80s was a massive box office success in Korea, placing in the ten highest grossing domestic films of 2002. Korean film expert & critic Darcy Paquet described it as "one of the more creative and interesting comedies put out in recent years" as well as "one of the year's most satisfying films". The catchy soundtrack also features a superb Korean hip-hop reworking of Booker T & the MGs' Soul Limbo – AKA the theme tune to the BBC's late lamented Test Match Special.

The Story:
Joong-pil is the high school king as well as a number one jerk. So when innocent, yet delightfully feisty, Min-hee throws him a hormonal curveball, Joong-pil is ill prepared to face life's nastiest little test question of all – for love or lunch money?

Conduct Zero (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, featuring the complete uncut feature in anamorphic widescreen and both English 5.1 and Korean 2.0 language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: original Korean trailer, Conduct Zero music video, movie highlights, image gallery, Iron Mask's student files, outtakes and ADV previews.

Conduct Zero
Running Time: 100m approx.
BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 15/11/04
Cat#: DCZ-001
Format: DVD
RRP: £19.99


About ADV Films:
ADV Films is the leading producer-distributor of Japanese animation ("anime") in the United Kingdom, with the firm's holdings including such premier titles as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Spriggan, Samurai X, RahXephon, Hellsing, Martian Successor Nadesico and Full Metal Panic! In addition, ADV Films distributes select fine programming in other genres, including live-action science-fiction titles such as the legendary updated Gamera trilogy. Aside from moving-picture content production and distribution, ADV Films' U.S. parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., is the publisher of Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly in the English-speaking world, and is the operator of North America's Anime Network cable channel. In addition to the London office, A.D. Vision, Inc. maintains world headquarters in Houston, Texas, USA with additional studios in Austin, Texas and offices in Tokyo. For more information, please visit ADV Films on the web at http://www.advfilms.co.uk.