HOUSTON, March 20, 2006 —ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, is pleased to announce three exciting new titles set to hit the streets on May 16 – the third installment of Macross, the fifth volume of Godannar, and volume three of Kaleido Star: New Wings!

 

 

MACROSS: DANGEROUS DIVISIONS

 

“One of the Best Series of All Time.” – Anime Frontier

 

ADV is proud to announce a May 16 street date for Macross: Dangerous Divisions, the third of seven DVDs re-presenting the classic series in its entirety – and for the first time ever with an English dub!  This deluxe package, featuring digitally-restored video and a brand-new 5.1 soundtrack, includes so many episodes, interviews, commentaries, and other extras that it’s become a must-have for every anime fan!  “Macross has never looked or sounded this good!  This is the edition to own my friends!” (Japan Hero)

 

For many Americans, Robotech was their first exposure to anime. That classic series, which was first aired on American TV in 1985, is a sprawling epic that showcases the complex storylines, morally ambiguous characters, and sheer spectacle that are hallmarks of anime.  Before Robotech, however, there was Macross – one of three Japanese Anime series that were spliced together with a whole new script for an American audience. The original Macross has only been available to American fans in Japanese language only with subtitles.

 

Now at long last ADV Films is making Macross available to a new generation of American anime fans in a deluxe package featuring the uncut digitally restored video and for the first time ever, a faithful English dub in rich 5.1 surround sound.

 

This watershed release is made all the more special with the inclusion of Mari Iijima, who is reprising her role as the Lynn Minmay, one of the central characters in the Macross saga. This is one of the few times a voice actor from the original Japanese cast has participated in the English dub – and by far the most important.  Ms. Iijima is a professional singer-songwriter with numerous top 10 albums in Japan and has only appeared as a voice actress in limited fashion, with her only anime role being Lynn Minmay.

 

Synopsis: A dangerous escape leads to an unpleasant homecoming, as the crew of the Macross find themselves pawns in a much bigger game.  Not only are Earth’s forces badly divided, but now the Zentradi have defied the rules of science to place spies on board the Macross itself!  The introduction of a new ace Zentradi pilot is only the newest spark in already explosive mixture, as the fiery relationship between Hikaru and Misa begins to kindle into something else, and Hikaru’s romance with Minmay hits another snag in the form of a jealous new rival.  The epic series that spawned Robotech continues with an all new 5.1 English surround sound track in the third thrilling volume of Macross!

 

Macross: Dangerous Divisions (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes twelve through sixteen, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.  Video extras include a commentary track with Mari Iijima (voice of Minmay) and ADR Director Matt Greenfield, a special segment “On Stage” with Mari Iijima, and liner notes, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.                                        

 

Collectors Edition Still Available!

 

The limited-edition Collectors Box for Macross is still available.  This special collectors edition contains the first volume of Macross in a stunning custom series art box with full color artwork sized to hold the entire seven volume series (SRP $39.98).

 

DVD Product Details

 

Volume: 3 of 7

Running Time:    125 minutes
Age Rating:          TV PG (V)

CAT:                      DMCR/003
UPC:                      702727141928

Pre-Book Date:    4/18/2006
Street Date:          5/16/2006

Format:                  DVD

SRP:                      $29.98

 

Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.

 

 

GODANNAR: INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

 

“A Must-See Title” – Anime News Network

 

ADV Films is pleased to announce that the fifth volume in the smash hit mecha series, Godannar: International Affairs, is set to hit store shelves everywhere May 16. “The combination of frantic action, manic humor and delicious fanservice is near perfection.” (Anime On DVD)

 

Godannar is a genre-bending mecha anime series best described as equal parts action, adventure, and domestic soap opera. While much of anime is populated by high school vixens, magical fairies, and femme fatales, it’s rare to find a married couple at the center of the story. And that’s just one of the reasons Godannar stands out. That, and a female giant robot that jiggles. And a fantastic opening theme song.

 

Five years ago, as the Mimetic Beasts laid waste to Japan, Dannar Pilot Go saved young Anna Aoi’s life.  As they prepare to march down the aisle, a new Beast appears and Go is summoned into battle once more.  But he’s not going alone, not if his blushing bride-to-be can help it!  If they can mate their robots’ interlocking parts, they’ll form the ultimate marriage of man, woman, and machine!

 

Synopsis: By day they fight side by side, but at night their dirty little secrets all come out… in and out of bed.  With Goh and Anna’s own ties on shaky ground, the question of how to juggle the complicated relationships that keep both a marriage and a Dannar team flying become a matter of intense interest.  Just how do the other giant robot teams do it?  Against a background of constant combat, the truth behind what makes a giant robot team really work is finally exposed in this daring set of tell-all tales!  Get ready to go around the world in a daze as the other pilots let it all hang out in the fifth soul-baring volume of Godannar!

 

Godannar: International Affairs (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes 18 – 20, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.  Video extras include character profiles, mech profiles, and production sketches, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

 

Limited Collectors Edition Still Available!

 

The Godannar Collectors Box is still available in limited quantities.  This special collectors edition contains the first volume of Godannar in a stunning custom series art box with full color artwork sized to hold the entire seven volume series (SRP $39.98).

 

DVD Product Details

 

Volume: 5 of 7

Running Time:    75 minutes
Age Rating:          TV MA (V, S)

CAT:                      DGOD/005
UPC:                      702727128820

Pre-Book Date:    4/18/2006
Street Date:          5/16/2006

Format:                  DVD

SRP:                      $29.98

 

Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.

 

KALEIDO STAR: NEW WINGS: THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE

 

“An Extraordinary Series In A Class All Its Own.” – Underland Online

 

ADV Films is pleased to announce a May 16 street date for Kaleido Star New Wings: The Better Angels of Our Nature, the third volume in the second season of the acclaimed anime series.  “Kaleido Star is something you fall in love with.” (Anime Advanced)

 

Directed by Junichi Sato (Princess Tutu, Sailor Moon), Kaleido Star is a charming animated series aimed at tweens and teens, combining playful elements of children’s anime with the sophisticated vision of Cirque du Soleil. Kaleido Star combines a sense of fun and play—such a crucial element of Sailor Moon—with a believably positive storyline that emphasizes empowerment through bravery and determination.

 

Synopsis: The best of the best compete at the International Circus Festival in Paris.  Sora wants to win it, just like Layla did three years ago.  The festival itself is a cruel place.  Sora must endure betrayal and doubt.  Worse, to make her dream come true, she will have to destroy the dreams of others.  Is that the kind of Kaleido Star Sora wants to be?  It’s a battle between demons and angels; and good does not always trump the devil.  Sora will need more than a wing and a prayer to win this one!

 

Kaleido Star New Wings: The Better Angels of Our Nature (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes ten through thirteen, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.  Video extras include some hilarious Kaleido Star comics, an interview with Kaleido Star manga artist Akira Shinozaki and series Associate Producer Toyo Ikeda, and production sketches, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

 

DVD Product Details

 

Volume: 3 of 6

Running Time:    100 minutes
Age Rating:          TV PG

CAT:                      DKS/009
UPC:                      702727086427

Pre-Book Date:    4/18/2006
Street Date:          5/16/2006

Format:                  DVD

SRP:                      $29.98

 

Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.

 

About ADV Films:

In the 14 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation (“anime”) for the North American market and has also developed a leadership position in the UK. With best-selling titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon, Robotech, Full Metal Panic, Hello Kitty and Azumanga Daioh, ADV Films’ extensive catalog is fueling the popularity of anime around the globe. Always on the forefront, ADV is introducing North America to bold new anime franchises such as Gantz, Elfen Lied, Chrono Crusade, Peacemaker and DNAngel.  ADV Films’ library also includes popular live-action science fiction programs such as The Jim Henson Company’s Farscape, the nationally syndicated Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda and the Saturn Award-nominated Mutant X.   In 2005 ADV Films was voted “Best Anime Company” in the SPJA awards, presented at Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime convention.  The readers of Anime News Network designated ADV Films “Overall Favorite Anime Company” in both 2004 and 2005.

 

Parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., encompasses a multitude of complementary media divisions, spanning publishing, television, licensing and merchandising and continues to expand into new areas. Its Anime Networkâ„¢ is America‘s first and only television network dedicated to bringing anime and anime-related programming to consumers nationwide via digital cable 24 hours a day.  The company has two publishing arms: Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine, and ADV Mangaâ„¢, dedicated to publishing graphic novels. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.advfilms.com.