Image Entertainment Announces April 25th Release of Limited Collector’s Edition DVD of Japanese Animation Classic “Patlabor The Movie” from Acclaimed Director Mamoru Oshii
CHATSWORTH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 21, 2006–Image Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:DISK), a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America, today announced the April 25 release of the Limited Collector’s Edition DVD of the Japanese animation classic “Patlabor The Movie,” from acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii (“Ghost In The Shell,” “Jin-Roh,” “Avalon”). Also being released on April 25th is a single DVD of the newly remastered “Patlabor The Movie.” This is the first title to be released by Bandai Visual USA under its new Honneamise label in an effort by the trendsetter in Japanese animation to provide high-quality products internationally.

“Patlabor The Movie” is set at the dawn of the millennium in Tokyo. Advanced robotic vehicles called Labors are used heavily to rebuild the city after a massive earthquake. A maverick team from the Metropolitan Police led by Ki’ichi Gotoh and Shinobu Nagumo must uncover a devilish scheme to infect Tokyo’s 8,000 strong force of Labors with a computer virus. As a powerful typhoon approaches Tokyo and a dead man’s revenge begins to take full effect, the team faces a seemingly impossible task: destroy the symbol and spearhead of Tokyo’s redevelopment before 8,000 Labors go berserk!

The Limited Collector’s Edition, limited to 10,000 numbered sets, boasts an illustrated cover designed especially for this release by illustrator Yutaka Izubuchi (mecha designer of the Patlabor series and creator and director of the hit anime series “RahXephon”). In addition, “Patlabor The Movie” has been newly remastered, and features a new English translation and dubbing and a new authentic 5.1 channel audio mix. This impressive Limited Collector’s Edition contains:

Disc 1: “Patlabor The Movie” and Japanese trailers and television
commercials

Disc 2: “Making of ‘Patlabor The Movie'” (Japanese with English
subtitles)

Book 1: Archives (184 pages, 4 color and black & white)
containing:

— Exposition and criticism of the film (character, story
background, artwork, etc.)

— Interviews with director Mamoru Oshii, screenwriter
Kazunori Ito, mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi,
character designer Akemi Takada and music composer
Kenji Kawai

— Key animation drawing samples with explanatory notes

— and more!

Book 2: Storyboard by Mamoru Oshii (300 pages, with English
translation)

“Patlabor The Movie” is directed by Mamoru Oshii, who rose to prominence internationally with the production of his award-winning “Ghost In The Shell” and whose distinct cinematic style has proved influential to filmmakers all over the world, including Hollywood. Mr. Oshii’s two most recent films, “Avalon” (2001) and “Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence” (2004), were selected to be shown in the main section of the Cannes Film Festival.

About Bandai Visual USA Inc.:

Bandai Visual USA Inc. was established in 2005 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai Visual Co., Ltd. with a mission to facilitate stronger, more active involvement in positioning, marketing and distribution of Bandai Visual programs in North America. From its base in Torrance, California, Bandai Visual USA seeks to form new alliances and reinforce existing ties in an effort to strengthen Bandai Visual’s international presence as a producer and content provider in the ever expanding and diversified specialty programs market. Bandai Visual USA titles are released on DVD under its Honneamise label, named after the 1987 animation film that Bandai Visual first produced.

About Image Entertainment:

Image Entertainment, Inc. is a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America, with approximately 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and over 200 exclusive CD titles in domestic release and approximately 300 programs internationally via sublicense agreements. For many of its titles, the Company has exclusive audio and broadcast rights and, through its subsidiary Egami Media, Inc., has digital download rights to more than 1,500 video programs and over 150 audio programs containing more than 2,000 tracks. The Company is headquartered in Chatsworth, California, and has a domestic distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company’s subsidiary Image Entertainment (UK) maintains a content acquisition office in London, England. For more information about Image Entertainment, Inc., please go to www.image-entertainment.com.

PATLABOR THE MOVIE — DVD
Street Date: April 25, 2006
Catalog #: BUDH0101DVD
UPC#: 858604001011
DVD SRP: $29.99

PATLABOR THE MOVIE LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION — DVD
Street Date: April 25, 2006
Catalog #: BUDH0100DVD
UPC#: 858604001004
DVD SRP: $89.99