ADV Films releases its Aug. 24, 2004 street dates. The titles include FARSCAPE: SEASON THREE BOX SET, GET BACKERS: G & B ON THE CASE, KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC: THE MASTER OF SANCTUARY, MEGAZONE 23: PART 3 and WEDDING PEACH: ANGEL BELL.
FARSCAPE: SEASON THREE BOX SET includes all 22 episodes of the third season. The box set ($149.98) is a DVD-only release, including 10 discs in English 5.1 and 2.0 audio. Loaded with extras, including: deleted scenes; in-depth cast interviews; audio commentaries; FARSCAPE facts by Paul Simpson (author of FARSCAPE: THE ILLUSTRATED COMPANION series guides); character histories; set, prop and costume galleries; TV promos; and official plot synopsis.
The GET BACKERS volumes are based on the hit manga by Rando Ayamine and Yuya Aoki as seen in WEEKLY SHONEN MAGAZINE (Japanese). The high stakes action scenes were animated by Studio Deen, producers of films like KING OF BANDIT JING and COWBOY BEBOP. The show follows Ban and Ginji, the Get Backers, whose job is to recover irreplaceable objects stolen from peoples homes.
GET BACKERS: G & B ON THE CASE ($29.98) is a DVD-only release, including five complete episodes in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and closing animation, a production sketches, behind the scenes, commentaries and ADV previews. In addition, the first volume of GET BACKERS is also available as a Collector's Edition, which includes the VOLUME 1: G & B ON THE CASE DVD and an attractive custom series art box to house volumes 1-5 ($39.98).
ADV Films is releasing on DVD and VHS the sixth volume of KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC: THE MASTER OF SANCTUARY. The series is produced by TV Asahi (SAILOR MOON, GUNDAM WING) and Toei Animation (DRAGONBALL Z, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION). Now, Sanctuary, once the trusted home of all knights, has fallen under the control of an evil force. Without their knowing, its new master has been secretly using his post to enact his plan to enslave the world. To do it, all he needs is the gold helmet to complete the gold cloth that grants ultimate power to whoever dons it. Will Seiya find a way to defeat this evil foe?
KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC: THE MASTER OF SANCTUARY ($14.98 DVD; $9.98 VHS) contains four complete episodes in English 2.0. Closed captioning is available on VHS and DVD releases. Includes ADV previews.
MEGAZONE 23: PART 3 is the film installment in the classic 1980s anime series. MEGAZONE 23 was animes first successful OVA (original video animation) release and was used by Harmony Gold to create ROBOTECH THE MOVIE. Game master Eiji Takanaka is the hottest player on the virtual circuit, but trouble finds him when he begins working for E=X Corp. Like Shogo before him, Eiji is caught in a deadly war that once again leads to the artificial intelligence known as EVE. But is this the same EVE? Discover the secrets that lie buried beneath Eden City and in the wreckage of the old Megazone.
MEGAZONE 23: PART 3 ($24.98) is a DVD-only release, includes two complete episodes in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 language versions with English subtitles. Extras include: poster, production artwork and ADV previews.
The first volume of MEGAZONE 23 is also available as a Collectors Edition, which includes the MEGAZONE 23 PART 1 DVD, a custom series art box sized to hold the entire three-part series and an exclusive MEGAZONE 23 mouse pad. ($34.98).
WEDDING PEACH: ANGEL BELL is the fifth volume in this love-struck magical girl series. It is based on a manga by Sukehiro Tomita (SAILOR MOON), Nao Yazawa and Tenyu, with animation produced by KSS, known for animated comedies such as HAPPY LESSON, OH MY GODDESS! and TO HEART. The staff also includes POKÉMON films director Kunihiko Yuyama and character designer Kazuko Tadano of SAILOR MOON fame. Takuro, the scrawniest, most insecure kid in school, and hes dead set on stealing a kiss from the hero, Momoko. Pledging his aid, the evil devil Igneous helps Takuro launch a diabolical plan to win Momokos heart and in the process uncovers her secret identity.
WEDDING PEACH: ANGEL BELL ($29.98) is a DVD-only release, including five complete episodes in both English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and closing animation, a reversible cover and ADV previews. In addition, the first volume of WEDDING PEACH is also available as a Collectors Edition, which includes the VOLUME 1: LOVE WAVE DVD, an attractive custom series art box to house volumes 1-5, inflatable beach ball featuring character art and a bonus DVD filled with extras ($39.98).
In the 12 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the leading producer-distributor of Japanese animation for the North American market and has also developed a leadership position in the U.K. 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.. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.advfilms.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
