On Nov. 28, 2006, ADV Films released the 13 blood-soaked episodes of ELFEN LIED: THE DICLONIUS REPORT. Other highlights of ADV's November DVD release lineup include: COMIC PARTY REVOLUTION, THE SAMURAI X COMPLETE COLLECTION, GUYVER: THE BIOBOOSTED ARMOR, UFO ULTRAMAIDEN VALKYRIE, the fourth volume of MICHEL, the second installment of JINKI: EXTEND, and the final volumes of KALEIDO STAR: NEW WINGS and THIS UGLY YET BEAUTIFUL WORLD.
In ELFEN LIED: THE DICLONIUS REPORT, Lucy, a beautiful young mutant, is bred by the government to be the ultimate weapon. Armed with unfathomable powers, she escapes her handlers, but loses her memory in the process. Fortunately, the young waif is taken in by two well-meaning students. Now, with government killers on her trail, the disposition of a five year old, and a hair trigger for ultra-violence, Lucy and her young friends must unravel the dark secret of her legacy before it's too late.
ELFEN LIED: THE DICLONIUS REPORT ($49.98) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including all 13 episodes, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles, and will include previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
COMIC PARTY REVOLUTION TV is a retelling of the original COMIC PARTY TV series, which offers a humorous insider's look at the world of fan comics.
After failing his examinations, Sendo Kazuki spends his days aimlessly - that is, until his childhood friend, Taishi, drags Kazuki into the world of fan comics. But this harmless diversion soon becomes an obsession as Kazuki is drawn further into otaku culture.
COMIC PARTY REVOLUTION TV: PARTY ON! ($29.98) is a DVD-only release including four episodes, presented in both English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include an interview with Satomi Korogi (Asahi), a segment on "The Language of Doujinshi," and "What is Comic Party" (Part 2), profiles of the Seiyuu, production background art, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
SAMURAI X COMPLETE COLLECTION features the original and the director's cut of each of these three classics.
Rurouni Kenshin was the premier assassin of the Ishin Shishi during the Meiji Restoration in Japan. Now discover the driving forces behind the life of the man known as the Hitokiri Battosai, the Man-Slayer. In TRUST & BETRAYAL, uncover the tragic beginnings, the twists and turns of an unfeeling destiny that led a peaceful boy to become the most feared killer during one of the bloodiest eras of Japan's history. In SAMURAI X: THE MOTION PICTURE, Kenshin once again takes up his blade to protect the Meiji. The war against tyranny ended years ago, but demons from the assassin's past have returned for revenge. When death challenges him to a final duel, the only thing he can do is draw his sword and fight to the death. Then, many years later, the past meets the present in REFLECTION as Kenshin remembers the moments that filled his life with pain, blood and love.
SAMURAI X COMPLETE COLLECTION ($99.98) is a five-disc DVD-only release including all three of the OVA releases, presented in both English and Japanese with English subtitles, and are presented in their original aspect ratios. Extras include previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
Director Katsuhito Akiyama (BUBBLEGUM CRISIS) breathes new life into the dark franchise with the new installment, GUYVER: THE BIOBOOSTED ARMOR DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.
While investigating a mysterious explosion near his school, Sho Fukamachi happens upon the Chronos Corp.'s greatest weapon: a techno organic suit of bio armor known as the "Guyver." But Chronos is determined to conceal their secrets at any cost. Sho soon finds himself relentlessly pursued by an army of horrific bio-monsters. With nowhere to run, Sho is forced to call upon the fearsome power of the Guyver, and rip his opponents limb from limb in a desperate struggle for survival.
GUYVER THE BIOBOOSTED ARMOR: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST ($29.98) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including the first four episodes, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include manga to anime comparisons for episodes 1, 2, and 4, commentary on episode 1 with Guyver fans Rod Peters and Jack Glauser, the Bioboosted Armor Guyver Master File 32 page booklet, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
ADV has also released the first part of the second season of UFO ULTRAMAIDEN VALKYRIE: DECEMBER NOCTURNE WASHING UP AND WIGGING OUT. Created by Kaishaku (STEEL ANGEL KURUMI) with characters designed by Maki Fujii (STRAWBERRY EGGS), UFO ULTRAMAIDEN VALKYRIE features equal parts action, comedy and fan service.
You're never far from insanity when you visit the Tokino Bathhouse. A charmed sword might fall into the wrong hands. You might get squashed by a giant, drunk dog. A manga-addicted cyborg might tell you that the world is about to come to an end. But hey, if things get too crazy you can take a trip back in time to see what our heroines were like in the old days.
UFO ULTRAMAIDEN VALKYRIE: WASHING UP AND WIGGING OUT ($29.98) is a DVD-only release including the first four episodes of the second season, presented in both English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include "Valkyrie World Notes," "Anime Encounters," video jukeboxes for "Suki-Suki-Suki wa na Kanji" and "Anata no Namida wo Itadakuwa," more "Messages for the Seiyuu," plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films previews.
MICHEL: THE KNIGHT AND THE CASTLE is the first animated series completely produced and directed by acclaimed animation studio DR Movie (FINAL FANTASY: UNLIMITED, DRAGON DRIVE).
Michel lives amongst fairies that have the power to keep nature in harmony. One fateful day, the Black Hammers chasing after Kim accidentally stumble upon the fairies and learn of their power and quickly kidnap them. Now it's up to Michel, Kim, and the rest of the fairies to rescue their friends from captivity and save the world.
MICHEL: THE KNIGHT AND THE CASTLE ($14.98) is a DVD-only release including four episodes, presented in English 2.0 and Korean 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include clean opening animation, clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
From director Mazahiko Murata (GILGAMESH, MAZINKAISER), JINKI: EXTEND follows the elite organization Angel pilots -- the mighty Jinki. These giant robots are employed to fight the evil Kyomu. Now Angel needs new recruits, and it just so happens that a set of beautiful girls were born with the innate ability to be the best Jinki pilots ever.
JINKI: EXTEND 02 ($29.98) is a DVD-only release including four episodes, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include a video interview with Yoshino Takamori (Minami), Yukari Tamura (Rui), and Kazuhiro Wakabayashi (Sound Director), a video of the Moribito-2 model test, Japan location notes covering 1989-1991, a glossary of terms, a second on-air opening, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
Directed by Junichi Sato (PRINCESS TUTU, SAILOR MOON), KALEIDO STAR is an animated series aimed at tweens and teens, combining playful elements of children's anime with the sophisticated vision of Cirque du Soleil.
In KALEIDO STAR NEW WINGS: A KALEIDO STAR IS BORN, Leon pushes Sora to new extremes as he continues her special training to perfect the Angel's Maneuver. After experiencing new lows, she soars to new heights. Just when it seems that Sora's dream will finally become a reality, a challenger for the lead role comes along. Sora's determination to keep her role forces her to face her competition head on.
KALEIDO STAR NEW WINGS: A KALEIDO STAR IS BORN ($29.98) is a DVD-only release including the final four episodes of the TV series, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include production sketches, "Kaleido Star Comics," comments from the cast, an interview with Kaori Mizuhashi (Rosetta), plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
THIS UGLY YET BEAUTIFUL WORLD: RED SWARM is produced by Studio Gainax (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, FLCL). Now that Hikari has seen death, her true nature begins to exert a stronger force. Her shadowy self within has a growing resentment towards her new friends and her true love, Takeru. But other creatures are coming forward to prevent the young girl from fulfilling her dark destiny, putting Takeru and her sister Akari in the very dangerous middle.
THIS UGLY YET BEAUTIFUL WORLD: RED SWARM ($29.98) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including the final four episodes, presented in both English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include a video interview with Shouji Saeki (Director), a video spot for the Japanese DVD, translator notes, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation and upcoming ADV Films releases.
For more information, visit www.advfilms.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
