ADV Films has released new DVD collections of FULL METAL PANIC? FUMOFFU, SHINOBI, E'S OTHERWISE, PANIPONI DASH! and PAPUWA.
ADV Films has released the thin-packed complete collection of FULL METAL PANIC? FUMOFFU.
Directed by Kouichi Chigara (GATE KEEPERS, PHANTOM QUEST CORPS), FULL METAL PANIC? FUMOFFU reintroduces anime's favorite odd couple: the popular (if fiery) Kaname, and Sosuke, the teenaged commando sworn to protect her - from high school? Sosuke has a little trouble telling friend from foe, but you can count on Kaname to set him straight. FUMOFFU features loads of slapstick humor, leavened by romantic misunderstandings and the occasional round of gunfire.
FULL METAL PANIC? FUMOFFU COMPLETE COLLECTION ($49.98) is a thin-packed DVD-only release including all 12 episodes, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.
Additionally, ADV Films has released the thin-packed collection of the SHINOBI. The series is directed by martial arts action guru Kenji Tanigaki (THE PRINCESS BLADE, BLADE II).
In the world of the Ninja, skills as a fighter play only a small role in determining one's rank among the order of Shinobi. Kageru is from the village of Shiroyama. He is strong, fast and extremely intelligent - the best in his class. But therein lies the problem; for Kageru's birth predestines him to the lower class of Shinobi. His friend Aoi finds herself in the same situation, and together they will be forced to question not only themselves, but also some of the most sacred edicts of the Shinobi hierarchy. They must choose between their mission and their lives, and between their destinies and the Law of Shinobi. Kagerou and Aoi soon become fugitives, pursued by the Shinobi of Shiroyama, and assassins hailing from all the families of Iga. The chase is on. Kagerou and Aoi are left to search for both the sincerity of their allegiances as well as asylum from their hunters. Such are their lives as Runaways.
SHINOBI COMPLETE COLLECTION ($29.98) is a letterboxed DVD-only release all four movies, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.
In another thin-packed complete collection release, ADV gives fans the entire E'S OTHERWISE series, which was directed by Masami Shimoda (MACROSS 7, SABER MARIONETTE J) and produced by Studio Pierrot (SAIYUKI, NARUTO).
In the near future, the planet is run by a federation of twelve powerful corporations. Amid the general populous, are psychics--metahumans capable of converting thought into energy. People with these mutant abilities are known as "E's," outcasts with the power to control the world, or to save it. Kai awakes in Ashurum, a military contractor that has put together an elite special forces team of E's called AESES to bring about law and order. But when Kai is sent to wipe out an anti-corporate guerilla outfit from the slum town Gald, he discovers not all is as it seems.
E'S OTHERWISE COMPLETE COLLECTION ($59.98) is a DVD-only release including all 26 episodes, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.
In addition, ADV Films has released the first installment of PANIPONI DASH! From studios Gansis and Shaft (NEGIMA!?) and director Akiyuki Shinobi (PETITE COSSETTE) comes this new high school comedy that should appeal to fans of EXCEL SAGA.
While 11-year-old Becky Miyamoto may be intellectually able, this MIT prodigy is painfully ill-equipped to deal with a group of temperamental teens, especially this group. There's the bitchy heather, the spazz, the angry nerd, the identical twins, the invisible girl, the freaky class president, the drama geek, the Nancy Drew, the gamer, the princess...whew! Add to that her pathetically-abused stuffed bunny buddy and idiotic aliens watching her every move and it's no wonder Becky's prone to crying fits, tirades, and flipping the class the bird.
PANIPONI DASH: LETHAL LESSONS ($29.98) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including the first five episodes, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include AD Vidnotes , two Japanese television spots, a special opening "Yellow Vacation," information for "The Chalkboard Champion Contest," a reversible cover, a booklet insert, plus clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
Finally, ADV has released the latest edition of PAPUWA, titled, TROPICAL TRIATHLON.
The party animals on Papuwa Island are gearing up for some fun in the sun in a dizzying series of funky festivities and crazy competitions. The first event is the annual Hina King Cup, where the competitors are drunken assassins, and the playing field is steeped in booby-traps, creepy creatures and murderous samurai. Next up is Beach Volleyball with an electrified net and a masochistic porcupine fish for a ball. The final event is the Boy's Day Festival, where the island inhabitants summon the Great Man God to measure their machismo and test their testosterone. This year, it's Kotaro's turn. He must flex his stuff to recover the mysterious "Man Ball" and pass "The Test of Courageous Manhood."
PAPUWA: TROPICAL TRIATHLON ($29.98) is a DVD-only release including episodes 11-14, presented in both English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include translator notes, a character art gallery, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
For more information, visit www.advfilms.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
