FUNimation Ent., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corp., struck a deal with Rainbow Media for the U.S. debut and cross-channel airing of Akira Kurosawa's SAMURAI 7 on both VOOM HD Networks' ANIMANIA HD on March 1 and IFC on April 1.
"Akira Kurosawa's SAMURAI 7 is a great series. It is a perfect match for FUNimation's philosophy of hand-picking the best titles from Japan and bringing them to the United States," said Gen Fukunaga, president/ceo of FUNimation Ent. "It is that quality that also makes it a perfect match for ANIMANIA HD and IFC."
Shot in high definition with stunning animation production values from GONZO Digimation, SAMURAI 7 revisits Kurosawa's epic tale of a small village in feudal Japan that's persecuted by robbers who return every harvest to seize the village's crops. The villagers set out on a mission to find and recruit some samurai to defend them. With no pay to offer except rice, the villagers know that only down-on-their-luck samurai would even consider accepting such a deal and can only hope that their saviors will appear before the rice is ready for harvest.
"SAMURAI 7 is such a strong property that it appeals to a much larger entertainment audience. Through agreements with companies like Rainbow Media, we will reach these larger audiences and really expand awareness of anime in the U.S. entertainment market," said Fukunaga.
SAMURAI 7 has already experienced home video success with fans and the media in the U.S. In its Top 10 Anime DVDs of 2005 list, DVDTALK.COM said SAMURAI 7 is the number one anime DVD and it is, "undoubtedly the best new series to be released in 2005."
ANIMANIA HD, available nationally on Dish Network (Ch. 9474), will have the U.S. HD premiere on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT as part of the channel's new Wednesday "Animayhem" block. ANIMANIA HD, is the only channel actively working with producers and distributors to air true HD animation for all ages. The channel is one of 15 VOOM HD Networks, the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere.
The cable TV premiere of Samurai 7 will air on IFC on Saturday, April 1, 2006, at 10:30 pm ET/PT. The half-hour series will air in conjunction with IFC's popular film strand, "Samurai Saturdays," a weekly presentation of classic, Asian martial-arts-themed movies.
Fort Worth, Texas-based Funimation (www.funimation.com) is a leading brand management company for anime content and one of the nation's largest independent home video entertainment companies. The company is best known for creating the blockbuster franchise DRAGONBALL Z in the U.S. The company's most recent initiative is the FUNimation Channel(SM), a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the U.S.
Minneapolis-based Navarre Corp. (www.navarre.com) is a publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia products, including PC software, CD audio, DVD and VHS video, videogames and accessories. Founded in 1983, the company has established distribution relationships with customers across a wide spectrum of retail channels, which includes mass merchants, discount, wholesale club, office and music superstores, military and e-tailers nationwide. The company currently provides its products to over 18,000 retail and distribution center locations throughout the United States and Canada. Navarre has recently expanded its business to include the licensing and publishing of home entertainment and multimedia content, primarily through the acquisitions of Encore Software, Inc., BCI Eclipse Co. Llc, FUNimation Productions Ltd. and The FUNimation Store Ltd.
ANIMANIA HD is just one of the many diverse programming categories on VOOM HD Networks, the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere. Offering a platform where cartoon worlds take on astonishing depth and detail, ANIMANIA HD is available nationally on DISH Network (Ch. 9474). VOOM HD Networks were developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high definition programming, building on Rainbow Media's history of original programming innovation. Other VOOM HD channels include sports, movies, fashion, music and art.
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial-free. The network is part of IFC Companies the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
