files/pictures/picture-35.jpgADV Films is releasing five titles on Jan, 17, 2006, beginning with the 10th and final volume of GANTZ! Other Jan. 17 releases include the first volume of KALEIDO STAR: NEW WINGS, new volumes of AREA 88 and GODANNAR and the new thin-packed GRAVION COMPLETE COLLECTION.
GANTZ: ENDGAME has developed a following well beyond the anime fan community, with first-month sales on volume three exceeding those on the first volume by a significant margin. Directed by Ichiroh Itano and produced by GONZO Digimation (CHRONO CRUSADE, FULL METAL PANIC!), GANTZ is based on the ultra-violent manga series by Hiroya Oku (HEN, ZERO ONE).
He’s a dead man walking, yet somehow Kei Kurono has managed to survive every lethal trick the Gantz has thrown at him through four bloody games. But now Kei’s on his own, with no one he can trust at his back. With the rules turned against him, facing a pair of murderers who kill for pleasure.
GANTZ: ENDGAME ($29.98) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including episodes 24-26, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include a documentary segment, “The Secret Behind the Impeccable Images of Gantz,” and a unique “Gantz DVD Special Features Collection,” plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
KALEIDO STAR NEW WINGS: ECLIPE OF THE STAR is the first volume in the second season of the acclaimed anime series. Directed by Junichi Sato (PRINCESS TUTU, SAILOR MOON), KALEIDO STAR is aimed at tweens and teens, combining playful elements of children’s anime with the sophisticated vision of Cirque du Soleil.
It’s a blast from the past as the Fool reveals Sora’s journey to becoming a Kaliedo Star. But Sora’s glory is short lived as two new rivals appear at Kaleido Stage and steal the spotlight from Sora. As her stage time is usurped by the dashing Leon Oswald, an Asian beauty named May Wong appears and proclaims herself the next Layla Hamilton. She is certain to win a leading role, and if she’s lucky, Leon’s attention. But they are not the only unexpected newcomers to Kaleido Stage. One little runaway will find herself in some very hot water thanks to Sora’s never-ending eagerness to help.
KALEIDO STAR NEW WINGS: ECLIPSE OF THE STAR ($29.98) is a DVD-only release including episodes one through five, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Video extras include the documentary segment, “Day With a Kaleido Star,” featuring voice actress Serena Varghese (Rosetta) and production sketches, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
AREA 88: WINGS OF THE WIND is the fourth and final volume in the anime series. AREA 88 is based on the classic manga by Kaoru Shintani with a screenplay by Hiroshi Onogi (RAHXEPHON, MACROSS ZERO). It tells the story of Shin Kazama, an ace pilot on the verge of a comfortable life with a commercial airline. Tricked into joining a motley crew of mercenary fighter pilots, Shin’s only way out is to complete the three-year term or pay $1.5 million to break the contract.
AREA 88: WINGS OF THE WIND ($29.98) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including episodes ten through twelve, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Video extras include 70 minutes of interviews with series director Isamu Imakake and Japanese voice actors Ryo Hirohashi (Kim Aba), Tomokazu Seki (Mickey Simon) and Takehito Koyasu (Shin Kazama) plus production sketches, aircraft specs, clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
GODANNAR: NUCLEAR FAMILY MELTDOWN is a genre-bending mecha anime series. Characters were designed by Takahiro Kimura (BRAVE KING GAOGAIGAR, DIRTY PAIR FLASH, SD GUNDAM FORCE).
As the Mimetic Beasts stage a series of spectacular surprise assaults, Anna finds her entire world falling apart. With a renegade pilot on the loose, Lou rebelling, Mira running around half naked and Goh losing control, Anna finds herself on the edge of a breakdown. Then an unexpected loss and a horrifying betrayal push her over the edge into the abyss.
GODANNAR: NUCLEAR FAMILY MELTDOWN ($29.98) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including episodes ten through thirteen, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. On disc extras include a special report on Morimoto and Hiyashi, character profiles, mechanical profiles, top secret case files, and a Godannar glossary, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.
GRAVION COMPLETE COLLECTION is a sci-fi comedy, directed by Masami Obari (FATAL FURY, VIRUS) and animated by Studio GONZO (CHRONO CRUSADE).
When mankind faces an alien force with technology light years ahead of its own, will they be enough to save the Earth from destruction? The fate of humanity rests in the hands of the mysterious billionaire Sandman and a young band of orphaned misfits. Sandman's money can build the Gravion, a robotic deity forged of circuits and steel. But can his erstwhile pilots stop fighting amongst themselves long enough to fight the Zeravire? Or will the Earth be lost before the fight has even begun?
GRAVION COMPLETE COLLECTION ($39.98) is a DVD-only thin-packed release including all 13 episodes in the series, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.
In the 13 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 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. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit
www.advfilms.com .
