Press Release

ADV ANNOUNES JANUARY 17 RELEASES

Final Volume of Gantz Leads Off an Exceptional Slate
 

HOUSTON, Deccember 13—ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, is pleased to announce five exciting titles set to hit the streets on January 17, beginning with the tenth 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

The Final Chapter In the Anime Spectacle of the Year!

ADV Films is pleased to announce that the tenth and final volume in 2005’s most talked-about anime series, Gantz: Endgame, is set to hit store shelves January 17! Distinguished by cutting edge animation, slick character design, and over-the-top spectacle, Gantz has cut a bloody trail straight to the top of the anime charts.

Described as “gruesome” (Anime Source), “sadistic” (Anime Daze), and “addictive” (Active Anime), Gantz is one of the top-selling series of 2005. The series 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. Retailers have struggled to keep the new disks on the shelf.

Directed by Ichiroh Itano and produced by GONZO Digimation (Chrono Crusade, Full Metal Panic!), Gantz is based on the ultra-violent, totally twisted manga series by Hiroya Oku (HEN, Zero One). If anything, the anime series surpasses its source material for sheer spectacle – so much so that it had to be heavily edited for broadcast on Japanese television. ADV Films has restored Gantz to its original, uncut form for its DVD release, much to people’s surprise.

Synopsis: 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, it’s time for a final desperate gamble. It’s Kurono versus the Gantz in the last deadly volume of GANTZ!

Gantz: Endgame (SRP $29.98 DVD) 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.

Collectors Edition Still Available!

Limited Quantities of the Gantz Season Two Collectors Box are still available. This special collectors edition contains volume seven of Gantz in a stunning custom series art box with full color artwork sized to hold all four volume comprising the series’ second season (SRP $39.98).

KALEIDO STAR NEW WINGS: ECLIPE OF THE STAR

“An Extraordinary Series In A Class All Its Own.” – Underland Online

ADV Films is pleased to announce a January 17 street date for Kaleido Star New Wings: Eclipse of the Star, the first volume in the second season of the acclaimed anime series. “Kaleido Star is something you can fall in love with”(Anime Advanced).

Directed by Junichi Sato (Princess Tutu, Sailor Moon), Kaleido Star is a charming animated series aimed at tweens and teens, combining playful elements of children’s anime with the sophisticated vision of Cirque du Soleil. Kaleido Star combines a sense of fun and play—such a crucial element of Sailor Moon—with a believably positive storyline that emphasizes empowerment through bravery and determination.

Synopsis: 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!

All your old friends are back along with some gorgeous adversaries who you’ll love to despise. So, kick back, relax, and get ready for the amazing debut of Kaleido Star – Season Two!

Kaleido Star New Wings: Eclipse of the Star (SRP $29.98 DVD) 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

“Everything About the Aerial Combat and Maneuvering Scenes Is Exceptionally Well-Done, Especially the Incredibly Realistic Use of Sound.” – Anime News Network

ADV Films is pleased to announce the January 17 release of Area 88: Wings of the Wind. This is the fourth and final volume in the high-flying anime series, which features meticulously rendered fighter planes and realistic dogfights that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

First broadcast on Japanese television a little over a year ago, 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. Truly innovative animation and heart-pounding suspense transport you to a world where every breath could be your last. At Area 88, there’s no such thing as a normal day.

Synopsis: The celebration of successfully completed missions has been cut short. The enemy is splashing Area 88’s pilots at an alarming rate. Something about the enemy pilot’s maneuvers strikes a memory in Mickey, and it’s up to him and the rest of the Area 88 mercenaries to clear the threat for good. Meanwhile Shin’s savings from his kills are approaching his contract buyout price, and he is planning on going home to Ryoko in Japan. However, Kanzaki has other plans that place Shin into dangerous skies. Shinjou is beginning to have a change of heart about his mission, but will it be too late? As the story of Area 88 draws to a close, there is a whirlwind of betrayal and broken promises to keep you guessing right up to the surprise ending.

Area 88: Wings of the Wind (SRP $29.98 DVD) 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.

Collectors Edition Still Available!

An Area 88 Collectors Box is still available. This special collectors edition contains the first volume of Area 88 in a stunning custom series art box with full color artwork sized to hold the entire four volume series (SRP $39.98).

GODANNAR: NUCLEAR FAMILY MELTDOWN

“Has Absolutely Everything A Robo-Fanatic Could Ever Dream Of.” – DVD Talk

ADV Films is pleased to announce that the third volume in the smash hit mecha series, Godannar: Nuclear Family Meltdown, is set to hit store shelves everywhere January 17.

Godannar is a genre-bending mecha anime series best described as equal parts action, adventure, and domestic soap opera. While much of anime is populated by high school vixens, magical fairies, and femme fatales, it’s rare to find a married couple at the center of the story. And that’s just one of the reasons Godannar stands out. That, and a female giant robot that jiggles. And a fantastic opening theme song.

Characters Designed by Takahiro Kimura (Brave King Gaogaigar, Dirty Pair Flash and SD Gundam Force).

Synopsis: 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. Everything goes to hell in the stunning third volume of Godannar!

Godannar: Nuclear Family Meltdown (SRP $29.98 DVD) 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.

Limited Collectors Edition Still Available!

The Godannar Collectors Box is still available in limited quantities. This special collectors edition contains the first volume of Godannar in a stunning custom series art box with full color artwork sized to hold the entire seven volume series (SRP $39.98).

GRAVION COMPLETE COLLECTION

“Combines Elements Of Comedy, Action, Sci-Fi, And Mystery Into One Excellent Show.” – Denkyu.com

ADV Films is pleased to announce a January 17 street date for the Gravion Complete Collection, an affordable new thin-pack collecting all 325 minutes of the bouncy robot saga for just $39.98!

Directed by Masami Obari (Fatal Fury, Virus) and animated by Studio GONZO (Chrono Crusade), Gravion is a sci-fi romp with all the action, comedy and adventure a fan could want!

Synopsis: 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? Hold onto your seats! With plenty of bouncing, gravity-defying breasts, enough merry maids to staff a small hotel, lots of deep, dark secrets and non-stop battles, Gravion has all the fan service, intrigue and outright action that you've been looking for. So strap yourself in, and get ready for the ride of your life as Gravion blasts into action!

Gravion Complete Collection (SRP $39.98 DVD) 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.

About ADV Films:

In the 13 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation (“anime”) for the North American market and has also developed a leadership position in the UK. With best-selling titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon, Robotech, Full Metal Panic, Hello Kitty and Azumanga Daioh, ADV Films' extensive catalog is fueling the popularity of anime around the globe. Always on the forefront, ADV is introducing North America to bold new anime franchises such as Gantz, Elfen Lied, Chrono Crusade, Peacemaker and DNAngel. ADV Films' library also includes popular live-action science fiction programs such as The Jim Henson Company's Farscape, the nationally syndicated Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda and the Saturn Award-nominated Mutant X. In 2005 ADV Films was voted “Best Anime Company” in the SPJA awards, presented at Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime convention.

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. Its Anime Network™ is America's first and only television network dedicated to bringing anime and anime-related programming to consumers nationwide via digital cable 24 hours a day. The company has two publishing arms: Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine, and ADV Manga™, dedicated to publishing graphic novels. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.advfilms.com.