Press Release

MANGA ENTERTAINMENT AND BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT THE SECOND SEASON OF THEIR SMASH HIT TELEVISION SHOW GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX 2ND GIG VOLUME THREE COMING TO DVD JANUARY 24, 2006
 

Chicago, IL – Bandai Entertainment and Manga Entertainment are proud to announce the next exciting episodes of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig. Volume Three will be released in both a Standard Edition DVD as well as Special Edition on January 24, 2006. The Special Edition includes a Limited Edition Exclusive Collector's Tin Case and two collectable Ghost in the Shell toys.

Following closely on the heels of the extremely successful DVD release of the entire first season, GITS: SAC 2nd Gig enjoys a simultaneous DVD launch in the US, Canada and Great Britain via Anchor Bay Entertainment. In addition, individual episodes of the 2nd series began airing on Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim” in November. As with the first season, each episode of GITS: SAC 2nd Gig was created to be enjoyed and appreciated on its own merits, or to “stand alone,” while still contributing to a larger, more complex story arc.

In 2nd Gig, Section 9 - Japan’s high-mobility anti-crime unit, is back in action. Despite the successful resolution of the “Laughing Man” case, team leader Major Motoko Kusanagi’s got her work cut out for her as she leads her team on a series of new cases and investigates an insidious new plot against the Japanese government perpetrated by a team of terrorists know only as “The Individual Eleven.”

Synopsis for Volume Three- Ghosts of the Past

After their prior confrontations with Gohda, Section 9 continues their investigations into his mysterious background. However, at the same time, they must stop a wave of suicide bombers who threaten the safety of Japan. And even when they’re off duty, trouble manages to find them, as Togusa finds himself brought up on charges.

The Major has troubles of her own as well. On a routine mission to field test new recruits, she finds herself hacked and recalls a story that seems somehow familiar. Section 9 uncovers a suspicious file that they think is the Individual Eleven virus and they begin tracking the man who attempted to assassinate the Prime Minister.

Based upon the original Ghost in the Shell manga by Masamune Shirow (Appleseed, New Dominion Tank Police) and a story concept by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), GITS: SAC 2nd Gig features the return of series Director and Chief Writer Kenji Kamiyama and Composer Yoko Kanno. They are joined by a host of top animators previously unavailable to work on the series’ first season due to their involvement with the phenomenal Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence feature film. The result is a cybernetic epic that challenges the viewer and exceeds the production quality of the ground-breaking first season of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

REGULAR EDITION:

DVD Features: Mastered directly from Hi-Definition Masters; 16 X 9 Anamorphic, English Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; English Stereo Audio; Japanese Stereo Audio; English Subtitles

SPECIAL EDITION:

Disc 1 Features: Mastered directly from Hi-Definition Masters; 16 x 9 Anamorphic, English Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio; English Stereo Audio; Japanese Stereo Audio English Subtitles; comes with Interviews, Trailers and Weblinks

Disc 2 Features: Mastered directly from Hi-Definition Masters; 16 X 9 Anamorphic, English DTS Digital Surround Audio; Japanese DTS Digital Surround Audio; English Stereo Audio; English Subtitles.

Disc 3 Features: Limited Edition Exclusive Collector's Tin Case, Collectable toys: Motoko & Tachikoma

DVD Extras included with Both Volumes:

Interviews with Kenichi Takeshita and Toshiyuki Kono (Animation Directors)

Interview with Kenji Kamiyama (Director)

Manga Entertainment Inc. specializes in the production and distribution of Japanese animation for theatrical, DVD and home video release worldwide. Manga's cutting-edge film collection also features Asian live-action, cult, pop-culture and international animation. The Manga film library is marketed and distributed in the U.S. through Anchor Bay Entertainment. Manga is headquartered in Chicago and has offices in London and Tokyo. www.manga.com

Manga Entertainment is an Anchor Bay Entertainment Company. Anchor Bay Entertainment is a recognized name in home entertainment. The company offers an expansive selection of award-winning, notable theatrical films including “Time Bandits” and “Halloween,” classic television programming such as “Roseanne,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Three’s Company,” “Highlander” and much of the Stephen J. Cannell library, traditional children’s fare featuring the ever-popular Thomas & Friends collection and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, the impressive Manga anime line and chart-topping fitness titles including the "Crunch" and "For Dummies" series. Anchor Bay Entertainment is aggressively developing a wide range of original programs and concepts in addition to licensing existing brands and films.

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a subsidiary of IDT Entertainment. IDT Entertainment is a vertically integrated entertainment company that develops, produces, and distributes proprietary and licensed entertainment content.

Bandai Entertainment Inc. is the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD home video in North America. The company has distributed notable titles like Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Cowboy Bebop, Wolf’s Rain, and Witch Hunter Robin. Bandai Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Bandai America Inc., who makes the toys for the hit television series, Power Rangers, Digimon, and Mobile Suit Gundam. Bandai Co., Ltd is the third largest toy company in the World comprising 53 subsidiaries in 18 countries. In addition to toys and children's entertainment, Bandai Co.'s global interests include video game software, multimedia, music and full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies, and licensed apparel. Additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.