Press Release

ADV ANNOUNCES DECEMBER 20 RELEASES
 

HOUSTON, October 24, 2005 —ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, is pleased to announce a bevy of exciting new DVDs set to hit the streets on December 20 – the seventh and eighth volumes of Gatchaman, as well as the fourth Gatchaman Collectors Box, plus the third installment of Samurai Gun, the new thin-packed All Purpose Cat Girl Nuku Nuku TV Complete Collection, and volume two of Ghost Stories, the most-reviewed anime title of the year!

GHOST STORIES SEMESTER 2: SOPHOMORE SCARES

“One of the Funniest Things to Come Out of Any Anime Studio In Quite A While!”

– Anime News Network

ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, is proud to present the second volume of Ghost Stories, the series that has sparked fierce debate on the Internet – and lots of laughs among those lucky enough to have seen it!

Just to be clear, ADV’s English dub of Ghost Stories follows the plot of the original exactly. But in place of a written script, Foster simply blocked out scenes and let the actors go. It’s the anime equivalent of Curb Your Enthusiasm, in that the actors have freedom to riff of one another instead of simply following a prewritten script. The result is a fresh, lively, funny dub with a spontaneous energy that stands apart. “I’ll readily admit that I did not like this show in its raw Japanese form. The English version however, is actually quite funny, and it’s really made me excited about Ghost Stories” (Anime Frontier).

Of course, it’s the performers that make the series sing. The voice credits read like an anime dream team! “Ghost Stories is definitely something English dub voice actor fans will eat up. … In other words if you're a fan of the ADV regulars (Chris Patton, Christine Auten, Greg Ayres, Hilary Haag, Illich Guardiola, Monica Rial and Rob Mungle), it becomes a run out and buy purchase” (Ain’t It Cool News).

Synopsis: After her brother gets beat up again, Satsuki and her friends decide the little crybaby needs to butch it up and join the relay team. (Hope he can outrun the ghost who likes to chop off runners’ feet.) But that’s just the beginning of the second semester of scares for this group. There are classroom ghosts beginning to show up with more frequency—and ever-increasing power. From Babarase who haunts children left alone at home, to an internet ghost who can’t wait for you to go on-line, it looks like our little intrepid elementary school spirit slayers have some rough new tests to take. And when certain mirror ghosts begin reflecting on their current environment, the kids don’t even know if they can trust each other!

Ghost Stories Semester 2: Sophomore Scares (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes five through eight, presented in both English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include “Ghost Profiles,” plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

GATCHAMAN Volumes 7 & 8

“A Series No Anime Fan Should Be Without!” – Anime on DVD.com

ADV Films is proud to announce a December 20 release for the seventh and eighth volumes of Gatchaman as well as the fourth Gatchaman Collection, a box set containing both new volumes and a jam-packed extras disk.

Acclaimed comics illustrator Alex Ross provides the artwork for all eighteen volumes of the Gatchaman series, which is being released for the first time in North America in its entirety, uncut and unedited. ADV has recorded a brand new English dub and assembled loads of commentaries, documentary footage, archival material, and other extras for the classic series. This is the most deluxe anime event of the year!

Gatchaman is the seminal 1970s anime series from Tatsunoko Productions (Speed Racer, Robotech), which was recut for broadcast in the US as Battle of the Planets and later G-Force. In whatever form it appeared, Gatchaman introduced fans around the world to the wonders of Japanese animation. The cool character designs, over-the-top storylines, and complex team dynamic set Gatchaman apart from other shows – and set a standard that later programs emulated. It may well be the most influential anime series of all time. More information on the Gatchaman legacy can be found at ADV’s official website here!

ADV’s DVD series has proven to be a critical and commercial success. In awarding the first Gatchaman Collection a rare five-star rating, Anime Jump called it “truly top-notch – it's got good subtitles, a wonderfully accessible new dub, and a collector's package that even casual fans can afford and enjoy. This is one of the finest releases of the year, bar none.”

Series synopsis: In the 21st century, the evil organization Galactor has its sights set on global conquest. Their use of tyrannical terrorism and high-tech mayhem has the world in the clutches of fear! The only thing standing in the way of complete global dominance is the International Science Organization (ISO) and its chief scientist, Professor Kozaburou Nambu. Dr. Nambu’s primary weapon in the fight for freedom is his top secret experiment: the five kids who make up the Science Ninja Team. Bird, Go!

Gatchaman 7: Cities On Flame With Rock & Roll (SRP $14.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes 37-42, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include a commentary track with Edwin Neal (Berg Katse), plus a new “Gatchaman Karaoke,” clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

Gatchaman 8: The Devil’s Airline and the Valley of Death (SRP $14.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes 43-48, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include a commentary track with Senior Translator Sarah Alys Lindhom, plus a new “Gatchaman Karaoke,” clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

Gatchaman Collection 4 (SRP $34.98 DVD) is a three-disk box set containing volumes seven and eight plus a disk full of extras. The Collection comes in a chipboard box with breathtaking art by Alex Ross. Video extras include a Jinpei the Swallow Profile, character sketches of Jinpei, an interview with Luci Christian (Jinpei), Jinpei the Swallow audition footage, episode sketches, Gatchaman Publishing Gallery Part III – “Gatchaman in English,” and a special segment of the Demon 5 in concert. Rounding out this jam-packed extras disk is a video version of the Gatchaman manga, “The Firebird vs. the Fire-Breathing Dragon.”

SAMURAI GUN: LETHAL INFLUENCE

Gun-Toting Warriors Fight For Their Lives Against the Shogun’s Evil Minions!

ADV Films is pleased to announce a December 20 street date for Samurai Gun: Lethal Influence, the third volume in the samurai series that’s anime’s answer to the spaghetti Western. “Think anime-scheme Kill Bill ultra-violence meets Tokugawa pulp Shadow, meets 70's mod private eye.” – Ain't It Cool News

Samurai Gun is a blood-drenched tour of the bakumatsu years, a turbulent time that ultimately brought an end to Japan’s feudal system. A special breed of samurai stands against the corrupt Shogunate, armed with superior strength, speed, agility… and guns! Morally ambiguous “heroes,” razor sharp dialogue, and hair-trigger violence give Samurai Gun the feel of a taut Western. When one lone gunman takes on an army of samurai, they don’t stand a chance.

Based on the popular manga by Kazuhiro Kumagai, Samurai Gun was produced by Studio Egg and Avex, Inc. (Initial D) in association with ADV Films. It was first aired on Japanese television less than a year ago. The DVD series will include a never-before-seen 13th episode.

Synopsis: As Ichimatsu battles the demons within his soul, the fight for justice against the Shogunate continues. Lord Kozan’s new position has increased his power, and thus, the Anti-Samurai Gun Unit has become even more deadly. They have garnered even bigger and badder weaponry – and their counter-intelligence has moved them dangerously one step ahead of our freedom fighters. And that spells trouble. With three very important missions on the docket, the Samurai Gun warriors cannot afford to lose their technological advantage. A highly secretive package must be transported through enemy territory, an extremely valuable captive must be rescued from prison, and an entire village must be pulled from the clutches of ruthless killers. It’s time for the Samurai Gun!

Samurai Gun: Lethal Influence (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes eight through ten, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Video extras include production sketches and a “Fun With Audio” segment, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

Collectors Edition Still Available!

The Samurai Gun Collectors Box is still available. This special collectors edition includes the first volume of Samurai Gun plus a stunning custom series art box with full color artwork, sized to hold the entire four volume series (SRP $39.98).

ALL PURPOSE CAT GIRL NUKU NUKU TV COMPLETE COLLECTION

Every Boy’s Dream Come True – A Robot Cat Girlfriend!

ADV Films is proud to announce a December 20 street date for All Purpose Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Dash TV: Complete Collection, containing the entire fourteen-episode television series in a single affordable thin-pack!

Synopsis: When Natsume Atsuko, nicknamed Nuku Nuku, comes to live with Ryounosuke’s family, he falls in love instantly. After all, to all appearances, she’s a beautiful, normal, if slightly ditzy, teenage girl. In reality, however, she’s an all-purpose cat-brained andorobot who’s escaped from Mishima Heavy Industries’ research laboratories. She’s not supposed to use her special powers, but when more of Mishima’s experiments run amuck and her friends are threatened, she’ll do whatever she can to save them. It’s never just another day at school when your classmate’s an All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl!

All Purpose Cat Girl Nuku Nuku Dash TV: Complete Collection (SRP $44.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including all 14 episodes of the original Japanese television series, presented in both English and Japanese 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.