New Funimation Licenses

Funimation announced this week that they have acquired the license for the loli pantsu anime Strike Witches, so a US release is now on the horizon.

Funimation have also acquired the R1 rights to the Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood series, which debuted in Japan on April 5th. Full Metal Akchemist: Brotherhood is the sequel to the original 51-episode Fullmetal Alchemist series that used to run on Cartoon Network. Funimation says we can expect to see it out on DVD later this year.

Funimation have acquired the R1 rights to release the Linebarrels of Iron science fiction robot anime and Strike Witches lolicon science fiction anime . The two television series are part of Funimation's recently announced strategic alliance to offer current and future titles from the Gonzo anime studio.

Linebarrels of Iron is based on Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi 's manga about a boy who pilots a 21-meter-tall robot for a secretive conglomerate. The Strike Witches anime essentially provides a plot rationale for the artwork of Humikane Shimada, an illustrator of mecha-girls whose bodies have been merged with real-life and imaginary machinery and weapons. Strike Witches premiered last July, while Linebarrels of Iron debuted in October.

Other Information

The official Japanese website for the Hellsing Ultimate video anime series has streamed the anime's promotional video from the Tokyo Anime Fair. The video was specifically aimed at overseas visitors and highlights volume VI, which promises the beginning of the final battle in the vampire action story.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso stressed the importance of cultural exports in Japan's economic recovery in his press conference Thursday evening, according to the Japan Times, estimating that the export business in those categories could amount to $200 to $300 billion. "Japan has become the focus of attention from the world for its anime, games, and fashion, which have been dubbed 'Japan cool,'" he said.

Aso has long been known as an avid anime and manga fan, even complaining that his job as Prime Minister doesn't give him enough time for manga reading. I feel his pain.

BVI France, the distributor of Studio Ghibli's films in France, has posted one trailer and six French-subtitled video clips for Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea film. The film will open in the United States on August 14.

Mandalay Pictures has acquired the rights to Shoji Gatoh's Full Metal Panic series of light novels with the intention of creating a live action film

Naruto DVD Collectors Boxed Set #13 (Uncut)

Naruto summons a couple of old amphibious pals - Gamakichi and Gamatatsu - to help him solve a mystery surrounding a mysterious Cursed Warrior. Back at home, there's nothing more motivating for Choji and Naruto than a bowl of steaming hot Ichiraku ramen, and they're really going to have to sing for their supper when the owner's daughter is kidnapped! Can they get her back and save the restaurant's secret recipes in time for dinner? Then, Anko must face the darkness in her past when she's called to lead a mission to a place she once visited with her former sensei, Orochimaru! Will facing the truth save the mission - or break her forever?

Hunter x Hunter DVD Boxed Set #2 (Eps #16-30)

Gon and his friends have passed the first two stages of the Hunter Exam, but they still have three more grueling phases to complete. The applicants must escape the maze-like TrickTower and survive a free-for-all on an isolated island before they can battle it out in the final tournament. Will Gon and his friends prove their worth and earn the right to call themselves Hunters?

The Third: The Girl With the Blue Eye Complete DVD Boxed Set

One Girl. One Tank. No Problem. In a devastated world overrun by monstrous bugs and ravaged by outlaws, there's only one person to call when you really need a job done right: Honoka. With a sixth sense for danger, sword skills that are second to none, and a smart-aleck A.I. tank by the name of Bogie, she's ready to tackle any job and solve any problem for her clients. But while crossing the desert one night, she finds a young man alone in the wasteland. It' the first step of a journey that will challenge even Honoka's amazing skills to their very limit!

Princess Tutu Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) (Re-Issue)

A girl named Duck - or rather, a duck who wants to become a girl - falls in love with a prince... One day, a bizarre old man emerges and gives her a magical pendant that transforms her into the waltzing Princess Tutu. Now she must choose - for those who accept their fate find happiness, those who defy it, glory.

Please note that these are Region 1 DVD's and we do not normally stock all these titles but let us know if you are interested in these titles. Please contact us if you want to buy anty one of these titles