Bandai Announcements from Anime Expo

Bandai announced the American license of 4 new anime TV series:

Kaze Makase Tsukikage Ran, a 13 episode traditional Japanese “jidaigeki” (samurai drama) in anime form from director Akitaro Daichi (Jubei-chan, Kodomo no Omocha)

Jinzo Ningen Kikaider the Animation, last year’s anime version of the live-action hero show

And Bandai will be emulating AD Vision’s Fansub line with a line of subtitled only “Classic” TV series, beginning with Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s 1984 Giant Gorg (often called the anime version of Johnny Quest), and Ryosuke (Gasaraki) Takahashi’s classic sci-fi mecha series Aoki Ryusei SPT Layzner [Blue Comet SPT (Super Powered Trooper) Layzner] from 1985.

Due to the unusually poor production quality of the first Crest of the Stars DVD, this series will no longer be replicated by Comchoice. Bandai will replace the initial production discs for customers who contact support@animevillage.com. There are currently no plans for American release of the second and third TV series, Seikai no Senki and Saikai no Danshou.

Bandai premiered a new Cowboy Bebop movie trailer at Anime Expo, but did not make any announcements regarding a possible American release of the film itself.

English language Dubs of the Brain Powered and Silent Mobius TV series are now underway for the DVD releases.

“Pilot Candidates” will be released on home video this fall. Saber Marionette J to X, Love Hina and Jin-Roh will be out next year. Bandai currently has the American distribution rights to only the first 24 Love Hina TV episodes, not the home video exclusive episodes 25 & 26 nor the two TV specials.

“First Gundam” will premier on Toonami at 5PM on July 23rd. MS 08th Team will follow at midnight. The “First Gundam” DVDs will include the original Japanese opening animation as a bonus feature, but the episodes themselves will be the American TV version episodes only. Gundam movie 4, Char’s Counterattack, is currently being prepared for American DVD release.

The Escaflowne movie will debut theatrically in the US in the San Francisco Bay Area on Sept 21. The American DVD version will be out next year.

Source: Anime on DVD