Appleseed (Series & Movies)

AN Shows
1

###Appleseed (2004 movie)

Genres: action, drama, science fiction
Themes: bioroids, cyborg, mecha, military, police
Objectionable content: Significant
Running time: 107 minutes
Vintage: 2004-04-17

Plot Summary: Growing out of the chaos of a global war, the city of Utopia is populated by humans and bioroids (artificial humans). On the surface, everything is harmonious, but tensions lurk. Into this seemingly perfect society comes a survivor of the wars, Deunan Knute, who carries a legacy that will turn out to be of critical importance to the future of humanity.

ANN Info Page
####Watch on the Anime Network Online Player

Appleseed Anime Network VOD debut May 7, 2009

Sentai Filmworks has license rescued the Appleseed movie (2004) originally released by Geneon in North America in 2005 and will now be distributed on DVD by ADV Films and for digital distribution, Anime Network. Appleseed movie (2004) directed by Shinji Aramaki, is science fiction remake based on characters created by Masamune Shirow. Like Clannad and Princess Resurrection, as well as a number of recent Sentai Filmworks/ADV Films releases, TBS is involved in the production.

Full story: NameBright - Coming Soon

Appleseed Movie details, voice cast announced (Sentai’s first Blu-Ray, dub)

Last week, Sentai Filmworks and Section23 Films announced the May slate of titles, which included Appleseed movie Blu-ray. It was also revealed that the new Blu-ray release would include a new english dub which will feature the cast of Appleseed Ex Machina…

Main Cast:
Deunan Knute - Luci Christian
Briareos - David Matranga
Hitomi - Hilary Haag
Athena - Alison Sumrall
Nike - Shelley Calene-Black
Hades - Andrew Love
Uranus - Jason Douglas
Yoshitsune - Chris Patton
Lance - Chris Hutchison
Dr. Gilliam - Kara Greenberg
Leyton - Justin O’Brien
Kudoh - Kalob Martinez

Full story: NameBright - Coming Soon

[quote]HOUSTON, May 4, 2009—Sentai Filmworks announced its forthcoming DVD release of Appleseed, which brings the dystopian sci-fi thriller back in print for the first time in years. ADV Films handles North American home media distribution for Sentai Filmworks and will release the Appleseed movie June 30.

Appleseed was first released in North America by Geneon Entertainment (USA) in 2005. Based on the legendary manga series by Masamune Shirow (Ghost in the Shell, Dominion) and directed by groundbreaking filmmaker Shinji Arimaki (Bubblegum Crisis), Appleseed set a high-water mark for anime features in the 21st century.

Synopsis: Earth’s last city, Olympus, rose from the ashes of a global war on the backs of Bioroids, artificial clones who make up half the city’s population. Under the strict guidance of a supercomputer, humanity’s last survivors enjoy an idyllic peace, but only on the surface Human terrorists within the military seek a return to power and clash with the government’s ESWAT forces lead by the legendary soldier, Deunan Knute, and her boyfriend who is 75% machine. Retrieving the Appleseed will end the conflict, and Deunan alone holds its secret. The outstanding feature film based on the manga by Masamune Shirow (Ghost in the Shell), directed by Shinji Aramaki (Bubblegum Crisis), and produced by SORI features a soundtrack including Boom Boom Satelites, Paul Oakenfold, Basement Jaxx and more.

Appleseed (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only anamorphic release presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles. Prebook orders are due June 2.

DVD Product Details

Running Time: 105 mins.
Age Rating: TV 14 (V, S, L)
CAT: SF-AP001
UPC: 702727206627
Pre-Book Date: 6/2/2009
Street Date: 6/30/2009
Format: DVD
SRP: $19.98

Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.

About ADV Films:
ADV is among the largest producer-distributors of Japanese animation (“anime”) outside of Japan and maintains a huge catalog of English-language anime. 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. ADV Films also provides home video distribution for a variety of independent clients, including Switchblade Pictures and Sentai Filmworks.

About Sentai Filmworks:
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing licensors of anime in North America, including hit series like Clannad and Princess Resurrection. Sentai Filmworks is distributed on a non-exclusive basis by ADV Films.[/quote]

Appleseed (OAV) Vintage: 1988-04-21
Appleseed: Ex Machina (movie) Vintage: 2007-10-20
Appleseed XIII (TV) Vintage: 2011-06-03
Appleseed XIII: Tartaros & Ouranos (movie) Vintage: 2011-06-13
Appleseed Alpha (movie) Vintage: 2014-07-15

2

Wait it’s the remake, all this time I thought it was the original, well color me stupid, I look forwards to seeing it on AoD, hopefully not cut to hell or pan and scanned to hell so I can finally decide if I want it.

I thought they license rescued the original.

3

Nope this is the newest one next to last year’s Ex Machina, which Warner Brothers has and tapped ADV/Amusement Park Media to do the dub and sub production. That was also one of the biggest selling Anime DVDs of last year, so from a business move, ADV picking up this one to ride on the newer one’s coattails is brilliant.

As far as Anime Network, especially SVOD nothing is edited. The only times edits happen is for free VOD carriers if the Cable providers request AN to cut out nudity or excessive violence – not as big of a problem as it once was, as even the free VOD operators are allowing Anime Network more leeway now.

4

Ex Machina looks great on Blue-Ray. Is this only be re-released on DvD?

I am pretty sure this is the sencond incarnation of Appleseed.

5

ADV formally issues a Press Release with Sentai Filmworks

As I mentioned in my blog: http://advnation.blogspot.com

Though reported previously when the DVD Release solicitations surfaced that ADV Films will be distributing Appleseed – Today, Sentai Filmworks and ADV Films have officially issued a statement and jointly their first press release with the distribution and rescue license of Appleseed movie. This is fairly significant since this is ADV Films’ first press release in a while, with good news no less.

6

Appleseed 2004 Movie Premieres today on Anime Network SVOD.

Appleseed 2004 Movie is also as of this week now on Xbox Live and Playstation Network via ADV/Anime Network.

7


Sentai Filmworks / ADV Films DVD cover release

ADV Films to fix Appleseed audio issues in the Sentai Filmworks release

[quote]ADV Films Media Coordinator, Janice Williams, stated at the Mania.com forums that ADV Films will be correcting the audio issues that were present in the previously released Geneon release of Appleseed (2004 Movie). This new Sentai Filmworks Appleseed re-issue will have production and distribution handled by ADV Films.

On its previous release, Geneon denied the existence of the issue and unfortunately did not fix the audio issues as discussed at the DVD Talk forum:

"...Many have noticed that the sound effects lacks punch with poor dynamic range and bass, almost as if its been dynamically compressed. The musical score, on the other hand, is mixed too loudly often overpowering the sound effects, especially on the Japanese tracks. The DTS track sounds too rear heavy and front light, very light..."

The Sentai Filmworks and ADV Films release of Appleseed with the corrected audio has a street date of June 30, 2009. ADV Films is also now distributing Appleseed through Anime Network VOD, Xbox Live and Playstation Network.

Story: http://advnation.blogspot.com/[/quote]

8

I didn’t like this when I saw it on Starz a couple years ago, but I decided to give it another chance on SVOD last week.
Some shows, when I give them a second chance, they grow on me, sadly, this is not the case with this one, I still didn’t like it.

9

Pfft, maybe third time’s a charm! :wink: It’s definitely a good idea to give things a second shot though… sometimes you end up liking things a lot more later on. I remember when I didn’t initially get into Last Exile after I saw an out of the order episode once, when I later returned to it I saw it as the masterpiece that everyone else did at the time. I truly believe environments, time and perhaps even personal states of mind at given timeframes have a strong way of coloring one’s perspective too. It’s a strange alchemy of unexplained emotions and feelings sometimes how we all react to entertainment mediums. :slight_smile:

It’s an ambitious film, but yeah, it’s not for everyone. It will appeal greatly to the mainstream and action/cool shiny visuals crowd, which is why I think Sentai and ADV made a fantastic move in getting this movie and with Appleseed Ex Machina doing so well last year, this is a good way to ride on those coattails. From a business perspective, I want to see ADV continue to get more shows to appeal to bigger crowds like these. I do want to see the sequel Ex Machina though… I hope ADV since they did the production for Warner Brothers on it… find a way to bring that to Anime Network.

Going back to this movie though, when I saw it a few years ago, I thought the production values were amazing, but it falls into the trappings for me of issues I have with Anime films… they don’t feel complete in the storytelling. As far as I’m concerned only Shinkai and Miyazaki have the ability to tell a full story within the limitations of movie’s shorter timeframes consistently. It’s a pretty good movie though not sometime that caters to my tastes that I’ll be jumping up and down about it, but for those who haven’t seen it, hopefully they now will.

I’m looking forward to watching it again though see if my views change. Right now it’s available on my VOD as a PPV title for $4 which is a big too much for me to pay… I wish I had SVOD. :frowning: I’ll likely have to wait til I can get the DVD down the line.

10

I just saw an advertisement for this on a Funimation released product.

11

[quote=Horrible]
I just saw an advertisement for this on a Funimation released product.[/quote]

Really? Now that’s odd. What product was that? Maybe that will explain it better.

Maybe something Geneon related?

12

[quote=Tonka]

[quote=Horrible]
I just saw an advertisement for this on a Funimation released product.[/quote]

Really? Now that’s odd. What product was that? Maybe that will explain it better.

Maybe something Geneon related?[/quote]

Yeah if it’s a Geneon product that Funimation is putting out that uses the same disc as the original release then that is probably why.

Anyway even though I’m not the biggest fan of this movie went ahead and pre-ordered since the audio is fixed and to support ADV.

13

I’ve been debating on ordering this myself. I do enjoy this movie, though I will admit it has it’s flaws. I just don’t know if I like it enough to buy it twice. Now if it the artwork was a little more different than the Geneon release, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

On the trailers note, I also noticed this on a Geneon/Funi disc recently, though I can’t remember which one. The closing discs of Shonen Onmyoji also include trailers for several titles that Geneon no longer distributes actively, or has lost the rights to, like Princess Racoon. It’s actually a bit sad. :frowning:

14

Black Lagoon, Second Barrage, disc 3, first pre-view.

15

[size=16]Appleseed[/size]
a worldwide online exclusive… before Blu-ray release in Japan!

16

I received a follow up press release that was issued today:

[quote]June 30, 2009—Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce the return of Appleseed to DVD! The groundbreaking anime thriller, which has been out of print for several years, hits store shelves today.

Appleseed was first released in North America by Geneon Entertainment (USA) in 2005. Based on the legendary manga series by Masamune Shirow (Ghost in the Shell, Dominion) and directed by groundbreaking filmmaker Shinji Arimaki (Bubblegum Crisis), Appleseed set a high-water mark for anime features in the 21st century.

Synopsis: Earth’s last city, Olympus, rose from the ashes of a global war on the backs of Bioroids, artificial clones who make up half the city’s population. Under the strict guidance of a supercomputer, humanity’s last survivors enjoy an idyllic peace, but only on the surface Human terrorists within the military seek a return to power and clash with the government’s ESWAT forces lead by the legendary soldier, Deunan Knute, and her boyfriend who is 75% machine. Retrieving the Appleseed will end the conflict, and Deunan alone holds its secret. The outstanding feature film based on the manga by Masamune Shirow (Ghost In the Shell), directed by Shinji Aramaki (Bubblegum Crisis), and produced by SORI features a soundtrack including Boom Boom Satelites, Paul Oakenfold, Basement Jaxx and more.

Appleseed (SRP $19.98 DVD) is a DVD-only anamorphic release presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles.

DVD Product Details

Running Time: 105 mins.
Age Rating: TV 14 (V, S, L)
CAT: SF-AP001
UPC: 702727206627
Pre-Book Date: 6/2/2009
Street Date: 6/30/2009
Format: DVD
SRP: $19.98

Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.
[/quote]

17

You say HD in the title… does this mean that you’re actually hosting it online in 720/1080p? If so, this might be the first time I’ve been interested in watching this movie in almost 4 or 5 years…

I overwatched this movie so badly awhile back that for the most part I can’t watch it anymore. Even when it was coming on on Encore or Starz I’d skip over it in a heartbeat… Mostly the cheesy feeling music in the show are what put me off the most.

18

[quote=sweetkeith]
You say HD in the title… does this mean that you’re actually hosting it online in 720/1080p? If so, this might be the first time I’ve been interested in watching this movie in almost 4 or 5 years…

I overwatched this movie so badly awhile back that for the most part I can’t watch it anymore. Even when it was coming on on Encore or Starz I’d skip over it in a heartbeat… Mostly the cheesy feeling music in the show are what put me off the most.[/quote]

Yep, Anime Network has rights to the HD content of Appleseed and The Place Promised In Our Early Days in 720p exclusively. In the case of Appleseed… before Japanese blu-ray release. Anime Network debuted Appleseed HD last week on this site for subscription members.

19

Sentai Filmworks announces its first dub, Appleseed movie - to be handled by former ADV Studios, now Seraphim Digital Studios, announces dub director: Steven Foster

More info: http://www.sxanimedia.com/2010/02/section23-films-announces-hell-girl-2.html

20

[quote=sweetkeith]
You say HD in the title… does this mean that you’re actually hosting it online in 720/1080p? If so, this might be the first time I’ve been interested in watching this movie in almost 4 or 5 years…

I overwatched this movie so badly awhile back that for the most part I can’t watch it anymore. Even when it was coming on on Encore or Starz I’d skip over it in a heartbeat… Mostly the cheesy feeling music in the show are what put me off the most.[/quote]

No matter what they do to make this high-def…it won’t fix the cheesy music, I’m sorry. :stuck_out_tongue: