S23/Sentai Filmworks/Switchblade Pictures/Maiden Japan , etc PR, News, And Announcements - 2012/2014

AN Shows
105

Per PR:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[size=16]SENTAI FILMWORKS LICENSES “DIVERGENCE EVE”.[/size]

HOUSTON, July 18, 2013 — Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce its newest acquisition: Divergence Eve! This 26 episode sci-fi epic is overseen by chief director Hiroshi Negishi (Sonic Soldier Borgman TV, Tenchi Universe TV) and features character designs by Toshinari Yamashita (Burn Up W) with sound direction by Kouji Tsujitani (Fate / stay night TV) and music by Yousuke Houga.

In the early 21st century, the discovery of the first wormhole made faster than light travel possible. However, what promised to be a gateway to the stars also proved to be a Pandora’s Box, and the process of jumping through space via parallel universes unleashed terrifying consequences. Now, a quarter millennia later, the deep space outpost Watcher’s Nest must stand on guard, defending the vanguard of humanity against attacks by the monstrous Ghoul, who emerge from alternate time streams and turn their victims into the living undead horrors known as Necromancers. For newly arriving cadets Misaki, Luxandra, Susanna and Kiri, it’s going to be an assignment in Hell as they train to become members of the elite Seraphim Squadron. Because this is a war mankind has been losing, and a new, top secret plan to take the fight back to the Ghoul may end up costing them their minds, lives and even their humanity. At the edge of known space, fighting an enemy from beyond time, the battle to keep the final frontier from becoming mankind’s final resting place has begun in DIVERGENCE EVE!

Divergence Eve will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release on bilingual DVD later this year.

About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks celebrates its 5th Anniversary as one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Sam Goody, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores. Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

106

What is an “ilingual DVD”? :smiley:

Here’s hoping that they preserve the commentary tracks from the original release. I wish I could just take it for granted that they’d include them but I’ve learned that isn’t the case…for some “reason”.

107

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=675177985842650&set=a.562082680485515.145555.111004232260031&type=1

[quote]Sentai Filmworks

Hey guys! I’m very happy to announce that Little Busters! WILL be receiving the Blu-ray treatment, and is expected to release in November, the same time as the DVD. Yay! [/quote]

108

Per PR:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[size=16]SWITCHBLADE PICTURES LOCKS UP INMATE 611 PTS. 1 & 2[/size]

HOUSTON, July 23, 2013— Switchblade Pictures returns to the wild world of Japanese Women In Prison films with the girls in chains sagas HELLHOLE: INMATE 611 and HELLCAGE: INMATE 611 Pt. 2 (Joshû 611: onna-tachi no yakata and Joshû 611: onna-tachi no gyakushû.) A pair of twisted morality plays with the moral “crime does not pay… unless you’re a lecherous prison guard,” both films were directed by Toshikazu Katsu, from screenplays by Takeshi Kunimi. Of more interest to genre fans, however, is the “Most Wanted” list of AV actresses and models who go directly to jail to brave the brutal gauntlet of bondage in the Big House, with both films sharing the lithesome lineup of cellblock sisters Kiuchi Akira, Nemoto Harumi , Kamon Youko, Asada Yoshimi and Mizutani Kei.

It’s called the House of Evils, where beasts in human flesh prowl the corridors and the most dangerous residents aren’t the luscious inmates, but the predatory guards. For the crime of assaulting her lover, Mizushima Saya has been sentenced to three years here, in the most brutal prison facility in Japan. It wasn’t supposed to be a life sentence, but unless the woman now know as Inmate 611can learn how to hold her own against both the ruthlessness of her fellow inmates and the brutal harassment of the guards, she’s got little chance of walking out the doors again with both mind and body intact. Stripped and shackled, but not yet broken, an international chain gang of red hot models and actresses prepare to march into the flames of the damned in HELLHOLE: INMATE 611! And HELLCAGE: INMATE 611 PT. 2!

HELLHOLE: INMATE 611 will be released on DVD in Japanese with English subtitles on November 19th while the DVD release of HELLCAGE: INMATE 611 PT. 2 will follow on January 28th, 2014

About Switchblade Pictures
With a growing roster of international exploitation films, Switchblade Pictures is dedicated to bringing the wildest and most unique entertainment programming to North America. Titles currently in release include the zombie cult phenomenons ATTACK GIRLS SWIM TEAM VS. THE UNDEAD and ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA, the SULTRY ASSASSIN period epics APHRODISIAC KILL and NINJA BRAINWASH, and a wide range of daring erotic, horror and comedy programming from Japan.

About Section23 Films
Section23 Films provides home video marketing and distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings. With its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the market today.

109


Looks like Sentai has now decided to start dipping their toes in the Sub BD waters.

http://www.fandompost.com/oldforums/showthread.php?23850-Section23-Films-Dec-13-slate-preview

[QUOTE=WTK]via Sentai Filmworks industry panel @ Otakon:

Releases planned for December.

Magical Play on DVD [new to Sentai; former ADV Films title]

BTOOOM!

  • Dubbed on DVD & BD
  • Includes “Digests”

Di Gi Charat OVA (Specials)

  • SUBTITLED ONLY on DVD
  • Includes:
    Summer Special (4 eps @ 10-min ea)
    Christmas Special (1 eps @ 23-min)
    Flower Viewing Special (4 eps @ 10-min ea) [Ohanami]
    Summer Vacation Special (4 eps @ 11-min ea) [Natsuyasumi]
    Rainy Season Special [not exactly sure what this is]

Girls und Panzer TV Collection

  • Dubbed on DVD & BD
  • Episodes 5.5 & 10.5 will be included, but not dubbed
  • Sentai DOES have the OVAs, but they will be released separately

Humanity Has Declined

  • SUBTITLED ONLY buT on DVD & BD
  • Shorts are included

Kokoro Connect OVA

  • Dubbed on DVD & BD

Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 1

  • SUBTITLED ONLY but on DVD & BD

Say “I Love You”

  • Dubbed on DVD & BD

So, I Can’t Play H

  • SUBTITLED ONLY but on DVD & BD[/QUOTE]
110

It’s a little sad to see that Humanity has Declined is not getting dub, but the blow is softened somewhat by the bluray offering. I figured they would experiment with some subonly bluray offerings in the future, but I wasn’t expecting three in one month. I’m guessing these are more of an experiment and their success or failure will decide whether more shows will get offered this way.

It also makes me wonder if their recent months of pretty much everything getting dubbed was not also an experiment.

111

[quote=“dragonrider_cody”]
It also makes me wonder if their recent months of pretty much everything getting dubbed was not also an experiment.[/quote]

That’s good point, I hadn’t really thought about that until you brought it up.
That would also account for some of the more odd dubbing choices as of recent months.

112

Guys, not cool to remind me of that the Golden Era of “the Sentai Rule” has ended, that bluray no longer equals dub. I suffered through it at the panel. The lone muffled Darth Vader-esque cry of “NOOOOOOO” that you might have heard, the lone counter to all the many dub-haters there (Otakon brings them out of the woodwork) cheering this “sub only” announcement, that was me. Ugh.

I bought 2 more copies of Persona 4 BD as a protest vote. I’d like to see the sub-only stuff left to NISA and RightStuf. As was established at the panel, NISA and RightStuf will do a sub-only bluray better than Sentai will. Brutal.

On the plus side I now know that Btooom! will get a dub and is still on the radar with that December release.

I was kinda looking forward to a dub for So I can’t play H and Humanity has Declined as they struck me as shows that Sentai could hit out of the park with a dub.

Also, if the Di Gi Charat “specials” OVA does not have the word “special” listed 6 times on the cover then we should mass protest after that panel lol.

113

Hmmm…so what happened to Upotte!!
It did come out before G&P, yet not a mention of it anywhere, not even a sub-only release.
Oh well…

As for sub-only BDs…sure, why not. This might also give them a reason to release some of those Tatsunoko releases sub-only on BD as well.

[quote=dragonrider_cody]
It also makes me wonder if their recent months of pretty much everything getting dubbed was not also an experiment.[/quote]

I can see that, especially since it might help them figure out which genres are better sellers with dubs.

114

[quote=“tonka”]
Hmmm…so what happened to Upotte!! [/quote]

Kadokawa happened to it most likely.
Considering how they played around with the FUNi licenses, I’m actually rather surprised Another wasn’t pushed back even farther, since Kadokawa released a JP BD box set not too long ago.

115

Really don’t understand why the extra episodes for Girls und Panzer aren’t dubbed (unless it’s because of the license). What price point are the sub only BD’s going to be at?

116

So, GuP is getting the Night Raid treatment… Eh, those two specials were boring anyway.

117

[quote=“Series5Ranger”]
What price point are the sub only BD’s going to be at?[/quote]

We won’t know for sure until the December solicitations come out later this month.

118

[quote=“TheCoffeeGod”]

[quote=“Series5Ranger”]
What price point are the sub only BD’s going to be at?[/quote]

We won’t know for sure until the December solicitations come out later this month.[/quote]

I’m gonna take a guess. Let’s look at the DVDs, at Right Stuf: for newer shows
Kill Me Baby (hybrid)
Retail: $59.98
Your: $44.99
Tari Tari
Retail: $44.98
Your. :$37.49

$15 difference retail price wise.
If it’s the same BD wise then,

BD
Mysterious Girlfriend X(hybrid)
Retail: $69.98
Your : $52.49
New sub-only BD
Retail: $54.98
Your :$45.49

Plus, don’t forget sales events and weekly specials. Again, me just guessing… :blink:

119

[size=15]Sentai Filmworks Rescues Several Former Bandai Titles[/size]

You didn’t think that we would leave Otakon 2013 without a basket of new titles, did you?

Sentai Filmworks, in partnership with Sunrise, is very excited to be a part of such a momentous occasion for North American anime fans. In perhaps the biggest licensing acquisition in our company’s young history, we are proud to announce that the following titles will be a part of the Sentai Filmworks anime catalog:

Brain Powered
Betterman
Z-MIND
Argento Soma
Zega Pain
The Girl Who Leapt Through Space
Infinite Ryvius
Kurokami: The Animation
Sacred Seven (NOTE: Never before released in the US)
s-CRY-ed
The Big O
The Big O II

Some of you may remember a number of these titles airing on Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The rest of the catalog comes with the same pedigree and dedication that you have come to know from Sunrise, and which has brought forth such classics as s-CRY-ed and the Big O. Sacred Seven in particular has never been released here in the US, and we are very excited to see it flourish within the North American community. We are honored to bring these shows back to prominence, and will have more details on them as they become available.

Sentai Filmworks

120


How sad.
Not a single one that I was actually interested in for Bandai rescues.

121

Unfortunately, most of the Bandai series I was interested in I already have. I’ve always heard Infinite Ryvius is an excellent show, so I picked it up a few months ago. These seem to be pretty solid additions to their catalog though.

123

I am so happy Sentai is going to start releasing sub-only blu-rays I don’t even care its sub-only.

124

Of the Sunrise titles, I was hoping beyond hope that Sentai would pull off Code Geass, but in the end I knew FUNi would get it (which they did).

Next on the list (non-Sunrise) would be Haruhi.

Other than those two, I really have no interest in any of the Bandai titles.

-edit-

[quote=“chrisc”]
I am so happy Sentai is going to start releasing sub-only blu-rays I don’t even care its sub-only.[/quote]

It’s only an experiment at the moment, anything beyond these three will be determined by how well these do for them.

125

It will be interesting to see who grabs Haruhi. I’m sure they both want it, though it seems to fit better in Sentai’s catalog, especially given the taste for KyoAni titles.