Bandai Announces October 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Bandai has sent us over their October 2011 release schedule. The Sept release of Girl Who Leapt Through Space Part #3 has now been pushed into October. So with that said, here's what's coming:

Tales of the Abyss , Part #1 DVD (Eps #1-6) - Oct 11
Tales of the Abyss , Part #1 Limited Edition DVD (Eps #1-6) - Oct 11
Girl Who Leapt Through Space Part #3 DVD - Sep 13 to Oct 18

And yes, I am aware that their entire October release slate is made up of previously announced titles that they re-scheduled into October. Times are tough, what can I say...

Chaos Head Coming November 29th - Now Available for Pre-Order!

We'll, someone at Funimation was listening to me when I criticized their lack of new material for November. They announced today that they have added the DVD/BD combo release of Chaos Head and have set a street date of November 29th. We have it up for pre-order now:

Chaos Head Complete Collection DVD/BD Combo Set (Eps #1-12) (Limited Edition)

We're offering the Limited Edition set in pre-order for a regular price of 36% off MSRP, so be sure to get your order in today!

Media Blasters December 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Media Blasters has sent over their December 2011 release schedule, and we now have them up on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

MazinKaiser SKL (BLURAY) - Dec 6
Twelve Kingdoms Part 3 : A Great Distance in the Wind, the Sky at Dawn BLURAY (Eps #34-45) - Dec 13

Just a heads up, MB has not been too reliable on their release dates as of late, especially their BD release dates. While I hope they do, don't expect any of these to ship on time - especially if you are thinking of giving one as a holiday gift.

Funimation's November Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Funimation has sent us over their November sales book a little early this month, and we now have it up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

Dragonball Z Movie Pack #1 (Movies #1-5) DVD - Nov 8
Dragon Ball Z Level 1.1 (BLURAY) - Nov 8
Initial D Second & Third Stage Season 2 + Movie DVD Boxed Set (Eps #27-39 + OVA + Movie) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Nov 8
Mushishi Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Nov 8
Romeo X Juliet Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Nov 8
Blassreiter Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Nov 15
Love Hina Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-25) (Classic Collection) - Nov 15
Shuffle Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Nov 15
Fairy Tail Collection #1 DVD/BD Combo Set (Limited Edition) - Nov 22
Hetalia (Axis Powers) Paint It, White the Movie DVD (Limited Edition) - Nov 22
Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Nov 29
One Piece Collection #3 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #53-78) (Uncut) - Nov 29
Yu Yu Hakusho Season 4 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #85-112) (BLURAY) (Classic Collection) - Nov 29
Yu Yu Hakusho OVA (Eizou Hakusho) DVD Set - Nov 29

My thoughts? Well, I thought their Nov schedule would be a little better (it will be the holiday season after all), but it's mostly another slate of S.A.V.E. and Classic Collection re-releases. I'm sorry to say but it's pretty clear that, ex Navarre, we are dealing with a company diminished. Anime is a tough business folks. Still, we are going to get the first half of Fairy Tail and the Hetalia Movie (though Paint it White is not being offered on BD at this time). We are also finally going to start getting original DBZ episodes on BluRay, though frankly after Kai I have to wonder how many fans will be ready to spend money on yet another release of DBZ - especially one that's only 17 eps at a time. Around here we think the next logical step would have been to publish the mythical 'Deluxe Limited Edition FULL DBZ Boxed Set' that everyone has been waiting more than 10 years for - you know, the entire 291 eps all in one Super Deluxe package. Then Funi could FINALLY, and I mean FINALLY, put DBZ in the rear view mirror. I guess we'll never see that in my lifetime though. ~sigh~ The re-release of BGC 2040 was a bit of a surprise, and a welcome one as those episodes have been off the market since ADV went under in 2009. One final note: we'll only be offering the limited edition version of the Hetalia movie up front, but we're going to price it at what the reg edition would sell for anyway. I think the LE is the one most of you will want, so that's the one we are going to offer in pre-order.

Bandai Announces September 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Bandai has sent us over their September 2011 release schedule, and we now have them available on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

K-On! Vol #3 DVD - Sep 13
K-On! Vol #3 (BLURAY) - Sep 13
Mobile Suit Gundam Complete Collection 1 DVD Boxed Set (Anime Legends) - Sep 13
Girl Who Leapt Through Space Part #3 DVD - Sep 13
Melancholy of Haruhi: Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Movie DVD/BD Combo Pack - Sep 20
Melancholy of Haruhi: Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Movie DVD - Sep 20

Couple notes: It's nice to see original Gundam FINALLY get a Legends Release - this one is way overdue! Keep in mind that Bandai is releasing this schedule to retailers only about 6 weeks before the first releases are supposed to street, so there is a good chance some of these will be delayed later on. We've priced the Haruhi Movie BD/DVD combo version very low to encourage folks to order that version rather than the standard DVD release as we would rather not stock a lot of that version.

Media Blasters October 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Media Blasters has sent over their October 2011 release schedule, and we now have them up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

Twelve Kingdoms Part 2 : Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Maze BLURAY (Ep #15-33) - Oct 11
Ikki Tousen Great Guardians , Vol #2 DVD (Eps #7-12) - Oct 25

Just a heads up, the Great Guardians DVD's include the OVA episodes as extras. Vol #1 contains OVA ep #1-3 and Vol #2 contains ep #4-6.

Media Blasters November 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

We got a sneak peek at Media Blasters November 2011 releases today, and have gone ahead and put them up on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

Squid Girl (Shinryaku! Ika Musume) Collection #2 DVD (Eps #7-12) - Nov 15
Bakuman DVD Collection #1 (Eps #1-7) - Nov 29

Bakuman Synopsis: Moritaka Mashiro, a junior high school student, content to live out a relatively normal life as any other does, is persuaded by his classmate, Akito Takagi, to become an aspiring mangaka when the latter realizes his natural talent as an artist. However, Moritaka is reluctant to pursue his dream as his uncle, once a mangaka with his own serializations, died from overwork trying to regain his lost status. With Akito's help, Takagi gets another classmate and his school crush, Azuki Miho, who is an aspiring voice actress, to voice in the anime adaptation of their future manga once it is completed. However, Mashiro also proposes to Azuki, who surprisingly accepts only on the condition she will marry him when both of them have achieved their dreams. With a goal set before him, Mashiro begins a long and struggling path to become a famous mangaka.

Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds DVD & BD - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Warner finally sent over the retailer sell sheets for the upcoming Naruto Shippuden: Bonds movie, and we now have it available for pre-order:

Naruto: Shippuden Bonds the Movie DVD - Oct 25
Naruto: Shippuden Bonds the Movie (BLURAY) - Oct 25

The 90 minute movie will street on both DVD and BD formats on October 25th, and will be the first Naruto release on BD in North America!

Synopsis: A group of mysterious flying ninja have arrived from overseas to launch a sudden attack against the Hidden Leaf Village, leaving behind a wake of destruction. The group is revealed to be the “Sky Ninja” from the Land of Sky, a nation thought to have been destroyed by the Hidden Leaf Village long ago. To save their village, Naruto and his friends set out to stop this new threat. During the course of the mission, Naruto crosses paths with Sasuke, his friend who has parted ways from the Leaf Village...

Section 23 October 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Section 23 has sent over their October 2011 release schedule and we've now got them posted to the store site for pre-order. Here's what coming:

Glass Maiden Complete Collection DVD (Eps #1-12) - Oct 4
La Corda d'Oro ~ Primo Passo DVD Complete Collection (Eps #1-26) - Oct 4
Kobato Collection #2 DVD (Eps #13-24) - Oct 11
Princess Tutu Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) - Oct 11
Hell Girl Two Mirrors (Season 2) Complete Collection (Eps #1-26) - Oct 18
Ray Complete Collection DVD (Eps #1-13) - Oct 18
Himawari! Season 1 Collection DVD (Eps #1-13) - Oct 25

Funimation's October Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Funimation has sent us their October sales book this morning, and we now have it up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

Negima Season 2 DVD Boxed Set (S.A.V.E Edition) - Oct 4
Dragon Ball Z Dragonbox DVD Set #7 - Oct 11
Initial D First Stage Season 1 Set (Eps #1-26) (S.A.V.E.) - Oct 11
Bamboo Blade TV DVD Boxed Set (Eps # 1-24) (S.A.V.E.) - Oct 18
Darker Than Black Season 2 Complete DVD/BD Combo Set (Eps # 27-38 + OVA's) (Limited First Pressing) - Oct 18
Dragonball Z Kai Season 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) - Oct 18
Full Metal Panic the Second Raid Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Oct 18
Full Metal Panic the Second Raid Complete Collection Boxed Set (BLURAY) (Classic Collection) - Oct 18
Witchblade Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24 ) (Classic Collection) - Oct 25
Witchblade Complete Collection oxed Set (Eps #1-24 ) (BLURAY) (Classic Collection) - Oct 25

Frankly, this is a little disappointing. Clearly October will be more about lowering the price of stuff Funi had already published than getting much new material on the street. Other than the 2nd season of Darker than Black, there is really not much to show here. Not a great way to kick off the 4th quarter if you ask me. Hopefully November will be better.

NIS America September / October 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

NIS America has sent us over their September and October 2011 releases, and we now have them available on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

Katanagatari Box Set 2 Premium Edition DVD/BD Combo Set (Eps #7-12) - Sep 20
Kimi ni Todoke Premium Edition DVD Collection #1 (Eps #1-12) - Oct 25

Both of these are premium editions, however, Kimi ni Todoke will be like previous NIS sets and be a DVD only release for now, unlike Katanagatari which is a DVD/BD combo set.

The 2nd Katanagatari DVD/BD premium edition includes a full color 32 page hardcover art book, featuring vivid, unique art work that conveys a story by itself, quest guides including character information, and song lyrics from quests 7 through 12. A detailed glossary was added to the art book in order to provide a deeper understanding of Japanese history and the traditional terminology used throughout the show. Go deeper into the minds of those who hold the Klesha Bringers and learn more about the inner-workings of Shikizaki Kiki and Katanagatari with the beautiful full-color artbook that comes with the Premium Edition of Katanagatari volume 2!

The Kimi ni Todoke DVD premium edition includes a full color 28 page hardcover artbook, featuring character information and Sawako’s most cherished memories. Get inside her head and experience the story of Volume 1 through Sawako’s memories!

Media Blasters September 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Media Blasters has sent over their September 2011 release schedule, and we now have them available on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

Queen's Blade 2: The Evil Eye Series Complete Collection (Eps #1-12) (BLURAY) - Sep 13
Squid Girl (Shinryaku! Ika Musume) Collection #1 DVD (Eps #1-6) - Sep 27

Media Blasters product setup indicates the Queens Blade 2 BD as Region 'A'. Squid Girl will be bilingual so it will include an English dub.

Synopsis: Squid Girl has come to the land from the depths of the sea to conquer humanity for its pollution of the ocean. Unfortunately she ruins the first house she uses as an invasion base and has to work to pay for repairs. Of course, she can't overcome the Aizawa sisters who manage the house, so who knows whether she can subjugate humankind.

Bandai Announces August 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Bandai has finally sent us over their August 2011 release schedule, and we now have them available on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya Nyoron! Churuya-san! Part 2 DVD Aug 2
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie (A Wakening of the Trailblazer) DVD/BD Combo Pack Aug 9

Now, this is just my professional opinion, but since Bandai got this mailer out to retailers about a month late (we should be getting their Sept schedule about now), I really don't see how it's possible for them to meet either one of these street dates given that they are taking orders from retailers so close to the first street date. You just can't make and deliver these things that quickly. I imagine both of these will eventually get delayed back into September. If they do come on time, great, but I doubt it.

Section 23 September 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Section 23 has sent over their September 2011 release schedule and we've now got them posted to the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

To Love Ru Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) - Sep 6
MM! Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) - Sep 13
Amagami SS Collection #1 DVD (Eps #1-12) - Sep 20
Lady Death (BLURAY) - Sep 20
Mardock Scramble: The First Compression DVD - Sep 27

One note. Sentai indicated that both MM! and Amagami SS will "most likely" initially have only English subtitles, but also said that Demon King Daimao was going to be subtitled-only too until Sentai decided to give it an English dub and a BD release based on good streaming statistics. So we'll see what the final product looks like. :-)

Ikki Tousen Great Guardians Coming in August!

Media Blasters has sent over their August release schedule which will include the first volume of Ikki Tousen Great Guardians. We now have it up on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

Otoboku: Maidens Are Falling For Me Complete DVD Box (Lite Box) - Aug 9
Ikki Tousen Great Guardians , Vol #1 DVD (Eps #1-6) - Aug 30

Ikki Tousen Great Guardians
With the climactic re-creation of the Battle of Red Cliffs ending much as it did centuries ago, life has once again returned to normal for those who've inherited the destiny of the Three Kingdoms. However, the gap left by Sousou's defeat is soon filled by the appearance of faces new and old. As the schools adjust to the new additions, Genpou Saji appears to be once again plotting something from the shadows...

Funimation's September 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Funimation has sent over their September release schedule, and we now have it up on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

Black Blood Brothers Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Sep 6
Black Blood Brothers Complete Collection Boxed Set (BLURAY) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Sep 6
Burst Angel (Bakuretsu Tenshi) Complete DVD Boxed Set (Classic Edition) - Sep 6
Burst Angel (Bakuretsu Tenshi) Complete Boxed Set (BLURAY) (Classic Edition) - Sep 6
Yu Yu Hakusho Season 3 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #57-84) (BLURAY) (Classic Collection) - Sep 6
Dragonball Z Kai Season 1 Part 6 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #66-78) - Sep 13
Dragonball Z Kai Season 1 Part 6 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #66-78) (BLURAY) - Sep 13
Dragon Ball Z Dragonbox DVD Set #7 - Sep 13
Vandread Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (26 Eps + OVAs) (Classic Edition) - Sep 13
Xenosaga Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Sep 13
Corpse Princess (Shikabane Hime) Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) - Sep 27
One Piece Collection #2 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #27-52) (Uncut) - Sep 27
Shin-Chan (Crayon Shinchan) Season 3 Part #2 DVD Collection (Eps #65-77) - Sep 27
Trigun Badlands Rumble (Motion Picture) DVD - Sep 27
Trigun Badlands Rumble (Motion Picture) (BLURAY) - Sep 27

At least we are getting Trigun Badlands - which they announced at AX 'LAST' summer. Good grief it takes a long time to get these titles on the street. Aside from that, the one other thing I have to say is that Funimation should get an award for being one of the greenest companies on the planet - they sure do know how to RECYCLE... -_^ HEH.

Trigun Badlands Rumble
20 years after meddling into the bank heist of a notorious robber named Gasback, Vash the Stampede is heading towards Macca City. Rumors say that the legendary thief might appear there causing an enormous influx of bounty hunters in the area who want to collect the $$300,000,000 prize for his head.

Viz's September Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Viz has sent us their September release schedule, and we now have them up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

Bleach DVD Collection #10 Boxed Set Uncut) - Sep 6
Kekkaishi Collection DVD Boxed Set #2 (Eps #14-26) - Sep 13
Vampire Knight Guilty Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) - Sep 20

Toradora Standard Editions - Now Available for Pre-Order!

NIS is working hard to have something special on tap in time for AX, and Friday they announced Standard Editions of Toradora for release July 5th alongside the already announced standard version of Wagnaria.

We now have them available for pre-order:

Toradora! Collection 1 Standard Edition DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13)
Toradora! Collection 2 Standard Edition DVD Boxed Set (Eps #14-26)

Set #1 will contain as bonus material: Toradora! SOS! Hurray for Gourmands #1 - Gobbling up little lives, Lumpy and Delicious - Viva Tarako Spaghetti; Toradora! SOS! Hurray for Gourmands #2 - Sweets for Kids, aka Pudding, High purine? Or low purine?; Clean OP/ED

Set #2 will contain as bonus material: Toradora! SOS! Hurray for Gourmands #3 - In India, Right Hand for Curry, Left for the Bathroom, Keep Dragging On, The Way of Curry!; Toradora! SOS! Hurray for Gourmands #4 - Don't be judgmental!, It's what everyone loves and cherishes, pink and fatty corned beef.; Clean OP/ED; Clean ED from EP19, 21, 24, 25

Each set will also include a small story guide leaflet.

Funimation's August Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Funimation has sent us their August sales book today, and we now have their August releases up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

Casshern Sins Complete DVD/BLURAY Combo Set (Eps #1-24) - Aug 2
Eden of the East Movie 2: Paradise Lost DVD / BLURAY Combo Set - Aug 2
Spice and Wolf Season 1 Complete BLURAY Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) - Aug 2
Spice and Wolf Season 2 Complete DVD / BLURAY Combo Set (Eps #14-26) (LE) - Aug 2
Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE Season 2 DVD Box Set (Eps #27-52) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Aug 2
Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE S2 BLURAY Box Set (Eps #27-52) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Aug 2
Ah! My Goddess TV Season 2 Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Aug 9
Girls Bravo Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (Re-Release) - Aug 16
Sgt Frog (Keroro Gunso) Season 3 Part 2 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #65-77) - Aug 16
Peacemaker Kurogane Complete DVD Boxed Set (Classics Collection) - Aug 30
Shin-Chan (Crayon Shinchan) Season 3 Part #2 DVD Collection (Eps #65-77) - Aug 30

Gantz Live Action DVD & BLURAY Coming Aug 30th

Warner Home Video has announced Viz's release of the Gantz Live Action movie on DVD and BluRay coming August 30th. We have it up on the site now for pre-order:

Gantz Movie DVD / BLURAY Combo (Live Action)
Gantz Movie DVD (Live Action)

Synopsis: Kei Kurono and his childhood friend Masaru Kato attempt to save a man who has fallen onto the train tracks but are run down by an oncoming train. However, rather than finding themselves dead, they are transported to a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb known as ‘GANTZ’. Along with others there, they are provided weaponry and sent on missions to battle alien beings. Is this world, which tests your will to survive, a game or reality?