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Bandai's August DVD Releases

Cypress, CA (June 5, 2003) -- Bandai Entertainment, the premiere distributor of Japanese animation DVD's in North America, announced exciting new August DVD releases that include Kikaider, Junkers Come Here, Saber Marionette J - Ultimate Collection, Argentosoma -- Outside Sanity, and Banner of the Stars II.

Kikaider
From the original creator of KAMEN RIDER and POWER RANGERS - Kikaider is primed and ready to premiere on Cartoon Network's hit Adult Swim action block this summer. With an already huge fan following for the original Kikaida live action series, fans across the country are set to experience a whole new look of old school action combined with new school anime.

The genius robotics professor, Dr. Komyoji has created Kikaider, a humanoid robot gifted with the 'conscience circuit' enabling Kikaider to simulate real emotions and distinguish between "right and wrong." Can Dr. Komyoji's children protect Kikaider from the darkness of evil? Can anyone stop the rampage of Dr. Gill and his army of androids? The fight against world domination lies in the hands of Kikaider.

The Kikaider DVD offers the following features:

  • Collectible Embossed Foil DVD Cover
  • Broadcast on CARTOON NETWORK - Summer 2003.
  • Full Line of Collector's Statues available from BANDAI CREATION
  • Interactive Animated Menus
  • English/Japanese Language
  • English subtitles Option
  • DVD Extras: Illustration Gallery and Trailers

CATALOG #: 669198217098
RUNNING TIME: 100 min.
RATING: 13UP
GENRE: Sci-Fi / Action
SRP PRICE: $29.98
STREET DATE: August 5, 2003
PRE-BOOK DATE: June 24, 2003

Junkers Come Here (Theatrical Feature)
From the animation director of Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaa: The Valley of the Wind, directed by Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon), and Official Selection by the Japanese Ministry of Education - With a limited theatrical release in North America and screenings at numerous film festivals across the country, fans and film critics alike have hailed Junkers Come Here as a modern day fairy tale for the whole family. Chris Wyatt of "Cinescape" magazine states, "JUNKERS COME HERE is a delightful anime feature film with a similar sensibility to the Oscar-winning SPIRITED AWAY. This one's going to be a classic."

Hiromi Nozawa is a young girl growing up in a home where both of her parents are busy and are seldom home. Her most trusted companion is her dog, Junkers. But this is no ordinary dog! Gifted with the ability to speak and do human-like tasks, this canine is civil enough to use the toilet and, like some of us, won't miss his favorite TV show for the world. When things at home start to go wrong, Hiromi learns that she needs to grow up fast but also realizes that life has a pretty unique sense of humor.

The Junkers Come Here DVD offers the following features:

  • Limited Theatrical Release in North America (Premiere at the Egpytian Theater in Hollywood, CA)
  • Interactive Animated Menus
  • Dolby Digital Surround Sound
  • English/Japanese Language
  • English subtitles Option
  • DVD Extras include -- Art Gallery, Interviews, Trailer with English Subtitles, and Pilot Film with English Subtitles

CATALOG #: 669198223594
RUNNING TIME: 105
RATING: 7UP
GENRE: Family
SRP PRICE: $29.98
STREET DATE: August 19, 2003
PRE-BOOK DATE: July 8, 2003

Saber Marionette J - Ultimate Collection Limited Edition
Originally released in 1998 as part of the first wave of anime titles under Bandai Entertainment's online brand - AnimeVillage.com, The Saber Marionette J franchise has gone on to become one of the best selling and most beloved anime in both Japan and North America. The Saber Marionette J Ultimate Collection will be released as an extremely limited box set (only 5,000 pcs made), each box set will be individually autographed by Saber Marionette J co-creator and character designer, Mr. Tsukasa Kotobuki.

Welcome to Japoness, an all male society, where the only females are high performance emotionless androids known as "marionettes." Martial arts student and all around nice guy, Otaru, accidentally discover and wakes a coquettish marionette named Lime. He soon learns that Lime is very different from other marionettes. After waking two more emotion filled marionettes, Cherry and Bloodberry - Otaru and friends will face tough challenges ahead as they battle the evil Faust and his Saber Dolls. Can Otaru rise up to the challenge while teaching the marionettes about human emotions?

The Saber Marionette J - Ultimate DVD Collection offers the following features:

  • LIMITED to only 5,000 pcs made
  • Each Box Set will individually signed by co-creator and character designer, Tsukasa Kotobuki
  • Collects all three Saber Marionette J Series
    • SMJ
    • SMJ Again
    • SMJ to X
  • Interactive Animated Menus
  • Dolby Digital Surround Sound
  • English/Japanese/Spanish Language - Saber Marionette J and J Again
  • English/Japanese language - Saber Marionette J to X
  • English subtitles Option
  • DVD Extras include:
    • Extras: Interviews with Tsukasa Kotobuki
    • Music Videos
    • SMJ Databank
    • Image Gallery
    • Textless Opening/Endings
    • Saber Marionette Commercial Collection
    • Exclusive Man and Machine Video Clip
    • The Making of Saber Marionette J to X

CATALOG #: 669198049996
RUNNING TIME: 1400 Min.
RATING: 13UP
GENRE: Comedy/Action
SRP PRICE: $199.98
STREET DATE: August 19, 2003
PRE-BOOK DATE: July 8, 2003

Argentosoma -- Outside Sanity (V.4)
One of the best selling sci-fi series of the year! After another fierce battle, the men and women of Funeral work diligently in their attempts to repair the base while at the same time struggle with attempts to try and revive Frank from its coma. Coming under heavy fire from another attack by the aliens, Ryu must deal with his past, present, and future with a startling secret threatening to destroy the pilots' faith in Funeral.

The Argentosoma -- Outside Sanity (V.4) offers the following features:

  • Interactive Animated Menus
  • Dolby Digital Surround Sound
  • English/Japanese Language
  • English subtitles Option
  • DVD Extras:
    • Argentosoma Tech Files
    • Character Gallery

CATALOG #: 669198225390
RUNNING TIME: 100 Min
RATING: 13UP
GENRE: Sci-Fi
SRP PRICE: $29.98
STREET DATE: August 5, 2003
PRE-BOOK DATE: June 24, 2003

Banner of the Stars II - Vol. 1
Based on the best selling novel by Hiroyuki Morioka, Banner of the Stars continues the epic sci-fi series Crest of the Stars. Imperial Calendar Year 956. Operation Phantom Flame has come to an end and has been hailed as a complete success. Now, the Imperial forces have embarked on a new plan, codenamed Operation Hunter. Their task: to hunt down and destroy any remaining enemy forces. With Lafiel's new title as Territorial Ambassador, life has been rather boring... until now. When they arrive at the recently captured planet of Lobnas, Jinto and Lafiel realize that Lobnas was once a prison planet, and now that the Abh have taken control, it has now become their problem.

Banner of the Stars II Vol. 1 offers the following features:

  • Interactive Animated Menus
  • Dolby Digital Surround Sound
  • English/Japanese Language
  • English subtitles Option
  • DVD Extras:
    • Production Art Gallery
    • Newsletter of the Stars
    • Special Reversible Cover

CATALOG #: 669198218392
RUNNING TIME: 100 min.
RATING: 13UP
GENRE: Sci-Fi
SRP PRICE: $29.98
STREET DATE: August 19, 2003
PRE-BOOK DATE: July 8, 2003

ABOUT BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT

Bandai Entertainment Inc. is the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD home video in North America.

The company has distributed notable titles like Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop, and Outlaw Star. Bandai Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Bandai America Inc., who makes the toys for the hit television series, Power Rangers, Digimon, and Mobile Suit Gundam. All U.S. operations are headquartered in a large, ultra-modern facility in Cypress, Calif. Bandai Co., Ltd is the third largest toy company in the world comprising 53 subsidiaries in 18 countries. In addition to toys and children's entertainment, Bandai Co.'s global interests include video game software, multimedia, music and full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies, and licensed apparel.

Bandai Entertainment is headquartered in Cypress, California and additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.

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