News

Death Parade Released on Monday

On Monday December 13, Funimation will release the series Death Parade as a Blu-ray/DVD and a Limited Blu-ray; the Limited edition includes six art cards, and a 40-page art book. Funimation has described the series:

When two people die at the same time, they're sent to a place that's neither heaven nor hell: a lavish bar between worlds where the stakes are high and the rules are simple: if you win you live again, if you die you're gone for good.

Decim is the bartender charged with serving the souls who enter Quindecim. He may make a mean cocktail, but his true profession is to play the role of arbiter: a judge who determines whether or not a soul is worthy of reincarnation.

To aid in his judgment, the bar's patrons are forced to play simple games laced with sadistic twists designed to bring their true natures to light. To Decim, judgment has always been black and white -- that is until he meets a mysterious young woman whose fate seems impossible to decide. His indecision shakes the very foundation of the games and raises the biggest question of all: who is fit to judge the dead?

The anime premiered in January 2015. Yuzuru Tachikawa directed the series at Madhouse, and as with the original Death Billiards short that inspired this anime, he also provided the scripts, original concept, and storyboards. Shinichi Kurita also returned as character designer and animation director.

Anime Limited will release a Collectors Blu-ray edition of Mawaru Penguindrum, including an 84-page book with creator comments, artwork, designs and key animation.

The story centres around three siblings, twins Kanba and Shouma, and their ill sister, Himari Takakura. Himari passes away after going out on a trip with her brothers but is soon miraculously brought back to life by a spirit thriving in a penguin-shaped hat. In return for her extended life, the twins must search for an item known as the Penguindrum with the aid of three penguins which are visible only to the siblings.

Mawaru Penguindrum was Kunihiko Ikuhara's first major work since directing Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie in 1999. The series was released in 2011, runs for 24 episodes and was produced by Brains Base. Lily Hoshino provided the original character design and Yukari Hashimoto (Sankarea, Toradora!) handled the music.

Anime Limited will release the second volume of Demon Slayer as a standard Blu-ray.

Funimation will release the second volume of its Blu-ray edition of Robotech, including "The Masters Saga" arc which was adapted from the 1984 anime series Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross.