Akira Blu-ray to Be Released in U.S. by Bandai Entertainment under “Honneamise” Label; Simultaneous Release in Japan (Updated)

Update: Streamline Pictures' international videotape version of Akira was released in 1990, but the film opened in Japan in 1988. ANN apologizes for reproducing this error. The press release below has not been corrected, as it is not our text. Thanks, "mrsatyre" for bringing this error to our attention.

September 26, 2008 – Bandai Entertainment, INC. announced today that it will release the Akira Blu-ray under the “Honneamise” label on February 24, 2009 for at the SRP of $49.98.

For many fans, AKIRA is the film that introduced the world of anime to the western audience. Directed by Katsuhiro Ōtomo from his own bestselling manga, it became an international sensation when the film was first released in 1990. Even now, AKIRA stands as a monument of exceptional animation and is certainly one of the most influential anime ever.

The AKIRA Blu-ray will feature visuals from a new Hi-Def transfer made from original materials and include English and Japanese audio and with optional English and Japanese subtitles. In an industry first, the disc will also contain a 192 KHz 24 bit audio stream.

Additional specs are as follows (subject to change):

--Blu-ray Disc /Color/124 min. / Japanese & English audio tracks* / Japanese & English subtitles
*Japanese audio for main feature only will be 192 kHz 24bit

--Dolby True HD (5.1ch), Linear PCM (Dolby Surround) / AVC/BD50G / 16:9 <1080p High Definition>

--Bonus Material: Teaser No.1, Teaser No.2, TV Commercial, Trailer No.1, Trailer No.2, Storyboards

--Bonus Item: Special 20p Booklet

About Bandai Entertainment, INC.
Bandai Entertainment, INC. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD and programming for television broadcast in North America. Titles include Code Geass Lelouch of Rebellion, Gurren Lagaan, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Escaflowne, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Gundam Seed Destiny, My Hime, and many more.

About HONNEAMISE
HONNEAMISE (pronounced “Oh-Nee-A-Meese”) refers to a kingdom located in an imaginary planet similar to earth. That kingdom became the setting for the first Bandai Group film production “Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise,” in 1987 and is the name of the premium label for Bandai Visual's domestic and international releases.