FUNimation Entertainment Announces Acquisition of Anime Movie Vexille
Long Awaited Vexille Opens in Theatres Worldwide in August,
U.S. Release Expected In 2008
Fort Worth, TX – July 25, 2007 – FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, and the market share leader for home entertainment sales of Japanese animation in the U.S., has acquired varied rights in North America and Latin America to Shochiku Co. Ltd.'s cg-animated Vexille.
Director Fumihiko Sori and the team behind the 2004 big-screen version of “Appleseed” (the 1985 manga that went to spawn four volumes as well as two animated shows prior to the 2004 theatrical release by Shinji Aramaki) have reunited to create Vexille. In addition, Paul Oakenfold of The Matrix Reloaded has created the score for the film written by Haruka Handa.
A dark, futuristic CGI anime about illegal robotics research and set in 2067 Japan, the story follows Japan's isolation after the United Nations bans further research on robotic technology out of concerns of a threat to mankind. The U.S. has intelligence that Japan is developing the banned technology and dispatches a team led by a female commander named Vexille on a secret mission to determine Japan's ambitions.
"The success of CG-animated films has definitely opened the market for a new breed of animated films, in terms of technology and concept," said Teruki Matsumoto, managing director of Shochiku's motion picture operations.
Before its worldwide theatrical release, the Locarno Film Festival (Aug. 1-11) will kick off with the world premiere of Vexille. FUNimation Entertainment will also showcase the action thriller at North American Film Festivals in 2008.
FUNimation Entertainment will bring Vexille to U.S. theatres and DVD in 2008.
About Shochiku
Founded in 1895, Shochiku functions as a highly-tuned vertically integrated entertainment entity, encompassing feature film and television production, theatrical distribution of Japanese and foreign motion pictures, worldwide sales, exhibition, DVD and home video distribution and the Kabuki Theater.
Shochiku operates one of the most successful motion picture divisions in Japan. The company has produced a number of critically and financially successful films, including the 2004 Academy Award ® nominee for best foreign language film, The Twilight Samurai, directed by Yoji Yamada. The first Japanese Academy Award ® nomination for a live-action film in 22 years (http://www.Shochiku Films.com)
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre, is a brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.
U.S. Release Expected In 2008
Fort Worth, TX – July 25, 2007 – FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, and the market share leader for home entertainment sales of Japanese animation in the U.S., has acquired varied rights in North America and Latin America to Shochiku Co. Ltd.'s cg-animated Vexille.
Director Fumihiko Sori and the team behind the 2004 big-screen version of “Appleseed” (the 1985 manga that went to spawn four volumes as well as two animated shows prior to the 2004 theatrical release by Shinji Aramaki) have reunited to create Vexille. In addition, Paul Oakenfold of The Matrix Reloaded has created the score for the film written by Haruka Handa.
A dark, futuristic CGI anime about illegal robotics research and set in 2067 Japan, the story follows Japan's isolation after the United Nations bans further research on robotic technology out of concerns of a threat to mankind. The U.S. has intelligence that Japan is developing the banned technology and dispatches a team led by a female commander named Vexille on a secret mission to determine Japan's ambitions.
"The success of CG-animated films has definitely opened the market for a new breed of animated films, in terms of technology and concept," said Teruki Matsumoto, managing director of Shochiku's motion picture operations.
Before its worldwide theatrical release, the Locarno Film Festival (Aug. 1-11) will kick off with the world premiere of Vexille. FUNimation Entertainment will also showcase the action thriller at North American Film Festivals in 2008.
FUNimation Entertainment will bring Vexille to U.S. theatres and DVD in 2008.
About Shochiku
Founded in 1895, Shochiku functions as a highly-tuned vertically integrated entertainment entity, encompassing feature film and television production, theatrical distribution of Japanese and foreign motion pictures, worldwide sales, exhibition, DVD and home video distribution and the Kabuki Theater.
Shochiku operates one of the most successful motion picture divisions in Japan. The company has produced a number of critically and financially successful films, including the 2004 Academy Award ® nominee for best foreign language film, The Twilight Samurai, directed by Yoji Yamada. The first Japanese Academy Award ® nomination for a live-action film in 22 years (http://www.Shochiku Films.com)
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre, is a brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.
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