SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next Coming to the US in Blu­ray and DVD

The latest anime based on the AKIRA legend Katsuhiro Ōtomo's manga is set for December 11 US release!

Torrance, Calif., October 2, 2007 – Bandai Visual USA, Inc. today announced the release of “SOS! TOKYO METRO EXPLORERS: THE NEXT” in both Blu­ray Disc and standard DVD in the US on December 11, 2007.

Based on the legendary creator Katsuhiro Ōtomo's short manga SOS! Big Tokyo Metro Explorers, the theatrical anime serves as the radically re­imagined sequel with additional twists and ideas. It was received with enthusiastic cheers when premiered at “animecs TIFF 2006,” an event co­sponsored by 19th Tokyo International Film Festival.

The director Shinji Takagi and the staff who brought us Steamboy, Katsuhiro Ōtomo's theatrical anime released in 2004, got together to enhance the digital technology which they developed for Steamboy. The team made possible the natural human expressions of the characters as never before possible in 3D CGI. This revolutionary anime uniquely inherits and preserves the Japanese traditional cel animation hand­drawn look!

The technology should not be the only highlight of SOS! TOKYO METRO EXPLORERS: THE NEXT. Viewers will be enthralled by the energetic, lovable children characters and their summer adventure. Join the little explorers and experience the events they encounter in the Tokyo dungeon! “I am proud to be the author of the original story (for such a great anime)...” Katsuhiro Ōtomo praised, “...This is by far my favorite anime in the past few years.”

­STORY­

Summer, 2006. A 5 th grader Ryuhei discovers a notebook entitled “Tokyo Exploring Records.” It was a journal kept by his father, Shohei, when he was around Ryuhei's age. Ryuhei for ms his own exploration party with his friends Shun and Yoshio. One summer day, the party and Ryuhei's younger brother Sasuke who happens to tag along, heads to the dungeon looking for a treasure indicated on the father's map. Soon they encounter some weird but good­natured grown­ups who live underground. The kids are welcomed by the underground residents; but then the dungeon turns into a combat zone involving an old, self­claimed Japanese soldier... Would the kids be able to discover the real treasure hidden underground?

­MAIN STAFF­

Directed by SHINJI TAKAGI / Screenplay by SADAYUKI MURAI / Original Story & Character Design by KATSUHIRO OTOMO / Character Design & Animation Directed by HIDEKAZU OHARA / Sound Directed by KEIICHI MOMOSE / Music by YOSHIHIRO IKE / Animation Created by SUNRISE EMOTION STUDIO

Katsuhiro Ōtomo (Original Story & Original Character Design)

Born in 1954 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. His manga, Akira was serialized in Young Magazine starting in 1982 and became a big hit. He also involved in many anime projects as director and character designer. Some of his major directorial works are AKIRA, Construction Cancellation Order, Steamboy and Mushi-Shi.

Shinji Takagi (Director)

Born in 1961. After directing TV anime, he mastered CG animation technique and took on such projects as Blood: The Last Vampire (animation director & system planning) and Steamboy (animation director).

Title: SOS! TOKYO METRO EXPLORERS : THE NEXT
Street Date: December 11, 2007
Blu­ray Catalog #: BUXH0142
UPC#: 858604001424
SRP: $64.99
Blu­ray Disc Specs & Features:
l Color / 40 min / BD25G / 16:9 (1080p High Definition)
l Japanese language Dolby True HD (5.1ch) and Linear PCM Audio (Stereo)
l Optional English Subtitles
l Bonus features include audio commentary by the creators, behind­the­scenes featurette, creator interviews, theatrical trailer, 12­page booklet exploring the world of SOS! TOKYO METRO EXPLORERS: THE NEXT

DVD Catalog #: BUDH0141
UPC#: 858604001417
SRP: $54.99

DVD Specs & Features:
l Color / 40 min / DVD­5 / 16:9 (Anamorphic Widescreen)
l Japanese Dolby Digital Audio (5.1ch / partly stereo)
l Optional English Subtitles
l Bonus features include audio commentary by the creators, behind­the­scenes featurette, creator interviews, theatrical trailer, 12­page booklet exploring the world of SOS! TOKYO METRO EXPLORERS: THE NEXT

Further information will be available soon at
http://www.bandaivisual.us/sos

Based on the manga “SOS DAITOKYOTANKENTAI” by KATSUHIRO OTOMO published by KODANSHA LTD. © 2006 KATSUHIRO OTOMO, KODANSHA / BANDAI VISUAL, SUNRISE All Rights Reserved.