Rideback - The Complete Series - REGION FREE

Rideback - The Complete Series

Region: A and B (Confirmed Playable in the UK)

Price: $34.99 / £21.85 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 1 - 12 (2 Disc Set)

Plot: Atop her robotic RideBack motorcycle, an ex-dancer ignites the fires of rebellion in a nation held captive by its own oppressive government.

After an injury forces Rin to trade her stage career for college life, she finds new thrills as a member of the RideBack Club. When she discovers an unusual connection with one machine in particular – Fuego – she is forced into the middle of a revolution.

The tyrannical new government rules with an iron fist, and Rin is reluctant to take them on. But as her dearest friends suffer, and the insurgency struggles to topple the increasingly powerful regime, Rin may have no choice but to gun Fuego’s engines and speed directly into the heart of the fight for freedom.

Akira (UK) - REGION LOCKED

Akira (UK)

Region: B (Confirmed NOT Playable in the USA)

Price: £17.93 (Standard) - Excludes Postage
£17.93 (Steelbook) - Exclused Postage

Episodes: 1 Feature-Length-Film

Plot: Neo-Tokyo, 2019. The city is well on the way to rebuilding after World War III.

The central characters, Kaneda and Tetsuo, two high school drop-outs, are members of a joy-riding motorcycle gang. In the opening scene, Kaneda and Tetsuo stumble upon a secret government project to develop telekinetic humans, apparently for use as weapons.

Tetsuo learns of the existence of his 'peer' Akira, the project's most powerful subject, and determines to challenge him...

New Anime Blu-ray UK Release (27/6/11)

This week sees Manga Entertainment UK release another Blu-ray and this time its the long awaited High Definition re-master of AKIRA - which some would say its the release every anime fan has been waiting for.

To Celebrate MangaUK have decided to release the Blu-ray in a variety of different formats, first off there is a standard DVD, secondly there is a standard Blu-ray and last but not least is a Worldwide Exclusive Steelbook Edition which according to MangaUK is only available in very limited quantities.

This release has not only been re-mastered in High Definition but it also features the newer "english" audio track (the 2001 version), as previously seen (or heard) on previous DVD releases & last saturday on SyFyHD where Akira HD had its first UK TV Premire debut.

This super limited Collector's Edition pack comes with the new remastered edition of Akira on Blu-ray, beautifully restored in full high definition, with an incredible True HD soundtrack, plus the Akira feature DVD disc along with a specially produced 40-page booklet exclusive to the UK and packaged inside a gorgeous steelbook case.

Standard Blu-ray -> £17.93 (Amazon UK), £17.99 (Play UK / HMV UK)

Steelbook Blu-ray -> £17.93 (Amazon UK), £17.99 (Play UK / HMV UK)

Plot: A landmark film that introduced much of the Western world to modern anime, AKIRA is a marvel of modern animation. Based on Katsuhiro Otomo's 2,000 page manga, AKIRA begins on July 16, 1988, when what was believed to be an atomic bomb was dropped on Tokyo, completely destroying the city and marking the beginning of WWIII.

Thirty-one years later, Neo-Tokyo has sprung from the ruins of the old city and is experiencing a prolonged period of civil unrest caused by student uprisings, political instability, and, most destructively, biker gangs. One of the members of these biker gangs, Tetsuo, is detained by the military after a near accident with a strange young boy.

After recognising innate psychic ability in him, the military begins using Tetsuo as a test subject to channel Akira, a source of unimaginable power and the cause of the explosion that destroyed the original Tokyo. However, the military's plan backfires, and instead of locating the source of Akira's power, Tetsuo becomes a medium for it.

Endowed with incredible psychic powers that make every one of his destructive impulses a reality, Tetsuo begins to go on a rampage that threatens to completely annihilate Neo Tokyo. Combining a complex science-fiction universe with intricately detailed animation and phantasmagoric images, AKIRA is a stunning visual experience and a disturbing vision of the future.

Manga UK 20th Anniversary Sale

This month celebrates 20 Years of Manga Entertainment and to mark the occasion Manga UK held an exclusive party in a discreet location in london a few days ago, sadly i was not invited but you can check out pictures of the party (and articles relating to it) on the newly improved Manga Entertainment UK Website.

Because this "party" was so limited Manga UK decided to host special "sales" in a variety of different stores, mainly Zavvi Online & HMV.

Last weekend Zavvi was the first online retailer to reduce most of its Anime stock, that is distributed by Manga Entertainment UK, with up to 80% off, offering Blu-ray's for as little as £5 - since then prices have steadily creeped up and stocked has depleted, many of the early anime purchasers (such as me) are still waiting for stock to be picked, let alone dispatched - most likely on back order with supplier due to demand.

The Promotion that is currently going on at Zavvi has now slightly changed to "up to 60% off Manga UK titles" however the price's are still extremely reasonable, espically compared to other online retailers such as Amazon UK & Play.

Well Monday now see's the start of another promotion nationwide in HMV Stores, which the promotion previously started yesterday online on HMV Websites, yet again Anime from Manga Entertainment is reduced to as little as £5 - Blu-ray Boxsets such as Eden Of The East & Devil May Cry are readily available (in stock) for under £10 - which is more than half the current Retail price.

Zavvi - Manga 20th Anniversary Sale
HMV - Manga Anime Sale

These are the current two "major" promotions going off at the moment to celebrate 20 Years of Manga Entertainment, however The Hut Group (which is part of Zavvi) also owns Adsa Entertainment (and a few other "Entertainment" Websites) - so if you shop around you may find yourself some more anime at good prices.

So this post may be a little late, but its a direct link (near enough) to the current "Anniversary Sales" that are going on in the UK - so order fast before stock is gone. If you do plan on buying anything (espically from Zavvi / The Hut Group) - be aware of the stock situation, as if it states "usually dispatched within 3 days" you may be waiting several weeks (if not months) before the item is in your hand - but if you are not in a rush then feel free to order as much as you like. Enjoy!

Dragonball Z Kai - Part 5 - REGION FREE

Dragonball Z Kai - Part 5

Region: A and B (Confirmed Playable in the UK)

Price: $18.99 / £11.77 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 53 - 65 (2 Disc Set)

Languages: English & Japanese DolbyTrueHD

Plot: The epic showdown between Goku and Frieza reaches its climax as planet Namek crumbles beneath their feet! In the aftermath of battle, neither fighter is anywhere to be found, but Earth’s few remaining heroes have much bigger problems.

A mysterious and powerful stranger known only as Trunks arrives from the future with a warning: the Androids are coming, they take no prisoners, and even Goku – wherever he may be – is no match for their kind!

Highschool Of The Dead - The Complete Series - REGION LOCKED

Highschool Of The Dead - The Complete Series

Region: A (Confirmed NOT playable in the UK)

Price: $38.99 / £24.17 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 1 - 12 (2 Disc Set)

Languages: English 5.1 DTS-HD & Japanese 2.0 DTS-HD

Plot: Takashi Komuro is a normal highschool boy, until an infection breaks out that turns people into zombie-like creatures. Along with his friends & the school nurse, they fight their way out and continue their journey to find out what exactly has happened to the world.

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Manga Entertainment UK have announced and confirmed that they will be releasing "Highschool Of The Dead" on DVD & Blu-ray in the UK later this year, also they have also chosen to release it as a complete collection (aka Complete series). The Complete Blu-ray boxset will be released on 29th August 2011 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon UK for as little as £24.97. A DVD Boxset will also be available for around £14.99.

New Anime Blu-ray UK Releases (20/6/11)

This week see's the UK Release of the long awaited "Evangelion 2.22 - You Can (Not) Advance" film on DVD & Blu-ray which is being brought to us in the UK Via Manga Entertainment and muc like the first film the second installment has alot of surprises, stunning visuals and alot of action.

Evangelion 2.22 covers the material from episodes 6-12 of the series NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, this film is the first to introduce new content and characters that did not appear in the original series -- namely, Unit-05 pilot Mari Illustrious Makinami.
The British girl mans an Eva with a drastically new design, and adds still more drama to the life of Shinji, who is coping with having to share a living space with both Asuka and Misato.

Meanwhile, all of the pilots soon find themselves embroiled with a battle with the Eighth Angel. The group show a sense of teamwork that they've never had before, but soon, NERV's American branch is destroyed in an experiment while testing the new Unit-03, which is taken to Tokyo-3 for testing. Asuka pilots the Eva, but it's soon reclassified as the Ninth Angel, and Shinji is ordered by his father to attack it. Shinji can't bear to do so while Asuka is inside, causing a break in his will that might cause him to leave the program for good.

Evangelion 2.22 is being brought into the UK via Manga Entertainment UK in three different formats, there is the standard DVD, a standard Blu-ray or for the first time a special "Collectors Edition" combi pack which contains both the DVD & Blu-ray in one box, with a special 20-Page Booklet which explains about the new Evangelion films.

Evangelion 2.22 Standard Blu-ray -> £14.93 (Amazon UK), £14.99 (HMV UK / PLAY UK)

Evangelion 2.22 Combi Pack -> £14.99 (Amazon UK / Play UK) £15.99 (HMV UK)

If you own a Blu-ray player & love anime then the Evangelion Movies are definately worth watching - just for the stunning detail of each scene and the eva units themselves. Also if you do plan on picking up Evangelion 2.22 make sure you watch the extra scene after the end credits.

Plot: New Pilots, New Evas, New Angels The landmark anime Evangelion evolves, reaching new heights of intensity in the new feature film: Evangelion 2.22. In this explosive new story, brutal action and primal emotion clash as a group of young pilots maneuver their towering, cyborg Eva Units into combat against a deadly and disturbing enemy. In the battle to prevent the apocalyptic Third Impact, Shinji and Rei were forced to carry humanity's hopes on their shoulders. Now, as the onslaught of the bizarre, monstrous Angels escalates, they find their burden shared by two new Eva pilots, the fiery Asuka and the mysterious Mari. In this thrilling new experience for fans of giant robot destruction, the young pilots fight desperately to save mankind and struggle to save themselves.

Demon King Daimao - REGION LOCKED

Demon King Daimao

Region: A (Confirmed NOT Playable in the UK)

Price: $38.99 / £23.90 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 1 - 12 (2 Disc Set)

Plot: The story of "love, magic, and battles" revolves around Akuto Sai, a boy who aims to become part of his country's highest order of magicians and contribute to society.

On the day he is admitted into the Constant Magical Academy, his aptitude test predicts the following: "Future Occupation … Devil King." Thus begins his difficult school life in which he is resented by his studious female class head, desired by a girl with mysterious powers, and guarded by a beautiful female android.

Dance In The Vampire Bund - REGION FREE

Dance In The Vampire Bund

Blu-ray Region: A and B (Playable in the UK)

DVD Region: 1, 2 and 4 (Playable in the UK)

Price: $34.99 / £21.45 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 1 - 12 (2 Disc Set)

Plot: Mina Tepes, the Princess of the ancient covenant and ruler of all vampires, wants her race to stop hiding from the humans.

Using her vast wealth, she has paid off Japan's entire national debt and by doing so, gained the right to create a district off Japan's coast that is to become the future haven to vampires worldwide.

But when she finally attemps to make public the existence of vampires to the world some politicians, terrorists and rival factions are plotting to assassinate Mina before she has a chance to get Japan's and International recognition for the Vampire Bund. Now she must rely on her strength, cruelty and those closest to her, while trying to make a normal life.

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Manga UK has confirmed that they will be releasing Dance In The Vampire Bund on DVD & Blu-ray in the UK later in the year - however a "confirmed" release date or price has not been mentioned yet.

Rin - Daughter Of Mnemosyne - The Complete Series - REGION LOCKED

Rin - Daughter Of Mnemosyne - The Complete Series

Region: A (Confirmed Not Playable in the UK)

Price: £24.77 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 1 - 6 (2 Disc Set)

Plot: Rin Asogi is an immortal private detective with a thirst for vodka and a talent for attracting things that go bump in the night.

In a series of nightmarish vignettes spanning sixty-five years, Rin's lush body is sadistically pierced, blown up, and mulched to a bloody pulp.

The fiend behind her tortured existence is Apos, an eternal being obsessed with sacrificing Rin to Yggdrasil, the tree of all life.

While Rin struggles to unravel the secrets of her endless agony, Apos lurks in the shadows, eager to tear into her ripe body and devour the memories of her countless lives. Rin's no stranger to the realm of the dead, but her next visit could last forever.

Guyver - The Complete Series - REGION LOCKED

Guyver - The Complete Series

Region: A (Confirmed Not playable in the UK)

Price: $34.49 / £21.24 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 1 - 26 (3 Disc Set)

Plot: Resurrected from the pages of the original manga!

A world controlled by a sinister brotherhood who hide their fangs behind masks of humanity, known as the Chronos Corporation. While investigating a mysterious explosion near his school, Sho Fukamachi happens upon the Chronos Corporation's greatest weapon: a techno organic suit of bio armor known as "the Guyver." But Chronos is determined to conceal their secrets at any cost. Sho soon finds himself relentlessly pursued by its army of horrific bio-monsters. With nowhere to run, Sho is forced to call upon the fearsome power of the Guyver and rip his opponents limb from limb in a desperate struggle for survival.

Experience this all new production of this sci-fi anime legend in the most complete rendition of Guyver ever animated. Dare to discover the horror that lies beneath!

Calymore - The Complete Series - REGION FREE

Claymore - The Complete Series

Region: A and B (Confirmed Playable in the UK)

Price: £23.14 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 1 - 26 (3 Disc Set)

Plot: A brutal scourge stalks the land. Yoma, monsters driven by a hunger satisfied by only one quarry-Humanity. The dark breed knows but a singular foe: Claymore. Human-Yoma hybrids of extraordinary strength and cunning, the Claymores roam from skirmish to skirmish delivering salvation by the edge of a blade.

Thus begins the twisting tale of Clare, one such sister of the sword driven by pain in both victory and defeat. A child silent and suffering hidden in her past, Clare's march toward vengeance unfolds along a path marked by violence, solitude and scorn. In a land where even the predator is prey, the haunted hearts of hunter and hunted alike wear the scars of the age.

TO (Blu-ray & DVD Combi Pack) - REGION LOCKED

TO (Blu-ray & DVD Combi Pack)

Region: A (Not playable in the UK)

Price: $18.99 / £11.70 (Excludes Postage)

Episodes: 2 Feature-Length-Films (3 Disc Set)

Plot: Elliptical Orbit: Fifteen years after its last contact with our world, a space freighter known as the Flying Dutchman requests permission to dock at a remote moon base. This mysterious ship carries liquid protons: a power source essential to the survival of Earth’s population.

But before the precious cargo can be delivered, the base is ambushed by galactic terrorists who seek to destroy the new form of energy and issue a death sentence to all of humanity.

Symbiotic Planet: Against a backdrop of peculiar alien life forms, Aon and Elena – star-crossed lovers from rival countries – struggle to build a life together despite the objections of their superiors. Their budding romance is thwarted by an outbreak of potent alien fungus and the interference of a cutthroat militaristic madman.

To survive, the young couple must maintain their faith in each other – and learn to trust the unique creatures which inhabit this strange and wondrous planet.

New Anime Blu-ray UK Releases (6/6/11)

This week see's the UK Blu-ray release of "The King Of Eden", which is the first feautre-length-film that continues the story of the hit Anime TV Series "Eden Of The East".

"Eden Of The East: The King Of Eden" is being released today in the UK via Manga Entertainment UK and not only does it include the first feature length movie (King Of Eden) - but it also includes "Air Communication".

Air Communication is a TV Special which summarises the previous 12 Episode TV Series into a Feature-length-film, which this Blu-ray set a perfect purchase for anyone that is interested in the Eden Of The East Universe, as everything you need is in one box.

Eden Of The East: The King Of Eden is another "superb" example of Anime on Blu-ray at its best, as the picture is crisp, sharp and stunning to look at, espically the realistic backgrounds of various different locations such as Japan & New York.

Eden Of The East: The King Of Eden -> £14.93 (Amazon UK), £14.99 (HMV UK / PLAY UK)

Plot: 2010's Most Intriguing New Anime Returns With A Brand New Movie!

The story continues where it left off from the Eden of the East TV series, and brings Morimi Saki back to the USA in order to find Takizawa Akira. The other Selecao however are actively moving to take part in the game, and a few in particular are making dangerous moves in order to eliminate Takizawa or move towards their picture of a better Japan.

Eden Of The East Movie 1: King Of Eden Blu-ray also includes a very special bonus extra, the Eden Of The East: Air Communication feature length film edit of the original 11 episode EOTE TV series from 2009. It is an excellent accompniment to the brand new movie ensuring new and old fans alike can enjoy the entire EOITE saga from beginning to end.