We Have Moved!

Just a quick announcement to say we have now moved to http://animeblurayuk.wordpress.com/ -> which offers a better viewing experience and more 'useful' features to our readers, so please update any bookmarks or links you may have.

In Addition to this AnimeBlurayUK is now on Twitter, so please follow us to get the latest updates on Anime Blu-ray News & Region Checks.

Don't forget to pass on the news!

Manga UK Confirms Madoka Magica for Blu-ray Release

Manga Entertainment UK has today confirmed, via Twitter, that popular Magical Girl TV Series Madoka Magica, will be getting the Blu-ray treatment in the UK.

I'm happy to confirm we will release Madoka Magica on 3 disc DVD and Blu-ray on 22-Oct. DVD is £29.99 RRP and BD is £39.99

Maga Entertainment UK's Blu-ray release of Madoka Magica will feature the complete 12 episode tv series over three Blu-ray Discs in one Blu-ray case, which is great for UK fans considering that the American and Australian releases of Madoka Magica have been sold in individual volumes at a very expensive price.

MangaUK also pointed out that the 'Store Retail Price' of Madoka Magica is £39.99, so online prices will most likely be cheaper than the in-store price, such as is the case with previous Blu-ray releases such as the recent Bleach and Naruto Movies.

Pre-orders for Madoka Magica will start to appear online within the next few weeks, however the Blu-ray (and DVD) Boxset is not released until 22nd October 2012.

Black Lagoon UK Blu-ray Release Date Confirmed

According to this weekends MCM Expo the Black Lagoon Blu-ray Boxset is expected to be released on the 9th July in the UK, however pre-orders have yet to appear online.

Well today one curious Anime fan, Simonm094 tweeted to Manga Entertainment asking if the release date was correctly printed in the Magazine and Manga UK replied stating that the date printed in the MCM Expo Magazine was indeed correct. Thus confirming that Black Lagoon Collection will be released on Blu-ray in the UK on 9th July 2012.

So UK Fans, not only are we getting the Bleach Movie Trilogy on Blu-ray this coming monday which fills out the rest of May, but we will also be getting Roujin Z and Angel Beats in June and now confirmed is Black Lagoon Blu-ray Boxset. Looks like the UK Anime Blu-ray Market is starting to pick up.

Manga UK Confirms Blu-ray Release of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection

Manga Entertainment UK has today confirmed that the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection, which consists of four different OVA Episodes and a Digital Comic Collection, will be released into the UK later this year.

The News comes direct from MangaUK's official Twitter account, stating that not only will the OVA Collection be released in the UK, but it will also be released as part of a Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack.

At the same time as the Twitter announcement MangaUK Shared more details about the OVA Collection's content on its official Facebook page:

We are happy to announce that we will be releasing Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OVA and Digital Comic in the UK as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack in October. Aiming for 22-Oct street date. Will be online to pre-order by end of May we hopefully. This is the same release as the Funimation version in the US. Includes 2-discs, 4 x OVAs and the entire digital comic series.

The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection consists of four different and unique episodes that fill in gaps left over from the TV Series, such as an episode that explains how Izumi (aka Ed and Al's Teacher) survived on the cold harsh mountains for a month during her training.

The OVA Collection will contain the following Episodes:

- OVA 1: The Blind Alchemist
- OVA 2: Simple People
- OVA 3: Tales Of The Master
- OVA 4: Yet Another Man's Battlefield

In Addition to these 4 Episodes a Digital Comic Collection, which can be viewed on the disc, will also be included.

The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection will be released on DVD as well as a Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack on 22nd October 2012

Pokemon Forever & Pokemon Heroes UK Blu-ray Boxart Revealed

The Official boxart for the upcoming UK Pokemon Blu-ray Movie double pack, featuring Pokemon Movie 4 (Pokemon Forever) and Pokemon Movie 5 (Pokemon Heroes) has finally been revealed.
Similar to what was released in America last year, both films will be released onto one blu-ray disc. Hopefully though this bundle will feature 5.1 Surround Sound (instead of Stereo 2.0) and maybe some extra features, but obviously we won't know that until its released later next month.

This particular Blu-ray bundle will be released into the UK on Monday 2nd April 2012 and is currently available for pre-order from Amazon UK , HMV and Play UK.

Three Pokemon Movies Coming to Blu-ray in UK

Amazon UK have recently listed three Pokemon Movies for sale on Blu-ray, with a current release date set for the 2nd April 2012.

According to Amzon UK the Three Pokemon Movies will be released in Two Seperate Packages, with Pokemon Movie 4 (Pokemon 4Ever) and Pokemon Movie 5 (Pokemon Heroes) being released together in one Blu-ray set, while Pokemon Movie 7 (Pokemon: Destiny Dexoys) released on its own, with all three films being released in the UK by Studiocanal.

Additionally the BBFC Website has recently rated Pokemon: Destiny Dexoys and given it a U Rating and is currently one of the few Pokemon films that has not been officially released in the UK, Once more the film was submitted to the BBFC by Studiocanal, who is the studio that are releasing the films in the UK on Blu-ray.

Pokemon Movies 5 and 7 had previously been released as a single package in the USA, which was released by Miramax Entertainment. The picture quality was surprisingly good, considering how old the film is - the only downside to the Blu-ray was that it only featured English Stereo 2.0 (when the DVDs had Surround Sound) and it did not have any extra features, so heres hoping that Studiocanal's version improves upon Miramax's version.

Both Pokemon Blu-ray sets are available to pre-order from Amazon UK for £17.99 and are scheduled for release on the 2nd April 2012, a week before the Pokemon Black & White Double Film Pack is released on DVD in the UK.

MVM to Release Broken Blade on Blu-ray

MVM Entertainment announced last october that it had acquried the license to release the 6-Episode-Long OVA Broken Blade into the UK. Well recently on MVM's official Facebook page MVM Entertainment revealed that they will be releasing Broken Blade on Blu-ray in the UK.

Plans are to give [Broken Blade] a go on Blu Ray and if it sells well we might release some of our older, popular titles on Blu Ray. As usual it's all down to sales. We're planning on releasing it late summer, no fixed date or price yet - when I know it'll be on the site available for pre-order."

Up until now MVM Entertainment have only released Anime on DVD and recently they have only re-released individual volumes into DVD Boxsets, but other the course of the past week MVM Entertainment have revealed several new anime titles, so it looks like MVM are back in the Anime Industry.

Broken Blade features Six 50 Minute Long OVA Styled Episodes and features Animation by Production I.G and it currently unclear whether MVM Entertainment will release it as a Complete Collection or individual volumes, similar to that of Gundam Unicorn.

UK Customs Import Value lowered to £15 / 15 GBP

It has recently been pointed out to me by a few followers on Twitter that on the 1st November 2011 HM Revenue & Customs lowered the import value from £18 (around $25.50) to £15 (around $23).

Basically what this means is that if you were to purchase something from America (or from outside the EU) that is over £15 then you are subject to Customs Tax

So if you are going to buy something from Amazon USA that is over £15 and you do not pay the Custom Tax despoit then you will likely be charged by Customs when the item arrives through the mail. Some website such as Planet Axel post the item directly into Royal Mail (or your countries postal method) so you will not be charged.

Additionally if the item was purchased privately, such as on eBay, you can request the seller to send it as a GIFT, which then allows a Customs value of up to £40 - yet again if the item is marked higher than £40 on the box then you will be subject to customs charge.

MangaUK Confirms a selection of Blu-ray Releases

Manga Entertainment UK has today confirmed, via a pre-order list on Anime-On-Line, a selection of Blu-ray titles that will be released during the spring/summer season of 2012.

Titles Include:

- Angel Beats (Complete Collection)
- Bleach - Movie 1: Memories Of Nobody
- Bleach - Movie 2: Diamond Dust Rebellion
- Bleach - Movie 3: Fade To Black
- Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society (Double Play)
- Mardock Scramble: The First Compression
- Naruto Shippuden: Double Movie Bundle (Movies 1 & 2)
- Roujin Z
- Welcome To The Space Show (Double Play)

Additionally Both Fullmetal Alchemist movies will also be released on Blu-ray within the next year.

Some of the above titles, such as Angel Beats & Ghost In The Shell had been mentioned on Twitter in the past, but confirmation had not been definate - but now with this list all of the above titles will be released in the UK at some point this year.

Manga UK Confirms New Blu-ray Releases for 2012

Manga Entertainment UK has recently tweeted confirming a selection of Blu-rays that will be released during the 2012 year, some of which we already knew and some that come as a surprise.

In a reply to a tweet from @Punisher720 Manga Entertainment UK replied that Naruto Shippuden: Bonds and Bleach: Fade To Black would be coming to Blu-ray in the UK, which we already knew about. However it was the second part of the tweet that revealed that Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos will be released on Blu-ray in the UK during this year.


Manga Entertainment UK have previously mentioned at the MCM Expo in London last October that both Naruto Shippuden Movies would be released on Blu-ray as a double pack, and most recently in a statement regarding the cancellation of the K-ON Blu-ray boxset, Manga UK stated that they would be working with KAZE UK to release the entire Bleach Movie collection on Blu-ray.

2011 Might have been a poor year for Manga Entertainment UK in terms of Blu-ray releases and sales, but if the above turns out to be true we could be looking at seven popular anime movies coming to Blu-ray this year.

via: Anime Focus

Kaze UK To Release Black Lagoon Collection on Blu-ray in the UK

Kaze UK has recently confirmed via Twitter that they will be bringing the entire collection of Black Lagoon on to the Blu-ray disc platform into the UK during the 2012 calendar year.

Previously Black Lagoon had been released into the UK on DVD by MVM Entertainment, but now Kaze UK has revealed that they will be bringing the complete collection, including the Roberta's Blood Trail OVA to the UK on Blu-ray.

Apparently Season 1 and 2 of Black Lagoon will be released onto Blu-ray in May 2012, with the OVA (Roberta's Blood Trail) to be released on Blu-ray seperately later in the year. Additionally Manga Entertainment UK will be distributing the collection in the UK, with Kaze UK publishing it.

via: UK Anime Network

Manga UK Cancels Blu-ray Release of K-ON Boxset & Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

Manga Entertainment UK has confirmed this morning that the UK Blu-ray release of the K-ON Boxset, which featured all 12 episodes of Season 1 in High Definition and The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Movie will now be officially cancelled.

The reason for the delay is due to the Economic climate with the cost of remastering and manufacturing the titles being excessively high, with little return and low sales.

Additionally Madman Entertainment who release the disc's in Australia, and who author the disc's for Manga Entertainment UK will still be releasing the Blu-rays in Australia, and since Australian discs are Region B they will work fine over here.

Via: UK Anime Network

***UPDATE***

Since the Confirmation of the Blu-rays being cancelled, Jerome Mazandarani, Head of marketing & acquisitions for Manga Entertainment UK, has released the following statement (and its an extremely good read).

On behalf of Manga I wanted to apologize to all of those UK-based customers who have been left bitterly disappointed by our decision not to release these titles on Blu-Ray after publicly suggesting on this forum that we were planning on doing so. Please allow me to explain our decision.

I will start with K-ON first. My original plan was to release K-ON as a complete season set on double disc DVD and Blu-Ray at the same time. However, we were reliant on Bandai US supplying us their English dub and when they announced they would release K-ON as 4 individual DVD and BD volumes in America we had to agree to follow suit if we wanted to release K-ON around the same time as them. I made the decision to delay our 2-disc BD release until Spring 2012 rather than copy Bandai and produce 4 very expensive single disc BD releases. Once we got to the end of 2011 we learnt that the cost of access to the dubs plus the high cost of accessing the HD master, authoring and mastering of the discs and manufacturing was prohibitively expensive. In addition, we also realised that we would not be able to break even on the production of the Blu-Ray.

With regards to the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya we were meant to release a Blu-Ray in November and found out that the BD disc replication master we were sharing with Madman and which was supplied by Bandai USA did not work on Region B Playstation 3 consoles, so we had to scrap it and start again. Once again, we had to pay high access fees for the dub, and would have to pay a very steep access fee for the HD master (we cloned Madman's PAL DVD replication master for our DVD) and that, combined with new authoring and mastering fees, left us with another release that was going to lose Manga money. If Manga keeps losing money we go out of business and everyone loses!

I spend all of my time at the Manga office fighting tooth and nail for you guys, the British anime fans, to ensure that we pick up the best new series and movies and get them out here as soon as possible. I listen to your comments; every last one of them, every day here on Twitter and Facebook and I answer most of them too. No-one should doubt how much I and my colleagues here at Manga UK care about you, the customer. We do not take decisions like this lightly. I personally fought to maintain these Blu-ray releases against stiff opposition from my superiors, but the commercial considerations of running a successful company overruled my objections about the damage to our brand's credibility should we not release these titles.

In summary, I would say that while we have made a sensible commercial decision, we have created a situation that is alienating to a good deal many of you and I sincerely hope that over time we can make it up to you.

So, there you have it. Straight from the horse's mouth. I cannot apologize enough to the customers we have disappointed with this decision. I hope that with time you can appreciate us for what we tend to get right, more than what we tend to get wrong. I am personally looking forward to 2012 and you have my assurance that any new BD releases announced for this year will be released. We already have Samurai Girls, Bleach Movies 1,2 and 3, Mardock Scramble and Roujin Z confirmed by @KazeUK plus a whole heap more to confirm later in the year. We have learnt a lot from 2011, particularly when it comes to Blu-Ray and I am confident we will start making better decisions that benefit both the business and you, our valued customers going forward.

Yours sincerely,

Jerome Mazandarani
Head of marketing & acquisitions
Manga Entertainment Ltd (UK)

via: UK Anime Network

Welcome to the Space Show Delayed in UK

Manga Entertainment UK has announced that the UK Release of the Anime Welcome To The Space Show on DVD & Blu-ray has been delayed until 2nd July 2012.

The announcement comes from their official Twitter account after eagle eyed follower Joshawott asked the following question:

@MangaUK I've seen some sites saying Welcome to the Space Show is out on 2nd July. Has it been delayed, or still due out in December?

Shortly after Manga Entertainment UK replied with the following message.

@Joshawott Busted! #WelcomeToTheSpaceShow has been bumped back to 2nd July so we can spend more time on the dub. It's going to be epic. Soz!

Originally Welcome To The Space Show was due for release in the UK on 5th December 2011, however because Manga Entertainment UK want to improve the dub, which is being produced by Michael Sinterniklaas exclusively for the UK, the release of the anime will now be delayed into 2012.

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!

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Blu-ray's Available to Pre-order from Amazon USA

All three movies from the TV Series "Stand Alone Complex" have recently gone up for Pre-order on Amazon America with an upcoming release date of 21st June 2011 and a price of $24.49 for each Blu-ray.

Previously the Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex movies were only available to buy from Japan in a large "S.A.C." Boxset, which featured all three films in 1080p High Definition with Japanese Soundtrack & English Subtitles (main movie(s) only) which resulted in a Japanese Retail price of around £150.

No information on region coding (as of yet) but if these films are being Distributed by Bandai Entertainment then they will most likely be region locked to USA (Region A) - however we will not know until after the films are released.

If your still interested in pre-ordering the films then you can check them out below:

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex - The Laughing Man
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Individual Eleven
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society

Cowboy Bebop Movie set for June Release in America

This time last month rumours were suggesting that a Blu-Ray release for "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" or "Cowboy Bebop: Knockin On Heavens Door" (if you want the Japanese Title) would be getting a US Release in june, and these rumors started with IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT listing the product on its website.

However recently Amazon USA & Planet Axel (formly Axel Music) have listed the film as available to pre-order and given it a confirmed release date of 28th June 2011.

Further information suggests that Cowboy Bebop: The Movie Blu-ray has been given a RRP of $17.99, however Amazon US are currently listing the Blu-Ray at $12.99 - which in my opinion is an amazingly cheap price.

No information regarding the Blu-Rays region coding at this point, or even if a UK Blu-Ray release is possible - but as soon as i find out what Region information it is ill post it up.

As mentioned previously you can pre-order Cowboy Bebop The Movie from either Amazon US or Planet Axel now, but while your waiting why not check out the original english trailer for the movie below:

MangaUK Confirms UK Release of Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time Movie

Manga Entertainment UK has confirmed via their Twitter account that the "Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time" Movie will be released in the UK on 25th July 2011 on both DVD & Blu-Ray.

The film will also premire in cinema's across the UK in early july for a limited time.

However the fun does not stop there, as not only will both the Blu-Ray & DVD include a FREE Malefic Red Eyes Black Dragon Trading Card, but the Blu-Ray edition will include both 3D & 2D Versions of the film.

Manga UK Have also confirmed that the Blu-ray version of the film will feature full"Stereoscopic 3D", which is the same type of 3D that has recently been used in blockbuster Blu-ray releases such as Tron 3D & Despicable Me, where a 3D Ready TV, 3D Glasses & 3D Ready Blu-Ray player is required to play it in True 3D. This would mean that Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time would be the first 3D Anime film to be released in the UK (if not worldwide).

Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time is available to pre-order from Amazon UK & HMV - and over the next few days pre-orders will open up for other online stores such as Play & Zavvi UK. Either way this is one release from MangaUK im definately looking forward to - but for now its time to check out the official US Trailer:

Amazon UK now Stock Gundam Unicorn Blu-Rays

Online retail giant Amazon UK are now listing, stocking & selling Gundam Unicorn Blu-rays. Previously the only way of getting a Gundam Unicorn Blu-ray was by ordering it direct from BEEZ's UK Store, which previously only had Volume 1 in stock or by importing it from USA & Japan's Amazon stores.

Even though this is "good news" there is always a small catch, the Gundam Unicorn Blu-rays that are available to order from Amazon UK are rather expensive at over £40 per disc, as shown below:

Gundam Unicorn - Volume 1 (Blu-ray) £40.49
Gundam Unicorn - Volume 2 (Blu-ray) £47.20

Even though the prices are "relatively" high its still cheaper than importing from Amazon USA or Amazon JAP, as the disc's ive seen so far are around the £40 mark which is 1) without postage and 2) subject to customs charge of an additional £15.

Ordering from Amazon UK would just the be the price listed (unless you wanted a faster postage service).

The good news doesn't stop their either as a new Gundam Unicorn - Volume 3 trailer has appeared on youtube, but this time its in English and features a pritty awesome theme song called "Merry-go-round" from CHEMISTRY, who have previously appeared in other anime tv shows.

Gundam Unicorn - Volume 3 (Episode 3) is to be released on March 5th 2011 via Xbox Live (Zune) and Playstation Video Store worldwide and then later released on DVD and Blu-ray on April 7th 2011 in selected countries (then worldwide).

The English Trailer for Gundam Unicorn - Volume 3 can be seen below:

MangaUK To Release Remastered AKIRA on Blu-Ray

This news may be abit late to some, espically if you read other Anime News Related websites, but ive been out of the country for awhile.

MangaUK have recently announced (4 days ago) via their Twitter Account that Manga Entertainment UK plan to release AKIRA in the UK on Blu-Ray, but instead of releasing the same film upscaled from SD to HD, they will be using a new "HD RE-MASTER" of the film.

The Blu-ray has been scheduled for a 27th June 2011 release date, and the film will also be available on DVD. Pre-orders for Both the DVD & Blu-ray will shortly be appearing on HMV, Play UK & Amazon UK.

MangaUK Confirms Eden Of The East Movies on Blu-Ray

MangaUK have recently announced, via their Twitter feed, that they will be releasing the "Eden Of The East" Movies on both Blu-Ray and DVD in the UK, not only that the Anime Distributor has also announced an estimated release date for both movies, which will spread out over the course of this year.

Eden Of The East: King Of Eden - June 2011
Eden Of The East: Paradise Lost - November 2011

Eden Of The East: King Of Eden - 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: Paradise Lost - The story of political and subversive intrigue in the series finally reaches endgame. Even as the law enforcement net tightens around Saki and her fellow Eden of the East associates over alleged terrorist activities, the complex web surrounding the mysterious Mr. Outside is finally untangled as the remaining Selecao attempt to outmaneuver one another. Takizawa's memories and identity are also finally revealed including his association with a former Prime Minister and his request to be the King of Eden.

Pre-orders should be opening in the next few weeks for the first Eden Of The East Movie, with the second film shortly following afterwards - but in the meantime why not check out a trailer for the first Eden Of The East Movie - The King Of Eden.