NEO ANGELIQUE ABYSS: SECOND AGE ON SALE TODAY

HOUSTON, March 30, 2010– Section23 Films is pleased to announce the release of the second collection of the new sci-fi anime Neo Angelique Abyss: Second Age. It’s on sale today wherever finer DVDs are sold.

Neo Angelique Abyss Season Two Collection presents the anime adaptation of the Angelique game series, the first season of which was broadcast on Japanese television Spring 2008. This collection contains all 13 episodes on 2 DVD’s of the second season plus 105 minutes of bonus footage on a 3rd DVD!

SYNOPSIS: In a land with no sun, the light of the soul must show the way. Six months have passed since the shocking climactic events of season one. As the monstrous Thanatos run rampant, and the world of Arcadia is enveloped in a shroud of smoke and darkness. The mysterious disappearance of the Orb Hunters has led many to believe that their former protectors are responsible for the disaster. But the truth is even more shocking, for Angelique has actually been unconscious the entire time. Now, waking for the first time, she realizes that she must embrace her destiny, but to do so will mean placing her trust in those who could destroy her! The ancient prophecy must be fulfilled or Arcadia will perish in the complete collection of Neo Angelique Abyss ~ Second Age!

Title: NEO ANGELIQUE ABYSS SEASON 2 COLLECTION
Running Time: 325 min.
Age Rating: TV PG (V)
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
CAT: SF-NA200
UPC: 814131016300
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Street Date: 3/30/2010
Format: DVD
SRP: $39.98

Section23 Films provides home video marketing and distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings. With its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the market today.

Neo Angelique ~Abyss~ (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

A reboot of the popular Japanese video game series, comes an action/adventure anime series featuring a new storyline and new characters.  An entertaining first season which is sure to  set things up for a more dramatic and action-packed second season!

Image courtesy of © KOEI Co., Ltd./Neo Angelique Committee. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Neo Angelique Abyss

DURATION: Episodes 1-13 (325 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, Japanese 2.0, English subtitles

COMPANY: Sentai Filmworks

RATED: TV PG V

Release Date: January 26, 2010

Directed by Shin Katagai

Series Composition by Yuka Yamada

Music by Masumi Itou

Original Character Design by Kairi Yura

Character Design by Maki Fujioka

Art Director: Chikako Shibata

Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta

Director of Photography by Shinya Matsuzaki

Anime Production by Yumeta Company

Featuring the following voice talent:

Aya Endo as Angelique

Hiroki Takahashi as Rayne

Toru Ohkawa as Nyx

Daisuke Hirakawa as Bernard

Daisuke Ono as Hyga

Kappei Yamaguchi as Rene

Masaya Onosaka as J.D.

Miyu Irino as Erenfried

Ryohei Kimura as Roche

Taiten Kusonoki as Mathias

Yuuichi Nakamura as Jet

Kei Kobayashi as Hannah

Arcadia was once a beautiful world. Now it is a land under siege. Against the horrifying creatures known as Thanatos, there is only one known defense: Purifiers, rare humans gifted with the ability to exterminate the life-draining monsters. But Purifiers are few and the Thanatos are multiplying, so when the mysterious Nyx discovers 16-year-old Angelique, he becomes doubly committed to recruiting her for the team of Purifiers he is organizing.

Not only is Angelique a Purifier, she’s the first female Purifier in recorded history. Moreover, there is an ancient prophecy Nyx is aware of: one of a woman with special powers, the “Queen’s Egg,” whose future will be inextricably tied to the fate of Arcadia!

Contains episodes 1-13.

During my first trip to Japan, I would frequent many video game shops and I remember one title that I saw plenty of and that was “Angelique”.

At the time, I didn’t know anything about the series and when I looked online when I arrived back in the US, there was not much information (in English) about the series.  But over a decade later, the Angelique franchise has since grown and even attracted video game fans worldwide.

“Angelique” a dating sim which has appeared on various consoles since its first appearance on the Super Famicom back in 1994 and most recently the game “Angelique Duet” on the Nintendo DS in 2006.  In April 2008, the series received a reboot with a new storyline and new characters and aired on television with the title “Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” and aired on TV Tokyo for two seasons.   The first season has been released in the US courtes of Sentai Filmworks.

“Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” is directed by Shin Katagai (who has worked as episode directo for “Eyeshield 21″), series composition by Yuka Yamada (“Mushi-Shi”, “Himawari!”, “Saint October” and “Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Maihitoyo~” movie).   Original character designs are by the original “Angelique” manga and TV series Kairi Yura and character designs by Maki Fujioka (“Itazura na Kiss”, “Corda D’Oro”) and anime production by Yumeta Company (“Angelique” OVA series and known for their inbetween animation work for many popular anime series in Japan inc. “Fullmetal Alchmeist”, “Eureka Seven”, “Gurren Lagann”, “XxxHOLIC” and many more titles).

For “Neo Angelique Abyss”, the story takes place in the world of Arcadia.  Monsters known as Thanatos have been attacking and draining the human populace and only people known as Purifiers are able to fight the Thanatos and help those who were drained by them.

A man named Nyx has gone to an all-girls school in hopes for Angelique to join his organization of Purifiers after hearing a story of how the teenager was able to heal an old man who was in a coma after being drained by a Thanatos.  She refuses at first because she wants to pursue her studies to become a doctor but when her school was attacked and her fellow students and friends were drained, Angelique unleashed a power that Nyx and other Purifiers have never seen before.  It is then learned that Angelique is not only the lone female purifier in the world (most of them are men) but she is also the “Queen’s Egg”, a purifier with a unique power only heard about in legends.

She then accompanies Nyx and other Purifiers to take on the Thanatos but also heal the people in various villages that have been afflicted by the monsters.

“Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” features the following main characters:

Angelique - A kind teenager who has wanted to become a doctor after her parents were killed during a Thanatos attack on her village.   She is determined to save lives and with her power, is determined to help people by joining Nyx and the other purifiers to fight against the Thanatos.

Rayne - A scientist but also a warrior who fights against Thanatos with his gun.  Also, seems to have feelings towards Angelique.

Nyx – The man who leads the organization of Purifiers but also hides a dark secret in why he has been searching for Angelique.

J.D. – A Jasper Doll and an artifact.  On the outside, he is a like a human and escaped working for the Foundation and thus is wanted by them.  He fights to help Angelique in her mission.

Huga – A former Silver Knight and Aube Hunter who has sworn to protect Angelique with his life.

Bernard – A reporter who is investigating the “Queen’s Egg”.

Jet - Similar to J.D., Jet is also an artifact created by the Foundation.  Created after the Foundation lost J.D.  He is trying to kidnap Angelique.

Erenfried – A scientist for the Foundation who hates Rayne due to the attention he received.

“Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” features the first 13 episodes on two DVD’s. Here is an episode listing featuring spoiler-less summaries:

DISC 1:

• PHASE 1 – THE GIRL OF MIRACLES - Nyx goes to Angelique’s school in order to convince her to join his organization of Purifiers.
• PHASE 2 – UNDER THE TABLE – Angelique’s cat Erwin runs out and when she finds him, she meets a man named J.D. who seem to have a purifying ability.
• PHASE 3 – THE SILVER KNIGHT – Angelique and Rayne go to fight against Thanatos on the Ship of Stars.  A man named Hyuga helps them fight against the monster.
• PHASE 4 – BLACK ATTACK – The guys hold a party for Angelique, meanwhile a man named Jet tries to get data on her prompting a battle between the four men vs. Jet.
• PHASE 5 – THE JOURNEY OF DETERMINATION – Angelique starts to feel the burden as the “Queen’s Egg” and fears of the possibility of failure.
• PHASE 6 – THE PILGRIMAGE TO A HOLY CITY – When the photographer Roche keeps taking photos of Angelique in the Holy City of Celestizam, she is saved by a man named Rene.

Disc 2:

• EPISODE 7 – THE SEEDS OF HAPPINESS – When the group returns back home, J.D. collapses and now Angelique and Hyuga try to find a way to cure him.
• EPISODE 8 – JINX – The Foundation has unveiled their new weapon to fight the Thanatos known as “Jinx”.  Rayne’s past is revealed.
• EPISODE 9 – A DAY OFF IN WODON - Angelique hangs out with her friends for the day and runs into Roche, the photographer once again.
• EPISODE 10 – RONDO OF TIME – The destruction caused by Jinx is starting to be learned as well as its ineffectiveness in fighting the Thanatos.
• EPISODE 11 – DARK CLOUDS - Erenfried feels that the Jinx is perfect and requests from Jet more data on Angelique.
• EPISODE 12 – CAPTIVE ANGELIQUE – With Jet kidnapping Angelique, the group goes out to rescue her.
• EPISODE 13 – The Return, And Then… - The group works to use Jinx to stop the Thanatos.  Meanwhile, Nyx reveals his true self.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” is presented in 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen. For a television series, the series features a lot of colors and artistic backgrounds feature a good amount of backgrounds as the group travel from village to village.  If anything, the anime is quite lush with its green painted backgrounds of trees and grass.  Blue skies during the day and sunset with the amber colors during the afternoon.  So, there are vibrant colors for this anime series.

Character designs by Maki Fujioka based on Kairi Yura’s original character designs are good, especially when close up but distant animation of characters are less detailed but is expected from a television-based anime series.

Audio is featured in Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Voice acting by the seiyuu are well done as you have the talented Aya Endo (“Sheryl Nome” of “Macross Frontier”, Miyuki Takara of “Lucky Star”) as Angelique, Hiroki Takahashi (Eiji Kikumaru of “Prince of Tennis”, Shoji Endo of “NANA”, Hisoka of “Hunter x Hunter”) as Rayne and Toru Ohkawa (Saito of “Ghost in the Shell”, Roy Mustang of “Fullmetal Alchemist” and Uzumi of “Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny”) as Nyx.

There is no English dub track in this DVD release of “Neo Angelique ~Abyss~”.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” features the Clean Opening theme (on Disc 1) and Sentai Filmworks trailers.  On Disc 2, a Neo Angelique Abyss Theater is included featuring a total of five episodes (about a minute or two long)  featuring the characters of the series in super deformed mode.

“Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” is an entertaining series that definitely has its share of action and drama.  Fans of the video game series may enjoy the series reboot with the new characters. Of course, there is more story to go and the second season is planned for release by Sentai Filmworks in March 2010.

The series is far from being original and has themes that one familiar with video game RPG’s to anime series such as “Harukanaru Toki no Naka de” (Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time) or “La Corda D’Oro” in that a group of guys fight the evil in the world, while protecting the damsel who has extreme powers that can save the world.  But I did like the use of the “Jinx” by the Foundation as they can be considered as part of the antagonist for this first season.  It’s one thing to have the monsters who are draining humans of their life but with the hatred that Foundation scientist Erenfried has towards Rayne, it definitely adds a bit of tension to the series. But there is supposedly more drama to be seen in the second season as well as more motivations become known, especially with the character of Nyx.  But the first season definitely ends with a pretty good clilffhanger.

As for the animation, I did enjoy the artistic backgrounds used for the series and the character designs were good.  It was cool to see Sentai Filmworks add the “Neo Angelique Abyss Theater” to the special features aside from just the typical opening and closing themes and trailers.

Overall, “Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” is an entertaining anime series.  The series is not really dark and for the most part every episode probably until the final have been a bit lighthearted as the heroes go to fight against Thanatos and saving people along the way.  There are a good number of characters but the writers do a good job in trying to develop the characters throughout the first season.  But you can tell that things are definitely going to become more dramatic for the second season which I definitely look forward to.

If you are looking for an action/adventure/drama anime series or a fan of the “Angelique” video game series, definitely give “Neo Angelique ~Abyss~” a try.

NEO ANGELIQUE ABYSS ON SALE

HOUSTON, January 26, 2010– Section23 Films, America’s fastest-growing anime distributor, is pleased to announce two new anime DVDs from Sentai Filmworks, plus a special live-action double feature from J-horror leader Switchblade Pictures.   First up we have the new sci-fi anime Neo Angelique Abyss, followed by the second volume in the fantasy adventure series Tears to Tiara.  Finally there is the lo-fi live action thriller Birthday Mail / Kokurri-San double feature.  All three new releases go on sale today wherever finer DVDs are sold.

Neo Angelique Abyss Season One Collection presents the anime adaptation of the Angelique game series, the first season of which was broadcast on Japanese television Spring 2008.  The collection contains all 13 episodes from that first season plus a load of extras, including “Neo Angelique Abyss Theater.”

SYNOPSIS:      Once, Arcadia was a beautiful world.  Now it is a land under siege, and against the horrifying creatures known as Thanatos, there is only one known defense:  Purifiers, rare humans gifted with the ability to exterminate the life draining monsters.  But Purifiers are few and the Thanatos are multiplying, so when the mysterious Nyx discovers 16 year old Angelique, he becomes doubly committed to recruiting her for the team of Purifiers he is organizing.  For not only is Angelique a Purifier, she is the first female Purifier in recorded history; moreover, there is an ancient prophecy Nyx is aware of: one of a woman with special powers, the “Queen’s Egg,” whose future will be inextricably tied to the fate of Arcadia!   Science fiction, fantasy and romance intertwine in an epic story of fate and destiny:  NEO ANGELIQUE – ABYSS- SEASON ONE!

Title:                 NEO ANGELIQUE ABYSS SEASON 1 COLLECTION
Running Time:   325 min.
Age Rating:       TV PG (V)
Language:         Japanese with English Subtitles
CAT:                 SF-NA100
UPC:                814131016102
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:   Section23 Films
Pre-Book Date:  12/29/2009
Street Date:       1/26/2010
Format:             DVD
SRP:                $39.98

Tears to Tiara Collection 2 brings together the last 13 episodes of the Celtic-flavored fantasy-adventure series in a single two-disc set.  This action-packed series became one of 2009’s big hits when it was first broadcast in Japan last April.  Now North American fans have a chance to get in on the fun!

SYNOPSIS:  Revelations, Retribution and Revenge… As Dragons Stalk The Earth!  Although the Demon Lord Arawn has thus far lead the Gaels well in the battle for Avalon, their tiny force has been battered by the near constant combat.  As Gaius is called to the High Court, Arawn attempts to lead Arthur and the Gaels to his own tomb, seeking treasure with which to continue funding their assault.  However, the imperial forces’ continuing advance instead prompts a desperate change of plans, forcing Arawn to use a divine spell with grave and unexpected consequences.  As an act of treachery again changes the course of the war, leaving the untested Riannon alone in command, Ogam makes a stunning revelation!   Ally turns on ally and the most ancient legends of lost Britain are reborn in the epic final half of TEARS TO TIARA!

Title:                 TEARS TO TIARA COLLECTION 2
Running Time:   325 min.
Age Rating:       TV PG (V)
Language:         Japanese with English Subtitles
CAT:                 SF-TT200
UPC:                814131012906
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:   Section23 Films
Pre-Book Date:  12/29/2009
Street Date:       1/26/2010
Format:             DVD
SRP:                $39.98

Birthday Mail / Kokurri-San Double Feature collects two lo-fi J-horror masterpieces on one diabolical disc, courtesy of the fiendish minds at Switchblade Pictures.

SYNOPSIS:  Ghosts, Ghouls, And Grisly Consequences Galore! Get ready for in a horror filled Switchblade Double feature that proves that communicating with the spirit world in something best left to trained professionals, (preferably on a different continent!)   First, a group of Japanese girls forget the number one rule for avoiding demonic possessions and foolishly use an Ouija board in a house where a murder was committed.  Now they’ve got the spirit and the spirit is definitely out to get them in KOKURRI-SAN!  Next, a nasty new e-mail is making the rounds. It’s not just a virus: open this message and you’ve got 10 days left to live!  How does this all connect to a girl who committed suicide 10 years ago and is there any way to break the deadly e-mail chain?  The latest recipients of the lethal love note have 10 days to unravel the answer before their time is up in BIRTHDAY MAIL!

Title:                 BIRTHDAY MAIL / KOKURRI-SAN DOUBLE FEATURE
Running Time:   126 min.
Age Rating:       Unrated – V
Language:         Japanese with English Subtitles
CAT:                 SWB-0153
UPC:                814131015303
Published by:    Switchblade Films
Distributed by:   Section23 Films
Pre-Book Date:  12/29/2009
Street Date:       1/26/2010
Format:             DVD
SRP:                $19.98

Section23 Films provides home video marketing and distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, and AEsir Holdings.  With its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the market today.