ADV ANNOUNCES AUGUST 28 RELEASE :  UTAWARERUMONO: THE BEAST WITHIN

“A Riveting Must-See Series.” – J! Ent

Houston, June 25, 2007 - ADV Films is proud to announce an August 28 street date for the fifth volume of an epic fantasy series.  Fans still have trouble pronouncing it, but they all agree that Utawarerumono is a show that can’t be missed.

From veteran production studio Oriental Light and Magic (Berserk, Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor) comes the tale of a man in a mask he can’t remove.  With a heart-felt story and exciting action set in a far-off land, Utawarerumono will appeal to fans of Inuyasha. Make sure to get your dose of action and intrigue in what theOtaku.com calls “a great series for those looking for something with action, drama, a touch of comedy.”

Synopsis: In a warring land, blood runs deep and trust wears thin.  Just when Hakuoro thinks he has gained a trustworthy ally, he finds that he must defend his people against a power-hungry onslaught from an invincible mechanized force, the likes of which have never been seen in this primitive world.  When Hakuoro is backed into a corner, his inner beast is unleashed – and pieces of the mystery begin to unfold.  Is he a bloodthirsty killer, or a mystical protector of life? How did he get here?  Don’t blink, or you might miss a clue!  So sit back, relax, and decipher the flashbacks in this compelling installment of Utawarerumono!

Utawarerumono: The Beast Within (SRP $29.98 DVD) is an anamorphic DVD-only release including episodes 19 through 22, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.  Extras include the “Omake Theatre” video short, the 15-minute video “Utawarerumono: The Story So Far…”, extended episode previews, a glossary of terms, a character art gallery, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

DVD Product Details

Volume:                 5 of 6

Running Time:    100 min.

Age Rating:          TV 14 (V)

CAT:                      DUM/005

UPC:                      702727161629

Pre-Book Date:    7/31/2007

Street Date:          8/28/2007

Format:                  DVD

SRP:                      $29.98

Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.

Epic Franchise Reaches Several Firsts

REDMOND, Wash., June 25, 2007 - Today’s launch of Pokémon® Battle Revolution heralds a number of firsts for Nintendo’s hot-selling Wii™ video game system. Pokémon Battle Revolution is:

• The first online Wii game in the Americas.
• The first Pokémon game for Wii.
• The first Wii game to wirelessly link to Nintendo DS™.
• The first Wii game that lets players use their Nintendo DS as a controller.

Pokémon Battle Revolution is set to become a groundbreaking smash hit this summer.

In battles using Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s wireless gaming service, players can use their Wii Remote™ to compete with friends after exchanging friend codes, or against players of comparable skill. The game automatically searches for other players who are online. The sights and sounds of the game bring the action to life as well: The beautiful graphics show each move in full detail, while the action is narrated by the same announcer from the Pokémon TV show.

The game contains a number of battle modes for different kinds of play. In Colosseum Battle Mode, players have 10 different Colosseums in which to stage their epic challenges. In Nintendo DS Battle Mode, players battle Pokémon that they have raised in their Nintendo DS Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon® Pearl games. Up to four players can use their Nintendo DS systems as a wireless controller, which uses the same battle interface found in the DS games.

“Already more than 2 million copies of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl have sold in the United States alone,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “The arrival of Pokémon Battle Revolution brings those players a whole new set of challenges and, for the first time on Wii, online battles.”

Online setup is extremely easy, even for novices. With a few clicks, players are instantly connected, whether they’re using a Wii Remote or a Nintendo DS as a controller.

Trainers are fully customizable. Players can select one of three female or three male Trainers and outfit them with clothing, hats and glasses after earning points during competition. Players can even create personalized in-game text for their Trainers to use when they win or lose a battle.

Pokémon Battle Revolution, rated E for Everyone, launches June 25. For more information about the game, visit www.pokemon-games.com. The Official Nintendo Pokémon Battle Revolution Player’s Guide is now available at retail.

June 25, 2007Forget the lemonade and long naps. If it’s summer action you’re after, head straight to the Wii Shop Channel for a thrill-packed selection of fast-driving, high-flying, hard-hitting games. This week’s new additions include futuristic racers and fierce fighters guaranteed to liven up your lazy summer.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

F-Zero® X (Nintendo® 64, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Choose from 30 different hover-car racers, including updated versions of the Blue Falcon and other vehicles from the original F-Zero, and get ready to play one of the fastest racers ever. You’ll speed to the finish line on tracks that twist and turn through the air, doing your best to avoid the other 29 cars on the track. If you’re in a competitive mood, try to win a Grand Prix Cup, get the fastest lap time in a Time Trial or destroy the competition in a Death Race. You can also challenge three friends in the Versus mode. With five separate play modes, hidden vehicles and courses, and an excellent soundtrack, F-Zero X still represents one of the best racing titles to date.

Street Fighter® II’ Turbo: Hyper Fighting (Super NES®, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen –Violence, 800 Wii Points): Street Fighter II defined gaming in the 1990s by revolutionizing the fighting-game genre. Regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, Street Fighter II’ Turbo: Hyper Fighting was the third and final release in the original series. Featuring the eight original World Warriors (including Ryu, Chun Li and Guile) along with playable boss characters (Balrog, Sagat and M. Bison), this classic title offered enhanced playing speed and improved character balancing.

China Warrior (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older –Violence, 600 Wii Points): China Warrior is a side-scrolling action game that was released around the same time as the TurboGrafx16 in Japan. It’s up to the kung fu master Wang to defeat the Dark Emperor, who stands atop the kung fu world in China. Punch, kick and jump-kick enemies along the path that lies between you and the three bosses of each stage. Skillfully fight your way through all four stages, and be sure not to miss recovery items while dodging enemy attacks. China Warrior boasts character size and detail that rivaled all other games at the time of its release. Exciting one-on-one fights against the game’s realistic bosses will make you feel like you’re in the middle of a kung fu movie.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Actress Gigi Leung will be playing the part of a hard working woman and the challenges as a parent and worker after HK’s return to China.

In a recent article on CRIEnglish.com, “The Hong Kong film “Wonder Woman”, co-starring singer and actor Gigi Leung, and veteran singer George Lam premiered at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Sunday night, Chinese website Sina.com reports.”

“The film pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of Hong Kong Women. It tells the story of an office workers ups and downs in both her family and career life after Hong Kong returned to the Chinese mainland in 1997.”

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The strong collaboration returns. It has been announced that TOKIO’s new song will be written and composed by singer/songwriter Nakajima Miyuki (55) and will be called “Honjitsu Mijukumono”(planned to be on sale 8/15)

This TOKIO x Nakajima Miyuki collaboration is the second one following last year’s hit single, “Sorafune”. This single will be an Enka inspired rock number and will be used for TOKIO member Yamaguchi Tatsuya’s upcoming NTV drama “Juken no Kamisama” (Starting 7/14 at 9pm),

“It’ll be great if the song and the drama both are a hit”, commented Yamaguchi. Once again, this single will feature Nagase Tomoya(28) as the only singer and he commented, “After listening to the song when we were done recording, I was amazed at how great this collaboration sounded” and he predicted a hit.

For the original article, go to: http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200706/gt2007062209.html

CRIEnglish.com reports that Vicky Zhao won the media award at the 10th Shanhai International Film Festival.

According to the article, “Vicky Zhao won the award for her breakthrough performance as a taxi driver in “The Longest Night in Shanghai.” The nationally projected film was hailed for its potential at the box office.”
“The 31-year-old actress missed the awards ceremony on Friday as she is shooting a new film “The War of the Red Cliff”, directed by John Woo. She expressed her thanks for the honor over the phone.”

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Chosun reports that Korea’s “Amorepacific” brand of beauty products is becoming a big hit in the US.

According to the article, “Michelle is a makeup artist in New York and a regular customer of the Amorepacific Beauty & Gallery Spa in Soho. Opened in the trendy downtown area in 2003, the spa offers upscale beauty treatments and products. On May 24, Michelle was at the spa again, enjoying an hour-long facial massage. “I’m envious of Korean women because they have such great complexions,” says Michelle. “I usually get massages with Korean products that have green tea ingredients.”

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Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports

Latest From “The New Miyazaki”

HOUSTON, June 22, 2007—ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime outside of Japan, is pleased to announce it has acquired the exclusive theatrical, home video, and broadcast rights in North America to 5 Centimeters Per Second,  the newest masterpiece from one of Japan’s most remarkable directors.

Makoto Shinkai has been called “the new Miyazaki,” for the care, sophistication, and depth of feeling he brings to his animated features.  Shinkai produced Voices From a Distant Star (2002) entirely on his own using a Macintosh.   The short film caused a stir and went on to win prizes at several international film festivals.  Shinkai’s follow-up was the feature length film The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004), which went on to win even more awards and enjoyed a successful art house run throughout North  America.  While Place Promised marked Shinkai as a creator to watch, 5 Centimeters Per Second cements his reputation as a world class director of the first rank.

This endeavor marks the first time Shinkai has worked closely with a full staff of animators and artists.  5 Centimeters Per Second is a successful collaboration that nevertheless maintains Shinkai’s signature touch.   “The director’s trademarks of breathtakingly detailed visuals, understated narrative style, and themes of separation and loneliness are propelled to a new level.” (Newtype USA)

Synopsis: After transferring to the same elementary school, Takaki and Akari become best friends.  But when both families are forced to relocate, their lives change.  After a year of separation, Takaki is about to reunite with Akari.  Sitting on the train from Tokyo, memories of the past rush through his mind as he draws closer to his life-long friend.  When a snowstorm delays their fateful meeting, Takaki and Akari begin to wonder if they will ever be able to see each other again, and share their secret feelings.  Join Takaki on a journey into three interconnected tales of love and lost innocence that span the minutes and months of their lives.

ADV Films will debut a 35mm subtitled version of 5 Centimeters Per Second at two late night screenings Saturday June 30.  A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the ADV Films booth at Anime Expo.  Both showings will take place at a theater within walking distance of the convention center and Expo hotels.

ADV is putting together a theatrical tour of 5 Centimeters Per Second for the fall.  A DVD release is currently planned for December.

Last week’s news about Ninety Nine’s Yabe Hiroyuki going to have a press conference (which turned out that his girlfriend had broken up with him for waiting too long to propose…15 years).

According to the article, “Comedian Hiroyuki Yabe’s announcement of his break-up with long-time girlfriend “Hitomi-chan” had fellow comics in stitches at a press conference this week — must be in the delivery — and became the most popular story in the MSN-Mainichi Interactive’s Japanese-language entertainment coverage in the week from June 15 to 21.”

“Following closely behind Yabe was the announcement that ex-Morning Musume star Asami Konno, who quit the band to go to university, will make a comeback as a singer next month.”

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In a recent Televiews article on Daily Yomiuri by Wm. Penn, Penn writes about children’s television shows.

Penn writes, “It has been a good decade since I took an interest in the topic. Once one’s own children exit that stage, the incentive to tune in is gone. Besides, children’s TV has always seemed to be the one area that viewers could safely leave in the hands of NHK-Educational and I still believe that.”

“But what about children’s programming on the private networks? Animated offerings are numerous, but there are almost no children’s programs featuring humans nowadays. It seems the private networks, too, have left this field to NHK-E. Even the Fuji network’s long-running Ponkikki, featuring Gachapin, a colorful dinosaur child, and Mook, a red yeti, went off the air on March 30.”

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