North American game and anime publisher Nippon Ichi Software America have also confirmed alongside their announcement of Hanasaku Iroha ~ Blossoms for Tomorrow~ that they will be releasing three of their original Premium Edition anime releases as standard editions – one receiving individual DVD and Blu-ray releases, one receiving a single Blu-ray release and one receiving a DVD and Blu-ray set releases. The series which are receving the treatment are Arakawa Under the Bridge (Season 1), Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up and bunny drop, and all are set to be available on the 29th January 2013.
While lacking the Premium Edition slipcase and artbook, these standard editions are intended to be a more affordable option for fans and will include story-leaflet guides to each episode included in the release.
Arakawa Under the Bridge
DVD / Blu-ray | Japanese Dub | $49.99 / $59.99 | 316 Minutes over 13 Episodes
Ko Ichinomiya’s family motto is “Never be indebted to anyone,” but after losing his pants and falling into the Arakawa River, he quickly finds himself in debt to his savior, the cutely insane Nino who happens to live under the bridge. To repay her, he vows to help her with her desire to “experience love.” Along the way he’ll meet the river’s other residents, including a hot-blooded kappa, a Sister in drag, and a literal rock star. The love story between Ko (aka Rec) and Nino is often humorous, sometimes bittersweet.
This surreal comedy depicts the exciting lives of these two and all the other maniacal residents of Arakawa under the bridge
An enjoyable series that is less focused on the storyline and focuses more towards the comedic nature of the characters and the setting, with a community of people who essentially, live underneath a bridge. With a cast of very different characters, every episode is sure to make you chuckle and enjoy all the quirks of the characters.
Read my review of the Premium Edition release HERE
Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up
Blu-ray | Japanese Dub | $59.99 | 292 Minutes over 12 Episodes
Meet the Demon Patrol: a hotheaded demon prince; a sultry, half-naked ice princess; a lusty frog-demon spy; a talking wizard hat… Plus a little girl shows up. This rag-tag group has been charged with the protection of Earth from a multitude of demons who would love nothing more than to bring their world crashing down around them.
They’ll face off against a vengeful squid, a somnambulant kittycat, a pot full of snakes, a night-stalking deciduous, a hater of crotches, and even a literal butthead!
Descend into an unreality filled with pratfalls, lewd behavior, and enough obscure cultural jetsam to drown us all!
bunny drop
DVD and Blu-ray Combo | Japanese Dub | $64.99 | 251 Minutes over 11 Episodes
Daikichi, a 30-year-old bachelor, meets the 6-year-old girl Rin at his grandfather Souichi’s funeral. It is there that Daikichi and his family learn that Rin is Souichi’s direct descendant. When the topic of who would care for her comes up, the family shirks all responsibility of raising this “shameful” child. Reacting emotionally, Daikichi declares his intention to take Rin into his home.
This is the story of two very different individuals coming together under one roof and learning what it means to be a family, an experience that teaches Daikichi what it means to be a parent.
What is there to say about Usagi Drop…. I could go on for hours about how the storyline is both well thought out and heartwarming, following 30 year old Daikichi who decides to adopt his six year old aunt Rin who is believed to be the illegitimate daughter of his grandfather. It is a brilliant story focusing on her days in nursery school and in the early years of elementary school as not only she learns to come out of her shell – but Daikichi who is single and has decided to become a parent figure to Rin, learns how to be the role-model father to her while also searching for her mother and seeking advice from others. I could also go on about the at times simplistic and at times detailed design which also works well with the series. Simply put, it is one of the best noitaminA series that has been released and is well deserving of my Rank #1 Japan-released anime for 2011.
You can read my review of this series HERE.
