Earlier this month, North American anime publisher Nippon Ichi Software America confirmed that they would be releasing standard editions of Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up on Blu-ray, bunny drop as a DVD/Blu-ray combo and Arakawa Under the Bridge on either DVD or Blu-ray. Jump ahead a few weeks and the company have announced that all these four releases are now available for purchase.
Unlike most anime publishers, Nippon Ichi Software America usually take a different route with their anime releases – opting to first do a Premium Edition release which often features an artbook and occasionally a few other goodies, and once stocks run out they often release a Standard Edition release at a cheaper price and without most of the goodies.
For more information on all four releases, check below:
Arakawa Under the Bridge
DVD / Blu-ray | Japanese Dub | $49.99 / $59.99 | 316 Minutes over 13 EpisodesKo 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 EpisodesMeet 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 EpisodesDaikichi, 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.
– 2011 AniBloggers Choice Anime Awards – Sam’s Choices
You can read my review of this series HERE.
