Australian anime publisher Madman Entertainment have welcomed in the month of March 2014 by confirming what they have in store for anime fans within Australia and New Zealand during May 2014. While none of their announced titles from Wai-Con have been included in the list, there are a couple of promising titles including two new Studio Ghibli blu-ray releases.
For more information on these titles, divert your gaze below:
Bleach Bankai Box 1 (Episodes 1 – 133)
DVD | Hybrid Dub | $199.95 | 3325 Minutes over 28 Discs
For as long as he can remember, Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to see ghosts. But when he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, he finds his life is changed forever. Now, with a newfound wealth of spiritual energy, Ichigo discovers his true calling: to protect the living and the dead from evil. And when he vows to defend Rukia from the ruthless justice of the Soul Society, he and his friends must cross over and do battle in the spirit world…
Bleach Bankai Box 2 (Episodes 134 – 229)
DVD | Hybrid Dub | $199.95 | 2400 Minutes over 16 Discs
Trouble is brewing in Las Noches, Aizen’s palace in the Hollow realm, Hueco Mundo. One of the Arrancars, Patras, rebels against Aizen and tries to steal the Hogyoku. Ulquiorra realises what Patras is up to, but he is defeated when he is caught off-guard by Menis and Aldegor, who assist Patros in his rebellion. Upon obtaining the Hogyoku, the three go to the World of the Living, where they head to Urahara’s shop in order to find Kisuke Urahara, the creator of the Hogyoku.
Bleach Collection 21 (Episodes 280 – 291)
DVD | Hybrid Dub | $49.95 | 300 Minutes
The Soul Reapers form an uneasy alliance with the Visoreds, and the battle against the Espadas resumes. Barragan, the former ruler of Hueco Mundo who was displaced by Aizen, appears to be defeated by the combined efforts of Hachigen and Soi Fon until they discover him forcing open Hachigen’s Shiju Saimon barrier.
Later, Ichigo is troubled that he can’t seem to use his Hollowfication to full effect. And with the ultimate battle with Aizen looming, he’ll need every ounce of power!
Dragon Ball Z Season 2
Blu-ray | Hybrid Dub | $59.95 | 875 Minutes over 4 Discs
Having suffered heavy losses in the battle with the Saiyans and with Goku still recovering from his injuries, the remaining Z-Fighters must embark on a perilous journey to Planet Namek in search of the Namekian Dragon Balls. Unbeknownst to them, however, a powerful new enemy has set his sights on the same prize – the ruthless tyrant Frieza!
This new Blu-ray edition has gone through a frame-by-frame restoration process to remove any blemishes, tape marks, and foreign bodies from the film. All three audio tracks have been re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction and superior sound quality, and the colors are bolder and more vibrant. Lastly, a precise shot-by-shot reframing of the entire series was done to create a modern HD widescreen presentation!
Jormungand Season 1 Collection
DVD / Blu-ray | Hybrid Dub | $59.95 | 300 Minutes
Jonah is a child soldier and the newest bodyguard for Koko, an international arms dealer with an entourage of hired guns. The cold-blooded kid hates Koko’s line of work, but following her into the darkest corners of the black market might be the only way he can find those responsible for his family’s slaughter.
Besides, his employer isn’t like most merchants of death. She uses guile and cutthroat tactics to keep her clients armed to the teeth – all while cultivating her own warped plan for the future of world peace. With the CIA desperate for her capture, assassins eager to collect her head, and the potential for every contract to end in ultra-violence, Koko and her comrades in arms bring the boom to every corner of the world.
Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-Ne Season 2
DVD | Hybrid Dub | $59.95 | 325 Minutes
Several months have passed since the last battle took place in Kamogawa City. Madoka Kyono is now in her final year of high school and has yet to decide what she will do with her life. Across the galaxy, Lan now takes part in research that involves the Vox Rympha. During an experiment, their research facility comes under attack by De Metrio forces, led by Muginami’s Vox Ignis.
Will Madoka, Lan, and Muginami be able to reunite once again as the Jersey Club? And what is the mystery behind the Rin-ne and the Vox?
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Collection 2 (Episodes 13 – 25)
DVD | Hybrid Dub | $59.95 | 325 Minutes
Aladdin has yet to regain consciousness from the battle with the fallen magi Judar. Meanwhile, as the third prince of Balbadd, Alibaba tries to stop his older brother King Ahbmad from turning Balbadd into a slave-exporting nation. But his plans are thwarted by none other than Cassim, his childhood friend from the slums, now transformed into a Dark Djinn by the Dark Metal Vessel. Cassim tries to strike down the royal family for causing their citizens to suffer for many years.
Cassim’s attacks crush Aibaba both physically and mentally, but he gets back up again and again. Just then, a friend reaches out a helping hand! With Aladdin’s support once again, can Alibaba rescue his country, people, and Cassim from the darkness?
Soon after, Alibaba and Aladdin will learn about Al-Tharmen, the organisation that has been causing the “Abnormalities of the World”…
Nichijou – My Ordinary Life Series Collection
DVD | Japanese Dub | $59.95 | 650 Minutes
Life in a small city needn’t be boring. Not when your city is home to a host of deeply odd people. Granted, some residents, like high-school buddies Mio and Yuko, are fairly normal. Yuko is a world-class space-case and Mio has an unusual mastery of wrestling and boxing, but… okay, so they’re odd too. Together with fellow residents such as Nano, the frequently modified robot of five-year-old genius the Professor, talking cat Sakamoto (that’s Sakamoto-san to you!), and their own friend, the poker-faced lunatic Mai, they lead provincial lives that are perfectly mundane and thoroughly bizarre.
Australian English-localized exclusive!
One Piece (Uncut) Collection 25 (Episodes 300 – 312)
DVD | Hybrid Dub | $49.95 | 300 Minutes
Luffy pours his heart and soul into the battle to keep his nakama together!
The assault on Enies Lobby reaches a boiling point as Spandam drags Robin towards the towering Gates of Justice! Zoro’s demonic nine-sword fighting style sets the stage for a blistering barrage of heroic attacks as the Straw Hats inch ever closer to a joyous reunion with their captured crewmate. The showdown between Luffy and Lucci rages out of control against a backdrop of devastating destruction thanks to Spandam’s Buster Call.
While the rubber-man trades blows with the most powerful assassin of CP9, his mates need help from below to avoid a watery grave. Explosions rock the horizon, Luffy’s giant attack sends him down for the count, and the unexpected return of an old friend represents the last glimmer of hope for our heroes!
Princess Mononoke
Blu-ray | Hybrid Dub | $39.95 | 134 Minutes
While protecting his village from a rampaging boar-god, the young warrior Ashitaka becomes afflicted with a deadly curse. To find the cure that will save his life, he journeys deep into sacred depths of the Great Forest Spirit’s realm where he meets San (Princess Mononoke), a girl raised by wolves. It’s not long before Ashitaka is caught in the middle of a battle between iron-ore prospecting humans and the forest dwellers. He must summon the spirit-powers and all his courage to stop man and nature from destroying each other.
Psycho-Pass Collection 1
DVD / Blu-ray | Hybrid Dub | $59.95 | 275 Minutes
Get ready for Psycho-Pass, a hardboiled, gun-slinging sci-fi series from the creator of Madoka Magica and the studio that brought you Ghost in the Shell.
In the future, even just thinking about a crime is enough to make you guilty – and justice is dispensed from the barrel of a gun. Detectives work in teams made up of Enforcers and Inspectors. Enforcers take out the bad guys, and Inspectors make sure their partners don’t cross the fine line between good and evil. The great equalizer in the war against thugs is the Dominator, a futuristic weapon that can read minds and assess the probability that a citizen will turn criminal. There are no trials. Only Enforcers, Inspectors, and the Dominator. Commit a crime in your mind – and the Dominator will make sure you pay the ultimate price.
Psycho-Pass Collection 2
DVD / Blu-ray | Hybrid Dub | $59.95 | 275 Minutes
The Sibyl System was meant to grind all criminal activity to a permanent halt, but something’s gone horribly wrong. A deranged genius known as Makishima has mastered the art of justifying his own heinous deeds, leaving the Dominator powerless to stop his reign of terror. At the first sign of the system cracking, thugs take to the streets, terrorizing the innocent while wearing special helmets that prevent their cruel intentions from being detected.
With their futuristic weaponry powerless to stop the bloody rampage, Inspector Akane and her Enforcer, Kogami, must take an old-fashioned approach to the law. While Akane infiltrates the Sybil System to discover how far the corruption has spread, Kogami doggedly tracks Makishima, setting the stage for a violent and shocking final showdown!
Psycho-Pass Complete Collection w/ Soundtrack
DVD / Blu-ray | Hybrid Dub | $139.95 | 550 Minutes
The Cat Returns
Blu-ray | Hybrid Dub | $39.95 | 75 Minutes
Haru, a schoolgirl bored by her ordinary routine, saves the life of an unusual cat, and suddenly her world is transformed beyond anything she’s ever imagined. Her good deed is rewarded with a flurry of presents, including gift-wrapped mice, and one very shocking proposal of marriage – to the Cat’s King’s son! Haru embarks on an unexpected journey to the Kingdom of Cats where her eyes are opened to a whole other world and her destiny is uncertain. To change her fate she’ll need to learn to believe in herself, and in the process she will learn to appreciate her everyday life. THE CAT RETURNS is a magical animated adventure that will delight and inspire everyone.
Transformers Animated Season 3 Collection
DVD | English Dub | $34.95 | 325 Minutes
The action packed final season! After the shocking truth of Sari’s origin was revealed, she uses her AllSpark key to become an all the more special ally to the Autobots.
Meanwhile, Shockwave, disguised as a double agent, sabotages the operations of the Elite Guard on Cybertron, to prepare for Megatron’s return. Yet the final fight, with new allies and enemies, is set to take place on Earth. Facing off against Optimus and the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream have created an incredible army of Supreme sized robots, and both courage and sacrifice will be needed for the Autobots to save Earth and return home.
Transformers Cybertron Collection 2
DVD | English Dub | $49.95 | 625 Minutes
The race to gather all the Cyber Planet keys draws powerful allies to both the Autobots and Decepticons as the stakes are raised. Despite near defeat at the hands of Megatron, the Autobots have attained three of the four keys. Starscream makes his big play, stealing the keys to attain unprecedented size and power. The Autobots fight back when they discover the deep secrets from Cybertron’s past revealing the true from of their home – the Transformers’ creator, Primus.
Even with the mighty Primus, the deadly threat of Unicron’s legacy, the black hole, will not be destroyed easily. Megatron, revived as the unstoppable Galvatron, plans to accelerate the degradation caused by the black hole and remake the cosmos in his own image.
Can Optimus Prime and each planet leader unite to confront Galvatron and end the threat once and for all?
