With Anime Expo currently happening at the Los Angeles Convention Center this week, FUNimation announced at its panel in acquiring licenses to anime for home video and online streaming. The Texas-based distributor will be securing the rights to two feature-length titles, HAL and 009 Re:Cyborg, and will be adding the Hyper Dimension Neptunia anime series to its summer simulcasting line-up. So far, the currently listed shows are Danganronpa: The Animation and The Brothers Conflict. Also, the tenth One Piece movie, One Piece: Strong World, will be available on DVD and DVD/Bluray Combo at November 19th this year.
The newly announced titles are science-fiction themed throughout, but they all vary in artistic style, tone, and subject matter that they need to be seen as different genres entirely. Here’s a synopsis of all three titles:
HAL
Film synopsis:
From Production I.G’ s Wit Studio (Attack on Titan) comes a drama unlike any other.
When death separates young lovers Kurumi and Hal, “robot Hal” arrives to cheer Kurumi up. As the new Hal begins to uncover the couple’s secret past, a reluctant Kurumi slowly warms up to him. This beautifully-animated feature film explores the connections and conundrums that make us human.
OO9 Re:Cyborg
Film synopsis:
From Kenji Kamiyama, writer and director of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Eden of the East, comes a new story based on the classic sci-fi manga!
Long ago, nine ordinary humans were abducted by an evil organization and turned into super-powered cyborgs. They rebelled and fought for justice, ultimately saving humanity. Now, Joe Shimamura lives the life of an ordinary human with no recollection of his past as a cyborg. When a terrorist organization threatens mankind, he finds himself wrapped up in a fight for the fate of the world. Will the cyborgs be able to reunite and prevail in a time when justice has been forgotten?
Hyper Dimension Neptunia
Series’ synopsis:
In the world of Gamindustri, four competing CPU goddesses rule the lands of Lastation, Leanbox, Lowee, and Planeptune. When dark forces threaten their power, they’ll have to learn to work together if they want to defeat evil. Based on the hit RPG series, it’s the video game console wars as you’ve never seen them before: fought by gorgeous girls!
Planning to watch any of these titles? I know for sure that the simulcasting for Hyper Dimension Neptunia will catch the attention from members in our own staff, as well as many fans alike. Personally, I’m really excited for HAL, and I think 009 Re: Cyborg is the Cyborg 009 that I wanted to see when I was growing up with the 2002 adaptation on Toonami.
