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ADV Sets Release Dates for More January Titles

STREET DATE SET FOR SECOND VOLUME OF MAGICAL SHOPPING ARCADE ABENOBASHI

VOLUME TWO OF SMASH HIT ANIME SERIES, COMBINING SHARP PARODY AND QUICK ACTION, DUE IN STORES JANUARY 27, 2004

HOUSTON, December 4, 2003-ADV Films has set a street date of January 27, 2004 for It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Alternate World, the second volume of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, the hilarious anime series that fuses thrilling action, slapstick comedy and a bit of family drama with uproariously clever parodies of anime, video games and any other pop culture target that stumbles into its crosshairs.

Crazier than crack, madder than a March hare: it's the weirder, wilder, wackier second volume of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi! Suffice it to say that Arumi and Sasshi still haven't convinced that pesky goblin to send them back to the sanity of the real world. From dinosaurs to detectives, cavemen to crime bosses, each jump the pair makes takes them to another fantastic world that's even more frenetic than the last!

Get ready for more action, antics, adventure-and a trip to the past that gives us a glimpse of a puerile punk named Masa (yes, that Masa)! The two kids from Osaka will square off against meteors, magicians, and the mob! You'll laugh. You'll laugh again. You might even get grossed out. (But hey, at least you won't cry.) It's all waiting for you in the second off-the-wall volume of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi!

The series is the latest creation of GAINAX, the mega-talented production studio that revolutionized the anime industry in the nineties with Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the early 21st century with FLCL. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi was directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Wings of Honneamise) and co-produced by Madhouse (Vampire Hunter D, Trigun, Ninja Scroll etc.).

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Alternate World (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, containing three complete episodes presented in widescreen anamorphic format. Includes English 5.1-language and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: A.D. Vid-Notestm; outtakes; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

Collector's Edition Available!
The first volume of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is also available as a collector's edition, which includes a custom series art box sized to fit the entire series ($39.98 SRP).

MAGICAL SHOPPING ARCADE ABENOBASHI: VOLUME TWO
Running Time: 75 minutes; Age Rating: 17+
Pre-Book Date: 12/30/03
Street Date: 1/27/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98



RELEASE DATE SET FOR SAMURAI X: THE OVA COLLECTION

COMPLETE OVA COLLECTION OF THE CLASSIC ANIME SAGA OF SAMURAI LEGEND RUROUNI KENSHIN DUE IN STORES JANUARY 27, 2004

HOUSTON, December 4, 2003-ADV Films today announced the January 27, 2004 release of Samurai X: The OVA Collection, a compilation of the six episodes comprising the two stunningly animated and beautifully told OVAs that accompany the classic anime series featuring legendary samurai Rurouni Kenshin.

Samurai X: Trust
Nineteenth century Japan is a land torn by warfare and rebellion where small bands of soldiers seek to overthrow the tyrannical Tokugawa Shogunate. Enter Kenshin, a young orphan whose fighting skills were honed by the great swordsman Hiko. Though still just a teenager, Kenshin develops a reputation as a skilled assassin. Then, his world is thrown into confusion by the arrival of a mysterious woman named Tomoe, whose kindness shows him a life he didn't know existed. Only Tomoe has secrets that could either help the Kenshin to become a man or destroy everything he holds dear.

Samurai X: Betrayal
Kenshin and Tomoe are forced to escape to a small farm in rural Japan after disastrous events in Kyoto. Living as simple farmers, the two begin to learn more about who they really are and settle comfortably into the peaceful country life. But the political conflicts of the outside world are begin to encroach on their peaceful existence-a traitor is at work to bring down the rebellion and destroy Kenshin in the process. The fugitive couple is eventually drawn to a terrible but stunning climax.

Samurai X: Reflection
The prolonged and bloody war where Rurouni Kenshin gained his fame as a master assassin has long ended, yet Kenshin has found little peace. He is a wanderer, a lost soul, cursed to seek atonement for his life in the bloody trade of the samurai. His wife Kaoru steadfastly awaits his return, mourning his absence as well as that of their son, Kenji. As her health steadily declines, she holds on to the desperate hope that someday Kenshin will return.

The OVAs are both prologue and epilogue to the hit television series, as Samurai X: Trust and Samurai X: Betrayal tell the story of Kenshin's mysterious past while Samurai X: Reflection continues Kenshin's life after the series' conclusion.

As an added bonus, ADV has digitally remixed the English and Japanese audio tracks for Trust and Betrayal into 5.1 surround sound to match the 5.1 track already found in Reflection.

Samurai X: The OVA Collection (SRP $69.98) is a DVD-only release including both English- and Japanese language versions, and English subtitles. Extras include interviews with the original Japanese voice cast; character Introductions; historical notes; screenwriter notes; clean closing animation; production sketches and ADV Previews.

SAMURAI X: THE OVA COLLECTION
Running Time: 205 minutes; Age Rating: 17+
Pre-Book Date: 12/30/03
Street Date: 1/27/04
Format SRP
DVD $69.98



ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES STREET DATE FOR SAINT SEIYA: DARK ADVERSARIES

THIRD VOLUME OF HIT FANTASY-ACTION TITLE AVAILABLE IN STORES JANUARY 13, 2004

HOUSTON, December 4, 2003-ADV Films today announced a January 13, 2004 release date for Saint Seiya: Dark Adversaries, third volume of the highly anticipated fantasy-action anime series. The Saint Seiya series was one of Japan's longest running and most successful anime series in the late 1980s, captivating audiences around the world with its mythic plot and intense action.

The fighting continues as the Bronze Saints struggle to recover the Golden Cloth. The pieces of the armor are scattered about, and each of our heroes will have to prove his mettle in order to return the stolen mystical armament to Saori. Answering a challenge from Phoenix, the Bronze Saints must prepare themselves for their most personal adversaries yet-the Black Saints. Secrets about Phoenix's past are revealed, answering many of the questions surrounding his torturous time living on Death Queen Island. The Black Saints are taking control, the Bronze Saints' are falling apart, and a new foe, enraged from a loss from his past, is threatening the lives of them all.

Saint Seiya is based on a manga by Masami Kurumada and produced by Toei Animation, the animation studio that gave anime fans Digimon, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball. The DVD release of Saint Seiya accompanies the popular airing of Knights of the Zodiac, an edited version of the title, on the Cartoon Network.

Saint Seiya: Dark Adversaries (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including five complete episodes; English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 audio, with English subtitles. DVD features include: "Armor of the Ancient Greeks"; the original opening animation; and ADV Previews.

Collector's Edition Available!
Saint Seiya: The Power of the Cosmos Lies Within, the series' first volume, is available in a Collector's Edition, which includes a custom art box sized to hold the first four volumes of the series (SRP $39.98).

About DIC Entertainment:
DIC Entertainment is a leading children's entertainment company with more than 3,000 half-hours of programming in its prolific library, ranked as the largest independent library of animation. DIC has also amassed a family of domestic and international broadcasters who air DIC programming in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Australia. Some of DIC's popular properties include "Sailor Moon(tm)," and such new shows as "Strawberry Shortcake(tm)," "Super Duper Sumos(tm)," "Liberty's Kids(tm)," and "Mary-Kate and Ashley, In Action!(tm)." More than 25 million children watch DIC's popular programs each week. DIC is a full service studio with production, development, distribution, home video, marketing and licensing departments.

SAINT SEIYA: DARK ADVERSARIES
Running Time: 125 minutes
Age Rating: 15+
Pre-Book Date: 12/16/03
Street Date: 1/13/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98



ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES STREET DATE FOR FINAL FANTASY: UNLIMITED-PHASE 3

THIRD VOLUME OF 25-EPISODE VIDEOGAME TIE-IN SERIES IN STORES JANUARY 20, 2004

HOUSTON, December 4, 2003-ADV Films today announced a January 20, 2004 release date for the third volume of Final Fantasy: Unlimited, the companion anime television series to the popular Final Fantasy role-playing video games.

Hidden throughout the vast landscape of Wonderland lie the crystalline pieces of an entity called Omega, which once consumed whole worlds, but was shattered and scattered over land and sea. Now, Earl Tyrant has sent his minions out to gather the crystals in hopes of reuniting Omega. With its collected energy under his command, the conniving Earl will become the supreme ruler of the universe!

The director of Final Fantasy: Unlimited is Mahiro Maeda, one of the most acclaimed anime directors in Japan. Maeda was recently hand-picked to direct two of the animated shorts included in The Animatrix, the anime side project based on the hit feature film The Matrix.

Producers for the series are SQUARE, TV Tokyo (NOIR) and Dentsu (Princess Mononoke, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex). The title's sharp and vibrant animation is from the brilliant team at Gonzo Digimation, animators of Hellsing, Full Metal Panic!, Zaion and several more of anime's most popular recent titles.

Final Fantasy: Unlimited-Phase 3 (SRP $24.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, containing four complete episodes. Includes both English 5.1- and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: voice actor/actress commentary; production sketches; key animation backgrounds; reversible cover, printed character booklet; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV previews.

Collector's Edition Available!
A collector's edition of the series, which includes the first volume of Final Fantasy: Unlimited, a custom series art box, sized to hold the entire series, and a FREE t-shirt offer, is also available (SRP $39.98).

FINAL FANTASY: UNLIMITED-PHASE 3
Running Time: 100 minutes; Age Rating: 12+
Pre-Book Date: 12/23/03
Street Date: 1/20/04
Format SRP
DVD $24.98



ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SUPER GALS!: LOOK OUT! LOVE IS DANGEROUS!

FOURTH VOLUME OF FUN-FILLED ANIME SERIES AVAILABLE IN STORES JANUARY 20, 2004

HOUSTON, December 4, 2003-ADV Films today announced a street date of January 20, 2004 for Look Out! Love is Dangerous!, the fourth volume of the popular shoujo anime series Super GALS!

Ran Kotobuki, the World's Greatest GAL, may lose that title forever. Her archenemy Mami Honda is mounting her most serious challenge yet: a slalom down an indoor ice mountain. If Ran loses, Mami becomes queen of Shibuya. Will Ran successfully dodge a giant snowman to save her title?

At the same time, Aya's heart is lost to the handsome, but distant, Rei. It's up to Ran to encourage Aya to tell him how she feels. How will Rei react? If rejected, will Aya fall to pieces?

Miyu has seen tougher days, though. Her dark past resurfaces, revealing how she fell in love with Yamato, and the measures taken by Ran and her big brother to save her from a dead-end life of crime.

The past was rough. But what can be done if present proves to be just as hard? The World's Greatest GAL knows! Never give up. Never surrender. That's an ironclad rule for GALS!

Super GALS! successfully combines the light comedy characteristic of Japanese high school girls-shopping, high-school gossip, and teen romance-with strong and compelling storylines while providing stateside audiences with a glimpse of Japanese pop culture.

Super GALS! Look Out! Love is Dangerous! (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including four complete episodes in both English 5.1- and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: printed poster insert with an Aya Hoshino character profile cultural notes; "The Super GALS Explain It All" segment explaining the series' cultural references; original Japanese cover art; clean opening and closing animation; and ADV Previews.

Collector's Edition Available!
A collector's edition of the series, which includes the first volume of Super GALS!, a custom series art box, sized to hold the entire series, is also available (SRP $34.98).

SUPER GALS! LOOK OUT! LOVE IS DANGEROUS!
Running Time: 100 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Pre-Book Date: 12/23/03
Street Date: 1/20/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98



RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED FOR STEAM DETECTIVES: CASE THREE

THIRD VOLUME OF THE ACTION-PACKED, STEAM-POWERED DETECTIVE SERIES AVAILABLE ON DVD JANUARY 13, 2004

HOUSTON, December 4, 2003-ADV Films today announced a January 13, 2004 release date for the third volume of Steam Detectives, the thrilling detective series applauded for its evocative animation and retro feel, inspiring comparisons to graphic art detective classics such as Dick Tracy and Batman.

Narutaki, Ling Ling and Goriki have their hands full with four new cases of murder and mayhem that baffle the local police. When Steam City's legendary protector, the White Dragon, starts "liberating" jewelry stores of their wares, Narutaki suspects a criminal element. Than, Machine Baron airlifts a massive "Megatonman" into the city square, and than leaves him there motionless for a month! What could the devious plan include?

It looks like the boy detective's hardest case may be a grudge match against Ling Ling ... that is, until a famous horror author's work comes to life, murdering innocents at night! There's no room for petty fights when lives are on the line. Steam Detectives is ridding the streets of crime, one case at a time!

Steam Detectives is the creation of the legendary manga artist Kia Asamiya (Martian Successor Nadesico, Silent Mobius), who, in recent years, has increased his fanbase in the U.S. thanks to his work on graphic novels and sketches for such titles as X-Men, Star Wars and Batman.

Steam Detectives: Case Three (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including four complete episodes. In both English 5.1- and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: a tri-fold insert with English and Romaji song lyrics; voice actor comments; production sketches; Japanese opening animation; clean closing animation; Steam Detectives trailer; and ADV Previews.

STEAM DETECTIVES: CASE THREE
Running Time: 100 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Pre-Book Date: 12/16/03
Street Date: 1/13/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98



ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR ALL-PURPOSE CULTURAL CAT GIRL NUKU NUKU DASH! MODE 3

FINAL VOLUME OF OVA TIE-IN TO POPULAR ALL-PURPOSE CULTURAL CAT GIRL NUKU NUKU IN STORES JANUARY 20, 2004

HOUSTON, December 4, 2003-ADV Films today set a January 20, 2004 release date for All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku DASH! Mode 3, the concluding volume of the OVA tie-in to the fan favorite Nuku Nuku series, based on a manga by Yuzo Takada (3x3 Eyes, Blue Seed).

Ryunosuke Natsume has yet to figure out that Nuku Nuku is a runaway androbot. He's thrilled when she agrees to go with him to a match featuring Mishima Industry's state-of-the-art robot, Sangoku Bross. The match is exciting until Sangoku Bross' competitor, the Zweig Company robot, turns on the audience. Nuku Nuku-for reasons not even she knows-comes to Bross' defense.

Nuku Nuku finds still more mystery in when Mishima Industry's new young president rings a bell that is hauntingly familiar. She agrees to a date with the president to discover more, but a fired executive spoils their evening with a stolen android set to kill! The president survives the attack and reveals that he wants to wake up Nuku Nuku's evil androbot sister, R2-004, who can controls matter at an atomic level through artificial ESP abilities. Nuku Nuku, with help from Professor Higuchi, finally discovers her own identity-just in time to fight her sister to defend her loved ones

All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku DASH! Mode 3 (DVD $29.98 SRP) includes four complete episodes with both English 2.0- and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include clean open and closing animation and ADV Previews.

ALL-PURPOSE CULTURAL CAT GIRL NUKU NUKU DASH! MODE 3
Running Time: 100 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Pre-Book Date: 12/23/03
Street Date: 1/20/04
Format SRP
DVD $29.98

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About ADV Films:
In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation ("anime") by combining unique titles, outstanding production values and efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market, with the firm's holdings including such premier titles as NOIR, Sailor Moon, Samurai X, Hello Kitty's Paradise, RahXephon, Spriggan, Robotech, Full Metal Panic! and Neon Genesis Evangelion. In addition, ADV Films' product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming, including live-action science fiction programs Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, Mutant X and The Jim Henson Company's Farscape, and classic science fiction such as the updated Gamera trilogy. ADV Films' parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc. also publishes Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly in the English-speaking world, and operates Anime Network(tm), broadcasting anime and anime-related programming via digital cable, 24 hours a day. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, with additional offices in the EU and Japan, and distribution on four continents, ADV Films is fast becoming an international entertainment powerhouse. For more information, visit ADV Films on the web at <http://www.advfilms.com>.

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