Bandai to Release Samurai Champloo Film Manga Series
January 25, 2006 (Cypress, Ca) – Bandai Entertainment, INC., announced today it will be releasing a series of Film Manga based on Geneon's hit anime series Samurai Champloo thru it's recently formed Manga Division. The first volume will be released in April.
Samurai Champloo, which is currently available on DVD and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, the ultra-hip director of the acclaimed Cowboy Bebop. Like Bebop, Samurai Champloo has developed a devout following in the US since its North American release. The story focuses on two ronin samurai, Mugen and Jin, who reluctantly aid a young girl named Fuu in her search for “a Samurai that smells of sunflowers.” The trio travels thru an alternate reality hip-hop influenced Edo period Japan.
“Samurai Champloo is one of today's hit anime properties and when the chance to license a series of Film Mangas from Geneon came our way, we jumped at it,” said Bandai Manga Editor Robert Napton. “Film Manga as a format has had a bit of a turbulent ride in America, mostly due to bad quality and high price points. We are battling that by releasing each volume featuring hi-quality color images and the very competitive price of $9.99 per volume.” Napton added.
In addition to adapting three episodes of the anime, each Film Manga volume will include exclusive BONUS MATERIAL not found anywhere else. The first volume features an interview with Director Shinichiro Watanabe. “For each volume, we want to have more than just episodes, we go behind the scenes of the series, like bonus features on a DVD,” Napton explained.
The first volume of the Samurai Champloo Film Manga will be released in April, as part of Bandai Entertainment's Manga launch month, which will also include the black and white manga title, Eureka Seven Vol. 1.
Bandai Entertainment, INC. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD and programming for television broadcast in North America. Additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.
Samurai Champloo, which is currently available on DVD and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, the ultra-hip director of the acclaimed Cowboy Bebop. Like Bebop, Samurai Champloo has developed a devout following in the US since its North American release. The story focuses on two ronin samurai, Mugen and Jin, who reluctantly aid a young girl named Fuu in her search for “a Samurai that smells of sunflowers.” The trio travels thru an alternate reality hip-hop influenced Edo period Japan.
“Samurai Champloo is one of today's hit anime properties and when the chance to license a series of Film Mangas from Geneon came our way, we jumped at it,” said Bandai Manga Editor Robert Napton. “Film Manga as a format has had a bit of a turbulent ride in America, mostly due to bad quality and high price points. We are battling that by releasing each volume featuring hi-quality color images and the very competitive price of $9.99 per volume.” Napton added.
In addition to adapting three episodes of the anime, each Film Manga volume will include exclusive BONUS MATERIAL not found anywhere else. The first volume features an interview with Director Shinichiro Watanabe. “For each volume, we want to have more than just episodes, we go behind the scenes of the series, like bonus features on a DVD,” Napton explained.
The first volume of the Samurai Champloo Film Manga will be released in April, as part of Bandai Entertainment's Manga launch month, which will also include the black and white manga title, Eureka Seven Vol. 1.
Bandai Entertainment, INC. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD and programming for television broadcast in North America. Additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.
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