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Discotek Licenses Great Mazinger Anime, Toriko Film, 2 Zatch Bell Films

Discotek Media announced on Sunday that it has licensed the Toriko the Movie: Secret Recipe of Gourmet God! (Gekijō-ban Toriko Bishokushin no Special Menu), Zatch Bell: 101st Devil (Konjiki no Gash Bell: 101 Banme no Mamono), Zatch Bell: Attack of Mechavulcan (Konjiki no Gash Bell!!: Attack of the Mechavulcan), and Great Mazinger anime. The Toriko and Zatch Bell films are slated for release on Blu-ray Disc on March 27, while Great Mazinger is slated for release on DVD on March 27.

The company also revealed that Tenjho Tenge, Robot Carnival, and Tomorrow's Joe are all slated for March 27.

Discotek Media describes Toriko the Movie: Secret Recipe of Gourmet God!:

In a world where the most delicious ingredients come from dangerous lands and deadly beasts, only the strongest and bravest can be true gourmands. Toriko is a Gourmet Hunter, a mighty warrior with Gourmet Cells. These can be implanted into humans, and those who successfully intergrate them see rapid enhancement of their particular traits, alowing them to gain superhuman abilities. Together with his chef partner Komatsu, he seeks out the world's most delicious foods! Their latest mission is to investigate a mysterious biotope said to house a special recipe left there by the world's most legendary hunter, Acacia. But a mysterious and deadly hunter named Girim interrupts, declaring that he will find Acacia's legacy and keep it for himself! When his power proves too overwhelming even for Toriko, allies and enemies alike must work together, to stop Girim before it's too late!

The film opened in Japan in July 2013, and ranked #8 in the Japanese box office in its opening weekend. The film is based on Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro's Toriko manga. Shimabukuro launched the manga in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2008, and ended it in November 2016. Viz Media published new chapters of the manga digitally simultaneously with the Japanese release in its digital English version of the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, and also publishes the manga's print volumes. The manga inspired a 147-episode television anime series in 2011-2014. Crunchyroll streamed the series, and Funimation released part of the series on DVD. The manga also inspired several anime specials and crossover specials.

Discotek Media describes Zatch Bell: 101st Devil:

While the battle to determine the next king of the demon realm has often been fraught, the rules were always clear: 100 demon children partnered with 100 humans would challenge each other, using 100 magical books. What none of them knew was that there was a 101st magical book, powerful enough to stop any of the others. Gash and Kiyomaro must begin a journey that will take them into the demon realm to confront the mysteries of Gash's past. But will they escape in time to help their friends in a battle with a seemingly unstoppable enemy.

Discotek Media describes Zatch Bell: Attack of Mechavulcan:

As Kiyomaro races to catch the bus to seaside camp, little does he know that Dr. M2, a demonic magic scientist from the future, has sent out a robot to kidnap him. He's trapped in limbo with the mad magic scientist who wants to be his partner and an army of Vulcan robot lookalikes. Dr. M2 sends a robot to pretend to befriend Gash, keeping him away from Kiyomaro until M2 can abscond with the teen genius to the future. In the end, it comes down to saving the world with a little help from their friends...

The films are based on Makoto Raiku's Zatch Bell (Konjiki no Gash!!) manga. The films debuted in Japan in 2004 and 2005. Raiku published the original 33-volume manga between 2001-2007. Viz Media published 25 volumes in North America. The manga inspired a 150-episode anime series between 2003-2006.

Discotek Media describes Great Mazinger:

After a long and difficult battle, Dr. Hell and his malicious forces have been defeated. While it seems as though peace has been achieved, a much stronger evil has arisen; the Mycenaean Empire. Lead by the Emperor of Darkness, they waste no time to dispatch their fearsome Battle Beasts, which easily defeat Mazinger Z. As Koji and Sayaka leave for the United States, it's up to skilled pilot, Tetsuya Tsurugi, and his new and improved Great Mazinger to take a stand!

The anime debuted in 1974 as the sequel to Gō Nagai's Mazinger Z anime. Discotek previously released both the original Mazinger Z and Shin Mazinger Z Impact anime.

Thanks to jlaking for the news tip.