News
Funimation Licenses 1987 Anime Zillion (Updated)
posted on by Karen Ressler
Anime News Network's coverage of Anime Expo 2018 is sponsored by Yen Press.
FUNimation Entertainment announced at its Anime Expo panel on Friday that it has licensed the Zillion (Akai Kōdan Zillion) anime and plans to release the complete series in October. The release will be English-subtitled.
The 31-episode series debuted in 1987, and spawned the Zillion: Burning Night original video anime the following year. The weapons in the anime were based on a peripheral "light phaser" for the Sega Master System.
The story takes place in 2387, when the Earth's most successful off-world colony is under siege by a savage race of warrior-cyborgs called "the Noza Empire." All hope seems lost until the colonists discover the "Zillion Weapon System," guns that are the only thing strong enough to defeat the Noza. J.J., Champ, and Apple are three young colonists who have been specifically trained to use the weapons.
Streamline Pictures previously licensed and released the first five episodes, and Zillion: Burning Night, on VHS. Michael and Janet Jackson included some brief background sequences from the anime in their 1995 music video for "Scream."
Thanks Rukiia for the news tip.
Source: Funimation's Anime Expo panel (Bamboo Dong)
Update: The release will be English-subtitled.
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history