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Kaiba and God Eater Blu-rays Released Monday

On January 10, Anime Limited will release a Collectors Blu-ray of Masaaki Yuasa's series Kaiba, including a 44-page booklet. Anime Limited describes the series:

"A boy with no name awakens with a hole through his chest, a strange marking on his belly, and no memories. The one link to his past is a locket containing a picture of a girl whose name he does not know. Within moments he meets Popo, who unlike the memoryless boy has a purpose. Through Popo, the boy learns that where he is a body without memory, in this world there are many who are only memories with no body.

"The rich harvest the choice bodies, leaving only the dregs for those down below. And yet even though he has no memories, there are many who seem to want his life. How does he fit into this world where not even memories might be real?"

Masaaki Yuasa (The Tatami Galaxy, Ping Pong, Mind Game, Lu over the wall) and Madhouse's 12-episode Kaiba anime series premiered in Japan in April 2008. The series starred Houko Kuwashima as Kaiba, Mamiko Noto as Neiro, and Romi Park as Popo. It won a Prize for Excellence in Animation award at the 12th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards in 2008.

MVM will release a collected Blu-ray of the full series God Eater. MVM describes the story:

"In the early 2050s, unknown life forms called 'Oracle Cells' began their uncontrolled consumption of all life on Earth. Their ravenous appetite and remarkable adaptability earned them first dread, then awe, and finally the name Aragami, the 'Mad Gods.; In the face of an enemy completely immune to conventional weapons, urban civilization collapsed, and each day humanity was driven further and further toward extinction. The year is now 2071... the domain of the mad gods lies here in the Far East. One single ray of hope remains for humanity. Following the development of "God Arcs" -- living weapons which incorporate Oracle Cells -- their wielders are organized into an elite force."

The series starred Ryūichi Kijima (Beast Saga's Argyllo, Beyblade Shogun Steel's Torimaki B) as the protagonist Lenka Utsugi. Lenka, who is an original character, is a new "God Arc" (Jin-ki) weapon user. The staff chose Kijima for the role after auditioning more than 100 people.

Takayuki Hirao directed the anime at ufotable with character designs by Keita Shimizu (Tales of Phantasia, ToHeart2 key animation) and music by Go Shiina (Kyousogiga, God Eater games). Hirao also was the director for the anime promotional video for the first game in 2010. ufotable used hand-drawn animation to animate the God Arc weapons instead of CG. Oldcodex (Free!, Kuroko's Basketball) performed the opening theme song.

Anime Limited will also release a Limited Blu-ray collecting the two TV seasons of the faming series Silver Spoon. Anime Limited describes the story:

"The only reason why Yugo Hachiken decided to attend the Oezo Agricultural High School (a.k.a Ezono) was simply because the school had a dormitory. Entering Ezono was a way for Yugo to run away from the stifling academic pressures in the city, however, it didn't take long for him to realize that life is not that simple.

"Yugo is soon forced to face more hurdles in his new environment surrounded by all the farm animals and the magnificent Mother Nature. He also begins feeling a different kind of pressure as he deals with his classmates who, unlike him, all have a clear view of what they want for their futures. Even so, as Yugo overcomes one challenge after another at Ezono and deepens his bonds with his classmates, he begins to grow stronger both physically and mentally."

The series is adapted from Hiromu Arakawa's (Fullmetal Alchemist) Silver Spoon manga. Ryohei Kimura (Kids on the Slope's Kaoru) and Marie Miyake (Penguindrum's Ringo) led the cast which also included Tooru Sakurai, Ayahi Takagaki, Nobunaga Shimazaki, and Masayuki Shouji.

Anime Limited is also releasing the first volume of Sword Art Online: Alicization War of Underworld as a Collectors Blu-ray. This edition comes with a slipcase that can accommodate both volumes of the series, as well as six art cards. Anime Limited summarises the series as follows:

"The war between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory has engulfed Underworld entirely. The battle has shifted course with the Dark Territory army led by Gabriel, who seeks to capture Alice, the Priestess of Light, in their fight against Asuna and the Human Empire forces fighting to save Underworld. As Kirito's consciousness remains buried in a deep sleep, Gabriel, standing in as the Dark God Vecta, has recruited thousands of American players to log in to the Underworld to annihilate the Human Empire forces."

Anime Limited is also releasing a standard Blu-ray edition of the boxing series Megalobox.