Category: Japanese

Evangelion 1.11 & 2.22 Equal an October 21, 2025 Blu-ray and Digital Release

GKIDS brings the first two Rebuild of Evangelion films to North America in special editions featuring collectible booklets and bonus features.

Evangelion 1.11 Movie PosterGKIDS

Although the release order of the Evangelion movies to home video is unusual—since 3.0+1.11 was offered before 1.11 and 2.22—math is not required to figure out what’s going on. It’s simply explained by this definition: 2.0 is the unedited theatrical version, 3.33 is a tweaked version for home video release.

What’s coming will allow fans to see them all in sequential order and these editions are available for purchase in North America. GKIDS has unveiled details for the October 21 Blu‑ray™ releases of Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone (part one) and Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance (part two). Each release includes bonus features, with a 16‑page booklet included inside You Are (Not) Alone and a 20‑page booklet inside You Can (Not) Advance. Both films will also be available on all major digital platforms starting September 16.

From the Press Release:

Created by Hideaki Anno, the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise is considered one of the most influential animated sagas of all time. Since the original series premiered in 1995, the story of teenager Shinji Ikari has become a landmark in animation and global pop culture. The saga was later reimagined as the Evangelion movie series, beginning with You Are (Not) Alone (2007), followed by You Can (Not) Advance (2009), Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo (2012), and culminating in the finale Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time.

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Dungeons and Television’s Hilarious Debut At Fantasia Film Festival 2025 Will Want You Posing Too!

Set to release on YouTube next month, Dungeons and Television is fast-paced, charming series about dungeon livestreaming in a way where why isn’t that reporter running away from that dragon!?!?

Dungeons and Television PosterDungeons and Television is one of the standout new series introduced at Fantasia Film Festival, and what’s presented is merely a teaser. When the festival also becomes a launchpad for fresh shows, there’s more than one title I’m already tuning in to. Another is Night of the Living Cat, which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and you can catch my review of the first two episodes here; Fantasia hosted a theatrical screening of episodes three and four (highly recommended—the plot finally thickens).

As for this fantasy series, this made-for-the-web anime will arrive next month on YouTube. Although I can’t find an official channel, I’m sure that’ll quickly be live very soon, and as soon as I know, I’ll posted updates! In this world, the discovery of the vacuum tube has reshaped life in the kingdom of The Grand Half-Moon Cauldron, turning once-mythic dungeons into hotspots for exploration and opportunity. The setup feels very Dungeons & Dragons-inspired, and that’s definitely a plus.

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Studio 4°C’s ChaO: An Enchanting Tale That’s More Than Just a Fairy Tale Romance

A bold and emotional story blending mermaid mythology, interspecies romance, wild mecha rides, and high-stakes drama, ChaO makes a memorable splash.

ChaO Movie Poster English)
This movie played at the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival on July 27th.

GKIDS

When a movie simply titled ChaO begins with an account of a mermaid saving a boy from drowning, writer/director Yasuhiro Aoki moves away from the idea of presenting another fairy tale. Unlike those fantasy yarns from long ago, what we find here is perhaps more inspired from Splash! that Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah film is more of a sitcom about a fish out of water trying to get used to living in the human world, and in this anime, what’s offered here is similar.

In this presentation, Stefan (Oji Suzuka) and Princess Ao Sonni Chao Neptunus (Anna Yamada) haven’t even had their first date. Technically, this film begins in the present, where the surface world lives in harmony with the aquatic one. Here, we find that this human has moved on. Although the plot makes Juno (Shunsei Ōta) look like the protagonist, he is not. He’s a reporter who loses a scoop to a story, but when he finds Stefan, this chance to interview the sailor may well save him from being fired! During my second viewing, I noticed he’s similar to the actual lead, because both are wishy-washy.

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Watch out! City Hunter Angel Dust is Coming to Home Video Next Month!

No, City Hunter Angel Dust is not the end, but the beginning of what may be new teams to reimagine this franchise.

City Hunter Angel Dust Bluray CoverPress Release

Ryo Saeba’s crime sweeping adventures continue in City Hunter Angel Dust as the action comedy arrives on Blu-Ray™ in select North American e-commerce stores from Anime Limited, with distribution by Shout! Studios. This latest high-octane installment based on Tsukasa Hojo’s wildly popular manga of the same name boasts the franchise’s signature blend of hard-boiled humor with gritty combat, in a stylish return to form that longtime fans and collectors won’t want to miss.

Produced by the acclaimed Sunrise studio and directed by Kayuyoshi Takeuchi—with general direction by franchise veteran Kenji Kodama, the original director of the City Hunter TV series—Angel Dust reunites voice legends Kamiya Akira (Ryo Saeba) and Ikura Kazue (Kaori Makimura) mark what is considered the beginning of the franchise’s epic final chapter.

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Revisiting the Poignant Classic: Grave of the Fireflies on Home Video and Theatrical Presentation Coming Soon!

Fans of Studio Ghibli can look forward to a new limited edition Steelbook release of Grave of the Fireflies with special features, alongside a theatrical re-release opportunity.

Grave of the Fireflies Steelbook Edition
Available to order at Amazon USA

Release Date:
July 8, 2025

As Studio Ghibli’s catalogue of works continues to get new re-releases under the GKIDS label (distributed by Shout! Studios), some fans may well want to get the limited edition Steelbook edition that’s being released this week. But to truly appreciate this film directed by Isao Takahata, we recommend checking your local theatre listings for when Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 begins!

This annual event puts these films onto the silver screen where they should belong, and every year, the rotation of works are slightly different. While it’s very likely the digital version will be used over a 35mm film print, there’s no denying the power of this movie will leave many in tears. There’s no need to go into an extensive review, since what’s coming is a haunting look at a troublesome time about those Japanese people trying to survive during World War II.

Below, is a list about what’s notable in this release. Some folks opt to collect this studio’s works one at a time instead of buying it all in one go:

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All Stitch! All The Time. On Why The Animated Takes Matter.

After the recent live-action adaptation, a look back at the animated versions of Lilo & Stitch reveals the Japanese series, Stitch! The Series, offers a more profound exploration of family and character development, and I present my five favourite episodes.

Stitch! Anime PosterSpoiler Alert

After watching the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch (movie review link), I needed a palate cleanser—so I turned to both the American and Japanese animated series. Of the two, Stitch! The Series offers much more to appreciate than the live-action take. It better explores the meaning of family (Ohana), and even when the latest adaptation strays from canon, just hearing Jumba boast about his evil genius was enough to win me over.

Overall, I found the Asian series much better. A few episodes break away from the usual formula. The U.S. version follows a “gotta catch ‘em all” approach, with Lilo finding and giving homes to the 625 loose experiments with Stitch’s help. Fans will admire her perseverance, especially after this fuzz ball talks about family a lot, and misses it. That’s because all these genetic creations, the experiments, share a bond and the more popular ones have a recurring role. Jumba, as their creator, is like a father who must accept responsibility for them.

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