GKIDS and Shout! Studios
Release Date: May 12, 2026
The story continues in The Legend of Hei, the acclaimed Chinese animated film that won audiences over with its beautiful hand-drawn animation and heartfelt storytelling. For anyone who missed the original, the movie is available online, with the home video still easy to find. Now the sequel, The Legend of Hei 2, arrives with a brand-new adventure filled with fresh dangers and a looming threat from the spirit world.
While the premise of maintaining balance between worlds may sound familiar, this story takes its own path. The conflict between spirits and humans is a universal theme, but this sequel expands the mythology in new directions rather than echoing other animated series. Readers can check out my review of the first film here.
The upcoming Blu-ray release of The Legend of Hei 2 arrives May 12, 2026 from GKIDS and Shout! Studios, bringing the acclaimed animated sequel home with several behind-the-scenes extras.
From the Press Release:
Revered for its luminous hand-drawn animation and emotionally rich storytelling, The Legend of Hei 2 reunites audiences with a world where spirits and humans coexist in uneasy harmony, raising the stakes with a sweeping new chapter that balances heart, humor, and kinetic action.
Continue reading “Run, Kitty, Run! The Legend of Hei 2 on Blu-Ray! Coming Soon”
The ancient Incan world is fascinating not only because of where it existed within the cosmos, but also because, as a mountain community, the way its people communicated between villages is worth examining too. While there are plenty of scholarly publications on the subject, seeing that world brought to life through animation is incredibly rare. Now there’s Kayara, the latest entry to deliver not only a strong coming-of-age tale, but also a historical glimpse into this culture’s past.
For collectors, cinephiles, and nostalgic gift-givers, Shout! Studios continues to deliver premium releases that turn movie nights into an art form. In what makes this year special for this top Asian picks is the Chinese Ghost Story collection on this list. Not only is it a huge upgrade from prior releases, but it made number one in my gift giving guide.
This quintessential series that launched the “heroic bloodshed” genre in Hong Kong cinema is getting a massive 4K treatment, and there’s seven discs in total to make this film saga soar. It’s a John Woo and Tsui Hark produced film, and if that’s not enough to set the stage about two brothers trying to stay together—despite living in opposite worlds. One is a cop, and the other a Triad thug trying to go straight. This saga also made Chow Yun-Fat an international superstar. Different cuts are offered.
This newly remastered Hong Kong Cinema Classics collection revives one of the most beloved supernatural sagas ever filmed. Each entry has been 4K-scanned from the original negatives with new subtitles and restored colour. The box-set format turns this romantic fantasy trilogy into an essential collector’s centrepiece.
John Woo’s ballistic masterpiece explodes back onto shelves in a deluxe multi-disc edition. Featuring a brand-new 4K restoration and bonus features on the art of Hong Kong action, it’s a perfect showcase gift for anyone who still believes in practical stunts and cinematic bravado.
Among the icons of Hong Kong action cinema, few stars shine as brightly as Jet Li. Renowned for his graceful and fluid fighting style, Li’s illustrious filmography has established him as an international superstar.
This colossal animation library brings together Miyazaki and Takahata’s timeless works. The bundle’s unified design and sharp HD masters make it an ideal gift for families, collectors, or anyone seeking the warmth of hand-drawn magic through winter nights.
A Chinese Ghost Story Returns with not only a look back at Wilson Yip’s 2011 remake, but also news of the upcoming Shout! Studios 4K trilogy release. With 
GKIDS
Press Release