Commander Niren Fedrok takes charge of Flynn Scifo and Yuri Lowell in TALES OF VESPERIA ~THE FIRST STRIKE~ . © Namco Bandai Games Inc. / TOV Project. Original Character Design © Kousuke Fujishima

Source: FUNimation Entertainment, Production I.G. Official Site: tov-movie.net (Japan), funimation.com/tales-of-vesperia (US) Special Thanks to Tim Baxter

Packaging for the TALES OF VESPERIA ~THE FIRST STRIKE~ Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © Namco Bandai Games Inc. / TOV Project. Original Character Design © Kousuke Fujishima

FUNimation Entertainment will release the anime feature film TALES OF VESPERIA ~THE FIRST STRIKE~ (???? ?? ?????? ?The First Strike?, Teiruzu obu Vesuperia ~The First Strike~, 2009) on June 26th. The movie was produced by the animation studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1, EDEN OF THE EAST) and directed by veteran animator Kanta Kamei (TALES OF LEGENDIA, KILL BILL VOL. 1, INNOCENCE). It was theatrically distributed in Japan by Kadokawa Pictures on October 3, 2009. TALES OF VESPERIA ~THE FIRST STRIKE~ is the first anime film based on the hit TALES role playing video game series by Namco Bandai Games, which debuted in 1995 and now features more than a dozen titles. The movie acts as a prequel to the the events depicted in the 2008 game TALES OF VESPERIA, but can be enjoyed by viewers unfamiliar with game. In a mythical kingdom, the mighty Imperial Knights harness a magical substance known as Aer to power their weapons and protect humanity from the monsters of the forest. But something strange is afoot; the Aer is somehow changing, causing the wilderness to waste away and stirring the woodland beasts to attack with greater frequency. As danger creeps steadily closer to civilization, two young recruits -- Flynn, the rigid son of a fallen hero, and the rebellious and brash Yuri -- must ride with their fellow Imperial Knights to distant ruins in hopes of uncovering the truth behind the transforming Aer. Some will not survive the thrilling journey. Some will be betrayed. If Flynn and Yuri cannot overcome their differences and learn to fight together, all will be lost for the people of the realm. Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack: Region A/1 SRP: $34.98 Street Date: June 26, 2012 Discs: 2 Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1 Audio: Japanese, English Subtitles: English Rating: TV14 Running Time: 110 Minutes

The Imperial Knights go on a dangerous quest. © Namco Bandai Games Inc. / TOV Project. Original Character Design © Kousuke Fujishima

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit funimation.com.