CROISÉE IN A FOREIGN LABYRINTH, HEAVEN’S MEMO PAD, and RO-KYU-BU FAST BREAK! Launch This Month Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases Special Thanks to David Williams and Christian Lopez Sentai Filmworks has launched a full court press on the anime marketplace with the the acquisition of the slice-of-life period series CROISÉE IN A FOREIGN LABYRINTH ~ THE ANIMATION, the psychological detective mystery HEAVEN’S MEMO PAD, and the sports comedy RO-KYU-BU FAST BREAK! Broadcast and Digital Distributor Anime Network will begin simulcasting the three new series on their Online Streaming Service this month.
The 12 episode CROISÉE IN A FOREIGN LABYRINTH ~ THE ANIMATION (??????????, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée, 2011), based on the popular manga by Hinata Takeda, is a unique East meets West drama set in 19th century France. Script supervision for the historical drama is being handled by the legendary Junichi Sato (SAILOR MOON, ARIA), with character designs by Hideki Inoue (GRENADIER) and direction from Kenji Yasuda (NOEIN). Revolutions always wreck mayhem and carnage, and the Industrial Revolution is no different as it engulfs Europe, leaving outmoded businesses and millions stripped of their traditional ways of life forever as its casualties. Cultural Revolutions are no less devastating, and as the 19th century comes to an end, young Yune has seen her native Japan shaken to its very core as the walls separating it from the Western world have finally crumbled, sending an entire nation on a quest for a new identity. But like the Phoenix, the new is inevitably born from the ashes of the old. And when Yune she decides to accompany her new acquaintance, Oscar, to Paris where his family’s metal declining shop is barely making ends meet in the face of its new competition, she may just be setting a new wave of changes into motion. Could Yune be the critical spark needed to rekindle the fires in both the hearths and minds of the Enseignes du Roy? As old worlds come to an end, new beginnings will be forged in CROISÉE IN A FOREIGN LABYRINTH ~ THE ANIMATION. Digital distribution of CROISÉE IN A FOREIGN LABYRINTH ~ THE ANIMATION will begin through The Anime Network on Tuesday, July 26, with a home video release of the 12 episodes to follow next year. (Rated TV-PG) Schedule: Episode 1: Tues 7/26 @ 11 AM (Central) Episode 2: Wed 7/27 @ 11 AM Episode 3: Thur 7/28 @ 11 AM Episode 4: Fri 7/29 @ 11 AM Episodes 5 - 12: Fridays @ 11 AM (Central) Note: This series will be free to watch - registration is required.
The red hot new girls’ basketball series RO-KYU-BU FAST BREAK! (??????!, Ro-Kyu-Bu!, 2011) is based on the hit series of seven light novel written by Sagu Aoyama and illustrated by Tinkle, as well as the twin manga series illustrated by Y?ki Takami and Futaba Miwa, respectively. The 12 episode series is directed by Keizo Kusakawa (SEKIREI, MAGICAL GIRL LYRICAL NANOHA A’S), with character designs by Takayuki Noguchi (QUEEN`S BALDE, PAPILLON ROSE) and script supervision by Michiko It? (SPECIAL A). Talk about games being called unexpectedly! Hasegawa Subaru joined the basketball club at Nanashiba High, only to have his hopes dashed when the teams’ play is suspended after the captain is suspected of having inappropriate feelings for the coach’s underage daughter. Blindsided and blocked by bad luck, Subaru expectedly finds an opening for his talent with the hoops when his aunt asks him to take on the task of coaching a young girls’ basketball club - a Ro-Kyu-Bu. But can a superstar wannabe find true satisfaction while playing sixth man to a team of five girls? Get your scorecards ready and find out in RO-KYU-BU FAST BREAK! Digital distribution of RO-KYU-BU FAST BREAK! will begin through The Anime Network on Wednesday, July 27 with a video release of the 12 episodes on English subtitled DVD to follow next year. (Rated TV-14) Schedule: Episode 1: Wed 7/27 @ 10:30 AM (Central) Episode 2: Thur 7/28 @ 10:30 AM Episode 3: Fri 7/29 @ 10:30 AM Episode 4: Sat 7/30 @ 10:30 AM Episodes 5 - 12: Saturdays @ 10:30 AM (Central)
HEAVEN’S MEMO PAD (??????, Kamisama no Memo-cho, 2011) is an amazing new series which merges an exploration of the growing phenomenon of social dropouts in Japan with a high school detective series. Based on the highly successful series of light novels by Hikaru Sugii, HEAVEN’S MEMO PAD is directed by Katushi Sakurabi (GUNPARADE MARCH, LUNAR LEGEND TSUKIHIME) using character designs by Keichi Sano based upon originals by Mel Kishida and script supervision by Seishi Minakami (PAPRIKA, DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE). Narumi Fujishima is NOT your typical high school student; he’s never really fit in and has been becoming increasingly more isolated from his fellow classmates. But he’s not alone, and when Ayaka, the sole member of the Gardening Club, introduces him to the reclusive girl who lives above the Ramen shop, Narumi enters a whole new secret world. Alice is a NEET, someone who is Not Employed, being Educated or in Training, but as Narumi quickly discovers, that doesn’t mean that she does nothing all day. In between tending to her small army of stuffed bears, Alice is an expert hacker and… has skills that suddenly become vital to Narumi when a new illegal narcotic invades his school and takes away someone important to him. Now it’s a deadly race as the strange but elite team of oddball associates that Alice assembles from her NEET acquaintances races to locate and destroy the source of the deadly drug. And in the middle of it all, Narumi will find his life changing forever in HEAVEN’S MEMO PAD! Digital distribution of HEAVEN’S MEMO PAD will begin through The Anime Network on Sunday, July 31, with a home video release of the 12 episodes to follow next year. (Rated TV-MA) Schedule: Episode 1: Sun 7/31 @ Noon (Central) Episode 2: Mon 8/1 @ Noon Episode 3: Tues 8/2 @ Noon Episode 4: Wed 8/3 @ Noon Episodes 5 - 12: Wednesdays @ Noon (Central)
About Sentai Filmworks
Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, including hit series like HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD, GUIN SAGA, NEEDLESS, CANAAN and ANGEL BEATS. Sentai Filmworks programs can be found on home video distributed by Ingram Entertainment, Baker & Taylor, Section23 Films, The Right Stuff and other good and fine distributors. Digital product offerings may be found at iTunes, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Zune Marketplace, Anime Network, Playstation Network and YouTube.
About Anime Network
Anime Network is the leading broadcast and digital distributor of Japanese animation and Asian cinema in North America. Headquartered in Houston, TX, Anime Network was founded in 2002 and launched as one of the first VOD networks on most major cable providers. Anime Network’s mission is to bring the best in anime programming to everyone in North America. In addition to our VOD network, consumers can access our Video website. The dynamic website, featuring an ever growing anime community, includes a subscription service that mirrors the VOD network and allows viewers to catch up on episodes they may have missed on broadcast.