Contents of the B: THE BEGINNING – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION set. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © Kazuto Nakazawa / Production I.GSource: Shout! Factory press release Official Site: b-animation.jp (Japan), B: THE BEGINNING | Netflix (US) Special Thanks to Tom Chen From the renowned animation powerhouse Production I.G. (PSYCHO-PASS, GhHOST IN THE SHELL, ATTACK ON TITAN) and director Kazuto Nakazawa (PARASITE DOLLS, animation director of KILL BILL: Vol. 1) comes the popular action suspense anime series, B: THE BEGINNING (2018). Directed by Nakazawa and Yoshinobu Yamakawa (LITTLE BUSTERS!), this gripping, character-driven crime procedural uniquely blends the visual marvel of anime, dystopian sci-fi supernatural fantasy, and gritty mystery narrative in equal measures. The series music is composed by Yoshihiro Ike (BLOOD: THE LAST EMPIRE, TIGER & BUNNY), with the theme song provided by former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman.
Key art © Kazuto Nakazawa / Production I.GHailed by anime enthusiasts and worldwide fans for its distinctive genre-bending storytelling, B: THE BEGINNING SEASON ONE arrives on national home entertainment shelves and digital download to own on October 6, 2020 from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Anime Limited. Debuting for the first time on North American home entertainment shelves, B: THE BEGINNING SEASON ONE Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) collects all twelve thrilling episodes (both versions -- the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and the English dub), a mini-poster, two art cards, and insightful bonus content featuring the pilot film that inspired the series, a special video interview with director Kazuto Nakazawa, and more. The English dub boasts a popular voice cast of Johnny Yong Bosch, Allegra Clark, Ray Chase, Brianna Knickerbocker, among other notables! If ever an anime series was meant to be seen in a deluxe home entertainment packaging, that series is here now. Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Anime Limited, will also release B: THE BEGINNING – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION on the same day. This limited-edition set comes housed in a visually striking slipcase, with three art cards and a 160-page hardback book. The book is a comprehensive series bible, packed with information about every element of B: The Beginning’s world and story, taking fans behind the scenes of its production with staff interviews, character designs, background artwork, location information and more. Featured in a deluxe disc portfolio will be the Blu-ray of the complete first season, the pilot film that inspired the series, a special interview with director Nakazawa, original soundtrack on CD (featuring 21 tracks, including the previously unreleased “Farewell to the Black-winged King”), and more. B: THE BEGINNING – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com. B: THE BEGINNING SEASON ONE Series Overview The tiny city-state of Cremona has been shocked by a string of gruesome murders. As only vicious killers are being targeted, and from an enigmatic mark left at each crime scene, people call this mysterious executioner, “Killer B”. When former detective Keith Kazama Flick is called back on duty after an eight-year-long hiatus, a new team assembles at the Royal Investigation Service with the purpose of putting an end to the bloodshed. But Keith appears burdened by too many ghosts from his past. And as much greater and ominous scheme starts emerging, he will need to come to terms with them all. Created by Kazuto Nakazawa and Production I.G. Screenplay: Katsunari Ishida Directed by Kazuto Nakazawa and Yoshinobu Yamakawa Character Designer and Key Animation Supervisor: Kazuto Nakazawa Music: Yoshihiro Ike Animated by Production I.G.
Image courtesy of Netflix. © Kazuto Nakazawa / Production I.GB: THE BEGINNING – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION (Limited-Edition) SKU: 826663211696 Release Date: October 6, 2020 Rating: Not Rated Video: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.78:1) Region: A Discs: 3 Run Time: 300 Minutes Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Original Japanese and English Dub Subtitles: English SRP: $159.99 Bonus Features • Series presentation in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and English dub • Pilot film that inspired the Netflix series • Clean Opening - Clean Ending • Interview with director Kazuto Nakazawa • 160-page hardback book - A comprehensive series bible, packed with information about every element of B: THE BEGINNING`s world and story, taking fans behind the scenes of its production with staff interviews, character designs, background artwork, location information and more. • Original Soundtrack on CD (featuring 21 tracks, including the previously unreleased “Farewell to the Black-winged King”) • Three art cards
Blu-ray Combo Pack. Image courtesy of Shout! Factory. © Kazuto Nakazawa / Production I.GB: THE BEGINNING SEASON ONE Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) SKU: 826663211641 Release Date: October 6, 2020 Rating: TV-MA Video: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.78:1) Region: A/1 Discs: 4 Run Time: 300 Minutes Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Original Japanese and English Dub Subtitles: English SRP: $29.97 Bonus Features • Series presentation in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and English dub • Pilot film that inspired the Netflix series • Clean Opening - Clean Ending • Interview with Kazuto Nakazawa • A mini-poster • Two art cards
About Anime Limited
Based out of Glasgow, Scotland Anime Limited brings a fresh approach to distributing the best in anime direct from Japan. As an independent company the emphasis is both breathing new life into much loved classics and introducing the cutting edge of theatrical offerings. With a focus on bringing more anime to the big screen, releasing beautifully packaged collector’s editions and trying new ways to reach fans digitally, Anime Limited is committed to offering a wide range of experiences for UK audiences.
About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.