Osamu Tezuka`s 1967 anime series PRINCESS KNIGHT is coming to DVD in North America from Right Stuf, Inc. Image courtesy of Right Stuf. © Mushi Production Co., LtdSource: Right Stuf, Inc. press releases Official Site: rightstuf.com/princessKnight (US)
The vile Duke of Duralumin (aka Duke Jeralmin). Image courtesy of Right Stuf. © Mushi Production Co., LtdDiscover one of anime`s original sword-wielding heroines this summer! Right Stuf`s Nozomi Entertainment division will releases the classic PRINCESS KNIGHT anime as two limited-edition DVD box sets. The 52-episode anime adaptation is based upon the best-selling manga by legendary creator Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy, Kimba The White Lion) and features animation from Tezuka`s own Mushi Productions. This will be the first time the series will be available to North American audiences on licensed DVD. In both anime and manga forms, PRINCESS KNIGHT (??????, Ribon no Kishi) was among the first titles geared specifically toward a young female (shojo) audience. The original comic was serialized in Kodansha`s Shojo Club anthology magazine from January 1953 through January 1956, and its sequel series, Twin Knight (?????, Futago no Kishi), was serialized in Kodansha`s Nakayoshi anthology from January to June 1958. The two collected volumes of the Princess Knight manga are currently available to North American readers from Vertical Inc., which also plans to publish the sequel series in 2013.
Tink the angel (aka Choppy). Image courtesy of Right Stuf. © Mushi Production Co., LtdPRINCESS KNIGHT originally aired on Japanese television from April 2, 1967 through April 7, 1968. It was then dubbed and edited by Joe Oriolo (co-creator of Casper the Friendly Ghost) and syndicated throughout the United States in the 1970s and 1980s as both PRINCESS KNIGHT and CHOPPY AND THE PRINCESS. Due to the availability of materials, these DVD releases will utilize the edited and cut, broadcast video footage from PRINCESS KNIGHT’s American television syndication with the original English-language dub audio (Japanese audio will not be included on these sets because it cannot be synched to the video). Like many shows of its time which did not benefit from today`s focus on preservation, the master materials on which PRINCESS KNIGHT was recorded have deteriorated. In order to provide the highest quality product to their customers, Nozomi Entertainment has acquired additional source materials and completed additional digital restoration work. The PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1 DVD set will be released on August 20, 2013 and PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 2 will be available on October 22, 2013.
Cover art for PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1. Image courtesy of Right Stuf. © Mushi Production Co., LtdPRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1 Street Date: August 20, 2013 Format: DVD Number of Discs: 5 Runtime: Approximately 650 Minutes Audio: English Mono SRP: $39.99 The original English broadcast version of the classic anime series! Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Silverland, a princess named Sapphire was born. Thanks to a mischievous little angel`s prank, however, Sapphire ended up with both the blue heart of a boy and the pink heart of a girl. Thus, the new little princess would be as rambunctious and brave as she was gentle and caring. However, all was not well in Silverland. By law, only a son may inherit the throne. To stop the evil Duke Duralumon from becoming next in line to inherit, the King announced to his subjects that Sapphire was a boy. Now several years later, everyone in the kingdom sees Sapphire as a swashbuckling prince. Very few people know her secret. All seems well, but the Duke still lurks in the shadows, waiting for a chance to make his move... Thus begins the story of Sapphire, the courageous Princess Knight, as she fends off the Duke`s wicked schemes and fights for justice and the happiness of her people! PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1 contains episodes 1-26.
Cover art for PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 2. Image courtesy of Right Stuf. © Mushi Production Co., LtdPRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 2 Street Date: October 22, 2013 Format: DVD Number of Discs: 5 Runtime: Approximately 650 Minutes Audio: English Mono SRP: $39.99 Sapphire and Choppy return for the exciting series finale! It`s a dark time in the kingdom of Silverland. The King is missing, and Duke Duralumon used a terrible potion to trick the Queen into revealing Sapphire`s secret. Now the entire kingdom knows that their brave young "prince" is actually a girl! As punishment for lying to the people, Sapphire and the Queen have been locked away in lonely Coffin Tower. But Sapphire won`t give up hope. She`s created a new persona for herself -- the mysterious hero Phantom Knight -- and she won`t rest until her kingdom is out of the evil Duke`s clutches for good! PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 2 contains episodes 27-52 of the classic anime series, with its original English-language dub. DVD Extra Features include a Line Art Gallery, Trailers and the Japanese Pilot Episode (English subtitled).
About Right Stuf, Inc.
Currently celebrating its 25th year in business, Right Stuf, Inc. was one of the first players in the U.S. Japanese Animation ("anime") industry, as both an anime producer/distributor and a retailer. Right Stuf works to promote knowledge of its own products, as well as the anime and manga industry, in general, through its online storefront at RightStuf.com and a variety of media including podcasts and special publications. Its video and print publishing division includes the Nozomi Entertainment, Lucky Penny, and 5 Points Pictures studio-labels.