GANTZ on UK DVD and Blu-ray in October

Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

Already adapted as a hugely successful anime series, Hiroya Oku’s manga Gantz gets a stunning special effects-laden, live action makeover courtesy of director Shinsuke Sato (SAND CLOCK; ALL ABOUT MY DOG) and DEATH NOTE trilogy producer Takahiro Sato. A thrilling hybrid of horror, action and sci-fi that recalls the likes of MEN IN BLACK, GHOSTBUSTERS and BATTLE ROYALE, GANTZ (??, 2011) stars Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA), Kenichi Matsuyama (NORWEGIAN WOOD; KAMUI; the DEATH NOTE trilogy) and popular Japanese TV star Natsuna (DAIMAJIN KANON). Teenage high school student Kei Kurono (Ninomiya) is waiting for a subway train home when he recognizes an old childhood friend Masaru Kato (Matsuyama) on the same platform. Suddenly, a drunken commuter falls on the tracks just as the station’s speaker system announces the approach of a non-stopping express train. Kato immediately goes to the man’s assistance but struggles to lift him to safety on his own. Reluctantly, Kurono joins him and they manage to save the man but are unable to get clear of the oncoming train, which hits them and kills them instantly. A split second later, Kurono and Kato find themselves in a bare room in an unfurnished apartment containing several strangers and a large, black spherical object. They quickly discover that all the people in the room have recently died and been instantly resurrected by the mysterious sphere. But their second chance at life comes at a price. To remain alive, those chosen must follow the sphere’s instructions in seeking out and destroying numerous bizarre alien life forms secretly inhabiting the earth. But what it the origin of the sphere, how is it able to restore life to the dead and what does it want? GANTZ (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in the UK by Manga Entertainment on 3rd October 2011. Special Features include: The Making Of GANTZ; interviews; teasers and trailers; TV spots; Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 PCM audio options; optional English subtitles. Label: Manga Entertainment Release date: 3rd October 2011 Release type: DVD, Blu-ray Certificate: 15 Running time: 131 minutes Pricing: Blu-ray - £24.99, DVD - £19.99 Director: Shinsuke Sato Stars: Kazunari Ninomiya, Kenichi Matsuyama, Natsuna

For more information on GANTZ please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: