Source: Sentai press release Sentai Home Video has announced its May 2025 slate of anime Blu-ray releases. Product details follow, in order of release...   Photo courtesy of Sentai. DREAM EATER MERRY COMPLETE COLLECTION Published by:    Sentai Distributed by:   Distribution SolutionsRun Time:         325 min.Street Date:      5/6/2025Language:        English Dub, Japanese with English SubtitlesSRP:                 $69.98 Yumeji Fujiwara’s been having strange problems with dreams: not only can he predict what kind of dreams others will have, but his own nocturnal meanderings have become frighteningly bizarre chases by armies of cats whose leader wants his body in order to access our world! So, when the beautiful Merry Nightmare falls from the sky on top of him, proclaiming that she's a Dream Demon looking for a way back to the Dream World, Yumeji agrees to help her. After all, he needs help too, especially when

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. In the terrifying footsteps of EXHUMA, THE WAILING, THE CLOSET, and DR. CHEON AND THE LOST TALISMAN​, the frightening new possession/exorcism thriller DEVIL’S STAY (사흘, Saheul, 2024) debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital March 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment.  Written and Directed by Hyun Moon-seop (NIGHTMARE TEACHER), who “crafts a bloody, energized world replete with hot priests and scary, possessed young girls” (Dread Central), DEVIL’S STAY stars Park Shin-yang (THE BIG SWINDLE, MAN ON THE EDGE), Lee Min-ki (CRASH, MONSTER) and Lee Re (IT'S OKAY!, TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA)​.   Synopsis:       After the sudden tragic loss of his daughter following an exorcism, a renowned heart surgeon refuses to face the reality that his child has died,

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Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski In 1989 legendary Japanese studio Toei launched their V-Cinema line of direct-to-video genre features. Filled with action, thrills and double-crosses, Arrow's V-CINEMA ESSENTIALS: BULLETS & BETRAYAL is a compendium of gems from the Japanese video underworld, presenting nine explosive titles representing some of the best the Japanese crime film has to offer. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. Fast-paced and action-packed, CRIME HUNTER: BULLETS OF RAGE (クライムハンター　怒りの銃弾, Kuraimuhanta Ikari no Judan, 1989) sees detective Joe Kawamura out for revenge against the men who gunned down his partner. Along the way he teams up with Lily, a gun-toting nun looking to get back five million dollars that was stolen from her church. Next up, NEO CHINPIRA: ZOOM GOES THE BULLET (ネオ チンピラ 鉄砲玉ぴゅ～, Neo Chinpira

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Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. ©2024 Samurai Time Slipper. All Rights Reserved. Source: Third Window Films press release Special Thanks to Adam Torel Third Window Films is pleased to announce the release of the smash hit A SAMURAI IN TIME (侍タイムスリッパー, Samurai Taimu Surippā, 2024). The movie will be available worldwide on Blu-ray and Digital on April 28th.   A SAMURAI IN TIME is a bona fide phenomenon in its native Japan. Junichi Yasuda, whose real job is that of a rice farmer who runs a ramen restaurant, took on the vast majority of crew roles (producing, financing, script, directing, cinematography, lighting, editing, VFX, etc) to make a period film completely independently. Despite having a tiny budget, just 10 crew members and opening on just 1 cinema screen, A SAMURAI IN TIME went on to be such a word-of-mouth success that it ended up

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Scene from THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO. Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Source: MVD Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Eureka Entertainment is proud to announce the release of THE MAGNIFICENT CHANG CHEH, two ‘magnificent’ films from the maestro of martial arts cinema. Available on Blu-ray as part of the Eureka Classics range from 29 April 2025 in North America. Presented in a Limited edition of 2000 copies (per territory) exclusively featuring an O-card slipcase and collector’s booklet.    One of the Shaw Brothers Studio’s most prolific directors, Chang Cheh – or the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema” – is the filmmaker behind FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, CHINATOWN KID, and BOXER REBELLION. Collected here are two films by this maestro of martial arts cinema that showcase his considerable talents at both ends of

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Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©Solo Leveling Animation Partners Source: Crunchyroll press release Crunchyroll, the ultimate destination for anime, announced today that global music superstar and GRAMMY-nominated artist J Balvin will voice an important role in English and Spanish in the current season of SOLO LEVELING SEASON 2 -ARISE FROM THE SHADOW-. The entrepreneurial Colombian artist will now add voice acting to his stellar and expansive portfolio as he voices a key character in the acclaimed series, making his debut in anime later this season. The series began airing on January 4, 2025 and is now available to stream only on Crunchyroll. “I’m beyond thrilled to join the cast of Solo Leveling! This series has such a passionate fanbase and getting the chance to be part of the anime world, after being a fan for such a long time, is an absolute honor,” said J Balvin. “I

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Martial arts superstar Xie Miao (IP MAN: THE AWAKENING)​ returns as “Cheng Xiazi” and re-teams with writer/director Bingjia Liu for the action-packed sequel to the international box office hit EYE FOR AN EYE: THE BLIND SWORDSMAN, with this entry named EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE (目中無人2, Mùzhōngwúrén 2, 2024). This second installment kicks off with Cheng running into a young orphan (Yang Enyou) while both are running from the authorities. He reluctantly agrees to shelter her, leading to a series of violent battles featuring some of China’s finest martial arts in years.  EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital March 4 from Well Go USA Entertainment.  Bonus materials include an all-new English dub.  

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Photo cortesy of Shout! Studios and GKIDS. ©2009 SUMMERWARS FILM PARTNERS Series of New Issues Kicks Off with SUMMER WARS and WOLF CHILDREN, Coming to 4K UHD on Home Entertainment Platforms for the First Time Source: Shout! Studios press release Official Site: www.HosodaCollection.com Special Thanks to Lauren Blum   GKIDS, the Academy Award-winning distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world, announced today that beginning in 2025, it will issue in partnership with Shout! Studios all-new 4K UHD releases of award-winning director Mamoru Hosoda’s early film catalog. The first titles in the series to receive a reissue are Oscar-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda’s seminal 2009 feature SUMMER WARS, and critically lauded 2012 hit WOLF CHILDREN. The new home entertainment releases will be presented with brand new artwork in a 4K UHD SteelBook version, a standard Blu-ray issue, and on digital download-to-own platforms. New

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Source: Sentai press release Sentai Home Video has announced its April 2025 slate of anime Blu-ray releases. Product details follow, in order of release...   Photo courtesy of Sentai. PRINCESS PRINCIPAL: CROWN HANDLER - PART 3 Published by:    Sentai Distributed by:   Distribution SolutionsRun Time:         55 min.Street Date:      4/08/2025Language:      English Dub, Japanese with English SubtitlesSRP:                 $29.98 Who’s in the box at the Royal Funeral? Sadly, it’s Prince Edward, and that leaves Princess Mary and Prince Richard as the next two heirs in the line of succession. Which, since the Duke was responsible for Edward’s assassination, means that Mary’s time as an heir to the throne may be cut unpleasantly short. Team White Pigeon is about to swoop in, but even with Ange and Dorothy disguised as maids, can they possibly clean up all the treachery and political corruption before the Duke’s

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Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Source: Third Window Films, Terracotta Special Thanks to Adam Torel   Directors Company is a Japanese film production company created in 1982 to provide a an environment outside the major studio system to nurture young proven filmmakers. The alumni of this collective of artistic film directors includes Kiyoshi Kurosawa (CURE, THE GUARD FROM UNDERGROUND) Sogo Ishii (CRAZY THUNDER ROAD) and Shinji Shomai (TYPHOON CLUB).   Third Window Films present the third set of a series of films from the legendary production company, all presented with brand new digital restorations. These films will be available worldwide on February 17, 2025 and can be pre-ordered at https://shop.terracottadistribution.com/collections/directors-company/.   Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. BUMPKIN SOUP (ドレミファ娘の血は騒ぐ, Doremifa Musume no Chi wa Sawagu, 1985) Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa A wild & crazy pink film

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Source: AnimEigo press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen (MediaLab) Image courtesy of AnimEigo. ©1987-2018 TOSHIBA-EMI Limited Anime distributor AnimEigo and parent company MediaOCD announce the upcoming home media Blu-ray release of BUBBLEGUM CRISIS: PERFECT COLLECTION on February 11th. Originally released in Japan starting in 1987, and an OVA (Original Video Animation) mega-hit among the early American anime scene, BUBBLEGUM CRISIS (バブルガムクライシス, Baburugamu Kuraishisu, 1987-91) is the show that put AnimEigo on the map. Over the years the series, and its unique noir blend of mecha, cute girls, 80s J-pop, and cyberpunk dystopia, has inspired countless imitators. It stands as a seminal work in the world of Japanese science fiction and is a landmark part of anime history. BUBBLEGUM CRISIS features character designs by Kenichi Sonoda (RIDING BEAN, GUNSMITH CATS, GALL FORCE), production design by Shinji Aramaki (APPLESEED, FULL METAL ALCHEMIST, SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK 2013), direction by Katsuhito

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Photo courtesy of Lionsgate. ©2008 J & J Project LLC. TM & © 2025 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Source: Lionsgate, ddPR press release Special Thanks to Danny Duran Jackie Chan and Jet Li star in the martial arts action adventure THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (2008), arriving on SteelBook February 25 from Lionsgate. A discovery made by a kung fu-obsessed American teen sends him on an adventure to ancient China, where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors in order to free the imprisoned Monkey King. THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM will be available on 4K + Blu-ray SteelBook + Digital for the suggested retail price of $34.99.   SYNOPSIS    A MARTIAL ARTS EXPLOSION! Individually, they’ve starred in the most adrenaline-pumping martial arts adventures ever. Together for the first time, Jet Li and Jackie Chan join forces to create the greatest

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Source: Radiance Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Shochiku's acclaimed film THE EEL (うなぎ, Unagi, 1997) will be released March 25 in a limited edition Blu-ray from Radiance Films. From the star of PERFECT DAYS and the director of BLACK RAIN, THE EEL won the Palme d'Or, Independent Spirit Award, and over a dozen other international accolades. It is available for the first time on Blu-ray, 4K restored, and loaded with extras. Photo courtesy of Radiance Films. ©Shochiku After serving time in prison for murdering his unfaithful wife, Yamashita (Koji Yakusho, PERFECT DAYS, CURE) is released on parole, accompanied only by his pet eel. Hoping to stay out of trouble, he takes over a rural barber shop that quickly becomes a gathering point for the eccentric locals. However, the discovery of a woman's failed suicide starts a chain reaction that brings back past demons -

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. The legend himself, Jackie Chan (RUSH HOUR franchise, A LEGEND), stars in PANDA PLAN (熊猫計劃, Xióngmāo jìhuà, 2024), the comedy-adventure-thriller loaded with martial arts action, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD February 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment. After Chan adopts a panda from the zoo, an international crime ring plots to kidnap his furry friend, leaving Chan to team up with his agent and the panda’s caretaker to outsmart—and outkick—the bad guys at every turn.  Directed by Zhang Luan (GIVE ME FIVE) with action choreography by Lü Shijia (POLICE STORY, THE FOREIGNER), PANDA PLAN also stars Wei Xiang (TOO COOL TO KILL), Shi Ce (ASH, A COOL FISH), and Han Yambo (GIVE ME FIVE).   Synopsis:       Soon

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Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©Solo Leveling Animation Partners Source: Crunchyroll press release Episode 1 of the English dub for SOLO LEVELING SEASON 2 -ARISE FROM THE SHADOW- premieres this Saturday, January 18 at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET only on Crunchyroll. New dub episodes will continue to stream weekly on Saturdays. Voice actors from the first season, including Aleks Le, Patrick Seitz, Rebecca Wang and Emi Lo, will return to reprise their roles in the second season. The full English dub cast is as follows: Aleks Le as Sung Jinwoo Rebecca Wang as Sung Jinah Daman Mills as Barca Emi Lo as Han Song-Yi Patrick Seitz as Kim Chul Trina Nishimura as Park Heejin Geoff Bisente as Go Myunghwan SungWon Cho as Woo Jinchul Matthew David Rudd as Hwang Dongsoo Ian

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BERSERK OF GLUTTONY, A CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN T, and CHILLIN' IN ANOTHER WORLD WITH LEVEL 2 SUPER CHEAT POWERS Also Arriving on Blu-raySource: Crunchyroll press release Relive the epic showdown between Sunraku and his party against one of the legendary Seven Colossi, Wethermon the Tombguard, when SHANGRI-LA FRONTIER Season 1 Part 2 arrives on Blu-ray on April 8, 2025, from Crunchyroll. Along with the remaining episodes of Season 1, the Part 2 Blu-ray release will also include the SLF Mini episodes as part of the bonus features. Additionally, with even more plots and schemes to behold, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka continues his intense education at the Advanced Nurturing High School in CLASSROOM OF THE ELITE Season 3, which will release on Blu-ray on April 29, 2025 from Crunchyroll. Also coming to Blu-ray this April from Crunchyroll will be BERSERK OF GLUTTONY, CHILLIN' IN ANOTHER WORLD WITH LEVEL 2 SUPER

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Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. © KADOKAWA 1953 Source: The Criterion Collection press release Special Thanks to Courtney Ott Cover by Michael Boland. Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. © KADOKAWA 1953 The Criterion Collection has announced the Kenji Mizoguchi's classic ghost film UGETSU (雨月物語, Ugetsu Monogatari, 1953) will be released April 1st in a 2-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray set, as well as Blu-ray and DVD editions. By the time he made UGETSU, Kenji Mizoguchi was already an elder statesman of Japanese cinema, fiercely revered by Akira Kurosawa and other directors of a younger generation. And with this exquisite ghost story, a fatalistic wartime tragedy derived from stories by Akinari Ueda and Guy de Maupassant, he created a touchstone of his art, his long takes and sweeping camera guiding the viewer through a delirious narrative about two villagers whose pursuit of fame and

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Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970 Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Daiei's crime drama PLAY IT COOL (でんきくらげ, Denki Kurage, 1970) from the director of BLIND BEAST, RED ANGEL, and AFRAID TO DIE will be released in March in a limited edition Blu-ray from Arrow Films. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1970 PLAY IT COOL is a chic and erotically charged drama starring popular Japanese singer of the day Mari Atsumi as a college girl negotiating her way through the male-dominated hierarchies of Tokyo's seductive but treacherous nightclub culture. Yumi (Mari Atsumi) is a pretty fashion student who shares a cramped home with her mother Tomi (Akemi Negishi, THE SAGA OF ANATAHAN) and good-for-nothing stepfather Ryoichi. Tomi works at a local hostess bar and hopes for a better fate for Yumi. When Ryoichi violently

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. In volatile 1920s Tianjin, a clandestine martial arts circle arose to maintain peace between rival martial arts schools in the ultra-stylish old-school kung fu martial arts epic 100 YARDS (门前宝地, Mén qián bǎodì, 2024), debuting on Blu-ray and DVD February 18 from Well Go USA Entertainment. But when a renowned master dies, it ignites a power struggle that will bring the entire city to the brink of chaos. Co-directed by Xu Haofeng (THE HIDDEN SWORD, screenwriter of THE GRANDMASTER) and first-time director Xu Junfeng, 100 YARDS stars Jacky Heung (THE WARLORDS, FEARLESS), Andy On (NEW POLICE STORY, RIDE ON), Bea Hayden Kuo (KUNG FU MONSTER), Tang Shiyi, and Li Yuan (REMAIN SILENT) with “some of the year’s most satisfying fight choreography” (RogerEbert.com)

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Source: Film Movement press releaseSpecial Thanks to Michael Krause In the 1960s Toei Studio was Yakuza Central and filmmaker Tai Kato was the chief exponent and innovator of this popular genre. American audiences equate the yakuza with the contemporary gangster, but the classic yakuza setting is more akin to the western, with swordplay more than gunplay, silk not seersucker, and honor not anarchy in the teeming gambling underworld. This allowed Kato to indulge his passion for historical drama, as well as for startling realism and audacious camerawork. In the low-budget quickies that were in demand during the second Golden Age of Japanese cinema, constraint was the mother of invention and personal style for Kato. Not only did he favor "the natural beauty of the face" over makeup, and gesture over genre codes, he created what some call a cinema of excess: one-shot sequences of extraordinary lyricism and power,

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