Soul Eater fans can pick up part one of the series on DVD on February 9th, 2010. The first set will feature 13 episodes over two discs with both Japanese and English vocals.
The second DVD set is scheduled for release on March 30th, 2010. Fans of the manga will be able to grab volume two on February 23rd, 2010.
The first Naruto Shippuden box set is expected on store shelves January 26th, 2010. A special edition box set will also be available, similar to how the first series Naruto collections were done, usually with a limited edition figure. No word yet on what the special edition will include.
The box set will contain three DVDs and come with both Japanese and English dubs. English subtitles are available for the Japanese language track.
The first Soul Eater DVDs will be hitting store shelves February next year. It’s expected that this will contain the first thirteen episodes in a slim pack format. Until then, you can watch Soul Eater on FUNimation’s web site.
Source: Anime News Network
Naruto Shippuden DVD
A while back, I mentioned that Viz would be bringing the Naruto Shippuden series to DVD in North America. Now that Viz has partnered up with Amazon to run their online store, we can finally see what the DVDs look like and that they’ll be on the shelf on September 29th.
Like previous releases, there will be four episodes per disc, with the original Japanese cast along with the English cast and subtitles for the die-hard fans.
Fullmetal Alchemist Premium OVA Collection
After the Fullmetal Alchemist animated series ended in 2006, alchemy fans had to hold their breath until the series was relaunched earlier this year as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. As the Elric brother’s journey is retold closer to the manga’s storyline, a set of short (sorry Ed!) clips from the previous series was available only to those in Japan. These brief videos featured a chibi party of the movie cast, the Elric brothers and their friend Winry, an interactive experience with the viewer as a State Alchemist, and finally a live-action clip of Alphonse Elric in armor form making his way to the Bones animation studio. At last, the alchemist inside all of us can catch up with the reunited English voice cast in Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection.
Unfortunately, as these clips are short, there’s not much else on the DVD aside from previews showing what other goodies FUNimation has available. It’s almost a sort of reunion for the voice cast, but most will notice that Al’s voice has changed - considering that Aaron Dismuke, the voice actor, has aged slightly.
Interactive Experience
You’re treated as a new recruit to the state and given an introduction by Fuhrer Bradley himself before being assigned to Colonel Mustang’s regiment. Your brought along on a mission to hunt down the strange homonculi who’ve kidnapped two other alchemists, who are none other than Ed and Al. Once Envy ruins Greed’s chance at getting the secret of sealing a soul to a suit of armor, an all out battle ensues between the homonculi and the State Alchemists.
Live Action Featurette
Al Elric, still with his soul attached to the suit of armor, is in modern day Japan looking for his brother. Al makes it to Bones’ studios in Tokyo only to find out that he can’t make it through the door because of his size. If only Ed had this problem.
Chibi Wrap Party
After the movie, Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa, the entire cast, in chibi form, take over a restaurant to celebrate. Some surprises are to be had, but not limited to Envy wearing a costume, Scar and Lust disguised as metal-sheathed extras, and Riza Hawkeye insulting Roy Mustang.
Kids – Short
The title of the last clip on the DVD is accurate: it’s short and about kids. A young Ed (minus the automail), Al (sans armor) and Winry wander through modern day Japan (again) on their way to visit their great-great-grandfather, which turns out to be someone very familiar.
There’s nothing new to be gained from the DVD, and it doesn’t answer any questions or add further to the storyline. Personally, instead of releasing these on a seperate disc, these clips could’ve been packaged in as bonus features on the existing Season 1 and 2 box sets already available. If you do decide to go out and purchase Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection, shop around, but don’t spend more than $10 on it. I’ll go back and continue to watch Brotherhood.
The first Naruto: Shippuden DVD is set to be released on September 29th, 2009. The disc will have the first four episodes, similar to how previous DVDs were setup. There’s no word on any box sets yet, but those will probably appear in time for Christmas, if not soon after.
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