With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013
With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

ACF 1898: Section23 Films announces August 2013 slate of releases



Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its August slate of releases, including the newest acquisition from acclaimed filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, The Garden of Words, which will be available on both DVD and Blu-Ray.
 
Product details follow, in order of release

Title:                 THE GARDEN OF WORDS
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         45 min.
Street Date:      8/6/2013
Format:             DVD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $24.98

SYNOPSIS:  When Takao, a young high school student who dreams of becoming a shoe designer, decides to skip school one day in favor of sketching in a rainy garden, he has no idea how much his life will change when he encounters Yukino.  Older, but perhaps not as much wiser, she seems adrift in the world.  Despite the difference in their ages, they strike up an unusual relationship that unexpectedly continues and evolves, without planning, with random meetings that always occur in the same garden on each rainy day.  But the rainy season is coming to a close, and there are so many things still left unsaid and undone between them.  Will there be time left for Takao to put his feelings into actions and words?  Between the raindrops, between the calms in the storm, what will blossom in THE GARDEN OF WORDS?


Title:                 THE GARDEN OF WORDS BLU-RAY
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         45 min.
Street Date:      8/6/2013
Format:             BD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $34.98

SYNOPSIS:  When Takao, a young high school student who dreams of becoming a shoe designer, decides to skip school one day in favor of sketching in a rainy garden, he has no idea how much his life will change when he encounters Yukino.  Older, but perhaps not as much wiser, she seems adrift in the world.  Despite the difference in their ages, they strike up an unusual relationship that unexpectedly continues and evolves, without planning, with random meetings that always occur in the same garden on each rainy day.  But the rainy season is coming to a close, and there are so many things still left unsaid and undone between them.  Will there be time left for Takao to put his feelings into actions and words?  Between the raindrops, between the calms in the storm, what will blossom in THE GARDEN OF WORDS?


Title:                 SHINING HEARTS COMPLETE
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         300 min.
Street Date:      8/13/2013
Format:             DVD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $59.98

SYNOPSIS: Over the years, many strange things have washed up on the shores of Windaria, a mysterious island where humans, elves and other beings all live in harmony.  Rick, a former swordsman who runs the Le Coeur Bakery with his three beautiful coworkers Neris, Amil and Airy, knows this all too well, having been found on the beach with a profound case of amnesia himself.  Perhaps that's why Rick takes a quick interest in Kaguya, a girl who arrives in Windaria in a similar fashion.  Whatever the reason, it soon becomes apparent that his skills with a sword may be required to protect the lovely castaway.  For dark forces are on the move, the red moon is on the rise and a deathly wind is blowing into Windaria in the form of pirates, brigands and other strangers, all of whom seem to be seeking Kaguya!  Or is it the mysterious pendant that she wears that they're after?  The one thing that's sure is that there will be no time for loafing around the bakery now, because everything's about to come out of the oven and go into the fire in SHINING HEARTS!


Title:                 SHINING HEARTS COMPLETE BLU-RAY
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         300 min.
Street Date:      8/13/2013
Format:             BD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Over the years, many strange things have washed up on the shores of Windaria, a mysterious island where humans, elves and other beings all live in harmony.  Rick, a former swordsman who runs the Le Coeur Bakery with his three beautiful coworkers Neris, Amil and Airy, knows this all too well, having been found on the beach with a profound case of amnesia himself.  Perhaps that's why Rick takes a quick interest in Kaguya, a girl who arrives in Windaria in a similar fashion.  Whatever the reason, it soon becomes apparent that his skills with a sword may be required to protect the lovely castaway.  For dark forces are on the move, the red moon is on the rise and a deathly wind is blowing into Windaria in the form of pirates, brigands and other strangers, all of whom seem to be seeking Kaguya!  Or is it the mysterious pendant that she wears that they're after?  The one thing that's sure is that there will be no time for loafing around the bakery now, because everything's about to come out of the oven and go into the fire in SHINING HEARTS!


Title:                 NEW DOMINION: TANK POLICE COMPLETE
Published by:    Maiden Japan
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         180 min.
Street Date:      8/20/2013
Format:             DVD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $29.98

SYNOPSIS: When tanks are outlawed, only outlaws will have tanks.  Or at least, that's what Mayor Weatherby of New Port seems to be forgetting in his efforts to ban certain forms of weapons, including those used by tank-driving policewoman Leona Ozaki and her partner Al.  Granted, the city's Tank Police DO seem to cause a lot of collateral damage, but New Port's a dangerous place.  Especially with the felonious and partially feline Puma sisters back on the prowl, and the Dai Nippon Geiken Corporation is building even more nefarious devices of evil intent that are finding their way into the hands of local terrorists.  Unfortunately for DNGC, they may be connected to the murder of Leona's former partner, and once this hard-headed heroine sinks her treads into a case, there's no backing up!  And as for the Pumas?  It's going to be like cats and police dogs, but there are few problems that a little carefully applied mobile artillery can't cure!  There's no place to hide, from the good guys OR the bad guys, as law and order meets chaos theory in NEW DOMINION TANK POLICE!


Title:                 TSURITAMA COMPLETE
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         300 min.
Street Date:      8/20/2013
Format:             DVD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $59.98

SYNOPSIS: When Yuki Sanada ends up living in Enoshima with his grandmother, it's just one more in a long line of transfers to a new school and new friends.  Except Yuki doesn't make friends easily, so he's used to making do without any.  All that's about to change, however, when the other new transfer student arrives in class - complete with a rod and reel - and announces that he's an alien.  Now as he learns to fine art of fishing, Yuki finds himself drawn into a friendship with Haru the alien, moody Natsuki the Fishing Prince, and the mysterious Akira with his pet duck, Tapioca.  But there's something sinister afoot in Enoshima, and more than Yuki's new found friendships is at stake.  If Yuki can't make the catch of the day, the whole of Japan, and perhaps the world itself, will be caught in an alien net.  Get ready for the biggest fish tale ever in tsuritama!


Title:                 TSURITAMA COMPLETE BLU-RAY
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         300 min.
Street Date:      8/20/2013
Format:             BD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $69.98

SYNOPSIS: When Yuki Sanada ends up living in Enoshima with his grandmother, it's just one more in a long line of transfers to a new school and new friends.  Except Yuki doesn't make friends easily, so he's used to making do without any.  All that's about to change, however, when the other new transfer student arrives in class - complete with a rod and reel - and announces that he's an alien.  Now as he learns to fine art of fishing, Yuki finds himself drawn into a friendship with Haru the alien, moody Natsuki the Fishing Prince, and the mysterious Akira with his pet duck, Tapioca.  But there's something sinister afoot in Enoshima, and more than Yuki's new found friendships is at stake.  If Yuki can't make the catch of the day, the whole of Japan, and perhaps the world itself, will be caught in an alien net.  Get ready for the biggest fish tale ever in tsuritama!


Title:                 MEDAKA BOX COMPLETE
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         300 min.
Street Date:      8/27/2013
Format:             DVD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $59.98

SYNOPSIS: When newly elected Student Council President Medaka Kurokami instituted her idea for a suggestion box where people can suggest problems that need to be solved, she was expecting things like rescuing lost puppies and giving advice.  What she and her best friend Zenkichi find instead, however, are the first hints of an unbelievable secret and their school, Hakoniwa Academy, and Medaka herself, are somehow at the very center of the growing maelstrom!  As what seemed like an innocent past time turns into a dangerous game, Medaka and her recruits to the Student Council discover new depths to both themselves and their own unexpected abilities.  And then things get REALLY out of control!  Get ready for a battle royal unlike anything you've ever seen before as the simple power of suggestion unlocks the secrets of MEDAKA BOX!


Title:                 MEDAKA BOX COMPLETE BLU-RAY
Published by:    Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by:  Section23 Films
Run Time:         300 min.
Street Date:      8/27/2013
Format:             BD
Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP:                $69.98

SYNOPSIS: When newly elected Student Council President Medaka Kurokami instituted her idea for a suggestion box where people can suggest problems that need to be solved, she was expecting things like rescuing lost puppies and giving advice.  What she and her best friend Zenkichi find instead, however, are the first hints of an unbelievable secret and their school, Hakoniwa Academy, and Medaka herself, are somehow at the very center of the growing maelstrom!  As what seemed like an innocent past time turns into a dangerous game, Medaka and her recruits to the Student Council discover new depths to both themselves and their own unexpected abilities.  And then things get REALLY out of control!  Get ready for a battle royal unlike anything you've ever seen before as the simple power of suggestion unlocks the secrets of MEDAKA BOX!