GKIDS and Shout Factory Announce 'Lupin III: The First' Home Release Details and More

We recently learned that GKIDS Films would be bringing Lupin III: The First,  the first CG-animated adventure for the iconic gentleman thief, to US cinemas this October via Fathom Events. While ideally, everyone who has been waiting for this film would love to rush out and see it, we know that's not the case right now. Your local cinema may not be open, or you may not be feeling safe to return to the multiplex yet. Which is why good ol' GKIDS also included the tease it would be coming to digital this December as well.

Now we have more details on the digital release and an announcement of a Blu-Ray and DVD release courtesy of GKIDS and Shout Factory too:

The iconic “gentleman thief” Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning caper, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that have made LUPIN THE 3RD one of the most storied animation franchises in the world, in this electric adventure that is sure to steal the hearts of fans old and new.

 

The all new English language dub film will feature the voices of Tony Oliver, Doug Erholtz, Michelle Ruff, Richard Epcar, and Lex Lang returning to their roles within the franchise, and Laurie C. Hymes, J. David Brimmer, and Paul Guyet joining the cast for this latest adventure.

 

Lupin III: The First will be available via digital download-to-own on December 15 from all the usual digital storefronts (Amazon, Apple, Google et al). A physical release on Blu-Ray and DVD combo-pack, standalone DVD and Blu-Ray combo Steelbook will follow on January 12, 2021.  The Blu-Ray edition will come with a selection of exclusive special features, while the Steelbook will include an exclusive 16-page booklet featuring character concept art. An exclusive 18x24" lithograph is available to those who order the Blu-Ray or Steelbook edition from shoutfactory.com (while stocks last).

SteelBook, Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features:

 

‣ Interviews with Director and Japanese Cast*
‣CG Model Gallery
‣Animation Breakdown
‣Yellow Carpet Premiere
‣Theatrical Trailers and Promos

 

*exclusive to the SteelBook & Blu-ray releases 

 

On November 10, GKIDS and Shout Factory will release Marona's Fantastic Tale from award-winning Romanian director Anca Damian. The acclaimed hand-drawn animated film follows an optimistic stray dog (Marona) as she looks back on her past owners. Born the last in a litter, her adventures take her through a series of different owners- an acrobat, a little girl and a construction worker.

 

The film was a selection at Annecy International Animation Festival in 2019,  and won the Special Jury Prize at Animation Is Film the same year. After a virtual cinema release back in the summer, the film will be released as a Blu-Ray and DVD combo pack and as a digital download.

 

 

 

Blu-Ray Bonus Features

‣Interview With Director Anca Damian
‣Q&A At Animation Is Film Festival
‣Art Gallery
‣Trailers

On January 19, 2021 Shout Factory in collaboration with UK distributor Anime Limited will release Bartender 15th Anniversary Edition, marking the debut Blu-Ray release of the cult series on Blu-Ray. Bartender is an anime anthology series, featuring Ryuu Sasakura, the bartender of the bar Eden Hall, located in the backstreets of the Ginza district of Tokyo.

The series follows the stories of the customers who come through the bar's doors, as he encounters people from all walks of life, all with a tale to tell. It was adapted from the manga of the same name written by Araki Joh and illustrated by Kenji Nagaamoto and directed by Masaki Watanabe for Palm Studios.

 

 BARTENDER 15th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

‣All eleven original episodes

‣Nine cocktail recipe cards

‣Four collectable coasters
‣Clean opening credits

‣Clean closing credits

‣Bumpers

‣1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.78:1)
‣Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Original Japanese

‣Subtitles: English

‣Runtime: 253 minutes