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Out This Week: Heavy Metal, 10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki, God Of Highschool and More

April 17, 2022 ,

It may be Easter Monday, but the animated home entertainment releases keep on coming. The UK's most intriguing release this week is a Blu-Ray release of the incisive NHK documentary 10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki 

In the US this week, releases include a 4K version of iconic 1980's animated anthology Heavy Metal Which is either a watershed in adult animation or purile adolescent nonsense or maybe even both, depending on who you ask, as well as new fancy steelbook editions of classic Ghibli flicks Only Yesterday And The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya.

Don't forget to check out this week's deals section, where RightStuf Anime is this week offering big discounts on Studio Ghibli titles!

All Information and Prices Provided are Correct at publication time to the best of our knowledge but are subject to change at any time. Affiliate links used where available- making a purchase through these links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.


UK Releases For April 18, 2022


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10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki (Anime Ltd, PG) “An NHK-exclusive, 4-part behind-the-scenes look at the genius of Japan's foremost living film director, Hayao Miyazaki - creator of some of the world's most iconic and enduring anime feature films. For a decade, Miyazaki allowed a single documentary filmmaker to shadow him at work, as he dreamed up characters and plot lines for what would become his 2008 blockbuster, "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea"; collaborated with his son, Goro, on the film "From Up on Poppy Hill" (2011); and took on a new challenge, at age 72, one that would become the highly-acclaimed "The Wind Rises" (2013), his first film about a historical figure. Miyazaki is shown as a passionate artisan, a steadfast trailblazer, and a father butting heads with his son.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray




 

Black Lagoon Season 1 & 2 (Anime Ltd, 18) “Rokuro was an ordinary Japanese business man—a whipping boy for the big bosses and corporate high rollers. But when his job to deliver a mysterious disk goes south, a ruthless gang of mercenaries fronted by a gunslinging femme fatale take him into their custody. Abandoned and out of his element, the newly reinvented “Rock” joins up with his kidnappers as a smuggler of the East China Sea.Take a twisted trip to the city of your nightmares in this hard-boiled shootout from the studio behind One Punch Man and Death Note. Includes the complete first and second seasons.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray 

  Buy From Amazon



Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail (Anime Ltd, 15) “The cutthroat crew of Black Lagoon faces their stiffest challenge yet when a Venezuelan assassination sparks a killing spree that spans the globe! Roberta was a reformed assassin until a clandestine clash between politically backed acronyms claimed the life of her master. In the flash of a muzzle, she goes from maid to murderer on a pill-popping, crimson-stained quest for vengeance. When Revy and the gang are hired to stop Roberta’s killing spree, they quickly find themselves in the middle of an international shootout starring everyone from the KGB to the CIA. The bullets are flying, the bodies are piling up in the street, and Roberta's painting the town red--with blood.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray 


 

Welcome To The Ballroom (Anime Ltd, 12) “Middle school student Tatara Fujita is a young man living a directionless existence - desperate to change and find a true calling to pursue though he is, there’s simply nothing in his life to provide the spark that he needs to ignite his passions.All of this changes one day when Tatara spots a fellow student entering the door of the Ogasawara Dance Studio. Saved from bullies by a cool, calm and collected stranger, the next thing Tatara knows he’s dragged into the studio for an impromptu trial and is transfixed by a whole new world - a world of supreme confidence borne from an upright posture… of almost inhuman body movements and gyrations… of talented dancers shouting out to the world to look at them. There’s no doubting Tatara’s determination to look good on the dance floor, but does he have what it takes to make a name for himself in the cut-throat realm of professional ballroom dancing? With professional and personal rivalries to deal with, and a cornucopia of new demands both mental and physical providing plenty of new challenges, it’s going to take more than sheer will to reach the heights of the competitive ballroom scene. As he makes friends and mentors along the way, Tatara soon learns that it takes far more than two to tango.”
FORMATS: Blu-Ray



  Buy From Amazon



US Releases For April 19, 2022



 

Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki: The Complete Season (Funimation,TV-14) “Expert gamer Tomozaki Fumiya doesn’t exactly fit in, but he wishes he did. With no written rules for success and gameplay that doesn’t work in his favor, the real world seems impossible for someone like him. But, like any noob, all he really needs are some strategies and a seasoned player like Aoi Hinami to help him. Hopefully with her guidance, Tomozaki will gain the experience he needs.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray+Digital 
  


   

Dances With The Dragons (Funimation, TV-MA) “A unique brand of magic dwells in Eridana, where two bounty hunters set up shop. Gayus is book-smart, Gigina is a phenomenal fighter. When political intrigue puts opposing nations on the brink of war, this dubious duo finds themselves in the thick of it.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray+Digital 



 

Gekiidol The Complete Season (Funimation, TV-14) “Five years have passed since cities across the globe strangely vanished. Now, as society attempts to move on, Seria Morino is invited to Alice in Theater, a small stage troupe aiming to brighten the world through performances using 3D hologram technology.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray+Digital





The God Of High School (Viz Pictures, TV-14) “Jin Mori has proclaimed himself the strongest high schooler. His life changes when he’s invited to participate in “God of High School,” a tournament to determine the strongest high schooler of all. He’s told that if he wins, any wish he makes will be granted... All the participants are powerful contenders who fight their hardest for their own wishes. What awaits them at the end of the tournament? A chaotic battle between unbelievably strong high school students is about to begin!” 
FORMATS Blu-Ray 




 

Heavy Metal (Sentai Filmworks, TV-14) “A glowing green orb from outer space spreads destruction throughout the galaxy. Only when encountered by its one true enemy, to whom it is inexplicably drawn, will goodness prevail throughout the universe.” 
FORMATS: 4K+Blu-Ray


  Buy From Amazon    


 

LBX Girls: The Complete Season (Funimation, TV-14) “Transported to a world where metal-based life forms are ravaging the planet, Riko and four other young women band together for battle. Equipped with LBX weaponry, they must adapt to save humanity. All hope now rests on soldiers with one wish—to go home!” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray+Digital
 


 

 Needless Complete Collection (Sentai Filmworks, TV-MA) “World War III ended fifty years ago, and where Tokyo once stood is a contaminated wasteland where a handful of survivors have gained astonishing powers. Powers they use to fight each other in a battle for supremacy because, you know, that's what people with super powers do. Destroyer priest Adam Blade is one of the most powerful of the "Needless," but his inhuman strength and healing are tempered by one crucial flaw: he's a hopeless horn dog who can't resist pretty girls. That's probably why he's partnered with ditzy shape-shifter Eve, and it's a weakness that his rivals are all too happy to use against him. Constantly. If you want a respectable hero, you'd be better off ordering a sandwich, but if your idea of fun is kicking tail and chasing it, he's the MC you want!”
 FORMATS: Blu-Ray 




   

Only Yesterday (GKIDS/Shout Factory, PG) “Taeko Okajima is a typical "office lady" in a big company in a big city. When she takes a sabbatical to the countryside in Yamagata Prefecture, the hometown of her brother-in-law, the journey recalled her memory of her 5th grade year. During her stay in Yamagata, she works hard and happily as a farmer and is surrounded by friendly relatives and villagers, bringing up more memories. Their hospitality makes her to reconsider her choice of life.” FORMATS: Blu-Ray+DVD STEELBOOK





Sayonara Zetsoubu Sensei (RightStuf, TV-14) “Nozomu Itoshiki is a teacher who's at the end of his rope. Literally. He's trying to hang himself from a beautiful cherry tree, when one of his students, a girl named Kafuka, butts in and saves his life. She can't help it, though. Kafuka is an abnormally cheerful girl who can only see the good in every situation.In fact, all of Nozomu's students are a bit odd. Chiri is a hyper-perfectionist, Matoi is a female stalker, Usui is a balding masochist, and the list goes on. Nozomu is supposed to be preparing these young men and women for the future – but since his idea of "preparing for the future" involves tying nooses and buying funeral plots, he might not be the best man for the job.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray RightStufAnime.com Exclusive




Stella Women's Academy High School Division Class C3: Complete Collection (Sentai Filmworks, TV-14) “Belonging to clubs is a major part of the Japanese High School experience, but usually those clubs don't require shooting each other! That's not the case with the club that Yura Yamato's roommate belongs to, however, and at C3 (short for Command, Control and Communications), Sonora and some of the other trigger happy girls at Stella Women's Academy happily spend their downtime racking up high scores in survival games played with soft-pellet airsoft guns! But does Yura have what it takes to stand up to the heat of mock combat? The only way to find out is for her to enter the battle zone and aim for the top!” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray



   

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya ( GKIDS/Shout Factory, PG ) “In an idyllic rural setting an old bamboo cutter and his wife raise a tiny girl found nestled within a glowing bamboo stalk along with a fortune in gold. As she approaches adulthood the bamboo cutter uses the fortune to purchase a villa in the capital, buy himself a title and employ tutors to transform the country girl—now given the name Kaguya—into a refined woman. News of her beauty brings powerful and wealthy suitors who compete for her hand in marriage, culminating in a proposal from the emperor. All the while Kaguya wishes that she and her family could return to their former life and to be reunited with her sweetheart, Sutemaru. Sooner or later, though, her true origins will make their own claim upon her.” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray+DVD STEELBOOK
 





   

The Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season Two Part 1 (Funimation, TV-14) “Rimuru has his hands full with ruling his nation, teaching Shizu's students, and making new allies. First up, open relations with the Animal Kingdom and Demon Lord Carrion, who cannot be intimidated. It may be time to acquire a new skill—diplomacy. ” 
FORMATS: Blu-Ray+DVD+Digital








Upcoming Releases

All Release dates are subject to change. Listed Dates are for US release unless stated otherwise. Digital releases may be earlier. Titles are Blu-ray unless stataed otherwise.








Haibane Renmei (Standard Blu-Ray) (MVM) April 25 (UK)
Cats Eye: The Complete First Series (Discotek Media) Blu-Ray April 26
City Hunter 91 (Discotek Media) Blu-Ray April 26 
Turning Red (Disney) 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD May 2 (UK)  
Turning Red (Disney) 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD May 3
Constantine: House Of Mystery (Warner Bros) May 3
Mega Zone 23 (AnimeEigo) May 10
Belle (GKIDS/Shout Factory) Digital May 3, Blu-Ray May 17 
Nana Complete Collection (Sentai Filmworks) May 17
Lupin III Part 1: The Classic Adventures (Discotek Media) May 31
Astro Boy (1981-82) (Discotek Media) May 31
Double Dragon (Discotek Media) May 31
Poupelle Of Chimney Town (Eleven Arts/Shout Factory) Digital May 3, Blu-Ray May 31 
5 Centimeters Per Second (GKIDS) Blu-Ray June 7
Children Who Chase Lost Voices (GKIDS) Blu-Ray June 7
The Place Promised In Our Early Days (GKIDS) Blu-Ray June 7
El Hazard The Wanderers (RightStuf) June 14
Panda Go Panda (GKIDS) June 21
Urusei Yastura Movie 4: Lum The Forever (Discotek Media) June 28



This Week's Best Deals


All prices are subject to change and do not include postage or delivery costs, plus any additional taxes in the US. Titles are Blu-Rays unless otherwise stated.
 
PRICES AVAILABLE UNTIL SATURDAY, April 23

Batman: Year One $33.99  $27.19
Catwoman Hunted $29.98 $23.98
Castlevania Season 3 $29.98 $23.98
Primal Season 1 $27.98 $22.94
Samurai Jack $112.99 $90.39
Seis Manos Season 1 $29.98 $23.98


Also Offers on Studio Ghibli Titles are ongoing:
(End date unknown)

Castle In The Sky $29.95 $14.98
The Cat Returns $29.95 $14.98
Earwig and The Witch $26.98 $19.98 
From Up On Poppy Hill $29.95 $14.98
Howl's Moving Castle  $29.95 $14.98
Kiki's Delivery Service $29.95 $14.98
My Neighbor Totoro $29.95 $19.98
Ocean Waves $26.98 $19.98
Pom Poko $29.95 $14.98
Ponyo  $29.95 $14.98
Ponyo Steelbook$26.99 $19.98
Porco Rosso $29.95 $14.98
Princess Mononoke $29.95 $14.98
Princess Mononoke Steelbook  $26.99 $19.98
Spirited Away  $29.95 $14.98
Spirited Away Steelbook $26.99 $19.98
When Marnie Was There $29.95 $14.98
Tales From Earthsea $29.95 $14.98
Whisper Of The Heart $29.95 $14.98
The Wind Rises $29.95 $14.98 




The Croods 2: A New Age £6.99
Dumbo £2.60
Epic £3.85
Zootropolis £2.74

Amazon Featured Deals 

Akira 4K $15.99
The Batman $48.49
Epic  $3.99
Howls' Moving Castle $10.97
Promare  $11.98

Thanks for reading!

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