Blu-ray Review: Magi – The Labyrinth of Magic – Season 1 Part 2

It’s time to head back to the kingdom of Balbadd as we take a look at KAZE’s release of Magi – The Labyrinth of Magic – Season 1 Part 2, but what can you expect from this final instalment of Season 1? Find out in our Blu-ray Review.

Synopsis:

Aladdin has yet to regain consciousness from the battle with the fallen magi Judar. Meanwhile, as the third prince of Balbadd, Alibaba tries to stop his older brother King Ahbmad from turning Balbadd into a slave-exporting nation. But his plans are thwarted by none other than Cassim, his childhood friend from the slums, now transformed into a Dark Djinn by the Dark Metal Vessel. Cassim tries to strike down the royal family for causing their citizens to suffer for many years.

Cassim’s attacks crush Aibaba both physically and mentally, but he gets back up again and again. Just then, a friend reaches out a helping hand! With Aladdin’s support once again, can Alibaba rescue his country, people, and Cassim from the darkness? Soon after, Alibaba and Aladdin will learn about Al-Tharmen, the organization that has been causing the Abnormalities of the World.

Quick Look: Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan – Season 2 Part 1

It’s time to take a quick look at Kaze’s latest DVD Release for Nura: Rise of the Yokai – Season 2 Part 1 and since there isn’t much to show there isn’t a video this time.

Introducing Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan – Demon Capital – Part 1, or more commonly referred to as Season 2 Part 1, a DVD release by Kaze Entertainment that contains 13 episodes of the second season across three DVD Discs and while it’s been a year since we looked at Season 1 Part 1, not a lot has changed.

Manga Entertainment’s Second Quarter Blu-ray and DVD Releases Outed by The Hut Group

First of all i take no credit for this, as it was provided to me by Agent347 on Twitter, but it seems The Hut Group, which inclues Zavvi and The Hut, are either on the ball or jumping the gun with their upcoming anime pre-orders, as they have recently listed all of  Manga Entertainment and Kaze’s forthcoming Blu-ray and DVD releases, interestingly with release dates and prices.

While the unveiling of the second quarter (April to June) may not be that exciting there is a few surprises in-store, such as confirmation of Complete Series boxsets in the form of Steins Gate, Kenichi and K-On! but more interestingly is the confirmation of Blue Exorcist Movie, K and Mardock Scramble.

The Full list (laid out by format) is below:

In Q2 Manga UK will be bringing us the following titles dvd-only:
– “07 April 2014 – Naruto Shippuden – Box 17” (SRP: £24.99)
– “14 April 2014 – KenIchi – The Complete Collection” (SRP: £49.99)
– “19 May 2014 – One Piece – Collection Six” (SRP: £34.99)
– “02 June 2014 – K-On!! – Season 2” (SRP £39.99)

These will be getting the blu-ray treatment from MangaUK:
– “21 April 2014 – Fairy Tail The Movie” (SRP: £24.99 for combopack & SRP £19.99 for DVD)
– “28 April 2014 – Guilty Crown – Part 2” (SRP: £34.99 for BD & £24.99 for DVD)
– “28 April 2014 – Fairy Tail – Part 7” (SRP £29.99 for BD and £24.99 for DVD)
– “12 May 2014 – Jormungand – Season 1” (SRP £34.99 for BD and £24.99 for DVD)
– “26 May 2014 – Blue Exorcist The Movie” (SRP combopack: £29.99 & SRP DVD: £19.99)
– “26 May 2014 – High School DxD – Complete Series” (SRP BD: £34.99 & SRP DVD: £24.99)
– “02 June 2014 – Fairy Tail – Collection Two” (SRP £39.99)
– “16 June 2014 – Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero – Complete Series” (SRP BD: £34.99 & SRP DVD: £24.99)
– “30 June 2014 – Steins;Gate – Complete Collection” (SRP £44.99 for BD & £39.99 for DVD)

And from the undead KHAZI on BD & DVD:
– “14 April 2014 – K” (SRP Combopack: £39.99)
– “12 May 2014 – Magi – Part 2” (SRP: £34.99 for BD & £29.99 for DVD)
– “16 June 2014 – Mardock Scramble – The Third Exhaust” (SRP £24.99 for BD and £19.99 for DVD)

And dvd-only from Kaze:
– “07 april 2014 – Bleach – Season 13 Part 1” (SRP: £29.99)
– “09 June 2014 – Bleach – Season 13 Part 2” (SRP: £29.99)

Interestingly non of these pre-orders are currently listed in the Anime section of their respective departments and the only way to find them is by searching for it.

Either way judging from the list, which has yet to be officially confirmed by Manga UK, it seems April, May and June will be exciting times for UK anime fans, especially those who have been waiting for complete box-sets of Steins Gate and K-On.

UK DVD Release of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan – Season 2 Part 1 Will Now Be Released in March

Manga Entertainment UK has today taken to twitter to confirm that the UK DVD Release of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan – Season 2 Part 1 has been changed, and that it will now be released on the 10th March 2014.

Just to let you know the release date of Nura – Rise Of The Yokai Clan Season 2, Part 1 has been amended to 10th March. ^JG

— Manga Entertainment (@MangaUK) January 22, 2014

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan – Season 2 Part 1 was initially slated for release on the 3rd February 2014 but it will now be released on the 10th March 2014. It’s not clear if this change in release date is a delay on Kaze’s side (who is authoring the discs) or if its just an alteration to the release schedule, either way this first half of the second series will not be released next month, but instead on the 10th March 2014.

Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail Delayed by Kaze Again

It’s been confirmed that KAZE’s upcoming Blu-ray and DVD release of Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail, which is a continuation of the Black Lagoon franchise, has now been delayed and will be released on the 2nd December 2013.

We have today received word that the upcoming Manga Entertainment title Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail on DVD and Blu-ray has had its release date amended and will now be available from 2nd December.

There is no word why the release date has been changed (again), especially since our review sample has already arrived (yet again in retail form with no box). In meantime the MangaUK Twitter account has tweeted the following to make sure people are aware of its delay:

Black Lagoon Roberta’s Blood Trail OVA Coming to DVD & Blu-ray on 2nd December. Pre-order at http://t.co/cPzXM9gEJy ^JG

— Manga Entertainment (@MangaUK) November 4, 2013

 

In the meantime Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail will be shown tonight on the Sony Movie Channel (Sky 323) while the original TV Series is available for streaming on Animax UK.

Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail will now be available on DVD and Blu-ray from the 2nd December 2013.

Quick Look: Penguindrum – Part 2

It’s time for another “Quick Look” and this time its none other than UK DVD Release of Penguindrum – Part 2, a release which has seen many delays but will soon be available for purchase within the UK.

Continuing the trend set by the first instalment this second half arrives on 3 DVD Discs with each disc containing 4 episodes in both English & Japanese (with English Subtitles) 2.0 Stereo sound. Extra features on each disc include text less endings, text less closing and trailers for two other Kaze releases, Black Lagoon and Bakuman.

Those who purchased Penguindrum – Part 1 will know what to expect, as its the same DVD layout style and picture quality, with the English Audio produced by Sentai Filmsworks (aka Section23 Films). The overall story see’s the terminally ill girl named Himari Takakura saved by a spirit trapped within a Penguin hat, however for Himari to be kept alive the spirit desires the penguin drum, and so Himari’s brothers, Kanba and Shōma, attempt to seek out the mysterious Penguin Drum in order to save their sister from death.

In this Part 2 release the series comes to its conclusion with shocking secrets revealed about the Takakura’s family, new mysterious characters with deadly intentions appear and surprises around every corner are to be expected. If you’ve enjoyed Penguindrum so far then Part 2 will ultimately pick-up-the-pace and deliver even more insane penguin filled entertainment.

Penguindrum – Part 2 will be available on DVD from the 21st October 2013.

Sony Movie Channel to Air both Mardock Scramble Films Next Week

Late Night Anime continues next week on the Sony Movie Channel (Sky 323) with sci-fi thriller Mardock Scamble: The First Compression and it’s sequel Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion, both of which will be shown back-to-back in one night.

Both films, which are around 70 Minutes in length, will be shown on Tuesday 15th October 2013 starting with Mardock Scramble: The First Compression at 1am and then followed by its sequel Mardock Scamble: The Second Combustion at 2:25am.  Alternatively the Sony Movie Channel also has a +1 (Sky 324), just in case you end up missing the start of the film.

As readers maybe aware the Sony Movie Channel started the ‘Late Night Anime’ slot several weeks ago, with a variety of popular KAZE UK Releases, including Berserk, Bleach and Journey to Agartha, already being shown – as well as upcoming releases such as last week’s Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on the channel to see what will be shown next.

 

 

Sony Movie Channel to Broadcast Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail, Meanwhile UK Blu-ray & DVD Release Delayed by Kaze

As I previously announced on Twitter the Late NIght Anime Screenings on the Sony Movie Channel will be continuing with the complete OVA Series, Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trial, with all five episodes shown back-to-back at once.

The first episode of the OVA Series, which takes place ‘after’ the original TV series, will start at 1:05am and will continue until all five episodes have finished, with the traditional adverts in between episodes. Additionally  if you miss it their is a +1 service, with the first episode starting at 2:05am.

For the past few weeks the Sony Movie Channel has broadcast a variety of anime as part of its ‘Late Night Anime’ slot, whereby every Monday night / Tuesday morning a film will be shown – with this weeks (yesterday’s) film being Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie. At this point in time all of the films broadcast have been released by KAZE Entertainment, so it could mean we may see other ‘kaze’ released TV Series being broadcast on the channel, including Code Geass and Tiger & Bunny.

While the Sony Movie Channel will be broadcasting the series next week, Manga Entertainment UK has took to twitter to announce that the Blu-ray and DVD release of the series has been delayed due to a production issue, so that’s another release delayed by kaze.

FYI: We’ve just received word that due to a production issue, the @kazeuk title, Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail has had it’s… ^JG 1/2

— Manga Entertainment (@MangaUK) October 1, 2013

…release date amended to 18th November. This info will be updated with online retailers shortly. ^JG 2/2

— Manga Entertainment (@MangaUK) October 1, 2013

 

The Blu-ray and DVD Release of Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail will now be released on the 18th November 2013, so that’s a 2 week delay compared to the original 4th November release date, however those eager to watch it can of course watch it next week on the Sony Movie Channel at 1:05am on Sky 323, furthermore you do not need a Sky Movie subscription to watch the channel, just a basic Sky TV Package.

Quick Look: Tiger & Bunny – Part 4 (Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack)

The final instalment of Tiger & Bunny is fast approaching, and while we won’t be doing a review of it we have got a quick-look video at the Blu-ray, DVD and their Disc contents.

First off all Tiger & Bunny – Part 4, just like previous instalments, will feature a single Blu-ray disc with two DVD discs, in this case the Blu-ray disc has 6 episodes and a trailer while the DVD discs have 3 episodes per disc as well as 2 trailers per disc.  Basically its the exact same release format as previous instalments, and the same goes for the content as well with the Blu-ray offering a higher detailed picture than the DVD release.

Either way our “quick-look” video can be seen below and Tiger & Bunny – Part 4 (Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack) will be available from the 26th August 2013 within the UK.

Unboxing: Persona 4 – Box 3 (Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack) [UK]

The third and final instalment into the Persona 4: The Animation franchise has finally arrived onto UK shores, with it bringing the last 8 TV episodes and a special OVA episode (which is set before the final TV episode) over 1 Blu-ray and 2 DVD Discs.

In regards to the set it’s business as usual, with carded packaging (that easily gets damaged) on the outside with plastic insides that hold the discs extremely well, if not too well. Unlike Persona 4 – Box 2 both English & French sides of the discs contain the same extra content, so at least this time everyone is treated fairly.

Persona 4: The Animation – Box 3 is now available within the UK.