Yet another anime on Blu-ray was announced, and this time around, is Souten Kouro. The first volume is scheduled for release in Japan on August 21, and it will hold the first three episodes. Specifications as follows: Stereo / Linear PCM and 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen 1080p High Definition. Extras will include Non-credit Opening and Ending, and a 24 - page booklet.

SOURCE: animeanime.jp

Behind here due to the long weekend off (Memorial Day Weekend), but Bandai Visual announced the Blu-ray box sets of Gundam ZZ. The first box will be release in Japan on September 25, and the second box set will be on November 25, 2009. Both boxset will be in 1080p, but the first box set will include a “Prelude ZZ” episode that’s in 1080i.

SOURCE: Bandai Visual Digital Beat

After the recent announcement of Devil May Cry Blu-ray in Japan, and the North American Blu-ray version appearing in Amazon.com and citing FUNimation as the distributor, we ask FUNimation a couple of question about the domesctic release of DMC BD; would be using the same authoring from Japanese but only to include the English audio, and when it will it be release?

Our friends at FUNimation gave us these answer:
This will be the FUNimation audio mix, in both Japanese and English.
The release date is “late summer.”

Release Date August 25 - according to Right Stuf International

During the ADV Panel this past weekend at Anime Boston, ADV Films’ David Williams stated that the company still has no plans for Blu-ray disc releases, as he believes there is not enough support in market, unless it is a really big title. If Best Buy doesn’t want to buy a Blu-ray for one of their titles, they don’t make one.

SOURCE: Anime Boston Convention News by activeAnime and The Haisho

Announced sometime last week, and translations just made it in this weekend, the Mai Hime Project is being released on high-definition Blu-ray. First the OVA Mai-Otome Hime O~S.ifr ~ Complete will be release in Japan on September 25, 2009, and  Mai Otome Hime Zwei Complete will street on October 27. Both will sport a 1080p resolution and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 / Liner PCM stereo. UMD version will also be release on the same time. In addition, Hayate no Gotoku Vol. 1 Blu-ray will go on sale on October 21. Extras are unknown.  

Capcom’s popular property turned anime, Devil May Cry, will slash its way into high-definition on July 27, 2009 in Japan. The Blu-ray package with compose of two single sided /double layer disc that will hold all 12 episodes (approximately 300 minutes) in 1080p and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 or Linear PCM 2.0. The discs will be housed in a special box with illustration from Abe Hisashi. Extras included are clean opening and ending, a 20 page booklet, video interview with the cast, and promotional video. No indication on English subtitles or audio.

SOURCE: Saishin Anime Joho / Official Site 

The original OVA, Blood: The Last Vampire, will hit Blu-ray in Japan on June 27, 2009. Specifications include a 1080p resolution on a a single sided double layer disc with MPEG4 AVC codec, and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 channel surround sound. The extra includes the making of Blood: The Last Vampire, interviews, pilot video, and theatrical trailers, and more. First pressing will include a booklet.

SOURCE: Saishin Anime Joho / Official Website

To enhance color gradation, Sony has developed a new technique called “Super Bit Mapping for Video”, and the recipient of this new technology is Evangelion 1:11 Blu-ray. In a non-technical terms, Evangelion video was produce in 10-bit, but since Blu-ray (and majority of LCD monitors) are only 8-bit, encoding the 10-bit video will produce color banding. Sony’s SBM for Video was developed to elimanate color banding. In addtion, the BD will also utilized BD-JAVA for its menu system. The BD goes in sale in Japan on May 27.

SOURCE: Akihabara News / Phile Web

The new Mazinger Z series, Shin-Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen, is coming to Blu-ray on August 25, 2009 in both standard DVD and Blu-ray in Japan. First volume will come with the first two-episodes, and its “on television version” episodes. In additon, the Blu-ray limited edition will only be produced for an additional six months after the final volume is released.

SOURCE: Saishin Anime Joho

As part of celebrating Yomiuri TV 50th Anniversary and broadcast on March 29 of this year, the special Lupin III anime, Lupin III vs. Detective Conan, is heading to Blu-ray and DVD in  Japan on July 24, 2009, with a running time of 103 minutes.

SOURCE: Saishin Anime Joho / Lupin III Official Website