Arrow Video Confirms Terra Formars Live-Action Blu-ray Release

After streaming Takeshi Miike’s live-action Terra Formars film on their Amazon Prime Channel last year, cult film distributor Arrow Films have today announced plans to release the film on Blu-ray in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada on 1st April 2019 in the former, and a day later in the latter two territories.

Based on the science fiction manga by Yū Sasuga and Michio Fukuda, the film stars Hideaki Itō (Lesson of the Evil), Emi Takei (Rurouni Kenshin) and Tomohisa Yamashita (Ashita no Joe), alongside Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim), Rila Fukushima (The Wolverine) and Shun Oguri (Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa). Arrow Films describes the film, as follows:

The ever-prolific Takashi Miike, the director behind the likes of Audition, the Dead or Alive trilogy and Blade of the Immortal, returns with this intergalactic epic in which a team of space explorers find themselves pitched against a horde of oversized anthropomorphic cockroaches.

In the mid-21st century, humankind has been forced to look to colonising other planets as a means of combating overcrowding on Earth – their first stop, Mars. With a population of cockroaches having been introduced on Mars some 500 years prior to help prepare the way for human colonization, a manned mission sets out to the red planet with the aim of clearing away the bugs. Upon arrival, however, they discover that the roaches have evolved to huge, vicious creatures capable of wielding weapons.

Based on the popular Manga series of the same name, Terra Formars is an action-packed space adventure brought to life by one of Japan’s most celebrated contemporary filmmakers.

The first printing of the release will include a fully illustrated collector’s booklet, with new writing by Tom Mes. The listed bonus features for the release, are as follows:

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
• High-Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original uncompressed Stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD MA options
• Newly-translated English subtitles
• The Making of Terra Formars – feature-length documentary on the film’s production featuring a host of cast and crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
• Extended cast interviews
• Footage from the 2016 Japanese premiere
• Outtakes
• Image Gallery
• Theatrical and teaser trailers
• Reversible sleeve featuring two artwork options

The release is currently available to pre-order on Arrow’s online store.

The ongoing manga series is currently available in English from Viz Media, who released the series’ 20th volume in January. Liden Films (The Heroic Legend of Arslan) have adapted the series into two anime seasons and an OVA. The first anime season was licensed for release in the UK by Kazé, which was later cancelled.

Source: Arrow Video Facebook