Funimation Now UK Adds Hellsing, Last Exile Anime, Shin Godzilla, Live-Action Space Battleship Yamato and More
Distributors Funimation and Manga Entertainment has once again provided another batch of catalog anime for the United Kingdom and Ireland territories on their streaming service Funimation Now.
Back in May 2019, Funimation acquired Manga Entertainment and since then we saw a number of titles made available for Funimation Now including Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and recently the first Naruto series, with the English dub available for the first time on streaming platforms in the UK & Ireland.
Last Friday they have announced another batch. This time we have a mix of films, shows and live-action Japanese films in the mix, just in time for the Christmas season. Most of the titles will offer English & Japanese audio with English subtitles, while some are either one or the other.
2001 Nights (Fumihiko Sori’s TO)
Released: November 2009
Studio: OXYBOT
Audio: English
Based on Yukinobu Hoshino’s 1984 manga series, the story was given a new adaptation by director Fumihiko Sori in two CG anime OVAs. Funimation has the rights to the title in the US & Canada and Manga Entertainment has released it on Blu-ray and DVD.
Join the acclaimed director, Fumihiko Sori (Vexille, Ichi) and the producers of Appleseed and Halo Legends for an epic journey to the stars told across two stunning sci-fi fables. Based on the classic sci-fi manga series created by Yukinobu Hoshino . Featuring two beautifully crafted stories created in eye-popping CG animation from acclaimed Japanese studio, OXYBOT.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: The Laughing Man, Individual Eleven and Solid State Society
Released: September 2005, January 2006, September 2006
Studio: Production I.G
Audio: English, Japanese
Based on Masamune Shirow’s manga Ghost in the Shell and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series received two anime compilation OVAs and a movie continuation. The OVAs and film have been released by Manga Entertainment on Blu-ray and DVD. In the US the license belongs to Anchor Bay and Bandai Entertainment.
The beautiful but deadly cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi and Section 9 deal with cybernetic crimes. In the not so distant future, body transplanting into machines is possible greatly increasing physical and cybernetic prowess. Criminals also use this technology, creating dangerous new crimes. In response the Japanese Government has established Section 9, an independently operating police unit.
Hellsing
Released: October 2001
Studio: Gonzo
Audio: English, Japanese
Based on Kouta Hirano’s 1997 manga series, Hellsing’s first anime adaptation was animated by Gonzo and directed by Umanosuke Iida. Funimation has the rights to the title in the US & Canada (previously from Geneon) and Manga Entertainment has released it on DVD (previously from ADV Films).
Witness the blood-soaked roots of a legend in Hellsing, the action-horror series that launched the careers of some of anime’s brightest stars. The vampire Arucard and his servant Seras Victoria protect the British Empire from ghouls and satanic freaks. Together, they haunt the shadows as a sinister force of good – and tonight the streets of England shall flow with the blood of their evil prey.
Highlander: The Search For Vengeance
Released: June 2007
Studio: Madhouse
Audio: English
Based on the Highlander franchise, director Yoshiaki Kawajiri and studio Madhouse joined together to make an anime film. Manga Entertainment has released the film on DVD.
Anime sequel to the live action franchise. Colin MacLeod, a 2nd century, Celtic warrior who becomes immortal following his defeat at the hands of immortal Roman tyrant Marcus Octavius. Colin spends millennia chasing after Marcus. The longtime duel extends 200 years into Earth’s dystopian future where Colin finds Marcus once again a head of a private government and wielding a deadly virus.
Last Exile and Last Exile -Fam, the Silver Wing-
Released: April 2003, October 2011
Studio: Gonzo
Audio: English, Japanese
The Last Exile franchise from studio Gonzo and directed by Kouichi Chigira finally makes its way onto legal streaming for the UK & Ireland. The first series and the continuation Fam the Silver Wing are both available to watch. Funimation has the rights to the two shows in the US & Canada (the first previously from Geneon) and Manga Entertainment has released the first series on DVD (previously from ADV Films) and the second series on both Blu-ray and DVD.
Claus Valca and his fiery navigator Lavie are obsessed with becoming the first sky couriers to cross the Grand Stream in a vanship. But when the high-flying duo encounters a mysterious girl named Alvis, they are thrust into the middle of an endless battle between Anatoray and Disith – two countries systematically destroying each other according to the code of chivalric warfare.
Origin: Spirits of the Past
Released: January 2006
Studio: Gonzo
Audio: English, Japanese
Studio Gonzo made an original anime film with director Keiichi Sugiyama. Both Funimation and Manga Entertainment released the film in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland on both Blu-ray and DVD.
Long ago, the Forest was awakened and the Moon unleashed a ravenous Beast upon the Earth. Centuries later, as humanity struggle to coexist with the Forest, Agito revives slumbering Toola, who calls forth ancient technology to reshape the future from the ashes of the past. With the blessing of the Forest, Agito must save Toola from herself in order to rescue them all.
Shin Godzilla [Live-Action]
Released: July 2016
Director: Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi
Audio: English
TOHO’s 29th film in the Godzilla franchise and a reboot of the iconic monster. Known in Japan as Shin Gojira, the film was directed by Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Shinji Higuchi (Attack on Titan the Movie Parts 1 & 2). It was brought over to the west as Shin Godzilla by Funimation and Manga Entertainment in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland for theatrical and home video on Blu-ray and DVD.
When a massive, gilled monster emerges from the deep and tears through the city, the government scrambles to save its citizens. A rag-tag team of volunteers cuts through a web of red tape to uncover the monster’s weakness and its mysterious ties to a foreign superpower. But time is not on their side – the greatest catastrophe to ever befall the world is about to evolve right before their very eyes.
Space Battleship Yamato [Live-Action]
Released: December 2010
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Audio: English, Japanese
A live-action adaptation of the classic anime series from Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Leiji Matsumoto. The film was directed by Takashi Yamazaki (Parasyte Parts 1 & 2, Lupin III: The First 3DCG). It was brought over to the west under its original name (rather than the US branded name Star Blazers) by Funimation and Manga Entertainment in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland for home video on Blu-ray and DVD.
The year is 2199. Mankind teeters on the brink of extinction as the Gamilas, a heinous race of alien invaders, wage an endless war for the right to inhabit the Earth. The last hope for humanity lies on the distant planet of Iskander, and the only battleship capable of attempting the journey is the legendary Yamato.
We Are X [Live-Action]
Released: January 2016
Director: Stephen Kijak
Audio: Japanese
We Are X is a documentary film focusing on the iconic Japanese metal band X Japan and its leader Yoshiki. The documentary was released in the US & Canada by Magnolia Home Entertainment and in the UK & Ireland by Manga Entertainment, both released it on Blu-ray and DVD.
X Japan, the world’s biggest and most successful rock & roll band you’ve never heard of. Under the enigmatic direction of drummer, pianist, composer, and producer Yoshiki, X Japan has pioneered a spectacle driven style of rock, creating a cultural phenomenon. Chronicling an exhilarating and tumultuous three decades, the film culminates with preparations for their reunion concert at Madison Square.
Yu-Gi-Oh! the Movie: The Dark Side of Dimensions and Pyramid of Light
Released: August 2004, April 2016
Studio: Gallop
Audio: English
Based on Kazuki Takahashi’s manga series which then spawned an anime franchise and trading card game, the franchise received a few films and two of them are coming to Funimation Now; the 2004 film Yu-Gi-Oh! Pyramid of Light (Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Duel Monsters: Hikari no Pyramid) and the 2016 film Dark Side of Dimensions. Both are dub only and were brought over to the west by 4Kids. Manga Entertainment has released both films on Blu-ray and DVD for the UK & Ireland.
After the conclusion of the Battle City Tournament, deep below the sands of Egypt, an ancient evil has awakened. Anubis, who was defeated centuries ago by Yugi’s mysterious alter ego – the ancient Pharaoh – has returned for revenge. Wielding the power of the Eighth Millennium Item, Anubis is determined to destroy Yugi and take over the world…
Source: Funimation UK & Ireland
