NISA Announces Katanagatari & Arakawa Under The Bridge
NIS America announced today that Katanagatari Volume 1 Premium Edition will be released this summer, July 5, 2011, and the second volume will complete fans’ collections in September. The fans of its gorgeous and distinguished art style will have a chance to enjoy the high quality artistry on Blu-ray. Katanagatari Volume 1 Premium Edition will come packaged with 6 quests (episodes, approximately 50 minutes per episode) on 2 Blu-ray discs and 2 DVDs with a hard cover art book titled “Togame’s Travelogue.â€
In addition, NIS America announced today that Arakawa Under the Bridge Premium Edition, which contains all of season 1, will be released on July 5, 2011. The wacky, hilarious characters living under the bridge will showoff their unique perspectives of daily life. Arakawa Under the Bridge Premium Edition will be packaged with 13 episodes on 2 Blu-Ray discs and 2 DVDs, along with a hardcover art book in a collectible sturdy slip case.
About Katanagatari:
Yasuri Shichika, seventh successor of the Kyoto Ryu (the current of the unbladed) sword art, lives on an isolated island with his older sister, Nanami. One day Shichika is visited by a woman named Togame, who requests his aid in her quest to find and collect the final twelve swords forged by the legendary master swordsmith, Shikizaki Kiki. Shichika and Togame begin their odyssey by leaving the island he called home for over 20 years. They will face twelve individuals who possess and protect Shikizaki’s legendary swords. Join Shichika and Togame on their exciting epic adventure that defies reality as they discover the true potential of the Kyotu Ryu sword style! Besides the historical adventure, witness how a man and woman grow to love each other despite their pasts. Each quest in Katanagatari is approximately 50 minutes, and each story focuses on a sword they seek to collect.
About the Bonus artbook, Togame’s Travelogue:
Katanagatari comes with a hardcover art book (full-color 32 pages), featuring vivid, unique art work that conveys a story by itself, quest guides including character information, and song lyrics from quests 1 through 6. A detailed glossary was added to the art book in order to provide a deeper understanding of Japanese history and the traditional terminology used throughout the show. The show functions as a form of great literature, so this art book is the best way to truly appreciate the profound wordplay the writers created.
About Arakawa Under the Bridge:
Ko Ichinomiya’s family motto is “Never be indebted to anyone,” but after losing his pants and falling into the Arakawa River, he quickly finds himself in debt to his savior, the cutely insane Nino (who happens to live under the bridge). To repay her, he vows to help her with her desire to “experience love.” Along the way he’ll meet the river’s other residents, including a hot-blooded kappa, a Sister in drag, and a literal rock star. The love story between Ko (aka Rec) and Nino is often humorous, sometimes bittersweet. This surreal comedy depicts the exciting lives of these two and all the other maniacal residents of Arakawa under the bridge.
About bonuses—art book and bonus commentary tracks:
Arakawa Under the Bridge Premium Edition comes with a hardcover art book (full-color, 32 pages), featuring character information, episode guides, artwork, and interviews with cast and production staff. The bonus track includes Clean Opening/Ending, and commentary from various voice actresses/actors. The commentary tracks will let you take a peek behind the scenes—it’s a very intimate way of learning how the cast thinks and feels about the characters and events! Arakawa Under the Bridge also includes 2 DVDs and 2 Blu-Ray discs for your maximum viewing pleasure.