Having enjoyed a successful limited U.S. theatrical run back in January, the anime feature Appleseed arrives on home video today. Released by Geneon Ent., the sci-fi film is based on the manga by Masamune Shirow (Ghost In The Shell) and directed by Shinji Aramaki (Bubblegum Crisis).
Appleseed is set in the year 2131, after most of the world has been devastated by war. The story chronicles the battle between mankind and bioroids, a race of cybernetic pseudo-clones designed to aid humans in domestic capacities. But when ideologies flare and aggression rises to the surface, the thin veneer of peaceful coexistence is shattered.
Combining 2D character animation and 3D motion-capture technology, the film’s unique look was dictated by director Aramaki and producer Fumihiko Sori, whose credits include CG animation work on the Hollywood blockbuster, Titanic.
A two-disc, deluxe limited collector’s edition is available for $49.98 and features steel case packaging, a making-of featurette titled Birth of 3D Live Anime, design archives, a conceptual art gallery, character profiles, mechanical notes , Japanese and U.S. trailers and a Briarios action figure. The standard collector’s edition incudes everything but the action figure and lists for $29.98.
Also available is a single-disc version with audio commentary by Aramaki and producer Sori, crew profiles and Geneon previews. This version carries a suggested retail price of $19.98.
Appleseed, the first film to fall under the new Geneon Films umbrella, is set to become a trilogy. The film’s Japanese creator, Micott & Basara, has teamed with Los Angeles-based Axis Ent. to co-produce a pair of sequels and a television series based on the film. A live-action feature film may also emerge from the partnership.
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