Animatsu has picked up a new UK license for release later this year with the acquisition of Samurai Jam: Bakumatsu Rock. The distributor is looking at an October 2015 release for the series, which is essentially the same time that Sentai Filmworks is bringing out the summer 2014 series that they acquired. With no English language dub being produced for it in the US, the UK release will be the same when it lands on October 19th, 2015 and it will get both a DVD and Blu-ray release.
The series, which blends what you expect by its title, is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki based on scripts by Mitsutaka Hirota with character designs by Akiharu Ishii. The cast includes Toshiyuki Morikawa as Toshizou Hijikata, Showtaro Morikubo as Kogorou Katsura, Kensho Ono as Souji Okita, Kishou Taniyama as Ryouma Sakamoto and Tatsuhisa Suzuki as Shinsaku Takasugi.
Plot concept: Right around the middle of the 19th century, the dark overlords of the Late Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan with an iron fist. Because of this, the top idols in Shinsengumi are ordered to sing only Heaven’s Songs to brainwash and subjugate the masses, making writing or singing any songs besides Heaven’s Songs a capital offense. Enter: Sakamoto Ryouma and his Masters of the martial art OF ROCK! They must take charge as they change the old ways of a grumpy old guard while singing for what is just!
