Funimation has cut loose with their plans for releases in March 2017 and there’s definitely a lot on tap. With new Attack on Titan landing in April, bringing out the Junior High series in March makes a lot of sense to try and capture some of that awareness and ride those coattails. Heavy Object brings out its back half and we get the debut of Luck & Logic as well. There’s also the debut of Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi, which sadly is going to be subtitled only as we had hoped that it being their first boys-love title that they’d take the chance on dubbing it.
Add in a new Wolf Children release as part of the Hosoda Collection banner and a bunch of fun SAVE titles being brought down to incredible prices? Definitely a lot to like in March.
And, let’s be honest, STEINS;GATE MOVIE. What more need be said?
Appleseed XII: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (S.A.V.E. Edition) – 325 minutes – $29.98 – 3/14/17
Special Features: Episode 7 Commentary, Episode 12 Commentary, The Inside: Episodes 1-13, U.S. Trailer, Textless Opening and Closing Themes, Trailers
Plot concept: Based on the revolutionary manga from the sci-fi mastermind behind Ghost in the Shell, this long-awaited series is a high-voltage thrill ride on a steady stream of bullets, explosions, and mayhem. In the fallout of a global nuclear war, humans coexist with bioroids-clones made of the best human DNA-in the thriving city of Olympus. Mechsuit mercenary Deunan and her cyborg partner Briareos lead an elite paramilitary task force to take down anti-clone terrorists bent on bombing their post-apocalyptic paradise into oblivion. Together the soldiers unleash heavy artillery as they track a trail of dead bioroids, override an atomic warhead, and destroy stolen mecha to protect the future of humanity from total annihilation.
Attack on Titan – Junior High: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) – 300 minutes – $64.98 – 3/21/17
Special Features: Episode 2 Commentary, Episode 8 Commentary, Episode 12 Video Commentary, Promo Videos, Web Previews, Commercials, Textless Opening & Closing Songs, Trailers
Attack on Titan – Junior High: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo LE) – 300 minutes – $84.98 – 3/21/17
Special Features: Episode 2 Commentary, Episode 8 Commentary, Episode 12 Video Commentary, Promo Videos, Web Previews, Commercials, Textless Opening & Closing Songs, Trailers
Plot concept: The hit show Attack on Titan is reimagined in this feel-good junior high microseries! See all your favorite characters getting into middle school shenanigans complete with secret love interests, class presidents, and chaotic cultural festivals. Eren and his friends are the hapless first-year students at Attack Junior High, a unique school for both humans and Titans alike. That’s right… Titans go to class, too-in their own gigantic classrooms with their larger-than-life school supplies and benches as big as buildings! And while most humans are happy to avoid the massive monstrosities, Eren will stop at nothing to exact revenge on the hungry Titan who ate something more precious than human life-his mom’s homemade chee-burg bento! Join the secret Scout Regiment as they plan to stop the Titans while Eren masters the omni-directional mobility gear to clean the massive wall surrounding the campus.
Ben-To: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (S.A.V.E. Edition) – 300 minutes – $29.98 – 3/14/17
Special Features: Episode 3 Commentary, Episode 7 Commentary, Bento Brawl with Justin Rojas and Joel McDonald, Textless Opening and Closing Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers
Plot concept: Every day an epic struggle rages in grocery stores across Japan-the battle for half-priced bento boxes! Once the discount stickers go on, ravenous brawlers start throwing punches in a knockdown, drag-out war over who gets to take home the cheap eats. When a young, broke high school student named Sato joins the Half-Priced Food Lovers Club, he proves to be a rising talent in the world of insane food fights. But does he have what it takes to become the king of clearance cuisine From the director of Black Cat comes a very different type of hunger games. Welcome to the world of Ben-To, where chopsticks are lethal weapons, the supermarket is a battleground, and there’s nothing more delicious than a deep-fried win.
BlazBlue – Alter Memory: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (S.A.V.E. Edition) – 300 minutes – $29.98 – 3/21/17
Special Features: Textless Opening and Closing Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers
Plot concept: Catch all your favorite BlazBlue characters in action in this thrilling anime based on the popular fighting game franchise! Long ago, an insidious black beast sought to obliterate the human race, but the monster was defeated by a valiant Band of Heroes wielding the power of Ars Magus: a potent combo of magic and technology. Now, a roguish outlaw known as Ragna the Bloodedge seeks to wreak havoc upon the Librarium, a clandestine organization that governs Ars Magus. Armed with the mighty Azure Grimoire, Ragna quickly becomes the target of vigilantes, scientists, vampires, and Librarium foot soldiers. As he spirals toward a violent showdown with the maniacal Hazama, Ragna will discover just how closely his fate is tied to the future of our world! Discover the story behind gaming’s deadliest moves in this series from the animation studio behind the BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasm cutscenes!
Fairy Tail: Collection 7 (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) – 550 minutes – $54.98 – 3/28/17
Special Features: Fairy Tail Feud: With Todd Haberkorn and Newton Pittman, Being Lucy: with Cherami Leigh, Audio Commentaries, Textless Opening & Closing Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers
Plot concept: Time is running out for the guild when Oración Seis kidnaps Lucy with plans to merge her with a catastrophic clock. Fairy Tail must work quickly to save their guildmate and stop the enchanted timepiece before Fiore Kingdom falls into a waking nightmare. But that’s not all that stands in their way: the Legion Platoon has decided to save the world as well, but they plan to destroy the clock and Lucy along with it! With each chime reality descends into chaos, and in the end, the wizards might be too late to save anyone. But at least they have the Grand Magic Games to look forward to when the dust settles! Although this guild-versus-guild battle may be masking a sinister plot, as more than one guild plans to target Fairy Tail. Before the competition even begins, Natsu and his friends will be lucky if they even make it to the opening ceremony alive!
Heavy Object, Part 2 (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) – 300 minutes – $64.98 – 3/28/17
Special Features: Episode 23 Commentary, Textless Opening & Closing Songs, Trailers
Plot concept: In the future, the world is divided into hundreds of warring nations that fight with advanced technology known as Objects. With the capacity to annihilate an opposing militia in seconds, these massive weapons have turned battles between men into warfare between machines. The world is locked in an arms race-that is until two rookie soldiers, Qwenthur Barbotage and Havia Winchell, manage to take down an enemy Object with nothing more than their wits. But their achievement earns no rest. Now the government wants to deploy them around the world on more impossible missions! Fortunately, they won’t go at it alone. On their side is a first-generation Object piloted by the beautiful Milinda Brantini, and their fiery commanding officer, Frolaytia Capistrano. While Havia avoids discipline from Frolaytia’s heeled boots, Qwenther finds himself rescuing Milinda from a tight spot or two. Together, their team takes on unforeseen enemies-including those among their ranks.
Inari Kon Kon: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (S.A.V.E. Edition) – 275 minutes – $29.98 – 3/28/17 [sub only]
Special Features: Pub Fox Theater: Episodes 01-09, Commercial Collection, Promotional Video, Textless Opening and Closing Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers
Plot concept: Inari is a sweet and shy middle school girl with a HUGE crush on Tanbabashi, one of the cutest guys in her grade. But she’s not smooth enough to tell him how she feels, and every time she tries things just keep getting worse! That is, until one day she saves an injured fox struggling on a riverbank. To Inari’s surprise, the fox turns out to be the familiar of Uka, a beautiful goddess. As thanks, Uka grants Inari the power to shape-shift, and Inari uses her newfound powers to attempt to win over Tanbabashi. Unfortunately, love isn’t as simple as changing forms, and to make matters worse, the spirit world is none too pleased about Inari’s divine powers! With memorable characters and beautiful scenery, Inari Kon Kon is the perfect blend of comedy, romance, and divine magic!
Luck & Logic: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) – 300 minutes – $64.98 – 3/28/17
Special Features: Textless Opening & Closing Songs, Trailers
Plot concept: When the gods were driven from their home in Tetra-Heaven, they made their way to the human world, causing unimaginable chaos. People with special abilities began to awaken, and terrifying beasts known as Foreigners arrived through Paradox Zones to wreak havoc in the world. Logicalists-a special police force with the power to enter Trances with goddesses-were employed to protect citizens from these otherworldly beings and maintain order. But the war against these incursions is only just beginning. Yoshichika Tsurugi once held the power of the Logicalists and fought to protect his home, until an incident in Hong Kong caused him to lose his Logic Card and abilities. But when the goddess Athena appears with his card in hand and wants to fight beside him, he must choose between staying a civilian or embracing his powers once more. Foreigners, Paradox Zones, and the fate of the world-Yoshichika and his team will face powers they’ve never dreamed of to keep their home safe!
Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi – The World’s Greatest First Love: Seasons 1 & 2 + OVAs Collection (DVD) – 650 minutes – $59.98 – 3/28/17 [sub only]
Special Features: Textless Opening & Closing Songs, Trailers
Plot concept: From the creators of Junjo Romantica comes a new story filled with drama and romance between beautiful boys. First love is a precious thing. The racing of hearts, the fluttering of stomachs-it’s a feeling that remains a fond and treasured memory. That is, unless you’re Ritsu Onodera. After his first love with a handsome upperclassman ends in heartbreak, Onodera is over the troubles of love. But even without it, his life is still miserable. When he decides to transfer to Marukawa Publishing as an editor, he winds up working in the shoujo manga department with the intimidating editor-in-chief, Masamune Takano-who happens to be the senpai who broke his heart! Can Onodera balance the hectic life of a manga editor and the enduring advances of Takano Boy’s love is in the air! Follow more tales of love between a fumbling manga artist and his publisher, and a princely bookstore employee and an overworked manga editor.
STARMYU: Season 1 Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) – 300 minutes – $54.98 – 3/28/17 [sub only]
Special Features: Textless Opening & Closing Songs, Trailers
Plot concept: First-year Yuta Hoshitani enters the esteemed Ayanagi Academy with dreams of following in his idol’s footsteps. But competition starts the moment he steps through the doors when some of the best young talent in the industry try out for a spot in the musical department. Catching the eye of an eccentric member of the academy’s elite Kao Council, Hoshitani and five other misfits are given the chance they were hoping for. With egos as strong as their talent, it’s up to Hoshitani’s shining personality to bring Nayuki, Tengenji, Kuga, and Tsukigami together for the biggest performance of the semester. While the strict authorities of the Kao Council try to put an end to their inventive musicals, these five young stars practice day and night for a show that will shake the school!
Steins;Gate the Movie: Load Region of Déjà Vu (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) – 90 minutes – $34.98 – 3/28/17
Special Features: U.S. Commentary, Trailers
Plot concept: Experience the enthralling conclusion to the mind-bending hit series, Steins;Gate, as the original creators intended. A year has passed since Okabe reached the Steins Gate world-line where Mayuri is alive, Kurisu hasn’t been killed, and time only moves forward. Visiting Japan, Kurisu stops by the Future Gadget Lab where everyone is up to their usual shenanigans. But something’s not quite right-memories of other timelines continue to haunt Okabe… or are they visions Out of nowhere, a message is left for Kurisu: cell phone, microwave, SERN. Strong emotions blur the world-lines and trigger déjà vu. Before she knows it, Okabe disappears. Unable to let go of the one who never existed, Kurisu makes a daring return to the past. Hoping to save the mad scientist who tried countless times to save her, she must make a decision-risk everything, or live in a world without Okabe.
Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) – $69.98 – 3/28/17
Special Features: TBA
Wanna be the Strongest in the World!: Complete Collection (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (S.A.V.E. Edition) – 300 minutes – $29.98 – 3/7/17
Special Features: Episode 1 Commentary, Episode 7 Commentary, OVAs – Volumes 1-6, Textless Opening and Closing Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers
Plot concept: The eye-popping world of women’s professional wrestling is sweaty, sadistic, and savagely sexy. Famous Japanese pop idol Sakura Hagiwara is better suited for the dance floor than the wrestling ring, but this ravishing songstress is about to put her body to the ultimate test. When she and fellow idol Elena are assigned to pose as wrestlers for a very special show, a vicious lady brawler by the name of Rio decides to teach the girls a lesson they won’t soon forget. Rio unleashes a flurry of ferocious of attacks on Elena, contorting her divine female form into an array of very naughty positions. Shocked by the blush-inducing beating taken by her friend, Sakura vows to get her heavenly curves ready to rumble and redeem the good name of idols everywhere by becoming a bona fide diva of the pro-wrestling world!
Wolf Children (Blu-ray / DVD Combo Collector’s Edition) – 117 minutes – $49.98 – 3/14/17
Special Features: U.S. Actor & Staff Commentary, Stage Greetings, PR video Director’s Versions 01 & 02, Promotional Video, Original Trailer, Original Teaser, U.S. Trailer, Trailers
Plot concept: Wolf Children, Hosoda’s first film with his new studio, Studio Chizu, became his third award-winning masterpiece. Raised by a single mother, Hosoda was deeply inspired to craft a film that beautifully illustrates the trials of motherhood, unwavering love, and finding your own path in life. When Hana fell in love, she never imagined that her beloved would be part wolf. Accepting him, she fell for the handsome wolf man and embraced a new life filled with unique challenges. Blessed by love, their family grew with two additions, Yuki and Ame. However, happiness was fleeting and tragedy struck their happy family. Suddenly alone, Hana is left to raise their children without any guidance. With few resources, she struggles to learn how to raise wolf children in a world that could never understand them. But love always perseveres, and together, this exceptional family will face every trial on the path to their own happiness.
