Anime Limited acquired Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warriors, which was essentially a World War II propaganda film, back in May 2016 with plans for a late Q4 2016 or early Q1 2017 release. We had a tentative date previously for March 20th,2017 through online retail solicitation but it looks like that isn’t going to stick. The retail solicitations have now updated to a June 26th, 2017 release. With Funimation having picked this up as well it’s likely tied to them trying to come up with the best presentation possible.. The film along with Spider & Tulip are getting their first release on Blu-ray in Japan this coming
The film, along with Spider & Tulip, got their first release on Blu-ray in Japan this past August and this film in particular was screened at Cannes last year. Anime Limited’s set will be worked using the 2kremaster and will include a booklet from Jonathan Clements that digs into its historical side.
The two films came out in the early 1940′s as part of propaganda films and have had varying impacts over the years since with what they represent. Shochiku is looking to bring them out as a double feature on August 3rd, 2016 priced at 4,700 yen for the Blu-ray and 2,800 yen for the DVD. With Sacred Sailors listed as the first feature-length anime film, it’ll come with a commentary track from film historians talking about the context of it, and a booklet as well.
Plot Concept: Momotaro sends a sneak aircraft attack to sink the ships of Demon Island, using his animal companions as crew members and pilots.
[Source: Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warriors]
