The Appleseed franchise is a real favorite of mine though I continue to wish we’d get an expanded TV series and something with more traditional animation to it than the CG side. Which is why it’s a delight that the original 1988 OVA is coming back into print as Discotek Media has acquired the rights to it. The DVD-only release is set for an April 30th, 2019 debut priced at $24.95. It’ll have the original Japanese language with English subtitles as well as the previously created English-language dub. Discotek indicated that they don’t have an HD master for this and it’ll be DVD-only until one becomes available.
Based on the manga by Masamune Shirow, it was written and directed by Kazuyoshi Katayama with character designs by Yumiko Horasawa.
The Japanese cast includes Masako Katsuki as Deunan Knute, Yoshisada Sakaguchi as Brialeos Hecatombcales, Mayumi Shō as Hitomi, Norio Wakamoto as A. J. Sebastian, Toshiko Sawada as Athena, and Toshio Furukawa as Calon. The English cast from the US Renditions dub includes Bill Roberts as Bularios, Larissa Murray as Dunan, David Reynolds as Karon, Julia Brahms as Hitomi, Lorelei King as Athena, and Vincent Marzello as Sebastian.
Plot Concept: After the devastation of World War III, the scattered governments of the world construct the perfect city administered by perfect Biodroids – artificially created half-human half-robots. Life in Olympus is carefully controlled and monitored – and some of its human population have had enough. A dedicated band of terrorists plot to destroy Gaia, the central computer, and restore freedom to mankind. After a daring raid of a high security facility, they have the weapons and information they need to complete their mission – including the key to the end of Gaia. Will they be stopped before they ruin the dream of paradise?
Appleseed takes us into the explosive world of the Extra Special Weapons and Tactics Squad of the Olympus Police Force, as they battle against those who would destroy their utopia. Join two of the finest (and most reckless) officers on the force in this high-tech animated thriller. Based on the internationally successful comic series by Masamune Shirow, Appleseed is a high-octane, action-packed race against time as the future of a civilization hangs in the balance.
