Originally airing in 2006, the TV series Bartender is finally seeing release and a lot of people got really excited by that announcement back in May until we realized it was a UK-only release. Now, there’s reason to perk up, sunshine, as Shout! Factory has partnered up with Anime Limited to bring this series out as part of a special 15th Anniversary multi-disc collector’s edition Blu-ray.
That release is now getting some extra attention as we’re getting some details about the product. The set will have the Japanese language done up in DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio and the extras for it will include:
- Nine cocktail recipe cards
- Four collectible coasters
- Clean opening credits
- Clean closing credits
- Bumpers
In addition to that, we now have the packaging you can see just below as well as the first trailer for it. We also now have a firm release date of January 19th, 2021!
The partnership with Anime Limited means that Shout! Factory has some interesting potential here as the rights include digital, video-on-demand, broadcast, and home entertainment for cross-platform releases in the U.S. and Canada. They’re intent on bringing out this anime series to the marketplace early 2021, with a set release plan for a special 15th Anniversary multi-disc Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ set and a digital launch across major entertainment platforms.
“We’ve been enjoying our on-going collaboration and couldn’t be more excited about this new opportunity with Anime Limited,” said Melissa Boag, Senior Vice President of Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory during its prior acquisition announcement. “This truly unique and highly entertaining anime series is a very exciting addition to our anime library. We look forward to bringing BARTENDER Collector’s Edition to fans and collectors in North America.”
“We’re excited to once again be working with Shout! Factory to distribute another one of our great home video releases in North America,” said Andrew Partridge, Founder and CEO of Anime Limited when the acquisition was announced. “BARTENDER is a special title and we’re thrilled to bring our Collector’s Edition to fans in the US and Canada – an edition that shows a lot of love to a hidden gem of a series.”
It ran for eleven episodes and definitely had interest back in the day because it wasn’t the usual kind of title but it never saw a domestic license. The series was directed by Masaki Watanabe based on the scripts and series composition by Yasuhiro Imagawa. Based on the original work by Araki Joh and Kenji Nagatomo, Hirotaka Kinoshita adapted the character designs with Palm Studio handling the production of the animation.
The Japanese cast includes Ayumi Fujimura as Miwa Kurushima, Takahiro Mizushima as Ryuu Sasakura, and Leo Morimoto as Narration.
The series features the opening song “Bartender” by Natural High featuring Junpei Shiina and an ending theme “Hajimari no Hito” by Natural High.
Plot Concept: Genius bartender, Ryu Sasakura makes the most incredible cocktails anyone has ever tasted. Seeking his “Glass of God”, individuals from all different walks of life visit his bar. With both a compassionate ear and a godly drink, Ryu helps people with their problems.
