Discotek Media thankfully rescued all of the Project A-Ko films a few years back but the original is still by the far the best of the bunch – the kind of film that you can revisit over the years and discover more about the more anime you watch. Originally released in 1986, it’s one of the most fascinating projects out there in my opinion.
With the process moving forward in bringing these properties to Blu-ray, Discotek Media last October turned its attention to the fourth and final one of the series with Project A-ko 4: Final. Planned for an early 2023 release, we knew previously that it would be in 1080p and include the Japanese and English languages with it. In terms of extras, they’ve got a trailer, some liner notes, and a small art gallery, but even the people behind this are feeling tapped out in trying to find more than that after the past few editions.
After an update in January 2023, the film has now been set for a June 27th, 2023 release priced at $24.95 with it in its bilingual form and the extras above.
The film was written and directed by Katsuhiko Nishijima based on an original story he wrote with Kazumi Shirasaka. Yuji Moriyama worked on the character designs while APPP handled the animation production.
The Japanese cast includes Emi Shinohara as Biko “B-Ko” Daitokuji, Michie Tomizawa as Shiko “C-Ko” Kotobuki, and Miki Itō as Eiko “A-Ko” Magami. The English dub was directed by Michael Bakewell and the cast includes Denica Fairman as Biko “B-Ko” Daitokuji, Julia Brahms as Shiko “C-Ko” Kotobuki, and Stacey Gregg as Eiko “A-Ko” Magami.
Plot Concept:
On a quiet day at Graviton High, while the kicks are fast and the missile barrages are booming, Miss Ayumi ponders just where her life is leading. Meanwhile, out in the deserts of Iraq, scientists have unearthed a strange artifact bearing a symbol just like the one on Miss Ayumi’s pendant. Strange things begin to occur, and the strangest of all is Miss Ayumi agreeing to an arranged marriage. With handsome hunk Kei, of all people! Still carrying a torch for the dashing young man, A-ko and B-ko take their fight to the school’s gym-turned-wedding-chapel, even as a massive fleet of aliens bears down upon the Earth. As the mecha are mobilized and missiles start to fly, C-ko wonders to herself, where does she belong in all of this?
Project A-ko update!
Project A-ko 4: Final is almost here, so a preview of the new cover!
The original cover will be on the reverse side of the insert. pic.twitter.com/OGzgzTCiDZ
— 💿Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) January 31, 2023
Project A-ko 4!
Fully remastered like the first 3.
Newly polished subs & the classic dub.
We have a remastered trailer & we will see what else we can dig up, but we are running out of A-ko extras!
There will be notes & a gallery, no promises on the size though! pic.twitter.com/B5E20K4m0k
— 💿Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) October 25, 2022
