All-New, CG-Animated Sci-Fi Action Adventure Based on the Popular
“Appleseed” Franchise by the Creator of Ghost In The Shell

APPLESEED ALPHA

Directed by Shinji Aramaki & Featuring Music by Top International Artists
 

 Available on Blu-ray™, DVD & Digital July 22

Get It Early on Digital July 15

Featuring Filmmaker Commentary & 11-Part Making-of Documentary

CULVER CITY, Calif. (May 13, 2014) – The popular franchise “Appleseed” comes to new life in the CG-animated prequel APPLESEED ALPHA, available July 22 on Blu-ray™, DVD & Digital from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  World-renowned anime filmmaker Shinji Aramaki (Starship Troopers: Invasion) directs the latest installment in the sci-fi adventure franchise based on the original comic books by Shirow Masamune (“Ghost in the Shell”) published by Seishinsha with a screenplay by Marianne Krawczyk (God of War game series, Star Trek game and BAFTA Award winner for character and story on God of War 2 game). APPLESEED ALPHA depicts the early days of female soldier Deunan and her cyborg partner, Briareos, as they embark on an action-packed journey in search of the legendary city of Olympus.

The APPLESEED ALPHA Blu-ray and DVD feature filmmaker commentary with director Shinji Aramaki and 11 making-of featurettes that track the film’s exciting journey from script to screen.  In addition to showcasing the latest in state-of-the-art CGI technology, this animated film also features a killer soundtrack with 12 songs from today’s top international music artists, including Yasutaka Nakata (CAPSULE), Skrillex & Alvin Risk, androp, CAPSULE, DJ FUMIYA (RIP SLYME), PASSEPIED, Q;indivi+, tofubeats, AKLO, 80KIDZ, nishi-ken, and RAM RIDER. The original soundtrack will be released by unBORDE / WARNER MUSIC JAPAN Inc., Square Enix Co. Ltd will release Play Arts Kai figurines of Deunan and Briareos this summer, and Hot Toys is developing high-end one-sixth scale articulated figures for a future release.

Synopsis:

From the creator of Ghost in the Shell and the director of Appleseed comes the intense post-apocalyptic prequel, Appleseed: Alpha. Left to survive in a post-World War society, two mercenary soldiers - Deunan and her cyborg partner Briareos – are sent on a mission on the outskirts of their war-torn city. During the operation, they run into Iris and Olson, two citizens from the utopian city of Olympus, who might have a way to save the world but the ruthless Talos and the scheming warlord Two Horns have their own plans. It’s up to Deunan and Briareos to safeguard their newfound contacts and help save humanity’s last hope.

APPLESEED ALPHA is a Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Lucent Pictures Entertainment
co-production by Sola Digital Arts. It was produced by Joseph Chou (Halo Legends). 

It has a run time of approximately 93 minutes and has been rated PG-13. 

 

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Material:

·         Filmmakers’ Commentary

·         11-Part Making-of Documentary

Visit the official Appleseed Alpha website at www.AppleseedAlphaMovie.com

Visit the official Appleseed Alpha Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/AppleseedMovie

Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com

About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment:

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 159 countries. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/.

About Lucent Pictures Entertainment:

Lucent Pictures Entertainment (LPE) is Tokyo-based and founded as an animation cinematography creation and production company in 2007. Responsible for producing and creation of Anime, game, and music promotional video footage. Lucent Pictures Entertainment is devoted to create world-class quality animation and other forms of visual contents, which will provide state-of-the-art movie experiences and appeal to audiences of all ages. Lucent Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.lpei.co.jp/en.

About unBORDE / Warner Music Japan:

unBORDE is a record label founded under WARNER MUSIC JAPAN in December 2010. It celebrated its 3rd year since the foundation in December 2013. The label’s concept at the foundation is “trendy” yet “edgy”, and the label is determined to raise artists who will be well-acknowledged worldwide. Being in a drastically changing Japanese music industry, its target is not limited to Japanese market but also international markets. Currently it has very characteristic 12 artists (in alphabetical order): androp, CAPSULE, Gesuno Kiwami Otome, indigo la End, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Passepied, Q;indivi+, RIP SLYME, Shinsei Kamattechan, Team Syachihoko, tofubeats, and Yu Takahashi. . For more information, go to http://wmg.jp.  

About Square Enix Co., Ltd:

Square Enix Co., Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content around the world. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 62 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix is a Japan-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. More information on Square Enix Co., Ltd. can be found at http://www.jp.square-enix.com/.  

About Hot Toys:

Hot Toys is a Hong Kong and Japan based high-end toy manufacturer. Specialized in licensed collectibles, most notably one-sixth scale articulated figures; the Hot Toys group has been earning numerous industry awards since its creation in 2000. For additional information, go to http://www.hottoys.com.hk/ and http://www.hottoys.jp/.