2003 Single Disk Press Release

Following up on the news that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be releasing the 2003 Astro Boy anime again, this time as 5 single disks, here is the press release, straight from the source.

You'll notice how they go out of their way to make it sound all cool and new, when it's really just the same content as the 5 disks that comprised the previously released box set, which they didn't do a very good job on in the first place. The press release even says "Debut on DVD". What...? Are you kidding?

Anyway, click the link below to read the whole thing. It has the episode listings and UPC numbers, so maybe that'll be helpful to someone who's looking to pick these up.

BLAST OFF WITH ASTRO BOY: THE ANIME SERIES, VOLUMES 1 - 5 FROM SONY HOME PICTURES ENTERTAIMENT

Popular Anime Series Based on the Original Comic By The Father Of Manga, Osamu Tezuka. All Five Volumes of the Anime Series, Each with 10 Action-Packed Episodes, Debut on DVD August 18


CULVER CITY, CALIF. (June 15, 2009) – Blast off with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment when Astro Boy™: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5 come to DVD on August 18. The anime series based on the legendary Japanese comic series by Osamu Tezuka, known as the Japanese Walt Disney, is now available in five separate collectible volumes and priced to own just in time for the new feature film. Astro Boy™: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5 follows an atomic-powered robot who is a reluctant superhero possessing super strength, jet-rocket feet and the ability to fly. Inspired by the anime series that originally aired in Japan in 1960, Astro Boy™: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5 was updated and modernized in 2003 with state-of-the-art animation and visuals that kept the same classic style as the original “Astro Boy” manga and anime. The series debuted on the Kids WB Network in 2004. Each volume, sold separately, contains ten episodes priced at $14.94 SLP.

SYNOPSIS
Astro Boy is a clever and resourceful atomic-powered robot. A reluctant flying superhero with super strength and jet-rocket feet, he possesses a human-like personality and fights for justice and peace for humans and robots alike.

Episodes Included in Astro Boy™: Volume 1:
Power Up!
Rocket Ball
Atlas
Astro vs. Atlas
Destination Deimos
Into Thin Air
Rainbow Canyon
Neon Express
Franken
The Venus Robots

Episodes Included in Astro Boy™: Volume 2
Reviving Jumbo
Robot Hunters
The Rise of Pluto
The Fall of Acheron
Dragon Lake
Lost in Outland
Deep City
The Blue Knight
Hydra-Jacked
Geo Raider

Episodes Included in Astro Boy™: Volume 3:
Secret of the Blue Knight
Robot Circus
Little Sister, Big Trouble
Micro Adventure
Only a Machine
Robot Boy
Dawn of the Techno-Revolution
The Legend of Tohron
March of the Micro Bears
Old Dog, New Tricks

Episodes Included in Astro Boy™: Volume 4
The Case of the Phantom Fowl
Gideon
Fairy Tale
Shape Shifter
Firebird
Space Academy
Atlas Strikes Back
Battle-Bot
Time Hunters
Escape from Volcano Island

Episodes Included in Astro Boy™: Volume 5
Avalanche!
Battle of Steel Island
Undercover
Into the Dragon’s Lair
Night Before the Revolution
Robotonia
Showdown in Robotonia
Journey to Tomorrow
Astro Reborn
The Final Battle
Featurette: “Remaking of Astro Boy”

Astro Boy™: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5 each have a run time of approximately 240 minutes and are not rated.Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

DVD Special Features on Each Volume:
- Full Screen Presentations
- Audio: English, Spanish, Portuguese (Stereo)
- Closed Captioned

Astro Boy : Volume 1
DVD Catalog: # 32237
UPC Code: 0-43396-32337-0
Order Date: 7/16/09
SLP: $14.94

Astro Boy : Volume 2
DVD Catalog: # 32238
UPC Code: 0-43396-32338-7
Order Date: 7/16/09
SLP: $14.94

Astro Boy : Volume 3
DVD Catalog: # 32239
UPC Code: 0-43396-32339-4
Order Date: 7/16/09
SLP: $14.94

Astro Boy : Volume 4
DVD Catalog: # 32240
UPC Code: 0-43396-32240-0
Order Date: 7/16/09
SLP: $14.94

Astro Boy : Volume 5
DVD Catalog: # 32240
UPC Code: 0-43396-32241-7
Order Date: 7/16/09
SLP: $14.94

ABOUT SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE is a division 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; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com. For more info on Blu-ray Disc™, visit hollywoodinhighdef.com.

Source: ActiveAnime.com