Posted Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM PST by Peter Bracke
Bandai Visual says it will bring the next installment in the popular anime series 'Freedom' to HD DVD this April.
Originally presented as a seven-part series in its native Japan, Bandai has retained the same strategy for 'Freedom's stateside debut, issuing a new 30-minute episode as a stand-alone release every few months.
Due in stores April 22, 'Freedom: 5' will again see a "twin format" configuration -- just like each of the first four volumes of the series, which Bandai first began releasing in the US back in June.
Tech specs will also be consistent, featuring a 1080p/VC-1 transfer (at 1.78:1 widescreen), and Japanese racks in Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround (1.5mbps) and PCM 2.0 Stereo (optional English subtitles are also provided).
Extras remain slim, with the disc proper including only a theatrical trailer, and for web-enabled users, a "digest version" of 'Freedom: 4' plus a TV spot for 'Freedom: 5.'
Retail for the HD DVD is a suggested $39.99.
You'll find disc details for 'Freedom: 5' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 22.
We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Freedom: 5' HD DVD release.
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