'Freedom: 2' Bound for HD DVD this September

Bandai Visual has announced it will bring the second volume in its popular anime series 'Freedom' to high-def this fall as a HD DVD/DVD twin-format release.

Due on September 25, 'Freedom: 2' will mirror the "twin format" configuration of 'Freedom: 1,' which Bandai first released stateside back in June. Not to be confused with double-sided HD DVD/DVD combo discs, twin-format discs can contain up to three layers of recorded content on a single-sided disc. Like 'Freedom: 1,' 'Freedom: 2' will use two of those layers -- a 15GB HD DVD layer, and a 4.6GB standard-def DVD layer.

Tech specs for 'Freedom: 2' include a 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer at 1.78:1 widescreen, and Japanese tracks in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and PCM 2.0 Stereo (optional English subtitles are also provided).

Bandai Visual has not yet announced whether any supplemental features will be included on 'Freedom: 2.' However, since the first volume featured a groundbreaking set of exclusive extras, we can hope for more goodies on this follow-up.

Bandai has set a list price of $39.98.

We've added a new listing for 'Freedom: 2' to our complete HD DVD Release Schedule, under September 25. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead.

(Thanks to Mike for the tip!)