Mardock Scramble Release Will Contain 2 Versions of the Film

The upcoming release of futuristic movie Mardock Scramble: The First Impression, available on 16th April, will contain 2 versions of the movie in the same case. It will contain both a 15-rated version, the standard version, and a Directors Cut of the movie, which is rated 18. This applies to both the Blu-Ray and DVD releases of the film, both due on the same day.

This information has come from the BBFC website, which also shows that the theatrical version is 62 minutes long, and the directors cut is 66 minutes long.

Manga UK announces Anime Blu-Ray Cancellations

In a rather upsetting and unforeseen piece of news, MangaEntertainment UK have announced that quite a few popular series blu-ray releases are being cancelled. The affected series' are K-ON!, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. They have, however, announced that many other blu-ray titles will still be released as planned, and includes titles such as the first three spinoff Bleach movies (Memories of Nobody, The Diamond Dust Rebellion, and Fade to Black), Samurai Girls, and Mardock Scramble: The First Compression.

A Manga UK representative stated that the cancellations were purely economic, due to the costs of remastering and manufacturing the titles on to the blu-ray format. The representative also acknowledged that UK anime fans would be disappointed by the news, and that it had been a very hard decision to cancel these titles.

In a statement after this announcement Jerome Mazandarani, of Manga Entertainment UK, released this statement:

"I personally, fought to maintain these Blu-ray releases against stiff opposition from my superiors, but the commercial considerations of running a successful company overruled my objections about the damage to our brand's credibility should we not release these titles. In summary, I would say that while we have made a sensible commercial decision, we have created a situation that is alienating to a good deal many of you and I sincerely hope that over time we can make it up to you."