GRIMES, IA, July 16, 2008 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and Nozomi Entertainment are pleased to unveil the trailer for Aria the Animation, now playing at aria.rightstuf.com ( http://aria.rightstuf.com ).

The ARIA THE ANIMATION DVD Collection – which includes the franchise’s entire 13-episode first season – is scheduled for release on September 30, 2008.

Aria the Animation is the first of three television seasons, plus an OVA (original video animation), that comprise the anime adaptation of Kozue Amano’s best-selling Aria manga. The ARIA anime is helmed by Director Junichi Sato (Princess Tutu, Sgt. Frog, Sailor Moon/ Sailor Moon R) and features animation by Hal Film Maker (Boys Be, Pretear, Slayers Premium, Sketchbook ~full color’S~). The franchise’s third season completed its TV Tokyo broadcast in March 2008.

Amano’s 12-volume Aria manga and its two-volume prequel, Aqua, are both published in North America by TOKYOPOP. In Japan, Aria was originally serialized in Mag Garden’s Comic Blade magazine.

Visit aria.rightstuf.com for more information about ARIA and the Aria the Animation DVD Collection.
About ARIA THE ANIMATION (Season 1 – TV)

In the early 24th century, Mars has been terraformed by mankind into a sparkling planet covered in water. Akari Mizunashi, at the age of 15, has left everything behind to travel to that reborn world, now known as Aqua. More than anything, Akari wants to be an “undine” – a female gondolier who navigates the canals of the Aquan city of Neo-Venezia. As she begins her training with the prestigious Aria Company, will she be up to the challenges that await her on the path to achieve her dream? Contains the complete 13-episode first season.
ARIA THE ANIMATION DVD Collection (Season 1 – TV)
Pre-Book: 8/26/2008
Street Date: 9/30/2008
Runtime: Approximately 325 minutes, Dolby Digital Stereo, Color
Genre: Science Fiction / Drama
Suggested Rating: 13+
Format: DVD (2.0 Japanese, English Subtitles, English On-Screen Translations)
Catalog #: RSDVD0822
ISBN: 1-57032-786-6
UPC: 7-42617-0822-2-1
SRP: $49.99

Discs/Set: 4
Item Measurements: TBA
Case Qty: TBA
DVD Features:
Scene access, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo audio for Japanese dialogue, English subtitles and English on-screen translations. PLUS: More features to be announced.
Cover Art: http://outgoing.rightstuf.com/sleeves/rsdvd0822.jpg *
Aria the Animation © 2005 Kozue Amano / Mag Garden – ARIA Company.
* To view this image, cut and paste the URL into your Web browser.
** Product specifications and content may be subject to change.
ABOUT RIGHT STUF, INC.
Currently celebrating its 21st year in business, Right Stuf, Inc. was one of the first players in the U.S. Japanese Animation (“anime”) industry, as both an anime producer/distributor and a retailer. Right Stuf works to promote knowledge of its own products, as well as the anime and manga industry, in general, through its online storefront at RightStuf.com and a variety of media including podcasts and special publications.

Nozomi Entertainment, Right Stuf’s production division, is dedicated to the highest quality releases. True to the Japanese word that inspired its name, Nozomi’s focus is on “what fans want.” By focusing on a limited number of anime properties each year, the Nozomi production team ensures each release receives the care and attention to detail it deserves.

From anime classics like Astro Boy, Kimba and Gigantor to modern comedies, dramas and favorites such as The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, His and Her Circumstances, Gravitation, Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars, Ninja Nonsense, To Heart, The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye, Emma: A Victorian Romance, Maria Watches Over Us and ARIA, Right Stuf and Nozomi Entertainment produce quality programming for fans of all ages and interests. For more information, visit www.rightstuf.com and www.nozomient.com.