Anime Zen Blog

January 10th, 2007 3:35 PM by Aaron H. Bynum

Bringing to the front of the mind of animation fans the wonderful character dynamics of an innocent android of untold power and with an aging man who configures his own justice in an unlawful society, Solty Rei is a science fiction and action anime. Taking place in the sort of dystopic, futuristic society that fans of Japanese animation are so often familiar with, this series is about loss: the yearning for that which one no longer possesses and the fighting off of the sting of dementia that inevitably follows. Distributed in the west by FUNimation Entertainment (Moon Phase, Dragon Ball Z Remastered), the animated television series Solty Rei will be a one of the distributor’s core titles for the 2007-year. 

Roy Revant is a former cop turned bounty hunter. He lives and does his work in the before mentioned dystopia and while he has only one or two real worries, Roy’s character often lets the dangers of his occupation dictate his mood. Due to the fact that Roy lost his biological daughter only a few years ago, a little girl for whom he is still obsessively searching, the violence and intrigue of the surrounding culture is only of secondary concern. The city around which Roy does most of his work suffered a great deal of an atmospheric phenomenon that resultantly killed or brutally maimed some 100,000 citizens. Some citizens have mechanized prosthesis while others do not; some people live with the assistance of Resembles, cyberized individuals, while others do not; some have hope while others, like Roy, do not.

Solty, a Resemble, falls from the sky one day and comes into Roy’s possession. The bounty hunter thinks little of the mysterious android whose memory is gone, and finds more comfort in the violence of the culture than in his patience for what seems to be just another, innocent, mechanized girl. However, once Roy catches a glimpse of the raw power of this robot girl, he’s quick to change his mind.

But the girl’s untold past and Roy’s knack for getting into a deep rut is bound to catch up to the two. Solty Rei will be a key anime release for 2007, and is a title anime fans should be well conscious of as the months pass.

Distributed by FUNimation Entertainment, the first DVD volume of Solty Rei will be available on store shelves beginning January 23rd 2007 for $29.98.

This title was announced for acquisition at the 2006 Anime Expo Convention during the summer of last year [related A.I. news: “Complete AX 2006 Con Report“]. Due to the average otaku’s familiarity of robot girls ill-defined futuristic societies, Solty Rei will make for good purchase for most anime fans. This first DVD volume will contain the first six episodes of the animated television series; combining action, drama and science fiction.

Solty Rei was produced by GONZO Studios; whom is also known for producing the riveting action anime Speed Grapher, the remarkable character drama Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo as well as the recent international co-production Afro Samurai. Twenty-six episodes in length, Solty Rei is a confident anime whose characters’ inner strength is the key to their survival. “

check it out if you haven’t already. I think it is one of those anime that gets kind of lost in the shuffle and does not get the recoginition it deserves.

FUNimation has acquired the rights to the 26-episode Suzuka anime, which is based on Kouji Seo’s 14-volume (and counting) manga series.  Produced by Studio Comet, the anime captures the tone of the sexy harem comedy/romance manga, which includes enough fan service to warrant Del Rey shrink-wrapping it (see “Del Rey Shrink-Wrapping Mature Titles“). 

Yamato, the teenage protagonist of the manga series, comes to Tokyo to live with his aunt (who operates a female-only bathhouse) and attend a special sports high school where he is smitten by a beautiful high jumper.

 

FUNimation plans on releasing the first volume of the Suzuka anime series, which was broadcast in Japan in late 2005, on May 1st in both regular (MSRP $29.98) and Starter Set (MSRP $39.98) editions.  Del Rey will release the third volume of the Suzuka manga in March.