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Out This Week: Encanto, Catwoman: Hunted, Belladonna Of Sadness and More


This week in home entertainment, rather unusually the two biggest releases of the week are the same on both sides of the Atlantic. Disney's hugely popular latest Encanto arrives on disc after arriving on Disney Plus alongside a successful (and still ongoing) cinema run. Meanwhile, DC's animated movies head into fresh territory with the anime-esque Catwoman: Hunted.

Elsewhere, new releases in the US include the TV spin-off Gintama: The Very Final and romantic drama anime feature Josee, The Tiger And The Fish and new Steelbook releases of the (very different) cult anime faves Highschool Of The Dead and Princess Tutu. UK collectors might be tempted by both parts of the video game adaptation Persona 5 The Animation or the 4K debut of 70s cult curio Belladonna Of Sadness.

In this week's deal section, RightStuf Anime's promotion gets in the mood for valentines with their Love Is In The Air Promotion, featuring some of the most popular romantic anime.


All Information and Prices Provided are Correct at publication time to the best of our knowledge but are subject to change at any time. Affiliate links used where available- making a purchase through these links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

 


UK Releases For February 7, 2022

 


Belladonna of Sadness (Anime Ltd, 18) "One of the great lost masterpieces of Japanese animation. BELLADONNA OF SADNESS is a mad, swirling, psychedelic lightshow of medieval tarot-card imagery with horned demons, haunted forests and La Belle Dame Sans Merci with J.R.R. Tolkien influences. The last film in the Animerama trilogy produced by the godfather of Japanese anime & manga, Osamu Tezuka and directed by his longtime collaborator Eiichi Yamamoto (ASTRO BOY and KIMBA THE WHITE LION), BELLADONNA unfolds as a series of spectacular still watercolor paintings that bleed and twist together. A young woman, Jeanne (voiced by Aiko Nagayama) is assaulted by the local lord on her wedding night. To take revenge, she makes a pact with the Devil himself (voiced by Tatsuya Nakadai, from Akira Kurosawa's RAN) who appears as a sprite and transforms her into a black-robed vision of madness and desire. Extremely transgressive, BELLADONNA is fueled by a mind-blowing Japanese psych rock soundtrack by noted avant-garde jazz composer Masahiko Satoh. The film has been newly restored by Cinelicious Pics using the original 35 mm camera negative and sound elements and including over 8 minutes of surreal footage cut from the negative."
💿 FORMATS: 4K+Blu-Ray


 
Buy From Amazon   







Catwoman Hunted (Warner Bros, 15) "In the all-new original Catwoman: Hunted, Catwoman’s attempt to steal a priceless jewel puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains and the ever-resourceful Interpol, not to mention Batwoman. It might just be enough to contain her. Or not. Selina Kyle, the Catwoman, is simply trying to steal the world's most valuable emerald. Unfortunately, that emerald is currently in the possession of Leviathan, the world's foremost criminal empire. Who knew a little thing like stealing Leviathan's property would result in a price being put on Selina's head? Now, the bad guys and the good guys are hot on the Cat's tail. Can our famously infamous feline slink her way clear of this international mess? Only one way to find out..."
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray Steelbook, DVD, Digital


 
Buy From Amazon   




Encanto (Disney, PG) "Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto, with original songs by award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the Colombian mountains. But when Mirabel, the only ordinary family member, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she may be her family’s last hope."
💿 FORMATS; 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital


 
Buy From Amazon   




Persona 5 The Animation Part 1 (Anime Ltd, 15) "The Phantom Thieves' early success at bringing those responsible for heinous wrongdoing to justice has brought them to the attention of Medjed, a notorious group of international hackers who threatens to expose their identities. In light of this, the group is also contacted by the enigmatic Alibaba, a rival hacker who offers them a deal - use their otherworldly abilities to change the heart of a girl named Futaba Sakura, and in return they will deal with the problems posed by Medjed. As the Phantom Thieves crew of misfits with an eye for justice grows, so too does the threat looming over Tokyo. Can the gang get to the bottom of the nefarious and deadly corruption that run through the heart of the city... and what's more, can they do so in light of dangers that threaten to break up the Phantom Thieves and could even cost them their lives?"
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray


 
Buy From Amazon   




Persona 5 The Animation Part 2 (Anime Ltd, 15) "The Phantom Thieves' early success at bringing those responsible for heinous wrongdoing to justice has brought them to the attention of Medjed, a notorious group of international hackers who threatens to expose their identities. In light of this, the group is also contacted by the enigmatic Alibaba, a rival hacker who offers them a deal - use their otherworldly abilities to change the heart of a girl named Futaba Sakura, and in return they will deal with the problems posed by Medjed. As the Phantom Thieves crew of misfits with an eye for justice grows, so too does the threat looming over Tokyo. Can the gang get to the bottom of the nefarious and deadly corruption that run through the heart of the city... and what's more, can they do so in light of dangers that threaten to break up the Phantom Thieves and could even cost them their lives?"
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray


 
Buy From Amazon   



US Releases For February 8, 2022







Catwoman Hunted (Warner Bros, 15) "In the all-new original Catwoman: Hunted, Catwoman’s attempt to steal a priceless jewel puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains and the ever-resourceful Interpol, not to mention Batwoman. It might just be enough to contain her. Or not. Selina Kyle, the Catwoman, is simply trying to steal the world's most valuable emerald. Unfortunately, that emerald is currently in the possession of Leviathan, the world's foremost criminal empire. Who knew a little thing like stealing Leviathan's property would result in a price being put on Selina's head? Now, the bad guys and the good guys are hot on the Cat's tail. Can our famously infamous feline slink her way clear of this international mess? Only one way to find out..."
💿 FORMATS:  4K, Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray Steelbook, DVD, Digital



Encanto (Disney, PG) "Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto, with original songs by award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the Colombian mountains. But when Mirabel, the only ordinary family member, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she may be her family’s last hope."
💿 FORMATS; 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital



 
Buy From Amazon    
 



Gintama The Very Final (Shout Factory/11 Arts) "The countdown to destruction has begun! All will join to reclaim an Edo in grave peril! The Earth is facing its darkest days, and the members of the Odd Jobs must come together to save it from this otherworldly menace. Old allies Gintoki, Takasugi, and Katsura strive their hardest for their own ideals, but standing in their way is someone with whom they share a sad history: Utsuro, an alternate personality of their former teacher and mentor Shoyo. Having been spawned by Altana, the energy that fuels all planets, this immortal fiend has regenerated multiple times until finally becoming Utsuro, the ultimate enemy…And he intends to take down the entire Earth in order to end his own life. Gintoki and the others set out to fulfill the wishes of their teacher Shoyo and thwart Utsuro's plans. Shinpachi, Kagura, the Shinsengumi, members of the Kabuki District, and even former enemies will join their fight. As Utsuro's power grows, Takasugi fights for his very life. What does Gintoki, battered and bruised, see at the very end? Will he be able to put an end to all this?!"
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray+DVD





Hidamari Sketch Graduation (Sentai Filmworks, 13+) "Sometimes, even when you thought you've found the most perfect place and the best friends you'll ever make, you still have to say goodbye in order to take the next step in your own personal journey. This is the crossroad at which best friends Sae and Hiro find themselves. As their senior year comes to a close and the grueling task of taking college entrance exams begins, they find their memories drifting back to the wonderful times they've had, both with each other and with all the other residents of the Hidamari Apartments. But they put on their bravest faces and carry on, as they know that it's hard on the other girls as well, especially young Yuno, to whom they've become like sisters. Because someday, she'll have to find the strength to move on as well."
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray




Higurashi When They Cry GOU Season 1 Part 2 Blu-Ray (Funimation, TV-MA) "As the village plans for the big festival, details are revealed about Oyashiro-sama’s curse. The truth may be buried, but one thing is clear—a murderer stalks this village. Is everyone doomed to suffer a nightmarish death, or can they escape their fate?
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray+Digital





Highschool Of The Dead Steelbook (Sentai Filmworks, TV-MA) "The lockers are splattered with blood, the student bodies are piling up and that's not mystery meat they're eating in the cafeteria… it's the faculty! And that's just the start of the worst day of school ever when a nightmarish virus is unleashed, turning humans into flesh-eating zombies and converting Fujimi High School into a literal hell on Earth. Now it's a crash course in survival, and the only test or skill that matters is the ability to keep moving, breathing and fighting. Because if nerds, jocks and the surviving staff can't find a way to work together to escape this carnal house of education, they're all going to end up on the menu. And that's assuming there's anyplace safe left to escape to. At the sound of the school bell, the Zombie Apocalypse will begin as Kumuro, Saya, Rei, Busujima, Hirano band together in the ultimate collectors' edition of the wildest anime about reanimated corpses ever: High School of the Dead!"
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray Steelbook



Josee, The Tiger and The Fish (Funimation, 13+) "With dreams of diving abroad, Tsuneo gets a job assisting Josee, an artist whose imagination takes her far beyond her wheelchair. But when the tide turns against them, they push each other to places they never thought possible, and inspire a love fit for a storybook."
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray +DVD+Digital





Mushibugyo OVA Blu-Ray (Sentai Filmworks, 14+) "Feudal Japan. The Edo period. A time when the Shogunate ruled, mysterious Ninjas lurked in the shadows, Samurai followed the code of Bushido, and giant insects roamed the land causing chaos and destruction. Wait, what was that giant insect part again? The Tokugawa rulers aren't sure where they came from, but they're certainly a nuisance! Since giant fly swatters haven't been invented yet, the Tokugawa resort to their standard response whenever there's a new crisis to be handled: sending in a team of skilled warriors to stick the source of the problem full of a lot of holes. Enter the Mushibugyo, the sword-bearing equivalent of DDT! It may not be as glamorous as some other Samurai jobs, but with the way bugs reproduce, it's certainly steady employment for the Mushibugyo!"
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray



Princess Tutu Steelbook (Sentai Filmworks, 14+) "Once there was a writer, a creator of tales, who was blessed with the ability to bring his stories to life. But when the writer dies before his story is finished, what becomes of the characters left behind? For the girl known as Duck, the world changed when an old man gave her a pendant that transformed the duck that she was into a young girl. Now she must gather the shards of a shattered Prince's heart and finish the story of the Prince and the Raven. But will that require Duck to make a sacrifice of her own? Enter a world of dance and wonder as ballet, myth and romance come together in the anime hailed as a modern classic, Princess Tutu."
💿 FORMATS: Blu-Ray Steelbook






Upcoming Releases

All Release dates are subject to change. Listed Dates are for US release unless stated otherwise. Digital releases may be earlier.





Howl's Moving Castle Limited Edition (StudioCanal) Blu-Ray Feb 14 [UK]
Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind Limited Edition (StudioCanal) Blu-Ray Feb 14 [UK]
Yasha-Hime: Half Demon Princess (Viz) Blu-Ray Feb 15
Attack On Titan The Final Season P.1  (Funimation) Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray LE February 22
The Batman: Complete Series [2004-2008] (WB) March 1
Flee (Decal)  Blu Ray March 1
Adventure Time: Distant Lands (WB) Blu-Ray March 1
Sing 2 (Universal) Blu-Ray, DVD  March 22
Millennium Actress STEELBOOK (GKIDS) Blu-Ray March 22
Lupin The 3rd The Mystery Of Mamo (Discotek) Blu-Ray March 29
Demon Slayer The Movie Mugen Train CE  (Funimation) Blu-Ray April 4 (UK)
Only Yesterday STEEBOOK (GKIDS)  Blu-Ray April 19
The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya STEELBOOK (GKIDS)  Blu-Ray April 19
Knights Of Sidonia Love Woven In The Stars (Funimation) Blu-Ray April 12





This Week's Best Deals


All prices are subject to change and do not include postage or delivery costs, plus any additional taxes in the US. Titles are Blu-Rays unless otherwise stated.
 
(Valid until Saturday, February 12)

After The Rain $69.98 $41.99
Bloom Into You  $69.98 $41.99
Chihayafuru Season 1 $99.98 $59.99
Chihayafuru Season 2 $99.98 $59.99
Chihayafuru Season 3 $89.98 $53.99
Fireworks $19.96 $12.97
Love Hina Again $19.95 $11.97
Strawberry Panic $49.99 $29.99
Ride Your Wave $26.99 $18.89
Weathering With You $29.97 $20.98
Whisper Of The Heart $29.95 $19.47




Mirai £5.99



Amazon Featured Deals

Bambi $12.99
From Up On Poppy Hill Steelbook $26.98  $16.96
Kiki's Delivery Service $29.95 $12.88
Howl's Moving Castle $29.95 $12.50
The Secret World Of Arriety Steelbook $26.98 $16.19
Promare  $24.98 $12.47
Speed Racer   $29.95 $15.99