Torrance, Calif. February 26, 2008 – Bandai Visual USA announced today the release of sola on DVD, beginning on June 10, 2008. sola was voted ‘Best Anime of 2007’ in Japan with over two million votes in a poll from the company Spider Networks and will be released in the U.S. in five volumes with each volume consisting of three episodes and with the last two each featuring one special episode never aired in Japan. Also starting summer 2008, Broccoli Books will release the sola graphic novel.

Conceived by the creators of two Japanese blockbuster PC games, Naoki Hisaya (Kanon) and Naru Nanao (D.C. ~ Da Capo~), sola is an original series, set against a visually appealing backdrop with a cast of fascinating characters that carries on the tradition of “night people” anime similar to Vampire Princess Miyu and Witch Hunter Robin. The story is translated into animation by Nomad, the animation studio which is known for Rozen Maiden series.

sola is a mysterious and fantastic story of Yorito Morimiya, a high school student who loves to take photos of the sky. Wanting to take a photo of the night turning into day, he sets out for the park where he meets Matsuri Shihou who longs to see the blue sky. However, she is what one calls a “Yaka”, the Calamity of the Night, an immortal, ageless existence who has lived hundreds of years alone in the darkness of night. Matsuri has been involved and witnessed many tragedies throughout her long life, and now she has to face the past. Yorito and Matsuri’s chance meeting unravels a story that stood still for hundreds of years.

According to Creator, Naoki Hisaya, “The theme of the work is “sola,” or “sky” in English. It exists above all of us without being noticed, and it only changes its form for those who look up. I wanted to create a story that changes in different ways, just like the sky.”

For more information on the animated sola, please visit http://www.bandaivisual.us/sola.
For more information regarding the graphic novel sola, please visit
http://www.broccolibooks.com/books/sola/sola_index.htm.

sola Disc Specs & Features:
Color / MPEG-2 / Region 1 / DVD-9 / NTSC / 16:9 anamorphic / CSS
Japanese Language Audio (Japanese Linear PCM (Stereo)) with Optional English Subtitles
8-Page Full-Color Booklet and Original Postcard Set (4 Postcards per Volume)
Exclusive Gift (TBD) for those who purchase from dot-anime.us

Title: sola Vol. 1
Format: DVD
Catalog #: BUDH0167
UPC #: 8 58604 00167 7
Street Date: June 10, 2008
SRP: $49.99

BANDAI VISUAL USA INC. was established in 2005 as a wholly owned subsidiary of BANDAI VISUAL CO., LTD. with a mission to facilitate stronger, more active involvement in positioning, marketing and distribution of BANDAI VISUAL programs in North America. From its base in Torrance, California, BANDAI VISUAL USA seeks to form new alliances and reinforce existing ties in an effort to strengthen BANDAI VISUAL’s international presence as a producer and content provider in the ever expanding and diversified specialty programs market.