“Supernatural: The Anime” Series Set For Blu-Ray & DVD Release

Warner Bros. Television’s popular series Supernatural makes history this summer as Supernatural: The Anime Series is released in the United States as the first-ever live-action series to be re-imagined in Japanese anime style. The all-new, 22-episode animated series will be distributed July 26, 2011 by Warner Home Video on Blu-rayâ„¢ for $54.97 (SRP) and DVD for $49.98 (SRP), as well as On Demand and for Download. Order due date is June 21, 2011.

Supernatural, noted for its creative storytelling of the occult during its first six seasons on The CW Network, has also achieved great popularity across the planet — particularly in Japan. Inspired by its sensational following overseas, Warner Home Video Japan and renowned animation studio Madhouse combined forces to envision Supernatural as an anime series — first released in Japan and now translated for American audiences.

Supernatural: The Anime Series revisits the Winchester brothers’ journey down the backroads of America as they search for clues to their father’s disappearance, hunt down the supernatural in all its unearthly forms, and enter into the unexpected mystery of their destinies. The Supernatural anime episodes mirror the story arc of the series’ first two seasons, providing supplemental stories ranging from prequels and spin-offs to untold tales that fit within the Supernatural mythology.

To maintain continuity with the live-action series, the characters of Sam and Dean Winchester in Supernatural: The Anime Series reflect the look of the Supernatural actors — in vibrant, exciting anime and, presented in full 16×9 widescreen format.

Enhancing the connection to the live-action series, Supernatural star Jared Padalecki reprises his role as Sam Winchester for all 22 episodes. Padalecki’s Supernatural co-star Jensen Ackles also provides the voice of Dean Winchester in select anime episodes.

Padalecki and Ackles are also ever-present in the Blu-rayâ„¢ and DVD enhanced content. The Supernatural co-stars provide a video introduction to each of the 22 anime episodes, and are also featured in a series of interviews that include conversations with live-action series creator Eric Kripke, and Supernatural: The Anime Series directors Shigeyuki Miya and Atsuko Ishizuka.

Special features on the Blu-rayâ„¢ and DVD also include a two-part featurette, “The Making of Supernatural: The Anime Series,” an intriguing behind-the-scenes revelation of how the live-action series was actually re-imagined into its new art form.

Madhouse, working with full approval of Kripke, produced the series in full high-definition animation utilizing both American and Japanese creative teams. The Madhouse production team is headed by executive supervisor Masao Maruyama and directors Miya and Ishizuka. Takahiro Yoshimatsu and Kenichi Takefuji are in charge of character and art design.

As the 2010 People’s Choice Award winner for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show, Supernatural continues to increase in popularity in the US and abroad. In addition to its three nominations for both Emmy® Awards and Teen Choice Awards,Supernatural has spawned 10 books, a bi-monthly magazine, a comic book series, and now an anime series.

“The worldwide popularity of Supernatural is undeniable, eclipsing cultural and language barriers to easily fit into the unique artistic approach and alternative style of storytelling offered in anime,” said Rosemary Markson, Vice President, TV and Special Interest Marketing. “This groundbreaking vision of the popular series will give Supernatural fans an altogether new experience, mixing familiar themes and characters with intriguing new stories from within the series’ haunting mythology. Fans of the anime genre will enjoy this high quality, one-of-a-kind production as well.”

To generate buzz and excitement, select episodes will be screened to fans at anime and entertainment conventions leading up to the July release date. In addition, the release will be supported with an online and print media campaign, targeting both Supernatural fans and fans of the anime genre.