Yesterday we
had the scoop on Shout! Factory's
April 22nd release of
Oban Star-Racers - Volume 1: The Alwas Cycle. We want to clarify that the word is indeed "Alwas"...not "always," as some retailers are currently listing it (including Amazon at the link below). Per the producers, the first half of the series is referred to as "The Alwas Cycle" (in France it is called "The Cycle of Arouas"), and the second half of the series is referred to as "The Oban Cycle."
Shout! informs us that
Oban Star-Racers - Volume 2: The Oban Cycle is planned to ship in
May 2008, but a specific date wasn't provided yet. For folks interested in more info about the DVD's languages and theme song variations (the show was originally produced as a collaboration between French and Japanese companies): Shout!'s DVD Producer, Brian Ward, tells us that one of the versions of the original theme song, "A Chance To Shine," will be what's used on this release. The U.S.A. version of the theme song, if included at all, would only be as a bonus item due to the costs of clearing the license for that music. The episode soundtracks will be in English only.
Below is the exclusive first look at the final cover art for
Oban Star-Racers - Volume 1: The Alwas Cycle, under a link to pre-purchase this title through Amazon for only $13.99 at this time!
