Posted: Sep 10, 2003

Press Contact:
pr@bandai-ent.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Bandai Entertainment to Screen 'Junkers Come Here' at the Mania Festival in Santa Monica, California

Special Guests Will Introduce Screening of Film at ManiaFest

Cypress, CA (September 9, 2003) – After years of barking from enthusiastic fans, Bandai Entertainment, the premiere distributor of Japanese animation in North America, released of the animated feature film, Junkers Come Here on DVD. An anime family classic released in 1995, the film’s story has developed a diverse following from audiences who cannot seem to get enough of Junkers, a dog that speaks the human language and the companionship he provides his owner during troubled times.

“We are delighted to bring to North America one of the most compelling anime feature films produced in Japan,” said Jerry Chu, Marketing Manager, Bandai Entertainment. “Junkers Come Here is a story of life, hardship and growth told through the eyes of a young girl. With the recent success of Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, Junkers Come Here is a film that we believe American audiences can appreciate and relate to.”

Based on Naoto Kine’s two-volume novel published in 1989, Junkers Come Here boasts an impressive assembly of anime creators, including director Junichi Sato (Sailor Moon) and animator director Kazuo Komatsubara (Miyazaki’s Nausicaa: The Valley of the Wind). Junkers Come Here is a touching tale that illustrates the subtle and confused teenage emotions experienced by 11-year-old Hiromi, and her unique friendship with Junkers, a talking dog. As their relationship develops, Hiromi struggles with a longing for adulthood as she is faced with the challenges of her parents’ unexpected divorce. Will Hiromi be able to restore happiness in her life?

Junkers Come Here originally debuted during a limited theatrical release in Japan in 1995 where it received critical acclaim. To this day, independent screenings continue to be held annually throughout Japan at the request of the local communities, schools, and universities. Junkers Come Here has received the distinct honor of being officially approved by the Japanese Ministry of Education. To thank fans for the success of the DVD release in North America, Bandai Entertainment will present Junkers Come Here on Thursday, September 18th at 7:30 pm in its original Japanese-language format (English subtitles). The film will be shown at the Laemmle Santa Monica (1332 2nd Street in Santa Monica). For pricing and directions, please visit www.maniafest.com.

Bandai Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD and programming for television broadcast in North America. Additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.

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