Urban Vision
- For the television network known as "Asia Vision", see Asia Vision (TV network).
| Type | Animation film studio |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media and Entertainment |
| Founded | July, 1996 |
| Founder(s) | Mataichiro Yamamoto |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Key people | Mataichiro Yamamoto (CEO) |
| Products | Anime, Live-action |
| Divisions | AsiaVision |
| Website | URBAN VISION ENTERTAINMENT |
Urban Vision Entertainment Inc., an American based production/distribution company created in Los Angeles, California formed in July, 1996 by Mataichiro Yamamoto to help introduce the alternative animation genre known as anime to mainstream media.
Contents |
[edit] History
Urban Vision Entertainment was formed in July, 1996 by Mataichiro Yamamoto to help introduce the alternative animation genre known as anime to mainstream media. The company primarily produces/acquires Japanese animation for direct-to-home video release and distributes to the home video market. Urban Vision founder Mataichiro Yamamoto helped pioneer the anime genre in the US with the computer-generated theatrical release, The Professional: Golgo 13, in 1983.
Urban Vision works closely with the world-renowned Studio Madhouse animation studio in Tokyo, Japan (Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D). The company's initial release, another Madhouse project, was Bio Hunter, released on home video in July 1997. Additional Urban Vision releases include Tekkaman Blade II,Stage I: The New Generation, Gatchaman volumes 1, 2 and 3, Twilight of the Dark Master, Dragon Slayer, Psycho Diver: Soul Siren and Legend of the Crystals based on Final Fantasy volumes 1 and 2.
Urban Vision's Live action production/distribution subsidiary AsiaVision was launched in March, 2006 their first release for this label was Curse, Death & Spirit, an anthology of three short horror stories directed by Hideo Nakata (director of Ringu, The Ring 2). As with anime, AsiaVision plans to retain a focus on Asian horror, action, and thriller.
[edit] Current Status
Currently, Urban Vision has been inactive in the last few years and have not announced any new licenses. On September 7, 2010, the online retailer Right Stuf removed all of their Urban Vision catalog due to the distributor not shipping out orders to them.[1] The following day, Urban Vision released a statement saying that they company has been restructuring and that they are halting their home video production and focusing on digital distribution.[2] As of November 2012, their websites have disappeared and some of their titles have been re-licensed and released by Discotek Media and Sentai Filmworks.
[edit] Films licensed by Urban Vision Entertainment
[edit] Anime
- Bio Hunter
- Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals
- Gatchaman (1994)
- Golgo 13: Queen Bee (from Streamline Pictures, now licensed by Discotek Media)
- Hurricane Polymar (now licensed by Discotek Media)
- Ninja Scroll: The Series
- Pet Shop of Horrors (now licensed by Sentai Filmworks)
- The Professional: Golgo 13 (from Streamline Pictures, now licensed by Discotek Media)
- Psycho Diver: Soul Siren
- Strange Dawn (Lil' Vision)
- Space Adventure Cobra (from Streamline Pictures, now licensed by Discotek Media)
- Tekkaman Blade II (now licensed by Discotek Media)
- Twilight of the Dark Master
- Goku Midnight Eye
- The Cockpit
- Wild 7
- Vampire Hunter D (from CBS Theatrical Films and Streamline Pictures)
- Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
- Wicked City (from Streamline Pictures)
[edit] Live action (AsiaVision)
[edit] Miscellaneous
- Slammin' Sammy: The Sammy Sosa Story (American animation; Lil' Vision)
[edit] References
- ^ "Right Stuf Removes Urban Vision Titles From Catalog". Anime News Network. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ^ "Urban Vision Release Statement About Company Status". Anime News Network. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
