Tears to Tiara and Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – to debut across Asia on Animax on same-time and same-week broadcast respectively

• Animax Asia in historical broadcast deal to offer world’s first same-time simulcast of an anime TV series with Tears to Tiara, premiering 06 Apr 09, airing Mondays 12.35am (SEA/PH/HK/TW) on Animax, simultaneous to the series’ 1.35am (Tokyo) debut in Japan

• 2009’s most-anticipated blockbuster anime series Fullmetal Alchemist - Brotherhood -  to debut on Animax Asia in a same-week broadcast deal, premiering 10 Apr 09, airing Fridays 8.30pm (SEA/PH/TW/SA), with each new episode airing within six days of its premiere in Japan

20 March 2009, Singapore – Come 6 April 2009, Animax Asia will write itself firmly into the annals of international TV history as the WORLD’S FIRST BROADCASTER to offer a new anime series outside Japan on a same-time simulcast! Clinching the groundbreaking deal, Animax Asia proudly presents the world premiere of Tears to Tiara (left) across Asia, completely simultaneous with the anime series’ debut in Japan on Chiba TV.

And with just four days to catch their breath from the record-setting same-time anime simulcast, Animax viewers will enjoy the spectacular premiere of blockbuster anime series Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – in Animax Asia’s first same-week broadcast deal on 10 April 2009! Under this agreement, fans across Asia will catch exclusively on Animax, the long-awaited new series that follows the top-rated Fullmetal Alchemist series, within just six days that each new episode premieres in Japan.

A first for ANY broadcaster outside Japan, the elusive and unprecedented same-day-and-time premiere of Tears to Tiara marks a new standard in international anime broadcast pioneered by Animax Asia. With the fastest TV broadcast of an anime series outside Japan being same-day prior to the deal, Animax Asia breaks all records with Tears to Tiara’s 6 April 2009, 12.35am (SEA/PH/HK/TW) early Monday morning premiere that is fully synchronized with Japan’s 1.35am (Tokyo) broadcast.

“The inaugural deal to bring Tears to Tiara to Animax viewers across Asia simultaneous with viewers in Japan is a milestone not only for Animax Asia, but also for the anime business as the speed of international broadcast is brought to its pinnacle. We are very proud to provide viewers with what was previously seemingly impossible,” said Gregory Ho, Vice President & General Manager, Animax Asia.

Promising enthralling characters, beautiful artwork, and an exciting storyline complete with spellbinding powers and epic battles, Tears to Tiara draws its inspiration from the gaming arena where it originates as a captivating fantasy role-playing game on the PC and Sony PlayStation 3 platforms. Published by Aquaplus, the Japanese games publisher behind titles like ‘To Heart’ and ‘Utawarerumono’, the ‘Tears to Tiara’ game proved so popular that it sold out across Asia at Sony as of March 2009.

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST – BROTHERHOOD – WIELDS ITS MAGIC ON ANIMAX

Following the exhilaration of Tears to Tiara, Animax viewers will then be among the first in the world outside Japan to enjoy the highly-anticipated Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – (left) when it debuts 10 April 2009, airing Fridays, 8.30pm (SEA/PH/TW/SA) across Asia on Animax!

Definitely THE biggest anime series of the year and in the same league of household anime titles including Slam Dunk, Dragonball, Gundam and Naruto that have taken the world by storm, Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – will see all 51 episodes come to Animax in the same week of its Japan premiere via Animax Asia’s same-week broadcast deal.

Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – is the third and latest on-screen rendition of the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise based on the best-selling manga (comics) series by Hiromu Arakawa. Production for Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – is undertaken by anime studio BONES which made the previous Fullmetal Alchemist series, and is directed by Yasuhiro Irie who also helmed Kurau: Phantom Memory, Soul Eater, episodes of Alien Nine and RahXephon, as well as animation sequences in the first Fullmetal Alchemist series.

“Set to emulate the overwhelming success of the first series and sequel movie, Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – offers a touching story, exciting action and fantastic artwork that have become hallmarks of the world-renowned Fullmetal Alchemist franchise. Definitely the biggest and most keenly anticipated mega anime title this year, Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – comes to Animax amidst stiff competition for the show worldwide, and that is made all the more satisfying for our viewers with the highly-coveted same-week broadcast,” added Gregory Ho.

Airing in original Japanese audio, premiering episodes of Tears to Tiara will be accompanied by local language subtitles, while Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – will include English and Chinese subtitles for a start. To ensure fans do not miss out on the latest action, Animax will offer primetime repeat broadcasts of Tears to Tiara and Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood –, as well as a recap marathon of the month’s new episodes on the last Saturday and Sunday of each month starting from 25 and 26 April respectively.

“Tears to Tiara and Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – are top draw titles and we are very pleased to present this unique opportunity for Animax viewers to join fellow fans in Japan to catch up on the action. With a significant amount of resources invested and efforts to overcome the multitude of logistical challenges, the two showsrepresent Animax Asia’s commitment to bring the very latest and best anime content within the shortest possible time,” added Ho.

Finally, from 26 March 2009, viewers can pledge to be part of history at www.ipledgeAnimax.com and join in the online countdown to the historical Tears to Tiara broadcast and debut of 2009’s biggest title Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – this April on Animax.

###

Tears to Tiara premieres 6 Apr 2009, airing Mondays 12.35am in the world’s first same-time simulcast with Japan on Animax

Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood – premieres 10 April 2009, airing Fridays 8.30pm in Animax Asia’s first same-week anime broadcast

About Animax Asia
Animax Asia is 100% owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Launched on 1 January 2004, Animax is Asia’s first youth anime brand specializing in the fastest growing youth entertainment genre - Japanese animation. Animax Asia’s programming strategy is to not only offer a dynamic line up of the highest-rated, most popular anime programs as well as shows never before seen outside of Japan, but also original productions, music and technology-lifestyle programs, that are exclusive to Animax Asia.

It is the channel of choice for Asia's trendsetters, image-conscious, tech-savvy youth & young adults, and individuals seeking a unique entertainment experience. The channel now reaches over 29 million households across Asia (including Japan), achieving the fastest roll-out among new channel launches in recent years, and is set to become a leading iconic brand synonymous with popular youth culture. More information about Animax Asia can be found at www.animax-asia.com, www.animax-taiwan.com, www.animax-hk.com, www.animaxindia.com and www.animaxtv.co.kr.

For more information, please contact:

SPE Networks - Asia Pte. Ltd.
Priscilla Yip
Direct: (65) 6622 4200
Priscilla_Yip@spe.sony.com

Calvin Wong
Direct: (65) 6622 4203
Calvin_Wong@spe.sony.com