While Japanese anime isn’t a big part of my horror library(BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE was pretty cool albeit short, and VAMPIRE HUNTER D rocked), this news from Manga Entertainment peaked my interest.
Earlier, Manga announced that Jay Fernandez (HOSTEL) and Matt Lillard (SCREAM) would be lending their talents (voice-wise) for the English dub of THE KARAS, a supernatural anime set to be released by the good folks at Anchor Bay. THE KARAS, made by the same company as the original ‘Speed Racer’ (don’t worry, the animation on the film is better), is set in an alternate Tokyo that humans share with both visible and invisible ghosts and demons.
Lillard will voice Eko (pictured), a man who was chosen to be a ‘guardian of the city’, or Karas, but instead has turned evil and intends to destroy humanity. Standing in the way of Eko is Nue (Hernandez), a mystical creature who takes human form to stop him. Along with Hernandez and Lillard, Piper Perablo (THE CAVE) will also be voicing a character in the film, Yurine, a priestess.
The project will be divided into two volumes, with the first (KARAS: THE PROPHECY) being released April 25th, and the second volume (KARAS: THE REVOLUTION), arriving September, with both being priced at $24.98. For those purists in the audience, the DVDs will be presented in the original Japanese track (with subtitles), along with the English dub, as well as anamorphic widescreen. For the extras, here’s what you can expect:
For those who can read Japanese, you can check out the anime’s Japan site here.