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Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media, the film distribution arm of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired US digital and theatrical rights to Japanese fantasy animation film Dragon Heart – Adventures Beyond This World.

The movie will receive a theatrical release, starting June 6, at select theatres across the U.S. and will also be released in more than 250 theaters across Japan by Nikkatsu Corporation. Dragon Heart – Adventures Beyond This World will later be available to rent on all U.S. digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, through Freestyle Digital Media.

Directed by Isamu Imakake (Nadia: The Secret Of Blue Water), the film follows Ryusuke, a junior high school student living in Tokyo. During his summer vacation, he visits Tokushima and reunites with his teenage cousin, Tomomi. Ryusuke and Tomomi go on an outing to the Anabuki River, where they get swept away by the rushing current.

The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has existed for nearly 50 years and in that time, it's had several entries and spinoffs. While most of the anime are set in the Universal Century timeline, others are in their own continuities. One such series is now getting a new tie-in project, but it's not the only one of these shows that should receive this type of continuation.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is now getting a spinoff manga in an alternate universe, capitalizing on the success of that show. While this makes sense, there are other works which are just as deserving of this treatment. This could take the form of sequels or alternate takes, all of which would expand upon previously seen Gundam anime.

Related 10 Coolest Gundam “Grunt” Mobile Suits

Besides the more powerful Gundam in the franchise, there are several mobile suits that are used as grunts and foot soldiers in these mecha anime.

Ever since the franchise began in 1979, the Mobile Suit Gundam series has had numerous manga and anime entries. These spin off and continue the plot threads, or at least the themes, seen in the original series. Of course, there are other Gundam works which, beyond the basics, have next to nothing to do with the classic anime.

Gundam has other timelines beyond the Universal Century continuity, though it remains the most commonly visited universe. These divergent continuities have different takes on the concepts of space colonies, post-humans and other elements first seen in "First Gundam," while one portrays the mobile suits as sentient robots. This has kept the line fresh, with each iteration offering unique variants on familiar ideas.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Sd Gundam Force Might Be the Most Underrated Timeline Streaming: N/A

Related 10 Iconic Gundam Designs That Changed Mecha Anime

There are several...

In the Succeeding in Voiceover panel at Actorfest La, six industry professionals give you the insider's view of what it takes to succeed as a voiceover actor. Learn how to get cast as a Voice-Over Actor in Commercials and on Radio and TV.Voicebank's CEO Jeff Hixon leads this panel of top casting directors, voiceover artists, and agents, and they shares their best tips on breaking into this lucrative field, including how to build a career in voiceover.Speakers include: -- Jeff Hixon, CEO, Voicebank-- David Stieve, Voiceover Agent, Aka Talent Agency-- Terry Berland, Casting Director, Terry Berland Casting-- Rick Zieff, Producer, Director, Casting Director, Voiceover Talent and Coach-- Bill Ratner, Actor-- Ashley Russo, ActorTo register for this dynamic workshop, visit actorfestla2011.eventbrite.com.Actorfest La, which is brought to you by Back Stage, the Actor's Resource, will take place on Saturday, November 5th at the California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles.