In a move away from the typical anime release schedule, distribution deals for showing the film outside Japan have been signed with the Hong Kong–based Golden Network (for Asia) and the French-based management company
Wild Bunch (for Europe). Rights to release the film in the United States are currently set to be given by Japanese studio
Shochiku and Madhouse's U.S. division. Three versions of the film are to be produced: one for the Japanese market, one for the French market, and one for the English language market. The Japanese version of the film, which will use the original script (it is unclear if changes will be made to the other versions) was originally scheduled for a December 2008 release, but was pushed back to 2009. The other versions remain tentatively set for release in 2009. At the 2008 European Film Market (a film trade fair held in tandem with the
Berlin International Film Festival), the film was licensed by Wild Bunch for 11 European markets. The film was distributed in the United Kingdom by Metropolitan, in France by JBK, in Russia and other
former Soviet countries by
Central Partnership and in South Korea by
Next Entertainment World (NEW).
Maiden Japan released the film on Blu-Ray in the U.S. with both English and Japanese tracks. ==See also==