Today we received a flood of news from the FUNimation camp! Not sure if there was a con of the weekend or they just felt like sharing the good news. Either way…here we go!

First up is the announcement of FUNimation earning the full rights to the 24 episode sci-fi action anime series, “Full Metal Panic!” and the 12 episode “Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu” sequel. The series will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2010 but you can catch it streaming on their website here in December.

What is Full Metal Panic?

Sousuke Sagara is a seventeen-year-old military specialist working for the secret organization MITHRIL and has been recently assigned to protect the latest “Whispered” candidate: Kaname Chidori. Sousuke will have to deal with enemies from his past as well some surprising characters. Unfortunately for Sousuke, the toughest part of his mission isn’t only protecting Miss Chidori but also getting used to living as an average high school student.

FUNimation also acquired the rights to 12 episode action anime series, “Sekirei” from Aniplex. The anime is based on the manga only available in Japan. The series will be released on DVD in 2010.

Here is a rundown about the story:

Minato Sahashi is extremely intelligent, yet his inability to cope well under pressure has led to his failing the college entrance exam – twice. As a result he has been branded a loser. One day he meets a girl named Musubi as she is being chased by two bandits and his life changes forever. The girl runs but takes him with her and soon finds that Minato, while unknown to him, is an Ashikabi, one of the mysterious set of masters that can become partners with some of the 108 cute girls, buxom women, and bishōnen called “Sekirei”. Their partnership will allow Minato to realize his true capabilities and his own strength.

In more series from Aniplex news, FUNimation also acquired the digital rights to the 26 episode sci-fi action anime series, “Testuwan Birdy Decode”. The series is based on the manga and will be released in half season sets on DVD in 2010.

Here is what Tetsuwan Birdy Decode is all about:

Birdy is an interstellar space agent sent to Earth to investigate the appearance of aliens under the secret identity of a popular Idol. A frantic late night mission causes her to catch an innocent schoolboy, Tsutomu in her deadly line of fire. Thanks to a special space technology, Birdy knows a way to restore his life by joining their two bodies into one. Now Tsutomu and Birdy must share the same body, mind and adventures while the his body slowly heals…

The last bit of news is actually about FUNimation. Today they have announced that Chris Moujaes will be joining them as Director of Original Entertainment. Chris has prior work with Boomstar and in managing animation teams.

What FUNimation hopes that Chris does is to focus on acquisition and development of a slate of original anime titles based on major intellectual properties.

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