Anime videos available in the UK

This is a list of just about all the anime videos I've heard of, that are on sale in the UK, officially. I've seen most of them, and given them a star rating. (More about that later.) Dubbed releases are marked with a 'd', and subbed releases are marked with an 's'. 
Title                                 Matt's Format BBFC         Price
                                      Rating        Rating       (£s)

AD Vision

All titles should be available.

801TTS Airbats 1-3                     **    (s,d)  PG           12.99
Bubblegum Crisis 2040 1-12             ***   (d)    PG           12.99  
Burn Up W 1-4                          ***   (s,d)  12           12.99
City Hunter: The Motion Picture        ***   (d)    15           12.99
City Hunter OVA 1-4                    ***   (d)    12           12.99
Debutante Detective Corps              *     (s)    PG           12.99
Dirty Pair Flash 1-3                   ****  (d)    12           12.99
Dirty Pair Flash Series 2 1-2          ****  (d)    12           12.99
Dirty Pair Flash Series 3 1-2          ****  (d)    12           12.99
Dirty Pair Original Series 1-5         ****  (d)    12           12.99
Dragon Half                            ****  (s,d)  PG-12        12.99
Ellcia 1-4                             ***   (d)    12           12.99
Gunsmith Cats 1-3                      ***   (s,d)  15           12.99
Hanappe Bazooka                        **    (s)    18(cut)      12.99
Legend Of Crystania Movie              ***   (d)    15           12.99
Legend Of Crystania OVA 1-3            ***   (d)    12-15        12.99
Martian Successor Nadesico 1-11        ****  (d)    PG           12.99
Metal Angel Marie                      ***   (d)    15           12.99
Neon Genesis Evangelion 1-13           ***** (d)    PG           12.99
Ninja Resurrection                     ****  (d)    18           12.99
Panzer Dragoon                         **    (d)    PG           12.99
Power Dolls                            **    (d)    PG           12.99
Princess Minerva                       **    (s)    12           12.99
Queen Emeraldas                        ****  (d)    PG           12.99
Rail Of The Star                       ****  (d)    12           12.99
Sakura Wars 1-2                        ***   (d)    PG           12.99
Samurai X 1-2                          ***   (d)    15           12.99
Samurai X Movie                        ***   (d)    15           12.99
Shutendoji 1-4                         **    (s)    18           12.99
Slayers: The Motion Picture            ***   (d)    PG           12.99
Slayers: OVA 1-2                       **    (d)    PG           12.99
Sonic The Hedgehog                     *     (d)    PG           12.99
Streetfighter II TV 1-8                *     (d)    12-15        12.99
Suikoden: Demon Century                **    (d)    18           12.99
Sukeban Deka 1-2                       **    (s,d)  18           12.99
Super Atragon 1-2                      ****  (d)    PG           12.99
Takegami: Guardian of Darkness 1-3     **    (s)    12-15        12.99
Tekken                                 *     (d)    PG           12.99
Yotoden 1-3                            ***   (s)    PG-12        12.99

Animania

Animania has been defunct for a while (well just about since their only release came out) although you might still find copies of this about. 
Guy                                    *     (d)    18(cut)      12.99

Anime Projects

Anime Projects have been out of action for quite a while, so most of their catalogue is a bit hard to get hold of. However much if it is being reissued by MVM.

Bubblegum Crisis 1-8                   ****  (s,d)  PG           12.99
Genesis Surviver Gaiarth 1-3           ***   (s)    PG-15        12.99
Hurricane Live 2032, 2033              **    (s)    PG-15        12.99
Oh My Goddess! 1-5                     ***   (s)    U-12         12.99
Otaku No Video                         ****  (s)    15           12.99
Riding Bean                            ***   (s,d)  18           12.99
Super Deformed Double Feature          ***   (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura TV Series 1-8           ***** (s)    PG-15(cut)   12.99
Urusei Yatsura 1: Only You             ****  (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 3: Remember My Love     ***** (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 4: Lum The Forever      ***** (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 5: The Final Chapter    ****  (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 6: Always My Darling    ***   (s)    PG           12.99

Anime UK

Another of the UK anime market's one hit wonders, Anime UK also did a very nice magazine that ran for about thirty issues. Both this and their video are a bit hard to get hold of these days. 
KO Century Beast Warriors              **    (d)    PG           12.99

BBC Children's Video

I've only ever seen this once, but I suspect it'll be more likely to be on the kidvids shelf than the anime one. 
Moomin                                 ***   (d)    Uc            6.99

Crusader

Like many UK anime distributors, they vanished soon after their one and only release so it might be a bit hard to get hold of. 
Catgirl Nuku Nuku                      **    (d)    PG(cut)      12.99

East 2 West

Yet another distributor that had a short but glorious life. You might still be able to find.

8 Man After 1-2                        **    (d)    15-18        10.99
Babel II 1-2                           **    (d)    12            5.99
Kekkou Kamen 1-2                       **    (d)    18(cut)      10.99

Fox Home Entertainment

Probably in the kidvids section.

Digimon Movie                          **    (d)    U            14.99
Digimon TV 1-5                         **    (d)    U             9.99

Kiseki Films

Most of Kiseki's catalogue is still being distributed. Some of the more popular ones may be re-released on DVD as well.

Adventure Duo 1-3                      *     (s)    18(cut)       5.99
Ambassador Magma 1-5                   *     (d)    12-15         5.99
Battle Skipper 1-3                     ***   (d)    PG            7.99
Big Wars                               ****  (d)    18            9.99
Black Magic M66                        ****  (s,d)  15            5.99
The Cockpit                            ****  (s)    15           12.99
Digital Devil                          **    (s)    15           10.99
Fly Peek                               **    (s)    U             5.99
Gigolo                                 *     (d)    18            5.99
Gunbuster 1-3                          ****  (s)    PG            5.99
The Humanoid                           *     (d)    PG           10.99
Macross: Do You Remember Love?         ***** (s,d)  PG            5.99
Macross II 1-3                         ****  (d)    15            5.99
MD Geist 1-2                           ***   (d)    15           10.99
Plastic Little                         ***   (s)    15            5.99
Rei Rei                                **    (s)    18(cut)      10.99
Robotech 1-7                           ***   (d)    U             5.99
Roots Search                           *     (d)    15           10.99
Sol Bianca 1-2                         ****  (s)    12-15        10.99
Starblazers 1-6                        ***   (d)    U             5.99
Urotsukidoji III 1-4                   **    (s,d)  18(cut)       5.99

Manga Video

All titles except Tokyo Babylon and RG Veda (which were withdrawn due to a contractual dispute over cover art) should be available.

3x3 Eyes 1-5                           ****  (d)    PG-18         9.99-11.99
AD Police (Also 1 tape)                ***   (d)    18            5.99
Akira                                  ***** (s,d)  15           13.99-19.99
Amon Saga                              ***   (d)    15           10.99
Angel Cop 1-6                          ***   (d)    18(cut)       5.99
Appleseed                              ***   (s,d)  15           11.99
Armageddon                             ***   (d)    12           13.99
Battle Angel Alita                     ***** (d)    15           11.99
Blackjack                              ***   (d)    15           13.99
Blood - The Last Vampire               ****  (d)    18            9.99
Blue Sonnet 1-2                        **    (d)    12-15        12.99-13.99
Bounty Dog                             ****  (d)    18           11.99
Bubblegum Crash 1-3                    ***   (d)    12            9.99
Castle Of Cagliostro                   ****  (d)    PG           13.99
Crying Freeman 1-5                     **    (d)    18(cut)       9.99-11.99
Cyber City Oedo 808 1-3 (Also 1 tape)  ****  (d)    15            9.99
Dangaioh                               **    (d)    15(cut)      13.99
Dark Myth, The 1-2                     **    (d)    12-15         9.99
Detonator Orgun                        ****  (d)    15           13.99
Devil man 1-2                          **    (d)    18           11.99
Dominion 1-2                           ****  (d)    15           13.99
Doomed Megalopolis 1-4                 ****  (d)    15-18         9.99
Fire Tripper                           ***   (d)    15            9.99
Fist Of The North Star                 ***   (d)    18           13.99
Fist of the North Star TV 1-7          ***   (d)    15-18        12.99
Genocyber 1-3 (Also 1 tape)            ***   (d)    15-18         5.99-9.99
Ghost in the Shell                     ***** (s,d)  15           13.99-19.99
Giant Robo 1-7                         ****  (d)    PG-12         5.99
Goku: Midnight Eye 1-2                 ***   (d)    18            9.99
Golgo 13: The Professional             **    (d)    18           13.99
Goodbye Lady Liberty                   ***   (d)    12           13.99
Goshogun: Time Etranger                ****  (d)    18           13.99
Grappler Baki                          **    (d)    18            9.99
Guyver 1-12 (Also 3 tapes)             **    (d)    PG-15(cut)    5.99
Heroic Legend Of Arislan 1-3           ***   (d)    PG           11.99
Judge                                  **    (d)    15            9.99
Junk Boy                               **    (d)    18            9.99
Kabuto                                 ***   (d)    15            9.99
Landlock                               ****  (d)    15           13.99
Laughing Target                        ***   (d)    15            9.99
Legend Of The 4 Kings 1-6              **    (d)    12-15        13.99
Lensman                                ***   (d)    PG           13.99
Macross Plus 1-4                       ****  (s,d)  PG            9.99
Macross Plus Movie                     ****  (s)    12           13.99
Mad Bull 34 1-4                        *     (d)    18(cut)       9.99
Maddox 01 - Metal Skin Panic           **    (d)    PG            9.99
Makyu Senjo 1-2                        **    (d)    15            9.99
Maris The Wondergirl                   ****  (d)    PG            9.99
Megazone 23 III                        ****  (d)    12           13.99
Mermaid Forest                         ****  (d)    18            9.99
Monster City                           ***   (d)    18           13.99
New Dominion 5-10                      ****  (d)    PG-12         5.99
New Gall Force 1-5                     ***   (d)    PG            9.99
Ninja Scroll                           ***** (d)    18(cut)      13.99
Odin                                   *     (d)    PG(cut)      13.99
Orguss 02 1-3                          ***   (d)    12-15        11.99
Patlabor 1-2                           ***** (s,d)  PG           13.99
Perfect Blue                           ***** (d)    18           13.99
Project A-Ko 1-6                       ****  (d)    PG-15         9.99-13.99
Psychic Wars                           **    (d)    15           11.99
Rayearth 1-3                           ****  (d)    15           11.99
Red Hawk                               **    (d)    15           13.99
RG Veda                                ***   (d)    PG           13.99
Roujin-Z                               ****  (d)    15           13.99
Secret Of Mamo                         ***   (d)    12           13.99
Shadowskill 1-2                        **    (s,d)  12            9.99
Space Adventure Cobra                  ****  (d)    PG           13.99
Street Fighter II                      *     (d)    15           12.99
Street Fighter Alpha                   *     (d)    15           13.99
Sword For Truth                        ***   (d)    18           11.99
Tokyo Babylon 1-2                      ***   (d)    15-18        11.99
Tokyo Revelation                       ***   (d)    15           11.99
Ultimate Teacher                       *     (d)    15            9.99
Urotsukidoji 1-2                       ***   (d)    18(cut)      13.99
Vampire Hunter D                       ***   (d)    15           13.99
Vampire Princess Miyu 1-2              ***   (d)    PG           11.99
Vampire Wars                           **    (d)    18           11.99
Venus Wars                             ***   (d)    PG           13.99
Violence Jack 1-3                      **    (d)    18(cut)      11.99
Wicked City                            ****  (d)    18(cut)      13.99
Wind Of Amnesia                        ***   (d)    15           13.99
Wings Of Honneamise                    ***** (s,d)  PG(cut)      13.99
X                                      ***** (d)    15           13.99
Zeguy                                  **    (d)    PG           11.99
Zeoraima: Hades Project 1-2            ***   (d)    15           11.99

Mollin Video

Tapes should be out now. DVDs are following a few months behind.

Battle Of The Planets 1-5              ***   (d)    U            12.99

MVM

All titles should be available. Also, many MVM titles were previously released by Anime Projects in subtitled form.

Bubblegum Crisis 1-3                   ****  (d)    PG-12        12.99
Genesis Surviver Gaiarth               ***   (d)    15           12.99
Kimagure Orange Road 1-4               ***   (s)    12           12.99
Kimagure Orange Road Movie             ****  (s)    12           12.99
Oh My Goddess 1-5                      ***   (d)    U-12         12.99
Riding Bean                            ***   (d)    18           12.99
Robotech II: The Sentinels             *     (d)    U            12.99
Urusei Yatsura 1: Only You             ****  (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 3: Remember My Love     ***** (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 4: Lum The Forever      ***** (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 5: The Final Chapter    ****  (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura 6: Always My Darling    ***   (s)    PG           12.99
Urusei Yatsura OVA 1-5                 ***   (s)    PG-12        12.99
You're Under Arrest 1-4                ***   (d)    PG           12.99

Pioneer Anime

Pioneer have ceased distributing, although many titles will still be available in shops while stocks last. They're still very much active in the Japanese and US anime markets though.

Armitage III 1-4                       ****  (d)    15            6.99
Armitage III Movie                     ****  (d)    18           12.99
Battle Arena Toshinden                 *     (d)    12           12.99
El Hazard: The Magnificent World 1-3   ***** (d)    15           12.99
El Hazard: Series II 1-2               ***   (d)    PG           12.99
Final Fantasy 1-2                      ***   (d)    PG           12.99
Green Legend Ran 1-3                   ****  (d)    PG-12        12.99
The Hakkenden 1-5                      ****  (d)    15           12.99
Hyperdoll 1-2                          **    (d)    PG            8.99
Iria 1-3                               ****  (d)    15           12.99
Kishin Heidan 1-4                      ***   (d)    PG-12        12.99
Moldiver 1-3                           ***   (d)    PG           12.99
Nightwarriors 1-4                      **    (d)    PG-12        10.99
Phantom Quest Corp 1-2                 ***   (d)    PG           12.99
Pretty Sammy 1-3                       *     (d)    PG            8.99
Record of Lodoss Wars 1-6              ****  (d)    PG           12.99
Tenchi Muyo 1-7                        ***** (d)    PG-12        12.99
Tenchi Muyo 1: Tenchi Muyo In Love     ****  (d)    12           12.99
Tenchi Muyo 2: Daughter of Darkness    ***   (d)    12           12.99

Warner Home Video

Pokemon: First Movie                   **    (d)    PG           15.99
Pokemon 2000                           **    (d)    PG           14.99
Pokemon TV 1-10                        ***   (d)    PG            9.99 

Western Connection

Most titles are not being distributed any more. As ever though, some stock may still be around on retailers shelves.

Dancougar                              **    (s)    PG           10.99
Devil Hunter Yoko 1-2                  ***   (s)    18            8.99-10.99
Galactic Pirates 1-3                   **    (d)    18           10.99
Grey                                   ***   (s)    12           12.99
Hummingbirds                           **    (s)    PG           10.99
Kama Sutra                             **    (s)    18           10.99
Ladius                                 ***   (s)    12            8.99
Love City                              ****  (s)    12           12.99
Lupin III - The Fuma Conspiracy        ****  (s)    12           12.99
Lupin III - The Gold Of Babylon        ***   (s)    12           13.99
Salamander 1-3                         **    (s)    PG           10.99
Samurai Gold                           *     (s)    PG           10.99
The Sensualist                         ***   (s)    18           14.99
Slow Step 1-3                          ***   (s)    12            8.99-10.99
Space Firebird                         ****  (d)    12           12.99
Ushio And Tora 1-6                     ****  (s)    12            8.99-12.99

Matt's Rating System

Much though I hate to reduce the efforts of a team of talented individuals to a number between one and five, I've not got the time or inclination to do a detailed write-up for everything, so it'll have to do.

***** Basically, anything that get's five stars is a real long-term favourite of mine. I certainly don't hand them out lightly.
**** Four stars is something that impressed me as standing out from the crowd.
*** Three stars is certainly watchable, and liable to appeal to fans of its particular genre.
** Two stars doesn't necessarily mean it's utterly dire. Chances are that there's something around that's much the same style and a whole lot better though.
* However, anything getting just one will have really irritated me for some reason or another. Be extremely apprehensive about approaching one of these.

Finally, bear in mind that these are just the opinions of one individual, and tastes do vary a lot.

BBFC Ratings

In response to people's requests, I've added the BBFC rating for all the anime releases. Standards do seem to waver a bit (how on earth did Genocyber get the same rating as Urusei Yatsura, for starters!) but that's pretty much the case for everything.

Cuts are made for a variety of reasons: Long and boring movies are sometimes edited for length (e.g. Odin.) Sometimes cuts are made to bring the rating down (e.g. Wings of Honneamise.) Other cuts are forced on the distributor for the depiction of illegal weapons (e.g. Kekko Kamen), violence (e.g. Angel Cop) or sex (e.g. Adventure Duo.) Further editing may have taken place to avoid scenes becoming discontinuous as a result of these cuts. I can't guarantee to have listed all titles correctly, as I'm often relying on information from others about these cuts.

Anyway, this is what the ratings mean: 

Uc  -  Universal, and especially suitable for children.
U   -  Universal. Suitable for all ages.
PG  -  Parental Guidance suggested.
12  -  Not to be supplied to people under that age.
15  -  Ditto.
18  -  Ditto.

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 This document was last updated on 25th September 2001   

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