Aniplex of America Announces the Release of DOUKYUSEI-Classmates- Film on Blu-ray

*Art subject to change

The Beautiful Love Story is coming to Blu-ray This Fall

SANTA MONICA, CA (May 20, 2016) – Aniplex of America announced their release plans for theDOUKYUSEI -Classmates- feature film at their industry panel at Anime Central. Asumiko Nakamura’s boys’ love masterpiece will be released on Blu-ray on September 20, 2016. Aniplex of America also confirmed that this release will include numerous bonus contents and materials. Pre-orders will begin today on Aniplex of America’s official DOUKYUSEI -Classmates- homepage (www.DoukyuseiMovie.com).

DOUKYUSEI -Classmates- is a film adaptation of Asumiko Nakamura’s first boys’ love manga of the same title. Since its release, fans of the genre have praised Nakamura for her unique art and story-tellingstyle. In Japan, the film grossed over 1.3 million dollars at the box office in less than a month. Aniplex of America, along with the film distributor AZOLAND PICTURES, began screening the film in early May at select theaters across the U.S. Critics lauded the film for successfully demonstrating the subtleties of the story through a style reminiscent of a watercolor painting. Fandom Post says,

“DOUKYUSEI is absolutely gorgeous to watch.” Anime News Network also says, “DOUKYUSEI is heartwarming and fulfilling,” and “embraces its niche and gives it the respect and beauty the genre is so often denied.”

DOUKYUSEI -Classmates- Blu-ray includes:

<Blu-ray Features>

Spoken Language: Japanese

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 16:9 widescreen

Number of Disc: 1 Blu-ray Disc

Total Run Time: Approx. 60 min.

Rating: 13UP

<Bonus Contents>

 PV & CM Collections

<Bonus Materials and Special Package>

Deluxe Booklet

Illustration Cards

Package Illustrated by Asumiko Nakamura (Author)

Clear-case with 2-sided wrap

*Bonus contents subject to change.

Product number and UPC bar code

DOUKYUSEI -Classmates- Blu-ray will be available through official Aniplex of America retailers. For a list of our retailers, please visit: www.AniplexUSA.com/retailers

About DOUKYUSEI -Classmates-

Doukyusei -Classmates- is an adaptation of author Asumiko Nakamura’s first boys’ love manga series of the same name. Nakamura’s unique art style beautifully captures the pure romance between two seemingly incompatible high school students. Her work has attracted many fans of the boys’ love (a genre focusing on the romantic relationships between male characters) community. Within the first 11 days of opening in Japan, the film grossed over a million dollars at the box office.

Licht Sajo is an honor student with perfect scores in every subject on his high school entrance exam. Hikaru Kusakabe plays guitar in his band that performs at live events and is popular among the girls. These boys would have never crossed paths. But one day Hikaru offers to help Licht prepare for their upcoming chorus festival and the two begin to talk. As the two meet after school, they bond through songs and begin to harmonize as their hearts beat together.

It starts out slowly but soon their feelings for one another grow and suddenly they both realize that they are in love. Hikaru’s emotions are frivolous, pure and direct causing Licht to hesitate at first, but he gradually opens his heart. The boys learn about each other, as well as themselves, as they support one