News Reporting

Otakon 2016: Funimation Acquires Sword of the Stranger

Written By Samantha Ferreira August 13, 2016

©Bones

Soon, the nameless samurai will take up his blade, once more as he returns to the realms of high definition.

Last night, Funimation announced that they acquired the domestic rights to Sword of the Stranger (Mukō Hadan). The company will release the film in a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack on November 8.

Sword of the Stranger is an original film from studio Bones. Masahiro Ando (Under the Dog, Snow White with the Red Hair) directed the film at Madhouse, with Tsunenori Saito (Blast of Tempest, Halo Legends) providing character designs. Fumihiko Takayama (RaXephon, Birdy the Mighty: Decode) penned the movie’s screenplay.

Sword of the Stranger originally screened in Japanese theaters in 2008. Bandai Entertainment released the feature on DVD and Blu-Ray in North America in 2009. The film won Best Animated Feature at Brazilian film festival FANTASPOA, and was submitted for Best Animated Feature at the 81st Academy Awards. Ultimately, it wasn’t nominated, with the final nominees being:

WALL-E (Winner)
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda

The official trailer is currently available through NCM Fathom. You can check it out below:

Filed Under: News Reporting

Tag(s): acquisitions, funimation, license rescue, otakon 2016, sword of the stranger

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

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