UPDATE: Lupin III: The First UK release date slips!
Update (September 6th)
Pre-ordered copies of Lupin III: The First from All The Anime are now shipping within the United Kingdom! This is slightly ahead of its official release date of September 20th, and likely only applies to those who have an existing pre-order.
Original article (August 31st)
The DVD and Blu-ray release of Lupin III: The First has been delayed in the United Kingdom due to production issues.
Announced in July, the film is coming to the UK as part of three separate editions - DVD standard, Blu-ray standard and a collectors edition double pack. While this was originally planned to release yesterday, on August 30th, it is now planned to drop around one month later, on September 20th.
For those who have pre-ordered the film from All The Anime directly, you should receive an e-mail shortly explaining the situation. Please find an extract from that very e-mail below:
You're receiving this email as you've placed an order for the Lupin III: The First from our AllTheAnime.com store.
We're contacting you to make you aware that due to delays in elements of the production and shipping of this item, the release date of this product has moved to 20th September 2021.
We sincerely apologise for this delay, but rest assured your order for this item will be shipped as soon as humanly possible once stock arrives at our warehouse, and we still hope that stock will arrive for shipment prior to this date.
All versions of the film feature English and Japanese 5.1 audio, along with English subtitles. The contents are packed in a rigid case, with standard plastic amaray box. While the recommended retail price is £39.99, early birds can snag the collectors set for just £34.99. The standard DVD sits at £12.99, and the standard Blu-ray at £13.99.
Special features include:
English Voice Cast Reunited
CG Model Gallery
Animation Breakdown
Yellow Carpet Premiere
Theatrical Trailers & Promos
Interviews with Director and Japanese Cast
If you would rather catch the film in the theater and are able to travel safely to either Glasgow or Edinburgh, The First will be in cinemas for one day only this October, as part of the Scotland Loves Anime film festival. Tickets for both locations are now on sale - be sure to get yours before they’re gone!
While this news is most unwelcome, eager fans will have their copies of Lupin III: The First in hand soon enough. Considering the state of the world at the moment, production and shipping issues are becoming more apparent. They can’t be helped, and all we can do about this is be patient.
The good news - however - is that the film has now received releases in over six different countries around the world. While this number may not sound too impressive - for the Lupin III series, it’s a dramatic change of pace. The United Kingdom in particular has very few home video releases of Lupin content, especially when compared to the likes of the United States and Italy. It’s good news for fans, and hopefully a sign of things to come.
