Flower Mound, TX – February 5, 2010 – The Elric brothers are back! FUNimation® Entertainment announced today that the mega-hit "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood", a fantasy action-adventure series, will debut on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on Saturday, February 13. The series will air at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT each Saturday.

The blockbuster anime series "Fullmetal Alchemist" by the acclaimed Japanese studio Bones introduced Alphonse and Edward Elric and the followup film "Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa" ended the series but many fans wished to see the story continue.

"Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" faithfully recreates the story first told in the classic manga by Hiromu Arakawa and featured in Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine. Set in a fictional world where alchemy – the transmutation of raw materials into objects – is science and the way of life, the series follows the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse, on their perilous journey in search of the legendary Philosopher's Stone. They set forth in the hope that the magical artifact can restore their bodies after a failed attempt to revive their dead mother cost Edward's left leg and right arm, as well as Alphonse's entire body, leaving his soul affixed to a suit of armor. In "Brotherhood" the brothers will risk what remains to restore what was lost.

Acquired from Japanese producer and distributor Aniplex, the English-dubbed series is produced by Mike McFarland and directed by McFarland and Caitlin Glass. McFarland also directed "Fullmetal Alchemist."

Reprising their roles from the first series are Vic Mignogna as Edward Elric, Caitlin Glass as Winry Rockbell, Travis Willingham as Roy Mustang, Laura Bailey as Lust, Sony Strait as Maes Hughes, and Mike McFarland as Jean Havoc.

Actor Maxey Whitehead is taking on the role of Alphonse Elric.

Originally Al in "Fullmetal Alchemist," Aaron Dismuke will be featured in another role later in the series.


Episodic Descriptions for February airdates:

Episode 01 – Fullmetal Alchemist, premieres February 13
The Elric brothers adjust to military life and take part in a manhunt for the dangerous Isaac the Freezer, a former State Alchemist bent on bringing Fuhrer Bradley down.

Episode 02 – The First Day, premieres February 20
A glimpse into the past reveals the pain and desperation that drove the Elric boys to break alchemy's greatest taboo – human transmutation – and their reasons for becoming dogs of the military.

Episode 03 – City of Heresy, premieres February 27
Science and faith collide when the Elrics confront Father Cornello. He claims to work miracles, but the brothers suspect he is abusing a Philosopher's Stone to manipulate his flock.


Funimation Entertainment will release "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" Part One on DVD and Blu-ray on May 25.

For more information about Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, please visit www.fullmetalalchemist.com.

Flower Mound, Texas (January 08, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 12 episode action anime series "The Sacred Blacksmith" from Media Factory.

Based on the popular Japanese light novel series by Isao Miura, the anime is directed by super star director Masamitsu Hidaka ("Pokemon" series and movies, "Linebarrels of Iron").

About The Sacred Blacksmith
Cecily Campbell is making her family proud. She is taking up the family business by becoming the newest Knight Guard of the Independent Trade City of Housman. The only problem is that she is not very good at her new job. Fortunately for her, Luke, the sacred blacksmith, is on her side. Luke has the power to forge powerful swords capable of defeating the demons that plague the land.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/sacredblacksmith.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the entire series on DVD in one set in Fall 2010.

Flower Mound, Texas (January 08, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 52 episode comedy anime series "Axis Powers Hetalia" from Media Factory, Inc.

Based on the popular web comic and manga series created by Hidekaz Himayura, the anime is directed by Bob Shirohata ("Gravitation" among others).

About Axis Powers Hetalia
The world is on the cusp of war and Italy, a pasta-loving energetic young soldier, is stuck in the middle of it! Join Italy and all of your favorite countries as they re-live the past. Cute, crass, colorful and funny, this series is world history like you've never seen it before!

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/hetalia.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the series on DVD in two parts starting in late 2010.

Flower Mound, Texas (January 7, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, merchandise, and digital rights to the five episode action anime series "Master of Martial Hearts" from Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Known as "Zettai Shougeki ~Platonic Heart~" in its native Japan, "Master of Martial Hearts" is based on the video game of the same name. The anime is directed by Yoshitaka Fujimoto ("Girl's High").

About Master of Martial Arts
Schoolgirl Aya Iseshima is in over her head. Because of unfortunate circumstances, she finds herself as a registered fighter in a royal tournament. It is not all bad news though. The tournament's grand prize is the sacred Platonic Heart, a jewel that grants one wish for the girl who possesses it. Now Aya must fight her way to the top to win her special wish.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/martialhearts.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the entire series in one DVD set in Winter 2010.

Flower Mound, Texas (January 07, 2009) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, merchandise, and digital rights to the 26 episode action anime series "Jyushin Enbu Hero Tales" Media Factory, Inc.

"Jyushin Enbu Hero Tales" is directed by Osamu Sekita ("Mobile Suit Gundam"). The anime was originally released as a manga written and drawn by Hiromu Arakawa ("Fullmetal Alchemist" TV series) in 2007.

About Jyushin Enbu Hero Tales
Prophesied as the reincarnation of a powerful star, Taitou is unaware of the immense power he welds. After a mysterious man steals a legendary sword, the young man sets out on a journey to recover the weapon. Joined by his two friends, Taitou searches not only for the missing relic, but also for his true destiny.

For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/herotales.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the series on DVD in half season sets in Fall 2010.