Kyle Jones to direct dub; cast not yet revealed

Sentai Filmworks confirmed with ANN on Friday that it will include an English dub on its upcoming release of Gintama: The Movie (Gintama: Shinyaku Benizakura-Hen) on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, noting its policy to dub titles it releases on Blu-ray Disc. Sentai Filmworks added that the English dub cast has not been set yet, but Kyle Jones will be directing the dub.

Sentai Filmworks announced on Thursday that it acquired the action comedy film, and the company will release it digitally before it receives a home video release on DVD and Blu-ray Disc later this year.

The 95-minute feature retells a story from the Gintama television series, which is set in an alternate version of Tokyo that Amanto aliens have invaded. Former samurai Gintoki Sakata investigates the disappearance of a legendary sword named Benizakura, while his partners Kagura and Shinpachi Shimura try to find out what happened to Gintoki's friend, Kotaro Katsura.

Gintama: The Movie is currently the only theatrical anime adaptation of Hideaki Sorachi's bestselling manga series. The film opened in limited release (90 screens) in Japan in April 2010, and then had its international premiere in Montreal in July of that year. The first film eventually earned 1.07 billion yen (about US$12.86 million) at the box office. Sentai Filmworks already licensed the television anime series, and Section23 Films released the first 49 episodes on DVD.

Image © Hideaki Sorachi/Gintama Movie Production Committee