Animated TV series "Thunderbirds Are Go" to be released in boxed BD/DVD format on May 11!　A second season will be produced in the U.K.

It was announced that the BD/DVD of the TV animation/special effects "Thunderbirds Are Go" will be released in a boxed format.

Thunderbirds Are Go" is a new TV series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the classic tokusatsu series "Thunderbirds," which began airing in the UK in 1965 and in Japan the following year in 1966 and had a great impact on Japanese tokusatsu and animation, The new series is a co-production by ITV Studios, Pukeko Pictures, and Weta Workshop. While the previous series was a supermarionation using elaborate puppets, this time the characters and mecha are CG-animated, and some of the backgrounds were shot on miniature sets. In addition to the familiar characters from the old film, the new film also features the first female pilot, Keiyo, who pilots the new mecha "Thunderbird S," and the participation of Shoji Kawamori, well known for his work on the "Macross" series, as the mecha designer for the S-go. In the U.K., where all 26 episodes were broadcast earlier, the positive response has led to the decision to produce a second season (from episode 27).

In Japan, the series has been broadcast on NHK Sogo since October 2015 and has been popular with old and new fans. The first volume will be released on May 11 in a 4-disc set containing episodes 1 to 13. Special features include "Reggie & Thunderbirds: No Strings Attached," a special making-of featurette aired in the UK, PART 1, a commentary video by Shoji Kawamori, a slide show (collection of still images), an all-color 32-page booklet, Shoji Kawamori Thunderbird S" design postcard. The price is 15,200 yen plus tax.

DVD volumes 1 through 7 will be available for rental on the same day. A low-priced BD-BOX (19,800 yen + tax) and a low-priced DVD-BOX (17,200 yen + tax) of the old "Thunderbirds" will also be released on the same day.