From GeekChicDaily:
Turning twenty has never felt so good…for anime fans. To celebrate its coming-of-age, Manga Entertainment is releasing a double whammy of anime goodness: Takeshi Koike’s Redline is having a limited theatrical run in Los Angeles, which started this past weekend, and in New York City starting on January 6th. If that isn’t enough to keep you excited through the New Year, both Redline and Studio 4ºC/Russian co-production First Squad: The Moment Of Truth are coming out on Blu-Ray and DVD on January 17.
Buckle up, everyone. Redline is a frenetic, pulpy tale about the biggest, deadliest racing tournament in the galaxy, brought to us by the evil geniuses over at Madhouse (Summer Wars, Paprika, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time). Like a weird mash-up of Death Race and The Hunger Games, the tournament is a high-stakes event in which elite drivers seek to make a name for themselves. With a slew of corrupt government officials, organized crime and a mysteriously beautiful female driver in his way, high-octane hero JP is in for the ride of his life. Between Redline‘s gorgeous visuals, accelerating action and its over-the-top characters, the film promises to keep things both fast and furious (minus the Vin Diesel).
On the other hand, if you prefer wartime epics over white-knuckle racing, Yoshiharu Ashino’s First Squad: The Moment of Truth is probably right up your alley. Set during the first days of World War II on the Eastern front, First Squad follows a group of Soviet teenagers with extraordinary abilities who are drafted to form an elite special operations unit to combat the invading Axis forces and an undead army of Teutonic Knights. The series looks like an incredible blend ofGunslinger Girl, Valkyria Chronicles and supernatural World War II action. Don’t lie; you’re going to want to take a Moment of Truth or two come January.