Square's FFVII Advent Children US release in April
Square Enix have finally given a date of April 25th for the long-delayed release of the computer animated movie Final Fantasy VII Advent Children.
It's possible that the long delays in producing an English dub of this almost-high-profile movie will have an impact on its sales, with hardcore fans having watched the movie months ago.
It will be released on DVD, and if you are prepared to pay extra for lower quality, on PSP compatible UMD.
The feature-length animated movie follows on from the events in the very successful FFVII game, on the PSone, and features many of the game's original characters. Of course, the question remains how many of the anime buying public remember FFVII after so many years?
Recognised Hollywood actors have been selected to provide the voices for the major characters, with Steve Burton as Cloud, Rachel Leigh Cook as Tifa, and Mena Suvari as Aeris - not that the latter has a great deal of dialogue in the movie.
Many complained that it took Square too long to make a FFVII movie in the first place, and that interest in the title in the west had long since faded. The delays in getting the movie released outside of Japan have not helped, with most of the 'fan interest' having come and gone months ago. It's likely that Square will not make the sales they might have done with a more timely release. It seems possible that many of the people who played the original FFVII are now busy raising families and are unlikely to purchase an anime movie filled with giant swords and highly stylised violence.