Founded in 2005, Discotek Media first began distributing various Asian live-action films on DVD including some of Takashi Miike's films (Dead or Alive, The Happiness of the Katakuris) and also a couple Hong Kong cult classics (Burning Paradise, Ebola Syndrome, Sex and Zen). They also ventured into a few anime titles, with a couple of licenses from Toei Animation, which included Animal Treasure Island, The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots and then later down the line Crying Freeman, Fist of the North Star, and Lovely Complex. They also released Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy and licensed Lupin III: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon early on.
Over time, their reputation had grown and anime sold well enough for them to continue distributing more over the coming years. Their catalog have a wide range, from license rescues, out-of-nowhere acquisitions, partnerships with both Crunchyroll and TMS Entertainment, and eventually returning to Asian Cinema and offering a few Western produced shows.
Many may recognise Discotek Media for their efforts in bringing TMS' Lupin the Third franchise back into the modern anime community, but also their trio of people who work for the mysterious boss. The trio involved include Brady Hartel (video production, restoration, product/packaging design, QC), Justin Sevakis (Blu-ray author expert, worked with Anime Limited on products including Millennium Actress 4K, Outlaw Star, Planetes and The Vision of Escaflowne), and Mike Toole (Contributor to Liner Notes, Audio Commentary & Essays).
While Crunchyroll and Sentai focus on just taking whatever was available and shove it on a disc, Discotek took a different approach to ensure that what we receive is the best and most recommended way to watch those films and shows on the big TV. This means they had often taken inventive solutions to ensure the viewing experience can be improved upon.
For instance, before they had found the original 35mm film masters for Project A-Ko, they were introduced to AstroRes technology that would allow a master taken from an old LaserDisc and have them upscaled into high definition that would retain a lot of detail that most upscale projects would lose. Examples of other anime releases that used AstroRes include Digimon Adventure, IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix, Lovely Complex, Lupin the Third vs Detective Conan TV Special and Re: Cutie Honey. This sort of technology was also used on Memories for a specific scene, and for a video game extra in Street Fighter II's 4K Ultra HD release.
Considering the distributor's line-up of intriguing titles I figured it was time that this forum actually had a thread towards them. While the crew commonly hang out on the Blu-ray forum, I figured an AUKN thread can be handy similarly to the Aniplex thread that I also have.
LICENSED AND COMING SOON (as of August 2026):
Originally these posts included mention of disc region compatibility, however the loophole was closed a few years back and any title still in print will have updated discs. Moving forward, unless specified, the discs are all Region A locked for their Blu-rays (DVDs are still Region 2 compatible unless specified and 4K discs are all-region coded).
Over time, their reputation had grown and anime sold well enough for them to continue distributing more over the coming years. Their catalog have a wide range, from license rescues, out-of-nowhere acquisitions, partnerships with both Crunchyroll and TMS Entertainment, and eventually returning to Asian Cinema and offering a few Western produced shows.
Many may recognise Discotek Media for their efforts in bringing TMS' Lupin the Third franchise back into the modern anime community, but also their trio of people who work for the mysterious boss. The trio involved include Brady Hartel (video production, restoration, product/packaging design, QC), Justin Sevakis (Blu-ray author expert, worked with Anime Limited on products including Millennium Actress 4K, Outlaw Star, Planetes and The Vision of Escaflowne), and Mike Toole (Contributor to Liner Notes, Audio Commentary & Essays).
While Crunchyroll and Sentai focus on just taking whatever was available and shove it on a disc, Discotek took a different approach to ensure that what we receive is the best and most recommended way to watch those films and shows on the big TV. This means they had often taken inventive solutions to ensure the viewing experience can be improved upon.
For instance, before they had found the original 35mm film masters for Project A-Ko, they were introduced to AstroRes technology that would allow a master taken from an old LaserDisc and have them upscaled into high definition that would retain a lot of detail that most upscale projects would lose. Examples of other anime releases that used AstroRes include Digimon Adventure, IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix, Lovely Complex, Lupin the Third vs Detective Conan TV Special and Re: Cutie Honey. This sort of technology was also used on Memories for a specific scene, and for a video game extra in Street Fighter II's 4K Ultra HD release.
Considering the distributor's line-up of intriguing titles I figured it was time that this forum actually had a thread towards them. While the crew commonly hang out on the Blu-ray forum, I figured an AUKN thread can be handy similarly to the Aniplex thread that I also have.
LICENSED AND COMING SOON (as of August 2026):
| AnimEigo - Upcoming Anime: | Year: | Audio: | Format: |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.D. Police Files OVA Series: Eps. 1-3 - Studio: Artmic, AIC | 1990 | Japanese English | 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray |
| Antique Bakery TV Series: Eps. 1-12 - Studio: Nippon Animation, Shirogumi | 2008 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| Baby and Me TV Series: Eps. 1-25 - Studio: Studio Pierrot | 1996-97 | Japanese | SD-BD |
| Dog of Flanders - The Movie Film - Studio: Nippon Animation | 1997 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Drucker in the Dugout TV Series: Eps. 1-10 - Studio: Production I.G | 2011 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| House of Five Leaves TV Series: Eps. 1-12 - Studio: Manglobe | 2010 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| ReLIFE ~ ReLIFE (TV Series: Eps. 1-12) ~ ReLIFE Kanketsu-hen (OVA Series: Eps. 1-4) Studio: TMS Entertainment, Double Eagle | 2016-18 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Ruin Explorers Fam & Ihrie OVA Series: Eps. 1-4 - Studio: Animate, Ajia-do Animation Works | 1995-96 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Welcome to Irabu's Office TV Series: Eps. 1-11 - Studio: Toei Animation | 2009 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Whole Grain Pictures - Upcoming Asian Cinema: | Year: | Audio: | Format: |
|---|---|---|---|
| None so far | - | - | - |
| Discotek Media - Upcoming Anime: | Year: | Audio: | Format: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argento Soma TV Series: Eps. 1-26 - Studio: Sunrise | 2000-01 | Japanese English | SD-BD |
| Digimon Frontiers TV Series: Eps. 1-50 - Studio: Toei Animation | 2002-03 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| Digimon Tamers TV Series: Eps. 1-51 - Studio: Toei Animation | 2001-02 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| Digimon the Movies - Collection 3 ~ Digimon Frontier: Island of Lost Digimon (Film) ~ Digital Monster X-Evolution (TV Special) ~ Digimon Savers: Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode!! (Film) Studio: Toei Animation | 2002-06 | Japanese English (Partial) | Blu-ray |
| Infinite Ryvius TV Series: Eps. 1-26 - Studio: Sunrise | 1999-00 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata and the Two Lupins Film - Studio: Telecom Animation Film | 2025 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Memories Film - Studio: Studio 4°C, Madhouse | 1995 | Japanese English | 4K Ultra HD |
| Monster - Collection 2 TV Series: Eps. 38-74 - Studio: Madhouse | 2004-05 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Pani Poni Dash! TV Series: Eps. 1-26 - Studio: Shaft | 2005 | Japanese English | SD-BD |
| Patlabor Movie Trilogy ~ Patlabor the Movie (Film) - Studio: Production I.G ~ Patlabor 2 the Movie (Film) - Studio: Production I.G ~ WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3 (Film) - Studio: Madhouse, Triangle Staff | 1989-02 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Patlabor on Television TV Series: Eps. 1-47 - Studio: Sunrise | 1989-90 | Japanese English | Blu-ray |
| Patlabor: The New Files OVA Series: Eps. 1-16 - Studio: Sunrise | 1990-92 | Japanese English (Partial) | Blu-ray |
| Samurai Pizza Cats (English Broadcast Version) TV Series: Eps. 1-52 - Studio: Tatsunoko Productions, Saban Ent. | 1992-93 | English | Blu-ray |
| Samurai Pizza Cats (Japanese Broadcast Version) TV Series: Eps. 1-54 - Studio: Tatsunoko Productions | 1990-91 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| Tales of the Abyss TV Series: Eps. 1-26 - Studio: Sunrise | 2009 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| Nihon Nights - Upcoming Asian Cinema: | Year: | Audio: | Format: |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Female Prisoner Scorpion: Special Cellblock X 新・女囚さそり 特殊房X Film - Directed by Yutaka Kohira | 1977 | Japanese | Blu-ray |
| TOKU TIME - Upcoming Asian Cinema: | Year: | Audio: | Format: |
|---|---|---|---|
| None so far | - | - | - |
Originally these posts included mention of disc region compatibility, however the loophole was closed a few years back and any title still in print will have updated discs. Moving forward, unless specified, the discs are all Region A locked for their Blu-rays (DVDs are still Region 2 compatible unless specified and 4K discs are all-region coded).
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