AnimEigo brought a wave of classic anime announcements to Anime Expo 2026, revealing five newly licensed series for Blu-ray release while also confirming the world’s first 4K restoration of the cyberpunk OVA AD Police Files.
The announcements were made during the distributor’s Anime Expo panel in Los Angeles, where parent company MediaOCD outlined its upcoming slate of home media releases, spanning mystery, sports, historical drama, shojo, and science fiction.
Among the biggest reveals was Sakon the Ventriloquist, a 26-episode mystery series based on the manga written by Sharakumaro and illustrated by Death Note artist Takeshi Obata. The series follows an Edo-era puppeteer who travels across Japan solving murder cases with the help of his sarcastic puppet, using his mastery of ventriloquism and stagecraft to expose criminals.
Sports anime fans also have something to look forward to with the addition of Moshidora, also known as Drucker in the Dugout. Produced by Production I.G, the 10-episode series tells the story of a high school student who applies the management principles of renowned business consultant Peter Drucker to revive her struggling baseball team. The anime is based on the bestselling novel that later inspired both a manga and a live-action film adaptation.
AnimEigo also announced a new Blu-ray release for House of Five Leaves, the acclaimed 12-episode historical drama directed by Tomomi Mochizuki. Based on Natsume Ono’s manga, the series follows a wandering samurai who unexpectedly becomes involved with a mysterious group of bandits known as the Five Leaves. The HD Blu-ray release is currently planned for early 2027.
Another fan-favorite making its way to Blu-ray is the classic shojo series Baby & I. Directed by Takahiro Omori and adapted from Marimo Ragawa’s award-winning manga, the 35-episode anime tells the emotional story of 10-year-old Takuya, who must balance childhood with helping his widowed father care for his younger brother following the death of their mother. The Blu-ray release is scheduled for 2027.
Perhaps the most technically significant announcement of the panel was AD Police Files. The three-episode OVA, which serves as a prequel to Bubblegum Crisis, is receiving what AnimEigo describes as the world’s first 4K restoration for its upcoming Blu-ray release. Set five years before the events of Bubblegum Crisis, the series follows the early career of AD Police officer Leon McNichol as he battles increasingly dangerous threats in a cyberpunk future.
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In addition to the new license announcements, AnimEigo provided an update on its upcoming Vampire Princess MiyuBlu-ray release. Fans who preorder the September 8 release through the MediaOCD online store will receive two exclusive blank Blu-ray case inserts while supplies last.
MediaOCD also announced the launch of a new editorial section on its website featuring monthly columns from prominent voices within the anime community. The inaugural article will be written by respected author and anime historian Jonathan Clements and is expected to debut later this summer.
With classic anime continuing to enjoy renewed popularity among collectors, AnimEigo’s latest lineup reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to preserving and reintroducing influential Japanese animation for modern audiences through high-quality home media releases.
