Anime Nation is reporting that Media Blasters has acquired the rights to the 26-episode Simoun anime, an elaborate yuri science fiction saga, which aired on Japanese TV in 2006.  Set on an earthlike planet inhabited by humanoids who are all born female and must choose their permanent gender at age 17, the Simoun anime series features plenty of intrigue and military action as well as burgeoning romantic relationships in sweeping storylines that can best be described as epic.

'Simoun' is the name given to the airships flown in defense of the country of Simulacrum, which still maintains some advanced technological elements from an ancient society and is being attacked by a number of neighboring nations whose technological level is comparable to early 20th Century earth (zeppelins and biplanes).

The Simoun airships require both a pilot and a navigator and neither of them can have made their permanent gender choice -- an act that somehow disqualifies them from flying.  The Simoun anime tracks the trajectory of Aaeru, a brash young navigator, who replaces Amuria who is killed in the first battle against the attacking forces of Argentum.  Aaeru gradually falls in love with her pilot Neviril, who had previously been romantically attached to Amuria.

While shojo-ai/yuri (girl-on-girl) relationships are found in many manga and anime including Sailor Moon, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and Kurau Phantom Memory, the growing interest in and sales of yaoi and yuri manga in North America have provided the impetus for Media Blasters to become the leader in the licensing of both yaoi (Gakuen Heaven, I Shall Never Return) and yuri (Kashimashi -- Girl Meets Girl) anime series.