Bandai Entertainment has announced a coordinated launch for its Eureka Seven property, which debuts on April 25th with the release of Volume #1 of the Eureka Seven DVD, the original soundtrack CD for the series, and the first volume of the Eureka Seven manga by Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou.  Bandai will eventually publish six volumes of Eureka Seven manga -- four volumes that adapt the Eureka Seven anime series, and a two-volume adaptation of the Eureka Seven videogame prequel story.  This will mark the first manga release for Bandai Entertainment, whose entrance into the American book market has been expected for some time. 

Eureka Seven, with its hoverboarding mecha, non-stop adventure and touching romance, is one of the most anticipated anime releases of 2006 and a glance at the 50-episode series' creative team explains why.  Studio Bones (Cowboy Bebop, Full Metal Alchemist) produced the series, which was written by Dai Sato, story supervisor for the Cowboy Bebop TV series.  It's directed by Tomoki Kyoda, director of Rahxephon the Movie.  Famed designer Shoji Kawamori (Macross, Escaflowne) created the mecha for Eureka Seven, while Kenichi Yoshida (Princess Mononoke) produced the character designs.

One detail in the launch plan has not yet been announced; there is a plan to broadcast the series on an undisclosed premier TV network in the U.S.  But Bandai has announced that it will provide a free Internet streaming of the first episode in the series simultaneously with the TV broadcast.