Discotek Media licenses Panda Kopanda

Hot on the heals of the announcement that they're bringing the first season of Lupin III to DVD, Discotek Media has posted on Facebook that they've acquired the rights to the two Panda Kopanda films.

Mimiko, Panny, and Papa Panda.

Known as Panda! Go, Panda! and Panda! Go, Panda! The Rainy-Day Circus (Panda Kopanda: Amefuri Circus no Maki)  in North America, the films follow Mimiko and her adventures with a baby panda named Panny and his father, Papa Panda.  Both films were directed by Isao Takahata and written by Hayao Miyazaki and made their debut in Japan in 1972 and 1973.

Although previously available in North America on DVD from Geneon/Pioneer, the edition is no longer in print.  Discotek mentions in the comments of their post that their upcoming release "will be better than the Pioneer DVD" and "will have the original credits."  No release date has been announced except that the new edition can be expected in 2012.  Both films are currently available in their entirety on Hulu.