Funimation Entertainment has acquired North American digital, broadcast, theatrical, DVD and merchandising rights to the 13-episode horror/action anime Shikabane Hime: Aka (Corpse Princess) from King Record Co.  Produced by Gainax (Neon Genesis Evangelion), the Shikabane Hime anime began airing on Japanese TV on October 2nd.

On October 24th Funimation will begin streaming high quality subtitled episodes of Shikabane Hime: Aka (Corpse Princess) for free on Funimation’s YouTubechannel, Joost.com, Hulu.com as well as at funimation.com.  Funimation is also offering a download-to-own option at funimation.com for $1.99 per episode.

Funimation’s President and CEO Gen Fukunaga commented on the quick turnaround, which will make episodes available here just weeks after they debut in Japan: “Often by the time a licensing deal is signed to bring a series from Japan to the U.S. the episodes are already available as illegal downloads. In bringing this series to anime fans within days of its premiere we are not only offering unique content and increasing the awareness of the series but we are offering a legal online alternative to illegal file sharing.”

Produced by Gainax co-founder Hiroyuki Yamaga and Gurren Lagann producer Yasuhiro Takeda, the Shikabane Hime anime is based on the manga by Yosiichi Akahito and directed by Masahiko Murata from a screenplay by Shou Aikawa (Fullmetal Alchemist).  The zombie heroine of Shikabane Hime, Makina Hoshimura, is an undead girl who has to track down and destroy 108 zombies in order to gain entry into heaven.