Although Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) is the best-known anime creator of superior family film fare, he is not the only director of sensitive animated features that appeal to both children and adults.  Junichi Sato, perhaps most famous for his work on the long-running Sailor Moon series, directed one such classic, Junkers Come Here, in 1995.  Based on Naoto Kine's two-volume novel published in 1989, this sensitive tale of a troubled 11-year-old girl and her talking dog (Junkers) is one of those rare anime features that actually received the official approval of the Japanese Ministry of Education, and continues to be shown throughout Japan at schools and universities.  With her parents on the verge of divorce and the pressures of adulthood looming, Hiromi struggles to restore happiness to her life with only her unique friendship with Junkers to steady her confused pre-teen emotions.  This 105-minute feature will make its American debut on DVD on August 19 and will carry a suggested retail price of $29.98.

The Junkers Come Here DVD features both English and Japanese soundtracks as well as optional English subtitles.  Special features include creator interviews as well as background material on those most involved in making the film.