AnimEigo Announces Five New Anime Blu-ray Licenses at Otakon 2026, Including ReLIFE and Antique Bakery

AnimEigo expands its 2027 home media lineup with Blu-ray releases of ReLIFE, Antique Bakery, Dog of Flanders: The Movie, Ruin Explorers: Fam & Ihrie, and Welcome to Ibaru's Office.

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Dog of Flanders promotional art

AnimEigo has revealed five new anime licenses during its panel at Otakon 2026, significantly expanding its upcoming Blu-ray home media catalog for fans of classic and hard-to-find anime. The distributor, alongside parent company MediaOCD, announced that Antique Bakery, Dog of Flanders: The Movie, ReLIFE, Ruin Explorers: Fam & Ihrie, and Welcome to Ibaru’s Office will all receive Blu-ray releases beginning in 2027.

The announcement covers a wide range of genres, from slice-of-life and comedy to fantasy adventure and psychological drama. Several of the titles have been unavailable on home video for years, while others will receive newly restored editions that preserve their original presentation. With these additions, AnimEigo continues its long-running focus on bringing classic and overlooked anime to collectors across North America through high-quality Blu-ray releases.

AnimEigo’s Otakon 2026 announcements include ReLIFE, Antique Bakery, and more

One of the headline announcements is ReLIFE, the 2016 comedy-drama based on YayoiSo’s manga. The series follows 27-year-old Arata Kaizaki, who joins an experimental rehabilitation program that physically transforms him into his teenage self, allowing him to relive one year of high school in an effort to rebuild his life. Originally released by Funimation, the anime has been out of print for several years. AnimEigo confirmed it will release both the 13-episode television series and its four-episode OVA in a comprehensive Blu-ray edition.

Another notable addition is Antique Bakery, a slice-of-life series centered on four men working together at a French bakery in Tokyo. Adapted from Fumi Yoshinaga’s award-winning manga, the series is recognized for its character-driven storytelling and will receive its first AnimEigo Blu-ray release in 2027.

Fans of emotional classics can also look forward to Dog of Flanders: The Movie. The 1997 film reimagines the beloved 1975 anime, following a young boy and his loyal dog as they navigate hardship in 19th-century Flanders while pursuing the dream of becoming a celebrated painter. AnimEigo plans to release a new 4K-restored Blu-ray of the original uncut Pioneer version, complete with the English dub featuring actor Robert Loggia.

The publisher also announced Ruin Explorers: Fam & Ihrie, a four-episode fantasy adventure OVA originally released in 1995. Written and directed by Takeshi Mori, the story follows treasure hunters Fam and Ihrie as they search for the legendary “Ultimate Power.” The Blu-ray edition will feature a new HD restoration when it launches in 2027.

Rounding out the lineup is Welcome to Ibaru’s Office, the 2009 psychological anime directed by Kenji Nakamura and produced by Toei Animation. Based on Hideo Okuda’s acclaimed short story collection, the series follows eccentric psychiatrist Dr. Ichiro Irabu as he treats patients whose psychological stress manifests in unusual physical ways. The title will make its Blu-ray debut in 2027.

Founded in 1989, AnimEigo has spent more than three decades preserving and distributing anime and Japanese live-action films throughout North America. Known for its emphasis on high-quality translations, subtitles, and restoration work, the company continues to expand its catalog with both celebrated classics and titles that have become increasingly difficult for fans to obtain. The five newly announced licenses reinforce that commitment, offering collectors another strong slate of Blu-ray releases scheduled throughout 2027.

Verified since 2023 Content Writer

Eric Johnson. known as EJ, is a Content Writer at OtakuKart with a distinctive crossover background: a real-life occupational therapist who covers politics, research, and video games. His writing brings a different lens to entertainment coverage, drawing on his clinical experience to write thoughtfully on media themes that overlap with behavior, decision-making, and culture.

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