Fans of a hit Japanese cartoon are taking legal action against Walt Disney because they say action on the film's DVD release is a different colour from the cinema version, according to a report.

Spirited Away broke box office records in Japan, and three million copies of the DVD have been sold.

But three fans have filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney's Japanese division, saying the playback is more red than it should be, which spoils the film, according to industry publication Screen Daily.

There are hundreds of thousands of consumers who have been disappointed

Tetsuya Otani Lawyer

The three are seeking 10,000 yen (�50) per person in damages, plus replacement copies of the DVD, the Screen Daily website says.

The three fans have done a computer analysis of the film to back up their claim, according to the report.

The colour of the DVD version of the film is "totally different" from that on the big screen, they said.

The film company responded with the statement: "Given that colours differ depending on the replay environment, we ask for your understanding."

Although the amounts of compensation sought are relatively small, there could be damaging repercussions for Disney if the fans' suit is successful, Screen Daily says.

Complaints

Disgruntled customers have left messages on fan websites and flooded the Disney headquarters with complaints.

But the company has said it would not compensate fans.

The lawyer for the three fans, Tetsuya Otani, said: "There are hundreds of thousands of consumers who have been disappointed with the DVD of this wonderful film."

"We hope to clarify the truth of this matter in court," he said, according to Screen Daily.

Spirited Away blew Titanic out of the water with unprecedented box-office takings when it was released in July 2001.

It is a story of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl who is whisked away to a spirit world.

The film was brought to the big screen by Japanese master animator Hayao Miyazaki.