SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Available Now on BD/DVD

On August 16, Viz Media released their first Blu-ray/DVD combo set of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL, the anime retelling of the series that's far more closely based on the original manga. When it first aired in Japan, I watched a few episodes, but held out for the eventual North American release, and it's finally here.

The standalone BD cover art.

 I had preordered the Right Stuf exclusive version, which is the limited edition but with a bonus "suncatcher" trinket. The limited edition comes with a nice artbox, seven art cards of the Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask, and a booklet with art and episode information.

The first season, coined The Dark Kingdom Arc, consists of 14 episodes. I really enjoyed watching them. As a big fan of the original anime, and Sailor Moon in general, I found this to be quite different but still very good. The story in general is more tight, and gone is any sort of filler they padded out the original series with (not that that's necessarily a bad thing). Although in some ways more story is given, such as the backstories of the villains, something that was changed and pretty much eliminated in the original series. It's more serious in tone as well, leaving little room for any jokes or wackiness present in the original. Once the story arc is resolved, the end of episode 14 moves into the Black Moon plot, ending on a hell of a cliffhanger. Hopefully it won't take too long for the second season to be released here. Also I must say, the score was pretty good, a few so-so moments, but there's a handful of tracks that were pretty beautiful, although used kind of excessively.

Packaging and contents of the limited edition.

Like the classic series, Viz did a great job with the dub, all of the characters sound great and their voices match them (a couple even sound a bit similar to their original DIC dub actresses). Video and audio sound great. Subtitles for both languages are locked and you have to make your selections from the menu. There aren't many extras, but they include a "Behind The Scenes - Introduction To Sailor Moon Crystal" featurette, starring five of the voice actors and runs about 14 minutes, a US CRYSTAL trailer, clean opening and closing themes, a Viz trailer reel (including classic SAILOR MOON and SAILOR MOON R), and art galleries on both discs.

I look forward to the inevitable release of season 2, as well as the upcoming Viz release of SAILOR MOON S. You can buy CRYSTAL at The Right Stuf from the links below.

Limited Edition BD/DVD with Suncatcher
Limited Edition BD/DVD
BD/DVD
DVD

Power Morphicon 5 (2016)

Last weekend I attended Power Morphicon in Pasadena, California. It was the fourth one I've attended of the five held; I wasn't able to go to the first one. I flew out Thursday evening (on Spirit airlines, which was a new experience for me). Fortunately I'd found some good people to stay with at the Sheraton Pasadena, which is right next to the convention center where PMC is held.

Me and Latham Gaines (as Mesogog).

The next morning I was up in time to pick up my badge and other goodies. I'd pre-registered a whole year ago, to get one of the coveted higher-level memberships, in this case Gold Ranger status. This entitled me to extra items and early access to the exhibition hall, and so forth. For lunch I stopped by a nearby (and apparently relatively-new) restaurant called CaliBurger, which was pretty good. I'd go again the next day.

The con opened at 4pm, but for the Gold and Platinum members, we got in at 3, and I made my way right to the guest booths. The first person I got to meet was Justin Nimmo, who played Zhane the Silver Ranger in POWER RANGERS IN SPACE. I am an avid collector of Power Rangers, kaiju, and anime autographs, so meeting the guests and getting signed photos is the highlight of the con for me. As a huge fan of the villains, I was very happy to finally meet Latham Gaines (Mesogog/Anton Mercer), Paul Freeman (Ivan Ooze), Kate Sheldon (Nadira), and Carla Perez (Rita Repulsa in the American footage). I surprised Valerie Landon (Kendrix the Pink Galaxy Ranger) with a photo of a monster she voiced, Contemptra, and she said she'd never been asked to sign one before. That evening, I attended the villains panel, which seemed better moderated than last time, though a few attending villain-actors weren't present. It was still very enjoyable. Later on there was a trivia contest, which somehow I managed to emerge as the first place winner, if not only only for my knowledge of the villains and monsters.

Zyuranger henshin.

The next day I was up early to ensure I got a wristband that entitled me to attend the POWER RANGERS DINO CHARGE cast signing. I attended the DINO CHARGE panel, where they (as hoped by many) revealed the cast for next year's NINJA STEEL, followed by the ZYURANGER panel, which was also informative and entertaining. It was great to see the (partial) cast of this Sentai do their henshin and battle poses.

The DINO CHARGE signing was then held, and everyone got an exclusive poster to be signed by the seven attending Dino Charge Rangers; However, with permission, I also got individual photos I brought from home signed as well, a two for one deal! After meeting more guests, I went to the cosplay contest. There were some pretty impressive costumes, winners included the Dino Megazord, Dragonzord, and Claw Battlezord. To finish off the evening in a very non-Power Rangers way, I went to the nearby theatre to see SAUSAGE PARTY (it was hilarious).

Claw Battlezord, Dino Megazord, and Blue Senturion cosplayers.

Sunday morning, I walked (argh!) all the way to the Westin Hotel, where the Gold/Platinum breakfast was being held. You had to pay extra for this and could only get it as a Gold/Platinum member. Each table got a random guest to eat with, the one at our table was Jack Guzman (Danny the Black Wild Force Ranger) who was entertaining to talk to.

After breakfast, I returned to the convention center, where I would finally get the chance to meet the Japanese guests from ZYURANGER and DAIRANGER. I also got to meet Tsutomu Kitagawa again, who I previously met at G-FEST. He's best known for his work as Godzilla in five of the Millennium series films, as well as Super Sentai stunt-work. However, I was after a signed photo of him as Cretaceous King Ghidorah this time, as I already have a few signed Godzilla items. All of the Japanese guests were awesome and an honor to meet.

Tsutomu Kitagawa (Godzilla, stunt Shishi Ranger), me, and Keiichi Wada (Ryuu Ranger).

I finally got to meet voice actor Lex Lang, who, due to unfortunate circumstances, couldn't make it to the con until Sunday. He was the voice of Ecliptor, Rygog, Louie Kaboom, Zen-Aku, and Lerigot,  the former four of whom I got signed photos of.

I then spent a while stalking the silent auctions. They had two figured of the DINO CHARGE villain Curio, who is difficult to find in stores. They had two of them as one auction lot, one being the US version, and the other the (for some reason) differently named UK version. They sold for an amazingly low $20. I had no cash left, and very little money to speak of. I waited until the winning bidder showed up. I started to haggle, saying if he wanted to sell one, I could offer a very small amount if he took Paypal... He GAVE the US one to me. Turns out he only really wanted the UK one... THANK YOU, SIR. I was so grateful. Wanting to end the con on a high note, I headed back to the hotel to finish packing my stuff, and made my way to the airport. I didn't want another debacle like last time.... but that's a whole other, unfortunate story.

Dino Charge Rangers at the Bandai booth.

Overall, another GREAT Power Morphicon, and I hope they'll be having it again in two years. I can almost assure you I'll be there.

THE RETURN OF GODZILLA On BD/DVD September 13

Image Copyright Section23 Films & Kraken Releasing

Kraken Releasing, a label of Section23 Films, will release THE RETURN OF GODZILLA to Blu-ray and DVD on September 13. This will mark the first release of any version of this film in North America in nineteen years, since Anchor Bay released GODZILLA 1985 on VHS. GODZILLA 1985 was my first Godzilla film and remains one of my favorites to this day, in either of its forms. Sadly, this release will not include that cut, which featured additional scenes with Raymond Burr, not-so-subtle Dr. Pepper plugs, and other edits. While its exclusion is unfortunate, it's great this film is finally seeing any sort of release in the USA. Now, every Godzilla film is available on DVD here.

Like many others, I ordered from a particular retailer, and obtained my copy early. I'm pretty happy with the final product. The video is about on par with the Japanese Blu-ray release, and while far from perfect, is pretty serviceable. Kraken interestingly chose to go with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio for both Japanese and English languages, no other option is provided. The English dub is a new mix, combining the international dub dialogue track (previously released only outside the US) inserted into the newer 5.1 sound effect and music remix. Both sound pretty good. Perhaps this is what should have been done when GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE was released a few years ago.

The subtitles have proven to be the source of a bit of controversy. The subs are "locked", in that you can't remove them via remote nor menu. You have two choices on the menu, Japanese language audio with full subtitles (dialogue and onscreen text), or English audio with only onscreen text (title, locations, etc.) subtitles. Either way, while the film plays, you can't disable them via the remote or toggle the subs or audio. This has become increasingly common on recent anime releases, from both Section23 and others, and I believe it's to discourage reverse importing back to Japan. I don't see this as much of a problem, personally. As far as the quality of the subs they seem pretty good, and Kraken does what Section23 (and ADV Films before it) does well, providing very full and detailed onscreen subtitling, with a variety of fonts and colors. Not many companies go to that kind of trouble.

Image Copyright Toho Co. Ltd.

The extras are few, but having anything at all is welcome. The original full theatrical trailer (not the teaser), fully subtitled. Trailer for Kraken's other three G-films are provided as well: EBIRAH - HORROR OF THE DEEP, GODZILLA VS. GIGAN, and GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH.

The package art matches their previous releases, using the original photo-style theatrical poster on the front. Personally I'm not a big fan of the sensationalistic taglines they've used for their Godzilla releases, but I guess, whatever helps sell more of these things.

Overall, I find this to be a pretty pleasing release. Yes, is could have more extras, and the American cut is glaringly absent. But it's not like they didn't try. This was made by fans for fans, and I recommend adding it to your collection today.

To get it NOW, head over the The Right Stuf:

Blu-ray
DVD