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

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

LUCKY STAR: The Complete Series on BD/DVD

Back in 2008-09, Bandai Entertainment released LUCKY STAR to DVD in the USA. I bought up all the limited edition releases, deluxe boxes containing DVDs with alternate covers, bonus CDs, and T-shirts I could never wear. Bandai went under, and now, some years later, Funimation has rescued the license (alongside HARUHI SUZUMIYA, coming soon), and re-released the series to both DVD and also Blu-ray. My little review here will more or less critique the release, not the show, which is every bit as good as I remember.

Slipcover (left) and insert (right). The imagery is the same on both.

I should start by saying, this is a BD/DVD combo, a concept personally I am not a fan of. I have no particular need for the DVDs (especially considering the fact I have all the original Bandai releases). I wish they'd have just given two separate options. I HAVE known some people to sell off the DVD or BD discs, but that may be a problem here, you'll find out why under the Extras.

Video/Audio: The show looks and sounds great. Very colorful. No complaints.

Subtitles: The subtitles are locked on the BD edition when on the Japanese version. Boo.

Reverse-side cover art.

Extras: There's a pretty decent collection of extras here, a few items not on the original Bandai releases, and a few exclusive to the American DVDs. The main issue is, some of the extras are ONLY on the DVDs, and some are only on the BDs. Meaning, if you're one of those people that sell off the discs you don't want... you're gonna have to keep them if you want those bonuses. Unless I'm incorrect, I believe all of the extras from the Bandai releases are replicated here, including English voice actor interviews which are quite interesting.

Extras come in the form of:
-Both BD/DVD: The OVA (no dub, same as the Bandai release), On-Screen Text Reference Guide*, US Trailer (Funimation)
-BD only: Lucky Racer "Checker Flag in Akihabara & Lucky Racer Highlight", Radio Kansai's Public Recording of "New Lucky Channel"
-DVD only: Promo Clip, The Adventures Of Minoru Shiraishi Parts 1-11, English Voice Cast Interview Parts 1-3

Packaging: Instead of a chipboard artbox, Funimation opted for a double-thick standard BD case with a slipcover, and reversible insert. Nothing terribly exciting. The discs are decorated with the same hand-drawn stars shown on the cover, no character art. No characters on the cover spine, which is a disappointment for me. The reversible cover has a different front image culled from the Bandai "Anime Legends" complete series release, and the back replaces the show description with an Extras listing.

 

If you're new to LUCKY STAR, or just want to upgrade to BD, I highly recommend this release. Here's looking forward to Funimation's grandiose box set of HARUHI SUZIUMIYA in September!

For more info on LUCKY STAR as well as viewable episodes, check out the official site.

STRAWBERRY MARSHMALLOW Available on BD/DVD from Sentai Filmworks

For my first post, I'd like to recommend one of my favorite anime, STRAWBERRY MARSHMALLOW, which has rad a recent resurgence in the USA with two great DVD and Blu-ray releases by Sentai Filmworks (a label of Section23).

The TV series was released back in the 2000s by Geneon, as three DVDs, with optional artbox, and each came with a shitajiki (pencil board). It was given a very nice English dub as well. Since Geneon went under, the series has been out of print. The two followup OVA series went unlicensed in the USA. Earlier this year, Sentai Filmworks announced they had licensed the TV series, and later the two OVA series, for DVD and BD release.

The TV series was released on 05/10, while the OVAs will be out on 07/12, this Tuesday.This review generally covers just the Blu-ray edition, though the DVD should be identical, except for the subtitle details.

Video and Audio: Video quality is very good, not perfect HD, but appears to be upscaled enough to be superior to previous releases. I suspect if they hadn't released the recent BD in Japan it wouldn't have been released on that format in the US. No complaints with the audio, which is presented in both Japanese and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 for the TV series, and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 for the OVAs. The opening and ending text are the original Japanese, likely to retain the HD source; The Geneon DVDs had English credits.

Subtitles: Like some modern anime BD releases, the subtitles are locked on the Japanese language versions, meaning they can't be disabled (except for the the music videos, which may have something to do with them being Standard Def and apparently DVD-sourced). Otherwise, as usual, a nice effort with the subs on Sentai's part.

Extras:  All of the extras on the TV series appear to be retained from the Geneon releases, most importantly the Episode "0" (English dub included), Episode 1 & 2 Digest, Music Videos, Promo Video, TV Spots, Clean Opening and Closing Animations, and of course, trailers for other Sentai releases. The OVAs include Clean Opening and Closing Animations and Sentai trailers. If I recall, the OVAs Japanese releases had Audio Commentaries; those are absent here.

Packaging: The TV series cover uses stock character images, while the OVA uses adorable art by series creator Barasui. Miu and Nobue are used on the cover spines, respectively, and look good on the shelf.

The original English dub is included for the TV series. Unfortunately, no dub was created for the OVAs, but personally I'd rather there be no dub rather than risk re-casting everyone.

I greatly enjoyed re-watching the original series in HD, and finally seeing the OVAs after all these years of holding out. Miu Matsuoka remains my favorite character. While all the girls are cute, she stands out for me, I love her mischievousness. That's not to say Chika, Ana, Matsuri, and Nobue aren't enjoyable as well, although Chika can often seem to be a stick-in-the-mud. The first three OVAs shift character design a little bit, while the final two ENCORE episodes go for a different look. One that looks really good, but is somewhat of a departure from the previous ones, and seems a bit out of place.

I'm glad STRAWBERRY MARSHMALLOW has finally been released in it's completion in America, and by my current favorite anime licensor, no less. If only the manga could be finished as well; only the first five volumes were released in English by Tokyopop. If you enjoy the cute, the moe, I highly recommend this series.

You can purchase it at two of my most preferred retailers, The Right Stuf and BlowItOutaHere.

TV series Blu-ray at The Right Stuf
TV series Blu-ray at BlowItOutaHere

OVA Blu-ray at The Right Stuf
OVA Blu-ray at BlowItOutaHere

BONUS! Episode Listings (with air/release dates):

TV series
01. Birthday (7/14/2005)
02. Ana (7/21/2005)
03. House Call (7/28/2005)
04. Part-time Job (8/18/2005)
05. Sleeping Together (8/25/2005)
06. Midsummer Day (9/1/2005)
07. Sea Bathing (9/1/2005)
08. Festival (9/15/2005)
09. Growing (9/22/2005)
10. Flower (9/29/2005)
11. First Snow (10/6/2005)
12. Present (10/13/2005)

OVA series
01. Scenery (02/23/2007)
02. Always (03/28/2007)
03. Everyday (04/25/2007)

Encore
01. Good Afternoon (01/23/2009)
02. See You Tomorrow (03/25/2009)