UK Anime Distributor Anime Limited Discussion Thread

[ayase]

Re: Patlabor (because quote limits)

I own the Beez/Bandai special editions of Patlabor 1&2, they are truly things of beauty and some of my favourite releases of all time.

However, as a big Patlabor fan I've been importing the OVA and TV releases from Neo ADV (Side Maiden Japan) and will be buying the movies from them as well. It's a shame I didn't feel able to support MVM's releases of the OVAs, but I knew the likelihood of Patlabor on TV being released in the UK was virtually zero and therefore I'd rather have a matching set of US releases.

I'm happy to keep my special DVD sets and supplement them with basic BDs for the improved sound and picture. If I remember rightly the special edition DVDs didn't sell so well either as they ended up being cleared out at a fraction of RRP - Whether this is still indicative of the series' (lack of) popularity the UK now I don't know. As for a trilogy release, in my opinion WXIII is the "Godfather III" of Patlabor films and really doesn't belong in the same box.

I'd certainly buy it as long as you topped the US release. Which wouldn't be hard, considering that it has no extras at all. I don't think any of the releases so far have included the original Japanese stereo tracks either, instead going for the 5.1 remixes.

You're talking about the US Patlabor releases? All of mine have DTS-HD 2.0 for English and Japanese audio tracks, no 5.1 at all... I mean I only have two speakers so I can't really tell any difference between stereo and surround, but I presume that's right.

 

[Yami]

You're talking about the US Patlabor releases? All of mine have DTS-HD 2.0 for English and Japanese audio tracks, no 5.1 at all... I mean I only have two speakers so I can't really tell any difference between stereo and surround, but I presume that's right.

The TV series has 2.0 tracks, but I seem to recall that Patlabor 1 & 2 were only ever issued with 5.1 "sound renewal" tracks for which the cast re-recorded all of the dialogue. I think at the Japanese Blu-Ray reinstates the original theatrical 2.0, so hopefully it's ported across to the upcoming US release as it wasn't on the one released in Hong Kong.

 

[ayase]

Huh, I just looked at my special edition DVDs and you're quite correct. There's a whole section in the booklet about the audio renewal I somewhat embarrassingly have never actually read. But I am reading it right now and Oshii does stress that the whole idea behind it was to make it better in surround without making it worse for those listening in stereo by not using all of the channels all of the time - It was apparently mixed specifically to ensure the experience for those listening to the 5.1 with only two speakers should be just as good as 2.0:

All in all, we stuck to a simple set of guidelines. The rationale behind this came from how I had been disappointed with other films that used the 5.1 channel audio setup. The sound source is distributed in such a way that I can't understand what's being said. If you try listening to such a film without the benefit of rear speakers, it sounds absolutely awful.

It also explains how the original audio master for the vocal tracks had been lost so there was no way to remaster it and they had to re-record. I don't believe I've ever heard the original theatrical audio if that's the case.

 

[Lutga]

Not sure if someone's posted this already, but the BBFC have passed Wings of Honnamise as uncut and included insight details:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/wings-honneamise-video

THE WINGS OF HONNEAMISE is an animated feature, set on an alternative Earth that is attempting to launch its first manned spacecraft.

VIOLENCE
There is a scene in which a man intrudes on a woman who is undressing, and forces himself on her. The woman struggles against the assault and there is brief sight of nudity, before an indication that the man has had second thoughts about what he is doing. The woman makes her own intervention to halt the attack. There is also some moderate violence, featuring shootings and stabbings that result in bloody injury.

There are also some mild sex references and mild bad language.

 

[HdE]

On the subject of Patlabor... yeah, I'd go for a UK re-release of the movies.

I have them all on DVD, and I'd love to get my hands on hi-def remastered editions of the first two. WXIII definitely needs to be part of any such package though. Apart from being more Patlabor and looking gorgeous, it also enjoy the rare distinction of being, essentially, kaiju anime. I'm not really spoiling anything by saying that.

For the right price, I think those three movies would make an excellent package all by themselves.

 

[ayase]

I've said before of WXIII that it's not a bad film, but it is a bad Patlabor film.

Why? Patlabor's real strength is not in its world or even its giant robots, it's in its characters. Characters who are absent for the vast majority of WXIII's runtime and when they do show up, are incidental to the plot. Hell, if they'd wanted to make a Patlabor detective story there were even established detectives in the Patlabor universe (Matsui and Kataoka) but WXIII just creates two completely new ones for us to follow through most of the film. Why this happened I don't know - Oshii obviously wasn't interested in returning, perhaps the voice actors were no longer really interested in reprising their roles either, or the new writer and director felt unable or unwilling to include them in any significant way.

Ultimately WXIII feels like a stand alone film with the Patlabor name and characters tacked on. Is it well written and directed? Yes. Is it beautiful to look at? Yes. But is it, at its core, really Patlabor? For me, the answer to that question is a resounding no. I wish it were. Patlabor deserved a better send off, and I prefer to think it ended with Patlabor 2 which is all-around brilliant.

And now it's probably time for me to stop spamming the AL thread with Patlabor.

 

[anime_andrew]

On the subject of Patlabor... yeah, I'd go for a UK re-release of the movies.

I have them all on DVD, and I'd love to get my hands on hi-def remastered editions of the first two. WXIII definitely needs to be part of any such package though. Apart from being more Patlabor and looking gorgeous, it also enjoy the rare distinction of being, essentially, kaiju anime. I'm not really spoiling anything by saying that.

For the right price, I think those three movies would make an excellent package all by themselves.

I think my core issue is between Manga & Beez they kind of drove the market to the ground for 1 & 2. I mean it's super hard to rival the quality of the Bandai Collector's edition which we sold at Beez even if it was DVD only (in many ways it was just ahead of it's time there now retrospectively as a release).

I'm a fan but yeah, there are plenty of titles back from when I was at Beez I'm in the process of closing that do deserve a second shot in BD and/or collector's editions . I doubt anyone will be surprised by what I choose .

AP

 

[anime_andrew]

Not sure if someone's posted this already, but the BBFC have passed Wings of Honnamise as uncut and included insight details:

FYI - also adding a chapter skip for that particular scene referenced in insight.

AP

 

[Jatz]

I'm a fan but yeah, there are plenty of titles back from when I was at Beez I'm in the process of closing that do deserve a second shot in BD and/or collector's editions . I doubt anyone will be surprised by what I choose .

AP

Tatami Galaxy, House of Five Leaves, Sound of the Sky, Planetes and Patlabor. AHHHHHH! Why would you say such a thing! Now I can't wait to see if you guys do end up getting any of them. :lol:

 

[Peachy]

I'm a fan but yeah, there are plenty of titles back from when I was at Beez I'm in the process of closing that do deserve a second shot in BD and/or collector's editions . I doubt anyone will be surprised by what I choose .

AP

Tatami Galaxy, House of Five Leaves, Sound of the Sky, Planetes and Patlabor. AHHHHHH! Why would you say such a thing! Now I can't wait to see if you guys do end up getting any of them. :lol:

I'd put money on the titles being Planetes & Wolf's Rain.

(Which I hope it is, missed out on both first time round)

 

[jonno394]

I'm a fan but yeah, there are plenty of titles back from when I was at Beez I'm in the process of closing that do deserve a second shot in BD and/or collector's editions . I doubt anyone will be surprised by what I choose .

AP

Tatami Galaxy, House of Five Leaves, Sound of the Sky, Planetes and Patlabor. AHHHHHH! Why would you say such a thing! Now I can't wait to see if you guys do end up getting any of them. :lol:

I'd put money on the titles being Planetes & Wolf's Rain.

(Which I hope it is, missed out on both first time round)

Yes please Danielle, always wanted to watch both of those shows!

HotFL is fantastic and the NISA set looks great, would love a UK CE release.

 

[Durial666]

I'm a fan but yeah, there are plenty of titles back from when I was at Beez I'm in the process of closing that do deserve a second shot in BD and/or collector's editions . I doubt anyone will be surprised by what I choose .

AP

Tatami Galaxy, House of Five Leaves, Sound of the Sky, Planetes and Patlabor. AHHHHHH! Why would you say such a thing! Now I can't wait to see if you guys do end up getting any of them. :lol:

I'll be all over those if they were re-released on Blu-Ray.

 

[Dan]

Would you guys have any interest in releasing a Blu-Ray version of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust or do you know if anyone else in the UK would? I know Discotek have announced it in the US and wondering whether to import when it comes out.

Btw I know this doesn't fit your usual releases but I had to ask.

 

[HdE]

Wolf's Rain really does deserve the Anime Limited treatment. That show is just absolutely fantastic. I'd double dip for a bebop style Blu-ray collection without hesitation.

Heck - it'd even be a case of 'make it a CE box with the soundtrack all-in and I'll pay the asking price without complaint.'

 

[Yami]

Wolf's Rain would be a good release, but I presume it would be DVD-only considering there's not one out in Japan? (In fact, was it filmed on SD video? I presume so)

Would you guys have any interest in releasing a Blu-Ray version of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust or do you know if anyone else in the UK would? I know Discotek have announced it in the US and wondering whether to import when it comes out.

Speaking of Discotek, I'd be curious to know if Anime Limited have any plans for the utterly sublime and brilliant Night on the Galactic Railroad. Otherwise, I'll just import the upcoming. Discotek Blu-Ray

 

[Rui]

I wouldn't personally re-buy Wolf's Rain as I already have the old UK LE and it already has the extras and presentation covered. I'd pick up a cheap BD set if a proper BD version from HD masters was available, but I'm done buying Wolf's Rain LEs for this lifetime. This is probably the kind of fatigue that Andrew is worried about with the Patlabor films with their exceptional old releases (though the WR set sold out quickly so the market might be far from saturated).

However, please do bring on The Tatami Galaxy. I'd be all over that.

R

 

[NoSurprises]

Does anyone else who owns the Beez Tatami Galaxy DVDs have massive issues getting them to play? The menu's simply do not work for me, or crash the player, I end up having to chapter select the episodes... So I'd also appreciate a re-release.

Other Beez blu-ray re-releases I would jump on are Eureka Seven and Diebuster.

 

[Jatz]

However, please do bring on The Tatami Galaxy. I'd be all over that.

R

I'm the same. One of my favourite series ever. It would be cool if it was similar to the JP release packaging.

Does anyone else who owns the Beez Tatami Galaxy DVDs have massive issues getting them to play? The menu's simply do not work for me, or crash the player, I end up having to chapter select the episodes... So I'd also appreciate a re-release.

Other Beez blu-ray re-releases I would jump on are Eureka Seven and Diebuster.

The only problems I've noticed are with the music and the DVD not working properly with playback.

 

[Lavigne]

The legal issues surrounding Macross continue to baffle me, not least because Macross Plus is available legally from Manga via iTunes, but is phsically OOP.

I really wish Bandai would step up and take HG to the cleaners over their vice-like grip on the Macross franchise outside of Japan.

Yes you did Robotech back when I was in short pants. Thanks, but that's no excuse for the tenuous and greedy hold that is still maintained over everything that's come since.

Bandai should just make their domestic discs English friendly and region free. They'd cost a bomb but at least they'd be available.

ETA: really enjoyed the podcast - look forward to the next one

 

[anime_andrew]

Wolf's Rain would be a good release, but I presume it would be DVD-only considering there's not one out in Japan? (In fact, was it filmed on SD video? I presume so)

It was on the cusp between era's so the biggest reason it's not been announced by anyone is even in Japan they are trying to figure out if BD is viable. I have a sneaking feeling there's some hope for it yet though...

Speaking of Discotek, I'd be curious to know if Anime Limited have any plans for the utterly sublime and brilliant Night on the Galactic Railroad. Otherwise, I'll just import the upcoming. Discotek Blu-Ray

Looking at - but it's not high up my list on acquisition (got a few films on the way though).

AP