The UK DVD and BD Locked Subtitles Thread

Magical Senshi

Magical Senshi

Magical Girl
Recently, a lot of Anime Blu-ray releases in the UK were given the locked subtitles treatment, probably due to fears of reverse importation, despite the fact that the UK and Japan have different region codes (UK is Region B, Japan is Region A). In most cases, the releases are taken directly from the North American releases that are affected, but sometimes, the releases are authored in the UK, France (in the case of Kaze releases) or Australia (mostly in the case of Hanabee's BD releases). In some cases, DVD releases are affected too (including DVD only releases).

For those who don't know what locked subtitles are (although most of you probably do), it's where changing the subtitles option and switching them off completely is not allowed. Your subtitle option is locked to the full translated subtitles track for the Japanese audio, and the songs/signs track for the English audio.

As far as I'm aware, the companies releasing the DVDs and BDs don't announce whether the subtitles will be locked or not prior to the release, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

The following rules have been applied:
  • If the subtitles can be toggled during playback or via the pop-up menu, but can't be switched off completely, then it will be considered locked
  • Hardsubbed releases will be included in this list
  • Releases where only the special features have locked subtitles/hardsubs won't be included unless one of those special features happen to be an OVA
  • When reporting locked releases on this thread, please include as much information as possible, which includes the title, the UK distributor, the Japanese licensor and the release date, and in the case of Blu-ray releases, please state if the DVD counterpart is locked too
You can use this format to keep things organised:
[Title] - [Publisher]

Example:
Gatchaman Crowds - Animatsu
 
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Blu-ray releases:

  • A Certain Magical Index Season 1 - Animatsu
  • A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 1 - Animatsu
  • Absolute Duo - Anime Limited
  • Accel World - MVM
  • Ajin: Demi-Human - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Akame ga Kill! - Animatsu (DVDs also locked)
  • Aldnoah.Zero Season 1 - Anime Limited
  • Angelic Layer - Anime Limited
  • Aoharu x Machinegun - Anime Limited
  • Assassination Classroom - Anime Limited (first release)/Funimation UK (second release)
  • Asura Cryin' - MVM
  • Attack on Titan Season 2 onwards - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Season 2)/Manga (Season 3 onwards)
  • Attack on Titan: Junior High - Anime Limited
  • Attack on Titan: Roar of Awakening - Anime Limited
  • Bakuon!! - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Beyond the Boundary - Animatsu (DVDs also locked)
  • Beyond the Boundary: I'll Be Here - Manga (DVDs also locked)
  • Black Clover - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Season 1 Part 1 only)/Manga (subsequent releases)
  • Black Lagoon - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail - Kaze (first release)/Anime Limited (second release) (DVDs also locked (Kaze only))
  • Bladedance of Elementalers - Animatsu
  • Blazblue: Alter Memory - Anime Limited
  • Bleach The Movie: Memories of Nobody - Manga/Kaze
  • Bleach The Movie 2: The Diamond Dust Rebellion - Manga/Kaze
  • Bleach The Movie 3: Fade to Black - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Bleach The Movie 4: Hell Verse - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Blood: The Last Vampire - Manga
  • Blood-C - Manga (first release)/Anime Limited (second release)
  • Brothers Conflict - Anime Limited
  • Brynhildr in the Darkness - Animatsu
  • Bungo Stray Dogs - Manga
  • Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple - Manga
  • Calamity of a Zombie Girl - Anime Limited
  • Cardcaptor Sakura - Anime Limited
  • Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card - Manga
  • Chaika - The Coffin Princess - Animatsu (DVDs also locked)
  • Chivalry of a Failed Knight - MVM
  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion - Kaze (first release)/Manga (second release) (DVDs also locked (Kaze only))
  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation - Anime Limited
  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II - Transgression - Anime Limited
  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III - Glorification - Anime Limited
  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection - Anime Limited
  • Cowboy Bebop Part 2 - Anime Limited
  • Dai Shogun - MVM
  • Danganronpa The Animation - Manga
  • DARLING in the FRANXX - Manga
  • Devils and Realist - MVM
  • Devils' Line - MVM
  • Escaflowne: The Movie Standard Edition - Anime Limited
  • Eureka Seven - Hi-Evolution 1 - Anime Limited
  • Expelled from Paradise - Anime Limited
  • Fairy Tail Collection 6 (Disc 3) - 11 - Manga
  • Fairy Tail: Final Season - Manga
  • Fairy Tail - Dragon Cry - Anime Limited
  • Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya - Anime Limted
  • Food Wars! - Animatsu
  • Food Wars! The Second Plate - Animatsu
  • Free! -Eternal Summer- - Anime Limited
  • From the New World - MVM
  • Fruits Basket (2001) - MVM
  • Fruits Basket (2019) - Manga
  • Fullmetal Alchemist - Anime Limited
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Manga
  • Fusé: Memoirs of the Hunter Girl - Anime Limited
  • Gangsta. - Anime Limited
  • Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo - Anime Limited
  • Gatchaman Crowds - Animatsu
  • Giovanni's Island - Anime Limited
  • Girlish Number - MVM (DVDs are hardsubbed)
  • Girls' Last Tour - MVM
  • Goblin Slayer - Manga
  • Golden Kamuy - Funimation UK
  • Gonna Be the Twin-Tail!! - Anime Limited
  • Grimoire of Zero - MVM (DVD has main subtitles unlocked, signs locked)
  • Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl - MVM
  • Gundam - Reconguista in G - Anime Limited
  • Gurren Lagann: The Movie - Anime Limited
  • Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto - Manga
  • Heavy Object - Anime Limited
  • Hello!! Kinmoza! - Animatsu (DVDs also locked)
  • Hellsing Ultimate Volume IX - X - Manga
  • Himouto! Umaru-chan - Animatsu (DVDs also locked)
  • Hyouka - Anime Limited (first release)/Funimation UK (second release)
  • In Another World With My Smartphone - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
  • Initial D Legend 1: Awakening - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • Initial D Legend 2: Racer - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • Initial D Legend 3: Dream - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? - Animatsu
  • JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Season 1 - Kaze
  • Jormungand Season 1 and 2 (Perfect Order) - Manga
  • K - Kaze (first release)/Anime Limited (second release) (DVDs also locked (Kaze only))
  • Kill la Kill - Anime Limited
  • Kiss Him, Not Me - Anime Limited
  • Kiznaiver - Anime Limited
  • Kokkoku: Moment By Moment - Anime Limited
  • Knights of Sidonia Season 1 - Animatsu
  • Land of the Lustrous - MVM
  • Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing - Manga
  • Lord Marksman and Vanadis - Anime Limited
  • Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! - Animatsu
  • Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Heart Throb - Manga/Animatsu
  • Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! The Movie: Rikka Version - Manga
  • Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! The Movie: Take On Me - Manga
  • Love Live! Sunshine!! - Anime Limited
  • Lu Over the Wall - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Lucky Star - Anime Limited
  • Lupin the 3rd Part IV - Anime Limited
  • Made in Abyss - MVM
  • Magi: The Kingdom of Magic - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Maid Sama! - MVM (DVDs also locked (second half only))
  • Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Matoi the Sacred Slayer - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • Mikagura School Suite - Anime Limited
  • Mind Game - Anime Limited
  • Mirai Nikki: The Future Diary - Kaze (first release)/Anime Limited (second release) (DVDs also locked (Kaze only))
  • Miss Hokusai - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam the Origin I - IV - Anime Limited
  • Mobile Suit Gundam the Origin V - VI - Anime Limited
  • Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ - Anime Limited
  • Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam - Anime Limited
  • Momotaro, Sacred Sailors - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Monster Musume - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • My-HiME - Anime Limited
  • My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU - Animatsu
  • Nekomonogatari Black - MVM (DVDs also locked) (Subtitles unlocked if episodes are selected individually)
  • Nekomonogatari White - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • Night is Short Walk on Girl - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Nisekoi: False Love - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • No Game No Life - MVM
  • No Game No Life: Zero - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • No-Rin - Anime Limited
  • Noein: To Your Other Self - Anime Limited
  • One-Punch Man - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Overlord - Anime Limited (first release)/Manga (second release) - Kadokawa - 12-06-17
  • Overlord II - Manga - Kadokawa - 25-02-19
  • Overlord III - Manga - Kadokawa - 23-09-19
  • Parasyte ~the maxim~ - Animatsu (DVDs also locked)
  • Patema Inverted - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Penguin Highway - Anime Limited
  • Persona4 The Animation - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Pigtails and Other Short Stories from Production I.G - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Ping Pong -The Animation- - Anime Limited
  • Plastic Memories - Anime Limited (Subtitles unlocked if episodes are selected individually (Part 1 only))
  • Princess Arete - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • Princess Principal - MVM
  • Prison School - Anime Limited (first release)/Manga (second release)
  • Project Itoh: Harmony - Anime Limited
  • Project Itoh: The Empire of Corpses - Anime Limited
  • Psychic School Wars - Anime Limited
  • Psycho Pass 2 - Anime Limited
  • Psycho Pass: The Movie - Anime Limited
  • Rage of Bahamut: Genesis - Anime Limited
  • Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- - Anime Limited
  • Robotics;Notes - Manga
  • Rokka -Braves of the Six Flowers- - Anime Limited
  • Roujin Z - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Saga of Tanya the Evil - Manga
  • Samurai Flamenco - Anime Limited
  • Sasami-san@Ganbaranai - MVM
  • School-Live! - Animatsu (DVDs also locked)
  • Scum's Wish - MVM
  • Selector Infected WIXOSS - Anime Limited
  • Seven Mortal Sins - MVM
  • Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist - Anime Limited
  • Shomin Sample - Anime Limited
  • Show By Rock!! - Anime Limtied
  • Silver Spoon - Anime Limited
  • Snow White with the Red Hair - Anime Limited
  • Sound! Euphonium Season 1 - Anime Limited
  • Space Dandy - Anime Limited
  • Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 - Manga
  • STARMYU Season 1 - MVM
  • Steins;Gate: The Movie - Load Region of Déjà Vu - Manga
  • Steins;Gate 0 - Manga
  • Sword Art Online - Manga (Main subtitles unlocked, Songs and Signs locked)
  • Sword Oratoria: Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • Sword of the Stranger - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - Manga
  • The Ancient Magus' Bride - Manga
  • The Asterisk War - MVM (Main subtitles unlocked (Both Formats), Signs Locked (BD)/Hardsubbed (DVD, Part 1 Only))
  • The Case of Hana & Alice - Anime Limited (DVDs also locked)
  • The Comic Artist and His Assistants - Animatsu
  • The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - Manga
  • The Heroic Legend or Arslan Season II: Dust Storm Dance - MVM
  • The Perfect Insider - Animatsu
  • The Testament of Sister New Devil - Anime Limited
  • The Testament of Sister New Devil BURST - Anime Limited
  • Terror in Resonance - Anime Limited
  • Tokyo ESP - Anime Limited
  • Tokyo Ghoul Season 1 and 2 - Anime Limited
  • Tokyo Ghoul:re Parts 1 and 2 - Anime Limited
  • Toradora! - MVM
  • Twin Star Exorcists - Anime Limited
  • Un-Go - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Vatican Miracle Examiner - MVM
  • WataMote - MVM
  • Welcome to the Ballroom - Anime Limited
  • When They Cry - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • When They Cry Kai - MVM (DVDs also locked)
  • When They Cry Rei - MVM
  • Wise Man's Grandchild - Manga
  • Wolf's Rain - Anime Limited
  • World Conquest Zvezda Plot - Kaze (DVDs also locked)
  • Yona of the Dawn Parts 1 and 2 - Anime Limited (first release)/Funimation UK (second release)
  • Yuri!!! On Ice - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
  • Yurikuma Arashi - Anime Limited
 
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DVD Only releases (and DVD releases where the Blu-ray release is unaffected):
  • Bakuman Season 1 - Kaze
  • Bleach Season 9 - 16 - Kaze
  • Cat Planet Cuties - Manga
  • Dream Eater Merry - MVM
  • In This Corner of the World - Manga/Animatsu (Main subtitles unlocked, Songs and Signs Hardsubbed)*
  • Kino's Journey - Anime Limited
  • One Piece Collection 24 Disc 3 onwards - Funimation UK
  • Princess Jellyfish - Kaze
  • So, I Can't Play H - MVM (Hardsubbed)
  • Summer Ghost - Anime Limited*
  • Summer Wars - Manga*
  • Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop) - MVM
*Indicates that the Blu-ray release has completely optional subtitles.
 
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I know this thread needs to be given an update, as it's been a while, but from what I've read on Fandom Post from user "Onikirimaru", who made his own list featuring Blu-ray releases from the US with statuses regarding subtitles being locked or unlocked.

This is the link here (US releases only):
http://www.lockedsubs.byethost7.com/

He also stated that there's a trick to unlock subtitles from only a few releases from Sentai Filmworks that would otherwise have locked subtitles (those released from late 2014 to early 2015), which is known as the Urawaza method.

The trick is as follows (from the website):
  1. Choose Japanese audio and start playing the episode you wish to view
  2. Press Top Menu button on your remote
  3. Turn subtitles off with Subtitle button (may require pressing button once or twice)
  4. Press Return button
But I'm unsure if this works on UK releases that uses Sentai's masters (from releases around that time), so if it does work, please state which release it works on, and also which BD player you used.
 
Updates:

Giovanni's Island Blu-ray
Attack on Titan Season 2 Blu-ray
Princess Arete Blu-ray
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Parts 1 and 2 Blu-ray
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Parts 1 and 2 Blu-ray
Sword of the Stranger Blu-ray and DVD
Matoi the Sacred Slayer Blu-ray and DVD
Ajin: Demi-Human Season 1 and Movie 1 Blu-ray and DVD (DVD of Movie 1 yet to be released)
Hyouka Part 1 Blu-ray

Any more to add? Please let me know.
 
Updates (as of 10th April 2018):

One-Punch Man Blu-ray and DVD
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Blu-ray
Kino's Journey DVD (re-release)
Skip Beat Blu-ray
Initial D Legend 1: Awakening Blu-ray and DVD
Momotaro, Sacred Soldiers Blu-ray
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc Blu-ray and DVD (individual and complete releases)
 
Updates (as of 30th May 2018):

The Testament of Sister New Devil Blu-ray
Wolf's Rain Blu-ray
Initial D Legend 2: Racer Blu-ray and DVD
Kiss Him, Not Me Blu-ray
Assassination Classroom Season 1, Part 2 and Season 2, Parts 1 & 2 Blu-ray
 
Updates (as of 21st June 2018):

Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry Blu-ray
Gundam: The Origin I - IV Blu-ray
Love Live! Sunshine!! Blu-ray
Lupin the 3rd Part IV Blu-ray
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Blu-ray
Rokka -Braves of the Six Flowers- Blu-ray
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World Blu-ray
 
Updates (as of 15th July 2018):

Night is Short Walk on Girl Blu-ray
Girlish Number Blu-ray and DVD (DVD Hardsubbed)
Initial D Legend 3: Dream Blu-ray and DVD
Hello! Kinmoza! Blu-ray
Hyouka Part 2 Blu-ray
The Asterisk War Part 1 DVD (Main Subtitles Optional, Signs Hardsubbed)

In the case of The Asterisk War, I'm guessing that the subtitles for the BD will be completely optional as they'll be using Aniplex of America's masters (Madman's masters were used for the DVD).
 
Last edited:
Updates (as of 16th August 2018) (includes three titles that I should've included sooner):

Bakuon!! Blu-ray and DVD
Food Wars! The Second Plate Blu-ray
Lu Over the Wall Blu-ray
Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions! The Movie: Rikka Version Blu-ray
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Blu-ray
Love, Chunibyo and Other Delusions! Heart Throb Blu-ray
Food Wars! Blu-ray

I was going to change the date on The Asterisk War on my DVD locked subtitles list, but I'm not sure if the release date is 27th August 2018 or 10th September 2018, due to various websites (plus the NEO Magazine) saying different dates.
 
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Updates (as of 19th September 2018):

Aoharu x Machinegun Blu-ray
Black Clover Part 1 Blu-ray
Eureka Seven - Hi-Evolution 1 Blu-ray
Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Blu-ray
Psycho Pass: The Movie Blu-ray
Sword Oratoria: Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side Blu-ray and DVD
Twin Star Exorcists Part 1 Blu-ray

I've also tweaked 3 existing listings, Momotaro: Sacred Soldiers, Lu Over the Wall and Night is Short Walk on Girl. The DVD version of those 3 titles are now noted as locked too.
 
Update:

The Asterisk War Part 1 is now being moved to the BD list as I have confirmation regarding the subtitles (it seems that MVM aren't using AoA's discs after all). The main subtitles are optional, but the signs are player-forced (not hardsubbed, compared to the DVD), so if you switch the main subtitles off, you're stuck with the signs only track (just like Manga's release of Sword Art Online Season 1).

Thanks to Jaysgba for the details.
 
Jaysgba said:
Manga's Tokyo Godfathers has unlocked subs. The menu includes the option to turn them on or off.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I've noticed you have The Asterisk War Part 2 BD on your Twitter. Is it safe to assume that the subtitle options are the same as Part 1 (the dialogue subtitles are optional, but the songs/signs are locked)?
 
Toenails said:
I'm a fan of this thread! I collect stuff that have removable subs regardless of region, here's what I found on UK releases:

Berserk movie 1 lets you remove the subtitles if you choose English dub and change audio track.
The Blu-ray of Sword of the Stranger from Beez has removable subs.
The older Manga Entertainment version of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time let's you turn off the subtitles.

Locked UK Blu-rays that I can confirm and have since sold from my collection:

Kill la Kill part 1 collector's edition - Anime Limited
Danganronpa the Animation - Manga Entertainment
The Perfect Insider - Animatsu
Blood-C - Manga Entertainment
Blood the Last Vampire - Manga Entertainment
Code Geass Season 1 - Kazé
Code Geass Season 2 - Kazé
Roujin Z - Kazé
UN-GO - Kazé
Bleach Movie 1 - Kazé
Black Lagoon Season 1 - Kazé
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Collection 1 (episodes 1-35) - Manga Entertainment
Mind Game - Anime Limited

:)
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll add those as soon as possible. I'm keeping Berserk Movie 1 on the list, because while you can chop and change audio and subtitles, you'll be stuck with the signs anyway (I know there are only 2 signs that were translated).

Toenails said:
There is a pattern to Anime Limited's releases that has been accurate so far.
If Anime Limited releases a show in France under @anime/ All the anime France, it will always be locked in the UK as well.
The only exception that I've ever found is Gurren Lagann, and I would assume it's because it came out in the UK long before it came out in France.
Click to expand...

I've noticed the pattern myself, but if I'm correct, there is one other exception. Napping Princess was a joint release, but in this case, they used Shout Factory's discs, which had English and French subtitles.
 
Toenails said:
I'm interested in making a thread for removable subtitles for European releases. It would mostly include Blu-rays from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, UK. Would it be ok if I use the same format for titles and include some of the rules from this thread for the removable subtitles thread? @BlackCondor93
Click to expand...

Of course. Apologies for not getting back to you sooner.
 
It's been a long while since I've updated this thread, but here's an update.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Part 1 Blu-ray
Princess Principal Blu-ray
Made in Abyss Blu-ray
Girls' Last Tour Blu-ray
Pigtails and Other Short Stories from Production I.G Blu-ray and DVD

One of the titles already listed, Princess Arete, will now be noted as locked for the DVD version too.

More titles will be added to the list soon.

Note: All expired/out-of-print/pulled (after release) titles will remain on/be added to the list (in the case of Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Part 1, which falls under pulled (after release)).
 
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Another Update:
Fullmetal Alchemist Blu-ray
Overlord Blu-ray (Title no longer available)
Overlord II Blu-ray
The Ancient Magus' Bride Part 1 Blu-ray (I'm not sure if the DVD version is locked too like the US release)
Scum's Wish Blu-ray
Land of the Lustrous Blu-ray
STARMYU Blu-ray
The Heroic Legend of Arsland Season II: Dust Storm Dance Blu-ray
Seven Mortal Sins Blu-ray
Vatican Miracle Examiner Blu-ray
 
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