2023 HAUL VER 12.2
(note: images are hosted via AUKN for the meantime)
We have a bunch of packages incoming and since today was my day off work I looked into two of them.
The first anime arrival that appeared last Monday was
Gundam Build Fighters Part 1 from Anime Limited. I consider this to be a bit of a controversial release because they decided to split the series up which goes against their usual 2-cour per set approach throughout the years, on top of the Nozomi release having a complete series Blu-ray set back in August 2016.
The good news is that we have avoided the worst case scenario and despite being released across two parts and on 4 discs, VDMS are the ones authoring it so we have dodged Com 'on Screen and the extras from Nozomi's set as well as the Animax Asia English dub are all here. Nothing is missing, just that we have to pay twice as much now, but it could have been a lot worse.
My unboxing on this set has been postponed in favour of waiting for Part 2 which is expected to be released before Christmas, same goes for Mobile Fighter G Gundam.
Speaking of controversial choices here we have
Blood-C Ultimate Edition Blu-ray which also includes the film
Blood-C: The Last Dark. This arrived today via FedEx and was part of their Lightning Deal offer during their 12 Days of Christmas sale. I already own the series but it's via Funimation's limited edition which is Region A only and I don't mind double-dipping for a Region B disc, like I have done with Black Lagoon, Code Geass and Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine.
The point of this edition is because of the artbook and to be honest it's a solid one with tons of artwork and essays, including a segment covering the Blood franchise. The only criticism I have is not only the asking price but they didn't bother to provide a rigid chipboard box, instead opting for a cardboard slipcase which misses the mark when it comes to the ultimate edition idea. Considering the lightning deal was £36, basically the price of paying early bird for a collector's set I decided to pick it up. I would have preferred to have paid £9 less but I don't regret owning the release.
You can view more photos & specs
on my blog.