Bandai Visual | High-Def Digest

HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "BANDAI VISUAL"

Bandai Planning 'Ghost in the Shell 2' Blu-ray

Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

There's no street date yet, but Bandai Entertainment says it's planning to bring 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence' to Blu-ray sometime this year.

A sequel to the landmark anime 'Ghost in the Shell,' 'Innocence' was released last year on Blu-ray in Japan (distributed by Disney). Bandai has announced (via its official website) that it is currently preparing a 2008 domestic next-gen debut to coincide with a new standard DVD re-issue, marking the first time the film has been seen in high-definition in the States.

No tech specs or supplement details have been announced, but Bandai says a new English dub is currently being prepared for the US release, as well as other materials.

There is also no suggested list price available for the Blu-ray, but watch for full details to be revealed in the coming weeks.

As we await the official announcement, we've added a listing for 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence' to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence' Blu-ray release.

Related links:
'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence' Announcement [Bandai Entertainment]

'Freedom: 6' Comes to HD DVD This June

Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual says it will bring the penultimate installment in the popular 'Freedom' series to HD DVD this June.

Originally presented as a seven-part series in Japan, entitled The Freedom Project, Bandai has retained the same strategy for the series' stateside release, issuing a new 30-minute episode as a stand-alone title every few months.

The company says that despite the imminent end of the HD DVD format in North America, it plans to finish out releasing the series on the format. Due in stores June 24, 'Freedom: 6 ' will again see a "twin format" configuration like the first five volumes of the series. (The company says that the last installment, 'Freedom: 7,' will be released on HD DVD sometime this August.)

Tech specs include a 1080p/VC-1 transfer (at 1.78:1 widescreen), and Japanese tracks in Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround (1.5mbps) and PCM 2.0 Stereo (optional English subtitles are also provided).

Extras remain slim, with the disc including only a theatrical trailer, and for web-enabled users, a "digest version" of 'Freedom: 5' plus a TV spot for 'Freedom: 7.'

Retail for the HD DVD has been set at $39.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Freedom: 6' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 24.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Freedom: 6' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Freedom: 6 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 5 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 4 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 3 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 2 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 1 (HD DVD)

Bandai Brings 'Yukikaze' to Blu-ray

Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual has announced the high-def debut of the sci-fi anime series, 'Yukikaze,' which will hit Blu-ray this April in a deluxe box set.

Called the 'Top Gun' of anime, the five-part 'Yukikaze' will make its US high-debut as a three-disc Blu-ray box set this April 15.

Tech specs include the entire series spread across two BD-50 dual-layer discs, presented in 1080i/AVC MPEG-4 video (at the original aspect ratio of 1.37:1), along with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround and subtitle options in both the original Japanese and English.

Bonus content contained on the third BD-25 single-layer disc will include the 28-minute featurette "Aircrafts in Yukikaze: From Pilot's Eyes," a 6-minute short film inspired by 'Yukikaze' (both features in 1080i HD). The set will also include a 20-page SAF Fight Manual in full color, and what's being billed as an "exclusively designed box" (no pics were available at press time).

Bandai has set a suggested $79.98 list price for the Blu-ray.

You'll find disc details for 'Yukikaze' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 15.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai Visual's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Yukikaze' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Yukikaze (Blu-ray)

'Freedom: 5' Announced For HD DVD This April

Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual says it will bring the next installment in the popular anime series 'Freedom' to HD DVD this April.

Originally presented as a seven-part series in its native Japan, Bandai has retained the same strategy for 'Freedom's stateside debut, issuing a new 30-minute episode as a stand-alone release every few months.

Due in stores April 22, 'Freedom: 5' will again see a "twin format" configuration -- just like each of the first four volumes of the series, which Bandai first began releasing in the US back in June.

Tech specs will also be consistent, featuring a 1080p/VC-1 transfer (at 1.78:1 widescreen), and Japanese racks in Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround (1.5mbps) and PCM 2.0 Stereo (optional English subtitles are also provided).

Extras remain slim, with the disc proper including only a theatrical trailer, and for web-enabled users, a "digest version" of 'Freedom: 4' plus a TV spot for 'Freedom: 5.'

Retail for the HD DVD is a suggested $39.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Freedom: 5' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 22.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Freedom: 5' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Freedom: 5 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 4 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 3 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 2 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 1 (HD DVD)

'Freedom: 4' Headed to HD DVD This February

Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual has announced that it will bring the fourth installment in the anime series 'Freedom' to HD DVD this February.

Originally presented as a six-part series in its native Japan, Bandai is following the same release pattern here in the US, issuing a new 30-minute episode as a stand-alone release every few months.

Due for release on February 26, 'Freedom: 4' will mirror the "twin format" configuration of the first three volumes of the series, which Bandai first began releasing Stateside back in June.

Also mirroring the previous releases will be a slim extras package, with the disc proper including only a theatrical trailer, plus a 'Freedom: 3' digest version and TV spot for 'Freedom: 4' available to web-enabled users.

Retail for the HD DVD has been set at a suggested $39.99.

You'll find disc details for 'Freedom: 4' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 26.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai Visual's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Freedom: 4' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Freedom: 4 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 3 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 2 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 1 (HD DVD)

'Freedom: 3' HD DVD Due This December

Fri Oct 19, 2007 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual has announced it will bring the third installment in the anime series 'Freedom' to HD DVD this December.

As our own Kenneth Brown has discussed at length in his earlier HD DVD reviews of 'Freedom 1' and 'Freedom 2,' this six-part anime series is being released one half-hour episode at a time in its native Japan. Instead of issuing the entire seres as a single box set here in the US, Bandai is following the Japanese release pattern, releasing new a installment every few months.

Set for release December 11, 'Freedom: 3' will mirror the "twin format" configuration of the first two volumes of the series, which Bandai first began releasing Stateside back in June. Tech specs will also be consistent, featuring a 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer at 1.78:1 widescreen, and Japanese tracks in Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround (1.5mbps) and PCM 2.0 Stereo (optional English subtitles are also provided).

Extras will be slim, with the disc proper including only a theatrical trailer, but Bandai says we can expect 'Freedom 3' to include a few as-yet-unannounced web-enabled features.

List price for 'Freedom: 3' will be $39.98.

As always, you'll find disc details for this latest installment in the 'Freedom' series linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, under its release date of December 11.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Freedom: 3' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Freedom: 1 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 2 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 3 (HD DVD)

Anime Title 'Tokyo Metro Explorers' Bound For Blu-ray

Thu Oct 04, 2007 at 07:55 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual has announced that the anime title 'SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next' will hit Blu-ray this December in a deluxe edition.

Directed by Shinji Takagi (animation director for 'Steamboy'), this 40-minute adaptation of the Katsuhiro Otomo manga will make its high-def debut on December 11 when Bandai releases the title on Blu-ray, day and date with the standard-def DVD.

Specs include a BD-25 single-layer disc featuring remastered 1080p video (codec TBA), with Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround and PCM 2.0 Stereo tracks (and optional English subtitles.

Supplements are extensive, and set to include a filmmaker audio commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, additional interviews, the original theatrical trailer, and a 12-page collectible booklet.

Retail is $39.98.

You'll find final disc details for 'Tokyo Metro Explorers' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 11.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Bandai Visual's latest anime in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
SOS! Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next (Blu-ray)

Bandai Visual Brings 'Jin-Roh' to Blu-ray

Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual has announced the high-def debut of the anime classic 'Jin-Roh,' which will hit Blu-ray this November in a deluxe collectible edition.

From creator Mamoru Oshii and director Hiroyuki Okiura (the minds behind the wildly popular 'Ghost in the Shell'), the seminal 1998 anime 'Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade' will make its first-ever appearance in high-def when Bandai releases the film exclusively to Blu-ray on November 27.

Specs include remastered 1080p video and both 5.1 audio and subtitles tracks in Japanese and English (exact audio format TBA).

Though video-based extras are slim with only Theatrical Trailers included, Bandai will be packaging 'Jin-Roh' in a highly collectible set, featuring a 20-page booklet with a new interview with Okiura, as well as an exhaustive 552-page tome with the film's complete storyboards.

Retail for the set is $79.98.

You'll find disc details for 'Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 27. We'll keep you posted as soon as final tech specs and box art are revealed. Stay tuned!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (Blu-ray)

'Freedom: 2' Bound for HD DVD this September

Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 07:55 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

Bandai Visual has announced it will bring the second volume in its popular anime series 'Freedom' to high-def this fall as a HD DVD/DVD twin-format release.

Due on September 25, 'Freedom: 2' will mirror the "twin format" configuration of 'Freedom: 1,' which Bandai first released stateside back in June. Not to be confused with double-sided HD DVD/DVD combo discs, twin-format discs can contain up to three layers of recorded content on a single-sided disc. Like 'Freedom: 1,' 'Freedom: 2' will use two of those layers -- a 15GB HD DVD layer, and a 4.6GB standard-def DVD layer.

Tech specs for 'Freedom: 2' include a 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer at 1.78:1 widescreen, and Japanese tracks in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and PCM 2.0 Stereo (optional English subtitles are also provided).

Bandai Visual has not yet announced whether any supplemental features will be included on 'Freedom: 2.' However, since the first volume featured a groundbreaking set of exclusive extras, we can hope for more goodies on this follow-up.

Bandai has set a list price of $39.98.

We've added a new listing for 'Freedom: 2' to our complete HD DVD Release Schedule, under September 25. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead.

(Thanks to Mike for the tip!)

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Freedom: 2 (HD DVD)
Freedom: 1 (HD DVD)

'Wings of Honneamise' to Fly on Blu-ray, HD DVD this September

Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 07:55 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Anime, Bandai Visual (all tags)

One of the classics of anime will make its high-def debut when Bandai Visual brings 'Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise' to Blu-ray and HD DVD this fall.

Due to hit both Blu-ray and HD DVD on September 11, Bandai will present the acclaimed anime masterpiece in a newly-remastered 20th Anniversary Edition.

Tech specs are identical on both versions, and are set to include a restored print remastered in full 1080p video, along with the original Japanese soundtrack in both Dolby Digital TrueHD and uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround versions. (An optional English dub in standard Dolby Digital 5.1 will also be included.)

Intriguingly, both next-gen releases are being billed as "two-disc sets," with the second disc being a standard-def DVD. At press time, it wasn't clear what might appear on that second disc -- the fact that Bandai is calling both next-gen releases "combos" has led some to speculate that the standard-def DVD may just be a duplicate copy of 'Honneamise' in standard-def. Here's hoping that's not the case, and that the second disc will contain some as yet unannounced supplements, instead.

Bandai has set a rather pricey $79.99 MSRP for both the Blu-ray and HD DVD versions of 'Wing of Honneamise.'

We've added listings for 'The Wings of Honneamise' to both our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule under September 11. Watch for full supplemental details and box cover art to be revealed in the coming weeks.

We've also set up dedicated threads for Bandai Visual's latest announcement in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Wings of Honneamise' Blu-ray release and the 'Wings of Honneamise' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise (Blu-ray)
Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise (HD DVD)

MORE HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "BANDAI VISUAL":

'Freedom 1' Offers First Look at HD DVD Twin-Format Disc Jun 19, 2007
Bandai Visual Announces First Anime HD DVD Release with 'Freedom: Vol. 1' Mar 21, 2007