vi
@v-i.dev
Manic Spreadsheeter (ist? izer?). Likes old anime dubs, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and that weird sticky goo that holds magazine inserts in place. Frequently wrong.
www.v-i.dev
www.v-i.dev
Random discovery of the now:
A flyer from the 2007 Japanese release of Royal Space Force that's advertising Bandai's support of Blu-ray and HD DVD. While Royal Space Force and Patlabor both got released in both formats, Akira was Blu-ray only. Maybe an HD DVD release was planned at some point?
A flyer from the 2007 Japanese release of Royal Space Force that's advertising Bandai's support of Blu-ray and HD DVD. While Royal Space Force and Patlabor both got released in both formats, Akira was Blu-ray only. Maybe an HD DVD release was planned at some point?
December 5, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Random discovery of the now:
A flyer from the 2007 Japanese release of Royal Space Force that's advertising Bandai's support of Blu-ray and HD DVD. While Royal Space Force and Patlabor both got released in both formats, Akira was Blu-ray only. Maybe an HD DVD release was planned at some point?
A flyer from the 2007 Japanese release of Royal Space Force that's advertising Bandai's support of Blu-ray and HD DVD. While Royal Space Force and Patlabor both got released in both formats, Akira was Blu-ray only. Maybe an HD DVD release was planned at some point?
On the 7th day of Christmas, EBay gave to me…
(Other than the copy that came with a UMD, I *think* this is all of them. Time to start scanning covers!)
(Other than the copy that came with a UMD, I *think* this is all of them. Time to start scanning covers!)
December 4, 2025 at 11:02 PM
On the 7th day of Christmas, EBay gave to me…
(Other than the copy that came with a UMD, I *think* this is all of them. Time to start scanning covers!)
(Other than the copy that came with a UMD, I *think* this is all of them. Time to start scanning covers!)
It’s real, and I’m still very confused.
And yes, that skid mark on the cover was there from the factory, under the shrink wrap.
Interestingly, there were actually 2 layers of shrink wrap, one on the slip, and one on the DVD case. Most Essence of Anime releases only wrapped the DVD case.
And yes, that skid mark on the cover was there from the factory, under the shrink wrap.
Interestingly, there were actually 2 layers of shrink wrap, one on the slip, and one on the DVD case. Most Essence of Anime releases only wrapped the DVD case.
December 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
It’s real, and I’m still very confused.
And yes, that skid mark on the cover was there from the factory, under the shrink wrap.
Interestingly, there were actually 2 layers of shrink wrap, one on the slip, and one on the DVD case. Most Essence of Anime releases only wrapped the DVD case.
And yes, that skid mark on the cover was there from the factory, under the shrink wrap.
Interestingly, there were actually 2 layers of shrink wrap, one on the slip, and one on the DVD case. Most Essence of Anime releases only wrapped the DVD case.
The year is 1998, and Rhino Records has embarked on a quest to assemble a CD containing the "Best of Anime". Presumably after hundreds of employees watched and listened to every anime every made up to that point, they settled on a fascinating 16 songs to include.
www.discogs.com/release/3378...
www.discogs.com/release/3378...
December 4, 2025 at 1:38 AM
The year is 1998, and Rhino Records has embarked on a quest to assemble a CD containing the "Best of Anime". Presumably after hundreds of employees watched and listened to every anime every made up to that point, they settled on a fascinating 16 songs to include.
www.discogs.com/release/3378...
www.discogs.com/release/3378...
I get the impression this translation leaves something to be desired, but it sure seems like a full episode with script booklet, similar to what Eigoden did with Black Jack decades later.
December 4, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I get the impression this translation leaves something to be desired, but it sure seems like a full episode with script booklet, similar to what Eigoden did with Black Jack decades later.
Interesting discovery:
Gakken put out out the WMT anime Daddy Long Legs and The Trapp Family Singers as part of their "Hello World Eigo Video" line of English instructional tapes. I wonder if these are just select scenes, or if they fully dubbed an episode for each.
jp.mercari.com/item/m658818...
Gakken put out out the WMT anime Daddy Long Legs and The Trapp Family Singers as part of their "Hello World Eigo Video" line of English instructional tapes. I wonder if these are just select scenes, or if they fully dubbed an episode for each.
jp.mercari.com/item/m658818...
December 4, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Interesting discovery:
Gakken put out out the WMT anime Daddy Long Legs and The Trapp Family Singers as part of their "Hello World Eigo Video" line of English instructional tapes. I wonder if these are just select scenes, or if they fully dubbed an episode for each.
jp.mercari.com/item/m658818...
Gakken put out out the WMT anime Daddy Long Legs and The Trapp Family Singers as part of their "Hello World Eigo Video" line of English instructional tapes. I wonder if these are just select scenes, or if they fully dubbed an episode for each.
jp.mercari.com/item/m658818...
Nothing like a 1986 film retroactively becoming a mockbuster for a film made 30 years later. At least both feature shocking amounts of violence against penguins.
(This DVD was pulled from the market and redesigned after WB complained. I wonder why?)
(This DVD was pulled from the market and redesigned after WB complained. I wonder why?)
December 3, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Nothing like a 1986 film retroactively becoming a mockbuster for a film made 30 years later. At least both feature shocking amounts of violence against penguins.
(This DVD was pulled from the market and redesigned after WB complained. I wonder why?)
(This DVD was pulled from the market and redesigned after WB complained. I wonder why?)
Random discovery of the now:
Sentai used different series codes on their releases of Lupin III Part VI (SFB-LPN600) and Lupin Zero (SFBLPZ100).
Also interestingly, there’s no dash in the SKU for Zero. Maybe they ran out of space?
Sentai used different series codes on their releases of Lupin III Part VI (SFB-LPN600) and Lupin Zero (SFBLPZ100).
Also interestingly, there’s no dash in the SKU for Zero. Maybe they ran out of space?
December 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Random discovery of the now:
Sentai used different series codes on their releases of Lupin III Part VI (SFB-LPN600) and Lupin Zero (SFBLPZ100).
Also interestingly, there’s no dash in the SKU for Zero. Maybe they ran out of space?
Sentai used different series codes on their releases of Lupin III Part VI (SFB-LPN600) and Lupin Zero (SFBLPZ100).
Also interestingly, there’s no dash in the SKU for Zero. Maybe they ran out of space?
My best guess is it was a bit of a compromise. Japan was doing jewel cases, and Pioneer was big on making their sets look like the JP ones, but that wouldn’t fit on a shelf at the local video store. Thus, the slipcover. Kinda like a 90s version of a CD Longbox.
November 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
My best guess is it was a bit of a compromise. Japan was doing jewel cases, and Pioneer was big on making their sets look like the JP ones, but that wouldn’t fit on a shelf at the local video store. Thus, the slipcover. Kinda like a 90s version of a CD Longbox.
DVDs in jewel cases were actually somewhat common early in the format’s life in Japan, and we even got a few over here with cardboard slipcovers, courtesy of Pioneer.
November 27, 2025 at 2:06 AM
DVDs in jewel cases were actually somewhat common early in the format’s life in Japan, and we even got a few over here with cardboard slipcovers, courtesy of Pioneer.
Interestingly, it’s also not the only spherical anime release. In 2007, ADV released the Gantz “Perfect Score” set, which just used a bunch of cardboard sleeves instead of fancy jewel cases.
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Interestingly, it’s also not the only spherical anime release. In 2007, ADV released the Gantz “Perfect Score” set, which just used a bunch of cardboard sleeves instead of fancy jewel cases.
The weird part is that originally, the eye only came with V1, and 3 empty jewel cases. V2, V3, and Ginrei came in normal cases, along with a pair of jewel case inserts, front and rear you had to carefully install without cracking anything.
Later, they re-released the Eye with all the DVDs included.
Later, they re-released the Eye with all the DVDs included.
November 27, 2025 at 1:53 AM
The weird part is that originally, the eye only came with V1, and 3 empty jewel cases. V2, V3, and Ginrei came in normal cases, along with a pair of jewel case inserts, front and rear you had to carefully install without cracking anything.
Later, they re-released the Eye with all the DVDs included.
Later, they re-released the Eye with all the DVDs included.
In in some incredibly weird timing, like 10 seconds after I posted that, I got an eBay alert that one of these mystical DVDs popped up on eBay, and a never-before-seen one, too! I plan to fully document it when it shows up. Here’s hoping theres actually a UMD in there…
November 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
In in some incredibly weird timing, like 10 seconds after I posted that, I got an eBay alert that one of these mystical DVDs popped up on eBay, and a never-before-seen one, too! I plan to fully document it when it shows up. Here’s hoping theres actually a UMD in there…
It’s low-stakes anime mystery time again! Today's topic: the mystery Ghost in the Shell UMDs secretly thrown inside the box for other, unrelated Manga DVDs. Why were they there? And when did this happen? And how many are there?
November 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It’s low-stakes anime mystery time again! Today's topic: the mystery Ghost in the Shell UMDs secretly thrown inside the box for other, unrelated Manga DVDs. Why were they there? And when did this happen? And how many are there?
Just popped in my Sentai BD of The Dragon Dentist to watch the dub for the first time… and was shocked to hear Xander Mobus and Xanthe Huynh. Apparently it wasn’t dubbed at Sentai, but Salami Studios in Hollywood instead. Very rare for a Sentai release. Rumor is NHK World funded the dub.
November 24, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Just popped in my Sentai BD of The Dragon Dentist to watch the dub for the first time… and was shocked to hear Xander Mobus and Xanthe Huynh. Apparently it wasn’t dubbed at Sentai, but Salami Studios in Hollywood instead. Very rare for a Sentai release. Rumor is NHK World funded the dub.
Got something interesting in today: the Japanese Blu-ray release of Utawarerumono from 2008. Interestingly, it’s fully subbed and dubbed in English, something I don’t think I’ve ever seen on a VAP set.
Set is also 1080i, and the packaging wants to make *absolutely* sure you know this.
Set is also 1080i, and the packaging wants to make *absolutely* sure you know this.
November 23, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Got something interesting in today: the Japanese Blu-ray release of Utawarerumono from 2008. Interestingly, it’s fully subbed and dubbed in English, something I don’t think I’ve ever seen on a VAP set.
Set is also 1080i, and the packaging wants to make *absolutely* sure you know this.
Set is also 1080i, and the packaging wants to make *absolutely* sure you know this.
Doing some cleaning, and I came across a bit of history: This was my first Blu-ray drive (not counting a PS3). Scavenged from my friend’s gaming PC when he was upgrading to a new case in 2014 or so, it’s got an enclosure made of duct tape and a plastic file folder.Was my primary drive for 3-4 years!
November 22, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Doing some cleaning, and I came across a bit of history: This was my first Blu-ray drive (not counting a PS3). Scavenged from my friend’s gaming PC when he was upgrading to a new case in 2014 or so, it’s got an enclosure made of duct tape and a plastic file folder.Was my primary drive for 3-4 years!
ANN does list the source as Netflix Credits, interestingly. Submission seems to date back to May-ish right around when the first half released.
November 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
ANN does list the source as Netflix Credits, interestingly. Submission seems to date back to May-ish right around when the first half released.
It’s possible I’m missing something in the Blu-ray.com forums, but the Code Red thread is 3000 pages long, and the search function is terrible
November 21, 2025 at 12:34 PM
It’s possible I’m missing something in the Blu-ray.com forums, but the Code Red thread is 3000 pages long, and the search function is terrible
There’s one post from Blu-ray.com, but based on the number of “Bill Olsen said X about Angel’s Egg” posts I’ve see online, there should be a few more that go in-depth about Anchor Bay’s struggles to get it out. Maybe on their Facebook page? *Really* don’t want to have to search through that.
November 21, 2025 at 12:26 PM
There’s one post from Blu-ray.com, but based on the number of “Bill Olsen said X about Angel’s Egg” posts I’ve see online, there should be a few more that go in-depth about Anchor Bay’s struggles to get it out. Maybe on their Facebook page? *Really* don’t want to have to search through that.