What more can I say ? I’m so getting this.
As a kid I remember watching my VHS copy of Akira ( a dubbed copy from my rich friend’s Laserdisc, which I jealously coveted of course ) with relish, nevermind that the quality of the video was deteriorating with each session.
With the blu-ray version due for release in late Febuary 2009, Akira may finally find the medium worthy of showcasing Otomo Katsuhiro’s anime masterpiece. That the folks from Bandai Visual chose one of the tastiest Akira posters for the cover makes it even better. Its a pity I no longer work at Sunrise Emotion or I could have asked for an autograph from Otomo himself.
(ab0ve) A very sloshed me with Otomo-san at Sunrise Emotion’s year end party 2007.
(above) A peek at the contents of the first press edition. Thanks to Ulrik for the heads up.
Some tech specs for the blu-ray below :
-Blu-ray Disc /Color/124 min. / Japanese & English audio tracks* / Japanese & English subtitles *Japanese audio for main feature only will be 192 kHz 24bit
-Dolby True HD (5.1ch), Linear PCM (Dolby Surround) / AVC/BD50G / 16:9 <1080p High Definition>
-Bonus Material: Teaser No.1, Teaser No.2, TV Commercial, Trailer No.1, Trailer No.2,
-Storyboards
-Bonus Item: Special 20p Booklet
Any one else getting this ? :]
Related posts:
Revisiting the Art of Akira Part II – Akira Club
Revisiting the Art of Akira Part III – The Continuity of Akira
Revisiting the Art of Akira Part I – Akira Animation Archives
Freedom Blu-Ray DVD boxset – First look
Otomo Katsuhiro Artwork – Kaba
Ugh this might finally be the reason for me to get a PS3.. and a new TV..
Let us know how the quality is, I know I was stunned with the quality of the Patlabor HD releases compared to the DVD. Hope it’s the same with Akira!
Definitely a must get man!!!!!
AKIRA is a classic and it rocks me…..literally man hahahaha
The Mess tin dvd edition i had starts to rust badly…..
All hail to Blu Ray ……hahahaha
I am so getting this. You didn’t mention when this will be released, which I believe will be February 24, 2009 with a hefty price.
Must buy, no question about it. I’m counting the days till the release
pirate from you. make me a vhs copy hahaha!
Rence – Its time to upgrade indeed…like me ! :]
BiGgUy – Haha yeah I still have my tinbox edition in Singapore too !
otto – Thanks for the telling us the specific date ! Can’t wait !
Harry D. – So am I ! Yay !
jackson – Right. The “rich friend” that I mentioned is actually Terence from sec 3/4 in our class, wonder if you remember him…
Looks great, can’t wait for february. I just hope the first press edition with the slipcase and the extra booklet the guys at dot-anime.us promised isn’t exlusive to their shop.
Ulrik – Yes indeed ! Looks tasty ! :]
You Know I want this. Can’t wait, shame the extras are a tad sparse, but hey!
Yes, the Akira Blu-ray is a must have for all Otomo fans. Do you have any idea what Otomo is up to these days? He must be beavering away on some interesting project …
Al T – You’re right about the extras, but then again they’ll probably just transfer existing extras from past releases, so there’s little to look forward to in the first place.
Paul H- – Otomo-san is indeed working on at least one project at the moment, but as there is no official press release from the Studio, I cannot divulge what it is. It’d probably be soon though, if all things go well. Thanks for dropping by !
ah.. the great Akira. yes. I feel like I lose five years of my life every time I see this movie. Urgh… can’t imagine what impact this’ll have on me when it’s 10x clearer… I’ll probably throw up.
We need “The End of Evangelion” in Blu Ray… Asuka’s fight with Mass Units 05 will be precious
A little bit offtopic, about the upcoming (americanized) live action Akira plans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jafd97yJFOI
I laughed, but am also very worried how they will mess up the Akira legend.
choco – “We need “The End of Evangelion” in Blu Ray… Asuka’s fight with Mass Units 05 will be precious” – My sentiments exactly ! I want it now !
Harry D. – I watched this a while back, it was hilarious, but I really worry about the upcoming film. Why do they have to mess with a classic ? Unless they can get someone as competent as James Cameron as the director, I have very low expectations.
terence sit? the one who sits next to kenji and whose dad is a neurosurgeon?
Hey this is really exciting and should bring back a few childhood memories. I don’t have any anime on blu-ray yet but I’ll definitely be getting this and reviewing it for the magazine.
Yeey~ I am definitely going to buy this!
The colors will blow my mind! o_x
I wanna meet Otomo Katsuhiro. Haha.
Drool, as others have mentioned, this may be the reason for me to actually purchase a real Television.
I firmly commit that “Hypersonic BD AKIRA” is the greatest both in terms of its image and sound quality.
However, you have to pay much attention to the audio system. In my case, a reference to the following web site brought me to the marvelous experience.
http://www.yamashirogumi.jp/akira-e/sankou/