Some R1 DVD release questions I'd love to have answered...

[Amiable-Akuma]

The following are just a few questions that I'd like to hear your replies on - I realize for many of these it's hard to give anything more than speculation - but that's fine - basically I'm just looking for some of your all-enlightened "best guesses" on the topics.

1. What do you think the chances are that we'll see DB on Blu-Ray or HD-DVD anytime soon or ever? Their technologies begin their release in March in case you didn't know.

I'm slightly hopeful for DB on the format soon in the sense that Dragon Ball was one of the first anime titles to come to DVD at all - back when it was a new format (of course, these were the Pioneer DVD movies I'm referring to but still...).

Anyway let me hear your thoughts on this. Getting a whole saga set on like one or two Blu-Ray discs, mastered in true 1080p, to play on a new native 1080p HDTV come a year from now (or not long after) - obviously would be insanely sweet.

2. I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but when is DB movie 1 (sleeping princess/whatever) coming to R1 DVD unedited? Will it be packaged with the first 13 unedited episodes when they release? And when do you imagine those will actually release on R1?

3. I realized I've asked this before a while back - but I'm still curious because I find it so strange that I have movies 4-6 in a boxset and am seeing DBGT being released in new boxsets for no other reason but to have them in a box....soooo, I'm wondering if you see Funi doing this with other previously released discs....if eventually we may be able to get every Funi R1 DVD packaged in some sort of "boxset"? What do you think?

Thanks...

[Amiable-Akuma]

So an addtional comment that pertains to my questions 1 and 3 somewhat...

I mean, isn't this sort of re-release talk somewhat supported by the fact that now re-releasing anime series' with new packaging has become kind of the "in" thing to do...

In other words, first it was ADV and their "thinpack" re-releases. Now it's everything from Evangelion to Trigun - that are just flat-out getting new entire series re-releases. Heck, Eva is on it's third entire re-release with it's new Platinum edition thinpack.

I don't know much about Funi and/or general anime news though. Hell, I barely knew the above. Based on what you do know - what do you see happening?

Also, what have you guys heard or think about the possibilities of just any anime coming to Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, in general? Have any anime titles yet been announced? And what is your feelings on what will occur for anime on the format?

[Slickmasterfunk]

I realized I've asked this before a while back - but I'm still curious because I find it so strange that I have movies 4-6 in a boxset and am seeing DBGT being released in new boxsets for no other reason but to have them in a box....soooo, I'm wondering if you see Funi doing this with other previously released discs....if eventually we may be able to get every Funi R1 DVD packaged in some sort of "boxset"? What do you think?

Just about every saga has already had a box set release. I think FUNi went back and did that around 2003/2004. There are the new Ultimate Uncut and Great Saiyaman DVDs that have starter sets so there are boxes availble for those. The only ones that don't have a box at all are the Ginyu Saga, Trunks Saga, and movies 7-11. I don't think they'd release the Ginyu discs in a box since there are only two, as far as the Trunks discs if they included the Trunks TV Special, like they did with the VHS box set, it would make a nice 3 disc set.

Also, not to sound like a jerk, but try not to double post. Just edit the first one, especially only after 19 minutes .

[Kodoshin]

I suspect some of the movies might get a next-gen format release but as for the series itself? I think it'll happen but way down the line (only when one of these formats actually succeeds in overtaking the current DVD format).

But yeah, if the series does ever come to the next-gen formats it will have to be in sets like the original Dragon Ball since few people would be be willing to plunkdown for it three episodes at a time again (I personally would love this since I could reclaim tons of shelf space).

As far as if anything has been announced for the next-gen formats yet, Steamboy was announced for a Japanese release on Blu-Ray disc.

[Blitzen]

1. What do you think the chances are that we'll see DB on Blu-Ray or HD-DVD anytime soon or ever? Their technologies begin their release in March in case you didn't know.

I'm slightly hopeful for DB on the format soon in the sense that Dragon Ball was one of the first anime titles to come to DVD at all - back when it was a new format (of course, these were the Pioneer DVD movies I'm referring to but still...).

Anyway let me hear your thoughts on this. Getting a whole saga set on like one or two Blu-Ray discs, mastered in true 1080p, to play on a new native 1080p HDTV come a year from now (or not long after) - obviously would be insanely sweet.

Once a market can be established for not only TV series, but older animated TV series, then yes. Mind you though, with the masters FUNimation currently have (and the price for newer masters from Japan supposedly being astronomical), it wouldn't look that much better than DVD. Never know, though :p

2. I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but when is DB movie 1 (sleeping princess/whatever) coming to R1 DVD unedited? Will it be packaged with the first 13 unedited episodes when they release? And when do you imagine those will actually release on R1?

I'm going to assume it wont be released with the first thirteen episodes. I'd expect it to get a release before DVD is completely phased out though.

3. I realized I've asked this before a while back - but I'm still curious because I find it so strange that I have movies 4-6 in a boxset and am seeing DBGT being released in new boxsets for no other reason but to have them in a box....soooo, I'm wondering if you see Funi doing this with other previously released discs....if eventually we may be able to get every Funi R1 DVD packaged in some sort of "boxset"? What do you think?

Eventually, yes.

[Amiable-Akuma]

Thanks for all the great replies, guys. They were very helpful to me. You all are really smart/cool.

EDIT: Mods/whoever, please let me know if short, "Thank you"/complimentary posts like this are allowed and/or welcome and not "frowned upon".

[Dayspring]

Thanks for all the great replies, guys. They were very helpful to me. You all are really smart/cool.

EDIT: Mods/whoever, please let me know if short, "Thank you"/complimentary posts like this are allowed and/or welcome and not "frowned upon".

Well they kind of let people know the topic was addressed, so I would imagine yes. I don't recall anyone ever being scolded for leaving a thank you post (unless it was heavily sarcastic, in which case you'd be breaking the civility rule).

[the_abberration]

1. What do you think the chances are that we'll see DB on Blu-Ray or HD-DVD anytime soon or ever? Their technologies begin their release in March in case you didn't know.

Funi is planning to release DBZ Movie #11 on UMD for the PSP, so I would think they may release a movie or something if this media is out at that time....at least.

However, I have heard some "cons" in relation to Blu-Ray so a complete series or saga may depend on it success.

2. I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but when is DB movie 1 (sleeping princess/whatever) coming to R1 DVD unedited? Will it be packaged with the first 13 unedited episodes when they release? And when do you imagine those will actually release on R1?

My opinion is Curse of the Blood Rubies will be released as a separate disc than the 13 eps of DB. It may come included with it though. However, it will be a long time as evidenced by LGE/Kidmark/Vidmark's reluctance to give up it's licensing rights.

I'll take a shot in the dark and say September 2008 is when we will see it.

3. I realized I've asked this before a while back - but I'm still curious because I find it so strange that I have movies 4-6 in a boxset and am seeing DBGT being released in new boxsets for no other reason but to have them in a box....soooo, I'm wondering if you see Funi doing this with other previously released discs....if eventually we may be able to get every Funi R1 DVD packaged in some sort of "boxset"? What do you think?

The Frieza Saga would be my guess for a retro box set release. It was released as a box set for the VHS, it was a good saga, it was 10 discs long , and it's hard to find (in my area at least) without ordering online.

[MajinVejitaXV]

There's not really much to take advantage of for the HD technologies and DB/Z/GT. None of them showcase anything that remotely requires that kind of resolution, so the only advantage would be more episodes per disc...and we know how FUNi is about that

-Corey

[ignition]

Also, never expect for anymore than 20 episodes to be included on any single release, Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, or anything else.

I would have said 3 epiosdes, but Dragonball was released decently in 2-disc sets.

Even though it's completely possible to fit half of DBZ on a Blu-Ray disc doesn't mean it'll happen ever.

[MajinVejitaXV]

Also, never expect for anymore than 20 episodes to be included on any single release, Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, or anything else.

I would have said 3 epiosdes, but Dragonball was released decently in 2-disc sets.

Even though it's completely possible to fit half of DBZ on a Blu-Ray disc doesn't mean it'll happen ever.

Well, let's not be too outrageous ;p

DL Blu-Ray = 50GB, correct? Toei fit 6 episodes per DL DVD on their DragonBoxes, so that'd be roughly 30 episodes a disc. Now, while DB probably would have been better if it kept the pace of the manga and was much shorter, it's not the case and we have a 500+ episode sometimes great/sometimes infuriating demon ;p

Anyway, I doubt FUNi will ever allow DBZ/GT to break the 5 episode a disc mark, the only time they did that was for a reissue if memory serves anyhow >_<;;

-Corey