Summer Wars

[DrForbidden]

Hi,

I'm new here, and just wondering if anyone has been able to confrim if the Taiwan BD is single or dual-layered? It seems strange that they would put the extras on an additional DVD if the BD is roomy enough to hold everything.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Originally Posted by DrForbidden

Hi,

I'm new here, and just wondering if anyone has been able to confirm if the Taiwan BD is single or dual-layered? It seems strange that they would put the extras on an additional DVD if the BD is roomy enough to hold everything.

Most Taiwan sites say BD50. I believe it is a port of the Japanese disc (it contains all the same tracks plus a Mandarin 2.0 track). Probably cost cutting is why it is DVD and not a second BR for extras.

I should have it later next week, so I will be able to confirm everything then and I will also compare it to the Japanese release.

[TwelveMind]

Originally Posted by AnimeOnBlu

Most Taiwan sites say BD50. I believe it is a port of the Japanese disc (it contains all the same tracks plus a Mandarin 2.0 track). It is possible it was easier to put Mandarin subs on the extras via DVD than Blu-ray, but that is the only idea I can come up with.

I should have it later next week, so I will be able to confirm everything then and I will also compare it to the Japanese release.

Just to add to what's said, the Taiwanese disc is BD-50. It matches the Japanese release with DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby-True HD 5.1 tracks, and also the linear PCM 2.0ch. However, the main difference is that the filmmaker commentary (Dolby 2.0) was taken out in favour of a Mandarin Dolby 2.0 track. Moreover, the Taiwanese version has chinese subs/Japanese audio, chinese subs/Mandarin audio, Japanese subs, and English subs. The Japanese version only offers subtitle in its own language.

In terms of the extra features that are offered on the 2nd disc/DVD for the Taiwanese release, I believe it mirrors disc 2 of the Japanese deluxe set. But, that 2nd disc for the Japanese is on a blu-ray instead of a DVD. Altogether though, I suspect the standard Japanese edition is missing the the bulk of the extra features aside from a few trivial things that come on its single disc? (Hopefully, someone with access can comment here)

Anyway, that's my understanding of things. Not sure whether AnimeOnBlu has the standard or 2-disc set for the Japanese version, but hopefully he can do a proper comparison when he has the Taiwanese copy in hand. I would love to hear about the picture/audio head-to-head. Cheers.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Originally Posted by TwelveMind

Anyway, that's my understanding of things. Not sure whether AnimeOnBlu has the standard or 2-disc set for the Japanese version, but hopefully he can do a proper comparison when he has the Taiwanese copy in hand. I would love to hear about the picture/audio quality head-to-head. Cheers.

I have the 2-Disc 1st Edition of Summer Wars. I know there are some extras on the second disc as well as some BD-Live only things, but I have not looked at the second disc. And yes, it is a BD, not a DVD. It might be more cost effective to do 1 BD/1 DVD than 2 BDs. I will do the best comparison I can get, but since many of Taiwan discs are ports of the Japanese disc (Death Note 1 + 2, Swing Girls, Goemon--albeit on a BD25), I have little doubt this disc will disappoint.

I will compare everything when I get my Taiwan copy.

[TwelveMind]

Originally Posted by AnimeOnBlu

I will compare everything when I get my Taiwan copy.

That'd be great! I'm still holding off which version to get and where to get it from.

[DrForbidden]

Thanks for the answers, guys. If it's BD50, I'm definitely going to order it. I'm not really concerned about whether the extras disc is HD or not. From my experience, when films are ported over from a BD50 to a BD25, the audio and visual quality suffers. If this is not the case here then I'm happy.

[TwelveMind]

Originally Posted by kannisto

The Japanese release is not English friendly but otherwise it's very good. The original release was a 2-disc edition with all kinds of physical extras but later on they released it as a more plain single-disc edition as well. I think most people here want the English subs that the Taiwanese release provides. I got the original Japanese 2-disc release but without the physical extras (from an auction).

Hi Kannisto, when you mentioned the Japanese 2-disc release you're talking about "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time?" I can't seem to find the 2-disc blu-ray on Amazon Japan. Is it still available?

Also, by physical extras I guess you mean trinkets like key chain or photo cards... missing out on those don't bother me as much. I'm more into making-of content features, staff/filmmaker commentary and such. An extra disc with behind the scenes material basically. So, what are we missing out on when compared to the single disc edition? Thanks very much.

[AnimeOnBlu]

This is the Limited Edition version. It has 2 discs and other physical extras (an art book, film cel, Koi-Koi cards, and a bunch of stickers).

Tokikake is only 1 disc.

[TwelveMind]

Originally Posted by AnimeOnBlu

This is the Limited Edition version. It has 2 discs and other physical extras (an art book, film cel, Koi-Koi cards, and a bunch of stickers).

Tokikake is only 1 disc.

Cool, for a moment I thought there was a 2-disc Tokikake boxset that I didn't know about. Appreciate the clarification.

[kannisto]

Originally Posted by TwelveMind

Hi Kannisto, when you mentioned the Japanese 2-disc release you're talking about "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time?" I can't seem to find the 2-disc blu-ray on Amazon Japan. Is it still available?

Also, by physical extras I guess you mean trinkets like key chain or photo cards... missing out on those don't bother me as much. I'm more into making-of content features, staff/filmmaker commentary and such. An extra disc with behind the scenes material basically. So, what are we missing out on when compared to the single disc edition? Thanks very much.

I was talking only about Summer Wars, I don't have the BD version of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, but I've recorded it from a Japanese HDTV movie channel (without subs).

The original Japanese release of Summer Wars comes in a rather large box with all kinds of extras like an artbook, stickers etc. That's what I was referring to as physical extras. This blog has some pictures of the packaging of both Japanese releases of Summer Wars: http://s-wars.jp/blog/bddvd/.

[TwelveMind]

Originally Posted by kannisto

The original Japanese release of Summer Wars comes in a rather large box with all kinds of extras like an artbook, stickers etc. That's what I was referring to as physical extras. This blog has some pictures of the packaging of both Japanese releases of Summer Wars: http://s-wars.jp/blog/bddvd/.

Ooh... that's one sexy box-set. Publishers around the world should take note on how to do a deluxe offering. That said, I think the set is still available via Amazon.jp and also YesAsia. What-to-do, what-to-do, very tempting but I just wish they had included English subs. Thanks for the link.

[AnimeOnBlu]

PQ is very good. Definitely an HD transfer. Both the Japanese and Taiwan version look identical. I could find no major difference between the two. There are no extras on the Blu-ray, just the DVD. No English subs on the DVD. English subtitles are very good and seem very similar to the theatrical presentation (from what I recall). The only problem was there were no dashes used to show when 2 different people spoke. It looked like:

Hello
Hello

Instead of:

-Hello
-Hello

It is on a BD50. No commentary, just the 3 Japanese tracks and 1 Mandarin track. No previews before the movie. There is just a company logo and copyright warning (which both go by real fast).

Release is very top notch. Unfortunate that the extras aren't subbed, but I expected that. If you don't want to wait until next year for the US/UK release, this is definitely an acceptable substitute.

Yesasia is shipping them with the mousepad as well. And the slipcover is very nice (and stronger cardboard than I usually see used).

I will also test if it is Region free but, someone on Mania-Anime forums said it was Region ABC.

[DrForbidden]

I received my copy via DHL yesterday, from Books.com.tw. Came with the rolled-up mousepad, but I have yet to unwrap it. Cost me about NT$1350, including courier delivery. I also ordered the complete Princess Lover TV series, so the shipping is slightly lower per item. Expect to pay more for shipping if ordering a single item.

[AnimeOnBlu]

I confirmed it is Region Free.

[TwelveMind]

Originally Posted by AnimeOnBlu

I confirmed it is Region Free.

Thanks, guess I'll be picking up the Taiwanese version.

[Zen_Amako]

The Taiwanese distributor of this Blu-ray has been forced to pull all copies from stores because they were not authorized to release a region-free BD. If you got one, you may have a collector's item. The issue appears to be that Manga UK will not be releasing this title in region B until next year.

I guess it's possible that it will be rereleased as region A locked.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Well considering the TW disc is essentially the Japanese disc minus the extras, commentary, and with added subtitle options it didn't come as a surprise that it was Region Free given the Japanese disc was too.

Kinda weird Manga is that worried about it. I mean I understand trying to protect your license but I doubt there were that many people who were going to import it at that price when they could wait a few months and get a disc that is half the price and with subbed extras.

[TwelveMind]

I ordered Summer Wars along with Hou Hsaio-Hsien's Dust In the Wind from JSDVD about a month back. Their website stated that it was shipped out on September 27th but I still have not received the items.

Granted, I did not opt for EMS shipping but this is getting ridiculous. I e-mailed them about two weeks back and got no response, and was forced to call them up very early in the morning due to the time difference. Still no answer! The proprietor claims that he will find out more from the post office.

If I follow the post registry number provided under my order information then it leads me to a link for air-mail tracking and not parcel tracking. Something fishy is definitely going on...sorry really frustrated and just needed to vent.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by TwelveMind

Granted, I did not opt for EMS shipping but this is getting ridiculous.

This is why I always use EMS with them because:
1. The package arrives within the same week
2. You don't have to wait months for regular shipment

China is weird like that. They have the worst regular mail system.

[TwelveMind]

Finally received my order today...a day after an e-mail response from JSDVD. Took more than a month but at least no import fees. Will probably go the EMS route next time.