I've created this thread simply to point out which Studio Ghibli release is the best one. There are a ton of distributors for these films and this thread should clear whatever problems might arise in case anyone is interested in buying a particular edition of a movie. Every contribution from any country is welcome!
If you're not too familiar with the differences between the different editions of Ghibli films, I suggest you take a look at the General Rules / Tips / Notes / Guideline
The rest of you, please provide whatever valid info you can. Screenshots, extras, cover art, booklet art, unboxing videos; anything is necessary and welcome. I will list the differences on the first post. Don't be ashamed to ask for anything. Thanks for reading!
Index:
I will mark in bold which part of which edition is better. Bold is for the next best entry (why that is should be explained in either the picture quality's section or the conclusion)
The parts marked with bold are not recommended (the reasons will/should be stated)
The parts in bold have been reported but confirmation is welcome. Bold stands for "only available in this version" and will mainly refer to extras. Bold is for errors and missing info both of which happened because of the server failure. Most correspond to Blu-ray.com posts that were linked.
Picture Quality: Japanese / US / HK comparison, Japanese/UK edition comparison (1, 2) JP: AVC @ 39548 kbps US: AVC @ 24100 kbps [lower bit-rate than JP (indistinguishable in motion)], only has the English dub credits
UK/AU: AVC @ 31172 kbps, DNR (slight loss in high-frequency detail), slight color change compared to JP + US,
HK: AVC @ 25000 kbps, tiny crop on each side of the picture, a nearly unnoticable boost in contrast, odd subtitles *
DE: AVC @ 23994 kbps
Audio Quality:
JP: Japanese LPCM 2.0 @ 2304 kbps, English DD 2.0 @ 256 kbps (Disney's 2005 mix) US: Japanese DTS-HA MA 2.0 @ 2110 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2077 kbps (English track contained is Disney's 2005 mix) UK: Japanese LPCM 2.0 @ 1536 kbps, English LPCM @ 1536 kbps - better than JP, all lossless, but still inferior to the US edition
HK: Japanese LPCM 2.0 @ 1536 kbps, no English dub
DE: Japanese LPCM 2.0 @ 1055 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 959 kbps
First press includes a mini-book (6.5x9cm) reprint of the Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Movie Guide Book (these need to be checked!) Bonus features: Storyboards
Five theatrical trailers
AR (afureko) recording script
Audio features: Audio Commentary: Hideaki Anno (Key Animator) and Kazuyoshi Katayama (Assistant Director)
Toshio Suzuki and Hideaki Anno's talk "Nausicaa and Evangelion! Whereabouts of the Giant God Soldier?" (recorded in Dec 2009) (recorded in Dec. 2009, 44 min.)
US:
[Show spoiler]
Original Japanese Storyboards (Disc 1, HD, 117 minutes) Enter the Lands of Ghibli (Disc 1, HD): (includes a Nausicaä Trivia Challenge, clips from other Miyazaki films, and a series of Studio Ghibli trailers) Behind the Studio: Creating Nausicaä (Disc 1, HD, 12 minutes) The Birth Story of Studio Ghibli (Disc 2, SD, 28 minutes) Behind the Microphone (Disc 2, SD, 8 minutes) Original Japanese Trailers and TV Spots (Disc 2, SD, 8 minutes)
UK:
[Show spoiler]
• Storyboards (PiP)
• Audio Commentary by Hideaki Anno and Kazuyoshi Katayama (Japanese with English subtitles)
• Audio Interview with Toshio Suzuki and Hideaki Anno (43:40) (Japanese with English subtitles)
• The Birth of Studio Ghibli featurette (27:44) (Japanese with English subtitles)
• Behind The Microphone: Interviews with the English dub cast (7:45)
• Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers & TV spots (8:15)
-TV Spot
-Theatrical Trailer Announcement
-Theatrical Trailer A
-Theatrical Trailer B
-Promotional Film
DE: --to be updated--
Subtitles:
JP:
US: subtitles + dubtitles (SDH)
UK:
HK: odd subtitles * DE: no English subtitles
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US: Region free
UK/AU: Region B-locked
HK: Region free
DE: Region B (A, C unchecked)
Conclusion: Picture: The JP / US Bu-rays are indistinguishable in motion so I'd say that both are winners here. The HK version is also pretty good (minus some problems) but the subtitles are an annoyance. Audio: If you're interested only for the JP audio, I'd suggest the JP release. If you want both versions in lossless, the US release is your friend. Extras: The US release does not contain the excellent audio features. The Japanese release does not contain the 12-minute interview with Miyazaki and the Behind the Microphone feature but it contains the mini-book and AR (afureko) recording script. If you're not interested that much in the interview, script and mini-book, I suggest the UK release.
Picture Quality: Japanese screenshots, Japanese/UK edition comparison, US screenshots JP: AVC @ 33342 kbps
US: AVC @ 23997 kbps, no credit-less opening and closing credits (either Japanese or English) *
UK/AU: DNR (slight loss in high-frequency detail), slight color tint HK: AVC @ 33342 kbps
DE: AVC @ 25989 kbps
Audio Quality:
JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 1732 kbps, English DD 2.0 @ 640 kbps (2003 full-orchestra re-score but with the additional dialogue + newer sound effects removed -> Differences between versions),
US: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2098 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1-ES @ 3685 kbps (2010 version - original score, no script changes) UK/AU: Japanese LPCM 2.0 1536 kbps, English LPCM 5.1 @ 4608 kbps (2003 re-score but with the additional dialogue + newer sound effects removed)
HK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 1732 kbps, no English option
DE: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 978 kbps, no English dub!!
(these need to be checked!) Recording script Storyboards (1080p)
Credit-less opening and ending sequences (1080p, 4:57) Promotional Video (480i, 12:37) Trailers
- TV Spot, Theatrical 1, Theatrical 2 (1080p, 4:41) Behind the Studio (1080p, 8:40)
- The World of Laputa (1080p, 0:00 - 2:18)
- Creating Castle in the Sky (1080p, 2:19 – 6:00)
- Character Sketches (1080p, 6:01-8:40)
US:
[Show spoiler]
Introduction By John Lasseter (SD, 0:51) Original Japanese Storyboards (2:04:41 in 1080p) Behind The Studio: Explore The Movie's Fantastic World
- The World Of Laputa (2:19)
- Creating 'Castle In The Sky' (3:41)
- Character Sketches (2:40)
- Producer's Perspective: Meeting Miyazaki (3:14)
- Scoring Miyazaki (7:18)
- Original Japanese Trailers (4:07)
- Behind The Microphone (4:08)
UK/AU:
[Show spoiler]
• Storyboards (PiP)
• Promotional Video - Vintage Making of Featurette (SD, 12:38)
• Behind The Microphone: Interviews with the English dub cast (SD, 4:09)
• Behind The Studio - 4 featurettes (1080p) -The World Of Laputa (2:18) -Creating Castle In The Sky (3:40) -Character Sketches (2:39) -Producer's Perspective: Meeting Miyazaki (3:14)
• Textless Opening and Ending Credits (1080p, 4:45)
• Original Japanese Trailers (1080p)
-TV Spot (0:15)
-Theatrical Trailer (1:11)
-Promotional Trailer (2:39)
• Studio Ghibli collection trailers
-Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind, Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle, Tales From Earthsea, My Neighbours The Yamadas, Spirited Away
HK:
[Show spoiler]
Fullscreen storyboards for the entire film Creditless OP (~2min) and ED (~3min) videos Interview with Miyazaki and Crew (~12 min and clearly upscaled, likely from a VHS source) TV spot (15 sec) "Theatrical Special" [i.e. a teaser trailer] (~2 min) Theatrical Trailer (~3 min)
DE: --to be updated--
Subtitles:
JP:
US: dubtitles *
UK:
HK: subtitles (main feature only) DE: no English subtitles
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US: Region free
UK: Region B-locked
HK: Region A-locked
DE: Region B (A, C unchecked)
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2120 kbps, no English language option!! US: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2097 kbps / 24-bit, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2086 kbps / 24-bit, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2018 kbps / 24-bit
UK:
Storyboards (1080p) Recording script Standalone Storyboard Videos [SD, A (1:53), B (0:39)] Interview with director Isao Takahata (SD, 17:48) Interview with film critic Roger Ebert (SD, 12:17) Picture Gallery Trailers
- TV Spots 1 (1080p, 0:19), 2 (1080p, 0:37)
- Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 1:46)
- Promo film (SD, 15:18) Commentaries by Isao Takahata, art director Nizo Yamamoto, layout artist/animation director assistant Yoshiyuki Momose, color key artist Michiyo Yasuda, sound director Yasuo Uragami, and composer Michio Mamiya Two Recording Sessions (1 - 5:40, 2 - 5:57)
US:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards (1:28:33 in 1080p) Deleted Scene Storyboard 1 (1:53 in 480i) Deleted Scene Storyboard 2 (0:38 in 480i) Japanese Trailer (1:47 in 1080p)
UK:
[Show spoiler]
(provided by manicsounds)
The Film (Japanese credits, with Studio Ghibli logo at the start)
English or Japanese audio, white English subtitles for the Japanese audio
• Storyboards Picture In Picture
• Interview with Director Isao Takahata (17:39)
• Japanese Release Promo featuring Director Isao Takahata and Writer Akiyuki Nosaka (6:36)
• Historical Perspective Documentary (12:25)
•Interview with Film Critic Roger Ebert (12:07)
• 2 Deleted Scenes Storyboards
- Storyboard Video 1 (1:53)
- Storyboard Video 2 (0:38)
• Bonus Storyboards
- Single Shots (5:02)
- Catch (0:24)
- Water (1:21)
- Bombers (0:23)
- Bedroom (0:34)
- Hospital (0:29)
- Flashback (0:33)
- Food (0:28)
- Beach (0:36)
- Train (0:32)
• Trailers
- “Grave Of The Fireflies” (original Japanese trailer) (1:42)
- “From Up On Poppy Hill” (Disney/Studio Canal trailer) (2:24)
- “Ponyo” (Optimum trailer) (2:00)
- “Arrietty” (Studio Canal trailer) (1:46)
Storyboards (1080p) Credit-less opening and closing credits (standalone features) Trailers
- TV Spot 1 (1080p, 0:19)
- TV Spot 2 (1080p, 0:36)
- Trailer (SD, 1:52)
- Promo Film (SD, 15:18)
US:
[Show spoiler]
• Original Japanese Storyboards (HD, 1:26:22)
• Creating My Neighbor Totoro (2:58)
• Creating the Characters (4:24)
• The Tortoro Experience (2:00)
• Producer's Perspective: Creating Ghibli (1:23)
• The Locations of Tortoro (28:38)
• Scoring Miyazaki (7:18)
• Original Japanese Trailer (0:53)
• Behind the Microphone (5:39)
UK:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards (PiP) Creating My Neighbor Totoro (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:02:58) Creating the Characters (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:04:23) The Totoro Experience (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:01:59) Producer’s Perspective: Creating Ghibli (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:01:23) The Locations of Totoro (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:28:48) Scoring Miyazaki (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:07:18) Behind the Microphone (1.33:1; 720p; 00:05:40) Textless Opening
Textless Closing
Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers (1.78:1/1.85:1; 1080p/24; 00:00:44) Studio Ghibli Collection Trailers
Subtitles:
JP: Subtitles (main feature only)
US: 21 May 2013 subtitles and dubtitles *
UK: yellow subtitles
Region code:
JP: Region free
US: 21 May 2013
UK: Region B-locked
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2124 kbps / 24-bit, English DD @ 192 kbps
US: Not available yet
UK/AU: Japanese LPCM 2.0 @ 1536 kbps/ 16 bit , English LPCM 2.0 @ 1536 kbps / 16 bit
TW: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2124 kbps / 24-bit, no English dub!
Storyboards
Voice Over Script
Ursula's Paintings
Trailers
US: Not available yet
UK/AU:
[Show spoiler]
(provided by manicsounds)
The Film (Japanese credits)
English or Japanese audio, yellow English subtitles for the Japanese audio
(There are 2 English subtitle tracks but they are both identical)
The English audio is the modified Disney English dub: The songs are the original Japanese songs, Jiji's extra final line has been removed)
• Storyboards Picture In Picture
• Ursula’s Painting (2:32)
• Creating “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (2:26)
• Kiki And Jiji (3:26)
• Flying with Kiki & Beyond (2:49)
• Producer’s Perspective: Collaborating with Miyazaki (1:47)
• The Locations of Kiki (29:13)
• Behind The Microphone: Interviews with the English dub cast (4:59)
• 5 Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers (7:44)
• Studio Ghibli Collection Trailers (7:42)
“From Up On Poppy Hill” “My Neighbour Totoro” “Arrietty” “Laputa: Castle In The Sky” “Ponyo”
Storyboards (1080p) Voice Over Script
Making of "Only Yesterday" (46:09, SD) Trailers
- TV Spot 1 (1080p, 0:37), 2 (1080p, 0:37)
- Trailers 1 (1080p, 3:02), 2 (1080p, 3:19) Sneak Peeks (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales of the Night, The Secret World of Arrietty)
Audio Quality:
JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 @ 2126 kbps / 24-bit, English DD 2.0 @192 kbps
Extras:
JP:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards (1080p) Rakugo reciting of the Tanusai story by the third-generation Shinchou Kokontei(SD, 14:32) Trailers (4, 1080p, 7:47)
TV Spots 1 (0:38), 2 (1:08)
Theatrical Trailer (2:34)
??? (3:30)
Audio Quality:
JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 3981 kbps/24-bit, English DTS 5.1 @ 768 kbps US: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4391 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4551 kbps UK/AU: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 3982 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4002 kbps HK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2074 kbps, no English option
IT: Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 640 kbps
TW: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 3981 kbps/24-bit, no English dub!!!
(these need to be checked!) Storyboards (1080p)
AR (afureko) recording script
The Story Baron Gave Me - collection of Naohisa Inoue background art [1080, (4 parts - 2:03 / 5:08 / 7:48 / 19:49)] Naohisa Inoue's Before One Can Draw One Piece of Artwork video (4:48) Trailers
- Promo film (1080p, 5:50)
- TV Spots 1 (1080p, 0:39), 2 (1080p, 0:38), 3 (1080p, 0:38)
- Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers 1 (1080p, 1:58), 2 (1080p, 1:08)
US:
[Show spoiler]
Original Japanese Storyboards (HD, 111 minutes) 4 Masterpieces of Naohisa Inoue (HD, 35 minutes) Behind the Microphone (SD, 8 minutes) Trailers & TV Spots (SD, 11 minutes)
UK/AU:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards (PiP) Background Artwork from "The Baron's Story" (720p, 4:45) 4 Masterpieces of Naohisa Inoue: From Start to Finish [1080p, (4 parts - 2:01 / 5:06 / 7:46 / 19:47)]. Behind the Microphone (720p, 7:58). Trailers
- TV Spots 1 (1080p, 0:32), 2 (1080p, 0:31), 3 (1080p, 0:31), 4 (1080p, 5:42)
- Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers 1 (1080p, 1:58), 2 (1080p, 1:08)
HK: Storyboards only
IT: --to be updated--
TW: --to be updated--
Subtitles:
JP: subtitles (main feature only)
US: subtitles *
UK: subtitles
HK: subtitles (main feature only) IT: no English subtitles
TW: --to be updated--
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US: Region A, B (C untested)
UK: Region B-locked
HK: Region A-locked
IT: Region B (A, C unchecked)
TW: Region A-locked
Picture Quality: JP: AVC @ 25318 kbps JP MGVC: AVC @ 30607 kbps
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK/AU:
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2316 kbps/16-bit, English DD 5.1 @ 448 kbps JP MGVC: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4326 kbps/24-bit, English DD 5.1 @ 448 kbps
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK/AU:
Extras:
JP:
JP MGVC:
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK/AU:
Subtitles:
JP:
JP MGVC:
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK:
Region Coding: JP: Region free JP MGVC: Region free
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK:
Picture Quality: Japanese edition screenshots, UK/AU screenshots JP: AVC @ 35936 kbps
US: Not available yet
UK/AU: AVC @ 32031 kbps, Japanese credits on main feature HK: AVC @ 35936 kbps
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2314 kbps, English DD 5.1 @ 640Kbps
US: Not available yet UK/AU: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2241 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4274 kbps HK/TW: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2314 kbps, no English dub!!!
NTV Super TV Jouhou Saizensen "Making-Of" special
Storyboards via Picture-in-Picture
Theatrical trailers
AR (afureko) recording script
TV CMs
Promotional videos
US: Not available yet UK/AU:
[Show spoiler]
• Storyboards (PiP)
• NTV Special Program: Super TV: 15 months exclusive coverage "Secrets of My Neighbours the Yamadas" (SD, 45:25)
• Behind The Microphone: Interviews with the English dub cast (HD, 5:30)
• 4 TV Spots (2:03)
• 5 Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers (HD, 13:13)
HK/TW: Storyboards
Subtitles:
JP: subtitles (main feature only)
US: Not available yet
UK: Not available yet
HK/TW: subtitles (main feature only)
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US: Not available yet
UK: Region B-locked
HK/TW: Region A-locked
Picture Quality:
JP: AVC @ 26973 kbps
JP MGVC: AVC @ 29929 kbps
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK: --to be released November 3rd--
Audio Quality:
JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 4730 kbps/24-bit, English DD 5.1 @ 448 kbps
JP MGVC: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 4730 kbps/24-bit, English DD 5.1 @ 448 kbps
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK: --to be released November 3rd--
Extras:
JP:
JP MGVC:
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK: --to be released November 3rd--
Subtitles:
JP:
JP MGVC:
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK: --to be released November 3rd--
Region Coding: JP: Region free JP MGVC: Region free
US: --to be released November 18th--
UK: --to be released November 3rd--
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1-ES @ 3986 kbps/24-bit, English DTS 5.1 @ 768 kbps US: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4153 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4376 kbps
UK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2154 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2299 kbps
HK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1-ES @ 2154 kbps, no English dub!
DE: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 2695 kbps
TW: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1-ES @ 3986 kbps/24-bit, no English dub!
Storyboards (1080p) AR (afureko) recording script
The World of Howl (9:05) Interview with Diana Wynne Jones (7:34 minutes) Interview with Pete Docter (7:22) Conversation between Moebius and Hayao Miyazaki (16:48)
North American premiere screening (10:58) Hello Mr. Lasseter (16:29) How they moved Howl's Moving Castle (19:38) Howl's Moving Castle ~ scoring ~ sound ~ scenery (May 2005 broadcast) (27:49) Trailers
- TV Spots (SD): A (0:37 / 0:22), B (0:37 / 0:22), C, D, E, F, G (0:22 each)
- Teasers (1080p): 1 (0:25), 2 (0:27), 3 (0:37), 4 (2:13)
- Trailers 1 (2:22), 2 (2:22)
US:
[Show spoiler]
• Behind the Microphone (9:02)
• Interview with Peter Docter (4:39)
• Hello Mr. Lasseter (16:29)
• TV Spots and Trailers (5:25)
• Original Japanese Storyboards (1:55:00)
Storyboards (PiP)
• Hello Mr. Lasseter: Hayao Miyazaki Visits Pixar (16:27)
• Interview with Diana Wynne Jones - Author of Howl’s Moving Castle (7:54)
• Interview With Pete Docter - Director of the English Dub (7:48)
• Explanation of CG (19:37)
• The Sounds of Howl’s Moving Castle (27:49)
• Behind the Microphone: Interviews with the English dub cast (9:00)
• Trailers
- 15 TV Spots (3:36)
- 6 Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers (7:51)
HK:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards Interview with Diana Wynne Jones (8 minutes) Interview with Pete Docter (7 minutes) Miyazaki's Visit To Pixar (16 minutes) Explanation of CG
The Birth Story Of The Film Soundtrack
TV Spots
DE: --to be updated--
TW: --to be updated--
Subtitles:
JP: subtitles (main feature only)
US: subtitles and dubtitles *
UK: --to be updated--
HK: subtitles (main feature only) DE: no English subtitles
TW: --to be updated--
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US:
UK: Region B (locked)
HK: Region A (locked)
DE: Region B (A, C unchecked)
TW: Region A (locked)
Picture Quality:
JP: AVC @ 21593 kbps
US: Not available yet
UK: AVC @ 22283 kbps, Japanese credits only on the main feature
HK: AVC @ 24102 kbps
TW: AVC @ 21593 kbps
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 4710 kbps, English DTS 5.1 768 kbps
US: Not available yet
UK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 2463 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2262 kbps
HK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 4898 kbps, no English dub!!
TW: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 4710 kbps, no English dub!!
(these need to be checked!) Recording script
Storyboards (1080p)
Tales from Earthsea ~ Scoring Vol.1 How "Theru's Song" was Born (SD, 30:17) Tales from Earthsea ~ Scoring Vol.2 How the Movie Soundtrack was Born (SD, 1:00:17) NTV Special Featurette (1080i, 43:53 minutes) Cast - Dialog Recording - Interviews (1080i, 47:34) Promotional material
- Trailers 1, 2, 3 (1080p, 0:37 each)
- Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers1 (3:02), 2 (2:58), 3 (2:14)
- TV SpotsA, B, C, D, E (SD, 0:22 each) Behind the Studio: Origins of Earthsea (SD, 4:04)
Storyboards (PiP) The Birth of the Film Soundtrack Featurette (1:00:18) NTV Special Featurette (43:51) Behind The Microphone - Interviews with the Japanese Cast (47:32) Behind the Studio: Origins of Earthsea (4:05) 3 TV Spots (1:33) 6 Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers (9:32)
HK: Storyboards
TW:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards (1080p) The Birth Story of Theru's Song
The Birth Story of the Film Soundtrack
Theatrical Trailers (3 "Specials", 3 Trailers) 5 TV Spots
Subtitles:
JP: subtitles (main feature only)
US: Not available yet
UK: Not available yet
HK: Subtitles (main feature only)
TW: subtitles (main feature only)
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US: Not available yet
UK: Not available yet
HK: Region A-locked
TW: Region A-locked
Reviews:
Conclusion:
17) Ponyo (2008)
BDInfo: JP (Japanese / English titles), US (Japanese titles / English titles), UK, HK, DE, IT
Picture Quality: JP: AVC @ 23515 kbps, digital film, same transfer as US US: AVC @ 23271 kbps, digital film, same transfer as JP
UK: AVC @ 27499 kbps [highest bit-rate than the rest, marginally lower compression quality than the other 2 (noticeable only in a few scenes), only has the international version with the English language dub credits] HK: 1080i, same source as JP BD, 29.970 fps
DE: VC-1 @ 16999 kbps
IT: AVC @ 23515 kbps
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 4537 kbps, English DD 2.0 @ 256 kbps
US: Japanese DD EX 5.1 @ 640 kbps, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2260 kbps / 16-bit UK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 4558 kbps, English LPCM 5.1 @ 4608 kbps HK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 2300 kbps
DE: Japanese DTS-HD MA 6.1 @ 2589 kbps, no English dub!!
IT: Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1-EX @ 640kbps, no English dub!!
(these need to be checked!) Storyboards
Theatrical Trailers (2 Types)
TV Spots (11 Types)
Tie-in TV Spots (3 Types)
NTV (日テレちん Nitterechin?) Spots (2 Types)
Non-credit Ending (Long Version)
Theme Song Release Press Conference
Dubbing Session Footage
Premiere
Interview with Hayao Miyazaki
Producer Toshio Suzuki and NTV Editor Toshio Tsuchiya Discussion
NEWS ZERO Ponyo Spin-off Segment
Hayao Miyazaki Quotations
Venice Film Festival Footage
Theme Song Music Video
Korea Version Theme Song Music Video
US:
[Show spoiler]
Meet Ponyo (HD, 3 minutes) Storyboard Experience (HD) The World of Ghibli - Behind the Studio: (HD, 41 minutes): A Conversation with Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter / Creating Ponyo / Ponyo and Fujimoto / The Nursery / Telling the Story / The Locations of Ponyo / Scoring Miyazaki / Behind the Microphone / Original Japanese Trailers The World of Ghibli - Enter the Lands (HD) Ghibli Worlds Previews (HD, 8 minutes)
• Storyboards (PiP)
• Meet Ponyo (Introduction by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall) (1080p, 3:20)
• A Conversation with Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter (1080p, 3:30)
• Behind the Microphone - The Voices of Ponyo (1080p, 6:02)
• Creating Ponyo (1080p, 3:56)
• Ponyo and Fujimoto (1080p, 2:58)
• The Nursery (1080p, 1:57)
• Scoring Miyazaki (1080p, 7:17)
• The Producer’s Perspective: Telling the Story (1080p, 2:25)
• The Locations in Ponyo (1080p, 9:43)
• The Five Geniuses Who Created Ponyo (1080i, 48:57) - Katsuya Kondo (Supervising Animator)
- Noboru Yoshida (Art Director)
- Michiya Yasuda (Colour Design)
- Shuji Inoue (Recording & Sound Mixing)
- Joe Hisaishi (Music)
• Hayao Miyazaki Interview (1080i, 14:51)
• Toshio Suzuki Interview (1080i, 29:41)
• Dubbing Session and Interview with the Japanese Cast (1080i, 24:54)
• Japanese Theme Song Music Video (1080p, 3:32)
• Japanese Trailers and TV Spots
- Trailer 1 (1080p, 1:28)
- Trailer 2 (1080p, 1:46)
- TV Spot (1080i, 0:16)
- Tie-In Promotion with Lawson (1080i, 0:16)
- Tie-In Promotion with Ponyo Exhibition (1080i, 0:16)
- Tie-In Promotion with Layout Design Exhibition (1080i, 0:16)
HK:
[Show spoiler]
Trailers
TV ads
TV special
Storyboard/concept art accompaniment
Music video
Interviews
Premiere
Behind the scenes
DE: --to be updated--
IT: --to be updated--
Subtitles:
JP: subtitles (main feature only)
US:
UK: subtitles (yellow font)
HK: DE: no English subtitles
IT: subtitles
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US: Region free
UK: Region B-locked
HK: Region A-locked
DE: Region B (A, C unchecked)
IT: Region B (A, C unchecked)
Reviews:
Conclusion:
18) The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
BDInfo: JP, UK, US (Japanese / English titles), HK, ES, IT, DE, TW
Audio Quality:
JP/TW: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4157 kbps, no English dub JP (North America version): unconfirmed!!! JP (DTS 5.1) / UK (DTS 5.1) / US (DTS-HD MA 5.1) dubs US: Japanese DTS HD MA 5.1 @ 4471 kbps / US DTS HD MA 5.1 @ 3805 kbps (US dub!!)
UK: Japanese DTS-MA 5.1 @ 2163 kbps / UK DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2179 kbps (UK dub!!)
HK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2172 kbps
DE: Japanese DTS-MA 5.1 @ 3522 kbps, German DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 2288 kbps, no English dub!
ES: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 1948 kbps, no English dub!
IT: Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 @ 640 kbps
(these need to be checked!)
• First press release includes a full-size replica of Arrietty's hairpin
• Storyboards (1080p)
• Voice Recording Script (Japanese)
• Interviews -Hayao Miyazaki (23:53) -Hiromasa Yonebayashi (40:48)
• NTV Documentary on Arrietty, Studio Ghibli, and Irish folklore (44:09)
• Music Video “Arrietty’s Song” Promotional Video by Cecille Corbel (3:40)
• 8 Theatrical Trailers (9:11)
• 14 TV spots (5:50)
• 5 Cross-promotion TV commercials (1:59)
• Previews
JP (North America version): no extras
US:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboard version of the film
Original trailers and TV spots
Music videos by Cecile Corbel and Bridgit Mendler
Making of the Mendler video
Japanese trailer (SD, 0:34) Japanese TV spots (SD, 1:36 / 0:22) Storyboards (PiP) Interviews with Hayao Miyazaki (SD, 23:54) and Hiromasa Yonebayashi (SD, 40:49) Arrietty's Song -Promotional Video- by Cecile Corbel (SD, 3:40) Cast Interviews |Tom Holland, Geraldine McEwan, Saoirse Ronan, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman| (SD, 5:31/5:44/3:20/2:45/4:33) Collector's Limited Edition includes 5 postcards and exclusive packaging
HK:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards
"Arrietty's Song" PV
Interview with Hayao Miyazaki
Interview with Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Original JP trailers
TV Spots
DE: --to be updated--
ES: --to be updated--
IT: --to be updated--
TW: --to be updated--
Subtitles:
JP: subtitles (main feature only)
US: subtitles *
UK: --to be updated--
HK: subtitles (main feature only) DE: no subtitles ES: no English subtitles IT: no English subtitles
TW: --to be updated--
Region Coding:
JP: Region free
US: Region free
UK: Region B-locked
HK: Region A-locked
DE: Region B (A, C unchecked)
ES: Region B (A, C unchecked)
IT: Region B (A, C unchecked)
TW: Region A-locked
Audio Quality: JP: Japanese DTS HD MA 5.0 @ 3731 kbps/24-bit, no English dub!
US: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.0 @ 2108 kbps/16-bit, English DTS-HD MA 5.0 @ 2140 kbps/16-bit UK: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.0 @ 3734 kbps/24-bit, English DTS-HD MA 5.0 @ 3521 kbps/24-bit FR: Japanese DTS HD MA 5.0 @ 3731 kbps/24-bit, no English dub! TW: Japanese DTS HD MA 5.0 @ 3731 kbps/24-bit, no English dub!
Main disc: Storyboards (1080p) "Summer of Goodbye" by Aoi Teshima Music Video (1080p, 5:45) Aoi Teshima: Concert in 360° (1080p, 52:18) Press Conference: "Summer of Goodbye" (1080, 39:17) AR (afureko) recording script
First Screening: A Discussion with Hayao and Goro Miyazaki (1080p, 6:14) Screening of the film at the Scala-Za cinema (1080p, 23:46) Trailers (15, 8:18) TV Spots in 1080p [A (0:23), B (0:22), C (0:37), D (0:19), E (0:17), F (0:22), G (0:37), H (0:19), I (0:17), J (0:22), K (0:22), L (0:21)] Trailer in 1080p [1 (0:53), 2 (2:09), 3 (0:38)]
Special disc(only available in Yokohama Special Edition): Goro Miyazaki interview
Aoi Teshima Yokohama Present/Past Scenes Music Video
Yokohama guide map
In addition, people who pre-order any version will receive a pair of marriage protection charms (縁結びお守り enmusubi omamori?). Starting on 16 March 2012, people who buy or pre-order any Studio Ghibli Blu-ray Disc or DVD in Japan will receive a randomly selected (out of six available) character sticker of From Up On Poppy Hill. The sticker includes a link to a site with personal computer wallpaper and a Flash-animated ringtone for mobile phones.
US:
[Show spoiler]
Storyboards (1080p; 1:30:51) Director Goro Miyazaki on Yokohama (1080i; 17:37). Yokohama—Stories of the Past and Present (1080i; 22:36) "Summer of Farewells" Music Video (1080i; 5:45) English Voice Cast Featurette (1080p; 21:48) Press Conference—Theme Song Announcement (1080i; 39:33) Hayao Miyazaki's Speech After the Staff Screening (1080i; 6:14) Japanese Trailers and Teasers (1080p; 7:11) U.S. Trailer (1080p; 2:25)
(From press release)
Original Japanese and English Language Versions with Subtitles and Dubtitles 20-Page Booklet Containing Original Project Proposal by Hayao Miyazaki and a Letter from Goro Miyazaki
Storyboards (PiP) Press Conference - Theme Song Announcement (1080i, 39:17) Interview with Goro Miyazaki (1080i, 17:36) Hayao Miyazaki's Staff Speech (1080i, 6:12) Music Video "Summer of Farewells ~ From Up on Poppy Hill ~" - Performed by Aoi Teshima (1080i, 5:43) Original Japanese Trailers and TV Spots (16, 1080p, 7:19) [0:46, 02:05, 0:32, 0:18, 0:17, 0:17, 0:32, 0:14, 0:12, 0:17, 0:32, 0:14, 0:22, 0:07, 0:17, 0:17] Yokohama Featurette ~ Stories of Past and Present (1080i, 22:34) Making of Poppy Hill ~ Featurette with English Cast (1080p, 21:47) Studio Ghibli Collection Trailer (Laputa, Ponyo, Arrietty, Totoro, Kiki) [720p, 7:05)
Postcards of Concept art of the various Latin Quarter Clubhouse characters
Yokohama Historial Guidemap
Storyboards
Aoi Teshima Concert 360 in Nicofarre
Aoi Teshima Music Video of Summer of Goodbye with Yokohama historical footage
Press Conference of the Theme Song Announcement
Picture Quality:
JP: AVC @ 25864 kbps
JP MGVC: AVC @ 31706 kbps
UK: --to be released September 29th--
Audio Quality:
JP: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4096 kbps/24-bit, English DD 5.1 @ 448 kbps
JP MGVC: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 @ 4096 kbps/24-bit, English DD 5.1 @ 448 kbps
UK: --to be released September 29th--
Extras: JP:
[Show spoiler]
checked by me Recording script
Storyboards (1080p) "Hikokigumo" music video (1080p, 5:04) Retirement Press Conference (1080i, 1:22:46) Promotional material
- Trailer (1080p) 1 (0:43), 2(0:42)
- Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer(1080p, 4:21)
- TV Spot (1080p)A (0:38), B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I (0:22 each) Studio Ghibli Trailers (Kingdom of Madness, From up on Poppy Hill, The Secret World of Arrietty)
JP MGVC: no extras included in the Hayao Miyazaki collection (check here)
UK: --to be released September 29th--
Subtitles:
JP:
JP MGVC:
UK: --to be released September 29th--
Region Coding:
JP: Region free JP MGVC: Region free
UK: --to be released September 29th--
Reviews:
Conclusion:
21) The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Not available yet
General Rules / Tips / Notes / Guideline:
- The Japanese releases which are not digital have a lot of grain (unless stated otherwise).
- The UK/AU versions are identical and have no to minimal grain (unless stated otherwise).
- The US versions have grain but due to the lower bitrate, it's less apparent than the JP releases and they are nearly indistinguishable in motion.
- The subtitles section is to address whether the subtitles are dubtitles or subtitles. I will add whichever language you want me to, as long as we have info which is which. Subtitle language options are available in the database
- The JP releases have various promotional material for each film. The titles of each will not be entirely accurate (TV Spot / Theatrical trailer / Promo film / etc)
- The JP releases are Digibooks,they are very expensive and (usually) region-free. Supplemental material usually does not carry subtitles (this is hard to confirm, be sure to check with others before buying)
- HK releases are most of the time similar to the JP releases in terms of PQ (see Ponyo though - there are exceptions), they are cheaper but do not contain English dubs (subs are included). Region coding varies [unless stated otherwise]
- For people who don't care about money I'd recommend the Japanese edition. This edition usually also comes with an abundance of extra language options [German, French, Mandarin, Cantonese etc] (see the database for individual titles)
- For people who want value-for-money / English localization (whatever that entails) I'd recommend the US edition -> very good PQ (lower bit-rate than JP) + AQ and good extras (be careful of subtitles vs. dubtitles)
- For people who want value-for-money / English localization / don't like grain / better bonuses / don't want to wait for the US editions I'd recommend the UK releases -> DNR'ed but very good PQ + AQ + usually better extras than the US version (DNR is not the rushed kind, see comparison pictures)
- If you have info about editions in different countries (Spain, Italy, Germany etc.), I will be very happy to include these entries. But bare in mind that this is not a list of every international release. We have an excellent database for this. There listing everything here is pointless if there is no extra info (the source of the film, audio options, extras etc) on the matter.
General Rules / Tips / Notes / Guideline:
- For people who want value-for-money / English localization (whatever that entails) I'd recommend the US edition -> very good PQ (lower bit-rate than JP) + AQ and good extras (be careful of subtitles vs. dubtitles)
- For people who want value-for-money / English localization / don't like grain / better bonuses / don't want to wait for the US editions I'd recommend the UK releases -> DNR'ed but very good PQ + AQ + usually better extras than the US version (DNR is not the rushed kind, see comparison pictures)
I wish Disney has better bonuses. I'm a big bonus/extra features type of person and if Disney just transferred the Japanese extras with aided American extras (cast interviews, behind the scenes etc.) then I wouldn't have to lament on the lack of "gifts."
I sometimes have the urge to purchase the JP digibook due to the aesthetic appeal and the bonuses, AND whatever English version is better (simply because I enjoy the English language dubs). These Ghibli products are certainly an investment.
I have a question about the blu-ray release of Totoro (sorry if this has already been answered). Are the English subtitles included translated subtitles (meaning they follow the Japanese script) or dubtitles? I've always wanted to watch Totoro with the Japanese audio and translated subs, but IIRC the English releases of Totoro all contain dubtitles as does the Japanese DVD release of Totoro. I was really hoping that the blu-ray release of Totoro would finally have translated subs rather than dubtitles again.
I have a question about the blu-ray release of Totoro (sorry if this has already been answered). Are the English subtitles included translated subtitles (meaning they follow the Japanese script) or dubtitles? I've always wanted to watch Totoro with the Japanese audio and translated subs, but IIRC the English releases of Totoro all contain dubtitles as does the Japanese DVD release of Totoro. I was really hoping that the blu-ray release of Totoro would finally have translated subs rather than dubtitles again.
Subtitles.
For future reference, first link on my signature.
EDIT: was this moved? I don't remember answering in this thread. Anyway, the answer is on the first post
EDIT: was this moved? I don't remember answering in this thread. Anyway, the answer is on the first post
I did see that it said it had subtitles. Honestly, it was mainly just me being paranoid and wanting to confirm that they were translated subs. Like I said, I've always wanted to watch Totoro with the original Japanese audio. Looks like I'll finally get that chance. Thank you for the reply.
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Comparison of Studio Ghibli Blu-ray Releases
Hybrid Mode
