Anime DVD Release Comparisons

[SpazeBlue]

Aquarion

[Show spoiler]2008 Parts:

-Possibly has alternate-angles

2008 Complete Series:

-5 discs to 4 discs
-Drops (if included on first release) the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Missing all extras except Textless Songs and trailers

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

2020 Essentials:

.

Best Release: If first set has alternate-angles:

[Show spoiler]2008/2010/2020 for picture quality, 2008 Parts for extras

If no alternate-angles:

[Show spoiler]2008 Parts

Azumanga Daioh

[Show spoiler]2004 Singles:

-Mini-movie
-Booklets

2005 Class Album:

-6 discs to 5 discs
-Extras dropped (including mini-movie)
-Booklets dropped

2008 box set:

-Similar discs

2009 Complete set:

-Similar discs to Singles

2016 Sentai Selects:

-5 discs
-Missing mini-movie and booklets

Best Release: 2004 Singles for mini-movie, complete extras, and booklets


Baccano!

[Show spoiler]2009 Singles:

.

2009 Complete Series:

-4 discs to 3 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-New extras

2010 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2009 Complete Series/2010 Anime Classics


Baki: The Grappler

[Show spoiler]2005-2007 Singles:

.

2007-2008 Season Sets:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2008 Viridian Collection

-12 discs to 7
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-All extras dropped except songs and trailers

Best Release: Viridian Collection for picture quality, Season sets or singles for extras


Basilisk

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

-(Note: Limited Editions come with 10-page booklets)

2007 Complete Series:

-Discs collected in DigiPack
-Limited Edition booklets included

2007-2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2008 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing most extras

2010 Complete Series:

.

Best Release: 2008/2010 sets for picture quality, 2007 Complete Series for the booklets (and possibly extras missing from newer sets)


Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into slipbox

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Drops commentaries and music videos

2010 S.A.V.E set:

.

2012 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2012 set for better video quality, singles/2008 Complete Series for extras


Black Cat

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into slipbox
-Booklet

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Drops booklet

2010 Complete Collection:

.

2012 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2012 collections for better video quality, 2008 Complete Series for booklet


Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma

[Show spoiler]2001:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Blue Gender

[Show spoiler]2001-2003 Singles:

-Terrible artifacting from the alternate-angles
-Macroblocking

2003 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2005 Complete Series:

-DVDs and movie placed in giant case

2008 Viridian Collection:

-DigiPack packaging

2011 Anime Classics:

-8 discs to 4 discs
-Dropped alternate-angles
-Far less artifacting and macroblocking
-Tracks upmixed to 5.1
-Updated movie disc

Best Release: 2011 Anime Classics


Blue Submarine No. 6

[Show spoiler]2000 Singles:

-Very poor quality

2003 Special Edition:

-Removes Japanese 2.0
-4 discs to 2 discs
-Contains 3rd disc of extras

2007 Anime Legends

-Similar discs

2013 Diskotek:

-Uses the higher quality JP DVD masters
-Edited Toonami dub, and Japanese with English subs
-Drops all extras except trailers

2016 DTS Edition:

-Original English Dub, Toonami dub, DD & DTS Japanese 5.1 Tracks
-No extras

(For comparison)
2014 Blu-ray:

-Uses poor Q-Tec upscale
-Edited Toonami dub
-Drops all extras except Directors Interview & Creator's Eyes Interview

Best Release: Between the 2016 DVD for the better video/both English tracks/Japanese DTS track and the 2003/2007 sets for extras


Burn Up W

[Show spoiler]2001:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Claymore

[Show spoiler]2008-2009 Singles:

(Note: Volume 1 Starter Set and Volume 6 DVD both contain booklets)

2009 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into Slipbox
-Both booklets

2011 Anime Classics:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Booklets dropped

Best Release: 2011 Anime Classics (Booklets are combined and included in the first Blu-ray release)


Darker Than Black

[Show spoiler]2008-2009 Singles:

.

2010 Complete:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2011 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2010/2011


Fruits Basket (2001)

[Show spoiler]2002-2003 Singles:

.

2004 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a box

2007 Viridian Collection Singles:

-Similar to original singles

2007 Complete Series:

-Thinpak

2011 Collector's Edition:

-All extras moved to new 5th disc, improving video quality
-Upgraded 2.0 audio to 5.1

2014 Anime Classics:

-5th disc dropped

Best Release: 2011 Collector's Edition


Fullmetal Alchemist

[Show spoiler]2005-2006 Singles:

-'Alchemy Tests' Booklets

2007-2008 Part Box Sets:

-Discs collected into DigiPack packaging in slipbox
-Booklets included

2007-2008 Viridian Singles:

-Drops booklets

2009 Complete Seasons:

-13 discs to 8
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Includes booklets

2010 Viridian Sets:

-Drops booklets

Best Release: 2009 Complete Seasons


Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack
-Art booklets

2009 Remastered:

-Remastered
-4 discs to 3 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Booklets dropped
-Possibly missing extras

2011 Anime Classics:

-Possibly missing 2.0 tracks

Best Release: 2009 Remastered set (if the 2011 set is missing the 2.0 tracks) for the video quality, 2008 Complete Series for the Art booklets (and possibly extras missing from newer sets)


Glass Fleet

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2009 S.A.V.E set:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing extras

Best Release: 2009 S.A.V.E set (and some of the singles if the 2009 set is missing certain extras)


Gunslinger Girl

[Show spoiler]2005 Singles:

.

2006 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2007 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2007 Viridian Collection:

-DVDs collected in a DigiBook

2008 Viridian Collection:

-DVDs collected in a Slipbox

2011 Complete Collection:

-3 discs to 2 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing some extras

Best Release: 2011 Complete Collection for video quality, and any of the older releases for the extras (if missing)


Gunsmith Cats

[Show spoiler]2001:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1
-Adds Commentary

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Haibane Renmei

[Show spoiler]2003-2004 Singles:

.

2005 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a box

2012 Anime Classics:

-uses the poor Japanese DNR'd upscaled master downscaled to DVD
-4 discs to 2 discs

Best Release: Singles/Box Set


Hell Girl

[Show spoiler]2008-2009 Singles:

.

2009 Complete:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Missing extras from discs 2, 4-6

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010 for video quality, singles for complete extras


Jinki: Extend

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Collection:

-Discs collected into slipbox

2009 FUNimation Complete Series:

-3 discs to 2 discs
-Drops all extras except Clean Openings and Endings

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: Singles/2008 Complete Collection


Kiddy Grade

[Show spoiler]2004 Singles:

.

2005-2006 Case Files:

-2 singles DVDs in one case

2006 Box:

-DVDs collected in slipbox
-Possibly missing extras

2008 Viridian Collection:

-Possibly missing extras

2011 Anime Classics:

-8 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops English 2.0 track

Best Release: 2011 Anime Classic for video quality, Singles/Case Files for extras (if missing from later releases)


Moon Phase

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

-Visible artifacting in the OP

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack
-Guidebooks

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles
-Fixed OP issues
-Introduces jagged, stair-stepped lines
-Possibly a bit paler and washed out
-Different series titles look
-Guidebooks dropped

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2008 Complete Series for overall better quality + guidebooks


Mushishi

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing extras

2009 Viridian Collection:

.

2010 Complete Collection:

.

2011 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2008/2009/2010/2011 sets for video quality (and some of the singles if the later sets are missing certain extras)


My-Hime

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

-Volumes 1-4 authored by The Ocean Group, moved to SpeeDVD for Volumes 5-7 after reports of the discs not working properly in many DVD players

2008 Anime Legends:

-Includes singles, but with discs 1-4 reauthored

Best Release: 2008 Anime Legends


Negima!

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack

2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2008 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing most extras

2009 Complete Series:

-Similar discs

Best Release: Viridian Collection/2009 Complete Series for video quality (and the singles/2008 Complete Series if the later sets are missing extras)


Neon Genesis Evangelion

[Show spoiler]2000-2001 Singles:

-No extras
(Note: the original printings of the first volume has full-screen overlays to replace in-program Japanese text with English text)

2002 Perfect Collection:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2004 Director's Cuts:

-Director's Cuts of episodes 21-26
-Clean Openings and Closings

2004-2005 Platinum Singles:

-Better masters
-New extras
-Includes Director's Cuts
-Removes Spanish and French tracks
-English and Japanese 2.0 swapped with 5.1 tracks

2005 Platinum Collection:

-Extras removed
-Higher bitrate

2007 Perfect Collection:

-Platinum Singles discs in a tin

2008 Limited Edition:

.

Best Release: Either the Platinum Singles or the 2007/2008 Collections


Peach Girl

[Show spoiler]2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack

2008 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs into 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2008/2011


Plastic Little

[Show spoiler]2002:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Princess Nine

[Show spoiler]2001-2002 Singles:

.

2004 Complete Collection:

-Discs collected in a giant case

2014 Set:

-Japanese 5.1 track added
-New Extras

Best Release: 2014


Ragnarok: The Animation

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2009 FUNimation Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010


School Rumble

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-All extras moved to new 5th disc

2008 Most Awesomest Collection:

-Similar discs in DigiPack
-Includes Second Season and OVA

2009 Viridian Collection:

-Similar discs
-Includes OVA

2015 S.A.V.E. set:

-Drops extras disc

Best Release: Any of the 2008/2009 collections


Shakugan no Shana

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Box:

-Discs collected in slipbox
-OVA included

2009 Compltete Collection:

-Flip Tray Case

Best Release: Either of the Collections


Shuffle!

[Show spoiler]2008 Singles:

.

2009 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2010 Viridian Collection:

.

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2011


Solty Rei

[Show spoiler]2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-DVDs collected into DigiPack

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops English 2.0

2015 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2015 for picture quality, 2008 Complete Series for English 2.0 (if missing)


Sorcerer Hunters

[Show spoiler]2001 Singles:

.

2003 Complete Collection:

-Singles collected into giant case

2004-2005 Essential Anime Collections:

-4 discs to 6 discs
-Adds commentaries

2007 Box Set

-Similar discs in a slipbox
-Includes OVA

Best Release: 2007 Box Set


Speed Grapher

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-DVDs collected into DigiPack
-Guidebooks

2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops extras

2011 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2011 for picture quality, 2008 Complete Series for guidebooks and extras (if missing from later releases)


Super Atragon

[Show spoiler]2002:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Suzuka

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2009 Viridian Collection:

.

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2008/2009/2010


Trigun

[Show spoiler]2000-2001 Pioneer Singles:

-Episode 1 opening mistakenly used for all episodes

2001 Genon Box Set:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2004 Genon Singles:

-Similar to original singles

2005-2006 Collector's Edition Tins:

-Better quality than previous discs
-Proper openings
-Japanese 5.1 track added
-English 2.0 track updated to 5.1

2006-2007 Remix DVDs:

-Discs from tins separated

2010 FUNimation Complete Series:

-Worse compression/encoding
-Drops Japanese 2.0 track
-Episode 1 opening mistakenly used for all episodes

2011 Anime Classics:

-Proper openings

Best Release: Collector's Edition Tins/Seperated Remix DVDs


Trinity Blood

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2007 Complete Series

-Discs collected into DigiPack cases
-Art Books

2007-2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Missing 'Historical Artifacts'

2012 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2009/2012 for picture quality, 2007 Complete Series for Art Books and extras (if missing for later sets)


Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE

[Show spoiler]2007-2009 Singles:

.

2008-2009 Season Sets:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2009-2010 Viridian Collection:

.

2010 Collected Memories:

-Adds movie

2011 S.A.V.E. sets:

-Similar to Season Sets

Best Release: 2010 Collected Memories (for movie)


Witchblade

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-All extras moved to new 5th disc
-New extras
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Artbooks

2010 Viridian Collection:

-Drops artbooks

2011 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2008 Complete Series


xxxHOLiC

[Show spoiler]2008 Singles:

.

2009 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops English 2.0 track

2010 Complete First Season:

.

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2011 for picture quality, Singles for English 2.0 (if missing)


Yu Yu Hakusho

[Show spoiler]2002-2005 Singles:

-(Note: Edited and uncut volmes. Edited dropped Japanese audio and extras)

2006-2007 Special Editions:

-32 discs to 16 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Drops commentaries and outtakes from Volume 32

2008-2009 Season Sets:

-Similar discs

Best Release: Special Editions/Season Sets for video quality, Single Volume 32 for extras (Note: These extras are available in the Blu-ray S4 set)

[SpazeBlue]

Reserved #1

[SpazeBlue]

Reserved #2

[SpazeBlue]

Reserved #3

[SpazeBlue]

Reserved #4

[chronoclast]

In regards to Blue Gender, the English and Japanese audio were upmixed to 5.1 for the TV series on the Anime Classics release.

[chronoclast]

Blue Submarine No. 6

All Bandai releases:

Composite masters

Discotek first DVD release:

Component masters from the R2J Blue Fleet DVDs (best quality masters as they are not DNR'd/warp sharpened)
Edited version of English dub for episodes 1 and 3

Discotek second DVD release:

Component masters from the R2J Blue Fleet DVDs (best quality masters as they are not DNR'd/warp sharpened)
Uncut and edited versions of the English dub
DTS 5.1 Japanese audio added

Discotek BD release:

Japanese BD masters which were heavily DNR'd/warp sharpened
Edited version of English dub for episodes 1 and 3
Lossless audio

Best versions: Discotek second DVD release (video quality & uncut dub), BD (audio quality)

Haibane Renmei

All Geneon releases

R2J DVD masters (not DNR'd/warp sharpened)

Funimation Anime Classics

Japanese BD masters which were heavily DNR'd/warp sharpened

Best version: Geneon releases

[BigOnAnime]

For Neon Genesis Evangelion, the Platinum DVDs have better masters and new 5.1 audio. The Platinum thinpak is on 6 discs instead of 7, has none of the extras, but has a higher bitrate. Volume 1 of the Platinum singles had missing dialogue in early pressings.
http://svenge.evamonkey.com/evasite/usplat/plat1box.htm
http://www.evamonkey.com/platinum-vo...sing-dialogue/

The original DVD singles, Volume 1 had different prints.
http://svenge.evamonkey.com/evasite/usolddvd/old1o.htm
http://svenge.evamonkey.com/evasite/usolddvd/old1r.htm

[BigOnAnime]

Here's a list of a bunch of shows FUNimation re-issued on less discs and dropped the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality with the first release dropping those in parenthesis.

-Aquarion (2009 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 5-I'm not sure if the first box set had alternate-angles or not, this was the very first show FUNimation released straight to box sets)
-Baccano! (2009 DVD has 3 discs instead of 4)
-Baki: The Grappler (2008 Viridian Collection has 7 discs instead of 12)
-Basilisk (2008 Viridian Collection is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad (2009 Viridian Collection is on 4 discs instead of 6, and stripped multiple video extras as a result)
-Black Cat (2009 Viridian Collection is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Case Closed (2008/2009 Season Sets are on 20 discs instead of 18-I think I screwed up something here, lots of singles for this show [Edit]Not all the singles are 1-disc, that explains things, hmm, now I wonder if the season sets re-used the singles discs, but I don't have them to verify this)
-Claymore (2011 Anime Classics DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Darker Than Black (2010 DVD has 4 discs instead of 6, note that there's 2 different SKUs for 2010, the first was recalled)
-Fullmetal Alchemist (2009 Season Sets on 8 discs instead of 13)
-Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid (2009 Remastered DVD is on 3 discs instead of 4)
-Glass Fleet (2009 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Gunslinger Girl (2011 Anime Classics DVD has 2 discs instead of 3)
-Hell Girl (January 2009 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Kiddy Grade (2011 Anime Classics DVD has 4 discs instead of 8)
-MoonPhase (2009 Viridian Collection has 4 discs instead of 6)
-Mushishi (2008 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Negima! (2009 DVD has 4 discs instead of 6)
-Peach Girl (2008 Viridian Collection is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Ragnarok: The Animation (2009 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-School Rumble (2015 S.A.V.E. DVD is on 5 discs instead of 7)
-Shuffle! (2009 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Solty Rei (2009 Viridian Collection is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Speed Grapher (2009 Viridian Collection has 4 discs instead of 6)
-Suzuka (2008 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Trinity Blood (2009 Viridian Collection has 4 discs instead of 6)
-Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE (2008/2009 DVDs are on 8 discs instead of 12)
-Witchblade (2008 Box Set is on 4 discs instead of 6-There is a 5th disc devoted to extras it seems)
-xxxHOLiC (2009 DVD is on 4 discs instead of 6)
-Yu Yu Hakusho (2008/2009 Season Sets are on 16 discs instead of 32-Someone please correct me if they changed the disc count prior to this)
[Edit]I asked someone on Twitter, and the first release to reduce the disc count for Yu Yu Hakusho is the eight 2-disc Saga Sets released from 2006 to 2007, and the Season Sets re-used those discs.

Also for anyone curious, these still have NOT been reissued on less discs with the alternate-angles dropped, though a few of these have Blu-rays.

-Black Blood Brothers
-Burst Angel
-Desert Punk
-Devil May Cry
-Kodocha (Buy the Discotek release)
-Rumbling Hearts: Kiminozo
-Samurai 7
-Spiral (License expired long time ago, it's an Aniplex title so it's SOL)
-Tenchi Muyo! GXP
-Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 3
-The Galaxy Railways

You'll want to also mention Dragon Ball Z. Here's the 9,000 different releases, with the Dragon Boxes being the only complete uncut 4:3 release on DVD.
https://www.kanzenshuu.com/home-video/na/dbz-tv/

[cicada88]

Hopefully this will be a great thread—thanks for starting it.

Some series/releases that I’m interested in determining the absolute best PQ:
- Genocyber
- Initial D (various series)
- Interstella 5555
- Metal Skin Panic MADDOX-01
- Slam Dunk
- Teito Monogatari
- Vampire Princess Miyu
- Yoroshiku Mechadoc
- Ys

I usually assume the Japanese DVD is the best available, but they are often expensive and a pain to get ahold of, so it’s nice to know conclusively. DNR / Upscaled BD releases with no English reviews muddy the waters even further.

I’ll try to contribute where I can in the future.

[Tylerfan]

Wait, just remembered one:

Jinki Extend was initially released by ADV with the show and various extras being spread across 3 separate DVD's (which were sold separately and in a box set). When Funi got the rights, they dropped all the extras save for the Textless OP's and all the episodes were put on 2 discs.

[BigOnAnime]

Basically every FUNimation license-rescue up until around 2011 is missing most or all the video extras from prior releases, sometimes even clean OP/ED. Most ADV Films complete sets up until around 2008 stripped the video extras from the singles, with 2-cour shows usually having changed disc counts. I've got a thread in my signature devoted to this, though it's been a long time since I seriously updated it.

BTW, the Essential Anime Collection DVDs are something you'll want on this list. A list of those can be found here, they typically added new 5.1 audio tracks, and had improved video quality and changes to the staff credits. An example I've got is Sakura Wars (comparing it to the 1999 DVD was difficult as the 1999 DVD has no chapter support on software players, get the Essential Anime Collection DVD if you can).
https://imgur.com/a/Iv5guXI

Oh, and it seemed like Generator Gawl was going to be part of that, they released a new version of Volume 1 in 2005 (I don't know the differences with the actual discs), a second volume was planned, but never actually came out as far as I can tell.
https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Generato...ul-DVD/229769/
https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Generato...ul-DVD/231301/
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/enc...s.php?id=15666

Some other things to note:

-Martian Successor Nadesico: ADV Films accidentally released the TV broadcast version. When Nozomi got it, they used the JP Blu-ray as the source, and the animation corrections caused things to not sync up properly. ADV Essential Anime Collection | Nozomi Release
http://catsspat.dyndns.org:2080/anim...001/index.html

-Sakura Diaries: Originally released with an English dub, but it turned out to be the edited version. Later the show was released uncut but subbed-only, then in 2005 the uncut version was dubbed with a different cast.

Originally Posted by Michael Toole

were you aware of the Sakura Diaries situation? First ADV released singles, which turned out to be edited broadcast masters. Then, they did a Japanese only brick pack of the uncut series. No dub, because the masters didn’t sync. Finally, they dubbed the uncut version w/a new cast

https://twitter.com/MichaelToole/sta...27577863626753

[SpazeBlue]

[Tylerfan]

Oh dear, I think we broke SpazeBlue...

[ryayan855]

Are there any major differences in picture quality/features between ADV's and Nozomi's release of Princess Nine?

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by ryayan855

Are there any major differences in picture quality/features between ADV's and Nozomi's release of Princess Nine?

Not sure about the picture quality on Rightstuf’s release but I have the ADV DVDs and does seem every Extra from ADV is in Rightstuf’s release.

[BigOnAnime]

The ADV release of Princess Nine lacks the 5.1 Japanese audio track present on the Nozomi release. If one plays the 5.1 track for the opening, you get various sound effects during the opening, like when a bat hits the baseball.

[Glorian]

I have to mention that the Funimation sets that go from 6 discs to 4 does not necessarily ensure an increase in video quality. I have the 6 disc singles release of Moon Phase and the 4 disc S.A.V.E. release, and it's not a clear-cut improvement in quality (I discussed this here at the Fandom Post 7 plus years ago).

Basically, the quality of both versions is the same except for the op/ed. When you compare the op, the 6 disc version of Moon Phase has visible artifacting and quality issues, as expected from the alternate angle releases that Funi was doing. However, while the 4 disc release fixes that issue, it adds a significant video issue of its own; extremely jagged, stair-stepped lines for everything, even though the lines on the singles were normal. So things like a character's round glasses look like a jagged mess.

Also, interestingly enough, the series title in the opening looks visibly different between both releases; from some reason, they changed it for the 4 disc release.

I haven't reviewed it recently, but when I did the comparison, I actually preferred the singles release. The episodes themselves were the same, and I found every line in the op being badly jagged and stair-stepped to be much more annoying than the lower quality issues introduced by the alternate angles.

If you look at the Fandom Post discussion that I linked to, the general consensus was that you needed to look at the release date of the first 4 disc release to determine whether it was better. Moon Phase got a 4 disc release in early 2009; other releases where the video quality was confirmed to be improved in the 4 disc version, like Blue Gender and Kiddy Grade, were 2011 releases. Basically, they had a learning curve on quality with the 4 disc re-authors, and Moon Phase was right at the beginning of that. And I'm not sure when exactly they got a handle on that; I would question the quality of any other 4 disc releases first released in 2009 without actual confirmation that there's an improvement.

[BigOnAnime]

Whelp. Now I wonder how my S.A.V.E. set of Suzuka compares to the singles. I got the S.A.V.E. set first, and later double-dipped on the singles + artbox because I liked the packaging and artwork. Anyway, the S.A.V.E. set should be re-using the same discs from the 2008 release. Also wonder how Shuffle! compares, been meaning to pick up the 2010 release (as I like the artwork on it more than the 2009 set) to compliment my singles (I'd keep the singles for collecting, but use the 2010 for watching), but it's currently difficult to find a copy on eBay with the slipcover in good condition.

Going down that list I made, FUNimation first re-issued 7 shows in 2008, 16 in 2009, 1 in 2010, and including a few not on the list but already known (Fruits Basket and Blue Gender), 5 were re-issued in 2011, and nothing would be put on less discs until School Rumble in 2015. They were close to dropping the disc count for Desert Punk, but that late 2016 S.A.V.E. set is still on 6 discs, same goes for Samurai 7 around the same time (that Anime Classics combo pack has 10 discs, could have been 7 if they reduced the disc count by making new DVDs).

Not sure if it means much, but the person that authored the MoonPhase singles according to ANN is Dylan Rogers, and the complete set should have been authored by Matthew O'Hara, Russ Coffman, and Trace Furniss going by the Baccano! singles which were released around the same time, and compressed by Jacob Martin and Duncan Yan. Also for what's it's worth, the Blue Gender Anime Classics release was worked on by those same people except with John Andreas instead of Russ Coffman. The singles were originally authored by Vision Wise, Inc, FUNimation didn't do DVD authoring in-house for a while.

[Glorian]

Originally Posted by BigOnAnime

Whelp. Now I wonder how my S.A.V.E. set of Suzuka compares to the singles. I got the S.A.V.E. set first, and later double-dipped on the singles + artbox because I liked the packaging and artwork. Anyway, the S.A.V.E. set should be re-using the same discs from the 2008 release. Also wonder how Shuffle! compares, been meaning to pick up the 2010 release (as I like the artwork on it more than the 2009 set) to compliment my singles (I'd keep the singles for collecting, but use the 2010 for watching), but it's currently difficult to find a copy on eBay with the slipcover in good condition.

I don't have the singles for Shuffle, but I have the 4 disc 2009 release. And since you mentioned it, I decided to take a look at it. Obviously I have no way to compare, so I don't know whether the video overall is an improvement or not, but I CAN say that it doesn't have the stair-stepping problem in the opening that the 4 disc Moon Phase set does. I even checked the Moon Phase discs again to make sure I was looking with fresh eyes, and, nope, the Moon Phase set has it and the Shuffle one doesn't.

The Moon Phase set was released on January 13, 2009, and the Shuffle set was released March 31, 2009. So maybe the issue is more with 2008 authoring than 2009, and anything from Shuffle after is fine? Or maybe Moon Phase is some weird one off problem instead of a general trend? I'd be interested to know how more sets from late 2008/early 2009 compare to the singles.