Galaxy Express 999 (1979) & Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (1981) 4K UHD from Toei

[professorwho]

5Kスキャン＆４KHDRリマスターにより、35mmマスターポジフィルムの情報を鮮やかに再現！鮮明な映 像と立体音響による、新しい劇場版「999」が誕生しました！キャラクターの色合いだけでなく、フィルムが 本来持っていた美術・背景の細部や、暗くて視認できなかったシーンなどがより豊かな表現で蘇ります。光り輝 く銀河と走る999号、光の演出など注目です。そして、異次元の臨場感を実現するドルビーアトモスの特徴で ある天井スピーカーと音声オブジェクトは、鉄郎と母親の吹雪のシーンや、惑星メーテルの破壊シーンでフル活 用され、大迫力のアクションシーンを演出しています。

Two of the greatest anime films ever, Galaxy Express 999 and Adieu Galaxy Express 999 will release on 4K UHD Blu-ray on 11 May, 2022 from Toei from a 5K HDR scans of 35mm Master Positives.

In addition, the 4:3 Open Matte versions will be included on standard Blu-ray, which marks the first appearance of them since Laserdisc.

Audio is Dolby Atmos only on the UHD (boo), with the Open Matte Blu-rays having the original mono audio mixes and a 5.1 remix both in LPCM. Japanese subtitles are included.

[reanimator]

I freaking love these movies, especially the first one. I'd like to pre-order immediately, but know these have been DNR-scrubbed pretty mercilessly in the past -- the Discotek re-grained versions look pretty nice.

Hmmmm... what to do... what to do...

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Toei has been doing recent 2k and 4k scans of theatrical product (The DB and DBZ movies in the JP Dragon Boxes), so unlike the messy upscales of TV series we're in better hands.

That's not to say they'll degrain it to high hell. The JP industry sees DNR it as a way of getting closer to the animation cels as the grain in film printing is supposedly "generational loss". According to Justin Sevakis, they also do it for HDR restorations so the grading won't make the image look like "harsh sand".

[SmittysGelato]

Oh sweet Jesus I'm so glad I haven't gotten around to these yet.

[fuzzymctiger]

Come Discotek, bring it to the US

[McCrutchy]

Here are the releases in the database:



It seems that a big push here is for Dolby Cinema, so it's possible that the UHD discs could contain Dolby Vision. Here is the official site:

https://www.toei-anim.co.jp/movie/ge999dolby/

It has some remastering videos, but they either aren't working properly or Toei has blocked access from the USA.

There will also be a four-disc box set with both films, several booklets and an outer box. Note that the box set is almost twice the price of buying the releases individually:



Additionally, all three releases have Amazon.co.jp retailer exclusives. The individual releases each have one sticker, while the box set has a pen with what looks like a strap or a keyring with the character Maetel on it:

[reanimator]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

There will also be a four-disc box set with both films, several booklets and an outer box. Note that the box set is almost twice the price of buying the releases individually:

Thanks for the update -- I noticed the box (and the price point) and could not figure out what was included that was pushing the price so high. I think I will wait for packaging shots before deciding.

Can we safely assume these will NOT contain English subs?

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by reanimator

Thanks for the update -- I noticed the box (and the price point) and could not figure out what was included that was pushing the price so high. I think I will wait for packaging shots before deciding.

Happy to help.

Here is Google's translation of what is expected to be in the box. The four discs are almost certainly identical to the ones across the two individual releases, so the non-disc content should be the only difference:

●封入特典
◆「銀河鉄道999」設定資料ブックレット(B5/60P予定)
◆「さよなら銀河鉄道999-アンドロメダ終着駅-」設定資料ブックレット(B5/60P予定)
◆「銀河鉄道999」復刻台本(B5/200P予定)
◆「さよなら銀河鉄道999-アンドロメダ終着駅-」復刻台本(B5/176P予定)
◆「銀河鉄道999」復刻絵コンテ(B5/554P予定)
◆「さよなら銀河鉄道999-アンドロメダ終着駅-」復刻絵コンテ(B5/402P予定)
※復刻台本・絵コンテは、現存する素材をもとに、リサイズ復刻したものです。

● Enclosed benefits
◆ "Galaxy Express 999" setting document booklet (B5 / 60P planned)
◆ "Goodbye Galaxy Express 999-Andromeda Terminal Station-" Setting Material Booklet (B5 / 60P planned)
◆ "Galaxy Express 999" reprint script (scheduled for B5 / 200P)
◆ "Goodbye Galaxy Express 999-Andromeda Terminal Station-" Reprint Script (scheduled for B5 / 176P)
◆ "Galaxy Express 999" reprint storyboard (B5 / 554P planned)
◆ "Goodbye Galaxy Express 999-Andromeda Terminal Station-" Reprint Storyboard (B5 / 402P planned)
* Reprinted scripts and storyboards are resized and reprinted based on existing materials.

In other words four of the books/booklets are script reprints and storyboards for each of the two films. I imagine the size of these will make the box set much bigger, since they seem to be planned to be enclosed rather than attached, so that and the printing costs for the materials is probably what is driving the price up so high.

Originally Posted by reanimator

Can we safely assume these will NOT contain English subs?

Unfortunately, yes. In fact, Toei's listings don't currently mention any subtitles at all, but their previous Blu-rays did have Japanese subtitles, so I think we can assume Japanese subtitles will be present on these new editions, too.

[NeilZ]

Love the news but expect to hate the outcome. To me the Discotek blu ray release with the added grain is going to be hard to top.

[professorwho]

You have to download them to watch them. I did so when originally posted on Toei's website. The HDR grading is rather impressive and takes good advantage of the format. It certainly isn’t accurate, but it’s very nice when isolated from the artistic intent.

With Q-Tec's track record, there should be practically zero film grain retained, but seeing how the grading is revisionist in its own way (very extreme in how bold the colours are being pushed), I'm fine with that as an alternate presentation which has its own merits alongside the exceptional Discotek versions with their added grain.

[professorwho]

The box set version has been updated to contain the 4:3 open matte presentations on additional UHD discs exclusive to it. Dammit Toei, now I’m tempted to get the box set.

I will update the listings (and create new variations of them for the box set specifically) to reflect this change later.

[fuzzymctiger]

I wonder what the odds are of Discotek upgrading these?

I'd love to grab this but not at Japanese prices

[NLScavenger]

I could imagine a UHD upgrade from Discotek or Nova Media in a year two.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by professorwho

The box set version has been updated to contain the 4:3 open matte presentations on additional UHD discs exclusive to it. Dammit Toei, now I’m tempted to get the box set.

I will update the listings (and create new variations of them for the box set specifically) to reflect this change later.

The 4:3 UHD discs do not seem to be limited to the box set. They are also mentioned as bonus discs for the first pressings of the individual releases.

[professorwho]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

The 4:3 UHD discs do not seem to be limited to the box set. They are also mentioned as bonus discs for the first pressings of the individual releases.

I was going off of Toei's own website, and the 4:3 UHDs are not listed with the individual releases.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by professorwho

I was going off of Toei's own website, and the 4:3 UHDs are not listed with the individual releases.

It is listed under the extras under "初回特典" or "Initial Benefits". They must be images because Google isn't translating that portion of the page, but you can see "ULTRA HD Blu-ray" and "4:3" there. The information is also on the Amazon listings, where it does translate into English:

[Show spoiler]●初回特典
◆スぺシャルディスク(ULTRA HD Blu-ray)
「銀河鉄道999」(1979年公開)4:3収録
2層/Dolby Atmos/日本語字幕/4:3【2160p Ultra Hi-Def】
※初回特典は限定生産品です。在庫がなくなり次第、通常の仕様での販売となります。

●初回特典
◆スぺシャルディスク(ULTRA HD Blu-ray)
「さよなら銀河鉄道999-アンドロメダ終着駅-」(1981年公開)4:3収録
2層/Dolby Atmos/日本語字幕/4:3【2160p Ultra Hi-Def】
※初回特典は限定生産品です。在庫がなくなり次第、通常の仕様での販売となります。

● First-time benefits
◆ Special Disc (ULTRA HD Blu-ray)
"Galaxy Express 999" (released in 1979) 4: 3 recording
2 layers / Dolby Atmos / Japanese subtitles / 4: 3 [2160p Ultra Hi-Def]
* The first privilege is a limited production item. As soon as it is out of stock, it will be sold with normal specifications.

● First-time benefits
◆ Special disc (ULTRA HD Blu-ray)
"Goodbye Galaxy Express 999 -Andromeda Terminal Station-" (released in 1981) 4: 3 recording
2 layers / Dolby Atmos / Japanese subtitles / 4: 3 [2160p Ultra Hi-Def]
* The first privilege is a limited production item. As soon as it is out of stock, it will be sold with normal specifications.

[Saturn2888]

I bought these earlier this year and was upset the 4:3 UHD discs weren't in there. I didn't realize these released in 2022 and that there were 4:3 UHD versions available.

Is there any way to get these 4:3 UHD discs? I've scouring eBay, but all I'm seeing are complete sets. No one wants to part with just those two discs.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Saturn2888

I bought these earlier this year and was upset the 4:3 UHD discs weren't in there. I didn't realize these released in 2022 and that there were 4:3 UHD versions available.

Is there any way to get these 4:3 UHD discs? I've scouring eBay, but all I'm seeing are complete sets. No one wants to part with just those two discs.

There is no way to get just the 4:3 4K UHD discs. The only options are the sold out complete set or getting stock with the "initial benefit" of the 4:3 discs included. Unfortunately, it looks like these versions also sold out in the past two years, so the cheapest option is probably going to be to trawl the Japanese auction sites and pick up copies which show they have the 4:3 discs included, like this ended auction:

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/jp...t/j1058720144/

[Saturn2888]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

There is no way to get just the 4:3 4K UHD discs. The only options are the sold out complete set or getting stock with the "initial benefit" of the 4:3 discs included. Unfortunately, it looks like these versions also sold out in the past two years, so the cheapest option is probably going to be to trawl the Japanese auction sites and pick up copies which show they have the 4:3 discs included, like this ended auction:

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/jp...t/j1058720144/

I'm wondering if I could just email the company.

When I bought some CDs from a friend in Japan, he noted there are export limitations on sending the digital files even if you buy the disc, so who knows if I'll be able to find a copy.

Since they were free addons, and since I bought the same sets from Japan, I'm wondering if I could grab a copy of the 4:3 file somehow.

[Ketchrust]

This would be so very nice.