Macross II: Lovers Again -Alus Edition- 4K UHD (1992) AnimEigo Kickstarter

[NLScavenger]

Kickstarter Campaign (ends on Mon, January 15 2024 2:00 PM CET)
Post-campaign order page

January 1 2024 update

Our New Year's Resolution is 4K!

Dear Backers,

The new year is a time for reviewing past decisions and resolving to do better. And based on your input and generous support of the project, we now have the resources to attempt something we've wanted to do for a long time.

We want Macross II to be our first release in UHD 4K!

To support this, we have added two stretch goals to the project:
First, at $250K, we are committing to authoring Macross II in 4K.

Backers who want to receive a Blu-ray / UHD combo (2 discs instead of 1) will be able to add-on UHD for $10 post-campaign. In addition, the 4K materials will also be used to author the Blu-ray release.

Second, at $351K, we will celebrate Macross II being our biggest Kickstarter ever by upgrading all backers to a Blu-ray / UHD combo release at no additional cost!


That's right -- at $351K, we're going full Oprah.

Wait... what's that, you say? We've already passed $250K?

Well, that first stretch goal wasn't much of a stretch after all. D'Oh!

Finally, in addition to all of this, we are still actively looking at ways to add some extra goodies to the physical package - goodies that every backer will get. Your suggestions in the previous update thread have been very helpful, so keep them coming!

Many thanks to everyone at BIG WEST and Creative Sphere, without whose hard work this wouldn't be possible.

Happy New Year from Robert and Natsumi!

PS: The reason the UHD add-on has to be post-campaign is that once we create an add-on, we can't remove it, and if we hit the second stretch goal, it becomes redundant.

[Naiera]

[NLScavenger]

From the comment section:

Great news! Technical question time. Do you know if it is going to just be an upscale to 4K? Or will there be HDR grading in something like HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HGL? Of we do get Dolby Vision, will the audio also be wrapped in a Dolby Atmos container?

[Nori]

I hope it's a super faithful HDR grade, basically nothing much should ever go bright, and that way they can avoid doing any DNR. I know for some that might defeat the point, but there's no reason to make things brighter than they were intended to be imo, and DNR would ruin things as we've seen on a number of other 4K of classic anime.

[LexInHD]

Most likely, it will be HDR10, which is the most common HDR format used. Big West has to sign off on the 4K mastering and they get it in the end, so it will be done to their specs and in a format they can reuse easily. DV is possible, but it would cost extra and BW would have to sign off on it. For Dolby Atmos or a new mix, they would have to really dig to find the old source elements and bring in a talented engineer and mixer who can handle the sound work, and we know there is only one man who fits the bill, the OG Jedi Grand Master of Anime Sound himself, Les Claypool III (Not The Guy From Primus!). He did the OG 90's mixes for Macross II and Macross Plus and also did Akira's 2001 sound mix, in addition to building the mixing studios that were used by ADV Films and others.

[peppapigstan]

the original BD already looks real good, so a 4K UHD in HDR would be glorious, even if it isn't being given to a worthier entry like Macross Plus lol

[TheSweetieMan]

I need Macross Plus in 4K.

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by LexInHD

Most likely, it will be HDR10, which is the most common HDR format used.

HDR10 is the base HDR format that all HDR discs must have.

Originally Posted by Nori

I hope it's a super faithful HDR grade, basically nothing much should ever go bright, and that way they can avoid doing any DNR. I know for some that might defeat the point, but there's no reason to make things brighter than they were intended to be imo, and DNR would ruin things as we've seen on a number of other 4K of classic anime.

All UHD Blu-rays, at least those based on analogue masters, have some DNR. Striking a balance between cleaning things up a bit and ruining things is usually not an issue, as demonstrated by most UHD Blu-rays being rather good.

[Arcluna]

Every Animeigo release has been great. I'm always proud to support their work. I hope they reach that goal to upgrade everyone to 4K/Blu combo sets.

[NLScavenger]

With less than 48 hours remaining the campaign passed the $351K, so every backer gets an upgrade to UHD+BD combo.

[AreaFive]

Thanks for the reminder! Got my pledge in for the 4K/BD + chipboard box

[SMD88]

Nice!! Looking forward to it!

We so need Macross Plus to get the same treatment. Would be nice if they released the Macross BDs as well.

[NLScavenger]

March Update

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects.../posts/4058596

Greetings, Backers!

Just wanted to give you a quick update on our preproduction progress so far.

• We have received most of the raw film transfers from Japan (just a few minor elements yet to come) and the work of massaging them has begun.
• We've also received almost all of the artwork and settei and are assembling them into the artbook.
• First drafts of the subtitles will be going out to the proofreading team early next month.

In other news, Natsumi is currently in Japan and is meeting Mikimoto-sensei at an undisclosed location to discuss the new Macross II artwork.

Best, Robert

[sonicyogurt]

Another Kickstarter update:

Preproduction on the subtitles is almost completed, we're just in the endless paranoid rechecking stage. However, the color correction and HDR grading work has taken more time than expected, and that coupled with delays in getting the new package artwork completed (which we need before we can print the artbooks) means we're probably looking at an early spring release instead of end-of-year. As is our tradition when our original schedule inevitably blows up in our faces, we're working on making additions to the set as compensation for the delay.