Bandai Visual Japan Confirms Dual-Format Releases

[Chris Beveridge]

From http://www.animeonblu-ray.com

Though much has been made of Bandai Visual Japan's seeming heavy leaning towards the HD DVD format in the last several months with their planned release of Freedom, the new press release talked about below marks a very different public face about their format plans. Blu-ray has not been talked about much, but the market realities of Japan have obviously sunk in. "After 'Freedom' Vol.1, Bandai Visual will start releasing other HD DVD and Blu-ray titles in Japan, with plans to distribute overseas under its flagship international label Honneamise."

Here is the referenced press release:

http://www.animeonblu-ray.com/news/pr.php?pr_view=984

Their first release is a dreaded combo disc that will not please most anime fans - it's Japanese only with English subtitles. While dubs may raise the ire of film fans, dubs are instrumental to anime's growth in the marketplace. Bandai Visual has received a lot of bad press regarding their US division's plans to not dub anything in the OVA market.

Freedom is a gorgeous looking show. I'll end up reviewing the HD DVD but will be looking forward to the Blu-ray version as well.