The Studio Ghibli (JP) Discussion Thread

[A.MONK]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

I've had one or two of these Ghibli BD's turn up with minor scuffs and I've been mailing YesAsia about them checking them before they leave the warehouse. They told me it was all luck if I received a perfect copy. I am pretty sure that some of these are flawed during the factory process and not due to shipping. They are high quality products, but they seem to be easily marked.

So, I mailed CDJapan and they told me that if I mailed them my order number, they would ensure the warehouse pickers inspected my copies to make sure they are absolutely pristine. That's my kind of customer service.

At the end of the day, I'd rather pay the extra few £ from CDJapan and get them in the condition I am after, than save some money and get them possibly scuffed from YesAsia.

Anyone have any idea how long SAL delivery from CDJapan takes to get to the UK?

How about FedEx, EMS and Registered Air Mail?

Are they customs free no matter which delivery method you use?

If you're a stickler about scuffs and dings, CDJapan is the best place to buy Ghibli titles IMO. CDJapan packages with care and you can see right away that they understand the collectors market.

AmazonJp and Yesasia often send movies in a padded enveope . And speaking of Yesasia, what's with botching the time in which Up on Poppy Hill takes place? Late 70s?!? I thought it was 1963 Yokohama.

I can't help you with the shipping information or customs. I use EMS to the US and it's very fast!

[ChichiriNoDa]

Originally Posted by A.MONK

I use EMS to the US and it's very fast!

EMS seems to be the fastest. It takes no longer than 6 days to get to my place. Everytime I order from Yesasia their shipping method takes about a week; plus a couple of days if there is a delay.. I normally do not buy bulks from them anyway.. CDJapan & Amazon.jp are abit expensive on either Ghibli Blu Ray price or the shipping charge.

[ALLIED_GOONIE]

I've already ordered my BDs from Yesasia with the FREE shipping option, so there's not a lot I can do about it; just wait and see. They use padded envelops? I'm a bit worried now. I'm sure there are people who've ordered these from Yesasia who have received them in M to NM condition though, there has to be, right?

_____________________________________________

Arrietty and Ponyo shipped on June 29th
Howl's and Earthsea shipped on June 29th
Laputa and Whisper of the Heart shipped on July 4th
Yamadas and Nausicaä shipped on July 4th
Totoro & Grave of the Firelies PRE-ORDERED
_____________________________________________

[Sinthetic]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

What do you class mint as? I am stupidly fussy and class a tiny ding as flawed.
Here is a picture of how 2 from YesAsia turned out (the rest of the case is perfect):

[Show spoiler]

[ALLIED_GOONIE]

If that's all the damage there is to the packaging, I'd call that NM but that's just me.

[Norbie]

Originally Posted by A.MONK

If you're a stickler about scuffs and dings, CDJapan is the best place to buy Ghibli titles IMO. CDJapan packages with care and you can see right away that they understand the collectors market.

AmazonJp and Yesasia often send movies in a padded enveope . And speaking of Yesasia, what's with botching the time in which Up on Poppy Hill takes place? Late 70s?!? I thought it was 1963 Yokohama.

I can't help you with the shipping information or customs. I use EMS to the US and it's very fast!

I agree with Monk, CDJapan is the best place regarding packaging. They really put an effort and care in packaging the Ghibli BD, even if it's just one item they send it in a hard cardboard box.


Be nice

[Sinthetic]

Originally Posted by ALLIED_GOONIE

If that's all the damage there is to the packaging, I'd call that NM but that's just me.

Haha! That's good to know mate. I'm OCD about stuff like that so I'd not even call it mildly mint. I need to chill out, but for near £60, I do think it's fair to be a little fussy (right?).

[ChichiriNoDa]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

What do you class mint as? I am stupidly fussy and class a tiny ding as flawed.
Here is a picture of how 2 from YesAsia turned out (the rest of the case is perfect):

[Show spoiler]

I am normally fussy too, but my copy of Whisper is in much worser condition. Three of the corners were dinged but can't complain anymore though. I get ticked off everytime I see it..

So far the ones that I got from Yesasia are in excellent shape..

[Sinthetic]

Originally Posted by ChichiriNoDa

I am normally fussy too, but my copy of Whisper is in much worser condition. Three of the corners were dinged but can't complain anymore though. I get ticked off everytime I see it..

So far the ones that I got from Yesasia are in excellent shape..

I guess we're going to have to take a trip to Japan to get our perfect Ghibli packages!

[wesslan]

Yesasia always uses much bubblewrap for my discs and have always been in perfect shape so I wouldn't worry much.

[aimforsilence]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

I guess we're going to have to take a trip to Japan to get our perfect Ghibli packages!

I wonder if it'd be cheaper to buy them in Japan & bring them home.. I mean if you were to already have a trip planned...?

[Sinthetic]

Originally Posted by aimforsilence

I wonder if it'd be cheaper to buy them in Japan & bring them home.. I mean if you were to already have a trip planned...?

I'm no expert on this mate, but I think they are the same price in stores? Hopefully someone can confirm.

[Drakul]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

I guess we're going to have to take a trip to Japan to get our perfect Ghibli packages!

That's exactly what I plan on doing
I'll be in Tokyo at the end of August and my priority purchase if all the Ghibli blurays.

I plan to visit the Ghibli store but I'm not sure if that'd be the best place to get them. They probably sell them at retail price when other stores might have them on a slight discount.

If anyone is in Japan and has more details I'd be glad to know.

[manicsounds]

Originally Posted by Drakul

That's exactly what I plan on doing
I'll be in Tokyo at the end of August and my priority purchase if all the Ghibli blurays.

I plan to visit the Ghibli store but I'm not sure if that'd be the best place to get them. They probably sell them at retail price when other stores might have them on a slight discount.

If anyone is in Japan and has more details I'd be glad to know.

No discount by going to the Ghibli museum. Or even retail stores for that matter won't have much of a discount. By doing online pricechecking comparing other retailers, Amazon Japan still has the best prices (without shipping charges)

[GC Riot]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

No discount by going to the Ghibli museum. Or even retail stores for that matter won't have much of a discount. By doing online pricechecking comparing other retailers, Amazon Japan still has the best prices (without shipping charges)

So ordering it from Amazon Japan while you're there should theoretically be the best choice?

[namrbius]

Originally Posted by aimforsilence

I wonder if it'd be cheaper to buy them in Japan & bring them home.. I mean if you were to already have a trip planned...?

Not by much. Yesasia prices are the same as Japanese retail prices + intl taxes. Lots of things are extremely expensive in Japan.

[Sinthetic]

Anyone in Japan want to go and pick me up pristine copies instore? Bonuses available for anyone that can help me out.

[Kajino P]

Hmmm... interesting thread, so I thought I'd join this forum. Actually, seeing people's top list, I don't agree with many of them. Why for example rate Earthsea so high and Porco Rosso so low?? Unbelievable! (maybe I'll post my list when I find some time > not an easy task )

Anyways, thought I'd post an old pic of all the Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli stuff I've received from Japan through over the years. Actually, all is in boxes right now (moved to a new place) and some alterations have been made, but I guess it's still an interesting sight to those who appreciate the works of Studio Ghibli.

[ALLIED_GOONIE]

Impressive collection Kajino P!

Why I rate Tales From Earthsea higher than Porco Rosso? Simply because I enjoy it more. However, that may change. Not likely, but it might.

I'm about 70% sure that I'll get some of my JP Ghibli BDs tomorrow. (Arrietty, Ponyo, Tales From Earthsea, Howl's Moving Castle)

[Bumcats]

My mother sent me a Japanese Amazon gift card so I'm planning on getting one of these movies. I'm thinking on Howl's Moving Castle. Just making sure, all the movies (that were once released in US) include US audio and subbing? I believe I heard they did, but wanted to make sure.

Also, for these series there is only one packaging? I know they come in those boxes or whatever, but is that the normal packaging and not a first edition type deal? Thanks in advance.