The Studio Ghibli (HK) Discussion Thread

[Exist2Inspire]

Welcome to the thread for discussion the Hong Kong releases of the Studio Ghibli Films! If you click on any of the pictures of the films, they will take you to the Blu-ray page with more information about the films.

The Hong Kong Studio Ghibli Blu-rays are released by a studio called Intercontinental Video (ICV) who, among other things, releases a lot of the films that are released under the Disney banner. The only film that will not be released by ICV is Grave of the Fireflies / Tombstone of Fireflies as they do not have the rights for the film.


Similarities to Japanese Release

• Contains the same lossless Japanese audio that's on the Japanese release
• Contains the same video encode as the Japanese disc (except for Ponyo)
• Contains the same English subtitle track that is on the Japanese release

Differences to the Japanese Release

• Does not contain an English dub
• Different/Missing bonus features
• Ponyo: Video encode is done at 1080i
• Nausicaa: English subtitle track is missing all the punctuation. Example - Thanks to Pyoko

Available Now




Coming Soon

The Tale of Princess Kaguya - February 10, 2015 YesAsia

Awaiting a Release
Ocean Waves
When Marnie Was Here

What's the difference between the Hong Kong and Japanese Blu-Rays (apart from the Hong Kong ones being a lot cheaper)?

[Leshita]

I think it's mainly packaging differences and the Japanese version having many more language options (multiple dubs and subtitles across many different languages).

[Exist2Inspire]

Originally Posted by Leshita

I think it's mainly packaging differences and the Japanese version having many more language options (multiple dubs and subtitles across many different languages).

That's pretty much about it. All of the Hong Kong ones come with a slipcover that mimics the design of the Japanese version, but the disc comes in an Amray case.

They also all include original language Japanese Audio Track, with a Cantonese and (sometimes) Mandarin track as well. All include English (and proper English too) subtitle tracks.

[manicsounds]

There are differences with bonus features as well.

For example, Arrietty and My Neighbor The Yamadas are both missing the 45 minute making-of documentaries, and Nausicaa is missing the audio commentary. (The extras on the HK discs don't have English subtitles)

[singhcr]

The HK release of Ponyo has a Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that the US release does not (it has Dolby Digital), but it is 1080i instead of 1080p.

To me it is not a significant difference as the movie looks stunning, but it is something to be aware of if you must have 1080p.

[Exist2Inspire]

I do believe that Ponyo is the only 1080i Studio Ghibli release that they've released... maybe that's why the re-release is taking a bit longer?

[Exist2Inspire]

I placed an order for Tales From Earthsea and I'll update the listing and everything once I get it.

[btt]

Considering the JP releases never go on sale, I'm guessing the same goes for the HK releases?

[Exist2Inspire]

Originally Posted by btt

Considering the JP releases never go on sale, I'm guessing the same goes for the HK releases?

I haven't seen them on sale, though I don't know how often Studio Ghibli titles go on sale regarless of their region.

Though, the $32 - $35 price range isn't that bad compared to the JP ones.

[Anamnesis]

Originally Posted by btt

Considering the JP releases never go on sale, I'm guessing the same goes for the HK releases?

The Japanese releases have been on sale a number of times... I bought Laputa and Nausicaa for 34% off normal RRP last Sept. They are still expensive, but they have definitely been on sale.

[Pyoko]

Originally Posted by Exist2Inspire

I do believe that Ponyo is the only 1080i Studio Ghibli release that they've released... maybe that's why the re-release is taking a bit longer?

I e-mailed them about it a couple of months ago, they said they had no plans to re-release it.

[Exist2Inspire]

Originally Posted by Pyoko

I e-mailed them about it a couple of months ago, they said they had no plans to re-release it.

Thanks for the information! Hopefully we'll see Howl's Moving Castle soon.

[Braktastic]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

The extras on the HK discs don't have English subtitles

Do the extras on the JP discs have English subtitles?

[manicsounds]

Originally Posted by Paul Arnette

Do the extras on the JP discs have English subtitles?

Nope

[mport5150]

Bought:

Unknown

[Braktastic]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

Nope

OK. I didn't think so. Mainly, I am interested in these disc for three reasons, picture quality, sound quality (i.e. lossless Japanese track), and correct subtitles. So I'm opting to go with the HK discs over the considerably more expensive JP ones. Who knows when or if Disney will get around to releasing these in the US and even if they do whether they do a decent job is still in question as both Ponyo (lossy Japanese audio) and Naussica (questionable subtitles) had issues.

I already had the HK Ponyo, but I just placed an order for the other five and Tales from Earthsea. Looking forward to a Ghibli marathon.

[Exist2Inspire]

So the GF and I watched Arrietty tonight. Absolutely fantastic film! Recommend everyone take the change and watch this.

Thought I would chime in on that.

[Exist2Inspire]

I contacted Intercontinental Video about their upcoming releases and here is what they said:

February: Howl's Moving Castle
Summer: Up on the Poppy Hill

Plus any other films that Studio Ghibli remasters, so we'll have to see what ones Japan comes out with first.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by Exist2Inspire

I contacted Intercontinental Video about their upcoming releases and here is what they said:

February: Howl's Moving Castle
Summer: Up on the Poppy Hill

Plus any other films that Studio Ghibli remasters, so we'll have to see what ones Japan comes out with first.

Thanks, and I thought Totoro should be next in line.