Viz Licenses Original Sailor Moon Anime Franchise

[EddieLarkin]

I have no beef with and hold no grudge against my fellow Blu-ray.com posters. Only their arguments. Internet debates aren't something to get upset over, right?

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

But I didn't ask you that.

It doesn't matter who you asked. This is an open board. This discussion is not limited to PM's and last time I checked anyone could answer. At this point it just feels like your trolling.

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

Can't we all just get along?

I'm trying man, I'm trying.

[EddieLarkin]

You're misreading many of my posts. I was telling GenPion that the answer he gave didn't answer my question, NOT that the question wasn't directed at him.

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

You're misreading many of my posts. I was telling GenPion that the answer he gave didn't answer my question, NOT that the question wasn't directed at him.

How exactly did I misread this:

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

So you're saying you would prefer to spend $52 on a Blu-ray over $22 on a DVD that looks vastly better than the Blu-ray (assuming replacement), so you can have "upsampling benefits" and lossless audio?

Originally Posted by GenPion

There's a $22 difference between editions. I think the Blu-ray upsampling, lossless audio, artbox, and booklet are all good benefits over the DVD only release. This is my own opinion, OK?

You see you keep assuming that their will be a magical replacement that they will use different masters then what they are currently using and that's just not going to happen. If they replace the DVD's the only thing they will do is fix the CRT issue and I'd be surprised if they even did that.

[zrdb]

I know I said I was done with this board but just have to jump in here-I have the Pioneer dvds for S, not the best video but serviceable. I have the Viz bluray set and I've read all about the *****ing and complaining about the subpar video, afterimages which I didn't even see unless I went slomo but didn't even see in normal viewing. I'm happy with the presentation and the audio-allright, it isn't perfect but it WORKS for most people who purchased the set and I won't deny that Viz could do better on the remastering front. I know they made a big gaff on the dvd release but the bluray release works on most fronts. If you don't like it don't buy it.

[neoz]

While the presentation is less then to be desired I am happy with it.
I look forward to part two and hope that they improve over time. I think they will. I don't think we should complain to much because at least we have it on blu ray. It could be worse and we not get it at all.

[Kirben]

If you don't like how Viz Media have scrubbed the video of the Sailor Moon sets, then don't buy at all. There is no good reason to support this release, simply because it is the only English version available.

If people keep buying these flawed releases, it is only going to encourage Viz Media to continue using this method on other older anime titles. The Dragon Ball Z Remastered sets would be a good example, and I don't want to see more older anime titles suffer this fate.

I think the worst part, is that Viz Media have new and old adaptions of Sailor Moon, which could appeal to different markets. But Viz Media still choose to scrub the video of the older version, in order to appeal more to modern audience.

[Scarface32]

When do you think they'll put set 3 up for pre-order? I believe Ranma set 4 was up for pre-order a month after set 3 was. Since set 2 is up for pre-order now, do you think set 3 will have a pre-order in December?

I believe viz said every "part 1" would have a coin resembling the different broaches, so I'll want to make sure to get my order in as soon as possible. At the end, I should have five coins I can nicely display.

[flash.over]

Originally Posted by GenPion

I don't know if the original masters were destroyed. I hope not... I don't think that sounds likely but I suppose you never know.

Toei never does remastered-from-film Blu-ray's anymore though. They do their own upsampling and it's worse than most American companies produce for anime releases. I keep bringing that point up too, but EddieLarkin doesn't seem to care about that.

The original masters/film strips (for the first two seasons, at least) were cut up and distributed as prizes for fans.

Keep in mind that Toei had NO expectation that the franchise was going to be this huge. It was a very low budget production (and let's be honest, it really shows), and they didn't really give a hoot until they decided to produce the R movie. There is a small chance that the negatives for S, SuperS and Stars, as well as the movies still exist, but it isn't likely.

That being said, if Viz are going to use the R2 masters of the movies, then prepare to hear more complaints. The R2 versions were cropped to 16:9 format a la DBZ.

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by Kirben

If you don't like how Viz Media have scrubbed the video of the Sailor Moon sets, then don't buy at all. There is no good reason to support this release, simply because it is the only English version available.

If people keep buying these flawed releases, it is only going to encourage Viz Media to continue using this method on other older anime titles. The Dragon Ball Z Remastered sets would be a good example, and I don't want to see more older anime titles suffer this fate.

I think the worst part, is that Viz Media have new and old adaptions of Sailor Moon, which could appeal to different markets. But Viz Media still choose to scrub the video of the older version, in order to appeal more to modern audience.

This is no where on the level of what has happened with the Dragon Ball Z sets.

[goofystitch]

Originally Posted by flash.over

That being said, if Viz are going to use the R2 masters of the movies, then prepare to hear more complaints. The R2 versions were cropped to 16:9 format a la DBZ.

My understanding was that is how the movies were presented in cinemas. Similar to some of the Disney animated films that were animated in academy ratio to be cropped to widescreen (The Jungle Book, The Aristocats,etc...). In other words, the 1.85:1 version is original aspect ratio, the 1.35:1 version is open matte. That's the way I would prefer to have Viz treat the movies.

[Andy2992]

Originally Posted by zrdb

I know I said I was done with this board but just have to jump in here-I have the Pioneer dvds for S, not the best video but serviceable. I have the Viz bluray set and I've read all about the *****ing and complaining about the subpar video, afterimages which I didn't even see unless I went slomo but didn't even see in normal viewing. I'm happy with the presentation and the audio-allright, it isn't perfect but it WORKS for most people who purchased the set and I won't deny that Viz could do better on the remastering front. I know they made a big gaff on the dvd release but the bluray release works on most fronts. If you don't like it don't buy it.

What's this DVD exclusive 'big gaff' everyone is talking about?

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by Andy2992

What's this DVD exclusive 'big gaff' everyone is talking about?

I believe the DVDs are mastered with a pillarboxed 16:9 image versus "full frame" 4:3.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

I believe the DVDs are mastered with a pillarboxed 16:9 image versus "full frame" 4:3.

Apparently so.

Having now read EddieLarkin's review on Amazon, he is correct that the DVD's should be fixed and a replacement program should be made for those who want corrected discs.

I would hate to only have a 4:3 television and see this full frame show with black bars on the sides. And with lower resolution. This is a mistake I can agree with EddieLarkin on.

To EddieLarkin:

However, your comments about the quality of the Blu-ray release itself still sound unreasonable to me. I would like it if they fix the issue with occasional ghosting, but this sometimes happens and is rarely fixed - but shouldn't make one totally overlook the other set positives (even if it has drawbacks). And a video presentation with DNR is also disappointing, but it doesn't mean the set would be worthless. Disappointing? Yes. But you make it sound in your review on Amazon like the whole set is just a joke no one should buy. Other releases on DVD have had DNR and they also don't have some of the benefits VIZ has brought to the US release.

Keep in mind I can't stand DNR but think, as I expressed earlier, that the set has other benefits (especially compared to what else has been available on the market to fans). If there was a better alternative, I'd be right there with you.

I think it's clear this is a flawed release, but it was always going to be flawed when it wasn't a native HD restoration from film elements. But you also don't make it clear in that review that Toei doesn't do this themselves anymore or that this is the best we can reasonably expect in the US. So people may be inspired to not buy the set now because of that harsh review, even though this is likely the best we will get.

[Andy2992]

Viz Media are now doing their annual customer satisfaction survey:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/187838...d-Manga-Survey

The last question lets you have your say so have your say on the quality of Sailor Moon like I did in hope that they improve the rest of the sets.

[pillsmith]

Originally Posted by GenPion

So people may be inspired to not buy the set now because of that harsh review

Putting out Blu-ray releases that look worse than DVD releases from several years prior should not be encouraged.

Eddie you're doing God's work

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

But the poorer the master itself looks, the less improvement between the formats there is. Where usually there would be a large improvement between a Blu-ray and a DVD in a dual format set, the master that Viz have created is so bad that the improvement will be miniscule.

And for the record, there are scaling artifacts in every single screen cap posted here:

http://imgur.com/a/I7apm

So Viz didn't even do that good of a job on the upconvert. I wouldn't be that surprised if it's no better than what your player can do with a DVD.

What are you talking about? Those screen shots look amazing. The series has never looked that good before. Do you not remember those god awful DVDs that ADV had released over ten years ago? The ones that looks like ass and sounded like everyone was speaking from within a trash can?

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by Andy2992

Viz Media are now doing their annual customer satisfaction survey:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/187838...d-Manga-Survey

The last question lets you have your say so have your say on the quality of Sailor Moon like I did in hope that they improve the rest of the sets.

That survey is long, but I finished it. I never win anything, but hopefully I can win the prize for taking it.

[Frozendisneyfan]

Anyone who ordered with Amazon has your item already shipped? I looked and still my item hasn't shipped and I haven't been charged yet.