Viz Licenses Original Sailor Moon Anime Franchise

[neoz]

Originally Posted by 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.

Nope, mine is still saying looking for shipping date. Again, I only ordered it to see if it would ship on or close to the release date.

Edit, it is ready to ship just saying I need to fix payment.

[honeylatte]

Originally Posted by Vlad Draculi

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?

They don't look too bad but the thing that really bothers me is the overall pink color on the video. It looks way too saturated for my taste

I filled out the VIZ survey so I hope they take our criticisms into consideration

[Frozendisneyfan]

Originally Posted by neoz

Nope, mine is still saying looking for shipping date. Again, I only ordered it to see if it would ship on or close to the release date.

Edit, it is ready to ship just saying I need to fix payment.

Basically the email I got from Amazon says if I don't recive it by the 12th to contact them. Mean while I can't use my ATM till Amazon charges me to make sure I have enough money.

[EddieLarkin]

Viz's Facebook had quite a few posts complaining about this issue earlier today, but not surprisingly they've removed them. There was at least two posts linking to the Amazon review. Another was simply asking if the 16x9 issue on the DVD would be fixed. Real professional Viz, how hard would it be to say "we're looking into it"?

Originally Posted by flash.over

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

I've seen this mentioned a few times. Does anyone have a source? It's pretty shocking if true. Though there are of course MANY film elements produced in the chain from OCN to broadcast, and I very much doubt all film elements are gone. Indeed, what would a fan want with a frame from the OCN (it being a negative image?)

Originally Posted by madlost1

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

DBZ has its own unique problem because of their stupid cropping, but if we're just talking about visual quality, then this:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...277&position=1
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...277&position=4

is quite superior to anything found here:

http://imgur.com/a/I7apm

Originally Posted by GenPion

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.

The first line of my review states that the whole thing relates only to the PQ, so whatever positives the set brings (none of which relate to PQ) are irrelevant, and I'm not obligated to point them out. Everyone knows its uncut and has a new dub etc etc, and those people who don't care about PQ are going to buy it anyway, a couple of whom have commented to that effect (one of them called me an idiot )

For people who do care about PQ though, I completely stand by my review because anyone going in blind is going to be shocked to see how poor this looks and may very well regret their purchase. I'm supposed to feel bad for "inspiring" people not to buy the set (which I don't say anyway!) when that may very well be the best decision for them? You sound more like you'd rather we just sweep all this under the rug for some greater good. This is a DVD release, and should be subject to the same scrutiny as any other. It doesn't get a pass just because its the first time SM has appeared uncut or its the best release currently available in the States (even though it certainly isn't the "best the US can expect"; if anything the US should be getting better than what is available in other countries).

You're right that the release was always going to be flawed, especially the Blu-ray. But there was not a single reason why the DVDs couldn't have been as good as what other countries have and/or are getting right now. It would be a lie to tell people that this is down to Toei "not doing this themselves anymore". Toei did an SD version that was fine, and we didn't get that SD version.

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

For people who do care about PQ though, I completely stand by my review because anyone going in blind is going to be shocked to see how poor this looks and may very well regret their purchase. I'm supposed to feel bad for "inspiring" people not to buy the set (which I don't say anyway!) when that may very well be the best decision for them? You sound more like you'd rather we just sweep all this under the rug for some greater good. This is a DVD release, and should be subject to the same scrutiny as any other. It doesn't get a pass just because its the first time SM has appeared uncut or its the best release currently available in the States (even though it certainly isn't the "best the US can expect"; if anything the US should be getting better than what is available in other countries).

You're right that the release was always going to be flawed, especially the Blu-ray. But there was not a single reason why the DVDs couldn't have been as good as what other countries have and/or are getting right now. It would be a lie to tell people that this is down to Toei "not doing this themselves anymore". Toei did an SD version that was fine, and we didn't get that SD version.

People going in blind aren't going to care one bit about what you perceive to be a crappy transfer especially if they have never seen caps of the Japanese or any other foreign DVD release. The only people that will care are members of sites like this or a dedicated Sailor Moon site. You fail to realize that around 90% of this sites membership find the PQ to be acceptable. Even though there are others that are unhappy you seem to be the only one waging this war against VIZ for some reason.

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by madlost1

People going in blind aren't going to care one bit about what you perceive to be a crappy transfer especially if they have never seen caps of the Japanese or any other foreign DVD release. The only people that will care are members of sites like this or a dedicated Sailor Moon site.

The only thing that Blu-ray offers over DVD is higher AV quality. People are getting below DVD quality with this set, at least by today's standards. I expect quite a few "laymen" to be shocked. Indeed, posts on Viz's Facebook bears that out.

Originally Posted by madlost1

Even though there are others that are unhappy you seem to be the only one waging this war against VIZ for some reason.

It's because I'm not primarily part of the "anime fandom", where it seems standards could not be any lower. If Criterion or Arrow or Eureka tried to release a live action film like this, this site and everywhere else would absolutely crucify them, and rightly so. It's not my fault I have higher standards, and like a bit of anime now and again.

[madlost1]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

The only thing that Blu-ray offers over DVD is higher AV quality. People are getting below DVD quality with this set, at least by today's standards. I expect quite a few "laymen" to be shocked. Indeed, posts on Viz's Facebook bears that out.


It's because I'm not primarily part of the "anime fandom", where it seems standards could not be any lower. If Criterion or Arrow or Eureka tried to release a live action film like this, this site and everywhere else would absolutely crucify them, and rightly so. It's not my fault I have higher standards, and like a bit of anime now and again.

In regard to the first part of your post we've told you time and time again how that is just plain out wrong.

Secondly we do not have low standards we just know when it's time to accept the fact the the first set has issues and live with it while hoping that VIZ hears us about upcoming sets and makes the necessary corrections. Rambling on and on and on on a forum isn't going to help things. All it does is clutter up this thread. If you want to discuss what is good about this set and actually say something useful to the thread other then bashing this release at every possible point then I'd be more then happy to oblige and have a decent conversation with you until that point this will be the last time I answer to one of your posts.

[Sinthetic]

Originally Posted by pillsmith

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

Good on Eddie for actually thoroughly explaining the **** ups Viz made here.

It's funny how easily people are pleased sometimes.

Thanks again Eddie for the helpful and great effort.

[UseY0ur1llusi0n]

I'm pretty sure the film elements do still exist overseas in Toei's vaults, so hey, at least there's a chance for proper HD masters some day! Though that won't be happening anytime soon while it's still in Toei's greedy hands.

We need someone to ante up for a new HD Telecine and scan all 200 episodes, Viz sure as hell couldn't have done it and I doubt Toei would've even been willing to send them the proper materials anyways. The only US company that tried something like that was Funimation with DBZ, and you can see how far that got them...

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by UseY0ur1llusi0n

I'm pretty sure the film elements do still exist overseas in Toei's vaults, so hey, at least there's a chance for proper HD masters some day! Though that won't be happening anytime soon while it's still in Toei's greedy hands.

We need someone to ante up for a new HD Telecine and scan all 200 episodes, Viz sure as hell couldn't have done it and I doubt Toei would've even been willing to send them the proper materials anyways. The only US company that tried something like that was Funimation with DBZ, and you can see how far that got them...

Exactly. The best chance for this to be done in a perfectly satisfactory way would be for something like this to happen. For a film foundation or high profile filmmaker with deep pocketbooks to invest in funding a restoration. It's quite sad and unfortunate but that's the scenario Sailor Moon is in. If only a director like Scorsese was an anime fan we might have a chance. Well, there is James Cameron but he seems to be of the mindset he shouldn't have to fund such things (he said in an interview on the Side by Side documentary that he wishes there would be serious studies over how 3D might help to actually enhance brain waves during a film-going experience -- Keannu Reeves suggested he fund the research, and he responded something like' Well, but I'd want them to do that just for the sake of science.'

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by GenPion

Exactly. The best chance for this to be done in a perfectly satisfactory way would be for something like this to happen. For a film foundation or high profile filmmaker with deep pocketbooks to invest in funding a restoration. It's quite sad and unfortunate but that's the scenario Sailor Moon is in. If only a director like Scorsese was an anime fan we might have a chance. Well, there is James Cameron but he seems to be of the mindset he shouldn't have to fund such things (he said in an interview on the Side by Side documentary that he wishes there would be serious studies over how 3D might help to actually enhance brain waves during a film-going experience -- Keannu Reeves suggested he fund the research, and he responded something like' Well, but I'd want them to do that just for the sake of science.'

James Cameron is too much of a 3D nut, and Avatar sucked.

[GenPion]

I like 3D and Avatar...

The extended version of Avatar is actually much better than the theatrical version though. I'm actually always much more fond of his extended/director's cuts than the theatrical release versions. It's too bad the extended Avatar is still unavailable in 3D.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

Good on Eddie for actually thoroughly explaining the **** ups Viz made here.

It's funny how easily people are pleased sometimes.

Thanks again Eddie for the helpful and great effort.

Well, Eddie did call it a "complete and utter disaster" rather than note how it's a better release PQ wise than past US releases (even though it is flawed I don't see how anyone could argue it being worse than previous releases), that the entire show will be made available for the first time in the US, that there is a new (improved) subtitle translation for accuracy, that the audio was restored, or that a new dub has been created to better follow the JP scripts. These all seem like positives to me. And at the moment, a native HD presentation isn't possible. So we are left complaining about a few video errors that are disappointing and the use of DNR. But the DNR is not only exclusive to the VIZ edition.

The biggest and most accurate statement was that the US DVD's need to be replaced. The error he pointed out on that is spot on and very smart to make a point about. But for the Blu-ray set? I think it's an exaggeration. And I am someone who is VERY picky about the work done on releases, hence why I wanted the JP Ghibli releases and Miyazaki collection with better encodes (and no DNR unlike the UK editions). But we are not really in a state where we can pick from several releases of Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon has been out of print and unavailable for years before VIZ rescued it's license (and at a presumably huge cost based on what we heard)!

None of us debating this with him have once said this set is 'perfect' but he's saying the whole thing is a disaster when it's not.

Maybe if enough people are disappointed with the set VIZ will cancel other Blu-ray set's and do a correction of the DVD's and use that material going forward. Personally, I'm still hoping they stick to Blu-ray sets and that they just improve for future releases. Of course, I'll gladly welcome replacement discs if it is possible for them to do so and fix the ghosting errors or if they decide to do a u-turn and remove DNR from the whole proceeding. I just don't think VIZ has made such a bad effort as some are saying.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by GenPion

I like 3D and Avatar...

The extended version of Avatar is actually much better than the theatrical version though. I'm actually always much more fond of his extended/director's cuts than the theatrical release versions. It's too bad the extended Avatar is still unavailable in 3D.

YouTube

[GenPion]

Yeah, the plot of Avatar borrowed a lot from the films they noted. It definitely did. I still liked the vision of the directing even if it was weak on plot. It's not a perfect film. I was annoyed by how much praise it got from the theatrical release even though I still liked the movie. The extended version is much better as a film, though. Have you seen it? I felt it flowed a lot better with the extensions it offered. (And yeah... everyone wants to make a joke about how Papyrus was used as the font in the film but I don't see how that makes it a bad movie.)

[chronoclast]

http://blog.neonalley.com/an-inside-...-ray-releases/

Viz just put up this blog post. Those 2009 DVD shots look nothing like what's been posted on forums and of course it's to make their BD look better. I think they're making false claims.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by GenPion

Yeah, the plot of Avatar borrowed a lot from the films they noted. It definitely did. I still liked the vision of the directing even if it was weak on plot. It's not a perfect film. I was annoyed by how much praise it got from the theatrical release even though I still liked the movie. The extended version is much better as a film, though. Have you seen it? I felt it flowed a lot better with the extensions it offered. (And yeah... everyone wants to make a joke about how Papyrus was used as the font in the film but I don't see how that makes it a bad movie.)

I've only seen the theatrical, and the human scenes were so boring that it brought down the whole thing, even the marginly better CGI scenes weren't enough to make up for the boring human scenes.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by chronoclast

http://blog.neonalley.com/an-inside-...-ray-releases/

Viz just put up this blog post. Those 2009 DVD shots look nothing like what's been posted on forums and of course it's to make their BD look better. I think they're making false claims.

Well that didn't explain much. They didn't even mention the white flashes on the screen, or if they will fix it going forward. All they really focused on is the pillarboxing on the DVD set.

[EddieLarkin]

Absolutely bizarre. They've taken images, that look nothing like anything that has been posted before from the Japanese or Italian DVDs, left them stretched at native 1.5:1 (!!!), which of course no one would ever actually see them at, and expect us to believe they're an accurate reflection of the Japanese DVDs.

I give up. On the Blu-rays anyway. Zac Bertschy doesn't seem to like them going by his twitter, and he's interviewing the producer of the sets this week. Hopefully he can get something done.

The DVDs though, they've admitted there is an error and that it'll be fixed for future sets. A small consolation. How ridiculous though that the first half season will be pillarboxed and the rest won't! A replacement is still absolutely in order.

[Frozendisneyfan]

So I haven't yet been charged by Amazon and they have yet shipped my blu Ray. I emailed them and they basically told me if it doesn't arrive by the 12 to let them know. That was this morning it's now 6:25 pm and still no charge by Amazon or anything saying they shipped. Does anyone know what's going on. Anyone else who ordered with Amazon have you already been charged and has your blu Ray already shipped?