Anime DVD Release Comparisons

[SpazeBlue]

Aquarion

[Show spoiler]2008 Parts:

-Possibly has alternate-angles

2008 Complete Series:

-5 discs to 4 discs
-Drops (if included on first release) the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Missing all extras except Textless Songs and trailers

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

2020 Essentials:

.

Best Release: If first set has alternate-angles:

[Show spoiler]2008/2010/2020 for picture quality, 2008 Parts for extras

If no alternate-angles:

[Show spoiler]2008 Parts

Azumanga Daioh

[Show spoiler]2004 Singles:

-Mini-movie
-Booklets

2005 Class Album:

-6 discs to 5 discs
-Extras dropped (including mini-movie)
-Booklets dropped

2008 box set:

-Similar discs

2009 Complete set:

-Similar discs to Singles

2016 Sentai Selects:

-5 discs
-Missing mini-movie and booklets

Best Release: 2004 Singles for mini-movie, complete extras, and booklets


Baccano!

[Show spoiler]2009 Singles:

.

2009 Complete Series:

-4 discs to 3 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-New extras

2010 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2009 Complete Series/2010 Anime Classics


Baki: The Grappler

[Show spoiler]2005-2007 Singles:

.

2007-2008 Season Sets:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2008 Viridian Collection

-12 discs to 7
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-All extras dropped except songs and trailers

Best Release: Viridian Collection for picture quality, Season sets or singles for extras


Basilisk

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

-(Note: Limited Editions come with 10-page booklets)

2007 Complete Series:

-Discs collected in DigiPack
-Limited Edition booklets included

2007-2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2008 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing most extras

2010 Complete Series:

.

Best Release: 2008/2010 sets for picture quality, 2007 Complete Series for the booklets (and possibly extras missing from newer sets)


Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into slipbox

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Drops commentaries and music videos

2010 S.A.V.E set:

.

2012 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2012 set for better video quality, singles/2008 Complete Series for extras


Black Cat

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into slipbox
-Booklet

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Drops booklet

2010 Complete Collection:

.

2012 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2012 collections for better video quality, 2008 Complete Series for booklet


Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma

[Show spoiler]2001:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Blue Gender

[Show spoiler]2001-2003 Singles:

-Terrible artifacting from the alternate-angles
-Macroblocking

2003 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2005 Complete Series:

-DVDs and movie placed in giant case

2008 Viridian Collection:

-DigiPack packaging

2011 Anime Classics:

-8 discs to 4 discs
-Dropped alternate-angles
-Far less artifacting and macroblocking
-Tracks upmixed to 5.1
-Updated movie disc

Best Release: 2011 Anime Classics


Blue Submarine No. 6

[Show spoiler]2000 Singles:

-Very poor quality

2003 Special Edition:

-Removes Japanese 2.0
-4 discs to 2 discs
-Contains 3rd disc of extras

2007 Anime Legends

-Similar discs

2013 Diskotek:

-Uses the higher quality JP DVD masters
-Edited Toonami dub, and Japanese with English subs
-Drops all extras except trailers

2016 DTS Edition:

-Original English Dub, Toonami dub, DD & DTS Japanese 5.1 Tracks
-No extras

(For comparison)
2014 Blu-ray:

-Uses poor Q-Tec upscale
-Edited Toonami dub
-Drops all extras except Directors Interview & Creator's Eyes Interview

Best Release: Between the 2016 DVD for the better video/both English tracks/Japanese DTS track and the 2003/2007 sets for extras


Burn Up W

[Show spoiler]2001:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Claymore

[Show spoiler]2008-2009 Singles:

(Note: Volume 1 Starter Set and Volume 6 DVD both contain booklets)

2009 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into Slipbox
-Both booklets

2011 Anime Classics:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Booklets dropped

Best Release: 2011 Anime Classics (Booklets are combined and included in the first Blu-ray release)


Darker Than Black

[Show spoiler]2008-2009 Singles:

.

2010 Complete:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2011 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2010/2011


Fruits Basket (2001)

[Show spoiler]2002-2003 Singles:

.

2004 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a box

2007 Viridian Collection Singles:

-Similar to original singles

2007 Complete Series:

-Thinpak

2011 Collector's Edition:

-All extras moved to new 5th disc, improving video quality
-Upgraded 2.0 audio to 5.1

2014 Anime Classics:

-5th disc dropped

Best Release: 2011 Collector's Edition


Fullmetal Alchemist

[Show spoiler]2005-2006 Singles:

-'Alchemy Tests' Booklets

2007-2008 Part Box Sets:

-Discs collected into DigiPack packaging in slipbox
-Booklets included

2007-2008 Viridian Singles:

-Drops booklets

2009 Complete Seasons:

-13 discs to 8
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Includes booklets

2010 Viridian Sets:

-Drops booklets

Best Release: 2009 Complete Seasons


Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack
-Art booklets

2009 Remastered:

-Remastered
-4 discs to 3 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Booklets dropped
-Possibly missing extras

2011 Anime Classics:

-Possibly missing 2.0 tracks

Best Release: 2009 Remastered set (if the 2011 set is missing the 2.0 tracks) for the video quality, 2008 Complete Series for the Art booklets (and possibly extras missing from newer sets)


Glass Fleet

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2009 S.A.V.E set:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing extras

Best Release: 2009 S.A.V.E set (and some of the singles if the 2009 set is missing certain extras)


Gunslinger Girl

[Show spoiler]2005 Singles:

.

2006 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2007 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2007 Viridian Collection:

-DVDs collected in a DigiBook

2008 Viridian Collection:

-DVDs collected in a Slipbox

2011 Complete Collection:

-3 discs to 2 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing some extras

Best Release: 2011 Complete Collection for video quality, and any of the older releases for the extras (if missing)


Gunsmith Cats

[Show spoiler]2001:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1
-Adds Commentary

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Haibane Renmei

[Show spoiler]2003-2004 Singles:

.

2005 Box Set:

-Singles collected in a box

2012 Anime Classics:

-uses the poor Japanese DNR'd upscaled master downscaled to DVD
-4 discs to 2 discs

Best Release: Singles/Box Set


Hell Girl

[Show spoiler]2008-2009 Singles:

.

2009 Complete:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Missing extras from discs 2, 4-6

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010 for video quality, singles for complete extras


Jinki: Extend

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Collection:

-Discs collected into slipbox

2009 FUNimation Complete Series:

-3 discs to 2 discs
-Drops all extras except Clean Openings and Endings

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: Singles/2008 Complete Collection


Kiddy Grade

[Show spoiler]2004 Singles:

.

2005-2006 Case Files:

-2 singles DVDs in one case

2006 Box:

-DVDs collected in slipbox
-Possibly missing extras

2008 Viridian Collection:

-Possibly missing extras

2011 Anime Classics:

-8 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops English 2.0 track

Best Release: 2011 Anime Classic for video quality, Singles/Case Files for extras (if missing from later releases)


Moon Phase

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

-Visible artifacting in the OP

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack
-Guidebooks

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles
-Fixed OP issues
-Introduces jagged, stair-stepped lines
-Possibly a bit paler and washed out
-Different series titles look
-Guidebooks dropped

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2008 Complete Series for overall better quality + guidebooks


Mushishi

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing extras

2009 Viridian Collection:

.

2010 Complete Collection:

.

2011 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2008/2009/2010/2011 sets for video quality (and some of the singles if the later sets are missing certain extras)


My-Hime

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

-Volumes 1-4 authored by The Ocean Group, moved to SpeeDVD for Volumes 5-7 after reports of the discs not working properly in many DVD players

2008 Anime Legends:

-Includes singles, but with discs 1-4 reauthored

Best Release: 2008 Anime Legends


Negima!

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack

2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2008 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly missing most extras

2009 Complete Series:

-Similar discs

Best Release: Viridian Collection/2009 Complete Series for video quality (and the singles/2008 Complete Series if the later sets are missing extras)


Neon Genesis Evangelion

[Show spoiler]2000-2001 Singles:

-No extras
(Note: the original printings of the first volume has full-screen overlays to replace in-program Japanese text with English text)

2002 Perfect Collection:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2004 Director's Cuts:

-Director's Cuts of episodes 21-26
-Clean Openings and Closings

2004-2005 Platinum Singles:

-Better masters
-New extras
-Includes Director's Cuts
-Removes Spanish and French tracks
-English and Japanese 2.0 swapped with 5.1 tracks

2005 Platinum Collection:

-Extras removed
-Higher bitrate

2007 Perfect Collection:

-Platinum Singles discs in a tin

2008 Limited Edition:

.

Best Release: Either the Platinum Singles or the 2007/2008 Collections


Peach Girl

[Show spoiler]2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-Discs collected into DigiPack

2008 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs into 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2008/2011


Plastic Little

[Show spoiler]2002:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Princess Nine

[Show spoiler]2001-2002 Singles:

.

2004 Complete Collection:

-Discs collected in a giant case

2014 Set:

-Japanese 5.1 track added
-New Extras

Best Release: 2014


Ragnarok: The Animation

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2009 FUNimation Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010


School Rumble

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-All extras moved to new 5th disc

2008 Most Awesomest Collection:

-Similar discs in DigiPack
-Includes Second Season and OVA

2009 Viridian Collection:

-Similar discs
-Includes OVA

2015 S.A.V.E. set:

-Drops extras disc

Best Release: Any of the 2008/2009 collections


Shakugan no Shana

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Box:

-Discs collected in slipbox
-OVA included

2009 Compltete Collection:

-Flip Tray Case

Best Release: Either of the Collections


Shuffle!

[Show spoiler]2008 Singles:

.

2009 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2010 Viridian Collection:

.

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2011


Solty Rei

[Show spoiler]2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-DVDs collected into DigiPack

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops English 2.0

2015 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2015 for picture quality, 2008 Complete Series for English 2.0 (if missing)


Sorcerer Hunters

[Show spoiler]2001 Singles:

.

2003 Complete Collection:

-Singles collected into giant case

2004-2005 Essential Anime Collections:

-4 discs to 6 discs
-Adds commentaries

2007 Box Set

-Similar discs in a slipbox
-Includes OVA

Best Release: 2007 Box Set


Speed Grapher

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-DVDs collected into DigiPack
-Guidebooks

2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops extras

2011 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2011 for picture quality, 2008 Complete Series for guidebooks and extras (if missing from later releases)


Super Atragon

[Show spoiler]2002:

.

2004 Essential Anime Collection:

-Swaps English 2.0 for 5.1

Best Release: 2004 Essential Anime Collection


Suzuka

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2009 Viridian Collection:

.

2010 S.A.V.E. set:

.

Best Release: 2008/2009/2010


Trigun

[Show spoiler]2000-2001 Pioneer Singles:

-Episode 1 opening mistakenly used for all episodes

2001 Genon Box Set:

-Singles collected in a slipbox

2004 Genon Singles:

-Similar to original singles

2005-2006 Collector's Edition Tins:

-Better quality than previous discs
-Proper openings
-Japanese 5.1 track added
-English 2.0 track updated to 5.1

2006-2007 Remix DVDs:

-Discs from tins separated

2010 FUNimation Complete Series:

-Worse compression/encoding
-Drops Japanese 2.0 track
-Episode 1 opening mistakenly used for all episodes

2011 Anime Classics:

-Proper openings

Best Release: Collector's Edition Tins/Seperated Remix DVDs


Trinity Blood

[Show spoiler]2006-2007 Singles:

.

2007 Complete Series

-Discs collected into DigiPack cases
-Art Books

2007-2008 Viridian Singles:

-Similar discs

2009 Viridian Collection:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Missing 'Historical Artifacts'

2012 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2009/2012 for picture quality, 2007 Complete Series for Art Books and extras (if missing for later sets)


Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE

[Show spoiler]2007-2009 Singles:

.

2008-2009 Season Sets:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality

2009-2010 Viridian Collection:

.

2010 Collected Memories:

-Adds movie

2011 S.A.V.E. sets:

-Similar to Season Sets

Best Release: 2010 Collected Memories (for movie)


Witchblade

[Show spoiler]2007-2008 Singles:

.

2008 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-All extras moved to new 5th disc
-New extras
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Artbooks

2010 Viridian Collection:

-Drops artbooks

2011 Anime Classics:

.

Best Release: 2008 Complete Series


xxxHOLiC

[Show spoiler]2008 Singles:

.

2009 Complete Series:

-6 discs to 4 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Possibly drops English 2.0 track

2010 Complete First Season:

.

2011 S.A.V.E set:

.

Best Release: 2009/2010/2011 for picture quality, Singles for English 2.0 (if missing)


Yu Yu Hakusho

[Show spoiler]2002-2005 Singles:

-(Note: Edited and uncut volmes. Edited dropped Japanese audio and extras)

2006-2007 Special Editions:

-32 discs to 16 discs
-Drops the alternate-angles, thus improving video quality
-Drops commentaries and outtakes from Volume 32

2008-2009 Season Sets:

-Similar discs

Best Release: Special Editions/Season Sets for video quality, Single Volume 32 for extras (Note: These extras are available in the Blu-ray S4 set)