Naoki Urasawa's M⊙NS†ER

[Jajuka89]

Originally Posted by tigeress02

It's definitely not because the show isn't fantastic. I've always heard over the years that there were licensing issues with Monster. Add in that it failed when VIZ tried and I can understand why no one has taken the risk. IIRC, Master Keaton and Yawara! didn't do well either. I thought both were great too, but I don't know that either would get another chance. Unfortunately, I think anime based off Urasawa's work are just cursed to not do well here.

Oh wow I haven't heard the name Master Keaton in years ! I remember I was interested in owning that one as well. I managed to get Yawara! on DVD years ago, but it was only the first 40 episodes. I appreciate all the info thanks. Hopefully one day we'll get Monster on bluray

[BigOnAnime]

Originally Posted by Jajuka89

I'm surprised after all these years nobody has picked this series up and given it another US release. Discotek or AnimEigo

This post from the first page may help.

Originally Posted by BigOnAnime

I'll leave this here for no reason at all...

https://fandompost.vbulletin.net/for...ge4#post490412

Hopefully things changed (gotta love when some in Japan have very unrealistic expectations of the market here, it's happened too many times), but don't get your hopes up too high for something happening with it on disc here.

If this still remains an issue for any potential license rescue after all this time, it probably will remain SOL.

[PissedOffPeoN]

Does Viz still have the license?

[bigblkhrt]

Originally Posted by PissedOffPeoN

Does Viz still have the license?

For the manga, yes. They let go of the license for the anime a little over a decade ago.

[Hackurai]

I was just wondering if the Siren Visual box set has the original japanese audio with english subtitles. I just want clarification since I am looking at the box set right now and want to be sure of it because of how expensive it is.

[BigOnAnime]

The Siren Visual release has Japanese audio with English subs, yes.

[PissedOffPeoN]

The dub is quite good you got richard epcar as the detective.

[bigblkhrt]

Originally Posted by Hackurai

I was just wondering if the Siren Visual box set has the original japanese audio with english subtitles. I just want clarification since I am looking at the box set right now and want to be sure of it because of how expensive it is.

[Glorian]

Originally Posted by Hackurai

I was just wondering if the Siren Visual box set has the original japanese audio with english subtitles. I just want clarification since I am looking at the box set right now and want to be sure of it because of how expensive it is.

And if that's not enough confirmation, I have the set myself, and that's how I watched the show (Japanese w/ English subtitles).

[JJLong]

I really wish the German release had English subtitles. I would have imported it in an instant.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by Member-571539

Germany and Spain are the only two countries internationally to have announced physical media rights to Monster. If anything, I think the likelihood of it getting license rescued in North America (or the UK) is better.

I hope you're right even a UK release would be fantastic I'd buy it immediately no question.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by JJLong

I really wish the German release had English subtitles. I would have imported it in an instant.

Yes, just to reiterate what I said earlier, I know it's a pipe dream, but getting the German dub with English-for-German translation subtitles would be incredible, especially since virtually every character is German (or supposed to be speaking German) and onscreen text is often German, too. A nice bonus is that the German dub is 5.1, too. If region-locking isn't enough to make this happen, there's also always the option to force the subtitles if German audio is selected. Sadly it will probably come down to the cost of translation and I don't think it's worth it to include the German dub without English subtitles for it.

I'm also hoping for a cheaper German box set release, as right now the discs are only available as six separate SteelBook releases for something like €60 each. If there's no news of an English-friendly release by then, I might just import a German box set.

[-Trippy]

Originally Posted by -Trippy

This would be the holy grail of the show for me. The English Dub with the original Japanese release music. I guess it's likely never to happen though.

I've done a 180 on this.

I'm undertaking analysis of the music differences between the Sub and Dub, and what's become clear is that there are a lot of misconceptions about the music in the dub and the international releases in general. (Some of these misconception are that the "music was changed by the English licence holders" or "the music was changed because of licensing reasons" (this licensing issue is only true for 2 or 3 tracks the show licensed externally, like The Ronnettes)).

I believe a re-edit of the music in the show was done by the producers of the show, as a creative endeavour, after the show finished production and what we call the "international ost" or the "dub soundtrack" is actually the definitive final version of the show from a music perspective.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Discotek has licensed the series and is bringing it to Blu-ray in 2026. Includes Japanese and English dub.

[snowmint]

So what unlicenseable white whales are left or is that everything now?

[Herry Dunston]

Even if I'm 95% certain that the ending theme song won't be in the Discotek physical release, I'll take this welcoming news. Would love to own the sets. Likely to collect dust, frankly; it's a great anime, but also one that--in my opinion--not made for rewatches.

[BigOnAnime]

Originally Posted by snowmint

So what unlicenseable white whales are left or is that everything now?

Anything from Aniplex Japan, Maison Ikkoku, many titles from TBS Animation, Enoki Films, Toho, and Kadokawa.

[Bobo1313]

Originally Posted by snowmint

So what unlicenseable white whales are left or is that everything now?

I'd say Maison Ikkoku is probably the big one.

[-Trippy]

This is great news!

Do Discotek reissue soundtracks as well? If sales of this do well I’d love to finally see an expanded and full release of the soundtrack with all the music from the show, as well as the final renditions of the tracks that were on the initial OST release.

[Herry Dunston]

Pretty sure the Microids vinyl release of the Monster soundtrack is as good as we're gonna get.

Originally Posted by Bobo1313

I'd say Maison Ikkoku is probably the big one.

Viz is really holding on to the license that they're not using.