Perfect Blue (1997) 4K UHD

[Saturn2888]

Sounds like DNR might not be an issue this time around. Yay!

I made the mistake of buying every 4K anime release thinking they'd keep grain like many Blu-rays. Imagine my surprise and disgust. Can't return an item to Amazon JP without spending more than the item cost. I wish they'd just put it in the description: HD remaster made to look like a digital production or "crap version". Anything to explain what they did for this "remaster".

Quite a few I've bought were AI upscales. So annoying. I watch these often for the art first, story second. They mess that up, what's the point?

And since we don't live in Japan, it's hard to tell them our preferences as customers nor is it easy to get the "why" from them.

[kristoffer]

Regarding the fear of DNR, what makes you say that? =)

[Saturn2888]

From people who had other versions based off this master. Either way, I'm waiting for confirmation. Japanese companies love removing the filmic look.

I've been burned too much to buy sight unseen.

[peppapigstan]

Originally Posted by Saturn2888

And since we don't live in Japan, it's hard to tell them our preferences as customers nor is it easy to get the "why" from them.

Well most of these DNR'd 4K anime are from Bandai & TMS, & they have supervisors who tend to have rather dated tastes in what a remaster should look like, regardless of customer feedback. That said, this is speculation but I have read interviews of some of these remasters (such as the one for Macross DYRL & Yamato movies) but also just made general observations from how they these 4K remasters are done (mostly TMS & how they handle their flagship properties in 4K). Some Bandai UHDs are also rushed out (like Akira & Royal Space Force) so their scans are poorly done from the start, the DNR is just the cherry on top

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by Saturn2888

From people who had other versions based off this master. Either way, I'm waiting for confirmation. Japanese companies love removing the filmic look.

I've been burned too much to buy sight unseen.

If we want a Pixar movie we would be buying them or subscribing to Disney-

[Saturn2888]

Originally Posted by peppapigstan

Well most of these DNR'd 4K anime are from Bandai & TMS, & they have supervisors who tend to have rather dated tastes in what a remaster should look like, regardless of customer feedback. That said, this is speculation but I have read interviews of some of these remasters (such as the one for Macross DYRL & Yamato movies) but also just made general observations from how they these 4K remasters are done (mostly TMS & how they handle their flagship properties in 4K). Some Bandai UHDs are also rushed out (like Akira & Royal Space Force) so their scans are poorly done from the start, the DNR is just the cherry on top

You're kidding. Royal Space Force has it too? Ugh........ I also own that. I think I own all 4K Japanese releases except Lupin. I bought them all at the same time not knowing. I haven't had time to watch Royal Space Force, but I started it tonight. That's so upsetting.

Is the BD any better?

[peppapigstan]

The BD, while a older scan, still holds up pretty well
just be aware of the windowboxing

[rewak]

People in Japan have got their copies and it seems like there's no HDR with this release. Not unexpected since they never mentioned it and normally if it's there it'll be highlighted but worth noting.

[peppapigstan]

unfortunate, i do want to see a cel-era UHD anime with grain and HDR even though i'm fine with DNR (if it's done well ofc) but either way i think this will be a W for qooop

[Rusty100]

unreasonably excited to see some screenshot comparisons, please

[CrashOveride95]

Originally Posted by Rusty100

unreasonably excited to see some screenshot comparisons, please

I pre-ordered and will comp it if nobody else does by the time I get it

[rewak]

Got mine in today, not set up to do 4K rips so can't do caps or scan the disc but it looks gorgeous, and no DNR seems to have been used! Plenty of film grain, all the dust and specs from the original cels are still there and clearer than ever in 4K, it's perfect Even without HDR the colours are bright and vivid, they did this one right!

[isssaschur]

Originally Posted by rewak

Got mine in today, not set up to do 4K rips so can't do caps or scan the disc but it looks gorgeous, and no DNR seems to have been used! Plenty of film grain, all the dust and specs from the original cels are still there and clearer than ever in 4K, it's perfect Even without HDR the colours are bright and vivid, they did this one right!

English or any other subtitles included?

[rewak]

None, not even Japanese subs.

[demuxme]

Originally Posted by rewak

Got mine in today, not set up to do 4K rips so can't do caps or scan the disc but it looks gorgeous, and no DNR seems to have been used! Plenty of film grain, all the dust and specs from the original cels are still there and clearer than ever in 4K, it's perfect Even without HDR the colours are bright and vivid, they did this one right!

If you don't mind sharing, where did you order from because for some reason I am unable to get these from amazon jp.

[apollo828]

CDJapan still sells overseas. The prices are a bit higher but it basically evens out compared to using a reshipping service. That said, I believe all editions are on backorder, so it may take a few weeks before they ship.

[rewak]

Originally Posted by demuxme

If you don't mind sharing, where did you order from because for some reason I am unable to get these from amazon jp.

CDJapan, they currently have just 1 copy left in stock - https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/GNXA-7468

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by rewak

Got mine in today, not set up to do 4K rips so can't do caps or scan the disc but it looks gorgeous, and no DNR seems to have been used! Plenty of film grain, all the dust and specs from the original cels are still there and clearer than ever in 4K, it's perfect Even without HDR the colours are bright and vivid, they did this one right!

Yeah, but UK/USA can always mess it up and DNR it and HDR it becuz it's more film like

[NLScavenger]

BDInfo

Disc Title:     PERFECT BLUE
Disc Label:     PERFECT_BLUE
Disc Size:      58,785,252,375 bytes
Protection:     AACS2
Playlist:       00001.MPLS
Size:           50,424,840,192 bytes
Length:         01:21:42.397
Total Bitrate:  82.29 Mbps
Video:          MPEG-H HEVC Video / 71,643 kbps / 2160p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / Main 10 @ Level 5.1 @ High / 4:2:0 / 10 bits / Limited Range / BT.709 / BT.709 / BT.709
Audio:          Japanese / Dolby TrueHD Audio / 5.1 / 48 kHz /  3607 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 5.1 / 48 kHz /   640 kbps / DN -27dB)
Audio:          Japanese / LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz /  1536 kbps / 16-bit

The Stereo track is reported to be a downmix of the 5.1 mix.

[professorwho]

Screenshot comp

Massive upgrade