Ghost in the Shell 2 Innocence comes to Blu-ray

[svenge]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

It's been over two years since the last post. Time to resurrect. This film has been out of print now for some years due to the loss of the rights with Bandai. But now with the recent blu-ray release re-release of Akira and the 25th anniversary of the original Ghost in the Shell, has there been any speculation as to the current status of this film's rights? And by that, a new blu-ray release? I'm assuming at this point it won't default back to Dreamworks.

There's really been no news and/or speculation for a re-release of Innocence.

At this point your best option is probably to get the Japanese BD (sub only) for $50 shipped, as even the Hong Kong release (which had slightly inferior subs to the Japanese release, but still far better than the UK release) is now OOP.

[zrdb]

Originally Posted by svenge

There's really been no news and/or speculation for a re-release of Innocence.

At this point your best option is probably to get the Japanese BD (sub only) for $50 shipped, as even the Hong Kong release (which had slightly inferior subs to the Japanese release, but still far better than the UK release) is now OOP.

Doesn't matter to me-the UK release is fine and I don't know or care what others say about the pq-it looks perfectly good to me.

[wesslan]

Originally Posted by svenge

There's really been no news and/or speculation for a re-release of Innocence.

At this point your best option is probably to get the Japanese BD (sub only) for $50 shipped, as even the Hong Kong release (which had slightly inferior subs to the Japanese release, but still far better than the UK release) is now OOP.

I first bought the HK then upgraded to JP, maybe should sell the HK if it's OOP?

[insomniac013]

Originally Posted by zrdb

Doesn't matter to me-the UK release is fine and I don't know or care what others say about the pq-it looks perfectly fine to me.

I also think the UK's is a good release. It's dirt cheap and has some good extras, good picture and GREAT sound. I can't say much about the subs as i don't know Japanese. They're passable i guess. (If you don't mind yellow lettering of course)

[JackTwist]

Thanks everyone for the information. It's a tough call. I didn't wait last time for Akira and right after purchasing, the 25th anniversary edition came out. Since I will most likely watch only in Japanese with subtitles, perhaps that is the better way to go...

I actually just picked up the first film with its new release and found the world and philosophical themes to be quite interesting. I know the sequel has its detractors but overall seems like an interesting watch.

[BigManDeath]

There is also a Korean blu-ray with English subs, but I don't know anyone who owns it or seen any reviews online.

[svenge]

Originally Posted by BigManDeath

There is also a Korean blu-ray with English subs, but I don't know anyone who owns it or seen any reviews online.

Here's a review (in Korean, obviously)...

[Cvalda]

Does anyone have the Region B German release? Has lossless Japanese audio and English subs, transfer looks good. The question is: are the subs any good?

[BigManDeath]

Originally Posted by Cvalda

Does anyone have the Region B German release? Has lossless Japanese audio and English subs, transfer looks good. The question is: are the subs any good?

I don't have this disc, but information online says that the English subs are "for the hearing impaired."

[Girls With Guns]

Originally Posted by svenge

At this point your best option is probably to get the Japanese BD (sub only) for $50 shipped, as even the Hong Kong release (which had slightly inferior subs to the Japanese release, but still far better than the UK release) is now OOP.

I just picked up this same Absolute Edition from Amazon JP a couple months ago, along with the original movie LE combo set, the two S.A.C BD box sets, and S.S.S. Blu-ray, but I haven't had a chance to watch any of them yet... The Absolute Edition is supposed to have some killer audio on it, I believe... I think I'm going to sit down and watch both the original movie and Innocence some evening this week, as I've actually never seen Innocence at all...

[Cat III]

Looking at this thread, I've just remembered that I've had the UK edition for three years and still haven't popped it into the player yet.

[Kriztoffer Swank]

Did Richard Epcar play the voice of Batou in both dubs? In the Manga UK dub (which I believe Epcar voice directed), his voice is really low whereas in Bandai's dub he sounds more like he did in the first movie.

And does anyone know how the subs are on Bandai's US release? They're really close to the Bandai dub so I'm assuming the Bandai dub was a better translation.

[UseY0ur1llusi0n]

Originally Posted by Kriztoffer Swank

Did Richard Epcar play the voice of Batou in both dubs? In the Manga UK dub (which I believe Epcar voice directed), his voice is really low whereas in Bandai's dub he sounds more like he did in the first movie.

It's because the UK dub’s pitch is wrong, so everything sounds deep and mechanically distorted, lol it sounds all effed up. Probably because it's been slowed down 4% for the NTSC release. From what I've heard, films, when telecined natively for PAL, are sped up to get a clean 25fps, and Manga likely dubbed against the video telecine vs. the 24fps film.

What's funny is the Bandai re-dub they banged out is actually superior in terms of casting and top notch voice acting.. UK has a wonky translation and too much recycling going on.

It would be nice to get a lossless HD mix of the Bandai dub on a quality dual layer disc, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. The DVDs DD 5.1 track muxed over to the Absolute Edition it is.

PS - For those asking about the Korean BD, I'm pretty sure that disc is demo material and matches the JP BD's subtitle translation. It can be had for $30 too.

[UseY0ur1llusi0n]

Originally Posted by Cat III

Looking at this thread, I've just remembered that I've had the UK edition for three years and still haven't popped it into the player yet.

Consider yourself lucky.

Might as well go ahead and throw it into the Valley of the Drums.

[Kriztoffer Swank]

I hadn't even thought about the dub being done for PAL speedup. Here I thought Epcar just liked really deep, slow voices. That suuuucks. Wonder how hard it would be to do a 4% sped-up HD version?

[zrdb]

Originally Posted by UseY0ur1llusi0n

Consider yourself lucky.

Might as well go ahead and throw it into the Valley of the Drums.

Oh really? I don't think so bubba.

[Spineshanked]

As I look on my shelf at what I thought was a blunder when I accidentally ordered more than one copy of GiTs: Innocence I'm now in a position where I can look at the still unsealed copy and wonder what a reasonable price for it would be at this time now. 200+ dollars is ridiculous to me.

Mind you, I bought these two when it was only 20$ when it first came out.

[SeaFox]

Originally Posted by Spineshanked

As I look on my shelf at what I thought was a blunder when I accidentally ordered more than one copy of GiTs: Innocence I'm now in a position where I can look at the still unsealed copy and wonder what a reasonable price for it would be at this time now. 200+ dollars is ridiculous to me.

Mind you, I bought these two when it was only 20$ when it first came out.

Why don't you sell it on eBay and let the market decide what it's worth? Make sure to set a minimum price or reserve of what you paid and mention in the title/condition that it's new/sealed.

BTW, if this is the real U.S. release in the original packaging I'd appreciate if you'd link me or post it in the sale thread. I might be interested.

[RobAGD]

Same here

Let us know what you plan on doing. I won't pay $200 so I maybe out of the game early, but I would be interested.

-R

[Spineshanked]

Originally Posted by SeaFox

Why don't you sell it on eBay and let the market decide what it's worth? Make sure to set a minimum price or reserve of what you paid and mention in the title/condition that it's new/sealed.

BTW, if this is the real U.S. release in the original packaging I'd appreciate if you'd link me or post it in the sale thread. I might be interested.

It is the U.S. release. I'll set up an ebay listing (never sold anything on ebay before) some time this week (Work has my undivided attention).