Offical Neon Genesis Evangelion Info/Update Thread

[GeoffOliver]

Originally Posted by svenge

I really don't see that happening, as there's no any indication that the DCs have replaced the original cuts a la George Lucas' "Special Editions" of the Star Wars Trilogy. While the Japanese VHS/LD/DVD releases from 1996-1999 did only have the DCs, even then there were ways to get the original cuts directly from Gainax (i.e. the "Genesis 0:X" mail-in VHS/LD in 1998 or "Second Impact Box" DVDs from 2000). Conversely, the reason that the original ADV Films VHS/DVD releases only had the original cuts is because they licensed the show in sometime in 1996, which was almost two years before the DCs were even created.

It's more reasonable to assume that the only reason that Netflix is only showing the DCs of 21' - 24' is that having both versions in the same playlist would mess with remote-free marathon viewing, as going from Episode 21 to 21' to 22 to 22' etc. would be rather annoying. If they were to choose one version for that reason, they would get far fewer complaints by going with the DCs since they're the ones with additional content.

Then there's the question if the Blu-ray distributor would be interested in including both versions. Discotek probably would. FUNimation probably wouldn't.

Super, super, super on the fence about selling this set. I love the series, and know a stateside Blu-ray release is probably coming (key word: probably), and it feels really cool owning something so rare and sought-after, and there's also a chance the ADV dub will never see an official release ever again. But I also really, really need money, and I have a few things I could use the extra $300 for. It might go down in price if it's ever reissued on Blu-ray, but if the new release doesn't have the ADV dub, it might not. Even after Viz reissued Sailor Moon, the original ADV/Pioneer DVDs have NOT gone down in price, because they're the only legal way of obtaining the original dub for that show. At the very least, I'll probably hang onto this thing for the time being.

[Bolo Seagull]

Funimation have included old and new audio tracks on their releases for 'Akira' and 'Dragonball Z', so they're not completely opposed to this sort of thing. So if Funi do end up handling the physical release for 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', I wouldn't take that to mean you definitely won't get the old dubs included. They may very well include both English audio tracks.

[BlackDevil]

Has someone heard rumors of a physical US release or is everyone just speculating? Not trying to be argumentative, just curious if I missed something.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Bolo Seagull

Funimation have included old and new audio tracks on their releases for 'Akira' and 'Dragonball Z', so they're not completely opposed to this sort of thing. So if Funi do end up handling the physical release for 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', I wouldn't take that to mean you definitely won't get the old dubs included. They may very well include both English audio tracks.

Pretty sure it’s up to Studio Khara. Funimation got lucky those times you mentioned or like Sentai putting both Dubs to Grave Of The Fireflies and Appleseed only because Japan couldn’t care less those times. But this could be more like 5 Centimeters Per Second where the original ADV Films Dub will likely be lost forever just because the Japanese Distributor doesn’t want it.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by BlackDevil

Has someone heard rumors of a physical US release or is everyone just speculating? Not trying to be argumentative, just curious if I missed something.

With the combined showing up on Netflix for exclusive streaming and Japan just getting a new Blu-ray release, it may take some more time.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Netflix likely has a minimum of 1 year exclusivity. If we go off of other Netflix series then they take 12 to 16 months after premiering to get a physical release.

[BlackDevil]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Netflix likely has a minimum of 1 year exclusivity. If we go off of other Netflix series then they take 12 to 16 months after premiering to get a physical release.

Has that consistently been the case? I thought physical releases for their titles have been rare, or is it just for licensed shows vs originals. I'm sure factors like popularity play a role as well, something Eva wouldn't have a problem with, but I'm still waiting on US physical releases for Violet Evergarden and Devilman Crybaby.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by BlackDevil

Has that consistently been the case? I thought physical releases for their titles have been rare, or is it just for licensed shows vs originals. I'm sure factors like popularity play a role as well, something Eva wouldn't have a problem with, but I'm still waiting on US physical releases for Violet Evergarden and Devilman Crybaby.

Well for sure all of the Marvel Netflix series were somewhere around 14 to 16 months last I did the math. I believe Fuller House seasons on DVD were closer to 12-13 months. 1 year exclusivity seems to be a guarantee though.

Someone would have to partner with Netflix for NGE to get a Blu-ray, like what Viz has done with Castlevania and Blame. I say this because aside from Stranger Things, has Netflix ever released any of their series themselves?

[BlackDevil]

Orange is the New Black and House of Cards got Blu-ray releases and Bojack Horseman just came out on Blu-ray via Shout Factory. I know Sentai Filmworks has released some other Netflix anime shows like Knights of Sidonia.

[Kyle15]

Do we know if they have home video rights though? It could be a streaming-only deal.

[Cplhicks]

Originally Posted by BlackDevil

My Oppo player allows you to load external subtitles via a USB drive, that's what I plan on doing when my set comes in.

I have the same player and was thinking about doing this. Is there anywhere to get good subs that are timed properly?

[svenge]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

Do we know if they have home video rights though? It could be a streaming-only deal.

It's also possible that Netflix could have stipulated in their streaming deal that the licensors refrain from selling US physical media rights to another company for a certain amount of time.

[starsteam]

There is generally a one-year exclusivity with Netflix shows before a retail release can be offered. That includes shows being offering to other streaming venues. Ultimately it's up to the rights holders to decide for licensing it out for home video.

Unlike other Netflix exclusive shows, Evangelion isn't labeled as a "Netflix Original". I think it's highly probable they've simply gotten the streaming rights like they would with any old show and would have no influence over the home video rights. I'm just not sure how much ownership they have over the new dub. It seems like they commissioned it themselves.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Netflix likely has a minimum of 1 year exclusivity. If we go off of other Netflix series then they take 12 to 16 months after premiering to get a physical release.

There’s plenty of Anime and other series that have been on Netflix longer than that which have no licensor yet like Little Witch Academia, Glitter Force and lots of others. I feel like it’s been long enough on those.

[svenge]

I'm still bummed about LWA not yet getting a proper physical release domestically.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by cfx

That's made worse by the Japanese discs being out of print.

Well it’s been on Netflix for 2 years for the TV Series and the Kickstarter movies were before that which also have been on Netflix for quite some time.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Which of the ADV releases would be considered the best to own? Somehow I've gotten lucky and come into possession of the Perfect Collection, slim 6 disc Platinum Collection and the 2008 "holiday special" Platinum Collection over the course of a few weeks. Did lots of waiting to find good deals and now it is time to pick which I want for my collection.

I've sold the Perfect Collection because the video quality was crap and the box set condition wasn't good enough for me. I'm leaning towards keeping the slim Platinum set because I like having the artwork from the singles and the art box is very nice. But I see that the 2008 holiday special includes all of the bonus features which are left out of the slim release. Are the bonus features worthwhile?

[svenge]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

I see that the 2008 holiday special includes all of the bonus features which are left out of the slim release. Are the bonus features worthwhile?

No, they are absolutely not worthwhile. The extras on the 7-disc Platinum releases (incl. the "Holiday Special" brick) can be classed into three main categories:

• Commentaries by the English dub cast/crew (worthless)
• Dub-centric bonus features from the English cast/crew (also worthless)
• Full-length "AR Rush" (aka "animatic") versions of 8 episodes (not very interesting unless you are really into anime production minutia)

I would much rather have the higher video bitrate that the 6-disc "Platinum Complete" thinpak box features instead. You might think that it's paradoxical that the thinpak box would have a higher video bitrate despite having one less disc, but the 8 episodes' worth of animatics along the other dub-based bonus features take up the equivalent of two discs' worth of space out of the 7-disc releases.

While a justifiable case could be made for the original Platinum singles w/ individual slipcovers and outer box due to its nice packaging and rather informative booklets (which were faithfully translated ports of the JP "Renewal" booklets), the Holiday Special has all the downsides of the 7-disc sets without anything nice to make up for it. I can't imagine that it was all that desirable even when originally released in 2008, especially since it cost $20 more than the thinpak box ($110 vs $90).

[Nothing371]

I finally got done watching this series this week. Been busy this summer, you know how it goes sometimes Just have to say, boy was I completely wrong. I was wrong about calling NGE "good, but overrated". This show is a masterpiece and truly one of the best anime of all-time. I stand corrected. It's timeless, ageless. Episodes 1 though 24, that is. The final two episodes were a very sour note to end on, and I can see why many people might skip them.

Gotta watch the movie next and then I have so many thoughts to discuss in the coming days.

[Magikor]

Originally Posted by Nothing371

I finally got done watching this series this week. Been busy this summer, you know how it goes sometimes Just have to say, boy was I completely wrong. I was wrong about calling NGE "good, but overrated". This show is a masterpiece and truly one of the best anime of all-time. I stand corrected. It's timeless, ageless. Episodes 1 though 24, that is. The final two episodes were a very sour note to end on, and I can see why many people might skip them.

Gotta watch the movie next and then I have so many thoughts to discuss in the coming days.

One of us! One of us!