BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "FUNIMATION"Receive Blu-ray News via RSS

'Heaven's Lost Property: The Complete Season 1' Blu-ray Announced

Tue Nov 29, 2011 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements , FUNimation (all tags)

The first fourteen episodes of the anime series is planned for Blu-ray next month in regular and limited edition packaging.

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation will be releasing 'Heaven's Lost Property: The Complete Season 1' for a high-definition release on December 20.

There will also be a limited edition set in exclusive packaging available on the same date.

Tomoki's life was normal until a wish-granting angelic android named Ikaros fell from the sky and started calling him master! Of course, thanks to his raging teenage hormones, most of Tomoki's wishes have something to do with panties. And that makes things pretty complicated, because one simple wish can lead to a rampaging robot made out of frilly undergarments or turn bloomers into bombs capable of blowing up entire neighborhoods! If Tomoki doesn't learn to control his impulses around Ikaros and be more careful with his wishes, the chaos will only get crazier. Luckily, even with such a dirty mind, Tomoki's heart is in the right place. His hands, however, are a completely different story.

Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release appears to be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and will include textless opening song, 13 textless closing songs, and trailers.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $64.98 and the limited edition set is $69.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Heaven's Lost Property: The Complete Season 1' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 20.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Heaven's Lost Property: Complete Season 1 (Blu-ray)
Heaven's Lost Property: Complete Season 1 (Limited Edition) (Blu-ray)

'Higanjima - Escape from Vampire Island' Blu-ray Announced

Tue Aug 30, 2011 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: FUNimation, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The live-action horror film based on the Japanese manga will sink its fangs into Blu-ray in October.

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation will be releasing 'Higanjima - Escape from Vampire Island' for a high-definition release on October 4.

Higanjima is an eerie island occupied by vampires, from where none has ever come back alive. When teenager Akira hears that his missing brother has been seen in the island, he decides to investigate with several friends.

Specs have yet to be revealed, but the release appears to be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and will include a making-of featurette and theatrical trailer.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Higanjima - Escape from Vampire Island' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 4.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Higanjima - Escape from Vampire Island (Blu-ray)

'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part Six' Announced for Blu-ray

Fri Jun 24, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: FUNimation, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The sixth box set in the anime series is slated for Blu-ray this September.

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation is working on 'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part Six' for a high-definition release on September 13.

The epic showdown between Goku and Frieza reaches its climax as planet Namek crumbles beneath their feet! In the aftermath of battle, neither fighter is anywhere to be found, but Earth’s few remaining heroes have much bigger problems. A mysterious and powerful stranger known only as Trunks arrives from the future with a warning: the Androids are coming, they take no prisoners, and even Goku – wherever he may be – is no match for their kind!

Supplements have yet to be revealed, but the two disc set will feature 1080p video and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track.

Suggested list price for the 2-disc Blu-ray set is $34.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part Six' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 13.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Dragon Ball Z Kai: Part 6 (Blu-ray)

'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part 5' Announced for Blu-ray

Mon Apr 04, 2011 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: FUNimation, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The fifth chapter in the anime series is slated for Blu-ray this June.

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation is working on 'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part 5' for a high-definition release on June 7.

The epic showdown between Goku and Frieza reaches its climax as planet Namek crumbles beneath their feet! In the aftermath of battle, neither fighter is anywhere to be found, but Earth’s few remaining heroes have much bigger problems. A mysterious and powerful stranger known only as Trunks arrives from the future with a warning: the Androids are coming, they take no prisoners, and even Goku – wherever he may be – is no match for their kind!

Supplements have yet to be revealed, but the two disc set will feature 1080p video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks (English and Japanese).

Suggested list price for the 2-disc Blu-ray set is $34.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part 5' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 7.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part 5 (Blu-ray)

'Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance' Announced for Blu-ray

Mon Mar 28, 2011 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, FUNimation (all tags)

The next installment of the hit anime series releases this week!

FUNimation is prepping 'Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance' for a high-definition release on March 29.

Nate Boss already reviewed the Hong Kong import here.

The Blu-ray appears to have 1080p video, lossless soundtracks (English and Japanese), and supplements include: U.S. Cast Commentary, Rebuild of EVANGELION 2.02, "I Would Give You Anything" Scene NOGUCHI ver., Omitted Scenes, trailers and TV spots.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 29.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Evangelion: 2.22 You Can [Not] Advance (Blu-ray)
Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance (Hong Kong import) (Blu-ray)

'Dragon Ball Z Kai: Part 4' Announced for Blu-ray

Thu Dec 30, 2010 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, FUNimation (all tags)

The fourth instalment of the anime series is on the Blu-ray horizon this March.

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation is working on 'Dragon Ball Z Kai: Part 4' for a high-definition release on March 8.

After learning that Frieza murdered his father and destroyed his home planet, Goku takes aim at the putrid purple monster in the greatest grudge match the galaxy has ever seen! The bruises multiply at a furious rate as the two warriors trade blows in a battle that literally destroys planet Namek. As the slugfest approaches a standstill, Frieza forever silences Goku's closest friend - sending Earth's hero into a Super Saiyan rage that threatens to obliterate them both!

Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the 2-disc Blu-ray set is $54.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Dragon Ball Z Kai: Part 4' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 8.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Dragon Ball Z: Kai: Part 4 (Blu-ray)

'Eden of the East: The Complete Series' Announced for Blu-ray

Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 02:30 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, FUNimation (all tags)

More anime is on the Blu-ray slate for late September!

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation will be releasing 'Eden of the East: The Complete Series' for a high-definition release on September 28.

The 2-disc set will feature 1080p video, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtracks one, and supplements will include: TV spot and promotional video; Interview with the director Kamiyama and original character designer, Umino; Japanese cast interviews; Interview with art director, Takeda; Interview with music composer, Kawai; Textless closing song; and Trailers.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $59.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Eden of the East: The Complete Series' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 28.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Eden of the East: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

'Black Blood Brothers: The Complete Series' Announced for Blu-ray

Wed Jul 21, 2010 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: FUNimation, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The hit anime collection has been announced for a late August Blu-ray release.

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation will be releasing 'Black Blood Brothers: The Complete Series' for a high-definition release on August 31.

Chapter I: Bad Tidings includes Black Blood Brothers, Compromiser, The Kowloon Bloodline, and Old Blood. Chapter II: Emergence includes The Special Economic Zone, The Coven, Silver Blade, and Protector. And finally, Chapter III: Resurrection will include The Eleventh Yard, The Order Coffin Company, The Ocean, and For the Eternal Pulse of Mine Bloodline, I Would Offer Of This Blood in Totality.

Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $44.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Black Blood Brothers: The Complete Series' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 31.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Black Blood Brothers: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

High-Def Digest Talks to FUNimation About Their Blu-ray Releases

Mon May 17, 2010 at 05:10 PM ET
Tags: FUNimation (all tags)

Anime lovers, we've got a treat for you! Read our exclusive Q&A with the FUNimation disc authoring team!

It's no secret that FUNimation is currently very active with their anime release slate, with multiple box sets arriving on the format each month, including a mix of older series already released on DVD, and a series of new iterations of classic series ('Evangelion 1.11,' 'Dragon Ball Z: Kai,' 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood') released day and date with their DVD counterparts. Seeing the evolution of FUNimation's product line has been an interesting ride.

Thanks to FUNimation spokesperson Jackie Smith, I was given the rare opportunity to ask the disc authoring team an assortment of questions concerning the studio's release strategy and history. The DVD authoring team has answered these questions as a group, so it was impossible to individually credit each person for their responses.

HDD: Some early FUNimation anime titles had commentary tracks hidden away in the chapter selection tab, while newer releases contain them in the extras. What caused this change?

FUNimation: This is a programming and design decision made on a case-by-case basis. Some releases will have commentary tracks accessible on episode menus, which is similar to many mass-market titles currently available.

HDD: One of the biggest complaints or issues that anime purists have had with the Blu-ray releases has concerned the audio, with the English dub tracks getting a high definition surround track, while the Japanese versions get a dolby digital (lossy) track. Can you explain or shed some light into the 5.1 vs 2.0 sound mixes, and why one receives a lossless track while the other does not?

FUNimation: The 2.0 soundtracks in the Dolby Digital format are encoded at a 640 kbps, a data-rate three times higher than the comparable DVD which provides a quality that is almost lossless. However, future Blu-ray releases will include TrueHD lossless for all soundtracks 5.1 and 2.0.

HDD: Do you personally feel there is a significant improvement from the source material when upconverting it? Is there any other option available?

FUNimation: Upconversion is a process that is applied to masters that are only available in standard definition, also referred to as 480i. The video is digitally scaled to the 1080p format used on Blu-ray. Part of the process is to restore a progressive picture from the interlaced master tape. Standard definition masters are subject to a process called pull-down (or telecine) where some frames are split so only every other line is displayed at a time. This was originally done for compatibility with television standards. Blu-ray does not have this limitation, so part of the upconversion process is to restore the complete progressive frames revealing a sharper and more complete image. The upconverted video is encoded in the MPEG-4 AVC format which is far superior to the MPEG-2 format used on DVD. This allows for little or no added distortion during the encode process which is unavoidable in DVD.

Although an upconversion does not have the same level of detail as content natively created in HD, it reveals a sharper and more accurate image that surpasses the quality of DVD.

HDD: Many of your early Blu-ray products came with the Region A locked status, though a few in recent memory have had Region A/B playability. What determines how you region code the Blu-ray discs?

FUNimation: The region codes on each Blu-ray release are determined by the territories obtained when we acquire rights to distribute any given property.

HDD: Can you shed some light into the creation of Blu-ray menus, in terms of time involved, design, and function?

FUNimation: Blu-ray menus provide an enhanced user experience over DVD by functioning interactively using animation and sound while being displayed over the video. Graphic and motion graphic designers work closely with the Blu-ray authors to create all the necessary elements for every state of every button as well as associated video menu loops, music and sound effects. All the elements are combined and programmed to respond to user commands by the Blu-ray author. Ultimately, it is the menu designer that gives a look and feel to the Blu-ray that compliments the content of the disc.

HDD: There was an issue with the ‘D. Gray-Man: Season 1, Part 1’ Blu-ray, which caused some players to play the same audio track for two different episodes. Has the cause of this issue been found, and was there a running change made to the release fixing this issue?

FUNimation: Yes, unfortunately, not all Blu-ray players operate within the same specifications and it is impossible to test our releases on every player available today. However, we are working with our manufacturer to correct these issues. If a consumer believes they have a problem with a disc they can contact our Product Concerns department which will arrange a replacement disc.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 1' Announced for Blu-ray

Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: FUNimation, Disc Announcements (all tags)

The classic manga tale is retold the way the creator intended on Blu-ray this May.

In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation will be releasing 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 1' for a high-definition release on May 25.

The 2-Disc Blu-ray set appears to have Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (English) and Dolby Digital 2.0 (Japanese) soundtracks, however video and supplemental details have yet to be revealed.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $54.98.

You can find the latest specs for 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 1' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 25.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Part 1 (Blu-ray)


MORE BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "FUNIMATION":

» High-Def Digest home page