City Hunter box set [Archive]

09-24-2005, 06:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
The set costs friggin' $900 and your main concern is the $5 piece of plastic? /images/graemlins/tongue.gif Forget the figures, I wanna see what the remaster is like.

Although it would probably do me no good as the only way I'd ever get this would be if it was released for something close to 1/4th of that price on R1 or R3, both equally unlikely.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was only about $720 with shipping from amazon. I love the discounts on preorders!! So if you add up the MSRP price of all the City Hunter that ADV has released, at ~$570 USD, I'm paying maybe another $150 over that to get the series completely remastered, an artbook, figures, a far better box then the ADV bricks, and the special that ADV has never licensed. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

09-24-2005, 06:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
Anyone know what the figures are like?

[/ QUOTE ]

Can't really tell since even the picture on the official website is too small to make much out. For those that want it: www.cityhunter-dvd.com (http://www.cityhunter-dvd.com)

09-24-2005, 06:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mellow Mellow said:
Who is buying this big box? (http://us.yesasia.com/en/ImageGallery.aspx/pid-1004017352/section-videos/code-c/#selection)

Where is cheapest? ¥100,000> hurts.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm thinking about buying it, but hoping someone releases it (or something like it) here. Cheapest place I've seen it at is amazon.co.jp

[/ QUOTE ]

But they've also aren't taking orders anymore. The preorder deadline was 8/31.

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
Although, if you want to pay the 100,000 yen, I suggest buying from CD Japan instead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably you're best bet, but that's assuming that they will have any extra stock due to cancellations, etc. Otherwise you are SOL on this one because you are about 3.5 weeks to late on ordering it.

Magus427

09-24-2005, 06:47 PM

[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mellow Mellow said:
Who is buying this big box? (http://us.yesasia.com/en/ImageGallery.aspx/pid-1004017352/section-videos/code-c/#selection)

Where is cheapest? ¥100,000> hurts.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm thinking about buying it, but hoping someone releases it (or something like it) here. Cheapest place I've seen it at is amazon.co.jp

[/ QUOTE ]

But they've also aren't taking orders anymore. The preorder deadline was 8/31.

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
Although, if you want to pay the 100,000 yen, I suggest buying from CD Japan instead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably you're best bet, but that's assuming that they will have any extra stock due to cancellations, etc. Otherwise you are SOL on this one because you are about 3.5 weeks to late on ordering it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I know. I kept debating back and forth. Do these have English subs at all? If so, I'll attempt to get my hands on it. I just really couldn't afford plunking down $1,000 practically at this point as much as I'd love to own something like this.

-Magus

09-24-2005, 06:50 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
Yeah, I know. I kept debating back and forth. Do these have English subs at all? If so, I'll attempt to get my hands on it.

[/ QUOTE ]

No subs at all. I'm not even sure if they have japanese subs. But I own the ADV releases so that's no biggy, though they are getting resold as soon as this awesome box comes in.

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:I just really couldn't afford plunking down $1,000 practically at this point as much as I'd love to own something like this.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well my preorder was about $720 with shipping and the usual amazon preorder discount, but since amazon doesn't charge till an item ships it's giving me 3-4 months to save up the cash. And yes it's bit more pricey then ADV's lackluster releases but its well worth it. Also, like I said it'll be fun to hold over the head of other City Hunter fans. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

09-25-2005, 05:21 AM

[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
It was only about $720 with shipping from amazon. I love the discounts on preorders!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Even if I had pre-ordered from amazon I would have paid ¥84,900 including shipping, which after duty, tax and fees would come out to ¥110,840 or close to $950. Huzzah for customs!

Njr Scrawl

09-25-2005, 08:44 AM

Figures look like Gashopon anyway.

Too expensive a set, even with Yesasia's free shipping & customs (to the UK).

Perhaps the volumes will be released singly later. I've only seen City Hunter 99 with a Cantonese dub on VCD - currently looking for a LD of it.

Otherwise Season 2 & '91 are what I'd like to see raw.

09-25-2005, 06:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
It was only about $720 with shipping from amazon. I love the discounts on preorders!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Even if I had pre-ordered from amazon I would have paid ¥84,900 including shipping, which after duty, tax and fees would come out to ¥110,840 or close to $950. Huzzah for customs!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ouch. As much as people complain about getting an occasional 2.5-3% custom charges sometimes here in the US, which none of my stuff has been charged, it never ceases to amaze me how high customs charges are overseas.

09-25-2005, 06:31 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
Too expensive a set, even with Yesasia's free shipping & customs (to the UK).

[/ QUOTE ]

One thing that Yesasia needs to do to provide an incentive to preorder with them over places like Amazon is to provide a preorder discount. If it weren't for the 22% off, which came to about $210 before shipping, I got from Amazon on this set I probably wouldn't have ordered it either.

[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps the volumes will be released singly later. I've only seen City Hunter 99 with a Cantonese dub on VCD - currently looking for a LD of it.

Otherwise Season 2 & '91 are what I'd like to see raw.

[/ QUOTE ]

Give it long enough and they probably will. I've noticed that, with some exceptions of course, that almost all box sets at some point get single releases. Though sometimes it can take a couple years before they do it, but I'm too impatient to wait that long.

Magus427

09-25-2005, 11:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
No subs at all. I'm not even sure if they have japanese subs. But I own the ADV releases so that's no biggy, though they are getting resold as soon as this awesome box comes in.

Well my preorder was about $720 with shipping and the usual amazon preorder discount, but since amazon doesn't charge till an item ships it's giving me 3-4 months to save up the cash. And yes it's bit more pricey then ADV's lackluster releases but its well worth it. Also, like I said it'll be fun to hold over the head of other City Hunter fans. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I didn't think there were any subs. While all the stuff that comes with it is great, I just can't justify a purchase of something like that. What's the point of owning it if I can't share it with anyone?

In any event, I expect to read a review from you regarding this boxset once it arrives. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

-Magus

09-26-2005, 02:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
Yeah, I didn't think there were any subs. While all the stuff that comes with it is great, I just can't justify a purchase of something like that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well I'm a fanatic.

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
What's the point of owning it if I can't share it with anyone?

[/ QUOTE ]

I can output with subs via my video card to my tv. So that's not a problem. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
In any event, I expect to read a review from you regarding this boxset once it arrives. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

You can count on it.

Njr Scrawl

09-26-2005, 09:51 AM

US$900 = £500 at an exchange rate of £1:$1.80. Then there is YA's handling charge & credit card charge for conversion.

If I was to buy another big R2J set, I'd rather get some more Adachi Mitsuru like Touch or H2 I think. My reasoning anyway /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

At least CH has had a R1 release. Its a shame ADV dropped it from their license renewal. One of the victims of "correction" *shudders*

Magus427

09-26-2005, 12:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
At least CH has had a R1 release. Its a shame ADV dropped it from their license renewal. One of the victims of "correction" *shudders*

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but I don't think the series was ever really marketed properly either which is a damn shame. City Hunter should be staple for all anime fans just like Akira or Bubblegum Crisis. With ADV dropping it and this new set coming out, hopefully someone else will pick the series up again with rights to the cleaner footage and market it better in R1 territory. I'm also wondering with the release of this set if we might not see some Angel Heart anime coming sooner or later.

-Magus

Njr Scrawl

09-26-2005, 01:33 PM

I just bought season 1 to replace my 13 ADV Fansubs VHS.

I'm surprised ADV dropped the dual language specials as they would have been good as a complete collection, as the ODP specials are.
I suppose re-licensing charges have increased as new licensing ones have. With the changing/younger face of fandom, older series & heroes are disappearing from catalogues (where the ODP OVA volumes in a set?).

Perhaps a new/format CH release will come to R1 in the fullness of time, using the new R2J masters hopefully. We'll probably get Angel Heart here first though.

09-26-2005, 03:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
I'm also wondering with the release of this set if we might not see some Angel Heart anime coming sooner or later.

[/ QUOTE ]

First episode is supposedly airing October 3rd.

Thanatos

09-26-2005, 05:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
I'm surprised ADV dropped the dual language specials as they would have been good as a complete collection, as the ODP specials are.
I suppose re-licensing charges have increased as new licensing ones have. With the changing/younger face of fandom, older series & heroes are disappearing from catalogues (where the ODP OVA volumes in a set?).

[/ QUOTE ]

Many of the older ADV titles, like City Hunter, Nuku Nuku, and 801 Airbats are going OOP. Either the licenses are expiring, they don't sell well enough to keep in print, or both.

09-26-2005, 05:33 PM

Just noticed this as well, up until a couple of days ago they were available but now DVD Pacific has everything City Hunter marked as discontinued. Everything apart from the hideous Jackie Chan movie. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

09-26-2005, 08:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
Just noticed this as well, up until a couple of days ago they were available but now DVD Pacific has everything City Hunter marked as discontinued. Everything apart from the hideous Jackie Chan movie. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been noticing that since around the early part of the summer that places like Anime Corner Store and RightStuf were showing things as discontinued and limited to stock on hand or out of stock completely.

Magus427

09-26-2005, 10:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
Perhaps a new/format CH release will come to R1 in the fullness of time, using the new R2J masters hopefully. We'll probably get Angel Heart here first though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, we'll probably get Angel Heart first since it's the newest release (thanks for the heads up, both of you). It looks pretty damn sweet though. I can't wait. Hojo's art has come a long way....not that it was ever bad to begin with.

http://www.ytv.co.jp/angelheart/index.html

-Magus

10-10-2005, 01:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Magus427 said:
I agree, we'll probably get Angel Heart first since it's the newest release (thanks for the heads up, both of you). It looks pretty damn sweet though. I can't wait. Hojo's art has come a long way....not that it was ever bad to begin with.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope it comes over, I'd hate for the fact that City Hunter didn't sell well, or at least that's the impression that I seem to get, due to ADV's poor marketing to discourage someone from licensing Angel Heart.

Thanatos

10-10-2005, 09:53 PM

For better or worse, Angel Heart's popularity in the USA will be largely unrelated to City Hunter's lack thereof. Simply put, Angel Heart is new ergo good, in thousands of minds.

11-18-2005, 06:36 PM

Looks like they have the finalized pictures of the box and it's contents on the official website: http://www.cityhunter-dvd.com/dvd.html

Thanatos

11-19-2005, 02:12 AM

Too bad the discs themselves don't appear to have great illustrations. You'd think that with a couple dozens of LDs they'd have some decent cover art to work with.

Njr Scrawl

11-19-2005, 04:22 AM

Maybe its a trend. The Eva Renewal discs were plain with just writing like ADV's Platinum. (Fortunately the R3 DTS release have Renewal cover art on its discs.)

(A model or kit of Ryo's mini with the figures would have been cool.
A few custom touches like bullet holes for effect.)

English subtitles would have sold it to me as the biggest "extra" of all, had they been included. Know most of it by heart to varying degrees, but its nice not to have think/remember what for the price.

Perhaps a release in single volumes or season sets might come later, even with some art on boxes & cases.

11-19-2005, 09:31 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
(A model or kit of Ryo's mini with the figures would have been cool.
A few custom touches like bullet holes for effect.)

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't think of that but that would have been really cool.

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
English subtitles would have sold it to me as the biggest "extra" of all, had they been included. Know most of it by heart to varying degrees, but its nice not to have think/remember what for the price.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess that was one benefit to buying ADVs rather lackluster releases is that I do have subs for everything.

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:Perhaps a release in single volumes or season sets might come later, even with some art on boxes & cases.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's likely, but I wasn't willing to take the chance and miss out on this.

11-19-2005, 09:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanatos said:
Too bad the discs themselves don't appear to have great illustrations. You'd think that with a couple dozens of LDs they'd have some decent cover art to work with.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah they are pretty plain but I think the look of the discs fits in with the style of the box pretty well.

Thanatos

11-19-2005, 10:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
[ QUOTE ]
Thanatos said:
Too bad the discs themselves don't appear to have great illustrations. You'd think that with a couple dozens of LDs they'd have some decent cover art to work with.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah they are pretty plain but I think the look of the discs fits in with the style of the box pretty well.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, though I'm thinking in terms of "CITY HUNTER ULTIMATE PERFECT EDITION"-mode, so I'd wanted it to have gorgeous disc art. ^_^;

Njr Scrawl

11-19-2005, 10:43 AM

When Angel Heart starts being released on DVD, is when CH will be in smaller units maybe. Not holding my breath.

11-19-2005, 10:48 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanatos said:
I agree, though I'm thinking in terms of "CITY HUNTER ULTIMATE PERFECT EDITION"-mode, so I'd wanted it to have gorgeous disc art. ^_^;

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, it seemed like they were going to have at least some art on the discs from the original pictures. I guess they in the end they decided on a more plain look.

12-04-2005, 09:36 PM

I don't know if this has always been listed on CDJapan, but I just noticed the first press item:

[ QUOTE ]
Bonus Extra (included while First Press is still available): An original Christmas card newly drawn by Tsukasa Hojo.

[/ QUOTE ]

That should definitely be nice.

12-19-2005, 09:59 AM

My credit card has been charged and the item has been sitting at "Shipping soon" since around 9pm last night. Hopefully it should ship later tonight and I get it before Christmas. I'll try to post some pics of the box and a little review with comparison pics soon after I receive it.

Njr Scrawl

12-19-2005, 10:56 AM

Did you opt for EMS & insurance? Given the time of year, such an expensive package is worth the extra cost IMO.

12-19-2005, 10:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
Did you opt for EMS & insurance? Given the time of year, such an expensive package is worth the extra cost IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

I ordered from Amazon because of the 22% discount so it's DHL international express for me. If the shipping time is consistent with the other orders I placed I should hopefully get it by Thursday or Friday since with my other orders using their DHL option I've gotten them anywhere from 1 to 3 business days.

12-19-2005, 12:35 PM

Cool, looking forward to seeing some nice screencaps.

12-20-2005, 01:07 AM

Yeah, just got confirmation that my package has shipped and according to DHL it's scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday. I'm soooo happy. *dances around* These four long months of waiting are about to pay off.

Thanatos

12-21-2005, 02:22 AM

Enjoy! Please let us see screencaps and do report if the remaster has solved the ghosting problem on City Hunter and City Hunter 2. Thanks!

12-21-2005, 10:01 AM

Looks like my shipment got delayed in Japan. Instead of actually shipping out yesterday morning it was just sitting in a facility for 32 hours and only just left Tokyo about 4 hours ago. Hopefully I'll get it tomorrow or the next day or I'm going to be really pissed. But I'll definitely let you know about that when I get it.

12-22-2005, 12:24 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanatos said:
Please let us see screencaps and do report if the remaster has solved the ghosting problem on City Hunter and City Hunter 2. Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

Still planning on going on that killing spree in case the ghosting isn't fixed? /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Thanatos

12-22-2005, 02:27 AM

[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
[ QUOTE ]
Thanatos said:
Please let us see screencaps and do report if the remaster has solved the ghosting problem on City Hunter and City Hunter 2. Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

Still planning on going on that killing spree in case the ghosting isn't fixed? /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep!

If the ghosting is not GONE, there is no compelling reason to upgrade from the R1s/LDs.

12-22-2005, 09:16 AM

Okay. Well I'm going to go borrow a camera so I can take pictures and do some watching of some of the discs and I'll report back in a bit with pictures of the set and some screen cap comparisons.

12-22-2005, 09:56 AM

Just some preliminary comments. I've stuck in the '99 special and so far that disc is progressive and no noticeable ghosting that I can see. Quality is quite awesome, a bit of grain but no composite artifacts or anything. Going to go stick in some discs from the first series now and give them a whirl and report back more.

Edit: Quick little addition if the intro for episode 1 is any sign of the rest of the quality there is no ghosting to be seen. There is a good layer of grain in this episode, though for something of its age this isn't anything new, but like I said thankfully none of the composite artifacts, especially the rampant dot crawl, to be found. Oh man this is sweet! Not to mention that the colors are just more vibrant than in the ADV releases which always looked so washed out. After I get the pictures of the packaging etc back I'll start posting some screen cap comparisons.

So based just on watching a few minutes of the '99 special and the intro and a bit of episode 1, I can say you have nothing to worry about and the quality is spectacular and completely lives up to my expectations. Progressive to boot as well which I think was one of the things you were wondering about way back when ADV's releases were coming out and the talks of an R2 remaster was thrown around.

Njr Scrawl

12-22-2005, 11:49 AM

/images/graemlins/relief1.gif I'll just have to hope it all gets released as separate volumes eventually. Can't afford the set, a replacement car & new PC in 1 month. Or 6. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

12-22-2005, 11:53 AM

Well here are the pics of things I promised. They didn't turn out so well since I couldn't borrow a friend's digital camera so I had to take the pics with an old disposable and just got a picture CD done. But here goes:

Front of the carrying case (http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/7263/fh000026a2cr.jpg)
Back of the carrying case with Christmas card attached (http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/3402/fh000027a0ll.jpg)
Front of box with figures (http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/4694/fh000025a5km.jpg)
Front of box by itself (http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/6112/fh000021a3fl.jpg)
Cover of the book with the DVDs (http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/5171/fh000013a2rr.jpg)
Back of the book (http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/1630/fh000012a4hl.jpg)
First page (http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/8119/fh000019a5zp.jpg)
Second page (http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6228/fh000018a5fk.jpg)
Third page (http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/7433/fh000017a5ra.jpg)
Fourth page (http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8300/fh000016a7ny.jpg)
Fifth page (http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/3885/fh000015a4de.jpg)
Last page (http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/371/fh000014a2xl.jpg)
Front of the art book (http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/553/fh000011a4rp.jpg)
Back of the art book (http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/4864/fh000010a6bp.jpg)
Pics from the art book (http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/6699/fh000009a9vf.jpg)
More pics (http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/7483/fh000008a3tb.jpg)
Even more pics (http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/2905/fh000007a3ra.jpg)
A bit of mokkori from the art book (http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/4940/fh000006a4fh.jpg)
Even more from the art book (http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/9274/fh000005a1ub.jpg)
Art book pic (http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/2415/fh000004a8om.jpg)
Last art book pic (http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/8872/fh000003a8jo.jpg)
All the items laid out (http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/1575/fh000002a6qo.jpg)
Close-up picture of the same stuff (http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/1681/fh000001a4vh.jpg)

When I can borrow my friends camera I'll do some more shots especially of the figures themselves as the ones I did of them turned out extremely blurry and glared up. But this should give you a good look at things and screencap comparisons should be coming in a bit for those interested in that.

12-22-2005, 11:58 AM

So you mean the whole thing, even the TV series, is progressive? Awesome, artbook looks great too.

12-22-2005, 11:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
So you mean the whole thing, even the TV series, is progressive?

[/ QUOTE ]

From what I've watched, yes. I've watched a few random episodes of the first series and a bit of the '97 and '99 specials and all have been progressive so far.

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
Awesome, artbook looks great too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thinking of scanning in some of the pics to make a couple of good wallpapers.

Thanatos

12-22-2005, 04:46 PM

Thanks. I do appreciate your checking but the ghosting problem is not on the '99 special, it is specifically on nearly every single episode of City Hunter 1 and 2 only. No other City Hunter animation has the ghosting problem.

Also, City Hunter 1's episodes' OP/ENDs do not ghost. The EPISODE THEMSELVES do.

I need to know whether or not the part of the episodes inbetween the OP/ENDs ghost. Please spotcheck a couple of CH 1 and 2 report your findings.

Thanks!

12-22-2005, 06:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanatos said:
I need to know whether or not the part of the episodes inbetween the OP/ENDs ghost. Please spotcheck a couple of CH 1 and 2 report your findings.

[/ QUOTE ]

No I also watched bits of different eps in both CH 1, 2, and watched about 15 minutes of the '97 special and no ghosting visible to my eye. I stepped through parts that I remember seeing ghosting on the R1s and none was there. The ghosting you saw was because the R1s were from masters that were field-blended during the telecine, which is why when you step through you see combing in every frame rather than a clean 3:2 pattern, and that didn't happen in this case. Nothing to worry about.

12-22-2005, 06:46 PM

Okay I've finally got some decent quality pictures this time as I promised. Here we go:

Front of Box (http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/9356/p10101344dn.jpg)
Christmas Card (http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/9213/p10101355xj.jpg)
Front of DVD book (http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/410/p10101362yr.jpg)
Back of DVD book (http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/6982/p10101374bz.jpg)
Page 1 of DVD book (http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2762/p10101385vp.jpg)
Page 2 of DVD book (http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/879/p10101393tx.jpg)
Page 3 of DVD book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/552/p10101404xb.jpg)
Page 4 of DVD book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/7535/p10101419kg.jpg)
Page 5 of DVD book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/9025/p10101425lz.jpg)
Page 6 of DVD book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/4663/p10101438yl.jpg)
Front of art book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/2594/p10101444sq.jpg)
Back of art book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/6627/p10101457rb.jpg)
Art book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/6415/p10101465qu.jpg)
More art book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/4396/p10101477ij.jpg)
Even more art book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/9559/p10101489ok.jpg)
Some mokkori art pic (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/2065/p10101497xq.jpg)
Even more art book (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/7722/p10101504oj.jpg)
Art book pic (http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/5937/p10101518hd.jpg)
Last of the art book (http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/3983/p10101523lo.jpg)
Figures in box (http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/7955/p10101533mr.jpg)
Closeup of figures out of box (http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/3228/p1010154a6vx.jpg)

Edit: Did a bit of gamma correction on the last pic.

pening_mkII

12-22-2005, 09:59 PM

WOOT! nice pictures there! and i think it is a great buy...
*thumbs up

12-24-2005, 12:43 AM

Here's a round of comparison pics from Goodbye My Sweetheart special:

Scene 1: R1 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/1954/cityhunter01r18xt.png), R2 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/1203/cityhunter01r25ok.png).

Scene 2: R1 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/1041/cityhunter02r11wk.png), R2 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/5809/cityhunter02r29cw.png).

Scene 3: R1 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/1010/cityhunter03r19dd.png), R2 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/9413/cityhunter03r23lj.png).

Scene 4: R1 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7756/cityhunter04r13kl.png), R2 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/8664/cityhunter04r26dl.png).

Scene 5: R1 (http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/406/cityhunter05r18wj.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/2553/cityhunter05r24nk.png).

Scene 6: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1149/cityhunter06r19pt.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/2646/cityhunter06r29ng.png).

Scene 7: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/2636/cityhunter07r18fx.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6558/cityhunter07r25qm.png).

Scene 8: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/4213/cityhunter08r16xg.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/8349/cityhunter08r20eo.png).

Scene 9: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6994/cityhunter09r11mf.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6962/cityhunter09r22cy.png).

Scene 10: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/9310/cityhunter10r18dg.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7582/cityhunter10r20nt.png).

Scene 11: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1894/cityhunter11r16jg.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/695/cityhunter11r25lq.png).

Scene 12: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/5871/cityhunter12r19vn.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/504/cityhunter12r26pz.png).

Scene 13: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1685/cityhunter13r16sj.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7589/cityhunter13r22dz.png).

Scene 14: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/9336/cityhunter14r18gh.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/3509/cityhunter14r22gv.png).

Scene 15: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6231/cityhunter15r13kq.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1074/cityhunter15r23ae.png).

Scene 16: R1 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/695/cityhunter16r12xa.png), R2 (http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/4421/cityhunter16r24rw.png).

Now for the technical breakdown:

Audio is DD for both, 224kbit for both audio tracks on the R1 and 384kbit for the Japanese track on the R2. Bitrate for video on the R1 is ~5.8mbit/s and the R2's video is ~8.7mbit. The most noticeable thing between the two version is the completely different colors. Having played around with the RGB settings a bit before making these captures is that the R1 has way too much red and blue and not enough green which is causing the purplish tint to exist throughout. Also, the R2 has the none of the composite artifacts, rainbowing especially is prevelant on the R1, the EE present on the ADV version. Not to mention that there is more picture on all sides, a higher detail level, better contrast levels, and is far cleaner (though there is a slight bit of grain) than the R1's rather dingy look. Honestly, there is just no comparison.

If anyone is interested in more comparisons I can do more, but since I have previously sold off some of the discs I only have the first CH 1 box, Secret Service, Bay City Wars/Million Dollar Conspiracy, and .357 Magnum left and these will be sold off soon so I'll have to know promptly.

12-24-2005, 06:16 AM

Jealousy... overflowing...

If you could take just a couple of shots from CH1 that would be nice. Anyway, Merry Christmas and enjoy your set! /images/graemlins/happy.gif

12-24-2005, 01:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
Jealousy... overflowing...

[/ QUOTE ]

Hahaha. I've gotten that for almost everyone I've bragged er...talked to about this set. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
If you could take just a couple of shots from CH1 that would be nice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not a problem. I'll get on that in a little bit.

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:Anyway, Merry Christmas and enjoy your set! /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. I definitely am.

12-24-2005, 06:05 PM

Here's some shots from the first episode.

Scene 1: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/142720172fe89a8f3c6861fd9932bb58.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/f89bcfb320c16e62bb21b2c984c3ec0f.png)

Scene 2: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/6cefad73f15db13042d2e145e1d8c075.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/0dfe6b6264ba9d6eaff8ddb73a7dcb06.png)

Scene 3: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/b7c95404198281db4dcfc486c0c2fb25.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/d25f99b0b8d944fc41275c755fdf22a6.png)

Scene 4: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/b1bd54faef60573223482a9e7c46fddc.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/9e0527e2338430e93ebe5a721f7ca2c3.png)

Scene 5: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/2b44cfb12bf93f7ef3cd8db7f3c67a74.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/676e25d15d90f2d7c990690698e4e421.png)

Scene 6: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/d273ad538c25b7fb45044a105ce27a12.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/0ce3a118224422b657007ad3a1085c64.png)

Scene 7: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/af6542fa4e2a3247abc4d7a5fe928dbb.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/c42a21127699c5d8053e5a6244da692f.png)

Scene 8: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/ffe4933039f71b6bd034aee61f3c448f.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/402c6bfa1c202aa93f4c01c6ea253732.png)

Scene 9: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/0921fdda290a9f2040c149559569227d.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/44c2e84cd6a768921562fa24e122eb08.png)

Scene 10: R1 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/e8c18cedc62fac6ad605a56da15e02dc.png) R2 (http://image.badongo.com/0376448646494286/2005-12-24/org/082ec40fc02c3031182233629f5a3236.png)

Difference is not as dramatic as the last comparison but the most noticeable thing is the colors are much more washed out and muted in the R1, especially noticeable in the reds and blues of Ryos clothes. There is also a pretty rampant amount of dot crawls as well not to mention the rather dingy analog video look it has. Thankfully the ghosting that plagues the R1 DVDs, and is noticeable in a few of those shots, is gone as well.

leongsh

12-24-2005, 06:21 PM

[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
Difference is not as dramatic as the last comparison...

[/ QUOTE ]

The differences are still significant. Thanks for the comparison shots /images/graemlins/happy.gif

12-25-2005, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the new shots. Despite all the grain/mosquito noise it still looks mighty fine; I'm loving the better colours and absence of dot-crawl.

12-25-2005, 11:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
Despite all the grain/mosquito noise it still looks mighty fine;

[/ QUOTE ]

There's no mosquito noise on the DVDs, but yeah at least in the earlier parts of the TV series that I've watched there is a fair amount of grain, but that's nothing new for a show of its age.

Njr Scrawl

03-19-2006, 07:32 AM

CDJ are selling the set with 20% off. Some FP left.
See? (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ANZB-1741)

Still too expensive for me /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

Is City Hunter 99 "Movie 3" or "TV special 3". If anyone can post the LD catalog # I'd be grateful too.

Thanatos

03-19-2006, 09:38 AM

City Hunter Emergency Broadcast The Death of the Evil Saeba Ryo is the third and final City Hunter TV Special. It's best not to describe it as City Hunter 99 because it seems nobody outside of the Korean release refers to it by that title.

Njr Scrawl

03-19-2006, 01:47 PM

Yesasia call it City Hunter:Ryo Saeba, Live on the Scene for its VCD release (Cantonese language only) (http://global.yesasia.com/en/ImageGallery.aspx/section-anime/code-c/version-all/pid-1001818801/#selection)

Thanatos

03-19-2006, 03:20 PM

They're 'tards.

03-23-2006, 05:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
CDJ are selling the set with 20% off. Some FP left.
See? (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ANZB-1741)

Still too expensive for me /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

Is City Hunter 99 "Movie 3" or "TV special 3". If anyone can post the LD catalog # I'd be grateful too.

[/ QUOTE ]

What's sad is mine still cost less with shipping included than what they were charging with a 20% discount without the shipping/handling fees included.

Njr Scrawl

03-31-2006, 06:26 AM

Checking CDJ today, the box set is OOP & FP is sold out as well.

Thanatos

03-31-2006, 07:09 AM

OOP after three months. Certainly took longer than usual.

Njr Scrawl

03-31-2006, 07:25 AM

If not singles, perhaps a release for each season will follow, with separate set(s) for specials & movies.

03-31-2006, 03:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanatos said:
OOP after three months. Certainly took longer than usual.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the set I saw longest to go OOP on CDJ was the Dragon Ball box. It was still listed as being in stock up till about November of last year. I was going to order it come late last December if it was still in stock, but it went OOP before I could. Oh well, I guess I'll just wait on the singles. At the rate they are going with DBZ it shouldn't be too much longer.

Thanatos

03-31-2006, 05:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
If not singles, perhaps a release for each season will follow, with separate set(s) for specials & movies.

[/ QUOTE ]

Neither outcome is likely.

As for the Dragon Box, both DBZs and GT sold out quickly. I guess Toei overproduced DB then underproduced GT. But I have noticed recently a bunch of limited edition boxsets are taking months to sell out instead of the usual "first day on sale or preorder sell out", though I'm not sure why.

Njr Scrawl

04-01-2006, 10:00 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Neither outcome is likely.

[/ QUOTE ]

As the DVDs are CH re-mastered, I'm hoping the effort & expense would not just have been done for a short-time availability expensive box set.

Also, when Angel Heart is released on DVD, new interest in Ryo's original adventures may help sell CH again.

04-01-2006, 05:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:As the DVDs are CH re-mastered, I'm hoping the effort & expense would not just have been done for a short-time availability expensive box set.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's been done for other boxes that never got subsequent single releases.

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:Also, when Angel Heart is released on DVD, new interest in Ryo's original adventures may help sell CH again.

[/ QUOTE ]

One can always hope.

04-13-2006, 08:45 AM

Okay, I was watching the creditless versions of the OP/EDs from the extras disc and I've noticed that there is a distinct difference between the look of the OP/ED in the episodes themselves and the creditless versions on the extras disc. This is just a comparison between the first series op/eds but the differences are the same for all the TV series.

OP1 with credits (http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1161/op1a4gr.png)
OP1 without credits (http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/355/op1b9ih.png)

OP2 with credits (http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1594/op2a7qk.png)
OP2 without credits (http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/5619/op2b2ux.png)

ED with credits (http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/334/eda0vt.png)
ED without credits (http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7556/edb4tp.png)

Anyone have any idea why there is a difference? The contrast is different, the creditless version is sharper, less grainy, and seems to have a different color balance. What's even more odd is in the first OP the two versions at time have completely different animation as can be seen here:

OP with credits (http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9812/op1adifferences4zd.png)
OP without credits (http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2763/op1bdifferences8gz.png)

And just to note the OP used on the ADV version matches the creditless version found in this set.

Pyocola

04-13-2006, 09:08 AM

Hmm, I'm not sure but wouldn't the process of adding credits involve another cel with the text overlayed on top of the finished animation, and therefore another layer of possible colour/detail degradation that the light had to pass through before hitting the camera?

The reanimated part is interesting though, why bother doing that for something they were never going to use anyway?

Luffy

04-13-2006, 01:14 PM

I have a question, what are all of the extras on the extra disc??

04-13-2006, 04:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Luffy said:
I have a question, what are all of the extras on the extra disc??

[/ QUOTE ]

Creditless OP/EDs for all the TV series and the TV specials (for some reason no creditless OP/ED for the movies/ovas). Trailers for Magnum of Love and Fate, Bay City Wars and Million Dollar Conspiracy and the TV spots for the box set. Then there's 30 minute video of a chat between Masuo Ueda, producer from Sunrise, and Michihiko Suwa, producer from Yomiuri TV.

04-13-2006, 05:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:
Hmm, I'm not sure but wouldn't the process of adding credits involve another cel with the text overlayed on top of the finished animation, and therefore another layer of possible colour/detail degradation that the light had to pass through before hitting the camera?

[/ QUOTE ]

Never thought about that but it makes sense. I guess I just didn't expect it to make such a big difference.

[ QUOTE ]
Pyocola said:The reanimated part is interesting though, why bother doing that for something they were never going to use anyway?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, beats me.

iserlohn

04-13-2006, 09:21 PM

[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
Okay, I was watching the creditless versions of the OP/EDs from the extras disc and I've noticed that there is a distinct difference between the look of the OP/ED in the episodes themselves and the creditless versions on the extras disc. This is just a comparison between the first series op/eds but the differences are the same for all the TV series.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not entirely sure myself, but it's the same way on my Goldran discs. It may be as said above - one less cel getting in the way, or more likely one film generation. The clean version is the master, and the titles are overlaid and reshot on a new print (as the credits do change.)

Pfil

04-13-2006, 10:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
iserlohn said:
[ QUOTE ]
ObiKenobi said:
Okay, I was watching the creditless versions of the OP/EDs from the extras disc and I've noticed that there is a distinct difference between the look of the OP/ED in the episodes themselves and the creditless versions on the extras disc. This is just a comparison between the first series op/eds but the differences are the same for all the TV series.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not entirely sure myself, but it's the same way on my Goldran discs. It may be as said above - one less cel getting in the way, or more likely one film generation. The clean version is the master, and the titles are overlaid and reshot on a new print (as the credits do change.)

[/ QUOTE ]
Not only does the extra layer of film add graininess, but it is unfortunately also quite common not to bother remastering opening/end titles (both for anime and live action movies), presumably because it would mean 'too much' work digging up the original film elements (if they're available at all) and recomposit everything from scratch. This is why the OPs and EDs of R1 Escaflowne look so horrible for instance (especially the final episode). I've seen it with R2s as well (Aa! Megami-sama original OVAs), so it's not just R1 studios that are lazy about this.

Incidentally, you can also often see the same problem with special effects in older movies, when they used to do optical effects, etc, using several layers of film. A typical example would be the 'binary sunset' scene in the original Star Wars, it looked grainy as hell before they fixed it for the SEs. The graininess can sometimes be a dead giveaway that something is about to happen, kind of like when you see those cel-painted elements that stand out against the background in anime. /images/graemlins/happy.gif