Goku: Midnight Eye [Archive]

Darkseid

08-14-2006, 09:21 PM

Just rumaging through my anime collection, felt some nostalgia for this series and wanted to discuss with fellow fans for a bit. Who else on here is a fan of this series, it's director Yoshiaki Kawajiri, or the idea of souping up your corvette with your bionic eyeball? Also, anyone know how the manga by Buichi Terasawa turned out?

DocWatson

08-15-2006, 08:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Darkseid said:
Also, anyone know how the manga by Buichi Terasawa turned out?

[/ QUOTE ]
ComicsOne published a North American translation, though I would have to check to see if they finished it.

vanfanel

08-15-2006, 09:52 AM

1) Never seen Midnight Eye. Some things I saw in the trailer made me not want to (particularly an image of a girl with handlebars coming out of her back(!)).

2) I like Kawajiri when he's not going too crazy ("Ninja Scroll" tested my limits, and from what I hear, I'd best leave "Wicked City" alone altogether). My favorite thing by him is the unlicensed "Phoenix: Space Chapter" OVA, but "VHD: Bloodlust" also finds its way onto the turntable fairly often. I do love the way characters in his films look. And the way his creatures often move so fluidly (one of the few good things about "Demon City Shinjuku"). He really has a distinctive directorial style. Even something like the first "Cockpit" OVA, where he was using Leiji Matsumoto-style character designs, was instantly recognizable as his. Taking a wait-and-see attitude on his Highlander movie, though...I really wish he'd make another VHD film instead.

3) The only thing that could possibly be cooler than a corvette is a corvette with a bionic eyeball. Count me in on this one /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Waaaaaay back in Viz's early days, they released a few issues of the manga, but I seriously doubt it was all of it.

Curse_7781

08-15-2006, 10:03 AM

[ QUOTE ]
vanfanel said:
1) Never seen Midnight Eye. Some things I saw in the trailer made me not want to (particularly an image of a girl with handlebars coming out of her back(!)).

2) I like Kawajiri when he's not going too crazy ("Ninja Scroll" tested my limits, and from what I hear, I'd best leave "Wicked City" alone altogether). My favorite thing by him is the unlicensed "Phoenix: Space Chapter" OVA, but "VHD: Bloodlust" also finds its way onto the turntable fairly often. I do love the way characters in his films look. And the way his creatures often move so fluidly (one of the few good things about "Demon City Shinjuku"). He really has a distinctive directorial style. Even something like the first "Cockpit" OVA, where he was using Leiji Matsumoto-style character designs, was instantly recognizable as his. Taking a wait-and-see attitude on his Highlander movie, though...I really wish he'd make another VHD film instead.

3) The only thing that could possibly be cooler than a corvette is a corvette with a bionic eyeball. Count me in on this one /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Waaaaaay back in Viz's early days, they released a few issues of the manga, but I seriously doubt it was all of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Then you check out Cyber City (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3742.php), its also one of Kawajiri's works as well. Its sci-fi action, very recommended! It's not extremely gory or disgusting like Wicked City (or Ninja Scroll) but much more easy to take and awesome too /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

However, the DVD I linked to is Out of Print so you have to get the Vol. 1 (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2748.php), Vol. 2 (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2906.php), and Vol. 3 (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3031.php) DVDs which are sold individually but the good news is they are cheap /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Enhance the Trance,
Curse

DocWatson

08-15-2006, 11:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
vanfanel said:
Waaaaaay back in Viz's early days, they released a few issues of the manga, but I seriously doubt it was all of it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Six issues (http://milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?title=53549007650). ComicsOne seems to have published the entire thing—at least, they put out three volumes (http://www.amazon.com/s/002-9687702-4813643?ie=UTF8&index=books&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank&field-author-exact=Buichi%20Terasawa), which is what Amazon.co.jp (http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/search/ref=nb_ss_b/503-1434335-1503135?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=%8E%9B%91%F2%95%90%88%EA+%83S%83N%83E&Go. x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go) lists.

As for the anime, I'd like to find a copy of Urban Vision's release, at least one which is in both good condition and not too expensive.

Njr Scrawl

08-15-2006, 11:10 AM

I have a Manga UK VHS somewhere. Never tried it. I like Space Adventure Cobra though - so probably will like Goku as well.

Where are the mature male heroes of yesteryear now?

aquapermanence

08-15-2006, 11:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
Where are the mature male heroes of yesteryear now?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's something I wonder too. I've watched the first tape of Goku, and over-the-top as it is, it's still the kind of cheese that appeals to an adult sensibility, rather than trying to dazzle with big-eyed children and explosions and half-baked existential discussions. Kawajiri is a director I can keep coming back to when I want full-figured no-nonsense grownups--and Urban Vision used to be a company that I could count on to bring me just that. I'm glad they finally got Golgo 13 out on DVD, but I don't hold out hope for Goku or Psycho Diver... and as I understand it Cobra and The Cockpit are long gone.

Njr Scrawl

08-15-2006, 05:28 PM

You can get The Cockpit on a UK released DVD (with Digital Devil). Its Kiseki R0 legit, but PAL format.

I'll have to look for R2J or LDs of the others.

At least City Hunter was licensed *hugs R1 collection*.

More classic Leiji Matsumoto would be welcome as well! Mature women stories are cool too - Maetel needed! What's the use of Maetel Legend, when her main series, Galaxy Express 999 is not licensed?

R1 DVD only has Silent Mobius TV, Bubblegum Crisis, Geneshaft, Sol Bianca & some Queen Emereldas for stories with
mature women kicking @$$ AFAIK.

aquapermanence

08-15-2006, 06:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
R1 DVD only has Silent Mobius TV, Bubblegum Crisis, Geneshaft, Sol Bianca & some Queen Emereldas for stories with
mature women kicking @$$ AFAIK.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are some others, but most of the examples I can think of have central male characters or are more comedic. But slap Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex up there and I think we're good for the road.

Edit: And Patlabor.

mcarocks2003

08-16-2006, 03:26 AM

Others that spring to mind are Dirty Pair and Gall Force

Captain Impulse

08-16-2006, 03:35 AM

Strong, mature lead characters? Wow...it's really been a while since those were in fashion, hasn't it? Outside of a few select titles of course.

akcoll99

08-16-2006, 08:38 PM

I'd love it if Urban Vision could ever get off their ass and put it on DVD in R1. I've never seen the anime but would buy it in a second since I loved the manga that ComicsOne released. I think it's Kawajiri's only major directorial effort still not on DVD in R1... /images/graemlins/sad.gif

Darkseid

08-16-2006, 09:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
akcoll99 said:
I'd love it if Urban Vision could ever get off their ass and put it on DVD in R1. I've never seen the anime but would buy it in a second since I loved the manga that ComicsOne released. I think it's Kawajiri's only major directorial effort still not on DVD in R1... /images/graemlins/sad.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think UV has the rights to Goku anymore. It's not even on their website.

Oh, and don't forget Kawajiri's other big directorial effort: SF New Century Lensman. It hasn't hit R1 yet either.

08-17-2006, 07:24 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Curse said:
However, the DVD I linked to is Out of Print so you have to get the Vol. 1 (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2748.php), Vol. 2 (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2906.php), and Vol. 3 (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3031.php) DVDs which are sold individually but the good news is they are cheap /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Not to derail, but if someone wants to get a good quality release of Cyber City Oedo 808 and doesn't mind no subs or just wants to watch the dub I highly recommend getting the remastered Japanese version from last year. The improvement in video quality is quite significant.

akcoll99

08-17-2006, 03:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Darkseid said:
[ QUOTE ]
akcoll99 said:
I'd love it if Urban Vision could ever get off their ass and put it on DVD in R1. I've never seen the anime but would buy it in a second since I loved the manga that ComicsOne released. I think it's Kawajiri's only major directorial effort still not on DVD in R1... /images/graemlins/sad.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think UV has the rights to Goku anymore. It's not even on their website.

Oh, and don't forget Kawajiri's other big directorial effort: SF New Century Lensman. It hasn't hit R1 yet either.

[/ QUOTE ]

I remembered UV saying about a year or so ago that they were looking at Goku for DVD, but maybe they decided not to renew the contract. Too bad if that's the case. Maybe somebody like Media Blasters can save it...

GetterBeam

08-17-2006, 08:12 PM

I hope SOMEBODY brings both movies to R1 DVD at some point...Sci-fi channel never aired the second one! /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

Awesome show though. Also, didn't Robert's still have the Cyber City Sets up for order? It is on my todo list...but I often get sidetracked waay to easily until it is sometimes too late. (Damn it for Eatman 98'}

Edit: Indeed they do...just got the Cyber City complete set form Robert's and a GA renewal...damn if I don't hate paying shipping at RACS though /images/graemlins/sad.gif My own fault I suppose since a quick www.dvdpricesearch.com (http://www.dvdpricesearch.com) popped up the set for a good bit cheaper but from a site/s I'm unfamiliar with)

So pounc eon it folk so I'm no alone tonight in making myself broke until the end of next week! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

Tora-chan

08-18-2006, 08:28 AM

Kawajiri's section in compilation film Neo-Tokyo was the best of the three in it. (I found Kawajiri's best, then Otomo's and lastly Rintaro's)

I like Mighnight Eye Goku a lot, as well as the other Buichi Terasawa anime shows. Nice and cheesy! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

Mazinkaizer

08-20-2006, 12:58 PM

russ869

01-24-2009, 11:27 AM

Not to derail, but if someone wants to get a good quality release of Cyber City Oedo 808 and doesn't mind no subs or just wants to watch the dub I highly recommend getting the remastered Japanese version from last year. The improvement in video quality is quite significant.
I think I'll take you up on that. Wait, are you trying to say the Japanese DVD has English and Japanese dubs? Are you talking about this one: http://www.yesasia.com/us/goku-midnight-eye-complete-dvd-dvd-japan-version/1010008825-0-0-0-en/info.html

I love Kawajiri's works that involve weird sci-fi, killer cyborgs, and cool gadgets (Cyber City Oedo 808 is my favorite). And Goku Midnight Eye is pretty out there. Complete with deadly robot insects, interdimensional missiles, and a bionic eye that can control any computer in the world (this was even animated before the internet became widely established).

I notice this post is from a few years ago and the original poster is no longer around, but does anyone else here know anything about the Japanese DVD releases or just want to discuss the series in general?

KudosForce

01-24-2009, 09:07 PM

I managed to find the subtitled VHS vol.1 & 2 about 2 years ago at amazon for a cheap price. I really hope that someone manages to release Goki ME on DVD other than UV who IMO should just sell their titles to someone else and do the fans a favor by closing (i think the same can be said for others) /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

ADV Films could rescue it. After all, they did bring back Pet Shop of Horrors from that company.

Also, I should point out to no further than my avatar to find a real, mature hero (too bad that only 36 episodes of his series were brought here).

Glorian

01-24-2009, 11:20 PM

Njr Scrawl

01-25-2009, 03:04 AM

I have Midnight Eye on VHS, 1 dub, 1 sub & the Japanese LDs. Its a show you have to be in a certain mood to watch, but is great when you are. People who like ME usually like Space Advnture Cobra as well, which isn't Kawajiri.

I like Wicked City, but am not so keen on Ninja Scroll & dislike Cyber City.