Appleseed EX Machina announced for Japan (HD DVD)

[Skywise]

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20071210/exmna.htm?ref=rss
http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/web/?wb_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.watch.impress.co.jp%2Fav% 2Fdocs%2F20071210%2Fexmna.htm%3Fref%3Drss&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2

Of note is that Micott and Pony Canyon are handling the distribution in Japan, not Warner Brothers, which is why this is only being released on HD DVD and DVD, not Blu-ray as well.

[Chris Beveridge]

*throws fears of reverse importantion at the Japanese*

I guess it's ok if Warner does it though. But burn in hell Bandai Entertainment and other US companies!

[Rhodes]

Ummm why? i thought the JP market was like 90/10 to Blu-rays favor... do they have money to burn?

Sides isnt the US gonna release this on both formats? Is the US version dub only then?

if the JP companies aren't gonna worry about reverse imports... then shouldnt they release it on the format that will sell the most?

btw since JP titles usually come out first... why dont you guys put English subs on em so folks could import your stuff and you can make some more Yen ahead of time.

[Skywise]

Japan has some companies that are HD DVD only as well - it's not just the US. Yes, they'll be losing money on it, but it's more about company politics than anything else.

[Mazinkaizer]

HD DVD only in Japan ! that's one of the stupidest business moves i have seen :grin:

Well i am willing to bet that most of the fans in Japan will either buy the DVD or import the US Blu-ray :evil:

[zipCode]

Anyone have any info if it's going to be the same encode as the US? Considering it's Warner and VC1, I can already see the banding, this is exactly the type of source that itches for banding. At least they say the new VC1 version is much improved in that aspect, but I bet it will get the usual warner treatment (i.e. lowest bitrate possible).

[Skywise]

It'll be a completely different encode since it's not Warner releasing it in Japan.

[Wagg]

It'll be a completely different encode since it's not Warner releasing it in Japan.
Yes, but since Warner doesn't generally region lock and it's bound to have the original language track, the Blu version will be absolutely fine, and will probably be cheaper than the domestic Japanese HD-DVD version. I doubt the encode will be much better either, Warner has become pretty proficient at their VC1 encodes as of late (hopefully they will include a lossless audio track too).

[ronin0079]

According to Twitch, the US version of Appleseed: Ex Machina is going to be shorter than the Japanese release. Can anyone confirm this info?

Twitch Article (http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/john-woo-produced-appleseed-ex-machina-getting-the-deluxe-dvd-treatment/)

[SneakerPimp]

According to Twitch, the US version of Appleseed: Ex Machina is going to be shorter than the Japanese release. Can anyone confirm this info?
Twitch Article (http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/john-woo-produced-appleseed-ex-machina-getting-the-deluxe-dvd-treatment/) According to the translation of the Ex Machina website both versions are 105 minutes long.
http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/web/?wb_url=http://www.exmachina.jp/dvd.html&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2 :confused:

[ronin0079]

According to Twitch, the US version of Appleseed: Ex Machina is going to be shorter than the Japanese release. Can anyone confirm this info?
Twitch Article (http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/john-woo-produced-appleseed-ex-machina-getting-the-deluxe-dvd-treatment/) According to the translation of the Ex Machina website both versions are 105 minutes long.
http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/web/?wb_url=http://www.exmachina.jp/dvd.html&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2 :confused:

Thanks for the info - I hope this is true. I really want the US Blu-ray of this, but not if it's cut. I guess we'll know for sure in March.