Sora o Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai

[Draneor]

The SoraAge website has finally been updated with information about the first DVD (http://www.munto.com/dvd.html#dvd01). As far as DVD extras go, it seems sparse (textless opening and ending and staff commentary). The cover looks really nice though. I think the first press comes with a soundtrack and a post card (http://kyotoanimation.shop-pro.jp/?pid=11972483)? While I have enjoyed it so far, it is pretty different from KyoAni's usual fair. I wonder how well it will do. Well, I'd like to see more original KyoAni anime myself so... :)

On a side note, I really need to ask HMV.jp about the price. The website lists it as ¥３,７８０. However, they charged me ¥7,350 for the first volume. I wonder if there has been a price reduction?

[ChibiGoku]

Unless I'm misreading this, this will only have the first episode...?

That's... pushing it. Especially considering you could track down the original OVA's for a cheaper price together and it'd be mostly the same content. Not really liking this at all... However, despite that, packaging looks rather nice.

[Macron one]

On a side note, I really need to ask HMV.jp about the price. The website lists it as ¥３,７８０. However, they charged me ¥7,350 for the first volume. I wonder if there has been a price reduction?

Cdjapan lists the volume 1 price as 3600 yen ( http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/search.html?type=GC&restrict=DVD&strict=&word=sora+o+miageru ).

[Draneor]

Cdjapan lists the volume 1 price as 3600 yen ( http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/search.html?type=GC&restrict=DVD&strict=&word=sora+o+miageru ).

That's without tax (sorry if that was unclear). Amazon.jp also lists it for 3780 as does the Kyoto Animation store. I'm pretty sure the price dropped since HMV.jp posted it for sale a while back. In any case, I emailed them about it.

Unless I'm misreading this, this will only have the first episode...?

It's still only five DVDs total, which is about average. Personally, I don't really care how they split them up.

[Shiroi Hane]

This is the first Kyoani series in a while that's not been an automatic buy (Lucky Star was close but I still ended getting them all anyway), although I can't really say why. It might help if I'd ever seen the OVAs.

[something]

This is the first Kyoani series in a while that's not been an automatic buy (Lucky Star was close but I still ended getting them all anyway), although I can't really say why. It might help if I'd ever seen the OVAs.
It might also help to have not seen them. It'd be completely fresh to you, and you wouldn't feel like you were spending hundreds of dollars to rebuy footage you already bought (although the show from 7+ should be completely new footage). I see benefits and drawbacks to both approaches, actually.

[relentlessflame]

It's still only five DVDs total, which is about average. Personally, I don't really care how they split them up.When I read this the other day, I thought something seemed a bit strange about these solicitations, and wondered whether or not there had actually been any firm word yet on the episode count. It looked like the DVD solicitations implied the show would only be 9 episodes long (1 episode at 3600 yen, 4 x 2 episodes at 5600 yen). And, in fact, I notice today that Syoboi (the sort of Japanese wiki of show airing data, so not necessarily proven fact, of course) has updated the listing on a number of channels to say that episode 9 is the final episode. So, it's not exactly confirmed or anything, but it's looking like the most likely conclusion. In the end, this would essentially mean that rather than release Munto 3 as an OVA (since there'd be about one new OVA episode worth of content), they just integrated it into a TV broadcast that included improved versions of the first two episodes as a way of re-soliciting the whole set (since the first two releases aren't in active print anymore). The net effect, on the more cynical side I suppose, is that releasing it in this way ends up being more expensive for basically everyone -- even people who have the first two original OVA episodes and don't want to buy the improved versions have to buy two 5600 yen discs to complete the series, and people who want the whole set will pay 26,000 yen (MSRP, of course), whereas the original two OVA episodes cost around 4,000 and 5,000 a piece.

We'll see if everything pans out this way, but it's definitely an unusual move, if true. I suspect that most everyone assumed (well, at least I did...) that there'd be a full rest-of TV series worth of content once they finished with the original two OVA episodes.

[something]

And, in fact, I notice today that Syoboi (the sort of Japanese wiki of show airing data, so not necessarily proven fact, of course) has updated the listing on a number of channels to say that episode 9 is the final episode. So, it's not exactly confirmed or anything, but it's looking like the most likely conclusion. In the end, this would essentially mean that rather than release Munto 3 as an OVA (since there'd be about one new OVA episode worth of content), they just integrated it into a TV broadcast that included improved versions of the first two episodes as a way of re-soliciting the whole set (since the first two releases aren't in active print anymore).
Oh man, I didn't think they'd pull that but... that would be complete ass if it pans out that way. I was hoping for at least 6 eps of new material. Fingers crossed that this isn't the case.

[Draneor]

Good news is HMV.jp adjusted the price. Looks like asking does sometimes work.

In the end, this would essentially mean that rather than release Munto 3 as an OVA (since there'd be about one new OVA episode worth of content), they just integrated it into a TV broadcast that included improved versions of the first two episodes as a way of re-soliciting the whole set (since the first two releases aren't in active print anymore). The net effect, on the more cynical side I suppose, is that releasing it in this way ends up being more expensive for basically everyone -- even people who have the first two original OVA episodes and don't want to buy the improved versions have to buy two 5600 yen discs to complete the series, and people who want the whole set will pay 26,000 yen (MSRP, of course), whereas the original two OVA episodes cost around 4,000 and 5,000 a piece.

That would really suck. It makes me want to try to track down CPM's release of Munto and see exactly how much of this is actually new. I suppose ignorance is bliss.

Although are you sure the original release of Munto is not in print? It seems you can buy it from KyoAni's own website (http://kyotoanimation.shop-pro.jp/?mode=cate&cbid=11484&csid=4).

[something]

That would really suck. It makes me want to try to track down CPM's release of Munto and see exactly how much of this is actually new. I suppose ignorance is bliss.
It'll be obvious enough when you watch it, as there are three clearly very different animation styles at work. Or in OVA1 vs OVA2's case, it's a similar style but vastly higher (the action scenes are utterly amazing) technical quality in OVA2.

Since each OVA was something like 50 minutes and it looks like they're'll getting 3 ~25min eps each, you're talking ~20-25 minutes of new footage added to each OVA, but that includes OP/ED and previews, so it's under 20 mins per. On the other hand they didn't necessarily use the entire OVA, but it seems like they've surely come very close to doing so. There wasn't much that could have been cut out anyway, especially from the first one which progresses at near light-speed. OVA2 (eps 4-5, and presumably finishing in 6) seems to have settled down considerably, explained a lot more things, and just seems better paced overall.

[Suwako Moriya]

I was hoping for at least 6 eps of new material. Fingers crossed that this isn't the case.

I'm going to hope the same thing as well. Because if it does end up being only 9 episodes and with most of the footage from the first two OVAs... then it will give the impression that Kyo-Ani is treating this as nothing more than a quick side project. Still who knows? Even if there are only nine episodes, it could still end decently. At least in that context.

[something]

then it will give the impression that Kyo-Ani is treating this as nothing more than a quick side project.
I'm fairly certain that's exactly what it is.

[Suwako Moriya]

I'm fairly certain that's exactly what it is.

Given the evidence, you're likely right. I guess I'll just have to hope for the best, but reading this thread has lowered my excitement level a bit.

[relentlessflame]

Although are you sure the original release of Munto is not in print? It seems you can buy it from KyoAni's own website (http://kyotoanimation.shop-pro.jp/?mode=cate&cbid=11484&csid=4).Yeah, it looks like you're right about that. It just doesn't seem to be available in some of the normal retail outlets like Amazon, and CDJapan has it as "Out of Print" (though it does appear to be at HMV Japan). I guess maybe it's one of those "when they're gone, they're gone" things, and the Kyoto Animation store is the modern equivalent to having to mail-order to get it. With this new TV release, though, I imagine they have even less motivation to do extra pressings of the originals.

[Draneor]

So apparently the finale will be a movie (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-10/munto-anime-to-get-theatrical-finale-in-japan-in-april). >_< I think I'm starting to have seconds thoughts about whether I really want this. CPM's release of Munto is looking awfully attractive about now.

[HitokiriShadow]

So apparently the finale will be a movie (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-10/munto-anime-to-get-theatrical-finale-in-japan-in-april). >_< I think I'm starting to have seconds thoughts about whether I really want this. CPM's release of Munto is looking awfully attractive about now.

But it also says this:

The film will be a director's cut of the climactic scenes with new footage.That suggests, to me, that it will be a movie version of the last few episodes. I'm thinking the TV series will cover everything but there will be a movie version in addition to that. I'm guessing the movie version will essentially be OVA3. They are really milking the fans with this series.

[Draneor]

I'm guessing the movie version will essentially be OVA3. They are really milking the fans with this series.

Exactly. Which is why I'm strongly leaning towards not picking it up. Too many damn versions.

[something]

But it also says this:
The film will be a director's cut of the climactic scenes with new footage.That suggests, to me, that it will be a movie version of the last few episodes. I'm thinking the TV series will cover everything but there will be a movie version in addition to that. I'm guessing the movie version will essentially be OVA3. They are really milking the fans with this series.
This is quickly becoming one of the most ridiculous properties ever. What a convoluted way to release so few minutes of animation.

[Suwako Moriya]

What a convoluted way to release so few minutes of animation.

About the only thing that would make the release even more odd is if we found out the entire thing was funded by whatever change the employees found in their couches or something along those lines. Ok to be fair, even a limited amount of new footage can still cost quite a bit of money, but.....

Regardless, I'm having mixed feelings about this whole thing. I mean the series itself has been decent all things considered in the context of one seeing it for the first time. However the way it's being handled makes me wonder if they themselves really cared that much about the series.:sweat: