Aramaki, the visionary behind Appleseed, Harlock: Space Pirate, and Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045, packs 41 minutes of turbo-charged mecha chaos into MADOX-01, blending comedy and Tokyo-wide property destruction into a surprisingly compact thrill ride.
So, what makes this Blu-ray special? For starters, it’s been reauthored with a wealth of bonus content. You get two director commentary tracks offering insights into the battlesuit designs, cast interviews, and a “Weapons of MADOX” featurette showcasing an impressive lineup of Japan Self-Defense Force military vehicles. The menus are redesigned, art galleries now use navigable stills instead of video clips, and the subtitles have been fully modernized. Both UK and US audio tracks are included, with optional German subtitles for multilingual fans.
Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 Synopsis:
College student Kōji Sugimoto accidentally locks himself into the MADOX-01, turning downtown Tokyo into both playground and battlefield as the suit’s automatic combat system kicks in. Test pilot Kusumoto Elle pursues him in a second prototype, while vengeful tank commander Lt. Kilgore brings a full arsenal to the fray. It’s equal parts mecha mayhem and “will he make his date?” tension—spoiler: convenience store shrimp has never been more precarious.
Originally licensed by AnimEigo in 1989 for Western audiences, MADOX-01 has remained a hidden gem for decades. This new Blu-ray release, priced at $17.99, lets fans enjoy the original hand-drawn animation crisp and clear in 1080p, along with behind-the-scenes content that even the most devoted collectors will appreciate.
Blu-ray Features:
- UK and US dubbed audio (2.0)
- Redesigned menus and cover art
- German subtitles
- Modernized subtitle styles and name romanization
- Navigable still galleries (color and line art)
- Two director commentary tracks
- “Weapons of MADOX” featurette
- Cast interviews
Pre-orders are live at MediaOCD.
Trailer:
