Blu-Ray Release News Archives | Otaku No Culture

Faster Than the Speed of Light is Earwig and the Witch’s Home Video Release Date!

Earwig and the Witch Steelbook — Available to pre-order on Amazon USA

GKIDS & Shout! Factory

Home Video:
April 6, 2020

Hot after its limited screening in select theatres worldwide in early Feb, Studio Ghibli’s Earwig and the Witch will hit digital next month, March 23, for other regions. This is the date to circle for this highly anticipated release for video streamers.

The home video release, set to arrive two weeks after, will be. offered in both a Limited Edition Steelbook™ and a Blu-ray+DVD combo, and the extra features being offered are as follows:

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The Featurette’s Spotlight on Lupin the 3rd The First Again!

To hear how loosey-goosey they are shows how comfortable they are not only with the role but also with bringing something new to the character in these localizations.

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

GKIDS & Shout! Factory

Digital Release Date: Dec 15th
Blu-ray™ + DVD combo pack (Preorder on Amazon here) SteelBook™ edition with lithograph (order link): January 12, 2021

Anyone unable to visit movie theatres because Lupin the 3rd The First was a limited screening will now see this CGI film on demand through various online video streaming services. The added content which is part of this package (and the home release) had me fall in love with this gentleman thief all over again.

To be fair, the many voice over artists involved in the localizations of the television series, Lupin the Third Part Two, made him popular. He would not be where he is today in the global-scale; he’s beloved as James Bond (artist/creator Monkey Punch acknowledged his inspiration is from this spy franchise). In America, Tony Oliver (Lupin the III), Michelle Ruff (Fujiko), Richard Epcar (Daisuke Jigen), Lex Lang (Goemon) and Dan Lorge (Zenigata) loved working together, and the stories they have to tell in their reunion special—included in this digital package—is very much worth the watch. It’s an audio recording, and I suspect the reason it was done this way is to keep the talents safe. Not even Lupin wants to mess with the pandemic.

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Who’s on Second? Lupin the III or The First? And Landing on Home Video

This modern update is certainly filled with classic moments which range from this thief somehow losing his clothes, making grandiose escapes, and winning some innocent girl’s heart.

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Limited Screenings
Japanese Language with Subtitles
October 21

Please local listings for showtimes

Coming to Digital
December 15, 2020

Steelbook, Blu-ray and DVD
January 12, 2021

Lupin the Third joins the long line of anime heroes given the CGI upgrade, and honestly, he looks terrific! This master thief’s legacy will continue for as long as Monkey Punch wants. Whether or not it’s on hold since he passed away last year, I’m sure other directors have ideas on how to continue this gentleman thief’s adventures for years to come. But for anyone new to this popular character, I recommend checking out The Castle of Cagliostro (Netflix link) before seeing this movie.

Simply titled Lupin III: The First, this outing shows how this family line continues on their quest for the Bresson Diary. It was thought to be lost, but it has since been found. The actual book is tucked in a very elaborate clock-like tableau that, if opened, reveals notes to some ancient treasure even Alexander the Great would want. Well, maybe, but to say too much will ruin the reveal.

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Landing on Shout! Factory’s Lap is Space: 1999 – Details on Blu-Ray Release

Lupin the 3rd

Just when fans os Gerry and Sylvia Anderson‘s epic sci-fi series, Space: 1999 thought the 30th Anniversary Edition was enough, Shout! Factory is doing one better with their upcoming release, coming July 16, 2019.

Six new features will be added which looks at the past and future of this series. The Surround sound remix has me intrigued and I’m tempted to pick up the entire series all over again. For Blu-ray enthusiasts, this version will mean fewer discs to flip (there’s 13 versus 18) when compared to the original.

New interviews with director Kevin Connor, actors Barbara Bain and Nick Tate, and new audio commentaries will be in this set, and for those wanting a keepsake, a snow globe is included! It has the Eagle Transporter landing on the Moon and this set is available for pre-order now at shoutfactory.com. The globe itself has a 4-inch circumference and sits on a 2-inch base.

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Is This Studio Ghibli Blu-ray/DVD Re-release Worth Waiting For?

GKIDS is rereleasing all Studio Ghibli’s films in all new packaging!

Studio Ghibli and GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory, will soon have on shelves in North America several titles from the library of Studio Ghibli this fall on Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack and on DVD. The former versions from Disney had tiny issues which made them far from perfect and those fans who complained of the “red tint” problem with Spirited Away may well consider this remastered version (if they have not bought the Japanese version).

This new release promises significant upgrades to one of the world’s most coveted animation collections. Part of Studio Ghibli’s catalog of films to get this re-release includes Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke. These will arrive on October 17, 2017. Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind will be released on October 31, and The Secret World of Arrietty and Porco Rosso will follow on November 21. There’s no word of other titles like Pom Poko will see a Region 1 side release also. Essentially, this particular set spotlights the works of Hayao Miyazaki.

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