My Blu-ray collection can finally be complete knowing that classic kaiju is coming to Blu-ray... even if it's only in Japan and it's Gamera not Godzilla. This includes the classic series and the Hesei series. Also, the Daimajin trilogy is coming too, but Gamera is a bit more exciting.

I've seen the Japanese DVDs of the original Gamera series (and own many of them) and the PQ was damned impressive. The same goes for the updated trilogy, which slaughters the US release of the same films. Hope these are region free. I may import despite the high price.


http://www.digitalmonsterisland.com (Can't link to actual post as there is no link, sorry)

This is fantastic news, indeed. Will definitely pick up the Heisei Trilogy, of which my son and I are huge fans. The final battle between Gamera and Iris is truly one of the best out of all the kaiju films I've seen. Here's hoping for a killer lossless audio track!! :D

Would like to see them follow up with Gamera The Brave (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467923/) too!!

As for the region, not a problem. Japan and the US are one in the same in that regard. Now, english subtitles....that's an issue that I'd be very concerned with. :( Fingers crossed....

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GOOD NEWS:
Lookee what I found; http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=DAXA-1124
Region Free
BAD NEWS:
Subtitles: None

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Here's Amazon Japan page showing every one of the box sets available for pre-order;
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%98%AD%E5%92%8C%E3%82%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%A9-Blu-ray-BOX-%E6%B9%AF%E6%B5%85%E6%86%B2%E6%98%8E-%E7%94%B0%E4%B8%AD%E9%87%8D%E9%9B%84/dp/B0024DGNKC/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b

Here's a forum with high res pics of same box sets;
http://adg.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=2905&pid=33385&st=0&#entry33385

The price for the box sets is actually pretty reasonable on Amazon.Japan running about 12,000yen for the two 60's/70's Gamera box set collections and 9,235yen for the 90's box set (10,000 yen is almost $100 US dollars now and continues to fall against the dollar). If I recall, that's dramatically cheaper then the similar dvd format box sets were when they were released about 7 years ago (the 90's Gamera Trilogy 5 disc dvd box set retailed at 24,000yen!).

It's *almost* a deal breaker not to have English subtitles. It was interesting that Toshiba/Daiei included English subtitles on the dvd releases of these movies unlike Toho and their Godzilla/Kaiju movies on dvd but I'd guess this is Kadokawa/Daiei's only weapon to slow exports of these titles out of Japan since the US and Japan share the same region coding for blu-ray.

I'm not a big fan of the pre-90's Gamera movies, but I will make sure to grab the 90's Box set even without English subtitles. I expect to be blown away by the sound and video quality.

T.B.

I used to play with Japanese Gamera and Godzilla toys all the time when I was a kid.

Those box sets are so tempting, but naturally they aren't subbed. I still might take the plunge if I have the cash to spare, though. I don't see them getting a more English-friendly release any time soon.

I love that box art, very classy.

I normally would run to pickup the 90's Gamera trilogy and the first Daimajin movie at least. but no subs is a deal breaker for me.
Typical. If they do come out with a US version later, it will be sub-par.
I'm deeply disappointed.
J

Hope these are region free.

Are you in the US?

If you are it doesn't really matter if they're region coded.

Anyone else order these?

I ordered the individual films (don't care for the sets) from Amazon, and it looks like they've sold very well. Two of them (Gamera vs. Barugon and Gamera vs. Gyaos) are sold out, and the others are down to just a few copies.

Who knows when they'll restock the other 2 films, but the other 6 should be on my porch early next week.

I ordered the individual films (don't care for the sets) from Amazon, and it looks like they've sold very well. Two of them (Gamera vs. Barugon and Gamera vs. Gyaos) are sold out, and the others are down to just a few copies.


Not too surprising. Those were the best of the original series, even better than the original really. Also, you don't know how many were stocked either, but still, gotta keep hope up that a US company picks up on this and gives them a subtitled release.

Let us know how the pic quality is!