Does anyone know what is going on with this series on HD DVD? I found the first disc for a decent price and before I decided to pick it up I wanted to check around for prices on Vol 2. It was then that I found out it's unavailable at Amazon and DVD Empire. Volume 3 is listed at DVD Empire as "Discontinued By Studio". :(

I don't want to assume anything. So if you have real information about the studio or series, please post it here.

Does anyone know what is going on with this series on HD DVD? I found the first disc for a decent price and before I decided to pick it up I wanted to check around for prices on Vol 2. It was then that I found out it's unavailable at Amazon and DVD Empire. Volume 3 is listed at DVD Empire as "Discontinued By Studio". :(

I don't want to assume anything. So if you have real information about the studio or series, please post it here.

This site – www.rightstuf.com – claims to have the first 3 volumes in stock, though I can't vouch for the site. I will probably order it, though, as I have volumes 1 and 2. I like the series, in spite of the fact that it's ridiculously overpriced. I read somewhere that Bandai Visual recently changed its distributor and that's why these are suddenly much harder to find. Also vol. 3 was delayed quite a bit from its original Dec. 11 release date.

This site – www.rightstuf.com – claims to have the first 3 volumes in stock, though I can't vouch for the site. I will probably order it, though, as I have volumes 1 and 2. I like the series, in spite of the fact that it's ridiculously overpriced. I read somewhere that Bandai Visual recently changed its distributor and that's why these are suddenly much harder to find. Also vol. 3 was delayed quite a bit from its original Dec. 11 release date.

In Japan it was released on time, I got it from the online shop associated with Bandai Visual around Dec. 11th. That's the only place they are sold at in Japan. The releases in Japan are identical to the U.S. discs, all texts are in English on the covers etc.

I think this is a kind of official source for it in U.S.:
http://www.dot-anime.us/mall/shop/dvd?EcLogicName=catalog.detail&item_no=BUHH0119

They have vol. 4 and 5 available for pre-order already as well.

How many volumes are there total anyways?

How many volumes are there total anyways?

I think 6 + this special episode:

Breaking news!

The mega OVA project FREEDOM will continue! The special extra episode of FREEDOM, which will be released after the 6th volume, is to be produced in Japan! Tons of thanks go to FREEDOM fans who
supported the project from across the world! Please keep your eyes out for the further announcement.

http://www.bandaivisual.us/freedom/news/news.html

They were giving away Freedom 2 at CES for watching the HD DVD speech. I got a copy but haven't opened it yet. I'm sure you could find one from someone who was there. I would have snagged you one if you posted this before CES. :/

The HD DVD Format Blog is reporting that Bandai Visual has announced HD DVD releases for Volume 4 and 5.

http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com/

February 26 for Vol. 4

April 22 for Vol. 5

Wish they'd hurry up and announced "the complete collection" or something for those of us who don't work at Sony and can't afford $30+ per 20 minute episode..

Does anyone know what is going on with this series on HD DVD? I found the first disc for a decent price and before I decided to pick it up I wanted to check around for prices on Vol 2. It was then that I found out it's unavailable at Amazon and DVD Empire. Volume 3 is listed at DVD Empire as "Discontinued By Studio". :(

I don't want to assume anything. So if you have real information about the studio or series, please post it here.

Vol 1 and 2 were distributed by Geneon, and Geneon just left the anime distribution business. Vol 3 is distributed by Broccoli Entertainment, and they are a smaller studio, so that's why you aren't seeing volume 3 very many places online.

You can buy them from Broccoli and Bandai directly online no problem.

I got my volume 3 from bandai in their second shipment, because the first shipment last december was sold out.

Get them while you can, these are small print run discs.

All 3 are currently available from dot-anime, and volume 4 and 5 can be preordered as well.

This series is awesome for anime fans. It also has some of the best bonus features and the best use of HDI. You can have the typical PiP features, except you can resize, and even move the PiP around using your remote. It showcases a lot of things that can be done with HDi that you won't see anytime soon on the Blu side probably.

Thanks for all the info, I feel alot more confident picking up Vol 1 knowing I will be able to complete the series.

Wish they'd hurry up and announced "the complete collection" or something for those of us who don't work at Sony and can't afford $30+ per 20 minute episode..Same here. I remember that 'Blue Submarine #6' came out the same way: 4 releases, each with just a half-hour episode. I waited and got the whole OVA on a 2-disc collector's set for a lot less. Hope they do the same for 'Freedom' project.

Sanjay

That'd be real nice, I just simply can't afford to do anything other than rent them for now.

This site – www.rightstuf.com – claims to have the first 3 volumes in stock, though I can't vouch for the site. I will probably order it, though, as I have volumes 1 and 2. I like the series, in spite of the fact that it's ridiculously overpriced. I read somewhere that Bandai Visual recently changed its distributor and that's why these are suddenly much harder to find. Also vol. 3 was delayed quite a bit from its original Dec. 11 release date.

I can vouch for Rightstuf. They have been around for many years and are also themselves a Licensors of titles (though no HD/BD titles). If they say they have it it's a pretty good bet they do. They have a good standing with all the major Licensors (Bandai, Bandai Visual, ADV, Funimation, etc.) Hope this helps.

Following the announcement of FREEDOM Vol. 4 (http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com/2008/01/bandai-visual-continues-to-release.html) HD DVD, Bandai Visual has announced that the fifth installment of the anime series 'FREEDOM' will be arriving on HD DVD too. FREEDOM Vol. 5 will be available to own in high-definition exclusively on HD DVD, come April 22, for $39.99 SRP a copy.

FREEDOM Vol. 5

One Single-sided disc (HD DVD/DVD Twin Format Disc*) / $39.99 SRP
Main feature on the HD DVD layer will be presented in
- 1080p High Definition Widescreen 16x9 / VC-1 Encode
- Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 (Japanese) & L-PCM 2.0 (Japanese) audio options
- English subtitle option
Bonus material present on both the HD DVD and DVD layers:
- Next Episode Trailer
Bonus contents present exclusively on the HD DVD layer:
- FREEDOM 4 Digest (Internet connection required^)
- FREEDOM 5 TV Commercial Flash (Internet connection required^)* The HD DVD/DVD Twin format disc is a single-sided disc with both the high-definition and standard definition versions of the main feature all on one side. When the disc is inserted into an HD DVD player, you may select the version you would like to watch. On a DVD player, it will just play back the standard definition version stored on the DVD layer of the disc.


^ Every HD DVD player released to date is fully equipped to take advantage of these web-enabled features, so all that is needed is an Internet connection to the player via the Ethernet port. It is also important to ensure that the firmware currently installed on your HD DVD player is updated to the latest version.
http://bp1.blogger.com/_1NFSwSlabzU/R5WJYMrq0nI/AAAAAAAABEc/U8eA9eeHuYc/s400/freedomvol5HDa.jpg

Ordered from dot-anime today and already shipped 10% off.

Vol. 4 is coming to HD DVD also.

I've got 1-3 so far(3 took some hunting but finally got it in), and preordered 4 so it will get here on time.I'm relieved they are finishing the series on HD-DVD.Imo the anime is groundbreaking in it's use of the combination of CGI animation and traditional Japanese animation techniques.

I too am hoping and waiting for the series to be finished and a complete set to be released, hopefully at a more sensible price. I can't spend that kind of money on one episode at a time.

I too am hoping and waiting for the series to be finished and a complete set to be released, hopefully at a more sensible price. I can't spend that kind of money on one episode at a time.

I wouldn't hold your breath. Even in japan it was released this way on SDDVD (Vol 6 comes out this month).

If you do see a set, it will probably be on bluray and SDDVD only. Bandai has zero HDDVD releases planned after freedom, they heavily favor bluray.

I'm just glad they're actually finishing the show on HDDVD, they could have pulled the plug after the Warner announcement.

Freedom 4 just shipped from dot-anime

I thought all 6 were available from HMV.co.jp or are those just DVD?

I thought all 6 were available from HMV.co.jp or are those just DVD?

Obviously not HD DVD when vol.4 is just shipping. ;)

Also, note that there's 7 Volumes now since they added an episode.

According to animeondvd.com...

After the formal news that came out this morning regarding Toshiba ceasing production of the HD DVD format, we got word this afternoon about how Bandai Visual USA will be handling their release of the Freedom OVA series on the Twin Disc format: "[W]e will continue to release future installments of FREEDOM on HD-DVD / DVD Twin-Disc Format. We do not want to abandon our fans that have purchased FREEDOM 1-3. Retailers will soon stop carrying FREEDOM 1-3, but they will be available via our dot-anime.us (http://www.dot-anime.us) website along with the future installments." No word about any potential plans for the series on Blu-ray was included in the statement.

Whew, at least they're going to finish it. That's a huge relief.

Great news. I can't wait to pick up 4-6

Great news. I can't wait to pick up 4-6

No kidding. My wife chewed me out for paying $30 per disc for the first 2. We watched them and she said, when are you getting the rest of them. :D

I say again.... it's now 7 episodes. :)

Well that's good to know. I was a little worried there, but it's good to know they'll follow through.

excellent news
can't wait to put the rest of them on my server

Got Episodes 3 & 4 Today. I almost wish we'd waited for them all to be released. Now if they'd remaster and release Last Exile on HD, I'd be there!

Has anyone bought "6"? Sort of hard to find. Where did you get it (if you have it)?

I have 1-3, still having some difficulty getting 4-6.

Bandai Visual's own online shop would be the most certain source for getting the last episodes.

https://www.dot-anime.us/
https://www.dot-anime.us/mall/shop/dvd?EcLogicName=catalog.detail&item_no=BUHH0122

when is vol 7 coming?

I don't think it is coming. The only news I've seen on this series is that a Blu-ray box set will be released soon with some ungodly price tag.

EDIT:
I take that back about the ungodly price tag. A quick Google search turned up pre-orders for the BD version for $105, which is much cheaper than the $32 per episode that Bandai is selling the HD DVDs for.

I sold my 1-5 HD DVDs a few months ago on eBay for $120. Looks like I'll do okay getting the whole series on BD for $105.

I don't think it is coming. The only news I've seen on this series is that a Blu-ray box set will be released soon with some ungodly price tag.

EDIT:
I take that back about the ungodly price tag. A quick Google search turned up pre-orders for the BD version for $105, which is much cheaper than the $32 per episode that Bandai is selling the HD DVDs for.

I sold my 1-5 HD DVDs a few months ago on eBay for $120. Looks like I'll do okay getting the whole series on BD for $105.

That sucks since they promised to finish the series on HD DVD AFAIK.

Hopefully I can at least get vol. 7 separately on BD if they don't release the HD DVD.

I am also saddened that Bandai Visual broke their promise to finish this series on HD DVD. The only reason I continued to buy it was that statement made by them. It was a given that it was going to appear on Blu-ray at some point. It is a shame for all of us that supported this very expensive series only to be cut off before the conclusion of the story. :mad:

Oh well I guess I should have seen it coming. I'll check out the 7th episode when my freind gets it on Blu-ray. Not sure whether I will pick it up on Blu as I know I won't get much for my HD DVDs.

I will look at the bright side though. I can play my HD DVD hybrid discs on a DVD player too. :)

At this time I don't see Bandai releasing the volumes seperately on Blu-ray but we can hope.

Cheers.

Freedom 7 hasn't come out, but it has not been canceled yet either. It would be very disappointing for them to screw over HD DVD owners of the series, particularly those who bought additional volumes based on their promise to finish the series on HD DVD. My guess is that it will come out perhaps when they release the Blu-ray set. If so, better late than never.

From :Bandai Entertainment

"Thank you for contacting Bandai Entertainment.

There are no plans to release FREEDOM SEVEN on the HD-DVD format. However, FREEDOM SEVEN is included in our upcoming FREEDOM Blu-ray Disc BOX scheduled for release on November 11, 2008.

Sincerely,
CSR" :mad:

From :Bandai Entertainment

"Thank you for contacting Bandai Entertainment.

There are no plans to release FREEDOM SEVEN on the HD-DVD format. However, FREEDOM SEVEN is included in our upcoming FREEDOM Blu-ray Disc BOX scheduled for release on November 11, 2008.

Sincerely,
CSR" :mad:

I feel the need to pirate this series on BD. I too continued to buy them based on their promise to finish the series on hd dvd. :mad:

why in the world they think the people who bought 6 episodes will buy a very expensive BD set for one episode, when already the HD DVDs were outrageously expensive?

why in the world they think the people who bought 6 episodes will buy a very expensive BD set for one episode, when already the HD DVDs were outrageously expensive?

Evidently they don't give a rat's arse about those who bought the 6 HD DVDs and they lied when they promised to complete the series in HD DVD so that they could sell those that were printed up (I think they probably printed up through volume 6 when they made the lie/promise, otherwise they would've canceled right then and there when Toshiba threw in the towel). Bandai has shown that they can't be relied upon and that they don't respect their customers.

bruceames, I think you are very right on this. with this kind of attitude bandai shouldn`t expect any respect from their customers back.

When did they promise to release Freedom 7 on HD DVD? It was a bonus episode that was added after the series was put into production. They may have said it was coming (as in would be released to some format), but there was never an official solicitation for an HD DVD for it.

I think you're all pretty lucky they finished the main series on HD DVD at all. Bandai was one of the last studios to release an HD DVD, they could have just dropped all releases like most of the other studios did.

When did they promise to release Freedom 7 on HD DVD? It was a bonus episode that was added after the series was put into production. They may have said it was coming (as in would be released to some format), but there was never an official solicitation for an HD DVD for it.

I think you're all pretty lucky they finished the main series on HD DVD at all. Bandai was one of the last studios to release an HD DVD, they could have just dropped all releases like most of the other studios did.

Freedom 7 is not a bonus episode. It has the ending to the series. Freedom 6 ends in a cliffhanger. So what do you think of our luck now?

It's a "special episode" ("tokubetsu-hen"), as seen here:
http://dbeat.bandaivisual.co.jp/freedomseven/

It was originally going to end with 6 but they decided to add a tacked-on bonus episode.

It's a "special episode" ("tokubetsu-hen"), as seen here:
http://dbeat.bandaivisual.co.jp/freedomseven/

It was originally going to end with 6 but they decided to add a tacked-on bonus episode.

Oh excuse me then, what do I know? I only own this series and have watched all six episodes. Maybe I'm wrong, but I do think I know a cliffhanger when I see it. :rolleyes:

Call it whatever you want, but the fact remains that it was never solicited for HD DVD.

edit: I just checked out the ending to Freedom 6, and I've seen far less conclusive anime endings than that. It's not even all that open-ended. Reviewers didn't seem to think it was a cliffhanger, either.

Call it whatever you want, but the fact remains that it was never solicited for HD DVD.

Call it whatever I want? I'm calling it what it is, THE ENDING. Bandai may have said it was a 'bonus episode', and they probably wanted to give the impression that is was, just to get suckers like me to buy the last two episodes, but it is not a bonus episode. Nobody is going to buy the remaining volumes knowing the ending won't be included.

Nobody is going to buy the remaining volumes knowing the ending won't be included.

It didn't seem like hardly anyone was buying it anyways, although that was mainly due to the price, lack of availability at retail, and it being on a discontinued format. You'll just have to get over the fact that Bandai wasn't willing to lose more money by giving you the new ending on HD DVD. But they released all of the discs they solicited, which is more than some studios did.

It didn't seem like hardly anyone was buying it anyways, although that was mainly due to the price, lack of availability at retail, and it being on a discontinued format. You'll just have to get over the fact that Bandai wasn't willing to lose more money by giving you the new ending on HD DVD. But they released all of the discs they solicited, which is more than some studios did.

I was never given an ending to begin with. But I'll get over it.