Original Japanese 80's set

[Kaileocomial]

Hey, I was hoping some smarty pants might be able to help me figure out of I've made a mistake or not...

I ordered the following item off e-bay...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260018807257&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:CA:11#ebayphotohosting

It's supposed to be the original Japanese DVD boxed set. I got really excited when i saw it & ordered it without asking any questions... but it occured to me that I might have acted too soon. Basically, I'm hoping it contains the uncut episodes, in particular episodes 1 & 2.

Does anyone know where I can find any info about Japanese DVD releases?

Thanks a bunch!

(PS: how many blasted posts till I'm not a Jr Member anymore? )

[fafner]

It seems to me the first 2 episodes should be there in Japanese and subtitled with English. However, I am puzzled by the fact that it was released in 2002. Madman released their box set in 2004, and I am not aware the first 2 episodes with English subtitles existed before that (but I may be wrong).

(PS: how many blasted posts till I'm not a Jr Member anymore? )

Almost, one more post

[Kaileocomial]

Well this set is supposedly an actual japanese release, so I don't think it would have been released by madman. However, it looks like it might be the 80's DVD 'bootleg' listed on this page http://astroboy.cjb.cc/merchandisedvds.php - as it was advertised with chinese/english subtitles & has almost the exact same picture on the cover. Oh well, If it has the first two original episodes, I'll be happy either way.

[Astro Forever]

Looks like a bootleg to me, with the region 0 and the English and Chinese subtitles, even though the seller says he's not selling bootlegs. Since the audio is Japanese, there is no reason why the first two episodes shouldn't be there.

Edit: hadn't seen your reply before I posted mine, sorry for being redundant.

[Ray_the_canadian]

I agree with astro on this

[DrFrag]

Short answer: Yes, it contains episodes 1 + 2 uncut.

I have it, and it's a bootleg. No official version has that cover, and certainly not at that price (not to mention the lack of region code). The official boxsets look like this:


Anyway, it's not too bad as far as bootlegs go. It's a 5-disc boxset containing episodes 1-26 of the 80s series. Picture and sound are good, box art is a little fuzzy. The subtitles are terrible. You can still make out what's happening, but the names are different and the grammar is pretty bad.

It does contain episodes 1 + 2 uncut. Cheaper than buying the Madman set just to watch them I suppose, if you don't mind Engrish subtitles.
If you want to watch the whole series uncut, the Manga boxset is good. They've reinserted a lot of small deleted scenes (mostly violence) and it's got dual audio and good subtitles.

For Japanese DVDs, CD Japan is a good site. Do a search for Tezuka and it'll show a huge collection of his work.
The official boxset 1 is here. US$182, no subtitles.

[Astro Forever]

I really wish I could actually see those bad subtitles! Looks like they're fun!

[DrFrag]

Madman subtitles:

Quiet, Jump!
May I help you?
Is Dr. Tenma present, son?
Yes, he is.
My name is...Skunk
...and?
Doctor, you are the world's most prestigious scientist of robot technology.
But, you had another failure today, right?
It was your fourth in trying to make a robot with a soul.
Rather embarrassing for a Minister of Science and Technology isn't it?
Shhh, be quiet
...and what do you want from me?
This is a circuit called Omega Factor.
If you insert this into your robot's electronic brain
it will become humanized.
Just like a real human as you have wished.
Ha, ha, ha...
I don't intend to use such a piece of junk!
I won't accept your offer, now take it with you and get out!
Are you sure doctor? You don't understand it's capabilities.
You don't know what you are missing.
Enough! Now quickly leave!
Kid, your father is...really stupid!
No, he is not...
Dad, you're not stupid, you're great, right?
No, Tobio. I'm a useless scientist.
I have this great technology
but why can't I create a human like robot...?
Dad, I've been thinking. Why don't you make a boy robot?
A boy robot?
A boy robot! Of course!
I should have thought of that before.

Bootleg subtitles:

John.
Be quiet.
Who are you.
Is Dr. Titan Ma here, little boy.
Yes, he is.
My name is Scot.
So.
Doctor.
You are the most famous robot authority in the world.
But, you failed either.
It's wrong.
To plan to invent the robot with humans' will.
Probably I'll lose my position of
beingthe Chief of the Science Institute.
Be quiet.
Why brings you here.
This circuit is called omega factor.
As long as installing this in the robot's brain.
It will have the will of humans.
As you wish.
To become a human.
I don't want to use the suck stuff.
Sorry to make your scheme is in vain.
Bring your stuff and leave.
Are you sure, doctor.
It's your loss if you don't use it.
You don't know yet the power of this stuff.
Enough.
Go away.
Little boy.
Your father is dumb.
My father is not dumb.
Papa is not dull, right.
You are great, right.
No, Philip.
I am a useless scholar.
I use up all kinds of technology.
But just can't manufacture a mankind robot.
Daddy.
I've got an idea.
You can make a robot resembling a child.
A robot resembles a child.
A robot resembles a child.
Right.
Why didn't I think of this.

[Astro Forever]

Oh wow, I didn't actually expected somebody to type a scene like that! hmy: Thanks a lot!

This must be funny for a few minutes, but really annoying after a while.

[DrFrag]

I didn't type it as such, I extracted them from the DVDs.

It does get annoying. There was one good scene though, where Livian breaks the statue and Walput Guiss says "You are so unforgiven!" Oh, and "the suck stuff" is kind of funny.