Arrow Video presents GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

[Heiseigodzilla425]

August posted about this on his Facebook. I highlighted a section with perhaps better/accurate punctuation relating to the "English audio", as well as the fact that the Gammera print is from an archival source. Everything else is pretty much stuff we already know at this point.

[Benjamin Haines]

[lhb412]

Hmmmm... so I suppose we're looking at oversized book package in the vein of the Godzilla set! One book will hold the discs, one is the comics, the third is essays and such and all will be housed in a slipcase.

[canofhumdingers]

Now THIS is how you do a box set! Toho, you miserable cowards, take some $#@*% notes!

Unlike the criterion set that I waited to buy at half price, I will happily and eagerly pay full price for this puppy on day one!

[lhb412]

I hate to be negative (and it's really the disc content that matters), but I do think the composition in that cover art is pretty weak and the logo a bit generic. Maybe it'll grow on me? I like that little image of old Gamera from The Brave, though (one of my favorite designs). Can't wait to see the full image of that.

It is interesting that aesthetically Criterion and Arrow both went with a comic book look for these sets, but white Criterion went for a vintage feel Arrow's has a '90s Marvel Comics slant.

[Dr Kain]

I really hate how everyone is back on the hating the Criterion set band wagon just because it's hip.

Two different companies, two different viewpoints, two different situations.

[Jinzo Ningen]

[Dr Kain]

[lhb412]

Making it a competition is pointless and boring. Criterion did the best they could jumping through Toho's hoops and I doubt anyone could do better under the circumstances. Under the looser grip of Kadokawa of course a deluxe boutique outfit like Arrow could go above and beyond.

Dissapointing? Sure. In any way remarkable or unexpected? Nope.

[H-Man]

[lhb412]

^ Just seems like pointless pedantry to me. Anyone who has to jump through Toho's pointless, wearying hoops and deal with obsessive, mean Godzilla fans has my deep sympathies. I don't see why it's healthy to tear down their work to just to praise Arrow. Not really aiming this at anyone on this board, but rather the wider stuff I've seen on social media.

Can't we just be positive when we get such positive news?

[Gwangi]

[lhb412]

^ Oh, you can rag on Toho all you want. It's Criterion that I think is undeserving of condemnation. You can rip Toho a new ******* for all I care!

[tbeasley]

[lhb412]

^ AAAAAAHHH! Old Gamera looks awesone!

[Benjamin Haines]

[canofhumdingers]

Good grief, nobodies making it a competition. I merely pointed out that Toho (not criterion) should take a hard look at this release because they should’ve let criterion do this kind of amazing set for the King of the Monsters (which criterion obviously wanted to do but wasn’t allowed for reason that are beyond stupid). And how can you not expect people to compare the two sets? Gamera is the knockoff Godzilla and he’s getting the amazing, respectful, comprehensive release that everyone wanted for Godzilla too.

Anyway, I’m off my soapbox.

Can’t wait to get a truly satisfying box set of kaiju movies!

[lhb412]

[Rody]

I definitely like the Old Gamera art more than the 90s cover; Old Gamera has more depth to the picture, with a simpler layout.
...But really, who am I to complain? This news continues to grow exciting!


As for the comparisons with Criterion's set, I think it might prove valuable if somehow Toho themselves took notice of the results. Hopefully, Arrow and Kadokawa are preparing to deliver a dream product which fans will eat up; if it sells well enough, maybe it will provide more material to pressure Toho into handling their own franchise better. Maybe.

*EDIT* ...Well, look at that: Gamera is the . That's not a bad start!

[XvGojira]

[lhb412]

For any of you who are wondering about what this being a 'limited-edition' entails: Arrow tends to re-issue their popular box sets later but without a lot of the physical extras the original comes with. For instance, they just put their Female Prisoner Scorpion set out again and it lacks the book the original run came with. If you miss out on the limited edition you may be looking at getting another set down the road that lacks... one of the books? Both of the books and just has the discs?

[XvGojira]

[H-Man]

I’m hoping the future tokusatsu is Daiei’s Yōkai series.

[lhb412]

^ A Yokai set would be excellent. Mill Creek's Daimajin release was pretty darn great, but I'd upgrade if there were substantial special features or whatnot.

But really, there are so many things that I would love released: most of the Toho genre movies from the 50s and 60s aren't available in HD, The Magic Serpent, Daigoro vs. Goliath, there's been no indication that Mill Creek has the Ultra Q movie, Keita Amemiya's filmography, etc. etc. etc.

[canofhumdingers]