Escaflowne Ultimate Edition Details
July 30, 2016 · 1 comment
Since we first announced we would be bringing the classic series The Vision of Escaflowne to Blu-ray for the first-time in the UK it’s been a very long wait because of some very interesting details that emerged. These are details we’ve referenced in past blogs posts and podcasts of ours including the fact there are Director’s Cut versions of episodes and a new English language dub being produced by Funimation, all of these factors have meant it’s been longer than we had hoped to share details of what to expect in our Ultimate Edition release of this. But the time for waiting is done!
Announced earlier today (Saturday 30th July) during our AllTheAnime panel at MCM Manchester Comic Con we revealed what to expect in our Escaflowne Ultimate Edition Blu-ray set coming later this year, tentatively schedule for December 2016, but it could be earlier than that.
But for those who might not be aware as to what Escaflowne is, here’s a quick summary for you.
ABOUT THE VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE
Synopsis (TV Series): Hitomi Kanzaki is a typical high school girl, with typical problems, but when a vision of a young man battling a dragon becomes a reality, her life changes forever. Drawn into a strange vortex with the swordsman, Van, Hitomi is thrust into the strange world of Gaea.
Van must learn to master the suit of armor, Escaflowne, before he and Hitomi are crushed by the ambitions of the Empire of Zaibach. Van and Hitomi will encounter both allies and enemies in an effort to unlock the secrets within Escaflowne, and Hitomi’s heart, stirred by love and adventure, will, at times ache with sorrow. But why was she sent to this world? Find out in a classic tale of fantasy and adventure!
In addition to the TV series, of which the broadcast version has been previously released in the UK on DVD but is currently out-of-print, there was a also a movie, Escaflowne: The Movie, that acted as an alternate retelling of the story.
The movie has never been released in the UK before and as we’ve mentioned previously, we’re bringing this to the UK as well!
Synopsis (Escaflowne: The Movie): Hitomi Kanzaki is in a very depressed mood. She only wants to sleep and fade away. Her misery summons Lord Folken who sends her to Gaea. The people of Gaea think she is the Wing Goddess, who can call upon the legendary Dragon Armor called Escaflowne. On Gaea, King Van, the sole survior of the White Dragon Clan, is also in a depressed state. Swearing an oath to get his revenge on the Black Dragon Clan that oblierated Van’s kingdom, he lives by the sword. Now that the Wing Goddess has finally appeared, she posseses Gaea’s world fate in her heart. Escaflowne will either lead Gaea to peace or total ruin.
So with the above in mind, here’s what you can expect in our Ultimate Edition set:
– For the first time on Blu-ray in the UK, the complete TV series (26 episodes), Broadcast Version of The Vision of Escaflowne. Presented with the original Japanese language audio with English subtitles as well as the original Bandai English dub and the 2016 Funimation produced English dub.
— On Disc extras for TV series: Title-free Opening, Title-free Endings, Music Videos, Video Game Cutscenes, Club Escaflowne interviews with: Cast: Maaya Sakamoto, Ikue Ohtani, Joji Nakata, Cast: Shinichiro Miki, Mayumi Iizuka, Minami Takayama, Staff: Hirotoshi Sano, Hiroshi Ousaka, Kimitoshi Yamane, Staff: Shoji Kawamori, Kazuki Akane
– For the first-time ever in the UK, Escaflowne: The Movie. Presented with the Original Japanese language audio with English subtitles as well as the original Bandai English dub and the new 2016 Funimation produced English dub.
— On Disc extras for Movie: “Escaflowne: The Movie” Special Program & Roundtable Discussion, Japanese Theatrical Trailer, Japanese TV Spot, English Teaser, English Theatrical Trailer, Anime Expo 2000 Premiere Interviews and Concert, Anime Expo 2000 Premiere Footage & Panel
– For the first-time ever in the UK, director’s cut version of episodes (6 total) from the TV series The Vision of Escaflowne. Presented with the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and the new 2016 Funimation produced English language dub. As a note, the Director’s cut versions are of episodes 1-4, 6 & 7 only.
– For the first-time ever in the UK, Escaflowne original soundtrack audio CDs 1, 2, & 3. Yes you read that correctly, we are including not one but three soundtrack CDs in our release!
– And as if all of the above was enough there’s also 144-page art book exclusive to this Ultimate Edition set too.
A must have for any fan of the Escaflowne franchise! Limited to 1000 units only!
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EARLY-BIRD PRE-ORDER SPECIAL OFFER AT AllTheAnime.com
From now (1pm on Saturday 30th July) until Tuesday 5th September we’re having a special offer where you can pre-order our Escaflowne Ultimate Edition set for £90.00
(The SRP of this £149.99)
You can pre-order this now at our web shop HERE.
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UPDATED INFORMATION RELATING TO LANGUAGE OPTIONS F.A.Q.
Since we published this information over the weekend we’ve had questions come in about the language options for the TV series specifically. These questions relate to the fact that the new Funimation dub only applies to the Director’s Cut version. We’ve correlated the most frequently asked questions and you can read about this below:
Question: What’s the difference between the two English dubs?
– The original Bandai English language dub was the English audio that was included in now out-of-print original UK DVD release of the series by Beez Entertainment. So whenever we refer to the Bandai dub, that is what we’re referring to.
The new Funimation produced English dub was successfully funded by a Kickstarter campaign, run by Funimation, in the U.S.A. earlier this year.
Question: What’s the difference between the Director’s Cut Version and the Broadcast version?
– The Director’s Cut version of the series has never been released in English before. Because of this there was never an English language dub produced for this version of the show. This is primarily where the differences come into play as there are differences in the two versions. It’s not as simple as re-syncing the original English audio to match the picture. There is content that was never present in the original broadcast version.
Question: How do the differences between the two versions of the series IMPACT your release?
– In all honesty, the main difference only applies if you’re wanting to watch the TV series with English audio.
If you’re planning to watch the series with the original Bandai English dub, this audio option will be available on the Broadcast versions of the episodes. So the entire series as you remember it from before. This version of the dub does not apply to any episode where there is a Director’s Cut version.
If you’re wanting to play the series with the new Funimation produced English language dub, this option will only be present in the Director’s Cut version of the series.
QUESTION: HOW IS ESCAFLOWNE: THE MOVIE IMPACTED BY THIS NEW DIRECTOR’S CUT VERSION OF THE SERIES?
– Simple answer: it’s not. The film is exactly the same as it always has been. This has never been released in the UK before, and will come with the original Japanese audio with subtitles, the original Bandai English dub and the new Funimation produced English dub.
We hope you’re as excited about this as we are!
Signing out~!
Jeremy
UPDATE – 16:00 ON MONDAY 1ST AUGUST
– Language options F.A.Q added.
ydy
August 15, 2016 1:15 am
This version isn't coming out in North America, is it? Your version looks like it has more stuff than Funimation's new release.