'Freedom: 4' -- pre-release buzz

[PeterB]

Bandai Visual has announced their latest in the 'Freedom' anime series:

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/freedomvol4.html

Specs are consistent with the previous releases: 1080p/VC-1 video, Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM 2.0 stereo tracks, and extras including a trailer and web-enabled previews for other 'Freedom' titles.

Street date is February 26, and retail price $39.99.

[Blurry]

Excellent, though I still have only watched the first, but it was interesting. I am looking forward to checking this one out. I wonder if they will have even more interesting web functionality, Bandai always pushes the limits.

[Geonosis]

They also announced the Volume 5 due April 22nd.

[kannisto]

This Vol. 4 and Vol. 5 are already available for pre-order.

Vol. 4 (26-Feb)
http://www.dot-anime.us/mall/shop/dv....quickReturned

Vol. 5 (22-Apr)
http://www.dot-anime.us/mall/shop/dv....quickReturned

[Digital Man5]

Sweet, $30+ for another 25 minute episode! Man, these guys are geniuses!

[kannisto]

Originally Posted by Digital Man5

Sweet, $30+ for another 25 minute episode! Man, these guys are geniuses!

It hurts less when the releases come out one by one with 2 month intervals

[Digital Man5]

Originally Posted by kannisto

It hurts less when the releases come out one by one with 2 month intervals

No it doesn't. 30+ US dollars is 30+ US dollars, no matter the time frame. The pricing on this "special edition" anime series is beyond ridiculous. The only thing that makes sense at this point is to pay a maximum of $5 for each disc, or around $30 to $40 for all 6.

I mean, seriously, if someone offered me the choice of paying $30+ for each 25 minute episode of Freedom or getting a quality kick to the crotch for free, I'd take the kick.

I do enjoy the series, but I don't enjoy rape.

[HKMOVIESAREBEST]

I won the first 2 sealed on Ebay for $28.00. Is part 3 still available?

[ben1080p]

Ive never seen any of the films. Are they any good?

[tranzparentl]

I picked up Vol. 1 and 2 on ebay but then sold them on this site for $15. About the same I paid for them.

You can definately get these releases cheaper than MSRP if you wait a month or 2.

[kannisto]

Bandai Visual sells DVD only version of these discs in Japan as well, part 6 DVD is just about to come out.

Quess what the MRSP on those SD DVD only releases is?
For each DVD: 3,990.00 JPY = 37.3890 USD.

For HD DVD + DVD Twin the MRSP in Japan is 5,040.00 JPY = 47.2994 USD.
There's no discount in Bandai's online shop that's the only source for these HD DVD versions in Japan, so it makes the U.S. prices seem cheap

The DVD only versions can be bought in many shops unlike the HD DVD + DVD Twin releases though, so e.g. Amazon Japan sells them with 26 % discount.

I think it's unlikely that Bandai Visual would ever release a cheaply priced box containing all HD DVD episodes. Their prices are usually pretty high on all of their releases and they've used almost Japanese pricing for these in the U.S. as well. Of course the short duration of each episode makes the price stand out more than with normal Anime releases.

I guess the best way of getting them cheaper is through 2nd hand sales and trades. I hear they were also handing out copies of vol. 2 in CES this year, so some of those may be available cheaply in the 2nd hand market.

P.S. Yen seems to be at its strongest level against USD now going back several years. I don't remember when it would have been as strong as this while I've been in Japan (the last ~12 years): 1 USD = 106.555 JPY according to XE currency converter.

[Digital Man5]

Originally Posted by ben1080p

Ive never seen any of the films. Are they any good?

So far, the first two episodes are pretty good. It still has some of the tired, old anime cliches going on but if you can get past that it's pretty interesting.

More than anything else though, it should be sought out for its use of HDi. So far, I've yet to see any other HD DVD make such use out of the technology, it's simply incredible.

I'd guess that at some point down the road we'll see a boxed set of all 6, and maybe it'll be less than a $1,000. Hey, nothing wrong with hoping, right?

[Digital Man5]

Originally Posted by kannisto

Bandai Visual sells DVD only version of these discs in Japan as well, part 6 DVD is just about to come out.

Quess what the MRSP on those SD DVD only releases is?
For each DVD: 3,990.00 JPY = 37.3890 USD.

For HD DVD + DVD Twin the MRSP in Japan is 5,040.00 JPY = 47.2994 USD.
There's no discount in Bandai's online shop that's the only source for these HD DVD versions in Japan, so it makes the U.S. prices seem cheap

Well, I don't want you to feel I'm arguing with your point on the price for it here vs Japan, my main issue is rather content vs price.

I think the first episode was 24 minutes, it retails for around $30, sometimes more. That's more than a $1 a minute, and though it is a quality piece of work, it's not THAT good.

Granted, the HDi features give it a solid amount of replay value, but the real killer is that fact that something like Beowulf, or hell Troy: DC is less than $30 and they're both 2 hours+.

Like I said, a boxed set of all 6 around $40 or maybe even $50 if they threw in some extras like a booklet or something, would be acceptable. As it stands, $60 for two episodes, $90 for three, etc. is just right out imo. Kills me too, because I really enjoy it, and would love to use it as THE demo that shows off what HDi can really do.

[sinime]

I've been following the series and look forward to getting vol 4-6!

WTF is up with Amazon though? They have Volume 1 listed for sale, new from Amazon, but Volume 2 is only available through "other" sellers and Vol. 3 is not even listed! 4 and 5 are not listed either.

[blu-way]

Volume 4?!! Volume 5?!!

don't you mean episode 4 & 5?... I don't know why, but Fox 40$ prices doesn't sound too high anymore xD