Anime box-sets for 2010: Part Seven

Ergo Proxy: Complete Collection

Ergo Proxy Cover
Label:
MVM
Certificate:
15
Format:
DVD
Discs:
6. (23 episodes)
Running time:
575 mins approx + extras
Subtitles:
English
Video:
16:9 Anamorphic
Sound:
Japanese 5.1, English 5.1, English DTS
Release date:
27th September 2010
RRP:
£39.99 - Amazon - Play - MVM

Brief synopsis:

The citizens of Romdo, one of the last enclaves of the human race, live an ideal life. Their city's immense protective dome seals them off from the deadly and desolate word outside whilst their robotic autoreiv servants nurture them and provide them with everything they could ever imagine. Indeed, Romdo seems to be a paradise, an ideal utopia where they need not bother to think nor feel nor will they want for anything. But this perfect world is threatened from within when a virus, dubbed “Cogito”, starts to spread throughout the android population of the city making them unpredictable, dangerous and at times deadly. Inspector Re-l Mayer, a feisty young detective from the Civilian Intelligence Office is tasked with investigating any murders committed by these infected robots. As Re-l delves deeper she finds that the virus spreading thorough the city's robots is just the tip of the iceberg and is shocked to discover that the idyllic society that she and every other inhabitant of Romdo are part of is based upon lies, conspiracy and a mysterious entity know as the "Proxy". When an immigrant by the name of Vincent Law escapes from the city after being framed for treason, Re-l joins him, and an infected autoreiv called Pino who escaped with him, on a dangerous journey which leads her to not only explore the forbidden world outside Romdo but also to question her purpose in the grand scheme. Together they attempt to discover the true nature of the Proxies and how exactly they relate to the continued survival of the human race.

Comments:

This series was originally released as a complete box set back in April 2009 – a full SFL review of which can be found here - and the only discernible difference between that release and this is that where the 2009 version came as an outer rigid box with six DVD thin packs within, this release contains the same six discs as before but in a double width plastic DVD case with hinged disc trays.

Extras:

As the 6 discs themselves are exactly the same as the previous box-set this means that al the extras are the same. While each of the six discs contains a pair of trailers, all of the other extras are compressed onto the first disc which contains: a "Keywords Of Ergo Proxy" featurette; Behind the scenes with the Japanese animation studio featurette; English Staff Interview (which I really recommend isn't watched until at least the end of the second disc as it gives a lot of early plot away); Clean Openings for episodes 1 and 2; Original Japanese TV Commercials; Production art galleries.

Ergo Proxy: Complete Collection will be available (again) from most high streets and online retailers from 27th September 2010.

 

FLCL – Complete Collection

FLC
Label:
MVM
Certificate:
12
Format:
DVD
Discs:
3. (6 episodes)
Running time:
180 mins approx
Subtitles:
English, Signage and on screen text.
Video:
4:3
Sound:
Japanese 2.0, English 2.0
Release date:
27th September 2010
RRP:
£39.99 - Amazon - Play - MVM

Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Naota’s life is peaceful, boring and most of all, dull. He goes to school and hangs with his friends before he heads home where he lives with his father and grandfather. To top it off, since his older brother moved overseas on a baseball scholarship, Naota’s been used as an unwilling substitute by his brother’s girlfriend. But things get even worse when a strange young woman on a scooter runs him over, clouts him in the head with a bass guitar, revives him with CPR and then runs away. Life gets even weirder when, not only does this same strange young woman then turn up at his house as his family’s new live-in maid, but then the head injury she inflicted on him starts spawning strange and disturbing robots which start rampaging throughout the city. Pretty soon Naota’s life becomes so crazy that a return to those peaceful, boring days would be a godsend.

A full SFL review of this box-set’s previous 2009 release can be found here.

Extras:

Plenty of extras to be found spread over the 3 discs. As, like many other box-sets, this is essentially a repackaging of the original individual DVD releases, all the original extras are still present. These include: A pair of trailers on each disc, The original Japanese closing titles, Japanese and Australian promos, Poster art galleries and Character sketches and profiles. My personal favourite extra to be found on these discs has to be the subtitled Japanese commentary track featuring FLCL series’ Director, Kazuya Tsurumaki, which gives many interesting insights into how this show was put together. Also to be found on the first disc is the music video for “Ride on shooting star” by Japanese alternative rock band, The Pillows, which was used as the series’ end credit music. Also, if you know where to find it, there’s an additional audio track on each disc with all the sound effects, background music etc left in place but all of the dialogue removed. Certainly makes for strange viewing I can tell you.

FLCL Collection will be available from most high streets and online retailers from 27th September 2010.

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