Original Astro Boy series comes to DVD

[CapnQuisp]

David Lambert at tvshowsondvd.com just broke the news that the first 52 episodes of the 1963 Astro Boy series will be released on dvd on March 28, 2006.
This is one classic cartoon I've been wanted to watch for a long time! I really enjoyed discovering for myself the joys of Gigantor and Kimba. Has anyone here watched the show? How does it compare to Gigantor and/or Kimba?

[PeppeRaskell1]

I can't really compare it, since I can't remember too much about it. (I was in first grade back in the 60's when this show came to the U.S.)

But I am looking forward to seeing the original series again...for the first time...:sweat:

[Lord Dalek]

The original Astro Boy series has suffered through some major archival problems on vhs (a side effect of NBC Enterprises torching their original negatives in the 60's) so it'll be interesting to see how it looks like on dvd.

[sdp]

Yea, i found out about a few days ago from a right stuff representative at the astroboy-online.com forums:

The Right Stuf International is proud to announce that on March 28th 2006, ASTRO BOY, the series that launched the anime phenomenon, will return to the US! For the first time ever, the original 1963 Astro Boy series will be released on DVD in a stunning new collection that includes the first 52 episodes on 11 DVDs, fully restored, plus never-before-seen footage, previously unreleased episodes, and exciting new extras!

ASTRO BOY (1963) ULTRA COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET 1 (http://www.rightstuf.com/mailing-preorder/rsdvd2013)
Pre-book date: 2/28/2006 - Street date: 3/28/2006
Approximately 1200 minutes, Mono, Black and White.
Genre: Adventure / Retro TV
DVD (English)
Catalog#: RSDVD2013
Suggested Rating: ALL
ISBN: 1-57032-811-0
UPC#: 7-42617-2013-2-5
SRP: $129.99

The Astro Boy Ultra Collector's Edition Set 1 will include: the first 52 episodes of the original, 1963 black-and-white Astro Boy series, fully restored; part 1 of an interview with Astro Boy's English producer, Fred Ladd; the original Japanese Astro Boy episode 1, in Japanese with English subtitles; an original character art gallery; a merchandise gallery; a collector's booklet featuring "The History of Astro Boy", an Osamu Tezuka biography, an episode guide, and more!

ABOUT ASTRO BOY
The very first anime ever produced, Osamu Tezuka's (KIMBA, THE WHITE LION (http://www.rightstuf.com/mailing-preorder/rsdvd2012) / HI NO TORI / METROPOLIS) original 1963 - 1964 ASTRO BOY delighted children around the world with its touching stories and compelling characters. In the U.S., many will remember this popular children's series which aired on TV during the 1960s. Now, this groundbreaking series returns for the first time ever in a stunning new collector's edition that includes the first 52 episodes of the original black and white series as seen in the US, restored to pristine detail, and featuring never-before-seen footage and brand new exciting extras.

The original boy-robot with 100,000 horsepower strength and courage! In the year 2000, Dr. Boyton creates a super-robot in his deceased son's image. He calls the robot Astro Boy. Astro Boy can swim oceans, leap over mountains, even fly into space on his own power. However, Astro Boy can't replace his son; Dr. Boyton becomes dissatisfied with the boy robot and disowns him. Astro Boy is befriended by Dr. Packadermus J. Elefun of the Institute of Science, who guides him through his adventures. Endowed with super strength, rocket-powered flight, a selfless heart and a kind demeanor, Astro Boy fights a never-ending crusade against the forces of evil!

Contains DVD Set 1 (episodes 1-52), PLUS a special collector's booklet, and an entire DVD full of extra bonus material, including part 1 of an interview with series producer Fred Ladd!

This ultimate Astro Boy collection is perfect for both retro enthusiasts and adults who were delighted by the series' touching stories and compelling characters during its 1960s TV broadcast!

Set 2... coming this summer!

It is also to note that Set 2 will include at least two japanese episodes subbed (one of them the last episode).

I am divided, i am really excited about it but i can't see myself spending that much money (even though it was noted to me it'd be more around 80$ in stores) for an incomplete set, no jpanese track and not uncut..

As for the quality, he has also mentioned that thanks to fans they were able to get all the episodes, some don't have top notch audio but none of them are going to have bad audio.

[Nin-Nin69]

Great news. Now if Sony was nice enough to release the 2003 Astro Boy un-cut... :shrug:

[FidoMcCokefiend]

Ok, i don't get it. this is 52 episodes for 130 bucks english dialog only. the 80's version was 52 episodes english and japanese dialog for about 35 bucks. Why is the new set so much more?

[Umino]

The reason there's no Japanese track is because it can't match up with the so called "hacked dub". So Rightstuf is just gonna release the original dub instead of making a new one, or just releasing a sub set.

[Lord Dalek]

The reason there's no Japanese track is because it can't match up with the so called "hacked dub". So Rightstuf is just gonna release the original dub instead of making a new one, or just releasing a sub set.Same reason why you can't find bilingual sets of Gigantor and Speed Racer.

[Umino]

Same reason why you can't find bilingual sets of Gigantor and Speed Racer.

Bing-bong, we have a winner. ;)

[veemonjosh]

It is also to note that Set 2 will include at least two japanese episodes subbed (one of them the last episode).


And the other one is a recently uncovered copy of the "Lost "episode! :D

I'd get it for my mom on her birthday, but I'd rather get the Kimba set for her at that price.

[New Noise]

That's phenominal news. I love Astro Boy!

[Duke]

The reason there's no Japanese track is because it can't match up with the so called "hacked dub". So Rightstuf is just gonna release the original dub instead of making a new one, or just releasing a sub set.
I thought most of the episodes were also in really bad condition too?

[ChibiGoku]

I thought most of the episodes were also in really bad condition too?

Basically, RightStuf (and manga did this also) used the japanese masters in order to restore the video with the "edited dub". My only issue is the lack of Two versions. Japanse only discs, or English Edited only discs. *sigh*

[KasumiTen]

I think these (Kimba, Astro Boy) are more a labor of love on the part of RightStuf. Someone there most likely has a nostolgic connection with these older titles. I can't imagine a lot of folks (save for other people with nostolgic connections like my father or collectors of older titles) going out of their way to pick these up at the price and because of the lack of the Japanese track (which seems to be very important to the majority of collectors, for legitimate reasons). It's a shame too because these are some super family friendly titles that a new generation can enjoy.

[Dark Fact]

TVShowsonDVD.com has some artwork up:

http://www.mcnally95.com/graphics/news2/AstroBoy'63_UltraSet1_early.jpg
Pretty good looking box with a nice shot of Uran and Astro in B & W to indicate that it is a classic show. I don't like the font though. It makes the set look like it is a horror movie instead of a kids show. They could use a nice gold metallic font instead. However, this isn't the final image for the box so it could still get a makeover. Compare this to the Australian release:

http://www.madman.com.au/images/slicks/bigones/mmb290wp.jpg
Hmmm...kinda similar to the 80's box instead it is in B & W. The font is still the same however...:sad:

[Umino]

I thought most of the episodes were also in really bad condition too?

They shouldn't be, the original Astro Boy series does have an Japanese DVD release after all. (most likely remastered too)

[Lord Dalek]

Basically, RightStuf (and manga did this also) used the japanese masters in order to restore the video with the "edited dub". My only issue is the lack of Two versions. Japanse only discs, or English Edited only discs. *sigh*Well you do have to consider who Right Stuff is marketing this torwards, baby boomers, not retrotakus.

[Golgo13]

David Lambert at tvshowsondvd.com just broke the news that the first 52 episodes of the 1963 Astro Boy series will be released on dvd on March 28, 2006.
This is one classic cartoon I've been wanted to watch for a long time! I really enjoyed discovering for myself the joys of Gigantor and Kimba. Has anyone here watched the show? How does it compare to Gigantor and/or Kimba?

The show is animated in the same vain as Gigantor: Limited, but still exaggerated.

I've only seen two episodes, but they were pretty entertaining. The first episode (yes, the NBC version featured the origin story) tells the story of how a mad doctor created Astro in his son's image. The second episode was about a troublesome alien who comes to Earth to build machines of destruction.

[veemonjosh]

I don't like the font though. It makes the set look like it is a horror movie instead of a kids show.

Umm... you DO realize that was the font of the original logo... right?

[Daizaburo Estes]

Umm... you DO realize that was the font of the original logo... right?

Original doesn't always equal quality. :/

[veemonjosh]

Original doesn't always equal quality. :/

So you'd rather have angry fans gather?

[Dark Fact]

You mean to tell me that is the same logo that was shown on broadcast television in the 60's? :confused:

[Lord Dalek]

You mean to tell me that is the same logo that was shown on broadcast television in the 60's? :confused:Yeah, back in 1963 such "lightning letter" effects were still in vogue.

[Dark Fact]

That makes more sense...but in my personal opinion, it just makes the show look a little too freakish.

[sdp]

the electric/thunder astro boy logo was a good logo, i mean it is 'futuristic', at least in the 60's ;D

I wonder if it is going to be massively distributed or not, i don't think the Kimba set (also by them) was..