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Akira Gets Blu-Ray Disc in Japan, U.S. in February (Update 2)
posted on by Egan Loo
AV Watch reports that Katsuhiro Ōtomo's acclaimed Akira science-fiction anime film will arrive on Blu-ray Disc in Japan on February 20 and in United States on February 24. The Japanese release will cost 8,190 yen (about US$77.90), while the American version will cost US$49.98 (without sales tax). Bandai Visual had planned on releasing this film on Blu-ray in July 2007 with Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise, Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie, and other works, but it has been delayed since then.
The finalized disc will have 124 minutes on one side in two layers. The video will be in MPEG-4 AVC format with 16:9 aspect ratio and 1080p resolution. The Japanese soundtrack will be in both Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel sound (24 bit/192 kHz) and linear PCM Dolby Surround. The English soundtrack will be in 5.1-channel sound. Both Japanese and English subtitles will be included, as well a special booklet, the teaser and standard trailers, and a video storyboard collection.
Image © 1987 Akira Committee.
Update: The animeanime.jp trade news site notes that the disc was originally scheduled in Japan for July 22 of this year, but a delay was announced on June 22 in order to improve product quality. It was originally solicited as a Blu-ray Disc/DVD bundle at 10,290 yen (US$97.87) in Japan, but it will now contain just the Blu-ray Disc at the lower prices in both countries. The video extras will include television commercials along with the two teaser trailers and two regular trailers.
Update 2: Bandai Entertainment confirmed at its New York Anime Festival 2008 panel on Friday that it is handling the North American release on Blu-ray Disc.
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