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Anime Limited Releases Gundam Seed Blu-ray Ultimate Edition on December 7

Anime Limited has announced that it will release an Ultimate Edition Blu-ray of Mobile Suit Gundam Seed on December 7, with pre-orders opening on August 28.

According to Anime Limited, "When pre-orders launch there will be a two-week long special offer period where you can order this Ultimate Edition for £119.99, compared to an SRP of £199.99.

"Subsequent to this release, we'll also be releasing the HD Remaster version of the series separately, but that won't be until 2021."

Anime Limited adds that the release will use the same masters as those used in North America, and the Ultimate Edition will be a one-time print run.

The set will include 13 Blu-ray discs in total, containing the following:

- The 48-part Gundam Seed HD Remaster series in English (with the new dub) and Japanese; 1080p, HD Native

- The 50-part original Gundam Seed on standard definition Blu-ray in English (with the original dub) and Japanese with English subtitles; 4:3, 480i. This version will be exclusive to the Ultimate Edition. It include two recap episodes, 14 and 26, which were both omitted in the remastered version above.

- The set will also include the three Gundam Seed Special Edition compilation films (Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Special Edition) on standard definition Blu-ray, in English (original dub) and Japanese; 4:3, 480i. These three films are exclusive to the Ultimate Edition.

- There will also be over 2 hours of on-disc special features including Mecha Animation Director HD Comparisons; six “In This Era” Video Featurettes; Director's Concept Music Videos; Character Theatre Shorts; and Gundam Seed Epilogue – After Phase: In the Valley of Stars.

Anime Limited adds, "We're waiting for complete sign off at time of writing, (but) we're looking to include a large art book as well as a series of art cards showcasing some of the art created for the series... There will be a box (to) store all the contents."

The company summarises the series:

"Year 70 of the Cosmic Era. The Coordinators, a group of genetically enhanced humans, have moved into colonies orbiting the Earth. But that hasn't quieted the tensions between them and regular humans; the conflict soon escalates into a full-scale war. On the neutral colony of Heliopolis, Kira Yamato, and his friends are going to school and just being kids. But when the ZAFT commando forces attack, Kira's life changes forever.

"Left with no choice, he and Federation officer Murrue Ramius are thrown into battle in a prototype mobile weapon, which Kira christens “GUNDAM.” Now, Kira must defend himself and his friends from his own people. For, unknown to anyone else, Kira is a Coordinator. And the enemy he faces on the battlefield is his childhood best friend, Athrun!"

In the U.S., Gundam Seed was the last Gundam series to be aired on Cartoon Network, due to faltering ratings. It was also the last Gundam toy line available in the U.S. market, as most retailers stopped carrying the line after an oversaturation of Mobile Fighter G Gundam toys.

In December 2011, Sunrise remastered Gundam Seed in high definition and added new footage to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the series.

Regarding the sequel series Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, Anime Limited said that it hoped it could release it in the future, but did not confirm a release. "It's a project with many similar circumstances to Seed. But suffice to say if/when it is something we can confirm will receive a release, we'll be sure to make it known."