GKids releasing NGE Blu-Ray in North America 2021

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Well, in the spirit of trouble Eva movie productions, EoE was apparently falling behind schedule so much that the film had to be released in two parts anyway; Death & Rebirth first, and then the more complete The End of Evangelion film later. Khara releasing all of the existing versions of those films makes more sense for a completionism Japanese fan who feel nostalgic over that period of the series' life in the late 90's. Americans didn't get those films until 2001, so our nostalgia is more "Man, the sound effects in this English dub are kinda weird, huh?"

That being said, if it's true that GKids isn't releasing all existing versions of these movies, I do wonder what that means for the rest of the discs/special features as well. If both Death & Rebirth aren't included in the Ultimate Edition boxset, then it probably won't be a 10-disc Blu-ray release. (I really want those translated printed materials from the Japanese boxset, though... )

[cyharding]

On the other hand, do you think they'll include everything? I mean, they mention Death, but not Rebirth... I know it's nitpicking but I kinda like Rebirth

Let's look at the Japanese Bluray releases to help determine that answer courtesy of CDJapan. First on the list is the edition released in 2015 consisting of 10 discs.

Booklet (approx. 170 pages) and EVA Tomo no Kai (14 issues in total) included.
● DISC 1 to DISC 5: "Neon Genesis Evangelion" HD Remaster NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TV series 26 episodes + 4 episodes in video format (Episode 4) Episodes 21-24) (with barrier-free subtitles)
● DISC 6: “Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Version Shito Shinsei” HD Master EVANGELION: DEATH AND REBIRTH “EVANGELION: DEATH” (first software) + “EVANGELION: REBIRTH”
● DISC 7: "Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Version Air / Magokoro to You" HD Master THE END OF EVANGELION
● DISC 8: "Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Version DEATH (TRUE) 2 / Air / Magokoro to You" HD Master REVIVAL OF EVANGELION
● DISC 9 (Video Benefits): Episode 25 "Air" (Video Format Version), Episode 26 "Magokoro to Kimi ni" (Video Format Version), Non-Telop OP, Non-Telop ED, Image Board Collection, Neon Genesis Evangelion Genesis 0: 0 IN THE BEGINNING Special Prequel, Neon Genesis Evangelion Genesis 0: 0' REBIRTH "/ Episode 25" Air "(partial))

* All 26 episodes of the" Neon Genesis Evangelion "TV series + 4 episodes of the video format version are telecine and readjusted from the original 16 mm film HD remastered video (opening)・ The ending video uses the original 35mm film. Since the original film does not exist in the sixth episode, it will be up-converted from the SD master.) * "Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Version Shito Shinsei" is a print film at the time of theatrical release. There is a place where noise etc. due to the original master is generated due to telecine from. * "Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Version Air / Magokoro wo Kimi ni" can also be played as a "preview screening version" (a version with a special report on the movie "Love & Pop" after the main story) * This product "Neon Genesis Evangelion" "Neon Genesis Evangelion TV Broadcast Version DVD BOX" (KIBA-92191-8), which will be released on the same day as "Blu-ray BOX" (KIXA-90501-10), will be a separate product with different recording contents.

Video benefits: ● [DISC 1 to DISC 5] Next notice 30 seconds (Episode 1 to 2) ● [DISC 6] Special news, trailer, TV spot ● [DISC 7] Trailer, TV spot Audio privilege: ● [DISC 7] 5.1ch surround version original soundtrack (22 songs selected / Hideaki Anno), Musude Hirai & Voice No appearance audition voice (Rei Ayanami / Megumi Hayashibara, Soryu Asuka Langley / Yuko Miyamura, Misato Katsuragi / Kotono Mitsuishi, Ritsuko Akagi / Yuriko Yamaguchi, Gendou Ikari / Fumihiko Tachiki) (First software version)

The second is the edition released in 2019 also with 10 discs.

■ "Neon Genesis Evangelion" HD Master NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (TV series all 26 episodes + video format version 4 episodes (Episode 4) Includes episodes 21 to 24))
■ "Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Version Shito Shinsei" HD Master EVANGELION: DEATH AND REBIRTH (Includes "EVANGELION: DEATH" + "EVANGELION: REBIRTH")
■ "Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Version Air" / Magokoro to Kimi ni ”HD Master THE END OF EVANGELION (You can also select to play the preview version (with special news of“ Love & Pop ”after the main story))
■“ Neon Genesis Evangelion Movie Version DEATH (TRUE) 2 / Air / Magokoro to Kimi ni ”HD Master REVIVAL OF EVANGELION * The booklet and existing booklet included in the product released in 2015 are not included. * Some barrier-free subtitles are included.

Video benefits (planned): All existing software video benefits will be recorded, promotional video collection edited by TV series deputy director Masayuki, audio benefits: 5.1ch surround version BGM (22 songs), reprint audit sound source (Ray, Asuka) , Misato, Ritsuko, Gendou) etc.

If I were a betting man, I would have to say we would be getting the 2019 edition. I'm saying that because it gives us everything the average fan wants without being bogged down with the minutiae, which would take more time than the "early 2021" release (I'm defining early as sometime between March and June) to translate. I have to admit, however, that some of the bells and whistles of the 2015 set, such as the 170 page booklet, would be nice to have. Maybe we'll have something in between.

[Zusuchan]

Sorry for any potential confusion; I meant that Rebirth isn't going to be part of the ''normal'' experience. If there's going to some sort of Ultimate Edition, it may very well be there.

But in terms of simple Blu-Rays we're only getting the TV series, EoE and Death.

[Sailor Star Dust]

Hmm, I like to assume the Ultimate Edition will (partially??) include the Archives of Evangelion DVD boxset contents, but I suppose time will tell.

I definitely hope to save up for the Ultimate Edition either way, but my wallet might be able to only handle the regular bluray release, all the same I'm very excited we're getting this release just like Europe is, though!

[Gendo'sPapa]

Saw a tweet that Funimation was giving Shin Godzilla a new Blu-ray release February 2, 2021 and got excited for a hot second there thinking the new release would include some of the Japanese special features or better yet the full subtitles on the film but no. It looks like it's just a plain re-release with a new case. Bummer.

Anywho, that got me thinking so I checked the Funimation website and at the moment, mere months before the release of Thrice Upon A Time, the only Evangelion disc selling on their website is 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.

It could be nothing and Funimation could very well announce re-releases of the first two films in the very near future but I'm getting the vibe the home video licenses for the first two are out of their hands now.

I would not be surprised to hear in the near future that A) GKids has licensed all Four Rebuild of Evangelion Films and B) GKids will, after vaccines have been distributed and the situation improved of course, will handle theatrical distribution of Thrice Upon A Time.

Again, it might be nothing and I could be wrong but GKids doesn't play around when it comes to licensing and distribution. If they were willing to pay the very high fees for the US distribution rights to NGE I think it's safe to believe they would have their hopes on the Rebuilds as well.

[robersora]

^
plot twist: Anno just wanted to wait for Funimation's NTE rights to expire.

I always wondered, if it was *just* a money issue. Considering how many problems Khara had with ADV and Funimation over the years, it makes sense to me that they might want to move away from these kinds of companies. It's also an issue of positioning oneself in the market place. Looking at the marketing trajectory Eva has taken, away from the Hyper-Otaku market, towards catering more to stylish young urbanites (just look at what kinds of clothes they've been dropping), I'm sure they rather wanna be found side by side with a roster of Ghibli movies than associating themselves with stuff like "My sister told me I'm a pedophile, so I isekai'd into a world in which I can fuck 8 year olds *and* am the strongest and best around without putting any work or effort in"

Which, considering Eva's tight interlink with Otaku-culture might be a tad bit pretentious and arrogant, but admirable nonetheless.

[Gendo'sPapa]

I'm sure they rather wanna be found side by side with a roster of Ghibli movies than associating themselves with stuff like "My sister told me I'm a pedophile, so I isekai'd into a world in which I can fuck 8 year olds *and* am the strongest and best around without putting any work or effort in"

I would love to laugh at how ridiculous a concept that is.... but while I enjoy anime I really don't keep up with what is getting made season to season and I would not be surprised to find out that is very much a real show with a huge following.

[Stan]

I welcome the change. It seems everyone is distancing themselves from Funimation these days, and who can blame them, I wouldn't want my products to be associated with a company that uses my shows to make 'fake-but-real dubs' of pedophilia rape skits (I'm referencing the DBZ leaked recordings).

Regardless, having NGE redubbed by Netflix and the BD in GKID's hands, it's nice to have Eva be associated with Netflix and Ghibli shows. We'll see how it turns out for business, but it's a welcome change and I respect Anno if he indeed made the choice to pass on the license to others.

[robersora]

^
to be fair, most of anime would feel right at home with pedophilia stuff, lol. Which is the case since most Anime is for teenagers, most of the time, but still.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

I'm sure they rather wanna be found side by side with a roster of Ghibli movies than associating themselves with stuff like "My sister told me I'm a pedophile, so I isekai'd into a world in which I can fuck 8 year olds *and* am the strongest and best around without putting any work or effort in"

How dare you criticize my favorite show like that? The scene where [bland relatable protagonist that looks like Yu-Gi-Oh’s stunt double] proves himself as the hero by taking sexual advantage of the girl he just saved from a sexual predator (which he defeated by yawning very loudly) is one of the highest forms of art known to man.

In all seriousness, it’s good to see Eva in a group of honest-to-God class. I also wonder if Funi isn’t renewing the rights to NTE for GKids reasons.

[FelipeFritschF]

This is more likely than you might know. As we mention in the Netflix/lines article on the wiki, there's apparently also been quite a lot of a mess involving Funimation and Khara, and their president openly complained that they didn't get the rights to stream NGE. Wouldn't surprise me if Khara wants to work with someone else for a future 3.0+1.0 international release considering the past headaches they had.

I'm guessing this might even make it more of a possibility that they won't use the Funimation Rebuild cast for the fourth movie, but that's still a big question mark considering it'd break consistency and the dubs themselves (save for the initial 3.0 theatrical release, which is partially lost to time) don't have a lot of problems unless they decide to redub the first three movies, which seems unlikely.

[SEELE-01]

I'm guessing this might even make it more of a possibility that they won't use the Funimation Rebuild cast for the fourth movie, but that's still a big question mark considering it'd break consistency and the dubs themselves

Well, there's always the Japanese dub...
The cast for the Latin dub of Q was already different from 1.0 and 2.0's... I have no hope of the company dubbing Final, since they were subcontracted by Funimation... And if someone else does, I doubt we'll get more than half the voices used for the first 3

[hui43210]

I would love to laugh at how ridiculous a concept that is.... but while I enjoy anime I really don't keep up with what is getting made season to season and I would not be surprised to find out that is very much a real show with a huge following.

It's sadly pretty accurate. I assure you there's still pretty good anime being made, especially films I find, but it seems the kids these days are deep into the Iseikai garbage. Death March, for example, literally is the plot described here pretty much. Another example, Shield Hero, is legit incel porn. The moral of that story was slave women are the only good woman. It's popularity disturbs me to no end.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

The only Iseikai I have found worth watching were My Life as a Villainess and

SPOILER: Show

SSSS Gridman.

The first one upends all expectations (to the point where calling it a "subversion" almost misses the point entirely) just to have some honest-to-God wholesome fun with the idea (the show is about a girl who winds up being reincarnated as the villainess in a video game she once played and desperately wanting to get people to like her instead), while the latter slowly reveals itself to have a message that's entirely centered around getting out of one's fantasies and engaging with reality more often.

I haven't seen anything else good come from the rest of the genre, and Funimation is more than welcome to keep all of them.

[SEELE-01]

I haven't seen anything else good come from the rest of the genre.

Not even Konosuba?

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

^ I haven't even heard of that one. I might give it a shot.

[pwhodges]

^ I haven't even heard of that one. I might give it a shot.

My view of Konosuba is that it's pretty mediocre. In a similar vein I much prefer Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, not least for its lovely watercolour style.

[The Killer of Heroes]

My view of Konosuba is that it's pretty mediocre. In a similar vein I much prefer Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, not least for its lovely watercolour style.

I mean I liked Grimgar a lot but its not really very similar to KonoSuba at all. KonoSuba is pure comedy, Grimgar is going for an existentialist drama thing with only bits of levity from time to time.

[Mr. Tines]

Um, TOPIC, BITCHES.

I can move this tangent over to here, I guess.

[FelipeFritschF]

Um, TOPIC, BITCHES.

I can move this tangent over to here, I guess.

Mr. Tines, your Happy Ritsuko avatar is so pretty I think it's rubbing off on everyone, especially you, and making the entire forum so happy, warm and bubbly. You sound so joyful.

Question: might a second Covid wave delay this release further? I have to wonder if Khara would prefer everyone to watch Shin first, by a window of 6 months or so, and then buy NGE again, so if the former is delayed again, they might insist on pushing the Blureis back as well.