Where all the Blu-Ray anime at?

[the7k]

Blu-Ray has been 'around' since 2006 and the format wars have been over since 2008 - and yet, still, there's hardly any anime to choose from. What the hell?

I know from watching Paprika a good number of times that anime benefits from the HD treatment more than anything - but why is it that Paprika is still the only anime worth forking out money for?

I remember getting Evangelion vol. 1 on DVD before I even had a DVD Player, in anticipation of getting one. Meanwhile, Gunbuster/Diebuster is the only Gainax related thing I've seen on Blu-Ray. Where's Nadia? Where's Eva? Even the more recent FLCL and Gurren Lagann are still no where to be found.

We got the mediocre Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door on Blu-Ray, but where the hell is the series? Who wouldn't want to see Jupiter Jazz in glorious 1080p? Communists, that's who.

Another sin, still no Kyoto Animation stuff on Blu-Ray. Kanon, Air, and of course, Haruhi - they're all beautifully rendered and I'd be willing to pay top dollar for them.

Sorry, just felt like ranting. It's getting annoying how I'd really love to have more HD anime, and all I've really got to choose from is Akira and Afro Samurai. Ugh. Luckily, Ghost In The Shell 2.0 and Samurai Champloo have just been released on Blu-Ray, but I'm still surprised it has taken them so long to come out with more that I give a crap about.

[Reverend]

I would support this, but since I do not own a blu ray player or PS3, it doesn't really matter

[Inazuma]

I've been watching tons of HD anime for a good four years now. It's called the internet. Blu Ray would be taking a step backwards imo. But if you must insist on watching Blu Ray anime, I suggest downloading the rips from Japan. I see Blu Ray rips coming out all the time. Recently Dragon Ball Kai started to come out on Blu Ray and it's better than the TV version since it doesn't crop the screen to pull off a fake widescreen.

I own a PS3 but never felt the need to buy a Blu Ray since the PS3 can stream media from my computer network or run files off of burned DVD's. The PS3 makes Blu Ray obsolete. Very ironic indeed.

[skyknight]

You know, I am ponder at that as well.

But I think there are several factors to consider. One is the size of anime fans, there are various degree of popularity, don't be surprised if Dragon Ball gets Blu-ray treatment, while Gundam doesn't (both owned by Bandai Namco). Other, is how many WILL BUY, considering filesharing is wide spread; who will buy to see instead of downloading it from a P2P site.

[the7k]

I've been watching tons of HD anime for a good four years now. It's called the internet. Blu Ray would be taking a step backwards imo. But if you must insist on watching Blu Ray anime, I suggest downloading the rips from Japan. I see Blu Ray rips coming out all the time. Recently Dragon Ball Kai started to come out on Blu Ray and it's better than the TV version since it doesn't crop the screen to pull off a fake widescreen.

I own a PS3 but never felt the need to buy a Blu Ray since the PS3 can stream media from my computer network or run files off of burned DVD's. The PS3 makes Blu Ray obsolete. Very ironic indeed.

I always love this response: Piracy is the answer. And we all wonder why anime studios and distributors are shutting down.

Piracy is never the answer. You love something, you support it. You don't throw it to the wolves, or worse, become one of those wolves.

[lisalover1]

I haven't seen any Blu-ray anime at stores at all; including anime movies. In fact, now that I think about it, I'm kind of mad that I could only get Eva 1.01 on DVD, and not Blu-ray!

[MrPopo]

I personally don't support Blu Ray because they charge too much for it.

[dsheinem]

I've been watching tons of HD anime for a good four years now. It's called the internet. Blu Ray would be taking a step backwards imo. But if you must insist on watching Blu Ray anime, I suggest downloading the rips from Japan. I see Blu Ray rips coming out all the time. Recently Dragon Ball Kai started to come out on Blu Ray and it's better than the TV version since it doesn't crop the screen to pull off a fake widescreen.

I own a PS3 but never felt the need to buy a Blu Ray since the PS3 can stream media from my computer network or run files off of burned DVD's. The PS3 makes Blu Ray obsolete. Very ironic indeed.

I always love this response: Piracy is the answer. And we all wonder why anime studios and distributors are shutting down.

Piracy is never the answer. You love something, you support it. You don't throw it to the wolves, or worse, become one of those wolves.

Unless you are downloading giant 25-50GB rips and have a super fast connection, streaming stuff on the web or across a network (HD or otherwise) does not come close to Blu-Ray a/v quality. Not all 1080p is equal...but we've debated all this before (http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=15438)

I don't know why anime hasn't seen more Blu-Ray releases...does anyone know how popular the format is in Japan? That might have something to do with it...

[Limewater]

I know from watching Paprika a good number of times that anime benefits from the HD treatment more than anything - but why is it that Paprika is still the only anime worth forking out money for?

Seriously? I find this pretty hard to believe, particularly for more modern anime that wasn't hand-colored. However, having never actually seen any HD anime, I guess I'll just hope to be pleasantly surprised.

But I think a previous poster is correct that part of the reason is that anime fandom is fairly small and, like Inazuma, prone to piracy.

But, as I think more about it, perhaps only anime intended for theaters or shot on film really benefits from Blu-Ray. I think they're mostly in HD over there now, so I bet newer stuff will be more likely to see a Blu-Ray release. I'm not entirely sure that a lot of OVAs weren't just shot at SD resolution several years ago. Maybe some of the Japan-based posters can help us clear this up!

[the7k]

I personally don't support Blu Ray because they charge too much for it.

You have to look in the right places. (Hint: It begins with an 'A' and rhymes with 'Jamazon.com'.)

$45 for all of Samurai Champloo in HD doesn't seem like a bad price at all.