Which Akira should I buy?

June 6, 2008 11:08 PM

Which version of Akira should I buy on DVD?

I've been looking to get Akira on DVD for quite some time, but there are a few different versions floating around that I've seen, so I'm wondering if someone who knows more about anime than I do can help me decide.

There's the DTS version, the special edition, and the Geneon Signature Series edtion, which I've also seen a deluxe edition of.

Does anyone know which one I should grab? I'm hoping it's either the DTS or the Geneon, as I found a site that's closing both of those out for $5 a piece.

posted by phaded to media & arts (9 comments total)

Ugh, I forgot to add this: does anyone know what "Format - Hybrid" would mean when it's listed in a DVD's technical specs?
posted by phaded at 11:09 PM on June 6

Akira will be out on Bluray this summer. It might be worth the wait, if you have a BD player.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:22 PM on June 6

Thanks, Blazecock; you helped me make my decision. I went with the DTS version because the site I was buying it from had only one more copy of that version. Once I get a PS3 to serve as a Blu-ray player, I'll end up getting it again. For $5, it's the price of a rental, so I won't lose any sleep over it.

If anyone is interested, there's a pretty terrific sale going on over at this site, which happens to be where I just bought Akira.
posted by phaded at 11:26 PM on June 6

Related- does anyone know if any of the DVD editions have the original dubbing (the one from the Video Comics VHS tape) and the remastered film from the rerelease? I have seen the the rerelease and the dubbing didn't have the quaintness of the Japlish of the original dubbing, but the remastering was gorgeous.
posted by quintessencesluglord at 11:26 PM on June 6

I have seen the the rerelease and the dubbing didn't have the quaintness of the Japlish of the original dubbing

Yeah, I have the "special edition" and the re-dubbing is just painful and awkward, compared with the original.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:36 PM on June 6

I have the original DVD release of Akira with the new dubbing, and it is sad to say that it isn't nearly as enjoyable as the original dubbing. I'm not sure if this has changed, but finding a VHS with the original dubbing is getting very difficult.
posted by Loto at 12:21 AM on June 7

Nothing beats the original comic book series - it makes Akira the movie look like a mere promo trailer. With the original comic book series, it's like I have a Blu-Ray player...in my mind.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:48 AM on June 7 [1 favorite]

I have the metal-tin special edition. Yes, the remaster looks and sounds beautiful, but your chance to hear "We're going to the Olympics!" on DVD is non-existent at the moment.

("Kanedaaaaaaa!" "Tetsuoooooo!")
posted by Prospero at 5:59 AM on June 7

Man I love that movie.
posted by Max Power at 3:16 PM on June 7