Outlaw Star: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]

Outlaw Star: The Complete Series Collector's Edition (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)This review will be less about the series itself, and more about the product. I bought this version of the box set more for the artbook than anything else.So first off, is picture quality. If you owned the old Bandai Visual dvd's (as I do) the blu-ray release is a monumental improvement. Colors are much more vibrant, edges around characters are crisp, and all the details that may have been lost on the DVD release are quite prominent. Yes, it is formatted to its original 4:3 aspect ratio, but this isn't a bad thing. If you want an argument why, go watch some of the dragonball Z blu-rays from Funimation where they did jack it up to widescreen, and see how much has been cut off to reach this aspect ratio. It sucks; keeping a 4:3 ratio show in its original format is the way it should go. Short version: the picture is so vibrant it really makes it stand out, Funimation did a great job and if they read these, keep doing it; the quality is amazing.Sound is essentially the same. It's got some mild improvement for 5.1 systems, but it's still technically 2.0 so you won't hear a massive improvement from the DVD release. Funimation didn't re-dub it, and I take it when it was recorded it wasn't recorded with 5.1 in mind, so they could only do so much on that front. Not a bad thing, as few shows of this era did much with 5.1.The collector's edition box is pretty nice. It's about the same size as 3 DVD cases (width wise), so it won't take up much space. The box is pretty thick too, so it's not some flimsy case that'll rip. You might see a few scratches that look like the box is in poor shape, but it's actually the packaging cover - it fooled me too. The artbook, I think, is worth the investment. There's a broad range of turn arounds, facial expressions, and environment stills from production, not some b.s. 13 page booklet that's just taking marketing artwork you've seen a thousand times before.The blu-ray menu is pretty bare bones, pick a language and episodes. It works for me, I don't need a fancy menu screen. Not many extras, just the standard affair of openings/endings without the credits, some of the original commercials; no interviews or anything like that. I did have some issue with the blu-rays (namely the first disc) where sometimes either the main menu would lock up and not let me choose any options, or an episode might skip the intro. The episodes still played 100%, but I don't know if those hiccups were the blu-rays or my blu-ray player itself; episodes still played fine after that so it wasn't a lemon.Whether or not you buy the collector's edition or the regular edition is either how much money you have to spend or if you want the artbook/fancy box. I wanted the artbook more than the packaging, but the packaging is neat, so whichever version you choose it'll still be money well spent.

I love the show.The transfer is great.Nice clear picture and good sound.What I'm less thrilled about is the fact that the case came all cracked up and one of the DVD holders is also broken so the disk slides around inside.I may still consider returning it to see if I can get one that isn't damaged.Update: 2-16-2023:I decided to return the first one.Amazon was quick about shipping out a replacement. It arrived today.And was just as broken as the first one. This one arrived in a too-large box without even a bag of air like the first one.I managed to scavenge parts from both cases to put together one set that is at least serviceable, though still slightly cracked.I'm sending back the more broken one.If you don't want to read a rant you can stop now.To be honest I think the blame should be distributed equally between Amazon (for barely even trying to protect these kinds of things) and the company who produced the cases. They're so thin and weak that just looking at them wrong causes them to break. I have DVD cases from 2003 that are far stronger and more resilient than these. They sell this to us on the premise that its "eco" friendly and I'm all about saving the planet... but when it takes 2 tries to get one product that is acceptable, including all the diesel and gas used to ship it around and the wasted time and money, then maybe just using an appropriate amount of plastic in the first place would be better?

being able to own a physical copy of every episode of this series is amazing. It's a shame no one buys physical media anymore

Greatest anime of all time. And bought this dvd for my frie d

Ever since I was a little kid and Toonami ruled the Weekend airwaves, one of the shows, aside from Tenchi Muyo, DBZ, and such, had to be Outlaw Star!What's wrong with the show? NOTHING'S wrong in my book! Spaceship Battles, Beast Women(Mainly Aisha Clan-Clan), Funny Moments, All the Nostalgia, and the Hunt for Treasure, and to top it off: IT'S OUT IN SPACE!Two days after my birthday, I had heard that Amazon has the Complete Series for Blu-Ray. After seeing that they have it for a reasonable price, I was EAGER to get it. After getting it in the mail, I immediately got what I wanted! Both the Blu-Ray and DVD set designs were spot-on, the Quality for the anime was well done.Getting this set was worth every dollar!

*this is for the June 2017 NA release of this series*I'm reviewing the actual release, because anybody coming here hopefully knows that this is the perfect anime series (unashamed bias).The color is crisp and amazing, it truly brings a whole new life to a show that I've seen a good 20 times over. On a good 4K tv this release looks outstanding. I just recently watched the anime legends DVD release and this blu ray release is hands over fist the better release. It's actually really cool to see some film grain in the cells that were used, which appear because the definition/scaling.The audio is crisp, detailed, and has amazing room,depth, and panning. The mixing engineer did great work on bringing attention to what is needed while still using great dynamics to highlight ambience and action. Punches you right in the face still.I was a child when I first watched this anime on toonami and it honestly brings back the feeling of watching it that first time, cross-legged in front of the CRT TV. The sub and dub are great. I admitedly always watch this show dubbed first because of nostalgia, and wow! it holds up so well! I will return to review the sub when I do my second watch. This series needed a high definition release and this collection doesn't disappoint. Completely new experience. Amazing !!! The only thing I regret is not getting the collectors edition!!