Final Showa Ultraman TV Series To Be Released On DVD Author: Jim M. Ballard Source: Bandai Visual
ULTRAMAN 80 (Urutoraman Eitii, 1980), the last live action Ultraman TV series of the Showa era, will be released on DVD for the first time in Japan this year. It is the last of all the primary Ultraman TV series to be released on DVD in Japan. The series will be split into two "Memorial Box" collection sets. Memorial Box I is due for release on June 25th, and will contain the first twenty-eight episodes on seven discs. Memorial Box II will be released three months later on September 24th, containing the final twenty-two episodes on six discs, plus a bonus disc containing special features. Both sets come in deluxe art boxes and will retail for 24,150 yen (approx. US$260). The discs are region coded, and will only function in Japanese, European and other Region 2 encoded DVD players. Originally airing on TBS in Japan between April 1980 and March 1981, ULTRAMAN 80 was the final live-action Ultraman TV series produced in Japan until the show`s revival 15 years later with 1996`s ULTRAMAN TIGA (Urutoraman Tiga). The series sees the titular character Ultraman 80 taking on the form of a high school science teacher Takeshi Yamato. Believing monsters to be born from negative emotions, Yamato uses his position at the school to not only teach the students, but to encourage a new generation to learn how to lead a happy life. Out of school hours, Yamato also works as a member of the monster attack team UGM, thereby juggling two jobs whilst also concealing his secret identity as Ultraman 80. ULTRAMAN 80 Memorial Box I Features: Hard-cover handbook / x8 30th Anniversary "Memorial Photo Portraits" / Portrait case / Original episode trailers (episodes 2-29) Specifications: Color / 682 minutes / Dolby Digital (Mono) / x7 single-sided dual-layered DVD discs / 4:3 / Region 2 (Japan/Europe) Audio: Both remastered and original audio tracks selectable for all episodes (excluding episodes 11 and 12 which have not been remastered) Release Date: 6/25/2010 Retail Price: 24,150 Yen (approx US$260) Product No.: BCBS-3829 Distributor: Bandai Visual Label: Tsuburaya Productions ULTRAMAN 80 Memorial Box II Features: Original episode trailers (episodes 30-50) / CONTENTS OF THE BONUS DISC HAVE NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED Specifications: Color / 600 minutes / Dolby Digital (Mono) / x7 single-sided dual-layered DVD discs / 4:3 / Region 2 (Japan/Europe) Audio: Both remastered and original audio tracks selectable for all episodes (excluding episodes 37 and 38 which have not been remastered) Release Date: 9/24/2010 Retail Price: 24,150 Yen (approx US$260) Product No.: BCBS-3830 Distributor: Bandai Visual Label: Tsuburaya Productions