Masterfully Remastered Indeed
A. J. BOOTON | Colorado, USA | 04/30/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you're new to the series, I'd definitely read another review detailing the DVD release.
If you're interested in product details, peruse on...
Anime Works got a hold of the original master film for Magic Knight Rayearth, Season 1 and they have faithfully dished out a new 4-disc DVD set, digitally remastered; 2 less discs than previous incarnations. Is it worth schilling out yet more money for yet another release??? Simply put : YES. The picture quality is nothing short of STUNNING. Where the old versions were dark, grainy, fuzzy with black particles floating everywhere, this release is pristine, sharp and extremely colourful. I literally was shocked.
To add yet another bonus... the missing sections from the episodes, around 4 minutes, has been gratefully restored... with the original Japanese title intro, commercial exit/intros, the preview for the next episode, and the 'guessing game' (that was previously part of the 'extras'). Very much like what Hasbro has done with the 25th anniversary release of their Transformers cartoons.
Is there a downside??? Anything negative???
Unfortunately just one, that can pretty much, for the most part, be slightly overlooked... the awful method of packaging they chose... not only do we get another thin, flimsy cardboard slipcase... the disc holders are also extremely thin cardboard digi-paks... so wish it was boxed with at least jewel-cases or something a bit more sturdy.
Otherwise, it is quite worth the purchase alone for the digitally remastered DVDs. At the time of typing this, Amazon has the set priced at $35; and though I'm pretty loyal, [...] does have the set for $25 shipped. I believe I saw a listing for Season 2, a July 2010 release on Amazon as well, so look forward to that!"