Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)

Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)


Starring:Masaya Onosaka, Kôji Ishii, Michiko Neya, Rica Matsumoto, Fumihiko Tachiki, Ikuya Sawaki, Kaneto Shiozawa, Nobuo Tanaka, Unshô Ishizuka, Yonehiko Kitagawa, Takeshi Aono, Tomohisa Asô, Isshin Chiba, Hisao Egawa, Daisuke Gôri, Naoko Ishî, Junko Iwao, Hirohiko Kakegawa, Takehito Koyasu, Yasunori Masutani
Director: Hiroyuki Fukushima, Shuichi Kaneko
Studio: Urban Vision
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Gatchaman has been revamped - stylish and more dynamic than ever! The new OVAs manage to modernize the characters without compromising the design of the original series. In volume 1, The Dragon King, an enormous warship blazes a path of destruction towards The Mantle Plan, a network unifying the World's energy resources. The only hope to stop this monster is the Science Ninja Team Gatchaman! In volume 2, The Red Specter the Gatchaman team discovers the secret undersea base of the Galactor. In a ferocious air and undersea battle, Gatchaman finds new enemies and allies. In volume 3, The Final Countdown, the Galactor forces initiate their plan for the ultimate subjugation of the human race. Will the Gatchaman be able to pull together and save the world? This surprising conclusion to the Gatchaman series entwines the lives and deeds of the Gatchaman and their mysterious ally, the Red Specter...with tragic revelations.
Gatchaman Collection 9 (Vols. 17 & 18)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Gatchaman Collection 9 (Vols. 17 & 18)
    Starring: Katsuji Mori , Isao Sasaki , Kazuko Sugiyama , Yoku Shioya , and Shingo Kanemoto
    Director: Fumio Kurokawa , Katsuhisa Yamada , and Hiroshi Sasagawa
    Manufacturer: Adv Films
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    Similar Items:
    1. Gatchaman Collection 8 (Vols. 15 & 16)
    2. Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)
    3. Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)
    4. Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
    5. Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection

    ASIN: B000HCO8L8
    Release Date: 2006-10-17

    Amazon.com

    Casual fans will pick it up for Battle of the Planets or G-Force nostalgia. Otaku will pick it up because it's part of the canon. Comic fans will pick it up for the Alex Ross box-art. Gatchaman has something for everyone!
    Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Gettin Better And Better
    • Moving beyond just nostalgic appeal, Vol. 4 gets it going!!
    Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection
    Starring: Katsuji Mori , Isao Sasaki , Kazuko Sugiyama , Yoku Shioya , and Shingo Kanemoto
    Director: Fumio Kurokawa , Katsuhisa Yamada , and Hiroshi Sasagawa
    Manufacturer: Adv Films
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    Similar Items:
    1. Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
    2. Gatchaman Collector's Box 3 (Vols. 5 & 6)
    3. Gatchaman Collector's Box 2 (Vols. 3 & 4)
    4. Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)
    5. Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)

    ASIN: B000BKSJF2
    Release Date: 2005-12-20

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Gettin Better And Better.......2006-01-03

    I think this is where all the action and all the interesting events happen in the Gatchaman series. All the episodes on this Collection are worth seeing and they're unskippable. The Box is dedicated to Jinpei [G-4] the colors of the disk are Yellow and such. I'm lovin ALL the voices, the people doing the voices are doing a waaaay much better job!

    Collection's 3 & 4 are equally the best hopefully the rest of the boxes will be as good as these 2.

    All the episodes on this box are Highlights. BUY IT NOW!

    5 out of 5 stars Moving beyond just nostalgic appeal, Vol. 4 gets it going!!.......2005-12-27

    Summary: Great (but dated) animation, stereo sound, good-to-great episodes, and lots of extras make vol. 4 totally worthwhile if you're familiar or curious about the show. The chapter stops are at logical points in the episodes, and packaging is secure, and the artwork by Alex Ross is AMAZING!

    A mix of camp, action, soap-opera, and melodrama, this fourth collection is probably a good place to start picking up the series if you've been waiting. Any background info you need can be gotten from searching the internet for "gatchaman".

    If you want the long review, read on...

    By this point the series the viewer is familiar with the character types of each member of the science ninja team, and now their relationships are explored. The series begins to stray from the 3-act formula of Monster attacking, Gatchaman coming up with a plan, then running off to fight the Monster. In the Jigokiller episodes, we see the team wrestle a weighty issue: Save Jun and allow the Jigokillers to keep up their murderous spree, or allow them one selfish choice (saving her) in light of all the good they've done so far. Ken is especially conflicted, and his emotions (and the rest of team's) are very real. We also see a bit more of Red Impulse, the character with a strange connection to the team, and a very dated form of motivating them! In Volume 5 we should close the chapter on Red Impulse, so pay attention now! In these episodes we're also shown more about Galactor...what happens to those who try to leave the evil organization, and some of the mysteries of Berg Katse!

    My take on the extras: The Edwin Neal (Berg Katse) commentary on Vol 7 left me flat--Katse is arguably the best character of the series, and Neal does a decent job of voice-acting him. I'd be interested in what he thought of the original Japanese voice-actor's (T. Mikio) performance, what he thought of the series, how familiar he was with the story, etc... Mikio was one of the better of the original voice actors, and played much more melodrama, which I thought did a great job of showing Katses hormone swings--listen the the Japanese language track on the DVD and see what you think!
    -Vol 8 includes a commentary by Sarah Alys Lindholm (Senior Translator). Like many of the commentaries, she barely comments on the episode at hand, but she stays on the topic of Gatch much better than a lot of the actors and I was fascinated by it! First, I imagined the senior translator as being Japanese, but Sarah is from Minnesota and has red-hair! I wish we had a picture! Second, she mentions how tongue-in-cheek the original japanese was. We get lots of it (Romina and Julia as star crossed lovers--where'd those names come from?), but she lets us know how much more got filtered out. And finally, she mentions that they (ADV) is working with Sandy Frank (the people who first dubbed Gatchaman, editing and releasing it as Battle of the Planets in the US) and implies Sandy Frank still has some control over the translations and transliterations... interesting.
    -The extra's disc is a nice touch, and certainly makes it worthwhile to buy the collector's set rather than the individual DVD's. As each on focuses on a character, these extras are Jinpei specific. Jinpei's text biography is helpful since he hasn't gotten a lot of face-time yet, and he's the most cartoony of the team. The audition footage is great, as always, because you can see how different people had different takes on Jinpei. Luci Christian's (Jinpei) interview is good; she describes the process of getting hired, her take on the character, and the series. The Gatch "Shwagg" section was a bit of disappointment to me--it was mostly british coloring books and comics. That was actually fascinating, but the whole thing was only a few minutes long, and I KNOW there must have been more material out there for them to put in! The Manga comic has great art and a decent story.
    -The extras actually did something unique this time... they really got me interested in the spotlight character! An orphan saved by Jun, Jinpei came from a mysterious mountain village that with mysterious connections to a ninja clan. Luci's interview, the biography, and the sketches put Jinpei's motivations and choices into focus, and revealed a new layer to the series. It's easy to be captivated by Joe, Katse, and Ken (in that order, IMO) and I'm glad they've highlighted what a great character Jinpei is.

    This is probably the first set I'd recommend to the casual Battle of the Planets fan--the plots have become more sophisticated, the animation is cleaner, and the characterization hits its stride. If you're only going to buy one set though, wait for the final volume of ADV's release, as those episodes are by far the best of series.
    Vol 7 episodes and titles:
    37: Renzilla, the Electric Monster
    38: The Mysterious Mechanized Jungle
    39: Jigokillers, the People-Eating Flowers (part 1)
    40: Jigokillers, the People-Eating Flowers (part 2)
    41: Murder Music
    42: The Breakout Trick Operation

    Vol 8 episodes and titles:
    43: A Romance Destroyed By Evil (w/translator's commentary)
    44: Galactor's Challenge
    45: The Sea Lion Ninja Team in the Night Fog
    46: Gatchaman in the Valley of Death
    47: The Devil's Airline
    48: The Camera Iron Beast, Shutterkiller

    E4: The Extra Features DVD
    -Jinpei the Swallow Profile
    -Character Sketches of Jinpei
    -Episode Sketches
    -Jinpei the Swallow Audition Footage
    -Interview w/Luci Christian (voice-dub actor for Jinpei)
    -Gatchaman Publishing Gallery Part III: Gatch in English!
    -The Demon 5 in Concert
    -Gatchaman Manga Vol 1, Chap 3
    -The Firebird vs. the Firebreathing Dragon
    Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • 22 Years after it's TV Debut.... Gatchaman OVA!
    • Gatch Collection 6--most of these reviews are for the OAV...
    • The Best Way to Watch:
    • ...
    • "Battle Of The Planets" grows up
    Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)
    Starring: Masaya Onosaka , Kôji Ishii , Michiko Neya , Rica Matsumoto , and Fumihiko Tachiki
    Director: Toyohiro Chûjo , Shuichi Kaneko , and Hiroyuki Fukushima
    Manufacturer: Urban Vision
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    Similar Items:
    1. Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)
    2. Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
    3. Gatchaman Collection 8 (Vols. 15 & 16)
    4. Gatchaman Collection 9 (Vols. 17 & 18)
    5. Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection

    ASIN: B00005LIRQ
    Release Date: 2001-07-17

    Description

    Gatchaman has been revamped - stylish and more dynamic than ever! The new OVAs manage to modernize the characters without compromising the design of the original series. In volume 1, The Dragon King, an enormous warship blazes a path of destruction towards The Mantle Plan, a network unifying the World's energy resources. The only hope to stop this monster is the Science Ninja Team Gatchaman! In volume 2, The Red Specter the Gatchaman team discovers the secret undersea base of the Galactor. In a ferocious air and undersea battle, Gatchaman finds new enemies and allies. In volume 3, The Final Countdown, the Galactor forces initiate their plan for the ultimate subjugation of the human race. Will the Gatchaman be able to pull together and save the world? This surprising conclusion to the Gatchaman series entwines the lives and deeds of the Gatchaman and their mysterious ally, the Red Specter...with tragic revelations.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars 22 Years after it's TV Debut.... Gatchaman OVA!.......2007-03-23

    This is all 3 episodes of the OVA (original video animation) series, too short to be a TV series and too long to be a movie (only with the comparable budget.) I got these 3 episodes (individually)on fansubs back in 1996 going completely on nostalgia and curiosity. It is an update of the original series known as Science Ninja Team: Gatchaman which ran 105 eps on Japanese TV from 1972-'74. I was pleasantly surprised in watching it that despite the ridiculous bird costumes there was an intelligent and compelling story. No "Battle of the Planets" here! No R2D2 clones, no robot dogs, and Jinpei-G4 is a normal speaking kid (unlike his Keeop counterpart from BOTP with the speech impediment). I learned through this OVA that there was more to the original Japanese version of the early 70's TV series. It was a story about intrigue, espionage, and hostile take overs while the BOTP version was dumbed down and turned into a space adventure to cash in on the Star Wars craze of the late 70's when Sandy frank bought the rights to the original series. There's still a place in my heart for BOTP as I used to watch it at 4:30 everyday after school (in 1978) when I was in 3rd grade.

    Since I first saw this OVA on fansubs, it was in Japanese with the English subtitles. The subtitles were great as fans tend to get the names right and go with the better feel of how to spell out the katakana characters in English (ie. Berg Katse was the common way to spell out the villian's name as opposed to UV's translation; "Verk Katze.") But I'm just nitpicking... :) On this DVD release they fixed the timing problem they had with the subtitles corrosponding with the speaking character on the VHS release of Part 3. And, they added a Gatchaman '94 music video at the end of part 3 that used a techno version of the original Gatchaman theme. Pretty cool. For this American release the names of the episodes were changed. I don't know why because their original names would've worked just fine. The original episode titles are as follows:
    1. Gatchaman vs. Turtle King
    2. Secret Red Impulse
    3. Final Count 0002

    The English dub track is deplorable... Names were changed, the plot was dumbed down, and the acting was just lame. However, that's the good thing with the advent of DVD, I can watch it with the Japanese track.
    In addition to this pet peeve, Condor Joe's character was downplayed considerably from the original TV series. Berg Katse's back story was very vague as there was much more behind his character in the original TV series.
    The music was great as it was produced my Bill Meyers and "Earth Wind and Fire" legend Maurice White. At times some of the original BGM was used for the nostalgia effect. The updated animation (on an OVA budget) was incredible. However I did not like the CGI "eyeball" appearance of Galactar's ruler Sousai X. I prefer his eerie ghostly image from the original. And, the "roaring" Tie Fighter sound effect they used for the multiple Turtle Kings was kind of cheesy.

    Over all this is an impressive remake. When I first saw it I couldn't get my hands on old copies of the original TV series (now available from ADV) fast enough to watch the NON-BOTP story unfold. It definitly recharged my enthusiasm for the Gatchaman franchise.

    4 out of 5 stars Gatch Collection 6--most of these reviews are for the OAV..........2006-06-19

    Gatchaman started out in 1972 as a 105 episode serial that tried to address the topics of family, technology, and responsibility. It was very successful in Japan, and spawned two sequel series (Gatch II and Gatch F), each with about 50 more episodes. In the late 70's, hoping to capitalize on the Star Wars craze, Sandy Frank bought the rights to the first series. He cut some of the more violent scenes, added an R2-D2 kind of robot, and redubbed 85 of the episodes to make them appear as if they take place in Space. Frank's target audience was kids, so the show became a collection of individual episodes rather than an overall arc of episodes. Most Americans are probably familiar with Frank's production as Battle of the Planets; here we have the original Japanese source material, which is better in *almost* every respect than BOTP.
    -This set contains 2-dvd's of episodes, and one of extras.
    The first disc contains episodes 61-66: We get some more info on Ken and the Red Impulse, and get to see an episode that was never translated in Battle of the Planets.
    67-72 are on the second disc. Highlights include the first glimse of Berg Katse (why the long hair????), Gatchaman's discovery of Sosai X (the man behind Katse), and a general ramp up in the excitement of the show as it builds to a conclusion.
    -I commend ADV on the extras: Each episode disc has one show with a commentary by one (or two) of the voice actors. This would be fascinating if they could get somebody involved with the original show, but it's disappointing that the actors make silly jokes, and barely talk about the show they're supposed to be commenting on. The extras disc is certainly worthwhile though. It's got audition footage, character profiles, actor interviews (again, a little silly at times), production galleries (this one shows a lot of the French stuff produced) and some sketch galleries.

    I'm saving 5 stars for eps 93-105, so this one gets four.

    The second disc contains episodes 67-72

    4 out of 5 stars The Best Way to Watch:.......2004-02-16

    AVOID THE CHEESY ENGLISH SCRIPT! The voice acting is okay, but the English dub dialog is awful! My viewing experience was enhanced by watching the Japanese track with English subtitles EVEN THOUGH SUBTITLES ANNOY ME! This way, you get the original character names and story nuances that are _completely_missing_ from the over-the-top english rewrite. I would also have preferred if they subtitled the Japanese titles and onscreen text rather than either replacing them or completely covering them up with the English text on distracting out-of-place computer generated boxes.

    For anime from 1994, it's excellent, but starting to show it's age 10 years later (if you've watched any anime produced since then). There are a few connecting scenes of inconsistent quality that were either rushed through or subcontracted to cheaper animation houses. Still, it's a vast improvement over "Battle of the Planets" (No 7-Zark-7!) even when I bought the 3-VHS English-only collection back in 1999.

    One last gripe: Amazon.CA (Canada) lists availability as "Out of Print", so I had to order this through Amazon.COM (USA) which "Usually ships within 24 hours" (as of Feb2004)! I find this strange, since both U.S. and Canadian customer service operate out of Seattle. On the upside, I ended up paying less than retail even with the exchange, shipping, and duty. As hassles go, I've had worse, but it's _still_a_hassle!_

    4 out of 5 stars ..........2003-06-18

    this is one of my all time favorite anime series..EVER!
    i watched gatchaman since it's conception back in the day..even the horridly butchered abomination that was BATTLE OF THE PLANETS.

    Gatchaman(94) kicks ASS by condensing some of the plotlines from the old series and revamping it with new animation,cool character designs, vehicles and a new score to accompany the original soundtrack. the theme song "let's fly"(LYRICS BY EARTH WIND AND FIRE'S MAURICE WHITE) adds a touch of soul to the 3 parter.
    a mix of the old and new.

    although the dub version is decent, at best..purists such as me would rather watch it subbed. the last 50 seconds of the OVA were sentimental and along with a mini video playing a more techno version of gatchaman pays a great homage to a great series

    thanks tatsunoko/urban vision.i give it 4 out of 5 stars because
    i wouldv'e loved to have seen more..it was short but fun while it lasted.

    5 out of 5 stars "Battle Of The Planets" grows up.......2002-10-30

    One of the first anime creations to hit it big in the U.S., "Gatchaman" (alias "Battle of the Planets") set off a whole new wave of sci-fi cartoons in the late 1970's. It was heavily edited to remove the violence, gore, and death that were thought to be unsuitable for American children at the time, but even that failed to dim its appeal. In 1994 Tatsunoko Studios decided to give its classic creation a 90's flair with updated characters and new-style animation. The result is the "Gatchaman" trilogy. Mark, Jason, Princess et al. have reclaimed their original names (Ken, Joe, Jun, etc.) and gotten a whole new look in the process. Even the Phoenix has been updated! The look is spectacular, if rather sharp-edged, and the animation is seamless. But if you're expecting the innocence of the early "Gatchaman/BOTP", you're going to be disappointed; this version is definitely aimed at adults and older teens. The violence is back in full force, there's blood, gore, and destruction aplenty, and Joe and Jun both have brief nude scenes (no, not together). Of course, not everything has changed; the classic themes of courage and sacrifice still prevail, even if the ending is somewhat ambiguous (are they dead or hallucinating?). This is a splendid update of an anime classic, and a worthy addition to any anime collection
    Gatchaman Collection 8 (Vols. 15 & 16)
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • A great series...
    Gatchaman Collection 8 (Vols. 15 & 16)
    Starring: Katsuji Mori , Isao Sasaki , Kazuko Sugiyama , Yoku Shioya , and Shingo Kanemoto
    Director: Fumio Kurokawa , Katsuhisa Yamada , and Hiroshi Sasagawa
    Manufacturer: Adv Films
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    Similar Items:
    1. Gatchaman Collection 9 (Vols. 17 & 18)
    2. Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)
    3. Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)
    4. Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
    5. Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection

    ASIN: B000FWHVTG
    Release Date: 2006-08-15

    Description

    Casual fans will pick it up for Battle of the Planets or G-Force nostalgia. Otaku will pick it up because it's part of the canon. Comics fans will pick it up for the Alex Ross box-art. Gatchaman has something for everyone!

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A great series..........2006-11-15

    ...if you have never watched Gatchaman in your life and you like Japanese Animation ala Anime, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. I love old 1970's Anime like the original Mobile Suit Gundam and Gatchaman. If you have watched Battle of the Planets in the past man it doesn't compare. Battle of the Planets was an extremely watered down-made for kids version of Gatchaman. The series does not contain nudity or anything like that, but the uncut ones show people getting killed--lots of them per episode. Vol. 8 is the most intense of the series because the Science Ninja Team actually get defeated and their base gets destroyed by the evil Galactor. Check them out. You will not be disappointed. BTW-they are dubbed superbly in English, and also have Japanese original audio with subtitles. Tons of extras on the box sets.
    Gatchaman Collection 6 (Vols. 11 & 12)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • 22 Years after it's TV Debut.... Gatchaman OVA!
    • Gatch Collection 6--most of these reviews are for the OAV...
    • The Best Way to Watch:
    • ...
    • "Battle Of The Planets" grows up
    Gatchaman Collection 6 (Vols. 11 & 12)
    Starring: Masaya Onosaka , Kôji Ishii , Michiko Neya , Rica Matsumoto , and Fumihiko Tachiki
    Director: Toyohiro Chûjo , Shuichi Kaneko , and Hiroyuki Fukushima
    Manufacturer: Adv Films
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    ADV FilmsADV Films | By Studio | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
    GatchamanGatchaman | Characters & Series | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
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    ( G )( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
    Similar Items:
    1. Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)
    2. Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
    3. Gatchaman Collection 8 (Vols. 15 & 16)
    4. Gatchaman Collection 9 (Vols. 17 & 18)
    5. Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection

    ASIN: B000EDWKVA
    Release Date: 2006-04-18

    Description

    Casual fans will pick it up for Battle of the Planets or G-Force nostalgia. Otaku will pick it up because it's part of the canon. Comics fans will pick it up for the Alex Ross box-art. Gatchaman has something for everyone!

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars 22 Years after it's TV Debut.... Gatchaman OVA!.......2007-03-23

    This is all 3 episodes of the OVA (original video animation) series, too short to be a TV series and too long to be a movie (only with the comparable budget.) I got these 3 episodes (individually)on fansubs back in 1996 going completely on nostalgia and curiosity. It is an update of the original series known as Science Ninja Team: Gatchaman which ran 105 eps on Japanese TV from 1972-'74. I was pleasantly surprised in watching it that despite the ridiculous bird costumes there was an intelligent and compelling story. No "Battle of the Planets" here! No R2D2 clones, no robot dogs, and Jinpei-G4 is a normal speaking kid (unlike his Keeop counterpart from BOTP with the speech impediment). I learned through this OVA that there was more to the original Japanese version of the early 70's TV series. It was a story about intrigue, espionage, and hostile take overs while the BOTP version was dumbed down and turned into a space adventure to cash in on the Star Wars craze of the late 70's when Sandy frank bought the rights to the original series. There's still a place in my heart for BOTP as I used to watch it at 4:30 everyday after school (in 1978) when I was in 3rd grade.

    Since I first saw this OVA on fansubs, it was in Japanese with the English subtitles. The subtitles were great as fans tend to get the names right and go with the better feel of how to spell out the katakana characters in English (ie. Berg Katse was the common way to spell out the villian's name as opposed to UV's translation; "Verk Katze.") But I'm just nitpicking... :) On this DVD release they fixed the timing problem they had with the subtitles corrosponding with the speaking character on the VHS release of Part 3. And, they added a Gatchaman '94 music video at the end of part 3 that used a techno version of the original Gatchaman theme. Pretty cool. For this American release the names of the episodes were changed. I don't know why because their original names would've worked just fine. The original episode titles are as follows:
    1. Gatchaman vs. Turtle King
    2. Secret Red Impulse
    3. Final Count 0002

    The English dub track is deplorable... Names were changed, the plot was dumbed down, and the acting was just lame. However, that's the good thing with the advent of DVD, I can watch it with the Japanese track.
    In addition to this pet peeve, Condor Joe's character was downplayed considerably from the original TV series. Berg Katse's back story was very vague as there was much more behind his character in the original TV series.
    The music was great as it was produced my Bill Meyers and "Earth Wind and Fire" legend Maurice White. At times some of the original BGM was used for the nostalgia effect. The updated animation (on an OVA budget) was incredible. However I did not like the CGI "eyeball" appearance of Galactar's ruler Sousai X. I prefer his eerie ghostly image from the original. And, the "roaring" Tie Fighter sound effect they used for the multiple Turtle Kings was kind of cheesy.

    Over all this is an impressive remake. When I first saw it I couldn't get my hands on old copies of the original TV series (now available from ADV) fast enough to watch the NON-BOTP story unfold. It definitly recharged my enthusiasm for the Gatchaman franchise.

    4 out of 5 stars Gatch Collection 6--most of these reviews are for the OAV..........2006-06-19

    Gatchaman started out in 1972 as a 105 episode serial that tried to address the topics of family, technology, and responsibility. It was very successful in Japan, and spawned two sequel series (Gatch II and Gatch F), each with about 50 more episodes. In the late 70's, hoping to capitalize on the Star Wars craze, Sandy Frank bought the rights to the first series. He cut some of the more violent scenes, added an R2-D2 kind of robot, and redubbed 85 of the episodes to make them appear as if they take place in Space. Frank's target audience was kids, so the show became a collection of individual episodes rather than an overall arc of episodes. Most Americans are probably familiar with Frank's production as Battle of the Planets; here we have the original Japanese source material, which is better in *almost* every respect than BOTP.
    -This set contains 2-dvd's of episodes, and one of extras.
    The first disc contains episodes 61-66: We get some more info on Ken and the Red Impulse, and get to see an episode that was never translated in Battle of the Planets.
    67-72 are on the second disc. Highlights include the first glimse of Berg Katse (why the long hair????), Gatchaman's discovery of Sosai X (the man behind Katse), and a general ramp up in the excitement of the show as it builds to a conclusion.
    -I commend ADV on the extras: Each episode disc has one show with a commentary by one (or two) of the voice actors. This would be fascinating if they could get somebody involved with the original show, but it's disappointing that the actors make silly jokes, and barely talk about the show they're supposed to be commenting on. The extras disc is certainly worthwhile though. It's got audition footage, character profiles, actor interviews (again, a little silly at times), production galleries (this one shows a lot of the French stuff produced) and some sketch galleries.

    I'm saving 5 stars for eps 93-105, so this one gets four.

    The second disc contains episodes 67-72

    4 out of 5 stars The Best Way to Watch:.......2004-02-16

    AVOID THE CHEESY ENGLISH SCRIPT! The voice acting is okay, but the English dub dialog is awful! My viewing experience was enhanced by watching the Japanese track with English subtitles EVEN THOUGH SUBTITLES ANNOY ME! This way, you get the original character names and story nuances that are _completely_missing_ from the over-the-top english rewrite. I would also have preferred if they subtitled the Japanese titles and onscreen text rather than either replacing them or completely covering them up with the English text on distracting out-of-place computer generated boxes.

    For anime from 1994, it's excellent, but starting to show it's age 10 years later (if you've watched any anime produced since then). There are a few connecting scenes of inconsistent quality that were either rushed through or subcontracted to cheaper animation houses. Still, it's a vast improvement over "Battle of the Planets" (No 7-Zark-7!) even when I bought the 3-VHS English-only collection back in 1999.

    One last gripe: Amazon.CA (Canada) lists availability as "Out of Print", so I had to order this through Amazon.COM (USA) which "Usually ships within 24 hours" (as of Feb2004)! I find this strange, since both U.S. and Canadian customer service operate out of Seattle. On the upside, I ended up paying less than retail even with the exchange, shipping, and duty. As hassles go, I've had worse, but it's _still_a_hassle!_

    4 out of 5 stars ..........2003-06-18

    this is one of my all time favorite anime series..EVER!
    i watched gatchaman since it's conception back in the day..even the horridly butchered abomination that was BATTLE OF THE PLANETS.

    Gatchaman(94) kicks ASS by condensing some of the plotlines from the old series and revamping it with new animation,cool character designs, vehicles and a new score to accompany the original soundtrack. the theme song "let's fly"(LYRICS BY EARTH WIND AND FIRE'S MAURICE WHITE) adds a touch of soul to the 3 parter.
    a mix of the old and new.

    although the dub version is decent, at best..purists such as me would rather watch it subbed. the last 50 seconds of the OVA were sentimental and along with a mini video playing a more techno version of gatchaman pays a great homage to a great series

    thanks tatsunoko/urban vision.i give it 4 out of 5 stars because
    i wouldv'e loved to have seen more..it was short but fun while it lasted.

    5 out of 5 stars "Battle Of The Planets" grows up.......2002-10-30

    One of the first anime creations to hit it big in the U.S., "Gatchaman" (alias "Battle of the Planets") set off a whole new wave of sci-fi cartoons in the late 1970's. It was heavily edited to remove the violence, gore, and death that were thought to be unsuitable for American children at the time, but even that failed to dim its appeal. In 1994 Tatsunoko Studios decided to give its classic creation a 90's flair with updated characters and new-style animation. The result is the "Gatchaman" trilogy. Mark, Jason, Princess et al. have reclaimed their original names (Ken, Joe, Jun, etc.) and gotten a whole new look in the process. Even the Phoenix has been updated! The look is spectacular, if rather sharp-edged, and the animation is seamless. But if you're expecting the innocence of the early "Gatchaman/BOTP", you're going to be disappointed; this version is definitely aimed at adults and older teens. The violence is back in full force, there's blood, gore, and destruction aplenty, and Joe and Jun both have brief nude scenes (no, not together). Of course, not everything has changed; the classic themes of courage and sacrifice still prevail, even if the ending is somewhat ambiguous (are they dead or hallucinating?). This is a splendid update of an anime classic, and a worthy addition to any anime collection
    Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • From here on out, they're all FIVE stars--even if you're just starting the show!
    Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
    Starring: Katsuji Mori , Isao Sasaki , Kazuko Sugiyama , Yoku Shioya , and Shingo Kanemoto
    Director: Fumio Kurokawa , Katsuhisa Yamada , and Hiroshi Sasagawa
    Manufacturer: Adv Films
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    ADV FilmsADV Films | By Studio | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
    GatchamanGatchaman | Characters & Series | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video
    Sasaki, IsaoSasaki, Isao | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    AnimeAnime | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
    ( G )( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
    Similar Items:
    1. Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection
    2. Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)
    3. Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)
    4. Gatchaman Collector's Box 3 (Vols. 5 & 6)
    5. Gatchaman Collection 8 (Vols. 15 & 16)

    ASIN: B000CPHA3I
    Release Date: 2006-02-21

    Description

    Casual fans will pick it up for Battle of the Planets or G-Force nostalgia. Otaku will pick it up because it's part of the canon. Comics fans will pick it up for the Alex Ross box-art. Gatchaman has something for everyone!

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars From here on out, they're all FIVE stars--even if you're just starting the show!.......2006-02-26


    Well, this review is a little premature; I've seen all the original episodes with subtitles, but my "super-saver shipping" pre-order is taking over a week to arrive. Amazon buyer beware, I guess. That said, I have the whole collection to date and will say that in the 48 ADV episodes I have seen, the voice-acting has been adequate to good, the commentaries have been poor to great (and tending to be better on the later disks), and the extras have been generally phenominal.

    Short review: The highlights of this set are the Red Impulse (RI) episodes (51-54) which reveal RI's connection to Ken, and serve to fuel Ken with rage for the next 50 episodes. This also marks a turning point in the entire series, as the focus tends more toward Joe (G-2), since he is the more complex and interesting character. Jun befriends a man who may or may not be a member of Galactor's "Black Birds" (evil counterparts of the science ninja team) in ep 56, and episodes 57 and 60 both take fairly well-thought out looks at redemption; 57 focuses on a Galactor sniper, while the protagonist in 60 actually becomes an honorary G-6.

    The episodes:

    49) The Camera Mecha Shutterkiller: A Jinpei episode, whichs highlights his determination. 3 stars.

    50) The Dinosaur Skeleton Torakadon: The team travels to Inderia and uncovers a galactor plot when Ken notices a coin is actually a map. 3 stars... maybe...

    51-54) The Rotation Mecha Kataroller, The Secret of the Red Impulse, Farewell Red Impulse, Gatchaman Burns with Rage: I don't know if it's the time (1970's) or Japanese culture, but we see what Red Impulse was willing sacrifice in his quest to destroy Galactor, and the consquences his choices had on Ken. It made me finalize my decision that he's a jerk, but one does have to respect his devotion to duty. Red Impulse's sacrifices have series long ramifications for Ken, and explain Ken's behavior in the later series (Gatch II and Gatch F), when Ken becomes the hot-tempered shoot-firster. Good stuff. Four stars.

    55) Death Defying mini-submarine: Galactor has a punch of "pollution bombs", Ken almost dies by these, and in the end the sea is saved by Galactor cleaning capsules. 2 stars. Sorry.

    56) The embittered Bird Missle: The surprisingly under-used Black Birds are personalized with Koji, whom Jun develops a relationship with. The Black Birds are mean-motorscooters, and it's great to get a glimpse of the man behind the mask. 5 stars.

    57) The Evil White Sea: Gatchaman's version of Shawshank Redemption, with Mike the sniper. 5 stars.

    58) Mekabutta from Hell: Another episode of the series that's good on it's own, but more fascinating because of what it reveals about early 1970's Japanese culture. The episode is about a potential energy source that won't cause pollution, and we see Ken's rage burn once again it. As a whole though, this series is about technology. The series proposes that technology is not inherently good or bad, but rather a tool. Galactor uses it for evil (Giant Turtle Mecha), while Gatchaman and the ISO use it for good. I can just see the creative staff dreaming up a world in which pollution can be eliminated, energy is limitless, and the standard of living is high enough for everyone to enjoy leasure time. As a country who imposed isolation on itself for over 100 years, they then rapidly "westernized" itself to a major military power who for a time conquered half the globe. A nation which had vowed death before dishonor found itself signing an unconditional surrender in Tokyo bay, and rapidly reorginized itself into one the most prosperous democracies in history. Just about all of this, was based on technology. Very interesting. Four star episode.

    59) The Secret Mecha Factory: Where does Galactor build all those crazy mecha? Hmm... 3.5 stars.

    60) Science ninja team G-6: A semi-amnesiatic Galactor helps the team to strike a blow back at Katse. 4 stars.

    Sorry that I couldn't wait to comment on the extras, but I hope SOMEBODY will.

    Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Gatchaman Collection 7 (Vols. 13 & 14)
      Starring: Katsuji Mori , Isao Sasaki , Kazuko Sugiyama , Yoku Shioya , and Shingo Kanemoto
      Director: Fumio Kurokawa , Katsuhisa Yamada , and Hiroshi Sasagawa
      Manufacturer: Adv Films
      ProductGroup: DVD
      Binding: DVD

      ADV FilmsADV Films | By Studio | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
      GeneralGeneral | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
      GatchamanGatchaman | Characters & Series | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
      GeneralGeneral | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video
      Sasaki, IsaoSasaki, Isao | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      ( G )( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
      Similar Items:
      1. Gatchaman Collection 8 (Vols. 15 & 16)
      2. Gatchaman Collection 9 (Vols. 17 & 18)
      3. Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)
      4. Gatchaman Collection 5 (Vols. 9 & 10)
      5. Gatchaman, Vol. 4: Collection

      ASIN: B000F8O3TQ
      Release Date: 2006-06-20

      Description

      Casual fans will pick it up for Battle of the Planets or G-Force nostalgia. Otaku will pick it up because it's part of the canon. Comics fans will pick it up for the Alex Ross box-art. Gatchaman has something for everyone!

      DVD:

      1. Shadow Raiders - Uncommon Hero (Vol 1)
      2. Inu-Yasha - A Girl's Best Friend (Vol. 2)
      3. Maze
      4. Cardcaptor Sakura - Everlasting Memories (Vol. 2)
      5. Dragon Ball Z - The Return of Cooler (Uncut Feature)
      6. Lost Universe - Union of Evil (Vol 5)
      7. Dragon Ball Z - World Tournament - Blackout
      8. Neon Genesis Evangelion, Collection 0:8 (Episodes 24-26)
      9. Plastic Little - The Adventures of Captain Tita
      10. Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 1 and 2

      DVD List

      DVD

      DVD

      Lapitch: The Little Shoemaker

      Deadly China Hero

      Vengeance Valley (REGION 1) (NTSC)

      DVD: Analyze That (Widescreen)

      Heartbreakers