Rating: 
Summary: This is better than VHS.
Review: About 15 years ago, I found an article in a comic book advertising Star Blazers on video. I was excited at the prospect of watching my favorite animated series all over again. However, when I got the tapes I found the picture was very dark. I had to adjust the bright and contrast on the tv and even then it was not a perfect picture(my videos were made by Kidmark, INC.). While this occured on the entire "Quest for Iscandar" series, the next two series, "The Comet Empire" and "The Bolar Wars" were normal. I did acquire a tape of the original movie "Space Cruiser Yamato"-which the Quest for Iscandar series is based on for American audiences- so I at least had a good picture, but it had a drawback too since I don't understand Japanese. Now that I got the first dvd of "Quest for Iscandar", I am happy that I have a very clear picture. To all who read this-and to those who may have experienced my problems with the videos-I recommend this dvd.
Rating: 
Summary: I have to concur, a big let down...
Review: but buy it anyways. It's the only way you are going to get to relive your childhood cartoon afternoons.The first 5 episodes stay true to what I remember and end with the first use of the wave motion gun and their escape from Jupiter. It was great to see it again and the fact that Voyager might not finish the series greatly disturbs me. Please do fill out the reply card if you purchase this DVD. =)
Rating:
Summary: Better than the above
Review: I disagree with the comments above about the picture and sound quality of the Star Blazers DVD. For a animated TV show that was made in the mid 70s I think the quality is really good, especially compared to the video tape collect I made of the series over 15 years ago. This really is an exceptional animated series and even if the quality had been poor, I'd still buy it because of all the great memories from my youth that it brings to the surface. I have not seen the VHS version so I don't know how the DVD quality compares but the Star Blazer DVD is definitely a must have for any fan. Voyager does need to do a better job on the DVD menu as well as add some bonus material but I believe they are planning on doing this based on response from the fans. So if we want to see more of the series then we have to show Voyager that we will purchase their product.
Rating:
Summary: starblazers goood
Review: i just picked up the dvd of the first 5 episodes and must say that the vhs version {by jupiter} was much smoother and cleaner than this {dvd} version. however this is better than nothing as stated by others and my wife who has been a fan for nigh on 25 years now. so if you must have your starblazers as my wife does then definitely pick this up.AND SEND IN YOUR CARDS.
Rating:
Summary: 5 Star Series, 1 Star DVD
Review: I loved this series as a child and still find the plot interesting. However, the science is a bad, snow on Mars etc. If you can overlook this the story is great. No DVD extras other than chapter search. They make up for this in the second DVD with a scene cut from the original Japanese series, character bios and better navagation. Not the best DVD production, but at least someone is putting this classic series on DVD. A must it you loved the series as a child or for your own children.
Rating:
Summary: Flashback to childhood
Review: I ordered this DVD with the expectation that it'd be an amusing return to childhood diversions of getting up early to watch Star Blazers before school. I was pleasantly surprised how well it translated to DVD and how well the story held up. No, it's not a work of genius, and I had hoped for some "DVD special features", but it was everything I expected and then some.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series
Review: I remember watching this and some of the other older anime series. I still enjoy it. Humans have to be saved from extinction, and aliens provide the potential means to save the planet. The only problem is the Earthlings have to travel to the aliens to get the help. The DVD itself doesn't have the extras that most anime DVDs have. The DVD menu seems almost pointless. You only have the dubbed version here. I wish they had left it as individual episodes instead of making it one long movie. Even with these problems, I would still recommend this DVD to any fan. It's a much better deal than getting the tapes.
Rating:
Summary: Great show, lousy disc
Review: I remember when growing up in the U.S., I would get up a little early to get ready, then watch the latest episode of Star Blazers, then rush outside so I wouldn't miss the school bus. I didn't want to miss a single bit. When I heard about the DVD, I definitely wanted to see it all again. Now that I'm older, I see it as more than just an action-packed space opera. I also notice the character development as Star Force learn to work together to overcome not only the struggle against their common enemy, the Gamalons; but also to overcome their own internal conflicts (Derek Wildstar coming to terms of his missing brother--Presumed Dead, and finding the balance between Wildstar's fury and Mark Venture's caution come to mind). The DVD itself leaves little to be desired. The disc hard to remove from the case and there is no extra content. In fact the menu allows you to start the movie or select a chapter. That's it. The one redeeming quality is that the disc plays the episodes one after another (i.e. no ending credits--back to menu between episodes). This looks like Voyager Entertainment took the videotape content and simply slapped it on a DVD. You get nothing extra. I give 5 stars for the content but 1 star for the DVD for an overall rating of 3. Despite the rating, if you like Sci-Fi/Fantasy (or if you enjoyed it as a kid), you will find it worthwhile (Unless you already have it on VHS).
Rating:
Summary: Great show, lousy disc
Review: I remember when growing up in the U.S., I would get up a little early to get ready, then watch the latest episode of Star Blazers, then rush outside so I wouldn't miss the school bus. I didn't want to miss a single bit. When I heard about the DVD, I definitely wanted to see it all again. Now that I'm older, I see it as more than just an action-packed space opera. I also notice the character development as Star Force learn to work together to overcome not only the struggle against their common enemy, the Gamalons; but also to overcome their own internal conflicts (Derek Wildstar coming to terms of his missing brother--Presumed Dead, and finding the balance between Wildstar's fury and Mark Venture's caution come to mind). The DVD itself leaves little to be desired. The disc hard to remove from the case and there is no extra content. In fact the menu allows you to start the movie or select a chapter. That's it. The one redeeming quality is that the disc plays the episodes one after another (i.e. no ending credits--back to menu between episodes). This looks like Voyager Entertainment took the videotape content and simply slapped it on a DVD. You get nothing extra. I give 5 stars for the content but 1 star for the DVD for an overall rating of 3. Despite the rating, if you like Sci-Fi/Fantasy (or if you enjoyed it as a kid), you will find it worthwhile (Unless you already have it on VHS).
Rating:
Summary: Star Blazers -- The Quest for Iscandar -- Series 1, Part I
Review: I was first introduced to Star Blazers as a 12-year-old in the fall of 1979. I only caught the second half of this series, but I loved it, and I love it as much today. Of course, having watched other sci-fi series like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5 and others in later years, I try to look for little inconsistencies in a storyline such as Star Blazers. It's not that I want to tear the storyline apart, like "The Nit Pickers Guide to Star Trek," but I just want to see where are slight errors or abberations in that storyline. For instance, after the battle at Pluto, it only took Captain Avatar's ship a very short time to return to Earth. However, while making preparations for the jump to warp from the moon to Mars, Captain Avatar says it would normally take months to make such a journey at normal travel speeds. How, then, could Avatar's ship get back to Earth in such a short time if his ship did not have warp capability? But, as I said, I am not attempting to tear the storyline apart. This storyline, in the format of the old Republic Serials like "Commando Cody," compels you to come back for more. At the end of each episode, you find out how much time is left for Earth. And you want to know what lies in store for the Argo and its crew in upcoming episodes. It is such a beautifully crafted storyline that way! I guess some characters like IQ-9 are meant as comic relief for the storyline, but I would not have put IQ-9 in the storyline were I its creator. These kind of characters just detract and divert from the storyline. But, again, this is just a minor issue. IQ-9 does have some good moments later in the storyline, and I do note that in his favour. But I guess the best thing about this storyline is that Captain Avatar does not lead the Away Missions. Avatar stays on the bridge of the Argo, where he belongs. He does not put himself directly in danger, like Captain James T. Kirk or Captain John J. Sheridan. Avatar knows his place, and he leaves his subordinates to go into danger and do the dirty work. Besides, Avatar is so critical to the success of the mission, it would be suicidal to put him directly in harm's way. Well, that pretty well covers it for me. I think my review of this DVD would carry over to the other DVDs in this series. Not that my opinion counts for much, of course, but I think I have given this DVD a fair hearing. No, you can overlook the inconsistencies in this storyline and love Starblazers. I have since I was 12 years old, and I'll love it for many years to come.
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