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Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)

Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $26.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: This is *not* for G-Force fans!
Review: As a child I was an avid G-Force fan. I would watch every morning before school and as I grew up and discovered more about this wonderful world of anime. I realized that the G-Force I watched (as well as Battle of the Planets) was an American release of the Japanese "Science Ninja Team: Gatchaman". Now that anime has started flooding the US marketplace (thank you!) I finally found this... a coveted "Gatchman" DVD, a sweet memory of my youth. But, when I popped it in I didn't see the characters I remembered. No 7-Zark-7, no Pee-wee, no Ace... and no "G-FORCE" team yell. What I came to discover, is this was a re-labelled 3 episode set of what was shown on tv more recently as "Eagle Riders". So, yeah, it's technically a modern Gatchaman... but if you're expecting the original, you may be disappointed. If none of this made sense, enjoy the show... it's still pretty good.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Nostalgia wave cresting high!
Review: G-Force! Memories of my youth are back. Admittedly I bought this quickly with some confusion later. Were these the original episodes that were hacked up and packaged as G-force and Battle of the Planets? Or newer updated versions of the classic? Frankly, I'm still not sure. But I don't care. My fuzzy memory and this DVD make a perfect combination. Still fun and cool, with a more adult edge too, which works perfectly since I'm older too. It reminds me why I liked anime.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Battle of the Planets done right!
Review: Great original animated video of Battle of the Planets (Gatchman in Japan)! Much nicer looking animation than the series, it's mildly violent, and no annoying 7-Zark-7 robot. This DVD is a must for all anime collectors (especially those who grew up with the TV series)!

PS: Check out Star Blazers on DVD too!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great trip down memory lane
Review: I bought this DVD because I'd been going through Battle of the Planets withdrawl. I haven't seen much of that American version of Gatchaman since the 70s, and could wait no longer for the soon-to-be-released Rhino DVDs, so I picked this up for some nostalgia.

Although updated with 90s anime flair, this reworking of the 70s Gatchaman was made with the Gatch fanboy in mind. It is updated in look and pacing, but everything about the original show is here - from the costumes to the characters' personalities.

Since it is based on Japan's Gatchaman, it is thankfully "missing" 7-Zark-7 and 1-Rover-1, whose sole purpose was to take up the space created by editing out the more violent scenes in the show (don't you love American morality?).

The only big complaint I have is some of the new music is weak (especially the song that plays during the menus). Every now and then some of the old music from original Gatch plays, but it is so infrequent that one gets depressed when it stops.

Until Rhino releases the original Battle of the Planet DVDs in late October '01, this is enjoyable viewing for those who fondly remember the original series.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great G-Force Stuff, but nudity is over the top for a toon
Review: I like what they've done with the content over all, but I'm disappointed that they needed to include these teenagers in a shower scene (one guy) and an almost full frontal scene with the teenage girl. They were brief, but enough I would never let a kid see this video. Wish I could edit the DVD and remove that stuff. I didn't want an adult series, I wanted the cartoon I grew up watching.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Gatchaman OAVs - Get 'em... Again
Review: I recently saw a pre-release copy of this collection and I'm sticking to my guns about this set. I remember when I first saw this on VHS, I commented that this was a fantastic installment in the Gatchaman line and I still maintain that position and then some. DVD just makes these flicks that much better. But before others start writing in to complain about the differences between this and the original series, remember that this is not meant to be compared. It is different all together and, for the most part, is an excellent addition to the Gatchaman line. Again, the story is excellent, the updates (costumes, vehicles, ...) are greatly improved, and the animation far surpasses anything Gatchaman to date. Anyone who says otherwise needs to pull themselves out of the '70's and realize that all things must eventually change and should count themselves lucky that in this particular instance it has done so for the better.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Gatchaman Returns!
Review: I remember seeing this great series for the first time as a kid as most people have, in the form of "Battle of the Planets." Even though the show aired in the U.S. in 1978, the 1972 animation was still more advanced than anything on afternoon television at that time.

Years later I had a chance to see the original Japanese series, and was surprised at the great difference. The sanitized U.S. version of Gatchaman couldn't hold a candle to the original. This DVD is a great way to experience this series the way it was meant to be. If you are looking for "7-Zark-7" and "1-Rover-1" look elsewhere. My only complaint (and my reason for four stars) is that more of the original musical score wasn't used in the revamped edition, if only for nostalgic effect. However, a tribute in the form of a music video at the end of the third episode makes up for that. Overall a great DVD for your collection.

"Fighting formation, Tornado Fighter!"

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Gatchaman Returns!
Review: I remember seeing this great series for the first time as a kid as most people have, in the form of "Battle of the Planets." Even though the show aired in the U.S. in 1978, the 1972 animation was still more advanced than anything on afternoon television at that time.

Years later I had a chance to see the original Japanese series, and was surprised at the great difference. The sanitized U.S. version of Gatchaman couldn't hold a candle to the original. This DVD is a great way to experience this series the way it was meant to be. If you are looking for "7-Zark-7" and "1-Rover-1" look elsewhere. My only complaint (and my reason for four stars) is that more of the original musical score wasn't used in the revamped edition, if only for nostalgic effect. However, a tribute in the form of a music video at the end of the third episode makes up for that. Overall a great DVD for your collection.

"Fighting formation, Tornado Fighter!"

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Gatchaman is back!
Review: I'd been a big fan of the old "BATTLE OF THE PLANETS" cartoon so when i saw gatchaman on dvd i had to purchase it. Overall it's a good quality miniseries good animation and a good amount of action.All the characters are there slightly changed but still there.My favorite character was always Jun(Princess/Kelly) unfortunatly her "character" is only used in suporting role.She's only there to spout technical jargon.But that's keeping in tradition with the old gatchaman, the focus always seemed to be on the two male leads,Ken and Joe, and in this miniseries its no different.There's a LOT of political intrigue with the galactor and not enough gatchaman action.Also the music is horrible,the main song is very lame, think bad eighties schmaltz...And speaking of lame, what was that ending about,did they die???It was a little to abstract for my taste.Oh I almost forgot to talk about the special features.The special features are non-existent, they consist of trailers for other DVDs.Overall a very good miniseries with some pretty good action just dont expect it to be the exact same show from the seventies.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This is not your father¿s G-Force¿
Review: Is the best way to describe this 3 episode DVD! This DVD comes in at #32 in Anime Invasion Magazine's Top 50 Anime DVD's of all time.

The Lowdown: As most anime fans may know, before there was a "G-Force" and "Battle of the Planets" there was GATCHAMAN! This DVD series is based on the original Gatchaman concept and character names, and not the edited down American versions that were produced later. So "Battle of the Planets" fans may wonder why there is no 7-Zark-7 or none of the G-Force team shouts, like "G-FORCE!" and my personal favorite "TRANS-MUTE!"

The Story: What we have here is a cool and stylish revamp that was produced in 1994 and now just making its way to DVD. It features the well-known Gotchaman characters in updated costumes and mecha. I wish this was made into a series instead of just 3 episodes.

Extras: If you already own the originally released VHS tapes and hope that the DVD offers some extra 'bells and whistles' there is nothing to be found here. Nothing on the menu other than episode, scene, select and play- this is reason why I gave this DVD 4 stars.

At the end of the 3rd episode credits, there is a techno-house Gatchaman music video. Since I never bought the VHS version, I don't know it was originally from the VHS release or not.

One advantage is that the DVD is a cheaper than buying the 3 VHS tape set. Oh, and the DVD I bought came with a cool Gatchaman sticker inside.

Overall: If you are a "Battle of the Planets" fan, I recommend this DVD- it is great! But I have to caution you, watching it may cause you "Battle of the Planets" flashbacks. And the next thing you know, you will be looking for some of those old BOTP episodes (which is already available in the U.K. on DVD, and will be available in the U.S. soon).


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