On August 5, 2008, Viz will be releasing their “Shonen Jump Issue 1 Fifth Anniversary Collector’s Issue.” Not the first issue of their 5th Anniversary. It’s the book celebrating 5 years since it’s first issue of Shonen Jump. This wouldn’t really be Shaman King news, except that there is an interview with Takei included with it. It’s probably not a new interview, just a reprint from the one they had, like 3 years ago. So, if you didn’t see it the first time, you probably got a second chance to read it again.
Japanese Shaman King DVD re-release
On August 27th, the original Shaman King anime will be re-released in Japan. This first box will contain episodes 1-24 and one extra OVA on seven DVDs. On October 10th and December 25th, two more DVD box sets will be released, which will cover episodes 25-44 + extra OVA, and episodes 45-64 with all the SFOV PVs and an extra OVA, respectively. Boxs 1 and 3 will cost 26,250 yen ($243.34 USD as of 6/12/08) and Box 2 will cost 22,050 yen ($204.40 USD as of 6/12/08). Each box will also contain a 12 page booklet.
The initial print of the Shaman King anime DVDs and VHS have long been out of print in Japan. The Shaman King anime still airs in re-broadcasts on cable channels in Japan. These DVDs are targeted at collectors of anime series, who are often older males with larger incomes. However, Amazon.co.jp is listing the first box set for $190USD, about $50 cheaper than standard price.
Clearly these DVDs are being released to be cross-promoted with the recent publishing of the Kang Zeng Bang manga reprints. These episodes do not appear to be altered in anyway from it’s initial Japanese DVD release. The audio will be Japanese only (Dobly Digital / Stereo), on Region 2 DVDs, with no subtitle tracks.
The only similar release, was in France during 2006 when all 64 episodes of the Shaman King anime were released in 3 DVD box sets. However, these contained only the French dub, and did not have the SFOV PVs nor the OVAs (which were never dubbed into any language outside of Japan).
Continue reading this news post for the complete break down of all contents on these DVDs.