Unboxing [UK]: Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis - Limited Edition Steelbook (BD/DVD)

This is a very special release that I honestly did not see coming at all, and I'm very happy to be able to watch this film on Blu-ray. It's also my very first Osamu Tezuka title for the collection.

Metropolis is a 2001 anime movie based on the manga of the same name by Osamu Tezuka back in 1949. The anime and manga are often also compared to the 1927 silent film of the same name. This film was animated by studio Madhouse (Ninja Scroll), directed by Rintaro (Galaxy Express 999) and written by Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira).

Metropolis has had an odd release for the UK. It was one of the few titles put out by Sony Pictures for DVD and was barely touched since. It was only until recently that Eureka Entertainment had announced plans to re-release the film on Blu-ray, along with this special steelbook release. North America will also be getting the film on Blu-ray from Sony Pictures, but they will have to suffer with BD-R quality.

This limited edition steelbook comes with the film on both Blu-ray and DVD with an English dub and the original Japanese audio plus optional English subtitles in a few forms; original translated subtitles, US theatrical translated subtitles, and Hard for Hearing subtitles (aka dubtitles). UPDATE: It appears I was mistaken (well I did rush this post so it was my bad), the Blu-ray is in fact Regions A & B compatible, while the DVD is Region 2 only.

Blu-ray Specs:

Languages: Japanese, English

Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1 [Japanese, English], LPCM 2.0 [Japanese, English]

Video: 1080p HD Native 16:9

Region: A B

Subtitles: English (Original Translation, US Theatrical Translation, Dubtitles)

Subtitles Locked: No

Discs: 1

DVD Specs:

Languages: Japanese, French

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 [Japanese, French], Dolby Digital 2.0 [Japanese, French]

Video: SD PAL 16:9

Region: 2

Subtitles: English, French

Subtitles Locked: No

Discs: 1

Plot Synopsis (via Eureka):

Based on the classic comic created by revered manga artist and animator Osamu Tezuka (Astroboy), written by anime legend Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) and directed by Rintaro (Galaxy Express 999), Metropolis is a spectacular film featuring stunning imagery and unforgettable characters.

In the industrial, tri-level world of Metropolis, Duke Red is a powerful leader with plans to unveil a highly advanced robot named Tima. But Duke Reds violent son Rock distrusts robots and intends to find and destroy Tima. Lost in the confusing labyrinth beneath Metropolis, Tima is beginning a friendship with the young nephew of a Japanese detective. But when Duke Red separates the two innocents, Timas life – and the fate of the universe – is dangerously at stake.

On-Disc Extra Content:

The Making of Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis - a documentary on the film's production

Interviews with the film's creators

Multi-angle animation comparisons

Original Trailer

Promotional Trailer

Limited Edition Extras:

Steelbook (limited to 2000 copies)