Can anyone help with Ghibli DVD imports to the UK?

I am looking for somewhere in the UK - preferably London - that might stock imports of Studio Ghibli DVD box sets. I am looking for one as a gift for a friend but he - very sensibly! - wants the original Japanese version of the movies with English subtitles, rather than the Disney dubs. He already has some of the better know movies - Totoro, Kiki, Laputa, Poroc Rosso - so I'm looking for a box set with as many movies on as possible. Any suggestiosn of where i could get hold of something like this in the UK would be very much appreciated. Sorry if I am repeating a question that has already appeared as a thread!

Thanks!

I think Jiji is the expert on LEGAL box sets because there are a lot of crooks with fake, not to mention poor quality ones that look real on the outside.

I thought all the Disney DVDs came with the option to select Japanese language with english subtitles, or am I mistaken?

Jiji? Where are you kuronekochan?

__________________
Omoide no oku ni
yuragu hohoemi wa
toki no hajime kara no
sekai no yakusoku. - Promise of the World

-- Why did Chihiro have to let go of Haku's hand? Why Chihiro do you make me cry buckets of tears?... sob--

Please report pirated Ghibli/Disney products: tips@disneyantipiracy.com or the confidential Antipiracy voice mail hotline, 818-560-3300.
Please protect Mr. Miyazaki's works.

My Howl's MC viewing addiction - final theatre count: 11 showings

Post last edited by howl_chan_wa_kawaii on 09.14.2005, 12:34 AM.

Thank you for the response....
Yes - the Disney ones do seem to come with subtitles but I think I am looking for more films than just the ones that Disney have bought. Unless I am mistaken and they now own the whole Ghibli cataclogue... if so it would be helpful to know, if anyone can confirm or deny that?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Albert
I am looking for somewhere in the UK - preferably London - that might stock imports of Studio Ghibli DVD box sets. I am looking for one as a gift for a friend but he - very sensibly! - wants the original Japanese version of the movies with English subtitles, rather than the Disney dubs. He already has some of the better know movies - Totoro, Kiki, Laputa, Poroc Rosso - so I'm looking for a box set with as many movies on as possible. Any suggestiosn of where i could get hold of something like this in the UK would be very much appreciated. Sorry if I am repeating a question that has already appeared as a thread!

Thanks!

---

[Sorry that I haven't been active in the recent weeks (^_^;; ). Far too occupied with school work and misc stuff ]

Ghibli DVDs are always great gifts for your friends, and a box-set including all Ghibli movies sounds fantastic. A pity that there is no legit box-set collection of the Ghibli movies available except the limited R3 HK set mentioned by Brendon. I am not going to go deep into it as Brenster has kindly posted a very detailed account of it.

For your information, most of the authentic Ghibli DVDs you can get, be they from Hong Kong, UK, US or Japan, come with the original Japanese soundtracks and English subtitles.

As seen from your friend's present collection (Laputa, Totoro, Kiki, Porco), it seems that the Miyazaki-directed Ghibli films, especially the ones concerning personal developments, suit his taste more. Here are all the Miyazaki titles that you can consider:

Lupin III Castle of Cagliostro *
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind *
Princess Mononoke *
Spirited Away *

You can find the UK R2 releases of the titles with asterisks. Personally I would recommend Spirited Away, which is a character-driven story that shares a few common themes with Kiki. Nausicaa is also a good choice as it is going to be released in UK on 26th of this month.

If your friend is an avid Miyazaki fan, chances are that he may have already seen all the Miyazaki titles. In that case, you may consider other works of Studio Ghibli:

Grave of the Fireflies
Only Yesterday
Ocean Waves
Pom Poko
Whisper of the Heart
My Neighbour the Yamadas
The Cat Returns *

There are loads of masterpieces in this list, but I think it is a good idea to get Whisper of the Heart or The Cats Returns first. Miyazaki was responsible for the screenplay, storyboards and production of the former. The "Miyazakian" style of atmosphere and feeling would most likely appeal to your friend. As for the latter, it is a bit like Spirited Away, but is more light-hearted with funny jokes around. Notice that the US R1 version of The Cat Returns come only with dubtitles, instead of literal subtitles. I am not sure of the condition of the UK R2 (which will also be available on 26th, together with Nausicaa), but most likely it shares the same subtitles with the US R1. If your friend is a sort-of purist, the Japanese version would be a better choice (not to mention that it includes the 25-min film of "Ghiblies 2," which is highly enjoyable)

If you are interested in getting the non-local titles (US R1 / Japanese R2 / Hong Kong R3 / etc), you have to consider the possible problems of region-code and video standards (NTSC/PAL). Try to find some way to check your friend's video equipment (DVD and TV) before making the final decision. It would be a really great disappointment if your friend received your gift joyfully but ended up not being able to play them properly.

The internet is a handy tool for importing the non-local titles:
R1 US: http://www.amazon.com
R2 JP: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp
R3 HK: http://www.yesasia.com


Hope these helps!

Last but not the least, welcome to the forums and hope that you will enjoy your stay here!


Other related forum topics that you may be interested in:
http://www.onlineghibli.com/tavern/threa...6&boardid=4
http://www.onlineghibli.com/tavern/threa...2&boardid=4





P.S to Bendon: I think it is okay to post retailer links and photos, as long as that is only for sharing info to benefit your fellow Ghibli friends, instead of benefiting yourself financially.

And just some random rant: I can find the R3 limited sets easily in the large video shops in my city; and they have been rotting on the shelves for years with no one being interested in them...

__________________
My light novel review blog: ラノなの！@ novel.co.nr

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jiji
P.S to Bendon: I think it is okay to post retailer links and photos, as long as that is only for sharing info to benefit your fellow Ghibli friends, instead of benefiting yourself financially.

And just some random rant: I can find the R3 limited sets easily in the large video shops in my city; and they have been rotting on the shelves for years with no one being interested in them...

---

Many many thanks to all of you - especially Jiji and Brendon.

I have now purchased the gift set from Yes Asia - it looks fantastic! I am sure that my friend will be very happy with his present and thanks to you he will have a great birthday!

Thank you so much for all your help!

Albert

Thank YOU Albert, for taking the time to purchase an authentic item. I hope your friend enjoys it.

__________________
Omoide no oku ni
yuragu hohoemi wa
toki no hajime kara no
sekai no yakusoku. - Promise of the World

-- Why did Chihiro have to let go of Haku's hand? Why Chihiro do you make me cry buckets of tears?... sob--

Please report pirated Ghibli/Disney products: tips@disneyantipiracy.com or the confidential Antipiracy voice mail hotline, 818-560-3300.
Please protect Mr. Miyazaki's works.

My Howl's MC viewing addiction - final theatre count: 11 showings

I guess I have to thank you as well - http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.asp.../section-anime/ seems to be perfect, exactly what I've been looking for, even with the Grave of the Fireflies included! (Well, I'd exchange The Cat Returns to Yamadas at any time without a single moment of hesitation, but I guess that's a matter of taste.) Now I'll only have to wait to the next month until some more money arrive on my account, and hope that it's still in stock by then...