TokuERA 2020/2021 |OT| Masks Required

[Adam Tyner]

My Blu-ray copy of Shin Ultraman got here a little early.

Everything you may have heard about the subtitles is true. There's only one subtitle stream, and it's treated like an SDH track, captioning sound effects and the like. The Japanese text at the beginning of the film is not translated. And, for whatever reason, there's HTML code in the subtitles.

Despite Shin Ultraman's nearly two hour runtime, the video and audio for the movie itself only take up 19 gigs, and the whole thing is crammed onto a single layer disc. All three soundtracks are lossy and DVD-quality. Here's a BDInfo scan, if you're into that sort of thing:

Spoiler

DISC INFO:

Disc Label:     SHIN ULTRAMAN BD
Disc Size:      23,481,559,994 bytes
Protection:     AACS
BDInfo:         0.7.5.6

PLAYLIST REPORT:

Name:                   00001.MPLS
Length:                 1:52:29.159 (h:m:s.ms)
Size:                   20,474,363,904 bytes
Total Bitrate:          24.27 Mbps

VIDEO:

Codec                   Bitrate             Description    
-----                   -------             -----------    
MPEG-4 AVC Video        21777 kbps          1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1

AUDIO:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description    
-----                           --------        -------         -----------    
Dolby Digital Audio             Japanese        448 kbps        5.1 / 48 kHz /   448 kbps / DN -31dB
Dolby Digital Audio             English         448 kbps        5.1 / 48 kHz /   448 kbps / DN -31dB
Dolby Digital Audio             English         448 kbps        2.0 / 48 kHz /   448 kbps / DN -31dB

SUBTITLES:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description    
-----                           --------        -------         -----------    
Presentation Graphics           English         28.241 kbps                    

FILES:

Name            Time In         Length          Size            Total Bitrate  
----            -------         ------          ----            -------------  
00001.M2TS      0:00:00.000     1:52:29.159     20,474,363,904  24,269         

CHAPTERS:

Number          Time In         Length          Avg Video Rate  Max 1-Sec Rate  Max 1-Sec Time  Max 5-Sec Rate  Max 5-Sec Time  Max 10Sec Rate  Max 10Sec Time  Avg Frame Size  Max Frame Size  Max Frame Time 
------          -------         ------          --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
1               0:00:00.000     0:00:37.370     18,423 kbps     54,568 kbps     00:00:14.389    32,616 kbps     00:00:14.389    25,634 kbps     00:00:09.926    95,941 bytes    514,756 bytes   00:00:35.452   
2               0:00:37.370     0:09:11.550     22,280 kbps     55,515 kbps     00:03:33.880    32,724 kbps     00:01:56.366    29,500 kbps     00:00:51.426    116,160 bytes   914,421 bytes   00:02:27.939   
3               0:09:48.921     0:05:57.690     21,983 kbps     53,172 kbps     00:11:34.485    32,451 kbps     00:13:55.417    27,787 kbps     00:13:55.417    114,609 bytes   746,333 bytes   00:14:41.547   
4               0:15:46.612     0:06:06.699     21,974 kbps     50,865 kbps     00:18:20.182    30,679 kbps     00:18:20.182    26,362 kbps     00:18:20.182    114,561 bytes   918,027 bytes   00:18:20.224   
5               0:21:53.311     0:07:23.109     22,005 kbps     53,787 kbps     00:23:20.816    29,964 kbps     00:28:39.384    26,813 kbps     00:23:20.816    114,726 bytes   693,711 bytes   00:23:20.857   
6               0:29:16.421     0:08:31.260     21,985 kbps     53,841 kbps     00:36:29.312    32,323 kbps     00:36:29.395    29,660 kbps     00:36:29.395    114,611 bytes   770,454 bytes   00:31:39.063   
7               0:37:47.682     0:06:20.296     21,827 kbps     55,424 kbps     00:39:51.806    32,728 kbps     00:39:20.691    29,776 kbps     00:42:06.232    113,807 bytes   830,078 bytes   00:41:01.667   
8               0:44:07.978     0:07:01.754     22,120 kbps     55,412 kbps     00:44:22.368    32,558 kbps     00:49:54.908    29,641 kbps     00:44:22.368    115,326 bytes   649,268 bytes   00:47:25.634   
9               0:51:09.733     0:08:32.512     21,981 kbps     55,318 kbps     00:52:13.296    32,756 kbps     00:55:39.669    29,693 kbps     00:55:01.756    114,599 bytes   755,081 bytes   00:55:24.612   
10              0:59:42.245     0:09:20.560     22,055 kbps     53,234 kbps     01:03:33.184    32,509 kbps     01:03:33.184    29,724 kbps     01:03:33.184    114,987 bytes   730,317 bytes   01:08:21.472   
11              1:09:02.805     0:08:48.527     21,988 kbps     54,055 kbps     01:11:31.870    30,438 kbps     01:11:54.977    27,272 kbps     01:11:54.476    114,637 bytes   726,262 bytes   01:13:16.016   
12              1:17:51.333     0:07:44.463     22,003 kbps     53,159 kbps     01:21:15.871    32,526 kbps     01:22:31.571    29,734 kbps     01:22:31.529    114,715 bytes   835,159 bytes   01:21:59.873   
13              1:25:35.797     0:06:08.368     22,009 kbps     49,855 kbps     01:26:26.639    28,675 kbps     01:26:42.822    26,054 kbps     01:26:38.860    114,746 bytes   655,015 bytes   01:26:42.864   
14              1:31:44.165     0:07:19.188     21,902 kbps     54,224 kbps     01:33:45.369    32,737 kbps     01:36:47.176    29,752 kbps     01:33:45.369    114,175 bytes   791,161 bytes   01:35:24.969   
15              1:39:03.354     0:08:27.173     22,105 kbps     54,210 kbps     01:39:16.033    32,588 kbps     01:39:16.033    29,745 kbps     01:39:16.033    115,248 bytes   925,121 bytes   01:43:39.004   
16              1:47:30.527     0:04:58.631     16,900 kbps     36,379 kbps     01:51:32.394    32,130 kbps     01:51:30.934    29,484 kbps     01:50:58.485    88,131 bytes    496,690 bytes   01:50:11.062   

STREAM DIAGNOSTICS:

File            PID             Type            Codec           Language                Seconds                 Bitrate                 Bytes           Packets        
----            ---             ----            -----           --------                --------------          --------------          -------------   -----          
00001.M2TS      4113 (0x1011)   0x1B            AVC                                     6749.076                21,777                  18,371,715,720  99,940,959     
00001.M2TS      4352 (0x1100)   0x81            AC3             jpn (Japanese)          6749.076                448                     377,948,928     2,109,090      
00001.M2TS      4353 (0x1101)   0x81            AC3             eng (English)           6749.076                448                     377,948,928     2,109,090      
00001.M2TS      4354 (0x1102)   0x81            AC3             eng (English)           6749.076                448                     377,948,928     2,109,090      
00001.M2TS      4608 (0x1200)   0x90            PGS             eng (English)           6749.076                28                      23,825,701      142,488

So here's hoping for a better release elsewhere. I'm not sure if Raven Banner's Canadian rights extent to home video, but if they do, I'll certainly be importing that.

 

[modoversus]

Shin Ultraman will have a limited run in Mexico in the Cinepolis chain of theaters in september. Hopfeuly this does well enough that they also bring Shin Kamen Rider.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

So I've decided to jump into the old 70s series, Message from Space: Galactic Wars. Absolutely love the deep space galleon ship with sails, but a bit sad that doesn't seem to be the primary ship the characters use.

I also like the make-up on Balu the space ape.

 

[Mandos]

Well I watched Ultraman Blazar 1(dub). Love the combat theme. Boy they're really kicking up the mystery level on the kickoff of this one huh? Usually we'd already know what the Ultraman wants from the host whereas he hasn't talked at all yet. Also feels like we're in for a dire world state for this earth. Feels like it should've been a 2 episode premiere. Set piece was fun tho.
Oh and my mom liked Blazar's costume with the asymmetry(only person I know I managed to talk into Watching with me XD)

 

[Vareon]

The Blazar premiere has 1.8m views on Youtube now. Kinda big.

 

[Harpoon]

Ultraman Blazar 1

Right off the bat this is structured pretty differently as a first episode compared to the other New Gen Ultras, throwing us right into the middle of the action as it focuses on introducing the titular Ultra first and foremost. And while I almost wish we got the second episode paired with this to properly introduce us to the rest of the cast beyond Gento, I still like how they approached this as almost like a "cold opening" to the series as a whole. The more grounded atmosphere presented here has got my Nexus-loving self giddy, even if it's still doing things pretty differently from that series.

Blazar himself is wild in all the right ways, leaping off buildings, shoving his fist into kaiju's mouths, and getting in shouting matches with kaiju to drive them away from people. And how about that first shot after his transformation? Already memorable as hell.

Bazanga was also fun and makes me all the more excited for all the new kaiju we're getting here. Really liked its fireworks projectiles.

 

[chaobreaker]

Blazar 1

The pacing issues took me out of it but then I'm pulled back in whenever Captain Gento is being cool or Blazar starts rampaging like a lanky silver Hulk. Show has some potential.

Geats 43

Finally we get to see Keiwa's ideal world and everything immediately goes to hell and his family is dead again. Keiwa getting zero breaks on this suffering arc XD

 

[Mekanos]

A bit mixed on the Blazar premiere. Love the crazy monkey energy Blazar has but it felt like the fight went on forever and the episode being entirely at night made it feel a bit drab. But it's got potential so I'll keep watching.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

Not seen Blazar yet, but everyone's comments are making me think of old school Kamen Rider Amazon and I'm really excited for it.

 

[PhoenixAKG]

Blazar 1

The pacing issues took me out of it but then I'm pulled back in whenever Captain Gento is being cool or Blazar starts rampaging like a lanky silver Hulk. Show has some potential.

Geats 43

Finally we get to see Keiwa's ideal world and everything immediately goes to hell and his family is dead again. Keiwa getting zero breaks on this suffering arc XD

Click to shrink...

If I'm being honest this whole thing cemented Keiwa as my least favourite rider in the series. He's so naive that it's insufferable and he comes across as an idiot a lot.

 

[DragonSJG]

Yeah Keiwa's a totat fool
So Sara really did die in the og world/

 

[chaobreaker]

If I'm being honest this whole thing cemented Keiwa as my least favourite rider in the series. He's so naive that it's insufferable and he comes across as an idiot a lot.

Click to shrink...

The way last week's episode ending with him being suit-wearing edgelord with parted hair to today's episode starting with him briefly lighting up when his sister called him to just to hear her say
"KEIWA HELP *dies*" was so silly. They really did Keiwa dirty this arc. Probably the worst instance of a heel turn I have ever seen in this franchise.

 

[RedHoodedOwl]

Yeah Keiwa's a totat fool
So Sara really did die in the og world/

Click to shrink...

Spoiler

The writers didn't like Keiwa and that's why he has suddenly become a more naive copy of Micchy from Gaim.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

Some of y'all need to be a bit better about spoilers.

 

[GalaxyDive]

So I've decided to jump into the old 70s series, Message from Space: Galactic Wars. Absolutely love the deep space galleon ship with sails, but a bit sad that doesn't seem to be the primary ship the characters use.

I also like the make-up on Balu the space ape.

Click to shrink...

I haven't gotten around to any of it, but ever since I found out about the big budget original movie and then that the TV series spinoff is a Ishinomori joint starring Hiroyuki Sanada, I've been interested in checking Message From Space out.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

I haven't gotten around to any of it, but ever since I found out about the big budget original movie and then that the TV series spinoff is a Ishinomori joint starring Hiroyuki Sanada, I've been interested in checking Message From Space out.

Click to shrink...

It's pretty good thus far!

 

[RedHoodedOwl]

Yeah Keiwa's a totat fool
So Sara really did die in the og world/

Click to shrink...

Use spoiler tags, friend.

 

[chaobreaker]

Someone on twitter pointed out that Shinji Kasahara (Kousei Kurama/Gya-go in Geats) was a mocap actor for the katana-using Ultraseven in the Netflix Ultraman series. And then someone else pointed out this means the face actors for TimeFire from Mirai Sentai Timeranger and its Power Rangers counterpart Quantum Ranger (Daniel Southworth aka Vergil in Devil May Cry) were both mocap actors of dudes who use katanas.

Dumb and pointless knowledge that gets my neurons going.

 

[Vin-yl]

At least Keiwas new form is dope as hell?

 

[gunlovefiction]

Neon kinda got shafted for her final form

 

[RedHoodedOwl]

Neon kinda got shafted for her final form

Click to shrink...

Spoiler

I hope she finally takes down that despair Danganronpa reject.

 

[PhoenixAKG]

At least Keiwas new form is dope as hell?

Click to shrink...

Yeah, one of the best secondary rider final forms.....but the user is a dumbass

Neon kinda got shafted for her final form

Click to shrink...

Yep....she is a HUGE step down from Jeanne.

 

[Orayn]

It really sucks that Geats seems to be fumbling the bag at the very end, just like I feared it would.

They should have introduced Geats IX earlier and ended it at 40 episodes instead of whatever's happening now.

 

[Vin-yl]

I still enjoy a good part of Geats last few episodes. Good action scenes especially.

But it definitely isn't riding the highs of previous episodes anymore.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

So Message from Space, I love that it's very clearly a Star Wars rip-off with a Luke, Han, Chewie, and R2-D2, but I love that their version of Chewie, Balu, is a sassy Planet of the Apes guy who smokes cigars and primps in a mirror.

And their Han is a ninja.

 

[modoversus]

Have more auto-tuned riders:


View: https://youtu.be/mdt1y-UKPqw

 

[DragonSJG]

Anyone else think we barely see GeatsIX

 

[RedHoodedOwl]

Anyone else think we barely see GeatsIX

Click to shrink...

Spoiler

Kekera in his Premium state is able to fight God tier Geats IX. This is absurd!

 

[Mandos]

Well rather than do Kuuga which I actually owned I got talked into watching
Kamen Rider Fourze 1
High school cliches, a Punk who would be a rival in any other show, bad CGI and a fun kickoff. Gentaro is awesome and it feels like Yuji is pranking him half the episode

the person who talked me into this is going to get me hooked on this only for me to get annoyed cause Toei only uploaded the first 2 episodes in English on YouTube, isn't that the case

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

Gentaro has my all-time favorite character introduction with how he goes off the bridge then just sloshed into the classroom, slams the wet letter on the desk, eyes the guy and says, "we're gonna be friiieeeeends."

 

[Mekanos]

Fourze is still a top 3 Rider for me, it's just a great feel good show. It mixes the high school antics with Kamen Rider stuff perfectly.

 

[SilentStorm]

Gentaro is my favorite Rider protagonist, not the deepest, but he is so goshdarn likeable and a great person and the actor sells the charisma that Gentaro has.

Makes his nice personality stand out even among other nice Riders.

 

[Vin-yl]

Gentaro and Fourze are a warm blanket. Definitely one of my favourites as well.

 

[GalaxyDive]

Anyone else think we barely see GeatsIX

Click to shrink...

We've been seeing it, the thing is we went from its debut to immediately focusing on everyone but Ace, introducing final forms for Tycoon, Na-Go, and still Buffa to come, leaving Geats mostly off to the side not being in a position to show off.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

....I legit thought I was almost done buying buckles for the Geats belts x-x

But I think the Vision Driver arrives this week!

 

[chairhome]

PSA: Kamen Rider Climax Scamble Zi-O for Nintendo Switch is on sale for 2990 Yen (about $21) on the Japanese eshop. Has english text/subtitles.

 

[Birdie]

Gender politics aside, Episode 40 of Geats was pretty cool.

Goddammit they've made some punchable villains...Daichi is like the worst human being, and like for no fucking reason.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

PSA: Kamen Rider Climax Scamble Zi-O for Nintendo Switch is on sale for 2990 Yen (about $21) on the Japanese eshop. Has english text/subtitles.

Click to shrink...

Oooo! Need to remind myself to set my Japanese account back up.

 

[Birdie]

What the fuck why does the new Game Master in the Purple Suit go so hard? Just whips out a baton and starts beating Ace with it.

 

[robotzombie]

Are the Shin Ultraman subtitles okay if you rent digital? Or are they as bad as that Blu Ray posted above?

 

[chaobreaker]

What the fuck why does the new Game Master in the Purple Suit go so hard? Just whips out a baton and starts beating Ace with it.

Click to shrink...

I love it when they introduce an actor that knows some fight choreography. Like that time they got the guy from Versus in Kabuto and let him run wild on the cast.

 

[Birdie]

Even Keiwa and Michi had a pretty great untransformed brawl.

 

[Weiss]

I made it five episodes into Blade before calling it quits. It genuinely has one of the worst first episodes of any show I've watched before and that influence keeps creeping into the following episodes to the point where I can't get hooked on anything happening now.

I'm sure it actually does get good later but they told me the same about Final Fantasy XIII.

Well rather than do Kuuga which I actually owned I got talked into watching
Kamen Rider Fourze 1
High school cliches, a Punk who would be a rival in any other show, bad CGI and a fun kickoff. Gentaro is awesome and it feels like Yuji is pranking him half the episode

the person who talked me into this is going to get me hooked on this only for me to get annoyed cause Toei only uploaded the first 2 episodes in English on YouTube, isn't that the case

Click to shrink...

You're welcome.

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

Awww, poor Blade.

One thing to keep in mind and delight in with regards to Blade, is the director specialized in theater productions for the stage, so he was constantly insisting all of the actors act so that people in the back row can see the emotion.

I'm a little over halfway through Revice myself, and I loved them dropping a Gurren Lagann line in there.

 

[Weiss]

Awww, poor Blade.

One thing to keep in mind and delight in with regards to Blade, is the director specialized in theater productions for the stage, so he was constantly insisting all of the actors act so that people in the back row can see the emotion.

I'm a little over halfway through Revice myself, and I loved them dropping a Gurren Lagann line in there.

Click to shrink...

The acting's fine it's the plotting that's wack

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

It does improve as it gets going.

 

[Vin-yl]

Blade is also absolutely hilarious

 

[AlgusUnderdunk]

Blade is also absolutely hilarious

Click to shrink...

Tachibana-san! Are you okay???

 

[Birdie]

I don't think Blade ever gets "good" it jumps around constantly, the characters are at each other's throats on and off, and one episode involves people getting turned into werewolves wearing the Wolfman mask from Mos Eisley.

But something about it is enjoyable? It has the early Heisei vibe where they don't really know what they're doing but there's fun moments a plenty.

 

[Birdie]

Okay...I think it's actually AMAZING they had Keiwa act like an edge lord for two episodes and then his entire family gets killed again within two seconds of his wish being granted.

But goddammit BUJIN SWORD is just way too cool...like the insert song in 42 sealed that for me. God it's no fair.