Arrow Video Announces The Daimajin Trilogy (Limited-Edition Blu-Ray)

Yesterday, UK home video distributor Arrow Video announced that they will be releasing The Daimajin Trilogy in North America. The release will feature all three Daimajin films fully restored in high definition 1080p on Blu-Ray. In addition, the films will be presented in dual-audio with its original Japanese, and English dubs. Furthermore, each of the three films will feature optional subtitle tracks. Also, the set will contain various bonus features for its differing English dubs, commentary tracks, and interviews with staff. Whereas, bonus features will have film historians looking in-depth at the Daimajin Trilogy’s production. Finally, the set will also contain an illustrated collectors’ essay book, postcards, and promotional artwork provided by Matt Frank. Below is the full in-depth description for the release and bonus content:

 

The Daimajin Trilogy (1966)

Daiei Studios the creators of the Gamera series, made another kaiju franchise during the 1960s. However, it was a short-lived trilogy of films that released within a single year. Produced by Daiei’s subsidiary Kyoto studios, this series would combine Japan’s Warring States period with the legend of the Golem. The end result would lead to the creation of Daimajin, an ancient deity that protects people from tyrannical warlords. The series featured three different directors: Kimiyoshi Yasuda, Kenji Misumi, and Kazuo Mori. All are known as iconic directors in the samurai film genre, and all contributed the Zatoichi film series. Also, the trilogy featured Akira Ifukube, the iconic composer of the Godzilla series, providing the series’ score.

  • Daimajin (April 17, 1966)
  • Return of Daimajin (August 13, 1966)
  • Wrath of Daimajin (December 10, 1966)

 

Packaging, Bonus Features & Books:

CONTENTS

  • Illustrated collector’s 100 page book featuring new essays by Jonathan Clements, Keith Aiken, Ed Godziszewski, Raffael Coronelli, Erik Homenick, Robin Gatto and Kevin Derendorf
  • Postcards featuring the original Japanese artwork for all three films
  • Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Frank

DISC ONE – DAIMAJIN

  • Brand new audio commentary by Japanese film expert Stuart Galbraith IV
  • Newly filmed introduction by critic Kim Newman
  • Bringing the Avenging God to Life, a brand new exclusive video essay about the special effects of the Daimajin films by Japanese film historian Ed Godziszewski
  • Alternate opening credits for the US release as Majin
  • The Monster of Terror
  • Trailers for the original Japanese and US releases
  • Image gallery

DISC TWO – RETURN OF DAIMAJIN

  • Brand new audio commentary by Japanese film experts Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp
  • My Summer Holidays with Daimajin, a newly filmed interview with Professor Yoneo Ota, director of the Toy Film Museum, Kyoto Film Art Culture Research Institute, about the production of the Daimajin films at Daiei Kyoto
  • From Storyboard to Screen: Bringing Return of Daimajin to Life, a comparison of several key scenes in Return of Daimajin with the original storyboards
  • Alternate opening credits for the US release as Return of the Giant Majin
  • Trailers for the original Japanese and US releases
  • Image gallery

DISC THREE – WRATH OF DAIMAJIN

  • Brand new audio commentary by Asian historian Jonathan Clements
  • Interview with cinematographer Fujio Morita discussing his career at Daiei and his work on the Daimajin Trilogy
  • Trailers for the original Japanese release
  • Image Gallery

 

Also, we reached out to Matt Frank for a quote on his contributions to the set:

Daimajin is one of the coolest concepts and amazingly well-made pieces of Tokusatsu artistry in the genre. I had a feeling Arrow was going to put out the trilogy, and I had to resist kicking down their door to work on it! I really wanted to do something totally different from the Gamera set, so I went for a look inspired by classic ukiyo-e prints, a style I’ve been experimenting with for a while now.

 

Pre-orders for The Daimajin Trilogy are currently available in the UK. Whereas, orders are slowly opening at online retailers located in North America. Finally, orders for The Daimajin Trilogy limited-edition set are scheduled to release on July 26, 2021.

 

Source: Arrow Films

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  1. […] will surprisingly include Kadokawa Daiei’s cult classic character, Daimajin, following a 55 year hiatus from films. This reveal was provided by the recent release of the film’s official trailer, and […]

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