More On The Japanese APPLESEED: EX MACHINA DVDs, Including a Look At The Limited Edition Set!

My thanks to reader AHTB for pointing the way to a detailed spec sheet for the new Japanese DVD releases of Appleseed: Ex Machine, which clarifies a few things. First, the run time listed for all versions of the film included in both releases - whether American or Japanese, standard or HD editions - is a uniform 105 minutes. Which means that when retailers are referring to an "American" version versus a "Japanese" version it would appear that they are referring only to the audio track, that the cut itself is the same. Which, in turn means that if all you want is the film itself, the two disc US edition - which includes both audio tracks and a second disc of features - is the best value for money.

Also included in the link AHTB shared? Shots of the limited edition collector's box version which confirmed my suspicions were correct and the "booklets" referred to match the ones found in the limited edition box of the first Appleseed movie: a larger book which is labeled as "picture continuity" in the translated version of the specs but is actually a book of story boards from the film and a second, smaller book containing finished artwork from the film. The disc breakdown goes like this: Disc one gives the Japanese audio version of the film with optional English subtitles, a collection of trailers, and an audio commentary which I assume will not be subtitled. Disc two features loads of bonus features, which will almost certainly not be subtitled on this release and is likely the same disc featured as the second disc on the US release. Disc three features the film with both English and Japanese audio tracks and overseas trailers. Disc four is the HD DVD version of the film, including both audio tracks, English and Japanese subtitles and a picture in picture function that allows you to watch the storyboards and finished film simultaneously. You also get stickers, postcards and the included books. Pricey? Yeah, but these sets are gorgeous and if you want the books - and if they're up to the standards of the ones included in the first Appleseed's box they're fantastic - this is the only way to get them.

Hit the link below to see the limited edition box.