Product Details

• Actors: Masaya Onosaka, Kôji Ishii, Michiko Neya, Rica Matsumoto, Fumihiko Tachiki
• Directors: Hiroyuki Fukushima, Shuichi Kaneko, Toyohiro Chûjo
• Writers: Akihiko Nishiyama
• Producers: Hidenobu Watanabe, Hirotoshi Okura, Ippei Kuri, Minoru Yoshida
• Format: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English, Japanese
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Urban Vision
• DVD Release Date: July 17, 2001
• Run Time: 135 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005LIRQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,185 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Gatchaman has been revamped stylish and more dynamic than ever. The new ovas manage to modernize the characters without compromising the design of the original series. This three volume mini-series continues the story from the 1970s hit tv series. Studio: Urban Vision Release Date: 07/17/2001 Run time: 135 minutes Rating: Nr Director: H. Fukushima/a. Nishiyama

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is not your fathers G-Force, July 29, 2001

By 

Tone Ellis "Tone" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3) (DVD)

Is the best way to describe this 3 episode DVD! This DVD comes in at #32 in Anime Invasion Magazine's Top 50 Anime DVD's of all time.

The Lowdown: As most anime fans may know, before there was a "G-Force" and "Battle of the Planets" there was GATCHAMAN! This DVD series is based on the original Gatchaman concept and character names, and not the edited down American versions that were produced later. So "Battle of the Planets" fans may wonder why there is no 7-Zark-7 or none of the G-Force team shouts, like "G-FORCE!" and my personal favorite "TRANS-MUTE!"

The Story: What we have here is a cool and stylish revamp that was produced in 1994 and now just making its way to DVD. It features the well-known Gotchaman characters in updated costumes and mecha. I wish this was made into a series instead of just 3 episodes.

Extras: If you already own the originally released VHS tapes and hope that the DVD offers some extra `bells and whistles' there is nothing to be found here. Nothing on the menu other than episode, scene, select and play- this is reason why I gave this DVD 4 stars.

At the end of the 3rd episode credits, there is a techno-house Gatchaman music video. Since I never bought the VHS version, I don't know it was originally from the VHS release or not.

One advantage is that the DVD is a cheaper than buying the 3 VHS tape set. Oh, and the DVD I bought came with a cool Gatchaman sticker inside.

Overall: If you are a "Battle of the Planets" fan, I recommend this DVD- it is great! But I have to caution you, watching it may cause you "Battle of the Planets" flashbacks. And the next thing you know, you will be looking for some of those old BOTP episodes (which is already available in the U.K. on DVD, and will be available in the U.S. soon).

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great trip down memory lane, October 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3) (DVD)

I bought this DVD because I'd been going through Battle of the Planets withdrawl. I haven't seen much of that American version of Gatchaman since the 70s, and could wait no longer for the soon-to-be-released Rhino DVDs, so I picked this up for some nostalgia.

Although updated with 90s anime flair, this reworking of the 70s Gatchaman was made with the Gatch fanboy in mind. It is updated in look and pacing, but everything about the original show is here - from the costumes to the characters' personalities.

Since it is based on Japan's Gatchaman, it is thankfully "missing" 7-Zark-7 and 1-Rover-1, whose sole purpose was to take up the space created by editing out the more violent scenes in the show (don't you love American morality?).

The only big complaint I have is some of the new music is weak (especially the song that plays during the menus). Every now and then some of the old music from original Gatch plays, but it is so infrequent that one gets depressed when it stops.

Until Rhino releases the original Battle of the Planet DVDs in late October '01, this is enjoyable viewing for those who fondly remember the original series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gatchaman Returns!, August 17, 2001

By 

"cbusch71" (Largo, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gatchaman Collection (Vols. 1-3) (DVD)

I remember seeing this great series for the first time as a kid as most people have, in the form of "Battle of the Planets." Even though the show aired in the U.S. in 1978, the 1972 animation was still more advanced than anything on afternoon television at that time.

Years later I had a chance to see the original Japanese series, and was surprised at the great difference. The sanitized U.S. version of Gatchaman couldn't hold a candle to the original. This DVD is a great way to experience this series the way it was meant to be. If you are looking for "7-Zark-7" and "1-Rover-1" look elsewhere. My only complaint (and my reason for four stars) is that more of the original musical score wasn't used in the revamped edition, if only for nostalgic effect. However, a tribute in the form of a music video at the end of the third episode makes up for that. Overall a great DVD for your collection.

"Fighting formation, Tornado Fighter!"