Evangelion 2.22 Blu-Ray (Hong Kong Version) Acquired!
After watching the latest installment of the Rebuild of Evangelion series, I was eager to get my hands on a physical copy. Luckily, I was able to find and pick up the Hong Kong Blu-Ray version of the release from YesAsia (Please excuse the crappy camera work and picture quality). Why did I pick up a version from Hong Kong? One simple reason: English Subtitles.
This is my first experience buying from YesAsia, so I did not really know what to expect in terms of packaging. The item arrived in bubble packaging (not too sure what the official name is) and seems to be unharmed.
After "gently" opening the package, it was revealed to have been encased in more bubble wrap and placed in-between two pieces of cardboard. Low-tech and effective.
The packaging in question.
The bubble wrapping was quite thick, which would have protected the Blu-Ray and it's box fairly well. Although, it would probably not survived some of the harsher treatment some of us have seen in examples or by experience.
The Blu-Ray box was inside a plastic sleeve, with some information on it.
The specs on the back of the plastic sleeve with the two different types of subtitles: Traditional Chinese and English, the latter being the reason I bought it in the first place.
The box is cardboard, and has a smooth, textured finish on it, similar to what you would find on a hardcover book.
The inner case slides out to reveal a black cover with a smooth etching of the title.
Opening the case revealing the Blu-Ray and a sleeve containing two items..
The first is a leaflet (I think that's what they are called) giving some background to some of the characters, Angels, Eva Units, Extras information, Credits and Chapter listings. The back of the leaflet includes some "Making Of" related information, all written in Chinese.
The second item is this paper sleeve. It contains..
An Blank CD-R with an Evangelion touch. I got Mari, but not sure if the print is random or varies with types of release.
Now, some of you may be wondering "Will it play on my Blu-Ray/PS3?"
Yes, it will. Here I have it playing on my American PS3. To my knowledge, all Blu-Ray from Asia (except China and Mongolia) are Region A, meaning Blu-Ray that are Region A will play in Asia and the Americas.
In terms of picture quality, it looks stunning. Some say it is slightly degraded from the Japanese Blu-Ray version, but I have not noticed the difference. Perhaps those who did see a difference have the Sharingan or some other Vision-enhancing property.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with the Blu-Ray. It will be a while until a proper release is done in America, but for Evangelion fans who live in America and would like to watch this film in the highest quality possible and can not wait until Funimation releases it, picking it up will not disappoint. If you do not own a Blu-Ray player or PS3, there is a DVD version being offered, but it is Region-3 so you would need a Region-Free DVD player.
As for YesAsia's service; I was satisfied. The package took about a week to get here, although in my opinion the packaging could have used more protection from possible mishandling, though I am sure there were more shipping options and I missed them.
Just wondering, how is the quality of the English subtitles? I've been eying a copy of the HK blu-ray myself...
Visually, the subs are great. It's not that yellow font that you see in most subs, they are white font.
Grammatically, there are some "engrish" parts, a number of typos and some of the background chatter isn't picked up, but it will definitely not take away from what the movie is trying to get across.
I hope this helps ^^
I got the DVD (not watched it yet) + mini torch with Rei's picture when you switch it on.
I think there would have to be SERIOUS damage for the packaging to be not enough.
My CD-R was Asuka :-)
Very nice! I assumed you have the special edition.
That's true. I get paranoid with my shipments ^^;
Ah, so it either varies by DVD or Blu-Ray or is random.
YOU JUST MADE MY DAY!!!! the backing shows that it has traditional chinese :D YES!!! Finally!!! I just ordered a set along with a Taiwan ver of 1.11 (also traditional chinese subs)
YES!!!!
THANK YOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!
Happy to have helped out a comrade ^^
Nice get! The blank CD is actually kind of a cool addition.
I'm definitely going to buy the Blu-ray of this when it's released in the US. I regret that I got the DVD of the first Rebuild movie instead of the Blu-ray Q_Q
It is, and I don't think I could ever bring myself to use it, too pretty and I'm a sucker for those type of things ><
I feel your pain, I have the DVD of the first Rebuild movie as well..
At first I was disappointed when the Hong Kong release was confirmed to be locked to Region A (I'm in Region B) but after seeing some comparisons of the picture quality I don't really mind. I probably would've ended up getting it if it was Region ABC because it's not a HUGE difference and the packaging and everything look really nice, but this way I'm forced to way for a version that hasn't been noticeably compressed which isn't so bad. I just wish at least one of the Western licensers would use the Japanese packaging design like the Hong Kong one does.
I am sorry to hear that. I too hope that more Region versions will be come available in the near future, so that everyone will be able to own it.
Yea, the packaging over here isn't as creative or appealing. The 1.11 release is just holographic if I am not mistaken.
Woah if it wasn't for your post I would never have known about this english subbed Eva 2.22 THANKS~! beats waiting for a local release plus you get the super cool packaging used by the original Japanese Blue-ray.
Very nice ~ So if this region A works on American PS3 it should work on Canada Ps3 huh?
Glad to have gotten the word out to you. ^^
Absolutely! Canada is Region A as well, and the Blu-ray will work fine on your PS3.
still waiting for bluray for australia =O
I thought about getting this if Funimation didn't license it, but they did really really late. I'll be patient for now, lol. Gratz on your purchase and safe delivery from YesAsia! I actually do like YesAsia even though their prices are slightly higher than others, but they ship it for free and the packaging is usually pretty decent enough to protect the contents.
Thanks!
I will definitely be going back to YesAsia in the future. Can't beat free shipping for stuff over 39USD :D
hav a copied ver right now, cant wait to go back to china and personally lug it back along other things.
just to be safe... and cheap...
I don't blame you.. shipping costs are murder on the wallet T-T
Plus some of the bootlegs from Hong Kong..
D only reason that i don't download the movies is because i got bad internet (2GB) and the low-def downloads go pixelated if put on anything larger than a computer screen(plus if i download anything larger than 1gb i lose half of the month's useage.
god bless internet cafes!!!
Lols got that awhile ago!! it was great!! a great twist in the plot and i can't wait to see what will happen next!!....
Since you got the hong kong version..... be sure to check out the cantonese dub(not sure if you understands them tho)... haha that brings back memories,i remember renting evangelion TV series while i was young, and they are all in cantonese dub...i enjoyed the show back then while i dun understand half of the show. Now that i understand everything of it, it becomes so clear and i can really appreciate all the thoughts that they put into the series..it's a sci-fi masterpiece of all times!! ppl who never watch it, this is highly recomended!!
Baka-Shinji in cantonese is rather amusing to hear. Too bad there isn't a 1.11 HK version :(
I'll have to check it out for the sheer novelty xD
i cant speak canto but isn't it always amusing anyways?
xD I didn't even hear about the HK version until recently, I happened upon it looking for a DVD.. so chances are, if I hadn't heard about it, someone else hasn't either, so I decided to post it here ^^
It was an amazing movie.. the next one will be epic once more!
Unfortunately I have little-to-no knowledge on Cantonese, but I'll give it a try :D
I just got mine in the mail. A little dissapointed becuase the one I got has nothing that you have D: I bought the 2disc edition which was about 3 or dollars more. just came in plastic blue ray case and two discs inside no inserts or anything. wish I would've got the normal edition that you got. It strange that the two disc would cost more but wouldn't include anything else.
oh well...
I'm sorry to hear that. Yea, it's a little hit-or-miss since the description is a little vague as to what is included, but I believe the second disc is special features, which is lacking on the edition I have, if that helps ^^;
I do hope you enjoy the movie, though :D
Yeah I took a chance because I wanted the second disc ! haha maybe I will buy the version you got just for the sake of having the nice packaging ~ shame the two disc edition didn't have any.
the movie is amazing ~!
I just got this last week and popped it in right away. Just to let some people know, there is a slight (extremely slight) difference in the video quality of this single layered Hong Kong version of 2.22 and my dual layered 1.11 version of the movie. I played it on a 50" Sony LCD so that is probably the reason why I noticed it. (Some fuzz in some areas) Of course, the sacrifices needed to get this nice box.