ULTRA Q - THE COMPLETE SERIES - BLU-RAY

Bottom line first: This is a worthy upgrade for Ultra fans, if you already have the DVDs. And for fans of Tokusatsu, and Ultraman, the show is a must, and this Blu-ray set is the way to go.I purchased the Steelbook edition, but except for the packaging, I think everything in the box is identical.These have never looked better. The video is great. And the sound is great, with one big caveat: someone who did the production of these, added enhanced sound FX, which feels wrong. I'd rather have just had the original sounds. So I take off a star. You can add a half a star if you prefer.Also, while the booklet is nice, I wish the information was a little more complete. It doesn't feel like the labor of love that August Ragone did. Don't get wrong, there's a lot of information there. And it's a nice booklet. It just feels like it's missing something. Still, I'm grateful it's there.The presentation of the set is beautiful.Overall, I'm very grateful to Mill Creek for releasing these Ultra sets. And at such a great price.

An absolutely amazing series and a huge part of Japanese Film History! I've always been a lifelong fan, so being able to own this on a region A Blu-Ray set is a dream come true. I can't overstate how great it is to be able to see Garamon in HD after all these years.If you are a fan of kaiju, Japanese ghost tales and folklore, or special effects, then you'll enjoy this series. It's a lot like a Japanese version of Twilight Zone, but typically the story revolves around a giant monster of some sorts (sometimes a ghost or fairy tale -esque premise though).The series is from 1966 and entirely in B&W with Japanese audio and English subtitles available. There was a colorized version, which is NOT included as well as an English dub that is also not included, but you are not missing out by not getting either, and the picture quality looks PHENOMENAL on this Blu-Ray set.Also, for those who don't already know, although this is the first Ultra series released by Tsubaraya, the character of Ultraman was not introduced until his eponymous series (released later the same year: 1966), so obviously don't expect to see him here.In addition to the 4 disc set, you also get a nice little booklet with Garamon on it and nice photos with episode/monster guides along with a digital redemption code, but it is for their own personal streaming service (Movie Spree) and does not seem to sync with MoviesAnywhere, VUDU, or the usual digital download platforms. Would be a bit disappointing, however, I was not aware a digital download was even included, so just having it is nice, and Movie Spree has its own app available from Apple's App Store and your account can be connected to Roku, Amazon's Fire TV, and Google Play, so there's that.All in all, I'd have to say this set is well worth it (pre-ordered for $25 a couple months ago and received it the day of release), and if you are a fan of Ultra Q, Tsubaraya studios, the Ultraman series, tokusatsu films, kaiju, yokai, Japanese history and culture, television history, or anything in that ballpark, then this set is a must have!

(This review is for the Ultra Q Steelbook released on October 15, 2019)As opposed to subsequent installments of the Ultra series, Ultra Q focuses more on strange happenings and strange monsters and does not feature an Ultra hero. Ultra Q is frequently compared to The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. If you're a fan of retro sci-fi and tokusatu, you won't be disappointed with this series.Video/Audio Quality:I didn't think this show would ever get an HD release, so my expectations were fairly low, but I was pleasently surprised. The video quality is superb and a major step up from the previously released Shout Factory! dvd set.(and its more afforadable!) I would say the video actually looks somewhat sharper on Ultra Q than the Ultraman blu-ray released on the same day. The lossless audio is also an improvement. The only downside to the presentation is the menus are somewhat bland.Episodes:All 28 episodes are presented in order by air date and appropriately spread out across 4 discs. All episodes are presented in black and white.(For those that are interested, this also includes a digital copy with the Moviespree website)Packaging:The packaging Looks and feels great with a nice weight to it and matches the Ultraman steelbook perfectly. It also includes a nice debossed cover. Similar to the Ultraman steelbook, the discs are stacked. If you're concerned about disc stacking I recommend picking up the standard edition instead as that uses standard blu-ray hubs.Languages:Original Japanese Audio with English Subtitles. (No English dub is included)Special Features:The only supplemental material included is a collectible booklet. It includes the history of Tsuburaya and Ultra Q, an episode guide, and a character guide. It's an interesting read and a nice companion to the set, but it would have been nice if there was a little more in regards to special features.This is a great start to Mill Creek's ambitious release schedule of nearly every Ultraman series over the next few years. Let's hope the following entries will maintain at least this level of quality.

2019年7月、米Mill Creek Entertainmentは、円谷プロと正式にライセンス契約を締結し、北米での権利(ヴィデオグラム化権、配信権)を取得したと発表した。TVシリーズ及び劇場作品を順次、Blu-ray(とMill Creek Entertainmentの配信サービスmovieSPREE)で発売して行くとのことだが、その第1弾として、『ウルトラQ』が登場。いわずと知れた円谷(特技)プロのウルトラ・シリーズの出発点となった、全28話（ただし、第28話の『あけてくれ！』は初放送では除外）の本格SFファンタジー作品であり、日本TV史にも名を刻む画期的な作品だ。1966年1月2日から7月3日まで、TBS系で放送され、大人気となった。製作(すでに1964年から撮影が開始されていた)から実際の放送まで、かなり時間をおいて編成が考えられたというだけあり、大人向け、子ども向けのエピソードがバランスよく配合されている感じだ。個人的には、本シリーズが参考にした『ミステリー・ゾーン』(『トワイライト・ゾーン』)のように、完全に大人向けのエピソードだけでも良かったような気もするが、怪獣路線にしなければ、『ウルトラマン』以降のシリーズも生まれなかったわけで、やはり妥当な編成だったというべきなのだろう。劇場用特撮作品の水準のもの(何と、35mmでの撮影だ！)をお茶の間に届けようという気概で製作されただけあって、どのエピソードでも、円谷特撮は精緻でレベルが高い。『ウルトラマン』シリーズ以降のカラー作品で目立つことになる怪獣やミニチュアの質感、合成場面などの粗も、白黒撮影では上手い具合に隠され、ドラマ部分に違和感なく融け込んでいて素晴らしいかぎりだ。「アンバランス」な世界に迷い込んだ人間たちの不思議な話は、どれも今観ても十分楽しめる。まさに、時代を超えたクラシック作品と言えるだろう。さて、本Blu-rayボックスのディスク構成は以下の通り。【Disc 1】:・”Defeat Gomess!” (原題『ゴメスを倒せ!』)・”Goro And Goro” (原題『五郎とゴロー』)・”The Gift From Space” (原題『宇宙からの贈りもの』)・”Mammoth Flower” (原題『マンモスフラワー』)・”Peguila Is Here!” (原題『ペギラが来た!』)・”Grow Up! Little Turtle” (原題『育てよ! カメ』)・”S.O.S. Mount Fuji” (原題『SOS富士山』)【Disc 2】:・”Terror Of The Sweet Honey” (原題『甘い蜜の恐怖』)・”Baron Spider” (原題『クモ男爵』)・”The Underground Super Express Goes West” (原題『地底超特急西へ』)・”Baloonga” (原題『バルンガ』)・”I Saw A Bird” (原題『鳥を見た』)・”Garadama” (原題『ガラダマ』)・”Tokyo Ice Age” (原題『東京氷河期』)【Disc 3】:・”Kanegon's Cocoon” (原題『カネゴンの繭』)・”Garamon Strikes Back” (原題『ガラモンの逆襲』)・”The 1/8 Project” (原題『1/8計画』)・”The Rainbow's Egg” (原題『虹の卵』)・”Challenge From The Year 2020” (原題『2020年の挑戦』)・”The Primordial Amphibian Ragon” (原題『海底原人ラゴン』)・”Space Directive M774” (原題『宇宙指令M774』)【Disc 4】:・”Metamorphosis” (原題『変身』)・”Fury Of The South Sea” (原題『南海の怒り』)・”The Statue Of Goga” (原題『ゴーガの像』)・”The Devil Child” (原題『悪魔ッ子』)・”Blazing Glory” (原題『燃えろ栄光』)・”The Disappearance Of Flight 206” (原題『206便消滅す』)・”Open Up!” (原題『あけてくれ!』)本Blu-rayは、2011年に、バンダイ・ビジュアルから発売された『 総天然色ウルトラQ Blu-ray BOX I 』、『 総天然色ウルトラQ Blu-ray BOX Ⅱ 』収録のオリジナル白黒版と同一のHDマスターを使ったもの。もちろん、小さなキズが残っていたり、場面によっては甘い画質になることもあるが、丁寧なカラコレとレストアで、豊かで深みのある白黒諧調と細密なディテール表現(フィルム粒子もきちんと乗っている)の極上画質になっている。2.0ch DTS-HD　マスター・オーディオの音声もバランスが良く明瞭そのもの。英語字幕がデフォルトになっているが、かつて、米Mill Creek Entertainmentから発売されていた『 大魔神 トリプルフィーチャー 』、『 ガメラ：アルティメットコレクショV1 』、『 ガメラ：アルティメットコレクションV2 』のように、Blu-rayプレーヤー側の字幕設定でではなく、メニュー画面でON/OFF選択が出来るようになっているのが嬉しい。特典の収録はなく、28ページのブックレットが同梱。円谷英二の経歴、各話解説、モンスター紹介、登場人物紹介、小道具(科学)解説…が簡潔にまとまっている。ケースは、マルチケースを採用。紙のアウターケース付き。残念ながら、movieSPREEでのデジタル・コピーのダウンロードは、日本からは出来ない。国内では、最近、円谷プロが、35mmオリジナル・ネガから新たに4.5Kのフィルム・スキャンをした(そこから4Kマスターを制作)4K UHD版が発売されたばかりだが(『 ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES ウルトラQ UHD & MovieNEX 』)、解像度の向上はともかくとして、そもそもがフィルム撮影であるので、HDRにしたところでほとんど意味はない。現状のHD版(SDR)で、十分なクオリティだと言えるだろう。本Blu-rayボックスは、北米盤ながら、日本と同じR-A仕様なので(国コード・ロックもかかっていない)、日本の通常のBlu-rayプレーヤーで問題なく視聴可能。特典などがなく、本編のみの収録だが、素晴らしい質と安価は大きな魅力だろう。その値段ゆえに国内盤に手が出せなかった方にオススメだ。 総天然色ウルトラQ Blu-ray BOX I総天然色ウルトラQ Blu-ray BOX Ⅱ大魔神 トリプルフィーチャーガメラ：アルティメットコレクショV1ガメラ：アルティメットコレクションV2ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES ウルトラQ UHD & MovieNEX

Ultra Q is an odd series, and an outlyer in the grander scheme of the Ultraman franchise since it predates the Ultraman character. This show is deeply inspired by the Twilight Zone but akso cashes in on the kaiju boom of the time, so there are a lot of rubber monsters but nobody in spandex to fight them. Some sources on the internet liken this to the X-Files, but the only thing the two shows have in common are the recurring main characters. It's like comparing the Mod Squad to Law and Order.Anyway, this show gets incredibly weird at times, with episodes abruptly ending without any satisfactory resolution leaving you to wonder if it's a two parter but all of these episodes are self-contained (with the exception of two episodes). It's jarring, but very entertaining.It is a very weird show but very entertaining and some great special effects for its time.Mill Creek does a great job remastering this set. There are a few issues. They add sound effects to fake surround sound, but do not give you an option to switch to the original monotrack. Another sticking point is that the (at least with the steel book release) they have double stacked discs two per side. This was probably a cost saving measure and frankly, I would have gladly paid a few dollars more for something a little better.

到着後ケースを開けると、中の（デジタル版ダウンロードシリアル、ただし北米のみ）とDISC3が落ちてきました。中で暴れたのでしょうか？傷がある為、（ガラモンの逆襲）は二分で止まりました。他の方のレビューを拝見し考えると、プレスミスでは無く留め具から外れた為？の傷の様です。通常の通販では泣き寝入りになりそうですが、私はAmazonのカスタマーに相談して交換して頂きました。なお二回目の物も外れてましたがw、幸いにも傷は無く安心しました。

Yeah so....monster movies and sci fi craziness and a Twilight Zone hook make this TV show absolutely frikkan awesome!! I f you like Godzilla type monsters and creatures from other planets and the occasional huge monkey then you will love this show, be warned though there's no English audio.

Ultra Q - The Complete Series is an immense amount of fun with its somewhat anthology structure as bizarre events from aliens to outer dimensional threats erupt across the face of Japan.