Sailor Moon Season 1 Madman DVD review!

Madman’s newly released Sailor Moon Season 1 Part 1 on DVD is here. Part 2 is on it's way so stay tuned! This by the way is the limited edition.

This new release features a brand new English dub by Viz Media. Having grown up watching the original English dub by DiC, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the change. However, I came into the first episode feeling happy by Stephanie Sheh’s take on Usagi. I loved how she reminded me of Kotono. I hope the other major characters have suitable voices too. But of course, if you prefer to watch it in Japanese, that too is available with English subtitles.

I know a lot of you might be curious about the video quality, compared to the US Blu Ray/ DVD released. Instead of following suit with Viz Media's masters Madman used the same video masters as the Italian release. Thus, making this the best release for English speaking countries.. I was very pleased with the video Everything looks so clear and detailed!  The Viz version blu ray is very saturated in my opinion and details were scrubbed away. This made it unwatchable for me.

 Here's an example. 

The first image below is the Viz Media Version Blu-Ray 

Viz decided to  "remaster" it by applying Digital Noise Reduction(DNR)filter, oversharpening filter, not properly de-interlacing the video  this was for all of (season 1), as well messing with the saturation/contrast levels. This resulted in blurriness, ghosting and extreme loss of details.  You can't even see the rain because of the extreme saturation and extreme noise reduction. One note I will make for anyone who has the Viz Blu-Ray/DVD the music track did tend to echo. This happened from Viz applying there filters to try to make the music sound better.  but it failed. Also note if you have the Viz DVDs the video is pillar boxed. 

Here's the Madman version DVD (same image)

This is much more improved versus Viz release. I can see everything a lot better, even the rain clear. Madman left the video untouched and doesn't present the same video problems that the Viz version did. So no ghosting, no DNR, etc.




Now let's get started. the packaging. The box is soo pretty it has Sailor Moon on the front with moons and stars. When you flip it to the back there is some info on what is included.  This box isn't sparkly like the Viz version but it still is really nice collector piece.  

When you flip it to the back there is some info on what is included with the set. 

The case has the first three Sailor Guardians in it Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars. The back has the same info as that paper on the collectors box. 


Now for the disks. these are so pretty and the designer did a fabulous job making these. In my opinion these are a lot nicer than the Viz release.

The back of the slip case. There is a reverse
wrap!!!! I love that it only features Jadeite and Nephrite of the four Generals. Spoiler free ;D

Now the Limited Edition booklet it has character bio's and some artwork. No episode guides like the Viz version. 

 .

The  DVD menu is very simple. Each DVD features a character on each disk and it has moonlight densetu playing in the back ground along with set up to view in Japanese or English dub and episodes column. The cursor for disk 1 is the Moonstick. I really wish these had the interactive menus like Viz's blu ray. 

Here's pictures below of  the interactive menu by Viz Media from their North American release

NOTE: this menu isn't included in the Madman Release.

 So far I really like the video quality and the packaging is amazing and far exceeds the US release in my opinion. I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes and for the next parts to be released! I definitely recommend this and if you are not from Australia like me I also recommend importing this. Well worth it over the Viz release. Something I found interesting when I had received my set was. I found some images from the Viz Media release from their gallery. Interesting Madman took lots of elements from the Viz release. This set is definitely better. Looks like Madman will be going down the same route as Viz using the whole "simple, yet stylish look. Madman did do a better job at it. Here are the viz gallery images. 

I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes and for the next parts to be released!

What do you think of this release? Did you get it? Comment below and let me know!

If you’re interested in getting a copy, links on where to buy are below.

(Update) Madman Sailor Moon Limited Edition Part 1 is out of stock currently on their site. Processing time for it to be back on there is 2-3 weeks. If you don't want to wait for Madman other retailers still have the sets but in limited quantities. There is also a standard edition which will not include the nice box and booklet. Links for that edition are also below!

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/movies-tv-shows/movies-tv-shows-on-sale/tv-animation/sailor-moon-part-1-limited-edition/765968/ 

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/movies-tv-shows/movies-tv-shows-on-sale/tv-animation/sailor-moon-part-1/674012/

https://m.mightyape.com.au/product/Sailor-Moon-Part-1-Limited-Edition-DVD/24127012

https://m.mightyape.com.au/product/Sailor-Moon-Part-1-DVD/23004114

https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/34680/sailor-moon-season-1-part-1-eps-124-limited-edition

https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/31176/sailor-moon-season-1-part-1-eps-124