Promotional DVD (Region 2)
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Original Release Year: 2003
Running Time: 31 minutes
Official Website: http://www.bandai.co.jp/candy/products/2003/20895.htm
DVD Released By: Bandai Visual (Japan)
Video: Fullscreen and widescreen
Audio: Japanese 2.0
Extras: Comes with candy and a trading card
Subtitles: None
Closed Captions: None
Region: 2
Format: NTSC
Chapters: 19
Packaging: The disc and a trading card are housed in a slide-out cardboard sleeve, which is carded on a blister pack with a small packet of candy.
MSRP: 480 yen
UPC #: 4543112208958
Status: Available
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Zillamon51
- When the disc starts up, after the Bandai logo, is a short introduction by the Shobijin.
- A music video of the Mothra song, performed by the Shobijin. Thankfully, this is just a remix for kids and not the version actually used in the film. As if the insipid arrangement wasn’t bad enough, the dancing is a cross between aerobics and a silly “interpretive” Mothra dance. (2 minutes)
- A brief introduction of the film by the Shobijin. (1 minute)
- Comments from the cast and crew. Actors Noboru Kaneko (who also played Gao Red in GaoRanger), Mitsuki Koga, Koh Takasugi, Akira Nakao (Prime Minister Igarashi), and Hiroshi Koizumi (reprising the role of Dr. Chujo from the original 1961 Mothra) all speak at a press conference or panel discussion. Lead actress Miho Yoshioka speaks outside, along with Godzilla himself! Then it’s back to the panel for comments from director Masaaki Tezuka (GxM) and producer Shogo Tomiyama. (11 minutes)
- An FX demonstration held for the press. The Godzilla and Kiryu suits, and the larval and adult Mothra props, perform on a miniature set before a group of reporters and photographers. There are some pyrotechnics, and the detail and articulation of the kaiju are amazing! This is the best supplement on the disc (for non-Japanese speakers, anyway). (2 ½ minutes).
- A recap of the 2002 film, Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla, which Tokyo SOS is a direct sequel to. It includes scenes from the ending of GxMG, so beware of spoilers. (2 ½ minutes)
- The theatrical trailer for Godzilla: Tokyo SOS. (2 ½ minutes)
- Two teaser trailers or TV spots. (15 – 20 seconds each)
- A Japanese preview of the Godzilla: Domination video game for Nintendo Game Boy Advance. (4 ½ minutes)
- A Japanese preview of the Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee video game for Nintendo GameCube. (3 minutes)
- A promo for Godzilla: Tokyo SOS candy toys from Bandai. Two kinds of toys are shown. First, are monster figure two-packs. They include: Godzilla (roaring) w/ Mothra adult, Godzilla (mouth closed) w/ Kiryu (no weapons), and Kiryu (with weapon pack) w/ twin Mothra larvae. The second group is super-deformed kaiju (kawaii!). This selection is notable for depicting action scenes, such as Showa Godzilla tearing MechaGodzilla's head off, and Burning Godzilla swarmed by Destroyer crabs. Cute and awesome at the same time! (1 minute)
This is a good selection of supplements, and you don’t even have to wait for the region 2 Tokyo SOS DVD (or worry about shelling out full price) for it. Grade: A
Video: The music video, cast / crew and behind-the-scenes segments, and merchandise promos are all in fullscreen. The film clips and trailers are non-anamorphic widescreen. The lack of anamorphic enhancement is somewhat disappointing, but not unexpected for an inexpensive promotional item like this. Regardless, all of the video looks very sharp and clear. Grade: A-
Audio: The sole audio option is Japanese 2.0. Again, considering the nature of this item, multiple audio options or fancy 5.1 sound shouldn’t be expected. Everything here sounds good, with dynamic and exciting music and sound effects. Grade: A
Extras / Menus: Since the disc itself is a collection of extras, let’s focus on the menu and layout. The single menu screen is simple and static. The text selections for each of the segments are all in Japanese. There is one big “Play All” selection in English at the top. Since everything is sequential, navigation is easy, even for viewers who can’t read Japanese.
The disc comes with a couple of extra items. Packed in the sleeve with the disc is a 2 ½” x 3 ½” trading card. It has the film’s poster image on the front, and some Japanese text with pictures of the starring kaiju on the back. The other item is a single piece of candy, in its own little packet. It’s about the size of a nickel, and has the generic sweet fruity flavor familiar to anyone who’s collected more than a couple of Japanese candy toys. Candy toys in general are so cool, one has to wonder why they include the candy at all. Still, it beats the stale dusty gum that used to come in packs of U.S. trading cards. Grade: A
Final Analysis: This is a nifty disc that anyone with an interest in the Tokyo SOS movie (and a region-free DVD player) should probably pick up. At such a low price, the lack of subtitles isn’t much of a detriment. Much of the appeal is visual, anyway (such as the trailers and FX demonstration). Even the dorky music video is sure to retain some novelty appeal in the future. (After all, who wouldn’t want a video of the old “Godzilla & Jet Jaguar, Punch! Punch! Punch!” song now?) It’s also unknown whether or not any of this material will be retained for future DVD releases of Tokyo SOS. This unique new “candy toy” seems like a great way to promote the film. Hopefully, Bandai and Toho will produce similar items in the future, for Godzilla Final Wars perhaps? It’s too bad they didn’t start earlier in the Millennium series, so U.S. collectors could use them to compensate for the typical lack of extras on the films’ region 1 DVD releases. Final Grade: A
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