Shin Godzilla Hits North American BD/DVD this August!

Finally! While I'll admit it is kinda disappointing it isn't getting as many special features as the Japanese version (I would have loved some deleted scenes and more) but at least I can finally have Shin Godzilla and my Godzilla movie collection will once again be complete.

"The exclusive is said to include various personalities in the Godzilla fandom." 

This, is what the Godzilla vs. The Nerds interview featurette is going to offer

In contrast, the release Region B Blu-ray/Region 4 DVD release by Madman Entertainment in Australia will have the following special features:

Behind the Scenes                                                                   Making Of                                                                               Animation Tests & Storyboards                                             SFX Featurette

https://b2b.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?method=view&releaseId=39478

And, according to an email I got from Madman, these features will be subtitled. 

Funimation is offering a dub and a digital version, but, for my money, the Madman release has a lot more to offer.

I would rather hear from the filmmakers and actors, the artists, than from 'fandom personalities.' 

Thank God for region-free DVD players.

An interview and trailers?

Really?

How about some making of, behind the scenes, SFX/VFX footage? Other releases are apparently going to have these.

Glad that it's finally gonna be out soon.

Jamaal,
I share your disappointment, but at the same time I'm not at all shocked by this. Ever since the Media Blasters disaster with Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla vs. Megalon, Toho has been on lock down in terms of special features for their films.Either they're asking too much for the material or have blatantly refused to share it with North American distributors.

Additionally, I've been educated on how Toho likely holds a grudge against North American distributors--A grudge spanning all the way back to the Saperstein days. Long story short when Toho found out the US was making more money on their films than they were, prices went up: Distribution rights. Photos. Names. Character designs.

Making Toho budge without a lot of dollar signs is like trying to fish without a line.

G.H. (Gman):

What you say makes perfect sense. It's just that the interview with Paul Fruge' of Funimation over at Toho Kingdom last year gave me some hope for some decent, not extravagant, but decent, entertaining features, especially for a film like Shin Godzilla. He said during it, "So we will have some special features that the Japanese have on theirs and some we won't. It really depends on what we're able to get our hands on, what they're willing to share, and or what we're willing to add ourselves for the US release." 

Fruge' said that they would have some features that are on the Toho release. I don't see this on the Funimation release as advertised. His saying this last year gave me the impression that there was some understanding with Toho about the materials that would be available. Maybe there was but it all fell apart at some point. Anyway, the dub with all of those voice actors looks to be very good. And there will be a digital version. So, these are two good things about the Funimation release. I'm looking at the Madman release mainly for the promise that there will be some nice, revealing special features, and that they will be subtitled. I have the Toho 3-disc set, and the extras are copious, but there are no subtitles. I want to know what Hideaki Anno was saying to the staff and crew at the onset of production, etc. I realize the announced features are to be confirmed, but Madman did list them, so I'm hopeful.

Glad to see a Stateside release but definitely disappointed that the extra content for this release is incredibly lackluster

Although I'm disappointed with aspects of the pending Fumination release of Shin Godzilla, I am also grateful for their releasing this film in theaters last year. That theatrical run was perhaps the most enjoyable time I've had as a fan. There is simply nothing like seeing Godzilla on the big screen, especially with an audience that is knowledgeable and engaged. I hope their release sells well and fans benefit from the English dub and enjoy the trailers. However, I think this a missed opportunity of sorts, especially given the critical and commercial success of Shin Godzilla in Japan, and here, as well. Having a digital version of the film is also a major plus. But, all things considered, a release that includes revealing special features and enjoyable extras has to be seriously considered.

After looking at the list of the voice actors and reading about their past work, I must say that I'm a little intrigued about the English dub for Shin Godzilla. The dub and the digital version are strong reasons to get the Funimation release even if you already have the film. Although, with the exception of Monster Zero, I prefer subtitled to dubbed, this release looks to be a quality dub from a company that's good at it. The box art is beautiful and hopefully the picture will be sharp. And who knows, perhaps "Godzilla vs. The Nerds" will be memorable.

Or not.

I see that there has been a change in the wording in the description of the special features on the Shin Godzilla Blu-ray/DVD being released by Madman Entertainment:

https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/39478/shin-godzilla-bluray

I've emailed them for clarification: will they still be subtitled? Do the 'outtakes' include the previously listed 'behind-the-scenes' and 'making-of' features?

I wish it was possible to special order discs with features one could request, for a price, of course.  

In a recently received email from Madman Entertainment, I was informed that not only have the extras changed, but they will not be subtitled as originally stated. The email also strongly suggested that the extras are still 'evolving,' if you know what I mean.

After the final touches, I wonder what will be left?

With the listed extras having been downgraded and no longer subtitled, the rationale behind getting the Madman release is substantially diminished. I have the Toho 3-disc set. What Madman was originally advertising was pretty nice: behind the scenes, outtakes, SFX featurette, etc. And deal maker was these extras being subtitled. A release comparable to that of Tokyo Shock's Pyrokinesis disc would have been great: commentary by Director Shusuke Kaneko, interview with him, making of Special Effects, cast biographies and trailers.

*Sigh*

So, the Funimation disc is starting to look better everyday. The dub should be very well done with 17 voice actors. I just wonder what trailers they're talking about. Are they the ones from the Funimation theatrical run, or will they include Toho's trailers from their domestic release? 

As for Godzilla vs. The Nerds, well, who knows? It could be entertaining and well done. And then there's the digital version through Ultra Violet.

Speaking of extras, I wonder how many chapter stops the Funimation disc will have? The Toho disc has about 58 (I think). The Hong Kong disc released by Intercontinental Video Limited has 12. But their menu is really great, with scenes from the film all in a kind of red filter providing a moving backdrop to that now famous silhouette of the ShinGoji. The visuals are embellished with sounds from the film, that well-known Ifukube Godzilla theme, and a heartbeat.

A+ for the menu. Thanks, Intercontinental Video Limited.