Zillion: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]

I had always wanted to see this anime, but it was literally impossible to find. I fell in love with the franchise after playing the Sega Master System games, so I'm grateful that it was finally released on Blu-ray to own! This collection is a must-own for classic anime fans. The story and animation still hold-up remarkably well. Absolutely worth considering if you're looking to expand your anime library.

My introduction to Zillion was in 1987 when I received the game for my Sega Master System. The artwork represented in the game fliers and the instruction book screamed anime... and the company trademark proved it. Tatsunoko is a famous anime studio that had it's products brought to the US in the forms of Speed Racer (Mach Go, Go, Go), Battle Of The Planets (Gatchaman), Space Ace, Superbook, and all three iterations of Robotech (Studio Nue and Artland worked with Tatsunoko on the Macross saga). As for the Sega Master System, it was an alternative to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that was much more powerful (except for the sound chip). Sega sold around 2 million of their Master System in the US over Nintendo selling well past 34 million, leaving many Sega references unknown. Zillion is one of them.The anime is set in some odd future time of 2387 (400 years from the year of its broadcast) on Maris, a planet resembling Earth. Aliens show up to blow things up and only a certain weapon can eliminate them: The Zillion Weapon System powered by Zillionium or something. With a plot line similar to Mospeada/Robotech: The New Generation sans the post apocalyptic setting, the enemy needs a new home. We then wind up hanging out with The White Nuts. Yes, Nuts. Red JJ, yellow Champ, and blue Apple. Together with their pals, who work as support, they fight the enemy. With classic anime flair the story progresses and develops in stage/arcs of more powerful foes with grand introductions. With highly expressive and somewhat consistent animation (the opening is wonderfully gorgeous), this project does not disappoint visually. The soundtrack is full of earworms with Pure Stone (opener), Push (ending 1), and Rock Candy (ending 2) being high points. It is know that this is considered Production I. G.'s first work known as I. G. Tatsunoko at the time. This is quality.This DVD/Blu-ray set come with 9 discs, 4 Blu-ray and 5 DVD. It also comes with a download card so you can stream online. Airports be damned!The cult fans muat have spoke and this got a FULL official US release... 30 years later. The packing resembles a worn VHS/VCR rental cassette while the DVDs resemble the Sega Master System cartridge label and font, which (especially for the later) is a very nice touch. The first 5 episodes and the OVA were dubbed and released in the US in 1990 by Streamline Pictures with the involvement of the immortal Carl Macek (Robotech for starters) and was also adapted into a 5 issue comic book by Eternity Press. I recommend this for classic anime fans. Those who like the rounder, thinner line style will not be disappointed, just don't expect the plot and resolution to blow you away. This isn't Made In Abyss.Thank you Funimation for releasing this set. Thank you Tatsunoko for not being stingy like Toei. Thank you Sega for being there and bringing this to the States in 1987.Enjoy!

I just had to respond to the reviewer who was moaning and griping about no English dub provided on this set, intended for English audiences (like that has anything to do with it). The reason is simple, the old Carl Macek / Streamline dub was only up through Episode 5 and the OVA. No dub has ever existed for the complete series. Including a partial dub makes no sense. I suppose Funimation could have commissioned a new dub, but it wouldn't be the one you "grew up with." I do prefer dubs if they are well done, so I don't have to have my eyes glued to the screen for every moment, else missing a line of dialogue; but don't slam a company for not providing something that doesn't exist.I, for one, was in total shock when this was released and couldn't wait to see the conclusion of the series I watched back in the 90s. We are lucky to have it at all, really, given its obscurity. My only complaint about the set is a lack of any meaningful extras. I would have liked to know more about the collaboration with Sega, why the Zillion weapons change part-way through, anything behind the scenes about how this was conceived and produced. Still, a great addition to my collection!

Zillion is one of my favorite Sega Master System games, and when i found out that there was a series, i was excited. Sadly, during the 80s, we didn't get the full series in America and had to resort to the internet to see the full show. However, thats where Funimation stepped in to give it a full release, and they did a great job of bringing this forgotten gem to the current day. The picture quality is great, and it sounds really nice too. Sadly, since this series didn't get a full release in America, the audio is only in Japanese with english subtitles. I didn't really expect this to get a full dub, so its no big deal. The japan track is still really good.If you're a fan of the series, or just 80s anime in general, i definitely recommend this.

This show was the best when I was in Middle School! It was based off of Sega Master System game and even the guns on the show look like the Master System guns. Even though Tatsunoko Productions produced this it was Production IG who did the animation. Also the director of the show was also the episode director of The Mysterious Cities of Gold.

Classic anime series that has never looked so good. I’ve had these on vhs for a lengthy period of time, so it is great to make the jump in quality. Going directly to blu Ray is nice, I didn’t end up buying dvd, then br.

The blueray came quick and was in mint condition. Very good product!

カッコ悪くカッコ良いアニメ『赤い光弾ジリオン』はテレビゲーム雑誌BeepのセガマークⅢのレビューがきっかけにアニメ作品のファンになりました。当時のテレビゲーム雑誌BeepではライターのTAKE ONさんや雅さんのレビューが懐かしくルーペが必要な復刻版Beepなども電気街で購入して待っていると安価版BD『赤い光弾ジリオン』再び流れて来たように登場して来たので購入して見ました。この作品はマイクロソフトXBOX360の『GEARS OF WAR』や『HALO』と言った作品の資料集などにもなっているゲーマーズコレクションだと思います。動作環境は音声は日本語対応ですPS4では字幕は消せませんやパソコンの安価なソフトZEUS PLAYERで字幕なしで再生出来ました。

I grew up playing the games on Master System so I was very stoked when I found out it was actually tied to an anime some years back. Alas there wasn't any way to get it outside of Japan tho... until this was released! I pre-ordered with glee. While the collection is exactly as described I can't say the series is very good though sadly. It's not bad at all, just very repetitive and mediocre, even for the time! I appreciate the packaging and call backs to Master System in the layout and casing... They knew who was really going to buy these lol.

普通に、綺麗です。昔のアニメとは思わせない感じですし、字幕の英語さえ、きにしなければ、普通に見れますし、容量もBlu-rayだけあって、見てられます。文字がきになるかた、そんなに、ゆわかんないです。声は、日本語ですし、自分は、パッケージは確りしてたので、ボロボロでは、なかった。買って、満足です。

being a fan of the anime company that made this (yes the same company that made Gatchaman) I blind bought this, the picture quality is amazing for a show of this age, audio is japanese only with english subtitles but its a clear sounding audio track, the show itself is a little on the cheesy side but if you like that go for it.