Small media publisher Discotek Media held a Discotek Day “Spooktacular” live stream on October 25, 2022, and announced a large number of new releases targeted for 2023. Among them were legendary tokusatsu series Kamen Rider BlackJapanese original Sonic X cartoon series and classic super robot series GaoGaiGar. These sets are among many that have been released on physical blu-ray in North America.
Discotek has been leading its announcements with Kamen Rider Black. It originally aired in 1987 and is considered a classic. It inspires restart form Kamen Rider Black Sun in 2022. The release will include all 51 episodes on 5 discs in HD, with Japanese voiceovers and English subtitles. Additional activities will include a roundtable with the cast and crew and a tokusatsu Mach Dent influencer essay.
Kamen Rider Black!
One of the towering toku masterpieces & a Kamen Rider classic coming soon!
5 discs, remastered videos, brand new subtitles and lots of extras (more than 4 discs!)
A multi-part roundtable, galleries, promotions, and more!
Add a new Kamen Rider Black essay by @mach_dent! pic.twitter.com/r1En61gcIv
– Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) October 25, 2022
Another big announcement besides Kamen Rider Black is the original Japanese version of Sonic Xan anime series based on Sonic the Hedgehog. It was originally produced by TMS Entertainment and aired in 2003. In North America, it was licensed by 4kids Entertainment, which heavily edited the show to comply with the content rules put forth by Fox. out at that time. Discotek release of Sonic X will include all 78 episodes, modified English subtitles, restored video, 5.1 audio on select episodes released on the Japanese “Hi-Spec” DVD format, and extras like opening and ending sequence with no credit. It will arrive on Blu-ray in the Winter of 2023.
Sonic X!
All 78 episodes, restored as much as possible (still in SD.)
Newly modified subtitles.
5.1 audio for episodes has it from old JP Hi-Spec DVDs.
‘Both’ pilots and more! pic.twitter.com/AFMrhOYZq9– Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) October 25, 2022
Discotek ended its presentation by announcing King of the brave: GaoGaiGar. This release will remake the complete 49-episode series in 1080p HD, with Japanese voiceovers and subtitles, and the original English dub. (The dub was never completed and consisted of only the first 25 episodes.) Interviews and additions will be included in the Blu-ray release, which launches in Winter 2023. Discotek also confirmed it would be released. release GaoGaiGar . Finalsan 8-episode OVA followed by the series.
In the comments on Twitter, Discotek confirmed that due to the nature of the editing on some programs like Kamen Rider Black and GaoGaiGar, there is a possibility that the show may cause photosensitive epilepsy in some viewers. As a result, a warning will be included in the final releases.
GaoGaiGar!
W/ a stunning HD rebuild!
Upgraded subtitles and voiceovers for episodes 1-25.
A kitchen sink release, with many additional features including:
Interviews, clips from a game, shiny new animations from pachislot and much more!& We have Finals, but that will come later. pic.twitter.com/1mCK7s8Id3
– Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) October 25, 2022
Here is the complete list of new release and licensing announcements from Discotek Media, sorted by type.
Anime
- Aim for the Aces
- Digimon Adventure
- Fist of the North star: Legend of the True Saviour – Legend of Raoh: Chapter of Death in Love
- Ghost stories
- King of Braves: GaoGaiGar
- King of Brave: GaoGaiGar Final
- The Mystery of the Thief Saint Tail
- Project A-K 4: Finally
- Tetsujin 28 FX
- Treasure Island
- Ultimate Muscle: Kinnikuman’s Legacy
Live-Action
- Again
- Golgo 13
- Kamen Rider Black
- Suicide Club
Sonic X and GaoGaiGar will release in the Winter of 2023, while Kamen Rider Black will launch in 2023. A specific release date hasn’t been given, but pre-orders will open at retailers like RightStuf and Amazon at a later date.
