It's worth noting I am specifically talking about the Special Edition (2-Disc version, Product Code : DLW-86584) from all the choices that will be issued, and that's the only one coming in Japan with English Subtitles at a recommended price of 4,000 yen - effectively the mid-range of all the DVD options.
Follows a trend from the relatively recent 'Full Metal Alchemist' movie and how that was issued on DVD in Japan, with one version including English Subtitles and the other not doing so, and is a sign of the crossover market that's acknowledged as well as not fully provided for because of a pre-arranged R1 USA DVD of this great-looking film.
In addition to this choice, as is most relevant to us English Speakers who require that key option of subs, there's the period between DVD and Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, and the still-surviving-in-Japan (but only just) PSP UMD versions also - none of them with subtitles. Or you can wait for the R1 at some point way down the line. [Source : Watch Impress].
*EDIT* Specifications at Watch Impress have changed, all 3 DVD-Based Editions have English Subtitles - only the Blu-Ray, HD-DVD and UMD editions now omit them.
'Brave Story' Official Japanese Site.
'Brave Story' Trailers Page at Apple Japan.
cdjapan lists all three versions of Brave Story as having English subtitles actually. So there is one cheaper at 24 dollars which is a bargain in terms of Japanese dvd pricing that is supposed to have English subs accoring to their specs.
the specs at watch impress originally said only the 2-disc would have subs, this has now been changed / updated to show the 3 DVD-based editions will have english subtitles - only the blu-ray and hd-dvd now omit them. makes it really cheap and gives more choice, which is always nice.
No subtitles for the HD DVD is not nice. It's evil, really.
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