Boutique media publisher Discotek Media held its “Spooktacular” Discotek Day stream on October 25, 2022 and announced a raftload of new releases targeted for 2023. Among them is the legendary tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Black, the original Japanese Sonic X anime series, and classic super robot series GaoGaiGar. These series are among the many getting a physical blu-ray release in North America.
Discotek led its announcements with Kamen Rider Black. It originally aired in 1987 and is considered a classic. It inspired a reboot in the form of Kamen Rider Black Sun in 2022. The release will cover all 51 episodes across 5 discs in HD, with Japanese voices and English subtitles. Extras will include a roundtable panel with the cast and crew and an essay by tokusatsu influencer Mach Dent.
Kamen Rider Black!
One of the towering toku greats & a Kamen Rider classic is coming!
5 discs, remastered video, brand new subtitles, & so many extras (over 4 discs!)
A multi-part reunion roundtable, gallery, promos, & more!
Plus a new Kamen Rider Black essay by @mach_dent! pic.twitter.com/r1En61gcIv
— 💿Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) October 25, 2022
Another major announcement besides Kamen Rider Black was the original Japanese version of Sonic X, an 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 content rules put in place by Fox at the time. The Discotek release of Sonic X will contain all 78 episodes, revised English subtitles, restored video, 5.1 audio on certain episodes that were released on Japan’s “Hi-Spec” DVD format, and extras like creditless opening and ending sequences. It’ll arrive on Blu-ray in Winter 2023.
Sonic X!
All 78 episodes, restored as much as possible (still in SD.)
Newly revised subtitles.
5.1 audio for episodes that have it from the old JP Hi-Spec DVDs.
'Both' pilots & more! pic.twitter.com/AFMrhOYZq9— 💿Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) October 25, 2022
Discotek closed out its presentation by announcing The King of Braves: GaoGaiGar. This release will remaster the complete 49-episode series in 1080p HD, with Japanese voice and subtitles and the original English dub. (The dub was never completed and only covers the first 25 episodes.) Interviews and extras will be included for the Blu-ray release, which arrives in Winter 2023. Discotek also confirmed it will release GaoGaiGar Final, an 8-episode OVA sequel to the series.
In Twitter comments, Discotek confirmed that due to the nature of editing on certain shows like Kamen Rider Black and GaoGaiGar, there’s a chance that the shows may trigger photosensitive epilepsy in some viewers. As such, a warning will be included on the final releases.
GaoGaiGar!
W/ a gorgeous HD remaster!
Upgraded subtitles & the dub for episodes 1-25.
A kitchen sink release, w/ so many extras including:
Interviews, minisodes from a game, shiny new animation from a pachislot game, & tons more!& we have Final, but that will come later. pic.twitter.com/1mCK7s8Id3
— 💿Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) October 25, 2022
Here’s the full list of new licensing and release announcements from Discotek Media, organized by type.
Anime
- Aim for the Ace
- Digimon Adventure
- Fist of the North star: Legend of the True Savior – Legend of Raoh: Chapter of Death in Love
- Ghost Stories
- King of Braves: GaoGaiGar
- King of Brave: GaoGaiGar Final
- Mysterious Thief Saint Tail
- Project A-Ko 4: Final
- Tetsujin 28 FX
- Treasure Island
- Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
Live-Action
- Another
- Golgo 13
- Kamen Rider Black
- Suicide Club
Sonic X and GaoGaiGar will release in Winter 2023, while Kamen Rider Black will come out within 2023. Specific release dates weren’t given, but pre-orders will open on retailers like RightStuf and Amazon at a later date.
