Only I would include a video game quote in a post title, and to have it as retro as it is. So 5 bonus points if you get it, even though it will have nothing to do with the rest of the post. Though video games do relate a little, into the topic of special editions, more so now then ever it seems. Anyway, enough of me making some intro to do whatever, I’m not even sure myself anymore; lets just get this done before I get more off topic.

All right where we’re we, yes special editions. They have started to show up more and more lately, before they really didn’t show up. To bring in video games, there were some extras that came with pre-orders. My prime example is the Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, which came with some nice stuff, art book, time line (1995 is where Simon Belmont destroyed Dracula, but there has yet to be a game in that time), music CD. Now all of that was free, but hell for a better box I would have paid more for it. Then for things like GTA 4 there was a special edition, and blah, blah.

Anime, yes that is what I should be talking about; so lets talk about that. Anime likes doing a lot of the special editions, from the metal tin and other stuff Gunbuster, to Haruhi. Let’s take a moment to look at Haruhi, for it will come back later on (I know it will, because I’m writing this). Now the Haruhi sets were nice, I don’t care for the show to much; I like it and all, but I picked up all 4. Those came with some cool stuff, and nothing out there (well there were those pillow cases…never mind that). They didn’t go over the top with stuff and just nice and such…and now where I’m obviously going with it.

Yes, this is all pointing to the Lucky Star release. Because after looking at what comes with the special edition, I kinda question it. I mean don’t get me wrong I love special editions, just look what I have said up till now. I just think with the t-shirt and the cloth it is kinda getting out of hand. I mean when I just don’t see why for those, I think there is a line with things like this and its getting crossed. Not that I mean it in a bad way, but come on are you really going to ware that t-shirt in public. I mean the pencil boards that came with Haruhi are something way different, but I enjoy that more. I almost want to say its becoming like a gimmick, which isn’t really how it should be done. Special editions are fanservice for the people, that I think hits it right on. This t-shirt isn’t really that, it almost seems like a step down and to me I think its kinda like “..really, couldn’t think of anything better”. Almost seems like being lazy too for the extra. Then they do the t-shirt thing again for vol 2, I mean what is the point of it? Unlike a figure or pencil board, a t-shirt isn’t really gonna get displayed or used (well the Lucky Star shirts at least for us guys). I mean even the pillow cases went a bit far, just give me something to display, something extra like the soundtracks which are awesome.

I love having my random items that are made from a video game, anime, whatever. I mean the stuff that comes with manga is a great example of this. I have gotten neat stuff from there that is well something I think works better. A figure, a phone thing, hell I even have a Haruhi fan. Soundtracks are always a good choice for special edition. Hell writing this I’m wishing that there was a Baldr Force that come with the OP CD. I mean I wouldn’t mind putting down an extra $10 or whatever for the CD for $20 if it came with more. The Haruhi boxes were a good deal with all the stuff you got in it, and that is the way to go. I mean if the felling of satisfaction is there with the higher price the job is done with the special edition. Though I think there isn’t a problem with the price, for me I see them being priced well; its up to be argued though.

In the end the point I’m trying to make is that special editions can go to far, I’m sure its been like this in Japan for awhile, but we are new to special editions it seems. Also really the market for some of this your going into like a cult of a cult for the demographic. I mean an extra is an extra, and sometimes that is really all that is needed for a special edition. It doesn’t have to be some new idea like a t-shirt, sometimes just a figure is something better, that can be displayed and such. As I said it almost seems like a cop out and they didn’t feel like trying.

So there you have it my little talk about special editions and how somethings are really cool to get and some are not. How somethings just work better than others, though it is all in my opinion of what I think a special edition should be, but I don’t think I’m alone on the matter. So please go ahead rip my argument apart if you want to, though its more of what I think and a opinion.

Then really its all down to the fans, I mean even how I feel about the t-shirts there might be guys who are all for it. I just think that special edition items should be simple and can be used to display and show off, so thanks for your time in reading this mess where I’m all over and talk about so much, oh and for those wondering, Rise from your grave is from the Arcade/Sega Genesis Game Altered Beast.

PS - Good to be back and writing even if its not at G and the 1/2.

Tags: Haruhi, Lucky Star, special edition

Category: Rants & Raves