I'm still not sure what the Rating systems is for, the content or the product. I think it should be for the product since that's what's being sold. Or maybe amazon should start a dual rating system. This dvd release is really bad. It looks like they got ahold of some tapes from tv station back in the 70's. I've been comparing it to the chinese release of the original japanese series... there is absolutely no comparison. The only reason I would buy this series is for the american soundtrack. It's nostalgic. If you're watching Star Blazers for the first time, just get the chinese version, it's way less expensive, 26 episodes for about $40 (compared to 5 episodes for $30???), it has the original japanese dialogue with english subtitles, it's UNCUT (and there was a bit cut from the american version) and WHAT QUALITY!! It looks like they got the original film negatives and remastered it. This american dvd... well.. that's greed for you. Let's hope the voyager license expires soon!

i just picked up the dvd of the first 5 episodes and must say that the vhs version {by jupiter} was much smoother and cleaner than this {dvd} version. however this is better than nothing as stated by others and my wife who has been a fan for nigh on 25 years now. so if you must have your starblazers as my wife does then definitely pick this up.AND SEND IN YOUR CARDS.

Not sure what DVD the other reviewers were looking at, but the one I bought had a slideshow tour of the Yamato on it, so it isn't quite exactly right to say there are *no* extras (though a somewhat disappointing extra). It is true for Part II of the series, though. All in all, it leaves the viewer only nearly satisfied. The price is just a bit high for what you're getting.

I was first introduced to Star Blazers as a 12-year-old in the fall of 1979. I only caught the second half of this series, but I loved it, and I love it as much today.

Of course, having watched other sci-fi series like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5 and others in later years, I try to look for little inconsistencies in a storyline such as Star Blazers. It's not that I want to tear the storyline apart, like "The Nit Pickers Guide to Star Trek," but I just want to see where are slight errors or abberations in that storyline.

For instance, after the battle at Pluto, it only took Captain Avatar's ship a very short time to return to Earth. However, while making preparations for the jump to warp from the moon to Mars, Captain Avatar says it would normally take months to make such a journey at normal travel speeds. How, then, could Avatar's ship get back to Earth in such a short time if his ship did not have warp capability?

But, as I said, I am not attempting to tear the storyline apart. This storyline, in the format of the old Republic Serials like "Commando Cody," compels you to come back for more. At the end of each episode, you find out how much time is left for Earth. And you want to know what lies in store for the Argo and its crew in upcoming episodes. It is such a beautifully crafted storyline that way!

I guess some characters like IQ-9 are meant as comic relief for the storyline, but I would not have put IQ-9 in the storyline were I its creator. These kind of characters just detract and divert from the storyline. But, again, this is just a minor issue. IQ-9 does have some good moments later in the storyline, and I do note that in his favour.

But I guess the best thing about this storyline is that Captain Avatar does not lead the Away Missions. Avatar stays on the bridge of the Argo, where he belongs. He does not put himself directly in danger, like Captain James T. Kirk or Captain John J. Sheridan. Avatar knows his place, and he leaves his subordinates to go into danger and do the dirty work. Besides, Avatar is so critical to the success of the mission, it would be suicidal to put him directly in harm's way.

Well, that pretty well covers it for me. I think my review of this DVD would carry over to the other DVDs in this series. Not that my opinion counts for much, of course, but I think I have given this DVD a fair hearing.

No, you can overlook the inconsistencies in this storyline and love Starblazers. I have since I was 12 years old, and I'll love it for many years to come.

One day I was discussing anime with some people at work and it made me think of the Star Blazers tune back from when I was 7 or 8 years old. So, I went lookin on the internet for the series on DVD. At the time they hadn't even released part I yet, so I waited and bought it the day it came out. The grainy film (it hasn't been touched up) and quirky music only seem to add value for me because it is exactly the way I remembered it. Enhanced sound may have been okay though, since I did spend a lot of money on my surround system. (Thus one star deducted)

Also what may be a point of interest... I filled in the registration card that came with the DVD. Then I waited for a long time for the second disc to come out. When it finally came out I popped in the disc and they had added all the features I requested. Lost footage, etc. Except for better sound.