Honey and Clover DVD 5

January 3, 2006 | 10 Comments

Yeah, I realised this comes rather late and the Halloween-themed box seems to suggest that the DVD was released a long time ago. But seriously, I didn't receive this until the 26th of December so the Halloween-themed box is a foresight on the DVD production's site. I think they should have used the cover for Volume 4 for this month's release and this cover for Volume 4. You have to admit it's kind of cute though. Although I'm not sure what everyone is supposed to be. I guess Mayama is Dracula and Yamada is a vampire. But I really have no clue about the rest. Anyway, first thing first, here are some scans of the DVD boxes:

Slipcase Box without attachment
DVD cover, Front side
DVD cover, Back side
Postcard 1
Postcard 2
Postcard 3

As everyone know by now, this volume contains the first of the special episode titled Chapter L. It's a fun episode filled with loats of meat and hugs. LOL. As I said in the thread I linked above, it doesn't have any relevance to the overal plot of the original broadcast but it's a definite must see for any Hachikuro fans. Believe it or not, for some reason I can't help myself from breaking into into laughter everytime I remember Lohmeyer-sempai and his fanboys in this episode. This is especially bad when it happens in public places because people tend to think that I'm a nutcase for laughing without apparent reason. Uhm, moving along, the special edition of the DVD also comes with 3 neat-looking postcards. The first one is the reproduction of the digipack image. The second one is similar to the image featured in Newtype Japan not too long ago. The last one is a specially produced to feature the side characters such as Nomiya, Miwako and Leader, etc.

The main extra in the DVD is an interview with Morita's VA, Ueda Yuuji and Hagu's VA, Haruka Kudou. The problem with this interviews, or rather any interviews involving Japanese actors is that they are all so polite and nice to each other that almost every single answer that they come up with ends up sounding similar. Although admittedly this is the mistake of the interviewer as well (who is represented by that yellow teddy bear) because he/she doesn't ask interesting enough question. For example, one of the question goes as follows "What do you think of (insert the name of either VA)'s work as (insert the name of the character)? I mean, of course the other VA is going to say "So and so is awesome, he/she is the best, etc" because who on their right mind will say otherwise? Although I have to agree with Kudou Haruka when she said that Ueda Yuuji's Morita is perfect and 100% convincing. Because let's face it, he is THAT good.

The most interesting part of the question, however, comes when both VAs were asked which other roles they would like to play apart from their existing role. Kudou Haruka answers with Midori-chan, referring to that ugly poodle that showed up in episode 8. Ueda Yuuji, however, tells the interviewer that he'd like to play all of them. The two, however, are surprised when they are asked to play those roles they say they want to do. So Kudou Haruka gets to growl like Midori-chan. On the other hand since Ueda Yuuji said that he wants to do all of them, he got a challenge from Kudou Haruka to voice Hagu. :D. So he has no choice but to say "Niku" in Hagu's little voice. And then he goes on to voice every single character and I think his imitation of Mayama was the one that is closest to the original version. Anyway, the rest of the extra are not good. Only an image gallery and a title card for Lohmeyer episode. But I guess the Lohmeyer episode can be considered an extra.

Please do not direct-link to the images. If you wish to link, point the link to this post instead. Here are the details of the items in case you're interested to purchase it:

Honey and Clover Volume 5 (Limited Release)
Format: R2 NTSC
Price: 3,948 Yen ($34.82 US Dollars)

Posted by Garten

Comments

January 3, 2006 | wildarmsheero wrote:

I like the Digipak. Ayu fanservice ftw.

January 3, 2006 | DiGiKerot wrote:

This isn't really a digipak - a digipak is one of those boxes like what a lot of US TV shows come in - those fold out card things with the clear plastic disk holders glued on. Its just a slip case.

My copy of this came last week, though I've only watched Episode L on it (the previous volumes are still backlogged ^^;). Its definately my favorite cover thus far, though.

January 3, 2006 | Haesslich wrote:

... Yamada with cleavage exposed?

Whoah. Looks like Mayama-Dracula doesn't fool around when it comes to mind-controlling his subordinates. :D I just wish there was an easier way to handle DVD regions on my PC, so I could just import these and be done with it. Still, that Midori shot on the box is a nice preview, especially given that they included the translation of that growl from ep 8. :D

January 3, 2006 | Haesslich wrote:

Third Postcard even. Bah. Well, Ueda Yuuji sounds just a LITTLE insane, which I suppose is fitting for any VA doing Morita.

January 3, 2006 | Garten wrote:

Ah, sorry about the misprinting. It's not really a digipack, it's a slipbox.

January 4, 2006 | reins wrote:

wow, the Halloween pic is awesome. Could I have your permission to use it?

January 4, 2006 | Naddie wrote:

Man, now I really wish that someone will license this! Look at the beautiful postcards, and the lovely covers. Siigggh, buying this would bust my pockets, AND I wouldn't understand a thing.

January 4, 2006 | Michael wrote:

I know what you're saying about Japanese DVD comentary. Sometimes you need to tell it as it is. But seriously I wonder how much fun these voice actor guys have. Are they like Korean Soap Opera actors who attract stalkers?! :(

January 4, 2006 | Garten wrote:

Hi reins, providing that you are actually using it creatively (to make wallpaper/icons/website layout, etc) and not just simply reposting the image as it is now elsewhere, feel free to do so.

January 5, 2006 | Ruki wrote:

woooah! it looks so nicee
Thanks for the pictures and the review :D!