To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the broadcast of the popular anime "Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato," it has been announced that a Blu-ray Disc (BD) box set, "Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato Blu-ray MEMORIAL BOX (Special Limited Edition)," will be released on February 26, 2025. This will be the first time the series has been made into a BD. In addition to the 38 episodes of the TV series and two compilation episodes, it will include all six episodes of the OVA series "Shurato: Chronicles of Heavenly Space Memorials" and all six episodes of "The Dark Struggle for Genesis." The images will be beautifully rendered with high-definition remastering from film scans. Bonus audio features include newly recorded audio commentary by the main cast, and the drama part from the drama CD released at the time of broadcast. The price is 39,600 yen.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary, the main cast has provided comments. Toshihiko Seki, who voices Shurato, commented, "I never thought that an anime series from 35 years ago would be revived in the form of Blu-ray like this. I'm very curious to see what the fans from back then think when they watch it again now. What's more, the main cast's audio commentary and roundtable discussion are also enjoyable. It's full of nostalgic stories! I hope that even people who have never seen Shurato will check it out."
Takehito Koyasu, who voices Guy, said, "This is a memorable work that marks the starting point of my career as a voice actor. It's the origin of who I am today, having gone through all the experiences that began here. Is it simply because of the years that I've grown to the point where I even find my youthful, clumsy, and unstable acting endearing? Or is it proof of my growth? I'd like to take this opportunity to watch it again. Why not join us? Please do so."
Kenyu Horiuchi, who voices Hyuuga, commented, "I'm sorry to have kept all Shurato fans waiting for so long. This masterpiece of battle suit anime that has remained in the hearts of so many people for so long is being revived on Blu-ray. As a bonus, we'll be looking back on those days with some familiar faces for the first time in a long time. We got a little carried away with nostalgia, but it's hilarious. It's a work that even the cast members will never forget, so I hope everyone will remember those days and enjoy it."
Kouichi Yamadera, who voices Ryoma, said, "Congratulations on the first Blu-ray release of Shurato: Legend of Tenkuu Senki! I'm really happy that this memorable work will be preserved in such beautiful footage that so many people will be able to watch it again! The familiar faces gathered for the audio commentary and roundtable discussion. We're all chatting away, pulling at the threads of our memories that have become quite thin, so please enjoy that as well!"
Kazuhiko Inoue, who voices Reiga, said, "This truly worthwhile work, which never gets old no matter how many times you watch it, is being revived in this Blu-ray box set. I had the honor of doing an audio commentary with some wonderful members. I hope you enjoy the excellent teamwork that makes it hard to believe 35 years have passed."
The story of "Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato" is that high school students Hidaka Akito and Kuroki Gai are suddenly reincarnated into another world ruled by gods called "Heaven" during a martial arts tournament. The TV anime aired from April 1989 to January 1990.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Original concept: Mihara Todoroki▽Chief Director: Nishikubo Mizuho▽Series Composition: Koyama Takao, Sekijima Masayoshi▽Character concept: Okuda Mantsuri▽Opening animation: Tobe Atsuo▽Shakti design: Ammonite, Ogawa Hiroshi, Okura Hirotoshi, Ono Ryuji▽Mechanic arranger: Matsuo Shin▽Shakti design cooperation: Fukuchi Jin▽Screenplay: Endo Akinori, Watanabe Chikako, Kishima Nobuaki, and others▽Director: Ueda Hidehito, Matsumoto Yoshihisa, Kusaka Naoyoshi, Okada Satoshi, Masunari Kouji, and others▽Animation directors: Kudo Masaki, Matsumoto Katsuji, Yuki Tsukasa, Hirota Masashi, Habara Nobuyoshi, Kise Kazuya, Suda Masami, and others▽Music: Watanabe Hiroya▽Theme song "SHINING SOUL" Lyrics: Mizutani Keiji, Music: Takezawa Yoshitaka, Arrangement: Yamamoto Kenji, Sung by Shimizu Satoko (King Records)▽Art Director: Arai Torao▽Director of Photography: Fukuda Takeshi▽Sound Director: Tanaka Hideyuki▽Literary Director: Akahori Satoru▽Literary Setting Cooperation: Braza Noppo▽Setting Director: Murakami Kenji▽Color Setting: Yusa Kumiko
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Shurato: Seki Toshihiko▽Gai: Koyasu Takehito▽Rakshu: Mizutani Yuko▽Hyuuga: Horiuchi Kenyu▽Ryoma, Narration: Yama Tera Koichi▽Reiga: Inoue Kazuhiko▽Renge: Hayashibara Megumi▽Dan: Tobita Nobuo▽Kuuya: Nakata Kazuhiro▽Vishnu: Shimamoto Sumi▽Indra: Suzuoki Hirotaka▽Mayuri, Bikara: Kosugi Jurota▽Saras, Santera: Sasaki Yuko▽Marichi, Akaranatha: Matsumoto Yasunori▽Trailo: Doi Mika▽Kundalini: Otaki Shinya▽Shiva: Wakamoto Norio▽Antera: Ono Kenichi▽Kubira: Sasaki Nozomu▽Haila: Shima Kaori▽Brahma: Kobayashi Kiyoshi▽Skrimir: Hayami Shou and others
