Anime Limited picked up the first season of B: The Beginning and back in 2018 and they revealed their plans in June 2020 to bring out the ultimate edition release for it. The folks at Shout! Factory have it set for release with an October 6th, 2020 debut set with a DVD/BD combo and an ultimate collection limited edition release in partnership with Anime Limited. The regular edition combo will be priced at $23.97 while the collector’s ultimate collection is priced at $129.99.
Now, Shout! Factory have brought out a great unboxing video to show just exactly what’s included in the set that definitely makes it a great release for collector’s and fans of the film.
“This limited-edition set comes housed in a visually striking slipcase, with three art cards and a 160-page hardback book. The book is a comprehensive series bible, packed with information about every element of B: The Beginning’s world and story, taking fans behind the scenes of its production with staff interviews, character designs, background artwork, location information and more. Featured in a deluxe disc portfolio will be the Blu-ray of the complete first season, the pilot film that inspired the series, a special interview with director Nakazawa, original soundtrack on CD (featuring 21 tracks, including the previously unreleased “Farewell to the Black-winged King”), and more. ”
And we have a series trailer for it as well from Shout! Factory:
The two releases break down thusly:
- Series presentation in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and English dub
- Pilot film that inspired the Netflix series
- Clean Opening – Clean Ending
- Interview with Kazuto Nakazawa
- A mini-poster
- Two art cards
- Series presentation in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and English dub
- Pilot film that inspired the Netflix series
- Clean Opening – Clean Ending
- Interview with director Kazuto Nakazawa
- 160-page hardback book
- Original Soundtrack on CD (featuring 21 tracks, including the previously unreleased “Farewell to the Black-winged King”)
- Three art cards
Check out our review of the series.
The series is directed by Kazuto Nakazawa, who has worked in key animation, character design and served as an episode director on a number of shows, though mostly in terms of opening sequences. He also directed the Parasite Dolls OVA series and did character design on Samurai Champloo while directing a few episodes.
The Japanese cast includes Asami Seto as Lily Hoshina, Hiroaki Hirata as Keith Kazama Flick, Yuuki Kaji as Koku, Ami Koshimizu as Kaela Yoshinaga, Atsushi Goto as Jean Henry Richard, Hiroki Touchi as Eric Toga, Kaito Ishikawa as Minatsuki, Minoru Inaba as Boris Meier, Shintarō Tanaka as Mario, Toshiyuki Morikawa as Gilbert Ross, and Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Brian Brandon.
The English language cast includes Ray Chase as Keith / Dr. Flick, Kyle McCarley as Koku, John Demita as Gilbert / Puzo, Doug Stone as Boris, Faye Mata as Lily, Johnny Yong Bosch as Minatsuki, Xander Mobus as Laica / Henry, Allegra Clark as Kaela, Brianna Knickerbocker as Yuna, Patrick Seitz as Mario, Jalen K. Cassell as Eric, Erica Mendez as Young Koku, Cristina Vee as Young Yuna / Erika / Kukuri / Takeru, John Snyder as Jean, Ezra Weisz as Abbot, Khoi Dao as Brandon, Todd Haberkorn as Quinn / Jonathan, Steve Prince as Julian, Ben Diskin Kamui, Marianne Miller as Izanami / Lily’s Mom, Sean Chiplock as Red, Edward Bosco as Blue / Richard, Keith Silverstein as Yellow, Jake Eberle as Lily’s Father, and Joe Zieja as Lily’s Brother.
Plot Concept: The tiny city-state of Cremona has been shocked by a string of gruesome murders. As only vicious killers are being targeted, and from an enigmatic mark left at each crime scene, people call this mysterious executioner, “Killer B”. When former detective Keith Kazama Flick is called back on duty after an eight-year-long hiatus, a new team assembles at the Royal Investigation Service with the purpose of putting an end to the bloodshed. But Keith appears burdened by too many ghosts from his past. And as much greater and ominous scheme starts emerging, he will need to come to terms with them all.
