Lucky Star – Blu-Ray box $et

It was recently announced that a very nice Blu-Ray box set for Lucky Star is going to be released in Japan on May 27th.  This box set is very attractive to Lucky Star fans in both Japan and English speaking parts of the world as it’s going to be dual audio and have English subtitles.   Thank God it has subtitles!   Sorry if anybody out there is a fan of English audio anime but I’m not.

The box set also includes 400 minutes of extras.  That’s almost 6.5 hours of material that’s coming with the original episodes.  The extra I find the most interesting is the 2009 live event “Lucky Star in Budokan: Anata no Tame Dakara” concert.  One that I am ashamed to say I never did get to see.  Here is an example thanks to YouTube:

Kaeshite! Knee Socks

The set also includes the Lucky Star OVA episode (Yea!), something called “Lucky Channel in Shin Tokyo Circuit” which I have no clue about, and also “Lucky Racer” which seems to be a live-action cart racing video with some of the seyiu from the anime.

Like all good things in this world, especially those coming from Japan, it comes with a price.  And what a steep one it is.  This box set will cost 39,900 yen (about US$475).

Yes, almost $500 for an anime that’s over 2 years old.  Granted, if this is your type of show (and it’s one of my favorites) it’s a great anime but still, $500?  I could purchase a Dollfie Dream Image Character Aoi and some clothes for her for that much.    Sure, Lucky Star is entertaining but Aoi is cute, tangible, and so tsundere:

Ok, maybe DD’s aren’t your thing, but I bet there’s something for $500 that is.  Maybe you want to update your computer?  How about a nice video card and a 24 inch LCD monitor?  Maybe a PS3 console and a few games?  Perhaps your a musician.  How about a beautiful Epiphone Les Paul Standard.  (by the way -  Epiphone doesn’t suck like they did years ago.  Their LP is fantastic).

Do I sound upset?  I guess I am.  As I read the release information the first thought in my head was:  “Yes, now I have a reason to get a TV and a Blu-Ray player.  I’ll also be paying money directly to the Japanese company and not some American company who makes crappy English dubs.”  I knew I’d pay more ordering directly from Japan but in my head I felt the price might be $150 – $200, tops.   Needless to say I was not happy when I saw the price.

I really love Lucky Star, in fact all this Lucky Star talk has got me in the mood to watch some, but I don’t think I’ll be buying the box set.  If the price somehow drops to around $200 when it releases I’d be sure to pick it up but till then, no way!

**James.