___ #### [**Film Information**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roujin_Z) ### **Video** Source | Resolution | DAR | Format | Bitrate | Framerate | MediaInfo :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | Region B BD | 1080p | 16:9 | H.264 10-Bit | ~59 Mbps | 23.976 fps | [**Link**](https://pastebin.com/iYVJJ2Hr) #### **Filters used:** WhiteBalance, KNLMeansCL *(for chroma noise removal)*, LSFmod, FineDehalo, aWarpSharp4xx *(chroma sharpening only)*, Hysteria, AdaptiveGrainFactory, BalanceBorders #### [**Encode Comparison vs. Source**](https://slow.pics/c/dFis4UoP) ------ ### **Audio** Language | Channels | Format | Bitrate | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | Japanese | 6ch | FLAC | 3793 kbps French | 6ch | FLAC | 2043 kbps Italian | 6ch | FLAC | 1613 kbps German | 6ch | FLAC | 3464 kbps English | 2ch | AC3 | 448 kbps Spanish | 2ch | AC3 | 448 kbps Catalan | 2ch | AC3 | 320 kbps ------ ### **Subtitles** Language | Style | Format | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | English | Styled Dialogue *(Modified **_A-FanRips_**)* | ASS | English | Styled Signs/Songs *(Modified **_A-FanRips_**)* | ASS | English | Official | PGS | French | Official | PGS | Italian | Official | PGS | German | Official | PGS | Dutch | Official | PGS | ------ #### **Notes:** A fresh and hopefully, as of now, definitive release of this lesser known work by Katsuhiro Otomo. The 2011 Manga UK/Kaze BD remaster suffered from lackluster authoring resulting in several problems. The original disc video bitrate was overly compressed, which yielded poor film grain retention and stability. This can be observed in this [__comparison of sequential frames__](https://slow.pics/c/pXdkqCo0) highlighting the errant inter-frame blurring. In addition, odd vertical stripe patterning and general macroblocking artifacts were also present in some darker scenes. Fine adaptive grain-matching was employed to address these issues. Slight dehaloing and very weak luma sharpening was also applied to treat edges and a combination of UV sharpening and noise reduction was applied separately to the chroma plane. Finally, the footage exhibited a subtle dingy/sickly appearance which when examining known white-points by sampling their measured component RGB values throughout the main portion of the film confirmed a persistent faint greenish chroma cast which has been [__reverse-equalized to a neutral white balance to alleviate said bias__](https://slow.pics/c/dWq2aeXr). See comparison screenshots. Subtitles utilized **A-FanRips**'s release as a base and were overhauled with significant QC (re)typesetting signs, correcting some errors, adjusting timing and splitting certain lines to improve flow, adding several missing lines and TL notes, restoring honorifics and context-sensitive forms of address, etc. Also the ending theme *Hashire Jitensha (Run, Bicycle Run)* has now been fully translated with associated karaoke added. A Signs/Song-only track for dub viewers as well as retail sub options for those that prefer them are also included. **Trivia:** Mangaka and illustrator Eguchi Hisashi *(Stop!! Hibari-kun!)* who was the character designer modeled the female lead after his own wife and former idol Mizutani Mari. This film also marked the debut assignment for the late Satoshi Kon *(Perfect Blue, Paprika)*. There is [__some discussion__](https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=1872049) over the title's production history starting out as an OVA before transitioning to a theater release ala *Project A-ko*. Evidence in some of the original cels and an [__open-matte trailer__](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfrrIDT53_w) suggest a larger 4:3 presentation on the film reel may exist though all home releases to date including this one are [__cropped widescreen__](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yWEVWiDSwbE/Wtx-SFDdOBI/AAAAAAAAADc/B8UMpAMQu1w7YWT6h6ztLLXLlOJzhuSgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Roujin-Z_03_full_frame.png).