What is ANIMEX1200? I explained it briefly in the past, but here is an explainer. ANIMEX1200 is a line of priced-down CD re-releases which have been digitally remastered. They cost ¥1200 (well, closer to ¥1296 with tax) which is a bargain compared to the original ¥3000ish price. Content-wise the CDs are 100% the same as their original printing, but there numerous changes with the packaging. I grabbed the first ANIMEX1200 I had handy and snapped some pretty terrible pictures (sorry, it gets dark before 4PM where I live).
The cover is the same...
The back cover is a generic list with info since there is no booklet.
The generic ANIMEX1200 CD look.
The back of the cover has a list of other releases.
The spine. Named and numbered.
It isn't a total reprinting, but it totally serviceable as a replacement. For several of the releases of the early 00s, this was the first time a lot of the soundtracks were getting a CD release. I didn't really buy too many from the original run (Juspion, Spielban, Jiraiya, Jiban, and Mechadoc--I'll get into those someday) but I approve Columbia going back into their archives and giving some of the more obscure series some love.
Since the previous releases covered a lot of out of print 80s LPs...this time we have stuff from the 90s...yay?
OK, so the 90s were a long time ago even if they don't really feel like it. I did compile a list of the new wave of ANIMEX1200 and some of the releases are mundane while some are legitimately super-rare CDs.
Here is the new wave...all of these will be released in 21.January.2015.
TOKUSATSU
171-Kamen Rider Kuuga Ongakushuu 1
172-Gekisou Sentai Carranger Music Collection 1
173-Denji Sentai Megaranger Music Collection 1
174-Seijuu Sentai Gingaman Ongakushuu 1
175-Kyuukyuu Sentai Gogo Five The Score 1
176-Mirai Sentai Timeranger Ongakushuu 1
177-Tokusou Robo Janperson Music Collections
178-Blue SWAT Music Collection
179-Jukou B-Fighter Music Collection
180-BF Kabuto Music Collection 1
181-B-Robo Kabutack Music Collection 1
182-Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack Music Collection
183-Lady Battle Cop Music Collection (!)
184-Kamen Rider SD Ongakushuu (!!!!!)
ANIME
185-Sailor Moon Music Collection
186-Sailor Moon R Music Collection
187-Kokyo uta Sailor Moon R
188-Sailor Moon S Music Collection
189-Chibi Maruko-chan Ongakushuu
190-Kinnikuman Kinnikuboshi oi sodatsu hen
191-Magical Taluluto Song & Music '92
192-Bakuso kyodai Let's&Go!! Max Music Collection
193-Jigoku Sensei NuBe Original Soundtrack
194-Zoids Original Soundtrack + Kotetsu no dokoku
195-Zoids Original Soundtrack +2 fukkatsu no taido
196-Zoids Original Soundtrack +3 Mission
197-Gatchaman OVA Original Soundtrack
198-Legend of Casshan OVA Ongakushuu
199-New Hurricane Polymer OVA Original Soundtrack
200-AIKa Music Collection
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Hmmmm...quite a list! Can I make some recommendations?
Top Seven *New* ANIMEX1200 CDs You Need To Buy
This is going to be a short list. I haven't reviewed a lot of these CDs yet, so I really don't want to get too detailed.
07. Lady Battle Cop Original Soundtrack
I talked about this CD in my last entry. As I was writing the blog and doing a little bit a research, I made the discovery of this new wave of ANIMEX1200 CDs. I was shocked to see this one on there!
06. Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack Music Collection
A surprisingly solid CD. As it turns out, it's a bit uncommon. It's nice to see the music get a new lease on life. Also, since there is only one Robotack Music Collection there is no second music collection that will never get reissued.
05. Seijuu Sentai Gingaman Ongakushuu 1
While some of the best Gingaman music lives on the second and third music collections, this is still an excellent CD.
04. Kyuukyuu Sentai Gogo Five The Score 1
Contrary to the Gingaman music--the best Gogo Five music is on the first CD.
03. Kamen Rider SD Ongakushuu
First off, holy shit...I can't believe they swung back around to this CD to reissue. Wow.
I spoke very highly of this CD in the past and I also spoke of it's insane rarity. It's a very good CD and you really shouldn't miss out this time around!
02. Jukou B-Fighter Music Collection
Eiji Kawamura's final music collection. It's amazingly good and I definitely look forward to writing more about it later. Heh.
01. Blue SWAT Music Collection
This CD is a MUST. It is one of the most perfect Tokusatsu music collections ever. Again, I really, really look forward to writing about it. Definitely worth a purchase!
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You can purchase all of these CDs from Amazon Japan, CD Japan, YesAsia or anywhere else you purchase goods from Japan. At the low, low prices that these are going for you might as well pick up a few to make the shipping prices worth your while.
My only issue? Columbia STILL hasn't released the music collections of Seiun Kamen Machineman or Kyodai Ken Bycrosser. Those two did have their song collections released on CD (I'll get to that also) but the music collections are still vinyl only. C'mon...before getting into the 90s, maybe Columbia should have put these rarities out.
Anyway...happy shopping. I hope you'll atleast buy the top three on my list. Hehe.
-CC
P.S. My Music Page is now up and running! I will update it periodically with my collection. All articles will end up there as I type them.
I like the line up for upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that ANIMEX1200 is coming back after 7 years, which is a very long hiatus.
It's about time that Lady Battle Cop and Kamen Rider SD is getting a re-release, after 20+ years. They finally got a recognition that they deserve, where they are in your Top 7 list!
Now, if only Toei release Kamen Rider SD on DVD (I'm itching for update, darn it!).
Nice Top 7 list.
It has nice balance of tokusatsu.
All those series has great music.
I'm not familiar with Machineman and Bycrosser (I might check them out in future), but I'm looking forward to those discussion.
Take care.
That's just it...Bycrosser and Machineman both have DVD releases, yet the soundtracks never made it to digital. SD is now the opposite. Heh. Yet another really weird oversight that needs to be corrected. An SD DVD and CDs for the two forgotten Ishinomori shows.
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