Search - Teknoman - Collection One (Vol. 1) on DVD

Teknoman, not as badly cut as some think

crouteru | UK | 04/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the superior International English Dub of Tekkaman Blade, not the radically cut US English Dub.

Of the first 16 Japanese episodes, only one is missing, and it's a recap episode anyway. The majority of extreme content has been left unchanged, including character deaths.

The only point where this dub suffers is in the final four episodes, which have been merged into two, and one other episode towards the end that has been completely removed detailing Blade's past with his brother.

Other than that, the new voice cast and musical score are brilliant and much easier for English speakers to understand than Japanese."

Unsure about Teknoman

Tom | Louisville, KY | 11/27/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"To be honest, I expected it to be like the episodes I saw on UPN in 1995. But this was a little different. The transformation narratives only happened once- first for Blade's original transformation in the pilot episode, and for when he used the teknobot in "Snapshot", and the opening credits weren't what I expected. I'd rather hold onto the memories than recommend something that other people might be disappointed with. Aside from those little things, it's okay."

DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!

R. Tordsen | Sioux Falls, SD USA | 06/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set may be the Edited Version that was aired in the UK/Austrailia, but I say to Purchase this set anyway! if you are a fan of the series in any form, then buy it to show Media Blasters there is a demand for the original Japanese version and a demand for this series to be released! if sales dont do well with theses sets, it is less likely they will release the original Tekkaman Blade in its entirety. 14 episodes for $25 is not a bad deal! I have many versions of this series and I am proud to have this version as well! if they do release a full collection of the Original Uncut version of this series months after these 3 collections I will buy them too!

Don get Discouraged! show your support for such a fantastic series and buy this set!"

You Get What You Pay For

Michael Lasher | Clarks Summit, PA | 06/11/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Teknoman (aka Space Knight Tekkaman Blade, not to be confused with the previously available Tekkaman Blade II, which takes place 10 years after Teknoman/Tekkaman Blade) first appeared in the U.S. on a UPN Weekend Kid's Spot. Thanks to Saban (yes, the same folks who did Power Rangers), it was cut up much as a paper doll to fit the standards of a children's program (as such, the manufacturer lists this a appropriate for 7+). Although this show appeared alongside of early Dragon Ball Z episodes (which were also much editted at the time), it failed to attract the following DBZ had both in the U.S. as well as in it's native Japan (which was originally cancelled halfway through it's original run in the 1970's).

This DVD version is nearly identical to the televised version. The only significant difference is in that the original Japanese opening (which featured a J-Pop tune which was far from outstanding) was reinstated over the Americanized version (which was the normal medly of scenes mixed with a series synopsis and catchy synthesizer music).

The downside to this edition is being subject to much rewriting which is not even of good quality in some parts. The DVD itself, which is issued by Anime Works, features no special features and only english audio. Basically, it is bare bones, not much else what I expect from Anime Works. Furthermore, the sound quality is poor in some spots. It does not even offer english subtitles.

The upside is that in one edition, 14 episodes are available at the cost of a standard DVD. Considering that I am accustomed to getting 3 to 4 times less episodes on an average Anime DVD, this for me offsets the lack of features. Hopefully an equal or close amount will be available on the two subsequent collections (available in July and September), which are apparently going to be roughly the same price. I only wonder if they will issue the whole 49 episodes, as when it was shown on UPN it was not shown in its entirity (I do not remember just how much was actually shown).

If it came right down to it, Teknoman does not compare to Tekkaman Blade. If you can not tolerate the misguided efforts of companies trying to expose the West to Anime, then Teknoman is not for you. There was a fansub version of this years ago which one may be able to track down. Admittedly, when I tracked down an old undubbed, uneditted version of Super Dimension Fortress Macross issued by Anime-ego, I swore I would never go back to Robotech. If there is ever a version of Tekkaman Blade issued at least with English subtitles, this DVD is getting traded in PDQ. But for now, I am grateful that I can revisit this show which I had recently begun to doubt I would ever see again.

My ratings:
The show itself (American cut version): 3.5 of 5
The DVD itself: 1 of 5"