Region 4 Winners and Losers

    The Region 1 release of this title came earlier in 2004. The R1 and R4 are quite similar, containing the same episodes, even having the same character artwork (but different backgrounds) on the front cover. Note that the R1 version uses two discs, with the episodes on the first disc and the extras on the second. As far as I can tell, the only extra missing from the R4 disc is the credit-less opening and closing — that's not a lot to give up, when you look at the comprehensive extras included on the single R4 disc.

    Judging by reports, the R1 may have a slightly better transfer, but the differences seem likely to be small. Their transfer is wide-screen, not 16x9 enhanced, just like ours.

    Here in Region 4 we have the choice of buying this volume with or without a collector's box. I bought mine with the box, which is a good quality heavy box sized perfectly to hold all four volumes. Interestingly, the Region 1 release didn't offer this choice. I'm happy to buy the Region 4.