It’s time for the 2017 DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Holiday Gift Guide! We’ve been hard at work coming up with a fun list of DVD, Blu-ray and Digital related holiday gifts for your friends and family. Everyone loves that feeling they get when they see a smile form on someone’s face after having received a special gift. In this DVD, Blu-ray and Digital holiday gift guide, we’ll go over some of the gifts we’re looking to get for our loved ones, and maybe a few special treats for ourselves. We’ll hopefully help you narrow down the list of potential gifts for fellow fans and collectors in your life.
This 2017 DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Holiday Gift Guide consists entirely of ideas voted in by ToonZone’s crew. Participants created a gift suggestions list. From there, a master list was created. Each of us selected our top ten gifts and assigned them a point value from 1-10. The gift ideas with the highest point value made this list.
Is there a gift on here that you’re thinking of getting for someone? Is there one you would have included that isn’t in the guide? Let us know in the comments!
Wonder Woman
The wait has finally ended and now a live-action Wonder Woman film exists in the world. Gal Gadot leads the long-awaited film with ease as Princess Diana, an Amazon filled with hope and vigor on the island of Themyscira. When Steve Trevor is found on the island, Diana’s life changes and she heads to London, England to help during World War I. Her journey through war helps her to understand humanity’s flaws and strengths as well as her view on hope.
Wonder Woman is the first superhero film in a while to successfully capture the traditional joy of superheroes. The film’s score alone is worth watching Wonder Woman. The bonus features for the Wonder Woman Blu-ray includes a smattering of featurettes, detailing the production, filmmakers, and various sequences, plus the character of Wonder Woman herself. Director Patty Jenkins delivers the first excellent female-led superhero film with a stellar Wonder Woman in Gal Gadot. The Wonder Woman Blu-ray is currently less than $20.00 on Amazon.
-Contributed by Greg91
Check out Wonder Woman on Amazon.com
Space Dandy: The Complete Series
Space Dandy is essentially an anime comedy in sci-fi trappings, practically the tonal opposite of Cowboy Bebop in the mind of head director Shinichiro Watanabe himself. A goofball as full of macho confidence as he is lacking in tact and good sense, the hapless bounty hunter Dandy travels the universe in his tacky yellow spaceship and has one misadventure after another with two underwhelming sidekicks for company, coach potato Meow (definitely not a cat!) and glorified janitor robot Q.T. Together, this motley crew just may change the fate of entire worlds or even the universe in spite of themselves…not that Dandy would be likely to notice!
Funimation’s new complete collection for Space Dandy gathers all 26 episodes together in a single set, and there is much to like here. For this series Studio BONES and director Watanable made a point of recruiting as much individual talent as possible to take the reins on a given episode, which elevates the show from everyday silliness to a tour-de-force of varying animation styles and subject matters. As worst the show is a hit-and-miss affair depending on individual taste, but the show stands tall as a labor of love that knows how silly it is and is never dull. Space Dandy: The Complete Series costs $45.79 on Amazon.
–Todd “GWOtaku” DuBois
Check out Space Dandy on Amazon.com
Spirited Away
Spirited Away follows ten-year-old Chihiro as she and her parents become lost while on their way to their new home. The family finds themselves at an abandoned amusement park, which is actually an entrance to the spirit world. Chihiro is separated from her parents after they engage in an act of gluttony, and she must then find a way to survive in a world vastly different from everything she knows.
This 2-Disc Blu-ray release contains feature-length storyboards, original theatrical trailers, TV spots, a “Behind the Microphone” feature with the American voice actors, and a 12-page Booklet w/ statements from Producer and Director. Spirited Away is a masterpiece and a mandatory watch for any animation fan. If you don’t already own a copy of the film, this Blu-ray is currently available for $14.96 on Amazon.
-Contributed by Eileen “Harley” Cruz
Check out the Spirited Away Blu-ray on Amazon.com
Logan
As the final appearance of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Logan is a fantastic farewell. Aged and tired, Logan is out of his prime and struggling as he cares for the elderly Professor X with fellow caretaker Caliban. Unfortunately, a young girl is hunted by a persistent threat, leading Logan back into action in an emotional and powerful tale of life, love, and hope. The film is R-rated for some pretty violent scenes and strong language (plus brief nudity), so this gift is recommended for adults only.
Logan is one of the best superhero films of the year, if not the best. The dialogue, story, and acting are brilliant. Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and newcomer Dafne Keen are absolutely fantastic in their roles. Bonus features for the Blu-ray include an in-depth documentary explaining the production of the film and a black and white version of the film called Logan Noir. Expanding on the intimacy and pain of The Wolverine, director James Mangold and everyone involved in Logan crafted a masterpiece. The Logan Blu-ray is $17.99 on Amazon.
–Greg91
Check out Logan on Amazon.com
Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars Rebels season three follows the spectacular finale of the second season as the heroes Kanan, Hera, Chopper, Ezra, Zeb, and Sabine continue their mission to rid the galaxy of the Empire while dealing with underlying loss in their lives. Sabine struggles to reconnect with her Mandalorian family, and Kanan suffers from his loss of sight and withdraws from the team. Meanwhile, Ezra takes on more responsibilities for the rebellion. All the while, a new threat looms in the form of tactical genius Grand Admiral Thrawn.
The season three Blu-ray contains 22 episodes and a variety of bonus features, including audio commentaries, which is a first for the series! The show’s connections to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story increase in exciting ways. Some must-watch episodes include The Holocrons of Fate, Ghosts of Geonosis, Trials of the Darksaber, and Twin Suns. This set is worth owning for fans of Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars as a whole. Star Wars Rebels costs $36.99 on Amazon.
-Contributed by Greg91
Check out Star Wars Rebels on Amazon.com
Batman vs. Two-Face
A sequel to last year’s Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Batman vs. Two-Face flings us back to the 1960s for another animated adventure inspired by the classic 1960s live-action Batman television series. Our heroes find themselves struggling to uncover the mystery of Two-Face while also grappling with a crime wave that has struck Gotham City. However, they soon find that Two-Face might have a nefarious role to play in the rash of wrong-doing sweeping through the city, leading to a climactic battle where the fates of both our heroes and the city itself are at stake.
Dubbed “camp noir” by the film’s creative team, Batman vs. Two-Face deftly mixes atmosphere and comedy, creating a unique experience that should please fans of the original 1960s series but also those looking for a safe entry point for younger Batman fans. While riddled with hilarious gags and one-liners, there are some great moments of drama here, all of it anchored by fantastic performances by the late Adam West (in his final performance in the role of Batman), Burt Ward and William Shatner. Batman vs. Two-Face is a great film that continues the innate brilliance of the original 1960s Batman series while also sprucing up the formula. Adding some noir-ish trappings to the movie creates a unique experience, and there’s just enough of it sprinkled in that it never overpowers the very deliberate zany tones of the source material. Batman vs. Two-Face costs $14.99 on Amazon.
-Contributed by James Harvey
Check out Batman vs. Two-Face on Amazon.com
Justice League Action
The Justice League is back in an all-new animated series that’s quick, quippy, loaded with laughs, and packed with action. Batman, Superman. and Wonder Woman spearhead a rotating slate of DC Comics heroes to face a host of threats from throughout the universe. Whether it’s dealing with mainstays like Lex Luthor or The Joker, or perhaps ancient gods or evil tyrants from space, the Justice League always has the right team for the job, even if some of their members are more than a little unorthodox.
Bizarre, quirky, and usually laugh-out-loud funny, Justice League Action is a true gem of an animated series. JLA appeals both to new fans and long-timers alike. Whether it’s getting to see some of your favorite comic characters in animated form, or just experiencing the vast size of the DC Universe for the first time, Justice League Action is fun for everyone. Coupled with a stylized look and a remarkable voice cast, the series shines in showing just how fun these characters are. Whether it’s through clever character interactions or bizarre circumstances, Justice League Action is incredible fun and never once takes in audience or characters for granted. The jokes feel natural, and the series respects the vast history nearly every member of the cast.
-Contributed by James Harvey
Check out Justice League Action on Amazon.com
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Blu-ray
Based on the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm finds himself thrust into a startling murder mystery while also dealing with the return of a long-lost love from his past. With gangsters being systematically eliminated, and Batman himself being blamed for their grisly deaths, our hero must find the identity behind the real culprit, the mysterious Phantasm, while also eluding the police. However, complications continue to arise as The Joker becomes involved in Batman’s search to uncover the truth, leading to a devastating showdown with dire consequences.
A top-notch mystery, a great revenge drama, and even a bittersweet love story, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a fantastic animated movie that offers a devastating look at the cost of his war on crime. Riddled with great action sequences and legitimately heartbreaking emotional beats, the creative team behind the film crafted a thoughtful, engaging mystery anchored by great animation, some solid surprise twists, and heartbreaking emotional beats. There’s a reason why, even 25 years later, there’s yet to be a better Batman movie than this one right here. The Mask of the Phantasm Blu-ray costs $17.99 on Amazon.
-Contributed by James Harvey
Check out Batman: Mask of the Phantasm on Amazon.com
Castle in the Sky
Pazu has always dreamed of finding the fabled city of Laputa, and he may finally get his wish when a girl named Sheeta literally floats into his arms. Carrying a mysterious pendant means Sheeta is tied to Laputa. She’s under constant pursuit by Colonel Muska as well as Captain Dola and her eccentric pirate crew. An adaptation from one of Gilligan’s Travels stories, Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky has been released once more through Gkids for Blu-ray and DVD. This edition comes with the movie – both dubbed and subbed – and a slew of extras, including commentaries, interviews, and special behind-the-scenes features.
Castle in the Sky may be over thirty years old, but it remains a timeless classic, containing the best elements of an adventure film. Determined kid protagonists, airships, pirates, and mystical elements are all neatly wrapped up in one package. Being a Miyazaki film, the characters are subtle and lovable, showing shades you’d never expect otherwise. Along with gorgeous animation that still dazzles to this day, this Ghibli film is not only a standout recommendation to any film buffs but an epic film for the whole family to enjoy. The Castle in the Sky Blu-ray costs $12.99 on Amazon.
-Contributed by Neo Yi
Check out Castle in the Sky on Amazon.com
My Neighbor Totoro
In My Neighbor Totoro, Satsuki, Mei, and their father, move into an old house to be closer to the hospital where the girls’ mother is recovering from a long-term illness. As they explore the area around their new home, they have adventures with the wonderous forest spirits that live nearby.
If you don’t already own a recent Blu-ray release of My Neighbor Totoro, then you’ll want to pick this up. The Blu-ray features include feature-length storyboards, original theatrical trailers, Behind the Microphone, textless opening and end credits, Creating My Neighbor Totoro, Creating the Characters, The Totoro Experience, The Locations of My Neighbor Totoro, Producer’s Perspective: Creating Ghibli, and an 8-page Booklet with the producer’s and director’s statements. The Blu-ray is currently available for $14.96 at Amazon.
-Contributed by Eileen “Harley” Cruz
Check out the My Neighbor Totoro Blu-ray on Amazon.com
Check out My Neighbor Totoro on Amazon.com
Speed Racer: Complete Series
One of the earliest cases of anime localized for American consumption, Speed Racer is a 60s-era classic cartoon following the high-speed adventures of the titular Speed as he competes to prove himself the finest race car driver in the world with his Mach 5 vehicle. Speed strives to prevail against the dangers of the track as well as the unsavory tactics of his rivals. He does this with his family and friends by his side, including his little brother sprite and love-interest, Trixie. Adding to Speed’s challenges is his recurring ally and rival, Racer X. Racer X goes out of his way to protect Speed from danger at every turn. And, oh yes, Speed also has a missing older brother named Rex. Surely, this is a mere coincidence!
Funimation’s new release of Speed Racer includes every dubbed episode remastered for Blu-ray and high-definition presentation for the first time. The cheap price makes it an affordable gift for adult fans with fond memories of the show or anime superfans with an interest in history. It is of note that the original Mach GoGoGo episodes with the Japanese language are also gathered with the Speed Racer dub in a premium collector edition release. But not many are likely to want to pay the price of a video game console for gifting that privilege. Speed Racer: The Complete Series costs $12.99 on Amazon.
–Todd “GWOtaku” DuBois
Check out Speed Racer: The Complete Series on Amazon.com
Porky Pig 101 DVD collection
Looney Tunes cartoons have been reprinted on DVD before, but Porky Pig 101 represents a potentially seminal classic animation release from Warner Archive. Across 5 discs 101 different Porky Pig cartoons are gathered together and presented in their original production order, many of them remastered for the first time. The time frame covers 1935 to 1943, and the collection includes 99 black-and-white cartoons and 2 technicolor cartoons featuring Porky Pig.
Porky Pig 101 is the first time Warner Bros has put together a linear, themed set for a Looney Tunes character rather than the greatest hits approach taken by the Golden and Platinum DVD collections. This makes it ideal for reference and enjoyment for any classic animation enthusiast. The collection also takes a step beyond a standard bare-bones compilation by including 14 distinct audio commentaries from such animation historians as Jerry Beck, Greg Ford, Michael Barrier and Mark Kausler, as well as a handful of original storyboards. Porky Pig 101 costs $37.80 on Amazon.
–Todd “GWOtaku” DuBois
Check out Porky Pig 101 on Amazon.com
Your Name – Limited Edition
Your Name is an anime film based on the novel of the same name by Makoto Shinkai. Directed and written by Shinkai, Your Name tells the story of Mitsuha and Taki, two high school students who live in completely different areas of Japan. When Mitsuha wishes to be a handsome boy, the pair switch bodies and end up developing an interesting bond. The strong emotion and gorgeous animation convey the story in a very compelling way, making it one of the highest-grossing films of all-time in Japan.
This critically acclaimed film features a profusion of content within the Limited Edition. The collectible box itself is a gem as it splits in two with a holographic rainbow finish. A 60-page hardcover art book is included with gorgeous illustrations. A 2 disc soundtrack in both Japanese and English are housed in an art digipack. An exclusive on-disc interview and more features are also included. Your Name – Limited Edition is a set worth owning in anyone’s collection. The Your Name: Limited Edition costs $84.98 on Amazon.
-Contributed by Greg91
Check out Your Name: Limited Edition on Amazon.com
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