The 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-ray Releases of 2021

Even before 2021 began, things were looking positive for Asian film representation on physical media. Companies like Criterion Collection, Eureka Entertainment and 88 Films had already-announced Asian film releases up for preorder. Despite that, nobody could have anticipated the tremendous constant output that we would get, with each other these companies going a step further for the addition of Asian titles in their catalogue, while new companies also kickstarted with a specific aim to produce and distribute Asian titles on bluray and DVD. This resulted in a new Asian title being released almost every month to much fanfare, delighting fans and collectors alike.

Without further ado, we list down 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-Ray releases of 2021, in no particular order.

By clicking on the images, you will be redirected to the respective e-shops

1. Battle Royale (Limited Edition) (Arrow Video)

Arrow Video has been taking strides inn the 4K UHD market and the first Asian film that they've upgraded to the ultra HD format is “Battle Royale”. Of course, the title has had multiple releases from the company previously so the fact that it is their first Asian 4K release makes complete sense, but that's not all that this release is special for. The fact that this also included the second film in the series “Battle Royale II: Requim”, getting its first high definition release, made this a no brainers for fans and those that already owned the film on previous editions. (Rhythm Zaveri)

NOTE: This edition is now sold out, but Arrow has reissued it in an edition that comes with 2 discs and without the extra goodies.

2. Erotic Ghost Story (Deluxe Collector's Edition) (88 Films)

88 Films's first foray into CAT III blu-ray releases proved to be a resounding success, with the Deluxe Collector's Edition of “Erotic Ghost Story” selling out shortly after release. This edition came with a 40-pages perfect bound X-Rated booklet and a poster with the newly commissioned artwork by Kung Fu Bob. (Rhythm Zaveri)

NOTE: This edition has now sold out, but 88 Films have reissued the title in a standard edition that comes with a slipcase.

3. Toshiaki Toyoda: 2005-2021 – Limited Edition (Third Window)

Third Window doubled down on their boxset releases this year and one of the two (and the first to be released) was a companion piece to their “Toshiaki Toyoda: The Early Years” boxset released back inn 2016. This new boxset includes six films from Japanese cinema's enfant terrible, including his very latest “Go Seppuku Yourselves”. A must-own for fans of the director and contemporary Japanese cinema in general. (Rhythm Zaveri)

4. Anatomia Extinction (Error 4444)

We at Asian Movie Pulse, as evident from this list, champion Asian cinema released on physical media and thus, any new company trying to take steps into the market will have our support. One such company this year was Error 4444, a label trying to focus on cult and genre films, whose first release came in the form of Yoshihiro Nishumura's “Anatomia Extinction”. The release also featured an article by AMP's editor-in-chief Panos Kotzathanasis. (Rhythm Zaveri)

NOTE: This edition is now sold out!

5. In The Mood For Love (Koch Media)

2021 has been a great year for Wong Kar-wai fans, especially when it comes to physical media. Apart from the superb set by Criterion, German publisher Koch Media also offered a few of his films on Blu-ray, as well as UHD for the first time. The box for “In The Mood For Love”, arguably the director's best film, is not only nicely designed, but also comes with a few extras, which is something the Criterion box was sorely lacking. A Making-of and interviews with the director, along with an insightful just the peak, whereas the film itself is presented in wonderful 4K and look absolutely great. (Rouven Linnarz)

6. Cowboy Bebop – Complete Series Collector's Edition (Anime Limited)

Anime Limited has been releasing editions of some of the favorite anime titles during the last years, which truly justify the description of ‘Collectors Edition'. The particular release, which includes the whole of the original Cowboy Bepop Series, housed within two Amaray cases, which are themselves within a rigid slipcase utilising new artwork and a series of nine art cards featuring artwork from the series is one of the most appealing

7. Labyrinth of Cinema (Steelbook) (Crescendo House)

Another new company this year that will be targeting the Asian cinema market is Crescendo House and their first release is a stunner! The swansong of the late, great Nobuhiko Obayashi, “Labyrinth of Cinema”, found a release deserving of the high quality of the film, as Crescendo House decided to go all out with a steelbook release, loads of on-disc content, a booklet and art cards. (Rhythm Zaveri)

8. Devi (Criterion Collection)

Criterion Collection's love for Satyajit Ray and his works is well-known and yet the one film that was long overdue a release was “Dev” (or “The Goddess”). That wish too finally came to fruition late this year as the film saw a release in October. The highlight of the special features remains the archival interviews with actress Sharmila Tagore and actor Soumktra Chatterjee. (Rhythm Zaveri)

9. Raining in the Mountain Boxset (Spectrum Films)

Spectrum Films have been really investing in Chinese-language cinema lately, with a selection that includes both classics and recent films. Probably the most impressive release of the French company, however, the King Hu boxset, which, apart from the 2k remastered edition of the titular film, also includes “All King's Men”, presented for the first time in the world on Blu-ray with a 2K master, along with a 288-page book “King Hu” by Roger Garcia, exclusively in this box. Furthermore, the extras are rather impressive, particularly Frédéric Ambroisine's contributions. (Panos Kotzathanasis)

10. Bayan Ko (Le Chat Que Fume)

In one of the most surprising but very welcome bluray news this year was the French label releasing the remaster of Filipino master Lino Brocka's film “Bayan Ko”. The even more surprising factors of this release were the inclusion of English subtitles (a rarity for French releases) and the inclusion of both 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs in the package. (Rhythm Zaveri)

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