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

11. Collaborations: The Cinema of Zhang Yimou and Gong Li (Imprint Films)

This was easily among the releases that had most collectors of Asian films on physical media very excited. Australian label Imprint Films, who rarely indulge in Asian cinema, gave quite the shock when they announced that they would be releasing a boxset comprising all eight films that the dream team of Zhang Yimou and Gong Li worked together on. This would mean that films like “To Live”, “Raise the Red Lantern” and “The Story of Qui Ju” would finally have their English-friendly high-definition debuts, much to the delight of fans. (Rhythm Zaveri)

12. Happy Together (Koch Media)

While German cinephiles might have expected a release of “Chunking Express” or “2046”, German publisher Koch Media instead opted for “Happy Together”, a drama/love-story which is perhaps one of the lesser-talked about films by the great director. Similar to their release of “In The Mood For Love”, this comes with a Making-of and an equally insightful booklet. Apart from that, the film itself is presented in UHD and is quite the upgrade to the DVD, which has been the version available to German audiences for quite some time. (Rouven Linnarz)

13. Meatball Machine (Terracotta Distribution)

Though Terracotta Distribution have been around for a while, releasing cult and genre Asian cinema for years on DVD, their first foray into blu-ray production came this year with “Meatball Machine”, the Japanese splatter classic by director Yudai Yamaguchi. On-disc special features include a couple of short films, audio commentaries, trailers and image galleries. (Rhythm Zaveri)

14. Duel to the Death (Eureka Entertainment)

Eureka Entertainment this year really upped the game for everyone around them with a steady output of classic Hong Kong cinema, much to the delight of fans. One release that really stood out was that of aching Siu-tung's much loved debut “Duel to the Death”. In addition to the stellar audio and video quality thanks to the restoration, the disc also boasted of interviews with the scriptwriter, actor and actress from the film. (Rhythm Zaveri)

15. Millennium Actress – 4K UHD Blu-ray + Blu-ray Collector's Edition (Anime Limited)

For the first-time in 4K SDR UHD Blu-ray, in a gorgeous Collector's Edition set that also includes the film on Blu-ray, this is a definite edition for Satoshi Kon's masterpiece, which comes packed in a rigid case with a digipack to hold the two discs. Also included is a poster (34x41cm) and a 44-page booklet containing in depth articles by Jonathan Clements and Andrew Osmond.

16. Shawscope: Volume One (Arrow Films)

This behemoth release is special for a number of reasons. Arrow had been teasing kung fu releases for a while but not many anticipated them to go all out on a boxset that would include 12 films froth legendary Shaw Bros studio, a few getting their hd premieres and some highly anticipated films having their region-b debuts. Everything from the Five Venoms and some of Shaw Bros' most famous actors to the Asian equivalent of King Kong is included, alongside a very informative booklet and an OST disc featuring music from three films on the set. A must-own set that this likely to go out of stock and out of print some point in the near future, this is a must-have for fans of martial arts cinema and classic Hong Kong cinema in general. We, for one, cannot wait to see what Vol 2 brings us! (Rhythm Zaveri)

17. Kim Ki-duk: The Isle and Rough Cut Set (Spectrum Films)

Kim Ki-duk will remain forever a rather controversial figure for all time. However, his virtues as both a director and script writer are undeniable, and Spectrum offers the best testament to the fact by combining “The Isle” with “Rough Cut”. Also of note in the extras, the interview with Kim himself

18. Nobuhiko Obayashi: Anti-War Trilogy Box (Third Window Films)

The second of Third Window Films's two boxsets late this year was a special one. The late Obayashi, despite having a vast and varied filmography, was severly underrepresented on high-definition physical media. Third Window Films took it upon themselves to change that released this stunning three films set with Obayashi's Anti-War Trilogy spread on three discs in a lovey digipak packaging. Between this and Crescendo House's “Labyrith of Cinema” release mentioned earlier, this was a good year to be a Nobuhiko Obayashi fan! (Rhythm Zaveri)

19. The Young Master (88 Films)

There have been a number of releases by 88 Films this year showing their dedication and love for Asian cinema, especially martial arts and exploitation. Among the many sets they released perhaps “The Young Master” is the best as it comes with three cuts of the movie itself, which is presented in sterling 2K-restoration, and a multitude of extras which fans of the film itself and martial arts-lovers will surely appreciate. (Rouven Linnarz)

EDIT: This edition is not sold out, but 88 Films have reissued the title in a standard edition.

20. Daimajin Collection (Arrow Films)

Though short-lived, Daiei's three-film Daimajin series got love from Arrow Films, who releases it in a limited edition boxset this year. The highlight of the release, in addition to the impeccable video quality on-disc, was the striking original artwork on the box and case inserts. (Rhythm Zaveri)

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