Welcome to the first quarter of 2023 for UK industry releases from independent distributors releasing Asian content on this blog. Similar to the anime posts, this is about covering the latest home video releases for Japanese, Chinese, Korean and other films coming to the United Kingdom via distributors like 88 Films, Arrow Video, Criterion, Eureka Entertainment, Radiance Films, Third Window Films and more.
This batch will cover all of the releases scheduled for January, February & March 2023. Any delays will be listed under the release date adjustments section above the line-up, which tends to happen..
Each title below will have retailer links when available, and the artwork featured I always provide the finalised version whenever possible (so if a title doesn’t have artwork then what’s shown on other sites isn’t final, though some non-final artwork may be displayed here if the release came out without any updated artwork).
The schedule below is updated as of Saturday 1st April 2023.
Disclaimer: Amazon links included in this post are affiliated so if you decide to order them, I’ll earn a small percentage if they dispatch. Everything else uses the usual regular links. International shipping restrictions may apply for select items.
RELEASE DATE ADJUSTMENTS:
- God of Gamblers – Moved from 20th March to 1st May
- Gorgeous – Moved from December to 27th March
- The Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to Die – Moved from 13th February to 3rd April
2nd January:
Big Time Gambling Boss
博奕打ち 総長賭博
Directed by Kosaku Yamashita
1968 – Japan
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – High Definition digital transfer of the film – Uncompressed Japanese mono PCM audio |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Serial Gambling: A video essay by Chris D., author of Gun and Sword: An Encyclopedia of Japanese Gangster Films 1955-1980, on Big Time Gambling Boss’s origins in the Toei studio’s serialized yakuza movie production and what sets the film apart (2022) – Ninkyo 101: In this video essay, Mark Schilling, author of The Yakuza Movie Book, delves into the history and impact of the classical style of yakuza film, the ninkyo eiga or “chivalry films” (2022) – Gallery of original promotional stills – Trailer |
| Limited Edition Extras: |
|---|
| – Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on the film by author Stuart Galbraith IV, and critic Hayley Scanlon – Limited edition of 2000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by maarko phntm |
9th January:
The Battle at Water Gate Bridge (The Battle at Lake Changjin II)
長津湖之水門橋
Directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark & Dante Lam
2022 – China
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Mandarin audio with English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – UK Trailer |
Decision to Leave
헤어질 결심
Directed by Park Chan-wook
2022 – South Korea
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Korean audio with English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Introduction with Park Hae-il and Tang Wei – NYFF Talks: Park Chan-wook – Interview with Director Park Chan-wook – “Moments of Decision to Leave” Behind the Scenes Featurette – Behind the Scenes in Cannes – VFX Reel |
The Executioner Collection
直撃！地獄拳 / 直撃地獄拳 大逆転’
Directed by Teruo Ishii
1974 – Japan
| Collection includes: |
|---|
| – Executioner – Executioner II: Karate Inferno |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation – Original uncompressed Japanese mono audio for both films – Original uncompressed English mono audio track for The Executioner – Optional English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new audio commentary by Chris Poggiali and Marc Walkow – Sonny Chiba, Karate King, a 30 minute featurette on the legendary Sonny Chiba, featuring Grady Hendrix, Tom Mes, Chris Poggiali, Marco Joachim and Seiji Anno, from the band Guitar Wolf – Original trailers – Image galleries for The Executioner and The Executioner II: Karate Inferno |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by by Mark Schilling – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Lucas Peverill |
16th January:
Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin
蛇鶴八步
Directed by Chen Chi Hwa
1978 – Hong Kong
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Collector’s Edition Blu-ray | £34.99 | Amazon UK 88 Films Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Stunning New 2K Transfer from the Original Film Negative – High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation – Mandarin Mono (Hong Kong Version) – Mandarin Mono (Japanese Version) – Classic English dub – Newly remastered English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Audio commentary with action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema – Pick Your Poison – Rick Baker Remembers Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin – Jackie Chan – Looking Again at the Lo Wei Era – With Filmmaker Steve Lawson – Stills Gallery – Japanese Trailer – Japanese TV Spot |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – Hardcase featuring new artwork by Robert “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien – Double-Sided Foldout Poster featuring new artwork and original Hong Kong poster – 6 Replica Hong Kong Lobby Cards – 80-page perfect-bound book with new writing by Matthew Edwards and Andrew Heskins, plus rare archive stills and posters – Reversible art featuring original Hong Kong poster |
23rd January:
Royal Warriors (In the Line of Duty II)
皇家戰士
Directed by David Chung
1986 – Hong Kong
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration – Original Cantonese mono audio – Optional English dubbed audio – Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) – Brand new feature length audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema – 2018 interview with producer and actor John Sham courtesy of the Frédéric Ambroisine video archive – New Locations featurette by Arne Venema – Trailer |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling – First Print: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver – Reversible sleeve design |
20th February:
Magnificent Warriors
中華戰士
Directed by David Chung
1987 – Hong Kong
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original theatrical cut from a brand new 2K restoration (including the films’ original theatrical ending previously cut from most home video releases) – Cantonese and English audio options (both in their original mono presentations) – Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) – Brand new feature length audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema – 2018 interview with producer and actor John Sham courtesy of the Frédéric Ambroisine video archive – New Locations featurette by Arne Venema – Trailer |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling – First Print: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver – Reversible sleeve design |
Violent Streets
暴力街
Directed by Hideo Gosha
1974 – Japan
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements – Japanese audio – Optional English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – An introduction to Violent Streets and the works of director Hideo Gosha by film critic Tony Rayns – Jasper Sharp on Violent Streets |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition slipcase featuring new artwork by Tony Stella – A collector’s booklet featuring a new essay by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes – Reversible sleeve design |
6th March:
Electric Dragon 80000V
エレクトリック·ドラゴン 80000V
Directed by Sogo Ishii (Gakuryū Ishii)
Japan – 2001
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £29.99 | Amazon UK Arrow Video Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Japanese audio with English subtitles – Remastered from its original negatives |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Director Sogo Ishii, musician Hiroyuki Onogawa and producer Takenori Sento Stage Greeting – Tadanobu Asano Stage Greeting – Masatoshi Nagase Stage Greeting – Premiere Stage Greetings – Producer Takenori Sento Interview – Music Creator Hiroyuki Onogawa interview – Synthesized Images with Commentary – Storyboards – Trailer |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Slipcase with illustrated artwork by Ian MacEwan (limited to 1,500 copies) – Reversible Sleeve |
13th March:
Punk Samurai
パンク侍、斬られて候
Directed by Sogo Ishii (Gakuryū Ishii)
Japan – 2018
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £29.99 | Amazon UK Arrow Video Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Japanese audio with English subtitles – Remastered from its original negatives |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Making Of (66 mins) – Go Ayano interview (6 mins) – Premiere Stage Greetings (16 mins) – Trailer |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Slipcase with artwork from Gokaiju (limited to 1,000 copies) – Reversible Sleeve featuring original Japanese artwork |
20th March:
In the Line of Duty III
皇家師姐III雌雄大盜
Directed by Arthur Wong, Brandy Yuen
1988 – Hong Kong
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a brand new 2K restoration – Cantonese and English audio options (both in their original mono presentations) – Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank – Brand new feature length audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema – New interview with Cynthia Khan – New interview with Michiko Nichiwaki – Trailers |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling – First Print: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver – Reversible sleeve design |
In the Line of Duty IV
皇家師姐IV直擊證人
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping
Hong Kong – 1989
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original theatrical cut from a brand new 2K restoration – 1080p HD presentation of the original export version from a brand new 2K restoration – Cantonese and English audio options (both in their original mono presentations) – Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) – Brand new feature length audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema – Archival commentary by Hong Kong expert Stefan Hammond and lead actor Michael Wong – Archival interview with Donnie Yen – New interviews with cast and crew – Archival “Donnie Yen Action” featurette – Trailers |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling – First Print: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver – Reversible sleeve design |
27th March:
Gorgeous
玻璃樽
Directed by Vincent Kok
Hong Kong – 1999
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £24.99 | Amazon UK 88 Films Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 2K Transfers from Original Film Materials of the Hong Kong & International versions of the film – High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation – Newly Translated English Subtitles – Cantonese 5.1 for Hong Kong & International Versions – English 5.1 for International Version |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| Hong Kong Version: – Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng and FJ Desanto – Audio Commentary with Action Experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema International Version: – Audio Commentary with Jackie Chan – Shy Guy – Andy Cheng on Brad Allan – Interview with Director Vincent Kok – [Archive] The Making of “Gorgeous” – Music Video – Music Video 2 – Hong Kong Trailer – English Trailer |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition O-Ring Slipcase with Matte Finish – First Print: Limited Edition 28 Page Booklet by Matthew Edwards – First Print: Limited Edition A3 Folded Travel Poster – Reversible cover with new artwork by Sean Longmore |
For the complete list of unreleased Asian Cinema releases from each distributor, you can view them here!
The Normanic Vault 
Leave a comment