Ponyo, Bakemonogatari, Conan Win Japanese BD Prizes

The Digital Entertainment Group Japan (DEG Japan) has announced the winners of the 2nd annual DEG Japan Awards/Blu-ray Prizes on Thursday. The awards honor the Blu-ray Disc releases that best utilize the format's features in video, audio, and other aspects.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) earned the top award, the Grand Prix, for its release of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. The award organizers highlighted the immersive video that brought the theatrical experience home, as well as the audio quality and the special bonus features.

Shogakukan garnered the Best Interactivity Award for Yasuichiro Yamamoto and Tokyo Movie's Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser film. The Blu-ray release used the BD-Live feature to add downloadable content. Fans chose Aniplex's release of Bakemonogatari in the open category of Users' Special Award.

In the Best Video Quality category for animation, WDSHE's release of Pete Docter, David Silverman, and Pixar's Monsters, Inc. won. The category's nominees also included Ponyo and Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone (Evangelion Shin Gekijōban: Jo). Akira was nominated in the Best Audio Quality category in the video division (as opposed to the music division), but lost to WDSHE's release of Andrew Stanton and Pixar's WALL-E.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release Ponyo on Blu-ray and DVD in North America on March 2.




(I HATED THIS MOVIE)