At the MCM x EGX event in October of this year the Crunchyroll (UK) booth had an exclusive product, the Chainsaw Man – Season 1 Deluxe Edition Blu-Ray & Vinyl LP set. This set, which is limited to 1000 units in the UK, was originally thought to be an exclusive product for MCM x EGX, but instead the event was being used to launch the product, with remaining stock becoming available at retailers across the UK on 30th December 2024. So, with the release due next week, what can one expect to receive from this set? Well, let’s take a quick look and find out!
What’s in the box?
This Deluxe Edition set for Chainsaw Man – Season 1 is presented in a rigid styled vinyl box and inside you’ll find:
A steel book case with 2 Blu-Ray discs containing the first season (twelve episodes) of Chainsaw Man in both English and Japanese (with English subtitles).
Subtitles are presented in English and use the same font as other Crunchyroll releases
Bonus features include Japanese Promotional Videos and Textless Songs, all of which are located on the second Blu-Ray Disc
A 2 Vinyl Record soundtrack containing 49 songs on 4 Sides
A 144-page book in English, French and German featuring episode breakdowns, episode screenshots, storyboards, artist interviews, character visuals and artwork
Six exlibris, or rather six art cards, featuring visual artwork
A lenticular art card that sees Denji transform into Chainsaw Man
A certificate of authenticity
The presentation of the box has a premium quality feel to it, and each of the components fit nicely inside the box. As soon as you open the set you’ll be welcomed with the vinyl soundtrack, of which is sealed, and underneath this you’ll find the art book. Once the art book has been removed from the box you’ll see that carded packaging holds the Art Book, Steel Book and Art Cards in place.
Each item has a rightful place in the box, and has been packaged in a way that can minimize damage to its contents during transit (although in the set we received the card holding the Art Book in place did have a minor tear in it). The Art Book is filled with information about the series and its production, and is also presented in English, French and German. The multiple languages is not distracting, but it is clear that the book has been produced for use across multiple countries, however some text (especially for each episode breakdown) is smaller than what you’d expect it to be. The Art Cards (Exlibris), Certificate of Authenticity, and Lenticular Art Card meanwhile are all contained within a carded envelope that features artwork on the front.
The series is presented in a steel book case and does not feature a slip cover, so you won’t have any information about the series (or its disc contents) anywhere near the case, and the Blu-Ray Discs themselves are exactly the same as those used in the previous UK Blu-Ray release. Realistically a slip cover (or carded sleeve that folds around the case like other steel book releases in the UK) is not needed, but it would have been a nice addition. What’s also rather interesting is that the Blu-Ray disc art work shown on the info sheet (located on the back of the box) of this deluxe edition is different to the actual Blu-Ray disc art work we receive inside the set, and that is because the disc art work shown on the info sheet is for the French Blu-Ray release of the series.
The vinyl soundtrack, what does it look like?
The vinyl soundtrack comes sealed inside the deluxe edition box and is presented like other vinyl releases, which is carded packaging that folds out in the middle. Once opened each side of the carded packaging has artwork from the series and a gap where the record can be slide out. Each record is inside a paper sleeve, with a small hole that reveals each side of the record and some artwork. Each side of the record has distinctive artwork and is also clearly marked so you know which side is which. Also located on the inside of each side, alongside the record in its sleeve, is flyers. One filled with information about the artist on the record, and the other promoting other Vinyls produced by the company that made the soundtrack – which seems to be Milan Records and Sony Music Masterworks.
I already have the series, can the vinyl be bought separately?
In short, yes. The vinly soundtrack included inside this Deluxe Edition set of Chainsaw Man – Season 1 can be purchased separately from online retailers in the UK, but you would miss out on the detailed art book (which is a must have for any Chainsaw Man fan) and the really nice art box that holds all of the contents.
Final thoughts and watch the unboxing!
Despite the fact that the vinyl soundtrack (and series) can be purchased separately, and that this set has a £129.99 price tag attached to it, this Deluxe Edition release of Chainsaw Man – Season 1 does feel like a premium product. The quality of the box that holds the contents, as well as the variety and detail offered in the art book (or booklet as it is called) instantly became my highlights of this set and that’s before I even looked at anything else. If you are a fan of Chainsaw Man, then this deluxe edition is worth upgrading to (or at the very least considering), but newcomers may wish to watch the series first before diving in.
Chainsaw Man – Season 1 Deluxe Edition Blu-Ray & Vinyl Set will be available on 30th December 2024 within the UK. This set is also the same product that was available to purchase on the Crunchyroll booth at MCM x EGX in October 2024.
Disclaimer: We received a sample of this product from Crunchyroll for the purpose of this unboxing and coverage.
