Earlier this month we
passed along word that VCI Entertainment and World Events Productions are releasing
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs - The Complete Series later this year. Now we've gotten solid word from the studio about this, including a release date of
October 20th. VCI and WEP have listened to the fans, and decided to cancel plans for separate
Volume 2 (previously scheduled for Aug. 25th) and
Volume 3 releases, which would have cost $29.99 SRP each. Instead they will bring out
The Complete Series, with every episode and never-before-seen bonus material, for $39.99 SRP (discounted by ten dollars, at the time of this writing, if you lock in your copy at Amazon using the button link below).
VCI's studio description of the 6-DVD set fills you in on details and contents of this release, based heavily on lots of fan input about what sort of home video set they prefer to buy for this classic animated series:
The Original Outer Space Western Anime is back! From the creators of Voltron come Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs! Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs was a 1980's animated space western following a similar theme of The Galaxy Rangers and Bravestarr. Originally a 1984 Japanese anime series known as Star Musketeer Bismarck created by Studio Pierrot.
The series is set in the future, where the Star Sheriffs are duly-deputized special operatives of Cavalry Command, Earth's space-going law enforcement arm and defense patrol organization out in space, and along the New Frontier. Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs main assignment is to protect the Galaxy from the growing threat of the Outriders. With the help of April Eagle and RAMROD (voiced by Peter Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime in the 80s cartoon series Transformers), a battleship that can transform into a giant robot. When RAMROD undergoes the "Challenge Phase" transformation it calls out its rallying cry in a heavy Western drawl, "Head 'em up, move 'em out. Power stride and ready to ride!"
Other than their wits, their courage, and their standard issue equipment, such as their blaster pistols, and RAMROD's array of electronics, they have no superpowers, just each other. When they do battle with the Outriders, it's a futuristic version of the code of the Old West. Don t miss the chance to add an exclusive piece of animation history to your collection.
Bonus Features: Audio interview with musical composer Dale Schacker, Original Japanese Opening, Ending and Transformation Sequence from Star Musketeer Bismarck, Image Gallery, Saber Rider Commercials, Bios. Product Specs: 6 DVD-9's; Dolby Digital; 1200 minutes; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA-G; Year - 1984; SRP - $39.99.
As we mentioned above, VCI and WEP made the decision to scrap plans for individual volume releases following lower-than-expected sales for last November's
Volume 1 set, and fan input saying they prefer to buy everything in one collection, at a better cost.
Volume 1, then my suggestion (and this is strictly from me, NOT from the studio personnel) is to look at this as an opportunity to get the remaining episodes at a cost lower than you would have had to pay to get Vol's 2 and 3 separately, and you'll have everything in one single convenient package. And the
Volume 1 set you bought can always be given as a gift to a non-fan, as a way to show them what a truly cool series this is!
Rather than delete the original Amazon listing for
Volume 2, VCI has instead worked with the online retailer to convert that same listing to be the pre-order listing for
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs - The Complete Series. Therefore, we think that anybody who's pre-ordered the
Volume 2 set should already be set up to get
The Complete Series instead. If you haven't placed your order yet, then here's the button link to do that, at a current discounted cost of $29.99 (price is subject to change without notice, at Amazon's discretion). We also have a look at the front cover art for the new release:
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