Here's my Azumi 1 JP vs UK dvd comparison.
Region 2 Japan (Deluxe Edition)
Studio: Toshiba Entertainment
Video Format: Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) (NTSC)
Audio Format: DD 5.1 Surround, DTS 5.1, DD 2.0 Surround
Subtitles: Japanese and English (removable)
Running Time: 143 min
Release date: November 21, 2003
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/advd.jpg
Region 2 UK
Studio: Optimum Entertainment
Video Format: Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) (PAL)
Audio Format: DD 2.0 Surround
Subtitles: English (burnt in)
Running Time: 123 min
Release date: July 26, 2004
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/aukdvd.jpg
Picture Quality
Both releases offer good picture quality. Toshiba may be slightly sharper, but Optimum is very good also. Optimum has a slight greenish tint, though itfs not a serious problem. Optimum also appers to be vertically distorted. However, this is hardly noticable. Toshiba wins.
Sound Quality
I donft have proper equipment to judge the sound quality. However, Optimum only features a 2.0 track, while Toshiba has 2.0, 5.1 DD and 5.1 DTS. Easy win for Toshiba.
Subtitles
Both releases have good english subtitles. Except that Optimumfs subtitles are burnt in. Therefore Toshiba is the winner.
Menus
Optimum has decent stop motion menus with animated intro. Unfortunately some of the menus are 16/9, while others are 4/3. Toshiba has simple but good looking animated menus. Toshiba is the winner again.
Package
Excellent work from Optimum. A very good looking cover art. The Japanese Deluxe Edition comes in a big, super cool digipac. Toshiba wins.
Extras
Optimum has two long documentaries (1h 25 min & 41 min) and a theatrical trailer. Documentaries are subtitled in english. Toshiba has the same two documentaries + 5 additional trailers / TV spots, a music video, 6 short TV-programs (approximately 2 min each), 2 TV-specials (approximately 7 min each), 2 art galleries, action chapter selection and cast & staff profile. None of the extras features subtitles. Deluxe Edition also includes a 15 page photo booklet and a 43 page Azumi manga booklet. So, the Japanese release offers lots of unique extras, while the British release offers subtitles. I call this a tie.
Notes
R2 JP Deluxe Edition is out of print. Standard edition features the same main disc. Disc 2 and other bonus stuff (booklets...) are naturally not included. Both UK and JP (standard edition) releases are also available in double packs featuring Azumi 1 and Azumi 2.
Cuts
Toshiba feautures the fully uncut japanese release, while Optimum features a 15 minute shorter international cut. Needless to say which version is the winner.
Screenshot comparison
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP1.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK1.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP3.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK3.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP6.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK6.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP9.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK9.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP12.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK12.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP14.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK14.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP15.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK15.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP16.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK16.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP19.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK19.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/JP20.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/UK20.jpg
Menus
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/jpm.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/ukm.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/jpm1.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/ukm1.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/jpm2.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/ukm2.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/jpm3.jpg (DISC 1)
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/E.jpg (DISC 2)
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/ukm3.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/jpm4.jpg
UK: No language menu
Extras
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/BJP.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/BUK.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/E15.jpg
UK:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/FUK.jpg
Additional extras from the japanese release
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/E10.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/E8.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/E6.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/E5.jpg
JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/HungFist/E34.jpg
Winners
Movie: Toshiba Entertainment (for being uncut)
Picture Quality: Toshiba Entertainment
Sound Quality: Toshiba Entertainment
Subtitles: Toshiba Entertainment
Extras: Draw
Menus: Toshiba Entertainment
Package: Toshiba Entertainment