Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 24, 2024

Fans of what might be termed some of the "designer labels" of the home video market may know that there are some interesting tethers between Arrow Video and Radiance Films, and either due to commingling or just shared interests, both labels are offering fans spooky collections of Japanese fare as the Halloween season is getting underway. Arrow is out with J-Horror Rising, a compendium of efforts that appeared in the wake of Ringu, and Radiance is offering this trio of somewhat earlier films that the label is touting as "three of Japan's most famous ghost stories that have haunted people for centuries".

For reviews of the films in this set, please click on the following links:

The Ghost of Yotsuya Blu-ray review

The Snow Woman Blu-ray review

The Bride from Hades Blu-ray review

Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Supplements on each disc are detailed in the above linked reviews. Additionally, this is a really handsomely packaged release from Radiance, with each of the three keepcases featuring reversible sleeves, and a really impressively designed insert booklet with some really interesting writing, including new pieces by Tom Mes and Zach Davisson, along with an array of archival reviews and articles, and a ton of evocative stills and other images. Everything is housed in a very nicely designed slipbox.

Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I have to say in this particular "showdown" between Arrow and Radiance offering what are at least "horror adjacent" outings, I much preferred this collection from Radiance. All three films in this set have interesting stories which admittedly may not be "pure" horror or even traditional ghost tales, but which typically offer mood in abundance, along with some rather gorgeous production designs and presentational aspects. Technical merits are generally solid, and Radiance has assembled both very appealing on disc supplements and some beautiful packaging with a pretty sumptuous insert booklet. Recommended.