So there’s some trouble with the R1 release of Gunbuster. It seems that a piece of background music during a pivotal scene in the story was changed. Bandai Visual claims that it was because the piece of music was similar to “Chariots of Fire” or some such. Paranoia, pure and simple. However, it’s only a two minute scene.

I really don’t care, and I will be buying this release ASAP. I’ve been waiting for years upon years to actually see this classic OVA. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like supporting edited material. I don’t buy stuff from viz like Zatch Bell (Konjiki no Gash Bell), or the Zoids series (well, I did buy a few copies of NC0 at Big Lots). However, there are times where I understand that it was a necessary choice. Bandai Visual is a very small company. If they were to be sued because of this, guess what, we probably wouldn’t see a Gunbuster release for a while. The rights would be tied up because Bandai Visual would be bankrupt due to the legal battles. Personally, I’m willing to sacrifice the two minute piece of music in order to see this released in R1, and to see BV stay afloat.

Really, let’s put this into perspective. It’s a two minute piece of music. The scene itself is still there, with a different piece of music from the OST. This is not a One Piece or even a Dangaioh (just Google it) we are talking about. The show is not some hack job. From all accounts, it is a very competent release. On the other hand, it was sneaky and wrong that BV would try to hide this fact from us. Those who are mad about this have every right to be mad. I respect their opinion, but they also have seen Gunbuster before, so they have access to the “unedited” version anyway. I not trying to justify BV’s paranoid decision. I’m just trying to be rational.