Overview: Japan’s most daring journalists - Shun Makube, Ken Sakurai, and Reika Sugino - are on the scene! Known as the Visual Bandits, these three take on mysterious cases that make the X-Files look like child’s play. Across three exciting adventures, the trio encounters kaiju, aliens, and a deadly virus that threaten the existence of the human race!

Also included is Miyamoto’s 8mm masterpiece Wake Up the Death Treasure, making its Blu-ray debut! Japan is threatened with the reemergence of an experimental World War II mech called ANT that wreaks havoc on Tokyo. As the military fights a losing battle to stop the rampaging machine, a mystery surrounding the granddaughter of the mech’s inventor begins to unfold, with the future of Japan hanging in the balance!

This limited edition Blu-ray from SRS Cinema features a definitive assortment of bonus features for all four films PLUS lost lore from the Visual Bandits Universe that has been restored for fans to enjoy!

Blu-ray Verdict: First up is Tombstone for the Black (2000). This is the first of the low budget films shot on, and direct to video film about a news crew running around in a forest investigating something or other.

The army is involved in some way too, but in truth, the plot doesn’t really matter because this film is basically just a showcase for miniature work. There’s a TON of miniature work that was done for the film (which is less than an hour long) and it is super incredible to watch and marvel at.

Then we get Salamander Pissicida (2000). Detective Tokura and his team investigate missing persons reports, eventually leading to a room full of corpses and an empty biohazard capsule. Meanwhile, the Visual Bandits receive a package containing a note and a mysterious videotape.

Tokura later reveals to Makube that terrorists plan to unleash a bioweapon called Salamander Piecicide on Tokyo, triggering mass genocide. Pulsing from start to finish, the soundtrack alone is well worth the purchase fee, but complete with more miniature work, this is yet another brilliant escapade.

The third of the films is Light Way Home (2000). Makube is tasked with uncovering the origins of footage showcasing a ritual dating from the Meiji Era. As his team investigates the film, a group of government agents surveys their every move.

As the team digs deeper, they uncover a conspiracy reaching the highest levels of the Japanese government, with an extraterrestrial mystery and expose a cover-up with lasting consequences for the world. And just when you think this series had run out of steam, nope, here they come again and bring with them yet another blockbuster of visual brilliance.

As an additional bonus on this release, they have included Tac Miyamoto’s super-8mm epic, Wake Up The Death Treasure. This film boasts even more amazing miniature effects and even a giant, mysterious spider-like machine that emerges from the ground, attacking nearby cities. The army is locked in a desperate and ineffective battle to stop it – how will they prevail?

Bonus Features:
All Four Films on Blu-ray in Standard Definition
“Making of” Featurettes for all Four Films
Messages from Director Tac Miyamoto and the Crew
2 Disc Set with content notes!
The Visual Bandits File
“Death Treasure” Breakdowns
Video Introductions
Premiere Footage
Trailers
SRS Trailers
Subtitles
And More!

Visual Bandits & Wake Up The Death Treasure Blu-ray Release Trailer Combo from SRS Cinema

Official Purchase Link