1) Universe Laser - Region 3 - NTSC  - LEFT

ADDITION: Arrow - Region FREE - Blu-ray June 2017: This is being simultaneously released by Arrow on Blu-ray in both Region 'A' + 'B'. Regarding differences in the US and UK Blu's - This appears to be as Michael Brooke informed us on Facebook about Day of Anger: 'As the producer of Arrow's release, I can confirm first hand that the UK and US discs are absolutely identical: we only paid for one master, so there's no doubt about this at all! Which means that no matter which package you buy, the discs will play in any Region A or B setup (or Region 1 or 2 for DVD - and in the latter case the video standard is NTSC, to maximise compatibility). The booklets are also identical, but there are minor cosmetic differences on the disc labels and sleeve to do with differing copyright info and barcodes, and the US release doesn't have BBFC logos.'

The Arrow transfer is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The film's style shows through strongly in 1080P via a highly grainy presentation. It is authentically very textured and dark. Of the two SDs compared the BD supports the colors and contrast of the Universe Laser but is far richer but has no unsightly artifacts or noise. The 1.78;1 aspect ratio may be marginally cropped beside the Region 3 DVD. The Optimum looks far too green. The Arrow adds to the film's impact with such a dense third-generation intention. As Slant magazine states HERE: "Shot on 35mm film, Pulse nonetheless apes the look of early digital, with thick fields of grain that resemble SD pixelation. Shadows permeate the film, not in the angular, inky pools of darkness that horror, like noir, has long inherited from German expressionism, but in grimy blotches that muck up pale glimmers of light—like the blemishes on the skin of someone who’s spent too much time indoors in front of a computer." The Blu-ray looks consistent and woolly in-motion as per the filmmaker's intentions.

For the audio we get a linear PCM 2.0 stereo track (24-bit) adding substantially the viewing experience. The score by Takefumi Haketa is subtle with dramatic shifts that augment mystery and tension, sounding restrained but intense in the uncompressed. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE. 

 Arrow stack their Blu-ray release with extras - new and old. Broken Circuits is a new video interview with writer/director Kiyoshi Kurosawa running 3/4 of an hour discussing the production, filming and how it fits into his oeuvre. Creepy Images is a new, 25-minute, video interview with cinematographer Junichiro Hayashi discussing the film's style. The Horror of Isolation is a new, 17-minute, video appreciation featuring Adam Wingard & Simon Barrett discussing Pulse's themes of isolation, loneliness and the theory of it in a trilogy with The Cure and Charisma. It has some good analysis - I enjoyed it. We also get the film's original, 40-minute, Making of documentary, plus four archive behind-the-scenes representing the Special Effects Breakdowns that run about 1/2 hour. We see the Premiere footage from the Cannes Film Festival plus introductions, TV Spots and a brief NHK Station ID. The package contains a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket, plus for the BD's first pressing an illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Chuck Stephens. Being Dual-format a second disc DVD is included!

Another thorough and complete Blu-ray package from Arrow. This is easily the definitive and a must own for fans of the director or the J-Horror genre. The film has never been more impacting for me than seeing it in HD. It's been a while since I initially saw it an even after seeing the Blu-ray - I want the experience again. Absolutely recommended! This is a brilliant horror - one of the creepiest I recall.