Japanese Flyer for Twin Peaks – The First Season on DVD from 2001

I love finding ephemera from the Japanese market about Twin Peaks. David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange show was a mega-hit in the country. The design and packaging of everything from Japan always exceeds my expectations. I recently acquired a bookmark-like flyer about the release of the show’s first season on DVD on October 25, 2001.

JAPANESE FLYER FOR ‘TWIN PEAKS – THE FIRST SEASON’ ON DVD FROM 2001 | FRONT

This bookmark flyer advertised the Japanese release of Twin Peaks – The First Season on DVD on Friday, October 25, 2001. The iconic image of Laura Palmer found wrapped in plastic was included on the front. It would be the same image used on the physical packaging both in North America and Japan.

The North American release of this set was originally scheduled for December 4, 2001 but was pushed back a few weeks to December 18.

Since I’m not fluent in Japanese, I ran the image through Google Translate to reveal additional details about the set. There were only 10,000 DVD sets produced in a “special collector’s edition DVD box.” The set was a highly anticipated release as it would be a significant upgrade in quality from previous VHS releases. This bookmark flyer could be used to reserve a copy of the DVD set.

JAPANESE FLYER FOR ‘TWIN PEAKS – THE FIRST SEASON’ ON DVD FROM 2001 | BACK

The back of this flyer contained an order form that could be presented to a favorite shop for home video. Concept artwork of the DVD packaging is seen along with a summary of main cast and crew.

Google Translate again offered some details. The translation is not 100% accurate so I’ll offer a more accurate version below. Interestingly, this set contained the pilot episode along with the first seven episodes – 1.001 through 1.007 – of the show.

This Japanese flyer may have been released in August 2001 per a small detail on the back stating details and pricing were current as of August that year.

The “Staff” or crew featured in this DVD set includes:

• -Pilot (Prologue) – Executive Producers: Mark Frost, David Lynch; Produced by: David J. Latt (not “Rutt); Director: David Lynch

• Episode#1-#7 – Executive Producers: Mark Frost, David Lynch; Produced by: Greg Feinberg; Cinematography: Frank Byers Music: Angelo Badalamenti

The Japanese dubbing cast included:

• Dale Cooper: Kyle MacLachlan by Yasuyoshi Hara
• Harry Truman: Michael Ontkean by Banjō Ginga
• Shelley: Mädchen Amick by Yoshiko Sakakibara
• Bobby: Dana Ashbrook by Kazunari Futamata
• Benjamin: Richard Beymer by Yosuke Akimoto
• Donna Hayward: Lara Flynn Boyle by Minami Takayama
• Audrey: Sherilyn Fenn by Sayuri Yamauchi

JAPANESE FLYER FOR ‘TWIN PEAKS – THE FIRST SEASON’ ON DVD FROM 2001 | INSIDE

The flyer opened to reveal even more details about this set along with screen grabs from the menu.

Another Google Translation of the inside panels reveals interesting details. The set includec the “phantom on-air version pilot version.” I’m assuming this meant the International Pilot whereas “phantom” is referring to a dream or perhaps the dream Agent Dale Cooper had at the Great Northern Hotel.

The set also contained a “luxurious 28-page commentary booklet and bonus items.”

The catalog number for this set is PDS-1025 and the suggested retail was 17,800 yen (excluding tax).

The bonus items, including interviews, appear to be similar to what was offered with the North American release about two months later.

All said, it’s a unique flyer from a time when we all thought DVD was the highest definition offered for this brilliant show.

You can download high-resolution images of this flyer on my Flickr account – Front, Back, Inside.