Wow, what the hell is up with that aliasing? Not only does that alone make the R2 look like shit, but it has edge enhancement and is blurrier than the R1 as well.
Added the R2UK. Slightly more picture and completely progressive. Lower bitrate (5.7 vs. 6.7 and consider the extra resolution) so there's more artefacting than on the R1 and it looks a little smoothed out in places. The extra resolution adds slightly in places but on the whole the R1 is the one to have. Not that there's a huge amount of difference mind. Both have the same specs and script - although the sub presentation varies, R1 subs are yellow and normal sized, R2UK are big and white. The R2UK audio is sped up but not pitch corrected.
The HMV exclusive steel case is quite nice. Flimsier than plastic and the info on the back is a big sticker but I like it and it doesn't cost extra if you're paying (my copy was free).
This is going to be on BD eventually so no need to be too fussy. Both releases are quite close and the PQ of whatever master they all used is fairly weak.
Listen to the sub with the subs on.
When it's not word for word it's only a slight deviation. It's how all the manga dubtitles are, shame to see it on a Bandai R1 release. But it doesn't make a whole lot of difference IMO because little is changed beyond wording.
Just like to add the R2UK version has no screen text subs unlike the R1, i have noticed that manga uk keeps on leaving out screen text subs, they left them out on karas as well, it's like they think we can all read Japanese.
The R1 Menu also looks alot better than the R2UK version aswell.