Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A (near) pitch-perfect collection.

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard April 19, 2022

Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection is a wonderful set of the fan-favorite anime series. The series is based on the original manga by Ume Aoki. Produced by Atsuhiro Iwakami (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, Nisekoi - False Love), Ikuo Kato (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Dream Eater Merry), Junichiro Tanaka (Girlish Number, Quintessential Quintuplets), and Kozue Kananiwa (Blue Exorcist, ef: a tale of memories), Hidamari Sketch is a fun anime (which often has a sketch-style approach). The animation is produced by SHAFT (Arakawa Under the Bridge, And Yet the Town Moves).

Yuno (Kana Asumi) has always had aspirations to become an artist someday. Determined to follow her dreams, Yuno finds herself in a new stage of life: the opportunity arises for her to attend the prestigious Yamabuki Arts High School. What Yuna doesn't count on is the amount of change the school is going to require out of her: she must move away from her home and beloved family.

Yet Yuno soon finds herself discovering new friends at Hidamari Apartments. It isn't long before she becomes best friends with her rambunctious classmate Miyako (Kaori Mizuhashi). Yuno also meets and befriends the lovable sisters Sae (Ryoko Shintani) and Hiro (Yuko Goto). Strange adventures and comedic hijinks ensue around every corner at Hidamari!

The animation is one of the strengths of the production. The Hidamari Sketch series is one which has great creativity. There is a sense that a lot of energy was invested in to the development of the series. The art style is creative and bold. Much of the success of the series is due to the art direction by Hisaharu Iijima (And Yet the Town Moves, Nisemonogatari). The series has a compelling and distinctive visual style.

Featuring animation direction by Yoshiaki Ito (Sakura Wars, Magic User's Club!), the team of animators involved with the creation of Hidamari Sketch excelled in their respective roles. The series looks beautiful and there is something to be said about the compelling character designs by Yoshiaki Ito (Gakuen Alice, Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World). Most quirky anime series are not as well-illustrated as this one is.

"Ready for some fun?"

The cinematography by Tetsuji Higuchi (Samurai Girls, Macross 7) makes a solid impression as well. Hidamari Sketch works magic. The production has a nice landscape – the visual cues showcasing an assortment of bright colors. There is something magical about the vibrant energy Higuchi creates. A compelling cinematographic achievement.

The score composed by Tomoki Kikuya (Cat Planet Cuties, The Girl Who Leapt Through Space) is similarly engaging. The score adds a sense of fun to the production. The music weaves together a compelling spell. The score fits the comedic sensibilities of the story.

Written by Nahoko Hasegawa (Ah! My Goddess, Tenchi Muyo!), Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection is a wonderful showcase of the series. The comedic timing is excellent. This is a fun, creative, and jubilant series. Fans of zany anime series with a sketch- style approach to storytelling should consider it worthwhile.

Akiyuki Simbo (Dance in the Vampire Bund, Arakawa Under the Bridge) and Ryouki Kamitsubo (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, The Helpful Fox Senko-san) handle the chief directing duities on Hidamari Sketch. Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection is a nice testament to the series entertaining style. Simbo and Kamitsubo bring laughter and smiling faces to audiences.

Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release provides an upscaled presentation. For a upscale, the series looks surprisingly good. However, fans should keep expectations in check. The series won't ever be as detailed or crisp as a native high-definition presentation can offer. Color reproduction is solid. The encoding is reasonably well-done as well.

Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The release sounds reasonably impressive. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The music is well presented. The dynamics of the audio presentation are somewhat simple but the encoding does an effective job of preserving said elements. No English dub option is provided.

Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Part 1:

OVA 1: August 11^th – Put Her Back Where She Was (HD, 25:44)

OVA 2: November 27^th – Is It Love? (HD, 24:42)

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Part 2:

OVA 1 (HD, 25:12)

February 10^th – Everywhere by Bicycle

February 11^th – The Tortoise and the Hare

OVA 2 (HD, 25:12)

June 6^th – Red String

June 7^th – Deep Meaning

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Part 3:

OVA 1 (HD, 25:12)

June 11 Family Restaurant Wasshoi

April 7^th – April 17 Natsume...

OVA 2 (HD, 24:42)

June 23^rd - 25^th – I'm Back

July 30^th – BBQ

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Hidamari Sketch x Special:

Special 1 (HD, 25:12)

July 15^th – As You Feel It

August 28^th – Bobble

Special 2 (HD, 24:42)

May 9^th – Splish Splash

May 25^th – Welcome! It's Meat Village

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Part 4:

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: Kase-san and Morning Glories (HD, 1:16), Bloom Into You (HD, 00:54), Seitokai Yakuindomo (HD, 1:18), and Waiting in the Summer (HD, 1:33).

Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hidamari Sketch: Picture Perfect Collection is a wonderful collection for fans of the quirky series. The set contains Hidamari Sketch, Hidamari Sketch 365, Hidamari Sketch Hashimittsu, Hidamari Sketch Specials, and Hidamari Sketch Honeycomb. The release contains (most) of the Hidamari Sketch productions (to date). The set does not include the new OVA specials: Sae & Hiro Graduation (as available from Sentai Filmworks separately). Recommended.