Killing Bites: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

Killing Bites: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Killing Bites explores the action-packed adventure of the mature animation. Produced by Chihaya Imase, Masatarō Nishi, Reo Kurosu, Takayuki Takagi, Toshihiro Maeda, Toshiyasu Hayashi, and Yoshinori Takeeda, Killing Bites is a dark horror anime created by Kazasa Sumita and Shinya Murata. With animation produced by Liden Films (Call of the Night, Midnight Occult Civil Servants), Killing Bites offers horror-genre enthusiasts a dark entry of the “furry” nature.

Yūya Nomoto (Wataru Hatano) is a cowardly man who acts as the getaway driver for a horde of men who kidnap Hitomi Uzaki (Sora Amamiya) in an attempt to gang rape her in the van. Yet the course changes direction when Hitomi morphs in to the clawed Honey Badger and slashes her way into everyone involved in the gang rape. Yet Hitomi spares Yūya and makes him her personal driver.

Surprising events are in store as Hitomi confronts a beastly lion, clawing her way towards a victory. Death matches are at the front and center of the game as these Therianthropes, genetically altered fighters, take the stage. With Cheetah (Maaya Uchida) and Rabbit (Sumire Uesaka) in the mix, who will emerge as victorious in the violent game of Killing Bites?

The series fails to muster up much enthusiasm in regards to characterization. The series central characters are less compelling than one would hope to find in a series. The lead protagonist is a decidedly dark outcast in some respects and the supporting cast is much the same. The role of the character Yūya is particularly unlikeable, with the production trying to emphasize and make comedic the role despite the character helping with a gang-rape scenario in the first episode as the driver of the vehicle. These elements make the series much less involving and showcase just how bad some anime characterizations can be.

The animation is average-at-best and doesn’t manage to make a particularly positive impression. Under the art direction of Norihiko Yokomatsu (Kaiji, Road to Ninja: Naruto), Killing Bites doesn’t excel much with regards to the art style of the series. The art work of Kaiji was also disappointing and this is much the same. The style feels average and uninspired. Even the character designs by Kazuo Watanabe (The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Oku-sama wa Joshi Kōsei) are lackluster and fail to make much of a positive impression on the production. The effort is flailing and there simply isn’t that much to write-home about.

The CG direction by Taisuke Goto (Listeners) fares somewhat better and looks on-par with most modern anime productions. The CG art is more robust in some scenes and looks better than what one might be expecting from this type of anime. The art isn’t in the same class of higher-budget productions but for a smaller-scale anime series the CG element is reasonably well done and fits the series. Goto might not be a first-tier CG director but the effort on the program outpaces expectations.

The action scenes are most likely the central element which might make some audiences want to check out the series. Unfortunately, the action scenes seem lackluster and aren’t that impressive. The style is certainly focused on extreme blood-and-gore without having the same level of action staging as seen in better anime productions. The end results simply seem to try too hard.

The cinematography by Yukihiro Masumoto (Black Lagoon, A Town Where You Live) is one of the better components of the anime series. The use of strong highlights in the cinematography while showcasing the series somewhat better and making the series appear more polished compared to some of the competition in the medium. Not a perfect effort by any stretch of the imagination but it seems to manage to fit the bill.

The score composed by Yasuharu Takanashi (Fairy Tail, Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny) might be the best thing going for the series. The score is composed by a talented composer and is far better sounding than this type of anime series typically reserves (or arguably deserves). The composer of Fairy Tail is a solid anime composer and the effort here seems commendable. It’s too bad the series doesn’t match up to the quality of the music.

Written by Aoi Akashiro (Fuuka, Classroom of the Elite), Killing Bites starts off on the wrong note and dovetails. The series concept is mediocre – there’s been plenty of anime series with transforming characters (with the beast-like element playing a big role in the production). The story seems to downplay serious societal issues and there was nothing likeable about that.

Directed by Yasuto Nishikata (Cardfight!! Vanguard: Asia Circuit Hen, The Seven Deadly Sins the Movie: Prisoners of the Sky), Killing Bites doesn’t offer much to audiences other than extreme violence and gruesome transformations. Some might dig it but others will be put-off by the storytelling and the average animation.

Killing Bites: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Killing Bites is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The anime looks impressive on the release. The high-definition presentation showcases the art of the animators well (preserving both line artwork and character designs). The CG element is well reproduced on the set as well and there isn't much banding on display. The encode is solid. Another strong effort from Sentai Filmworks.

Killing Bites: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). There is no English dub option provided on the release. The lack of an English dub option will surely come as a disappointment to some English dub fans and there is no debating that element of the release leaves something to be desired. However, the encode is effective and capably presents the Japanese audio track. Dialogue is clear and is easy to understand. The score is well integrated. The sound effects are implemented well too.

Killing Bites: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Japanese Promos (HD, 5:00)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: Ascendance of a Bookworm (HD, 1:33), Granbelm (HD, 1:35), Blade of the Immortal (HD, 1:31), and Venus Wars (HD, 1:11).

Killing Bites: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Killing Bites isn't that exciting an anime and it takes a concept that has been used before (character transformations) and doesn't do anything that exciting with the idea. The series isn't noteworthy on the whole and only those looking for a dumb action- series might have interest. An undercooked production. The Blu-ray release from Sentai Filmworks does feature a sold video and audio presentation. The release comes with a small selection of supplemental features as well. Another solid presentation by Sentai. Nonetheless, only fans will want to own the series. SKIP IT.