Queen Millennia: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Queen Millennia: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Queen Millennia is a science-fiction anime classic. Created by Leiji Matsumoto (Galaxy Express 999, Space Battleship Yamato), Queen Millennia was broadcast on the Fuji Television Network. Produced for television by the Fuji Television Network and Toei Animation, the space opera drama features theme song performances by Daisuke Hara (OP) and Manami Ishikawa (ED). Produced by Kenji Yokoyama (Transformers: Victory, Transformers: Zone), Tokizō Tsuchiya (Dr. Slump & Arale-chan, Thunderbirds 2086), and Yōichi Kominato (Tenjōhen – Utsunomiko, Video Warrior Laserion), Queen Millennia is a compelling gem of science-fiction and a classic work that is sure to appeal to fans of other works by the legendary Matsumoto.

Hajime Amamori (Keiko Toda) is considered a brilliant mind and is a professor with enormous knowledge. As one of the experts on the universe, Amamori makes a bold discovery – a new planet has been found and joins the rest of the solar system as another planet to be studied. On the downside, the newly discovered planet also brings some bad news – the planet of Larmetal and its path could soon be entering the pathway of Earth itself.

If the pathway collides, it could spell destruction for the entire Earth. Then there would be no more life at all on Earth and everyone on the planet would die. Can Professor Amamori work alongside assistant Yayoi Yukino (Keiko Han) to save Planet Earth and bring new hope to the galaxy? Or will all hope fall by the wayside with Earth destroyed and no human life left behind?

The character designs by Yoshinori Kanemori (Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl) are fantastic and stay true to the source. The anime designs are true to the legendary style of Queen Millennia creator Leiji Matsumoto. The designs have the creativity and the heart of the best anime.

The production features outstanding animation. One of the hallmarks of Queen Millennia is the animation style. Matsumoto is one of the most important figures in the history of Japanese animation. The results with Queen Millennia are terrific. The animation features remarkable colors and depth. The animation capably showcases the efforts of the animators and their efforts to hand drawn animation. There is something quite special about hand drawn art and what it can bring to the table. There is always something special in the hand drawn art style that is so different and compelling when a comparison is made between the old school animation style and that of artificial intelligence produced anime.

The art is spectacular and one of the key reasons the production works so well. Queen Millennia features art direction by Isamu Tsuchida (Animal Treasure Island, Puss n' Boots Around the World) and chief animation direction by Yoshinori Kanemori (In This Corner of the World, Planet Robot Danguard Ace). The results are outstanding. The beauty of the artistry is one of the key reasons to see this classic anime. The mecha designs by Katsumi Itabashi (Galaxy Express 999, Star Blazers: The Comet Empire) are impressive and add to the production, too.

Featuring a score composed by Ryūdō Uzaki (Kamen Rider Black, Kamen Rider World) and Tomoyuki Asakawa (Haibane Renmei, Pilot Candidate), the music plays a significant role in the anime as well. Beautiful music and the score builds to offer up great backdrop music for the characters and the impressive space opera storytelling. A fantastic score and an example of why old school Japanese anime had some of the best music in the entire filmmaking industry.

Written by Hiroyasu Yamaura (Galaxy Express 999, Adieu Galaxy Express 999), Keisuke Fujikawa (Galaxy Express 999, Mazinger Z), Shigemitsu Taguchi (Powered Armor Dorvack, The Wonderful Adventures of Nils), and Toyohiro Andō (Tiger Mask, Great Mazinger), Queen Millennia is well written and the fun storytelling is a key component of the series. The series has a compelling storytelling vision and it is something that adds to the production in spades. A wondrous effort all around.

Directed by Nobutaka Nishizawa (Galaxy Express 999, Great Mazinger), Queen Millennia is a must see for fans of classic Japanese anime. The filmmaking is top-notch and the style exudes confidence and class. The wonderful approach to Japanese anime is one of the reasons things went on for so long. Joyous, creative, and energetic, the filmmaking approach delivers in spades.

Queen Millennia: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Sentai Filmworks, Queen Millennia is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The high-definition video presentation is pleasing. The transfer looks wonderfully filmic and color reproduction appears excellent as well. The release capably showcasing the dark aesthetic of the production, too.

One of the strengths of the physical media format is the superior video encoding. Streaming video services often have setbacks of some kind – from lower plan tiers, to lower video quality based on connected users, and outages due to weather issues and other setbacks. Physical media provides something more consistent and enjoyable – it is right there are one's fingertips as long as you want it within your grasp.

Queen Millennia: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The lossless audio quality on the release is fantastic. There is a sense of cohesion in the audio presentation. A wonderful effort all around. The score is beautifully integrated into the soundstage and sound presentation mixing.

One of the hallmarks of the Blu-ray format is the lossless audio encoding. It is rare for a release to not benefit from lossless audio. Lossless audio is superior to streaming video services (only providing the audience 'lossy' (non-lossless) audio quality). Enthusiasts and audiophiles alike prefer physical media, period, for the superior audio. Not only are the bit-rates lower on streaming – the audio depth and overall immersive quality is superior on disc. This is one of the best things about the physical format quality wise. For enthusiasts it can make a big and noteworthy difference (especially with series like this where the original audio tapes are often used in restorations).

Queen Millennia: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1:

Next Episode Previews (HD, 4:03)

Disc 2:

Next Episode Previews (HD, 3:36)

Disc 3:

Special Episode – Earth's Looming Crisis!! (HD, 25:28)

Next Episode Previews (HD, 3:36)

Disc 4:

Next Episode Previews (HD, 4:03)

Disc 5:

Next Episode Previews (HD, 3:09)

Unfortunately, the release does not have as robust a special features assortment as ideal. The set could have benefited from some audio commentaries, behind the scenes documentaries, cast/crew interviews, roundtable discussions, panel discussions, art galleries, photo galleries, and more. Nonetheless, the included extras are still appreciated and nice to see on the box set.

The set also could have used some more robust packaging – either a collectors edition with art-book and soundtrack CD or a steelbook or something similar. The standard edition looks nice still but a steelbook or collectors set would have been preferable. Maybe a steelbook reissue can follow later on.

Queen Millennia: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Queen Millennia is a beautiful and essential gem of Japanese anime. Another superb classic by the master of Japanese anime himself – Leiji Matsumoto (Galaxy Express 999). Queen Millennia is a beautiful example of how powerful hand drawn animation is and what it can do for storytelling. Outstanding art, fantastic vision, and a sense of creativity.

The Blu-ray release provides excellent high-definition video, lossless audio, and a selection of bonus features – including next episode previews and a special episode. The set also comes in a standard case without any bonus physical goodies – this is a bit of a drawback and hopefully the issue is addressed in the future with a collectors edition reissue or steelbook edition. A steelbook edition would be especially beautiful and well appreciated by fans. Highly recommended.