Skeleton Knight in Another World: The Complete Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Skeleton Knight in Another World: The Complete Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Skeleton Knight in Another World is an action-adventure anime series delving into the world of video games. Based on a Japanese light novel series created and written by Ennki Hakari, Skeleton Knight in Another World is also based on the manga adaptation of the light novel series. The manga adaptation featured art by Akira Sawano and was originally serialized on publication.

The anime series was first broadcast between April 7^th, 2022 and June 23^rd, 2022. The series features voice- performances by Tomoaki Maeno, Fairouz Ai, and Nene Hieda. Skeleton Knight in Another World features animation production by HORNETS (7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life, Somali and the Forest Spirit) and Studio KAI (Shine Post, Cagaster of an Insect Cage).

Arc (Tomoaki Maeno) loves video games and finds the escapism of gaming a gateway to a great time. Yet when Arc falls asleep accidentally while gaming, Arc awakens to a whole new world – the world featured in the video game he was playing before falling asleep. Now in a strange and fantastical environment and surrounded by magical elves, monsters, and more – Arc is put to the test in a significant way – and it brings a whole new world of magic to Arc. Can Arc level up and be the hero of the new world? If Arc can get used to being a walking skeleton, perhaps.

Skeleton Knight in Another World has a compelling lead character with Arc. Skeleton Knight in Another World is is better than it would be otherwise because of the worthwhile lead character. Though Arc might not be the most original of series protagonists he is still an engaging lead for the anime. The character is tossed into a huge world of fantasy as a sword-wielding hero. This aspect of the series certainly helps the production. The character also features an excellent character design by Tōru Imanishi (Girly Air Force, Super Cub). Imanishi delivers solid character designs for the cast.

The score composed by eba (Dead Mount Death Play, The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You) and Tsubasa Ito (A Girl & Her Guard Dog, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel - Northern War) adds to the series sense of action-packed mayhem. The score is a solid backdrop for the action elements and the music helps to build on these genre components. Though not the best action score, it’s a solid one that fits the series and its style.

The animation is one of the most impressive parts of the production. The series animation features quality art direction by Kenta Tsuboi (High School DxD Hero, Plunderer) and chief animation direction by Akiko Kumada (Convenience Store Boy Friends, Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather), Minoru Tanaka (Ping Pong Club, Somali and the Forest Spirit), and Tōru Imanishi (Girly Air Force, Super Cub). Skeleton Knight in Another World certainly benefits from having a solid aesthetic. The animation is colorful, vibrant, and engaging. The art work adds to the series production values.

The cinematography by Satoshi Yamamoto (The Misfit of Demon King Academy, The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist) is a key highlight of the production, too. The cinematography helps to showcase the series art style in spades. The visual sensibilities of the cinematography impress by bringing out the best of the animation and the sword-wielding action.

Written by Takeshi Kikuchi, Skeleton Knight in Another World could have used a better script. The script is uneven and it is a mixed bag overall. This is unfortunate to find as Skeleton Knight in Another World has some other nice production elements that stand out well – such as the animation.

The script feels lackluster at times and is not as inspired. The series also downplays serious themes – for example, a scene depicting attempted assault, is not even handled with as much seriousness as it should be. These types of moments surely originate in the script. It is unfortunate given that other elements work better with the series.

Directed by Katsumi Ono (Beast Saga, Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV), Skeleton Knight in Another World is not a perfect home run. Instead, Skeleton Knight in Another World is a series that has some good and entertaining qualities but also some aspects that don’t hit home. Skeleton Knight in Another World is certainly a decent-enough action anime and genre fans may wish to check it out for that reason but nonetheless it could have been improved on.

Skeleton Knight in Another World: The Complete Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, Skeleton Knight in Another World is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The series features an exceptional high-definition presentation. The high-definition transfer does an incredible job highlighting the series animation. The animation on the series is lush and crisp. There is certainly a lot worth appreciating with the presentation quality. The action scenes are highlighted well with the presentation. Background animation and line art are well reproduced. The encode is detailed.

The Blu-ray release features solid encoding by Crunchyroll. One of the best advantages of the Blu-ray disc format is that it provides a superior presentation compared to streaming platforms. Streaming services provide a more compressed image and a less consistent picture compared to physical. On physical media, Blu-ray provides a crisper and more consistent image with generally higher video bit-rates. For enthusiasts wanting to get the best possible video presentation, Blu-ray provides fans what they are looking for.

Skeleton Knight in Another World: The Complete Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 2.0 and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 (with English subtitles). The release capably presents the sound direction of Satoshi Motoyama (The Ambition of Oda Nobuna, How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord). The lossless audio presentation on the release is crisp and clear sounding. Dialogue is well reproduced, too. The score is also capably presented on the release.

One of the great benefits of Blu-ray disc and the physical format is the superior audio presentation quality compared to streaming video platforms. Blu-ray provides a lossless audio experience. The presentation is superior as a result. Streaming video services provide lossy (non-lossless) audio presentation quality. For enthusiasts seeking the best experience, physical media is superior.

Skeleton Knight in Another World: The Complete Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The first print run of the release comes with a nice limited-edition o-card slipcover. The slipcover features a quality image on the front. The slipcover artwork features unique key art that is different from the key art highlighted underneath the slipcover. Getting additional art this way adds to the package. The set provides interior artwork on the opposite side of the inside cover art as well. The set is all the more appealing as a collector's item as a result. Fans of the series will be pleased with the efforts and the package design.

On disc extras include:

Promo Videos (HD, 5:17)

End Cards (HD, 1:02)

Textless Opening Song (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Songs (HD, 3:35)

Unfortunately, Skeleton Knight in Another World does not include a more robust supplemental package. The box set could have used some extra on-disc extras such as audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, making-of documentaries, cast/crew interviews, photo galleries, and more.

Skeleton Knight in Another World: The Complete Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Skeleton Knight in Another World is a series with a fun lead character and some good production elements. The series animation is reasonably engaging and impressive. The series has some nice qualities even if it also has some uneven attributes – including the script. Action fans may still be intrigued enough to want to check it out.

The Blu-ray release features a strong video and audio presentation. The Blu-ray release provides a small selection of on-disc supplements. The release also includes a nice o-card slipcover on the first print run. Fans of the series may want to consider a purchase.