The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is a romantic-comedy and coming-of-age tale. Created by Okemaru, The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is executive produced by Kento Yoshida (She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man, The Quintessential Quintuplets the Movie), Sadakazu Kikuchi (Tokyo Mew Mew New, The Demon Girl Next Door). The series features original character designs by Sabamizore. The production will appeal to romance fans. Produced by Akira Kubota (Stardust Telepath, RPG Real Estate), Emi Kashimura (Ascendance of a Bookworm, Magical Girl Raising Project), Toshiya Kitabayashi (Welcome to the Ballroom, Attack on Titan The Final Season), and Yūichirō Wada (By the Grace of the Gods, Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire), The Dreaming Boy is a Realist features voice-performances by Naoya Miyase, Akiho Suzumoto, Kaori Ishihara, Mikako Komatsu, and Yumiri Hanamori.

Wataru Sajō (Naoya Miyase) has had an enormous crush on Aika Natsukawa (Akiho Suzumoto) for many years. Wataru started out with a small crush and over time his feelings for Aika grew and grew. These feelings for Aika were important to him but he felt as though he never did anything good enough to properly woo her and make her interested in him. Eventually, Wataru decides it is better to instead move on altogether than continue to hope for a future relationship. Despite Wataru moving on and trying new things, somehow Aika continues to drift back into his life unexpectedly. Does Aika have feelings for him now and is it possible a relationship could still happen? It seems like both of them perhaps are at a loss over their relationship and if there is something more between them – a true connection. Could romance finally bring Wataru and Aika together?

The romantic element is one of the core ingredients of the series and its success. Fans of low-key romantic anime dramas will appreciate these elements of the series and the contrast of these characters. Wataru and Aika both have a form of unspoken connection between each other – remarkably, the characters still find themselves drawn to each other without bridging the gap, surpassing their unspoken moments and finding resolution. Wataru is a shy boy and someone who usually won’t speak up for himself or his mind in regards to romance. As a result, Wataru has had an unfulfilled romance. Can Wataru ever find true romance and a happy ending?

The character designs by Masaru Koseki (Demon King Daimao, World’s End Harem) are well-done and add to the quality of the production merits. Koseki did a solid job with the character designs and the efforts help to highlight the quiet slice-of-life aspects of the romantic-drama. These designs feel grounded and worthwhile. It is nice to see successful designs highlighting simple design ideas. A effective effort by the character designer.

The animation is one of the key strengths of The Dreaming Boy is a Realist. The Dreaming Boy is a Realist features solid animation and artistic direction. The art direction by Chikako Shibata (Azumanga Daioh, Honey and Clover) is a key highlight and there is plenty to appreciate about the results. The animation style is low-key, subtle, but effective. As a result, the animation works better and enhances the series style. The team of animators did good work and brought together something special here – fans of quiet anime series with laidback charms will be most impressed by the art direction.

The cinematography by Satoshi Yamamoto (The Misfit of Demon King Academy, Skeleton Knight in Another World) is an effective piece of the production. The cinematography highlights the crisp animation, bold artistry, and aesthetic charms. The visuals do wonders for the series. Quite an accomplishment. Yamamoto did a good job overall.

The score composed by Ryōhei Sataka (Release the Spyce, D4DJ All Mix) is subtle and elegant. The music is a nice backdrop for the production. Sataka did a solid job with the music and fans of romantic anime scores with more serene backdrops will find it worthwhile for the series. The intended style and tone succeeds with the series.

Written by Michiko Yokote (Bermuda Triangle: Colorful Pastrale, Call of the Night), The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is a solid slice-of-life romantic-comedy drama. Fans of the genre will appreciate the series and the approach to the romantic longings between the lead characters. These elements are certainly a big part of the reason why romance fans will gravitate towards the series.

Directed by Kazuomi Koga (The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases, Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible), The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is a series aimed right at the romantic-anime crowd. For audiences seeking a new romantic-comedy anime, the series might fit the bill. The series has the ingredients for quiet slice-of-life drama and if this is the quiet afternoon tea anime fans are looking for then The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is going to feel right at home.

The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation features a solid high-definition encoding. The animation looks crisp and colorful. An outstanding transfer with robust colors and fine detail. The cinematography shines on the release.

The Blu-ray release benefits from the quality encoding of the physical media format. Physical media can have superior video encoding compared to streaming video services. Though the differences are sometimes subtle, the encoding often allows for higher video bit-rates and enthusiasts who are particular about presentation quality – perhaps, home theater aficionados – will appreciate the differences that might present themselves with the video encoding.

The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The Blu-ray release provides solid sound direction by Hajime Takakuwa (Black Clover, Rent-A-Girlfriend). The lossless audio encoding provides excellent dialogue reproduction and detail. The soundstage is refined and well-done for a stereo audio design. Both options will provide a satisfying option. The English subtitles are well done and are free of egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

A significant selling point of the physical media format is the lossless audio of Blu-ray disc. The lossless audio provides higher-resolution audio with clearer data and a more robust soundstage. For both the ardent audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts seeking to eek out the best possible detail in the presentation, the audio presentation can have notable gains for the most discerning of viewers.

The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes in a standard Blu-ray case. The release does not include an o-card slipcover. The release does not include any additional collectable pack-ins or bonuses. There is no digital copy code included.

On disc supplements include:

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Web Previews (HD, 11:09)

Japanese Promos (HD, 4:38)

Alas, the supplemental package is lackluster on the release. The extras are close to barebones and there is nothing of substantial value in regards to bonus features. The release could have been a lot more well rounded with audio commentaries, convention panels, roundtable discussions, cast/crew interviews, making-of documentaries, photo galleries, art galleries, and production galleries. Unfortunately, the release is instead lackluster with almost no supplements. The extras can sometimes make or break purchasing decisions for fans and be the difference between a stream or a purchase. In this case, supplement fans won't feel as though there is anything of notable value.

The Dreaming Boy Is a Realist: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Dreaming Boy is a Realist is a sweet and charming romantic-comedy anime series. The slice-of-life and coming of age romantic- drama will appeal to a specific audience seeking a quiet and charming anime for a rainy-day afternoon – perhaps one with a cup of tea and some warm biscuits. For the fanbase looking for such a lighthearted delight, The Dreaming Boy is a Realist may fit the bill.

The Blu-ray release provides a solid high-definition presentation, lossless audio encoding, and a selection of standard supplements – such as clean opening/closing animations and web previews. Unfortunately, the release does not have a more in-depth supplemental package and this is the one true disappointment of the release. Extras fans may feel the set is less enticing due to the lack of good extras. On the positive side, a pleasing presentation and permanent ownership might be enough of a selling point for some fans considering to pick up the set and add it to their anime collection. Recommended.