A Wind Named Amnesia Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

A Wind Named Amnesia Blu-ray Movie Review

A Wind Named Amnesia is a compelling and thought provoking post-apocalyptic science-fiction tale about a world in a state of chaos. Based on the manga by Hideyuki Kikuchi, A Wind Named Amnesia explores a unique state on Earth and the strange circumstances surrounding civilization. Featuring animation production by Madhouse (Cardcaptor Sakura, Millennium Actress), A Wind Named Amnesia comes from executive producer Kousuke Kuri (Wicked City). Produced by Hisaro Kuriyama, Makoto Shioya, Shin Seya, and Tomiro Kuriyama, A Wind Named Amnesia is a must-see classic anime film – featuring vocal performances by Kazuki Yao and Keiko Toda.

All of the memories of the people of Earth disappear in an instant. It is as though those memories were never even there. The memories simply vanished in to thin air and everyone was left without a past of important moments in their lives. Is it even possible for the people to get back their lost memories? Is everything too late? Humankind is now living in a (largely) primitive state and most humans are less sophisticated than before.

Wataru (Kazuki Yao) is a special case and has managed to somehow learn how to speak again. In fact, Wataru is even capable of thinking – of using his brain in a way few are capable of in a world of amnesia. Joined on his journey by the spirited Sophia (Keiko Toda), Wataru sets forth on a new expedition. Can the memories be retrieved and will humanity ever recover? In a post-apocalyptic style landscape, only time will tell what the future holds for civilization.

The characters are a big part of the production and why A Wind Named Amnesia works so well as an epic science-fiction odyssey. The exploration of Wataru is a compelling part of the experience. With fantastic character designs by Satoru Nakamura (Library War, Hyper Doll), A Wind Named Amnesia provides plenty of creativity. The mecha designs by Morifumi Naka (Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: Bandit Flower, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) add to the viewing experience as well. These old- school elements help the film find a good creative balance.

The animation is stunning. A Wind Named Amnesia is a beautiful looking feature-film and the art style is one of the most compelling aspects. Featuring animation direction by Kumiko Takahashi (Cardcaptor Sakura, City Hunter), Michio Mihara (Paranoia Agent, Gene Diver), Morifumi Naka (Bubblegum Crisis, City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes), and Satoru Nakamura (Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), A Wind Named Amnesia is an impressive animated accomplishment – and it even includes impressive art direction by Mutsuo Koseki (Magnetic Rose, Spriggan).

The score composed by Hidenobu Takemoto, Kazz Toyama (Doomed Megalopolis, Cyber City Oedo 808), and Toshinobu Takimoto adds to the charm as well. The music is exciting and relevant. The score is a wonderful testament to the science-fiction roots.

The cinematography by Kinichi Ishikawa (Cyber City Oedo 808, Demon City Shinjuku) is a highlight as well. The visual style of the cinematography is important. The cinematographer understood the film assignment. Ishikawa has a blast exploring the hypnotic visual sensibilities of A Wind Named Amnesia and the world inhabited by the story.

The screenplay by Kazuo Yamazaki (Slayers: The Book of Spells, Urusei Yatsura: Lum The Forever), Kenji Kurata (Wicked City, Demon City Shinjuku), and Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) is enormously compelling. The script is thought-provoking. It provides a balance of compelling, engaging, and unique characters. A complex exploration of a post-apocalyptic future that seems all too real.

Directed by Kazuo Yamazaki (Maison Ikkoku, Urusei Yatsura), A Wind Named Amnesia is well worth seeking out. The filmmaking is excellent and the filmmaker has an ambitious sense of scope for the production. It is too bad A Wind Named Amnesia wasn’t a bigger success at release – an incredible, worthwhile effort for science-fiction fans.

A Wind Named Amnesia has a dreamlike and hypnotic quality to it that is quite unlike many other anime feature films. The storytelling has a sort of surrealist aura that is hard to shake or to pin down. The film manages to feel significantly more creative and inspired as a result. There is plenty to appreciate about the film’s visual splendor and what the filmmakers brought to the table.

Some of the best sequences are sparse and contemplative but the unique role of the animation and the artistic sensibilities of filmmaker Yamazaki help to make the filmmaking experience all the more invigorating and special. Fans of anime of the more ambitious variety with exquisite art and style will find the unique offerings of A Wind Named Amnesia to be quite compelling to behold. A Wind Named Amnesia is a must-see anime classic.

A Wind Named Amnesia Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, A Wind Named Amnesia is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio. The high-definition visuals are impressive and manage to provide the film with an incredible presentation quality. The scan looks incredible: the level of detail and resolution in the image is fantastic. Fine line art and detail looks exceptional.

The print quality is excellent overall and the image is free from any significant print damage. Though the scan still shows some occasional specks and isn't what some might consider pristine, the overall quality of this presentation is exceptionally high and leaves little to be desired. A fantastic image and a great testament to the work of distributor Discotek Media.

A Wind Named Amnesia Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English uncompressed PCM 2.0 and Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 (with English subtitles). A Wind Named Amnesia features sound direction by Masafumi Mima. The sound design for the feature is exciting and energized: the soundstage has a compelling quality that makes the viewing experience all the more memorable.

The score by Kazz Toyama, Hidenobu Takemoto, and Toshinobu Takimoto is well integrated in to the feature-film sound design. The Japanese language audio track sounds clear on the release. Dialogue is well reproduced on the release. The English subtitles are excellent overall and are satisfying on the whole.

A Wind Named Amnesia Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with a beautiful o-card slipcover including unique artwork. The artwork underneath the slipcover includes a reversible art sleeve so one can display more distinct key art. A nice design element from Discotek Media.

Unfortunately, the supplemental package is not as extensive as some of the releases from Discotek Media. A few more in-depth supplements (such as art galleries feature original animation scans or featurettes) might have made the package even more well-rounded. Nonetheless, the release still includes a few nice extras to help the package.

On disc supplements include:

Japanese Video Trailer (SD, 3:01)

US DVD Trailers (SD, 1:25)

Japanese Forgotten Trailer (HD, 4:19)

US/UK VHS Credits (SD, 1:26)

Japanese Title Variations (SD, 1:34)

A Wind Named Amnesia Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A Wind Named Amnesia is a compelling science-fiction feature-film with a hypnotic animation style and a compelling filmmaking voice. From director by Kazuo Yamazaki (Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku), A Wind Named Amnesia is an ambitious production with first-rate animation and plenty of spectacle. Creative, energetic, and bold, A Wind Named Amnesia is an impressive apocalyptic style tale of a phenomenon sweeping across humanity – the loss of memories. A fantastic anime film and one well worth seeking out.

The Blu-ray release includes an impressive presentation. The video presentation is exceptional and the encode features a healthy bit-rate capable of handling the animation. The lossless audio encode is a compelling aspect of the release as well. The Blu-ray also includes a selection of on disc bonus features and the package comes with a nice o-card slipcover. Fans of A Wind Named Amnesia won't be able to resist this incredible package. Highly recommended.