Ace Attorney: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Ace Attorney: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Adapts the Capcom video-game series.

Ace Attorney: Season One is adapted from the popular video game series developed by Capcom. The first season of the anime series adapts the first two video-games in the gaming franchise: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and Justice for All. The anime streamed on Crunchyroll, was broadcast on Nippon Television Network in Japan, and was licensed for North America by Funimation Entertainment.

The series is produced by Koji Nagai (My Hero Academia, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon) and Masanori Miyake (Natsume's Book of Friends, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba). The animation comes from production company A-1 Pictures (Fairy Tail, Birdy the Mighty: Decode). Fans of the original video games and court-room anime series will want to check out the anime version of the series.

Phoenix Wright (Eric Vale) is a newcomer to the courtroom. Wright is learning the tricks of the trade while working alongside his law mentor Mia Fey (Colleen Clinkenbeard). In the future, courtroom trials are expedited and every case is conducted over a short time span with verdicts that must be determined within a three business day time-span.

Yet trouble arises when Wright's beloved mentor is murdered in cold-blood, leaving Wright to fend for himself. Wright unites with Mia's younger sister Maya Fey (Lindsay Seidel) and forms the Wright & Co. Law Offices. Phoenix Wright now fights as hard as possible for his defendants while working steadfastly to become the best-of-the-best. Now Phoenix faces down Miles Edgeworth (Christopher Wehkamp), an old friend turned mad-genius prosecutor and the two frequently find themselves butting heads while in the courtroom. Can Phoenix rise to the top?

The animation is one of the more noteworthy elements of the production. The series features art direction by Eiji Iwase (Amazing Nurse Nanako, Bakugan Battle Brawlers). The animation is something that helps to enhance the storytelling and the futuristic universe of the storyline. A unconvetional court-room series, especially given the video-game roots with Capcom, this is a interesting animated production with some compelling designs elements: the comical style of the artistry is something that helps establish the tone.

"Game on!"

The character designs by Keiko Ōta (Hyakko, Tokyo Revengers) and Koji Watanabe (Blue Gender, Koi Koi Seven) manage to help compliment the production and make the series stand out from the crowd. The character designs are distinctive and well suited to these characters. Phoenix Wright is perhaps most interesting of all: there is something compelling about the tough-yet-kind demeanor of the character design.

The cinematography by Ayaka Shimizu (anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, Silver Spoon) helps enhance the production. The bright and colorful visuals are one of the things that helps to set this courtroom series apart from other productions in the same genre. Most courtroom dramas and television productions have an edgier aesthetic for a realistic approach to the material. Yet the production aesthetic for Ace Attorney is much different and feels light and airy by comparison.

The original score composed by Kaoru Wada (Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon) is a nice addition to the anime series. Wada is a strong composer within the anime industry and the effort here helps to enhance the entire production. The score is a breeze to listen to and adds some charm to the series.

Written by Atsuhiro Tomioka (Fairy Tail, One Piece), Ace Attorney is a silly but sweet courtroom series. The production has dark moments, of course, but the comedy elements are front-and-center. Fans of the video games will appreciate the tongue-in- cheek element of the screenwriting. This is a goofy series and one that is aimed at a different audience than many courtroom dramas. Tomioka is a competent writer and helps to make the series entertaining.

Director Ayumu Watanabe (After the Rain, Children of the Sea) brings Ace Attorney out of the video-game realm and in to the animated world. The production is entertaining. There are some enjoyable aspects to the style of Watanabe and his approach to the goofy world of Phoenix Wright. Comedy fans looking for something unique in the anime medium will want to check it out.

Ace Attorney: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Funimation Entertainment, Ace Attorney: Season One is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release includes a solid video presentation. The video presentation showcases the series colorful palette. The encoding is solid and manages to effectively showcase the animation. The release is a solid effort from Funimation.

Ace Attorney: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of audio options: Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles) and English Dolby TrueHD 2.0 stereo. The high-resolution audio adds to the viewing experience. The lossless sound quality provides the series with a more immersive viewing experience. Dialogue remains clear and easy to understand. The original score composed by Kaoru Wada is well reproduced and integrated in to the sound design.

Ace Attorney: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Part 1:

Ace Attorney Outtakes: Part 01 (HD, 2:20)

Episode 12 Audio Commentary

Textless Opening Song "Gyakuten Winner" (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song "Message" (HD, 1:32)

Trailers (HD, 5:22)

Part 2:

Ace Attorney Outtakes: Part 02 (HD, 6:14)

Episode 24 Audio Commentary

Textless Opening Song "Jinsei wa Subarashii" (HD, 1:31)

Textless Closing Song "Junai Chaos" Ver. 1 (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song "Junai Chaos" Ver. 2 (HD, 1:32)

Trailers (HD, 6:56)

Ace Attorney: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ace Attorney: Season One is a decent comedy series with a unique spin on the courtroom saga concept. The series has an affable lead character in Phoenix Wright. The hero of the story is an interesting and unique character for the anime realm. The goofiness of the series might come as no surprise to the video-game fan-base (as the series is an adaptation of the original video-games by Capcom). The Blu-ray release includes an impressive video-audio presentation and a selection of supplements. Recommended.