Ajin: Demi-Human - The OAD Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Ajin: Demi-Human - The OAD Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Three tales in the Ajin OAD saga.

Ajin Demi Human – The OAD Collection features three OVA episodes which are set within the Ajin anime universe. The set includes The Shinya Nakamura Incident, Sato Zero, and Intermission. The anime is based on the manga by Gamon Sakurai (as originally published in Good! Afternoon). An exciting and action-packed animated series featuring animation produced by Polygon Pictures (Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, Knights of Sidonia: The Movie), Ajin Demi Human – The OAD is worth checking out.

A new form of human-being has been created:“Ajin” demi-humans, who are capable of withstanding extreme physical wounds and gifted with super-strength. Even death itself can sometimes be undone: the demi-humans fight with black-ghost energy and form their own paths in life. Yet the government fears them and hunts them down – hoping to eliminate the Ajin sub-species.

In the first story, The Shinya Nakamura Incident, a motorcyclist named Shinya transforms into an Ajin after a dangerous accident. Instead of dying from the crash, Shinya survives, and gains the abilities of the Ajin. The Ajin Management Committee begins to track him down in the hopes of annihilation.

In another story, Sato Zero, a U.S. Marine officer decides he must discover if he has the abilities of the Ajin – and becomes consumed with his contemplation of suicide in order to find out if he has the rare ability. Delving in to a dark psychological state, the marine officer questions the Ajin way. Does he have the gift?

An action-packed OVA collection.

In Intermission, a different kind of side-story, the series unravels with a more humorous and genre-bending tale approaching the comedic side of being an Ajin. What does it truly mean to be a Ajin? Comedy ensues as the dark tale unfolds.

The animation on the series is stylistically unique in comparison to many anime productions. The production has a type of CG/anime hybrid style that looks a bit different than many anime series. Showcasing the anime landscape with a unique approach, the effort is distinctive and original.

The music by Yugo Kanno (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Psycho-Pass) is engaging and fits the tone of the production well. The music score has an upbeat energy when the action-packed series calls for it and a more serious and somber tone as needed. The sound design by Yoshikazu Iwanami (Sword Art Online, Erased) is also immersive and blends the music in to the mix well.

Directed by Hiroaki Ando (Knights of Sidonia, Short Peace), Ajin Demi Human – The OAD Collection explores the three stories with a unique approach to the material. Ando directs the series well and the action scenes are well designed. The direction is well-done and brings to life the scripts by Hiroshi Seko (Attack on Titan, Mob Psycho 100) well.

Ajin: Demi-Human - The OAD Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Ajin Demi Human – The OAD Collection is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release is top-notch overall and showcases the unique animation style well. The release has quality color reproduction and the animation looks outstanding. The presentation is crisp and clear with excellent encoding. Though there are a few spots with some minor banding present, the bulk of everything looks sharp, dynamic, and satisfying. A superb high-definition presentation of the OAD episodes.

Ajin: Demi-Human - The OAD Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (with English subtitles). The release has no English dub option available and is only presented in the original Japanese. The audio track is superbly crisp and clear throughout. The surrounds are dynamic and engaging (with a creative use of the surround staging). The audio track has an abundance of quality sound effects and the music score is well implemented in to the surround staging. Dialogue remains clear and easy to understand during the audio mix. A superb presentation.

Ajin: Demi-Human - The OAD Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: Ajin: Demi-Human (TV) (HD, 1:34), Parasyte – the maxim- (HD, 2:02), Assassin's Pride (HD, 00:45), and 7Seeds (HD, 1:37).

Ajin: Demi-Human - The OAD Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ajin Demi Human – The OAD Collection includes a selection of three OVA episodes: The Shinya Nakamura Incident, Sato Zero, and Intermission. The stories in each episode are compelling and creative. The animation is stylistically cool and unique. Ajin Demi Human – The OAD is well directed and action anime fans will want to check it out. The Blu-ray release from Sentai Filmworks includes a impressive video-audio presentation as well. Recommended.