Animal Treasure Island Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Animal Treasure Island Blu-ray Movie Review

Animal Treasure Island is an action-packed adventure classic. The anime feature-film is a wonderful gem of the action-adventure genre. Based on the original story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Animal Treasure Island features production by Toei Animation (One Piece, Sailor Moon).

Executive produced by Hiroshi Ōkawa (Fables from Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Prince and the Eight- Headed Dragon), Animal Treasure Island features original theme music composed by Naozumi Yamamoto (Nutcracker Fantasy, A Journey Through Fairyland) and features lyrics by Koichi Ishii. A production featuring idea consultation by a young Hayao Miyazaki (of Studio Ghibli fame). Featuring voice performances by Minori Matsushima, Eiko Masuyama, Asao Koike, Fusako Amachi, and Sachiko Chijimatsu.

Jim (Minori Matsushima) is joined by his adventurous mouse best friend Glan (Eiko Masuyama) on the journey of a lifetime. The journey begins with the duo working together at a quiet inn as innkeepers. Expanding on their dreams, Jim and his mouse friend find unexpected adventure when a visitor bestows on to them a special map – a map to the mysterious Treasure Island. Now whisked away by the idea of a great journey, the duo find themselves embarking on a treasure hunt.

Yet danger isn’t far behind them – in fact, the danger peers them onward when they meet the villainous Captain Silver (Asao Koike). With Captain Silver seeking the same treasure as Jim and Glan, the duo become a trio when their new friend Kathy (Fusako Amachi) joins them on the treasure hunt of a lifetime. Can Jim, Kathy, and little mouse Glan defeat Captain Silver and get the treasure of Treasure Island?

The characters are a great part of the adventure of Animal Treasure Island. The main cast of characters are terrific fun and these jubilant lead heroes are on a big journey – with Jim being a noble hero of the tale. Jim is a kind and simple lad who wants to journey for fun and the thrill of the quest – and his own charms as a hero make the film all the more charming.

Alongside Jim, the mouse Glan is a sweet and charming little mouse friend who has plenty of spunk as an adventurer looking to be the best at his mission alongside Jim. There’s also the energetic charisma of Kathy, who joins them later in the story, and her sense of adventure is essential to the trio. Without Kathy the dynamic of the heroes wouldn’t be quite the same.

The animation featured on Animal Treasure Island is phenomenal and one of the most delightful aspects of the entire production. The animated classic features art direction by Isamu Tsuchida (Puss n' Boots Around the World, Taro the Dragon Boy) and animation direction by Yasuji Mori (The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon, Fables of the Green Forest). The animation team worked well on the project, delivering something memorable and visually stunning.

Animal Treasure Island features key animation by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke). The key animation contributed by Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most essential components of the film with the visionary artist developing his style before becoming one of the most respected and prominent animators and filmmakers in the history of the anime industry. Miyazaki would go on to found Studio Ghibli (becoming one of the most renowned filmmakers in the entire world – working in animation or otherwise). For Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki fans, seeing the early artistry of Miyazaki is essential.

The key animation for Animal Treasure Island also features contributions by Akemi Ōta (Flying Phantom Ship, Nagagutsu Sanjūshi), Katsuya Oda (Uchū Patrol Hopper, Jack and the Witch), Kōichi Tsunoda (The Prince and the Coral Sea, Taro the Dragon Boy), Michihiro Kanayama (Adieu Galaxy Express 999, Flying Phantom Ship), Norio Hikone (Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi, Doggie March), Reiko Okuyama (Horus - Prince of the Sun, The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon), Sadao Kikuchi (Flying Phantom Ship, Horus - Prince of the Sun), Shigeo Matoba (Galaxy Express 999, Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato), Takao Kōzai (Akado Suzunosuke, Kyojin no Hoshi), Takashi Abe (Adieu Galaxy Express 999, Galaxy Express 999: Eternal Fantasy), Tatsuji Kino (Adieu Galaxy Express 999, Arcadia of My Youth), and Yôichi Kotabe (Horus - Prince of the Sun, Doggie March).

The score composed by Naozumi Yamamoto (Zero Tester, A Journey Through Fairyland) is charming and engaging. There is a lot to appreciate about the music and what it adds to the filmmaking. The score is energetic, charming, and action-packed. The music certainly feels like the perfect accompaniment for this classic anime gem. The compositions are great and there is plenty to appreciate about the entire effort by Yamamoto.

Written by Hiroshi Ikeda and Takashi Iijima (The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon, Rainbow Sentai Robin), Animal Treasure Island is a well-penned adventure. Animal Treasure Island has a nice sense of action- packed charm while taking the characters on a journey full of spectacle. The main characters were well developed in the script. The dialogue is entertaining as well. A good script by Ikeda and Iijima.

Directed by Hiroshi Ikeda (Flying Phantom Ship, Hustle Punch), Animal Treasure Island is an incredible classic Japanese anime film. The film is well directed with a good sense of pace and energy. The film flows well with incredible action staging. As the filmmaking builds it becomes even more fun and memorable. Animal Treasure Island is a must-see for fans of classic anime films and especially for audiences interested in early pre-Ghibli works involving Hayao Miyazaki.

Animal Treasure Island Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, Animal Treasure Island is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The transfer is impressive and there are a lot of great aspects to the presentation. The transfer is nicely filmic and appears true to the source print. The scan looks great and color reproduction is enjoyable on the release. The background animation and line art are well preserved during the presentation. The encoding by Discotek Media is enjoyable as well – with good bit-rates preserving the animation.

Blu-ray remains the best way to experience a film. One of the best things about the Blu-ray format is that it provides a superior video presentation to streaming video services, which offer video with transfers with lower bit-rates and more compressed video. For those seeking the best possible presentation quality, Blu-ray is the best option for those wanting to eek out every detail of the presentation.

Animal Treasure Island 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). The lossless audio quality on the release adds to the charm of the presentation. The lossless Japanese audio is engaging and highly enjoyable. The vocals sound crisp and clear on the release. The soundstage and score are well reproduced. The subtitles provided on the release are good quality as well.

Animal Treasure Island Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a nicely designed o-card slipcover. The slipcover features stunning artwork that is a blast of action-packed goodness. The key art is different on the slipcover compared to the unique art as featured underneath the slipcover. The additional artwork is a nice component of the release and it adds significant collectible value to the package. A great package design effort by Discotek Media.

The one downside of the Blu-ray release is that is doesn't have a more in-depth supplemental package. The release would have been all the better if it had had some behind-the-scenes documentaries, making-of featurettes, cast and crew interviews, and audio commentaries. It would have been especially fun if the disc has provided an interview with Hayao Miyazaki about the making of the film and his early development as an artist. Unfortunately, no such bonus features are provided on the release.

On disc supplements include:

Teaser (SD, 1:10)

Trailer (HD, 3:25)

Animal Treasure Island Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Animal Treasure Island is an entertaining and fun classic action-adventure anime. The film features fun storytelling and a nice cast of characters. The tale is enormously charming and the anime provides audiences plenty of great moments.

The Blu-ray release provides an excellent high-definition presentation alongside quality lossless audio encoding. The release also provides a quality o-card slipcover with nice artwork. As one of the early pre-Ghibli works of Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke), Animal Treasure Island is essential. Highly recommended.