Asura Cryin': Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Asura Cryin': Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A well-animated science fiction series.

Asura Cryin' is a science-fiction fantasy anime created by Gakuto Mikumo. The series is produced by Gou Nakanishi (Flowers of Evil, Heroic Age), Hiroyuki Yuzawa (Strike the Blood, Dokkoida?!), and Osamu Uemura (Inukami! The Series, Inukami! The Movie). An epic science-fiction series, fans of otherworldly odysseys will want to give it a spin.

Tomoharu Natsume (Miyu Irino) is haunted by his past. Or more precisely, the past of his best friend, Misao Minakami (Haruka Tomatsu), who died in a plane crash which he managed to survive. No one can even sense Misao or hear her now – except Tomoharu. Making his day- to-day life more complicated, a mysterious new partner remarries his mother and soon Tomoharu is left all alone.

Now Tomoharu is visited by a mysterious girl with a strange package she expects him to help guard. As others start seeking out the package, Misao becomes visible to those seeking the mysterious package – as they demand to find “the extractor” and receive it from Tomoharu. Can Tomoharu protect Misao's spirit and discover the secret of the mysterious package?

The spectacle of Asura Cryin' is one of the greatest elements of the series. The exciting action scenes help the filmmaking excel as an entertaining effort in the science-fiction realm. There is something entertaining about a well-orchestrated mecha series and this is an excellent example of the sheer strengths of the medium. The action scenes demonstrate elevated “cool” and audiences will be entertained.

The animation is noteworthy as well. The series features animation produced by Seven Arcs (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs Forever). The series has a strong animation style which showcases the art direction by Toshiko Kaizu (Yatterman Night, Augmented Reality Girls Trinary) well. The team of animators involved in the production did exceptional work here. A impressive assembly of creativty and imagination.

Science-fiction with a twist.

The original character designs by Nao Watanuki (Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town, Ore ga Heroine o Tasukesugite Sekai ga Little Apocalypse!?) aid the storytelling as well. With the anime character designs by Atsushi Komori, Asura Cryin' has a interesting array of designs which fit the anime universe.

One of the best elements of the entire production is the mecha design by Hideki Fukushima (Sakura Wars, Tokyo Revengers). The mecha designs are inventive and well-built. The battle suits seem as powerful and complex as the animators aimed to achieve. The designs provide the series with an immense sense of scope and energy.

The cinematography by Mami Goto (Majestic Prince: Wings to the Future, Trinity Seven: Heavens Library & Crimson Lord) and Tadashi Kitaoka (Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls, Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere) is exquisite. The visual component of the series is interesting and there are compelling lighting elements – with an emphasis on making the series more visually engaging.

The music composed by Mitsutaka Tajiri (La Corda D'Oro -primo passo, Hitorijime My Hero ) is entertaining as well. The score by Tajiri adds a nice element to the production. The score has an engaging sense of style. The music enhances the action scenes with a sense of swift energy. The compositions also add a sense of urgency to dramatic sequences.

Written by Katsuhiko Koide (Shaman King, Dear Brother), Asura Cryin' is an anime series with a compelling concept. The series has a good idea and runs with it – making the anime storytelling engaging. The screenwriting by Koide manages to help the characters be explored with stronger dramatic depth and a sense of vitality. The screenwriting helps the action scenes excel and works wonders.

Directed by Keizou Kusakawa (Action Heroine Cheer Fruits, Dog Days), Asura Cryin' is a science-fiction action series with a lot of energy. Kusakawa has a gift for creating entertaining action. The production has exceptional action (in spades) and there is so much to appreciate about that enticing combination. Asura Cryin' packs a mighty punch of action-packed fun and is well worth checking out.

Asura Cryin': Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai, Asura Cryin' is presented in 1080i MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release isn't as impressive as one might hope to find but it still gets the job done. The interlacing on the release is a bit of a disappointment, though.

The lack of a true progressive encoding means the presentation has jaggies and occasional artifacts. The release simply isn't as polished looking as a result. Nonetheless, the action scenes are well produced, and the encoding does a solid enough job of showcasing the series and the colorful animation.

Asura Cryin': Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). No English dub option is provided on the release. The Japanese audio track sounds crisp, clear, and engaging. Dialogue is well reproduced and is easy to understand on the release. The action scenes are given enough dramatic weight by the soundstaging to make the experience more engaging to listen to. The music is well integrated in to the sound design as well. The only real drawback to the audio is the lack of an English dub option – which will surely be disappointing to dub fans hoping to experience the series in English. Nonetheless, the subtitled version is excellent and even fans who usually gravitate to dubs should give it a chance in the original Japanese.

Asura Cryin': Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: BPS – Battle Programmer Shirase (HD, 1:16), Basquash! (HD, 00:50), Kanamemo (HD, 1:32), and This Art Club Has a Problem (HD, 1:32).

Asura Cryin': Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Asura Cryin' is an entertaining and action-packed science-fiction anime with creativity in spades. The production has exceptional merit – from top-notch background artwork to character designs. The music score composed by Mitsutaka Tajiri (La Corda D'Oro -primo passo) is worthy as well. Director Keizou Kusakawa (Action Heroine Cheer Fruits) does a solid job of bringing the scripts by Katsuhiko Koide (Dear Brother) to life. Anime fans seeking an entertaining thrill ride will want to give it a chance. Check it out.