Beyond the Boundary: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Beyond the Boundary: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A fun and action-packed genre anime.

Beyond the Boundary is an entertaining action-packed anime series with a supernatural element. The anime comes from animation production studio Kyoto Animation (Inuyasha, K-ON!) and is adapted from the series of light novels by Nagomu Torii. Executive produced by Atsushi Isoyama (Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital, Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil), Shunji Inoue (Star Blazers 2199, Liz and the Blue Bird), Yoko Hatta (Violet Evergarden, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), and Yoshihisa Nakayama (K-ON!, Clannad), Beyond the Boundary is a compelling series with a lot to offer anime fans looking for some fun.

Akihito Kanbara (Kenn) has been gifted with a special ability: the capability to heal himself. The rare gift provides him with near invincibility. Akihito is almost like a superhero with his rare gift. A half-human, Akihito struggles to accept himself (even despite his super-powers) and is scared he will die alone (never finding someone to love him) until he meets Mirai Kuriyama (Risa Taneda), who has a curse which could eventually lead to her death. Mirai uses her own blood as part of her weapon – a long blade. Together the pair bands together to fight demons – and a unexpected romance begins.

The animation on Beyond the Boundary is extraordinary: one of the best elements of the production. Under the exceptional art direction of Mikiko Watanabe (Violet Evergarden, Amagi Brilliant Park), Beyond the Boundary is a beautiful looking anime with stunning background art work and superb character designs by Miku Kadowaki (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, Tsurune: Kazemai Kōkō Kyūdō-bu). The entire series has a unique visual aesthetic which will please anime fans.

"Time to fight!"

The cinematography by Ryuuta Nakagami (Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, Tamako Market) adds to the experience as well. The stylistic flourishes of the visuals enhance the production. The color tones in Beyond the Boundary are impressive and the intelligent use of light throughout the series shines bright: the efforts of Nakagami are noteworthy.

The music score composed by Hikaru Nanase (Galaxy Angel, The Girl Who Leapt Through Space) is terrific fun also. The music provides each episode with a sense of entertaining action-packed fun. A score that balances the characters and the action. Nanase has fun with the music and plays with the concept.

The screenplays by Jukki Hanada (Love Live! Sunshine!!, Natsume's Book of Friends) are one of the strong points of Beyond the Boundary. The series has an unusual concept and manages to explore it well. The characters are well developed. The storytelling is rife with creativity. The supernatural elements are fun.

Directed by Taichi Ishidate (K-ON!, Tamako Market), Beyond the Boundary is worth watching. Beyond the Boundary is entertaining and has plenty of action-packed fun in spades. Ishidate made a compelling anime that genre fans won't want to miss. Check it out.

Beyond the Boundary: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Beyond the Boundary is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. This is a impressive presentation. The cinematography and animation style are well presented throughout the release.

Each episode of Beyond the Boundary has a nice cinematographic style and the encode capably handles presenting the show. The efforts of the animators are well preserved. The encode is well-done and the release doesn't struggle with banding or compression artifacts. A solid effort by Sentai Filmworks.

Beyond the Boundary: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes two lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The feature-films in the collection are presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound (with English subtitles). The high-resolution audio sounds nice and the presentation never struggles to preserve the sound design. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. Music is well integrated in to the sound mixing.

Beyond the Boundary: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Beyond the Boundary: Idol Trial! They Who Judge You Even Though They Waver:

Trial 1 (HD, 7:12)

Trial 2 (HD, 6:37)

Trial 3 (HD, 6:39)

Trial 4 (HD, 7:11)

Trial 5 (HD, 9:25)

These animated shorts feature some of the characters in Chibi style form. The comedic hijinks of the standalone spin-off episodes are entertaining and provide viewers with a bit of extra fun within the universe of Beyond the Boundary. Each episode is in a court room style setting and the rapid-fire dialogue makes these shorts especially enjoyable. Quirky and fun.

Japanese Promos (HD, 2:58)

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:33)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:21)

Beyond the Boundary: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Beyond the Boundary is an entertaining and action-packed anime. The series has plenty of charm. Fans of genre fare will want to check it out as soon as possible. Beyond the Boundary has a nice blend of action, romance, and comedy. The Blu-ray release features a strong presentation and some nice supplements. Highly recommended.