CB Character Go Nagai World Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

CB Character Go Nagai World Blu-ray Movie Review

CB Character Go Nagai World is a fun and comedic anime series. Created by Go Nagai (Devilman), CB Character Go Nagai World is arguably a parody anime of other television series created by Go Nagai. Audiences familiar with other works by the original creator will recognize the myriad of references featured on the series. Executive produced by Tadatsugu Hayakawa (Koha Ginjiro, Sengoku Busho Retsuden Bakufu Doji Hissatsuman), CB Character Go Nagai World features animation produced by Triangle Staff (Macross Plus, Serial Experiments Lain).

Produced by Kenji Nagai (Kekko Kamen, The Abashiri Family), Takao Asaga (Wedding Peach, Golden Boy), CB Character Go Nagai World features theme music performed by Junko Hirotani and Shinichi Ishihara. Featuring voice performances by Sho Hayami, Jun Kōnomaki, and Yū Mizushima. The vocal performances also feature Ikue Ōtani, Kappei Yamaguchi, Takeshi Aono, and Yoshiko Sakakibara. CB Character Go Nagai World is for the Go Nagai fans out there.

Akira Fudou (Sho Hayami) isn’t an ordinary hero. Upon waking from slumber one night, Akira now finds a change to his entire body. What happened to his former self? Akira is now a Chibi itty-bitty hero with abilities that even he doesn’t fully understand.

It turns out some of his fellow heroes are in the same boat, with Miki Makimura (Jun Kōnomaki) and Ryō Asuka (Yū Mizushima) now in Chibi mini bodies. Determined to set things right and be Devilman, Akira and his friends are in for plenty of surprises: battling to be the best heroes they can be – Chibi style. With surprise appearances from characters throughout the universe of creations by Go Nagai.

The character designs by Kazuo Komatsubara (Captain Harlock: Mystery of the Arcadia, Galaxy Express 999) add to the fun. The designs certainly provide the series with a silly atmosphere. The Chibi style animation is a nice approach for a parody anime spoofing other versions of these characters.

The animation is more sophisticated and enjoyable compared to many other spoofs. The animation features good contributions by art director Yoshinari Kinbako (Locke the Superman, Urban Square - Kohaku no Tsuigeki) and animation director Kazuo Komatsubara (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Space Pirate Captain Harlock). The animators brought their best to the table with the comedic series. The cinematography by Naoto Fujikura (Super Doll Licca-chan, Violinist of Hamelin) enhances the visual flair of the series, too.

The score composed by Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell, Maison Ikkoku) is outstanding fun. The music is one of the best things the series offers. Kawai is one of the best composers in anime history and the effort here is enormously rewarding.

Written, storyboarded, and directed by Umanosuke Iida (Devilman, Hellsing), CB Character Go Nagai World is a fun anime for fans of Go Nagai. The spoof is well played by Iida. Though a goofy series by nature, fans will appreciate the silliness on display.

CB Character Go Nagai World Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, CB Character Go Nagai World is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The Blu-ray features an impressive presentation. Colors look noteworthy on the release. The encoding is excellent, too. A quality presentation by Discotek Media.

CB Character Go Nagai World Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The English subtitles are impressive. The release does not include an English dubbed option. The lossless audio encoding capably preserves the original sound direction by Shigeru Chiba (Amazing Nurse Nanako, Sister Princess).

CB Character Go Nagai World Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with a nice o-card slipcover.

Liner Notes includes 17 click-through slide with factoids about CB Character Go Nagai World.

CB Character Go Nagai World Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

CB Character Go Nagai World is a fun anime comedy spoofing and paying homage to other classics of the Go Nagai canon. Fans of the beloved anime creator will appreciate the Chibi style the animators used for the anime series. The Blu-ray release features a solid video and audio presentation. The package also includes a nicely designed o-card slipcover. Recommended.