Charlotte: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Charlotte: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Charlotte is a science-fiction anime. Produced by Hiroo Maruyama (Eureka Seven, Fullmetal Alchemist), Kenji Horikawa (A Lull in the Sea, Tari Tari), Takanori Koarai (Plastic Memories, Yuki Yuna Is a Hero), and Yosuke Toba (DARLING in the FRANXX, Plastic Memories), Charlotte brings to life the original character designs by Na-Ga. The series features animation production by P.A. Works (A Lull in the Sea, Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms). The theme music is performed by Lia (OP) and Aoi Tada (ED). Featuring the voices of Kouki Uchiyama and Ayane Sakura.

Yū Otosaka (Kouki Uchiyama) develops rare and special abilities as a youth. Select individuals in society develop special abilities upon the arrival of puberty – though not everyone is gifted with these special abilities, those who do can harness them in unique ways. Yū gains the ability of taking over another person’s body for five seconds – becoming host to the target themselves. Yū uses this gift to help him get in to the most prestigious school around by cheating on a test and getting through the closed-off doors.

Determined to live a cool life as a popular student at the prestigious and elite school, Yū meets the girl Nao Tomori (Ayane Sakura). As the pair begin to see and understand each other, the tale unfolds and the truth of those with special abilities begins to unravel. Is it a gift or a curse?

The character designs by Kanami Sekiguchi (Sakura Quest, Tari Tari) are impressive. The designs add a lot to the series. The characters are sleekly animated and the designs help these characters to seem distinct for the production.

The animation is worthwhile and it is pleasing overall. The anime features art direction by Kazuki Higashiji (Hanasaku Iroha: Home Sweet Home, The Piano Forest) and chief animation direction by Kanami Sekiguchi (Sakura Quest, Tari Tari) and Noboru Sugimitsu (Legend of the Condor Hero, Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva). The animators did good work with the series and created a style for the production that is sophisticated and simple at the same time. A good effort from the animation team.

The cinematography by Katsufumi Sato (Tokyo Ghoul, Bleach) highlights the series animation with a visual aesthetic that is bright and crisp. The visual language of the cinematography highlights good lighting and the visuals are all the more compelling as a result. Kudos to Sato for a job well done.

The score composed by ANANT-GARDE EYES (Angel Beats!), Hikarisyuyo, and Jun Maeda (Clannad) is charming and as airy as a breeze. The score provides a sense of serenity to the production. The nice music certainly adds to the sense of charm apparent during the series. Fans of fun and charming television scores will appreciate the music for the production.

Written by Jun Maeda (Clannad, Little Busters!), Charlotte is an anime series with some serious elements and goofy fun rolled in to one. Maeda has fun with the concept and with bringing these characters to life. The scripting is solid and the characters add to the series charm.

Director Yoshiyuki Asai (Captain Earth, Pumpkin Scissors) provides Charlotte with a sense of ambition. A series that blends slice-of-life with science-fiction fantasy, Charlotte is a series that will appeal to its primary base. Asai provides solid craftsmanship with decent filmmaking aesthetics. Worth a look.

Charlotte: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray from Anime Limited, Charlotte is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release has crisp animation. The animation looks robust and the background animation looks excellent on the release. Line art is well reproduced. The encoding provides superior bit-rates for the video. The Blu-ray format offers superior video presentations compared to streaming video services, which offer the series with more compressed video bit-rates. The extra breathing room on the discs provides a better viewing presentation.

Charlotte: Complete Collection 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 encoding is excellent on the release. The dialogue is well reproduced and sounds clear and easy to understand. The score is well enhanced, providing a clear and airy soundstage. The encoding provides superior bit-rates compared to any streaming video services (which only provide lossy audio quality). The superior audio is one of the strengths of the format.

Charlotte: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1:

Beginning of a New Destiny (23 minute featurette/interviews) (HD, 24:07)

Web Trailers:

Episode 1 (HD, 2:22)

Episode 2 (HD, 2:22)

Episode 3 (HD, 2:22)

Episode 4 (HD, 2:22)

Episode 5 (HD, 2:22)

Episode 6 (HD, 2:22)

Episode 7 (HD, 2:22)

Textless Ending: Episode 3 (HD, 1:33)

Disc 2:

Special Episode: The Strong Ones (HD, 24:06)

Textless Opening (HD, 1:32)

Textless Ending (HD, 1:35)

Web Previews (HD, 1:50)

English Trailer (HD, 2:01)

English Bloopers (HD, 5:25)

Charlotte: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Charlotte is a unique anime series with a compelling style. The series has an interesting concept and the series will appeal to anime fans seeking a science-fiction series with some unique elements. Fans of the series will be pleased with the release. The Blu-ray release provides good video and audio quality with excellent bit-rates and lossless audio. The set also includes a selection of bonus features as well. Fans may wish to consider a purchase. Recommended.