Cybersix: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Cybersix: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Cybersix is an action-adventure animated series with a pulse for excitement. Production by Teletoon and Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Cybersix was originally broadcast on TV Tokyo. Created by Carlos Meglia and Carlos Trillo, Cybersix was a fan- favorite cult hit.

Produced by Herve Bedard (Lupin III: Farewell to Nostradamus, Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy), Kōji Takeuchi (Lupin the 3rd: Blood Seal of the Eternal Mermaid, Lupin III: Farewell to Nostradamus), and Shunzō Katō (The Rose of Versailles, Space Adventure Cobra), Cybersix has been given a new home media release by Discotek Media with the complete series release – providing the entire run of the original animated series. Featuring the voices of Tomoko Nakajima, Takanobu Hozumi, Nahomi Matsushima, and Tesshō Genda.

Cybersix (Tomoko Nakajima) is a soldier created with genetic engineering by the evil Von Reichter (Takanobu Hozumi). Yet Cybersix wants more out of life and to discover her true purpose. During the day, Cybersix is living an alternate life as a male teacher (by the name Adrian Seidelman).

Cybersix has a lot to do during the nighttime – fighting evildoers while donning the mantle of Cybersix is no easy task for a hero. Cybersix is battling it out with other creations by Von Reichter. If Von Reichter succeeds with his plans, then the entire world will eventually be under his control. Can Cybersix stop Von Reichter and be the hero of the tale?

The animation is one of the most interesting elements of the production. The series art style doesn’t walk a typical animation line and it feels inspired by the likes of hit DC animated programs like Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series. The art style is something that seems inspired in more ways than one – the dark and gothic undertones play a big role (as does the line art).

The designs on Cybersix reflect the homage and inspiration while still etching out some creativity, too. The series animation is a definite highlight with the art direction by Makoto Shiraishi (Tide-Line Blue, Di Gi Charat: Winter Garden) enhancing the gothic comic-book style. This gothic tone is part of the fun.

Cybersix could have walked down a different path with more generic and uninvolved designs but instead there is more creativity in the mix. The character designs by Teiichi Takiguchi (Tide-Line Blue, Mujin Wakusei Survive) make a solid impression. The designs are creative fun and add a lot to the series personality and tone. The designs have strong comic book vibe and aesthetic, too. This adds to the entertainment value of the production.

Of course, one of the highlights of Cybersix is the action. The action scenes are fun and provide some intensity to the series. Without intense action, the series wouldn’t be the same. Action fans want the intensity to ramp up and these elements are essential to making a good action-adventure animated series. Understanding the essential vitality of these genre staples, Cybersix explores this and adds something special to the production. While the action might not be able to rival the absolute best productions, audiences will appreciate the creative style on display nonetheless.

Directed by Toshihiko Masuda (Lupin III: Elusiveness of the Fog, Hanada Shōnen-shi), Cybersix is a fun series that animation fans will easily find worth checking out with its inventive art style and action. Exploring the series with a comic-book style, director Masuda has a lot of fun with the production. Certainly, the series taps into a style that makes the world building more inventive. Action fans will especially appreciate the stylistic approach and the way it helps the series achieve a certain style that fans came to enjoy.

Cybersix: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, Cybersix is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The series encode impresses with colorful animation and with crisp line art, too. The detail is improved with a crisper and more pleasing high-definition image.

The image still shows some source limitations and isn't as pristine as the best scans sometimes offer, but the image quality still looks impressive and engaging. This makes the release all the better and more well-rounded. The encode certainly showcases the fine encoding as provided with Discotek Media releases.

Bit-rates are also higher than streaming video services provide. Streaming video services typically provide lower bit-rates in comparison to their physical media counterparts. This is one of the strengths of Blu-ray and physical media. (Long live physical media.)

Cybersix: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English uncompressed PCM 2.0. The lossless audio quality on the release is quite good. Dialogue sounds clear and easy to understand on the release. The audio quality capably reproduces the series soundstage. The music and sound effects play a nice role on the production. Clarity is good and the audio encoding highlights the original sound design well.

 Of course, getting lossless audio is a nice improvement over streaming video services – all streaming video platforms provide only lossy (non-lossless) audio so audiophiles seeking the best possible audio quality out of the source will want the physical media option for the release to eek out the absolute best quality in the audio presentation. Even though Cybersix might not have the most demanding audio presentation, audiophiles will still notice an uptick in detail.

Cybersix: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The first print run of the release includes a nice o-card slipcover. The package looks great in hand. The release is certainly well-done aesthetically.

One of the best things about the package is how jam-packed with bonus features the release is – there are tons of supplements on the release. The selection is impressive and it adds a lot of value to the collection. Fans can feel confident in the fact that the set includes a large number of supplements. Commentary fans will be especially pleased as the release comes with a nice selection of audio commentaries. Discotek delivers a well-rounded supplemental package and it's worth applauding.

Original Pilot:

Play Original Pilot (HD, 3:33)

Play Original Pilot with Commentary

TV Commercials (HD, 2:38)

Openings and Endings:

Creditless Opening 1 (HD, 1:02)

Creditless Opening 2 (HD, 1:02)

Creditless Ending 1 (HD, 00:32)

Creditless Ending 2 (HD, 00:32)

Short Opening 1 (HD, 00:30)

Short Opening 2 (HD, 00:30)

Commentaries:

Episode 1 – With Cathy Weseluck, voice of Cybersix

Episode 3 – With Catherine Gyrzic, episode writer

Episode 5 – With Jona Howard, episode writer

Episode 10 – With Jona Howard, episode writer

Episode 13 – With Cathy Weseluck, voice of Cybersix

Audio Liner Notes:

Episode 4 – Secret Origins (HD, 23:50)

Episode 10 – Two Universes (HD, 23:51)

Galleries:

Key Art & Color Works includes 85 click-through slides. Discotek continues to do a great job of including a lot of art work involved with productions. Looking through the key art and changing the slides, it's akin to flipping through pages of an art-book. This is an essential view for fans of the series who appreciate looking at art-work showcasing the development of the art style. Well worth exploring. 

Model Sheets includes 62 click-through slides of illustrations.

Cybersix: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cybersix is an entertaining and well-done action series with quality animation. The series gained a cult fanbase and it is nice to see a nice package assembled for fans of the program. The release has good presentation quality and a huge assortment of supplementals. The extras certainly help to add some extra value to the package for supplemental junkies. The release will please series fans. The set also includes a nice o-card slipcover. Discotek continues to prove why it is one of the best boutique Blu-ray labels around. Recommended.