Dark Gathering: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Dark Gathering: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Dark Gathering is a fantasy-horror series with a throwback style reminiscent of anime of the earlier 2000s. Created by Kenichi Kondō, Dark Gathering features animation production by OLM (Deltora Quest, Pikachu's Summer Vacation). Executive produced by Hirofumi Itō (The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes, Happy-Go-Lucky Days), Katsuji Morishita (Blood-C: The Last Dark, Napping Princess), and Yoshiyuki Nakahata, Dark Gathering features theme music performed by luz (opening) and Kana Hanazawa (ending).

Dark Gathering is produced by Cong Cao (Otaku Elf, Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall), Kayane Fujimura, Kyōka Yamamoto, Masayo Kudō (Kamisama Kiss 2, Kase-san and Morning Glories), Miho Matori, Nao Matsumura (Bibliophile Princess, Battle Game in 5 Seconds), and Yūko Matsui (The Dangers in My Heart, The Strongest Magician in the Demon Lord's Army was a Human). Dark Gathering features the voice performances of Nobunaga Shimazaki, Yū Sasahara, and Kana Hanazawa. Dark Gathering has a nice blend of horror with the supernatural.

Keitarо̄ Gentо̄ga (Nobunaga Shimazaki) is disturbed by ghosts but somehow the spirits keep coming to him. As much as Keitarо̄ can’t stand the sight of ghosts and the eerie atmosphere ghosts bring to his own environment, Keitarо̄ must still deal with the fact that these ghostly creatures keep finding him wherever he goes. An ability that is as much a curse as a gift, Keitarо̄ decides to become a total shut in.

For many years, the spirits kept Keitarо̄ at bay from everyone else. After several years of being a shut-in with no outside connections, Keitarо̄ decides to venture forth to the outside once more. In the process of trying to experience the outside world again, Keitarо̄ decides it might be time for a part-time job. Getting a part-time job means taking on the role of tutor to Yayoi Hо̄zuki (Yū Sasahara).

Yayoi isn’t ordinary. In fact, Yayoi has something in common with Keitarо̄: Yayoi is special and gifted. With a similarly cursed gift, Yayoi has psychic abilities. Was Keitarо̄ meeting Yayoi meant to be a union of gifted individuals?  

Now both Keitarо̄ and Yayoi find themselves dealing with strange phenomenon and supernatural creatures together. Meanwhile, Yayoi wants to get Keitarо̄ to help her solve what happened to her missing mother. Can the case be solved by Yayoi and Keitarо̄ working together or will the ghosts get to them before the case can be solved?

The characters are charming on Dark Gathering. There are fun characters adding to the quality of Dark Gathering. The central protagonist has a lot on his plate and mind while dealing with a world of ghosts. This is an overwhelming part of the life of Keitarо̄ Gentо̄ga. Becoming a total shut in and recluse from all of society from an extended period plays a toll on Keitarо̄. Even setting foot back in society is something that challenges him. The world seems scary and ominous. After so much trauma and pain, things aren’t easy to go back to normal. In fact, “normal” might never exist again for the character – dealing with a world of ghosts and trying to navigate living with the paranormal. The counterbalance of the main character alongside the supporting character of Yayoi Hо̄zuki. Yayoi Hо̄zuki is equally gifted and a commonality between the two (both possessing special gifts) allows for them to be close with each other.

Dark Gathering features impressive character designs by Tsuyoshi Sakai and Yūko Inoue (Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon, Tomica Kizuna Gattai Earth Granner), Yūma Yokomatsu, and Yūri Ichinose. The character designs certainly add a nice aesthetic element to the production. The nice character designs are essential and work well for both lead and supporting characters.

The animation is one of the best qualities of Dark Gathering. Dark Gathering has impressive animation featuring solid art direction by Taijirō Nagata (Fantasy Bishōjo Juniku Ojisan to). Dark Gathering features chief animation direction by Hiroyuki Furukawa (My First Girlfriend is a Gal, She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man), Yūko Inoue (Inazuma Eleven, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea), and Yūma Yokomatsu (Beyblade X, Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko). The animators have a good time with the art style. The style is somewhat reminiscent of anime of the 2000s – the aesthetic surprisingly recalls a different era of anime.

The cinematography by Yuho Ando (Broken Blade, Occult Academy) is well-done and certainly helps to highlight the animation. Ando is talented cinematographer and the visuals play a big role in the art. A terrific effort by the cinematographer. Ando sets a good mood with the aesthetic tone of the visuals – darker in certain respects but the cinematography still retaining some lighter charms in the animation.

The score composed by Kohta Yamamoto (Attack on Titan The Final Season, Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga), Shun Narita (The Girl in Twilight, The Unwanted Undead Adventurer), and Yūsuke Seo (Too Cute Crisis, Under Ninja) adds to the production. The score is a solid backdrop to the supernatural and surreal qualities of the production.

Written by Shigeru Murakoshi (Knights of Sidonia: Battle for Planet Nine, Zombie Land Saga), Dark Gathering has a good concept for an anime. The series revolves around gifted individuals facing a disturbing and horrific world. Dark Gathering also manages to add some light comedic elements, providing some surprising elements that work well within the horror setting.

Directed by Hiroshi Ikehata (Black Bullet, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), Dark Gathering will appeal to horror fans looking for a fun anime. Dark Gathering is well-directed and has a nice sense of style. Murakoshi takes a cue from other genre series like Shaman King while creating a more mature production.

Dark Gathering: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Sentai Filmworks, Dark Gathering is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The series has an impressive high-definition presentation. The animation looks bold and the color reproduction on the release is excellent. The background animation and line art are well reproduced.

Blu-ray discs provide superior video encoding to streaming video services. Streaming video services provide lower bit-rates and a more compressed image. For enthusiasts wanting to eek out the best possible picture-quality, the Blu-ray disc format provides a distinct advantage.

Dark Gathering: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The sound direction by Kōhei Yoshida (Delicious in Dungeon, Lycoris Recoil) is capably preserved on the release. Dialogue is well reproduced and the soundstage and score add to the presentation quality. Both options will please fans of the series. The ambiance of the stereo audio sound design is well-detailed through the lossless audio.

The Blu-ray format provides lossless audio encoding. By comparison, streaming video services only provide lossy (non-lossless) audio encoding. For home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles wanting the absolute best sound quality possible, the Blu-ray format provides a superior presentation. This quality is especially important for enthusiasts who have spent thousands on expensive high-end audio gear and equipment.

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

The release comes in a standard Blu-ray case. The release does not include a slipcover. The release does not include any bonus pack-ins or goodies.

On disc extras:

Clean Opening Animations (HD, 3:04)

Clean Closing Animations (HD, 3:04)

Episode Previews (HD, 13:06)

Episode Recaps (HD, 13:29)

Unfortunately, the release is an almost barebones one. The set has no in-depth supplements such as audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries, making-of featurettes, cast/crew interviews, photo galleries, and other quality supplements. Extras can sometimes make all the difference in regards to a set fans and collectors will want to own.

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

Dark Gathering is an entertaining horror anime series with a nice sense of supernatural style. The anime has a nice animation style. The aesthetic is well highlighted. The series production values are well done.

The Blu-ray provides a nice high-definition presentation and lossless audio encoding. The release does not come with an expansive supplemental package. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray release is close to a barebones set with only a handful of standard extras. Nonetheless, series fans may wish to consider making a purchase for their collection to own a permanent copy with a superior video and audio presentation.