Getter Robo Arc: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Getter Robo Arc: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

An action-packed frenzy.

Getter Robo Arc is a sequel continuation of the anime franchise. The sequel is based on the original manga creation by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. The animation on Getter Robo Arc is produced by Bee Media and Studio A-Cat. Produced by Joe Ikoma, Kei Matsumoto, Kenichi Naitō, Sayaka Iwasaki, Takashi Yamamoto, and Yutaka Kashiwagi, Getter Robo Arc is an action-packed mecha series with a spin on the genre.

The battle of good and evil is always a perilous quest and one which takes adventurers on unexpected missions. The exciting Getter Robo Arc explores a mission involving brave men, pierced with steel, and with courageous features who are determined to fight the good fight for everyone. The stakes are raised with the future of Earth and everyone in the universe at risk: a dangerous, blood-soaked, and epic battle of giant robots unfolds.

Despite the perilous tasks in front of them, Takuma Nagare (Yūma Uchida) is joined by his best friend since childhood: Baku Yamagishi. The duo use a Getter robot to aid them on their quest. As the last chance of salvation for all of humanity, these fighters duke it out with their robots in tow and are determined to save the world! The stakes have never been as high. Can the universe survive a total apocalypse?

The Getter Robo anime series and manga universe is known for its violent, action-packed adrenaline rush. The Getter Robo Arc continues the tradition with more pulse-pounding excitement (though it might actually seem tame compared to some other incarnations which are grittier than this one is). Nonetheless, the action is front-and-center here and action fans will be pleased with the various explorations of mecha battles.

The character designs by Hideyuki Motohashi (Fushigi Yugi, Harlock Saga) are solid for the anime series and there is a sense of creativity to these designs. The mecha designs are also impressive and bring a bigger sense of scope and scale to the production. These elements enhance the action at the core.

The saga continues.

The animation direction by Hideyuki Motohashi (Hikaru no Go, Magic Knight Rayearth) is reasonably engaging and effective. The animation manages to bring out the best of the character and mecha designs. The art style is effective and fits the tone of the material on the program.

The cinematography by Keisuke Takahashi (Nōmin Kanren no Skill Bakka Agetetara Nazeka Tsuyoku Natta., Taishō Mebiusline Chicchai-san) is dynamic and ambitious. Getter Robo Arc is a visually interesting production with some compelling elements for the background animation. The landscapes, environments, and world-building components make the series more well-rounded as a mecha series.

The score composed by Atsushi Yokozeki (Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman), Kaho Suzuki (Leviathan: The Last Defense), Shiho Terada (Inazuma Eleven GO), and Yoshichika Kuriyama (Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman) is effective at fitting the production. The score isn’t as standout as some anime productions but the original music still works as background music to the action.

Written by Tadashi Hayakawa (Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Yu-Gi-Oh!), Getter Robo Arc isn’t exactly high art. The story isn’t as ambitious as some of the other production elements. This isn’t something that will win over fans of slice-of-life anime series or well-rounded character dramas. However, audiences who are seeking thrills and action will find that the screenwriting by Hayakawa fits that particular expectation.

Directed by Jun Kawagoe (Transformers: Energon, Innocent Venus), Getter Robo Arc is a production which aims to eclipse its predecessors. While it may not be successful in that ambition, the series nonetheless attempts to be action-packed mayhem for genre fans. The Getter Robo Arc might be uneven but fans of the saga will want to check it out.

Getter Robo Arc: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai, Getter Robo Arc is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The presentation is generally impressive and effective at showcasing the animation. The encoding from Sentai Filmworks is effective. The release has a solid transfer which preserves the colors and looks pleasing overall.

Getter Robo Arc: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of audio options: Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles) and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo. The high-resolution audio helps to enhance the presentation. The lossless audio gives a better sense of gravitas to the series and its sound design. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The score is well integrated in to the sound mix on the production.

Getter Robo Arc: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 3: The Extras –

Clean Opening Animations (HD, 2:52)

Clean Closing Animations (HD, 6:08)

The Everlasting Journey to Arc: A Getter Robo Deep Dive (HD, 31:22)

Talk Show (HD, 55:16)

Sentai @ Home Interview with Naoya Uchida (Hayato Jin) (HD, 3:54)

Sentai @ Home Interview with Jun Kawagoe (Director) (HD, 3:35)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: Obsolete (HD, 1:01), Infinite Stratos (HD, 1:32), Drifting Dragons (HD, 1:33), and Broken Blade (HD, 00:34).

Getter Robo Arc: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Getter Robo Arc isn't a perfect home run but it does have some effective elements which make it worth checking out. Fans of the franchise will find that it does have some rewarding elements which might be interesting to discover. The series has reasonably good animation and production values. However, this isn't a story that is high-art. Though the production is ambitious, there are some areas where the series could have improved. The Blu-ray release has a solid video-audio presentation and a surprisingly good selection of supplemental features. Fans of the series will be pleased, in particular, with the extras. Recommended.