Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation Blu-ray Movie Review

A charming continuation of the series.

Hidamari Sketch returns with an entertaining special. Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation OVA expands on the original series run. The anime is based on the original manga by Ume Aoki. The series features original animation produced by SHAFT (And Yet the Town Moves, Arakawa Under the Bridge) with the participation of Aniplex (Sword Art Online, Demon Slayer). The series was broadcast on BS-TBS network in Japan. Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation is released by Sentai Filmworks in North America.

Sae (Ryoko Shintani) and Hiro (Yuko Goto) are unsure of where their futures will take them next. Life is now at a crossroads for them. Their unique journey has taken them through their education at the Yamabuki Arts High School. The friends at the Hidamari Apartments might have to face some new challenges in the future. Sae and Hiro must decide what to do in their next chapter of life.

Both Sae and Hiro have met their match: graduation. After graduation, where will these sisters go to next? And will their close friend Yuno (Kana Asumi) survive the transition herself? Graduation has brought them new energy and excitement but the future is untold. As graduation unfolds, Sae and Hiro begin to recall the fond memories each shared with their friends at the Hidamari Apartments.

The characters are key to the success of Hidamari Sketch. The series finds a special voice with its fun and charming cast of characters. The special OVA episodes bring back the entire cast while focusing predominately on the sisters Sae & Hiro. Sae and Hiro are both wonderful characters in the canon of Hidamari Sketch.

The animation looks exquisite as well. The series has art direction by Hisaharu Iijima (Wolf Girl & Black Prince, And Yet the Town Moves). The art is well-balanced. Line art is always impressively realized during these special episodes. The background art looks stellar as well.

The chief animation direction by Miyako Nishida (Rainbow Days, Platinum End) and Yoshiaki Ito (Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story, Battle Athletes Victory) helps bring the absolute best out of the team of animators. Hidamari Sketch has never looked better: the Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation OVA episodes are modern productions with a more impressive shine (as the animation was produced with a higher native resolution than past episodes).

A wonderful reunion with friends.

The character designs by Yoshiaki Ito (Gakuen Alice, Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World) aid the series sense of charm as well. The character designs remain faithful to the original versions. Yet these newly revamped designs showcase the improvements made in the animation production department. These character designs are sleeker than ever before.

The cinematography by Rei Egami (Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl, And Yet the Town Moves) shines bright. Egami provides Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation OVA with a beautifully fun environment for the storytelling to unfold in. The series emphasizes a “light” and calming style that contrasts against some of the more bleak anime productions out there – and there's nothing wrong about that.

The score composed by Tomoki Kikuya (A Sister's All You Need, Squid Girl) is engaging. The music manages to imbue Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation with a sense of zany charm. This is a laid-back special OVA production. The music reflects the airy energy of the story.

Written by Miku Ooshima (Maria Holic, Nisekoi - False Love), Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation OVA is a nice continuation. The episodes feel right at home in the anime universe established by Hidamari Sketch. Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation OVA adds some entertaining episodes to the equation: exploring some magical moments set in the past and some new memories as a graduation unfolds. Ooshima did a terrific job with these OVA episodes.

The series direction by Yuki Yase (Fire Force, Mekakucity Actors) and Akiyuki Simbo (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Maria Holic) excels. Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation OVA is a fun excursion in the series. The episodes are delightful and comedic. Yase and Simbo did their best: showcasing the charms of the characters and the world they inhibit. A must-see for series fans.

Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release presents the OVA specials with a native high-definition presentation. This is a superb high-definition encode which showcases the series at its absolute best. Hidamari Sketch has never looked better before. These episodes are remarkably crisp, vibrant, and dynamic. The colors "pop" with considerable depth. The encoding is superb. The encoding is top-notch throughout the presentation. Colors are vibrant and satisfying.

Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The release has exceptional audio fidelity. The lossless audio sounds remarkably crisp. Dialogue is also clear and easy to understand. The music is well reproduced. The sound-effects are well integrated within the stereo audio track. No English dub option is provided.

Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clean Opening Animations (HD, 3:04)

Clean Closing Animations (HD, 3:04)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: Yuyushiki (HD, 1:34), NANA (HD, 1:27), Taisho Baseball Girls (HD, 1:32), and Princess Principal – Crown Handler (HD, 00:38).

Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro Graduation is a nice OVA special. The episodes are fun and add to the original series sense of charm. The specials include: February 1^st – February 20^th – Entrance Exam Sketch and February 28^th – March 1^st – Graduation Sketch. These are enormously entertaining OVA episodes. Fans of Hidamari Sketch won't want to miss out. The Blu-ray release features an exceptional video-audio presentation. Highly recommended.