Horimiya - Season 2: The Missing Pieces Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Horimiya - Season 2: The Missing Pieces Blu-ray Movie Review

Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 picks up the missing pieces and fills in the gaps. The series is a romantic-comedy and slice-of-life anime. Executive produced by Masanori Miyake (Ayakashi Triangle, The Demon Prince of Momochi House) and Yasutaka Kimura (Ragna Crimson, The World Ends with You the Animation), Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 comes from original creators Daisuke Hagiwara and HERO.  

Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 features theme song performances by Omoinotake (opening) and Ami Sakaguchi (ending). Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 showcases animation production by acclaimed studio CloverWorks (DARLING in the FRANXX, The Elusive Samurai). Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 is produced by Fumi Miura (My Hero Academia: You're Next, My Senpai Is Annoying), Hiromichi Uchibayashi (Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul, Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun), Narumi Odagiri (Punch Line, The Gymnastics Samurai), Tomoko Fujimura (Vermeil in Gold, The Morose Mononokean II), Toshihiro Maeda (Attack on Titan, Domestic Girlfriend), and Yūta Kawana (Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, World’s End Harem). Featuring voice-performances by Haruka Tomatsu and Kōki Uchiyama in the central roles. Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 is aimed directly at fans of slice-of-life and romantic anime series – for audiences who fit these fandom barometers, the series is going to appeal most of all to this fanbase.

The missing pieces of Horimiya are filled in with these side-stories set in the world of the popular anime. Kyōko Hori (Haruka Tomatsu) and Izumi Miyamura (Kōki Uchiyama) are back and the journey isn’t over. The characters have a lot of memories and stories and the romance of Horimiya is further explored in Horimiya: The Missing Pieces. Horimiya: The Missing Pieces – Season 2 brings these memories to life. Hori finds herself admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms. Hori is so fond of her high school memories. Times were magical. Katagiri High School was a special place and Hori holds it close to heart heart. Hori remembers her special moments with Miyamura. Hori and Miyamura shared so many moments and it is time for those moments to unfold with the story continuing in Horimiya: The Missing Pieces – Season 2.

Kyōko Hori and Izumi Miyamura are charming protagonists for the series. Horimiya The Missing Pieces is more charming as a result. Audiences will embrace the characters for their personalities and the sweet charmer elements to their characters. There is much to note about the way in which strong leading characters audiences can relate to can help to elevate a series and bring in viewers. For a romantic anime series this is especially important. The audience wants to be able to relate to the leading characters and their personal journey and struggles. The central characters of Horimiya The Missing Pieces appeal to the fanbase in spades.

The character designs by Haruko Iizuka (Children of the Whales, Witch Watch) are a natural highlight of the production. The designs are exquisite and add so much vibrancy to the series. The designs certainly feel well-suited to the character personalities. The anime designs are effective at showcasing the lead heroes and the style adds to the journey at the heart of it all. The result is all the more worthwhile for romantic anime fans. A job well done by the character-designer of Horimiya The Missing Pieces.

The animation is exquisite and there is much to appreciate about the beautiful animation. The art style is lush and visually vibrant for the production. Fans of robust and colorful looking romantic anime are going to appreciate the aesthetic style and energy of the production. Horimiya The Missing Pieces features art direction by Hisayo Usui (Spy×Family, Your Lie in April) and Yasunao Moriyasu (Pokémon Origins, Wind Breaker). The team of animators involved with Horimiya The Missing Pieces did a great job with showcasing the series aesthetic – from background artwork, to line artwork, to production elements that add to the whole. The aesthetic is effective and fans will cherish the animation.

The cinematography by Yūya Sakuma (DARLING in the FRANXX, The Elusive Samurai) is engaging and one of the most noteworthy aspects of the production. The series cinematography is a joy to look at and it is gorgeous and vibrant. The aesthetic makes Horimiya The Missing Pieces stand out more as a visual feast for romantic anime fans. The sensibilities of the production allow for crisper artwork and visual flourishes that enhance the experience for series fans.

The score composed by Masaru Yokoyama (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Classroom of the Elite) is a charm and delight. The charmer music adds so much beauty and radiance to the production. The score is a great backdrop to the entire series. The music is so compelling and absorbing. There is so much to appreciate in the delightful whimsy of the composer. The composer understood the needs of the fanbase and what the score could bring to the table. As a result, the series has a more laidback and soothing atmosphere with a score that capably suits the romance and drama.

Written by Takao Yoshioka (Blade Dance of the Elementalers, Magical Girl Raising Project), Horimiya The Missing Pieces is going to appeal to fans of romantic anime series with an emphasis on subtle and quiet moments between characters. The saga is about the little moments in life – and how these little moments can make a big impact on the lives of everyone who lives them. The quiet serenity of romantic engagement and the unspoken words or moments between would-be romantic partners. These kinds of emotions are at the heart of it all.

Directed by Masashi Ishihama (From the New World, PERSONA 5 the Animation), Horimiya The Missing Pieces brings lush visuals and serene storytelling to the forefront. The filmmaking is elegance and the laidback style is perfect for slice-of-life anime fans who appreciate romantic anime fundamentals. A compelling effort by director Ishihama, Horimiya The Missing Pieces is going to be a perfect antidote for audiences who are looking for a light-hearted distraction for a rainy Sunday afternoon. If this sounds like something that may appeal to you, Horimiya The Missing Pieces should be something worth checking out.

Horimiya - Season 2: The Missing Pieces Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 is presented in 1080p MPEG-3 AVC encoded high- definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. A stunning canvas is brought to life with the encoding by Crunchyroll. The presentation quality is robust – showcasing gorgeous and bright visuals inherit in the animation. The artistry on display brings out the best of the best in the production.  Horimiya The Missing Pieces looks crisp, vibrant, and engaging. A quality encode by Crunchyroll.

It is worth remembering that streaming video services tend to provide lower vide bit-rates and more compression compared to physical media options. Physical media tends to provide the best video presentations possible and there will always be something to cherish about this knowledge. The presentation results will be satisfactory for fans.

Horimiya - Season 2: The Missing Pieces Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 (with Engish subtitles). The release capably preserves the audio sound direction by Jin Aketagawa (AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day). The crisp lossless audio quality adds to the energy and excitement for enthusiasts.

There is something great, remarkable even, about the recent presentation. While some streaming video services offer CD quality audio playback (such as Apple TV+) others only use MP3 quality audio at best (such as Disney+). This is important to remember as streaming continues to compete with physical media. Physical media fans can rejoice – it's nice having the best of the best and knowing it is the best.

Horimiya - Season 2: The Missing Pieces Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with an impressive o-card slipcover. The slipcover artwork is effective and adds to the charm of the release. The package design helps the set to have quality standard of living. Slipcover fans and collectors will be especially happy.

On disc supplements include:

Disc 1:

Web Previews (HD, 2:59)

Disc 2:

Web Previews (HD, 3:07)

Promo Videos (HD, 6:31)

Opening Song (HD, 1:31)

Textless Closing Song (HD, 1:32)

Unfortunately, the on-disc supplements are underwhelming on the Blu-ray set to say the least. There are no meaningful on-disc supplements to celebrate here. Fans of the series will be let down by the set considering everything. Streaming might seem more appealing to some considering to weigh the options between a streaming option for one-time use and a purchase because there aren't good bonus features. Every collector has to weigh the pros and cons of each release to determine if it is worth buying and is worth adding to their collection.

Horimiya - Season 2: The Missing Pieces Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Horimiya The Missing Pieces: Season 2 picks up the pieces (pun intended) with more romantic-comedy fun for series fans. The series features beautiful animation and a compelling cast of leading characters. The release also provides a quality high-definition presentation and lossless audio. The release has an impressively designed o-card slipcover and key artwork. The only drawback is a mediocre set of bonus features. Fans of the series seeking permanent ownership for their anime collection may wish to add this box-set to their collection.