Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection follows the continuing adventures of Bell Cranel, a white-haired adventurer who finds himself caught up between the gods who rule over the great city of Orario, the various Dungeon expeditions that dot the land, and the many other individuals who wish to carve a path for themselves in this world. This fifth season of the series, which focuses on the Goddess of Fertility, sees Bell evolving in new ways, navigating greater challenges to his heart and friendships, and proving himself as a true hero in his own right.

This Complete Collection Blu-ray release for the fifth season of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is a convenient home-video option for those who wish to follow Bell Cranel and his companions on this new chapter of their adventures. As with the previous seasons of this long- running series, the strengths of the show continue to shine through in the form of spectacular action, engaging characters, an intricate fantasy mythos, and a sincerity in its presentation.

The concept of DanMachi and its continual reimaginings is, at its core, fairly simple. The city of Orario is built atop a great Dungeon, which leads to adventurers from all over seeking to claim the treasures buried within, with the city’s Gods and Goddesses taking an active role in ensuring this happens. Bell, an adventurer of the Hestia Familia, has proven himself to be one of the strongest heroes in the city, both in the eyes of his Goddess and the wider public. Yet, despite his reputation, Bell’s defining characteristic is his kindness, as he always seeks to help others and to improve not only himself but the world around him.

This devotion to helping others is what makes him a compelling character and ensures he always has someone to rally to his cause. Those who have followed the series’ long journey so far know that, in DanMachi, not every act of kindness is rewarded, and that heroism often comes at a price. And while Bell’s positive attitude is consistent throughout, the events of the fifth season present him with numerous trials and moral bargains that test not just his heart and mind but his very soul.

The nature of the season’s mystery surrounding the Goddess of Fertility provides the series with an intriguing new angle. While Syr, the mysterious and beautiful woman who regularly visits the Hostess of Fertility, certainly has her share of romantic intrigue, her motives and involvement in the events of the season are rather more complex than one might expect.

This is an intriguing development, as Syr has long been one of the more fascinating characters in DanMachi’s ensemble cast. She possesses a deep connection to Orario and the common folk who dwell there, and the events of the season provide both an origin and a mystery for her presence in Bell’s life.

The season’s conflict is particularly effective at presenting the dilemma of Bell’s desire to help others with the impossibility of ignoring the impact it has on everyone involved. And this dilemma is made all the more interesting by his relationships with both Syr and Freya. The interactions of the three, as well as the involvement of other familiar characters, provide the series with an effective continuation of its previously established status quo.

One of the strengths of DanMachi has always been its ability to balance lighthearted banter and romantic developments with more serious and dramatic conflicts. The fifth season of the series manages to do so effectively, as the tension between the characters involved in the mystery is well balanced by the humorous, if occasionally fanservice-filled, moments between Bell and the women of the Hestia Familia. These lighter moments, however, are not enough to distract from the season’s central mystery and the difficult choices the protagonist must make.

In many ways, this is the most rewarding season for long-time viewers of the series, as it presents Bell with new challenges that build on his established strengths and personality. It explores how his growing reputation affects both him and those around him, and serves as a fitting coming-of-age chapter for the protagonist.

The fifth season of DanMachi continues the series’ strengths in character development, which, in turn, helps to further enrich the world- building of the series. This season sees Bell facing greater challenges that affect not only him but those he cares about. The mystery of the Goddess of Fertility provides a fascinating new development for the series, one that sees Bell in a position of being not only an adventurer but a hero, as he strives to protect and serve those who look up to him.

The pacing of the story is also well executed, as the first half of the season sees a greater focus on character-driven subplots and intrigue before the main plot begins to intertwine with the greater mystery of the season. The changes in the relationships between Bell and the women of the Hestia Familia are particularly interesting to follow, and provide an emotional center for the season that continues to build on the established character dynamics.

This is yet another strength of DanMachi – its ability to evolve the interactions between its large ensemble cast in interesting and surprising ways while retaining the charm and charisma each character brings to the series. Despite exploring heavier themes than some of the previous seasons, the light-hearted tone of the series is retained, allowing the characters to explore their relationships and personal growth in a manner that is both engaging and endearing.

The greater focus on character development is the most notable change from previous seasons, and could be seen as either a positive or a negative depending on one’s perspective. Some of the more action-oriented episodes that previous seasons were known for are noticeably absent, as the fifth season has a greater focus on the relationships between the characters and the personal stakes involved. This does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the season, but rather serves to reinforce its themes and provide a fitting emotional center for the season’s events.

The other major change from previous seasons is the sheer complexity of the mystery the season follows. While many of the early episodes see Bell and his companions investigating strange occurrences in Orario, the mystery of the Goddess of Fertility is far more intertwined with the personal lives of the characters. This allows the show to delve deeper into the minds and motives of the characters involved, which is a welcome change from the more straight-forward adventure tropes of earlier seasons.

The events of the season are best experienced by those who have come to know and care for the characters of DanMachi. New viewers will not be lost by any means, but the long-standing continuity of the series makes it a rewarding experience to follow the adventures of Bell and his companions from the beginning. The season’s greatest pleasures come from seeing the characters grow and evolve in their respective roles, and from witnessing the personal stakes involved in the events of the season.

It is a fitting chapter in the ongoing story of DanMachi, one that builds on the strengths of previous seasons and provides a greater emotional weight to the events of the series.

The visuals of DanMachi blend traditional fantasy media with the bright, appealing character designs that are common to modern television anime. The unique architecture and costume variety of the city of Orario, as well as the vibrant use of magic in combat and other displays, all contribute to the series’ distinct visual flair.

The animated presentations of the fifth season are, in general, consistent with the established look of the series. The lighter tone of many of the earlier episodes is reflected in the use of softer lighting and color palettes as compared to the more dramatic presentation of later episodes.

Other notable visual changes involve the use of lighting in scenes taking place within the Hostess of Fertility’s domain and in the wider world of Orario, the latter of which sees an uptick in tense encounters and dramatic confrontations. Character animation is also a major strength of the series, with Bell’s expressive features and the more ambiguous presentation of Syr both being notable examples. The way the characters move and react to one another is, in many ways, the highlight of the series’ visual presentation.

When it comes to the presentation of action scenes, the use of contrasting lighting and the use of magical effects, which often take on a life of their own, help to create a sense of spectacle and scale. The variety of magical displays used by the various adventurers of Orario is also a major visual asset, as it helps to further distinguish the characters based on the techniques they employ.

The show’s other major visual strength is its character designs, which manage to retain a sense of charm and individuality despite the occasional change in the animation’s fluidity. These designs, along with the aforementioned magical effects, make for a series that manages to feel both lively and fantastical in equal measure.

It is also worth noting the ways in which the animation presentation falls short in certain areas. Due to the nature of television production, some episodes that rely more on character-driven presentation have a slightly lesser sense of fluidity than one might expect from an anime designed around a high budget and a focus on action. The individual action scenes also vary in quality, and the overall presentation is best experienced when the show’s lighter character-driven presentation blends with its heavier dramatic and action-focused displays.

This season’s visuals serves the story and characters in an effective manner, highlighting the tension between the show’s more lighthearted tone and the darker themes of its mystery-laden plot.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Sentai Filmworks, The North American Complete Collection is presented in a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC presentation in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio for this Blu-ray release.

This is an appropriate presentation for an anime that manages to balance character animation and intricate character design with an equally impressive presentation of its fantastic settings and effects.

A strong Blu-ray encode can preserve the delicate character outlines and subtle background details in an anime, and can effectively showcase the difference between lighter and darker scenes. The release looks wonderful.

The color palettes of the season are varied and expressive, allowing for the presentation of contrasting moods in the series, especially between the warm presentation of the Hostess of Fertility and the more dramatic use of color in the wider world of Orario. The character designs retain their appeal, with individual pieces of clothing being easy to discern even in darker lighting, and magical effects feel lively and dynamic due to the difference between their lighting and the surrounding environments.

The AVC encoding is appropriate for the material, helping to preserve the fine detail of the animation while taking advantage of the increased storage capacity of the Blu-ray format to maintain consistent quality throughout the television season.

Blu-ray is always a welcome sight for collectors who seek to preserve their media in a physical format. In this particular case, an anime that is defined by its character-centric presentation and impressive effects has the advantage of a wide variety of visual styles that can be appreciated in a high-definition encode.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The North American Blu-ray edition also features English and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtracks, with English subtitles and English SDH options.

While a two-channel mix cannot provide the immersive experience of a multi-channel mix, the lossless presentation of stereo tracks can still offer a compelling listening experience. The nuances of the performances, as well as the subtle foreground/background shifts in the musical score, can all be appreciated in a carefully mastered 2.0 mix.

The English dub provides an accessible option for those who wish to enjoy the presentation of the series without having to read subtitles, while the Japanese original provides the option to enjoy the performances as they were intended to be heard. Both are valuable perks for a Complete Collection release, and are useful to fans who wish to switch between the two options.

The series' sound design makes excellent use of the presentation, as it often involves a balance between the dialogue and the background music. The conversations within the Hostess of Fertility, which often take place in a more crowded environment, are easy to understand despite the additional ambient sounds, and the more dramatic episodes manage to preserve the tension of the performances even when combined with the music and special effects.

The musical score is another major asset, helping to shape the tone of each episode. It is most notable in the lighter exchanges of the series, but it still manages to enhance the more conflicted and tense moments, as part of the conflict is resolved through the resolution of the musical motifs. The balance of the music and special effects during the action scenes helps to maintain a sense of liveliness, even when the animation itself is not as dynamic.

The DTS-HD Master Audio encoding is another valuable aspect for an anime enthusiast, as it provides a lossless experience for both the English and Japanese tracks. The inclusion of a lossless format is always a welcome sight for those who value a high-quality listening experience.

The major limitation of this audio presentation is the lack of a multi-channel option. While a 2.0 mix is entirely appropriate for a casual listening experience, those with a surround sound setup will not have the option to enjoy the series in a fully immersive mix.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Complete Collection includes a limited set of additional material.

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Web Previews (HD, 16:54)

This is a fairly typical set of additional material for a Sentai Filmworks release, and it includes some interesting perks for the fans of the series. The clean versions of the opening and ending animations are always a welcome sight for those who wish to enjoy the presentation of the animation in its entirety, and they help to further highlight the production values of the show. Similarly, the additional web preview segments provide extra material for the fans of the series, albeit in a more superficial manner than one might expect from a behind-the-scenes featurette or a detailed commentary.

The main limitation of the additional material is its overall length and variety. While it may be appropriate for an entry-level box set to include only a few extra features, a more substantial list of perks would have been more fitting for a series that has amassed considerable popularity and critical acclaim.

Features such as cast interviews, staff commentaries, and music-focused shorts would have been interesting additions, especially for a series with such a big fanbase. With that being said, the perks included are decent.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? V: Complete Collection is a rewarding chapter in the ongoing adventures of Bell Cranel, who continues to evolve as a character. DanMachi, the series that follows the exploits of the white-haired adventurer and his friends, is able to enrich itself without relying on easily exhausted staples of the fantasy genre, such as the ever-growing power levels and combat displays of its protagonists. The fifth season, with its focus on the Goddess of Fertility, sees Bell encountering a range of difficult situations, being tested not only as an adventurer and a hero but as a person.

The Complete Collection edition of the fifth season of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is a fitting follow-up to the previous seasons of the series. It includes the core perks that come with a Blu-ray release such as providing a fitting presentation for the material. The set is a valuable addition to the collection of any enthusiast who wishes to revisit their favorite characters on physical media.