JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 - Diamond is Unbreakable Part 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 - Diamond is Unbreakable Part 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Exciting action-packed fun awaits.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 continues the exciting action-packed adventures of the popular anime franchise. The series is based on the manga created by Hirohiko Araki. Produced by Hiroyuki Oomori (Umineko – When They Cry, Comic Party Revolution), Jun Fukuda (Cat Planet Cuties, Girls Beyond the Wasteland), Ryosuke Mori (Black Clover, B Gata H Kei – Yamada's First Time), and Toshiyasu Hayashi (Matoi the Sacred Slayer, School-Live!), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure packs a big punch and audiences will want to experience the fast-paced adrenaline-rush.

Unexpected danger awaits in the horizon. A psychopathic killer is on the loose. The dangerous maniac is none other than Yoshikage Kira, an officer with an uncontrollable addiction to beautiful women. A whirlwind of madness begins to unfold. The small town of Morioh is in danger.

Can the town find solace before Kira leaves everything in total ruin? When Kira goes up against a formidable opponent – the Joestar clan – things are just getting started. Can Joseph Joestar (Ben Diskin) and Jonathan Joestar (Johnny Yong Bosch) defeat Yoshikage Kira? The stakes are high.

The series continues to find new ways to explore the central characters. The journey of the Joestar clan is one that dedicated fans will continue to be fascinated by as the story continues. The fifth collection explores new terrain in the journey of these unlikely protagonists. While newcomers to the saga may find the fifth set a poor starting point, longtime fans will continue to feel rewarded.

One of the most rewarding things about JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is the unique style of animation. The series stands out from the crowd with a unique aesthetic that doesn't fit a typical creative approach. The series is the work of animation director Takako Shimizu (Haibane Renmei, Banana Fish). The series doesn't look like anything else out there: the visual stamp of the program is distinct and far more unique than some viewers might be expecting.

Another reason the animation on JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is so distinctive is because of the quality art direction. Art director Shunichiro Yoshihara (Macross Frontier, Attack on Titan) helps JoJo's Bizarre Adventure find distinctive footing in the anime medium. The aesthetics are detailed. The art find the balance necessary to bring audiences into the story through the animation.

The adventure continues.

The character designs by Takako Shimizu (Fairy gone, Jujutsu Kaisen 0) make the biggest impression of all. The central characters are uniquely compelling. The designs of the main characters (as well as supporting players) is impressive. The designs seem to imbue the series with a sense of fantasy that expands beyond the realms of the story.

The cinematography by Kazuhiro Yamada (Samurai Champloo, Ergo Proxy) is perhaps the greatest achievement of the production. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a beautiful looking series with a quality blend of dark and surrealist cinematography with light and breezy fun. Yamada is a first-rate cinematographer and the efforts here are commendable.

The action-packed adventure quotient remains one of the most vital elements of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. After all, “adventure” is in the title for a reason. The series has plenty of intensely orchestrated action-packed scenes. These elements make the series more intense to watch. Undeniably thrilling.

The score composed by Taku Iwasaki (Bungo Stray Dogs, Gurren Lagann) adds a sense of whimsy and excitement to the journey. Iwasaki is one of the most gifted anime composers and this series represents an excellent effort from the composer. The music adds to the series sense of adventure and whimsy. A worthwhile score and one that anime fans will appreciate.

Written by Yasuko Kobayashi (Attack on Titan, Trigun: Badlands Rumble), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure subverts audience expectations. The series is unique in the anime realm. The core story being adapted is one that is unique and enticing. The characters feel at home in this universe as well – a testament to the effort of Kobayashi. The fifth collection of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure continues to explore the series wealth of creativity.

Naokatsu Tsuda (Black Butler, The Book of Bantorra) serves as director. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a series with a compelling style. The vision of director Tsuda is compelling and ambitious. Tsuda wants audiences to go on a journey. Fans of the series will want to continue the journey with director Tsuda.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 - Diamond is Unbreakable Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from VIZ Media, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release presents a native high-definition encode (and is not a simple upscale presentation). The animation is beautiful and complex.

The release from VIZ Media is impressive and preserves the efforts of the animators involved on the production. The encoding doesn't struggle with egregious banding or other encoding anomalies. An excellent presentation with crisp animation.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 - Diamond is Unbreakable Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of audio options: the original Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles) and English DTS- HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo. The lossless, high resolution audio tracks are impressive. Dialogue is crisp throughout the presentation. The score soundtrack sounds clear and engaging throughout. Even without a 5.1 surround sound mix, the engaging sound design featured on JoJo's Bizarre Adventure makes a solid impression. A wonderful encode by VIZ Media.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 - Diamond is Unbreakable Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Interview with Director Naokatsu Tsuda (HD, 11:28)

Interview with D.C. Douglas (HD, 13:50)

Interview with Faye Mata (HD, 6:34)

Interview with Matthew Mercer (HD, 12:56)

Interview with Richard Epcar (HD, 7:15)

Interview with Kira Buckland (HD, 7:26)

Art Gallery:

Art Gallery – Part 1 includes 40 click-through illustrations.

Art Gallery – Part 2 includes 58 click-through illustrations.

Art Gallery – Part 3 includes 41 click-through illustrations.

Clean Opening/Ending (HD, 3:47)

More from VIZ Media (HD, 5:07)

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 5 - Diamond is Unbreakable Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure continues to be an entertaining and action-packed production. The series has a creative sense of style which carries throughout. The animation is superb and well realized. Under animation director Takako Shimizu (Haibane Renmei), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a gorgeous looking anime series. The results are unique. The Blu-ray release has impressive video-audio and a nice selection of extras. Recommended.