JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 9 - Stone Ocean Part 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 9 - Stone Ocean Part 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 continues the epic saga. The popular anime series has become a cult fan- favorite with audiences. From series creator Hirohiko Araki, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 features episodes 19- 38 of the series. The series continues to feature animation produced by david production (Monster Hunter Stories RIDE ON, The Book of Bantorra).

From producers Fumihiro Ozawa (My Senpai Is Annoying, Ascendance of a Bookworm), Noriko Dohi (Little Busters! Refrain, Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Fifth Plate), Takamitsu Sueyoshi (Burn The Witch, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind), and Toshiyasu Hayashi (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure),  Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 continues the saga for diehard fans. The saga continues on and more adventure and action-packed thrills await fans. Featuring the voices of Fairouz Ai and Tomokazu Seki.

Jolyne Kūjō (Fairouz Ai) has some big trouble cut out for her this go around. The tough-and-hip woman is on one of her biggest missions yet. Jolyne is on an epic jailbreak to get out of prison and go on another mission to save her own dad. Jolyne has plenty of obstacles in front of her – including the diabolical Father Pucchi and a swarm of enemies serving him. Can Jolyne successfully break out of the Green Dolphin Street Prison? The Prison, known to some as “The Aquarium” is notorious for its security.

With the jailbreak underway, Jolyne and her companions push past the jail and persevere – pushing themselves and their bodies with every single fiber of their being. The jailbreak was only the beginning. Everything begins to become a giant blur. New and terrifying worlds collide while rainbows scare and cause danger with diabolical power. Can Jolyne survive the new worlds and live to see another day? What will happen to the Joestar lineage?

The voice-work is one of the best elements of the series. The Japanese voice cast does a terrific job with their voice performances. Lead voice- actor Fairouz Ai does an especially noteworthy job as Jolyne Kūjō. The supporting cast of players do good work in the series, too. The voice acting plays a significant role within the production. The voice-work is compelling and has plenty to offer to fans of the series. The performances fit the characters and the voice work brings out the drama and angst in the series. An impressive array of contributors brings the saga forward.

The character designs for the anime are by Masanori Shino (No Guns Life). The designs are worthwhile and are true to the saga. The designs are creative and energetic. There is plenty to appreciate about these designs and the value the character designer brings to the table on the production. These are certainly effective designs that help the anime achieve its aesthetic style.

One of the most noteworthy elements of the series is the animation. The animation is integral to the series. The animation style is distinct and different from most other anime series out there. In fact, everything about the animation is a far cry from usual. The art style might not be for everyone but audiences who respond well to the aesthetic style will find it a compelling aspect of the production. Creative, bold, and daring, the art style is something that makes an impression whether one likes it or not. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 continues the tradition and showcases the art direction of Keito Watanabe (Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld, Digimon: Data Squad). The art director has fun with the experimental style of the anime series. The style evokes something more illusory and avant-garde (almost like an extension of The Ani-Matrix).

Featuring cinematography by Kazuhiro Yamada (My Girlfriend is Shobitch, Attack on Titan), Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 continues to provide a distinct aesthetic with the series visuals. The unique visual element of the cinematography is compelling. The cinematography is bold, crisp, invigorating – evoking the style of the animators. A solid cinematographic approach.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 features the score of composer Yūgo Kanno (Psycho-Pass, Gundam Reconguista in G). Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 features a solid score and the music is quite important to the production. The score is a solid addition to the series. The music works as background music and enhances the series action scenes. The score adds something of note to the series.

Written by Yasuko Kobayashi (Attack on Titan), Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 features solid writing for the action-heavy anime series. The storyline is quirk, dark, and different from most anime. The writing is something that stands out as unique about the series. Fans of quirky, offbeat, unusual anime will find something interesting about the series.

Directed by Toshiyuki Kato (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable, Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan) and Kenichi Suzuki (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors), Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 continues the journey of the anime series. The series is an offbeat one and exactly the type of programming one expects on the popular Adult Swim animation block on Cartoon Network. The directors bring action, comedy, and adventure to the table. The high-octane anime series is offbeat enough to make a big impression.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 9 - Stone Ocean Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by VIZ Media, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The high-definition presentation is impressive and provides crisp animation. The presentation is beautiful looking overall and provides an encoding with wonderful detail. The outstanding animation "pops" with the colors standing out nicely.

The encoding is well-done, too. The encoding provides solid video bit-rates. The encoding quality may even be superior to streaming video services. Streaming services do not always provide identical-quality video presentations and for those interested in the best possible quality obtainable, there can be a distinct advantage with the physical media options.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 9 - Stone Ocean Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release includes lossless audio options: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The lossless audio encoding is crisp and clear on the release. An impressive soundstage. The sound direction by Yoshikazu Iwanami is a big part of the presentation. The lossless encoding provides fans with the best possible audio option. The lossless encoding is quite important to some audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who seek the best possible option for their home theater. Lossless encoding ensures higher bit-rate audio data for the presentation.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 9 - Stone Ocean Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited-edition Blu-ray release comes with a deluxe chipboard art box and the premium packaging adds to the quality of the package. The release includes a 48-page booklet as well. The booklet is entitled Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean – Vol. 2.

The limited-edition booklet includes a character guide, a story guide, cast interviews, artist interviews, staff interviews, and credits. The cast interviews include Yuichiro Umehara (voice of Weather Forecast), Atsumi Tanezaki (voice of Emporio Alnino), Daisuke Ono (voice of Jotaro Kujo), and Tomokazu Seki (voice of Father Pucchi). The artist interview is for "heaven's falling down" – sana, opening song. The staff interviews are with Kenichi Suzuki (series director) and Yasuko Kobayashi (series composition). The booklet also includes some additional artwork and sketches. There is plenty of material in the set.

On disc supplements:

An Interview with Matthew Mercer – English Voice of Jotaro Kujo (HD, 10:16)

AND Interview with Yong Yea – English Voice of Enrico Pucci (HD, 10:34)

Art Gallery includes 86 click-through slides of illustrations. The illustrations highlight both black and white sketches, semi-color partial sketches, and full-color sketches. The designs highlighted include selections of character art and design art. The design art includes locations and items.

Opening and Ending Songs:

Opening (HD, 3:08)

Ending (HD, 1:46)

More from VIZ (HD, 1:38)

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Set 9 - Stone Ocean Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Part 2 continues the saga. The series continues to reward fans with offbeat animation and unique storytelling. The limited-edition box-set provides fans with a superior set (impressive deluxe packaging and a collectable booklet featuring interviews and artwork). The release provides a quality high-definition presentation and lossless audio encoding. Fans of the series will be enormously tempted by the release. Recommended.