Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio | | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 2.0 |
| Overall |  | 3.5 |
Kaiba: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Neil Lumbard August 10, 2023
Kaiba is a science-fiction anime with a compelling concept. Broadcast on WOWOW, the series features animation production by
Madhouse (Black Lagoon, Cardcaptor Sakura). The animation is produced by Tsutomu Fujio (The Tatami
Galaxy, Ping Pong). Created by Masaaki Yuasa, Kaiba presents a science-fiction world that is bleak and
surreal. Executive produced by Hiroshi Hirayama, Jungo Maruta, and Naoki Takamizawa, Kaiba is unlike most other science-fiction
anime series as the style is far more experimental.
Produced by Hiroyuki Kitaura (A Spirit of The Sun, Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry), Manabu Tamura (Elfen
Lied, Ouran High School Host Club), and Yukiko Ninokata (Oh! Edo Rocket, Shigurui: Death Frenzy),
Kaiba features theme song music by Seira Kagami. Featuring the voices of Houko Kuwashima and Romi Park in the lead roles.
Supporting voice performances are by Mamiko Noto, Hisao Egawa, and Wasabi Mizuta.
Kaiba (Houko Kuwashima) awakens from a slumber and has no idea of his name or who he is. The boy has a giant hole in the middle of his
chest. Kaiba also has strange markings on his body. Without any previous memories of who he is and why he is where he is, Kaiba finds himself a
lost stranger. The experience is overwhelming. Yet Kaiba has one remaining puzzle piece to rediscovering his past: a special locket with a picture
inside of a girl.
Kaiba soon meets Popo (Romi Park) and learns more about the world of those without memories. Danger awaits as those with wealth and
power want to harvest bodies and take the memoryless bodies as possessions for themselves. Can Kaiba survive the strange and otherworldly land
without memories?
The character designs by Nobutake Ito (INU-OH, Lu over the wall) are incredible. The character designs are
one of the strongest elements of the series. The design work certainly showcases fantastic and compelling visuals for these characters. Ito crafted
characters distinct and unusual from the norm. Impressive and compelling work from the designer.
The animation is outstanding and it is one of the main appeals of the production. Under the art direction by Ryō Kōno (Carole
& Tuesday, Space Dandy) and chief animation direction by Nobutake Ito (Lu over the wall, Ping
Pong), Kaiba is a beautifully animated science-fiction series and there is a lot to think about in regards to the art style. The
series looks unlike anything else in some respects – this is an experimental art style and something that fuses a Noir-like aesthetic with
something futuristic.
The score composed by Kiyoshi Yoshida (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Shigurui: Death Frenzy) is
impressive and compelling for the series. Yoshida is a compelling score and there is a lot to enjoy. A fantastic work for the series and one that
provides plenty of exciting energy and style to the series. Outstanding.
The series has a roster of screenwriters involved. Written by Akitoshi Yokoyama, Eun Young Choi, Masaaki Yuasa, Michio Mihara, and Tomoya
Takahashi, Kaiba has fun experimenting with the compelling concept. The dark science-fiction tonal qualities in the story are explored.
Directed by Masaaki Yuasa (INU-OH, Lu over the wall), Kaiba is an interesting and unique series from
the visionary filmmaker. Yuasa is one of the more compelling filmmakers working in anime today and his work provides plenty of exciting energy
and plenty of style. Yuasa is a unique talent and anything directed by the filmmaker bears some significance. Anime fans who enjoy more
experimental filmmaking will want to check it out.
Kaiba: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Released on Blu-ray from Anime Limited, Kaiba is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television
broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The series has a wonderful high-definition presentation. The color reproduction on the release is excellent.
The presentation is crisp and well-defined. The encoding is excellent and detail is well reproduced in the animation. Anime Limited has done a solid job
with the video quality on the release.
Kaiba: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 (with English subtitles). The release provides and preserves the sound direction by
Keiichi Momose. Dialogue sounds crisp and clear. Fantastic detail is apparent in the score soundtrack. The stereo sound imaging is engaging. The
presentation provides a satisfactory experience – the only potential drawback for audiences being the lack of an English dub. The English
subtitles for the original Japanese language presentation are good and are free from egregious issues with spelling or grammar.
Kaiba: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
The collector's edition comes with a deluxe chip-board art-box and a 39-page art
booklet.
On disc supplements include:
Textless Openings (HD, 3:02)
Textless Endings (HD, 4:37)
Textless Inserts (HD, 4:24)
Kaiba: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Kaiba is a compelling science-fiction anime series with a unique aesthetic and style. The series comes from visionary filmmaker
Masaaki Yuasa (INU-OH). Fans of Yuasa won't want to miss this compelling series from the director. The animation is strange and
distinct – thus giving the series some added personality.
The Blu-ray release provides a strong video and audio presentation. The collector's edition includes a chip-board art box and a 39-page
booklet with artwork. Kaiba fans will want to consider a purchase. Recommended.
