Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Kamen Rider Geats is a live-action science-fiction action series in the Tokusatsu genre of superhero series. Kamen Rider Geats stands as the 33^rd series created in the Kamen Rider franchise. Based on and inspired by the original Kamen Rider by Shotaro Ishinomori, Kamen Rider Geats is considered the fourth Kamen Rider series set within the Reiwa era. Developed for television by Ishimori Productions and the Toei Company, Kamen Rider Geats features opening theme song music entitled "Trust・Last" by Koda Kumi × Shōnan no Kaze and the series was also produced for television by production studios Toei Company, TV Asahi, and Asatsu-DK.

Kamen Rider Geats originally aired on Japanese television on ANN, TV Asahi, ABC TV, Mētele, KBC, and HTB. Originally broadcast between September 4^th, 2022 and August 27^th, 2023, Kamen Rider Geats is a Japanese live-action television series from producers Chihiro Inoue (TV Asahi) and Naomi Takebe (Toei). Starring Hideyoshi Kan, Ryuga Sato, and Yuna Hoshino, Kamen Rider Geats packs plenty of action into each episode for both longtime Kamen Rider fans and relative newcomers to the franchise.

The stakes are high as the dawn of a new era unfolds: the “Survival Games” have arrived and the games bring together all of the Kamen Riders from past generations to current generations together for one massive battle – the Kamen Riders united in order to fight a swarm of enemies left-and-right while competing against each other to see who is the best Kamen Rider of all. The Survival Games aren’t going to be easy and each Kamen Rider must test their strength, endurance, and abilities in order to even make it through the games – alive.

Each of the participating Kamen Rider heroes levels up with the competition providing each a score to add to the Survival Games Desire Grand Prix. In order to win, competitors must transform into their superhero Kamen Rider form and defeat as many enemies as possible while saving lives. The Survival Games have become a staple of online gaming – can these Kamen Rider heroes handle the games and survive to see another day? Each hero fights for the future of tomorrow – and the future only the Kamen Rider heroes may be able to bring. Game on!

The series has a good cast and the actors have fun with their respective roles. The main cast members enjoy their Tokusatsu genre roles and delve into the sometimes-over-the-top antics of the production.  Kamen Rider Geats also features stunt work by suit actor Yûji Nakata, taking on the Kamen Rider Geats role. The stunt work by the sunt team is also impressive with a lot of well-choreographed poses for the action scenes and stunt work showcasing action-packed vitality that is effectively showcased on the series.

The Kamen Rider Geats special effects are supervised by by Hiroshi Butsuda (Kamen Rider Gotchard, Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations). The special effects play a significant role in the production. The special effects certainly help to bring the production to life. The style of special effects aren’t as big budget as modern blockbusters of Hollywood but for a lower-budget Japanese television series in the Tokusatsu genre, Kamen Rider Geats delivers the type of special effects work one would come to expect for a modern-era production. The effects look sleek and well-done for the budget and there is a sense of cohesion to the production and its integration of CGI.

Written by Yuya Takahashi (Lupin the 3rd Part 6, Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible), Kamen Rider Geats is a decently penned script with solid characterizations and moments for the storytelling to shine within a storytelling landscape of Tokusatsu action. Fans of Japanese live-action television in the Tokusatsu genre know what to expect on some level – the characters are fun and yet the series emphasizes the action in spades.

Directed by Shojiro Nakazawa (Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, Kamen Rider Zero-One) and Teruaki Sugihara (Kamen Rider Revice, Kamen Rider Saber), Kamen Rider Geats will check off a lot of boxes for fans expecting more thrills within the Kamen Rider television franchise. Those who enjoy the style of television explored in the Tokusatsu genre –versions of Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, or even Power Rangers – that is the audience that will find something to enjoy with Kamen Rider Geats in spades.

Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Kamen Rider Geats 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 an outstanding high-definition presentation with excellent contrast and clarity on the release. The video quality is excellent with superb detail and definition. The color reproduction on the release is superb, providing a more immersive experience. The transfer is bright and clear with the details well preserved in the encoding.

One of the strengths of the physical media format is the superior presentation quality. Blu-ray provides superior video bit-rates compared to streaming video services. Streaming video services and platforms tend to provide a lower quality video bit-rate which provides the video with more compression when compared to the physical media format. For home theater enthusiasts seeking the absolute best video quality attainable, the physical format provides a benefit over streaming and it allows for the video to eek out extra detail in the image.

Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The audio sounds crisp, clear, and engaging. Dialogue is well reproduced and sounds exceptionally crisp on the release. A fantastic lossless audio presentation and one that capably preserves the sound stage: including series dialogue, sound effects, and score selections. The release does not include a English dub option (the release is geared more towards audio purists who wish to experience the series with the original Japanese language audio and sound design).

The Blu-ray release does provide audiophiles something special with the crisp lossless audio encoding – the encoding provides a more immersive sound quality experience compared to streaming platforms. Streaming video services provide lossy (non-lossless) audio quality which is comparatively a more compressed audio stream with lower bit-rates and less data transferred during playback. For the audiophile community and home theater enthusiasts, Blu-ray provides the best possible audio presentation playback.

Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The one area of the release that is significantly lacking is the supplemental package. The release doesn't include any on-disc supplements. The set could have been a more worthwhile package with some extra features added on the release.

The set could have "levelled up" by adding some audio commentaries, cast/crew interviews, production notes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, making-of documentaries, art galleries, photo galleries, trailers, and other supplementals. Unfortunately, Shout Factory has provided a barebones package that does not include any of these sorts of supplemental features – nada.

The Blu-ray release has no extra bonus features whatsoever – all you get are the episodes on the discs. The release could have been more well rounded and it is unfortunate to see such a lackluster bonus features package. Kamen Rider Geats fans will have to make due with just the series presentation. Supplements would have made a difference but alas there aren't any – not even a cool steelbook package or bonus art cards or posters to help make the set more impressive.  

Kamen Rider Geats: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Kamen Rider Geats is an entertaining entry in the Kamen Rider franchise and the Tokusatsu genre. The series is jam- packed with action and adventure. For fans of the genre, Kamen Rider Geats provides a whirlwind of intense action scenes to keep audiences entertained.

Kamen Rider Geats has received a quality Blu-ray release with a nice high-definition presentation and lossless audio encode. The set only disappoints in regards to the supplements. The release comes with no on disc bonus features whatsoever. Kamen Rider Geats also arrives with a standard package case (no bonus collectables are included – such as steelbook packaging, art cards, booklets, and other add-ons). Fans of the series looking to own a permanent copy for their collection may still wish to consider a purchase. Recommended.