Kämpfer: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Kämpfer: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

An entertaining anime using the gender-swap anime trope a new spin

Kampfer is an action packed anime series which doesn't miss a beat from the powerhouse animation studio Nomad (Chronicles of the Going Home Club, Rozen Maiden). Brought to television as an adaptation of the original novel written by Japanese author Toshihiko Tsukiji (Maburaho), the production has been newly re-released on home media for the entertainment of anime fans in North America by distributor Sentai Filmworks (and this time with a brand new English dub to entice fans).

The series revolves around a group of kick-ass girls and a young guy named Natsuru. Unlike the rest of the girls comprising the Kampfer group of badasses, Natsuru is (obviously) a guy but he can transform and gender swap into being a female heroine with a long, flowing blue hairdo. All of the other girls in the group: Kaede, Akane, Mikoto and Shizuku have the ability to body-swap and transform as well but they turn into a different girl rather than gender-swapping like Natsuru.

Thrown into one crazy situation after another during the course of becoming a lady, Natsuru deals with the constant advances of his fellow Kampfer fighters: some looking to start something special with his male identity and other girls looking for something on the feminine side. It leads to crazy hijinks and comedic doses of quirky anime situations. The group of female warriors also battle it out together with their guns and swords ablazin' as they duke it out with the opposing baddies and fight to the bitter end.

"When do we Kampfer?"

The animation is stellar and features strong character designs by Mariko Fijita (Galaxy Angel franchise) which give each character a distinctive personality, appearance, and style. The unique contributions of the staff animators also helps to give the series a vibrant, colorful, and enjoyable style which is highly beneficial to the storytelling. Featuring a excellent score by composer Tatsuya Kato (Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere, Love Live! Sunshine!!), the music heightens both the dramatic sequences and the rip-roaring clashes on display in the epic battle scenes.

The series is highly goofy and one of the things which I enjoyed the most about the series is the fact that the show was such a throwback to anime series produced in the 1990's. Featuring direction from Yasuhiro Kuroda (Tenchi Universe, Full Metal Panic!), the long established anime director capably adapts the light action anime series with a firm grasp on handling the entertaining comedic hijinks and the exciting sequences of extreme action mayhem! Working with screenwriter Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Claymore, Black Clover), the duo form a dynamic team at creating this fun throwback anime which brings to mind the Tenchi franchise and Love Hina.

In addition to this release including the entire 12 episode run of the television series fans can also look forward to the inclusion of the two special OVA episodes which were produced after the final episode was broadcast on television. These standard-length OVA episodes help to conclude the Kampfer series on a significantly better creative note. While the final episode produced for the main television series was a Christmas themed episode, the OVA's pick up the story-line with some romantic entanglements and developments for the series which help to expand upon the series core characters and which thus provides viewers with a decent enough wrap-up.

The OVA's episodes included on this release are also presented in High Definition and can be viewed in sequence with the broadcast episodes in play-all mode. OVA 1: Versuchung – Head Start – and OVA 2: Jeden Tag Leben – I'd Like to See the Kampfer's Good Side conclude the series on a high note which fans will appreciate. The series might not be a total knockout classic but its an entertaining and highly effective gender-swap anime filled with fun action sequences. It's worth a look.

Kämpfer: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented by Sentai Filmworks, Kampfer arrives on Blu-ray (for the second time in North America) with a new release which offers the same degree of quality. The 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation is in a single word: superb. Viewers certainly won't be disappointed by the remarkable clarity and stunning detail which is on display in the image. The remarkably crisp line artwork looks robust and is altogether impressive.

With an amazingly colorful presentation, the animation truly pops off the screen with its vivid imagery. While I don't have the original Blu-ray release to directly compare to this new re-release, I would nonetheless expect that the exceptional video-quality included on this edition to have a striking resemblance to the previous edition. The main reason for Sentai Filmworks to even re-release this series is audio-related (due to a new dub). For additional information on the English dub audio track, please refer to the audio sub-section.

Kämpfer: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Kampfer is presented on Blu-ray with both English and Japanese 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio. When viewing the Japanese language version, subtitles are non-removable. The English dub is new to this release as the series was previously released by Sentai Filmworks as a subtitled only Blu-ray release. The new English dub is a excellent addition to the set for dub anime fans who would rather watch the series in this format. I found the new dubbing to be excellent with great casting for voice-actors and the track has excellent clarity for the dialogue and sound effects. Dub fans won't be remotely disappointed.

However, in comparing the two different versions, I must admit that I still have a slight preference for the original Japanese language version of the series. Both of the language tracks are worthwhile but I enjoyed the Japanese version just a little bit more. Clarity and detail was excellent. Nonetheless, it's always nice to have a variety of options to choose from and gaining the addition of an English dub is certainly preferable to a subbed-only release.

Kämpfer: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Fantastic Bowels! (SD, 11 min. 01 sec.) is a mini drama comedy featuring the talking stuffed animals in a comedic sit-down discussion which feels very satirical of Kampfer and anime in general.

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1 min. 31 sec.)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1 min. 32 sec.)

The release also includes trailers for other Sentai Filmworks releases available on Blu-ray: Waiting in the Summer (HD, 1 min. 33 sec.), Mitsuboshi Colors (HD, 1 min. 32 sec.), My Girlfriend is Shobitch (HD, 1 min. 32 sec.), and Is It Wrong to Try and Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (HD, 1 min. 32 sec.)

Kämpfer: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

For those who prefer watching anime dubbed (or insist that that is the only way to watch an anime) this re-release of Kampfer is certainly worth double-dipping for due to its inclusion of a quality new dub and any anime fans who are interested in the series and do not own any previous Blu-ray releases would do well to pick up this superior edition with its new additions (as it's not really detracting anything from the previous release of Kampfer).

Kampfer is highly entertaining and action packed. There is a strong cast of characters that keeps the story interesting. The video presentation is fantastic with great colors that pop. Anime fans who enjoy the comedic hijinks of gender swap series and who like high-energy action will certainly find this to be worthwhile entertainment. Given that the previous subbed-only edition is also out of print and fetching a significantly higher price on the aftermarket it makes this new re-release with the English dub added to the equation an even better value. Recommended.