Knights of Sidonia: Complete Series Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Knights of Sidonia: Complete Series Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A compelling science-fiction mecha anime.

Knights of Sidonia is an action-packed science-fiction adventure combining space opera and the mecha genre. The animation on Knights of Sidonia is produced by Polygon Pictures (Ronja the Robber's Daughter, Fist of the Blue Sky Regenesis). Knights of Sidonia comes from creator Tsutomu Nihei.

The series is executive produced by Gou Nakanishi (Flowers of Evil, Abnormal Physiology Seminar), Hideki Moriya (Ajin, Blame! ), Hiroo Maruyama (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, Attack on Titan), and Takuya Matsushita (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card), Knights of Sidonia is worth checking out. A unique sci-fi anime.

Gauna is an alien race which destroyed the original world that was home to humankind. Now as civilization attempts to learn how to adapt and change, humans join a spaceship: Sidonia. On this spaceship, humanity is learning about how to evolve – a new gender has been created and plants are now able to be photosynthesized. Nagate Tanikaze (Ryota Ohsaka) is part of the spaceship Sidonia – a hero of the story. Can humans survive on Sidonia and forge a new future?

The animation on Knights of Sidonia is intriguing and distinctive from many other productions. The animation is different than many anime productions and has a unique blend of CG animation. The animation direction from Kouji is a worthwhile effort. Under the art direction of Mitsunori Kataama and Ryusei Nishino, Knights of Sidonia has a compelling style.

Space time.

The art truly stands out from the crowd and that is something compelling to behold. The stylized animation adds a unique aspect to the production. The character designs by Yuki Moriyama (Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, Ajin: Demi-Human – Collide) are compelling as well. These designs were effective for the production.

One of the most interesting elements is the music score composed by Noriyuki Asakura (Ragnarok The Animation, Rurouni Kenshin). The original score is entertaining and adds a nice backdrop to the series. Fans of compelling action scores will find this one worthwhile.

Written by Sadayuki Murai (Perfect Blue, Steamboy), Knights of Sidonia is a series with a compelling concept. Fans of high-concept productions will feel as though there is something truly unique and distinctive about the program. The series explores a lot of interesting ideas and these play out in interesting ways.

Directed by Kobun Shizuno (Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, Monster Strike the Movie: Lucifer Dawn of Despair), Knights of Sidonia has a nice atmosphere. Fans of science-fiction anime will certainly find the production merits impressive. Shizuno delivers something compelling and it ultimately stands out as a unique entry in the mecha genre.

Knights of Sidonia: Complete Series Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai, Knights of Sidonia is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. This presentation is impressive overall and fans of the series will be pleased with the high- definition encoding. The release has good detail in the presentation. There are some minor drawbacks (such as slight banding to the image). Colors are intentionally bleak and de-saturated but this aesthetic is one that is well reproduced for the release.

Knights of Sidonia: Complete Series Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The audio presentation on the release is impressively encoded. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The surround sound audio provides the series with some added ambiance.

Knights of Sidonia: Complete Series Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 2:

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:31)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Behind the Scenes Part 1 (HD, 8:36)

Behind the Scenes Part 2 (HD, 6:33)

Press Conference (HD, 17:26)

Advance Screening (HD, 25:35)

Sound of Sidonia (HD, 10:32)

Disc 4:

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Episode 12: Decisive Battle – On Air Version – Japanese with English Subtitles (HD, 24:00)

Japanese Trailer (HD, 00:58)

TV Preview (HD, 1:04)

Knights of Sidonia: Movie Disc:

Japanese Teaser (HD, 00:34)

Japanese Trailer (HD, 1:32)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: RahXephon (HD, 1:12), Legend of the Galactic Heroes (HD, 1:32), Swordgai (HD, 1:02), and Vinland Saga (HD, 1:32).

Knights of Sidonia: Complete Series Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Knights of Sidonia is a compelling science-fiction anime production. Fans of mecha series will be interested in the unique hybrid. With genre storytelling and unique animation (with a style which showcases CG animation), anime fans will want to check out the series. The Blu-ray set has an impressive presentation and a nice selection of supplements. Recommended.