Lucky Star: The Complete Series & OVA Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Lucky Star: The Complete Series & OVA Blu-ray Movie Review

A charming anime series with a fun concept.

Lucky Star is a charming and quirky anime with a Chibi art style. The series is from creator Kagami Yoshimizu. The production features original animation from Kyoto Animation (Beyond the Boundary, Clannad After Story). Executive produced by Masao Kawano, Nobuhiko Sakoh, Takeshi Yasuda, and Yoko Hatta, Lucky Star is a clever series with an interesting spin on exploring otaku culture.

Konata Izumi (Aya Hirano) is an airhead with a lot of time on her hands – she loves obsessing over anime series and manga books. Yet her day-to-day is filled with fun and imagination with her best friends, the twins Kagami Hiiragi (Emiri Katō) and Tsukasa Hiiragi (Kaori Fukuhara), who are always there for her in times of need. Konata wants to learn more about boys and what appeals to them and also to find out more about the world – with questions about the universe at large. Yet Konata must also balance the fact she is a “moe” girl (cute and adorable) and how to balance that out with her other obsessions. Could being a moe girl help Konata make it through high school and find her perfect boyfriend?

The characters are quirky and charming. The entire production benefits enormously from the Chibi style of characters and the aloof nature of the production. Konata is a fun protagonist with a passion for the world of anime and manga. Her dedication to otaku culture makes the series more compelling and the audience will relate to her dedication to anime culture. The supporting cast excels as well (with both of the twins being fun characters). Kagami and Tsukasa are an essential component of the series and each character brings another distinct element to the production.

One of the most unique and artistic elements of the production is on display with the beautiful animation. The art style is different from many anime series and takes on a more creative and distinctive Chibi art style that is often to the series benefit creatively. The series animation direction is handled by chief animation direction by Yukiko Horiguchi (K-ON!, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), who also handled the character designs, adapted from the original designs by Kagami Yoshimizu. The art style provides the characters and the world each inhibits with the right artistic notes for a good series.

"Kawai! Otaku!"

The cinematography by Kazuya Takao (Liz and the Blue Bird, A Silent Voice) is less impressive in some respects – partly to the time period in which the series was produced as the limited nature of these animated episodes (being produced with newer computer elements to enhance the animation) is something that results in the series not being as bright or colorful as it could have been as a new production. Nonetheless, the efforts of Takao are commendable and should be viewed with the understanding of the creative process of the production time-period.

The score composed by Satoru Kousaki (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya) is enjoyably light and airy. The music provides a sense of charm and style to the production. The series has a energetic and “fun” score showcasing these characters and their own anime “Otaku” worlds.

Written by Touko Machida (Battle Game in 5 Seconds, Chaika - The Coffin Princess), Lucky Star is a series with a smart concept and good execution. The series has a fun cast and screenwriter Machida handles balancing their moments with other comedic sensibilities inherit in the production. A solid effort by Machida.

Directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto (Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, Amagi Brilliant Park) and Yutaka Yamamoto (Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens, Fractale), Lucky Star is an engaging production with some fun ideas. It certainly explores Otaku culture and the impact of anime and manga series on the mind-set of its own characters. These elements (and some of the other broader ideas explored) are well showcased by the directors. Lucky Star is an anime for fans of quirky series with a heartfelt and charming style.

Lucky Star: The Complete Series & OVA Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Funimation, Lucky Star is presented in 1080i MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. This is a upconversion of the standard-definition source material. The release lacks the quality of animation one would experience on a newer production because of technical limitations. Unfortunately, these elements cannot be overcome due to the nature of the production. As a result, the release is upscaled to high definition. The 1080i upscaling is reasonably good but it is flawed as well. The interacting leaves jagged lines and the series appears less crisp and beautiful because of the format. The animation is not as sharp or crystal clear as on newer productions as well. The colors are also somewhat muted by comparison. A decent but underwhelming video presentation.

Lucky Star: The Complete Series & OVA Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of audio options: Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles) and English Dolby TrueHD 2.0 stereo. The lossless audio quality fares a little bit better compared to the video presentation. Though the audio sounds a little limited in its source as well, the score is well represented on the release, and the dynamics are improved by the encoding. Dialogue is clear and is easy to understand. A decent effort by Funimation.

Lucky Star: The Complete Series & OVA Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

OVA: "JK" (HD, 43:16)

Lucky Racer: Checker Flag in Akihabara & Lucky Racer Highlight (HD, 11:17)

Radio Kansai's Public Recording of "New Lucky Channel" (HD, 13:23)

On-Screen Text Reference Guide includes 26 click-through pages of notations.

U.S. Trailer (HD, 00:46)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases from Funimation: a good librarian like a good shepherd (HD, 00:52), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (HD, 2:02), One Piece (SD, 1:04), and Shonen Hollywood – Holly Stage for 50 (SD, 00:52).

Lucky Star: The Complete Series & OVA Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lucky Star is an entertaining anime series with a quirky "Chibi" anime concept that works well with the sensibilities of the production. The characters are charming and play a big role in the success inherit in the series. The Blu-ray release is sourced from lower resolution material and has been upscaled to 1080i high definition. The upscale isn't quite as crisp or detailed as desired but it does offer a decent enough high-definition presentation. The audio is lossless. Fans of the series will want to consider the pros and cons of the series release and whether or not it is worth it to pick up the release.