Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Michiko & Hatchin: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 11, 2013

Michiko and Hatchin are two misfits who have come together on a supposed quest to find a mystery man who holds an important role in both of their pasts. For those who would like a little bit more information on this nicely done anime, I refer you to our Michiko & Hatchin Part 1 Blu-ray review .

As I mentioned in the review of the first volume, the overriding issue that some viewers may have with this generally quite enjoyable outing is: why? Everything seems to be pointing to a "happily ever after", at least relatively speaking, and yet the series never quite gets there. Perhaps a second season might have finally given some definite answers and provided final conclusions to several dangling plot points. While a satisfying wrap up is left tantalizingly within reach, Michiko and Hatchin falters at the very end, which ironically may only leave viewers wanting more.

Michiko & Hatchin: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Michiko and Hatchin is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. This Manglobe Studios production (Samurai Champloo, a series also directed by Michiko and Hatchin's helmsman Sayo Yamamoto). This production may not have quite the visual ingenuity of some of the production house's other efforts, but it often comes close. Characters have an unusually realistic look to them, and line detail is sharp and precise. The locations, often fetid favelas and other crowded urban environments, are usually delivered with a nice degree of precision and at least occasionally beautifully popping colors. The series is a bit drab in the palette department, which keeps things from being overly vivid a lot of the time, and several flashback scenes are peppered with "grain" to differentiate them from the contemporary moments. There's also a tendency to artificially soften some scenes, especially those that take place in extremely hot environments (where faux heat waves and shimmer are added to basic animation). But generally speaking this is a great looking high definition presentation that, aside from a handful of very brief instances of banding, looks sharp, well detailed and artifact free.

Michiko & Hatchin: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Michiko and Hatchin features a rather good English dub delivered via Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and the original Japanese language version in Dolby TrueHD 2.0. While the English language version has a much more pronounced low end (as should be expected) and nice surround activity when for example Michiko and Hatchin tool around on their little scooter, curious fans may want to at least check out the Japanese language track since it features two fairly well known actresses, Yoko Maki (or Magi, as she's identified in an extra in the second volume), who starred in The Grudge and Suzuka Ohga, who starred in Memoirs of a Geisha. The series features an exceptional music score, which is opened up considerably in the 5.1 mix. Fidelity is excellent on both of these tracks, and dynamic range gets a workout courtesy of elements like gunshots and car chases.

Michiko & Hatchin: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All of the supplements are on Disc Four (i.e., the second disc of this particular volume).

• Episode 20 Commentary features Chris George, Akron Watson, and Jad Saxton.


• Episode 22 Commentary features Christopher Bevins, Monica Rial, and Jad Saxton.


• Hatchin: The Girl We All Love (1080p; 15:53) mirrors the first volume's featurette on Michiko, this time concentrating on this character and Jad Saxton, the artist voicing her.


• Special Interview (1080i; 7:04) features Yoko Magi and Suzuka Ohgo from the Japanese cast.


• Original Commercials (1080i; 00:33)


• U.S. Trailer (1080p; 2:05)


• Textless Opening Song (1080p; 1:22)


• Textless Closing Song (1080p; 1:22)

Michiko & Hatchin: Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Michiko and Hatchin is a really fun and interesting series that offers two incredibly distinctive lead characters and, perhaps just as notably, a really unusual set of locations for an anime outing. The series frankly may ultimately not completely fulfill its potential, but this is one series where the journey is probably more important than the destination. Recommended.