Mushibugyo: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Mushibugyo: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie Review

An action-adventure with alien bugs.

Mushibugyo is an action-packed science-fiction series. The anime is based on the original manga from creator Hiroshi Fukuda. Produced by Makoto Hijikata (Twin Star Exorcists, Dragon Collection) and Shin Furukawa (Attack on Titan, Captain Earth), Mushibugyo is a spin on the alien-invasion genre. The animation on Mushibugyo is produced by studio Seven Arcs Pictures (Dances with the Dragons, Idol Memories).

Jinbee Tsukishima (Kenn) seeks to join the elite ranks of the Mushibugyo. The Mushibugyo are a special squad tasked with fighting alien monsters in bug form. The aliens have invaded Japan. A dangerous path is around every corner of modern Japan.

The Samurai used to be considered gifted if able to kill the alien invaders but now it is considered as lucky to even survive against one. Joining Jinbee Tsukishima on his path are Hibachi (Rumi Okubo) and Haru (Satomi Akesaka), respectively a ninja and magic user. Can Jinbee Tsukishima (Kenn) eventually lead the heroes to salvation against the alien menace?

At the core of the series is the journey towards heroism by Jinbee Tsukishima. Jinbee Tsukishima is searching for his path in life: a destiny. Jinbee wants to be the hero of the story and help fight the nefarious alien invaders. For a action-anime, Tsukishima is a compelling lead character. There is something about the exploration of heroics on Mushibugyo that is intriguing.

The animation is one of the best elements of the production on Mushibugyo. The series features an excellent aesthetic. The team of animators did an impressive job of showcasing the science-fiction components of the tale. The art direction by Toshiko Kaizu (Asura Cryin', Yatterman Night) is quite effective at making the world-building seem larger in scope. The art direction makes the series seem more complex.

Ultimately, it is the quality animation direction by Akiharu Ishii (Blue Seed, Kuroko's Basketball) that makes the biggest impression on Mushibugyo. The series has a wonderful sense of scale and the animation is capable of showcasing the contributions of the animators efficiently. The series has outstanding use of color that is one of the more compelling production attributes.

The battle for the world begins.

The character designs by Yoshimitsu Yamashita (Samurai Flamenco, Blade of the Immortal) are a big part of the success of the series as well. The central protagonist has an effective design that is a nice match for an action series. Jinbee Tsukishima is a well-animated character in many respects. The character design is one that makes a distinct impression.

The cinematography by Tadashi Kitaoka (Dog Days, Burst Angel) shines. The series a vibrant and colorful production. The animation shines wonderfully. The visual aesthetic is one that highlights everything with brighter shades of color and more intense backdrops. Kitaoka delivers.

The score composed by Tetsuro Oda (Dr. Ramune: Mysterious Disease Specialist, Armored Trooper Votoms: Alone Again) doesn't make as big of an impression as it wishes to make on the series. The score is only modestly engaging and it is less creative than some anime series have. Nonetheless, composer Oda makes sure that the music is adequate background music for the action sequences.

Written by Yoichi Kato (Space Brothers, Yo-kai Watch), Mushibugyo is a series with a concept that is somewhat similar to many other anime series with bug-like alien invaders. The series wins little with regards to creative storytelling. Nonetheless, Kato does a decent job of making the series screenplay entertaining. The concept is reasonably well executed. The central protagonist is a good match for the series.

Directed by Takayuki Hamana (The Prince of Tennis, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen), Mushibugyo is an action-heavy extravaganza. Fans looking for an anime series with significant depth should consider looking elsewhere. Mushibugyo is about the fight scenes (involving the alien invaders). Fans of science-fiction anime may wish to check it out for the spectacle alone.

Mushibugyo: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Mushibugyo is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release features a native high-definition presentation. The release is impressive and has good color reproduction. The animation is well encoded and looks crisp and sharp during the encode. The presentation manages to do a solid job of showcasing the action scenes. The release looks quite satisfactory overall.

Mushibugyo: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo. No English dub option is provided on the release. The high-resolution audio sounds quite impressive. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand during the presentation. The music composed by Tetsuro Oda sounds vibrant on the mix. The stereo audio has decent fidelity and sound mixing. Though the series might have benefited from a 5.1 surround mix (especially given that it is an action-heavy science-fiction production), the 2.0 stereo audio track is nonetheless effective for the presentation of the series. A well-done audio encode by Sentai Filmworks.

Mushibugyo: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:32)

Japanese Promos (HD, 2:10)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: Mushibugio OVA (HD, 1:32), Needless (HD, 1:32), Ingress: The Animation (HD, 1:32), and BTOOOM! (HD, 1:33).

Mushibugyo: Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mushibugyo is an action-packed anime with a battle against alien invaders in bug form. The aliens make the world more dangerous and deadly. The samurai Mushibugyo have to fight for the future salvation of humankind. Jinbee Tsukishima is the central protagonist – fighting for the world. A effective science-fiction tale (even though it lacks some originality), Mushibugyo is effectively directed by Takayuki Hamana (Sorcerous Stabber Orphen, The Prince of Tennis). The Blu-ray release from Sentai Filmworks features a strong video-audio presentation. The release includes a small selection of bonus features. Recommended.