Nisekoi: False Love: Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		4.0

Nisekoi: False Love: Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

An anime gem from Aniplex USA.

The Series:

Nisekoi is an entertaining and undeniably charming high-school romantic-comedy with action and adventure in good measure. The series features breathtaking animation by studio SHAFT (Bleach, Honey and Clover). Produced by Atsuhiro Iwakami (Sword Art Online, Puella Magi Madoka Magica), Hiroo Maruyama (My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist), Hiroyuki Kiyono, Mitsutoshi Kubota (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Bakemonogatari), Nisekoi is a must-see anime distributed by Aniplex. Based on the manga by Naoshi Komi, Nisekoi is an essential romantic-comedy gem with a lot of fun hijinks for anime fans.

High school students Raku Ichijo (Kouki Uchiyama) and Chitoge Kirisaki (Nao Toyama) begin a “false love” with one another: forming a pretend relationship in order to appease their feuding families in an all-out battle between Yazuka over-lords and a ruthless gang. The goofy students are much kinder compared to their rather eccentric family members – though the apple doesn't always fall far from the tree. As the misadventures of the students unfolds, Raku must find his missing locket – which he had promised to his old sweetheart. Chitoge begins to help Raku look for the missing locket (as a mystery surrounding the key to it unfolds).

Yet the “pretend” relationship might be becoming something more (and trouble ensues even more as the storyline unfolds). What happens when Raku starts to fall for the sweet-natured Kosaki Onodera (Kana Hanazawa), another girl from his school? Can Raku love both Chitoge and Kosaki at the same time or will his heart have to choose between the two? Hilarity ensues while Raku learns to follow his heart.

The animation is one of the best elements of the entire production. The series features first-rate art under the chief art direction of Ken Naito (Owarimonogatari, Koyomimonogatari). The animation is sublime in so many ways: background art is detailed and the layouts impress. The character designs by Nobuhiro Sugiyama (Arakawa Under the Bridge , ef: a tale of memories) also make a big impression and every character on the series has a distinctive style. The art always looks elegant and engaging. Kudos to the entire team of animators for a job-well-done.

An essential element of the anime is the original music score. The music composed by Tomoki Kikuya (The Girl Who Leapt Through Space, Wasteful Days of High School Girl) and Naoki Chiba (Love Lab, A Certain Scientific Railgun S) manages to imbue every single episode with a sense of unique charm and wonder. The score highlights the unusual character hijinks – both romantic and comedic. There is magic in the music and audiences are in for a real treat.

Nisekoi is an entertaining story with a lot of off-the-wall episodes that provide the characters with an abundance of fun scenarios involving the likes of dangerous hit-men, bodyguards, and gang-members. Despite some darker undertones, this is a consistently goofy anime series with a lot of comical sub-plots and character-based hijinks: dark comedy reigns. The series composition and scripts penned by Akiyuki Shinbo (Owarimonogatari, March comes in like a lion) and Fuyashi Tou ( Koyomimonogatari, Nisemonogatari) are insanely entertaining. The dialogue is fun and unique. The series never takes itself too seriously.

Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Puella Magi Madoka Magica) and Naoyuki Tatsuwa (Gourmet Girl Graffiti, And Yet the Town Moves), Nisekoi is a must-see anime series for any animation fans looking to find a quirky and off- the-wall romantic-comedy. The storytelling is silly throughout and the characters are goofballs with personality. Nisekoi is awesome: fun, weird, and original.

A great start to a must-see romantic comedy.

Volume 1:

Episode 1: “The Promise”

Screenplay by: Yukito Kizawa, Akiyuki Shinbo

Directed by: Takashi Kawabata, Naoyuki Tatsuwa, Akiyuki Shinbo

Episode 2: “The Encounter”

Screenplay by: Muneo Nakamoto, Akiyuki Shinbo, Fuyashi Tou

Directed by: Naoyuki Tatsuwa, Akiyuki Shinbo

Episode 3 – “Two of a Kind”

Screenplay by:Yukito Kizawa, Akiyuki Shinbo, Fuyashi Tou

Directed by: Sumito Sasaki, Naoyuki Tatsuwa, Akiyuki Shinbo

Episode 4 – “The Visit”

Screenplay by: Muneo Nakamoto, Akiyuki Shinbo, Fuyashi Tou

Directed by: Taro Kubo, Naoyuki Tatsuwa, Akiyuki Shinbo

Episode 5 – “Swimming”

Screenplay by: Yukito Kizawa, Akiyuki Shinbo, Fuyashi Tou

Directed by: Kosuke Hirota, Naoyuki Tatsuwa, Akiyuki Shinbo

Nisekoi: False Love: Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Aniplex, Nisekoi: Volume 1 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. Featuring vibrant animation throughout the entire series run, the complete set showcases the fine artistry of the animators with a well-encode presentation that preserves the artistic intent. Bravo!

While occasional scenes are presented in a scope 2.35:1 widescreen ratio (for a more cinematic effect), a majority of the presentation utilizes the standard widescreen format for anime productions (1.78:1). Colors are robust and deep and never seem to struggle to convey a colorful and imaginative world as seen in the anime. The encode is top-notch and never struggles with compression woes: artifacts and the like are nary to be seen. A superb presentation.

Nisekoi: False Love: Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 48 khz 24 bit depth audio presentation. The lossless, high-resolution audio sounds crisp and clear throughout the entire anime. Dialogue remains clear and easy to understand and there are no segments that seem harsh to listen to. Sound effects are well integrated in to the sound mix. The English subtitles are well-done and are free from any glaring spelling or grammatical errors.

Nisekoi: False Love: Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Textless Opening (HD, 1:32)

Textless Ending (Chitoge Version) (HD, 1:32)

Textless Ending (Kosaki Version) (HD, 1:32)

Nisekoi: False Love: Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Nisekoi: Volume 1 is a great introduction to the charming series. The characters are quirky and fun to spend time with. The animation is stellar. The production has so many good attributes that it is easy to become absorbed by the series and to have a good time. Don't overlook this under-the-radar gem. Highly recommended.