Onyx Equinox: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Onyx Equinox: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A Crunchyroll original.

Onyx Equinox is an action-packed science fiction animated series. Inspired by Japanese anime (in the same “vein” as Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra), Onyx Equinox is a Crunchyroll original streaming series. Created by Sofia Alexander, Onyx Equinox is produced by Crunchyroll animation studios and is a collaboration between Mexican and American companies (Tiger Animation & DR Movie).

Produced by Allison Monterosso and Marisa Balkus, Onyx Equinox is a series that some might mistake as Japanese anime at first glance (especially given that Crunchyroll specializes in Japanese animation). A series for animation fans seeking high-octane action. The series will mostly appeal to fans of anime. However, Onyx Equinox might be worth a look for those unfamiliar with Japanese anime.

The stage is set for an epic battle between the Gods. The entire future of humanity is at stake as the Gods fight a perilous battle. Mictlantecuhtli, God of the underworld, has managed to steal aways human blood and human souls. Yet the plans of Mictlantecuhtli risk complete failure when the serpent god Quetzalcoatl decides to stop the gates to the underworld from remaining open.

To close the gates to the underworld for good, Quetzalcoatl comes up with a complex plan and a high stakes bet is placed with the God of providence Tezcatlipoca. The question remains: can humans survive the competition of these Gods or will all of humanity cease to exist forevermore? Champion warrior Yaotl (Alejandro Vargas-Lugo) is the chosen one. Selected by the God Tezcatlipoca, the stage is set. Will the tale end in annihilation or salvation?

A battle stage is set.

The animation is one of the most impressive components of the production. The art style is reminiscent of Avatar: The Last Airbender in some respects and is reasonably engaging. The art direction by Joey Mason (Stretch Armstrong & the Flex Fighters, Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run) provides the series an engaging aesthetic. The team of animators involved on the series imbued the series with creativity.

The original score composed by Gustavo Farias (One Long Night, Soy Guerrero) offers an exciting and intense backdrop for the action sequences. Farias provides a score that elevates the action scenes. Certainly, the composer understands the goals of the series as an animated action series and the compositions reflect that style. The music explores the battle of the gods and makes the series all the more compelling as a production. As a little-known composer, the score by Farias is solid.

Written by Charlie Reeves (Peacekeepers, FreakAngels), Joshua Pruett (Phineas and Ferb, The Last Kids on Earth), Jennifer Muro (Lego DC Super Hero Girls, Dino Aventuras), and Kristle Peluso (Gen: Lock, High Guardian Spice), the writers on Onyx Equinox help the series excel with its action-packed entertainment. These staff writers certainly have fun playing in the sandbox.

Directed by Kevin Altieri (G.I. Joe: Renegades, Transformers: Rescue Bots), Ken Wong (The Cleveland Show, Final Space), Emi Yonemura (Gen: Lock, High Guardian Spice), and Kuni Tomita (Dora the Explorer, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz), Onyx Equinox showcases the visual sensibilities of the filmmakers. These action-oriented directors bring the high-octane adrenaline that audiences expect from these types of series. The emphasis in the directing is on visually compelling action sequencing and that is where the series excels the most. Fans of other series inspired by Japanese anime will find it worth looking in to.

Onyx Equinox: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Onyx Equinox is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original streaming aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release is impressive. Colors have outstanding "pop" and depth. The action scenes are wonderfully reproduced with the encoding by Sentai. There are no significant issues with compression. The release looks nice and animation is well preserved by the release.

Onyx Equinox: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo. The release does not provide a Japanese language dub option as the series is a collaboration between animation companies in the United States and Mexico and is not a traditional Japanese anime. The English audio on the release sounds exceptional. Dialogue is crisp and clear sounding. The stereo audio dynamics impress and provide adequate soundstage for the original score and sound effects. A solid audio encode by distributor Sentai Filmworks.

Onyx Equinox: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Sentai Filmworks: My Life as a Villainess (HD, 1:31), All Routes Lead to Doom! (HD, 1:32), Rent a Girlfriend (HD, 1:32), Alice in Borderland (HD, 1:32), and Kakegurui XX (HD, 1:33).

Onyx Equinox: Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Onyx Equinox is an exciting action-packed animated series. The production is a Crunchyroll original streaming series and was licensed or home media release by Sentai Filmworks. The series will be mistaken by some as a Japanese anime but it is actually a series heavily inspired by Japanese animation but was produced in a collaboration between Mexican and American animation studios. The series has a ambitious concept exploring a "battle of the gods" scenario and there is plenty of energy on display with the series. The animation is one of the most impressive components of the production and it certainly is something noteworthy.

The release includes a strong video and audio presentation. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray release lacks any significant supplemental materials and only includes a selection of trailers for other releases from Sentai Filmworks. Fans of the series will want to pick up the set to add to their Blu-ray collection while newcomers may wish to check it out first. Nonetheless, a quality Blu-ray release from Sentai. Recommended.