Orange: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

Orange: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Orange is a romantic-drama with science-fiction elements in the equation. Created by Ichigo Takano, the series will appeal to romantic anime fans. Orange features animation production by Telecom Animation Film (Blue Thermal, Lupin III: Farewell to Nostradamus) and TMS Entertainment (Case Closed, Dr. Stone). The theme music is performed by Yuu Takahashi (opening) and Kobukuro (ending). Produced by Ikumi Hayashi (The Dangers in My Heart, Kamisama Kiss) and Takashi Yoshizawa (One Week Friends, Natsuyuki Rendezvous), Orange is a well-done anime production.  

Executive produced by Fuminori Ryuno, Gorō Shinjuku (Ace of Diamond, Arata The Legend), Jun Murakami, Katsuya Shomori (Uzamaid!), Keiji Ota (BNA: Brand New Animal, Lu over the wall), Ken Sakamoto (Your Lie in April), Kenichiro Kaneda, Masayuki Nishide (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, Violet Evergarden), Noboru Yamada (The Helpful Fox Senko-san, Sakura Quest), Tadashi Takezaki (Case Closed: The Million-dollar Pentagram, Detective Conan - Episode One: The Great Detective Turned Small), and Yasuhiko Sakurai. Orange features voice-performances by Kana Hanazawa and Seiichirō Yamashita. Audiences who appreciate romantic-anime series will find Orange especially intriguing.

Naho Takamiya (Kana Hanazawa) is surprised when she finds a mysterious letter from her 26-year-old self forewarning her of a heartbreaking future involving the boy Kakeru Naruse (Seiichirō Yamashita). Could the letter be legitimate and a link to her future? Has Naho truly received a letter through time itself about a future romance?

Naho finds herself overwhelmed and confused when some of the details of this mysterious letter start to happen in real-time as Kakeru transfers into her own school. Yet the constantly evolving future isn’t written or set in stone. Can Naho and her close friends somehow find a way to bypass the tragedy of the letter from her future-self? Is a romance going to happen – without tragedy? Even as details written in the letter come to life, Naho wonders what could change the future – and make the “past” her own.

Naho Takamiya is a solid lead character for the romantic anime. The character designs by Nobuteru Yuki (Battle Royal High School, Heat Guy J) are compelling, too. The designs fit the cast of characters and provide a more creative aesthetic than expected.

The animation is one of the most impressive qualities of Orange. Orange features quality art direction by Kei Ichikura (Is This a Zombie?, Tokyo Ravens) and Takafumi Nishima (Hellsing Ultimate, Di Gi Charat - A Trip to the Planet). The series also features chief animation direction by Masaru Kitao (Cardcaptor Sakura, Death Note), Minoko Takasu (Tower of God, Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas), and Nobuteru Yuki (Heat Guy J, Record of Lodoss War). The animation is stellar and provides plenty of impressive aesthetic qualities – a more intriguing slice-of-life quality.

The cinematography by Tomo Namiki (Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious, Hanasaku Iroha - Blossoms for Tomorrow) is well-done and highlights the series animation. A nice cinematographic style. The evocative colors are well highlighted with the impressive effort.

The score composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi (Dr. Stone, Teasing Master Takagi-san) is a wonderful part of the production. The music is a great backdrop to the romantic elements of the series. A solid score by composer Tsutsumi.

Written by Yūko Kakihara (Unbreakable Machine-Doll, Pokémon Journeys: The Series), Orange is better than expected for a romantic anime. The series has a compelling lead character and a good concept. Blending romance and science-fiction together is always a plus. An intriguing storyline.

Directed by Naomi Nakayama (My Hero Academia, Orange: Mirai) and Hiroshi Hamasaki (Blade of the Immortal, Texhnolyze), Orange is well-done. Director Nakayama understands the audience and made something interesting with the anime. The romantic sci-fi series provides a unique spin on the genre. Fans of romantic anime series should definitely check it out.

Orange: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Funimation (now Crunchyroll), Orange is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation features crisp and colorful animation. The background animation and line art are well reproduced. Colors are crisp and vivid looking on the presentation. The encode quality is solid, too. The only drawback is some occasional banding on the presentation. Impressive looking animation and a nice presentation overall make the release stand out as well done nonetheless.

Orange: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 (with English subtitles). The sound direction by Yukio Nagasaki (Akudama Drive, Digimon: Data Squad) is effective at exploring the soundstage. The lossless audio is crisp and engaging. The English dub benefits by providing a slightly more expansive soundstage in 5.1 surround. The original Japanese language audio track will be the preference of purists wanting the most authentic experience. The English subtitles are well-done.

Orange: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Promo Videos (HD, 3:52)

Textless Opening Song "Hikari no Hahen" (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song "Mirai" Ver. 1 (HD, 1:53)

Textless Closing Song "Mirai" Ver. 2 (HD, 1:52)

Textless Closing Song "Mirai" Ver. 3 (HD, 1:53)

Trailers (HD, 5:00)

Orange: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Orange is a compelling romantic anime. The romantic series is all the more entertaining due to science-fiction elements being a part of the equation. Fans of romantic anime series will want to consider checking out Orange. The animation is stunning. The Blu-ray release provides an excellent video presentation and lossless audio. Recommended.