Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Pompo the Cinéphile Blu-ray Movie Review

Pompo the Cinephile is a charming comedy surrounding the world of cinema and the motion-picture industry. Created by Shogo Sugitani, Pompo the Cinephile features quality animation production by CLAP (The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes, Play It Cool, Guys). Produced by Motoki Mukaichi (A Letter to Momo, Space Dandy) and Ryoichiro Matsuo (Ryūjinnuma, Kieta Akazukin-chan), Pompo the Cinephile is distributed by Kadokawa Animation (Saga of Tanya the Evil, Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation). A fun, charming, and affecting anime feature about the dreamer in all of us.

Joelle Davidovich "Pompo" Pomponett (Konomi Kohara) is considered a bit of a hot-shot producer with al of fame to their name. Yet Pompo is mostly known for producing over-the-top “B movies” and not much else – the kind of action films with bikini clad girls and guns a-blazing. What’s a girl to do if interested in changing the name of the game?

The question arises of if Pompo could make something that fits outside of the B-movie box. Joined by her close assistant Gene Fini (Hiroya Shimizu), the cinematic landscape of Pompo’s films might be changed as Gene is instructed by her to direct her next production. Mission: Impossible?

The next film in her line-up is like nothing in her filmography: a drama about an aging artist struggling with the art of being a genius. The film is set to star Martin Braddock and a new and up-and-coming actress who is just getting started. Can Gene direct the producing vision of Pompo and make the production something that can fulfill all of their dreams? Making movies isn’t easy – and chaos sometimes gets in the way. The stage is set. Lights – Camera – Action!

The characters are charming and the central protagonist makes Pompo the Cinephile all the more engaging. Pompo is full of enthusiasm and love for the art and craft of filmmaking. Even though regarded as someone who mostly makes B-movies, Pompo has as much love for cinemas as an auteur filmmaker.

Assistant Gene is a cool character and someone who sees the unyielding love for cinema by Pompo. The energy between the characters is fantastic and the film exudes a love for cinema through the characters. The character designs by Shingo Adachi (Sword Art Online, Wagnaria!!) are impressive, distinct, and charming too.  

The animation is remarkable throughout and a highlight of Pompo the Cinephile. Under the exquisite art direction of Miu Miyamoto (Venus to Mamoru, The Island of Giant Insects), Pompo the Cinephile is a beautiful looking production that it is easy to be swept up in to the charm of the art. The animation direction is first-rate with the involvement of Daiki Nagata, Keita Shimizu (Spy Classroom, The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting), Kenji Terao (Dr. Stone, My First Girlfriend is a Gal), Naohiro Ōsugi (Attack on Titan, The Anthem of the Heart), Shinpei Tomooka (Samurai Deeper Kyo, Trinity Seven), Tomomi Yabuki (Puzzle & Dragons X, Tokyo Ghoul), and Yasuhisa Katō (Excel Saga, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works). A fantastic team brought the film together and the animators delivered stunning animation that is so much more engaging than a typical film might provide. The style is refreshing and highly creative.  

The cinematography by Kou Hoshina (Grand Blue Dreaming, My Roommate is a Cat) and Masashi Uoyama (Platinum End, Ushio & Tora) adds to the visual wonderment of the experience as well. Cinematography plays a big role in the filmmaking. The bright and highly stylized visuals make everything come together in a fantastic way – the lush visuals making the production look more ambitious than the budget even suggests.

The score composed by Kenta Matsukuma (Real Girl, Occult Academy) is charming and engaging. The music was a nice compliment to the filmmaking. Composer Matsukuma has fun exploring the cast of characters and their unyielding love for cinema. What tremendous work by Matsukuma. There is an abundance of creativity in the score.

Written, directed, and storyboarded by Takayuki Hirao (Texhnolyze, God Eater), Pompo the Cinephile is a somewhat under-the-radar gem that demands to be seen. Cineastes and classic film fans will find the referential nods to the genres and styles of filmmaking highlighted in the film to be entertaining. The filmmaking blends together some modern anime sensibilities with elements of classic anime – the fun filmmaking showcasing a vibrant world of filmmaking that is sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who loves anime and cinema. Pompo the Cinephile is well worth discovery.

Pompo the Cinéphile Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray from Shout Factory and GKids, Pompo the Cinephile is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio. The feature-film is mostly presented with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Select scenes are in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 for artistic purposes (to achieve a specific artistic effect relevant to the story). The animation is bright and colorful on the release. A high quality encode capably handles the smooth and crisp animation.

Detail is exceptional and line art is well reproduced. The encoding is pleasing throughout the presentation and other than slight banding this is an outstanding transfer. The encoding offers a higher quality bit-rate for the video presentation than is found on streaming video service platforms. The superior bit-rates for video presentations offers a nice picture-quality boost that makes physical media and Blu-ray still a superior platform for viewing films – even with small gains the difference is appreciable. There is also the reassurance that one will not experience picture-quality dips that sometimes occur if there is an issue with equipment, buffering, or the service provider. The transfer provided on the Blu-ray release certainly satisfies in a way streaming cannot.

Pompo the Cinéphile Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (with English subtitles). The lossless audio sounds crisp and satisfying. Dialogue reproduction is excellent on the release as well. The score is enveloping and engaging. The surrounds are well utilized to enhance the viewing experience – adding a sense of depth and immersion.

Lossless audio is one of the greatest strengths of Blu-ray as a format. This is one of the greatest advantages over streaming video platforms – which only provide lossy audio quality that is substantially less engaging by comparison. Audiophiles will appreciate the huge boost in clarity and depth provided by lossless encoding and the encode on Pompo the Cinephile is enormously satisfying. A quality encode from GKids and Shout Factory.

Pompo the Cinéphile Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The first print run of the release includes a nice o-card slipcover. The slipcover may not be provided in the second print run. The only difference between the first print-run and second-print run is the inclusion of a slipcover during the first print – while the second print usually won't come with a slipcover.

On disc supplements include:

Audio Commentary by Director and Crew

Feature Length Storyboards (HD, 1:33:43)

Trailers & Spots (HD, 5:47)

Character Design Gallery includes 39 click-through slides showcasing illustrations.

Pompo the Cinéphile Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pompo the Cinephile is a charming delight with a compelling cast of characters and a fun concept involving the world of filmmaking. Cinema lovers will especially delight in the charms of the film. Exploring both the world of B-movies and art-film endeavors, Pompo the Cinephile is a fun and noteworthy adventure for cinephiles everywhere. The animation is stunning and the colorful art certainly makes the film all the more engaging.

The Blu-ray release features a strong video and audio presentation. The release also includes a selection of bonus features (including the feature- length storyboards for the film). The first print run of the film includes a o-card slipcover. The release should be considered an easy purchase for fans of the film. Highly recommended.